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

La Motte

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

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.

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