What I Discovered in Zimbabwe

I made some yummy discoveries for my skin and eyes in Zimbabwe. I had always bought Vaseline for me feet, especially for those winter months. I would smother my feet in Vaseline and cover them in socks on winter nights so that when the Spring came, I would have really soft feet to show off in my sandals. I can seldom find Vaseline in Brussels and I usually stock up on it when I travel to the US. Now? Forget that! I'll be buying all my Vaseline in Southern Africa. The Vaseline here comes with vitamin E, aloe vera or coco butter. Gah!!! When I saw this in the supermarket in Zimbabwe last week I bought a whole big package. I have started to use it and I have to tell you: this ain't no old school Vaseline. It's amazing for my skin. I also bought a bottle of pure glycerine. So good!

And my eyes. Colour must have been discovered in Africa. My eyes love the paintings from First Floor Gallery in Harare. I also discovered ebony. In Jamaica we have teak, cedar, mahogany and cherry wood but I had never owned anything in ebony and I bought some ebony bowls.

Gah! Fancy driving down a lavender canopied road. Much love to Harare!  The green city without even trying!

Head Cook and Bottle Washer: Gerald Watelet

 

 

Gerald Watelet does it all, you know. Decorator, hotelier, cuisine, Belgian television personality. He seems a lively and vibrant character and if I were plugged in more to Belgium in my day- to-day life I am sure I would be following him on Instagram (does he even have an Instagram account,  I know he is on twitter...). As it stands, I simply do not have the head space to take on anymore lively characters on a full time basis but I admire them once in a while. And so here we are: vibrant, luscious colour and all the ethnic glory he could squeeze into a space.

Zimbabwean Artist Gresham Tapiwa

First Floor Gallery, Harare, Zimbabwe.

To Jehovah's Sexiest Witness

Only the good die young. Sexy, wonderful, fashionable, fabulous, spiritual, charitable, musical genius. Rest well, dear Prince.

What to Do with African Prints

I am always looking for unique ways to re-do furniture--particularly, the re-upholstery of old chairs, sofas and bed heads. I think that if I mix styles, cultures, eras and patterns in my décor then my home is not only reflective of my tastes and a canvas displaying my travels, but it makes for a more interesting, diverse and yet coherent interior décor style. What do you think?

Just a drop of something different that fits with the grand scheme of things works so well. 

Until Next Time Southern Africa

I am blogging from South Africa this morning. I spent two full weeks between Cape Town and Harare. I had a lovely exchange. Harare doesn't really have a big marketplace for souvenirs. There is  a small little flea market where I got some lovely carved ebony salad bowls and you could find great marble carvings there too. There is scope for the market to grow in Harare. So, today, on my last day here, I will spend the day in Green Market Square in Cape Town and I may go over to the V&A Waterfront. I hope to find some necklaces and a little doll for my daughter. I am not a museum person. I love architecture and historical landmarks. I wanted to take the ferry over to Robben Island. But I am genuinely worried that I will become a big emotional puddle when I see the cells that held Mr. Mandela and the others. So I am thinking maybe I save Robben Island for when I have company/moral support.

Until next time, Happy Independence Day, Zimbabwe.

A Day in Pictures: The V& A Waterfront in Cape Town