5MINUTES

We run events… in the privacy of participants’ own homes, which really gives us freedom to express honestly. Your strangest source of inspiration? Right now, Shark Tank – those money-minded entrepreneurs are giving me a new perspective on my business, finances and future endeavours. What would be the soundtrack to your life? I have a reminder set on my phone that goes off every couple of hours. It’s a remix of RuPaul’s ‘Supermodel’, with the lyrics ‘Girl, you better work!’ Every time it plays, my production assistant – the lovely Astrid – and I get up, dance like crazy and affirm the positive things we want to bring into our lives.Around the world, you’ll find me going to... find the tastiest things to eat.Running a business at night takes… lots of Vitamin C.If Marie Claire is Think Smart, Look Amazing… Academy of Oh is Think Sexy, Look Fabulous!

Ms Noble’s Academy of Oh is for women who want to learn to orgasm. We speak to Irit about her new project…

A handwritten letter means that much more It’s good to be seeing a back-to-paper

revival; e-vites are so last season

with irit noble

112 february 2013

am an on-line content producer for Woolworths, columnist, writer and

a not-so-serious blogger obsessed with travel, food, wine and design. My philosophy in life is pretty simple: if you pin it, draw it or blog it, it will come. So here goes with these three things on my lust list, which will give you some indication of what other kinds of goodies you’ll find in ‘Agenda’ this month. The first is Mid-Century and retro-chic furniture from Vamp Furniture (Vampfurniture.blogspot.com). Then, I’m determined to invest in a satchel that will age with grace so this Cartier (Cartier.com) version (right) would serve me well. Finally, when I’m feeling brave enough, I’m going to get my hair dyed pink. You’ll notice I’ve managed to pick a pink and red palette... Happy month of love, MC readers! Besides the unavoidable Valentine’s Day, I have a few other things to check out this month, set on Evernote on my phone…’

We’re inviting our favourite stylish, in-the-knoW, go-to people to compile the agenda section every month and spill their lifestyle secrets. this issue, We Welcome the lovely Zodwa Kumalo-Valentine as guest editor

113marieclaire.co.za

agendawho, what, where, when

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‘iyou should download right now

POP, POP, POP!

10 lovE SoNgS

Mika (The Origin of Love): ‘The Origin of Love’ Queen would be

proud of this fun, upbeat and rousing celebration.

Nelly Furtado (The Spirit Indestructible):

‘Circles’ We couldn’t have put it any better…’You

say it’s about me, But I’m just setting boundaries…’

Whoa, feminist Nelly!Ellie goulding

(Halcyon): ‘Joy’ She sings, ‘I’ve figured out that joy is not in your arms, I know I’ll always ache with an empty

heart’. Ouch.goodluck (The Lucky Packet Mix Tape): ‘That Man’ It perfectly captures that first moment when he

makes you giddy.Robbie Williams (Take The Crown): ‘Not Like The Others’ Robbie’s married with a child but his risqué

lyrics haven’t changed.

Cheryl (A Million Lights): ‘Sexy Den A Mutha’ Could be no other track but this

club beat. Play before your date to psych yourself up.ChianoSky (Hungry): ‘Walking Away’ It’s been

in our heads ever since she played it at our MC Loeries

Awards party last year.Rihanna (Unapologetic):

‘Loveeeeeee Song’ We won’t comment on her

love choices, but she does compose sexy tunes.

Kendrick lamar (Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City):

‘Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe’ Play this (or Lady Gaga’s

version) if your heart is breaking.

Rita ora (ora): ‘Hello, Hi, Goodbye’ Because we’ve all been there.

For more information on the Academy of Oh, call 081-270-2561 or visit Msnoble.com.

♥ Prettyinstains.co.za Owner Melissa Ketterer offers event and

wedding-coordination services as well as stationery design.

♥ Eloisetimmis.com Advertising agency survivor Eloise Timmis

has a portfolio that shows her soft and detailed drawing style and

use of pastel colours applied to magazine illustration, branding and

wedding invitations.TIP It’s not just about invitations – try an apology note if you behaved

badly at a friend’s birthday dinner or a night out. A cute note works

better magic than an awkward conversation.

before you head out

visit Marieclaire.co.za

to find out which events you should attend

this month.

