Books, Childrenswear/Child & Family Related Posts, Interview, Reviews

Author Interview: Maria De Fatima Santos

In the UK schools are out for Summer and if you are looking for a new children’s book for their summer reading programme then look no further than “Serendipity” by Maria De Fatima Santos. Published on Monday 22nd July 2024, this beautifully illustrated fantasy tale is inspired by nature, Celtic mythology and picturesque Scottish locations.

BOOK SUMMARY

When the Guardian Angel of Nature’s Secrets appears disguised as an elderly musician, a magical adventure unfolds for a little girl called Gaia. Every long journey begins with one small step …
This exciting novel for children takes the form of a tale told by a grandmother to her granddaughter. Set in the Traveller Community and against the backdrop of spectacular and mystical locations in Scotland, the book explores the age-old art of storytelling, Celtic mythology, the cultural value of traditional languages, the power of nature and the bond between generations.

THE INTERVIEW

Hi Maria and welcome to the blog!

Hello. I am Maria de Fátima, Portuguese and original born in Angola, a country in southern Africa.

Although Portuguese is my first language, and without devaluing this rich and ancient language, I also fell in love with the English language. When I moved to Scotland for the first time in July 2007, I had the possibility to study Academic English in Stevenson College in Edinburgh for which I am very grateful for the excellent teachers I had that contributed to a huge improvement in my spoken and written English. Just as a side note, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the teachers, Ruth and George – if my memory still recalls their names right.

I felt adopted by the English language that offered me a wonderful medium to find and express my creative voice without social and internal censorships.

Once in Scotland, I naturally felt drawn to the Celtic culture and the natural landscape of the country.  I felt “adopted” by Scotland and by the English language… And like Nat King Cole’s song says: “When I fall in love, I will love forever.”

To tell you who I am, I would also like to share what I’ve done. I received training and developed experience in the UK as a carer providing care to different groups of people. It’s appropriate to acknowledge the human richness and valuable professional experience providing care to people with learning disabilities in London. And the second valuable professional experience was providing living in care which allowed me to travel to different locations in England and meet a diversity of realities and lives’ stories. I can transfer all these experiences of care work to my writing too.

Who or what inspired you to write “Serendipity”?

Scotland in the first place. Three real places in Scotland are the scenes of this story, namely: Helge’s Hole in Forres, the Hermitage Forest in Dunkeld and Glen Lyon in Perth. I visited and photographed these places and the illustrations in the book are inspired by the photos.

Love was also a source of inspiration. It is a story of a grandmother’s greater love for a granddaughter, a mother for a daughter and the boundless bounty of the natural realm for each one of us.

In “Serendipity” the grandmother, Julia, telling a story to her granddaughter was inspired by the memory of my own grandmother, – it’s a tribute to her as she was also named Julia.

I was also inspired by a book I read many years ago about the way of life of the Scottish Traveller Community. I still recall the title: “Red Rowans and Wild Honey” by Betsy Whyte. It’s an account of her life as a child born into a traveller family. In this book, I learned also about the Cant vocabulary, the language of the Scottish Travellers that it’s also integrated into the dialogues in my story. What fascinated me, was the strong tradition of oral storytelling, their connection with the natural world and their courage and freedom.

In addition, I was also inspired to write about a little girl of pure heart with a love for nature, like our little traveller girl in the story, that has the gift to save the land of the People of Peace, having in my mind the large picture of the increasing challenges that the natural world is facing everywhere, like for example, the loss of biodiversity and the more extreme patterns of climate change. In this perspective, I do hold a strong faith on the children of this generation to influence their parents to love the natural world and make changes, as they can, to safeguard life in all its forms.

“Serendipity” is a beautifully illustrated fantasy tale inspired by nature, Celtic mythology & 3 picturesque Scottish locations. “Serendipity” reminded me of the fantasy fairytale books I read as a child and read as a mother to my own children. I liked how Gaiaʼs adventures introduce children also to some traditional celtic language spoken by the Scottish Traveller Community. Which character, mythological or otherwise was your favourite to write about? Which was the hardest?

My favourite character to create was the heroine of this tale: the little traveller girl. To build her psychological profile, I was inspired by the universal characteristics of curiosity, wonder, ingenuous and the gifts that children have of believing and trusting that we associate to what is to be a child. 

Looking back to my writing process, I feel that the way I conceived the antagonist characters of this story that are the Giants of the Underworld was not hard for me, because I played with the power of the elements to create the needed obstacles to our heroine to overcome them with the help of the elderly musician that is the Guardian Angel of the Secrets of Nature.

In this story, the Giants of the Underworld turned against the People of Peace that are ruled by Queen Titania in the Land of the Young. They displaced the Truth, Beauty and Goodness, the children of the Sun God Lugh and the Cailleach, the Goddess of Creation. 

What do you enjoy most about writing stories for children?

Writing stories for children is a privilege and responsibility because allows us to re-create ourselves and the reality of others that read the story. In a children’s book, we have space to create a parallel world with invented personages that can teach us so many things about real life and even become our friends. A children’s story is a gateway that offers us the possibility to be teleported to another realm, escape, sometimes, from our own harsh reality – and coming back to it, inspired and encouraged by what we read.  I believe that we can find in real life all the characters we may have in a fairy tale. It comes to my mind a quote of Hans Christian Andersen that I absolutely love: “Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale.”

So to sum up, I would say that to write stories for children also allows adults reunite and, sometimes, rescue their inner child. Like the music of Abba, “I have a dream” that goes like this: “To help me cope with anything. If you see the wonder of a fairy tale. You can take the future, even if you fail.”

As you were born in Angola & brought up in Portugal – although living now in Scotland – what are the things you love about Scotland? What are the things you miss from Angola and Portugal? 

Well, to reply to this question I am going to start by the beginning. I was born in Luanda, the capital city of Angola. I returned to Portugal when I was 6 months old with my mother, when a political and military upheaval of the Independence Movement took place in the ex-Portuguese colonies in Africa. For this reason, I do not have memories of my life in Angola. However, I did discover Angola when I was growing up in Portugal by reading books, seeing photographs of Angola, listening to life stories and meeting African people in Portugal.  I do admire the resilience of the African people and I can relate to the force of nature in Africa – I would love to see in loco the sunrise and sunset in the natural reserves in Angola. I recall a conversation I had in Portugal many years ago with a storyteller that was also born in Angola but he came from there as a teenager boy. I remember I asked him a similar question about how it was to leave Angola and to adapt to a life in a country like Portugal. He replied that what he most missed was there were no walls in Angola separating the back gardens of the houses and also his African friends.  Although I did not have that experience because I was a baby when I left Angola, I could understand what he meant about the absence of walls and the freedom of space that the landscape of Africa gives us. In Portugal there are many walls!

Scotland gave me the sacred space of nature to discover and dwell on it. I fell in love with the glens, the mountains and the lochs. This love brought back the wonder of my inner child and that sense of sacredness that my words may not be enough to describe. The nature of Scotland nourishes my well being and my imagination – and I am aware that there is a major call to bring back biodiversity and conservation to the forests, glens and the rivers in Scotland. 

Surprisingly enough, I have adapted very well to the rain. I’ve found it very interesting to have rain and sun in the same day with rainbows in the middle – maybe because I came from a country like Portugal where the lack of rain and dangerous very warm summers cause serious consequences to both forests and human beings.

The other interesting affinity I discovered is the fascination for the Celtic culture and the druids that were philosophers and theologians in the Celtic world. I absolutely love how they elevated places in nature as sanctuaries. I did some research about Celts. I learned that they also lived in Portugal and Spain, called Iberia in that time. In Portuguese history books, they are called the People of the Iron Age. The name, Celts, I found only in the books in the UK. Actually, it is still possible to identify traces of the Celtic Culture in North Portugal and in Galicia, a province in Spain that has a border with Portugal in the North. I learned that the Celts went from Iberia to parts of the British Isles and Ireland and not the other way around. I am fascinated by History.

Are you a bookworm? What is your favourite genre and/or authors? Kindle or actual book?

I am a long time lover of books and I do prefer to hold the physical book in my hands. I like to underline and sometimes to write quotes and ideas in the margins. I feel we can develop an affectional bond easier with an actual book. However, having said that, I don’t discard the Kindle, because in many situations, it’s also very good to read a book in a Kindle format. I am open to reading books that came to my way. When I visit charity shops in the UK looking for affordable books, I used to say that the books were the ones that chose me and not me to them. I am open to reading any book that motivates my interest and curiosity. I clearly like children’s books, the mid grade ones, and youth literature as well. There are so many authors that I admire, but in a nutshell I can mention two: C.S. Lewis and Kiran Millwood Hargrave.

There is a book that intrigued me and I absolutely loved the story and the original lifestory of the author: “The House Without Windows” by Barbara Newhall Follen. It’s a classic of nature writing written by a twelve-year-old child.

I also love poetry very much. Mary Oliver comes in first place, because it was her book “Wild Geese” that introduced me to her poetry focusing on the natural world. I also love very much David Whyte that I discovered with this poem  “True Love” and his book “The Bell and the Blackbird”.

I like historical fiction. In this field, we also have brilliant writers in the Portuguese language, for example José Saramago with the book “Convent Memorial” and João Aguiar, “The Voices of the Gods”, a historical novel about the Lusitanian War.

I like to read real life stories as well, for example “Miracles of the Heart” by Karen Henson Jones. And I like cooking books and garden photography too.

Is “Serendipity” available to purchase worldwide?

Yes, it is. Serendipity is available on the webpage of Palavro Publishing (an imprint of the Arkbound Foundation) on www.palavro.org, available through bookshops and internet booksellers and on Amazon on Kindle format and paperpback.

Growing up had you always wanted to be an author or did you have other career aspirations? 

In school I was a very good student in History and Literature. This natural interest to learn about History and the written word is still present within me. To be an author was not a professional goal for me while I was growing up in Portugal. Firstly I was drawn to writing about the history of facts, but along the way I realised that there are stories. The magic of telling a story wrapped by the imagination, that can take us further and touch the hearts and minds of people. I became an author because I had this story to be told.

As a child, what stories filled your imagination? When did you first encounter Celtic mythology? 

As a child I was very impressed with Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales. There is one in particularly that still speaks to me very profoundly – “The Little Mermaid” . I also read “The Famous Five Collection” by Enid Blyton.

Regarding Celtic mythology, the first book I read was offered by my mother when I was already an adult, maybe I was in my twenties, and she bought me a small book about “The Druids”. She was right with her intuition to offer me this book. Of course, in Scotland, I learned much more about the Celtic mythology.

