Can Paris sue Fox News?
Does Paris need to sue Fox News? In case you’re unaware of the furore, recently an ‘expert’ proclaimed on Fox News that there were cities in Europe (Paris, Birmingham and London were specifically mentioned) which are Muslim strongholds into which non-Muslims cannot set foot. This was clearly nonsense and the British prime minister referred to the buffoon as a ‘complete idiot’. See more here. (Or the video...
The Sun newspaper stops topless page three feature
The Sun newspaper stops topless page three feature I just don’t get it. The Sun, in case you don’t know, is a British tabloid newspaper. It is not necessarily a paper for the intellectually superior. For the last forty-four years – which is more or less for as long as many people can remember – page three of the newspaper has featured a glamour shot of a topless model. On 20th January 2015, it was announced...
Yes, you can get married on Fort Lauderdale Beach
Do you need permission to get married on Fort Lauderdale Beach? You don’t even need a permit if you want to exchange your vows on Fort Lauderdale’s gorgeous beach. It’s a wonderful place for a destination wedding – and the honeymoon,of course. Your guests will also love travelling to the sunshine and beautiful climate that South Florida has to offer. One of the best times of the day to marry on the beach is...
Fried cheese appetiser – a treat
Fried cheese appetiser – a treat I can’t remember – did people not worry about cholesterol and cooking methods such as deep-frying in 1984? That’s what I wondered when I found this recipe in an old issue of the Boca Raton News. It is an appetiser, so the portions are small though. On the occasions I make these,I serve them with lots of green salad. It’s nice to have a dip too. My favourites are: Sour...
Fox News apologises for Birmingham slur – eventually
At last, Fox News apologises for broadcasting appalling lies about Birmingham In January 2015, an American person on Fox News – an alleged ‘expert’ – declared that the City of Birmingham in England is totally Muslim and a complete no-go area for non-Muslims. The British Prime Minister remarked that the man was ‘clearly a complete idiot’. I wrote about it here and you can also see the full video....
Seth Godin: You are what you share
Seth Godin says ‘You are what you share’ As a reader of Seth Godin’s blog, I couldn’t resist writing about his latest article. (You’ll find the link below). Isn’t that a wonderful quote – ‘you are what you share’? When you think about it, isn’t sharing the natural way of human beings? Would the human race still be here if our ancestors hadn’t shared food, warmth, love?...
Meat-free haggis recipe
A vegetarian haggis recipe I have to admit something to you. In the days when I used to eat meat, I used to like haggis. In those days, it was available in our local supermarket. Of course, the fact that it’s traditionally served with a glass of Scotch might have something to do with it and frankly, it’s not too good an idea to dwell on the ingredients if you’re a squeamish eater. As I don’t especially care for...
Hot & Spicy Food Day
Hot and spicy recipes As you know, at JAQUO we love writing about food! Our food section grows daily with so many great ideas and recipes. You’ll find such a huge variety here and this is our special section for those delicious hot and spicy recipes. Click the link below and you’ll find lots of ideas and full recipes for soups, stews, entrees, chilis, curries and more. All are tried and tested in our own kitchens –...
British pub receives Prince Charles’ gas bill
The Prince of Wales pub receives power bill allegedly intended for Prince Charles The English have always been fond of naming pubs after royalty and in January 2014, this caused an embarrassing mistake when British Gas sent the Prince of Wales pub a gas bill that was actually that of Prince Charles. Except it wasn’t. All very confusing indeed. Inns and pubs have been a feature of the British Isles since Anglo Saxon times and...
Organize Your Home and Work
Organize your home and your working life Officially, January 14th is ‘Organize Your Home Day’ but here at JAQUO we have lots of ideas for organizing all year round – for your home,your working life, your garden, seasonal organising, DIY ideas and even products that can help you.. See a selection of our organizing articles below: A Simple DIY to Organize Some Clutter Feng Shui 101: Getting Started...
