Urban Boer

I’m still here and back next week By: Urban Boer May 21, 2013 Tags: personal

My dear readers, I know that it has been a while. After our return from Europe we hit the ground running with my daughter’s birthday weekend, a severe cold, exam and I am now busy finishing up my writing portfolio for my degree. I will be back next week blogging with some exciting new ideas and ventures which involves Urban Boer’s own design bookshop, a pop up shop or two in the works as well the The Communal Project is still under way and much much more. And of course lots and lots of travel posts coming your way. See you all next week, for now I am stretching my poetic muscles …until next week

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Life & Reflections

See you in a few weeks By: Urban Boer April 17, 2013 Tags: Travel

And so the much planned and much anticipated trip for 2013 has finally dawned upon us! So excited as if it was the first time but also so scared at how hard it will be to be away for so long from our daughter. So here is to travel, new adventures, new memories and coming back to love! Follow me on twitter and instagram to see how the trip is going.

P.S I will be back in the middle of May as after our return it is Emma’s birthday and my exmas….

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Where to next

Guest Post: The Angelheaded Hipster By: Urban Boer April 15, 2013 Tags: fashion, Guest Post, Travel

Hello Urban Boer readers!

Lizette has kindly asked me to share some of my essential travel pieces as she gets ready for her own travels to Paris and Berlin. Fortunately after a few trips over to Europe to visit my English boyfriend, I know a thing or two about packing for a cooler climate and how to make a limited amount of luggage space work for you so that you can be both stylish and warm while posing in front of the Eiffel Tower/Big Ben/ Berlin wall. As a disclaimer, I love clothes and while I’d love to be one of those women who can get multiple outfits out of like 10 clothing items. I’m just not. But these are some of the tips that have helped me out when it comes to dressing well and not leaving the country with an overweight bag before I have even left South African shores!

Given that Europe is transitioning into warmer weather, instead of bringing bulky jumpers and thick scarves etc, the art is in layering clothes which means you can easily take off clothes as the weather and all that walking leave you warmer. Some great layering pieces include:

- Flat boots. With the European way of life being much more reliant on walking and public transport that our own culture, I am going to start with the most fundamental piece of clothing for travel – shoes. For me, nothing beats a pair of (well worn in) flat leather boots either in black or brown. They provide the necessary warmth and a level of chicness even when paired with jeans, a tshirt and a coat. Also, they provide the support you’ll feet will need at the end of a long day spent walking Montmarte. And bearing in mind that the European climate is rainy at this time of year, they’ll keep your feet dry. Last year I got caught in a huge downpour while walking back from the Louvre, and riding the metro with wet Allstars was no fun.

- A denim shirt which can be worn buttoned up under a light jumper or worn over a striped shirt as a light jacket

- A lightweight trenchcoat is an absolute must for me. Its warm enough for cool mornings and lightweight enough to put in your bag if you get hot later on.

- A leather jacket. I have one from YDE and it is my fail safe jacket for keeping an outfit laid-back but edgy at the same time. It can also be dressed up for the evenings with some jeans or over a dress.

- Two or three pairs of pants. I tend to favour a pair of blue skinny jeans, black jeans and either a pair of bootleg jeans

- A black dress for the evening which can be worn underneath the trench coat or under the leather jacket with a scarf or a statement necklace.

- Lightweight jumpers (Country Road has some great ones). Bring along two or three with at least one being a dark colour, one a neutral like caramel and another in a bright color. You can get a lot of wear out of two or three jumpers over two weeks and just update the look with different scarves.

- Long sleeve T-shirts are a given but I love to pack at least two Breton striped long-sleeved T-shirts for some European chic.

- A striped black and white dress. Easy to dress up or to wear with a denim shirt underneath and wear with leggings and boots

- A brightly coloured blouse in a pink or cobalt blue to wear underneath the leather jacket in the evenings

- Scarves. An absolute must! I go a little crazy, and have to reign myself in with packing scarves. However many you pack is up to you but I like to pack scarves in a variety of colours and prints to match the colours of the clothes i am packing. Why I put such emphasis on scarves is that they are an accessory which can give a totally different feel to your basics which may start feeling like a uniform after the first weeks!

- A tote handbag. I hate to travel with a backpack so a tote bag that has space for my iPad, travel guides and camera

- A simple clutch bag for the evening

- Black heels to go with everything!

- Two statement necklaces, a chain necklace, some arm candy and long earrings to help keep your basics versatile.

- And lastly, a pair of Cats Eye sunglasses in the event that the sun actually shines!

There are many other things that I could add, but then isn’t that what shopping in other countries is for?

****

See Sarah’s blog, The Angelheaded Hipster

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Travel Tips

New Home Grown Blog Discoveries By: Urban Boer April 2, 2013 Tags: bloglove

I have recently discovered these 4 refreshing South African blogs and want to invite you all to follow them. I have had the privilege of meeting 3 out the 4 gorgeous ladies and I love their personal, unique and different blog styles and all of them happen to be based in Gauteng. Let me tell you a little bit more about them in their own words and why I love these new foundlings.

