Jen Shah’s Crystal Studded Dollar Clutch Purse

Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Season 3 Episode 12 Fashion

While this week has brought a lot of talk about the authenticity—or lack thereof—when it comes to Jen Shah’s purses, this time she didn’t even try to fool us. While it’s inspired by Judith Leiber, it definitely isn’t trying to disguise one of hers.  And since she’s been accused of taking other people’s money, let’s just hope the dollars in this bag are hers.

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Click Here to Shop Jen Shah’s Amazon Clutch

Originally posted at: Jen Shah’s Crystal Studded Dollar Clutch Purse

I just recently got back from a visit to Spain and Portugal and found it to be fascinating. I have been to Spain before a few times and Portugal many years ago. I spent a good part of my trip this time on the Madeira Island, a place I highly recommend.

There are plenty of reasons why the Iberian Peninsula remains a top European travel destination for visitors from across the world. Spain and Portugal’s rich cultural histories, grand architecture, savory delicacies, and picturesque coastlines continue to beckon.

Whether you’re looking forward to wandering cobblestone streets, hitting the beach or picking up a new language, both Portugal and Spain are a sight to behold in any season. Ideal for a romantic getaway for two or a solo adventure, the two neighboring countries can be combined into a single, unforgettable European foray.

Spain

Whether you’re starting your trip in Spain or planning to head east after spending some time in Portugal, the following destinations are absolute musts. If you’re not renting a car, getting to the country’s main hubs by train is another viable and speedy option.

Madrid

When considering where to start your journey through Spain, Madrid is a no-brainer. The capital city is a bastion of Spanish culture and rich history, as well as the headquarters of Spain’s government and royal family.

The Royal Palace is a great place to start any self-guided tour of the city. Featuring painted masterpieces, historic artifacts and period furniture, the palace once housed Spain’s legendary leaders. Today, the palace and its grounds are open to visitors wanting to take in its regal presence just north of the city center.

Art lovers won’t want to miss the Museo del Prado, or Prado Museum, located steps from the Royal Botanical Gardens. Displaying national painted and sculpted treasures and open daily, the museum offers a complete synopsis of Spain’s creative heritage. After a day spent touring the museum’s galleries, walk down to the botanical gardens to catch your breath in a city oasis.

Valencia

If you’re heading to Spain’s eastern coast, Valencia will likely be your home base for exploring the area’s ports and beaches. In fact, scoping out the beaches is one of the best ways to begin your time in the city, so be sure to bring a swimsuit! Once you’re ready to jump back into exploring, find your way to Valencia’s Central Market to get your fill of local specialties – and a freshly prepared bite to eat.

Barcelona

While on the coast, travel a few hours north to get to know Spain’s most popular destination – Barcelona. Perched right on the water, the city is filled with attractions for history buffs, avid shoppers and foodies alike – you may want to devote a few extra days to explore everything the city has to offer.

The towering Sagrada Familia and Barcelona Cathedrals are both must-see architectural attractions in the city, along with anything designed by famed local architect, Antoni Gaudi. Art enthusiasts will be inspired by the world displayed at the Museu Picasso, established in homage to the painter’s time in Barcelona.

Along with walking the city’s beaches and wandering into local food markets, devote a day to El Born, one of the city’s quintessential neighborhoods. Expect cafes, small businesses, and vibrant night life, all set against a backdrop of medieval architecture and quaint alleyways.

Portugal

When in Portugal, it’s impossible not to soak in some sea, sand and surf, especially if you have the time to travel to Madeira Island. Back on the mainland, don’t miss Lisbon’s best, along with the inland town of Amarante and coastal Porto.

Madeira Island

Set in the Atlantic Ocean about a 90-minute flight from mainland Portugal, the Madeira archipelago calls you off the beaten path, presenting a unique perspective on a classic European destination. Your time on the main island will likely begin in the port city of Funchal, where you’ll find the exquisite sights and scents of Madeira Botanical Garden.

A morning in the garden is a great way to get acquainted with the city’s layout and public transportation system. Funchal also offers a walkable old town district where you’ll find historic places of worship, fresh plates, and plenty of chances to try the island’s wine varieties, a local specialty.

When it comes to enjoying the island’s coastline, whale watching, dolphin-spotting and scuba-diving are some of the most popular activities to take part in while in Funchal and surrounding areas.

