Today we celebrate Nelson Mandela Day, and what a profound day that is for us as South Africans! What is the significance of this day some of you may ask? Well, in a nutshell, it’s an international day in honour of Nelson Mandela, celebrated each year on the 18th of July, Mandela’s birthday!

Mandela Day is a global call to action that celebrates the idea that each individual has the power to transform the world, the ability to make an impact. So before we get started, I would like to challenge all of you to stop and think about how you can do something good and make an impact on our world today! Your Social Media feeds are going to be filled with wonderful ideas of how you can lend your voice, your hands and your heart to something meaningful. So before you scroll past, think about doing something kind for humanity today.

To celebrate this significant and momentous day here on my little slice of internet pie, I have brought together 4 amazing creatives in a GORGEOUS collaboration, to offer one lucky lady the most special prize! I mean what better way to celebrate than with a collection of proudly South African products, created on our very soil!  Supporting local businesses is just one way we can make a small change. Supporting local businesses is good for the environment because they often have a smaller carbon footprint than larger companies.

Introducing our incredible team of collaborators….

LEGACY COLLECTION 

Legacy Collection’s role in our collaboration focusses on everything we celebrate today and holds such relevance to us as South Africans. I have been following Charmaine Taylor of Legacy Collection for some time now and have been longing to partner with her in a meaningful way. This seemed like the perfect chance to do just that, with her launching a limited edition “67” pendant, which was created to honour the 67 years Nelson Mandela fought for social justice.

“Poignant, precious, profound: Legacy Collection offers handmade pieces that are a striking token of justice, equality, forgiveness, and freedom”.

Charmaine Taylor, the visionary artist of the internationally acclaimed Legacy Collection. Her jewellery pieces are designed to be worn with intent, to raise awareness of the environment and human rights, and have been celebrated for their striking, distinctive designs.

Best known for her jewellery created from the repurposed historical prison fence from Robben Island. The notorious island that once held captive Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and many other freedom fighters. Each design is hand woven and no two will be exactly alike (much like the human spirit), making them truly one-of-a-kind.

THANDANA 

Another impressive brand that has joined forces with us for this collab is Thandana. I was sent one of their cooler bags recently with their distinctive prints and leather detail, and I soon came to discover a whole range of products I absolutely loved! One of them being the ever so beautiful saddle bag featured in our shoot.

Thandana – ’To love one another’

This couldn’t be more true as a home grown, local brand who relies on a team of skilled artisans based in Durban and Zululand in South Africa.

Since establishing in 2010, Thandana has become a well known luggage brand with a focus on immaculate workmanship and quality and we’re proud to stock stores across South Africa and abroad. We believe our bags and luggage make travelling fun & exciting and our team delights in producing our own exclusive range of fabrics, which are on trend, versatile and waterproof.

The Thandana Team is committed to offering innovative design and is passionate about South Africa and supporting the local industry. Their small team is comprised of a close-knit community of 20 skilled labourers and creatives, many from nearby communities who they are proud to empower and support. So here’s another great reason to support small local businesses, they are creating employment and helping empower people in the workplace.

I love everything they stand for and their products speak volumes of their quality and workmanship!

⇑ The black saddle bag from Thandana is sleek and sexy and perfect for just about any occasion! Features: Genuine leather, Lined inside with Thandana logo waterproof lining for protection from spillageMagnetic clip under over flap, Top YKK metal zip with zip pulley and 2x Separate inner compartments

⇑ I love it that I’m at the stage now with this little nunu, where I don’t have to pack a huge nappy bag for every outing. As much as I love this bag for night’s out or an afternoon with the girls, it’s also perfect for everyday adventures with my kids. It fits my wallet, keys, cellphone two emergency nappies and a pack of wet wipes perfectly!

SAINT & SUMMER 

Of course, it only made sense to have one of my most-loved local shoe brands come on board this little fashion collaboration. Yup, you guessed it….Saint & Summer! These guys seem to have taken our country by storm over the last few years, with every range seemingly getting better and better! They are just so good at achieving that perfect balance of capturing what’s hot off the international runways and turning it into something practical and stylish. Their ranges always stand out from the crowd and are bound to get people coming up to you asking with desperation in their voice “Where sis you your shoes?”  I now own several pairs of their shoes, my ELUDE’S being my all-time favourite!

