JHB West - Dec 21 / Jan 22

JOBURG WEST
LEANDRI
PRETORIUS
Sweet success!
Thrilling reads
for the hols
The Lust List ...
best beauty buys
of the season
Make it
MAGICAL
Your best ever Christmas starts here
KEEP YOURSELF & YOUR NEIGHBOURS SAFE
WIN
Jolly festive
spoils worth
R60 000!
VACCINATE
DEC 21 / JAN 22

contents
Why don’t you...
05 We’re having a jolly good time this festive season!
GET IT
Editorial
Instagram: @getitjoburgwest
Facebook: Get It Joburg West
Website: getitmagazine.co.za/joburg-west
National Group Editor and National Sales
Kym Argo
kyma@caxton.co.za
Facebook and Instagram:
Get It National Magazines
Website: getitmagazine.co.za
Workflow & Studio Manager Megan Brett
Contributor Rialien Furstenberg
Head of sales
Debbie Pienaar
debbiep@caxton.co.za
Distribution
15 000 copies monthly
Get It Joburg West is distributed
free of charge. For a full list contact
011 955 1130.
Competition rules
The judges’ decision is final. Prizes cannot be
transferred or redeemed for cash. Competitions
are not open to the sponsors or Caxton
employees or their families. Get It Magazine
reserves the right to publish the names of
winners, who will be contacted telephonically
and need to collect their prizes from Caxton
Western branch within 10 days or they will be
forfeited. Prizewinners names are published on
our Facebook page monthly.
DEC 21 / JAN 22
book club
06 Six thrilling reads and bubbles for the holidays
WISH LIST
08 It is the most wonderful time of the year! Ho ho ho ... and
merry merry to all
People
10 Fitness and health fanatic Leandri Pretorius is a believer of
everything in moderation. Except for chocolate brownies
beauty & fashion
13 Sparkle with beauty finds that shine
14 Purple passion for the party season
Entertaining & FOOD
16 ’Nothing blah about black and white. Throw in some glitter and
you’ll boast the glammest event in the neighbourhood
22 ’Putting a cookbook together is a labour of love. And writer Tayla
Blaire and photographer Roelene Prinsloo enjoyed every minute
26 A few of our favourite foodies have included avo dishes in their
latest cookbooks
garden
28 What to plant and to do in your garden this month
Win
14 A a bag, earrings and necklace from U/R Italian
34 Marvellous spoils worth R60 000
COVER LOOK
Personality: Leandri Pretorius
Photographer: Jaco Bothma, Empire Photography
Make-up & hair: Elaine Boshoff, EA Academy
Dress: Oh My Gosh Bridal Wear
Dec 21 / Jan 22 Get It Magazine 03

A hot date!
We’re having a jolly good time this festive season!
03
Gather your family and friends
and head to the Cedar Tree
Craft Market for any last minute
Christmas shopping. Their hugely
popular night market will take place
on December 3 from 5am to 9pm.
Or pop in at the Sunday market on
December 12 and 19 from 10am to
3pm. Apart from live entertainment
by Daemian Breedt, Danie van
Niekerk, Barney Armstrong and Peter
B you can expect an array of excellent
stalls selling high quality products.
Do not forget your mask! Khosa
Sports Club, corner of Shannon
Road and Frederick Cooper Drive,
Krugersdorp. Details: Chanelle on 081
500 6884, westsidemarkets@gmail.com
03
Watch the world-acclaimed
acapella group The Soil live
for their 10 year celebration concert.
There will be two intimate shows
on December 3 and 4. This time
round they will be joined by their
own three-piece live band. 7pm at
Silverstar Centre. R200 per person.
Details: silverstar.co.za
05
Spanish Christmas Hat & Toy
Run. Choose between a 5km,
10km, 15km or 20km distance. Run
through the roads and trails of the
Lammermoor Community, and enjoy
parts of the country that you drive
past but never really get a chance
to see. There will be Spanish Spring
delights for you to enjoy after your
run. Bring a small wrapped present
for a child under the age of 12, or a
small Christmas Bucket with food and
other goodies. 7am at Valverde Eco
Hotel, Muldersdrift. From R120 per
person. Details: tlctrailrun.co.za
12
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Come and join the festivities at
Jessica’s Featherbrooke Christmas Market. There will be marvellous gifts,
crafts, food, drinks and so much more. 9am to 4pm at Jessica’s Featherbrooke
Estate. Details: markets@jessicasrestaurants.com
31
On the big screen ... Silent Night follows a couple who have invited their
closest friends to join their family for Christmas dinner at their idyllic home
in the English countryside. As the group comes together, it feels like old
times – but behind all of the laughter and merriment, something is not
quite right. The world outside is facing impending doom, and no amount
of gifts, games or Prosecco can make mankind’s imminent destruction go
away. Surviving the holidays just got a lot more complicated ...
Dec 21 / Jan 22 Get It Magazine 05

Book club
Thrillers and bubbles for the holidays
David Baldacci. Bliss. Long Road to Mercy introduces FBI Agent Atlee Pine
who, after her twin sister was abducted when they were young, learnt three
lessons in life. Some wounds never heal. Time doesn’t lessen your pain. She
can make a difference. A brilliant new character from this brilliant storyteller. Pan
Books, available at exclusivebooks.co.za • Robin Cook’s medical thrillers always hit
quite close to the bone. In Viral, we meet a man whose wife and daughter are in
hospital after they catch a lethal mosquito-borne viral disease, but finds a
dubious clause in his medical policy has allowed the healthcare insurer reason
not to pay the staggering hospital bills. Determined to seek justice, he uncovers
the dark side of the historically ruthless industry. Alarmingly real! Macmillan,
available at exclusivebooks.co.za
We’re thinking a bottle of Krone Vintage Borealis Cuvée Brut 2019
might be just the thing to celebrate our last book club of the year.
This iridescent pale gold wine is 87 per cent Pinot Noir and 13 per
cent Chardonnay and is lovely on its own, but is also exceptional
to serve with a bowl of mussels steamed open with seawater, or
with a creamy porcini risotto. You’ll find it for around R165 at your
local wine store or online at kronecapclassique.co.za
06 Get It Magazine Dec 21 / Jan 22

