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3 Reasons to Visit London in 2012

January 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

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My husband and I have been looking forward to a trip to Europe, particularly Great Britain, in 2012. Unfortunately, when we started looking at airfare, we had a rude awakening. Everywhere we looked, from London, to Paris, to Barcelona, tickets were much more than what we had expected, especially to London. We began to wonder why tickets were so expensive, even for March which is off season. Then, my husband came across an article that talked about the World’s Top Destinations for 2012 – and London was at the very top of the list!

But why is London so popular this year? In any given year, London offers a wealth of historical sites, cultural activities, and more – but this year is different. Not only did last year’s royal wedding between William and Kate draw additional global interest to England, but there are three specific events taking place in London/England this year that have the whole world talking:

Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee – This year marks the Queen’s 60th year on the throne and there are plenty of festivities surrounding this noteworthy anniversary.

The 2012 Olympics – This summer, millions of people are expected to descend on London as the city hosts the 2012 Olympics in July and August and the Paralympics in August and September.

Charles Dickens 200th Birthday – As if the Olympics and Diamond Jubilee weren’t enough, this year Charles Dickens – the British author of such beloved books as David Copperfield, Oliver Twist, and a Christmas Carol – will turn 2 centuries old – officially on February 7. England is definitely the hub of activity for Dickens celebrations but after doing a few simple searches, I found that many other major cities are having their own celebrations and exhibitions (ie. do a google search in your city/state).

So if you are one of the lucky ones traveling to London this year – Enjoy!

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French Mothers Are Different

January 19, 2012 By 1 Comment

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I’m sure most of you are familiar with the books French Women Don’t Get Fat and French Women Don’t Sleep Alone. If those two books (and the premises behind them) are not enough to make you envious of French women, maybe the next one will. In the new book, French Children Don’t Throw Food, author Pamela Druckerman highlights the differences between French and American mothers which go beyond throwing food….

5 Ways French Mothers Are Different Than American Mothers

  1. French mothers don’t let children run their “parent” lives. In other words, just because they have children does not mean French mothers can’t have lives of their own.
  2. French mothers pause before helping or soothing their young children, allowing their children to learn to soothe themselves on their own.
  3. French mothers don’t distinguish between adult food and kid food – children eat what their parents eat – end of story.
  4. French mothers don’t fill up their children with snacks all day long. Kids eat at meal times or may partake in le gouter on occasion.
  5. French mothers treat their children as small adults. Although French mothers don’t see their children as equals, they do allow children more autonomy to learn about the world (including learning important lessons) as they keep a safe distance.

What else do you consider “French” in regard to parenting style?

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Happy Birthday Duchess Kate

January 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

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Happy Birthday Kate!

Today, the Duchess of Cambridge (formerly Kate Middleton) turns 30. Although she is technically not a princess, being a Duchess has its benefits, including snagging a handsome man who is in line for the throne of England.

Although we can’t all be a part of the Royal Family, we can still do things that make us feel like princesses every day, and most of them do not involve fancy ball gowns or tiaras!

What do you do to feel like a princess?

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Recharge Your New Year With 10 Minutes a Day

January 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment

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There is no doubt that the holidays are a hectic time of year; yet for many of us, this hectic lifestyle doesn’t stop when  the holidays are over. We rush, rush, rush through November and December – buying and wrapping gifts, attending parties, entertaining out-of-town guests, and more –  that, by the time January hits, all we need is a break. Unfortunately, many of us, including yours truly, won’t get this break.

But what if you did take a break – at least for a few minutes a day? What would you do and how would it make you feel? That is exactly what the British tea maker Twinings is asking all women to do – to Take 10 Minutes a day to relax, recharge, and reenergize themselves; or in other words, 10 minutes of a little “me time”.

I have to admit, 10 minutes does not seem like a lot of time to do anything these days; however, when you have two small children, a full-time career, a husband, and a house full of projects, 10 minutes of quiet time can do wonders for your mind, mood, mothering, and your marriage.

Twinings even offers several suggestions on how women can spend their 10 minutes a day, many of which involve tea and none that involve Facebook or Twitter.

So the next time you’re thinking about all the things you have to do, take 10 minutes to do something you want to do.

My 10 minutes is starting now. What will you do with your 10? Ready, steady, go!

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New Year’s With a French Twist

December 29, 2011 By 2 Comments

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Bonjour everyone! The end of 2011 is just days away which means planning for New Year’s celebrations is in full swing. If you’re hosting a New Year’s Eve Party or a New Year’s Day brunch, why not give your soirée a French twist? And before you roll your eyes at this Francophile post, I am not suggesting you rush out to buy Eiffel Tower cocktail napkins or a velvet beret. Rather, I’m suggesting you incorporate the simple elegance of French entertaining through these easy strategies…..

Less is More – Although Christmas decorations can help prolong the festive feel of the season, do as the French do and showcase your “best” holiday pieces for all to enjoy, including a beautifully decorated tree, mirrors topped with hollyberry wrapped candles, and nearly anything that shines or sparkles. Store everything else – including the singing snowman and laughing reindeer – until next Christmas.

Silver and Gold – New Year’s is such a magical time – and  silver and gold accents seem to emulate this magic. Now is the time to serve your tapas on your great grandmother’s silver tray and get those gold-trimmed crystal wine glasses out of storage.

Le Food - You don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen sweating over a fancy French meal to serve your New Year’s guests. Simple French standards will set the tone and keep guests from overindulging (like many have done leading up to this point). Lighter options include bite-size quiche, cheeses paired with nuts, fruit, and baguettes, while a carved meat or petit croque monsieur (1-2 bite ham and cheese sandwiches) paired with grainy French mustard provides a little more substance. If your budget and number of guests permit, avoid serving your food buffet-style – it is very American, less personalized, and definitely low on the “elegance” list. Instead, serve or pass small trays of hors d’oeuvres or strategically set the trays around the room  - which also encourages movement and mingling.

A Bit of the Bubbly - What would New Year’s be without Champagne? How convenient that Champagne (or anything sparkling) is très French as well. Keep glasses of Champagne chilled in the fridge or a large silver ice bucket. For a true NYE event, serve the bubbly straight up in your best stemware (no plastic or paper please!). For a daytime event, pour in a splash of orange, cranberry, or other juice for a sweeter cocktail. To add a bit of panache, drop a strawberry, raspberry, or blackberry in the glass just before serving.

Sweet Sounds - Having the right music playing as guests arrive really sets the tone for the whole event. Although classical and jazz are great options for a daytime event, an evening event may call for something a little more funky. And, to keep with your chic French theme, you really can’t go wrong with Pink Martini, Gipsy Kings, or Paris Combo.

Bonne Année!

 

 

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