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We’ve all heard about the effects single use plastics have on the environment and our oceans. But you might not have heard about the zero waste living, a movement which focuses preventing waste and reusing as much of what we buy as possible.  Here are a few tips to get you started: Refuse single use items like plastic bags, straws, cups, utensils, and unnecessary packaging. Reduce the waste you generate by making more conscious, higher quality purchases. Grow your own food as much as possible. If space is limited, indoor container gardens are an attractive money-saving option. Repurpose - find…

With Father’s Day just around the corner we know that finding a gift for dad can be tough. You want to get him something he’ll enjoy – something that’s both useful and cool. Dads often make gift giving even more challenging by insisting they don’t need anything new. Instead of more socks and another tie, think outside the box and consider a novel gift for the guy who says he has it all.   Here are some top picks for dad this Father’s Day: PopSockets PopSockets are available at most cellular and electronic stores. This handy little stick-on gadget functions…

What is the furthest you’ve ever run? Five kilometresat your local Parkrun? Further than that? Can you imagine running 42.2 kilometresin a full marathon? It seems like an impossibly long way to go. Yet every year millions of ordinary people with full schedules and busy jobs cross the finish line and achieve just that. Taking on a marathon is a tough ask. There’s weeks of training filled with early mornings, sore feet, and aching muscles. And that’s all before you even line up on race day. The obvious question is why anyone would willingly choose to do something so difficult.…

February is officially the month of love and a time when flowers are given as tokens of affection and appreciation. We take a look at the power of flowers and their meaning so you can give the perfect gift this Valentine’s Day. It’s believed the custom of gifting flowers on 14 February has its roots in the 18thcentury where floral bouquets were often sent to pass along specific non-verbal messages thanks to each flower having its own unique meaning. Today, roses remain a firm favourite for the occasionand estimates suggest that some 250 million blooms are grown in preparation for Valentine’s…

In the frenetic, crazy digital world we live in technology is everywhere. Quite literally. Think about our always-on smartphones, streams of emails, social media feeds – and instead of being helpful technology can often feel like one giant distraction. Switching off and opting out completely on a remote island isn’t possible, but there are some smart ways to use tech to boost our wellbeing and productivity – including an assortment of clever apps. Here are some of our faves… For the hopeless procrastinator: Stay Focused The Stay Focused app can help you meet those deadlines by restricting the use of…

This August South Africa commemorates Women’s Month as a tribute to the 20,000 women from all walks of life who joined together in a historic march to the Union Buildings in 1956. Fast forward to 2018 and there are dozens of ways you can celebrate this important occasion. Here are some of our favourites: Support a worthy cause There are so many wonderful organisations and charities that do incredible work aimed at empowering women. If you have some free time consider lending a helping hand by volunteering or making a cash donation. Every little bit helps to make a difference. …

With shorter days and long chilly nights, you’re definitely not alone in longing for the return of summer.  If you have slight case of the winter blues then Mall of the North is ready to make you smile because we’re inviting you to indulge the senses at our Just Imagine Arts and Photo Fair from 20 to 22 July. There are plenty of good reasons to celebrate all things creative and visually beautiful. And the best part is you don’t have to consider yourself an artist to find joy in being creative. As the famous author Neil Gaiman wrote, “Make your art.…

Food is so much more than simply fuel for our bodies; it’s one of the most social things we do as people. As our lives become busier by the day it’s easy to forget that each meal is an opportunity to slow down, reconnect with family and friends or rediscover the simple pleasure of eating. All too often, we wolf down whatever is most convenient as we rush from one activity to the next and miss out on savouring the taste, even if it’s only a humble sandwich and a cup of coffee. With the rise of popular amateur cooking…

Think ‘home makeover’ and it’s hard not to imagine expensive renovations that take months to complete. But a little can go a long way if you get creative and know where to start. Paint with purpose Paint is expensive which is why it makes good sense to add a dash of colour to one central wall instead of an entire room. An accent wall can instantly transform a tired space into something more vibrant – and you can use the leftover paint to repurpose old picture frames or cupboard doors. Pretty as a picture Give a bare wall a facelift…

Paint is expensive which is why it makes good sense to add a dash of colour to one central wall instead of an entire room. An accent wall can instantly transform a tired space into something more vibrant – and you can use the leftover paint to repurpose old picture frames or cupboard doors