A routine job of cleaning the room of
a boarding house turns into a mystery
for the cleaner, when she makes a
gruesome discovery, one that has her
joining up with a young police officer.
Both have their reasons for wanting to
find out more about the case.
Emily Noble’s Disgrace by Mary
Paulson-Ellis promises loads of twists
and turns to keep you glued to the
pages. Pan Macmillan, available at
exclusivebooks.co.za
The tension starts on the very first page of Andrea Bartz’ We Were Never Here,
and it doesn’t let up. Two friends, Kristen and Emily, are on holiday - a tradition
they have every year, visiting somewhere out-of-the-ordinary. But for one of the
girls, stress levels are high. On the previous trip, a backpacker attacked Emily,
resulting in his death, one of the girls hid by burying his body and quickly leaving
town. As for fun-loving Kristen ... she feels everything’s behind them, and there’s
nothing to worry about. But as the walls close in on their cover-up, Emily finds
herself questioning whether she can really trust her closest friend? Penguin,
available from exclusivebooks.co.za • Sit down. I have something to tell you. We’ve
all heard that heart-stopping sentence. And it’s seldom good news. It certainly
wasn’t for high-flying lawyer Jessica Wells, whose husband has something to tell
her, something that ties in with a client and case she’s currently working with. I
Have Something To Tell you by Susan Lewis ... behind every secret lies a story.
Harper Collins Publishers, available at exclusivebooks.co.za
Collections of short stories are great for holidays.
You can read one on the plane, on the beach,
before bed. But on the other hand, when
the short stories are from Stephen King, Sara
Paretsky, Sue Grafton, you may just keep going,
story after story. Best Crimes Stories of the
Year 2021 are the 20 finest short stories released
this year. Edited by Lee Child, these stories are of
the extremes of human psychology caused by
despair, hate, greed, fear, envy, insanity and love.
Head of Zeus, available at exclusivebooks.co.za
Fancy winning all these books? And more. We’re giving one
reader a R10 000 voucher (TEN. THOUSAND. RAND!) from
Exclusive Books this Christmas. Turn to our Spoil page right now.
Compiled by: Kym Argo
Dec 21 / Jan 22 Get ItMagazine 07

Wish list
Ho ho ho ... and merry merry to all
Festive bell earrings, R120
from lovisajewellery.co.za
Effortlessly stylish, cool, contemporary.
The View was Exhausting is the read
of the season. It’s all centred around
the love affair of international A-list
actress Win Tagore and her jet-setting
boyfriend, Leo Milanowski. Their
love story is the talk of the town ...
but it’s as fake as Hollywood. Being
a woman of colour - she’s of British
Indian descent - Win has to work hard
to control her public persona. What
better than a millionaire playboy to
fake a little good news. With each
PDA, the headlines shift back in Win’s
favour. What’s in it for Leo? The good
press draws attention away from his
dysfunctional family. So it’s a win, win
really. Until ... as great holiday reads
demand ... the two really fall for each
other, secrets are revealed, and all hell
breaks loose. Sharp, sexy, fabulous.
Headline, R410
Compiled by: KYM ARGO
This limited edition NUXE advent calendar has 24 dazzling surprises ...
beautiful treats daily for the countdown to Christmas. With its
sparkling star-studded design and two dozen NUXE miniature beauty
products and fragrances, it’s a massively desirable pre-Christmas gift.
R1995, exclusive to Foschini online. Details: foschini.co.za
08 Get It Magazine Dec 21 / Jan 22

Festive glitter
star drop earrings,
R160 from
lovisajewellery.co.za
You are never too old for a Christmas
stocking. And these, which you can
have embroidered with each family
members name, are perfect. Neutral
cotton, with slate grey embroidery
and finished off with a leather loop,
they’re incredibly chic, but have also
been created to be big and strong
enough to hold fairly substantial
gifts. R165 each from baskiti.co.za
Shimmer
through the
festive parties ... this
Kitten Bliss Eye & Lip
Set is a speciallycurated
collection for
eyes and lips in Stila’s
universally-flattering
shimmering nude
shade. There are two
eye shadows and a lip
gloss. Swipe, sweep,
blend, glow! R570
from woolworths.co.za
Our firm favourite
when it comes to
scented candles
are those from
Glasshouse
Fragrances. Triple
scented, there’s a
new limited-edition
Sugar Coated range,
and it’s all we want
for Christmas. Perfect
for those with a sweet
tooth, they’re doused
in rich notes of
creamy vanilla, butter
caramel, nutty praline,
offset with citrus
and sugared fruits.
Top of our wish list is
Movie Night (caramel
popcorn and choctops),
Sweet Enough
(rich salted caramel)
and All The Red Ones
(we all love the red
ones the most ... and
this is a combo of
our favourite crimson
lollies ... think big,
bold pomegranate,
guava, raspberries,
cherries and jam).
R1299, Exclusive to
Woolworths.
Dec 21 / Jan 22 Get It Magazine 09