The Angelheaded Hipster

About: ‘This blog is my space for expressing my great love of fashion, dressing up, local design and life in Johannesburg. I started this blog in February 2011, out of a need to contribute to the discussion of local fashion while simultaneously trying to make international fashion trends relevant to me – a young twenty-something South African. I have always been an ardent supporter of South African fashion, and I find myself growing more and more excited about the future of local fashion. I have made it a point on my blog to showcase young local fashion designers and align my blog with the development of these designers. This passion and active contribution is what motivates me to participate and articulate South Africa’s growing style and aesthetic.’

What I love about Sarah and her blog

I love Sarah’s personal approach to fashion, as you regularly see her showcasing trends on her self which make it more accessible to the everyday person. I also like her personal style which shines through clearly and I think she has a great eye for what works. Her blog is beautifully designed and the personal touches about of her own life makes it really special, easy to relate to and her infectious personality is hard not to love!

Story of Bing

About: ’Hello, my name is Bing.I’m proudly Singaporean. Temporarily based in South Africa…So, we jetted between Singapore and NZ for a while, and now we do it between Singapore and South Africa.I like to call myself a bionic woman. Coz people get confused by the amount of flying.. ahem!..travelling that I do. In South Africa, I am extra super bionic. They say there are bullets to dodge!So what’s this blog about?Beautiful things. Memories. Thoughts. Love. Family. Travel. Cooking. Food…’

What I love about Bing and her blog.

Bing has an insatiable appetite for discovering. Usually there is a multitude of blogs about expats living outside of South Africa and I thought it was quite a nice touch being an expat living in Johannesburg! I used to live in Hong Kong for a couple of months and wish I had done the same, but alas my mind was on a wondering journey of its own, refusing to write at the time. As a Joburger I love her views on the city, she is fearsome and will do everything and anything and I think all Joburgers should live like Bing in Joburg!

Oh and I almost forgot to mention Story of Bing was voted the Best Lifestyle Blog for 2011 by the Singapore Blog awards!

In Bloom Style Studio Blog

About: ‘A visual scrapbook of the inspirations behind InBloom Lifestyle Studio, more info on the brands/ products we stock, love & believe in and just general posts on some of our favourite retail therapy & style psychology moments.’

In Bloom Style Studio is the brainchild of stylist Madeline Nortjé based in Pretoria. In Bloom Style Studio does wardrobe and style consulting (a definite must on my wish list as this is yet another gorgeous lady with serious style). The studio also stocks favourite brand items like Hunter, Minnetonka Moccasins, ThisOldThing, Jinger Jack, Hout Couture and Lou Harvey. Since March 2013 they have moved into:

St Georges Building, C/O The Hillside & Rodericks Streets, Lynnwood, Entry through Revive Salon

What I love about the blog

What I love about In Bloom Style Studio’s blog are the posts regarding fashion trends, the designs they stock and how to incorporate them in your wardrobe and of course their special offers. I love most of all any post that has to do with Hunters Boots! And it seems that Madeline is equally mad about them! Kindred Boot Spirits.

Wiscellaneous

About: Reformed shopaholic. Absent sister. Unapologetic perfectionist. Trainee wife. Severe OCD. Cat person. I’m Wisaal.

‘Wiscellaneous, in part is me playing a bit of catch up & proving to myself everyday through the cool folks that I meet, events I get to go to & just through what’s now become everyday experiences that anything & I mean anything is possible (I mean here I am, writing a blog & you’re reading it right!?). I’ve come learn that 9 out 10 times the things I try have worked. I’m still no social butterfly but that stat that alone keeps me trying my luck again & again…Be warned… blogging to me is a bit like thinking out loud & let’s just say my brain never switches off…’

What I love about Wiscellaneous:

I love Wisaal’s name for her blog because it is a very accurate description as it a wide lifestyle miscellany of this ex-Capetonian life. Wisaal is also documenting and on a mission in support of growing out your own Afro! Hers is beautiful by the way! As is her skin, so you better take her beauty advice too! After our short introduction and meeting I was left thinking that Wisaal is a soul with a lot of wisdom to depart which I am eager to learn from and gather from her blog. The blog also features her own travel experiences (most recently Portugal) which always gets me exctited and how a Cape Tonian copes and survives living in Joburg and all it has to offer!

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My Joburg

Urban Boer Project: The Com-mu-nal in Parkhurst By: Urban Boer March 26, 2013 Tags: projects

Urban Boer is launching the following project called The Communal which is looking to provide an urban field office for creatives if you will.. in the Parkhurst area or in close vicinity to it in the next couple of months. This would be an office space for those who work from home, small start up co, phd students and those working in creative field and who need a makeshift office, to join a membership-based community workspace. It’s a space where like-minded people can connect, collaborate, and socialise and network but their will also be quite zones for those who require it. Variable memberships will be available and all include wifi or the purchase of day passes. If you or anyone you know would be interested email or for more info please mail me or see our dedicated page of Membership information here

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Projects, uncatogorized

Happy 32! By: Urban Boer March 25, 2013 Tags: personal

It was my birthday over the weekend and we had a garden party planned for the backyard. The weather though didn’t make it easy as we were chased into the house by one passing thunderstorm after the other…lights, food, drinks and lanterns in hand and then back out again ! But that didn’t stop us and it still turned out a wonderful evening under thunderous clouds with my friends!

