Author: David Tainton

Latest & Greatest: Jan Edition

Learn more about the latest releases in tech, literature, motoring and entertainment.

From brutally honest reads to Opel’s seven new car launches and a voice-activated microwave, here’s what’s dropping this month.

Streaming Series 

The Girl from St. Agnes (Showmax)

A popular student is found dead at the base of the old mill at St. Agnes, a prestigious Midlands all-girls school. Fearing a scandal, the school declares Lexi Summerveld’s death a tragic accident – but drama teacher Kate Ballard doesn’t believe it. The Girl from St. Agnes is Showmax’s first original drama series, and was filmed in the KZN Midlands and Johannesburg. It stars newcomer Jane de Wet alongside established stars like Nina Milner, Tyrone Keogh, Celeste Khumalo and Zakeeya Patel. The Girl from St. Agnes premieres on 31 January.

Book

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson

Eschewing decades of wisdom that tells us positive thinking is the key to a happy, rich life, blogger Mark Manson’s advice is: ‘F*ck positivity. Let’s be honest. Sh*t is f*cked and we have to live with it.’ Manson gives readers a dose of raw, refreshing and honest truth with The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck – his antidote to the coddling, let’s-all-feel-good mindset that has infected society and spoiled a generation. Manson makes the argument that improving our lives hinges not on our ability to turn lemons into lemonade, but on learning to enjoy lemons as they are. He encourages readers to embrace their fears, faults and uncertainties, start confronting painful truths and begin to find the courage, perseverance, honesty, responsibility, curiosity and forgiveness they seek.
R287

Gadget

Voice-Activated Cooking

Amazon has long promised Alexa-connected home automation, and the introduction of its ‘smart microwave’ is the first genuine step towards that goal. The AmazonBasics Microwave can be controlled with your voice, via Alexa. Say, ‘Alexa, cook potatoes’, or ‘Alexa, reheat rice’, and the microwave automatically cooks the dish for the right amount of time, using the correct power setting. The launch model comes with presets for reheating coffee, defrosting peas and cooking potatoes, rice and popcorn – with updates soon to add more dishes to its culinary repertoire.
+- R900, http://www.amazon.com

Motoring

Opel to launch 7 new models this year

Opel South Africa will be introducing seven new models in 2019, along with a slew of specification updates to its existing range. The much-anticipated three-door Opel Corsa GSi has been confirmed for April. It will be powered by a 1.4T/110 kW engine and features the agile OPC chassis and brake system set up at the Nürburgring. This year also marks Opel’s 120th birthday, which will be celebrated in South Africa with a stylish Opel Corsa 120Y Special Edition in March. Based on the Corsa Enjoy, the special edition will feature many extra styling and specification features.
The Astra gets an automatic 1.6T Sport model in March, featuring the Exterior OPC-Line Sport Pack and Interior OPC-Line Pack, while the balance of the Astra model range will gain improved specifications. SUV fans can rejoice in March and April when the Crossland X Enjoy 1.6 Diesel model joins the range, the Grandland X Enjoy 1.6T Automatic enjoys comprehensive specification updates and the Grandland X Enjoy Plus 1.6T Automatic gets an even bigger spec boost. A first for Opel in South Africa, the Opel Combo 1.6TD Panel Van launches the Opel Commercial range – available for pre-order from this month – and is set to be joined by the Vivaro in November.

Film

Glass (18 January)

M Night Shyamalan brings together the narratives from two of his standout originals – 2000’s Unbreakable and 2016’s Split – in one explosive, all-new comic-book thriller: Glass. Security guard David Dunn (Bruce Willis) uses his supernatural abilities to track Kevin Wendell Crumb (James McAvoy), a disturbed man known as ‘The Beast’, who has 24 personalities – while the spectre of Elijah ‘Mr Glass’ Price (Samuel L Jackson) looms large.

WATCH THE TRAILER

Film

Matwetwe (25 January)

Matwetwe (‘wizard’) is a coming-of-age adventure that follows best friends and recent high-school graduates Lefa and Papi as they start to hustle to improve their lives. Over the course of an action-packed New Year’s Eve in Atteridgeville, the boys try to score a huge deal, dodge a kingpin gangster and his violent minions, and battle to save their own lives in a sometimes-serious, often-hilarious escapade. Matwetwe stars Sibusiso Khwinana and Tebatso Mashishi, is directed by Kagiso Lediga and is co-produced by Black Coffee.

Edgars Club VIP and Cub Life members save up to 50% on two movie tickets daily at Ster-Kinekor movie houses. Click here for more info.

