Hello Pretty is Winding Down

After more than ten fulfilling, magical years beginning in the good old days of 2012, Hello Pretty is retiring and heading off to the beach with a drink with a tiny umbrella.

Read our goodbye letter

Hello Pretty

Win with Hello Pretty and OffbeatMelody!

Pretties, when OffbeatMelody decides to give things away, she doesn’t mess around. That’s why she’s letting you choose any item in her Hello Pretty store. Yes, really.

We’re not kidding around. Any piece in her store. Here’s how:

To Enter:

  1. Like OffbeatMelody on Facebook
  2. Visit OffbeatMelody’s Hello Pretty store to find your favourite item, and leave a comment on this post telling us which one it is.
  3. Get extra votes by sharing this post and tagging us on Facebook and Twitter.

OffbeatMelody makes truly special pieces designed to make you smile. Check out our interview with Melody here.

Winner announced on Friday 25th October.

Pretty Personal with Melody Watson

A real Southern gal who swapped the American South for the African, Melody’s designs make you smile the second you see them. An autodidact (sjoe, look at us breaking out the fancy words) when it comes to jewellery, her pieces are simple with an ever-present twist of fun.

  1. Hello Melody! Tell us a little bit about yourself.

    I was born and raised in the US - southern Georgia to be exact. I speak with a southern drawl, but have learned to tone it down since moving to South Africa. ;)

    I have always needed a creative outlet. School bored me, but art class thrilled me! So leaving school I couldn’t think of anything else that would make me happier than being an artist. This led me to study art in college where I found a love for photography and graduated in 2005 with a Bachelors in Art.

    But, apart from art, there has always been a part of me that craved a bit of adventure. Growing up a shy girl in a small town, life can become a bit mundane. Even though being the least likely, I became the first in my family to get a passport and after college I went travelling for a few years and worked my way around Europe with my South African boyfriend.

    Fast forward a few years later, I’m now married and settled (for now!) in Cape Town, which is one of the most beautiful places in the world.

     
  2. We think so too! And hey, you can’t get much more southern than SA. How did you get into jewellery design?

    When I moved to South Africa I had no idea where to start looking for work. But, I knew I would die if I had to work a 9-5 office job. For the first year I was here, I settled in and did a little freelance creative work here and there. It took a trip home to the states with a sore foot (which left me on the couch for over a month!) to help get the creative juices flowing. With nothing to do all day but surf the web and shop online, I stumbled across beautiful handmade jewellery that people sold online. Right then and there I thought “I could do that!”

    1 year later after a lot of blood, sweat, tears and youtube tutorials behind me, I launched my first designs for sale online and OffbeatMelody was born! I made a sale within the first few hours and I have not looked back since.

     
  3. So you’re actually 100% self-taught? Amazing! What inspires to you when you’re creating things?

    People that have the guts to take risks and go after their dreams, even if they seem so far out of reach.

    I also love travel, travel, and more travel and good, nutritious food. My husband and I love to cook and try new restaurants every chance we get. And then I have this quirk where I like anything that is “small”. My bucket list includes seeing the little five rather than the big five. ;)

  4. Oh man, I’m exactly the same. A thing’s cuteness is inversely proportionate to its size. That’s just science. Is that why a lot of your designs are miniatures of everyday things?

    OffbeatMelody jewellery is based on the whimsical and the down right out of the ordinary. I make all of my pieces in hope of evoking some sort of feeling or emotion from the viewer/wearer. Whether it be a sense of happiness, nostalgia, or even laughter.

    I try to go that one step further with my designs to make my pieces unique and come to life!

     
  5. You’ve certainly succeeded - I chuckle a little to myself every time I see your T-Rex earrings. Last question - what’s your favourite melody? (Other than yourself!)

    If you meant music, and you are asking for my “favourite” melody? Well, I do not do favourites (it drives my husband insane when I say that!)

    But, in life I march to the beat of my own drum. I hate following crowds, trends or fashions. I decide for myself whether something works for me or not. Thats why you won’t see run-of-the-mill designs in my shop!

