Often it’s possible to work out the meaning of a word by examining the context in which it is used. Bespoke frames, bespoke kitchen, bespoke tailor…confused? I certainly was. Finally, I decided to look it up online. So what does it mean?…Wait for it…”made to order”, “customised”. What the…! OK , then why not use the words “made to order” or “custom made” or “customised”?

Answer: My theory is that by using a word that dates back to the 17th century (and rarely used since), users immediately add an elitist edge to their good or service. As the vast majority, like myself, have no idea what it means, it gives the impression that whatever it relates to must be good because its meaning is out of the reach of the common person.

It follows then that those that aspire to join the ranks of the elite in society (those with a decent disposable income) will be attracted by an adjective that promises a step up. The opportunity then arises to desrcibe their purchase  in terms of it’s “bespokeness”…how impressed and envious their friends will be…

Well, seems like a good idea using “bespoke” instead of “custom made” right? I think WRONG. If volume of sales is the objective of a trader and the majority of consumers are “common people”, it defies logic to use an outdated, obscure word to describe your service or good. Not to mention the fact that it is such an annoying word. Worst of all, I recently did an Australian search for a product and was gutted to see it described as bespoke.  Ugh!

Hubby’s grandparents were born in England so our mature years were not an issue. He could get a UK ancestry visa with me as his dependent. Our 4 children had flown the nest and moved away so time to spread our wings.

I put the feelers out to a couple of agencies that had offices in Australia, ANZUK and Protocol Education. Within a month hubby had a fulltime position organised for a September start. We organised our visa, AFP check, references (you need 2) and the agencies organised our CRB police check, National Insurance Number and a UK bank account.

Nothing left but to book our flight, rent the house and and find suitable accommodation in the UK. But that’s another story…

Each piece is unique. The clothing, soft jewellery, soft toys and bibs on offer have been handcrafted locally from locally sourced recycled garments or dead stock, scrap fabrics and salvaged trims.

Lee’s designs are inspired by nature. Her clothing is constructed to be practical but also enjoyable.

The goal of the business is to create a beautiful range of children’s clothing that is sustainable in manufacture by using minimal energy and reducing waste.

Why not check out examples from the ‘punk clown’ range. Green ventures like this one need our support.

Of course the first step is to ensure that you qualify for this visa. You will qualify if you can show that:

• you are a Commonwealth citizen
• you are aged 17 or over
• you have a grandparent who was born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man
• you have a grandparent who was born in what is now the Republic of Ireland before 31 March 1922
• you are able to work and intend to do so in the UK, and
• you can support yourself and any dependants without needing any help from public funds.

If you arrive with a UK Ancestry visa, you will have permission to stay for five years. You must intend to work or look for a job in the UK before you can be considered for entry in this category.
You should include all the documents you can to show that you qualify for entry to the UK through UK Ancestry. If you do not, your application may be refused.

As a guide, you should include:

• Your full birth certificate.
• Marriage certificates of your parents and grandparents, and legal adoption papers if you or your parents are adopted.
• The full birth certificates of the parent and grandparent through whose ancestry you are making your application.
• Your marriage certificate or civil partnership registration document, if your husband, wife or civil partner intends to join you in the UK.

In Australia you need to apply for an ancestry visa online. Visit the British High Commission, Canberra site to apply. Also, you must provide biometric information, 10-digit finger scans and a digital photograph. You need to go to a capital city or Canberra to get this done. An appointment for this procedure is made when you apply for your visa. The visa application fee is $426 per person, payable by credit card, online.

If you wish to use an agent to organise your ancestry visa a company called Visa First can help for a fee of $585. They can also apply for a NIN (National Insurance Number) on your behalf and help open a UK bank account for you for a small fee.

Visit my website to find some more useful information on travelling and also to find some great online stores to locate your travel accessories, buy travel insurance or book your flights.

Good Luck, may see you over there.

American brothers, Scott and Seth Avett are my latest musical discovery, courtesy of my son. I received their Album “I and Love and You” for Mothers Day and am now an avid fan, as is my hubby.

This rock, folk duo, ably supported by a collection of talented musicians, have put together a beautiful selection of heart warming songs about love, dreams and life’s ups and downs. Considering my son is 27 and his brother 25 and both immediately were taken by this pair, the music is evidently meaningful for all ages. 

Its soft, sweet lyrics and accompanying acoustics appeal. But if you are expecting monotonous offerings, you will be pleasantly surprised. Tempo, content and style varies, making listening at once interesting and compelling. Sit back and be inspired.