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

I prefer to wear comfortable and flat shoes. I have the same principle for clothes. I like to wear clothes that are comfortable and made of natural materials and from sustainable sources, for example, linen for the summer.I like linen trousers, long skirts and tunics for the summer.


Do you have any favourite shops or online sites ?

When I moved to the UK, I discovered the wonders of second hand clothes in charity shops. It’s great and sustainable. Regarding a favourite online shop, I have one that I like very much: nomadsclothing.com. Their motto is “slow fashion that doesn’t cost the earth”. I absolutely love the colours, the design and the material of their clothes with the plus that it’s fairtrade made by women in India. And they do great sales online too.

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list? 

Next on my list is to get a pair of Saguaro’s trainers barefoot shoes for walking a pilgrimage.

Boots or Shoes?

Shoes, because they are much more comfy and light.

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc 

https://www.serendipityfantasynovel.co.uk

Oh Maria, I used to read the Famous Five Adventures by Enid Blyton as a child ! Pure escapism indeed. Thank you also for my preview copy of Serendipity.

Linda x

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Maria de Fatima Santos, apart from the header tree picture which was taken by me in deepest, darkest Suffolk! 😊

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Books, Interview, Life Issues/ Motivational Posts

Raising Jess: A Tale Of Hope Book Tour

I’m so pleased to be part of author Vickie Rubin’s “Raising Jess: A Tale Of Hope” book tour. Raising Jess is one of the most heart warming, uplifting and honest written memoirs I’ve come across in a long time. Before I welcome Vickie onto the blog, here’s a quick book summary:

BOOK SUMMARY

Raising Jess: A Story of Hope is the powerful story of one family’s survival when faced with adversity. Written with compassion, honesty, and humor, it tells of a family changed forever by the birth of a child with a rare chromosome deletion and their courageous decision to choose hope. Facing the challenges of caring for her daughter, marriage struggles, and the question of having more children, Vickie Rubin gives a glimpse in the world of her family and transformation while raising Jess. This beautiful, gripping memoir will delight and leave you wanting more.

Publisher: Page Publishing

Print length: 250 pages

INTERVIEW

Hello Vickie and welcome to the blog 😊

Hello! My name is Vickie Rubin, and I am the author of the award-winning memoir “Raising Jess: A Story of Hope.” This heartwarming story describes the joy and challenges of caring for our daughter, who was born with a rare chromosome deletion. I am a blogger and started my blog in March 2020, about the same time we were all told, “Don’t Leave the House!”  I am a mom to three adult children and Nana to three grandchildren. And Fur-Mom to two dogs (an Italian Greyhound, a therapy dog, and a Hungarian Vizsla). My husband Mitch and I plan to celebrate our 45th (YIKES, that’s a big number!) Anniversary in December.  

 “Raising Jess: A Tale of Hope” is definitely an uplifting and thought provoking memoir – what made you decide to write down your story? 

My Mom always said I should write a book. My adult children encouraged me to start writing after I retired from my career. Perhaps it wasn’t an official retirement since I became an author almost immediately—Hmm, failed retirement?   I felt an inspiration to share our story.  My original thought was that if “Raising Jess” didn’t get published, the narrative would still be a legacy for our family. The book was also written to demonstrate to readers that it is possible to be a thriving, active family, have more children if you wish to, and be involved in everyone’s life, “even though” you are faced with many challenges. Things WILL get better, “even though” it is hard to see that when you are in the thick of it. Additionally, the memoir raises awareness of what it is like behind closed doors for a family raising a child with severe intellectual and physical disabilities, demonstrating survival and hope with humor. It’s vital for professionals working with families of individuals with disabilities to read about the parents’ perspective. Raising Jess is our story of hope.  We believe hopecan be found in family, friends, and groups of people with similar experiences. Hope is all around if you keep looking. 

Your book highlighted for me how hard raising a child with a disability can be, how the need for a supportive network is vital; managing family dynamics as well as  the other various emotions and dilemmas faced ; combined with  moments of pure joy.  What helped you get through your toughest moments when Jess was first diagnosed?

When Jess was first diagnosed, I felt a sense of relief. I know that is not what you expect to hear. We knew she was delayed, yet the pediatrician continued to dismiss my concerns.  At one point, the doctor told me I needed counseling because Jess was fine. Well, perhaps I needed counseling, BUT Jess was not okay.  When my husband and I finally received confirmation from another physician that Jess was delayed in all her milestones, we were heartbroken, yet I felt a sense of relief. Now I can do something to help our daughter! Learning as much as I could from other families, attending therapies, and, at one point, trying alternative exercises for Jess kept my days active.  What helped me was finding friends who empathized with us without feeling sorry for us.  And having more children. Our three children and now our grandchildren are the joys of our life.  

Jess has the rare 1q43-44 chromosome micro deletion syndrome … what’s that exactly? 

1q43-44 microdeletion syndrome is a rare genetic diagnosis in which a portion of the long arm (Q) of chromosome one goes missing. This leads to a mix of symptoms, including developmental delays, intellectual challenges, speech issues, motor difficulties, unusual physical and cerebral traits, seizures, and distinct behaviors. Often, this syndrome arises due to a spontaneous gene deletion, but sometimes, it’s passed down in families.  Managing this isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. It involves tailored therapies, medical help for seizures, specialized education, community services, and support. Given its rarity (fewer than 1000 cases in the USA), consulting with genetic experts and medical professionals is crucial for up-to-date information and support.

 OK, now the definition in mom-speak is that Jessica is missing a piece of her first chromosome.  It happened suddenly at conception, as confirmed by my husband and my genetic testing.  We are not carriers, so it was not passed down from us. This means that Jessica’s siblings are not likely to have children with the same genetic diagnosis.  Finding the correct diagnosis took 21 years because the technology had to catch up to our daughter, Jessica! 

Were there any aspects of writing your book that surprised you, either by being harder or easier to relate than you expected? 

Writing the chapter on the grandparent and sibling experience was difficult. First, did I really want to hear what Jessica’s brother and sister had to say about their childhood? The answer was yes, and the resulting interview is an activity I would recommend for all families. One example was when I asked Jessica’s brother, “How would you describe Jess today to somebody you just met?” He did not describe her disability, loud noises, wheelchair, or hardships. It was simple: “She’s mysister”

Exploring the grandparent experience was more complicated than expected, especially interviewing my parents. I wanted to open a dialogue about Jessica’s grandparents’ perspective, so I sent my initial email to Dad. I informed him that I was interviewing everyone about their relationship with Jess and emailed the questions, hoping it would be easier for him to ponder at his own pace. 

Dad’s reply was the following:

“These are tough questions. I am thinking about them and realize I came up short as a grandfather. The questions have made me go back and think…I know I would do anything to make her life easier, but the interaction was different. It opened up a lot of questions. I am afraid Icame up short.”

I was daunted after I received Dad’s answer to my interview. “I think I came up short” resonated with me. I did not expect that response. My answer to him was:

“The questions were not intended to hurt you—your help made the difference between us making it and not, so if you think you came up short in one area, you exceeded in others.”

I truly appreciated his honesty and tried to make sense of his words. My dad was born in  1930 and raised in a highly different era where individuals withdisabilities were rarely cared for at home. Considering the time period in which my father was brought up, it was important to understand the norms for parents of that period. Back in the day, it would have been unusual for a child with adisability to be visible; most spent their childhood in institutions and were seldom seen in public.

I recognized that my parents’ experience with individuals with disabilitieswas limited, and their views were shaped by society’s attitudes in the decades they were raised. There are no hard feelings about my parents not knowing howto get involved. Perhaps I should have made suggestions or encouraged moreinteraction, but I also didn’t know how. It is a gift that this conversation with my parents was possible; it was enlightening for each of us.

I loved your writing style and the honesty that shone through.  I particularly liked the chapters written by Jess’s siblings about their feelings growing up – it’s so important for them to have their viewpoints heard, too. Did you find writing your story about raising Jess therapeutic? 

Thank you! And yes, writing was therapeutic for me. Writing each day about raising Jess and our family helped me to remember, evaluate, reminisce, and appreciate those years. My husband and children were my first editors, and that process opened up many new conversations and “Ah-Ha” moments.  The humorous instances came back with a roar and still keep me laughing.  

Talking about therapeutic, I was so busy writing, editing, publishing, and promoting during the Covid years 2020-2021 that it kept me sane; writing balanced and helped me look forward to something during those “groundhog” days.  

One thing I did feel was how strange it must have been for you to go from having Jess at home to having her at the stage of life where she wanted to be “independent”and have her own home . How difficult could you adjust to Jess living in a different place?  How well did Jess adapt? 

Choosing a group home for your loved one is monumental. Selecting a residential option outside of our home felt like giving up. We are her loving parents! Were we no longer willing or able to provide the daily physical care for our daughter? Were we making the right decision? Jessica was approaching age 25. As mom and dad, it was unreasonable but understandable to think we would always be around to provide the intense care that Jessica required. The hard reality hit us as she and we aged.  Mitch and I needed to make this decision when we were clearheaded. We knew that moving Jessica into a home in our community, with the proper support, was vital to her future and ours. We wanted Jessica to continue living a happy life surrounded by friends and family.  She deserves the privilege to live with her peers as independently as possible.  It took a while for me to find myself after Jess moved. My identity was my mom, who had a 24/7 responsibility.  Who was I now? Who were Mitch and I as a couple? It took a while to find ourselves, but we did. Even though Jess is in a group home, she is still our daughter and still needs intense family involvement.

Jess adapted remarkably well. Familiar items from home surrounded her, and we visited often. I think she was ready to leave her parents’ house!

What advice would you give to other young families finding themselves in a similar position to you?

●       When I discovered that Jess was delayed, I was so focused on fixing Jess that I didn’t stop to be momma and baby.  I was too focused on the therapy, not the fun (but this didn’t last long). Remember to have fun.

●       Accept support and help from others

●       If you have a spouse or partner, plan twosome time each week. Whether you are going out or on a date at home when your child is asleep.  

●       When you get on an airplane, the flight attendant reminds you to put on your mask first and then help others. The same applies to caretakers. Remember to take care of yourself so you remain strong to care for your child.

●       I found a Facebook group with families who have similar concerns helpful – but you need to be careful that it is a supportive, positive group and not a complaining group that can bring you down

●       Stay positive -Jessica changed our life for the better and has taught me more than I will ever teach her.           

Vickie’s current favourite shoes – Cole Haan Platform Wingtip Oxfords

You have a blog called “Vickie’s Views”  – What do you enjoy most about blogging?  

“Vickie’s Views” offers a blend of heartfelt wisdom, humor, and warmth, combining personal anecdotes and professional insights on disability, travel, and everyday life. I love writing a blog that touches others and receiving comments. Knowing that readers relate to or find comfort and humor in my words gives me joy.  I feel a huge connection with my readers.

