Additional Posts From This Author
Nov 07, 2024
When renovating a property, budgets can spiral out of control. Having renovated a French country cottage and three barns, I know all about going over budget. Small decisions you make can have a significant impact on the purse strings. It’s so easy to get carried away by the creative pull of putting your stamp on...
Nov 06, 2024
Since moving to France, I’ve been all about repurposing everything, as this is a huge part of rural French life. People here never throw anything away; if it can be given a new purpose and made useful, it will be. It’s been a revelation coming from the UK, where we are such a throwaway nation....
Nov 05, 2024
Clearing out your wardrobe and letting go of outfits is hard. It’s amazing how attached we become to clothes, even when we’ve not worn them for a decade or sometimes longer. However, there comes a time when you need to reevaluate the space certain items are taking up in your closet. Ask yourself: Will I...
Nov 04, 2024
If you don’t have much of a garden, or perhaps none at all, there are still ways you can incorporate greenery into your home. One of the latest home decor trends I love is growing houseplants in glass containers. It’s easy to do, needs minimal maintenance, and doesn’t require green fingers. Glass containers can sit...
Nov 01, 2024
Brain fog happens to all of us at some point in our lives. Unfortunately, as a female in her mid-fifties, it happens far too often for my liking. I’ll be halfway through a sentence and come to a grinding halt because I can’t remember my point. Sometimes, I’m sitting at my desk and can’t think...
Oct 31, 2024
Nothing is better on those cold winter nights than coming home to the smell of dinner cooking. After a long day, who wants to spend time prepping and cooking a meal? You’re tired, and all you want to do is put your feet up and relax. Enter the crockpot, the king of the kitchen. It’s...
Oct 30, 2024
Who doesn’t love an air fryer? They speed up the cooking process, are cheap to run, and produce healthier food. It’s a busy parent’s dream piece of kitchen equipment. No longer an expensive item to buy, many people are investing in them to make life easier during the week. The big question is, what can...
Oct 30, 2024
Living in France, there is no shortage of vintage teacups. The monthly brocante (flea market) near us sells everything from tea sets to tapestries. The French are the best recyclists I’ve ever encountered. They never throw anything away and always repurpose things if they can. You’ll often see teacups in the garden with herbs growing...
Oct 17, 2024
Is there anything more beautiful than the colors of fall? From russet reds and burnt oranges to conker browns and mustard yellows, nature is a vision of loveliness. Here in my part of the French countryside, there is a blanket of leaves on the ground, and the fields are full of pumpkins. The shop windows...
Oct 17, 2024
It wasn’t until I moved to France that I started to appreciate Julia Child's cooking skills. The woman was a genius. Although her book, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, is mammoth, her cooking tips are still as good as they were the day she said them. What Julia can’t do with an egg isn’t...
Oct 17, 2024
It wasn’t until I moved to France that I started taking an interest in cooking. Before that, I ate either takeaway or out at a restaurant. It wasn’t that I didn’t like food; I didn’t seem to have time to cook. However, all that changed when I moved to rural France because takeaways were nonexistent,...
Oct 15, 2024
The evenings are drawing in, the weather is getting cooler, and Halloween isn’t far off. As the leaves turn from green to orange and brown, this time of year has a spookier side. It’s much easier to believe in ghosts when cold and misty. In a few short weeks, the children will dress up and...
Oct 15, 2024
Living in France, eggs are in more dishes than I thought possible. I’ve learned to cook eggs in a myriad of different ways I’d never have thought of before moving here. Plus, we’re not just talking chicken eggs. From qualis eggs poached in red wine sauce to duck egg frittata, France loves to be creative...
Oct 15, 2024
No matter what decade you grew up in, you’ll tend to look back at it nostalgically. Whether it’s what you wore, who you hung out with, or the music you listened to, your teenage decade had a massive influence. Food also played its part and can instantly send us crashing back in time with one...
Oct 15, 2024
Do those old-fashioned remedies your grandmother swore by actually work? Many of these vintage treatments still hold their ground in modern medicine. While we've come a long way since the days of medieval apothecaries, the reliability of these tried-and-true methods that have stood the test of time is reassuring. Some of the remedies used centuries...
