doing everything right but still can’t sleep
Health and Wellness Lifestyle

When You’re Doing Everything Right but Still Can’t Sleep

Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature about When You’re Doing Everything Right but Still Can’t Sleep. You’re not broken. You’re not failing at rest. And you’re certainly not alone. If you have a careful wind‑down routine, avoid screens at night, eat well, move your body, and still find yourself lying awake wondering …

How to Slow Down during the Busy Season
Health and Wellness Lifestyle

How to Slow Down during the Busy Season: The Art of a Peaceful Winter

Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature about How to Slow Down during the Busy Season: The Art of a Peaceful Winter. The end of the year brings with it a lot of stress and anxiety, with projects ending at work, family arriving for the holidays, presents to buy for the kids, and …

Life Lessons from Living in France: Style, Travel, Beauty, Lifestyle, and Ageing Gracefully
My French Life

Life Lessons from Living in France: Style, Travel, Beauty, Lifestyle, and Ageing Gracefully

Over the years, living in France has taught me invaluable life lessons — from approaching style and travel to embracing beauty, lifestyle, and ageing gracefully. I first came to France more than 30 years ago, fully expecting to stay for just one year. But life, as it often does, had a different plan. What was …

Simple Self-Care Habits to Improve Your Quality of Life
Health and Wellness Lifestyle

Simple Self-Care Habits to Improve Your Quality of Life

Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature about Simple Self-Care Habits to Improve Your Quality of Life. Everyone’s talking about self-care these days. But despite what you might think, it’s not about elaborate routines or expensive retreats. Which is good news, because as life gets busier, health is often the first thing to …

Escalope à la crème: The Must-Try Recipe of French Cuisine
French Food and Drink My French Life

Escalope à la crème: The Must-Try Recipe of French Cuisine

Welcome back to the Velvet Runway and our traditional French Recipes, this time we’re sharing Escalope à la crème: The Must-Try Recipe of French Cuisine. When people think of French cuisine, many things come to mind: boeuf bourguignon, ratatouille, croque-monsieur, French onion soup, escargots or even crème brûlée. But, if you’ve ever been to a …

Interior Design Tips for a Cohesive Home
Homes and Gardens Lifestyle

Interior Design Tips for a Cohesive Home: Simple Ways to Create Flow and Balance

Welcome back to the Velvet Runway and this feature about Interior Design Tips for a Cohesive Home: Simple Ways to Create Flow and Balance. The best interior design often feels intentional yet effortless, as though every element naturally belongs where it is. But while a cohesive home looks simple, recreating that sense of balance can …

Music-Inspired Interior Design
Homes and Gardens Lifestyle

Music-Inspired Interior Design: How to Bring Your Love of Music Into Your Home

Welcome back to the Velvet Runway and this feature about Music-Inspired Interior Design: How to Bring Your Love of Music Into Your Home. Music has a quiet way of shaping our daily lives. It plays in the background as we cook, unwind, entertain friends, or enjoy a slow Sunday at home. When music matters to …

Dress to Impress: Timeless Style Choices That Never Date
Style

Dress to Impress: Timeless Style Choices That Never Date

Welcome back to the Velvet Runway and this feature about Dress to Impress: Timeless Style Choices That Never Date. As the calendar fills with social occasions throughout the year — from intimate family gatherings to professional events — choosing what to wear can feel surprisingly important. The right outfit should feel considered rather than costume-like: …

Making Renovations Easier and Less Messy
Homes and Gardens Lifestyle

Making Renovations Easier and Less Messy: Practical Tips for a Smoother Home Project

Welcome back to the Velvet Runway and this feature about Making Renovations Easier and Less Messy: Practical Tips for a Smoother Home Project. Taking on a renovation project can be a daunting task, especially when the thought of dust and disruption fills your mind. Whether you’re updating a single room or tackling a full house …