     

We couldn’t agree more! You can see more of Melody’s work in her Hello Pretty store, and get in touch on Facebook and Twitter. Also, we’ve got a little something from her that’ll have you whistling a happy tune on Monday, so be sure to check back here!

Win with Hello Pretty and Jam Jewellery!

Jam Jewellery is giving away these two beautiful things. Can you be-leaf it? (Sorry, we couldn’t resist.)

Inspired by nature, these delicate leaves are handmade from brass. You could win either a pair of earrings, or a necklace. Here’s how:

To Enter:

  1. Like Jam Jewellery on Facebook
  2. Leave a comment on this post telling us whether you’d like to win the earrings or the necklace.
  3. Get extra votes by sharing this post and tagging us on Facebook and Twitter.

Jam Jewellery makes pretty things inspired by everything around her. Check out our interview with Jackie here here.

Winner announced on Friday 18th October.

Pretty Personal with Elzanne Louw

A woman after Team HP’s heart, Elzanne Louw was drinking wine while we had this interview. She’s just wrapped up her Spring/Summer collection (look how pretty!) and took some time to spill the beans on how she came to create Lo, one of our favourite brands, which has been with us since the very beginning!

  1. Hel”Lo” Zani! Tell us a little about yourself.
    I’m a compulsive maker of things, always have been, and used to drive my mother nuts as a child with impulsive projects which often involved a big mess. But I get a lot of satisfaction from my work because fashion is ever evolving and all about self expression. I guess it was a match made in heaven.
  2. You must have had some of the best dressed Barbies in town! So, you knew you wanted to do this ever since you were a kid?
    I always knew that I wanted to build something really big, and in 2011 I realised that something big was my own small business. I have deep roots in the so-called creative industry and have always yearned for a career which would satisfy both my artistic needs and my suppressed inner geek. Lo was the inevitable result and I hope to grow this little fashion business into a viable contributor to the South African economy.
  3. That’s a philosophy we really love. And you? What sort of things do you “Lo”ve?
    I LOve my inner geek because she has taught me a lot myself and what I am capable of.
    I LOve when people use their brains to help other people.
    And I really really really LOve Hello Pretty :)
  4. Aw, shucks, you’re gonna make us blush! Speaking of Hello Pretty, tell us about the “Lo”vely things we can find in your store?
    I always say to people that I want to make that one item of clothing that has been in your cupboard for years. That go-to item, that just seems to be perfect for every occasion. You know, the one that you have worn to death…The one with the holes and stains which was demoted to home-wear two years ago but you still LOve it too much to let it go (and let’s face it you still wear it out every now and then). I hope to make clothes with longevity and clothes that women LOve to wear.
  5. Ah, going out in jammies - one of our guilty pleasures. What’s yours?
    Gettin my NAILZ DID with my friend Wendz! DUH :) The more glitter the better. Hehehe.

We also love gettin’ our nails did! (Even Scott, although he won’t admit it.) For her stunning S/S line and even more pretty things, check out Lo’s Hello Pretty store, and get in touch on Facebook and Twitter.

Win with Hello Pretty and Glove Jewellery!

Why wear your heart on your sleeve when you could have one of these amazing Glove Jewellery rings?

f Mzansi has a special place in your heart, then one of these beautiful Love Africa rings deserves a special place on your hand. Heritage Day is coming up next week, and you could win the ring of your choice - silver, brass, or copper:To Enter:

  1. Like Glove Jewellery on Facebook
  2. Leave a comment on this post telling us what you love about SA!
  3. Get extra votes by sharing this post and tagging us on Facebook and Twitter.

Glove Jewellery makes beautiful jewellery pieces with lots of gLovely local influences. She hearts everything about SA, and we heart her designs. Check out our interview with Janine here here.

Pretty Personal with Janine Esterhuizen

Like a hand to a perfectly made glove, so is the story of Janine and Glove Jewellery. Sometimes, when you find something that’s just right, you just know. Janine’s (g)love of SA combines with an eye for beautiful silverwork to create pieces you’ll want to wear forever.

