Love Norwood

Love Norwood

In recent years Johannesburg has seen a movement towards community revival. As a result there has been an increase in markets, local music and an overall coming together. It’s always a great day for family and friends to visit a new market get some amazing food and be entertained for the day.

This past weekend my local suburb celebrated itself and hosted Love Norwood day in the local park. It was a fantastic way to spend the day! The organisers which were the local residents association managed to organise a fantastic event with a pop up market, great live music, entertainment for the kids and an overall festive celebration of the wonderful and creative offerings our small “hood” has to offer.

Pop Up Market

Artisan Food

I was one of the creative participants with my baby and kids range of clothing and products – Mokopu. The event was held at a local park that borders the main road through the suburb, the events extended from the park all the way down Grant Ave. where all the local businesses got involved.

Pop Up market

It turned out to be a roaring success and a wonderful way to spend the day. In addition to the array of restaurants and shops down Grant Ave. there was a pop up market with a variety of craft and food stalls. Health and fitness such as bootcamp and “self-defense” training had demonstrations. There were short guitar sessions and kids paint sessions. I personally was somewhat saddened that I didn’t get the opportunity to tour the permaculture garden that was offering tour’s throughout the day. I didn’t even know it was in the area. I did however get to enjoy the music, the event had organised a range of local performers and band’s that did an amazing job of entertaining the crowd. Undoubtedly the best part of the day was seeing people come through grab a spot on the lawns and spend the afternoon listening to great performances.

Kids having Fun at the Mokopu stall

Other aspects of the event included an instagram competition that ran through the weeks running up to the event and photo tours on the day. All those instagram images can be seen using the #lovenorwood. Other great pictures from the day can be found on the Republic of Norwood Facebook page.

Lounging to Live Music

Overall, I love our little neighbourhood from the tree lined streets with people jogging or walking their dogs to the coffee shops and central stores on Grant Ave. (where I always bump into someone I know). I knew we had something special but Love Norwood day brought that little something out for everyone.

Here’s to First’s!

Here goes nothing!!

My first Life.Lights.Love blog post and probably my last one for the year of 2014!

It is that time of the year when people start listing all the things they want to change and do in the new year…ok it’s time for resolution’s. I personally am not keen on resolutions and to my memory I can’t recall actively making any. However, since I just started this blog and a new company, my “plans” feel very much like resolutions.

So instead of making resolution’s for 2015, I’m just going to write about some of the thing’s I’d like to include on the blog in the coming months:)…not resolutions…plans!

• Johannesburg, South Africa. As a resident of this golden city I really want to spend time re-discovering this city. So expect new restaurants, bar’s, parks, markets, events and as many reviews as I can manage.
• Travel – I have a small wanderlust problem and this blog give’s me an opportunity to report on my adventures in travel both locally and internationally.
• Cooking/Baking – Ok baking is my first love and not only do I love to bake I love to eat decadent baked good’s. I’ll share all my sweet and savoury escapades in the kitchen.
• Home DIY – I am a firm lover of re-purposed and salvaged furniture and homeware. I love trolling goodwill store’s and online for treasure’s. I use a lot of the DIY blogs as a guide, but I have found a lack of information locally. Thus, I thought I’d share my projects as it may help someone else.
• Finally; any experiences and challenges that do not fall under the above categories yet are share-worthy, such as new books, my escapades with Mokopu or different fitness challenges should make an appearance :).

As a newbie, I really do appreciate any comments, suggestions or follows.

Here comes 2015!! I hope this New Year brings fresh starts,  happiness, love and relentless joy!!