Category Archives: Reviews

La Parada Tapas Bar opens in Rosebank, Johannesburg

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Last week I attended the media launch of La Parada Tapas Bar in The Firs Centre, Rosebank, Johannesburg. It was a colourful night, filled with ladies in feathers and lots of food and drinks!

La Parada has about 8 branches nationally with Rosebank being the most recent launch. It is known for its tapas, which is an appetizer or snack in Spanish cuisine. Tapas may be cold or hot. In some bars and restaurants in Spain and across the globe, tapas have evolved into a more sophisticated cuisine. Tapas can be combined to make a full meal and it is a social type of cuisine, ideal for sharing. We were able to taste a selection of the tapas, that were served by waiters floating around the floor. The prawns were my favourite, followed by the tantalising pizzas and sliders.          

                                               

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NeoVita Chewable Vitamins – Review

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As the year draws to a close and the new year beckons, taking stock of one’s health becomes important, especially as one gets older. I’ve already made a list of the specialists I need to see in 2022, but for day-to-day health, vitamins can be a part of one’s arsenal of defense for increased wellness, alongside exercise and eating well, of course.

A few weeks ago, the team from NeoVita vitamins reached out to me to review four bottles from their new range.

As someone who already takes about 4 pills a day for other health issues, taking more tablets is not what I am looking for, so I was glad to hear that NeoVita are actually flavoured, chewable vitamins.

I was sent the RADIANT SKIN, PROBI-TUM PROBIOTIC, LUSCIOUS HAIR and DAILY WOMEN’S MULTI-VITAMIN bottles from the new NeoVita range.

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Disney’s new movie “Jungle Cruise”

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I’ve been looking forward to “Jungle Cruise” for ages, as I am a huge Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt fan.

Inspired by the famous Disneyland theme park ride, Disney’s “Jungle Cruise” is an adventure-filled, rollicking thrill-ride down the Amazon with wisecracking skipper Frank Wolff and intrepid researcher Dr. Lily Houghton. Lily travels from London, England to the Amazon jungle and enlists Frank’s questionable services to guide her down-river on La Quila—his ramshackle-but-charming boat. 

Lily is determined to uncover an ancient tree with unparalleled healing abilities – possessing the power to change the future of medicine. Thrust on this epic quest together, the unlikely duo encounters innumerable dangers and supernatural forces, all lurking in the deceptive beauty of the lush rainforest. But as the secrets of the lost tree unfold, the stakes reach even higher for Lily and Frank and their fate – and mankind’s – hangs in the balance.

Jaume Collet-Serra directs the film, which stars Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Edgar Ramírez and Jack Whitehall, with Jesse Plemons, and Paul Giamatti. The producers are John Davis and John Fox of Davis Entertainment; Dwayne Johnson, Hiram Garcia and Dany Garcia of Seven Bucks Productions; and Beau Flynn of Flynn Picture Co., with Scott Sheldon and Doug Merrifield serving as executive producers. The story is by John Norville & Josh Goldstein and Glenn Ficarra & John Requa, and the screenplay is by Michael Green and Glenn Ficarra & John Requa.

Disney’s “Jungle Cruise” releases in cinemas in South Africa on 30 July 2021.         

Social Media

Website and Mobile site: https://disney.co.za/movies/jungle-cruise

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisneyinAfrica

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/disneystudiosafrica

Maroon 5’s new album “Jordi” releases on 11 June 2021.

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Photo credit: Travis Schneider

Three-time GRAMMY® Award-winning multi-platinum band Maroon 5 unveils the tracklisting and special guests for their latest full-length album, JORDI (222/ Interscope). The group’s seventh full-length record arrives in stores and at all DSPs on June 11, 2021.

Click HERE to pre-order JORDI.

