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Smartlife

Happy 35th Birthday OFS Smart Repair

May 16, 2019
Happy 35th Birthday OFS Smart Repair

Hip hip hoooooooray, it’s our 35th Birthday! At OFS Smart Repair we LOVE birthdays and for our 35th birthday we decided to celebrate the special occasion in proper SMART style. We started the festivities by transforming our NEW reception area at the OFS Smart Repair HQ into a carnival of FUN – filled with red, white and blue balloons and a marvelous 3 tiered white chocolate birthday cake, baked our our lovely collab partner Jill Nowers of Jack & Jill Food co. Sweet treats for the day were:  Jack & Jill Food co. 3 tiered white chocolate mud cake covered with swiss meringue butter cream…

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Smartlife

Best of Hello Smart Blog 2018

December 6, 2018
Best of Hello Smart Blog 2018

Can you believe it’s the end of the year? 2018 has certainly gone by in a wink of an eye and now it’s that time of year when everyone is thinking about beachy holidays, planning their Christmas shopping and wondering how on earth 2018 flew by so quickly? And what a year it’s been here at OFS Smart Repair and on Hello Smart Blog… We’ve had BIG developments and BIG changes, but most of all, we had the BEST time! We met kick butt women in business, Annette Griesel of Little, Margaret Whitfield a.k.a the lovely music maven DJ Magpie and our very own Director…

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Smartlife

Music by Magpie • My Feel Good Spring Playlist for 2018

October 2, 2018
Music by Magpie • My Feel Good Spring Playlist for 2018 • Jeremy Loops

After a couple of false starts, Spring has finally got under way in Sunny SA This new season brings with it countless other promises, amongst others that of longer days, sunshine and balmy evenings. The air feels different, the overall mood is lighter, birds are chirping, and people all over are smiling. The dark days are over and everyone seems to have a spring in their step. I always think of Spring as the prequel to Summer The tester round for the festive season, friends come out of hibernation, all ready for a braai, sun downers and late night parties.…

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Smartlife

Smart Food • The Thai inspired blushing pink salmon burger

September 12, 2018
Smart Food • The Thai inspired blushing pink salmon burger

Spring is in the air The change of season brings about a switch in my mood for food that lifts my spirits and my energy levels.  Soft pink blossoms on trees evoke feelings of happiness and encourage me to get out of my winter slump with fresh healthy food. This Thai inspired blushing pink salmon burger is complimented by Graham Beck’s Gorgeous Sparkling wine, just what’s needed to keep me in the pink. Ideally the pink salmon burger should be served with a chilled glass of Gorgeous Sparkling wine and shared with friends for an afternoon of laughter. Shopping lists…

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Smartlife

Just n Motion • Smartgirl Endurance and Ultra distance running

August 30, 2018
Just n Motion • Smartgirl Endurance and Ultra distance running

Endurance and Ultra distance running has become a popular sport worldwide especially in the trail and mountain running scene. Even though endurance and Ultra distance running is SUPER tough mentally and physically, it hasn’t been a deterant to the kick butt female athletes who have braved the dirt and mud, muscled up the climbs and endured the challenges of muscle fatigue and mental toughness to make it over the finish line! Girl power??? Or shall we say Smartgirl power? Well yes, I’d definately say so! To all the female athletes out there who want to attemp running these long distances, here are…

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Smartlife

Music By Magpie • Cover Art by design

July 30, 2018
Music By Magpie • Cover Art by design • Pink Floyd The Dark side of the moon

Although we have been told time and time again, not to judge a book by its cover, yet we still do. The meaning of the phrase “Never judge a book by its cover” is that One should not form an opinion on someone or something based purely on what is seen on the surface, because after taking a deeper look, the person or thing may be very different than what was expected. In this day and age visual representations of things are what first make us stand-up and take notice. Say what you will, but we are all more likely…

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Smartlife

Just n Motion • Trail run by design

July 17, 2018
Just n Motion • Trail run by design

It’s not where you take the trail… It’s where the trail takes you. Behind every Event there is a story, a motivation and a drive to get people involve in what became your passion. My Trail Story It all started about 18 months ago. Trail running was never part of my training thoughts or plans, but how things have changed! A big shout out to my Wife, Lolla, for introducing me to the sport. Running trail has been a life changing experience and taken us both places in South Africa and the Free State that are scenic, beautiful and breathtaking.…

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Smartlife

Music by Magpie • Is Musical Talent Hereditary?

June 19, 2018
Music by Magpie • Is Musical Talent Hereditary?

I like to think that musical talent sort of runs in my family. My grandfather, my dads Dad who turned 90 this month always had a rather good voice and used to take the lead singing in church. He sees himself as a bit of a Sinatra and often turns a sentence into a little tune. Closer to home, my Mom frequently tells tales of her pink record player and her Bob Dylan LP’s and my Brother plays lead guitar in a band called “The Grumpy Old Men”. They’re quite famous in Clarens. And then there’s me, the girl with…

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Smartlife

Smart Food • A girl and her party cakes… Family and food

May 22, 2018
Smart Food • A girl and her love of party cakes, family and food • Jill Nowers

Food tastes better when you eat it with your family. I kinda wondered, and procrastinated for those of you who know me, how, celebrating family ties in with food and it dawned on me that my love of food is intricately woven through memories of my two Grannies, Mom, family get together’s and a myriad of other life events… My two Grans were so different in personality from one another and yet both of them loved their families so.  Eating around a dinner table together was what meal times were all about. Walking into my grandparent’s house in Port Elizabeth…

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Smartlife

Just n Motion • Trail running at White Hills Guest Farm

May 17, 2018
Just n Motion • Trail running at White Hills Guest Farm

May is family month here at Hello Smart Blog, AND what a better way to celebrate this than to share one of my favourite family getaways with you.. White Hills Guest Farm Just 1hr10 mins from Bloemfontein lies a farm cottage painted by the scenic Korannaberg mountain range. Unspoilt farm lands and fantastic hiking and trail running routes. White Hills Guest Farm is situated between Modderpoort and Ladybrand and is a perfect weekend-away destination for you and the family to enjoy the beautiful outdoors. And if, like me, your favourite way to stay active on the weekend is trail running……

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