Catherine

Wandering around a brocante/flea market on a cold January morning is like viewing a social history of people's lives. It is also a chance to wonder, who decided to design or make that in the first place and then, who actually bought it! The old saying of one person's rubbish is another person's treasure is true. It led to thinking about how our 'stuff' is our history and so important. Having moved several countries and cities, we have what we call our 'travelling furniture'. Remnants of different places and cultures we have lived in and experienced, wrapped up in

Yes it is the 7th January but if you didn't manage to declutter, decamp or just declare, you have Chinese New Year coming up on the 10th February. I am presenting again to nine French people this week on what to do for the new year in Feng Shui. It is an interesting cultural take on presenting the new Feng Shui practice, based on old Chinese philosophy for French apartments and houses which have different architectural nuances. East meets West and then France! We will focus on decluttering, attracting new energy and understanding the Wood element with the Bagua

Noel Coward said that, "bed is the perfect climate". He is correct, I concur! Other than the living room and sofa, the bed is the other place where we spend most of our lives. It is the place to go to when the world is too much. How many of us have hidden under the bedcovers when life seems to just get in the way? And then there is the matter of quality of sleep. Apparently, we should have a room temperature at 18.3C or 60-68F degrees for a decent night's rest and that is the goal. Buy a

John Steinbeck said, "What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness". It was a freezing weekend of powdered snow, pine trees, wood chalets and everything ski-related! Not our natural environment but we were there for a friend's birthday. Surrounded by wood walls, ornaments and decor, the open fire, spa and sleigh beds offered the comfort needed against the outdoors. We were at least 4 kgs heavier with clothing, wrapped up to face the wind chill. Happily returning to warmth and sunshine, Camus says it all, “In the depth of winter, I

"Christmas is a frame of mind", Father Christmas said in Miracle at 34th St. I am not there yet. The sun is shining today and a friend and I sat on blue chairs looking out to a glittering sea soaking in the vitamin D. However, the shops and adverts are making it known that there are only a few weeks left. As we get older, it is isn't the presents but the thoughts that count and a card is always welcome. Over the years we have gone from postage costing more than the gifts, to sending a card, and

"Autumn is the hardest season. The leaves are all falling, and they’re falling like they’re falling in love with the ground', wrote Andrea Gibson. I hear her, others love the idea of anything orange or representing a pumpkin, cups of hot chocolate and big, baggy jumpers and boots. Some of us sigh as the sun gives up, the wind picks up and the rain sets in. I then count 'blue sky' days as at least they are cheerful other than the 'greyness of a quiet Sunday with nothing happening or worth watching and I have read my recent book'

It is Halloween, or All Saints day or All Hallow's day, whatever it means. As we have fewer rituals, others are taken on from the past. The history is all about spirits moving over to another world. Now we have a Hallmarked trick or treat night with pumpkins, costumes, chocolate and candy and everything orange!