As did many things, Himself & I started looking at lots of programmes about hideaway homes during the pandemic. Not all were of the remote treehouse or rustic cabin in the woods variety, it's also been our pleasure to browse video tours of gorgeous Italian properties - especially those in the hills of Tuscany. It's... Continue Reading →

.... or rather, the wife of someone who's famous, or rich (or both). Sadly, being known solely as the wife (it happens less often to husbands) of somebody rich and/or famous is not as rare as I'd like, but even when you intend not to do that, it sometimes happens. As one of my recent... Continue Reading →

OK, that sounds weird, so I'd better explain. I've been reading Julia Cameron's The Artists Way, having seen her concept of Morning Pages recommended as a solution for... well, multiple things, but especially for writer's block. I'm not suffering from writer's block, indeed my problem is more related to having sufficient time (and focus) to... Continue Reading →

Well, it was when I first sat down to write this. But then I hit the buffers, and all thoughts of merry & bright dribbled away. But, being someone who's lived with the ole black dog for a while, I have my methods for recovering - so, even if not brimming with joy, equilibrium has... Continue Reading →

I've long had an ambition to read the entire Booker prize longlist before the judges choose a winner. This year, I managed it. It wasn't the best field ever, and I rated only 2 of the books the full 5-stars. [If you'd like to know more about the books and my views, see here: Part... Continue Reading →

I was going to include this in a post entitled strange things people say, but I decided to focus on this particular gem on its own. Now there were a number of things about this statement which caused me to raise the old eyebrows. Firstly, the person calling my car names is someone I'd consider... Continue Reading →

Let's be honest, the last couple of years have been full of things not to be grateful for. Life has been limited and has changed in many ways. But one thing I found very useful when the UK was heading into it's second period of lockdown last year, was committing to a daily gratitude practice.... Continue Reading →

Like many of us, I know my star sign and my Chinese horoscope sign - but does that really tell me anything ? Astrology - whether western or eastern - has been around for a long time, but it does it mean anything is actually written in the stars? My birthday is two days after... Continue Reading →

I'm one of those people who've been a juror more than once - twice within a five-year period to be exact - despite knowing only two other people who've been jurors even the once. I admit to finding the process really interesting and, as I can still be called again - any time for the... Continue Reading →

I was inspired to put this together by a random tweet I read which extoled the virtues of flannel bedlinen. Now, the individual concerned is a très chic Frenchwoman who usually posts fabulous shoes, gorgeous mountain views and classic French food, so I'd no hesitation in saying: "me too!" despite the usual connotations of flannel.... Continue Reading →