The 2nd Annual IGN Indaba

I was at the 2^nd annual IGN Indaba this weekend. I was at the preview late Friday afternoon which was by invitation only and I also went on the Saturday with family.  At the preview it was great to see people working hard on their stands in preparation for the next day.  It was great to see new people exhibiting as well since I was there at the first one last year. At the preview the best stand was announced and it was the same stand as last year Collaborative Craft Projects but it was a well deserved win. The merchandise on display was very innovative from basketware doubling as mirrors to a screen/blind made of twigs…
When i went the next day, on Saturday, I had more time to look at all the stands and my top favourites besides Collaborative Craft Projects were Little Paris, which is a home decor shop where you can buy decor items or learn how to transform your own items, Mint Collection, which does hand made printing for curtaining, cushions , table ware and more and Sassafras, which is a home decor shop.

All in all it was a lovely day out despite the chilly weather…I even dared to have some ice-cream and enjoyed it!

The Sp_ce

The Sp_ce recently re-opened at a new location in Ballantyne Park. The Sp_ce is referred to as a ‘resto lounge’ and it houses within it, a Be_uty Bar, Coffee Bar…(that serves delicious craft coffee) a Bar (where alcohol and other beverages are served), a Library, the Gugu Intimates shop, rails featuring various designer’s work, lovely seating areas on the veranda and much more. I love the Sp_ce, I think they have done an amazing job of designing a place where a person can enjoy good food, fashion, beauty, art and literature much more...

The entire place is tastefully decorated and the ambiance and vibe is just so on point.

Recently, they hosted the grand opening for the Gugu Intimates shop and the Beauty Bar. I made time to be there because I have been following the progress of Gugu and her line of nude underwear that caters for women of colour and I was impressed by the concept and her courage to execute it. I took a friend along and I also met a lot of interesting people and old friends

Beyond this, last weekend, I went for a manicure at the Be_uty Bar…and it was a great experience…The Be_uty Bar has an amazingly tranquil atmosphere… and friendly staff

Contact Details:

Me browsing the rails to check out the latest fashions...

Priscilla, Cynthia(Friend) and Me

Gugu and Me!

Gugu posing with the models....

The Gugu Intimates Shop

My Manicure...

Picnic Area..

Lounging Space

Outside Tables

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