Dinner at the Chef's Table with Playboy and Tracy McGregor!

Last week I had the wonderful opportunity to be a guest at the chef's table at Zorgvliet Wine Estate, hosted by Playboy cover girl, Tracy McGregor! The hand-picked guests included the likes of Guess model and Peroni girl, Landi Swanepoel; another Playboy hopeful, Cyndy Stroebel; journalist from the Sondag newspaper, Riaan Bam; Deidre, Karen and Sean, who all work at Playboy SA, and many more!

Upon entering the cellar at Zorgvliet, I walked towards a long, elegantly decorated, table and it just took my breath away. All I could get out was 'wow'. The chefs prepared an absolutely exquisite 5-course meal, with different wines to compliment each meal, which was out of this world. It was such an honour to have a seat next to Tracy, because we spoke a lot and she even shared advice and tips on modelling and the tough industry. Great company, hot girls, great food, great wine... it all just contributed to the night's huge success!

This was the menu for the night:

Tuna Tartare in a Citrus dressing with Parsley, finished with litchi sorbet
Wine: Zorgvliet Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Scallop Ravioli and Butter Poached Crayfish served in a Corn Veloute with Coconut and Lemongrass foam
Wine: Zorgvliet white 2008

Fricassée of Lamb Sweetbreads, Wildfield mushrooms and truffle oil
Wine: Zorgvliet Silver Myn - Pinot Noir 2009

Kudu Wellingtong served on a vanilla and parsnip puree with Wilted Watercress and Clove Jus
Wine: Zorgvliet Shiraz 2004

Spiced Dark Chocolate Mousse with Cassis and Berry Sorbet
Wine: Zorgvliet Pinotage 2005

In between courses, we chatted, enjoyed wine or cucumber water whilst making small talk or enjoying the occasional smoke-break. I am such a fan of the models, Tracy and Landi. Even though they have achieved so much in their careers, they are such awesome, modest, sweet girls. My inspiration. Before I get too carried away, take a look at the pictures instead. This tells the story after all.

I took my cousin along as my date.

Fellow Playboy casting girl, Cyndy Stroebel, and I

Thank you for signing our (or is it your) magazines, Tracy!

Thank you to everyone at Playboy for inviting me to this coveted event! Cheers to yet another successful night.

J

It's Friday and I...

... hate photo-bombers! Seriously. Who is that guy?

... should hear the outcome from Playboy SA soon!

... had some errors with Blogger, but I'm back online and will still blog about the Playboy dinner at Zorgvliet! Rather late than never!

... am so in love with Lady Gaga's new song, Judas.

... was a judge last night at a local high school for their annual pageant! It was so much fun, but really hard to choose just one! I use to take part in that exact competition back in the day! Memories. Gotta love it.

... feel like a change. So I'm gonna start small by putting highlights in my hair.

... have started a Friday tradition: herbal tea and a salad at Java in Stellenbosch with my cousin. Stellenbosch is my happy place.

... want you to enter the NoMU poster competition! Head to the Engen on Orange, look out for the NoMU poster, do a funky pose next to it (be creative), take a photo and mail it to entries@nomu.co.za. And voila, Bob's your uncle. ONE person can win some serious prizes. I'm talking R40 000 in prizes. You have 11 days left to enter! Do it. Do it for the pin-up girls and guy who can't enter this awesome competition!

... have been asked to pose for Breast Cancer Awareness again, but this time I'm involving other women too to do a group photo. The message being carried across is 'women supporting each other'.

... have postponed my Johannesburg trip, but I will visit real soon. Promise.

... am back at gym in full swing, doing loads of cardio, weights, stretching, sauna- and yoga sessions! Let's hope the health binge lasts.

... find that if I browse through pictures of hot models, it motivates me to get in shape and it keeps me focussed with my eye set on the prize. Try it.

... am off to indulge in my newest tradition.

Happy Friday folks!

Playboy SA Official Playmate Launch Party!