  1. Hello Janine! So, what’s your deal?
    Hello Pretties!  I grew up in the beautiful Eastern Cape. I only moved to Cape Town in 2001, which I absolutely love!  This is home now.  I stay in a beautiful part of Cape Town not known to many called Mikpunt.  It’s a small holding area just outside Durbanville. Here I feel so closed to nature but still have the luxury of living close to town. 
     
    While I was in high school I always knew I wanted to do something creative.  But never ever knew what. Unfortunately we did not have art in school so I could not even explore the possibilities there.  Well, one afternoon 2 weeks before I write my last subject in Matric, my best friend and now bridesmaid asked me what I am going to do next year.  I had no idea…so, I asked her what she is going to do…her answer changed my life!  She continued by telling me she is going to study Jewellery Design and Manufacture at the college in our town.  I thought that was an amazing thing to go study and so the next day I drove to the same college and enrolled in the jewellery course.  So, I started studying jewellery design and manufacturing in 1999.  I finished the course there and decided it’s not enough.  I wanted to come to Cape Town and study further!  So, I carried on studying till 2005 and ended up with a degree in jewellery design and manufacturing.
     
  2. It must have been fate! And how did you go from there to Glove Jewellery?
    When I decided to do my degree I had to find a topic.  I always loved fashion and if I hadn’t gotten the idea to study jewellery I probably would’ve done fashion design.  Anyhow, I thought jewellery and apparel design should work together as a collective and compliment each other rather than try to outshine each another.  So I found a wonderful boutique that was situated in Kloof Street to do my study with.  Then, I had to find a name for my brand. After thinking long and hard I thought of Glove, an accessory to fashion - the perfect name for my brand! And so, Glove Jewellery was established in 2005.  

     

  3. That’s a really great back story. So, aside from fashion, what else do you “Glove”?
    SUMMER, SUMMER, SUMMER!  Is it here yet? (Ed. note: Sadly not. *goes to drown sorrows in a vat of hot chocolate.)
    I absolutely glove summer!  It makes me feel happy and inspired.  There’s so much more to do…like walk on the beach, or lie on it, and swim in the sea…well ok, I glove the sea too. 
     
    Personally I don’t think there is much that makes me feel as happy as doing what I love!  I love making new jewellery and hearing the response at my little market stall every weekend.  At the moment I eat, sleep and live gLove.  I have a great support system in my life (my fiancé), and don’t think I would be able to do it without him.

     

  4. Speaking of jewellery, tell us about the gLovely things you make?
    I lived in the UK for 2 years. I truly believe without that experience I would not be where I am to day.  Before I left I always made a range of wildflower pendants and earrings.  When I came back from the UK I realised how much I love living in South Africa, and wanted to show it in my work.  So, I started making the South African collection which has 5 wildflowers, 5 icons and 5 animals.  Out of that range also came the Africa ring.  So it’s evolved all on its own. 
     
    The wire heart rings I make also led to many more pieces.  The heart wire ring came from the idea of creating a South African Claddagh ring.  I just loved the idea of wearing a ring that means something.  And so came all the other little wire rings and shapes I started to make. At the moment I am obsessed with gifts brides can give their wedding party and family. So I have made new little pendants with special messages stamped on them, and then of course the little knot ring.  Such a sweet gift with a little note that says thanks for helping me tie the knot.

     

  5. Ah, what a great idea. By the way, ever since I started planning this interview, I’ve been singing along to songs by replacing the word “love” with “glove”. Do you ever do that?

    Bahahaha!  Not yet…but I think that is a great idea!  I do change the work love to glove a lot when I write and when I speak.  Here are some funny examples:

    • Spread the Glove
    • No, Glove No Love
    • Lots of Glove

    I love the wordplay. It’s also sweet to hear other variations. A lot of people call it G Heart and always ask what the G stands for. I glove creatives :)

 
And so do we! You can get all gLoved up with items from their Hello Pretty store, or stay in touch on Facebook and Twitter. And if you’re up bright and early on Monday, we might just have a gLovely little something to give away…

Hello Pretty Goes On Safari!

Pretties, we interrupt your regularly scheduled programming to share the truly amazing trip I took up Sani Pass a few weeks ago with 1st Zulu Safaris.

