City Living

It's always been a dream and today it's my day to day.  Joburg my homeburg. Bright lights, hoots, the grunge, a little bit of a crazy-dirty-inspiring. I'm charged up by my reality. I feel alive

Say what you want... but I love my city

Luv Your Craft with LuvLee Concepts

I am so happy to share something so close to me with you, the project of my life, my labour of love, my new baby LuvLee Concepts. It's a company I have planning for years and now I have decided to take it to the world.

I am an interior designer by trade and a lover of all things creative and beautiful by nature. Its this love that has inspired me to start up my own little something that will give me the opportunity to explore these creative and beautiful avenues.

LuvLee Concepts is a company that explores a wide range of fabulous avenues namely, but not exclusive to, interior design & spaceplanning, furniture design, decor styling, event styling, music, fashion & photography

At the moment my obsession is photography and it's taken over my life! i am not complaining though...it's nothing but Luv

Arts on Main by night

my good friend Brian

City vibes

Like a Boss!!!!

Angelic essense

 

Pink bash

Emma and Naledi

a mother's love

Will share some more but in the mean time you can check out

The Facebook page (please Like it)

https://www.facebook.com/LuvLeeConcepts

and the Twitter page (please follow)

 https://twitter.com/#!/LuvLee_Concepts

Emails can be directed to

LuvLeeConcepts@safrica.com for photography, fashion design & styling, session vocalist(music), decor and design consulting needs

And remember to Luv Your Craft, whatever it may be at the time

Let my people go

Let My People Go

Synopsis
"Windybrow Theatre in partnership with Eager Artists Productions will be launching the Musical LET MY PEOPLE GO written by Chief Albert Luthuli , adapted for stage and directed by one of the prolific playwrights, Jerry Pooe who is the Artistic Director of the Windybrow Theatre. Chief Albert Luthuli is one of South Africa’s most admired political leaders, comparable in moral stature and international acclaim to Dr. Nelson Mandela. He was the first South African to be awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 1960. It will be for the first time that this brilliant autobiographical encounter of this legend, Chief Albert Luthuli, is performed as an adaptation for stage. The Windybrow Theatre will be presenting for the first time on our stages the story of this legend as we celebrate 18 years of South Africa’s freedom. The story is told through music, song and vibrant dance displayed by the powerful cast from Durban. Ntando Mncube’s magnificently potrays Chief Albert Luthuli. The cast includes Thandeka Luthuli as the Chief’s wife, Bongumusa Shabalala, Musawenkosi Shabalala,Stella Zuma, Roelf Matlala, Xolani Henema, Xolani Dlongolo, Zanele Zulu amongst others." ~ http://www.windybrowarts.co.za/letmypeoplego2012.html

The talented Ntando Mncube

What a lovely enlighting night the 18th of May, 2012 was. I am not much of a fan of musicals but I walked out of the theatre with a song in my heart and pride in my soul. How ignorant I was about the life of Chief Albert Luthuli and was blessed to be a witness to his powerful history.




I was moved by how the story was told through music, song, photography and vibrant dance. There was a perfect balance of a sweet adhering love story between him and his wife, some humourous comic relief, and the serious, at times heavy moments looking back to the apartheid era and events that even brought a tear to my eye. It was a joy to view the major events that shaped our history and the great contributions and sacrifices that Chief Luthuli made were well highlighted with seamless effort and in a way that allowed the audience to be a part of the journey.

 

The entire cast expressed impecible talent and embodied the spirit of the time in a believable manner and were well deserving of the standing ovation recieved. It trully was a world class production and it is imperative that it is seen by our young people in schools as it not only captures the mood of the time but it gives homage to other struggle icons like Lillian Ngoyi and the womans march, anti pass movement, our former president; Madiba, and the role of the ANC as a whole.

 

The wonderful cast

 

Let My People Go runs at Stable Theatre from June 1 to 8 with shows at 15h00 and 18h00. Tickets R50. School shows will be held from June 4 to 8 at 10h00 and 12h00. For bookings, enquiries and directions contact Khethiwe on 072 462 1603.

 

 

Woza Albert!

Woza Albert

"This celebrated and much-loved South African classic asks what would happen if Jesus Christ (Morena) came back to South Africa during apartheid. This lively satire of the absurdities of apartheid provides a showcase for the talents of two dextrous actors, who play a range of ordinary characters on the street. This retelling of a familiar story in a new context becomes devastating by the end, shedding light on both the Bible and apartheid South Africa."

I loved this fast paced play, it was engaging and never stopped for a breather. The manner in which the actors make use of mime, dance, music, song, and an impressive athleticism sustainedthe energy of the no-intermission play. It had the perfect balance of humour along with a deep subject matter; while exploring so many different persepctives of black life in the midst of the apartheid era.

The scene changes express the talents of the actors (the brilliant Mncedisi Shabangu and Hamilton Dlamini) and I loved how the clown nose was used for the white characters as a symbol of their silliness and absurdity of the apartheid govenment.

