Fairlady Mar/Apr 2024

I’ve known Josie Borain for years, which is a lucky thing for me because she’s a proper human being: funny, self-deprecating, kind, absolutely honest, a great friend and a real force for good in her community. I think it must be almost impossible to come back unscathed from the levels of fame she reached, but she did. (Read our profile on Josie on page 56.) As Jodie Foster says in the interview in our cover story (page 70) about her own fame, ‘Being a public figure, your universe is altered and you just don’t know anything else. And you don’t know that you’re a blowhard, and that you’re not a good friend, and that you never show up.’ None of those descriptors applies to Josie, of course, and while that’s…

WINNING LETTER Make the circle bigger! I loved the article ‘How to make friends as an adult.’ I am halfway to 60, and over the past few years my friend group has diminished quite drastically, mainly due to factors such as immigration, change of life, age and, of course, the after-effects of Covid. I am by nature a friendly person and I have no difficulty talking to strangers, but over the past five years I have made little to no effort to make new friends or stay in regular contact with old ones. I have decided, new year, new goals! Your article has inspired me to put into practise your advice on how to start making an effort to be a friend and turning a good neighbour or co-worker into…

I love cocktails, but honestly, what a hassle to make them yourself. You never have all the ingredients (I’m looking at you, vermouth), crushing ice is harder than it should be, and somehow it always ends up being either too strong or too sweet. But I’ve now got the perfect at-home cheat: Pienaar & Son just recently launched Adventure Buddies, which is basically a premade cocktail in a pouch. There are four: a tropical-citrussy Porn Star Martini with vodka, passion fruit and lemon; a tangy Cosmopolitan with vodka, lemon, cranberry and triple sec; an Espresso Martini with vodka, espresso and coffee liqueur; and an Ugly Negroni with Pienaar & Son’s Ugly Gin (hence the name), Campari and vermouth. Just chill, shake with ice and serve – it’s idiot-proof and delicious.…

Beaumont Wine Estate is a real family affair: Sebastian Beaumont (right) is the dynamic and charming winemaker; Nici, his wife, runs operations at the on-site deli; and Jayne Beaumont, widow of founder Raoul, is a welcoming presence, keeping an eye on things and crafting her own label Pinot Noir. A stay here offers a deeply restorative weekend. There are three original farm cottages (thick walls, beams, flagstone floors), all beautifully updated for mod-con living. Enjoy a generous bathroom with a shower, a huge living area and an all-you-need kitchen overlooking fruit trees, vines (of course), beds of vegetables and the mountains beyond. The cellar tasting is a must: the wines are internationally recognised, especially the Chenin Blanc, and Sebastian is a raconteur whose passion for the farm and his wines…

My local SPAR was running a ‘Buy 3 Magnums and get a Magnum Ice Cream Pint for free.’ So I thought, why not? When you open the tub, the ice cream is covered with a layer of chocolate that you have to crack open. But it doesn’t end there. There are also chocolate pieces in the ice cream itself. Scoops and scoops of deliciousness, and before I knew it I had finished two-thirds of the tub! I have tried the Classic and they also have a White Chocolate flavour, but Almond trumps it for me. Sadly, the SPAR special has run its course, but the pints are now available at Checkers. It’s pricey, but your taste buds are going to be in heaven. R124.99, Checkers…

As you may have gathered from our fashion shoots, I’m a sucker for a chunky sandal! The ones I am currently eyeing are the Amer platform espadrilles from Toni Pons. I especially love the all-black version; the espadrille sole adds beautiful texture, and the leather upper is so comfy. Known throughout the world for comfort and style, this Spanish brand has been around since the 1940s, and each pair of espadrilles is still made by hand. It’s true artistry! The company makes a wide variety of boots, sneakers and accessories as well. Find Toni Pons on Instagram at @tonipons_za or buy these shoes online from Roea Clothing. There’s also a Toni Pons bricks-and-mortar store – the first in South Africa, which opened in Village Walk, an extension of The Village…