I was packing up at the office late one afternoon when the marvelous Malvalite Lauren Wallet called. Any phone call from her usually ends in adventure, and this was no different! I was issued an invitation for a trip up Sani Pass with her and three other lovely ladies - Nicole Ashe, Nadia van der Mescht, and Pippa Rowney. The only conditions? A valid passport and something in leopard print, to go with the theme: “Girls on Safari.”

With nothing leopard in my closet and only half an hour before the shops closed, I went on the speediest buying trip ever, eventually settling on a gorgeous leopard print scarf. I didn’t know it yet, but that scarf and I would become very close the next day!  (Note: It gets cold up there. So so cold. Be prepared!)

I arrived at uShaka bright and early the next morning, and was greeted by a sunrise the way only Durban can do them. We met our tour guide for the day, Sortiris - what a honey! He could probably have taken us to the nearest Wimpy and we would have felt lucky to be there.

We made a quick pitstop for cappuccinos, and once the caffeine kicked in there was no stopping us - poor Sortiris handled the outpouring of skinner remarkably well! We made a several Instagram stops, including a small store that sold the most amazing Basotho blankets, that were so warm and soft that you just want to dive face first into them. It’s no surprise that Thabo Makhetha, one of our super talented sellers, uses these beautiful textiles to create amazing structured coats.

 

A brief PSA about the SA/Lesotho border crossing - there’s a bathroom there. Use it. Even if you don’t think you need to. The bumpy ride you have ahead of you will shake loose liquids you didn’t know you had. (Also, ladies, I’d recommend a sports bra. Seriously.)

We passed our time in“no-mans-land” between the South African border and the Lesotho border by plotting all sorts of elaborate crimes free from legal repercussion (nothing serious, promise). We also came across a frozen waterfall, which of course had to be photographed immediately!

After going through the ropes at the border post we entered Lesotho to be greeted by welcoming locals spilling from their huts. They all seemed to know Sortiris and were excited to see him. We were given slices of warm, fresh bread the size of our faces (mmm, delicious carbs) and greeted with singing, while tiny children wrapped in their basotho blankets danced around us. (Should you ever have old clothes or extra dry food stuffs, Sortiris is the person to give them to - he takes them all to the village on his trips up the pass).

We reached The Highest Pub In The World in high spirits, and immediately ordered wine to celebrate our girly day out (and in the attempt to try warm ourselves up from the inside). Many of the people at the bar couldn’t help but remark that there must be a worldwide shortage of leopard print fabric, since we were wearing all of it!  Over a delicious lunch with the most incredible views, Sortiris regaled us with tales of the road. Wherever we went, people seemed to know and love him, and his general knowledge is amazing.

Thoroughly spent after an amazing day, we took off into the sunset back towards Durban, cocooned in Sortiris’ personal stash of Basotho blankets. I’m going to admit that I may have had a bit of a nap, thanks to my full stomach and the rhythm of Sortiris’ expert handling of the 4X4 as we made our way down the pass.

It was a truly phenomenal outing, and I’m so grateful to Lauren and 1st Zulu Safaris for including me. I’m giving them two huge HP thumbs up (and not just because Sortiris bought me lunch!). 1st Zulu Safaris do city tours and traditional tours, which all sound absolutely amazing. There’s nothing like being a tourist in your own country, especially when your country looks like this.

 

 

 

Show 1st Zulu Safaris some love online, on Facebook, on Twitter, and on Instagram.
You can see all our pics from the trip here, and check out #safarigirls on Twitter and Instagram.

Win with Lovilee and Hello Pretty!

Pretties, I moustache you a very important question: How would you like to win a party pack for 10 people, plus a little extra surprise, from the lovely peeps at Lovilee?

Items by Lovilee & Match Set Love, styling by Yellow Papaya, photography by YSP. See the full shoot here!

We thought you would! They’re giving away either a Moustache Party Kit or a Ribbon Party Kit, each of which will show 10 people a good time. Plus, they’ll throw in a special little secret something as well, which will bring the prize total to R400.