People walk 61 miles in their kitchens annually
How far do you walk in the average day? A recent study in the UK has shown that people walk over sixty miles per year in their kitchens. When health authorities tell us that we should walk 10,000 steps per day in order to keep fit, it’s surprising that quite chunk of that is used up in the kitchen. We may be nearer to our goal than we thought. This was calculated by asking a group of people to wear pedometers to measure the...
Cadbury’s Creme Eggs. Think about your war hero
Stop messing about with Creme Eggs. For our sake and Major Cadbury’s Britain is in revolt. This is nothing to do with politics or any of that nonsense. This is far more important. No, England is outraged by the changes made to Cadbury’s Creme Eggs. I agree wholeheartedly. How can they do this to us? We have grown up knowing that there is one constant in life. Things change. Fads may come and fashions may go but the one...
The Queen Mother: Her favourite food
Queen Elizabeth,the Queen Mother. Her diet and her favourite recipe The Queen Mother lived to be one hundred and one years old. She was born in 1900 and even though she was born into an aristocratic family, we have to admit that she didn’t receive the benefits of modern medical science. The royal family are known for enjoying healthy foods. Despite the impression that we might get – that they feast on rich an luxurious...
Louis tea recipe: From Phil Collins
Louis tea recipe: From Phil Collins Genesis drummer and lead vocalist Phil Collins had a recipe featured in the Spokane Chronicle in 1988. What sort of recipe would you expect from this star? Well, he is one of only three recording artists who have sold over ten million records world (the other two are Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson) so would you expect a luxurious recipe full of sumptuous ingredients? And of course, the rock...
Rock Bottom Brewery Asiago Cheese Dip
Rock Bottom Brewery Asiago Cheese Dip This recipe was supplied to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in 1998 by the chef of the Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery, Chip Fergert. Save Print Rock Bottom Brewery Asiago Cheese Dip Rating 5 from 1 reviews Ingredients 4 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes, reconstituted in hot water 1 cup mayonnaise 1 cup sour cream ½ cup shredded Asiago plus extra for garnish ¼ cup green...
Looking for a home in South Florida?
Are you looking for a home – or second home – in South Florida? If so, then you’ve made a wise choice. The climate, the activities, the events and the culture make South Florida the perfect place to live. Imagine having a home where you’re close to the beaches, minutes away from one of the best shopping and dining districts in the state, plus have every amenity at your fingertips. And if you think that home...
War Brides by Helen Bryan: Review
War Brides by Helen Bryan: Review Four quite elderly ladies held a reunion in an English country village. One was American, two are English and the other, an Austrian Jew. They had met when they were all staying in the tiny, sleepy village as young women during the Second World War – fifty years previously. Originally there had been five of them. What had happened to the missing girl? Even though the wartime village had been...
Should healthcare professionals lead by example?
Should healthcare professionals lead by example? Isn’t this an interesting question? If, in the days of travelling salesmen, a bald chap was trying to sell hair restorer then his potential customers would wonder why he didn’t use it on his own head. Fast forward to a few years ago. We had a bunch of clients whose start-up business was selling self-help tapes that the user listened to when asleep. The idea,of course, was...
What is tempura?
What is tempura? Tempura is a Japanese dish that is composed of battered and fried vegetables and /or fish. Does fried battered food strike you as something we should be avoiding in our diets? That’s a good question. If you’re thinking about the more ‘traditional’ battered foods, then you’ll be delighted to know that tempura is made using a special, milk-free batter which is a lighter version of those we...
British chef Jamie Oliver: Why don’t we eat ‘wonky’ produce?
British chef Jamie Oliver: Why don’t we eat ‘wonky’ produce? Do you remember what food looked like many years ago? I remember ‘double-legged’ carrots. Potatoes that were the most peculiar shape. Double ‘co-joined twins’ strawberries … It happened gradually but now our produce is all uniformly attractive and ‘normal’. The oranges with the rugged peel are thing of the past....
Bean recipes for all year round
Bean recipes for all year round January 6th is National Bean Day but here at JAQUO we love to use this wonderful, inexpensive and nutritious ingredient all year round. Here’s a selection of our favorites. White Bean Chili, Vegetarian with Soy Crumbles Ham and Bean Soup for Dinner Tonight Easy Chunky Vegetarian Chili Recipe ...