‘Love’ book end, R50, Sheet Street.

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Nothing wrong with a little shameless ogling over some of our favourite leading men, ladies

MAMA Created by Guillermo del Toro, of Pan’s Labyrinth fame, starring Danish hottie Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, this horror/thriller makes a perfect first-date choice. The scary scenes will give you a legitimate excuse to grab on to your man, and keep on holding. ANNA KARENINA Keira Knightley will probably get an Oscar for her performance as Mrs Karenina but we’re more interested in the very sexy Jude Law, who, for a change, plays the sensible, well-behaved husband who is cheated on.BRoKEN CITY While a New York cop (Mark Wahlberg) trails the wife (Catherine Zeta-Jones) of the city’s mayor (Russell Crowe), he finds himself embroiled in a much bigger scandal.THE PAPERBoY Precious’s Lee Daniels directs the now über-skinny Matthew McConaughey who plays a reporter fighting for the underdog. We wouldn’t mind helping to fatten up Matt.

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Keira Knightley plays opposite Jude Law in Anna Karenina.

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115marieclaire.co.za

… since Jono Cane’s pop-up dining space – Quilter and the Workman at The Mess – in inner city Jozi, over two years ago. Our hit list:THE FoRUM CoMPANY It hosts a line-up of foodie experiences in different locations in Jo’burg using the freshest locally farmed ingredients. For lunches, kids get a tasty treat box they can enjoy picnic-style. Dinners are more dressy (R330 per person) and held on the last Friday of every month at The Forum’s Underground Turbine Hall. Enjoy great music, delicious food and a night to remember. There’s a Valentine’s Day dinner on 14 February. Theforum.co.zaBEIJINg oPERA The lovely Yang Zhao runs a weekly dim sum dinner session in Woodstock, Cape Town and lunch three days a week in town. Beijingopera.co.zaTHE SUPPER loUNgE Meet exciting people over great food in Jo’burg and Cape Town. Supperlounge.comSlIPPERY SPooN Join the mailing list and find out where the next pop-up restaurant will appear in Cape Town. Facebook.com/slipperyspoonpopuprestaurantoUTlANDISH KITCHEN This is a pop-up kitchen on mountains or valleys in and around the Cape on full (and not so full) moons, with good food prepared by a celebrated chef enjoyed at a long, long table. Outlandishkitchen.com

PoP-UP DININg IS BloWINg

UP…

Shoptherunway.co.za Labels like BCBG Max Azria, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Rachel Roy… need we say more?Hotonlinefashion.com We hear they are also offering lay-by purchases.Citymob.co.za Curated daily pop-up capsule shops of some of the harder-to-find labels, bespoke furniture, quirky gifts and all at discounted prices.Runwaysale.co.za Bargains from Country Road, Triumph, Levis…

A gAME FoR SWAlloWS, Zeina Abirached (Graphic Universe, R106) It’s packaged as a children’s book but, much like critically acclaimed Persepolis, it’s a graphic novel that tackles tough subjects through the experiences

of a child growing up in Lebanon in the ‘80s. NoUgHTIES, Ben Masters (Penguin, R178) A coming-of-age story about Eliot Lamb who went to Oxford, left a girlfriend at home and arrived with a chip on his shoulder. We hope he doesn’t break

our hearts like Dex in David Nicholls’s One Day.Barbara Kingsolver, author of The Lacuna and The Poisonwood Bible, is back with her eighth novel, FlIgHT BEHAvIoR (Faber and Faber, UK, R215). Set in rural Tennessee, it’s about a young farmer’s wife who becomes the talk of the town when she is first to witness a swarm of millions of orange monarch butterflies. The topic of global

change made, well, less tedious.

These three

books will m

ake

you forget what

your bed was

intended for

We’d shelve international shopping for when we’re abroad (avoiding rising customs duty costs) and focus on the offerings available at the click of a local button.

