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The 'Fleurs de La Motte' Experience

When Paula van Coller-Louw began the instalment of her latest collection in the La Motte museum, the farm workers kept peeping around the corner and peering through the windows to admire the beauty of her work. These workers could relate to her paintings on a deeper level, as it is the very flora that surrounds them on a daily basis on the farm in Franschhoek and the vegetation which they nourish and protect.

Paula invited these inquisitive eyes in and it was one painting in particular that they were drawn to, the piece called ‘Cultivated Aromas’. This is an oil painting of the famous Hanneli Rupert Rose. A rose that was cultivated in honour of the matriarch of the La Motte family farm and cherished by all those who work on the farm. Paula said that nearly every farm worker wanted a selfie in front of Hanneli's roses and I can understand why. They are magnificent.

Fleurs de La Motte is a celebration of La Motte’s flora, combining the indigenous beauty of fynbos against the slopes of the Wemmershoek mountain. It is this emotion of colour, symbolic value and captivating detail of the tiniest and most delicate parts of the flowers that Paula has captured.

Along with the artwork of Paula van Coller-Louw, the most incredible sculpture named ‘The Blushing Bride’ is currently being sculpted in the museum by artist Toby Megaw. You can witness the development of this sculpture for yourself before it is bronzed later in the year and introduced to the La Motte gardens.

After the walkthrough of the collection by Paula, we were treated to tea and cakes at the Pierneef a La Motte restaurant. Caramel infused tea with a layered berry cake was on the menu, while the acorns from the old oak tree fell on the roof above us. An experience that was just magical.

You can read more about the experience here, as well as book the experience for yourself and friends. It is truly a worthwhile opportunity to spend the morning with the artists themselves and a good excuse to spend the morning in Franschhoek.

It was a morning to celebrate the beautiful flowers of Franschhoek and in the spirit of it, here are some flower inspired treasures on Hello Pretty:

1. Purple Flower Scatter Cushion by But Why Not
2. Festival Headband by Sunkissed Handmade
3. Two Proteas by Natascha van Niekerk Fine Art Photography
4. Flower Wreath by Twiggy Wall Art
5. Fynbos Drops by Daya Heller Art Prints & Fynbos Drops
6. Simplistic Protea Coasters by Hallo Jane

Falke Autumn/Winter Inspiration

It may have been one of the hottest days in Cape Town for the launch of the FALKE Autumn/Winter 2018 collection, but we were too occupied by the thought of blankets, rain, hot chocolate and tweed, yes lots of tweed, to even notice.

I have always known the FALKE brand and one year I was lucky enough to get a hand-me-down pair of FALKE sports socks from my brother who was the sportsman in the family - you know, the ones that are conveniently labelled with an L and R to tell you which foot to put them on. I think I cherished those socks for years and made myself believe that I too was an up and coming sportsperson like my brother was – I wasn’t, believe me!

But it was that something special about those socks that makes me remember them still to this day. They are not just socks, they are a labour of love. Every stitch counts and every product is engineered with heart. This is the ethos that the Falke, German knitting family brought with them to South Africa and that has remained within their company for 123 years.

The AW18 women’s outdoor collection was my personal favourite. Inspired by the countryside and colours of autumn afternoons, the colours and textures of these socks transformed me to cold winter days lounging around at home with hot chocolate in hand and a good movie on. I can’t wait to pair the FALKE sneaker socks with my classic brogues and trouser duo this autumn.

The menswear range of socks draws the inspiration from the elegance and minimalism of the 1920’s. This era was not called the Roaring 20’s for nothing. Think Louis Armstrong, the foxtrot and Gatsby. It’s the classic patterns and fabrics used by FALKE that take you back in time to an era of bowties and pocket squares.

With that said, bring on Autumn and all the socks and tights that FALKE has to offer. You can browse the collection and shop online to get yourself ready for those cold Autumn days.

Below are some ideas of things you could team up with your FALKES this Autumn/Winter.

1. Zahra by Dear Makena Apparel
2. Flaming Orange by Village Secrets Shoes
3. Rose Embroidered Scarf by HS Collection SA
4. Stack Rings by VEERS Handmade Jewellery
5. Red Pocket Square by All Things ShweShwe
6. Boa Tie by Bamboau
7. The African Brogues by Rumoh Luxury Store
8. Wooden Cufflinks by House of Kallie

Heritage Day spoils at La Motte Winery in Franschhoek

We had the great honour of being guests at La Motte in Franschhoek for a family day on Heritage Day last year. Jen (who helps with Hello Pretty's social strategies and planning) attended with her husband Philippe, and their little girl Frankie. And, lucky for us, this was already one of our favourite wineries - their red wines are really good.

If you thought South African wine estates were only about wine you'd be mistaken. Visiting a winery in South Africa is a rich experience that offers a bit of history in the estates themselves which are commonly established in the 1600s, a bit of horticulture where they explain some of the science of what is planted where and why, a bit of theatre when you do the tasting and get a passionate explanation of the wine and it's notes, and a culinary spectacular at the phenomenal restaurants (I've never had a disappointing meal and dining experience at a winery restaurant).

La Motte's wine, their restaurant, their art and their estate are all magnificent. But don't believe me, taste and see for yourself.

La Motte has a close association with, and admiration of, one of South Africa's most well-known artists, Jacob Hendrik Pierneef. Bizarrely, I recently found my primary school workbooks and discovered that in 7th grade we had learnt about him and the familiar South African landscape paintings that he's most famous for.