This passed weekend I attended the official Playmate launch party, held at Vaudeville, Fez. in Cape Town. The night saw loads of entertainment, such as aerial, fire and dance acts, and some of the best DJ's!What a cool party! Loads of hot people, and a famous face here and there, under the same roof. I met some cool people and even some of my Twitter followers, which was awesome. It wasn't long before I moved into the VIP section. Nothing spectacular up there, just a place to sit and loads of free drinks. Overall the night was a success, even though I expected way more skin! I didn't get to dance much, but I partied with my friends, which is always fun! I spotted Tracy McGregor but I have met her a few times before and have many pictures with her, so I didn't bother making a fuss about her this time. I met Playboy's May cover girl, Tshego Seakgoe, and what a stunning girl she is! She's this tiny little glamour queen and very nice!

If it wasn't for my huge group of friends I bumped into over in VIP, the night would've ended early for me. It's one of those parties where you don't know anyone and you know it's not your scene, but you know you have to be there. The hangover was totally worth it!

Let the photos speak for itself.

One section was made up with banners and a couch, then you could go pose with the bunnies. No idea who they are.

Out of all the Cape Town casting girls, I only spotted Chantal Beck. My competition is tough, but I'm wishing all the girls the best of luck.

Me with one of my best friends, Johlene.

Dressed by Cherry on Top

My cousin and I. She studies Law, so it's essential that I take her out every now and then.

I have this thing for pushing out my ass when I pose. It's gotta stop.

I still had my make-up, done by Michelle Dickman, on from the morning's photo shoot. I just added in some purple and also did a brown and bronze eye make-up for my cousin.

Two really awesome friends of mine. Too much Vodka. My eyes are a dead give away.

Two of my gal pals. Celeste (though, for some unknown reason, I call her 'Natasha' when I've had too much to drink) and Natlie (who is also a regular on my blog). Two very cool mommies.

Pictured here with Jan the Giant, a cage fighter! He's been to the Playboy Mansion 3 times, met everyone and even partied with Hugh Hefner on his birthday. I'm totally jealous.

Forget about I drunk and weird I look. This is Miss May, Tshego. She's such a 'real' girl. No hang-ups.

Renaldo and I.

That's it! Awesome night with an awesome hangover and an awesome mom to deal with it on Mother's Day.

J

It's Friday and I...

... love these pics, tweeted by Panascape! Thank you, Robert!

... am not partying tonight! Gym, tan and prepping for a shoot!

... am shooting with Naco Rautenbach tomorrow for the Streetfighters Magazine (UK based, but available in SA too). If we get the perfect shot, it'll be on the cover.

... had 4 'fat days' in a row. It seriously sucks.

... am super amped for the Playboy SA  launch party at Vaudeville, Fez tomorrow night! Come meet the girls from the Cape Town casting, Miss April, Miss May and cover girl, Tracy McGregor.

... also heard the boys from the Stormers and Crusaders are gonna be there. Did I ever tell you about my weakness for a rugbly player?

... went to Caprice in Camps Bay on Sunday and boys from the Sharks and Blue Bulls were there. Yeah, what a night, that's all I can say! I met ALL the players and left with some numbers too.

... made it to the top 100 of the Sports Illustrated New Model Search, thanks to each and every one of you who took the time to vote. Thank you very much! Now hold thumbs for the top 15.

... need you to please squeeze in some last votes for the FHM 100 Sexiest. Vote online by clicking here and type my name, Yolandi Malherbe, in the blocks on the right hand side of the page. Then click VOTE. Just by voting, you could win a PS3 with games and one guy, with a friend, can win a trip to be at the shoot of the overall winner. How awesome is that!

... fell in love with Stellenbosch! I love the vintage shops, the vibe, the people, the art shops and all the coffee shops. I simply can't get enough.

... cannot wait to get this weekend started, then ending it off with my wonderful mother on Mother's Day.

Happy Friday! Hope I bump into you at the Playboy party, so come say hello!

J

The FINAL NoMU poster is up, so get your pose on!

Over the last 12 months, NoMU had pin-up posters put up at the Engen on Orange (Cape Town), with really cool prizes up for grabs, simply by posing next to the poster and submitting the photos to either the pin-up guy/ gal or NoMU. The pin-ups have been everyone from Alex van Tonder, blogger of Cape Town Girl to the guys at 2 Oceans Vibe Radio. The final poster, coinciding with the launch of their latest product, drinking chocolate - with Martin Tucker (The Keg King), fellow model and all round angel, Alyssa Fischer and me as the pin-ups - is already up at the Engen on Orange AND the Service Station (Melville, JHB).

