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 and Nonna to a gorgeous grandson. FirstBorn has travelled extensively teaching street children in Mexico City, working with the unwell in a Myanmar Monastary and living live to the full. She is now a teacher of Spanish 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

The fine art of fashion retail or “we do that one in red”

Posted on June 12, 2014 by fortewinks

Frock shopping is not a loved pastime: browsing is anathema. If I need something new to wear, I work out what it is and where to find it. The “where” is important because I am a fan of the independent … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Feminism, Life and romance, London, Shopping, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Face to a Name: the dementia care revolution unmasked

Posted on April 24, 2014 by fortewinks

One rainy January afternoon, I made my way West to meet up with a business colleague for a long overdue exchange of news. Over coffee in the congenial surroundings of Soho House, Jake Arnold Forster described his work with organisations … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Family, Friends, Health, Life and romance, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

UK Trade and Inspiration

Posted on March 12, 2014 by fortewinks

An established oxymoron in my business book is the concept of sound, creative advice from a Civil Servant. This is a breed without entrepreneurial experience. They haven’t felt the pain, have they? My company makes a very clever British invention … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Export, London, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A tale of clever women and country cottages.

Posted on February 24, 2014 by fortewinks

The charms of a weekend in the country have largely eluded me over thirty years as a Londoner, mainly because I feel safe in these smokey streets. So when invitations to go there began to arrive, I thought long and … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Business, Entertaining, Family, Feminism, Food and wine, Friends, Life and romance, London, PR, Shopping, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

High five to fingers and thumbs (and a wink to the limbs as well)

Posted on January 28, 2014 by fortewinks

The ceramics came first.  Last summer I happened upon a friendly neighbour who mentioned that her former-almost-daughter-in-law was involved in setting up an earthy new local venture. Former-Almost had apparently joined forces with like-minded artists to create a ceramics studio … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Family, Feminism, Friends, Health, Life and romance, London, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Sicily and the art of slow

Posted on August 24, 2013 by fortewinks

Mr Smart, Head of Art is ultimately responsible. Chatting last term to Beautiful Boyfriend (mine, not his) he recommended as the starting point for our imminent vacanza, a swanky Palazzo apartment owned by a Countess he happens to know. Palermo … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Design and architecture, Food and wine, Friends, Health, Life and romance, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The last week in April: 100 midwives and a 50th birthday

Posted on May 21, 2013 by fortewinks

My Birthday Cakes by Giorgia Maria Last month I fell in love. I fell in love with Midwives and with Edinburgh. The combination contrived a fitting warm-up act to my birthday celebrations. To be specific, that birthday celebration. Edinburgh is … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Family, Feminism, Friends, Life and romance, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Does my bum look big in this?

Posted on April 13, 2013 by fortewinks

Preparing for a party some years ago, my Girls then aged 4 and 6 sat on on the bed to watch me dress and make-up. After applying the final glittering touches I twisted and turned in front of the mirror, … Continue reading →

Posted in Feminism, Health, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Carry On Construction: the modular home and merchant banker

Posted on March 28, 2013 by fortewinks

My PR consultancy closed its doors some time ago, so I was surprised and pleased to be approached last November by a trio of Gentlemen to whom I had been recommended for management and media services. Flattering indeed. The Gentlemen … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Design and architecture, Life and romance, PR, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Butterflies … and a debut on the BBC

Posted on March 6, 2013 by fortewinks

“My name is Helen Grady, producer for Evan Davis on The Bottom Line. There’s a programme coming up on doing business with Government, for instance the NHS, and Evan thought of you.” About eighteen months ago, I attended a Bookshop … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Life and romance, London, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment