The Jeffrey Levin Jewelry Collection Update

Some of the jewelry Jeffrey has been busy carving and producing the past few months along with a few all time favorites. Coming sooner than later to the website. Stay in the know, follow Jeffrey's workbench playlist, new product launches and news on Facebook

Jeffrey Levin Lotus Blossom & Butterfly Charms

Jeffrey Levin Diamond & Stamped Medallions

Jeffrey Levin Skinny Ring Charm Holders and Ring with Diamonds Pendant

Jeffrey Levin Tiny Charms

Jeffrey Levin Signature Heart Charms

Jeffrey Levin Reclaimed Wood Collection

Jeffrey Levin Initial Charms

36 Hours in Capetown Via NY Times Travel

36 Hours in Cape Town does a nice job of covering some of the not-to-be-missed sites and a few new places I'll check out next visit. In 36 hours one can only cover so much -- it takes about that time to acclimate to the time change! Lots more to learn about Cape Town and Surrounds and via Walking Tour

Eating, Cape Town & Surrounds

We've done our share of eating in and around Cape Town. Some of our fave places and a few we haven't yet explored...

Cape Town:
- Beluga. Inside The Foundry. You can eat outside on the inner square or indoors. Happening scene. Menu is the restaurant's cookbook. You can spend the eve perusing recipes if you need some conversation starters.

- Bread. The European style bistro inside the Bromwell; we haven't eat there yet but we looked at the menu and were intrigued.

- Bukhara. Just off Green Market Square, upstairs. Amazing Indian. Their Kingclip tandori or tikka are amazing, very paneer saag paneer!

- Col Cacchio Pizzeria. Camps Bay location faces the ocean. Simply, one of the best places for gluten free pizza we've come across. Delicious composed salads and crafted pizzas.

- Fork. On Long Street. The upstairs has a cozy vibe and a balcony when the weather permits. Tapas. Some very interesting small plate creations from Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine.

- Grand cafe and Beach. It's along the waterfront, passed the Radison Hotel and Old Yacht club and if I'm remembering it's the 2nd left onto a dirt road. When the weather permits, make a resi for a table on the beach. Make to check out the curated items in the retail store. Enjoyed the Avocado Ritz salad, Sugar Salmon, Grilled Kingclip and the long rectangular pizza.

- Greens. Around the corner from the Wellness Warehouse. Simple, fresh menu.

- Groot Constantia. Constantia winelands. Lovely tea and scones for a lazy afternoon. We ate outside in the courtyard at Jonkershuis Restaurant.

- Melissa's. This just in from Anna who writes an amazing blog about her travels, including in Africa. She says Melissa's is great healthy fare (May 2010)

- The Neighbourgoods Market. Woodstock area. Saturdays only. Local vendors create delicious breakfast and brunch fare.

- Newport. On the waterfront, passed the lighthouse. After a power walk or bike ride, there's nothing like their muesli or Bircher breakfasts with fragrant honey and julienned apples and a fresh carrot juice.

- The Opal Lounge. Kloof Street. This was recommended by the owner of the Cafe Felix in Reibeek as it's his Cape Town location. We haven't eaten there, but it looked to have a hip vibe and we adored the well-crafted menu at Cafe Felix.

- Sand Bar. Camps Bay. The cappuccino place to be in the am any weekend.

- Wellness Warehouse's WellCafe. Where Long Street turns into Kloof Street. Very casual, bring your laptop or read the paper. Great vegetarian options, including Gluten Free bread. We enjoyed the grilled mushroom sandwhich with rocket and Eden cheese.

Hout Bay:
- Kitima. Main road towards Chapman's Peak. Trendy, inside fancy, outdoor more casual (yet in a hip lounge-y way). Delicately prepared Asian fusion cuisine.

- Chapman's Peak Hotel Restaurant. Classy, great vibe, amazing Kingclip (where my love of Kingclip was born in 2008).

Franschhoek:
- Le Bon Vivant. A block off the main road in town. Sophisticated dining. Each bite a work of art. Portions are just right.

- Le Petit Ferme. In the winelands. Very lovely views, great food. Don't feed the baboons on your way over, nor roll down your window to take pix!

- Reuben's. On the main road in town. Inventive fusion food, hip crowd.