Secret Pinterest boards for bloggers
Bloggers: Using a secret Pinterest board Brands were quick to grasp the marketing potential of secret Pinterest boards. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t make the most of them too. And they are perfect way for bloggers to collaborate. Secret boards are an excellent way for individual bloggers to join together to co-promote each others work – it’s quick, easy and effective. It works best if you have at least...
Ten ideas to kick-start your writing
Ten ideas to kick-start your article writing Have you ever been sitting at the computer, raring to go, and suddenly you have no idea what to write about? If you write online articles, then the chances are that you have. But there are hundreds of ideas out there and many of them are all around you. Here are a few ideas to kick-start your writing work. The next time you think that your mind has gone blank, then call back to this page...
Royal Scandals
Prince Andrew: Royal Scandals. In January 2015, the press had a field day reporting that Prince Andrew, the son of Queen Elizabeth II, was under investigation for child abuse. Of course, this has been denied wholeheartedly by the palace. The ‘abuse’ evidently refers to the allegation that he had sexual encounters with a minor. That does sound pretty bad, doesn’t it? But the ‘minor’ in question was...
Which book would you take to a desert island?
Which book would you take to a desert island? Imagine you are a castaway. Who knows how long you’ll be on the desert island? If you could take just one book with you, what would it be? Would you be practical and choose a survival guide that will help you make a comfortable life? Or would you prefer favourite novel? Maybe a reference work would be more suitable for you – imagine how much you can learn during your solitary...
Review: My Man Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse
Review: My Man Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse Jeeves is recommending the novels of Rosie M. Banks to the young master and describes them as ‘light, attractive reading’. If you’re on the lookout for ‘light, attractive reading’ and something that will invariably make you chuckle,then I recommend My Man Jeeves by P.G Wodehouse;one of the famed Jeeves and Wooster series. Each chapter is a short story in itself so...
Join Jaquo on Facebook
JAQUO Magazine on Facebook Join us! According to Alexa, Facebook is the second most popular website in the United States. Do you check Facebook every day? I know so many people who do. So by popular demand,we have started a Facebook page for your favourite lifestyle magazine. As every new article appears on the site, it will be posted to our Facebook page too – so you’ll never miss a single thing. Watch out for special...
TV presenter chooses to have a double mastectomy
Tv presenter Claira Hermet chooses to have a double mastectomy Claira is a British television presenter in her twenties. Because of her family history – both her mother and her sister died because of breast cancer – she has decided to have both her breasts removed. This is because she carries a mutated BRCA 1 gene – as had her mother and her sister. This gene indicated that a woman has an eighty-five to...
The three husbands of Clara Davis
Clara Davis and her three husbands Don’t worry if you’ve never heard of Clara Davis – she wasn’t famous and she wasn’t a celebrity but I was drawn to her story because of the three men she loved and lost. She was just an ordinary girl but had such bad luck in the marital department. She was the daughter of a gas superintendent from Dulwich and rather liked the idea of a career on the stage. Her first...
Cuban Immigrants or Robinson Crusoe?
Homemade boat found on Fort Lauderdale beach On 2nd January, 2015, just at the break of day, Fort Lauderdale photographer Andy Royston was enjoying his everyday morning routine -walking on the beach. He has been doing this for several years now,capturing the beauty of the dawn as the sunrises over the ocean. That Friday morning though, it was an unfamiliar sight that greeted him. Yes, a battered and abandoned homemade boat....
Gods of Gold by Chris Nickson: Review
Gods of Gold by Chris Nickson: Review It is 1890 and in Leeds, Yorkshire, the city has ground to a halt. Yet Tom Harper, a young detective inspector who had risen up through the ranks of the police force should be looking forward to his forthcoming wedding. But there are other matters that need his immediate attention. In addition to the problems of the city, he has discovered that a young girl has gone missing. His superiors...