Oct 15, 2024
Most of us would love to be fitter and healthier. It sounds so easy when you say it aloud — but saying and doing are two different things. We’ve all seen the articles telling us that 10,000 steps is the magic number to get into shape. Many studies prove this is the best way to...
Oct 14, 2024
It doesn’t seem possible that there was a time when the Internet didn’t exist, online shopping wasn’t a thing, and people didn’t have credit cards. But when my mom was in her twenties, it wasn't long after the war, and supermarkets were only just starting to catch on. There were no electronic checkouts that could...
Oct 13, 2024
We all have days when, no matter how organized we are, things don’t go according to plan; it’s normal. However, it's a different story when one day turns into every day, and our organized chaos becomes a complete mess. That’s when things go wrong, don’t get finished, or worse still, never get started. So, how...
Oct 13, 2024
As a fifty-something woman, finding a hairstyle I love isn’t always easy. Twenty years ago, I could get away with anything. From pink and spiky to long and blonde, it didn’t matter; it always looked good. Now, with a few greys creeping in and my features changing as I age, I want something to suit...
Oct 13, 2024
Dieting in your twenties and thirties is much easier than when you’re fifty and over. As our bodies change, it is much harder to lose weight. Watching what we eat for a week and immediately fitting into our clothes again doesn’t seem to happen anymore. Shifting those extra pounds is an uphill battle, and exercise...
Oct 11, 2024
You're wrong if you thought the only thing to do with English muffins was to put butter and jam on them. They are more versatile than you thought. Being English, I had muffins often when I was growing up, usually on a Sunday afternoon. However, I discovered more than one way to eat a muffin...
Oct 11, 2024
Everyone’s idea of stylish and sellable is different — what appeals to one person won’t appeal to another. However, certain things are non-negotiable when it comes to selling your home. While prospective buyers don't necessarily need to smell freshly baked cookies when they come to view your house, there are expectations. A messy house that...
Oct 10, 2024
Staying active when it’s either too warm in the summer or too cold in the winter can be challenging. Nobody wants to overheat and become a hot, sweaty mess on those ninety-degree days. It’s the opposite problem in the winter because the effort of leaving your warm home to brave the freezing temperature isn’t appealing...
Oct 10, 2024
In some ways, life today feels like living in a sci-fi movie. Growing up in the 80s, the idea of streaming TV programs on demand or receiving deliveries by drone was out of the realm of possibility. It was something you saw in a futuristic movie. However, many of the things considered to be far-fetched...
Oct 08, 2024
We all want our backyard to be an escape from the world, somewhere we can relax and chill out. But we don’t necessarily want to spend a fortune to make it happen, and we don't want it to take the entire summer to create. It’s easy to waste hours on Pinterest looking at inexpensive ways...
Oct 07, 2024
When giving your home a fresh look, you don’t always need a big budget or a team of designers. Sometimes, all it takes is a little creativity and a weekend of DIY magic. Small changes can make a huge impact, whether you want to make your space feel cozier, brighter, or more you. The trick...
Oct 07, 2024
All-inclusive resorts look so good when you see the deals they’re offering. With all your food, drink, and activities included, how could it get any better? The only thing you need to pay extra is the flight. We are drawn in by clever marketing and the thought of knowing exactly what our trip will cost....
Oct 05, 2024
Why do we want to snack just before we go to bed? It’s the worst possible time to eat, and we always crave sugary treats, never healthy options. Who wants a bowl of nuts when you can have a candy bar or some chips? The problem is our bodies don’t have time to deal with...
Oct 04, 2024
If you grew up in the 1970s like I did, you’ll remember many of the awful home decor trends that were popular. Bad taste wasn’t confined only to fashion. I’m talking about flairs, kipper ties, and platform shoes. You wouldn’t be far off if you thought you’d walked onto the set of Austin Powers. But...
Oct 03, 2024
I’ve always been intrigued by Feng Shui and its roots in Chinese culture. How can furniture placement in a room impact your well-being and prosperity? What ancient secrets lay behind their ideas that can dramatically enhance your life? Feng Shui first gained widespread popularity in the Western world during the late 20th century, particularly in...