WATCH THE TRAILER

Game

Resident Evil 2 (25 January)

Twenty-one years on, original cult classic game Resident Evil 2 gets a modern makeover – and it’s more terrifying than ever before. Rookie cop Leon Scott Kennedy and student Claire Redfield must fight for their lives in the virus-infected Raccoon City, pursued by rotting-flesh-covered zombies through a terrifyingly lifelike landscape. Third-person, over-shoulder camera work makes for some epic scares, and the re-imagined cut-scenes from the original are bone-chilling. Be prepared to be scared out of your wits, even if you know what’s coming!
+- R845, http://www.residentevil2.com

Compiled by Trevor Crighton

What’s the big deal about retinol?

Retinol is one of the biggest buzzwords in beauty thanks to its anti-ageing effects. Here’s how to add it to your skincare routine.

On the quest for great skin? Find out why retinol is the answer to your most pressing complexion concerns – plus meet some of our favourite retinol-rich super products.
Getty Images

WHAT IS RETINOL?

Retinol (also sometimes found in ingredients lists as ‘retinoids’) is a derivate of vitamin A, which is the key nutrient for boosting cell turnover in the body. When applied topically, this powerhouse ingredient promotes skin renewal, brightens the complexion, smooths and refines the skin’s surface, reduces acne and boosts collagen production. It’s an effective solution to most of our skincare woes, so it’s not difficult to see why so many beauty houses are adding it to their products.

WHY USE RETINOL?

As you age, your skin’s cell turnover rate slows down, causing it to appear dry, dull and wrinkled. Unlike most topical products, retinol is able to penetrate the skin deeply enough to be effective at a cellular level, assisting the regeneration process. If used consistently over time, it’s able to resurface and transform your complexion.

WHEN TO USE RETINOL

Incorporate retinol into your skincare regimen gradually, as this powerful ingredient causes cells to shed faster than normal, which can make skin sensitive initially. Start with a gentle formula, using it twice a week as part of your night-time routine. This will give your skin time to get used to the product. It’s important to use retinol products at night rather than during the day, as retinol breaks down in sunlight. You should also invest in a good-quality sunscreen, if you’re not already using one, as the faster cell turnover will make your skin more susceptible to UV rays.

OUR RETINOL HEROES

Ready to start using a retinol-infused elixir? We thought so. Here are a few of our favourite products, and why we love them.

ELIZABETH ARDEN
Retinol Ceramide Capsules Line Erasing Night Serum 60 Capsules
965
These mono-dose capsules are ideal as they dispense the perfect amount of product, so you can be sure you’re not overdoing it, leading to sensitivity.


SHOP NOW

DIOR
One Essential Skin Boosting Super Serum 30ml
1585
This hard-working serum not only targets environmental toxins like pollution, but also protects the skin from indoor toxins, including glue, varnishes and radiation from electronic devices, too.

ESTÉE LAUDER
Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II 30ml
890
This super serum already has a major cult following, and it’s not difficult to see why. Working with the power of the skin’s natural recovery process while you sleep, it promotes night-time purification that helps reduce the visible signs of ageing.

SHOP NOW

 FILORGA
Meso+ Absolute Anti-ageing Serum
1010
Combining some of the most effective active ingredients, including retinol and hyaluronic acid, this clever formula mimics the effects of injectable plumping agents, leaving skin visibly smoother and more radiant.

SHOP NOW

All items subject to availability. Prices may change.

TREND UPDATES FOR YOUR HOME

Refresh your space with affordable and on trend updates for a stylish summer upgrade.

Your home should evolve, just as you do. Check out these affordable and easy ways to refresh and add trending items to your interiors. 

While it’s important to invest in pieces that anchor a room such as couches and dining tables, sprucing up your space doesn’t have to be an expensive and laborious process. “Just like your wardrobe, your interior should be built around key, well-made pieces that are timeless,” says Bridget Meier, owner of Styleast Decor & Design. Don’t skimp on the investment pieces and don’t splurge on expensive scatter cushions, lamps or accessories. This way, you will easily be able to switch the smaller pieces up when you need to, knowing you didn’t blow the budget doing so. 

Trend: geometrics and water colours

Lighting can totally transform a room. “Create different moods and ambience with table lamps in key spaces,” says Bridget. The more interesting the lamp shade, the better. Geometric shapes add a modern edge, while the water colour trend has an artistic feel that is perfect when the colour scheme is matched to the room. 


Trend: ocean blues

Blue is a cool and calming colour that encourages relaxation, so it’s perfect for spaces like your bathroom. Use different shades of blue, from royal, powder to turquoise to get the full effect. 

