iDale

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…

Last week I received a small package of goodies from my friends at NoMU. Included was a “coffee rub” which may sound weird, but smells great – it’s no wonder I wasted no time on Friday night spicing up a juicy fillet steak to throw on the braai.

Spice it up a little bit

As I’m a man of variety, I had to compliment my experimental steak with these new beef ribs I found at Woollies and some Fry’s vegetarian hotdogs for the girlfriend. She don’t eat meat, but she sure like the bone!

Ribs, steak & sausages sizzling away

Everything turned out great as usual, but special mention needs to go to the coffee rub fillet… oh my god! It was seriously incredible! Who would have thought a slight coffee flavour on your steak would be so delicious? I know – the guys at NoMU of course. Just look at this juicy steak… go get yours now!

Perfect. Pink. Fillet.

When the food was all done we got stuck into a series called Life As We Know It and fell asleep with the crazy dachshunds…

ZZZZZZzzzzZZZzzzzzZZzzzzzZzzzzzzz...

Saturday I spotted this car in the new Woodmead centre:

Patriotism.

Either he’s the guy who stole your flag during the world cup. or he’s spend the equivalent value of his car on South African spirit. Even the inside was plastered in our national colours!

In the evening, we hooked up with some of the boys at a spot in Sunninghill called Beach Blanket Bohemia. It’s been open for a long time, but we’ve just never stepped inside and given them a try. A lesson well learned as we were really impressed with their food and service. 10 Points to Beach Blanket!

These guys make a mean pizza!

After a few rounds, we made our way to Movida where a bunch of guys decided to Halloween-it-up! The place was packed and at least 10 soon-to-be-married women were there, each with an entourage of “woo” girls that made me cringe every time the DJ put on a new song! “WOO”. FFS! The music was great but I have to ask why there is absolutely no ventilation in that place?! The only thing worse than coming home stinking of smoke is actually leaving a place because it stinks of smoke so badly!

Guido, Guido, Julius & iDale

Sunday we went shopping and Lauren found herself a cute little hat in Sandton City. She looks great in her little dress from YDE! MMMM!

The epitome of beauty & cuteness

In the afternoon we made a mission to Rosebank – we were completely surprised at how awesome the new section of The Zone is. There are loads of new stores (Nike, Superga, Cross Trainer, Forever New, Diesel, Luella, Republik, etc) and a bunch of great restaurants popping up too (KOI, Piza e Vino, Doppio Zero, Vida e Caffe and more).

In the Rosebank market we found a crowd selling those weathered picture frames and mirrors. It was a clear cut sign to start a collage picture frame wall in the pad! We purchased three frames and a central mirror and plan to collect a few more each week until the wall is full.

The collage picture frame wall is born

These frames did require some handy work, but I’ll put that in a DIY post of it’s own later in the week – then you can learn the best way to hang frames. 10/10!

While everyone was standing in queues to get U2 tickets, I was having a laid back relaxed weekend. As usual it kicked off with some food – on Saturday I used a herbed chicken recipe found on Simply Delicious (I’ll share that with you later in the week) which I washed down with a glass of great wine.

Herbed chicken, rice and a bottle of Pinot Noir

The girlfriend and I have kept the morning jogging going, this time doing a little more distance. It’s great to have a walk and a jog early in the morning – it just wakes you up and sets a good tone for the rest of the day. My aim is 5km per run – so wish me luck!

The starting gutter - this is where it all begins!

We always pass Skin Sense in Rivonia and I couldn’t resist snapping a picture to show and tell you that this is possibly the most tranquil place on earth. If you haven’t been for a massage or some kind of pampering here yet… then go. GO!

You'll never know true bliss until you've passed through these gates

On route we also pass this very weird house. My money is that a crazy lady like the one in Great Expectations lives here. Either way, the gate is so creative, so I had to share it with you…

This is where Nemo was last seen...

On Sunday we were lured into a small coffee shop in Sandton City called Chocolate. The menu looks great, but we didn’t have time to sit down, so we decided to get a chocochino. The owner was such a nice guy and gave me a small bar of 99% cocoa dark chocolate (Michel Cluizel) while he prepared our drink (which was incredibly tasty). The chocolate thing must be an acquired taste though – I’ll only go as far as 80% else it’s way too bitter. Lindt to be precise.