One of the interesting things I did was ride the cable up over the city of Funchal with gorgeous views. At the top we sat in a Wicker basket and slid down the mountain with two Portuguese men pushing us down the mountain about 2 kms. The line was very long but definitely worth it. I also went on a 5-mile hike along Madeira’s highest peaks. It was very challenging, but the views were stunning.

Lisbon

Lisbon is one of Europe’s most visited capital cities – and it’s easy to see why as soon as you immerse yourself in the city’s historic landscape. The waterfront Belem Tower, Belem Palace and Jeronimos Monastery, which are likely already on your list, are the ideal starting point for a monumental tour of the city.

If you find yourself noticing the gorgeous tile work that adorns Lisbon’s streets, be sure to stop by the National Tile Museum, where you’ll learn how the evocative “azulejos” have been made for centuries.

While walking the city’s alleyways and avenues is the best way to come across spontaneous surprises, hopping on Tram 28 is another classic way to get around the city. A ride on this vintage-style urban tram is an unforgettable experience – and it will deliver you to the doorstep of Lisbon’s top attractions.

Porto

Located in Portugal’s northern half, Porto is another important destination to add to your itinerary, especially if you want to stick to the coastline. Along with touring the Porto cathedral and the Ribeira waterfront district, take note of the famous Dom Luis I Bridge, which is open to pedestrian traffic.

When it comes to city views, the Clerigos Tower is one of the best vantage points to take in the panorama. After a day of sightseeing, be sure to kick back on Rua Das Flores and sample local Port wine while people-watching on this quaint street.

Amarante

While in Porto, consider a day trip to the town of Amarante, located a few hours east of the city. Set along the Tamega River, this town offers a well-rounded break from Portugal’s tourist capitals while still inviting visitors to take in the atmosphere.

Points of interest include the Church of Saint Gonzalo, the Municipal Museum of local artist Amadeo de Souza Cardoso, and the riverfront walking paths, which are perfect for a relaxing stroll following a hearty Portuguese dinner.

If you are thinking of planning a trip to Spain or Portugal and have questions, please reach out.

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Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have any of you travelled to Spain, Portugal or elsewhere in Europe lately? Which cities and places did you visit? Did you think the trip worthwhile? I would love to hear your thoughts and recommendations.

Marysol Patton’s Plaid Maxi Dress

Real Housewives of Miami Instagram Fashion

The Real Houseeives are putting on a clinic when it comes to inspo for holiday looks on Instagram and Marysol Patton’s plaid maxi dress is a look I love. A dramatic, unexpected cut in a classic print makes this the perfect piece for a sophisticated holiday look that’s fit for a queen of Miami.

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Click Here to Shop Marysol Patton’s Norma Kamali Fishtail Maxi Dress

Click Here for a $35 Look for Less

Click Here for Details on Margaret Josephs’ Red Dress

Originally posted at: Marysol Patton’s Plaid Maxi Dress

I can’t and don’t intend to tell anyone how to write a book. Every writer goes about their task in a different way, and while rules do exist – readability is key, for a start – they are also there to be broken.

I had never written a book before. I’d been a screenwriter in my youth, a very different – and far easier – discipline, as you have actors to interpret your words and directors and scene designers to enhance them.

With books, however, you are on your own, so it’s up to you to paint pictures, or to give your reader enough material for them to paint their own. So, first off:

Choose Your Aims

In this instance, I wanted to write books that would interest a broad readership beyond my own immediate family. I wanted to write about the history and the growth of colonial Australia as witnessed by my ancestors. I wanted to include my own observations of a country I have known throughout the many decades and the changes I’ve seen.

I also wanted to put flesh and bones onto my ancestors in order to make my book more readable. After all, it’s relatively easy to discover when and how they made their maiden voyage to settle in Australia and where they ended up living. The biggest mystery in any historical account however is why.

Why?

Why did my forebears decide to migrate to Australia in the first place? Why did one daughter decide to marry a seaman, another an illiterate soldier and another a high-ranking businessman? To answer these questions, I took a leaf out of Hilary Mantel’s book(s) and gave my characters features and personalities, based on my findings of course but nonetheless invented.

My Books Ended Up as Hybrids

Part history, part family history, part dramatization and part memoir and personal observation; a publisher’s nightmare in other words.