weet
uccess
Pink Steri Stumpi. Double bacon
and avo cheeseburger. And a
chocolate brownie … or three.
This is what makes Leandri
Pretorius smile from ear to ear. It
also happens to be her favourite
indulgence after a tough IBFF
competition.
Just a few months ago, Leandri
won the IBBF (International
Bodybuilding and Fitness
Federation) World Cup Fitness
Model in the tall category (over
1.68m). And before that ... The
IBFF Beach Bikini. And the Pro
Divas. And the list goes on.
Come June next year, she’ll be
on stage again to take part in the IBFF World Championship
in Koper Slovenia.
This mom of two toddlers has always been the sporty type,
except for running, which she hates, knew nothing about
the IBFF industry. It wasn’t until she went to watch a show in
support of a friend who competed that she got hooked.
“That night I was like, wow, this is something I just have
to give a go. Twelve weeks later I took place in my first
competition, won Miss Beach Bikini and Fitness Model and
qualified to take part in the IBFF SA championship.
“Yes, some people whisper and others make sneering
comments when they find out you’ve joined the world of
female bodybuilding. But what they do not know about are
the many, many hours of spending time in the gym and the
absolute dedication when it comes to your diet.
“And just to be clear, bodybuilding has such a broad
definition, there are different line-ups for each individual. All
according to your body type, weight and height. I’ve made
the conscious decision to stay and look feminine and prep
for every competition the natural way.”
She came across the MCT Angels (Military Core Training),
a women-only, international fitness team spear-headed
by Brett Richard Palframan. “What makes the Angels so
10 Get It Magazine Dec 21 / Jan 22
Leandri Pretorius is a firm
believer of everything in
moderation. Except for
chocolate brownies. She
seldom passes up a chance to
indulge her sweet tooth. Not
quite what you expect from a
fitness fanatic. But life, she says,
is all about balance.
incredible, that it is for women from
all walks of life or different parts of
the world. You don’t need to be a
bodybuilder; you can join even if you
just want to lose weight. Brett works
out your diet according to your lifestyle
and what you love. In my instance, he
knows I have a deadly sweet tooth and
makes sure I can munch on something
to satisfy my sweet craving.”
On the topic of sweet cravings, Leandri
is currently working on a healthy
baking cookbook. Especially for those
struggling with the same “problem”, as
she calls it.
“I took all my favourite sweet treats and
desserts and redid them into healthier
versions. Think chocolate brownies, cheesecake, nutty
crunch bars, chocolate and coconut fudge and my easy mud
cake. And I promise you, some actually taste even better!”
When Leandri is not prepping for a comp, running a
modelling and grooming school or doing the nursery
school drive, she is the marketing and PR manager for Dros,
Krugersdorp. A title that fits this energetic, bubbly and
social butterfly like a glove. She’s been the driving force
behind many golf and charity events, music shows, drivein
roadhouse movie nights and community outreaches
just to mention a few. Leandri is currently working on their
Christmas project for The Bethany House Trust, a child
protection organisation and child and youth care centre.
“This is a project very close to my heart and also the second
year we’re doing this. We will make sure that 122 children will
all receive their ‘Christmas Wishlist’, personal care products
as well as school necessities. The children’s humble wish
lists just once again remind you that we have so much to
be grateful for.” If you want to help make a child’s wish list
come true, ring Leandri on 011 660 5191 or pop her a mail
leandripretorius.lp@gmail.com.
Details: Follow @leandripretorius_fitness or
@militarycoretraining on Insta.

Leandri’s mud cake recipe:
You’ll need: two scoops of whey protein (I use the Turkish Delight flavour); 20ml
almond milk; 5ml baking powder; 30ml cocoa powder
How to: Mix all the ingredients. Pour in a big mug. Bake it on high heat in the
microwave for exactly 19 seconds. Voila, a super yummy and moist mud cake!
Seven ways to stay
fit this holiday without
going to the gym:
1. Find restaurants that are within
walking distance from where you
stay.
2. Try new activities. Do a scuba
diving or snorkelling class, go river
rafting, play beach volleyball, take
the family ice-skating or go pedal
boating.
3. Always opt for the stairs than the
elevator.
4. Instead of laying in the sun to
catch a tan, rather burn some
calories by playing or riding a bike
with the kids or playing games in
the pool.
5. Plan movement opportunities
into every day – go for a hike, walk
on the beach or go for a family walk
around the neighbourhood.
6. Aim for fitness maintenance.
Squeeze in some form of activity,
don’t skip exercising altogether. A
quick workout is better than doing
nothing.
7. Turn your holiday shopping runs
to the mall into exercise sessions.
Park in the back of the parking lot
and walk around the mall a few
times while shopping. Burn calories
while burning your wallet!
Easy healthy food swaps:
• Instead of potatoes, rather opt for
sweet potatoes
• Replace sweets or chips by
snacking on frozen grapes, berries,
unsalted nuts or trail mix
• Reach for cinnamon tea instead
of hot chocolate
• Replace beer with whisky or
red wine
• Instead of white chocolate or milk
chocolate, choose dark chocolate
• Rather swap full cream milk for
almond milk
• Opt for grilled food instead of fried
• Use avocado’s and make your
own dip, rather than buying the
unhealthy dips
Text: RIALIEN FURSTENBERG. • Photographer: JACO BOTHMA. • Make-up & hair: ELAINE BOSHOFF. • Dress: OH MY GOSH BRIDAL WEAR.
Dec 21 / Jan 22 Get It Magazine 11

