Author Archives: fortewinks

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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

In praise of A Certain Age

Posted on May 10, 2020 by fortewinks

“Not too bad for an Old Bird?” my question to BB was rhetorical: I felt fabulous. Older, better? Not quite better, but different – fabulous is allowed. The necessary mindshift for women of a certain age has to be in … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Feminism, Friends, Health, Life and romance, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mind the Vulture! Cautionary fundraising tales.

Posted on April 22, 2020 by fortewinks

Writing about business on Fortewinks is unusual … but SMEs are the lifeblood of British economy.  As Forte Medical relaunches its Series A scale-up funding round, my experience of rogue investors may provide useful intelligence for others in the same … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, design, Economy, Health, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I am a travelling female CEO: fly me.

Posted on September 28, 2019 by fortewinks

I write from a noisy LA Airport Departures Lounge Bar; the muzak is ok, my Lady Bar Attendants funny, witty, sassy. They seem to like entertaining a female barfly; the flirtations of my lascivious male neighbour elicited polite tolerance and … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Consumer rights, Entertaining, Export, Family, Feminism, Food and wine, Friends, Life and romance, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Frames, facades, finials and flourishes: how buildings tell stories.

Posted on July 7, 2019 by fortewinks

I have a window fetish. There, I’ve said it. Mullions or muntins* of different widths make my hair stand on end; they let the building down, its facade a jumble. Simply put, both God and the Devil are in the detail … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, Buildings, Craft, design, Design and architecture, Life and romance, London, property, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Female health and routine jiggery-pokery

Posted on March 24, 2019 by fortewinks

I feel a caption competition coming on. Framed by my open thighs, the two women’s faces looked up and laughed. This check-up Down There was another reminder that internal female furniture requires all manner of routine maintenance to keeps things … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Feminism, Friends, Health, Hospital, Life and romance, Motherhood, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Moving house, Spandangled, Spain … and the joy of magic pants.

Posted on September 18, 2018 by fortewinks

Fortewinks’ May post was delivered with little insight as to the Very Difficult Time that was unfolding. Because every now and then the outcome of precipitous events does not become clear until later: this was such an episode. Shortly after … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Design and architecture, Entertaining, Family, Food and wine, Friends, holiday, Home, Life and romance, London, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Hello to half a century (and then some).

Posted on May 7, 2018 by fortewinks

Fifty-five is not an insubstantial age but not as old as I hope to be one day – assuming I will remain in fine fettle of course. This year’s birthday celebrations extended to before and beyond the day itself and … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertaining, Family, Food and wine, Friends, Health, holiday, Home, Life and romance, London, Motherhood, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Highs and lows: London by moped

Posted on March 19, 2018 by fortewinks

Look up and see spires, finials and pinnacles that make up London’s skyline. Look down, and you will find grit and glory, the hurried and harried steps of strangers, pigeons, dogs, grilles and gutters. Both above and below: all of … Continue reading →

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Magic Hands: the marvel of massage

Posted on February 2, 2018 by fortewinks

Hurly burly: life is busy. Rest and relaxation can be hard to come by as one’s mind keeps the plates of work, domestics, love and wellbeing spinning. Meanwhile, against the odds, somehow the body keeps going. Under the skin, below … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Brighton: a weekend away with the Boss

Posted on November 19, 2017 by fortewinks

He proposed the idea with such excitement and enthusiasm that I felt guilty saying no. It just didn’t feel right, didn’t strike the right chord. No brought dismay and disappointment to his face and for several days he tried to … Continue reading →

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