5 Tips for Valentine's Day

What to do? What to do? The eternal question that everyone asks when Valentine’s Day starts to appear in your diary. Well not to worry. Umhlanga Life has got you covered.

Here are 5 great ways you can spoil that someone special in your life:

 

Share the love with Cadbury this Valentine’s Day

Cadbury is giving away 10 local love-cations valued at R50 000. All you have to do is get a Cadbury P.S. for that loved one in your life and for yourself.  

To enter:

Buy any 2 Cadbury P.S. bars

Dial *120*101112#

Enter the unique codes found inside the wrappers and choose the love-cation of your choice

Tour the love-cations and see all the Ts. and Cs on https://cadbury.co.za/psvalentinesday/

Here is one tip courtesy of Cadbury on how you can spoil your loved one. Set up a home spa for you and yours. Make your own body scrub using salts, olive oil, zesty citrus and lavender. Then light a few candles and relax. Snack on some strawberries dipped in delicious Cadbury Dairy Milk of course.

Visit an Art Gallery

Take that special someone on a date to an art gallery. You are in luck The Gallery at The Studios at The Lifestyle Centre in Ballito is having an exhibition at the moment. Experience the art at Contagious Creativity together. Who knows you might just find that special artwork for that special someone.

Pop the question with Granada Square

Could be your lucky day. | Image: Supplied

Yes we all know. It’s very cheesy but everyone does it in February. I’m talking about asking someone to get married. Luckily for you Granada Square is at your disposal for your proposal. The shopping centre in Umhlanga is running a ‘’Will You Marry Me’’ competition for the month of February. You can enter the competition on their website and tell them about your love story, upload a memorable romantic picture of you both. Big prizes are up for grabs.

To enter visit: https://www.granadasquare.co.za

Ts and Cs apply and can be found on their website. Competition closes at 4pm on February 26^th, 2021.

 

Bake something special for that someone special

Bake some Madeleines for your loved one. | Image: Supplied 

Everyone loves a home cooked meal. So why not surprise your loved one or bestie with a delicious meal. Here is a great recipe for Madeleines courtesy of award-winning TV chef, cookbook author and dessert diva Grace Stevens:

Ingredients

·         2 eggs (100g)

·         100 g caster sugar

·         100 g flour (extra for dusting tin)

·         40ml lemon juice

·         Zest of one lemon

·         3ml baking powder

·         100g melted butter (cooled slightly)

 

1.       Grease a Madeleine tray and dust with flour. Tap off excess flour and set aside. You may freeze the tray for a larger ‘pearl’

2.       Whisk eggs and sugar until light and airy.

3.       Fold in remaining ingredients. Cover and refrigerate for 60 minutes or overnight.

4.       Preheat oven to 200C. Fill each shell three quarters of the way with cool batter.

5.       Bake for 5 to 8 minutes or until a tester comes out clean. There could be a small rise in the centre. This is called the ‘’pearl’’.

6.       Allow to cool slightly before removing from the tray and dusting with icing sugar.

7.       Best enjoyed fresh out the oven within the hour.

For more recipes from Grace Stevens visit www.gracestevens.co.za

Take a romantic walk on the beach

Bronze Beach, Umhlanga Rocks. | Image: Fred Felton

For that special someone in your life take them on a romantic walk along the beach. Durban has some of the most beautiful beaches on this planet so why not pick a romantic one and take a stroll at sunrise or sunset. Why not try Bronze Beach at Umhlanga Rocks at sunrise. Simply get to the beach and turn left and keep on walking.

Valentine’s Day is on 14^th Feb 2021.

This edition by Fred Felton | @fredfelton 

5 Tips To Help You Find Love This Valentine's Day

Digital Oxytocin, Does Your Business Have It?

The Love Hormone & The D.O Effect

Oxytocin. Now there’s a thing. A powerful human hormone that caps as a neurotransmitter in the brain. It’s arguably the most popular of hormones in the neighbourhood, because it triples up as the bonding hormone, the trust hormone and the security hormone that keeps your relationship pretty much on the V.I.P list.  

The question is: does your business do the same? Digital Oxytocin, or fondly dubbed as The D.O Effect, is an instant user experience that benchmarks the initial bonding stage between consumer and brand. Just like the “love hormone” of the brain, Digital Oxytocin is the chemistry responsible for attracting your audience, exciting your audience and making your audience stick around for more.  