Oct 03, 2024
Food is a big part of our lives, and many of us enjoy eating out. Whether grabbing a quick lunch from a fast-food joint or something more flashy in a gourmet restaurant, we all love a meal we don’t have to cook ourselves. But how much has dining out changed over the last seventy years?...
Oct 03, 2024
It can be challenging to make a small space look bigger than it is. If knocking walls down and doing a complete renovation isn’t an option, you need some simple alternatives. But it’s not always easy to know what options will work. The last thing you need is to create more problems or to make...
Oct 03, 2024
TV ad campaigns have a way of getting to you. Too many times, I’ve picked up the phone to order a takeaway based on an advert I’ve just seen. They have the power to make your mouth water. However, some campaigns are more memorable than others. With a few, it’s the fun tunes you can’t...
Oct 03, 2024
It’s hard to believe that many kitchen gadgets my mom used when I was a child are now considered retro. To me, they were items we used every day and couldn’t imagine life without. The excitement of getting our Soda Stream and making fun-flavored sodas after school was palpable. Growing up in the 1970s, life...
Oct 04, 2024
Clothing items like the 1980s ra-ra skirts and Madonna-style fingerless gloves were a fad. They were fun while they lasted, but no tears were shed when they went out of fashion. However, we all have those items we pull out each year in our closets, which we can’t wait to wear again. Every season has...
Oct 02, 2024
It’s tempting to start chopping your plants when fall comes around. After the warm summer months, many of your plants look dead and need clearing away. But not all plants do well when cut back in autumn. For some, it's the kiss of death, and they never recover. I’ve been guilty of whipping out my...
Oct 02, 2024
Each decade introduces new inventions, gradually replacing the old with the new. Things we thought we could never do without, such as walkmans and typewriters, are suddenly obsolete. Technology moves so fast that many things from my childhood are now relics. And don’t get me started on gadgets. Why use a camera when you have...
Oct 02, 2024
Hosting a dinner party is fun but can be hard work. It sounds like a great idea, but when the day rolls around, you realize just what you’ve taken on. From creating the menu to cooking the food, you’re tearing your hair out before guests arrive. What if it all goes pear-shaped, and you burn...
Oct 02, 2024
As we age, we worry less about fashion and the latest trends and more about looking good in what we wear. A well-fitted blazer, a little black dress, and tailored trousers are classic pieces that never go out of style. Staying chic is about finding what works for you and confidently embracing your style. Focusing...
Oct 02, 2024
If you live somewhere with extreme weather conditions, it’s important to find plants that can withstand most types of weather. I live in southwest France, and we are known for heavy downpours. When the rain sets in, it doesn’t simply drizzle; it absolutely throws it down. Over eight years of living here, I've learned that...
Sep 28, 2024
The minute something is labeled as healthy, it instantly becomes unappealing. Who wants to eat a plate of chopped celery, carrots, and tomatoes when you could have a packet of chips and a bar of chocolate? For years, we’ve been told to eat more greens, cook fish twice a week, and cut out the candy,...
Sep 24, 2024
Los Angeles may be young by European standards, but many restaurants are over one hundred years old. In some cases, they are still run by the original family. Their famous guests include stars on the silver screen and other celebrities worldwide. Discover the café many consider the oldest restaurant in Los Angeles County, the 24/7...
Sep 15, 2024
If we added up the hours spent sitting in front of our computer screens, we’d be shocked. Those hours take their toll on our bodies. Many office workers suffer from stiff muscles and sore joints due to long hours at the desk. The good news? Simple stretches can make a world of difference. Incorporating a...
Sep 15, 2024
Most people hate the idea of working out. The thought of putting on gym gear and mindlessly running on the treadmill makes most of us run a mile. We all want that summer body without having to work for it. What if there was another way? One that didn’t involve going anywhere near a gym and...
Sep 12, 2024
It was when mullets reigned supreme, ra ra skirts were in vogue, and people walked around with a boom box on their shoulders. The 1980s were full of fashion faux pas. But what about home decor? What can I say? Laura Ashley was on every major high street, plastic sofa covers were all the rage,...