⇑ These navy ELUDE’S are just so awsome for summer months too! I cannot wait to pair them with denim shorts and cute summer dresses. As they say “Espadrille for the win!”

⇑ These EBONY sneakers have been such a great addition to my wardrobe as well! They smarten up a casual outfit in no time and are so comfy I barely feel the need to take them off after a long day. “Step into the wild with these fiercely fashionable leopard print ladies’ sneakers. Embrace patches of the classic pattern with a trendy thick white sole, and a stylish side-zip.” Youll be pleased to know they also come in white!

And there is just way too much to like about owners Roxy and Julia for me to condense into one sentence so go and read their OUR STORY page and be inspired in every possible way! Everything about the way these girls run their business is impressive. They are friendly, passionate and so professional, something many entrepreneurs and businesswomen can aspire to.

Anvil&I 

And if our prize couldn’t get any better, we have the ever-so-beautiful Anvil&I offering a GORGEOUS pair of their asymmetrical sex symbol earrings! What I love most about this range of earrings is that you can mix and match all of them and have a pair made-up especially for you. There are a few variations to choose from, which allows you to be a little adventurous with your look. I simply adore both the silver and the gold options, but being the gold girl that I am, I think they feel more “me”. However, ask me again in summer and I may say the silver! 🙂

Clean lines and smart, simple forms are the base of each piece of jewellery offered by the Anvil&I range.

With beautiful and minimalist designs, lifestyle and sophistication are the ultimate focus of every creation of Cape Town based designer, Justine Shelly.

Make Anvil&I part of your everyday style when you select your favourites from this one-of-a-kind jewellery collection.

⇑ The gorgeous Asymmetrical Earrings from Anvil&I come in both silver and gold or a combination. They come in different combinations of long and short, making it more fun than ever to add some bling to your outfit!

Go check out their website for more information.

So there you have it girls, a round-up of all our spectacular brands! Here’s a wrap up of what one very lucky lady is going to walk away with :

1. A limited-edition 67 pendant necklace from Legacy Collection valued at R1200
2. A saddle bag from Thandana in the choice of your colour (tan or black) valued at R1,736.00
3. A pair of silver Asymmetrical Swingers earrings from Anvil&I valued at R1000 and,
4. A pair of shoes of your choice from Saint & Summer’s AW19 collection. Please note that this is subject to the availability of stock. (value R799)

That’s a total of R4, 735! What a spoil! 

HOW TO ENTER:

1. LIke and share the post on Facebook using the hashtag #mandeladaycollab
2. Make sure you follow Saint & Summer, Legacy Collection, Thandana, and Anvil&I and The Mom Diaries on Facebook.
3. Tag a minimum of two friends on the Facebook thread One tag = one entry so enter as many times as you like!

And that’s it! GOOD LUCK!! ♥

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

1. All three steps must be completed in order to qualify for the prize.
2. This competition is in no way affiliated with Facebook or Instagram.
3. Prizes cannot be sold or redeemed for cash.
4. The winner is selected via random.org and my decision is final.
5. This competition is open to SA residents only.
6. The Mom Diaries holds no responsibility for any losses or damages whatsoever.
7. The winner will be given the choice of a selection of footwear form Saint & Summer from the AW19 collection. This is based on the availability of stock.
8. The competition closes on 28th July and the winner will be announced the following day.

SPECIAL THANKS:

Thank you to all the lovely brands who trusted me with your products and allowed me to share part of your journey with my readers. I have loved the relationship we have formed and look forward to many more years of getting to know you better. It’s been an honour having you on board this passion project.

Special thanks to the exceptionally talented Angi Whittle Photography for all the images. This chick is good with a camera folks, and she puts all your silly insecurities at ease if you’re like me and feel a little awkward in front of the camera at times! Book her for a shoot – 0825224479.

And to Monique Dryden from Savas Hair for not only making my hair look so cute but for offering to do my make-up for me. No, she doesn’t offer makeup application as a service, but this is the level of dedication you can expect from the staff at Savas. Do yourself a favour!

Hi I’m Leigh! Did you enjoy reading this post? I really hope so and would love you to stick around a little longer! Please feel free to browse my blog for other articles or to keep up with all the latest news and to be the first to hear about some great competitions, come and find me me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also email me directly at leeloobaggins@hotmail.com or simply subscribe below and never worry about missing out!