Tuesday, May 11, 2010

MOTHER'S DAY AT EXPO WP

MOTHER'S DAY, BIRTHDAY WISHES
Today, the weather wasn't on its best behavior, it was raining cats and dogs but inside EXPO WP most of the ladies walking about, were very comfortable, totally unconcerned with the weather conditions outside, all of them enjoying "Mother's Day". Yes, "Mother's day" is upon us once again and even though we do celebrate this occasion just for one day, each and every year, everyone knows full-well that  "Everyday is Mother's Day". This is exactly what the punchline of EXPO WP's advertising leaflet flaunted for "Mother's Day", promoting a special "Mother's Day" buffet, flanked by free gifts and spot prizes for "Lucky Moms" . Virtually everyone present  were exchanging mother day messages or rather mother's day messages and several sons and daughters were reciting mother day poems to their mothers.

Here we have an in-studio photograph of four generations posing, a mother sitting in the middle, with her mom on her right, and her mom's mom on her left.  Mother with daughter - a mothergrandmother and great grandmother, what a sight to see on  "Mother's day".

A beautiful threesome - A mother sitting along side her daughter and grand daughter on Mother's Day.

As part of "Mother's Day" celebrations, 10 Ladies were selected at random as they entered the EXPO and was offered a make-over each. These make-overs were essentially  hair touch-ups and a facial and a clothing item or two donated by a generous sponsor. These are just two of the "Lucky Ladies" who won a make-over each, and partook in mothers day pictures at studio photoshoot afterwards. Quanita's Hair Studio sponsored the 10 make-overs, Ming's sponsored 2 meal vouchers and management sponsored  2 breakfasts in Stellenbosch, but the grand prize of the day was "a one week getaway for 2 worth R5000.00".  Numerous other clothing vendors sponsored clothing items for the 10 winners and the first 100 ladies who arrived at the EXPO, each received a cup-cake and a chocolate from the "Ladies of the Expo".

Two ladies who each won a make-over, posing for their before and after pictures.
  Before & After photographs of two lucky ladies!
Those who really wanted to spoil their Moms for a day, were lining up to buy them gifts, EXPO WP had the best gift ideas ranging from Knitwear to African Design Clothing, to  Manicures and Pedicures, to Indian Head Massage and Bra Clips, to Fashion clothing and Ladies Leather Handbags, to  Gold, Silver & Costume Jewelry, to Abayahs  and  High Fashion Ladies Shoes & Boots, to Scarves and Salaah apparel, to Rakams  and Hair extensions, to Towels and Linen, to Cutlery and Crockery even Tupperware, to Leather Wallets and Purses, to mention but a few.


Beautiful bright and colourful African designed clothing and headgear.

In the minor hall at EXPO WP there were foot massages, back and shoulders massages and head massages and various other therapies taking place, with Holistic therapists from Holistic Cove and RA's Wellness Therapies giving moms a treat. Quanita's hairstylists were in full form and instantly transformed many a  Cinderella to  Princess.

Two ladies each receiving their Mother's day gift, The first having a foot massage and the second a hair-do.

A lucky mother getting a back Shiatsu back massage on Mother's day.
Photographs courtesy of PhotoJani Photographic Studios at the EXPO stall C49

Alongside them,  a new washing powder called TRI-AQUA, was launched  by Carlin who also vends a special BRA-CLIP. Ladies in general were chuffed about this nifty little gadget and were lining up to purchase at least one but more often two. The Washing powder sales took off like a rocket and within no time dozens of ladies were browsing the stalls with boxes of  TRI-AQUA clutched close to there hearts.


Beautiful Carli selling her wears and San Mari posing with her gifts she received for Mother'"s Day.

The table decorations looked lovely with a full set of highly polished stainless steel cutlery with fluted glassware, beside a  colour scheme of pink and white, with all the hostesses dressed in cerise and black. It looked like a masked ball or rather a fairy tale come to life, with bouquets abound.

A table laid with white crockery, silver cutlery and clear glasses each with a pick serviette turned into a cone.

