RubiBlue, intelligent business solutions provider, is spreading the love for the planet this Valentines’ Day. Instead of chocolates and flowers, this year the day dedicated to love will be dedicated to caring for the planet.

The company has undertaken the initiative to give employees and their families straws for life. “It takes 200 years to break down a plastic straw and then it becomes tiny, toxic pieces that continue to damage our planet,” says Chris Ogden, MD of RubiBlue.

“With this initiative, we are ambassadors for the environment and recognising the need to walk away from the misuse of plastic and unnecessary plastic products.” Every member of staff at RubiBlue received a straw for life for Valentine’s Day making this yet another initiative in line with the company’s brand and ethos.

According to The Be Straw Free Campaign, Americans use 500 million drinking straws every day and this can fill more than 125 school buses, every day.

To find out more about easiClique and how it can transform member management for your business visit www.rubiblue.co.za, call +27 (0) 861 48 48 99, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

International study gives insight into how influencers celebrate Valentine’s Day, their shopping habits and who they look to for inspiration.

The study reveals that while 91% of influencers have celebrated Valentine’s Day at some point in their lives, days like Single Awareness Day or Galentine’s Day are increasingly popular.

It’s also about more than just romantic love: 42% of influencers bought a gift for their friends, 38% for themselves, and 12% for their pet.   In January 2019, over 1000 influencers participated in global influencer marketing platform indaHash’s Valentine’s Day study.

84% of influencers said that besides gifting their significant other, they spend money on friends, family, themselves, and their pets on Valentine’s Day. The study further reveals their shopping behaviours alongside new and different ways to reach audiences by harnessing the power of influencers around this time. 72% of influencers said that they look to other influencers for gift inspiration over TV ads, magazines, and brand websites.

This very much confirms the findings of indaHash’s holiday study, where 92% of influencers said their followers ask them for gift recommendations - proving that it’s not only followers looking to influencers, but also influencers looking to other influencers for spending inspiration. The majority of influencers (91%) claimed that when they’re in relationships, they love celebrating Valentine’s Day but not all of their followers always feel the same.

Alternative movements like the tongue-in-cheek ‘Singles Awareness Day’ (S.A.D.) and ‘Galentine’s Day’ are also widely celebrated, with only 9% of influencers choosing not to celebrate at all around this time. While many celebrate the romantic love associated with Valentine’s Day, it can also be a painful reminder of love lost or loneliness. Others think it to be a day adopted by brands to push people to buy, buy, buy. Such conflicting sentiments create the perfect opportunity for brands to think outside the box and connect with their customers in new, meaningful ways. 60% of influencers prefer experiences over material gifts for Valentine’s Day.

While everyone loves material presents, experiences are becoming a clear preference among millennials. 40% of influencers treat themselves with gifts or experiences when single and spend the day with friends and family.  Another millennial priority? Beloved pets! Millennials are crazy for their pets and with many having their own pet influencer Instagram accounts, they too are being treated with gifts - 12% of our survey group admitted they purchase Valentine’s Day gifts for their animal friends.

The indaHash study shows that 63% of influencers wait for Valentine’s Day deals before they buy, with 54% of influencers shopping for gifts online. Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity for brands to stand out and run engaging campaigns that speak to those in love, as well as to those who feel out of sorts around this time. For more on influencers' Valentine’s Day shopping behaviours and data-informed ideas on how to reach audiences through influencer and brand collaborations, go to the report.

Celebrate the most romantic day of the year with a delectable Valentine’s dinner at The Plettenberg, which begins at 18h30, on 14 February 2018. Share a special moment with your significant other while enjoying the magnificent views over the Indian Ocean.

 The Menu at ‘SeaFood’ restaurant will be a feast for the senses starting off with Knysna Oysters & L’Ormarins Brut, Beetroot Cured Salmon Gravadlax, Basil compressed apple, caviar cream, bagel crisps, cucumber & beetroot salad, or opt for, a Duo of Goat’s Cheese, Stuffed marrow flowers, pine nut crusted, goat’s cheese truffle, courgette & tomato salad, Mango & Ginger Sorbet, Lemongrass Glazed Fermosa Bay Line Fish, Coconut beurre blanc, steamed pak choi, sesame seed prawns.

Alternatively, you could also opt for the Wild Madagascar Pepper Beef Fillet served with Duck fat potatoes, kale pesto, purple beans, and caramelised onion puree. Dessert for Two will consist of White coffee brûlée, litchi & lime meringue, lavender & pink gin granita, dark chocolate & vanilla kisses.

Finally, Coffee & Tea will be served to round off your delectable meal. 

SeaFood at THE PLETTENBERG

40 Church St, Plettenberg Bay 

For more information or bookings contact:

theplettenberghotel.com

044 332 030

Celebrate the most romantic day of the year with a delectable four-course Valentine’s Day dinner at The Marine, Hermanus, on 14 February 2018. The price is R720 per person with wine pairing*, and R475 per person without the wine pairing.

The menu will consist of the following; a welcome drink in the form of L’Ormarins Brut*, Kataifi Prawns served with sweet corn purée, corn kernel and red onion salsa, basil oil with a glass of Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc*, Smoked Duck Breast served with beetroot, goats cheese mousse, raspberry purée, pistachio crumble with a glass of Creation Pinot Noir*, Grilled Beef Fillet served with carrot purée, asparagus, pearl onions, crispy sweetbreads with a glass of Boschrivier Cabernet Sauvignon*.