Is “Raising Jess: A Tale Of Hope” available to purchase worldwide? Amazon UK Amazon BE

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing? 

I spend a lot of time exercising and playing with my grandchildren. So, as much as I like clothes, shoes, and bags, I typically wear leggings, tees, and sneakers! My four-year-old granddaughter is very into princess wear and gowns. She complained that I was not fancy enough for a day of hanging out at home. Below is a photo of formal wear with Noa on a random Tuesday. 

Do you have any favorite shops or online sites?

 I try to shop locally, but when I am unable to do so, I most frequently go to Bloomingdale’s. I admit I buy a lot of Amazon, which is the opposite of shopping locally. 

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

I have a pair of Armani wide-pleated trousers and a skirt. They look like pants from the front, but the back is a long skirt. Weird, right? They were my mom’s, and I tried them on and loved the fit, style, and, yes, the weirdness of the look. I am invited to a wedding in August and am looking for the perfect top to go with the pants/skirt. Please help! 

Boots or Shoes?

I live in Buffalo, NY, so I guess I should say boots, but I want to say shoes.  I wrote a blog about my first pair of fancy shoes. Finding the right shoe to go with an outfit always feels good!  I try to go for a pop of color like red or pink, more recently, light blue.  But my current favorite shoes are my Cole Haan silvery-gold Platform Wingtip Oxfords.  My husband and I traveled to Texas, and I bought my first pair of cowboy boots. I absolutely love them for their looks but not the comfort!

My real obsession is designer purses. I know, I know—what a waste—but if you divide the cost by the years of wear and tear, it’s not so bad! I own my mother-in-law’s Gucci handbag, which is over 50 years old, but if you look at it, it looks new—and it didn’t even need handbag Botox!

Below are the first pair of fancy shoes– Ferragamo

Links you would like to share:

·        Raising Jess (Amazon)  amzn.to/3DDSQt5  

·        Shop page on website https://bit.ly/RaisingJess

·        Barnes and Noble

·        Vickie’s Views- https://vickierubin.com/  

·        Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/RaisingJessStory

·        Instagram 1- https://www.instagram.com/raisingjessstory.vickierubin/?hl=en

·        2-minute PBS video – Vickie Rubin

BOOK TOUR DATES

GIVEAWAY LINK

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4221b3a8357/?

Fantastic to chat with you, Vickie – and for that wedding to go with those delightful sounding trouser/skirt combo, how about a brightly coloured patterned or floral camisole/floaty top to contrast with your black bottoms ? Fuchsia pinks/oranges with splashes of black ? 😊

Linda x

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Vickie Rubin

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Accessories/Jewellery/Bags, Fashion, Interview, Pets/Animal Life

An Interview With Dobbelaere Fashion

Love dogs ✔️ Love fashion ✔️ Then you are going to love Dobbelaere Fashion …. my guest this week is Ekaterina Dobbelaere and she is the founder of Dobbelaere Fashion Ltd. From her sewing studio in Hebden Bridge, Ekaterina makes stunning ladies wear AND dog carrier fashions. Yes, you heard right – chic dog carriers and stylish clothing for pet parents! I caught up with Ekaterina recently to find out more. Hi Ekaterina & welcome!

Hello! My name is Ekaterina Dobbelaere, and I make garments and accessories for petite ladies and their pooches. At Dobbelaere Fashion, I blend my passion for fashion with my love for pets, creating stylish and high-quality pieces for both women and their furry friends.

Who or what inspired you to start your fashion brand concentrating mainly on chic dog carriers and stylish ladies fashions? 

I have always been into fashion, and always had a thing for anything fashion-related. But my dog carriers are a different story. My husband got me into it). He comes from a family that used to manufacture pet accessories. 

So, long story short, less than a year ago I decided to start making dog carriers as an addition to my ladies’ dresses, tote bags, and style services. 

Have you always had an interest in fashion design or did you have other career plans whilst growing up? 

I have always been into fashion but didn’t plan to be in fashion. I wanted to be a singer or an actress, so, I wanted to be on a stage and perform, but I think fashion and stage always go together. 

All your designs originate from your sewing studio in Hebden Bridge – when and where did you learn to sew? 

Yes, that’s right, all my designs are made in my sewing workshop in Hebden Bridge. I learned how to sew when I was little, I used to make outfits for my dolls and design outfits for myself, but outfits for myself I didn’t sew, my mother did. So, we can say that I was a couturier and she was my seamstress). Later in life, I believe it was in 2016, I took dressmaking and pattern-making lessons. 

I love the dog carriers  -especially the Jute dog carrier – and for ladies, the Athens loose fit linen dress is rather divine. What dog carriers/ fashion designs/colours are most popular at the moment? Have you got favourite designs/items from your collections?

Thank you! I love the Jute one too. The most popular and best-selling one in the UK is the Panthera Dog Carrier. This carrier is waterproof (which is important for UK clients), windproof (also important if you live in the UK), dirt repellent, and very warm and cozy, plus, machine-washable! 

I think I like most of my creations because most of the dresses I also have in my wardrobe and wear regularly. 

So, when you are designing your dog carriers and fashions to add to your collection, do you go for popular trends, customer requests, personal favourites or a mixture of all 3?  

I would say a mixture of everything. Trends, tendencies, requests, market research, favourites etc. But, most importantly I follow my vision, my concept, my standards, my beliefs, my heart, and my ideas. 

As you are based in the UK, are your items available to purchase overseas?

Yes, of course, I ship worldwide. Some of my carriers and dresses can be seen in the USA, France, Belgium, and other countries. 

As a sideline, in a way, you also offer Dobbelaere Fashion Private label services and Fashion Business Consulting. What do these services entail?

Yes, 2 years ago fashion business consulting was my main part of the business and only a bit later, when I bought my sewing equipment I added dresses and dog carriers. 

I offer Private Label services. I specialise in creating custom dog carrier collections tailored to the brand’s unique vision and identity. From design conceptualisation to production and branding, I handle every aspect of the process to ensure high-quality, personalised garments that reflect the brand’s style and ethos.

Tote bags and dresses can also be done as a part of private label services. 

The most important thing is that there is no MOQ, which is crucial for young brands. 

Fashion Business Consulting. I provide tailored solutions to help fashion businesses to succeed in the competitive fashion industry. From market analysis and trend forecasting to brand development and marketing strategies, procurement services,  I offer comprehensive consulting services to guide on every step of the way.

Hypothetically speaking, if you could pick any woman ( dead or alive) to represent the “Face” of your brand, who would you pick and why?

I think the first one who comes to mind is Audrey Hepburn. Why? Elegance, chic simplicity, and pearls, of course, I love pearls. 

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

I normally wear dresses and skirts. Almost 10 years ago I stopped wearing trousers, jeans, shorts etc and I try to inspire other ladies to wear more dresses. 

Shoes. Usually, I wear slingbacks, mules, court shoes, pumps, and loafers. 

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

Oliver Goldsmith Sunglasses. I love their sunglasses and actually, Audrey Hepburn and Princess Diana were wearing their sunglasses too. 

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

Interesting question. Custom-made pair of shoes perhaps? 

Boots or Shoes?

I think shoes. But, a lot depends on climate, mood, outfit, event, etc. But, yes, I would say shoes, unless I have to go horseback riding, in this case definitely boots) or walk my dog in the rain, you need a great pair of rubber boots. 

For pinning later

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook/twitter etc so that readers can find out more about Dobbelaere Fashion Ltd.

Please take a look at my website www.dobbelaere.fashion, Also I have Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Pinterest accounts. I am always happy to see new followers. 

My Instagram

https://instagram.com/dobbelaerefashion

My linkedin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekaterina-dobbelaere

My Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/dobbelaerefashion

My TikTok 

@dobbelaere.fashion

Fabulous to chat with you Ekaterina! 😀

Linda x

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Ekaterina Dobbelaere.

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Accessories/Jewellery/Bags, Arts & Crafts, Interview

An Interview With Galen Leather

The blog is off to Turkey this week to interview Yusuf of Galen Leather, a family owned company specialising in hand made leather goods for stationery and pen & paper enthusiasts. The company was founded in 2012 by Zeynep who sadly passed away in July 2019 , but she left the company in good hands and the company is now thriving under the loving stewardship of her brother Yusuf and her husband Yunis. Hi and a big warm welcome to the blog, Yusuf 😊

Hello. I’m Yusuf Perens, co-owner of Galen Leather, a small family business based in Istanbul, Turkey. We handcraft beautiful leather goods and stationery.

What inspired the launch of Galen Leather?

Galen Leather was actually started by my late sister, Zeynep. She was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that could potentially take away her ability to speak. This made her reconsider her career in sales and look for alternative ways to work. After successfully undergoing treatment, she still lost her ability to speak for a year. Unable to continue in sales, she turned to her love of leather goods and launched an Etsy shop selling locally-made products. That was the beginning of Galen Leather

Have you, Zeynep and Yunus always had an interest in leatherwork/& stationery or did you have other career plans whilst growing up?

While we all appreciate beautiful craftsmanship, none of us specifically planned careers in leatherwork or stationery. However, we’ve always been a creative family, and when Zeynep needed to find a new path, her love for these products made perfect sense. I came on board later to help with product development and photography as the business grew.

For Pinning Later

I’m interested in your brand name – Galen – why was that name specifically picked? Were there any other contenders?

We actually considered a number of names before choosing Galen. Galen was a famous Greek physician known for his emphasis on both reason and experience in medicine. We felt this connected well with our philosophy of creating beautiful, handcrafted products that are also functional and long-lasting.

I do so love a journal! What products are most popular amongst your customers at the moment?

We offer a wide range of leather goods and stationery, but our journals are consistently popular. Right now, our traveler’s notebooks and leather portfolios are doing particularly well. People appreciate the quality and craftsmanship that goes into each piece.

Do you have a favourite item from your collection?

Actually, the Writer’s Medic Bag holds a special place in my heart. In memory of our founder, Zeynep, who passed away in July 2019, this was her last design. After many months of work and tweaking, we’ve finally brought it to life and couldn’t be more proud of the final product! It embodies her love for beautiful, functional items and her spirit of creativity.

What are the main features a customer would expect from buying one of your products?

Customers can expect exceptional quality and craftsmanship when they purchase a Galen Leather product. We use only the finest vegetable-tanned full-grain leather and traditional techniques to create products that are both beautiful and functional. Our products are also built to last and become treasured companions.

Based in Istanbul, are your items available to purchase worldwide?

Yes, even though we’re based in Istanbul, we ship our products worldwide through our Shopify store. We want people everywhere to be able to experience the quality and beauty of Galen Leather goods.