All you need to do is look out for this poster, pose next to it and submit your photos to this e-mail address. Easy!

How would you have your NoMU drinking chocolate? Hot or cold? Help The Keg King choose! Bring props to indicate your choice and YOU might just be the LUCKY winner of the following prizes. It's just not fair.

One person will win a Bosch coffee maker worth R18 000; a two night stay for two at the Bay Hotel (including breakfasts and spa treatments); a bottle of Vodka, 6 Redbulls and a platter for 6 from Casa Del Sol worth R1000; a bottle of Vodka, mixers, free entry to Entourage with a VIP table worth R1000; a Keg and Draught unit from The Keg King worth R1050; a case of 2007 Gentle Giant from Haute Espoir; 2 tickets to see any show from On Broadway; a R500 voucher from Kasikayaks; a year subscription to ALL Associated Magazine titles.

Convinced yet? No?

Because it doesn't end there. You can ALSO win a R1500 voucher to spend at Sunglass Hut;  a R500 voucher from Exclusive Books; a cellar tour and wine tasting for 10 people and wine hamper from Steenberg; a fat NoMU hamper and also a 6 month subscription to Playboy SA. Hey, I might just feature in the magazine!

And it gets even better! Throughout the month of May, more prizes will be added to the already long list of awesome prizes and will be handed over to just one really REALLY lucky person. Sigh.

So head over to the Engen on Orange or the Service Station, and get creative with the posing! Competition closes 1 June 2011.

Thank you to everyone for being a part of this exciting project and thank you for including me! Also a HUGE thank you to each and every sponsor!!

Good luck fellas. I'm totally jealous.

(Check out the behind-the-scenes of this poster shoot here)
(Photography by Robert Miller from Panascape)

It's Friday and I...

... just received this image from Naco Rautenbach Design Photography! You are the first to see it!
... finally have a moment to sit down and do a blog post!
... have been super busy, but it seems my modeling career is picking up.
... receive fan mail on a regular basis - which is still so weird, but totally sweet - and I received a letter yesterday from a group who call themselves 'the JHB girls' and they sent the nicest, most inspirational, letter! Thank you girls!
... was a judge last night at a beauty pageant and I think we chose a great top 15! Can't wait to be a judge at the main night. I love being so hands-on with these type of projects and I love how people value my opinion.
... am hoping to attend KFM's Kday tomorrow!
... didn't get the cover for the Trend Frenzy Magazine cover search, but congratulations to the winning girl.
... need you to please keep voting for me in the Sports Illustrated New Model Search! Click on the vote button and remember, you can vote more than once.
... can also be voted for in the FHM 100 Sexiest. So click here and fill my name in by the blocks on the right hand side of the page. Once you start typing 'Yolandi', my surname (Malherbe) should pop up. You have until May 7th to vote, so please help me follow this dream too! And just by voting, you stand a chance to win a Playstation 3, with Playstation Move,  plus some killer games. One FHM Fan and his mate, get to come on the FHM photoshoot with the winner. How cool is that?
... want all of you to get your hands on the Rapport Newspaper on Sunday and turn to the back page. Yes, I'm in the paper, but for a modeling competition again which will require some voting. Again. Yes, yes, I hate to ask, but vote for me and make me Miss June in their calendar competition! All the details will be in the paper. All the images they used of me, are brand new ones from my portfolio.
... really wanna be in Playboy SA! I saw the launch issue with Tracy McGregor and I think it's an awesome cover! Well done!
... just want to give a huge thank you to all my readers, followers and fans! Thank you for always visiting my blog, even though I can't update as much as I would love. And thank you for your ongoing support, votes or help when I need it. The day I reach all my goals and dreams, it will be because of you!
... am looking forward to Monday (never thought I'd say that). Public holiday! Bring it on!
... am so in love with Forever New! It's my new favourite and store of choice to go shopping at! If you love soft and flowing materials, floral prints and the whole vintage vibe, this place is for you.
... think you should definitely go visit The Bucket and read about FHM Fridays. They wrote a piece on me and named me the 'underdog model'. Love it!

Happy Friday everyone and enjoy the long weekend! Be safe.
J