I was spoiled rotten, it was an amazing birthday! I think 32 is great age

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Life & Reflections

Beni Ourain on the cover of the new Elle Deco (SA edition) By: Urban Boer Tags: design

Wow. Have you seen the cover of the latest edition of Elle Deco? If you’ve been following Urban Boer for the last couple of weeks you would know that my most coveted design product at the moment is the Beni Ourain Moroccan handwoven carpet and on the cover of Elle Deco it is showcased perfectly. If you want to see these beauties up close and personal watch this space as Urban Boer and My Medina will be showcasing them here on home soil within the next couple of months. Date and venue will be announced soon. In the mean time go and have a look at them at My Medina Shop as well as our previous post on them

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Design

Where to next: I love Paris in the Springtime… By: Urban Boer March 18, 2013 Tags: Travel

Share a drink from the Paris Traveler Series by Obvious State

This time next month, my husband and I will be celebrating our wedding anniversary in Paris. I can’t wait to return to the city that started our love affair with travel and have ever since remained one of our favourite destinations to return to again and again. And now an item on our bucket list to tick off: spending our anniversary in Paris and it is almost upon us. It still feels slightly unreal that we are going as life is so chaotic and busy at the moment but I am sure as soon as the wheels hit the tarmac and that first brush of rudeness setts in it will feel all too real ! I still need to figure out what exactly we will do on this special day to mark the occasion…any ideas?

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Where to next

Travel: Morocco, bottled, potted and in tune. By: Urban Boer March 14, 2013 Tags: travel retrospect

Having worked with the wonderful people of My Medina and their beautiful carpets the last couple of days, it was inevitable that my memories of our own trip to Morocco would come surging back and then this beautiful post about the Roses of Morocco by El Ramla Hamla popped into my feed today which left me in a maze of remembrance.

If I told you that Morocco was a colourful and culture rich destination it would be an accurate but poor description on my part. Morocco is the song you hear for the first time that leaves you unsure whether you like it or not, that song that the more you hear it, the more its complicated melodic nuances makes sense because it was never pretty but beautiful from the start. It repeats later in rhythm with your own pulse, etches into your fibre and make up. It becomes part of the soundtrack of your life that leaves you wondering every time it plays ‘Why didn’t it click from the start’. But sometimes things are better this way, the appreciation becomes more intimate, the memories more vivid and real rather that a hazy dream. That is the imprint of Morocco.

The smell of rose petals filled the whole alley as we walk by exploring the Fez medina

But it is not only imagery that can take me back to the most exotic and rich of North African destinations. In my pantry is a bottle of Rose Water that whenever a catch a glimpse of it I have to smell and delight my nose as well as my wanderlust, whereafter I would call to my husband to come and smell the aisles of Fez. Like a sensory time machine it transport you instantaneously back on track towards the heart of the Fez Medina, the smell of rose petals gathered in baskets who’s perfumery has nowhere to go between the narrow alleys but imprint itself on you.

Mint tea in the square in Chefchaouen

As is the same with my little potted mint plant in the kitchen. One whiff of mint and I am back to the square of Chefchaouen swatting bees from our minted tea while old men in raggedy robes only concern is the checkers board in front of them. Or back to the roof top of our Riad in Rabat or that of our pot smoking Scottish hosts in Chefchaouen.

Yes Morocco is the smell of Rose Water and Mint and many many other things I suppose to others, but none other than these can transport and remind me of the adventure that was twee weeks of our lives once upon a time in Morocco! I can’t wait to take our daughter one day and return…perhaps a little bit more mature and wiser to say I love you at second sight.

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Travelogue

Boucherouite: Moroccan flooring for the colour enthusiast By: Urban Boer March 11, 2013 Tags: flooring, Moroccan style, special offers

There is only 5 more days left for Urban Boer readers to make use of the exclusive special offer by My Medina. 10% discount for all international and local readers when purchasing a Moroccan rug from their online shop here.

How to claim this offer

1. If you haven’t already, LIKE the Urban Boer facebook page

2. Go to the My Medina online shop here

3. Click on the urbanboer promo

4. When you check out enter your promo code UB10 to generate your 10% discount

Please note that this offer is not applicable to current sale items on the website

My Medina not only offers you a selection of Beni Ourain carpets as mentioned and seen in our previous post here, but also a selection of beautiful handwoven Boucherouite for the more colour conscious stylist. It ads a great pop to the room as is evident from the images below