Our lust list
Small products ... big impact!
Myrrh Body Scrub from Terres
d’Afrique. With coconut shell,
rooibos leaves and baobab oil.
Sugar, coconut shell and rooibos
flakes, blended in a specific ratio
for optimum exfoliation. Scented
with natural sweet myrrh, this
scrub sloughs away dead cells
leaving the skin soft and refreshed.
R1014 from terres-dafrique.com •
Red nails and gold eyes and you’re
ready to party the night away. Wet
n Wild Nail Polish in Red Red Red (R35.95)
and Single Glitter Eyeshadow in Brass
Nudecomber (R46.95) from Clicks • From
MSLONDON Mineral Cosmetics, Rosie
Mineralized Blush gives a pretty, natural
blush. R300 from Woolworths. • Isn’t this
just a festive party in a bottle? Scarlet
Poppy Cologne Intense from Jo Malone.
Yes, please. R1925 from Woolworths. • We
don’t know anyone who wouldn’t love a
little Jo Malone gift. This Peony and Blush
Suede Body and Hand Wash would be
massively appreciated, thank you. R715
from Woolworths. • Glam looks with Stila
... Suede Shade Liquid Eye Shadow in
Smokey Silk (R395), and Beauty Boss Lip
Gloss in In The Red (R275) - offering high,
high shine and pure colour, wear it alone
or over lipstick. Both from Woolies. • Onpoint
winged liner ... this one draws the
perfect wing. Wet n Wild Proline Felt Tip
Eyeliner, R84.95 from Clicks.
Compiled by: KYM ARGO
Dec 21 / Jan 22 Get It Magazine 13

PURPLE
PASSION
Chi chi Italian style for the party season
We’re infatuato with the collection from U/R Italian,
who’ve just launched their 2021 collection ... all pinks,
pastels and purples. The fashion, made in Italy, is
exclusive - only a handful of each item produced, and
is creative and elegant. We’re loving these purple
hues for the festive season ... and these earrings
remind us (in the swankiest way) of Christmas
baubles. Love! You’ll find them online uritalian.com
and on social media - facebook.com/uritalians,
instagram.com/uritalians PLUS ... we’re
giving away the bag, earrings
and necklace to one Get
It reader ... pop over to
getitnationalmagazines
on Instagram to enter.
Secret studded jelly bag (R699),
U/R ball earrings and necklace
(R499 and R439), and Italian silk
pleated dress (R1159) ... your
party look, sorted!
Compiled by: KYM ARGO
14 Get It Magazine Dec 21 / Jan 22

The festive season’s all about best friends. And
celebrations. And bringing the two together
is Zandvliet, who’ve just introduced My Best
Friend wine-in-a-box. And what’s better than
one friend? Two, obvs. So there’s a Cape White
(refreshing flavours of lime, citrus and melon with
hints of honeysuckle) and a Cape Red (all red fruit,
plums and spice). You’ll find these two-litre boxes
at local bottle stores for around R140, with the
single bottles still available for around R70 each.
Details: zandvliet.co.za
Glam up the dinner table with these uber luxury crackers,
six in a pack, from R279 from Woolworths.
This easyto-bake
Red
Pepper &
Chilli Wreath
Bread comes
in a locally
crafted ceramic
dish, which makes
it a delicious hostess gift.
R249.99 from Woolworths
The successful combination of two endangered species -
the rhino and the rhino bush - comes together in one great
tasting gin. Celebrating South Africa, and donating a portion
of the proceeds for each bottle sold towards the fight to save
the rhino, gives us even more reason to say cheers to the
festive season with Cape Town Rhino Gin, the latest offering
from The Cape Town Gin & Spirits Company. Around R299
from Take A Lot, Italian Deli and Norman Goodfellow online.
16 Get It Magazine Dec 21 / Jan 22

Contemporary
Christmas
Nothing blah about black and
white. Throw in some glitter and
you’ll boast the glammest event
in the neighbourhood.
Not only for the
tree. Hang gold glitter
baubles from every place
possible and have a glittering
Christmas. R79.95 from
Woolworths.
Black. Barista Black. Do you know that, if the Authorised Biography of James Bond is to
be believed, the world’s most celebrated secret agent is 100 years old? So, as it happens,
is the Pinotage cultivar. And grabbing this coincidence with both hands, the team at
Barista conceived a wine and bottling regal enough to match the richness of both the
Pinotage and Bond legacies. This opulent wine demands a well-deserved moment to slow
down, and savour one’s hard-earned successes. With plums, red currants and baking spice
intermingling beautifully on the nose, the wine has a juicy fruit core with velvety tannins
and oak complexity. The finish is long, smooth and pleasantly dry. Just like James!
Perfect to serve this Christmas, or to give a gift. You’ll find it in fine wine stores for
around R150, or order online from baristawine.co.za
What’s black and white and
the sweetest festive treat
ever? Delicious liquorice
... the Sally Williams way.
A limited edition, it’s a
combo of nougat and the
sweet aromatic flavours of
liquorice. So it tastes just
like classic liquorice, but
with the famous softness
and sweetness found in
nougat. Yum. Mee. R79
from supermarkets
Compiled by: KYM ARGO
Dec 21 / Jan 22 Get It Magazine 17

