Author Archives: fortewinks

About fortewinks

A PA at 19 and self employed PR at 26, Giovanna is now a British healthcare entrepreneur and public speaker. She is also a bon vivant, mother of two accomplished daughters, Nonna to a gorgeous grandson and wife to Handsome Husband (HH). FirstBorn has travelled extensively teaching street children in Mexico City, working with the unwell in a Myanmar Monastery and living live to the full. She is now a teacher of History in East London and a Certified Massage Therapist. Youngest-of-All is a Melbourne Top 30 under 30 Chef, founder of the city's finest destination for pastries and soft-serve and this year listed in the top 3,000 bakeries in the world: monforteviennoiserie.com @monforteviennoiserie

Carcassonne: land of luxury, fine wine, beautiful women and dangerous men …

Posted on August 1, 2011 by fortewinks

42 Rue Victor Hugo, Carcassonne, is the B&B for those that enjoy a high-pamper factor. Nestled in the ample bosom of the Languedoc, this retreat has much to offer, although not as much as its hosts, the warm and welcoming … Continue reading →

Posted in Food and wine, Friends, Life and romance, Travel | Tagged Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Struggling with the NHS, Mr Lansley? Meet Medical Futures

Posted on June 8, 2011 by fortewinks

Picture if you will, 6.30am on Monday morning. Your author is slipping into a new dress; a beautifully tailored, slim business sheath, of deep brown and charcoal hues. A most flattering frock, designed to give her gravitas, presence and a … Continue reading →

Posted in Business | Tagged Dr Vincent Forte, Innovation, Medical Futures, Midstream sample, Minister for Health, MSU, NHS, Peezy | 4 Comments

Bethnal Green Behaviour

Posted on May 30, 2011 by fortewinks

Just over three years ago The Girls and I left the Shoreditch loft that had been our home for some thirty months and into a less exuberant, much smaller, three-up two-down Bethnal Green cottage, half a mile East. The moment … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Food and wine, Friends, Life and romance, London, Shopping, Uncategorized | Tagged Bethnal Green, Columbia Road, Neigbourly, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Sexual equality? Aliens would not be impressed

Posted on May 18, 2011 by fortewinks

Never one to marginalise myself on the basis of gender I’m perplexed by the number of women in their thirties and forties who comment that their lot in the world is all the harder because of their sex; equality and … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Feminism | Tagged Feminism, forte, Gender, Gender equality, giovanna, Giovanna Forte, good parenting, Nicola Horlick, working mother, Working mothers | 2 Comments

Been spoken for: the wedding suit

Posted on May 16, 2011 by fortewinks

Tim has lassoed Sassy Amanda, my soon to be married Best Friend. He’s the bow to her arrow – or perhaps with less poetry and more realism, the brake to her accelerator. Tim is a fine man. Following the success … Continue reading →

Posted in Friends, London, Shopping, Uncategorized | Tagged bespoke, claridges, hix, john Pearse, London, made to measure, Meard Street, men's fashion, Mr Start, Rivington Street, Start, Suit (clothing), suits, tailor, tailoring, Timothy Everest, Uncategorized, wedding, Wedding shopping, wedding suit | Leave a comment

Oestrogen: mid-life elixir

Posted on April 18, 2011 by fortewinks

I am forty-eight and I am smiling. I have a spring in my step, a twinkle in my eye, focus in my day. I’m in control; I have a new drug of choice. If you’re a woman hurtling inexorably towards … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Feminism, Health, London | Tagged gynaecologist, hormone levels, menopause, mid-life, middle age, mood swings, oestrogen, sexual health, Studd, Uncategorized | 3 Comments