The London Boat Show

If there were ever a trade show that will really show you how the other half lives then it must surely be the London Boat show. It is the world’s oldest boat show and is now in its 60th year.

A luxury yacht arrives for the 2013 Boat Show. Image via.

Sailing was once the preserve of the rich and famous but after the Second World War, small boats became available, making nautical pastimes possible for the middle classes as well.

How to Turn Wine into Silver

Another year has passed and so begins 2015.
It is at this time of year that we consider what we might be able to do to improve our minds, bodies and souls.
After the excesses of the holiday season, even those of us who don't make resolutions will probably err on the side of caution for the next few weeks.

Image via

The trend for Dry January seems to attract more participants every year. Though I don’t actively make it my resolution to give up the drink in January, I do find the desire to snuggle up in my pyjamas is greater than any trip to the pub might be.

Christmas Cracker

This time next week it will all be over. The presents unwrapped, the goose well and truly cooked and the best of the Cadburys Roses already missing. After two or three days of Christmas indulgence we will soon be considering our new years resolutions.

The humble Christmas cracker originated in Victorian times. Image via.

I hope all the shopping and socialising hasn’t taken its toll and that you will be ready for whatever the day brings.

A tradition that takes place in most households up and down the land is the Christmas cracker. Most of us will don the obligatory paper hat and get strangely excited about the small gift that awaits. Give me the mini screwdriver and I’m a happy girl.

The Centrepiece de Résistance

We are nearly there now. I hope everyone has had a stress free run up to Christmas and you are all now just drinking mulled wine or eggnog with your feet up. Yes, I know, chance would be a fine thing.

In my previous post we went through the many serving options available to impress your dinner guests but the razzle dazzle needn't stop there.

Today we look at a variety of centrepiece options for the Christmas Table. Image via.

The Christmas Table

Here it is - December already! I hope my last couple of posts might have given you the inspiration needed and now you are so organised you can just concentrate on the festive feast.
If there was ever a time of year when you want your table to look spectacular then surely Christmas is it.

Will yours be a truly magical Christmas worthy of the Weasleys? Image via.

Silver has been used for centuries to add glamour and opulence to the dining room. If you think of any film or period drama with a dinner party scene then chances are, the table is adorned with silver.
From the centrepieces and the candlesticks to the serving dishes and utensils right down to the cutlery we eat with; silver, silver, silver!

Christmas Gifts for him: the Discerning Gentleman

Last week I posted a few suggestions as to what kind of things the women in your life might wish to find under the tree.

So this week it is over to the men. The fellas in our lives sometimes get overlooked when it comes to gift giving. There are not many men around that don’t find at least one package under the tree with their name on it that when opened, reveals a novelty tie or set of 'days of the week' socks. Poor old dad/husband/boyfriend.

Harry Crane struggles to maintain his cool at the office Christmas party in Mad Men. Image via.

Well, it doesn't have to be that way.
There is a wealth of things out there that go beyond just keeping a gentleman's feet warm.

Christmas Gift Ideas

I cannot believe it is already mid -November. In little more than a month the turkey will have been well and truly carved. With this in mind,over the coming weeks, I hope to offer up some suggestions and ideas to help lighten the load.

Image via

Every year I promise myself that when I flip that calendar to December I will not feel that twinge of panic because I will be so organised that I will be able to look at others rushing around while I sit sipping hot chocolate and scoffing mince pies.