Riebeek Kasteel & Riebeek West Wine Valley

The Riebeek Wine Valley has a long history tracing back to the Huguenots. The early settlers arrived in the 1700's, establishing many prominent wine farms still in production today. A more recent crop that has brought visitors to the area is the olive, an industry only about 13 years old. While olive groves are plentiful, they were not tended to and the fruit was left to drop to the ground. In the late 90's 6 gentlemen, previously city dwellers and immigrants, traveled to Italy to be schooled in olive farming.

We visited one of the oldest wineries, Kloovenberg, which is as well-known for its wine as it is for its olives, olive oils and skin care products made with the rich emollient fruit. The Olive Boutique supplied a tasty variety of dried olives and olive chocolate (mixed with dried fruits and brandy) and the Goedgedacht charitable trust provides services to take rural children out of poverty and a community development center focused on climate change education.

Unlike the more established Stellenbosch or the quaint Franschhoek, the Riebeek Valley is still a bit more "mom and pop," making for an easy 1/2 day trip. The highlights were the olive tastings, the Royal Hotel (one of the oldest hotels in South Africa, recently refurbished to the highest standards) and Cafe Felix (an upmarket restaurant and cafe with a gorgeous menu).

From the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean

The Western Cape is bordered by two oceans, the Atlantic to the West and the Indian to the South. What you would notice here, versus the Pacific, is the color of the water - a luminescent blend of greens, blues and teals - and the emotional and thundering waves which never cease to inspire.

We began our scenic drive and beach landings along the Atlantic coast at Llandudno, a nearly private cove and upmarket suburb. While there are minimal attractions other than the white sand beach (no shops or city life), surfers do come for the waves. Around the bend is Sandy Bay, another secluded beach, where Little Lion's Head is in the shadow of this nudist beach.

From this stretch of coast, we drove into Hout Bay (also called the Republic of Hout Bay by residents who covet the limited access to their coastal community). One of the most dramatic cliff side drives from Chapman's Peak brings you along the majestic Bay where the Sentinel looms and fisherman bring their daily catch to local and nearby restaurants. We sampled fresh caught yellowtail and chips (french fries in the states).

Next stop is the seaside village of Kommetjie known for being one of Cape Town's hot surfing and kite surfing spots. The stretch of beach where surfers congregate continues through to Noordhoek. We stopped at the Slangkoppunt Lighthouse commissioned in 1914 to safeguard against shipwrecks on the rocky shore and in Scarborough, a quiet conservation village.

Leaving the Atlantic for the Indian Ocean, we passed through Cape Point without stopping off, as we'd spent heaps of time there 2 years ago. With some good timing, we came upon a private harbour where the fishermen bring their catch. It happened to be the end of their day as we arrived, and we observed them for a bit, cleaning and preparing.

Leaving the Indian Ocean, we traveled back inland and over the pass into Constantia to Groot Constantia for an afternoon tea and scones to conclude the day.

Goldfish Live at Kirstenbosch, Sunday March 7

Deep house grooves, vocals, hypnotic sampling and talent on live instruments.

More official photos thanks to Bernard: http://www.flickr.com/photos/2oceansvibe/sets/72157623576623708

Eating, Shopping & Exploring Woodstock, Cape Town, South Africa

We spent a few hours this morning on Albert Road in the up and coming industrial neighborhood of Woodstock, one of Cape Town's oldest suburbs. The main attraction is the Old Biscuit Mill renovated in 2006 with eco-conscious flavor and housing stationery shops, antique artefacts, clothing, jewelry, art, ceramics and other collectibles.

On Saturdays at the Mill, the Neighbourgoods Market takes place, featuring organic farmer's market produce, flowers, herbs, cheese, bread, honey and fresh prepared gastronomic delights for every taste including designer beer and curries to butternut frittata, young coconuts, acai smoothies, fair trade coffees, parisian macarons and coal fired pizza.

Find a spot on one of the long communal benches and it's elbow to elbow creatives, raw foodies, organic hippies and  tourists listening in the annex to the sounds of the DJ spinning or the French pop tuned in to the speakers in the main hall.

Local fashion and accessories designers have their own shade covered area as part of the Neighbourgoods Market. Here you can find hand crafted footwear, one-of-kind applique t-shirts, the finery of bespoke BlueCollarWhiteCollar or kidswear in the Kindergoods Market area.

