iDale

I’m love bringing things together, so it’s no surprise that I love the way Hugo has combined fashion, fun and safety with his new Black Motorcycle Helmet. Oooh…

Protect your pip in style

On the other hand I don’t love motorcycles, but this helmet looks pretty cool. And what’s the point of having a helmet without a bike, right? You can’t exactly rock up to the Blog Awards in a helmet (or maybe you can) without having the pocket rocket ready and waiting out front can you?

There isn’t much I want to do on a gloomy weekend in JHB, nor is there much one can actually do – so I decided to stay in on Friday evening after I dashed out to get some food…

You’ll know that I’m not usually a whiner, but unlike the weather, there is something that Global Wrapps in Morningside can do about the broken glass panel that covers their food from sneezing clients, coughing kids and general airborne germs – replace it. It’s been like that for almost two months and at this point I’m ready to write them off completely because it’s just plain unhygienic. Witness it…

Global Wrapps Morningside - spread the word as they spread the germs

In their defense, they do make a mean pineapple & chocolate desert wrapp. And to wash it all down – the best stuff on earth…

Fact: Snapple is the best stuff on earth.

Now that you know it only took 24 horny rabbits 6 years to multiply into 2 million hoppers, it’s time to introduce you to my Saturday…

A late sleep followed by another spectacular lunch at Life in Sandton Square – I seem to discover something rad there every single time I pull in. Don’t you just love these lights?

Life - a fine blend of edibles and interiors

I used to enjoy stopping past the “new” Vida after lunch, but it seems the doors have been chained closed for over two months now. I enquired and received a response from the coffee makers that the store is under construction – bullshit.

You see, when a store is under construction, people go in and people go out. Loud noises come from the inside and generally there is a sign that says something along the lines of “under construction” or “work in progress”. Nah ah, not here… if you peer through the security gate you’ll notice dust gathering on 2 month old cookies… what gives Vida?

Those construction Ninjas sure know how to take their time.

On Sunday I decided it was time to get out of my hood and head to the East. I stopped by the ever popular Oriental City in Bruma – it’s one of those Chinese markets run by Nigerians selling loads of no-name brand goods and knock-off stuff like these Chanel and Hello Kitty iPad covers…

Oriental City Bruma

Come to think of it, I’ve been there about ten times and never actually brought anything until yesterday – I found myself a new wallet – small, folds without a button and no coin holder pocket. You’ll be surprised how long I’ve been searching for something like this.

I then headed to Eastgate – officially the most confusing shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere – they could have filmed Labyrinth in that place and got the freaky extras at no additional cost.

I found a Jay Jays store which I love. They sell those rad licensed comic shirts like Ghostbusters, Superman and Spongebob. They also stock (but never sell) crap like these sun glasses…

Guaranteed to get you laid - only by something mechanical tho.

Being the kid I am, I couldn’t help myself wandering into the toy shop. It must be so radical being a kid in this day and age. The stuff they have at their disposal is so awesome, I had to get something…

I settled for an antiquated 1000 piece puzzle of New York City to keep me out of trouble in December. When it’s done I want to get it sealed together, framed and hang it up in the pad.

Puzzles. Keeping grown up kids challenged since 200AD

In the evening I logged on to the Apple App Store and finally downloaded Weber’s On the Grill app for the iPad – It’s the best thing since Twitter.

I found a comprehensive recipe and guide on how to prepare a Beer Can Chicken, so I went to my nearest Spar and purchased all the ingredients I needed to make what I thought to be the ultimate dinner (at the time of course).

So I lit myself a fire in the Weber, prepared the complex chicken rub, cracked open the beer, made the marinade and then removed the bird from it’s packaging…

…it was off.

Weber iPad Beer Bird

So there I was with my fire, my spice, my beer and one rancid chicken. Not the most ideal way to end off a weekend. In the end I ate some rice and fell asleep to the sound of rain.

This rare, race-bred 1949 Ferrari 166 MM Touring Barchetta is expected to fetch about $2 million early next year at an auction in Arizona…

That's what she looks like ladies & gentlemen

The car was originally commissioned for the 1949 Paris Motor Show and is considered one of the rarest and most historic early Ferraris, having been owned and raced by many notable individuals in the Ferrari world.