When it comes to designing websites, an ‘exceptional digital experience’ should be Number 1 on your strategy list. Getting your D.O levels correct in business, has everything to do with amplifying the user journey online, and focussing on human behaviour as the brand goal towards delivering a compelling brand-consumer relationship.

The D.O Effect is a guaranteed game changer, and can be divided into 5 superior impact

touch points that will help you land the ‘love’, first time round.

# 1: Know What They Want: Intuitive design is real my friends. Knowing what your audience wants before they do is not a skill, it’s a design strategy - and it could save your bottom line. Intuitive design is quite simply, a matter of meeting your online customer’s needs seamlessly, without an interrupted experience. The idea of answering all your customer’s questions before they ask, is D.O gold. Ask yourself: what is the task and can my customer complete it effectively? 

# 2:  Don’t Make Them Work for It: If you’re running a ‘bookings’ business, for example, and your objective is to sell as many tickets online in a short space of time, make it easy. Simple = Satisfaction. You’ll want to tell your user what to buy, what it looks like, why to buy it and how to buy it in a few easy taps. Airline and Accommodation brands like travelstart.co.za and Airbnb.com respectively have improved their D.O Effect for now, with an easy-flow experience that makes browsing pleasurable, the price-compare experience simple and ensures the user feels secure and at ease from check in to check out.   

  

#3: Don’t Talk “Responsive” On the First Date: Or the second date. Or the third. Sadly, the term ‘Responsive Websites’ in business, has become as misunderstood as finding true love on the first swipe right. “Responsive Websites” means cross-screen compatibility – NOT necessarily cross-screen user-journey. The proverbial ‘cookie cut’ desktop approach is a fail in web design. Just because your site is ‘responsive’ across mobile or tablet devices doesn’t mean it meets the needs of the user. The truth is, you can’t have a responsive website without a memorable user journey. They need to exist together. If you want your customer to land on your website and stay, then your aim should be to have a ‘mobile first’ strategy in mind from the get go, to support your ‘responsive website.’

Consider this: if there are 3.7 billion unique users online globally (as at Jan 2018) and 49.7% are attributed to webpage viewing then you cannot, cannot, cannot purely rely on desktop stacking your website design. Design your website with a compelling mobile user experience in mind, FIRST – a design strategy that mirrors the same intuitive experience across all devices.

# 4: Spice It Up: Digital seduction is a key design strategy for Digital Oxytocin effectiveness. How to keep your user from straying? A. Your overall web design should be simple, balanced and aligned to your brand CI. B. Choosing a typeface that is easy on the eye and has a clear weight hierarchy is also must. C. To increase your chances on the D.O circuit, make sure to include visual imagery and video too. D. Whatever you do, DO NOT include  User Interface Animation (U.I) just because you think it looks or sounds cool. Nobody likes an “over-tryer”! Make sure U.I is only created for the purpose of enhancing the user experience, and not just for art’s sake.

# 5: You Have 3 Seconds. Go.: Quality, sex appeal and good conversation pretty much sums up the Richter scale of relationship “wants”.  Your brand has to present the same – and it only has 3 seconds online to determine whether your customer stays or strays. Your landing page should load and lure in your user within a 3 second speed span – telling them promptly that they’ve landed in the right place. Too much guess work on this one and you’ll risk losing them to Joe Soap in the adjacent tab. With an average of 200 ads being served to a user per day disruption is the new digital disease, and makes for a highly competitive landscape to play in. We recommend keeping your 3-second game plan strong.

SO….

Don’t let your plans of www domination stop at design. All things considered, the user journey should be high on the objectives list when it comes to strategising in the online space. Get your user to cuddle up to your brand by marrying form, functionality and intuitive strategy. It’s a non-negotiable. Your business just can’t afford the shortcomings of a negative user experience. Talk to So Interactive, a respected and seasoned digital studio based in Johannesburg, about your place in the market and establishing the touch points that will move your brand forward with Digital Oxytocin.

For more info visit: www.sointeractive.co.za 

Media Enquiries: Jacqueline Freer (info@jacquelinefreer.com)

#DigitalOxytocin 

What To Do On Valentine's Day

uShaka Marine World

It’s going to be primo at uShaka Marine World this February and definitely the place to be to hang loose and experience some love, peace and fun, with 30% off all Sea World, Wet n Wild or combo tickets from 1 – 28 February 2017 – that’s a month full of love. 