Additionally, you could opt for the Pan Roasted Line Fish served with asparagus, crushed potatoes, blistered vine tomatoes, champagne velouté with a glass of Joostenberg Chardonnay*. Lastly, dessert will be served in the form of Croquembouche to share, served with strawberry mousse filled choux puffs, chocolate and caramel sauce, almond praline, bittersweet chocolate ice-cream with a glass of Bon Courage Noble Late Harvest*. Spoil your loved one and your taste buds with The Marine this Valentines. The Marine, Hermanus, is part of The Collection by Liz McGrath.

For more information or booking contact:

+27 (0)28 313 1000 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | themarinehotel.co.za

Parker launches new look collection inspired by London’s most iconic landmarks.  

Bringing fine writing into the modern day, Parker launches its new collection of Jotter pens. An everyday icon is reborn with London as its style inspiration. 

The Jotter ballpoint pen, used by generations for diary musings, song writing and to do lists, has been given a makeover with colours inspired by some of London’s favourite haunts including Bond Street Black, Chelsea Orange, Waterloo Blue, Victoria Violet, Portobello Purple and Kensington Red. 

Staying true to its roots and reflecting over 60 years of celebrated history, the pen retains its classic 1950s retro design, its trademark Parker arrow clip and durable lightweight case, now modernised with stainless steel in an array of new colours. Parker Jotter is the pen for the modern age, allowing writers to take time, organise thoughts, and let their creativity flow. 

As one of the most recognisable ball point pens in the world, the Jotter is relaunched with a Core and Premium Range, both of which provide an elevated experience through a dedicated Parker gift box proudly featuring Parker’s two Royal Warrants.    To view the enhanced Parker range, please visit www.parkerpensa.co.za or visit the SA Facebook page www.facebook.com/parkerpensa 

About PARKER
Established in 1888, Parker has spent more than 125 years pioneering innovation, style and unique craftsmanship in fine writing instruments, giving consumers the confidence to write their own stories. Recognised worldwide for its use of high quality materials, Parker puts its renowned expertise into every pen through rigorous testing and attention to detail.Parker continues to believe in the importance of writing, because the words we speak can be heard by many, but the words we write transcend time.

Looking for an unusual Valentine's Day gift - look no further...

These funky handles from Handles Inc are sure to make her smile :)

Available from Handles Inc.

With Handles Inc you can easily create a slick designer pad, quirky villa feel, a bathroom haven or a cutting-edge office environment with their quality handles and bathroom accessories. Architects and interior designers know that it’s details like these that make a space truly unique and exceptional. With a collection of over 9000 items to inspire you, Handles Inc has specialist designer pieces personally selected from top global manufacturers. With these exclusive ranges and a design-savvy team on hand to assist, Handles Inc will help you make your home or office a space that reflects your individuality – and a dream to live or work in. For your local stockist visit www.handlesinc.co.za or call 021-422 2322.  

PANDORA's new interactive tool helps men choose something that their significant other truly desires, with the help of her friends.

According to a global PANDORA gifting survey, a staggering 83% of men have difficulty finding a gift for their partner. 75% of women have pretended to like a gift they have received in their past so as not to appear impolite. Jewellery ranks high among the most wanted gifts. Men, however, typically opt for flowers, chocolates or perfume when gifting their spouse.

This year, finding the perfect Valentine's Day gift will get a lot easier with the new PANDORA Gift Finder. The digital tool aimed at men allows the gift-giver to make an initial selection from a catalogue of jewellery and then consult the recipient's friends via Facebook and e-mai; to shortlist the perfect gift. The tool sends the results to the gift-giver, allowing him to make the final decision. The chosen gift can then be easily transferred to PANDORA's e-store or the nearest retailer.

In matters of heartfelt gift-giving, men and women may still have their disagreements, but neither will refuse the perfect gift that is just one click away. Visit the PANDORA Gift Finder by visiting Pandora.net.

PANDORA jewellery is available across South Africa in Gauteng at Sandton, Eastgate, Fourways, Brooklyn, Menlyn Park, Woodlands, Clearwater, Cresta, Forest Hill, East Rand Mall, Rosebank, Mall of Africa and Greenstone; in Cape Town at the V&A Waterfront, Cavendish, Somerset, George, Canal Walk and Tyger Valley: in KwaZulu-Natal at La Lucia, Pavilion, Ballito and Watercrest; in Nelspruit at Riverside Mall and in Eastern Cape in Bay West and in selected Edgars stores and fine jewellers nationwide and Mauritius, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

PANDORA designs, manufactures and markets hand-finished and contemporary jewellery made from high-quality materials at affordable prices. PANDORA jewellery is sold in more than 100 countries on six continents through approximately 8,900 points of sale, including more than 1,900 concept stores.Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, PANDORA employs more than 17,800 people worldwide of whom approximately 12,000 are located in Gemopolis, Thailand, where the Company manufactures its jewellery. PANDORA is publicly listed on the NASDAQ Copenhagen stock exchange in Denmark. In 2015, PANDORA’s total revenue was DKK 16.7 billion (approximately EUR 2.2 billion).