Doing the dishes: The planet-friendly way
Doing the dishes: The planet-friendly way I’ve read all the arguments. And I know that people are devoted to their dishwashers. But I still can’t see how using electricity to run machine a for an hour or more can be more planet-friendly that doing the dishes by hand. Truly. Dishwasher manufacturers are full of statistics about how cheap their appliances are to run but I’m not even remotely convinced. There’s...
Creating the perfect bedroom with Frank Fontana
Let Frank Fontana help you create the perfect bedroom Please don’t misunderstand when I say ‘creating the perfect bedroom with Frank Fontana’. All I mean by this is that this designer can help you, via his tips, to create your perfect sleeping space. I do understand though. If you’re familiar with Frank’s TV show then you’ll know that Mr Fontana looks as though he would be the perfect addition to a...
Tattoos: Yes or no?
Tattoos: Yes or no? Are tattoos a good idea? I’m inclined to say no – probably about eighty percent no. I have several reasons for this but I wonder what you think? When I was a kid, few people had tattoos. They were mostly men who had been in the armed forces. In England, men were obliged to enter the army and do national service and this wasn’t abandoned until the end of 1960. It was 1963 before the last of the...
Using Pinterest
How to use Pinterest Are you using Pinterest to promote your business or your work? If so, then it’s a good idea to make the most of the service every time you pin an image from your blog or website. Using Pinterest to your best advantage requires no special skills. It simply means that you have to use the same basic common sense that you do when you are working online. The first thing to remember is that for every article you...
Review: The Blood of an Englishman: An Agatha Raisin Mystery
Review: The Blood of an Englishman: An Agatha Raisin Mystery This is the first M.C. Beaton book I have read and I’m completely hooked. Agatha Raisin is the unlikely name of a private detective who is sure to make you chuckle. A modern day Miss Marple, she lives in a thatched cottage in a Cotswolds village but detecting and village life are the only things that these two female detectives have in common. Agatha is younger than...
Three economical soup recipes from WW2
World War 2: Economical soup recipes Soup is surely one of the foods of the gods? A good, homemade soup is nutritious, inexpensive, easy to make and so very tasty. During the Second World War, soup was an essential part of the diet in Britain. It was warming and nourishing and the clever cook could create delicious soup-based meals despite rationing and food shortages. Today, we have a lot to learn from the frugal habits of wartime....
Review: The Legend of 1900
Review: The Legend of 1900 This is a film I have watched over and over again – and it’s due for another airing very soon. It’s the most wonderful story; both heart-warming and heart-breaking at the same time. But if that sounds too maudlin, please don’t be put off. It’s immensely entertaining, hugely funny and has the most fabulous music. Our narrator throughout the film,and one of its leading...
Political incorrectness?All in the mind
Jeremy Clarkson, the Porsche and the Argies Whoops. I’m probably not supposed to say ‘argies’ am I? Is that politically incorrect? I have no idea any more what is and isn’t. ‘Argy’ is a four-letter shortened version of Argentinian. ‘Brit’ is a four-letter shortening of ‘British’. Most people are happy to call me a Brit (and I’m not going to object) so therefore I...
How to start a car using jumper cables
How to start a car using jumper cables Or jump leads, as I call them, English-ly. In my years of owning cars that have been, quite honestly, less than perfect, I’ve had a lot practise at starting cars and a dead battery is often the cause. You know what I mean,you turn the ignition key and all you hear is that ominous click. But this isn’t just a malady can can affect the old, rather dodgy vehicles I’ve tended to...
Perfect English Roast Potatoes
Michael Caine’s recipe for perfect English roast potatoes Actor Michael Caine has been involved in several restaurant ventures But he also loves to cook. In his autobiography(see below) he doesn’t only give us stories from his fascinating life and career, he also passes on some of his favourite cooking tips. To make proper English roast potatoes, he says, the important thing is to choose the right variety. He strongly...
Ten things you didn’t know about Jeeves
Ten things you might not know about Jeeves Jeeves who? There is no Jeeves who. You know who I’m talking about – the character in the P.G. Wodehouse books who keeps his young master, Bertie Wooster, out of trouble. (Mostly). Here are few few things you might now know -or have possibly forgotten – about this wonderful literary character. Although the young master, Bertie Wooster, didn’t realise it for many...