Find "Chocolate" next to Cartier in Sandton City

As you become familiar with idale, you’ll realise that a weekend is simply not complete without a braai. We gathered at a mate and had one massive cook-up! Chops, wors, chicken & kebabs – what more could you want to end off another perfect weekend?

Sometimes. Juuust sometimes... gas will do.

How was your weekend?

This past weekend started a tad early on Friday afternoon. While taking a number of shirts to my new tailor in Rivonia, I could not help myself… I had to stroll to Indulge - it’s the only place I know that pulls off the type of things you see in Cake Boss and whenever I’m there I find myself wanting to buy something for the sake of sweetness – this time it was a pair of Lindt cupcakes.

Saturday saw me doing the usual errands typically ending up at Sandton City with a bit of shopping. We were naturally lured into La Senza where they seem to have a super promotion every other weekend – this time it was R150 off Bra’s and Panties at R250 for 2. Can you believe the mind games they play on innocent women out there? I suppose it’s one of the reasons we love em!

As you know I love a great steak! So a weekend isn’t a weekend unless I’ve burnt some meat on the braai – even if it is a quick 45 minute cook-up!

On Sunday I went to Pomodora in Morningside for some spaghetti. I’ve never been before as the centre isn’t exactly my vibe (lets sit at Tasha’s with our Tom Ford shades, watch the Ferrari’s go by and sip on chocochino’s). I was pleasantly surprised at the excellent service and the pricing was reasonable too. Initially I would have said the portions could have been bigger, but for once I left an Italian restaurant not feeling like I was about to explode – it hit the spot perfectly!

Sunday night, right after the depression that is Carte Blanche, I fell victim to a McFlurry. Yes, it’s sad – missioning out in the rain on a quest for sweetness we got Oreo and caramel choc-chip (my favorite) and devoured em while watching The Ugly Truth, Kardashians and The Spin Crowd. Yes, I watch the Kardashians and chick-flicks in addition to hardcore actions and epic war films. Don’t judge me.

Bear Grylls can start a fire with two green two twigs in the rain, but us normal people prefer to do things the easy way:

These KM Firelighters are basically gigantic matches – so big, in fact, that I can’t imagine the fireball and plume of smoke these things emit when scraped against your rough, expendable surface of choice – seriously, each match is so large that you can count the tree rings! They burn for 8 minutes and are bound to get any braai going fast!

Get a pack of 20 here for $60 (about R435).

These trusty braai tongs have a built-in sensor that let you monitor your meat’s internal temperature on its backlit LCD display:

What’s even more impressive is that they also sound an alarm when your steak is ready, and double as an LED flashlight. The stainless steel tongs have presets for seven types of meat (along with one custom setting), and require two AAA batteries. Go on, find them online somewhere…

When I think of meatballs, I remember the classic scene in Lady & the Tramp when the one dog rolls the last meatball over to the other. Cute.

I also think about how I’ve never really loved meatballs, until now. I mean how does a smoked meatball sub sound right about now? Enticing and appetizing right? Well, now you can have tasty flavors on those meatballs by using this Meatball Grill Basket…

It’s from Williams-Sonoma and it holds up to 12 meatballs! Tt has perforated walls to retain the flavors and drain the fat off of beef, chicken, or whatever other meatballs you’re making. With polypropylene handle for easy turning and even cooking it’s a steal at just $50 (about R390)! Get it here and smoke a meatball

It holds everything you’ll need on a convenient tool belt for easy reach. It comes with a pair of speed tongs, a spatula, two lock-and-load washable inserts, and more importantly, a holder for your beer.

It’s the Grillslinger Sport! No more laying down of your grilling tools. And he who holds the tools is The Braai Master.

Get it here for $49 (about R400). Remember, You Can’t Blog (or do anything for that matter) on an Empty Stomach.

This luxurious outdoor cooking design has me salivating!

Just look at those two gas burners, those stainless steel curves and them exotic wood accents surface-treated with cooked linseed oil.

Did I mention it’s also got a lava rock grill an ollare stone that’s interchangeable with a cast iron plate, steel drawers mounted on automatic closing runners, a hinged stainless steel door to close the rubbish container and and water outlet.