Many of the workers are poorly educated and come from rural areas. Their pay is so low that they can’t afford to send money back home. The company in question supplies i-technology for Apple, Dell and other technology companies. The owner of the factory is a billionaire from Taipei whose success relies on a low paid workforce capable of producing quality output.

This company is not unique in China as many industries supplying western products are equally reliant on a low paid workforce to be competitive. Western consumers are enjoying low prices on many consumer goods due to the conditions in these factories. Many are concerned at the situation, but are we willing to pay more to see the conditions of these workers improved?

It seems the big companies are not prepared to lower their profit margins, so it may be up to consumers to demand changes to these practices knowing that it will have an effect on pricing. The goal shouldn’t be the closure of these factories. The objective must be an improvement in working and living conditions of workers, this demanded with the expectation that prices will increase.

If all i-tech companies are prepared to ensure decent conditions for the workers of their suppliers, their competitiveness should remain relative. Ultimately, the consumer will pay more for goods. An outcome that is however, more palatable than knowing that those who manufactured our “toys” were treated in an inhuman manner, as is the case at present.

The album Strict Joy, by Irish band The Swell Season, was first released in 2009 and is the follow up album to their self titled first album and the highly acclaimed film Once which featured many songs from the first album.  

Performed and written by Glen Hansard (lead singer of The Frames) and Marketa Irglova, the two albums are a musical delight. Glen’s voice is just amazing. He sings with a depth of feeling that just resonates through him into the listener. Glen is well supported by Marketa, whose sweet, perfect voice  can, at its height, send shivers down your spine.

If this is the first you have heard of this dynamic duo, I suggest you introduce yourself to them by first seeing the movie “Once”. After I saw this movie, which I own and have watched numerous times, I bought the sound track, then the second album, Strict Joy and polished off with a live performance at the Opera House in April.

Seeing them live is an overpowering experience which leaves you wanting more. Our seats were front row and it is the best show I have seen. The talent, the voices, the music… mind blowing.

Time to prepare for hibernation. To help you survive the worst of winter, I have complied a list of cold weather essentials:

• Chocolate – all varieties, intensities and flavours
• Canned Soup or Cup-a-Soup and plenty of bread for toast
• Tea, Coffee or other favoured hot drink
• Doona and pillow
• DVDs - mix of romance, mystery/thriller, comedy and action
• Books, magazines, newspapers
• Beanie, scarf and gloves for the occasional weekend outing (southern and high altitude areas only)
• Trackies, old jumper or flanelette pyjamas for girls (to wear when watching chick flicks while eating chocolate and sipping hot tea or coffee under doona)
• Footy Jumper for guys (to wear when watching footy on the tele while eating chocolate and sipping cup-a-soup under doona)
• UGG boots
• chap stick 

I hope my suggestions alleviate the woes of winter and add some comfort to your cold winter days and nights.

Rather than letting ourselves be distracted by “invasions of refugees”, why don’t we actually demand that the lives of our own elderly citizens be improved?

Let’s make nursing home funding the issue that the up coming election is fought over.

I have first hand experience in regard to the sad state of nursing home care. My father spent the last 2 and a half years of his life in a nursing home, unable to move.

Believe me it’s not the sort of end any of us would wish for nor would like to witness.

My father was lucky however, in as much as he had my mother and several of my siblings close by. Due to their devotion and vigilance my dad was treated much better than most.

The nursing home he was in were aware that we were watching and were willing to complain, which we did regularly, if we thought he was not being cared for properly.

We emailed and wrote to the Department of Health and Aging with our concerns in regard to the nursing home and we made certain the manager of the home was aware of our actions.

This meant that my father was usually the first one up in the morning and treated better than those whose families were not as vigilant. We also made complaints on behalf of other residents. This action should not have been necessary.

We like to think of ourselves as an egalitarian society. A society that cares for those who are not able to care for themselves.

However, as a society we have failed to ensure that our frail and voiceless are decently cared for.

However, I did some research into family cars available on the market and its not hard to see why the sale of the SUV wagons has increased. Basically there aren’t many attractive options out there for the family wishing to own a roomy vehicle capable of carrying two car seats, and accompanying kiddie accessories, in comfort.

The good news is that improvements in technology has seen an increase in fuel efficiency for these vehicles. However, the power and mass may have also increased. In some cases this may effectively negate gains in fuel efficiency.

So, before you purchase a new family car, why not check out its green credentials on the green vehicle guide. Also, if a 4WD is a want rather than a need, why not consider the Honda Odyssey (3.5 star) or a 2WD  SUV like the Holden Sport Wagon (4 star rating).