Sep 11, 2024
When renting, you want to make the property look and feel like home, but often, there are restrictions. You’re not allowed to paint the walls, you can’t change the flooring, and sometimes, if it comes furnished, the furniture has seen better days. It lacks character and screams rental. So, how can you turn drab and...
Sep 07, 2024
The core is called the core for a reason: It's vital for overall stability and performance. Your core muscles support your body in all movements, from daily tasks like bending and twisting to improving balance and strength. Your core is more than one muscle. It consists of the muscles in your abdomen, lower back, hips,...
Sep 08, 2024
Organic has been a buzzword for a while now. As a nation, we’re keen to do our bit for the environment, and buying organic produce is often seen as a way to support this initiative. The trend towards organic eating has steadily risen for the past decade, with a report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture...
Aug 31, 2024
Yoga is good for the mind, body, and soul, regardless of age. Boomers often understand the advantages of regular exercise, and many find that yoga is a low-impact option. Better sleep, mobility, and energy levels are just some of the benefits enjoyed by boomers hitting the yoga studios. According to the Yoga Journal and Yoga...
Aug 29, 2024
My grandparents were alive during World War II, my parents were only young when it started, and I was just a twinkle in their eyes. Life was very different then than it is now. Food was scarce, as was money, and every penny counted. But somehow, they made it work. In our throwaway society, we’ve...
Aug 29, 2024
As summer draws to a close, it’s time to start thinking about what to plant in your garden for next year. Most spring flowers should be planted in the fall to enjoy the early blooms. Spring is a time of renewal when things wake up again after the long winter months. There is something magical...
Aug 29, 2024
All the health experts tell us not to skip breakfast as it sets us up for the day ahead. However, not all breakfasts are created equal. Some boost your immune system and give you a healthy kickstart to your day. However, others don’t add any value. Instead, they do the opposite: pile on the pounds...
Aug 26, 2024
We all want to feel cozy as the nights draw in and summer ends. We exchange our shorts for trousers, our sandals for boots, and add a heavier quilt to our beds. The lovely warm evenings have gone, and we’re ready to sit on the couch before the fire. But how can we wave our...
Aug 21, 2024
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It gives you a kickstart and sets you up for the day ahead. Too often, people skip breakfast altogether, opting for a quick coffee and then dashing out the door to work. Fueling your body with the right food at the beginning of the day helps...
Aug 22, 2024
As we age, our skin takes on a different appearance. We have to work harder to make it look the same. But how do we do that without using pricey creams and serums, or worse still, going under the knife? The answer is simple: your kitchen. Many everyday foods you eat are full of nutrient-rich...
Aug 22, 2024
When the sun is shining, it makes all the difference to our mood. Everything seems more manageable, and life feels good. However, as fall approaches and the winter months loom, it’s harder to maintain a positive mindset. Our bodies feel sluggish and slow, and our minds quickly follow suit. It’s essential to be aware of...
Aug 20, 2024
It’s disheartening to invest hours in nurturing your vegetable garden only to have it ravaged by insects and other pests. All your hard work can feel futile when there's nothing to show for it. You water consistently every night, purchase suitable soil, and make sure you’ve given your plants some feed. So why do they...
Aug 20, 2024
Living in rural France, I’m used to food seasonality. When I first moved from the United Kingdom, where everything was available all year round, it was hard at first. However, once I’d had time to adjust, I realized how many benefits there were to seasonal eating. Not only does the food taste fresher and have...
Aug 19, 2024
The anti-aging battle is a common one. We all want to look younger, fitter, and slimmer, regardless of age. But not everyone wants to go under the knife to look good. Sourcing natural ways to beat the aging process can be time-consuming. Finding tried-and-tested products isn’t always easy, and none of us want to spend...
Aug 02, 2024
As the summer temperatures begin to soar, we begin to swelter. The hotter the weather, the stickier and crankier we tend to get. All we want to do is flake out in the backyard with something refreshing to cool us down. What cooling beverage should we choose? A glass of water is uninspiring, and a...