On an average day
Cool Brand
ZARA
Jul 28th
This trip I took serious advantage of having the fast-fashion, Spanish brand ZARA around the corner. Described by Louis Vuitton fashion director Daniel Piette as “possibly the most innovative and devastating retailer in the world,” the Spanish brand is quite the success story.
Previously only available to the jet-set elite in South Africa, the up-market, stylish design label without designer prices is hitting South African shores in 2011.
Who Are They?
ZARA manages everything from design to distribution and has one, insane business model. After identifying a trend, they can have clothes in their stores within 30 days. Partly thanks to the fact that it most of it’s production takes place in Spain, right on the doorstep of most of it’s markets.
They carry several collections which cover business, to casual to cute, cocktail dresses and maintain reasonable price points. Their stores are cleanly lit, with loads of mirrors and wooden finishes. Their quality is out-of-this-world, when compared with what South African consumers are used to.
TRF Collection is a favourite
Getting Online:
On September 2nd, ZARA’s going digital with the launch of it’s online store to UK, Spain, France, Germany, Italy and Portugal. Despite it’s zero advertising policy, they’ve developed a criticized iPhone app, which apparently failed to achieve it’s potential.
Navigating South Africa:
I love the brand but as South Africans start to mount their hopes and Sandton starts to polish it’s floors, it really does depend on what the buyers bring over. The ZARA’s in France and Luxembourg stock very different shelves to their counterparts in Germany and the SA store could fall seriously short of high expectations. South Africa has neither the European sale culture nor ZARA’s Spanish production houses living in their backyard, which both aid the ‘fast-fashion’ that has won ZARA it’s fame.
Regardless of the outcome, I love the clothes (when I look at my purchases and my luggage allowance … maybe a little too much) and I’m stoked they’re finding their way to SA.
Best Buy
Other Best Buys 
Firefly Tonics
Jul 22nd
I found these Firefly: natural energy drinks in a German sushi bar. The flavours are unique, fresh and invigorating … wow that sounded like a sales pitch. They really are just awesome though.
Fave Flavour: Detox ( Lemon, Lime and Ginger)
The bottles told me to check out their site, so I did and you can too: http://fireflytonics.com/
It’s pretty cool. It allows you to check out each flavour and ‘undress’ the juice right down to what’s actually inside the bottle and you can submit your own, inspirational photographs to stand a chance to win the monthly, natural energy prize.
You can also design your own Firefly bottle, which I did and now I want to go off, buy it and drink it 
They launched in Britain in 2003 and are now on the shelves in 40 countries! South Africa is listed…I just haven’t seen them in any of our stores yet.
If you have, please let me know ninjabeans!
Twitter: @FireFly
Ben and Jerry’s
Jul 18th
When I was younger and used to watch American sitcoms with American girls crying about being dumped and needing to eat an entire tub of Ben & Jerrys to ease the soul-destroying pain. I used to think … wow. That’s a lot of tears… that must be one big tub of ice cream.
I was basing this on the O.T.T acting and the fact that in South Africa we sell ice cream by the l.5 litre tub.
So when I finally did meet a Ben and Jerry tub, I was really surprised at how little they are.
Quite cute in fact.
Yet what they lack in size, they make up for in creative branding and names like Cherry Garcia, Chunky Monkey and Chubby Hubby. Baked Alaska is one of my faves. Its vanilla ( like the ice caps … just don’t lick them) and full of white chocolatey polar bears.
So I think we should start a uniquely, South African branch . How about Bongile and Jakobus ?
Our first flavour can be Mzansi Swirl complete with lots of yummy, milk chocolate vuvuzelas.
Got to admit, it does sound good 
I’d buy a tub.
Any other flavours spring to mind?
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