Twinkle twinkle ... diamond star string
lights, R279 from Woolworths.
Twinkle
Is it even Christmas if there’s no advent calendar? We think not.
And we’re not going to deny opening a chocolate-a-day version is
delicious (and on that note, look out for the Chuckles calendar at
Woolies ... not just for children). But this SOiL version is taking 24 days
of spoils up a level. The SOiL Organic Aromatherapy calendar has 24
tiny 1ml vials ... one for each day leading up to Christmas. Use them
in your diffuser each night, or save them up and make a SOiL Festive
Diffuser Blend ... a combination of clove, cinnamon, sweet orange
and pine. R299.99, you’ll find it at Dis-Chem, Wellness Warehouse and
online at faithful-to-nature.co.za and soil.co.za
And here it is. The Christmas season’s
O. M. G. Shaped like an oversize bottle
of the iconic fragrance, the Chanel
No 5 Calendar has the required two
dozen boxes - numbered not from 1 to
24, but, in true Chanel style, from 5 to
31. No 5 is obvs, and 31 .... that one’s for
31 rue Cambon - the epicentre of the
world of Coco Chanel. Each box holds a
Chanel treat ... from a limited edition red
Rouge Allure lipstick to a tree ornament
shaped like the N°5 bottle to a black
ceramic bracelet designed to resemble
the wax seal on the N°5 Parfum bottle. A
properly luxurious gift - too desirable for
words. You’ll find it at Chanel fragrance
and beauty boutiques, for R14 350.
18 Get It Magazine Dec 21 / Jan 22

MSLONDON Mineral Cosmetics has a cult following
... and deservedly. This black female-founded BEST
clean makeup brand was founded and formulated
by sisters Natasha and Ego Iwegbu, and has a dozen
adaptable, vibrant foundation shades for all tones ...
foundations that are made with minimal ingredients
for maximum effect. The foundations are lightweight,
multitasking and provide natural coverage that really works.
On top of that, it’s acne-friendly, is excellent for those with
psoriasis and rosacea, and doesn’t agitate even the most sensitive of skins. Use
with the iconic Flat Blending Brush (which also helps with you having minimal
contact with your face). R550 for the foundation, R350 for the brush, and while
you’re shopping, look out for the blushers, contour and bronzers, highlighters and
Banana Setting Powders (also must-haves). From Woolworths.
What does a girl
want? Beauty sleep.
So this sleep mask
and hair band gift
set will go down
a treat. R129 from
Woolworths.
Rooted in
tradition, built
for speed, the
latest addition
to the Dunhill
London’s
collection is
the Driven Eau
de Parfum, a
powerhouse
of a fragrance
for men with
a little va va
voom! From
R999, from
Clicks and
DisChem.
For more than 150 years, Louis
Vuitton’s monogrammed bags
have been seen on the arms of
celebs (real and wannabe) and
royals ... the brand has thrived
through two world wars, the
Great Depression, the Jazz
Age and the Swinging Sixties.
Beautifully illustrated, Karen
Homer’s Little Book of Louis
Vuitton is the story of this - the
world’s most luxurious brand.
A brilliant stocking filler for a
fashionista. Welbeck, R297 from
Exclusive Books
Miss Dior by Justine Picardie (who had
unparalleled access to the Dior family
home and archives) paints a portrait
of the enigmatic woman behind the
designer Christian Dior - his beloved
younger sister, Catherine, who inspired
his most famous perfume and shaped
his vision of femininity. From the
French Resistance to the Ravensbruck
concentration camp, from freedom
and fashion to beauty and betrayal ...
Picardie reveals how Dior’s enchanting
New Look emerged out of the
shadows of his sister’s suffering. Faber
and Faber, R615 from Exclusive Books
Dec 21 / Jan 22 Get It Magazine 19

Tippy-toes & Tulle
Never mind the fairy on the top of the tree ... we’re loving these ballerina babes
Compiled by: Kym Argo
From tutus to tiaras and tiny ballet shoes to fairy crowns ... these are what little girls’ dreams are made of. This
festive season, pop into Woolies where you’ll find the Petite Etoile (meaning little stars) range ... an authentic
Australian dance brand with a fun and playful twist. Full layered tutus are constructed with soft tulle that won’t
be scratchy on sensitive skin, and the added sequins and sparkles are sure to delight any little star. The designs
include leotards, tutus, headbands, tights, dresses and ballet shoes for two to twelve year olds. And ... twirl!
20 Get It Magazine Dec 21 / Jan 22