They celebrate Pierneef and his work in a variety of ways. They have a gallery of his work, a range of Pierneef wines in tribute, and a restaurant called Pierneef à La Motte's Chef's Table, led by chef Michelle Theron.

First let's talk about...

The Restaurant

Or rather, let us look at some photos of what we ate, and drool and daydream about plowing through this food like a swarm of rabid locusts (I'm not proud. I can own this behaviour.).

And honestly if this hasn't sold you on the place then I don't even know what to think about you. But just in case, here's a little more:

And since you are reading this post you are obviously someone who enjoys and appreciates wine. We have a tonne of fantastic wine-themed things on Hello Pretty that you'll love. Some for you, and some that just make really excellent "different" gifts. Here's a tiny selection of the things we ? :

[ 01 ] Wooden Word - Wine
[ 02 ] Name Monogram Wine Box
[ 03 ] Eat Drink and be Married Wine Bottle Signage
[ 04 ] Wine Fanatic Bamboo Coasters
[ 05 ] "Pic-Wik" Table (Picnic + Wine = Pic-Wik)
[ 06 ] Large Reclaimed Oak Wine Barrel Cheese Board
[ 07 ] 2 Piece Wine Rack (Black)
[ 08 ] Shhh... There's Wine in Here Mug
[ 09 ] Wine Shopping Carrier Bags
[ 10 ] Rhino (Whino) Wine Holder (check out this store - there are loads of animals to choose from)

Thank you La Motte for including us in your beautiful Heritage Day celebration. As you can see, a ball was had, particularly by Frankie ?

? Photographs taken by Jen Morin and Philippe Morin.

Falke's sexy new tights and other pretty things which you absolutely must have.

Earlier this year, we were lucky enough to attend a Falke launch at the Peter Falke Wine Estate for their new range, which now includes some mighty fine tights. You can buy them directly from their online shop too - https://shop.falke.co.za.

Yes, that Falke - the company who makes the awesome socks that everyone who's ever done even a spot of sport has a pair of, because they are awesome.

My favourites in the new range are the stay-ups that to me channel the 1930s / 1940s. They come in black and beige. While Falke's version is a stay-up with a pretty sexy lace detailing, stockings at that time came up just above the knee and were held up with utility garters (it was considered taboo at the time to be baring any leg - what a waste!).

The stitch print at the back of Falke's tights actually has a bit of history to it: fabrics in the 30s to 40s era were obviously not as fancy and magical as they are today. The "tubes" we now have to put our legs into weren't a thing except for in rare and expensive knitted versions, and stockings were mostly seamed and stitched up the back.

A little bit of tangentially related trivia about America's Great Depression. There was no shortage of things to be bleak about at the time. According to this historical account, women were asked to give up their stockings as donations because the materials that they were made from (nylon and silk) were needed to make parachutes for use in the war. As a result, women panicked and stockpiled. Obviously.

And so the law stepped in to regulate pricing and availability. So, if you laid a hole into your stockings, you did not throw them out: you mended them. Fortunately today we can own many pairs in many styles and colours! But anyway, you should have a read through Vintage Dancer's awesome blog post with more interesting information and some pretty great photos. Here are a couple that I've found on the internet in general, just to give you an idea:

Anyway! Back to Falke. We adore their new range (and how cute is that detail at the ankle!). They have many gorgeous things in this range - both tights and socks, so be sure to have a look on their website.

Below are some ideas of things you could team up with your Falkes (regular tights stay-ups, the lace-detailed socks, and their staple fashion socks). Enjoy!

01. Shangri-La Bra by WaeWest
02. Mooii Winter Babydoll Dress by Mooi Mooii
03. Mooii Highwaisted Shorts by Mooi Mooii
04. Lace Lingerie Bodysuit by Gabrielle Swimwear

05. Dreamer Dress by Mieke Ola
06. Leaf-Pearl Bracelet by VEERS Handmade Jewellery
07. Pearl Ring by Shani D Jewellery Design
08. Whipped Cream by Mieks Knickers
09. Ray Earrings by Edel Designer Jewellery

10. Blackcurrent Macaroons by LanziLove
11. Heart Print Flare Skirt by ASW Designs
12. Lady Red Dress by Toni Khumalo
13. Black and Gold Statement Necklace by Saiyaara Creations

Just look at this!

Joburg and Cape Town skyline wall art in white or black
R549

Native Decor's story began with a Valentine's Day gift of a power tool: a magic wand in the hand of a young creative with an entrepreneurial spirit.

Some pieces from Native Decor's planter collection
From R499 to R549

These are the creations of Vusani Ravele, the talent behind Native Decor. He started Native Decor as an after-hours hobby in his living room. Before long, everything was covered in dust and his compulsion for drilling holes (and making some pretty things, as a side effect) was born.

Click the pictures to shop.

Ponte Coffee Pod / Capsule Holder
R679

Caprice Coffee Pod / Capsule Holder
R549

Design time! Minimalist clocks in all the colours.
R399

Dog Wine Holder
R389

Penguin Wine Holder
R389

Lion Wine Holder
R389

Round magazine rack
R399

Vusi's business is headed nowhere but up - his work has been a huge hit with consumers. A year after beginning, he participated in Mnet's Shark Tank show and walked away with a lucrative investment deal and a new business partner, Gil Oved of The Creative Counsel.

Keep an eye on this one... there's lots more to come.

Hello Pretty is Winding Down