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3 Reasons to Visit London in 2012

January 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

(photo source)

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

(photo source)

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

(photo source)

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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French Guest Soaps for the Holidays

November 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

(Pottery Barn Photo)

Attending a holiday party this year? Keep in mind that, more often than not, it is polite to bring a small hostess gift. Although a nice bottle of chardonnay is always classy, it is not always the ideal gift for someone who is very particular about his/her wines; someone who does not drink wine at all; or, in my case, a themed wine-tasting party where the wine is provided by the host.

In these cases, opting for a simple, classic gift can prove the better choice, ie fresh flowers, a decorative pillar candle, or festive cocktail napkins (cloth, please!). And, if you’re feeling rather saucy, you can even try to match your gift to the theme of the party (with the exception of wine!) and/or the interests of your host(s). For instance, I will be attending an International Wine Tasting Holiday Party in December, where guests are asked to bring a photo of a destination they’ve been or one they’d like to go (so many choices!). As you might have guessed, the party hosts are not only wine lovers, but they are also world travelers who, in fact, just visited France this Spring. So what does one fellow world traveler and wine lover get for another of the same breed?

Why French guest soaps from Pottery Barn! To be more specific, the triple-milled soaps are part of the collection by Gianna Rose Atelier Bonne Nuit and resemble small pillows imprinted with Bonjour on one side and Bonne Nuit on the other. How’s that for a little pillow talk?

Very classic, very charming, and, of course, very (French) chic. Voila!

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