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

My style is fairly classic and timeless. I typically wear well-fitting jeans or chinos with a plain shirt or sweater. For shoes, I prefer leather boots or oxfords. Quality and comfort are important to me.

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

I love to explore small, independent shops when I travel. These places often have unique and interesting items that you can’t find anywhere else. I also follow a few fountain pen brands online that I admire for their craftsmanship and design.

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

I’m always on the lookout for a well-made leather jacket. The perfect one would be timeless and stylish, something I could wear for years to come.

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook/twitter etc 

www.galenleather.com
Facebook
Instagram

Thank you so much for chatting to me, Yusuf – your products are delightful . All photographs have been published with kind permission of Galen Leather.

Linda x

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Books, Interview, Life Issues/ Motivational Posts, Reviews

Queering The American Dream Book Tour

I’m so pleased to be part of Angela Yarber’s “Queering The American Dream” book tour. Families come in all shapes and sizes as the memoir/travelogue, “Queering The AmericanDream” by Rev Angela Yarber, shows. Travelling the length and breadth of the USA in a camper named Freya , the queer clergywoman, her wife and child, make up a family unit that defies the normal American definition of a family unit. Before I introduce Angela to the blog, here’s a mini summary of her book:

BOOK SUMMARY

Beginning the day the Supreme Court ruled her marriage legal, Angela Yarber’s queer little family traversed the American landscape for two years in a camper named Freya, following in the footsteps of revolutionary women from history and myth. Amid her wanderings, this queer clergywoman grapples with the loss of faith, addiction, death, parenting, and what it means to reimagine the so-called dream promised to so many. With unapologetic grief, humor, and radical imagination, she creates a new dream, not just for herself, but for all marginalized people living in America.

Publisher: Parson’s Porch

ISBN-10: 195558141X

ISBN-13: 978-1955581417

Print Length: 188 pages
Purchase a copy of the book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.org. You can also add it to your list on Goodreads.

INTERVIEW

Hi Angela and welcome to the blog!

Hi, I’m Rev. Dr. Angela Yarber, but most people call my Dr. Ang. I’m an award-winning author of 8 books and founder of Tehom Center Publishing, a press publishing feminist and queer authors, with a commitment to elevate BIPOC writers. With a Ph.D. in Art and Religion, I’ve been a professor of women’s, gender, and sexuality studies for nearly two decades.

More than a formal bio or accolades, I’m a queer feminist mama of two foster kiddos with disabilities who my wife and I adopted. In addition to writing and publishing, I’m a working artist and all my work is grounded in teaching about revolutionary women. I’m an enneagram 1, INTJ, Leo sun and Cancer moon who loves the magical place between creativity and organization.

What inspired you to write Queering The American Dream?

I was inspired to write my book because I’m sick of seeing so many marginalized people bound to the so-called dreams that have been systematically designed to disenfranchise us. Heteronormativity. White supremacy. The 9-to-5 rat race. Broken education, medical, and criminal justice systems. We’ve been told to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps by a country that has stolen our boots. And that’s not ok.

Or, to quote my queer clergywomen coven, “Honey, it’s not you. It’s the system.”

I wrote and published this book so that readers can see examples of what it means to live and dream differently. Because, in the words of Toni Morrison, the only life “you can have is the one you can imagine.” My inspiration is an exercise is radical imagination, of dreaming what life and work and vocation and family could look like if we heed the wisdom of queer women of color who have been dreaming creative, alternative, dismantling dreams from the jump. It wasn’t easy, but my wife and I tried to follow this queer, intersectional wisdom.

Your book follows your travels across the USA in a camper named Freya, with your little family consisting of yourself, your wife and your child. I have a campervan too so I can appreciate the nomadic dream. Where did you feel most comfortable and accepted as a family unit? In your opinion, why do you think some people you encountered didn’t appreciate that families come in all shapes and sizes?

Well, the day we left on our journey was literally the day the Supreme Court ruled our marriage legal, so roughly half the country still didn’t believe our family deserved equal treatment under the law. And this discrimination still exists in myriad other ways, often fueled by exclusive religion and bully pulpits.

Likely the place where we felt most accepted was Hawai’i Island, though there remain pockets of exclusion there, as well.

What or who inspired you to become a clergywoman? 

Interestingly, many of the same revolutionary women whose stories fill my book also inspired my initial call to ministry. Because my beliefs have shifted over the 20 years since I became a clergywoman, I now say that I hold my ordination with an open hand, no longer serving or practicing within my faith tradition.

It’s oddly one of the same quotes that inspired my travels that also inspires my calling. Passionate nomad, Freya Stark, claims, “It’s the beckoning that counts, not the clicking latch behind you.” Whether it’s the call to activism, the call to write, the call travel, or the call to ministry, the power of the call can’t be denied.

 “Queering The American Dream ” is more than a memoir/travelogue – you introduced snippets of the inspirational power of  Frida Kahlo and Pauli Murray too as you wove your way across the US – did you find recollecting your experiences harder or easier to write down than you expected?

Probably easier. Knowing that I rest on the shoulders of so many revolutionary women—from Murray and Kahlo to Audre Lorde, Jarena Lee, Gloria Anzaldúa, and so many others—emboldened me to write, not simply for myself, but on behalf of others.

Making courageous changes to one’s life path is not easy to do – what do you feel prevents a lot of people from being brave and making that leap? 

That same “clicking latch” that Freya Stark spoke of earlier. The clicking latch of adulthood, propriety, societal expectations, parenthood, and career can sometimes stifle bravery and creativity. Simultaneously, many people—including myself in many instances—lack the privilege and resources to make such a leap. My white privilege and higher education, for example, made taking the leap much easier. At the same time, my queerness and low socio-economic background made it all the harder. Many people have the bravery, but lack the resources. I hope that my book helps readers see that resilience, creativity, and integrity can bolster courage to step into the unknown.

Can you tell us a bit more about your time on Hawaii – what were your highlights about living in Hawaii and the downside? 

Living in Hawai’i is complicated. For me, it is paradise defined and I am tremendously grateful to have called Hawai’i Island home for five years and to have adopted my daughter through the foster care system there. The beauty of the island—its history, culture, myth, and geography—was both liberatory and salvific for me during some very difficult times.

Simultaneously, my wife and I discerned we could no longer live in the islands for two primary reasons. The first was the lack of infrastructure in supporting our children’s disabilities and medical care. The second, and more overarching, was that as haoli, or white people, we realized that, no matter our intentions or support of Hawaiian sovereignty, our presence on the island as non-kanaka landowners was contributing to colonization. We now support Hawaiian sovereignty and the aloha aina movement from afar by elevating the work of kanaka maoli. 

Growing up, what were your initial career aspirations?  

As a child, I wanted to be a dancer. And I retired from a career in professional dance at 30.

Is your book, Queering The American Dream, available to purchase worldwide?

Yes!

Are you a bookworm?  If so, do you prefer “actual” books or kindle?  What genre(s) do you enjoy reading? 

I think I’d call myself a bookworm. I do run a publishing company, Tehom Center Publishing, a press publishing feminist and queer authors, with a commitment to elevate BIPOC readers, so reading is kinda my job! 

As an academic, a lot of my reading is research based in gender studies, queer theory, and spirituality. And for fun, I really love travel memoir. I like an actual book in hand.

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

I’m very casual. At home, I’m usually in a sarong or gym clothes. Out and about, I usually wear shorts and a t-shirt or a sundress. Slippahs (flip flops) or running shoes.

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites? 

I’m not really into shopping, but I try to support the Syracuse Cultural Worker.

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

I used to be a major “shoe slut,” at one point owning 3 pairs of pink stilettos alone, but when we traveled full-time and “went tiny,” I narrowed my shoes down to 8 pairs total. All practical.

Though I rarely wear heels any more, I have been dreaming about the perfect pair of rainbow heels to wear throughout my book tour.

Boots or Shoes?

I really prefer slippahs, but if I had to choose between boots and shoes, I’d say my vegan leather Frida Kahlo combat boots are my decision.

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook/twitter etc 

Purchase book: https://tinyurl.com/kkv5kvk9

My website: www.angelayarber.org

Publishing Company website: www.tehomcenter.org

Get connected to Book Tour: www.tehomcenter.org/booktour

BOOK DATES

Fabulous to chat to you, Angela! Thanks for inviting me onto your book tour and for the copy of your book to review.

Linda x

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Rev Angela Yarber


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Books, Interview, Reviews

Author Interview: Daniel Bird

I have just read a book called “Sorry Men” that did make me giggle. The book is by Daniel Bird and it is a hilarious collection of 35 short stories about men, filled with unforgettable characters leading blighted lives and forming questionable solutions. Sorry Men paints a picture of half of the world’s population that is sometimes lovable, occasionally infuriating and very often pathetic.

Stories include: A father has his daughter’s crayon drawings tattooed all over his body so he can never lose sight of them. A commuter pretends to be Russian in an attempt to avoid being robbed. After a first date, a lovesick man plays it cooler than anybody ever has. The ex-husband of a lottery winner finds optimism in the numbers she chose. Two astronauts scour the solar system for a new home for mankind whilst pining for their exes. The world of Sorry Men is one of earnestness and desperation; fate and farce; hilarity and hopelessness. It absolutely will not restore your faith in men!

So after laughing …. I finally got round to interviewing author Daniel Bird himself! A big warm welcome Daniel…

Hello, I’m Daniel Bird. I’m from Dorset in the UK. After studying a degree in drama I moved to Hong Kong to travel a bit and earn some cash as I was riddled with student debt. An initial plan to stay for a year changed almost as soon as I landed. I’ve been here for almost twenty years now. It’s safe to say that I quite like Hong Kong. I’m an English and Drama teacher, examiner, and now a writer. 

Who or what inspired you to write your collection of short stories of “Sorry Men”?

‘Sorry Men’ came about as a result of a writing exercise I forced myself to do after years of rejections. I got into short story writing in my late twenties. I started sending pieces to publications that were accepting submissions on various themes. Naturally, I got absolutely nowhere. I didn’t get any feedback either. As all budding writers know, you wait many months for a response from a magazine or journal and when you get the rejection you tend to send it somewhere else without even reflecting on why it was rejected in the first place. You think you’re right and that the publication is insane for not printing you. I ended up saddled with a handful of pieces which I was convinced deserved to be published. They weren’t. They probably shouldn’t have been either. I would wait for a response before starting a new one. It was painfully inefficient. 