To Enter:

  1. Like Lovilee on Facebook
  2. Leave a comment on this post telling us what you’d do with the prize if you won.
  3. Get an extra entry by sharing this post on Facebook - tag us and Lovilee!
  4. Get an extra entry by sharing this post on Twitter - tag @helloprettysa and @LovileeDsigns!
  5. Winner announced Friday 13th September

Lovilee makes wonderful and whimsical home, décor, and entertainment products. Check out our interview with her here.

Pretty Personal with Karen Kelly

Lovilee by name, Lovilee by nature. When a passion for entertaining combines with a love of pretty things, the result is Lovilee - a blog turned lifestyle and décor store stocked with all sorts of goodies that’ll make dinner parties delightful, weddings wonderful, and any party perfect.

  1. Hello Karen! So, tell us your “Lovilee” story?
    I’m a creative at heart who loves being surrounded by lovilee things. I’m a wife, a mom, and an online shopping addict that loves the colour purple. I believe that you should do what you love and love what you do! Pretty weddings and parties get my blood flowing, and lovilee décor and home accessories frequently wreck my budget.
     
  2. An online shopping addict? A woman after our own heart! So, how did Lovilee happen?
    Lovilee as a blog was born three years ago from a simple idea I had to share the projects I was doing in my new house at the time with friends. I became good friends with Melanie Wessels, who captured my wedding, and together we decided to formalise what I had into a wedding and home décor blog. My sister also came aboard and added a kids’ section, and so we became as we are today.

    Subesquently, they both pursued other ventures, making me the main Lovilee author. In June this year I also started Liefste in collaboration with Marinda May. Liefste is the Afrikaans version of Lovilee and aims to showcase proudly Afrikaans weddings, special occasions, shops, and businesses.

    The Lovilee online store started at the end of last year. After researching multiple options, I stumbled across Hello Pretty, applied to be a vendor, and here we are!
     

  3. And we’re really glad to have you! You’re clearly a very busy lady - where do you get inspiration for all of your projects?
    Hmmm, the two men in my life - my hubby and my little manny - keep me on my toes. I love them to bits.
    I love feeling appreciated, and knowing that I can touch others by bringing a little lovilee into their homes and hearts every day.
     
  4. Speaking of which, tell us a little more about the Lovilee things you make!
    The Lovilee store currently only stocks handmade or self-designed items. The products reflect little bits of me. I love creating little odds and ends that can make a room special or add a unique touch to an occasion.

    Also, in collaboration with Liezel from Match Set Love, I’ve designed some new party packs that are just FUN!
     

  5. We saw those! We’re going to rock those moustaches so hard. Bonus question: If you were a superhero, what would your power be?
    At the moment I’m going to have to go with the “Supergirl” cliché …Juggling marriage, raising manny, housework, Lovilee, and my other ventures is proving quite a task…But my woman superpowers keep me going. :)

Get your hands on some Lovilee items of your own from their Hello Pretty store; get your daily dose of eye candy on the blog; and stay in touch on Facebook and Twitter. Oh, and just between the two of us: If you check back here on Monday morning, we might just have a little something Lovilee to give away!

Win with Touchee Feelee and Hello Pretty!

From Cinderella to Imelda Marcos, every shoe lover knows that a good story starts with great footwear.

We’ve teamed up with Touchee Feelee to give you a way to keep your favourite pair of shoes forever - with a custom illustration of your favourite pair of kicks! Whether they’re well-worn sneakers or sky-high stilettoes, comfy slippers or sports shoes, every pair has a history. Yours could be immortalised by following these simple steps:

To Enter:

  1. Like Touchee Feelee on Facebook
  2. Email info@hellopretty.co.za a pic of your favourite shoes - guys, you can enter too! (You have until midnight on Thursday 18th July)
  3. Get people to vote for you by liking your photo in our album on Facebook!
  4. The winner will be announced on Monday 22nd July.

Touchee Feelee makes gorgeous home and pamper products, printed with original, hand-drawn art. Being a girl after our own heart, she also loves shoes - almost as much as we love her designs!

Winner announced on Monday 22nd July. Please note that the illustration will be a watercolour done in the artist’s style.

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