Trend: rustic serveware

With so much variety and styles in crockery, paired down rustic ranges are a refreshing addition to your kitchen cupboards. 

SHOP SERVEWARE

Trend: prints and textures 

Simple additions of colourful, patterned cushions will add instant splashes of interest to your room. If you’re going for a neutral colour palate, adding textured scatters that mix fabrics works well, while colourful scatters add a pop of colour should you wish to change it up.

Trend: bring the outdoors in

According to Bridget, no space should be without an element of the outdoors. Whether it’s driftwood, indigenous flowers or greenery, there’s a wide variety of options to choose from. And you can always go with elements of nature in linen if you can’t keep anything alive! Nature is proven to naturally enhance your mood so use it with reckless abandon!

3 adorable playground outfits for girls

Shopping for the new school year can be incredibly stressful. Edgars has you sorted with three cute, clever outfit ideas.

Shopping for the new school year can be the most stressful part of January for parents. Edgars has you covered with three adorable outfits that will take your little girl from the playground, to playing princess later.

The ruffled princess

Ruffle detailing is one summer trend that isn’t going anywhere. Of course, a frilly princess dress isn’t always practical for the playground. Rather opt for items that incorporate ruffles subtly, for example on the hem or shoulders. These ruffled T-shirts are adorable and school-friendly. Add a bag and she’s set!

123 Toddlers ruffled T-shirts 39.95 each; 123 Toddlers two-pack leggings 89.95; Accessorize flamingo backpack 399

Queen for a day

Your little queen will slay all day in a regal palette of white and Champagne. Baby-doll shoes and a loyal subject (aka a sweet little soft toy) complete the look.

123 Toddlers baby-doll shoes 89.95; daisy dress 199.95; 123 Toddlers lamb animal toy 99.95

Flower child

Nothing brightens up a day like a splash of pink, a full tulle skirt and a flower crown. Sadly, as adults, we can’t really rock such an outfit on an average weekday – but your toddler can! Add a a pretty pair of ankle-strap shoes, and this gets our vote for outfit of the week.

123 Toddlers pink and grey dress 199.95; 123 Toddlers ankle-strap shoes 89.95

Styling: Rushana Burton; Photography: Melissa Cant


All items subject to availability. Prices may change.

The Drop: January’s new beauty products

We’re here to let you know about the best beauty launches this month including MAC, Revlon and Dior!

The start of the new year is the perfect time to refresh your beauty arsenal. These new lust-worthy beauty drops are topping our list.

LANCÔME
La Nuit Trésor 50ml EDP 
1350
Rich and exotic, La Nuit Trésor is the house of Lancôme’s first ‘Gourmand Woody Floriental’ perfume. A bewitching scent, it opens with a burst of delicious raspberry interlaced with vanilla tahitensis orchid and enhanced by notes of damascena rose, giving the fragrance a deep and mysterious allure.

MAC 
Powder Kiss Lipstick 
250
Best known for its beloved matte lipsticks, MAC has now released a new lipstick formula called Powder Kiss. Designed to look more like a soft-focus stain, this weightless lipstick leaves your lips feeling moisturised while providing creamy, buildable colour.

EXCLUSIVE TO EDGARS
BENEFIT 
Vanity Flare Palette 
595 
If you’re looking for the perfect everyday neutral palette then consider Benefit’s latest launch, Vanity Flare. Featuring twelve shades in three finishes – soft matte, satin and shimmer – this portable and purse-friendly palette comes with the usual signature tips and tricks to make it easy to blend and build with these rich shades.

ELIZABETH ARDEN
Beautiful Color Bold Defining Felt-Tip Liquid Eyeliner 
285
The latest launch from Elizabeth Arden helps you create the perfect feline flick with ease. Intensely pigmented, the felt-tip liner allows you to draw both fine and bold lines with a single swipe. And perhaps best of all, the formula is quick drying, waterproof and smudgeproof.

REVLON
PhotoReady Color Correcting Pens 
199.99
A true magic wand, what sets Revlon’s colour correcting pens apart from the others is the 3D colour correcting pigments designed to work with your skin to neutralise imperfections instead of covering them up.

LANCÔME
Rose Sugar Scrub 
499
Infused with rose water, real sugar grains and honey, Lancôme’s latest exfoliator is so gentle it can be used on all skin types. Great for dissolving away impurities and removing dead skin cells, this delightful scrub leaves the skin looking smooth, plump and glowing. 