To become more productive and get better at the craft, I set myself the task of writing 100 short stories in a hundred days. A variation of automatic writing – whatever came into my head during that session would get put down. I gave myself a rule: each story could be no longer than an A4 sheet. That meant I had to get to the ‘meat’ of the story faster and be efficient with my expression. Once the hundred were done, I printed them off and read them all with a piping hot mug of coffee in hand. Despite having written each one with whatever had come into my head at that time, I noticed a distinct theme throughout the work. That theme was this motley crew of rather sorry men. It appeared that I had largely written about men facing some sort of personal crisis or flawed logic in their thinking. That sounds heavy, but it was actually mostly comical. I started to tighten the stories up, cut 65% of them (painful) and created the collection that is now my first book ‘Sorry Men’. 

A huge influence on the nature of the comedy and characters in these stories is ‘The Diary of a Nobody’ written in 1892 by George and Weedon Grossmith. It’s about a somewhat hapless but earnest man called Charles Pooter who tries his best to be accepted in middle class society. I read it every single year and it still makes me laugh. What it so effortlessly portrays is a man’s desire to be validated by others. I don’t think that feature of men has changed a lot since Queen Victoria left the throne. Even in its Victorian setting ‘Diary of a Nobody’ still resonates with its hilarious display of behaviours and interactions I have experienced and observed in the 21st century. I give a nod to ‘Diary of a Nobody’ in the opening pages of ‘Sorry Men’ because its battle between ego and indignity was a huge inspiration in developing the book as a cohesive whole. I have taken that lack-of-self-awareness-comedy in a slightly different direction to the one Charles Pooter went in. My stories are more absurd, surreal, sometimes cruel, and more cringeworthy than ‘Diary of a Nobody’. I believe that’s because I’m reflecting the modern day. Also, I’m not a Victorian. 

For Pinning Later

“Sorry Men ” is a collection of short stories about men! The characters are quite a varied bunch – my favourite story was the father who got tattoos of his daughter’s drawings.  I did feel sorry for him!!  Did you base a lot of your men characters on you and people you’ve met in life?

I think a lot of male friends worry that I have taken something they’ve specifically said or done and made it into a story. That isn’t the case at all. What I base the characters on is this sort of general ‘essence’ of men I have observed springing from societal expectations, their personal delusions, and the absurd reality of male behaviour. Each story plays out as testimony to the feeling of perplexity many men feel as they grow beyond their teenage years and navigate relationships and life. The gap between the idealised maturity that’s expected and the reality of lived experience is a potent backdrop for comedy. At the core of ‘Sorry Men’ is the ego and its powerful need, when faced with its own shortcomings, to assert itself and stay convinced of its own rectitude. This results in impulsiveness, stark naivety, and farce, among other amusing things. 

Growing up, I used to read a lot of men’s magazines such as FHM or Loaded. These gave a very reassuring one-sided presentation of how men behave or should behave. Men being action heroes, extremely confident, domineering, stoic, that sort of thing, but I think everybody knows this is fabricated nonsense. There are plenty of obvious reasons why those magazines are no longer as popular (or even exist). As an adult it became very obvious to me that men can be sensitive, in touch with their emotions, and completely fallible and daft in a way that contradicted my previous diet of ‘lads mags’. I’ve taken great pleasure in fleshing out my characters with the insecurities and weaknesses that I think all men have at some point in their lives, especially when it comes to relationships.

Which short story did you enjoy writing about the most?  

The story I enjoyed writing the most was ‘Steps’. It’s about a man who bumps into his ex-girlfriend travelling in the opposite direction on an escalator on The Tube. As they get closer she calls out and informs him that the dog they had owned together had to be put down. Before she can finish explaining, she is out of earshot as she continues her ascent on the escalator. What follows is a farcical scene in which they are unable to sustain the conversation because they keep getting on the escalator at the wrong time. It was good fun imagining that situation and the visual mechanics of a comedy like that. I also revel in the awkwardness and indignity of trying to have a very challenging private conversation somewhere as public as an escalator at rush hour.

Which character was the hardest to portray?

The hardest character to portray is, funnily enough, also from a dog-related tale. It’s about a gentleman who owns the cleverest dog in the world, ‘Jimbo’. One day Jimbo saves a boy who was accidentally knocked into a river by his father.  The father is at first grateful, but when the owner berates him for being careless, ego kicks in and the embarrassed father claims the dog injured his son. What follows is a campaign by the father to have the clever dog destroyed. However, I didn’t just want a ‘sad’ story about a dog owner whose favourite pet is put down. I wanted to show that in the final moments in the vet’s surgery that the owner’s understanding of what happened has changed. He is so intimidated by the legal proceedings and the reactions of those around him that he really thinks his dog is now dangerous. To get that idea across in just a few sentences was very difficult. This idea that his ‘sorry’ state is not actually the tragic loss of his dog but that he is not resolute enough with his own convictions. The last few sentences of that story were some of the ones I redrafted most.

This is your first book collection of short stories. Were there any aspects of writing the stories that surprised you, pleasantly or otherwise? 

Despite the brevity of the stories, they have been edited dozens and dozens of times. Since they are ‘flash’ short stories every word matters and I was surprised at how much time I spent tinkering. Part of the process of deciding what I might change came from reading aloud to others. It’s a big part of my practice now. Seeing listeners’ reactions helped me gauge the success of a story, of course in terms of clarity but also how the humour landed. 

Sequencing the stories required a lot more effort than I had anticipated. I wanted to continually surprise the reader, give deliberate variation to the situations being shown or the tone or voice presented. As I have written in the description on the back cover, ‘[Sorry Men] absolutely will not restore your faith in men’. Yes, there is a chance for redemption for many of these characters, but whether they take it or not is another thing. ‘Sorry Men’ is definitely the kind of book you can dip in and out as arbitrarily as you wish. The connection between the stories is the theme, not the narrative. My personal preference is reading it from front to back. I’ve done my best to make that journey a little kaleidoscopic and, for the final couple of stories to really hit best, then they must be allowed to lean on the image of the men I have constructed in the many stories that come before. I wanted to build to the point where that lack of faith in men was of course amusing but ultimately convincing.

If you could visit any country/place in the world, to base a future collection of short stories in, where would you go and why? 

It’s always going to be the UK for me. Living in Hong Kong has given me ample opportunity to reflect on British culture, language and behaviour. Whenever I’m back in the UK I always appreciate the nuance of the humour there. I miss the subtleties of small talk about the weather, chatting with elderly people, and banter in general. I think it’s best to write what you know and I feel, even though I don’t live and work in the UK, that it’s the place that has the most value for me for stories and especially characters. Having said that, I do think that the expatriate community around the globe is another rich area for characters. You certainly do meet some people out here in Asia who have settled and are more than happy to give you unsolicited advice whilst very sunburnt. Maybe ‘Sorry Expatriate Men’ could be the next book. 

Are you a bookworm? What is your favourite genre and/or authors? Kindle or actual book? 

I prefer actual books and I do read a fair bit. I’m a big fan of the crime/thriller genre. I love buying the latest thriller at the airport before travelling. A long time ago my Dad got me into Jeffrey Deaver’s ‘Lincoln Rhyme’ series and I’d happily go back and read them all again if only I could make myself forget the twists. My grandfather and aunt always pass me a bag of books whenever I visit them. There is always a David Baldacci in there somewhere. My favourite crime/thriller novels of the last year or so have been by Simon Mason, Lee Child, Peter May, Owen Matthews, Karin Slaughter, and David McCloskey. 

When I’m not reading crime, I enjoy Mark Haddon (I think his ‘Pier Falls’ is the best short story collection ever written), Dan Rhodes (hilarious), Kazuo Ishiguro, Sebastian Faulks, and Ian McEwan. My go-to book recommendation is ‘Madonna in a Fur Coat’ by Sabahattin Ali. It will make you cry, though. 

Is “Sorry Men” available to purchase worldwide?

It is. Paperback you can order online from all good online stores. There is an eBook too. If you live in Hong Kong, I’ll happily sell you a signed one in the cafe of your choice. 

Growing up had you always wanted to be a writer or teacher or did you have other career aspirations?

I wanted to be an actor or a bodyguard. I realised quite quickly I lacked the self-confidence, physique or eyesight for either of those. Whilst corrective laser surgery has solved one problem, I’ve always struggled with having the courage to explore acting, even though I teach drama. I always admire those students or friends who possess the ability to get on stage or in film. Writing has always been there because I used to love penning letters to my grandparents. That’s where the smidgen of confidence I had as a kid and teenager was: in using written words and in making others laugh. I fell into teaching very happily and I’m delighted to have made a career out of it. It suits me I think because teaching, in a bizarre way, combines a lot of my inner ambitions. Being in the classroom is a kind of performance and role you take on. Also, much like a famous actor, the audience is either captivated or thinks you’re an absolute idiot. I have no idea how being a bodyguard comes into that, though. 

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

As a teacher I have to dress fairly smart, so it’s always a shirt and trousers. I get away with trainers as I’m on my feet all day and we do a lot of very active drama games. My outfits are as plain and boring as humanly possible. I don’t like to stick out too much. I think the most adventurous thing I did was get some sort of light green trousers last year and I think that was enough excitement for my wardrobe for a while. If I’m outside of work then I prefer black t-shirts, mainly because it’s so unbearably hot in Hong Kong in the summer that you want to hide the sweat stains. I love a big cardigan. Whilst I like to think it can make me look like Tom Hardy, it doesn’t. 

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites ?

Any shop that doesn’t cover their clothes in writing is a good one for me. I like M&S for that reason and I’m happy to now be the age of the people in their adverts. I also like Maison Kitsuné and a French brand called Peter Polo. My favourite shop for clothing was J Crew but it’s gone now; perhaps it will return for a sequel so I can restock my armoury of plaid shirts again.

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

Anything that actually fits me properly. My weight fluctuates a fair bit because I tend to return to the UK for a month in the summer. Seeing friends and family means drinking beer, indulging in fatty food and not exercising. When term starts in Hong Kong September I’m usually 8kg heavier and my shirt buttons are hanging on like Sylvester Stallone in the opening scene of ‘Cliffhanger’. I lose the weight in a couple of months and then it’s back on at Christmas. This is entirely unhealthy but it is a good excuse to buy something new that actually fits (for that month). 

Boots or Shoes?

Shoes look better on me. My dad says that the last time he saw legs like mine they were being chased by a fox around a farm. Boots look daft on me. Imagine a golf club sticking out of a wellington. 

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc

www.notarealbird.com

Instagram: dannotarealbird

X: dannotarealbird

Fantastic to speak to you Daniel about your book and exploits in Hong Kong. Expat Sorry Men book follow up sounds like an epic idea! Thank you for the review copy of Sorry Men; thanks also to Ben Cameron of Cameron Publicity & Marketing.

