Homestyle Gossip

There are plenty of reminders around already, but in case it has still managed to escape your notice, then we should really remind you that Mother’s Day falls on Sunday 14 March this year.
It can often be hard to think of a present for Mum – for a start, she’ll usually insist she’s already got everything she needs. Plus, however do you outdo the present you got for her last year!? You know, the one that took you absolutely ages to find? That’s where thinking outside the box comes into play. Here are some cute ideas for gifts that will make Mum’s day:
- Perfume: Yes, perfume can sometimes be a clichéd gift to give on Mother’s Day. Especially when scent is such a personal thing. So why not give Mum a voucher or take her to a special parfumerie to create her own bespoke fragrance? It will be unique to her, she’ll be able to get exactly what she likes and she will always think of you when she wears it. Perfect!
- Jewellery: Again, jewellery is a personal thing and takes on an especially personal significance when the gift giver is offspring. You’ll want to make sure Mum is touched by the thought you’ve put into selecting her piece of jewellery so do make sure you actually put in the thought! Firstly, think of the jewellery your Mum already wears. Does she always wear rings but never earrings? Does she only ever wear a watch? Think carefully about what kind of jewellery you select, as if she never wears necklaces, then she is unlikely to wear one you give her. (That’s not always true, however.) To put a special touch on it, why not give her a piece of jewellery that has her birth stone in it or get a message engraved? That will show you have gone the extra mile to find something she will really like.
- Nostalgic gifts: There is nothing quite like a retro or nostalgic gift to bring back all those good memories and blasts from the past. You might happen to chance upon a gift at some point that you know would have your Mum reminiscing, but if you’re going to hunt one out, then start by thinking of something she might have told you she cherished as a child. Did she love to play around in her mother’s jewellery box when she was younger? Then maybe find one that fits the same description. Where did she go on her honeymoon? You could get a framed print of a scenic view from that destination.
- Humorous gifts: Mum actually does have everything she could ever need. So why not get her something that will make her laugh instead? Humorous gifts are different to gag gifts – make sure you know the difference! (Although, if your Mum would enjoy a gag gift then that’s a different story…) Try to think of what Mum would find funny – even better if it will remind her of a personal joke she shared with you. Obviously, if this gift can double as something that she will find actually useful (a printed oven mitt for instance!) then you’ll be in her good books for sure.

The Internet is a wonderful thing and the sort of invention that we all wish we had when we were at school. Revising for tests and completing homework would have been so much easier with sites like Wikipedia and Google to help us out. Staying in touch with our friends would also have been so much easier had we been able to use Facebook and Twitter.

Of course, with the immediacy that these websites offer comes the inherent dangers also. Safety online is of paramount importance and it’s vital to realise that just because someone claims to be one thing, such as a friend or teenager, they may not necessarily be so.

The instant nature of the Internet also means that you can reach people within seconds, and they can reach you – whether you want them to or not. This has helped in many ways, but has also caused problems with increases of bullying. Online bullying is known as Cyberbullying, and is just as big a problem as bullying at school or on the street. In fact, Cyberbullying can be worse because the bullies can reach you wherever you are.

If someone you do not want to speak to is attempting to bully you online you should block all contact with them. Remove them from Facebook, adjust your privacy settings so they can’t contact you and never contact them. Block them from chat programs such as MSN and Yahoo as well. If you ignore Cyberbullies, they will give up as they will have no way of bullying you. If you have given out any personal details, be sure to tell an adult and change your mobile and email address if need be.

Written on behalf of 0800 Reverse.

Like tea and hot chocolate, there are many ways to serve coffee, but did you know that over 50 countries actually grow the beans? Only a handful produce them in commercially viable quantities. However, there is a growing number of specialist coffees from smaller producers reaching our shores. They include Jamaican Blue Mountain, Java Estate Kuyumas and Indian Mysore.
All are at the higher end of the market. However, the most expensive coffee in the world is Kopi Luwak. Made from beans that have been eaten and passed by the Asian Palm civet, it is produced in Indonesia, Timor and the Philippines. With a totally different chemical structure to ordinary coffee beans, it has a mild, aromatic flavour.
Brazil and Columbia are the coffee growing nations of the world, producing more beans than anywhere else. Prized for their light, tangy quality, they are ideal for blending. Other Latin producers include Mexico, Guatemala, Panama and Costa Rica. Some of these countries are equally prized for their cocoa beans, used to make hot chocolate.
The coffees of Eastern Africa and the Middle East are like wine: complex and alluring, with copious flavours including citrus fruits, blueberries and spices. Asian coffees, on the other hand, are full-bodied and thick, and are often used to deepen lighter blends.
The coffee of each country has its own distinct characteristics and flavour. Coffee tasters, like tea tasters, are employed by importers to ensure only the best beans reach our shores. These connoisseurs sample each batch as though it were the finest wine. It’s certainly something to think about, when you next reach for a cup.

