When I was younger I had an Italian friend who got a lump of coal on Christmas. I remember being shocked – a lump of coal? But then she started gnawing at the black lump in her hand and I realised my mistake. Her version of Father Christmas (La Befana) was not as mean as […]
We recently ran a competition to see who could come up with the best alternative definition for the word ‘Caboose’ (read our previous blog). Well, let me tell you I’ve never had so much fun getting entries in! You are a funny lot you Allison & Busby fans! Hats off to your imagination! We asked […]
I’m a sucker for a number of things at this time of year as the urge to get all Christmassey descends upon me. Firstly, beautiful stationery. Particularly gorgeous, thick pads and journals, cards and I was even drooling over be-a-utiful bookplates online the other day. Secondly, cookery books (featuring James Martin if possible…ahem…) with plenty […]
Enjoy an evening with two of Britain’s beloved actresses as they talk about and sign copies of their new books at Wanstead Library, London on Friday 11th Dec.
At this time of the year I almost forget I have a garden. In the summer, while the sun still shines, I’ll happily potter about when I get home from work. But in the winter, when it’s pitch black outside and usually raining or freezing cold, it’s not quite as appealing. I’m also never sure […]
This weekend we took my little nephew to the Winter Wonderland fair in Hyde Park for his first experience on a merry-go-round. This was followed by an electric Reindeer ride, video footage of which will no doubt be replayed incessantly to family members over Christmas – what with me looking ecstatic on the back of […]
I’ve been wanting to do this for a while now but last week I finally ordered my first organic food and veg box. There are a few companies to pick from but I opted for Woodfield Organics and their standard Fruit & Veg Mix. I stepped out to work yesterday morning and there it was […]
Over the past few days my ears have been picking up bizarro news stories left, right and centre, but the one that has really stuck in my mind made me picture homes and work places across Ireland becoming neglected and bedraggled-looking soon. Y’see, following a certain (dirty, stinking, cheating…) incident involving Thierry Henry, apparently scores […]
I saw this gem on a website ostensibly giving Christmas gift ideas for hapless husbands, boyfriends and brothers. Soon to be ex-husbands, ex-boyfriends and ex-siblings. Apparently Twittering your weight is all the rage at the moment – having your weekly weigh-in broadcast worldwide is the ideal way to keep the winter wobbles at bay. And […]
I’ve been reading The Man from Saigon, by Marti Leimbach (and if you followed the Currently We are Reading section last week, you’ll know I’m throughly enjoying it) and noticed that on Amazon the cover appears as pictured here – featuring a man wearing a Vietnamese hat. However, on the actual printed version of the […]
Come and meet actress Susan Wooldridge who will be talking about her debut novel “The Hidden Dance” at Hornsey Library, tonight Tuesday 8th December.
Our talented Art Editor, Christina Griffiths, has had her photography reviewed by The Guardian. Never one to toot her own horn, she did not broadcast the news (I only found out today), so I feel compelled and delighted to do the tooting for her. Her ‘portofilio of environmental portraiture’ is described as ‘stylishly executed’. The photos are praised for being ‘wonderfully […]
Thursday 10th December, 7pm WATERSTONE’S, ABERDEEN Maggie Craig will be signing copies of her latest book One Sweet Moment, together with fellow Scots Diane Morgan and Paul Smith, at Waterstone’s 3-7 Union Bridge, Aberdeen. For more info call the shop on 01224 592440.
After a mini-panic last week I have begun my Christmas shopping in earnest, seizing upon ideas with the same desperation that usually strikes this time of year. I came across the usual ‘top 10 toys for Christmas’ list the other week, and it made me wish I was buying for more kids than grown-ups. So […]
Be thankful your boss doesn’t make you do this! I doubt whether even David Brent would have come up with anything this mortifying! Staff in a Microsoft store have been asked/persuaded/forced/blackmailed (slightly regaining respect as we go on) to take part in this little party trick. In a routine that would make Billy Ray Cyrus […]
Last night, I had dinner with my mum, and our conversation veered onto my late American grandmother – her life and upbringing. Of all the titbits of information I learned, I was astounded to hear that my great grandmother had packed them up (my gran and her siblings) and taken them to Europe for a […]
Crime author Zoë Sharp will be signing copies of her books at London Olympia’s Collectormania event this weekend 28th – 29th November
Friday 4 December, 7.00pm CHESTER LIBRARY Join popular crime-writer Martin Edwards for an inter-active Victorian mystery evening at Chester Library, Northgate Street, Chester. Listen to the clues and see if you can find out who killed George Hargrave – there are prizes for the best solutions! Tickets £5 (including refreshments). For more information call the […]
Tuesday 8th December, 2.30-3.45pm KINROSS Author Maggie Craig will be talking about her work and new book One Sweet Moment at the new Loch Leven Community Campus Library in Kinross. Free tickets are available from the new library and the AK Bell Library in Perth. Call 01738 477016 for more information.
Last night I attended a private sale of a new collection of jewellery and accessories by a young designer, Maria-Xuan. We were invited through some old friends and it was an absolute delight to be privy to this girl’s talent. I can’t add cut and paste any of the pictures of her designs on this […]
Stieg Larsson never had the chance to see his books achieve their phenomenal success. He was the second bestselling author of 2008, beaten only by Khaled Hosseini and according to The Times (this came as a welcome surprise to me) he has now ‘outsold the whole Dan Brown oeuvre in paperback in Britain’. But would […]