New Years Eve - a wonderful time to reflect on the past year and look forward with excitement and enthusiasm to all the delights of the NEW YEAR.  

Fresh chapter, new book (yes, I will have a new book out in Spring) new adventures. 

Before going out for some partying- I will be performing my usual New Years' Eve rituals.  

Please feel free to share the ceremony - here's how to do it.  


First Prepare a sacred space.   Light candles and put on peaceful music.  

Write out all the regrets, resentment, sadness, pain and things you hope will pass as the year ends.  
Only you know what you want to leave behind and what you value to take with you into the New Year. 

Tear the paper into little pieces and burn in the candle flame - banish the old year.  It's history. 

Now write out all your hopes and dreams and wishes for the New Year - tear paper into little pieces and bury.  You can bury in the garden or in a special box or even just in the bottom of your underwear drawer! 

Honor the event by using pretty stationery, glittery pens, fancy writing,  - this is probably one occasion when you will want to connect heart and hand by writing - not typing on the computer. 

You can perform the traditions on your own or share with someone who is special and will respect your commitment - Magic is powerful  - not to be used lightly or without  proper thought and honest desire.  

My hopes and wishes for 2014 already came true - I just checked what I had written - and with three new books out it could hardly fail to have been a successful and joyful year.  

For 2015 I wish ......xxxxxxxxxx
it's a secret right but I take it as a wonderful sign that as I typed that last sentence, a cruise ship in the Port of  Miami played its signature tune,  the Disney Cinderella theme 'When you Wish upon a Star' . 

I love my FABULOUS LIFE - and I can promise you that I constantly practice  The Seven Steps - and have an unshakeable belief that good things will happen.  

 Sincerest and loving best wishes to you all for a FABULOUS 2015 -  don't be afraid to dream - and send your wishes out into the universe.    Here's to a FABULOUS 2015.   

It is amazing to think that when I first moved to Miami there were people in the United Kingdom who asked 'Won't you miss the culture? Miami is all about the sunshine and the beaches.'   Wrong! 

 For the record, in the past month I have participated in the Miami Book Fair international,  just one of the over 500 authors who contributed to America's largest book Fair - now in its 31st year. 

Attended Art Basel, another international  event that is celebrated as the largest Art Fair in the States along with its partner exhibition Miami Design.  

To cheer on fellow choir members from Miami Community Church, I was in the audience for a wonderful performance of  Madama Butterfly by the Florida Grand Opera.   This weekend with friends, I enjoyed a magical Christmas Favorites concert by the New World Symphony orchestra which was broadcast on a warm December evening to a crowd of some 3,000 who watched on the Miami Beach wallcast from the lawns outside the  auditorium. 

As an added bonus, the concert was conducted by Christian Reif, (pictured) a young German conductor I confidently predict will become world famous on the classical concert stage. At 24 years old, he has movie star looks and is charismatic, dynamic and wonderfully assured as he showcases the musicians and presents the musical program with joy and exquisite charm.   Watch this space.  Christian joined the New World Symphony in Miami just a couple of months ago -  he must not be allowed to leave!  




My cultural adventures continued with the iconic Christmas show 'The Nutcracker' performed by the Miami City Ballet under the direction of Lourdes Lopez.  The production was enchanting and the dancers delightful.  For someone who has probably seen 'The Nutcracker' more times than I have had hot Christmas dinners - this staging was one of my all time favorites.  Congratulations to the entire cast and creative team of the Miami City Ballet and  the Adrienne Arsht Center.  

And for foodies -  a special mention goes  to the new Books & Books restaurant (and bookstore) on the concourse at the Ziff Opera and Ballet House on Biscayne Boulevard.  The menu is imaginative, the food good and the setting  destined to become a new go to destination right in the heart of downtown Miami.

If you think that I love the twin cities of Miami and Miami Beach - you are right!  Miami has become an Arts and Culture destination and we of course still have the beach, and the cruise liners....a perfectplace for me to live my Fabulous Life.   

Are you remembering to practice the Seven Steps to Fabulous ?  Every Day.  



And so to Christmas ........


Some years ago during my BBC broadcasting career, a Children's Charity, Childline,  headed by the ever resourceful television star, Ester Rantzen asked various media figures to write original Christmas  stories as a fundraising venture.  The finished pieces were collected in a special Christmas edition with a Foreward by the late Diana, Princess of Wales mother of Princes William and Harry.    

It would please me to share with you the story I wrote for that collection. Titled  'Late Night Santa',  the setting was the late night radio studio at the BBC from which the popular show 'The Jamesons'  was broadcast and I was allowed to read the story for the one million listeners all across Europe who tuned in to the late night radio show on Radio 2.  

In the spirit of Christmas, I dedicate 'Late Night Santa'  to my Late husband the newspaper editor and  broadcaster Derek Jameson.      
  
ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS..........A STORY FOR CHRISTMAS.... 

 Farewell to Art Basel on Miami Beach for another year. It was a truly amazing Art Fair with thousands of exhibitors and visitors from all over the world.  It is very exciting to live in a city that enjoys playing host to such vibrant cultural international events.  

The sights, sounds, colors and experiences of such inspiring collections are food for the soul and 
truly inspiring. The feel good factor and outpourings of creativity produce many new works long 
after the fair leaves town - and those of us who cannot afford mega millions for pieces of art - can 
at least say we saw it up close!  

Here I share some of my favourite images with you:

And finally...