• 1. Le Comfie Turkish towels are woven from 100 per cent cotton, are lightweight, quick drying and compact. They’re also really versatile … use them as beach or bath towels, table cloths or sarongs, kitchen towels or scarves, picnic or baby blankets. There are loads of different designs to choose from, and most are available in two sizes. We found them on lecomfie.co.za
• 2. Have the very best, tastiest Italian deli goodies delivered directly to your door … deliziosa. We recently discovered Italian Deli Online and have been feasting on Italian grilled peppers and olives, artichoke spread, bruschetta with sun-dried tomatoes ever since. This bellissimo online store has the best Italian coffees, wafers and biscuits, juices and waters, preserves, sauces and more (think lovely wines and beers and special occasion grappa for when those deliveries are allowed). Details: italiandelionline.co.za
• 3. One great thing about lockdown in winter … we can wear slippers all day long. These are warm and wonderful, available in half a dozen or so colour combinations and can be monogrammed with your initials. R1495 from elizabethsummer.com
• 4. Sweet Peas is up there at the top of our favourite online boutiques … all its products are custom handmade by artisans in South Africa, so it really is a great way to support local. This month we’re ordering a pair of these cheerful Amalfi linen sandals. We’re probably going with this cheerful tangerine, but the citrus are lovely, too. 100 per cent leather and linen, they’re R699 and will add nicely to our Sweet Peas collection.
Details: sweetpeas.co.za
• 5. A hamper of spoils is such a treat, particularly when it’s sent up from the glorious Babylonstoren in Simondium in the Cape. With lockdown deliveries restricted, the entire range isn’t available right now, but there’s still a lovely selection if you need to send someone a gift. Think Orange Blossom Honey, delicious with brie, ripe figs or freshly baked bread, and Red Plum and Lemon Verbena Cordial, for cocktails, cold drinks or to spice up a home-made sponge … simply drizzle over the hot cake.
Details: babylonstoren.com
• 6. A child. A muddy puddle. A pair of gumboots. Pure joy. These Boho&Mooi Gummy Welly boots are made with natural rubber, are lined, soft and bendable. They cost R499.99 and can be pre-ordered from Hansel & Gretel, one of our fave online stores for babes and toddlers (great bags for mums, too). Details: myhgshop.com
• 7. This Kitchen Garden Hand & Body Lotion is a rich, luxurious balm that’s easily absorbed, restores moisture and leaves skin smooth, supple and lightly scented. It’s a burst of fresh herbs in a bottle … gorgeous. R220 from babylonstoren.com
• 8. A little luxury never went amiss. Homeware Spot is a site dedicated to a premium, hand-selected, carefully curated range, like this M&Sense Neofresh Lavender & Sage Luxurious Diffuser (R520) and Luxurious Scented Large Candle (R490). Details: homewarespot.com
• 9. With these rings on our fingers, we don’t need bells on our toes. LOVE these Blink and Co designer rainbow rings … and plan on starting a collection (hint, hint to those asking what we want for birthdays and anniversaries coming up!). Pure silver, then bathed in gold – and the stones are semi-precious crystals mixed with Swarovski crystals. They’re exclusive limited editions, and range from R1800 to R2800. Details: Order for delivery from [email protected] or 082-908-1808
• 10. Yes. We know it’s winter. But this dark red, midi camisole dress with blue contrast lace trim would be sensational under a kimono or big, slouchy cardie.