DIOR 
Capture Youth Intense Rescue Age-Defying Revitalizing Oil-Serum 
1685
Dior continues its Capture Youth journey by introducing a new intensive treatment, Intense Rescue Age-Defying Revitalizing Oil-Serum. Combining the power of a revitalising serum with the nourishment of oil, this hero product helps restore lipids and protect skin that is extremely dry or fatigued.


All items subject to availability. Prices may change.

MEN’S OFFICE-APPROVED SHOES

Start off the new year with a fashionable bang, and brush up on your office style with our selection of office-approved shoes.

Any office environment has a dress code – whether that be casual, formal or business-casual. Not sure how far you can push the envelope when it comes to your shoe choices? We’ve done the work for you and paired various shoe options with office dress requirements, so you’ll aways put your best foot forward.

DAPPER DUDE

The wingtip brogue
If the dress code of your office is business-casual, ‘broguing it’ is a safe decision, as it’s a shoe that looks more formal than it does casual. A wingtip is a brogue with decorative detailing on an extended toecap. Pair your chosen brogues with a suit or chinos for the best office-appropriate look.
Charter Club windowpane suit jacket 2199; Charter Club formal shirt 499.95; Guess link watch 1995

BADASS BOSS

The Chelsea boot
Sitting somewhere comfortably between smart and casual, the Chelsea boot adds a stylish glide to your stride. A sleek boot in a rich colour (try dark tan or black) pairs well with a sharp navy or black suit. This boot is easy to pull on thanks to the elasticated gusset on the inside, and its ankle height is flattering and edgy.
Charter Club windowpane check suit jacket 2199.95; Charter Club formal shirt 499.95; Charter Club windowpane check suit trouser 1199.95; Silicone-strap watch (part of set) 279.99; Laptop bag 1299; Anklets 59.95; Signature Chelsea boots 699

TAKKIES WELCOME

The sneaker
While your work may be relaxed in its dress code, there is still an unspoken rule regarding sneakers in the office. Because we wear our sneaks so often (being the most comfortable shoes known to man), they have the potential to look a little shabby. To avoid your sneakers bringing down your whole outfit, make sure they’re in tip-top shape – and clean! Sticking to neutral tones is also a good idea when donning sneaks at work.
Stone Harbour slim-fit denims 599.95; Jack Purcell Converse lace-up sneakers 899

SMARTY PANTS

The open-laced Oxford
The Oxford is every man’s go-to shoe for when he wants to spruce up for a special event or for a day of meeting with clients. Its silhouette is sophisticated to say the least, and its aesthetic is clean and means business. An added bonus is that this shoe can walk you straight from the desk to a formal event straight after work. Play around with styling the shoe to avoid looking the same every day. A black leather pair goes nicely with a black or blue suit, for instance. 
D66 suit pants 499.95; Polka dot anklets 59.95; Signature Oxford lace-up shoes 799

THE FORWARD THINKER

The monk-strap brogue
For the man who’s non-traditional yet sophisticated, a pair of stylish monk-strap brogues will make an impact both to your outfit and (we like to think) in the boardroom. This shoe exudes a gentlemanly charm, while the metal hardware adds an edge to your overall look. If you pair a belt and a watch in matching shades to the shoes, your finished look will be perfectly polished. We approve!
Signature windowpane check print trouser 599.95; Bata double-strap formal shoe 999


 All items subject to availability. Prices may change.

The best summer fish braai recipes

Embrace the last days of your summer holiday and try our mouth-watering selection of fish braai recipes for the perfect outdoor meal.

Gather around the braai with friends to take advantage of the best weather summer has to offer. These delicious fish braai recipes are just what you need to wrap up your holiday.

Basil- and citrus-stuffed line fish with pesto

SERVES: 4  |  PREP time: 20 minutes  |  COOKING time: 30 – 40 minutes

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 whole line fish, each 700 – 900g, gutted, scaled and fins removed
¾ teaspoon coarse sea salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 large lemons
2 medium oranges, divided
1/3 cup store-bought pesto
30 fresh basil leaves

    1. Prepare the braai for indirect cooking over medium heat, 180° – 230°C

    2. Rub the oil evenly on the inside and outside of each fish, and season evenly inside and outside with salt and pepper. Set aside.

    3. Grate the zest of one lemon and one orange into the pesto. Add the juice from one lemon half to the pesto and stir to combine. Cut the remaining 2½ lemons and both oranges into slices 5mm thick, discarding the ends. Cut four of the lemon slices in half and two of the orange slices into quarters. Fill each fish cavity with four of the halved lemon slices, four of the quartered orange slices and fifteen basil leaves.

