ISU Collections: Brunch & Shop

Last weekend, ISU Collections…whom I wrote about in an earlier blog… hosted a Shop and Brunch Garden session event.  ISU Collections is a contemporary shop that retails African inspired  products by local designers. The event was a celebration of celebrated their 1^st Birthday. I have been following their progress and I have been attending their events since they started when they were still on Glenara Avenue.  Thankfully despite numerous rainy days, the actual day of the event was a warm sunny day. There were stalls where ISU Collections designers showcased their products, live music was playing( Vee Mukarakate, Prayersoul and the Monkey nuts) there were food stalls…overall a lovely creative vibe.   It was great to meet the actual designers, see more of their work and enjoy the party!

Contacts:

My Top 5 Cafes in Harare

I associate cafes with fun times, relaxing,  sometimes working(when there is no power at home or I just need a break from working at home) and catching up with friends...So here are my top 5 cafes in Harare...

1. Queen of Hearts Cafe: Without a doubt this is my favourite cafe...because I love the surroundings and ambiance but also because its really close to where I live and it's a place where I can find a quiet place to work if I need to and access to power points(my second office).

Queen of Hearts Cafe

2. The Bottom Drawer: I love this cafe because I am obssessed with all things pretty and lovely. I love the English country style garden and decor. Its great place to catch up with a friend.

The Bottom Drawer

3. Freshly Ground Coffee Bar: This is the ideal place for the coffee addict because coffees are their specialty. It's also a great place to relax with friends but also a great place to get some work done if you need to.

Freshly Ground Coffee Bar

4. Food Lovers: This is a great place to meet for a light meal, coffee or drinks with friends. The combination of tables and chairs and lounge seating is appealing...

Food Lovers

5. Classic Deserts: This one is a great place to meet a friend for coffee and desert. The location is convenient and they also offer diabetic, banting and gluten free options. 

Classic Deserts

IGN Design Indaba:Collaborative Craft Projects

Collaborative Craft Projects headed by Jane Taylor has been in existance for over 15 years working with women using tradional craft to create a wide range household items. Collaborative Craft Projects was voted by the judges as the best stand at the IGN Indaba and one can't argue with that! The stand was well decorated, everything well thought out and placed to its best advantage. The range displayed consisted of grass mats, carpets, laundrey bins, waste paper baskets, utility storage baskets and other decorative products. All the products are hand-made and all the dyes used are natural. 

Jane Taylor & Me

IGN Design Indaba & VIP Cocktail Party

This weekend I was invited to the IGN Design Indaba VIP Cocktail Party, which was held at Parklands.  Generally since winter began I have tried to avoid going out at night if I can help it, prefering to stay home and sit in bed with my computer. Furthermore, knowing that the event was being held outside and not indoors was making me worry a little as the nights have been a bit chilly. Eventually, I decided to put my fears aside and find something warm to wear because I did not want to  miss  out on a great opportunity to meet up with like minded men and women in business. When I finally arrived at Parklands, my fears were laid to rest when I saw the number of heaters under the tent where the VIP Cocktail Party was being held. It turned out to be a wonderful night, prizes were presented for the designers with the best stands and I  got to mingle with the crowd and meet a few new people. 

The next day I came through to see the wonderful designs myself and a number of them made an impression on me, you will see more details about these in my next blog. The venue, Parklands was actually a great choice, lovely venue and the event was well organized, from the stands to the food, music and drinks. I am looking forward to the next one.

IGN Indaba

VIP Cocktail

Saturday Afternoon@Queen of Hearts Cafe

I don't usually go to Queen of Hearts on a Saturday, but this Saturday I was stuck for a place to go that was nearby and I just decided to try Queen of Hearts even though to my knowledge they close the cafe early on Saturdays and have private events in the afternoon, so I wasn't hopeful. Last Saturday I was pleasantly surprised not only were they open but there was something nice happening...there was a band playing, some wine, food and good company it definitely made a nice chill spot for a Saturday afternoon... Over and above that, after the rainy chilly winter days last week(does it rain in winter??? and yes it was chilly!!!)The weather last saturday was great not cold at all with lots of sun outside if you were not sitting in the shade..and that just made everything   so much better...I think I will do it again... I didn't take as many pics as I should have...but you can see some of the ones I did take below...

Opening times:

Mon -Friday 7.00am-5.00pm 

Saturday: 8.00am-12.00pm

Contact Details:

The Menu

Dining Area

The Bar

Coffee@Cafenion

If you are at Arundel Village looking for a place to relax and take a coffee break try Cafenion. Cafenion is still fairly new on the scene. One afternoon, I went to Arundel Village to get a few things done and I decided to try this new cafe. The Location is good and convenient, decor has a cool, fresh and modern vibe plus it's spacious. There are tables at the bar or you can pick a table  on the open terrace. I ordered a capuccino to give myself a bit of time to relax and take in the scenary, while I plan the rest of my afternoon. 

Opening Times:
 Monday-Friday: 7.30am-6.30pm
Saturday: 8.00am-3.00pm
Sunday: 8.00am-5.00pm

The Menu

My Cappuccino...

Seating  Area

Outside the Cafe

SOUNDSeries@ISU Collections

I went for the SoundSeries at ISU Collections for the first time, I had been planning to go for a while because it seemed like the kind of thing that I would go for, some good music, food, wine, a bonfire, an interesting crowd and late night shopping...I went with two friends to the SoundSeries,  and as it turns out I was right the vibe was cool and really laid back which is what we wanted, it was a fun night and I wish that it had gone on for longer though...I will definitely do this again.