This time around, a bevy of legendary guests and high-profile friends join Maroon 5. The first release off the album, “Beautiful Mistakes” features Megan Thee Stallion. blackbear joins the band on “Echo,” while the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Stevie Nicks teams up with the group for “Remedy.” Next up, Academy® Award winner H.E.R. guests on “Convince Me Otherwise,” and the late Juice WRLD makes a posthumous appearance on “Can’t Leave You Alone.” The album will also include the band’striple-platinum “Memories” and a “Memories” remix featuring late legend Nipsey Hussle and superstar rapper YG. Up and coming Zimbabwean artist Bantu is also featured on “One Light.”

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“uBettina Wethu” on SABC 1

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Farieda Metsileng plays Betty Sikhakane

If you haven’t caught an episode of uBettina Wethu on SABC 1 (Mondays to Wednesdays, 19:30, also on VIU) as yet – you’re missing out. The show follows the endeavours of main character Betty Sikhakane (Farieda Metsileng) as she navigates her first job in the City of Gold, Johannesburg.

In addition to the humourous and compelling storyline, the show boasts a talented local line up including Zweli Dube (Dingaan Jiyane); Tsholofelo Mashishi (Linda Jiyane) and Lesego “Coconut Kelz” Tlhabi (Zaza Moloi).

uBettina Wethu is based on the successful international format Yo Soy Betty La Fea – most familiar to local viewers as Ugly Betty – and has been adapted to 19 global territories and aired in 180 countries, in 15 languages, holding the Guinness World Record as ‘Most Successful Telenovela’.

The show kicked off on SABC1 in April 2021 and regularly appears in the Top 10 most-watched shows on the channel, drawing in excess of 2.5 million viewers for each of the trio of weekly episodes.

“We’ve been thrilled at South African viewers’ response to the show so far and we have grand plans for this stellar cast and their hugely-popular characters,” says Producer Tshepiso Chikapa Phiri, for Known Associates. “The storyline is at a pivotal point, and we’re going to be building towards our season finale in August this year. Fans may think they know the storyline from the various international versions of the show, but we’ve got some major shocks coming with a truly Mzansi twist”.

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What We’re Watching on Netflix

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I often get asked what’s on my streaming watch list, so I thought I’d write a series of posts for each streaming platform that I watch – starting of course, with everyone’s favourite, Netflix!

Besides discussing what’s just “dropped” I will also look at “golden oldies” such as Friends.  Can this series be considered that? I guess it can, since it celebrated it’s 25th anniversary in September 2019.

Please note that the below may contain spoilers!

First up – #BlackAF starring the creator, writer and executive producer of Black-ish, Grown-ish and Mixed-ish, Kenya Barris. By the way, Mixed-ish is my favourite of this trio, being mixed myself 🙂

The show is loosely based on his own family and life, in the sense that he plays himself, but apparently his character’s personality is the complete opposite of the real person. He has 6 kids (3 girls and 3 boys) with wife Joya (played by Rashida Jones) who is a former lawyer and never lets anyone forget that fact.

The 8 episodes cover their life and adventures as a family going through ups and downs, as only a wealthy Hollywood family can. The show is filmed “mocumentary” style and in reality format, where the characters do “diary sessions” (ala Keeping Up with the Kardashians and every other reality show). This is because the second eldest child, Drea, is using the show as her NYU Film School acceptance piece. The trailer showed the best and funniest bits, so I was expecting a lot, but at the end of the final episode, I kind of felt like I missed nothing. The only really memorable thing about the show is the opening sequence track by Jay Rock called “WIN” – which is now on my Deezer “Favourites” playlist.

That’s my 2 cents, but you can decide. Here’s the trailer:

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Jason Goliath’s new comedy show “Manstruation: Surviving a Wife”

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I attended the media launch of Jason Goliath’s new one-man show, called “MANSTRUATION: Surviving a Wife” on 1 October. The show is on from 2 to 12 October 2019 at the Auto and General Theatre on The Square at Sandton City, Johannesburg.

Jason is one of the very few comedians fondly known for getting away with making audiences laugh at life’s uncomfortable truths. Now having married the love of his life, audiences can prepare themselves for brutally honest and uncomfortable truths around relationships and a whole lot of laughter!