I sent the early drafts to fellow writers and friends for their comments. Some of them told me there was too much of me in the story, others said there should be more. Many of them thought I should turn it into a novel, which I didn’t want to do because the story I was telling was true, as true as I could make it.

It was just the people I had fleshed out, and on occasion invented, and I made it perfectly clear what was fact and what was speculation.

Years Later and I Had a Finished Draft

I stuck to my guns and kept myself in. I sent the book to an editor, and she said, wisely I think, that the more specific I was about my own family the better.

And finally, after several different attempts, I came up with the perfect title for my first book:

The Worst Country in the World

I gave it a contrasting cover, a beautiful picture of the Hawkesbury River, where my family lived. Everyone knows Australia is very far from being the worst country in the world, but that is truly how the first arrivals from Britain viewed it.

Not only was it an eye-catching title – and Aussies by and large have enough sense of humour not to be offended by it – it set the scene for the book’s sequel, which featured my great great grandfather, a pioneer farmer and stock and station agent who made his fortune through business and became at one point Mayor of North Sydney. The title of this book was

A Country to Be Reckoned with

Because that is what Australia became, very swiftly, through the 19^th century and during my great great grandfather’s lifetime. And as an antidote to my first book, the cover of this one featured a bleak, sun-bleached landscape that makes up so much of outback Australia.

Self-Publishing

I always intended to publish the books myself. I had enough experience of agents and publishers to know they would never take on a book by an unknown writer about Australian colonial history that mixed genres.

Moreover, independent publishing back in 2012 was really taking off. It no longer had the stigma of what was known as ‘vanity publishing’. Even established writers were moving over to self-publishing their books in order to keep control over them, to choose when and what to publish and under what sort of covers, and not least because they got to keep most of the royalties.

I can’t say either of my books became best-sellers, but they did reach a wide audience, and not just in Australia. Clearly, they resonated with family historians in other countries, especially in the US, whose own colonial origins are similar yet very different to Australia’s.

Did I enjoy the whole process? Yes, and then no, and then again, a resounding yes.

Who Are You Writing For?

Your family history can be aimed at family only, of course, in which case all you need to do is collect the information and set it into a readable form. You don’t need to agonise as I did over several drafts in search for the right approach, the right voice, how much background information to include and crucially, how much painstaking research is frankly surplus to requirements and should be edited out.

With print on demand (POD) you can have as many or as few copies printed as you need, paperback or hardback, and you can even make the book available online as an ebook.

But if you do want to have a broader readership, which I recommend as the history of ordinary people can tell us every bit as much about the past as the history of the famous, then the task ahead is harder.

Writing is a lonely business, and on occasion frustrating. It is one thing to dash off a first draft, another altogether to hone it and hone it until it is a really good piece of writing, as good as you can make it. That takes patience and persistence and infinite doggedness, and it helps if you do not have a busy social or domestic life or a demanding full-time job.

But whichever path you choose the outcome will be well worth it. You will be proud of yourself, as I assuredly am. And best of all, your family will be firmly and lovingly chronicled for posterity and succeeding generations.

For further information on self-publishing, take a look at my website for a talk I gave at the Society of Genealogists in London a few years ago. It might be useful.

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Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you attempted to collect your family history? What did your work turn out into? Did you get to write a book about it?

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Dealing with brittle nails can be both embarrassing and painful—no one wants to tend to breakage and hang nails on a regular basis. Whether you’re experiencing the above due to constant salon visits (gel manicures can wreak havoc) or simply can’t ever seem to grow your nails out, we’ve found a super affordable solution. Plus, with winter at our fingertips (literally), you’re going to want to ensure your nails are shielded now more than ever.

Dermelect’s Makeover Nail Treatment is an anti-aging product that offers your nails a chance at redemption; the 2-in-1 formula not only conceals existing imperfections by coating your nails with a natural pink hue, but also treats reversible damage by strengthening your nail beds. Keratin protein and a unique delivery system of peptides protect them from future splits and breaks, all while encouraging growth.

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The brand is no stranger to shopper-loved targeted treatments, including when it comes to nail care products. Each solution-based formula in its nail care collection caters to rejuvenating weak nails, such as the Natural Nail Repair set that specifically corrects damage from acrylics and gel manicures. That said, the Makeover treatment is by far its most popular amongst reviewers and editors alike, and is even an award-winner.

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