Linda x

Photo credits: Frankie Adamson; Justin Chui (Justin Chui Productions 2024); Spoon Chan; Linda Hobden

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Beauty/Hair, Eco Friendly, Reviews

Review: Vegamour Hydr-8 Shampoo & Conditioner Essentials Kit

Disclaimer Alert: The Vegamour Hydr-8 Shampoo & Conditioner Essentials Kit has been supplied by Vegamour for the purpose of this review, however, all opinions expressed are 100% mine!

THE BRAND

Vegamour is an American company founded in 2016 by Daniel Hodgson. It is a vegan, cruelty free beauty brand of hair products from shampoos, conditioners to hair growth serums. The brand uses an holistic approach to hair wellness that incorporates clinically tested plant -based ingredients – no use of harmful chemicals and ensuring that every product in the Vegamour range as well as each ingredient, works in tandem. Only 100% vegan ingredients and no testing on animals either. According to Vegamour’s website, Vegamour utilises the latest advances in clean, bimolecular technology to ensure that each plant-based ingredient in every product formulated is optimised for maximum efficiency. Sounds impressive, eh?!

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THE WEBSITE

Although Vegamour is an American company, and products are shipped from the USA, the website caters for your particular home country. Here is the UK site: https://uk.vegamour.com For UK shoppers, the price displayed is in pounds £ and has the 20% VAT already added. Although shipping comes from the USA, I waited approximately 10 days for arrival.
Currently, Vegamour ship to Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Jordan, South Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Mozambique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Vietnam

As far as the actual website is concerned – the site is clean and uncluttered with photographs of the products, price, reviews, FAQ , and lots of interesting scientific information.

Deep Moisture Repair Mask

THE PRODUCTS

I received the Vegamour Hydr-8 Shampoo and Conditioner Essentials Kit to review. This kit comprises of 3 full size products- hydrating shampoo; hydrate & repair conditioner and a deep moisture repair hair mask. The shampoo is a hydrate and repair shampoo powered by Karmatin ™️, which is a vegan alternative to Keratin. The hair conditioning mask was to be used instead of the conditioner at least once or twice a week.
The 3 products have been formulated for use on dry, damaged hair. My hair is highlighted and dry; it suffers from frizz and waviness on humid days; I normally wash my hair once or twice a week so, for this review I used the mask one week instead of the conditioner; and then used the shampoo & conditioner the following week; and so on. I have used these products for approximately a month.
The shampoo & conditioner have twisty cap applicators and the repair mask is a thick and buttery cream in a tub. All three items have a strong, pleasant scent to them.
Key ingredients: Karmatin ™️, Amino Acids , Marula Oil, Moringa Seed Oil.

Twisty Lid applicator on the shampoo

WHAT IS KARMATIN ™️?

According to Vegamour’s website, Karmatin ™️ is an innovative, encapsulated vegan b-silk ™️ protein that replaces traditional keratin. Many hair products contain keratin, an animal protein that rinses away before it can repair damaged hair. Karmatin ™️ bonds to the hair, nourishing it instantly for a glass like feel. It also deeply nourishes, repairs and protects hair from external aggressors like chlorine

BENEFITS/CLAIMS

  • Keeps Colour Vibrant – I’m not 100% sure on this claim because my hair colour at the moment is fairly muted and not as blonde as I used to have it in the past. My hair is highlighted though and some of the stronger blonde highlights are definitely vibrant to be fair.
  • Gently cleanses – Despite the strong smell ( which I loved), the shampoo gently cleansed and all three products didn’t irritate my sensitive skin and scalp. No dandruff either.
  • Conditioner softens and smooths strands. Reducing frizz. Locking in moisture. Yes, the conditioner definitely performed well. My hair feels very smooth and soft. Despite the recent humid weather, my hair hasn’t succumbed to frizz. Win win.
  • Deep Moisture Repair Mask – instantly repairing the appearance of damaged hair. The mask felt lovely when applied and my hair doesn’t look dry, even when it is due a wash after a few days! My hair also feels a lot thicker than it used to.
  • Unparalleled softness and shine. Oh definitely. My hair feels very soft and there is a definite shine.
Before and After


MY CONCLUSION

This haircare range set from Vegamour is impressive, offering an effective solution for those seeking vegan and cruelty-free products. The delightful scent and gorgeous packaging contribute to a luxurious experience, which is reflected in the quality of the products. However, the high cost can be a significant downside. Some Vegamour products cater to specialised hair conditions, such as thickeners etc; justifying their price to some extent. Despite the expense, regular sales on their website can make these products more accessible, and their attractive presentation makes them excellent gift options. Overall, I rate Vegamour products 7/10, deducting points primarily due to their price.

My thanks to Vegamour for supplying the Hydr-8 Shampoo and Conditioner Essentials Kit for reviewing. All photographs are by Linda Hobden.

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Books, Interview, Reviews

Author Interview: Caroline J L Thomason

My guest on the blog this week is author Caroline J L Thomason whose debut novel is a fantasy romance novel featuring a blind doctor who uses echolocation to “see”. The book is aimed at a young adult audience, but I thoroughly enjoyed the story so I think it really does have a wider appeal. Here’s a quick book summary before we meet Caroline ….

Book cover. Red heart entwined with a green stethoscope. A green and red dagger on the left hand side. Plain black background

BOOK SUMMARY

Close your eyes and look into the light. What do you see?

Now click with your tongue, then face a wall and click again. What do you hear?

Using the rebounding echoes from these clicks is how Ambarenyll sees his world ever since he became blind in a Darmé rebel attack. Thirteen years have passed, and he feels comfortable enough to pick up his stethoscope and practise medicine once more. But the fragile relation between the Mané and Darmé factions in Landaïla is threatened with a new series of rebel attacks, and the doctor winds up in the middle of the conflict when he has to treat Princess Jade, heir of the Mané King. He is confronted with the past he long buried. Matters become more complicated as the attraction between Ambarenyll and Jade grows. Little do they know that a dark family secret is the very foundation for the ongoing conflict and could plummet everything into even deeper chaos.

This novel will be enjoyed by people who love fantasy with elements of romance and medicine. It will appeal to readers who enjoyed Rosemarked by Livia Blackburne and The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen.

THE INTERVIEW

Hi Caroline & welcome to the blog!

Black & white head & shoulders picture of the author, smiling.

Hello! I’m Caroline otherwise known as C. J. L. Thomason the author of “Crown and Scalpel”, my debut novel. I’m from Belgium, Flanders more specifically and speak four languages (Dutch, German, French and English), though not all equally well. I was born in the German-speaking region of Belgium to two Flemish parents in 1988. When I was 6, I moved to Flanders, where I still currently live on a farm with my dad and paternal aunt. Apart from writing fiction I enjoy carriage riding with my Shetland pony Harold and going for a walk with my two corgis Ginny and Lenny. I have a second Shetland pony JJ, and both of them are accompanied by my aunt’s horse and another pony of a girl living in the neighbourhood. 

I currently teach at a college and hope to combine this with food and packaging research in the future. 

Who or what inspired you to write “Crown and Scalpel”? 

Crown and Scalpel has two main sources of inspiration. The first dates back to when I was about 16 years old as I createdthe characters Ambarenyll, Jade, Faraiël and Raven together with my friend, Rose (she is also the first one whom I dedicated this book to). None of these characters are the same as they were at that time, only the fact that Jade was a Princess and Ambarenyll her love interest made it into the final story. But after we created these characters, I would start writing scenes with them and show them to Rose and she would comment. When I told her I wanted to write a story featuring these four characters, she was very excited and remains to this day still one of my biggest supporters. The second inspiration was Daniel Kish (and the second person I dedicated this book to). After I saw a video of him on YouTube demonstrating echolocation and how he as a completely blind person used it to ride a bike and go hiking all by himself, I was inspired to write a story about a blind protagonist. I also get asked why a doctor? Well, my dad is a veterinarian and I’ve always had a fascination for medicine, maybe in another universe I might have become a doctor in medicine instead of a doctor in engineering technology. 

Author sitting at a wooden table signing a pile of her books. She is wearing glasses, a plum coloured jacket and a blue neck scarf.

“Crown and Scalpel” is a young adult fantasy romance novel featuring a blind doctor, Ambarenyll, who uses echolocation to “see”.  Although aimed at a younger audience, this older female actually enjoyed the romantic story line with a hint of mystery 😊 The characters are well written  –  I had a fondest for Ambarenyll  but I also liked the forthright Princess Jade!  She made me giggle at times. Did you base a lot of your characters on you and people you’ve met in life? Which character did you enjoy writing about the most?  Which character was the hardest?

I can’t outright say that I based my characters on people I’ve met, with the exception of George, who strongly resembles Daniel Kish, both in the way he became blind and his teaching approach of echolocation – something Daniel himself noticed as well and to which he replied he was “humbly gratified”. I did base several characters or at least certain characteristics on myself or based on situations I’ve encountered in my life. Jade, for example, holds many similarities to me, she is strong-willed and has a fierce temper, but is very fragile on the inside. Which is something I would use to describe myself. And the way Ambarenyll deals with his grief comes from my own experience of losing my mum in a car crash when I was 12.

Writing most characters came easily to me, so if I must pick one that was the hardest then I probably pick Raven, because she was the character originally created by my friend Rose and I wanted to do her justice. The one that I enjoyed writing the most about, was definitely Ambarenyll, that’s why he is the protagonist. 

As this was your debut novel, were there any aspects of writing the novel that surprised you, pleasantly or otherwise?

Not the writing itself but when I was looking for ways to publish this novel, I contacted Daniel Kish, because I wanted to be sure that Ambarenyll’s blindness and use of echolocation was portrayed right. I was amazed with how open and helpful Daniel was with sharing his insights. And he complimented me by saying: “Thanks for your diligence in portraying the blindness bit right. I’d say you’ve probably come closer than any other author I can readily think of. And yes, I can see you’ve done your homework.” He was also incredibly supportive to help get the book published. And I was again pleasantly surprised when Siobhan Meade, a blind vlogster also reacted extremely positively to the book with: “it’s more than a story; it’s a reflection of my reality in blindness. Ambarenyll’s use of echolocation and his resilience deeply resonates. This book captures the essence of perceiving the world beyond sight. Great read”. 

Author wearing glasses, blue neck scarf, gold coloured watch holding a copy of her novel while standing next to a tall screen displaying a giant sized book cover

If you could visit any country/place in the world, to base a future novel in, where would you go and why? 

I’ve been several times to Japan during my PhD years, because the company where I did my PhD is part of the Japanese manufacturer Kuraray. I also love series and stories set in Japan, certainly Edo Period. But if I would write a story set in Japan, who knows. There are many other places I would love to visit, but not necessarily to write a story about.

Are you a bookworm? What is your favourite genre and/or authors? Kindle or actual book? 