There were flower bouquets, fruit, dried fruit and nut bouquets and chocolate & sweet baskets lined up on the tables along one side of the hall, but within a meter or so the long line shiny Stainless Steel Bain Mari's were filled with foods for the Buffet hosted by the "Ladies of the EXPO".


Dozens of Sweet and flower Bouquets for the "Lucky Moms" on Mother's Day.

There were hundreds of smiling faces, some with hair do's others showing lots and lots of “bling”, all of them completely happy, that they were being spoilt.  The foods were exquisite and the menu was fit for a king. There was lots of  food for food lovers and it looked like every one was having lunch at EXPO WP. The courses were Mutton curry with roti, Butternut soup, Roast Chicken and Roast Beef, White, Yellow & Savoury Rice, Baby Potatoes, Mixed Vegatables, Various Salads and Lasagne and lot more food than I can mention. The puddings were devine, and the milk tart wonderful, with lots of cup cakes covered in icing to match the pink and white colour scheme and plenty of  juice and coffee. Not only was the foods colourful but also very tasty.

The food at the "Mother's Day" celebration  wasn't the only attraction at the EXPO today. San Mari of the popular soapie 7de Laan was in attendance to take photographs alongside those mothers or fans who wanted a photograph by which to remember this "Mother's Day". PhotoJani  Photographic Studio was revamped in readiness for San Mari and ROTANA ANTIQUES supplied a two seater Antique Lounge for San Mari and subject to pose on for their portraits. Many of the vendors presented her with gifts but I  distinctly remember two, Biltong Box gave her a Basket of Biltong and Sadiqua's presented her with a “pinafore”.

San Mari posing with a fan at EXPO WP on Mother's day.
Photographs courtesy of PhotoJani Photographic Studios at the EXPO stall C49

But the men were not left out of the "Mother's Day" celebration. San Mari unveiled the latest Lexus IS-F on her arrival, she started the car and revved it, thrilling the men present, lighting up their faces with smiles and throwing them all into a bable with one another, many speculating ownership. Many dads and husbands posed for photos inside the Lexus, hoping to drive this luxury beast one day.  The car was beautiful and the posh interior had clean lines with plush leather and it was very spacious, but that was secondary to its 311kW 5.0-litre V8 engine, making the Lexus the new "Road Warrior."


San Mari unveiling the new Lexus with dozens of onlookers.

The  plasma screen built into the dash board flashed in unison with the audio system which was blaringly loud, inciting the fascinated husbands and dads to dance. There was supposed to be a car sound-off for husbands, dads and sons as well but due to the rain the event was postponed . This would have been  the second sound-off to take place at EXPO WP. I remember the last one, many dudes blew there speakers in the  competition and some dude with the smallest speakers walked away with the biggest prize.

Inside the main hall, San Mari trilled her fans and answered some of  their questions and thereafter the Spanish Salsa Band "Tica" was in attendance. They are "La mejor orquesta de salsa en esta cuidad". I simply loved them, the main singer Gino was really good, with excellent Spanish pronunciation, I could swear that he was a Spanish native, if I didn't know any better. But Kashief their guitarist was "mas excellente" and made his guitar do things I'm certain it doesn't always do. Ole, Tica, Ole!


Tica - The Spanish Salsa Band performing live at EXPO WP on Mother's Day.

It was really refreshing to see so many people completely un-phazed by the bad weather, but I suppose its because  EXPO WP is the biggest “Indoor Market” in the Western Cape where shoppers and vendors can trade without getting cold or wet.  "Mother's Day" at EXPO WP will certainly be remembered by many for many years to come, as the place with a difference, from which to buy that special mothers day gift or those special mothers day gifts, birthday gift or that wedding present or just that thank-you gift. But for the tourists there is Art, Craft, Curios and genuine South African cuisine and so much moreA special courier service is available to tourist who buy larger than life artifacts, they will oversee the transport of such goods to their respective country, quickly, efficiently and fully insured.


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