In Ireland ovarian cancer is ignored, yet it is the silent cancer, that’s been killing me softly. Any diagnosis is a relief if it comes after multiple visits to the doctor, in which you are increasingly dismissed as the unimportant…continue reading
Read the Full PostIt was a thrill to for me to write a guest blog for ‘A Woman’s Wisdom’ site, the blog equivalent of a pampering spa offering a little bit of harmless gossip, lots of mouth watering literary news and a fine…continue reading
Read the Full PostLike a lot of writers, I like to delve into the heart of love & romance and offer readers some insights into what I believe does and doesn’t work in the dating and mating game. As a former teacher who…continue reading
Read the Full PostI’m not stating anything new when I say that writing and completing a book is a huge undertaking. Yes, I’m sure you’ve all heard this a million times in author interviews. It takes dedication, daily practice and the ability to…continue reading
Read the Full PostThe Triple goddess myth is one of the most enduring and fascinating of the Greek myths. Anyone wishing to understand female archetypes will be drawn to this story. It’s the reason I wanted to include references to it in my…continue reading
Read the Full PostClosing date is 28th September. Due to several requests, I am postponing the closing date for this giveaway until 28th September. As an independent author, I don’t have the backing of a publisher with a publicity machine plugging my book…continue reading
Read the Full PostNutrition has always been a passion, ever since I was a spotty teenager prone to weight. Ecstatic to learn that I could help get rid of those zits and double muffin midriff bulge purely by eating healthily, I was eager…continue reading
Read the Full PostMeditation and especially mindfulness has become a buzzword of late. More and more doctors who originally shunned the notion of anything alternative are now recommending mediation to patients suffering from stress. But how do you do it and for…continue reading
Read the Full PostI grew up in Athlone, on the left bank of the Shannon, close to the castle and the river itself, both an endless source of fascination for me. The eldest of a growing family, I lived in a sprawling,…continue reading
Read the Full PostSHOP YOUR OWN CLOSET Fashion choices for Spring 2013 have never been more diverse. There’s a dizzying array of looks including Oriental, Ethnic South American, Digital, Floral, Sportswear influenced, Tropical, Stripes and clean cut Classic. Great variety on the one…continue reading
Read the Full PostIn this fashion feature I’m teaming up with an on- line clothing website to show you the key looks for Spring/ Summer 2013. Take ideas from their fabulous mood boards when putting together a look for Spring/summer 2013 1. DONNA’S…continue reading
Read the Full PostFirst glance at the Oscar gowns this year and I thought BORING! We’ve seen it all before and in many ways I miss the frock horrors of old, before the days of celebrity stylists and designers tripping over each other…continue reading
Read the Full PostOn-line dating and what’s in a username? My book Love & the Goddess deals with the search for love and the nature of love itself. My protagonist Kate who has an interest in Greek mythology, uses the names of three…continue reading
Read the Full PostJumping up on the windowsill, his dancing eyes scanned the room. After searching our faces one by one he smirked as he fired out a loaded question;- “Is God a man or a woman?” Silence fell, broken only…continue reading
Read the Full PostI’ve been tagged in The Next Big Thing by fellow writer Siobhan McKenna. I’m instructed to tell you all about my coming book by answering these questions and then to tag five other authors about their Next Big Thing.…continue reading
Read the Full PostI am delighted to introduce August McLaughlin as my guest blogger. Called ‘Cinderella Strong’, this was first posted in August’s blog, in April 2012. August McLaughlin is a Los Angeles-based health writer and journalist with articles featured regularly by LIVESTRONG.com,…continue reading
Read the Full PostIn the early 90’s, Carré Otis’s exotic beauty had already graced the covers of international magazine such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, and Marie Claire. By the time she was twenty she had appeared in the controversial film Wild Orchid…continue reading
Read the Full PostFirst Prize :- a gorgeous calf leather bag and scarf Second Prize :- cookery book ‘The French Laundry’. Third prize:- Lotus candle by Laura Ashley. Just complete these four steps for a chance to win. Subscribe to the blog by completing the quick subscribe…continue reading
Read the Full PostSince I’m re-cycling my wardrobe and trying very hard not to make any new clothing purchases unless absolutely essential, it seems anomalous that I’m writing a fashion column. The reason is I’ve had lots of requests from friends and subscribers…continue reading
Read the Full PostFor someone who loves to travel, I have a strange dilemma; namely I hate being a TOURIST: – defined by me as a MODERN CONSUMER who examines everything as though it’s a museum exhibit or a creature in a zoo.…continue reading
Read the Full PostI recently enjoyed the following five books and simply had to share them with you; – Beauty Interrupted by Carré Otis. (Memoir) Carré Otis biography is a very moving account of her life from troubled teen to international model and…continue reading
Read the Full PostSome illnesses arrive dramatically, others slowly, like stealthy Vampires gradually draining the life blood of their victims. Fibromyalgia quietly entered my life circa 1999, in the form of obscure aches and pains, sleepless nights and endless fatigue. I had my…continue reading
Read the Full PostFirst Prize :- a gorgeous calf leather bag by Reiss. Second Prize :- cookery book ‘The Vintage Tea Party’. Third prize:- Silky scarf in ecru, aqua and indigo by Zara. Just complete these four steps for a chance to win.…continue reading
Read the Full PostHaving fun with mythology and archetypes:- For some of you who are unfamiliar with the different Goddesses, I hope you enjoy this introduction. There are many variations on the Greek myths and the fate of each Goddess, but essentially the…continue reading
Read the Full PostTake the GODDESS QUIZ on this website:- Find it to under the header of MYTHOLOGY at top of page, click on it and then scroll down. The Goddess quiz based on Carl Jung’s theory of Archetypes, has finally arrived. You…continue reading
Read the Full PostI love a wide range of books from Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy stories to cookery to women’s fiction and autobiography. Here are some of my favourites. Fiction Chocolat by Joanne Harris is one of my all time favourites, and the following…continue reading
Read the Full PostOnce upon a time, not so very long ago it was all about following trends. Now it’s more about buying wisely. So what makes an investment purchase? Usually something you will wear often and feel comfortable in. At present there…continue reading
Read the Full PostIt’s upmarket laid back chic at a fraction of the cost. These pieces will see you through several seasons and provide the basis for a capsule wardrobe. You can also read my other articles in this series From Designer to…continue reading
Read the Full PostHaving worked in fashion and been something of a fashion devotee for most of my life, I’ve seen the cyclical nature of trends repeating themselves over and over again. At this stage I’m bored mindless by the endless re-runs some…continue reading
Read the Full PostHave you noticed there seems to be a growing interest in mythology? There may be countless reasons, including a hankering for nostalgia as witnessed in the revival of old cookery recipes and vintage clothing. More of us may wish to…continue reading
Read the Full PostFor this months free draw there’s a choice of 3 fabulous prizes, though remember the first winner obviously has first choice. Prizes A Vintage Miu Miu bag A vintage Miu Miu bag with distinct Bauhaus design on back and front.…continue reading
Read the Full PostWe’re living in a recession yet we’re constantly faced with an infinite choice of gadgets and products. Even if you’re seriously cutting back on expenditure, I’d happily wager that some of you can barely stuff an extra matchbox into your…continue reading
Read the Full PostHaving just watched BBC’s second series of Sherlock Holmes, I realise I’ve been totally besotted with Arthur Conan Doyle’s character since I was knee high to a grasshopper. I wanted to be just like him…stylish, brainy and not give a…continue reading
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