For those going steady, Cargo Hold is sure to pull at your heartstrings with their delicious new special menu spread. There are two sittings – 17h00 and 20h00, so don’t delay, make a booking by calling the reservations team on 031 328 8065 / 8066 / 8067 or emailing cargohold@ushakamarineworld.co.za  

Village Walk will also be filled with love in the air with the chance to snuggle and take a “smooching” photo at the 60s Kombi of love. Snap the picture, upload it to the uShaka Facebook page or Instagram using #uShakaLove which will run all Valentine’s weekend long with tons of entertainment that will definitely set the vibe for a fabulous occasion.

For more information contact uShaka Marine World on 031-3288000 but get to the park and come have some fun. 

Consider Dining In

Cooking at home is a great way to control your food consumption. Many restaurants offer specials which include hearty dishes, complete with heavy dressings and rich sauces. Prepare a healthy romantic candle lit dinner and watch a romantic movie.

Use this delicious recipe from The Diet Everyone Talks About “Eat Slim/Eet Slim” recipe book to make a decadent yet healthy dessert with only 1.3 g carbs per portion.

Cheese Cake

Portions: 6 8

Prep time: 20 min

CHD: 1.3 g per portion

kJ: 448 kJ

Ingredients:

3 Eggs yolks (use the whites to prepare meringue shells)

200 ml Canderel powder

30 ml Thick Cream

45 ml Water

5 ml Cinnamon / cool drink

30 ml Gelatine

125 ml Water

250 ml Cream, beaten till stiff

250 ml Cream cheese

Method:

1. Cook the first ingredients till thick.

2. Add cinnamon and gelatine dissolved in water.

3. Allow to cool.

4. Add cream and cream cheese

5. Refrigerate for 2 hours.

For more information about The Diet Everyone Talks About, and where it is offered in your area:

Tel: (016) 362 4890

Email: dietinfo@thediet.co.za

Website: http://www.thediet.co.za/

My Chef has got your Valentine’s Day covered

Delivery Area

A delivery area guideline below for your information:

· Windermere, Nandi Drive, Morningside

· Westville Central, Mount Edgecombe, Durban North, Umhlanga, Cowies Hill, The Esplanade, Briardene,

Glenwood, Sherwood, Glen Hills, Berea ,Westville North, Durban CBD, Umgeni Park, La Lucia, The Point

,Sunnindale, Glenashley, Riverhorse Valley, Berea West, Glen Anil

· Pinetown, Forest Hills, New Germany, Maydon Wharf, Kloof Central, Bluff, Winston Park, Gillitts,

Assagay, Everton, Westmead, Waterfall, Crestholme, Hillcrest, Bothas Hill

· Escombe, Westbrook, La Mercy, Umdloti, Queensburgh, Northdene, Malvern, Yellowwood Park

· Ballito, Amanzimtoti

So get clicking, visit www.mychef.co.za  and head to the Valentines menu option which is now available or view their range of menu options, which also change on a weekly basis.

For more information, contact 086 169 2433 during office hours.

Take Your Partner On A Romantic Trip

Sweden’s pop rock duo Roxette will be familiar to anyone who listened to the radio in the early ’90s and lovesongs like “Listen to your Heart” and “It Must Have Been Love” provided a soundtrack to dates, dances roadtrips and the occasional awkward silence.

But even if you’ve had a fledgling romance end when you realised your crush preferred Napalm Death to John Legend, Sweden and other Scandinavian countries offer many pleasures for body and soul. In Stockholm, there are boat tours of the Stromma River and the Stockholm archipelago. If you and your love have an interest in pop culture’s Crimpleneclad ’70s epoch, take a stroll around the Abba museum.

The country is famed for its husmanskost, or homely fare, and the smorgasbord – a platter of a variety of hot and cold foods – lends itself to an evening picnic in the Monteliusvägen, a park overlooking Stockholm’s Old Town. Stockholm is also one of the relatively few cities over which you can drift in a hotair balloon, offering a quiet, soaring view of its waterways, turrets and spires.

British Airways has 38 weekly flights between Heathrow and Arlanda Airport in Stockholm.