Maybe not as much as I used to be due to time constraints. As a child I really loved reading, especially right before bedtime. I participated in many events related to book reading. In Flanders there used to be a yearly youth book month, in which children would be given a chance to read a selection of books within in certain age category and review them. This event would always end with a themed activity day where the authors would be present for reading and signing sessions. I still have several signed copies on my shelf. My favourite genres are fantasy and cosy detective. My favourite authors growing up in the ’90 and 2000’ were Marc De Bel (a Flemish author), J. K. Rowling and Eoin Colfer. A few years ago I came across the thriller “Aquila” by Ursula Poznanski, an Austrian writer. I read it in German – the advantage of being a polyglot – and really loved it. I definitely recommend it and put some other books by her on my list. As for Kindle or actual books, I see the advantage of eReaders and do have one myself, but I still like actual books a bit more. 

Is “Crown and Scalpel” available to purchase worldwide?

“Crown and Scalpel” is available worldwide through the website of my publisher Palavro and Arkbound. It’s also on Amazon both in eBook as well as printed version. 

A corgi wearing glasses sitting on a sofa with an open book in its paws, looking as though it is reading the story

Growing up had you always wanted to be an author or did you have other career aspirations?

If you’d asked my dad this question, he would undoubtedly say I was quite young when I said I wanted to become a writer, how young I’m not sure. I think it was after my mum died in a car crash when I was 12 that I first mentioned I wanted to become a writer. For a brief period, I wanted to become a biologist. Yet I majored in economics and languages in secondary school and afterwards decided to study languages and literature at the University of Leuven. It only took one year for me to realise this wasn’t the right path for me and then I switched to sciences. First, I pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Agro- and Biotechnology and later I obtained my Master’s and PhD in Engineering technology – Packaging technology. I’ve worked in the industry, but found that I enjoy teaching and academic research way more. In the meantime writing became a hobby and I’m still happy with that decision. 

You were born in the German speaking region of Belgium, to two Flemish parents, just how difficult was it to write and publish English fiction as a non-native speaker?

I learned English when I was in my second year of secondary school and to be honest in the beginning, I was really rubbish at it. But I was an avid reader and a huge fan of the Harry Potter and Artemis Fowl series amongst others. When a new book was published, I generally couldn’t wait for a Dutch release, so I started reading in English and learned on the go. Additionally, when I grew up, only kids shows and films were dubbed in Dutch, so we used to watch most series and films in their original language with subtitles which also helps with learning another language. And most Flemish are able to speak 2 or 3 languages.

When I first started writing in English, it wasn’t anywhere near as what it is today, but over time my English improved and I often relied – still do, by the way – on using the Dictionary app on my laptop, which also includes a Thesaurus. I would start with words I knew and then by looking them up in the Thesaurus expand my vocabulary. 

Although I didn’t finish my studies in Languages and Literature, it was still helpful with improving my language skills and after I took a turn into sciences we were regularly confronted with English course material and scientific papers, and I did my PhD in English as well. It was also during my PhD years from 2015 to 2019 that I really got into writing “Crown and Scalpel” as I found it very relaxing at the end of a workday. The first draft was finished around the same time as my doctoral thesis.

Coffee Table in the Tarte Tatin coffee shop - the table top has a blue/white world map inlay. On the table is a Tarte Tatin menu, copy of the book, daisy motif china tea cup on a lilac saucer quarter filled with weak tea, a cream/black teapot and a white ornate lidded sugar bowl with spoon.

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

It varies a bit, most of the time when I’m at work I’m wearing jeans a simple blouse or vest and sneakers. But during the summer I wear dresses more often. In general my look can be described as sporty but elegant. 

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

I prefer visiting physical shops to online shopping because I like to feel the fabrics. The shop I visit most is probably LolaLiza, which is a Belgian brand. 

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

Probably some new white sneakers and maybe some new summer wear like a dress. 

Boots or Shoes?

That’s a tough one, most footwear I own are shoes, mainly sneakers because they’re very comfy. But I do love well-fitting boots especially in the Winter, unfortunately I used to have very skinny legs, making it very tough to find a good fit. My solution to this is ankle boots.

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc

Website: https://www.cjlthomason.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555839655225

X: @CJL_Thomason

Instagram: cjl_thomason

https://palavro.org/product/crown-and-scalpel-by-c-j-l-thomason

https://arkbound.com/product/crown-and-scalpel-by-c-j-l-thomason

Thank you Caroline for the copy of “Crown and Scalpel” for reviewing.

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Caroline J L Thomason. Photo Credits: Marianne Peyffers, Oana-Maria Pop, Caroline J L Thomason, Liesbeth Driessen .

Linda x

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Books, Interview, Pets/Animal Life

Who Saved Who Book Tour

I’m so pleased to be part of Roslyn Cohn’s “Who Saved Who” Book Tour…. this is definitely a book for all dog lovers and I know many of my readers are definitely dog mad!

BOOK SUMMARY

Growing up in beautiful Bohemian 1970s Marin County, the daughter of a funny pawnbroker-jeweler with vision who knew the streets and a warm, independent Mom turned Naturalist-Animal Rights Activist, Roz is an award-winning actress who spent 20 years in NYC, where she worked on stages from the size of a postage stamp to Broadway. 

Roz begins Who Saved Who with her unique parents and upbringing which is so crucial in understanding both her and her journey during 2022. While living in a post-Pandemic world, her career on hold and with politics and the environment in a persistent state of toxic tension, there was little left of life to be desired, so believed Marin County raised and NYC ripened Roz.  Told through words, pictures, and video, “Who Saved Who” is an honest, sometimes funny, many times moving, and ultimately joyous journey of 2022 with a woman who was lost. With messages from the Other Side and the words that her Mother said to her years ago, “We save dogs, Roz, that’s what we do,” Roz was able to climb out of deep sadness and found a purpose ignited she didn’t know was flickering inside.

In “Who Saved Who,” readers may recognize their own journey in loving dogs – perhaps heal themselves from the loss of their own beloved furry family member – and best of all, readers may find their hearts open to saving their next canine companion. “Who Saved Who” does more than warm the heart, it can help heal the spirit. It’s an easy and fulfilling read – paws down.

ISBN-13: 979-8865682363

ASIN: B0CNWZ3LYW

Print Length: 157 pages

MY INTERVIEW

Hi everyone reading this interview and thank you for taking the time to do so! I’m Roslyn “Roz” Cohn, the author of Who Saved Who.

Hi Roz 👋 Who or what inspired you to write your memoir “Who Saved Who”?

I use Facebook as a journal in many ways. The book goes into the incredibly difficult journey I began in 2022 and as I wrote, I was gaining more and more comments about how moved people were. By the time the magical thing happened to me, there were over 400 literally watching in real time the videos and photos I was posting as this experience unfolded. Those readers begged me to write the book in order to help those who have gone through the losses as I did. I really doubted whether I had a purpose any longer in this life and maybe my time here was coming to an end – and then my journey took off in a way no crystal ball could ever have predicted. It’s a very uplifting story in the end.

Your book highlighted the joy and love encountered when you have dogs in your life; as well as the importance of animal rescue. What advice would you give to someone considering caring for dogs from a rescue centre? 

Great question. Be sure you are ready for the responsibility of being a dog parent. They need to be walked, fed throughout the day, given play to stay engaged and healthy and most importantly, they require affection. Make sure you have the finances to afford veterinary bills but a word on that. There are incredible organizations like The Amanda Foundation which help people out in case one is experiencing financial hardship. It is far better to save a dog’s life if one even has a small apartment and limited funds for a big vet emergency rather than let them be killed. There are 500 dogs killed daily in the Los Angeles Animal Services system so these beautiful beings are far better off in a home with someone who is willing to simply walk, feed and love them. The joy you get in return far outweighs any of the responsibility and occasional vet bills. Also be sure to get pet insurance because you will need it. I find it to be more fair than my own personal insurance!

Maui & 8 pup pups with Grammy Roz

I loved reading the tales about the gorgeous dogs that shared your life, past and present, especially Maui, Kona and the pups.  What is the best thing about loving dogs ? Is there a downside? 

Oh, thank you so much Linda! They make life WONDERFUL. Nature is spiritual so having a dog, one of nature’s most amazing beings, is being surrounded by positive, loving, smart, fun and funny spirit 24/7. The downside is the searing pain you experience when they are suffering or have reached their end of life. My dad always said to me, “Loving a dog would be my greatest joy and deepest sorrow.” It is so true. But I find that now I understand there really is The Other Side, that the pain of them crossing over will be horrible but I know in time we will be re-united. That helps. Some may think that’s bonkers and that’s fair. I know it’s not. When one reads the book, they will find out exactly why I am so certain about this.

Your mum was a naturalist and an animal rights activist- how much of your relationship with dogs was shaped by your upbringing? Do you think children benefit, in general, from being around dogs (or other pets)? 

Such fantastic questions! I love you use the term “mum.” Are you British? I love the Brits and the UK. My mom’s paternal side was from the Isle of Skye in Scotland. My upbringing completely shaped my relationship with dogs. There was one reviewer who gave me a scathing “review” because this person doesn’t believe one should treat dogs with the same amount of affection as a human. They felt I was doing a disservice to dogs in how I love them and treat them on equal ground. All I can say about that person is that they are NOT anyone I would ever want to know. I feel horrible for the dogs in their life because they deserve better. Dogs, like all living beings, thrive with affection and consideration. My mom told me the story that when she and my dad got one of their early dogs – not even sure if she meant Brandy who is in the book – Mom wanted the dog sleeping with them but my dad didn’t want that. My mom said, “Then you’re sleeping on the floor.” The dog slept with them from then on out. It actually was my dad who was sometimes more googoo gaga about our dogs than Mom in how demonstrative he was in his affection for them. Dad could never bear it when we had to help one of our dogs cross over. He couldn’t face it because he loved them so deeply. 

Both Maui and Kona were very skittish when I got them – clearly they were abused – and now Maui is no longer terrified of other people. Kona is still very distrustful but he has blossomed with me and he is slowly opening up to some people I am able to bring over. I know I could push him and “force” him to encounter more people, but if it stresses him out, I really don’t want to push him too much. This is their Sanctuary and I treat them with the sacred respect here that they deserve. My folks taught me they are worthy of as much love as one would give one’s child. There is no difference. I am grateful to have grown up in a home where dogs were so cherished.

Kids definitely benefit being around dogs. This is where you truly learn to love. People can be so complicated and prone to mood swings be they a child or adult. That’s humans. Dogs are pure love. All they want to do is love us. They teach you to be able to live in the moment, be enthralled in the simplest things like a bird flying above and really using one’s senses to get the full experience. They teach us to receive love and return it. They teach us to be kind and compassionate. They are Divine. I truly mean that.