Behind the legacy of love scenes
Putting a cookbook together is a labour of love. And writer Tayla Blaire and
photographer Roelene Prinsloo enjoyed every (delicious) minute
he first recipe in Our Italian Legacy of Love
is for Café del Sol’s famous mayonnaise. And
the last is for a Bellini. And in between. Oh
gosh ... avocado al-ritz and Nona’s basil pesto
and limoncello risotto. Fresh mussel pot and
double-cooked chips and stuffed calamari. TPanna cotta with lemon curd topping and chocolate tart
with pistachio crust and Mamma’s pavlova. Recipe after
recipe after delicious recipe from the Café del Sol family
kitchen, each a memory Chiara and Ryan Viljoen have
of dishes from both their nonnas, as well as their mama,
Luciana Treccani.
And while the collection of recipes is a legacy of love, the
same could be said for putting it together ... the behind the
scenes planning, tasting, writing, tasting, photographing,
and tasting!
The first seeds of the book were planted in 2019, when
freelance lifestyle writer Tayla Blaire was commissioned to
write an article about Cafe Del Sol for the end-of-year issue
of Get It magazine. “I was thrilled, having been a fan of
the restaurant since 2008. Luciana and Chiara showed me
how to make limoncello gnocchi and then we sat down
to interview for the magazine. The interview ended up
lasting almost four hours, as we started reminiscing about
our respective travels to Italy - I had just come back from
a three week backpacking trip there. I have a passion for
Italian food, passed on to me from my mom, which came
across, and they asked if I would be interested in helping
them write a cookbook, something that had always been
a dream of theirs. That December we put together a pitch
for Penguin. It got approved. And boom! Suddenly I found
myself in the role of ghostwriter for a cookbook.”
So what is it like behind the scenes? “A whole lot more
chaotic than the gorgeous glossy pages let on! Firstly,
Chiara got way too enthusiastic with recipes ... I don’t think
I’m exaggerating when I say that about 50 had to be cut
from the first draft to the final book. That was probably the
worst part – knowing how many exquisite recipes wouldn’t
make it to print due to page limitations. The family also had
a habit of saying that everything was their favourite family
recipe ... and I had to repeatedly explain that a favourite
implies there’s only one, and they had about twenty with
that title. This was a battle they weren’t prepared to lose, so
you’ll find a lot of favourites in this book!”
Worried that her knowledge of Italian cooking would lead
to her making connections that weren’t necessarily in the
recipe, Tayla often dragged her husband into the room
to read through a recipe to see if he could follow it. “If he
could follow it, anyone can – and I say that with so much
love! On the boring side ... maintaining consistency for
method and measurements across every single recipe was
tough as it gets really monotonous. But on the positive
side ... I loved the endless chats to the family, hearing their
stories and creatively weaving their narrative into the blurbs
at the start of each recipe. My favourite part of the book is
the opening pages – the story of the family. It was the first
section I wrote and it really set the tone for everything that
followed,” she says.
“The family would ask my opinion on all kinds of things,
from what I thought the cover should be to helping them
choose which recipes to lose. That trust is so special to me,
as it shows that they knew I held this book as close to my
heart as it is to theirs”.
Tayla managed to pop in during one of the shooting days
for the photographs ... “and I happened to coincide my visit
with lunchtime (of course she did!). They were shooting
the risottos and after taking the pictures, we all sat down
amidst boxes and flat-lays to eat every risotto from the
book – it was heaven. Gosh, they make a good risotto. The
best I have ever had, for sure.”
Shooting (and eating) the risotto was Roelene Prinsloo, a
sensational professional food photographer who makes
every dish look mouth-watering.
“I started specialising in food photography in 2002. When
the chance came up to shoot the images for this book,
I grabbed it with both hands. I love what I do so much
it doesn’t even feel like work.” It can, however, be quite
challenging to get a variety of settings and images when
shooting a book. “It involves a lot of physically hard work,
moving studio lights from one location to the next to set
up a different set, but so worth it to get a different lifestyle
feel. At the end of the day, even when I am exhausted, I am
massively satisfied when I go through the lovely images.”
“And shooting a recipe book is such great fun! It’s a
wonderful opportunity to be really creative and to work
together as a team. After working together so closely for so
many days - usually around 10 days, but we did this book in
a record of six - we feel like friends and family,” Roelene says.
Tayla agrees with her. “At the launch of the book, I asked
Luciana, Chiara and Ryan to sign my copy, and Chiara wrote
that I am ‘officially part of the famiglia’ – and it really feels
that way.”
22 Get It Magazine Dec 21 / Jan 22

Favourite recipes ...
It’s a little unfair, asking the pair about their
favourite recipes from a book that’s just
crammed with sensational dishes.
“People always ask me if we get to taste
the food on shoots, and the answer is yes,”
says Roelene. “Tasting the food is the best
part, snacking on the delicious cuisine
throughout the day is a perk of the job
(my hips don’t lie).” Her favourite starter is
the Italian Spring Rolls with Beurre Blanc
Sauce, “since I simply love cheese! The
spring roll pastry is stuffed with smoked
mozzarella cheese that is wrapped in
parma ham. Yum. My favourite main I
would say is the Limoncello Risotto. It is
fresh lemony cheesy goodness and really
does taste like summer in a bowl.”
Tayla thinks one of the perks of working
on this cookbook is she’s had access to
the recipes for so much longer than the
public! “So I’ve made about 70 per cent
of the recipes in the book. I don’t think
a month goes by without making the
Gorgonzola gnocchi, and when time
permits, I make the gnocchi from scratch
too. It’s our go-to for entertaining friends
and family because it has such a gourmet
look and taste while being so simple to
make! I also cook oxtail stew in bulk so
that we can enjoy the oxtail risotto on
demand. It’s real stick-to-your-ribs comfort
food for winter. In terms of desserts, their
panna cotta is perfection and so easy to
whip together!”
Details: @tayla.blaire and @roelene.prinsloo on Instagram.
Websites: taylablaire.com androeleneprinsloo.com
Compiled by: Kym Argo
“Allow us to set the scene: imagine this with an Italian
accent. The sun is rising and the kids are being summoned
to the kitchen by Nonna Chiara. Ciao, bimbi! Ciao, Nona!”
So starts the story introducing the Cafe Del Sol family,
and their deliziosa cookbook, which has been released
just in time for the festive season (great Christmas gift ...
hint hint). Ranging from really quick and easy for nervous
cooks to a little more involved for those who aren’t afraid
to put some time and effort into dinner, the book is full of
exceptionally glorious dishes and mouth -watering photos.
Buon appetito! You’ll find Our Italian Legacy of Love by
Chiara Viljoen with Ryan Viljoen and Luciana Treccani at
exclusivebooks.co.za for R409.
Dec 21 / Jan 22 Get It Magazine 23