The “brave new world” of the Art Deco period combined functionality with simplicity, and beauty with elegance. For this reason, retro gifts evoking the Art Deco look of the 1920s and 1930s are eternally popular. Retro clocks, especially, make excellent nostalgic gifts for all age groups. Instantly evocative, but never kitsch, they fit into any interior décor scheme, be it traditional or modern.

Art Deco had a number of influences – a major one being the discovery of King Tutankhamen’s tomb, in 1922. Egyptian design was a direct influence on the towering pyramid spires of the Empire State Building and the Chrysler building – which in turn influenced interior decor. “Skyscraper” clocks, which took elements of modernist architecture and recreated them in semi-precious materials such as jade, marble and onyx, are just as popular today.
Jazz age retro gifts are characterised by their recreation of materials like Bakelite and chrome – both considered daring and new in the 1930s. Art Deco Bakelite wall and mantle clocks were found everywhere, from public railway stations to film stars’ homes. They varied from simple, round wall clocks to elaborate “Lady” mantle clocks, which combined geometric designs with beautiful and elaborate statuettes in bronze, spelter and pewter.
Statue clocks are especially evocative of the Art Deco period, and make beautiful and unusual retro gifts. The art inspiration came from many sources, including classic Egyptian art and Greek mythology. Although the majority were female, classic male figures like Hercules were also depicted. Modern influences included Hollywood, Olympic gymnasts and jazz music. Statue clocks are among the most evocative and collectible of all nostalgic gifts.

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most devastating things that can affect the elderly. It is a non-reversible, organic process and sufferers need a special level of treatment and understanding.

However, dementia–type symptoms may be indicative of another, less serious disorder, such as depression or a reaction to medication. So how do you know if your loved one needs Alzheimer’s care? Here are some of the warning signs:

1. Forgetting how to do activities they previously performed easily.
2. Doing things and then forgetting they’ve done them – even when it’s pointed out that they’ve done it.
3. Constant spates of short memory loss. We all get forgetful from time to time, so this on its own doesn’t signify dementia care is needed.
4. Non-recognition of previously familiar faces, or referencing events from long ago as if they were fresh in the memory.
5. Asking the same questions again and again, or repeating a story they’ve already told.
6. Placing things out of context – inappropriate dress, keys in the milk jug etc.
7. Disorientation or getting lost in familiar surroundings.
8. Deterioration in personal or home care.

If you think your loved one may need specialised Alzheimer’s care, it’s important you seek medical advice at the earliest opportunity, so a formal diagnosis can be made. Alzheimer’s sufferers can often go on to lead relatively normal lives, and may not a dementia care home to begin with. However, the earlier they are diagnosed, the less traumatic it is for all concerned.

With the recent problems with the housing market, many homeowners have opted for redecorating their existing homes instead of looking for new properties. However, as house prices are continually falling, there is a resistance to perform renovations that can’t be taken with homeowners when they eventually do leave.

Renovations such as extensions, conservatories and a new kitchen are being left in favour of new furniture, curtains and electrical appliances.

When redecorating the living room, the choice of sofas is the most important aspect as it will decide the style for the rest of the room. In most homes, the sofa is the largest piece of furniture in the living room, so getting it right is a must. You need to decide whether you want it fabric or leather, how many seats, how many armchairs and of course what colour.

You could also opt for a grander style of sofa, such as one of the many corner sofas that are available. Corner sofas can really dominate a room, and they will dictate the sort of furniture that can be included in the room because of their size and positioning.

The choice of material is also of paramount importance because whether you opt for one of the many material sofas or leather sofas will affect your decision on other styles in the room, such as the type of carpet that you want and the material and pattern used for your curtains.

Once you have decided on your sofa, the rest of your room will fall into place.

