A Day At The Spa

A couple of weeks ago, my boyfriend and I had the pleasure of visiting the Alluvia Day Spa in Somerset West for a romantic couples massage. Lemme just tell you that my back is retarded. Unfortunately, I inherited back problems from my father (I believe I also inherited his bum chin and lack of breasts.) So needles to say, I'm always nagging friends to massage my back and because they almost never do, going to the spa for a day was bliss.


It was a rather cloudy day when we arrived, but that just made the whole experience so much more chilled. We got the "Together" package, which included:

• Begin the day with fresh fruit salad, muffins, juice
• 2 x Harvest & Happiness tea, together
• 2 x Mud and Exfoliation Room
• 2 x Private Hydrotherapy Bath with candles and champagne
• 2 x Ylang Ylang Full Body Massage
• 2 x Use of Jacuzzi, Sauna, Relaxation room and Pool

Rather snazzy, eh? The spa itself is beautiful. I loved every bit of it. 

 

Don't you just love being pampered?

I certainly do.

The Good Food & Wine Show 2012

The last time I went to a Good Food & Wine Show was when I was about thirteen, living in Durban and dragged to the event by my mother. But I remember really liking it after having spent the whole day there. It actually turned out to be a really good memory, thus I decided that this year, I would visit the exhibition in Cape Town. It didn't disappoint.

Upon walking in, I was a leeetle bit nervous that I would eventually suffer a claustrophobic attack due to the amount of people stuffed in the centre, but I figure this just goes to show how many people actually attended. I walked happily about with my camera, snapping pics of cool stands and exhibits and met some lovely folks. A lot of the people manning the stores cornered me to tell me all about their brands, but I didn't mind one bit. It was so lovely meeting the owners and hearing their stories of how their brand came to be. It was all really interesting and I'm grateful they took the time to talk to me.

Sea Harvest, right at the entrance.

Sea Harvest.

Sea Harvest.

Laguiole. Love the presentation.

Kenwood. Love the giant mixer!

Nicoletta had a great cupcake making station.

The MTN VIP Lounge

LOVED BlackBerry's stand. So pretty!

Snowflake! My favourite cooking buddy.

Snowflake tasters. Mmm.

The Eagle Rush guys were very proud of their South African energy drink:)

I just had to put this up cause I thought it was really funny.

Photobombing Level: Gordon Ramsay

Maserati had a really cool exhibit set up. The car made me drool. They rented out a massive space in the hall and I reckon it was well worth it. It was definitely one of my highlights in the centre.

Okay, now I have a bit of a story. This actually kind of ruined my day: I was, as you know, happily strolling along, snapping away with my camera when I approached The Charcuterie. This place had some seriously fine foods on display and I was as eager to take photos as I was to buy myself a good lookin' sandwich. So after taking some great photos of them, this woman at the store (pictured below) says to me "You know what?" I look up, smiling and expecting her to tell me more about the brand. Instead, she continues with "You should actually ask a person before you take a photo of them." At this point I was slightly confused as to why she was angry at me for taking a photo in a public space that was very obviously for brand publicity. Also, I was taking a photo of the brand name; she just happened to get in the way. She didn't stop there and by the time she said, and I quote, "You don't see me coming into your house and taking photos of you!", she had drawn quite a crowd who all seemed to be rather confused too. Forgive me for not realising that the CTICC had turned into a residential area. Anyway, the reason I wanted to write this is because this woman has already, by one simple act of bad attitude toward a customer, tarnished her brand's reputation. As an advertising graduate, I find this, well...kind of unacceptable. Because to me, a brand's image is extremely important. It defines your brand. And as with any modern day guy or gal, if your brand does something that makes it look stupid, it's gonna go up on the internet. Hence this post. And due to my unpleasant experience with them, I will not be posting any photos of their actual goods.

Back to more photos of cool stands! :) 

Willow Creek.

These guys were giving out free samples. Peeps got a little tipsy ;)

Saldanha Tuna. Mmm.

Oryx Desert Salt

Before I put the following photos up, I have to say that the guy running Tea Forte was great. He encouraged me to take as many photos of his products as I could, all whilst giving me a run down on the brand and its origin. He was really friendly and informative and I'm really glad I got to try his product - it's a great little invention! (The woman from The Charcuterie could stand to take a few lessons.)

Woolworths had a big live cooking exhibit up and amongst all the hubbub, it drew my attention.

I really have to commend the Little Herb Garden on their fantastic store presentation. When I was photographing this beautiful stand, one of the ladies working behind the counter whispered "Tell my daughter she did a great job on the stand!" I didn't get a chance to say it then, but I'd like to put it up here on my blog: 

Dear Daughter Who Set Up Little Herb Garden's Stand, 

You did a freaking amazing job! I really, really loved the way you managed to catch my interest! You could make a career out of this sort of thing. Well done!

With Love,

Amy

I especially loved this. Do them a favour and go like em on FB!

Liqui Fruit has a great iCan Campaign going wherein they are selling a limited edition drink with proceeds going to Operation Smile (for children born with cleft palates.) I dig that.

Spar sponsored a few live cooking demos too.

Quite a few cooking demos took place in "The Diner" as well.

Very impressed with Groupon's display, I must say.

For all the 9Gaggers out there: Sir Juice.

Cassis. Mmm.

The Lindt promo girls dressed all smart.

LOVED the Amarula display!

Robin Hood Legendary Wine Series.

Didn't get a chance to taste, but love the design!

The sweetest for last: Sweet, 

Despite my one unpleasant encounter at the Good Food & Wine Show, I had a lot of fun and left with a stuffed tummy and a packet filled with goodies. Overall, it was a wonderful experience and I hope to visit again next year. Dontcha just love an entire centre filled with amazing food!?

I do.