    4. Cut four lengths of butcher’s twine (40 – 50cm each). Place two pieces of twine parallel and about 4cm apart from each other. Put one orange and one lemon slice in the centre of each piece of twine. Place one fish on top of the fruit slices, then put another orange and lemon slice side by side on top of the fish. Wrap each piece of twine around the fish and tie, securing the fruit to the fish. Repeat with the other fish.

    5. Braai the fish over indirect medium heat, with the lid closed, until the flesh is opaque near the bone but still juicy, 30 – 40 minutes, turning once. Remove from the braai and leave to rest for about 2 minutes.

    6. Arrange the remaining lemon and orange slices on a small serving platter. Remove the twine from each fish, discard the grilled fruit slices, and then cut off the head and tail. Cut along the backbone and open the fish like a book. Remove the basil, the lemon and orange slices, and the bones. Lift the flesh off the skin. Place the filleted fish on the prepared serving platter and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the pesto. Serve the fish warm with the remaining pesto.

    Spicy yellowtail with rémoulade slaw

    SERVES: 4 | PREP time: 30 minutes | COOKING time: 6 – 8 minutes

    Rémoulade

    ⅓ cup mayonnaise
    2 spring onions, ends trimmed, minced
    1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives
    1 tablespoon capers, rinsed and chopped
    1½ teaspoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
    1½ teaspoons fresh lemon juice
    1 teaspoon crushed garlic
    ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    Coarse sea salt
    2¼ cups shredded green cabbage, 200 – 250g
    1 carrot, peeled and cut into small dice
    1 spring onion (white and light green parts only), cut into thin strips about 5cm long

      Marinade

      ¼ cup peanut oil
      3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
      2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
      2 teaspoons peeled and finely chopped fresh ginger
      ½ teaspoon crushed chilli flakes
      ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
      ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
      4 yellowtail fillets, each about 180g and 2 – 3cm thick, skin removed

        1. Combine the rémoulade ingredients. Season with salt, if desired. In a large bowl, combine the cabbage, carrot and spring onion. Add the rémoulade and toss until mixed.

        2. Prepare the braai for direct cooking over high heat, 230°–290°C

        3. Whisk the marinade ingredients, including ¾ teaspoon salt. Pat the yellowtail fillets dry with a paper towel, place them in a shallow baking dish, and brush them thoroughly with some of the marinade. Reserve the remaining marinade.

        4. Braai the fillets over direct high heat, with the lid closed, until they release from the cooking grate without sticking, 4 – 5 minutes. Carefully turn the fillets over and brush with the reserved marinade. Discard any remaining marinade. Continue cooking until the fish just begins to flake when poked with the tip of a knife, 2 – 3 minutes more. Remove from the braai and serve warm with the slaw.

        These recipes are extracted from Weber Classics: The Ultimate Braai Book by Jamie Purviance (Penguin Random House, R330)

        The perfect braai calls for the perfect tools. Click here for a selection of braai accessories available at Edgars.

        Let’s talk about the Huawei Y Series

        All the features you love at a fraction of the cost? Sign us up!
        The high-end phone market is a saturated and competitive place, with brands trying to outdo each other in functionality and tech features. It has us wondering, ‘What about the rest of us?’ Huawei answered this call with the release of the 2018 Y Series – five phones that address the needs of the young (or young at heart) with the functionality you love at a price you can afford. Here are the highlights of each model:
        The Y 7 2018 is designed for those who love gaming. Get lost in the 5.99 inch display, which offers a more immersive gaming experience with detailed graphics and audio. The Y 6 2018 is made for those who enjoy music on the go, as well as those who like to sing and share their performances with friends. The Y 5 Prime and Y 5 Lite 2018 are perfect for first-time mobile users and those looking for an inexpensive device with a seamless user experience. The Y 3 2018 features Android Go, a lite version of the current Oreo operating system, which optimises the device performance while making it more efficient.
        No matter which device you choose, the great thing about the Y Series is that all of them look as good as they perform, with sleek and fashionable designs, wide displays and ergonomically designed curved screens. They also have split-screen mode, which allows you to multitask between two applications at any given time. And, as with any modern Huawei, the camera quality is insane. Other cool functions include Face Unlock (Y 5 Lite, Y 5 Prime 2018, Y 6 2018 and Y 7 2018) and impressive battery life.

        We mentioned that the Y Series comes at a fraction of the cost of high-end smartphones. What do we mean by that? Retailing between 999 and 2999, the price is almost unheard of for a phone range delivering this level of performance.

        Content partnership with Huawei