Valentine's Day Events Durban

There are plenty of events around Valentine's Day this week in Durban

13 February 2015 - Ashton International College

Doors open 18h30

Contact Jeannie: 083-627-5339

13 February 2015 - Valentine's Singles Dinner - The Oyster Box at The Pearl Room

Your MC is Jeremy Atkins

Bookings 031-514-5000 or email: restaurants@oysterbox.co.za


Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day Dinner - The Oyster Box
Bookings 031-514-5000 or email: restaurants@oysterbox.co.za

Valentine's Day Concert Featuring Kahn and the Durban City Orchestra at Durban Botanic Gardens

Gates open 16h30

Bookings: www.webtickets.co.za

This edition by Fred Felton

Twitter @fredfelton 

Interview With Kahn From The Parlotones Catch Him At Durban Botanic Gardens Valentine's Day

This week we interview the musician Kahn from The Parlotones

Kahn - Image Supplied

1. How did you become a musician?
I loved acting on musicals and one-act-plays in school.  That somehow progressed in me wanting to become a singer in a band.  Though I was rejected from all auditions, I decided to learn how to play the guitar, write my own songs and start a band.  And that's how I became a musician.

2. Which musicians inspire you?
I'll be honest, that's a very difficult question.  I find inspiration from all types of genres, musicians, styles and so forth.  So to singly point out one person would be difficult for me.  I'm inspired by a musicians ranging from up and coming to legendary.

3. What advice do you have for young musicians?
Do it because you love it NOT in pursuit of fame and fortune.

4. What can we expect from you at the concert at the Durban Botanic Gardens?
This time around, our performance is going to be super special, because it will be backed by a 60 piece orchestra. Orchestral music is powerful and moving so I'm sure it's going to be a great evening.  People will be sure to enjoy the performances as it will be a different, unique sound and experience for them too.

5. What's next for The Parlotones?
We have a tour to the UK and we also have a new album launch tour in May.  Later in the year we'll tour Europe and the states.


Kahn will be performing with a 60 piece orchestra on Valentine's Day at the Durban Botanic Gardens as part of the Old Mutual Music At The Lake series.  The opening Act is Majozi.

Venue: Durban Botanic Gardens, 9A Zikhale (Sydenham) Road, Durban
Date: Saturday 14 February

Tickets are available online at www.webtickets.co.za

Ticket prices:  Pre-sold tickets are R130 and R150 on the day

Children aged 8-12 pay R50; kids under 8 are free.  All children are welcome at the KidZone for some extra fun and games

Drinks, cooler boxes and picnic baskets are welcome

Gates open at 16h30 for pre-sold tickets and at 17h00 for on-the-day ticket sales.

Show starts at 19h00

Secure parking is available on the Juventus ground. Entrance to all parking is off lower John Zikhale (Sydenham) Road, adjacent to the Botanic Gardens and the Munies Hockey Field also off lower John Zikhale (Sydenham) Road.

Website: www.dogreatthings.co.za

Twitter: @OM_Concerts

Facebook: Old Mutual Music In The Gardens 

This edition by Fred Felton

Twitter @fredfelton 

Valentine's Day Treats At The Oyster Box

Love and other treats await you at The Oyster Box.

The Oyster Box introduces a Valentine's Singles Dinner on Friday 13th February.  If you are flying solo this year round up a few friends for an evening of fun and laughs in the Pearl Room.
Comedian Jem Atkins of The Single Dad fame will be your MC.
There will be music from a DJ and great food.
A welcome cocktail awaits you prepared by a flaring mixologist.
Price: R590 per person.

The always popular Valentine's Day Dinner at The Oyster Box is one of the hottest dates in town.
Both the Grill Room and The Ocean Terrace Restaurants will pull out all the stops.
There will also be live entertainment
Price: R750 - R950 per person.
Book early to avoid disappointment.

For bookings call 031-514-5000 or email restaurants@oysterbox.co.za


The Oyster Box also has an Evening Indulgence in February.
At the Palm Court you can get a cup of coffee or tea and a selection of exquisite pastries, scones and sweet treats.
Available from 6pm - 9pm
Cost: R85
No booking required.


This edition by Fred Felton
Twitter @fredfelton
(Image - Supplied)

Auditions & Valentines Events Around Durban

Auditions 

The Playhouse Company will hold auditions on 19 February 2013 from 10 am, for the production entitled "Si Right!" to be staged as part of The Playhouse Company Schools Programme.

Si Right! is about a teenage boy, Thuso, and his younger sister, Thandeka, who set out from their village on a quest to seek understanding.  It is a production with song and dance aimed at senior primary learners, with a strong focus on instilling positive behaviour in kids and inspiring them to make the right choices in life.