How to plan for retirement
Business and Financial Lifestyle

How to Plan for Retirement: Simple Steps for Long-Term Peace of Mind

Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature about How to Plan for Retirement: Simple Steps for Long-Term Peace of Mind. Retirement is easy to consider as a distant eventuality, something far removed from your bright and vibrant life as a young professional working to make headway in their career. But, thrilling and right …

How to Spot Fashion Trends That Fit Your Personal Style
Style

How to Spot Fashion Trends That Fit Your Personal Style

Welcome back to the Velvet Runway and this feature about How to Spot Fashion Trends That Fit Your Personal Style. Staying up-to-date with fashion trends can be exciting, but trying to wear every trending piece rarely leads to a wardrobe that feels uniquely “you.” The secret is to recognize which trends truly reflect your personal …

golf date night
Lifestyle Relationships

Love on the Links: 3 Reasons Why Golf is the Ultimate New Date Night

Welcome back to the Velvet Runway and this feature about Love on the Links: 3 Reasons Why Golf is the Ultimate New Date Night. In recent years, the traditional ‘weekend getaway’ has turned into something far more sophisticated. Trendy couples are increasingly moving away from passive relaxation, opting instead for active breaks with a purpose.  …

Important Things to Do Before You Travel
Travel Travel Tips

Important Things to Do Before You Travel: A Practical Pre-Trip Checklist

Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature about Important Things to Do Before You Travel: A Practical Pre-Trip Checklist. Travelling abroad is always exciting, but a successful trip depends on careful preparation before you even leave home. A little thoughtful preparation can turn travel from something slightly stressful into something genuinely pleasurable. For …

Cosy Winter Treats Guide
Food and Drink Lifestyle

Cosy Winter Treats Guide: Comfort Food and Drinks from Europe

Welcome back to the Velvet Runway and this feature about Cosy Winter Treats Guide: Comfort Food and Drinks from Europe When the frost begins to bite, and the daylight fades into a soft, amber glow, our natural instinct pulls us toward comfort. Winter invites us to slow down, swap the rush of summer for the …

Top National Parks to Propose In for an Unforgettable Engagement
Lifestyle Relationships

Top National Parks to Propose In for an Unforgettable Engagement

Welcome back to the Velvet Runway and this feature about The Top National Parks to Propose In for an Unforgettable Engagement. Choosing the right place to propose is a big decision, and nature can offer some of the most stunning and intimate settings. For couples who love travel, the outdoors, or simply the idea of …

How to sparkle in sequins at any age
Style

How to Sparkle in Sequins at Any Age: Effortless Day-to-Night Style

Welcome back to the Velvet Runway and this feature about How to Sparkle in Sequins at Any Age. Sequins have long been associated with evening wear, parties, and special occasions — beautiful, yes, but often saved for “best.” For years, we were told that sequins were too much for daytime, too bold, too attention-seeking, or …

Galette des Rois Tradition and Recipe
French Food and Drink My French Life

Galette des Rois Tradition and Recipe

Welcome back to the Velvet Runway and our traditional French Recipes, this time we’re sharing the famous Galette des Rois Tradition and Recipe.  You may have heard of the “Galette des Rois“, the delicious pastry served each year for Epiphany when one lucky person gets the “fève“. But what exactly is it? You may know …

5 Things You Need to Know Before Booking Your First European Walking Holiday
Travel Travel Tips

5 Things You Need to Know Before Booking Your First European Walking Holiday

Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature about 5 Things You Need to Know Before Booking Your First European Walking Holiday. A gentle Sunday stroll through the park and a multi-day European walking holiday may both involve putting one foot in front of the other, but they are two very different experiences. On …

Ten champagne cocktails to enjoy all year round
French Food and Drink My French Life

Ten champagne cocktails to enjoy all year round

Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature where we are delving into Ten champagne cocktails to enjoy all year round (and especially this festive season). I have yet to meet anyone who doesn’t like Champagne. It’s bubbly, happy and delicious, the perfect drink for any occasion, whether you are celebrating something or not. …