No matter how hard we try, we can never stop our children from growing up; it’s a part of life. One of the things many children can’t wait to do is to drive a car, but they usually have to wait until they are 17 for that. However, when you collect Airmiles, they don’t have to wait that long at all, as you can use them to get free days out for your children on driving course activities.

Some of the free activities and days out available with Airmiles include a children’s rally driving experience and a ‘first drive’ experience, where children can drive a real car for the very first time. On the first drive experience, children get to drive a car, such as a new BMW Mini, on a special circuit (that is very safe, so don’t worry) under the watchful eye of a trained instructor. It’s one of the best free days out you could choose for your child, and they’ll thank you forever – especially when the experience stands them in good stead when they come to learn to drive.

Other free days out (yes, that’s free days out not cheap days out) for children include the rally driver experience, where children as young as 12 get to drive a real rally car on a rally circuit. Don’t worry, there’s a minimum height restriction so your child can reach the pedals. When you’re collecting and using Airmiles, free activities like this won’t cost you a penny.

If you’re not into driving activities, other free activities include paintball days out, a spy camp for amateur James Bonds and a make-up consultation day for children who prefer a bit of pampering.

The bed is a statement item in any home but if you want to push the boundaries why not try some of the following statement bed ideas:

The Wrought Canopy Bed

A contemporary piece for the garden for ultimate relaxation

The James Bond Bed - you may have trouble finding a mattress to suit!

A Circular Bed – Circular mattresses could become popular!

Why not try something different for the bedroom!

British taste in style is a somewhat acquired taste, like with the Japanese;

As a matter of fact, London is one of the only places in the world where you can punk, gothic and posh in the same area. Even your grandma could have her hair dyed pink and it wouldn’t shock anyone.
With this said, London is considered one of the trendiest and fashionable cities in the world.
So thumbs up to fashion but how does the British sense of style tally up against other areas of aesthetic appreciation? Home decor for instance? Let’s be honest, not as well. Exhibit A: The Royal Family

So let us paint a picture of the traditional British home decor. Over to the left there is a lovely wall hanging plate
providing a reminder of our biggest loss since Robbie decided to leave Take That. Anybody for a cup of tea in an exclusive Prince Charles mug? Milk, and two sugars please.
Come sit and enjoy your tea here on our well-worn brown sofa and enjoy, whilst taking in the sites of this revolutionary design style. Ooh this is going down a right treat, cushty!
So does British sense of style transcend to the home? In the words of Les Dennis “Our survey said…..YES!”
What you call tacky contributes to that homely cosy feel you can’t get anywhere else. Take for example the union jack printed accessories. All over the house, and you are borderline football hooligan, but in proportion you are subtley displaying patriotism whilst being accommodating to guests. Can’t do more British than that can you?
Just remember, it is all about moderation. You don’t want to go crazy and end up with this;

The union jack is the great British symbol, and we all know we are in England with the bad weather and soppy morning attitude. We don’t need it painted on houses to help confirm our location.
Why not the union jack cushion? When you think about it, it can go with everything and pretty much everywhere (on your couch, on a chair, on your shelves or even on your bed!).
It defies design convention and adds that sense of fun and quirkiness to the home. Plus, it gives you something to grip with nerves during England’s inevitable penalty shoot out in the quarter finals of the World Cup.
All this excitement is too much. Where is my prince Charles mug, I need a cuppa!

Christmas 2009 gave us one of the worst winters we’ve ever had in the UK, with seemingly endless snowfall and icy conditions on the roads. The weather meant it was better for many of us to stay indoors, with the fire on and firmly hold on to a nice warm drink, while other people went outside to work or to build snowmen.

So what are the best drinks to enjoy during the winter, while you sit by the fire and look at the thick blanket of white snow on the ground?

In Britain we’re known as a nation of tea drinkers, and that is one stereotype that we’re comfortable with. A good hot cup of tea certainly serves the purpose of keeping your toes warm when it’s too cold to go outside. There are also a wide range of teas available to drink, rather than just the usual brands that you see advertised on TV by monkeys and men with flat caps.

If tea isn’t to your liking, you could always stay indoors with a good, strong coffee. Many people find that a cup (or usually mug) of coffee is the best way to start the day, whether it’s snowing or not.

Perhaps the best drink for staying warm in winter is hot chocolate. A tall mug of hot chocolate, filled with marshmallows and sprinkled with chocolate flakes, is the ideal way to sit out the cold weather. There’s no need to venture outside, so long as you have an ample supply of marshmallows on hand.