VRRROOOOOOM!

The 10th built of just 25 examples featuring striking “Barchetta” coackwork from Carrozzeria Touring of Milan, made its racing debut at the 1950 Mar del Plata in Argentina, finishing an impressive first overall. It was also raced in period in the 1951 Mille Miglia, where it was driven by well-known female driver Aprile Palmer, who purchased the car shortly afterwards.

Quality. Detail. Precision. Even way back in '49

The vehicle (0024 M) was totally restored and is today finished in red and fitted with its original components, including chassis, numbers-matching engine, gearbox and differential.

I came across this unusual collection of furniture yesterday by Tim Delger, a Texas based designer – he’s using street signs to make contemporary furniture…

Yield side table

Clearly he jacked a few stop signs, one way signs, crossing or yielding signs and created these rad deco items. His payoff line even reads “Art/Furniture/Stolen government property built by Tim” – classic.

One way seating

So Tim is a diverse artist, but the question is: What do you think of the repurposing of the road signs? Are they artistic or just a waste of time? Would you even use or want them in your pad?

This way coffee table

If you’re into the decoration thing be sure to check out all my House & Home posts here.

I struggle to pay more than R400 for a good book. But it seems there are people out there who don’t mind parting with the likes of seventy two bar. This is the bound beauty in question…

Birds of America by John James Audubon

A copy of “Birds of America” by John James Audubon was sold Tuesday at auction in London for more than $10 million, making it the world’s most expensive printed book. The book, one of the best preserved editions of Audubon’s 19th-century masterpiece features 435 hand-colored illustrations.

Two of Johns feathered friends

It went to an anonymous collector bidding by telephone and came from the estate of the second Baron Hesketh, a collector who died in 1955. Though the sale set the record for a printed book, Bill Gates paid $31 million in 1994 for a 72-page notebook of Leonardo da Vinci’s, known as the Leicester Codex.

Word!

Have you ever had those nights where you struggle to get to bed, and once you eventually do, you find yourself waking up again at 4am fresh as a daisy with no idea what to do with yourself? – that was me on Thursday.

Now, combine that with an equally intense week and you’ve got a formula for one tired man – that’s why my weekend started off really slowly with a solid rest…

Bailey knows a thing or two bout good sleepin'

Once I rose from the dead on Saturday morning, I received a much anticipated package in the post…

iDale - an official Wondebra scout - with cards to prove it.

I got those babies sent to me by registering on the Wonderbra web site – and just in time considering there is less than a week left to scout the next Wonderbra girl!

Beer, wine, sangria, champagne

After all the excitement wore off I got ready for a friends engagement. As you can see above there was plenty going round at the party. The hubbly bubblies were a nice touch and everyone enjoyed puffing on them throughout the evening. Then I found this pearler in the bathroom and had to show you…

Couldn't agree more

On Sunday I did something I haven’t done in ages – read a You Magazine. I honestly can’t remember the last time I flipped through SA’s best general interest mag. But like riding a bicycle, it all came back to me – I knew exactly where all the good bits were: horoscopes, celebrity gossip, crosswords and the cheesy poster in the centre.

Can you say scandal?

Much like all the shopping centers in JHB, the magazine was also scattered with Christmas fever. So I headed to Woolworths in the Design Quarter to find myself another picture frame – I think I’ve become slightly obsessed with this whole picture frame collage wall. I’ve now got 19 frames up on the wall, the latest being this fine specimen that was on special…

In a good frame of mind

As I’m sure you were able to predict, Sunday evening I lit a fire and made myself a braai. This time I did a lemon & herb chicken using the indirect cooking method – that means I made two small fires on either side in the Weber. Then I placed the chicken in the centre, closed the lid and waited 45 minutes for perfection!

weber chicken braai

A great weekend once again with a great week ahead on the cards…

Earlier this year during the World Cup I showed you these Superga Flag Shoes which I thought were not only great looking but also very interesting in terms of advertising during the 2010 FIFA soccer event.