I was impressed with how the characters use monologues to convey words and actions of Morena during most of the play so bringing the audience into the story as a third character up until Morena is seen the last act "raising the dead".

Elements that also stand out is the fun been poked at the media with comical interviews with the Cuban leader Fidel Castro and his take on Morena coming to South Africa. Its a humourous take on the sensationalist strategies of modern media. Especially since, in the end when....nah, let me not ruin it.

 

 

The plot with the religious prophesy of the coming of Morena to raise our fallen heroes like Albert Luthuli, Mam' Lillian Ngoyi, Steve Biko and Robert Sobukwe to make South Africa a better land just as Jesus rose Lazarus was brilliant!!! I would definitely see this play ten times over and would recommend everyone I know see it too!

 

Do yourselves a great service by heading to the Market Theatre Laager Theatre from the 5th of June '12 to the 22nd of July '12.

Market Theatre Complex, Bree Street, Newtown Precinct, Johannesburg. Tel: (011) 832 1641.

Pricing details:

Tuesdays: R75.00
Wednesday & Thursday: R90.00

Friday & Saturday: R150.00

Sunday: R110.00

Big Hair Love for 2012!!!!

The key ingredient to BIG hair swagga is definitely confidence ~ E. Badu

Unleashing the DIVA within is a liberating experience and even though India Arie had it right saying "I am not my hair", but boy, am  I better with it AND the BIGGER the better. Bold locks are baaaaaaaaack and nothing makes a statement louder.  

Porsche Thomas is Afro-Phly

I hate the word but its the only one that can appropriately describe Tayana Taylor

~~~~> SWAG <~~~~~

That is all!!!

It was sexy in the 80's, its still roaring now

brigette bardot - never wrong

 ( Source:  http://university.blogspot.com )

even sexy with an air of innocence

Source: http://vogueprincessnaija.wordpress.com/2011/05/10/attention-big-hair-is-back

Fiery fierceness

Source: http://dasfashion.wordpress.com/2011/01/31/nerds

Even Riri knows, Go big or Go home!!!!

Stunning Vaiite

Source: http://blog.benetton.com

Miss Foxy Cleopatra

Beyonce knows what's up!

Even I'm rocking my Big Hair status!!!

Own it! Flaunt it!

I blows you kisses....mwaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!

If you can't grow a big ol' fro then do I do and buy you one and get Diva-fied

Hott accessories for 2012

My phly friend, Xanda Zwane, is a fabulous young entrepreneur. She is one crafty lady making wonderful hair bands and other accessories. Love Love Love how she uses feathers and beading.

I'm all for pushing proudly South African products and I fully support empowering our young women. When you embark to do something fabulous, then get fabulous!!!!

This young lady is well on her way to becoming a mogul. She makes beautiful items that aren't only affordable but you can customise one for yourself and pick and choose your colours, guaranteed exclusivity.

 Just what every girl needs to complete an outfit 

get your peacock on...

closer look

angelic bows

feeling fierce!!!!

black sheer elegance

colour bomb

sweet innocence with some crystal detailing

some neck pieces - many more available 

some with matching earrings

afrique bling

Head bands pricing starts from only R45 bucks, depending on materials, manufacturing costs and detailing.

A wide range of necklaces, bracelets and rings are also available from only 25 bucks. Be sure to get some creations made of pearls, absolutely stunning!!!!!

Contact Xanda (pronounces Shanda) on lexixanda@gmail.com for enquiries, prices and orders.

Colourful Fashion Loves for 2012

I have been trying to tap into my inner-fashionista and have run into some fabulous finds!!!! Never being one to go for the conventional, it is so refreshing to see African artists and designers adding their personal touch to the fashion world. I love love love Doreen Mashika!!!! This Tanzanian native was educated in Europe and we are so happy she's came back to Africa to make waves here at home.

The phly Doreen Mashika

She makes a stunningly stylish range of hand-made bags, jewelery and shoes, they are made to the highest of standards by women's groups in local villages that she partners with. That sustainability factor makes her even more fabulous because at the end of the day it's about reaping back into your community. She works with African raw materials like kitenge fabric, gem stones, Maasai and glass beads to create Afro-chic opulent accessories.  

 

hott clutch

detailling is supurb!

She uses only 100 percent Tanzanian-grown cotton, solely from female vendors in Dar es Salaam.

accentuate those toes

slip into these

Afro touch

bag lady any day

fabulous threads daaaarhling!

 In Doreens words  “The Southern Hemisphere is home to a vast and impressive array of unique gemstones and environmentally friendly materials so I knew I wanted to use those materials to reinvent these classic, much-loved accessories.”

 

proudly representing Tanzania

Check out her wares on her website

http://doreenmashika.com/ 

Doreen Mashika 267-268 Hurumzi Street, Stone Town Zanzibar

Zanzibar: +255 767 369 777

New York: +1 646 580 3330

info@doreenmashika.com

 

Her accessories are available at African Mozaique (the shop is at 44 Stanley Avenue complex)http://www.africanmosaique.com/

+27 11 726 5898

info@africanmosaique.com