A to Z of French Food : Letter D : daube
French Food and Drink My French Life

A to Z of French Food : Letter D – Delicious Dishes and Culinary Discoveries

Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature where we are delving into the A to Z of French Food: Letter D – Delicious Dishes and Culinary Discoveries. French cuisine is world-famous for a reason, and that is because people took the time to experiment with recipes and developed techniques to make them better …

Duck à l’Orange Recipe
French Food and Drink My French Life

Duck à l’Orange Recipe: A Classic French Dish

Welcome back to the Velvet Runway and our traditional French Recipes, this time we’re sharing the famous Duck à l’Orange: A Classic French Recipe.  When people think of French cuisine, many things come to mind: boeuf bourguignon, ratatouille, croque-monsieur, French onion soup, escargots or even crème brûlée. But there is another dish that is seen …

How to Keep Your Diamonds Clean and Sparkling
Style

How to Keep Your Diamonds Clean and Sparkling

Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature about How to Keep Your Diamonds Clean and Sparkling. The festive season can often be incredibly hectic, which can be bad news for delicate jewellery. While you may want to bring your most dazzling diamond necklaces, rings, and bracelets out during the run-up to Christmas, it’s …

Plan Your Festive Season Like a Pro
Lifestyle

Plan Your Festive Season Like a Pro: Simple Ways to Reduce Stress and Stay Organised

Welcome back to the Velvet Runway and this feature about Plan Your Festive Season Like a Pro: Simple Ways to Reduce Stress and Stay Organised. The holiday season can be one of the most joyful times of the year, but only if you plan for it. December can quickly become overwhelming between last-minute shopping, crowded …

Romantic dinner in the Maldives
Destinations Travel

Seven Unforgettable Luxury Hotels Around the World

Welcome back to The Velvet Runway, and our guide to Seven Unforgettable Luxury Hotels Around the World. The world is varied, and full of new experiences everywhere you look. While getting away from your home can be expensive, whether it be for a relaxing holiday, adventure, or anything in between, it’s always worth it There’s …

The Real Highlights of Latin America
Destinations Travel

The Real Highlights of Latin America Seen Through Luxury Private Tours

Welcome back to The Velvet Runway, and our guide to The Real Highlights of Latin America Seen Through Luxury Private Tours. Latin America is one of the most diverse regions in the world, shaped by Indigenous cultures, European influence, dramatic geography, and a pace of life that changes with every country. It has a way …

Garage Conversion Ideas: Five Creative Ways to Turn Your Garage Into a Useful Extension of Your Home
Homes and Gardens Lifestyle

Garage Conversion Ideas: Five creative ways to turn your garage into a useful extension of your home

Welcome back to the Velvet Runway and this feature about Garage Conversion Ideas: Five creative ways to turn your garage into a useful extension of your home. Have you ever wondered why the largest room in many homes is often packed with boxes, old paint tins, and rusty tools that haven’t been touched for years? …

5 Simple Home Upgrades That Make Your Space More Comfortable and Connected
Homes and Gardens Lifestyle

5 Simple Home Upgrades That Make Your Space More Comfortable and Connected

Welcome back to the Velvet Runway and this feature about 5 Simple Home Upgrades That Make Your Space More Comfortable and Connected. There’s something refreshing about walking into a home that feels warm, inviting, and effortlessly functional. These days, comfort isn’t just about soft cushions or a fresh coat of paint — it’s also about …

Effortless Winter Style includes How to Experiment with layers
Style

Effortless Winter Style: Pieces That Turn Heads Without Trying

Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature about Effortless Winter Style: Pieces That Turn Heads Without Trying. There’s something about winter that brings out a certain presence in people — a quiet confidence that stands out without effort. Maybe it’s the crisp air that makes everything feel cinematic, or maybe it’s the fact …