Why I can’t grow vegetables
Why am I not allowed to grow produce? Crazy, isn’t it? I live in a wonderful area in Florida. When the area was first settled, in 1893, the residents could leave their houses and pick food from the trees – grapes, mangoes, oranges and more were all growing wild. When the new residents cultivated the area they found that many fruits and vegetables could be grown here successfully. These included tomatoes (which formed the...
What is happiness?
What’s your definition of happiness? It’s a tricky question, isn’t it? Is it freedom from care? Does money bring happiness? Does love? How can we make ourselves happy? A well-known British psychologist, Dr. Anthony Clare, was asked this very question and his responses are interesting. Do you agree with what he says? His suggestions are: Cultivate a passion He says that if everyone has something they really enjoy...
Mushrooms fried in the lightest batter you can imagine
The best battered mushroom recipe Is there really a healthier way of making battered and fried mushrooms? Indeed there is. Many of us try to avoid fried foods these days but these gorgeous mushrooms are a fairly guilt-free pleasure. They are fabulous to serve as a meat-free meal – try them with a fresh green salad, sliced tomatoes and a delicious wholewheat bread. They are a great idea as an appetiser too and if you are...
Travel by train on your next vacation
Travel by train on your next vacation It suggests another era, doesn’t it? Leisure travel, luxurious dining cars … not to mention the relaxed pace. I fell in love with rail travel when I was just a child – then rediscovered it about ten years ago and today, if I have a choice, it’s the train for me. These days, it’s possible to travel almost anywhere by train. One day, it’s going to be a train trip...
Prince William’s secret lover
Prince William: the wrong royal choice At one time, European royalty would marry for what we would consider the wrong reasons. Marriages were arranged to consolidate lands, to gain wealth or for purely political reasons. And members of any royal house was supposed to marry someone of equal standing. Luckily, in those days,there were plenty of them to go round. But as time went on, things became more relaxed.There’s little doubt...
Mushroom Wellington recipe
Mushroom Wellington – elegant & easy recipe Mushroom Wellington is an easy-to-prepare, meat-free version of the famous Beef Wellington. If you’re expecting guests who don’t eat meat then this is a lovely alternative but best of all, it’s quick and easy to make. Here’s what you need I’m not giving exact quantities here because it depends how many people you’re feeding. It also depends on...
Stylish Marimekko for your home
Timeless Finnish design by Marimekko My Marimekko umbrella lives hanging by my back door on open display. Yes, that’s a convenient place to keep it but that’s not truly why I keep it there. It’s so lovely that I don’t want it stashed away in a cupboard – I want to see it. The Marimekko team have been well-known and influential designers since the nineteen sixties. Beginning with textiles, the...
Cheese & Garlic Bread Wreath
Festive Cheese Garlic Bread This is a lovely way to make a quick – and delightfully edible – centrepiece for a celebration meal. It’s simple to make and looks very impressive. Your guest will think you’ve spent ages preparing it. I cheat and use ready-made dough but if you make your own bread, so much the better. The ‘wreath’ can be decorated in so many ways to make it suitable for the occasion....
King George VII: The king that never was
The search for a king Many years in the future, it’s likely that England will have King George VII. If the ascension to the throne follows true to form and tradition Prince Charles will follow Queen Elizabeth II. She was born in 1926 and her mother lived to be one hundred and one years old so it’s unlikely to be imminent. Following that, Prince William will take over and then, many years into the future, his son Prince...
In praise of toast: Plus three recipe ideas
Toast: The perfect snack or meal When I was growing up, I estimate that four or five days a week, we had something-on-toast for tea. We also had toast for breakfast, either with jam or marmalade, or even toasted bread soldiers (see above) to dip into our boiled eggs. And of course, what better treat on Sunday afternoons that hot buttered toast? Toast had – and still has, many advantages.It’s cheap, quick to make and...
Recipe: Spicy onion fritters
The secret batter for onion fritters Does your cholesterol level give a quiet lurch at the very thought of battered onion fritters? Well here’s a lovely recipe for onion fritters that really is much lighter – and actually much more tasty than anything similar you’ve ever tried before. They are truly delicious. Here you see them served with a simple salad – tomato, spring onions, a little coriander and a...