Named one of the city's improvement districts, companies are incentified to locate to the Woodstock area and add to its vibrant culture. We visited in 2008 and since, the area has really emerged.

Vintage Dutch modern furniture and pottery can be found in some of the older shops, while a newer boutique mall (a renovated 1927 hotel that used to be a brothel) called the Bromwell offers curated objects to covet or buy via computers located in each well-dressed room for a self-guided shopping experience. Superette, Bread Cafe and Boulangerie, What if the World gallery and Weekend Special are noticeable amongst the still-delapadated storefronts.

We ran out of time to visit the art galleries on Sir Lowry Rd (including Raw Vision Gallery, owned by our friend Mike Fisher) and await a return visit early next week.

Design Indaba: Cape Town's "Lekker" Celebration of Creativity

Design Indaba is South Africa's premier conference bringing a who's who of design intelligence to the Western Cape. Speakers included Gary Hustwit, Bruce Nussbaum, Michael Beirut, the Bouroullec Brothers, Tord Boontje, William Drenttel and even Martha Stewart (who "copped" a lot of flack for her divatude).

Design Indaba Expo is the exhibitor program of the conference showcasing 260 local and international talent across advertising, architecture, craft, film, fashion, jewelry and product design. Some of the local township craft and student design was as sophisticated as many of the established designers and there was a strong showing of socially conscious works.

A Walking Tour: Saunders Rocks to Camps Bay

We are on the Atlantic side of the Cape Peninsula where the Twelve Apostles provide a majestic backdrop to some of the world's most beautiful beaches. Our morning walk began in Bantry Bay at Saunders Rock. Around the bend is the Bay of Clifton (pictured below).

Into Clifton, there are 4 coves and corresponding beaches: 1st Beach, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Beach (and a 5th beach called Moses). From Clifton Beach, we cruised into Camps Bay, an exclusive area lined with cafes, restaurants, live music, dancing, luxury homes and gorgeous views. Cyclists congregate for coffee at the weekend and in two weeks time, will be riding in the Argus Cycle Tour race (which Lance Armstrong is riding this year for the first time).

After a cappuccino, we took Upper Road back to Bantry Bay with different vantage points above the coast line, including Lion's Head (located in the area of Table Mountain and Signal Hill), and concluding with a dip at Saunders Rocks.

Back in Cape Town.

We arrived today to signs of World Cup renovations. Airport has had a make-over. New stadium is built and looks amazing. Landscaping, new highways and beautification in progress. Money exchange took a frustrating hour in Sea Point - doesn't bode well for the throngs of visitors come June who will expect in/out service.

Lunch was beet root salad with pumpkin seeds, feta and arugula from the neighborhood Woolworths ("Woolies" to the locals; a Marks & Spencer-like upmarket grocery and department store). Afternoon sipping tequila with lime and a broer (literally, brother, otherwise, mate, guy, friend) hangout melted away the 2 days of airplane travel. 

Surprisingly, dinner was a most excellent gluten free pizza with spinach, roasted garlic, grilled red pepper and a roasted vegetable salad with ricotta. My lungs may well be spared!

Hallmarking has Existed for 1000's of Years. Jeffrey Levin Writes About his Jewelry Marks and History

Love a history lesson? The practice of identifying and authenticating works of art have been in play for thousands of years. The jewelry marking system is no different. Having been apprenticed and qualified as a jeweler in South Africa, the English marking system was a familiar precedent for Jeffrey.

Read about the marks Jeffrey stamps on his collection and the clues that “hallmarks,” “makers marks” and other identifying stamps provide to a piece's age and origin. Read More

Need a Little Peace in Your Heart?

Jeffrey has carved a new addition to the line, his Peace Tag, available in medium sized on leather or smaller as a charm or post earrings in sterling silver, yellow gold and rose gold.

As a symbol adopted all over the world to celebrate harmony, we think it's a pretty good time to remind ourselves of universal kindness, humanitarianism and compassion. New products will soon be added including Jeffrey's dog tag design featuring a tiny peace sign, a men's peace sign and an ndu Collection peace sign with African motif carvings. Shop the Peace Collection

Big, Bold Statement Pieces in Mother of Pearl

Jeffrey Levin's new Mother of Pearl collection features this mysterious and sensuous iridescent shell, sustainably harvested and free of resins, dyes or bleaching.