Boo

K

BUZZ

Traffic-stop appeal Cars are like shoes: they have labels, or badges, which mean a lot to discerning buyers. The 1 Series may take the cupcake in terms of snob and badge appeal, but that’s a real pity because the V40 is a stunner in all departments. Heel-friendly? We might hate parallel parking more than a bikini wax, but both of these cars practically park themselves. This is an optional feature on both hatches; but it’s like the option of avo in salad – a no-brainer. In the boot, the V40 also has a protective organizer mat with dividers to offer creative storage areas. While on the subject, the 1 Series is roomy with a 360-litre space while the V40 accommodates 335 litres. Either way, you can go… shop… now.Carbon ‘footprint’ and cost Go for the V40 with the D2 diesel engine if you want to save the planet. The BMW costs R266 269 and upwards, while pricing for the Volvo starts at a pricier R281 200.

RA

CIN

g

heartsBMW 1 Series vs Volvo V40

Moonbags Again (Rachel Zoe, what have you done?)

The rise of the mommy blogger Life behind the wheel of a pram suddenly seems too glam.

And lucrative. Dooce.com’s Heather Armstrong can command up to $20 000 per sponsored post.Twitter accounts and

blogs turned into books Surisburnbook.tumblr.com,

@Humblebrag and @ShitGirlsSay – let’s just hope that not everybody

thinks their Twitter timeline is fodder for a Twournal.

BARoMETER

What’s on our radars this month?

Charging delivery on local on-line purchases Free delivery

is the only way forward.

Neon Less is more.Yolo, swag, #deathby, #thatawkwardmoment

MA MERE MAISoN Cake pops, salty-sweet goodies, perfect macarons and salted macadamia nougat at a French-style confectioner opposite the Biscuit Mill. Unit G3 Salt Circle, 19 Kent Road, Salt River, Cape Town, 082-445-2091, Mameremaison.withtank.com CHIC SUgAR For a special occasion in Cape Town, create a customized candy buffet complete with ribbons, balloons, linens, glass… Whatever your heart desires. Pricing is based on the number of guests and the type of candy you select. 084-559-1114, info@chicsugar.co.za, Chicsugar.co.zaFor the best frozen yoghurt in Cape Town try MYÖg (103 Kloof Street, Myog-frozen-yoghurt.com) or WAKABERRY (98 Kloof Street, Wakaberry.co.za). Pick a flavour and the topping(s) of your dreams. If it’s home-made ice cream you’re after, THE CREAMERY makes it from scratch using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Call 021-447-7690 or e-mail hello@thecreamery.co.za to find out where to get your lick or place an order.

February is the month for unapologetic sweet and chocolate noshing… no need for excuses

SWEETCR

Av

INg

satisfy your

iF it wERE US ShOPPiNG…

thE BESt SPOtS FoR AlTERNATIvE

WoRK SPACESThe best spots for working

remotely must tick four boxes: free Wi-Fi, a cosy environment, good coffee and unobtrusive service

WARM & glAD An open, breezy space, and they play fantastic music on vinyl. 357 Jan Smuts Ave, Craighall Park, Johannesburg, 011-781-0455, Warmandglad.co.za

TAMBoERS WINKEl Farm-fresh produce, Deluxe coffee in vintage cups and a long wooden table. 3 De Lorentz St, Gardens, Cape Town, 021-424-0521, Tamboerswinkel.com oPEN Packaged as a flexi organic space with lounges, locker-safe storage, private meeting spaces and up to 24/7 access. 4th Floor, Mainchange, 20 Kruger St, Maboneng Precinct, Johannesburg, 076-244-3773, Theopen.co.zaHAAS DESIgN CollECTIvE Voted by Wallpaper as one of the 20 reasons to live in SA, this is a magpie’s heaven. They also stock kopi luwak, the most expensive coffee in the world, at R80 a pop. 67 Rose St, Bo Kaap, Cape Town, 021-422-4413, Haascollective.comRICK’S CAFÉ AMERICAIN Sit on the sunny balcony or curl up on the couches. Free Wi-Fi, great lunch specials. 2 Park Rd, Gardens, Cape Town, 021-424-1100, Rickscafe.co.za

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