For the
love of an
Italian gin
cocktail
Roelene’s Hibiscus Gin
For Roelene’s gin cocktail recipe, you’ll
need 30ml gin, 20ml Hibiscus Syrup,
15ml fresh lemon juice and 100ml
Methode Cap Classique.
To make the Hibiscus Syrup, combine
500ml water with 2 cups of white sugar
and 3 cups of Hibiscus flowers. Heat in
a pan for about 12 minutes, stir well,
then remove from heat and strain
through a fine sieve. Chill.
To make the cocktail, shake the gin,
syrup and lemon juice together with
ice and strain into a chilled glass. Top
with MCC.
Tayla’s favourite gin cocktail ...
a Basil Smash from Our
Italian Legacy of Love
Tayla’s gone straight to Our Italian
Legacy of Love for her gin cocktail of
choice. It’s named Basil Smash, but the
experience is a summer sunset in an
Italian garden.
You’ll need 50ml gin, 20 ml simple
syrup, 15ml lemon juice (or to taste), 8
fresh basil leaves and ice.
To make the simple syrup, put equal
parts water and castor sugar in a pan
on low heat and slow cook until a
syrup forms, then remove from heat.
It will usually continue to thicken, but
shouldn’t be too thick (and make sure
it is clear and not caramel in colour).
To make the cocktail, combine the gin,
syrup, lemon and basil in a cocktail
shaker and shake vigorously. Fine-strain
into a chilled cocktail glass with ice.
The Negroni - along with the Aperol Spritz surely the most famous of Italian
cocktails - is said to be created and named for the Italian Count Camillo Negroni
in the early 20th century. While at the Caffé Casoni bar in Florence, he requested
that his regular cocktail, the Americano (equal parts Campari and sweet
vermouth with a splash of club soda), be made a little stronger, using gin instead
of soda, and orange peel instead of the more typical lemon peel. The result is
a refreshingly bitter, but fairly lethal cocktail ... just the one is perfect before dinner.
Since we love the slightly sweeter taste of orange in our Summer cocktails, we
made our Negroni with Ginato Clementino Italian Gin, which has flavours of
clementine orange and Nebbiolo grape.
Ginato is the very essenza dell’ Italia, with its effortlessly chic, timeless, sunshinedrenched
way of life. It’s the combination of three core ingredients – juniper,
citrus and grapes – sourced from all corners of Italy that create Ginato’s trinity of
provenance ... the very spirito d’Italia.
To make our version, simply add equal parts (one tot each works easily) of Ginato
Clementino Gin, Campari and sweet vermouth to a glass filled with ice and stir
until chilled, then garnish with a slice of fresh orange.
For other Italian, gin-based cocktails, try Ginato Pompelmo (pink grapefruit &
sangiovese grape flavoured), Ginato Melograno (pomegranate & Barbera grape
flavoured) and Ginato Limonato (Pinot Grigio grape flavoured). You’ll find them for
R380 at cutlerdrinks.co.za
24 Get It Magazine Dec 21 / Jan 22

In Jamie Oliver Together - Memorable Meals
Made Easy, Jamie says “together feels more
poignant in 2021 than ever before,” and encourages
us to use the recipes in this book as an excuse to
reconnect with those we’ve missed seeing in the
intimacy of our home, and to create the power
that food has to bring people together. “This is
about saying ‘I love you’ through food.” The book
has a fabulous recipe for easy baked eggs, with avo,
spring onions and tomatoes ... tasty, super-simple
- almost beats avo and poached egg on toast. But
our fave is the Jam Jar Prawn Cocktail, his take on
the old fashioned but never out of style favourite.
Prawns, avo, cocktail sauce (yes, the one we made
years ago with mayo and tomato sauce, with a dash
of lemon and Worcestershire sauce). You’ll find it in
the book (quick, turn to page 212) or pop over to
getitmagazine.co.za ... it’s there too. Michael Josef,
R609 from exclusivebooks.co.za
We’ve all done it. Stood at the
fridge or pantry cupboard,
doors wide open, hoping for
inspiration. How, we ask, can we
turn this cabbage and handful
of potatoes into dinner? Well,
the team at the Ottolenghi
Test Kitchen do the same thing
(probably, we hasten to add,
with a lot more success). Once
raided, they give the ingredients
the ‘Ottolehghi twist’ ... and
these creative results are what
make up Shelf Love, the latest
in the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen
series. A selection of recipes that
you can adapt depending on
what you have in your kitchen.
There are pages for notes, lists
of suggestions, space for you
to create your own Shelf Love
List. Which should include
something avo-delicious, yes?
Like the cobb salad with
mango and lime dressing
and thinly slice avo, which
you’ll find on page 184 of the
book. (Oh ... and that cabbage
and potato dilemma. The team
came up with herby cabbage
and potato grain with Gruyére
and ricotta. Yum). Edbury Press,
R604 from exclusivebooks.co.za
Jamie’s Jam Jar Prawn Cocktail.
Iced avo? Absolutely. Try these avo, coconut and cocoa
lollies this Summer. Simply place two ripe avocados,
200ml coconut water (or coconut milk for a creamier
texture), and 15g good quality cocoa powder in a
blender and blitz until smooth and pourable. Add a few
teaspoons cold water if necessary. Pour into popsicle
moulds (this will make four to six) and freeze for six to
eight hours. Unmould and garnish with grated fresh
coconut, and keep chilled until ready to eat.
Lolly recipe and
pic from The South
African Avocado
Growers’ Association.
26 Get It Magazine Dec 21 / Jan 22