Jeffrey crafted a strong setting in sterling silver to mount the 30mm round shell and with careful technique, has attached his long-adored, precious tiny heart charm. The Mother of Pearl collection sacrifices no sense of theatre, as a dramatic pendant alone or layered or as an adjustable ring conversation piece, available in either white and black shell at the shopping site, http://jeffreylevin.com.

“These pieces fuse my metal work with a natural gift of the earth,” says designer Jeffrey Levin. “Working with my hands, I’ve always felt closer to the earth.”

Shop the collection: Mother of Pearl

Happy Holidays!

We'd like to express a little gratitude this holiday season. For your support in our launch. For the love of family and friends. For recognizing the beauty in the everyday.

We wish you a healthy and joyful end to this year and some renewed spirit and peace as we ring in 2010.

Peace and Love,

Jeffrey Levin & Co

Jeffrey Levin's Rosette Gives Back to Cancer

We are thrilled to announce that a percentage of proceeds from the new Rosette product line will be donated on-going to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. Naming it after his mother Rosette, Jeffrey carved the "small rose" to honor her memory and all loved ones who have been touched by cancer.
The Rosette dresses up and goes street. With a motorcycle jacket, your favorite tee or little black dress. Look good on the outside, feel good on the inside.

Shop the collection: Rosette

Honoring breast cancer this month, Jeffrey has donated the Rose Gold Rosette Pendant to the National Breast Cancer Coalition silent auction and celebrity studded cabaret, Les Girls. The event takes place in Los Angeles Monday evening October 5th at the Avalon Hollywood.

Jeffrey is also proud to be a part of the LA's Best fundraiser, UnWINED, hosted by LA's Best Friends. The silent auction, for which Jeffrey donated a medium Silver Dog Tag Pendant, benefits LA's Best After School Enrichment Program, providing a safe haven to children ages 5 to 12. The event takes place in Santa Monica on Friday evening October 16th at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel.

We thank you for your continued support and joining us in our efforts to spread joy and give back.

Jeffrey Levin Designs a Sophisticated and Timeless Interpretation of the Classic Dog Tag

Jeffrey Levin's dog tag collection features small, medium and large sized dog tags in precious metals and sterling silver. They are available plain or in a variety of styles for women including dog tags adorned with Jeffrey Levin’s signature heart charm, cross or daisy charm as well as sterling or gold dog tags embellished with just a single white, cognac or black diamond. Men’s dog tags also feature plain styles which look bold in the large size in sterling or rose gold and for a little more edge, the black diamond dog tags designed in the “River” collection.

A signature of Jeffrey Levin’s jewelry, his dog tags are designed to be worn layered or alone. Shop Dog Tags for Women or Men

The Eponymous Collection to Launch: www.jeffreylevin.com

Props to Jeffrey!

A craftsman for 30 years, Jeffrey Levin has been handcrafting fine and designer jewelry, casting his unique handwriting in yellow, rose and white gold, while using sterling silver as a crossover metal. White, cognac (also known as chocolate) and black diamonds adorn his pieces.

Designed to be worn layered or alone, Jeffrey Levin’s jewelry are incredibly touchable, tactile pieces that go with everything. For the fine jewelry collector, in the Jeffrey Levin line he has refined and sophisticated offerings from pendants featuring crosses, hearts, daisy charms and other iconic classics, to single stone stacking rings, curved band stacking rings, pave diamond eternity bands, drop earrings, hoops and handmade link bracelets.

His Jeffrey Levin ndu collection blends sterling silver jewelry with rose gold and featuring tribal motifs inspired by his street style and African heritage. Black diamonds predominate, lending a bold and dramatic edge to these statement pieces.

Jeffrey Levin One is available for appointment-only custom jewelry commissions and will later feature vintage one-of-a-kind objects from around the world, remixed with new gems, Jeffrey’s own designs or handcrafted additions.