R599 from zara.com
• 11. How gorgeous is this mauve midi pleated skirt? Love the colour, love the fabric – and it sways and dances as we walk. Bonus … it has an elastic waistband (a few of us need that, after the lockdown bake-a-thon we’ve been enjoying). R599 from zara.com
• 12. Little mini bottles of sugar-free cordials in flavours like Turkish Delight and elderflower, lemongrass and pomegranate, unicorn (swoon) and Glühwein. R29.95 each. While you’re ordering, the sugar-free syrups (think peanut, chai, milk tart) are brilliant, too. Order online for delivery (costs range from R70 to R195 depending on your area, so a good idea to order with a group of friends). Details: gudgu.co.za
• 13. Wall art … if you’re a fan of antique prints, you’re going to love Cosmographica Prints which, in the past decade, has built a substantial digital archive of antique prints, principally Africana, but also cartography, botanicals, anatomicals and other interesting oddities. The prints are museum quality (archival inks and paper) with several sizes (from A4 to A0) and weights of paper to choose from, and are ideal for decorative purposes – unlike originals, which commonly use water-based paints, they won’t fade in bright sunlight. Prices are from around R590 to R2490. Details: instagram.com/cosmographica_prints/ or facebook.com/cosmographicaprints
• 14. It’s not new, but it’s the perfect book to buy now if you don’t have it. South Africa’s organic gardening guru, Jane Griffiths, shows you how easy it is to create a food garden, no matter how small your space. All inspirational ideas, practical information and loads of tips and suggestions, Jane’s Delicious Urban Gardening also touches on keeping urban bees and hens, harvesting rainwater and recycling grey water, as well as introducing solar power into your home. R302, order online for delivery from exclusivebooks.co.za
• 15. Supporting small, local business and adding a touch of glam to our indoor garden – win win. This grey and yellow planter is from Plasticity, a sustainable brand based in Graaff-Reinet in the Karoo, where they upcycle plastic to create functional products. R249 from upcycledplastic.co.za
• 16. We’re all for using natural products whenever possible … and Made by Nature is an online store that makes it so jolly easy. Brands are selected for their eco standards and for using only natural ingredients … think brands like Earthsap and Triple Orange, The Herbal Pet and Hey Gorgeous. You can stock up on everything from all-purpose cleaner to baby wipes, from herbal spray treatment for itchy pets to rose scented body scrub. Our regular order always includes this Triple Orange Fruit and Veg Wash (R65), which safely removes wax, soil, chemicals and bacteria. Details: madebynature.co.za
• 17. With all the hand washing and sanitising going on, a good hand cream is essential. Burt’s Bees Almond & Milk Hand Cream is our go-to option. R200, order online from dischem.co.za and takealot.com
• 
18. We’re ordering this Kare Essential Starter Kit … three bags designed to allow you to do your grocery shop without having to touch a piece of plastic. There’s a 100 per cent pure unbleached cotton mesh produce bag and an expandable tote (which folds up small but expands to hold at least 3kgs of your shopping) and a cotton calico solid produce bag (with absorptive, breathable cotton, so perfect for veggies like lettuce, keeping it fresh and crisp; also great for freezing bread and useful for storing cheese or grains). These bags (and loads more) are all available as single buys, so you can add to your collection, but this kit is a great place to start. R335 from karebags.co.za
• 
19. There’ll be no problem getting your kids to wear their face masks when they can roar like a lion. Lions, kittens, pigs and eagles … we LOVE these. They’re R50 from madambotany.co.za, and can be delivered around the country.
• 20. We are, for the foreseeable future, going to be spending a lot more time at home. So let’s embrace it – the Nordic way. Hyggie – pronounced hue-gah – is loosely translated as cosy … it’s all about people’s behaviour towards each other, about creating intimacy and contentment and warmth. In How To Hygge, Scandinavian cook and writer Signe Johansen shares the secrets of Nordic living and shows you how to adopt these elements into your everyday life. So besides loads of recipes, there are ideas on how to enjoy the outdoors, the joy of fika (coming together over cake and coffee) and how to collaborate to achieve a sense of community. For those who admire the Nordic stylish design, Signe shows how to achieve Scandi-cool in your own home, without breaking the bank. R338, and you can order online and have it delivered from exclusivebooks.co.za
• 21. Work. Cleaning. Laundry. Cooking. And now home-schooling too. Good grief! But we’ve found help in a box. WackyBox is, quite literally, preschool in a box. It contains everything you need to keep your pre-schoolers entertained and educated at home. It’s not new – it’s been around for four years – but my goodness, is it well timed right now! Founder Nicolene Steyn ensures all major educational milestones between the ages of five months and six years are covered, with age-appropriate activities and new themes monthly (think Shapes, African Insects, and By The Sea). It’s an open-up-and-start-playing experience, with minimal prep. Hugely helpful for busy (or not terribly organised) mums, as absolutely everything you need is ready to use inside the box. What’s more, the box is also part of the activities, which means nothing goes to waste. You can order a one off box (a great gift from gran over lockdown … hint, hint), or a subscription. Prices around R395 for a one off order, R1940 for a six month subscription.
Details: wackybox.co.za