Should obesity be classed as a disability?
Should obesity be classed as a disability? Some people think it should. I’m not sure that I agree. I was once on a plane – in one of those rows with three seats – completely squished between two men who were decidedly overweight. It was quite an uncomfortable flight. ‘Why’ I wondered ‘don’t these people have to pay extra?’ After all, we have to pay if our suitcases weigh too much. (I...
The Buckingham Palace Guide Company 1937
The Buckingham Palace Guide Company 1937 In 1937 Miss Crawford, the nanny of Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, suggested that it would be a good idea for the girls to form a Girl Guide Company at Buckingham Palace. This was met with approval by all concerned. There could be many benefits. As was the custom with aristocracy in those days,the princesses were being educated at home by governesses and it was suggested that the guide...
Holiday roundup: Recipes & gift ideas
Recipes Recipe: Yule log cake Frosted Cherry Squares German Sunken Apple Cake Recipe Baked Potato Soup to Take Away the Chill O Come, O Come, Emmanuel and Don’t Forget the Cookies Baked Brie Cheese Time for a Pie Party! Recipe: Mushrooms in red wine sauce Two favourite veggie salads Beef & Barley Soup: Comfort in a Crockpot Vegetable Soup With Zucchini Noodles Gift ideas Carry on Bags: Great Gifts for Travelers Your Left...
Going to Fort Lauderdale? Stay at the Riverside Hotel
The historic Riverside Hotel on Las Olas Boulevard Are you planning a trip to Fort Lauderdale? Then the best hotel for you is the Riverside on the wonderful Las Olas Boulevard.The hotel is absolutely steeped in history and yet has every modern convenience you could ever need – what could be better? Las Olas Boulevard has everything – from celebrity chef restaurants to our own 1930s typically American diner. It has its own...
Eating out when you follow a special diet
Vegetarian, gluten-free, low-fat? Eating out on a special diet It sometimes seems to me that everyone these days has an eating plan that differs from the regular diet. But what is the regular diet? As we become more knowledgeable about nutrition, and with the wealth of information that’s available to us, it’s hardly surprising that so many of us have decided to adjust our diets to maximise our health. This can making...
The Royal Standard
The Queen’s Royal Standard and its usage The royal standard is actually a banner of arms and it used by members of the royal family, notably Her Majesty the Queen. It flies above her royal homes when she is in residence. Traditionally, it is the only flag that is flown from royal properties Why the flag is never at half mast The flag exists in order to show that the monarch is in residence and is never flown at half mast (or...
Do people treat you differently when you’re old?
Are older people treated differently? This was a question posed on a radio program I heard this morning. Isn’t it an interesting topic? (And one that becomes more interesting the older we get!) This was a phone-in show and it was interesting to hear what callers had to say. One (young) woman told of a time when she was in a supermarket. In front of her in the queue was an elderly woman in a wheelchair. The supermarket employee...
The secret branch of the British Royal Family?
Is there a secret branch of the British royal family? It’s very possible isn’t it? And many people believe that there are unknown direct descendants of Queen Victoria alive and well in Britain today. Royal princes of course were encouraged to sow their wild oats and there were several children resulted but in one case, it’s thought that family of hidden royals exists which began when one of Queen Victoria’s...
Flowering Bonsai Trees
Flowering bonsai trees: Buy online Bonsai trees are a Japanese phenomenon, right? Actually, they were first cultivated in China where these miniature trees are referred to as penjing and have been popular for thousands of years. They are exceptionally calming in the home and indeed,one of their functions is that of contemplation – and they are often referred to as a ‘three dimension poem ‘ or a ‘living...
Why choose a meat-free lifestyle?
Why eliminate or cut down on meat in your diet? So many people are trying to reduce the amount of meat they eat these days and as a long-time non-meat eater and a one-time owner of a health food store it’s something I’m often asked about. How hard is it? What sort of meals so vegetarians eat? Do I ever cheat? Do I eat fish? Chicken? Then there are questions from people who are happy to eat meat on a regular basis but...