It seems the Italian footwear company isn’t stopping with the cutting edge advertising just yet…

Cue Star Wars music right about now...

Nope, they have done it again – this time with a huge replica of their famous Superga 2750 Heritage style shoe along the highway right by Cape Town International Airport.

When I say huge, I mean it. This is THE LARGEST SHOE IN AFRICA.

You know what they say right? Big feet... big...

The masterpiece was constructed by Wideopen Platform, a Subsidairy of Primedia-Unlimited, who specialise in delivering ground breaking, high impact outdoor advertising for the South African market.

And boy, have they delivered on their promise! Press play below to see a short film showing the construction and setup of the large Superga shoe in Cape Town…

Visit the Superga web site to see their full range of shoes.

My French is a little rusty, but that’s not what this about – it’s about the new Mercedes Benz SLK. So watch the video below to see every aspect of the new car.

As for the French part… it seems the concept goes along the lines the car being this guys lady (who talks back) – he revs her engine if you know what I mean? They are going for the whole “your closest relationship with the road” vibe…

I love the way the new look SLK follows the design styling from the SLS-AMG I featured over here.

Over the past several weeks we’ve been peddling our very own Wonderbra giveaway on iDale. Sadly it’s come to an end, but thirteen lucky people took home awesome prizes valued at over R6000.

Three of them won vouchers to get themselves some Wonderbra gear – perfect for and just in time to enter the Wonderbra Model Search!

Click the image to visit www.wonderbra.co.za then click on "Model Search"

Don’t fret just yet – you still have a week to get into the draw (if you’re a girl who’s worthy or a guy who knows someone worthy).

Stop wasting time… www.wonderbra.co.za

Mixed Martial Arts is a fast growing sport both worldwide and in South Africa. Personally I think most of the guys who participate are a tad nuts, but it doesn’t stop me from attending events, supporting my favorites and getting into the whole vibe that goes hand-in-hand with events like EFC Africa.

Last night was the sixth EFC event I’ve attended and despite a few hiccups like power outages and controversial judgements by the referees, the matches were very impressive with many knockouts and highly technical submissions.

Alex Cheboub

The fight of the night went to the lightweight battle between William Bentley and Alex Cheboub. Cheboub was victorious late into the first round and also won submission of the night with his omoplata – a technical Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu shoulder lock applied using a leg.

Paul Terblanche made an impressive return to the EFC by defeating Janus De Lange with a massive knockout eight seconds into the first round. Poor De Lange was out cold after catching a huge overhand right on the chin.

Janus De Lange during weigh-in. Bet he never knew he'd be knocked out then.

The most anticipated fight of the evening was between Lebanese star Abdallah Hamdan and no 1 ranked welterweight Adam Speechly. EFC says that “Hamdan showed off his exceptional striking, knocking out Speechly with a quick right cross”, but what I saw was very different… Speechly slipped and fall back on the ground at which point Hamdan delivered a hard punch to his face. Speechly appeared to be maintaining his defense (and consciousness) despite the ref stopping the fight – he was pretty pissed off by the decision!

The judges decision is final

Full contact mixed martial arts has rules like any other sport. And the purpose of the rules are to ensure safety for the people playing the game. So it’s quite controversial when a judge, who has the closest view of the action and the experience to back it up, is boo’d by the crowd for ending a contest he believes will result in serious injury.

In the last year one fighter was so severely hurt he spent quite a while comatose in hospital and to this day he is still recovering. His life will never be the same in one of the worst possible ways you can imagine.

So to all the steroid-chomping idiots who attend these events and heckle the referees while flexing their muscles and sporting their “official fighting gear”… get real and understand that walking around like a hero does not make you a professional mixed martial artist or referee. It makes you a naive idiot.

The EFC Hexagon

EFC 07

EFC Africa returns to the Coca-Cola Dome on 3 February 2011, featuring the headline bout between heavyweights Rico Hattingh and Calven Robinson. Visit the EFC web site for more info.

Take a look at EFC 05 where the title of heavyweight champion was won.