PROMOTION: Woolworths

It's been awhile but Woolworths has released their latest special for family meals. This time cashing in on the Soccer World Cup (who can resist!) they are offerering a great deal on burgers, fries and a selection of drinks. Enjoy it while watching the next big game - GO BAFANA!

PROFILE: Julia Child

This weekend I have stayed with my mom and sister while Shaun has gone up to PE to watch a few of the soccer games. Although I hate it when he goes away for any reason, I have enjoyed catching up on some chick flicks - one of which is 'Julie & Julia'. This is my reason for the newest profile of the popular TV chef, author and amazingly diverse, Julia Child.

She was born Julia McWilliams, on August 15, 1912, in Pasadena, California. Julia attended San Francisco's elite Katherine Branson School for Girls and then went on to Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. Afterwards, she moved to New York, where she worked in the advertising department of the prestigious home furnishings company W&J Sloane. In 1941, at 6 feet 2 inches, she volunteered as a research assistant for a government intelligence agency which sent her to Sri Lanka, India and eventually China where she met her husband, Paul Child. In August 2008, the National Archives de-classified 750,000 pages of personnel files. The documents revealed that Child was, in fact, a spy during World War II. She served with the Office of Strategic Services, the huge spy network created by President Franklin Roosevelt and forerunner of today's CIA.

In 1948, when Paul was reassigned to the U.S. Information Service at the American Embassy in Paris, the Childs moved to France. While there, Julia developed a penchant for French cuisine and attended the world-famous Cordon Bleu cooking school. Following her six-month training—which included private lessons with master chef Max Bugnard—Julia banded with fellow Cordon Bleu students Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle to form the cooking school L'Ecole de Trois Gourmandes (The School of the Three Gourmands). With a goal of adapting sophisticated French cuisine for mainstream Americans, the trio collaborated on a two-volume cookbook titled Mastering the Art of French Cooking (1961). Published in the U.S., the 800-page book was considered a groundbreaking work and has since become a standard guide for the culinary community.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Julia made regular appearances on the ABC morning show Good Morning, America. Her other endeavors included the television programs Julia Child and Company (1978), Julia Child and More Company (1980), and Dinner at Julia's (1983), as well as a slew of bestselling cookbooks that covered every aspect of culinary knowledge.




Paul, who was ten years older than Julia, died in 1994 after living in a nursing home for five years following a series of strokes in 1989. In 2001 she moved to a retirement community in Santa Barbara, California, donating her house and office to Smith College, which later sold the house. She donated her kitchen, which her husband designed with high counters to accommodate her formidable height, and which served as the set for three of her television series, to the National Museum of American History, where it is now on display. Her iconic copper pots and pans were on display at COPIA in Napa, California, until August 2009 when they were reunited with her kitchen at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, DC.

On August 13, 2004, Julia Child died of kidney failure at her assisted-living home in Montecito, two days before her 92nd birthday. Child ended her last book My Life in France with "..thinking back on it now reminds that the pleasures of the table, and of life, are infinite - toujours bon appétit!"

PROMOTION: Checkers

The Checkers Health and Beauty Special is on until the 13th of June in the Western Cape. Click on the link to view the online catalogue: http://www.checkers.co.za/Files/198763778/viewer/index.html?doc=HealthBeauty_Specials&brochure=true

PROMOTION: Crabtree & Evelyn

I have just been to Cavendish Square and stumbled upon a wonderful surprise - 50% off sale at Crabtree & Evelyn for today only. Under the guise of a Soccer Day they have cut prices! It is never to early to start your Christmas shopping. I bought my mother-in-law, aunt and myself something sweet-smelling and delicious. Go before it's to late!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Big news revealed

A few weeks ago I quoted an entry from the home magazine about the tips they were offering. Well, the reason I found this particularly interesting is because my husband and I have decided to move. I have (as of yesterday) signed a contract to work at the wonderful Sun Valley Primary School. It was very sad to say goodbye to my colleagues and class today but it does mean that a new chapter is being opened starting from next month. My husband and I will be moving to Fish Hoek to live in a house his parents own 5 minutes away from my new school. It does need a bit of work but we will be doing it slowly and on a budget, which will be very exciting! I can't wait to start and see my many, many ideas become a reality. Below is a picture of the front of the house. It has 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a small cottage, a single garage and stunning wooden floors. There is lots of potential and I know it is going to be beautiful once we have made some cosmetic changes and moved our things in. This house will become our home.