About Jeffrey Levin - Jeffrey Levin is defined by a breadth of talent and endeavors with popular jewelry brands Chrome Hearts, Dogeared, Gerard Yoska, 1928, Cathy Carmendy, Jane Bohan and Jolie’ Designs amongst others. As an entrepreneur, he partnered in both the Julez Bryant and u+i jewelry brands. These collections graced the covers and spreads of major fashion magazines such as WWD, Vogue, Elle, Madamoiselle and In Style and were carried in Neiman Marcus, Fred Segal Santa Monica, Barney’s New York, Louis Boston, Stanley Korshak as well as the Golden Bear and Sundance catalogs. As a good citizen, Jeffrey Levin is also defined by giving back. His company have adopted a sustainability accord that drives its business operations in addition to establishing relationships with charitable organizations who will benefit from cause specific product and donations.

Sign up for the launch: www.jeffreylevin.com

Follow Jeffrey on Twitter: http://twitter.com/JeffreyLevin

Jeff's thoughts 60 days post

written Wednesday 4^th June

Los Angeles

My body is about back to normal although I still have tingles in the toes occasionally! I feel quite strong so the Epic has finally filtered into my legs and riding strength. Yay! I was concerned it wouldn’t make much of a difference as I am now ‘in season’ here in the Northern Hemisphere. I am finally dropping the usual suspects on my local Le Grange rides which feels wonderful after the suffering I went through.

Some Epic Humour…

I awoke one night to snoring. It sounded very close. I was facing the door of the tent and Bonnie was behind me so I gently bumped her with my body.

More snoring.

I bumped a little harder.

Louder snoring.

I bumped really hard. This is happening with me wearing ear plugs.

I didn’t hear Bonnie’s voice saying ‘it’s not me’.

=0)

I finally heard her and it was the next tent over which was only a few feet away of course.

We laughed till we cried and must have disturbed the snorer who stopped.

We happened to see him the next morning and told him the story. He was obviously embarrassed but I told him that it was an unique memory we would have of our Epic and it would always make us laugh…

Some Epic Advice…

- bring wet wipes

- bring as light a bike as possible

- train smart

- get the massage package

- don’t wear white socks

- wear shorts not bibs (bibs make it very hard to use a porta potty)

I will blog some more as time evolves the thoughts in my head but for now I have learned that my minds preset boundaries are all that stop me from achieving more and going higher than I have before. I now know I can do what I “knew” was undoable before.

I hope this insight will be an inspiration so push harder, reach higher. You will amaze yourself.

I did.

South Africa, Climate Change and Humans 70,000 Years Ago

Interesting article

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Human beings may have had a brush with extinction 70,000 years ago, an extensive genetic study suggests.

The human population at that time was reduced to small isolated groups in Africa, apparently because of drought, according to an analysis released Thursday.

The report notes that a separate study by researchers at Stanford University estimated that the number of early humans may have shrunk as low as 2,000 before numbers began to expand again in the early Stone Age.

"This study illustrates the extraordinary power of genetics to reveal insights into some of the key events in our species' history," said Spencer Wells, National Geographic Society explorer in residence.

"Tiny bands of early humans, forced apart by harsh environmental conditions, coming back from the brink to reunite and populate the world. Truly an epic drama, written in our DNA."
Wells is director of the Genographic Project, launched in 2005 to study anthropology using genetics. The report was published in the American Journal of Human Genetics.
Studies using mitochondrial DNA, which is passed down through mothers, have traced modern humans to a single "mitochondrial Eve," who lived in Africa about 200,000 years ago.
The migrations of humans out of Africa to populate the rest of the world appear to have begun about 60,000 years ago, but little has been known about humans between Eve and that dispersal.

The new study looks at the mitochondrial DNA of the Khoi and San people in South Africa, who appear to have diverged from other people between 90,000 and 150,000 years ago.
The researchers led by Doron Behar of Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, Israel, and Saharon Rosset of IBM T.J. Watson Research Center in Yorktown Heights, New York, and Tel Aviv University concluded that humans separated into small populations before the Stone Age, when they came back together and began to increase in numbers and spread to other areas.
Eastern Africa experienced a series of severe droughts between 135,000 and 90,000 years ago, and researchers said this climatological shift may have contributed to the population changes, dividing into small, isolated groups that developed independently.