Kona, Maui & the puppies

Oh yes Roz, I’m English! 😊…. I was brought up with cats – I have 3 at home – well 2 really now as my tomcat Leo has taken a fancy to my neighbour and decided to live with her!!! But my parent’s friends had  gorgeous Red Setters and my in laws have a red setter and an Irish setter  – both I adore. Do you have a breed or two that you are particularly drawn to? 

Cats are a hoot! I had one for a time in NYC, Smooch was his name, but when my boyfriend and I broke up, he took our cat as I was traveling out of town to do theatre. Then I had a roommate for about a year in NYC and she had 2 cats, Luna and Tommy. Luna was “catty” but Tommy was a love and he would snuggle with me all the time. I adored him!!

Setters are Gorgeous dogs!!! Oh boy!!! Each dogs is so beautiful. Well, I will say that all Cohn dogs are good looking regardless of the breed. We had Dalmations as a kid and now I wouldn’t get a purebred as they have a lot of health issues. Fluke was part Dalmation and part English Pointer. He was Stunning as readers will see and had the best attributes of both breeds. I do love Australian Sheperds/Queensland Heelers like Niki and Kona in the book. And now I’m in love with Cattle dogs which Maui is. And then there was Diva, a German Shepherd-Rottweiler mix, my most meaningful girl of all time because she was first my Mom’s and then mine for 11 years!!! And, oh, I can’t choose as each of our dogs have left such an imprint on my heart and soul. We’ve also had Duchess the Boxer, Keisha our gorgeous Flat Coat Retriever, Blue – he was a stunner – was some kind of Aussie I believe, Betsy was a Rottie-Shepherd adorable girl, Maxferd was a handsome Border Collie mix, all so gorgeous and unique. So, I really can’t say which breed is my favorite. Dogs are a slice of heaven on earth.

Growing up, did you always want a career in acting, writing, with animals or did you have completely different career aspirations? 

I had this overwhelming need to be an actress from the time I was very young. I have a neurological condition, Essential Tremors, that became a source of great shame for me since 2ndgrade when I was mocked. It’s in the book. I never told my parents so I never got the counseling to come to terms what this disorder is. So, by the time I was 9, I was writing desperate letters to God, “Please God, I HAVE to be a successful actress. I HAVE TO ACT. Please let me not be nervous. Please let me be able to successful. It’s really sad to know a 9 year old – me – would cry myself to sleep because I was so worried these tremors would destroy my career. 9 years old!!! Then I wanted to be a Ballerina in addition and worked very hard. But I have a rare skin condition where my top layer of skin doesn’t bond with the one underneath on my hands and feet. It’s gotten much better through the years but when I was about 3-4, it was very, very bad when it was hot outside. When I told my dad I wanted to be a ballerina, he told me I couldn’t because of my blisters. He had to carry me as a 3 to 5 year old child because my feet were so raw. But he made me walk even still, no matter how it hurt. That was a great lesson because he taught me that no matter how hard something is, you still have the ability to “walk through it.” No matter how hard. And then he would pick me up when it got too painful. But I am stubborn and I did train very hard in ballet and when I was on pointe for a year, my feet would bleed. I still did it. I have super tight hips so I knew I wouldn’t ultimately be able to do ballet and that’s when I wanted to become a Broadway Female version of the great Ben Vereen. I hung up my  toe shoes as I was entering 9th grade and trained very intensely in Broadway jazz dance. If you don’t know who Ben is, Youtube his name and he will blow you away!!!!

My mom always told me I was a writer and I have no idea how she knew that but I guess I do have ability in that department. The few things I’ve written for myself as an actress have been very well received. It really is so important to me that people read this book so I can help bring awareness about shelter dogs and why it’s so important to adopt them. Or even volunteer at a shelter.  Life with a dog is, paws down, the most honest and pure of relationships in life. I don’t have childrenso they are my furry kids.I

Maui & Kona

Is “Who Saved Who” available to purchase worldwide?

It’s only available on Amazon. I have a niece who lives in Portugal and she has this thing called a VPN which enables those living overseas to purchase digital Amazon books. I’m not sure how it works but that’s how she was able to read it.

I do love animals, but I am wary of cows! Not particularly sure why! Are there any animals you have a fear of or a bit wary of?  

OMG! That’s hilarious!!! Aren’t we humans so funny with our phobias? I can no longer drive freeways, they scare me so terribly. Hhhhmmmm, do I have any fear of animals? Well, I have no desire to hold a snake but they are fascinating. And I don’t want to be anywhere near a poisonous spider like a black widow or a tarantula. I am scared to scuba dive because I think I would have a heart attack if I was near a shark or barracuda. I am terrified of sharks but I would never eat shark fin soup as I think that’s evil to waste their lives like that. I cannot understand how someone thinks it’s “fun” to swi in a cage with a Great White shark. No thank you!!!! It’s funny. A good friend of my Dad’s was this well respected stuntman, Ted Grossman. Ted was Ryan O’Neill’s stunt double in What’s Up Doc, et al. He was the guy in Jaws 1 who dies in the estuary. It took me until I was in my 20s to see Ted in that film because Great Whites freak me out so badly. I’m a lap swimmer and when that movie came out, just the poster gave me terrible fears a Great White would be able to come through our pool drain. So dumb but it made me learn to swim faster!

Maui & Kona

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

I live in those leggings with pockets. I adore them!!! And if I had the space and funds, I think I would want to be able to own at least 20 different styles of boots. I LOVE boots!!! Always have!!! When I was a little girl with these blisters in sweltering Marin, I would be dressed in black tights and black go-go style boots, regardless of the blisters. I really was like Wednesday in The Addams Family in my mind back then. I also love good tennis shoes because I’m a walker and active. I can’t stand not moving. Makes me crazy as I have a ton of energy and still the dancer mentality of staying slim. Being fit is super important to longevity and working on stage. It takes stamina to do that and working in Film/TV is very demanding on stamina as you have very long days.

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites ?

My dad was the shopper. He loved to take me shopping because he was overweight and I guess I looked good in clothes. He used to call me “high pockets” because my legs are long. So he would take me clothes shopping and have me buy whatever he felt was flattering. He had great taste. I miss shopping with Dad because he made it so fun. I’m like my mom. She hated shopping. I get so frustrated trying on all those clothes without my Dad’s or someone else’s eye – but I do love the customer service at Nordstroms. Macy’s is more my speed in variety but they aren’t managed very well and it’s murder trying to find someone to help you!

Diva, Fluke & Roz playing tug

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

I have been looking for a pair of boots to replace these Donald Pliner one’s I got years ago at It’s A Wrap. That’s a showbiz re-sale shop and I have worn his fabulous black fabric, silver metal tipped knee high boots for years. I got them for $50 at least 20 years ago and have worn them to pretty much shreds at this point. To buy them new, they are quite expensive – too expensive for me and I haven’t found them in any stores to even consider trying on a pair. The cloth is now coming off of my pair and I can’t really wear them any longer. I have very thin calves and his fabric boots are perfect for me. By any chance, do you have any sources for those?!!!! I have been looking!!!! I also need to get to Express and check out their current Editor pants. I typically have a pair in my closet but don’t have any now. Your question has spurred me on to get over to Express))

Boots or Shoes? 

Boots!!! My first goal was to be a go-go dancer in a cage. No joke. I think I was 5 years old. I love go-go style boots!!! So sexy)))

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc

My Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/rozcohn

Website: www.RoslynCohn.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roslyncohn/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rozcohn

BOOK TOUR DATES

My thanks to Roslyn for inviting me onto her book tour; for agreeing to be interviewed; for a copy of her lovely book for reviewing. All photographs have been published with kind permission of Roslyn Cohn. Header picture is of me with my in law’s Red Setter, Reid 😊

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Arts & Crafts, Reviews

Review: Skudaboo Sweet Life Collection

DISCLAIMER ALERT : The framed Amalfi Lemons Art Print has been supplied by Skudaboo for the purpose of this review. All opinions expressed are 100% mine.

THE BRAND/WEBSITE

Affordable printed gicleé wall art, framed prints and posters are lovingly curated by a small business, Skudaboo, in Bristol. The founder is Katie and the company’s mission is to showcase amazing artists and to help you, the customer, find lovely affordable artwork to create dreamy rooms that match your individuality and personal interior design style. In addition to art work, Skudaboo also offers home care items.

The website itself is well laid out, clean and easy to navigate. There are collections for every taste. Katie also has an excellent blog attached with interesting articles about artwork/interior design – for example, tips on how to display wall art in rented accommodation.

https://skudaboo.co.uk/collections/the-sweet-life-art-print-collection

THE PRODUCT

The art work I chose to review was from Skudaboo’s latest collection of art prints, the Sweet Life Collection . The collection features modern colourful art work pieces to grace kitchen walls, dining areas ….in fact, any interior. The art work I chose to grace my kitchen wall was The Amalfi Lemons Art Print with Oak Frame. I chose this print almost straightaway – I love lemons, the colours matched my kitchen decor, and it reminded me of my recent holiday to Amalfi – what was there not to love?

Picking the frame colour was harder to be honest. With 8 colours to choose from – black, dark green, oak, maroon, pink, red, white, sage green – matching your decor should be simple. I ummed and ahhed – Black ? Oak? Sage Green? Decisions, decisions! I picked the oak frame in the end as it matched my work surfaces perfectly.

Displaying the print was easy. I had a wall with a nail in place to hang the picture – but do look at the blog post I mentioned on the Skudaboo website if you need other hanging options. The print has been nicely framed with a neat backing and hanging loop.

PACKAGING/SHIPPING/DELIVERY

All prints are made to order and are shipped in a tube, or flat pack envelope. Currently the processing time takes around 1-3 working days (Monday-Friday) plus a couple of days for delivery.

For UK customers, Skudaboo offers free standard delivery on orders over £50. The shipping cost for outside of the UK is dependent on location and what the order comprises of – this will be calculated at checkout.

Prints are shipped out using Royal Mail’s 48 hour tracking service or, for larger framed prints, DPD or DX Express. Express shipping is also available.

My print came within a week, and arrived in pristine condition.

If you are local to Bristol, you are able to collect certain items in person, too.

MY CONCLUSION

I’m very happy with my choice of both picture and frame. Picking a wood frame isn’t easy when you are relying on pictures on the internet but my frame matched perfectly. If you are looking for a picture to brighten up your kitchen, hallway or even your downstairs toilet, then do have a look at the colourful expressive prints on offer. You won’t be disappointed. 10/10

My thanks to Skudaboo for my art print. All photographs are by me.

Linda x

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