PROMOTION: Woolworths

This week at Woolworths they have a promotion on all their ready made soups - what a pleasure! Flora tubs and cheese are also on special so go to Woolies this week for the ingredients for toasted cheese sarmies you can dip in yummy, warm soup!

ADVICE: Streeetching your spending

Thinking about ways to get more out of your budget this month? I have the following tips for you:

• Pay close attention to your medical aid. I am on Discovery and by actually reading their newsletter this month I found some great specials on things I actually needed and was going to buy. They also offer discounts on particular products and their credit card system offers 25% off your total grocery bill at Pick 'n Pay. My gym fees could be reduced (that is if I actually went to gym or had a membership...) and the magazine subscription I bought my husband for our 'paper' anniversary was more than reasonable! Also look for health screening tests that are free. You have to go anyway, you might as well let your medical aid pay for it.
• Get a book card. At Exclusive books or CUM books their loyalty cards offer great discounts. Exclusive Books give you cash back and CUM offers a 10% discount to clients with this card.
• Keep your eyes and ears open for great events that don't cost a thing! Go to exhibits advertised online or in the newspaper, walks around the market or hikes up the mountain - all free and all educational/healthy/FREE!
• Avoid processed, ready-made meals that aren't fulling, healthy or cheap. Rather eat healthy, balanced foods that are good for you and prevent you from landing up at the Doc's office when your body breaks down from vitamin deficiency.
• Shop around or try new brands - Buy your cleaning products from Clicks. Not only are they cheaper but if you buy on your Clicks Card you get points. What? You don't have a Clicks card. Shame on you. (Thanks mom for this one)
• Do yourself a favour. Ask your mom to do your sewing and you cook her a meal. Bring in your neighbour's mail while they are away and get her to babysit your cat when next you are away. A little bit of bartering goes a long way.
• Cook and freeze meals to avoid making purchases when you are in a rush and hungry.
• Buy in bulk and share with a friend.
• Go to China Town, Osmans and other factory shops for clothing, toys, stationery and gifts - yes, it's a bit of a shlep and you have to spend some time looking around but it is worth it for the bargains you'll find. It's all comes from the same place anyway! Just don't buy for the sake of getting something cheap. Make sure you know what you are looking for before you go and stick to your list (any excuse to make a list hey Cara)
• Follow addictedtodiscounts for all the latest special offers, promotions and ideas - I couldn't resist!

Any other tips to share? Please feel free to add them.

PROMOTION: Capitec Bank

My brother-in-law has just started a new job as a Financial Planner and it fascinates me to no end, simply because the concept of money and making the best decisions regarding it is so important to me but also because I am so desperate to understand it! (I am currently battling my way through SARS registration) Anyway, he has sold me on the merits of CAPITEC bank. Until the end of July they are running an incredible Special Offer. FREE debit card transactions and cash withdrawls from the tills at Pick 'n Pay, Shoprite/Checkers and PEP stores. You may think "Oh, but that is a short term benefit, what about the remainder of the year?" It gets better, as this blogger explains... "I'm changing to Capitec - I've had enough of Standard Bank" says Relax with Dax from www.relax-with-dax.co.za Their monthly fees are low, withdrawl fees are minimal and internet banking is free!!! My husband and I have a joint account so I will need to run this by him but the thought of having control over my whole salary and not having mysteriously high amounts debited unwillingly off my account every month is something I can't imagine him saying no to or I may need to rethink our marriage... I am after all - addicted to discounts!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Daily Specials

Apologies for the lack of updates lately - I have been sick in bed and busy with end of term reports but I think this will make it up to you. I have come across a wonderful website that lists specials for restaurants and accomodation in the Western Cape. Everyone should take a look for when next you need a weekend away or feel like spoiling yourself to a good meal! Check it out at: http://www.dailyspecials.co.za/ ENJOY!

PROMOTION: Pick 'n Pay

Promotions at Pick 'n Pay from 31 May to 12 June 2010



I'm not sure if it's because of the World Cup or the cold weather but the people at Pick 'n Pay are feeling festive and generous this fortnight - I was amazed at the deals available. Definitely worth a look.

Wynns Cleen Green R29,99 (save R10,00)
Addis roughtote R39,99 (save R15,00)
Prestige 12 cup muffin pan R34,99 (save R25,00)
Mallory Steam Dry Iron R69,99 (save R20,00)
Rama spread for bread R19,99 (save R10,00)
McCain harvestime chips R12,99 (save R7,00)
Dairybelle cheese singles: Cheddar or Gouda R24,99 (save R9,00)

For these and other specials go to the Pick 'n Pay website by clicking on the logo above.