On Saturday night I attended the highly anticipated 5 For Change Charity Auction at the City Hall in Cape Town. Leigh had a total blast year and informed the girls ‘this is the one where you wear designers rokkies‘. So I roped in Jacques Lagrange Couture, of course.

Now the theme may or may not have been The Great Gatsby. You’re confused? Well, so was I. See, the invitation read Black Tie with an accompanying press release and Facebook page advertising a prize for Best Dressed Great Gatsby couple. So, I’m thinking flapper, right? Wouldn’t you? I even got my hair cut for this one!

Imagine my absolute panic when I received a confirmation email on Friday evening saying This. Is. Not. A. Great. Gatsby. Party. Hells Bells! There’s no way I was gonna tell Jacques that. He had altered a dress from his 2011-12 Collection; and made the headgear, the silk chiffon jacket and a beaded purse just for me. So Gatsby or not, this is what I was wearing.

Me with Jacques Lagrange and darling Tim Rhoda. No, they’re not a couple.

But let me give you some info about the charities.

5 For Change is a philanthropic initiative based in Cape Town and founded in 2012 by Ross McKernan, David Deetlefs and Adriaan Dippenaar. It’s a platform dedicated to raising awareness about five inspiring social enterprises which are changing the way Cape Town gives back. Every year five fledgling social enterprises doing something unique and innovative in their field are selected and showcased at the annual black tie fundraiser.

The aim of this event is to raise awareness, change the way young professionals, entrepreneurs, and other young South African opinion leaders think about philanthropy and social change. And create a rewarding, fun and enjoyable avenue for people to give back.

This year, 5 For Change chose Waves for Change, TrashBack, Ilizwi Photo Club, See Saw Do,  and Iyeza. These orginisations are working on amazing projects using everything from surfing to photography to support communities. For example, the boys at Iyeza cycle to deliver medicines from clinics to people’s homes.  And Trashback rewards communities with food and homeware when they recycle. Awesome stuff! Highly commendable. I reckon you should read up on each and support where you can.

So, back to the party. One of the main fund raising events is this auction and ball. With me? Good!

As it turn out, I wasn’t the only one in beads, red lips and headband. Sjoe! Undeterred by the confusion of the invite, my ladies looked uber-cute as well. And so did my two dates, Jacques and Tim Rhoda. The evening promised to be a biggie!

With The Rudimentals and Gold Fish on the cards – I was ready to rock this party. And rock it I did!

Me, Leigh & Karisa looking oh-so-Daisy with our red lippies. And I wish I could show you a close up of my dress. The gold trim is actually hand-beading. Weighed a ton but felt amazing on.

My knights in shining armour looking awfully dapper, don’t you think? (Pic from Leigh)

The Patrón and Appletiser cocktails were the bomb! I had two. Then I had some straight-up Patrón shooters when I bumped into ex-Jupiter buddy Sammy. And of course, copious amounts of Graham Beck bubbles throughout the night as I hadn’t had any since I started working two months ago. Well that’s what it felt like anyway. Ohh, the head!

Also have to tell you that the caterer was phenomenal. I’ll find out who they were because wow! the Thai-inspired menu was killer. Those quail eggs with goats cheese were melt-in-mouth heaven.

I also managed to buy a R50 raffle ticket from the Wall of Change where you stood a chance to win anything from designer gear to fragrances or weekends away. Whether I actually won anything will remain a secret to this day. I didn’t quite make it to the auction bit – or even see my fave guys Gold Fish play.

Managed to nab a pic with Dom from Gold Fish. And caught The Rudimentals on stage who seriously know how to rock a party.

Sammy (on the left) who started that whole Patrone shooter thing. Damn her!

With Tim, Thandi and Leigh-leigh!

All those liquid refreshments said Clouds The Hero needs to go home before she hits zero and makes an ass of herself. So I got escorted home wa-aay before pumpkin time. And that’s why I missed Leigh’s sexy gyrating moves on the dance floor and an incident where Karisa sent some guys drink smashing to the floor, when he accused her of being 36! How dare he!

Anyhoo, what more can I tell you since I don’t know much. Oh, best you like 5 For Change on Facebook because you want to attend this party next year.

Kirsten Hopwood from Prestige Communications, we never seem to hang out for more than five minutes. Why is that? Gotta fix that, my love. And you did brilliantly pulling this event together. Well done!

If you’re reading this, please let me know who that caterer was. Need that wanton soup recipe pronto.

Have a happy Monday everyone.

love & light

Clouds xxx

PS: About that Best Dressed competition.

Ja, here’s my problem. I kinda liked the lady on the left who nailed the theme totally. But to the couple on the right who won; I have one question: Where’s the black tie? Hmm? Maybe I’m just miff Jacques didn’t win. I think he and Tim looked Hot! #notbiased

Photo credit: Sorry all my pics are so crappy, I didn’t take the posh camera. Just as well. It may have not have survived.