Aspirant performers should be of a professional standard, well experienced and must be able to act, sing and dance as well as have a good command of isiZulu and English.  All performers should be able to play variety characters.

The script is written by Gisele Turner and Mthandazo Mofokeng and will be directed by Zeph Nzama.

CHARACTER BRIEF: 

• Thuso: 15 year old boy (brother) - He is fit, slender and good looking.  He has a good nature and understands his responsibilities.
• Thandeka: 13 year old girl (sister) - She is a well-brought up girl, slender, attractive, with strong long legs and pretty features.

ALL THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERS ARE PLAYED BY THE OTHER TWO PERFORMERS 
• Nkosi: The Chief of the Village - He is the Old Man of the Village, the authority. 
• Ma: The Wise Woman of the Village - She is the Old Woman of the Village, the Matriarch.    
• Maatla: The King’s Bodyguard - Strong, lithe, intelligent, kind and authoritative.   
• Mandla: The King’s Bodyguard - Strong, lithe, intelligent, kind and authoritative.   
• The King: body puppet 
• Eye: Giant Mask - Bouncy, Jamaican rhythm, reggae rhymer.  
• Ear: Giant Mask - American style rapper with isiZulu rapid-fire commentary. 
• Nose: Giant Mask - A Comedian with a little stand-up routine.   
• Tongue: Giant Mask - A movement piece with lots of sound effects. 
• Touch:  Two Giant Hands A rolling rhyming poem with lots of Hand Gestures.    
• Master-Mind: a gangster - Brash, shameless, manipulative, conniving, expansive, takes pleasure in seeing people fall prey to his Games.   
• Side-Kick: his sidekick - the Small Voice of Conscience: kind, forgiving, sensitive, caring and supportive; but frustrated as no one tykes his advice   
• The Guy: A charmer, who is quickly aroused, has no conscience and takes what he wants. 
• The Mugger: A strong, quick criminal who has lots of experience in the crime field.

ARTISTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO DO THE FOLLOWING:
Acting Audition: Prepare a short storytelling piece of not more than 2 minutes.
Musical Audition: Prepare one song/rap piece.

Si Right! will perform at various schools in Kwa-Zulu Natal on the Playhouse mobile stage during July & August 2013. 

Auditions will take place at The Playhouse Company - Room A1 on the 19th of February 2013.
Please call Tania Williams on 031 369 9467 between 9am and 4pm.  No more bookings will be accepted after 1pm on Monday, 18 February 2013.

(Source - Pansa)


Valentine's Day Events 

Frenchly Green ValentinesAlliance Française and Green Heart City present a romantic evening of French cinema, cuisine, live painting and music at Valentine’s.

The event kicks off at 6.30pm on Thursday 14 February with French love songs by Natalie Winter accompanied by Nicolas Creach on guitar. 

A definite treat is live painting by well-known artist Steve Mandy. Guests are invited to watch him paint green hearts with French flair onto a dress sported by a model. Mandy’s live painting is a popular feature at various fashion weeks in Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town.

A Deaf culture demo by Green Hearts will have guests making their partners swoon with ‘Will you be my Valentine?’ in sign language. 

Teenage artists Kianja and Arianna will grace the festivities with timeless tunes from ‘Autumn Leaves’. Arianna’s virtuoso guitar playing and Kianja’s arresting lead vocals have received outstanding revues.  Their brand of natural talent and charm merged with a special ‘je ne sais quoi’ is simply captivating. 

The Alliance Française lawn provides the ideal backdrop for Valentine’s open-air cinema starting 7.30pm. ‘Donkey Skin’ (French with English subtitles) by Jacques Demy is based on a fairy tale by Charles Perrault (of Cinderella fame). The bizarre story concerns the king (Jean Marais) of a strange, enchanted land. 

Guests have two options: Exquisite French picnic basket* + movie (R75); or popcorn + movie (R20). Vegetarian option available. Booking essential at 031 312 9582 or culture.afdurban@alliance.org.za before Tuesday 12 February.

A cash bar will be available at Café Saint-Germain, Alliance Française’s new French corner.

Alliance Française de Durban is situated at 22 Sutton Crescent (Cnr Sutton Crescent & Lilian Ngoyi (Windermere) Road), Morningside. Visit www.alliance.org.za.

(Source - Pansa)

Valentine's Weekend at The Catalina Theatre



(Source - The Catalina Theatre)