Avo-licious
It’s not just us who thinks avos are the best things since (and on) sliced bread.
A few of our favourite foodies have included avo dishes in their latest cookbooks.
Waffles and cream. Low carb?
Really? In Vickie de Beer’s Low-
Carb Express we found this
recipe ... quick Waffles with
Avo and Raspberry Nice
Cream. It serves four so the
perfect family treat.
Make the nice cream first.
Simply combine 2 avocados, a
pinch of salt, the grated zest of
1 lemon, 125ml plain yoghurt,
300 g frozen raspberries and
45ml erythritol (or to taste) in
the bowl of a food processor
and process until smooth.
Spoon the mixture into a metal
or glass container and keep in
the freezer until needed. There
is no need for it to set, so you
can eat it immediately.
Then the waffles. You’ll need
100 g almond flour, 10 g
psyllium husks, 2.5ml vanilla
extract, 40 g erythritol, 60 g
butter, 2 eggs, 125ml milk and
extra melted butter for cooking.
Preheat an electric waffle iron
according to the instructions.
Combine all ingredients except
the melted butter in a food
processor and process until the
dough comes together.
Brush the waffle iron with the
melted butter and scoop two
to three tablespoons of the
mixture onto the waffle iron
and spread it with the back
of the spoon. Cook for five
minutes or until golden.
Serve the warm waffles topped
with generous scoops of the
nice (and it really is) cream.
Tips: Substitute the raspberries
with any other frozen berries,
such as strawberries or
blueberries. If you are omitting
dairy from your diet, use
coconut cream instead of
yoghurt. Penguin, R320
Compiled by: Kym Argo
Dec 21 / Jan 22 Get It Magazine 27

In the garden
What to plant and to do in your garden this month
THIS MONTH WE’RE PLANTING
Garden toughie Scaevola Bondi Blue
takes the heat but keeps its cool, lavenderblue
flowers looking fresh throughout
summer. Also known as fan flower, this
grows best in full sun to partial shade
and does well in hot, dry summers. It is
a neat garden flower (20cm and 40cm
wide) and is good for edgings, rockeries,
and as a ground cover or in hanging baskets
and containers. If planted around the edge of a
container, it will trail over the edge. Water deeply once
a week and don’t over-water - these plants don’t like
soggy soil. Snipping off the dead flowers encourages
them to flower even more.
Details: ballstraathof.co.za
INDOOR PLANT OF THE MONTH ... THE GLORIOUS HYDRANGEA
Do you know how hydrangeas got the name of ‘Christmas roses’? Quite simply,
it’s because they flower in December in South Africa. Over Christmas, they are
also sold as indoor plants, standing in as a long-lasting flower arrangement.
All Season’s Hydrangea is a single head hydrangea that produces a longlasting
spectacular bloom in pink or white. The normal multi-flower pink or
blue flowering hydrangeas are also available as indoor plants. Grown indoors
hydrangeas like four hours of bright, indirect light a day, and you’ll find the
flowers last longer if the plant is kept cool. Keep the soil evenly moist but not
soggy, using lime-free water if possible. After flowering, the plant can be cut
back and planted in the garden. Details: lvgplant.co.za
GARDEN TASKS
• Water deeply and
regularly, cut off dead
flowers and give annuals
a weekly drench of
liquid fertiliser to keep
everything fresh and
blooming for Christmas.
• Sow sunflowers with the
kids. The seeds are big so
they are easy to work with
and they can be sown
directly into the soil.
• Water the lawn once a
week, but don’t fertilise if
you are going away.
• Water containers and
hanging baskets once
a day and feed with a
diluted liquid fertiliser
once a week for lush
growth and lots of flowers.
Compiled by: KYM ARGO & ALICE COETZEE

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To our valued clients, attorneys, bond originators and fellow property colleagues
Thank you clients for allowing us into your homes. We know how stressful these past two
years have been - so pat yourself on the back for making it through ... To those people
who lost love ones - our sincere condolences. Our property advice is free, so please
do not hesitate to contact us should you require a valuation or to see if you qualify for
a bond. Must you renovate or sell etc ... We are just a phone call away... If you are
travelling, please be safe. We wish you and your family a wonderful and
safe festive season. May all your dreams, wishes and prayers come true
in 2022.
Yours sincerely, Tandy-Lynne Dickinson, Owner and Principal
®
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December
SpoilWe’ve got your festive
season all wrapped up!
We’re wishing our readers a happy, fun-filled festive season
... and our biggest Spoil of the year will certainly have one
of you whoop, whoop, whooping with joy. Just look at what
we’ve wrapped up in one massive Christmas box ...
• A weekend for four people at The Bungalow in Plett, worth
R17 200 (you’ll need a break after these hols!)
• A case each of Sense of Place Anna Christina Methode Cap
Classique, Kastanjeberg Chenin Blanc and Suikkerboschrand
Cape, worth R5370 (so red, white and bubbles ... cheers)
• A BlendNespresso machine hamper, worth R4200 (wake
up to the best coffee ever)
• A R10 000 Exclusive Books voucher (book lovers heaven,
right there!)
• A set of Thule roof racks, worth R6000 (no need to pack
light ever again)
• A R5000 Volpes voucher (linen and towels and so much
more for your holiday home)
• A Lou Harvey bag from her new collection, worth R500
(pack up your troubles ...)
• A Sodastream maker, worth R1250 (makes the best
cocktails, too)
• 15 bottles of seriously great spirits and drinks for your
holiday bar cabinet, worth R4600 (the New Year’s Eve party
at yours, this year)
To stand a chance of winning this or one of the daily prizes
leading up to the main draw, with a total value of more than
R60 000, pop over to getitnationalmagazines on Instagram
and follow the prompts. Entries close at noon, December 10.
PLUS ... fantastic
daily prizes
leading up to the
main draw ... all
on IG!
34 Get It Magazine Dec 21 / Jan 22