TEST HOUSE FYI
Must-haves, lust-haves, fast facts and hot tips.
LIVING LAY-BY TRAVEL
Holidays don’t come cheap and we often end up creating unnecessary credit card debt – but with this travel solution from Hippo and Fomo Travel you can pay your dream vacay off in instalments. Book a holiday, both locally and abroad, up to 24 months in advance and pay the trip off in interest-free instalments. Friends and family can also contribute to your package – a great gift idea! For more info, go to www.hippo. co.za/lay-buy-travelpackages.
PLAYTIME FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD…
The first LEGO®-certified store in SA, Great Yellow Brick Co, has opened in Sandton City! LEGO® fans who usually buy limited editions online can now buy directly from a certified local supplier. Drop in, explore and play! Visit www.greatyellowbrick.co.za
PETS VET ON WHEELS
A visit to the vet can be an overwhelming experience for your pet as the unknown environment can cause them anxiety. VET on Wheels, a service offered by Park Drive Veterinary Clinic in Johannesburg, gives your animal the care they need in the comfort of their own home. It’s cash-based and by appointment only. To find out more, call 011 791 1418 or 083 665 0222, or go to www.vetonwheels.co.za
BEAUTY AT-HOME SALON SERVICE
Bring the salon to your sitting room with Instaglam Express, an app for on-demand beauty services in the Johannesburg area. Users can request a makeup artist, hairdresser, nail technician or massage therapist with just the click of a button; there’s also a barber service for men. For more information, email info@ instaglamxpress.com or download the Instaglam Express app on Google Play or the App Store.
CONSUMER WHAT ARE YOUR WHEELS WORTH?
Find out the actual value of your car with True Price, an online service now available in SA. The evaluation is free and the process simple: go to www.trueprice.co.za, submit your enquiry online and get the value of your car within 24 hours!
KITCHEN THE SECRET TO PERFECTLY ROASTED VEGETABLES
If you want veggies that are caramelised and crispy on the outside and soft inside without being overcooked you’ll need a few tricks. The key is to make sure your oven and the fat you cook your vegetables in are as hot as possible. Also, place the tray at the bottom of the oven – the oven floor provides the hottest, most even and direct heat.
HOME THE 10 RULES OF STAIN REMOVAL
• Treat a stain as quickly as possible by blotting excess liquid or scraping off solids. • Do not use warm or hot water for spot cleaning. • Do not use water for oil-based spots as it will set the stain. Try to remove as much as possible with a fine razor blade before the colour is ingrained in the weave. • Test stain removers on a concealed piece of the fabric to check whether it will be affected. • Rubbing a stain can damage the fabric; dab it instead. • Washable fabrics should be machine-washed after being treated. • Treat the stain on the underside to avoid damaging the fabric, working from the outside of the stain towards the middle. • Don’t saturate a stain with water; rather use small amounts and repeat. • Dry garments inside out as residual soap in the fabric can discolour them. • Make sure a spot has been removed before drying as the heat will set the stain.
OUTDOORS A GARDENER’S BEST FRIEND
Candide is a free gardening app that encourages users to reconnect with their gardens and share the joy of horticulture. Discover the latest trends, explore inspirational gardens and share these with a community. Candide is for everyone, from green-fingered gurus to those who are yet to pick up a gardening tool, and includes tips, advice from master gardeners, info on how to care for various plants and deal with pests, a directory to locate nurseries and more. Download the app on Google Play or the App Store.