MANSTRUATION is a perfect night out. Whether you are in a short-term or long-term relationship, engaged, married, divorced or single, the show is a must see. Not only does he talk about what he has learned as a married man of 8 months, Jason also weaves in little nuggets of knowledge that he has picked up from strangers at car washes, about the sanctity of marriage.

Jason promises that his show it is not a story about the battle of the sexes. The very construct of the show is unbiased as it makes light of either side in the Jason Goliath way – hilarious and thought provoking. His authenticity and energetic personality will win you over and more than likely, leave you gaping at a thought, then immediately breaking into raucous laughter.

The content of the show talks to various types of relationships, but also the various stages of relationships, the relationships one should stay in and relationships one should get out of.

What should audiences expect? I thought the show was 90 minutes of humourous advice about how to love and treat your partner. It started out with a fair amount of toilet humour but quickly picks up to the more “serious” side of things when Jason starts to talk about marriage and the beauty of relationships.

“After leaving my show, I want people to better understand their situation and start thinking about what they want and where they are going. I want people in amazing relationships to “get out of their own way”. More often we take things too seriously, we have become too sensitive, we over-analyse and have become so selfish. My show offers a deeper understanding and a solution in the way I know best – being funny”.

 

Ticket Price:           R150 via Computicket

Venue:                    Auto and General Theatre on The Square, Sandton City

Dates:                     2-12 October 2019

My weekend with the Volvo XC40

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I was super excited when it was announced that I had won the use of the all new Volvo XC40 for a weekend, at the Cosmopolitan Hustle Summit last month. (read about it on my Instagram page here).

It just so happens that I have been looking at new cars because my BMW X3 was recently in the shop for repairs, for a few times. I now have a new car for my vision board in the shape of the Volvo XC40.

So, anyway, here’s my very lay person, non-motoring journalist review of this awesome vehicle. There will be no talk about torque, because who even uses words like that in real life? I will be looking at features, speed, luxury and of course, price.

Take a look at this video that I created, which gives you an idea of my driving experience.

Please note that this is a vertical video.

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Divaz Spa & Salon Review and Giveaway

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It’s not everyday at that a new, independent (not part of a franchise) spa and salon opens up, so I was keen to try out Divaz Spa & Salon, when I was invited to review it.

Situated in Langhams Lifestyle Estate in Fourways, Johannesburg, the spa is a “hop, skip and a jump” away from Montecasino. The fact that it is not in a mall helps, because one just has to park in the ample space parking lot and you are right at the entrance of the salon.

Entrance to Divaz Spa & Salon

I was welcomed by Fatima Omar, the Spa Owner and Belinda Aslett, the Spa Manager.

Belinda Aslett (Spa Manager) on the left and Fatima Omar (Spa Owner) on the right.

I was impressed by the size of the spa and salon. Even though there are no pools, saunas and steam rooms, the uniqueness lies in the fact that it is divided into two sections: one for kids and one for adults. The idea is that you can book your kids for a mini spa pampering and activities in the Kids Spa while you relax and rejuvenate in the Adults only section. The sections are completely separate as well. Fatima and her team can arrange kiddie birthday parties, pyjamas parties, bridal showers, baby showers etc. and can accommodate up to 40 adults or children in the large space. Have a look at the photos below to get an idea of the space available.

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Avengers: Endgame (Not a Review)

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I saw Avengers: Endgame yesterday, like the rest of the planet. Am I a comic book fan? No. But I had such severe FOMO that I was compelled to go see it.

I had to watch its predecessor, Avengers: Infinity War to quickly catch up with the story line. That done, hubby and I popped off to the IMAX in CradleStone Mall – because how else are you going to watch Avengers Endgame if not on a gigantic screen with surround sound, hey? He is the one who watches more comic book movies and TV series, but I wound up answering his questions about “Who is that character again?”

I am not going to risk “life and limb” by doing an actual review of the movie because … did you see that Facebook story about the guy in Hong Kong who was beaten up because he shouted out spoilers to a line of waiting patrons who were about to see the movie. Instead, here are some interesting facts and figures about the box office takings thus far in South, East and West Africa, for Avengers Endgame.

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