A few weeks ago I read something Mayor Pajunen said while talking about Helsinki: “One of our greatest strengths is that everyone wants to get involved in making this city a better place” ‘Cool’, I thought and Desmond and I decided to go visit Helsinki this August/September. I can’t wait.

I also read about the awesome initiative ‘Restaurant Day’ and am totally in love with the idea. It goes like this (read in Monocle, issue 53):

The Restaurant Day is about meeting the neighbors. ‘Launched in May 2011 the initiative encourages residents to open their doors or set up a restaurant in any public space for one day. It has achieved huge recognition for engaging inhabitants with each other and the city, and has since spawned events in 48 cities. The fifth Restaurant Day takes place on 19 May.’

So, since today is May 19, happy Restaurant Day! Let’s start something like this!
pic found here

I thought ‘wow’ when I saw the HemLoft online. If I could buy it, it would be the perfect present for Desmond my husband. He tells me every day, that he wants to work in a tree house. Read the story of the guy who built the HemLoft.

I am proud to say that my cousin (who also lives in Cape Town) started this amazing event, the Lesotho Sky, a mountain bike race. If you’re into mountain biking, wherever in the world you are, come, take part! Have a look at the 2011 video.

‘The Sky team bring you the second edition of the Lesotho Sky Event, a new team stage event taking place over six days through the breath-taking landscapes of the Maluti Mountain Range in Lesotho. It’s a must-do for adventure junkies and riders who seek a new experience. You will ride 75km per day on average through truly breath-taking scenery, mountains and remote villages. This makes the Lesotho Sky a very achievable goal while remaining an unbelievable adventure through the Kingdom in the sky.  The route is made up of very rural roads, cattle track, a small amount of tar, and some mad (cattle built) single track that will blow your mind. With enthusiastic reviews from last year’s riders as well as in Bicycling, Do-It-Now Magazine, Mountain Biking UK and more the Lesotho Sky is bound to make more headlines this year. There are few entries left for 2012 – be sure not to miss out on this special event! For more information and entries visit www.lesothosky.com 

I love , love and love Nina Simone’s music. This is what I’m listening to right now.

.. and we are editing like nuts. Every couple wants their pictures and we also can’t wait to finish up the wedding season, we shot many (!) couples and it was loads of fun. Time to do something different and time to travel. Desmond and I will travel to Europe in mid August and stay 5 weeks to do a story in Sweden/Norway and to shoot 4 weddings in Germany. If you’re in Europe and getting married in August/September, pop me an email (toni@desmondlouw.co.za) and maybe we also shoot your wedding :)

Have a look at the last three weddings with which we finished off the South African wedding season.

1. Louise & Jano, Gaansbaai (click for more images)

2. Edré  & Riaan, Nature’s Valley (click for more images)

3. Christine & Dave, Nature’s Valley (click for more images)