Paleontologist Meave Leakey, a Genographic adviser, asked, "Who would have thought that as recently as 70,000 years ago, extremes of climate had reduced our population to such small numbers that we were on the very edge of extinction?"

Today, more than 6.6 billion people inhabit the globe, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The research was funded by the National Geographic Society, IBM, the Waitt Family Foundation, the Seaver Family Foundation, Family Tree DNA and Arizona Research Labs.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.

Jeff 2 weeks later

Saturday

19 April, 2008

14 days post Epic

My toes are still slightly numb but improving, my ass has healed, my legs will eventually recover but my mind will never be the same… =0)

A huge part of my trip was my riding partner, Dr. John Ramsden. He comes from Vancouver and is a veteran of these types of races having done 4 Trans Alps, 2 Trans Rockies, 1 La Ruta de los Conquistadores (Costa Rica) came 15^th!!, the BC bike race and others. His experience and constant voice got me over many seemingly insurmountable obstacles on umpteen days. He pushed, pulled, cajoled, insulted, praised, medicated, supported and humbled me through my epic all the while teaching me invaluable lessons.

It was, after all his Epic too and I know the unseasonably high heat (high of 42deg C/107 deg F) in the Karoo, the endless sand and merciless headwinds eventually took its toll on him as well and he also, finally, admitted that this was the hardest race he has done… We climbed one day for 10,000ft/3090m and rode another for 146km/90mls!

On mountain bikes…

What was I thinking!!

He was far fitter than me and he definitely pulled out everything I had for this race. He waited for me a lot and he was and is inspiring and it was great to ride with him. I hope to ride with him in many places in the years to come. He was a great companion.

My gf, Bonnie, who ended up having really long days as well, was a constant source of help and good energy to me. She worked the water points and always jumped to help me when I rode in. Some days I just stood in front of her in a daze while on others, it was like a getting extra energy as she was always smiling and positive. She would do manual labor loading and unloading, pouring and mixing as well as supporting and soothing some broken riders so her days were busy & demanding as well. Her hands reacted to the Energade they were serving so she had to wear gloves for a few days. Hate to think what my insides looked like after drinking the same crud. It was awesome to share this event with her and it would not have been the same without her support and tender care. I was probably not so fun sometimes…

So here’s a typical day

I’ll start with the actual ride as that’s how it first happened to me.

In our start chute which was decided by our prologue time by 6:40am, start at 7. Ride till 3pm or more. Collapse.

Eat anything remotely edible at the few vendors. Eat and drink constantly. Clean the bike and take it to the bike lockup, find good tents not too close to the toilets whose doors banged till late, get the one rider’s duffel bag from the truck (this held all items needed for the week! Tough pack job!), shower, make massage apt at 4 (saved my life each day), start prepping for next day, eat at 6pm, watch daily prizes, eat, drink, listen to droning host mayor’s speech, eat more. Watch daily stage photos/video and finally watch the next day’s route’s 3D fly through which was invaluable. Do toiletries, sleep by 9pm if lucky, wake at 1am, pee outside tent, sleep till 4:30. Start my day. Roll sleeping bag & sheets, pack up Bonnie who is gone by 5am. Toilet, dress, prep, eat (a lot) by 5:45 so could go to clinic to get ass taped.

Let me pause here…

I got my saddle sores (caused by rubbing between shorts and skin resulting in open blisters) on day 1 so on day 2 until the end this was my ritual. A 2^nd skin was put on both my inner cheeks over the sores where my sit-bones hits the saddle. This was then taped over. This was the only way I could ride and did ride. Taking the tape off post stage was an extremely painful event. Seeing a row of riders bent over with their pants down every morning was a sight that will always make me laugh with the memory.

Continuing… 6:15am… get bike, toilet (had to go regardless), finish dressing, pack & drop bag, roll to start by 6:40am. Gun goes at 7am. Repeat 7 more times.

My body became used to this sequence, I was even pooping pellets eventually. Now that’s efficient.

It was at times, a tough routine to finish promptly as ride time was so long. The 4/5 hours between finishing the stage and sleep were busy and task filled but it was almost like being on automatic. I would have preferred more technical riding with time to look around but then it would not have been the Cape Epic… an extremely apt name by the way.

For now, I am enjoying just riding my bikes around. Who knows what will happen once the pain of doing the Epic fades…