Breastfeeding in public: Yes or no?
Breastfeeding in public. The debate In December 2014, it was reported in the British news that a media storm has broken out because a woman was breastfeeding her baby in a restaurant. The woman was told by a member of staff to cover her baby and her breast with a large napkin. Even members of parliament became involved in the row, one suggesting that women should retire to a discreet corner should they wish to breastfeed their baby....
Freedom: Downsizing to a smaller home
There are many reason why you might want to – or have to – downsize into a smaller home. With us, it was purely financial and it was forced upon us, it wasn’t by choice. But I’m so glad it happened. We moved to a tiny apartment in a small complex and it was only once we had done so,I realised just how liberating the move had been. With a little ingenuity, we found that living in a small space is actually vastly...
The season’s best jackets & vests
You probably know ArtHome as a retailer of wonderful artisan art objects and decor items for the home but did you know that they also have a fabulous range of fashion goods? In addition to accessories and jewellery, you’ll find an excellent range of fashionable, wearable art. Above, I’m featuring a small selection of their jackets and vests – new for this season. Aren’t they fabulous?I love the loose fit, the...
Classic Furniture at RoomsInStyle.com
For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved classic furniture pieces, especially those dating from the Mid Century Modern era. (Maybe that’s because I’m a Mid Century Modern piece myself!) The wonderful thing about these furniture items – as the word ‘classic’ suggests – is that they are timeless and a few select pieces will suit any decor. These days, I live in an apartment from that era and...
Vacation: Lauderdale by the Sea, Florida
Florida, where I have lived for over twenty years, is a fascinating state. Of course, it has wonderful weather, so many activities and fabulous wildlife but today,I’m writing about the small town of Lauderdale by the Sea. This is a wonderfully quaint resort and ideal for family vacations. Close to Fort Lauderdale, as its name suggests, this is a low-rise resort and many of the building and quirky Mid Century Modern. It has a...
Sunrise artwork: Style and serenity
How does the artwork you have in your home or office affect your mood? To a very great extent, according to experts. For psychologists to Feng Shui consultants, they all agree that surrounding yourself with positive images has an equally positive effect on our mood. What could be more uplifting than daybreak? Here we have the start of a new day, full of promise and potential. The dawning day is artwork provided by Mother Nature...
Vintage fashion: Eva Peron
There’s no doubt that Eva Peron was a remarkable woman. She died at the age of only thirty-three but has remained an inspiration for many – and her style has also endured. You can see more about her style and how to achieve her look here. Jackie Jackson, also known online as BritFlorida, is a highly experienced designer and writer. British born and now living in the USA, she specialises in lifestyle issues, design...
Luxury and unusual gift ideas
It’s always difficult finding great gifts. Luckily these days, the internet has many excellent ideas and best of all, ordering is simple and delivery is all taken care of four you. I want to introduce you to a well-established a popular website that makes finding unusual gifts easy – Tastes Magazine. There’s no need to scour the web looking for gift ideas – the editors at Tastes have done all the work for you....
Today in history: December
What happened on this day in December? 1st Jaco Pastorious born 1951 Lou Rawls born 1933 Woody Allen born 1935 Richard Prior born 1940 Margaret Whigham born 1912 2nd MariaCallas born 1923 Desi Arnaz died 1986 3rd Agatha Christie disappeared 1926 Oswald Mosley died 1980 Ozzy Osbourne born 1948 Charles Pillsbury born 1842 JAQUO.com purchased 2014 Princess Victoria died 1935 Renoir died 1919 4th Bert Lahr died 1967 Mary Celeste found...
Christine Granville
The strange story of Krystyna Skarbek. On June 15th, 1952, a woman’s body was found in the Shelbourne Hotel in London. She had been murdered, stabbed in the heart. The authorities believed her to be a thirty-seven year old married woman who worked as a stewardess on ocean liners. This was only partially true. Christine Granville was forty four year old Krystyna Skarbek, the daughter of a Polish nobleman. Yes she had been...