Lifestyle
"Lifestyle issues" covers a broad spectrum of topics, including food, drink, home, garden, genealogy/family history and crafts, but many areas within this category also overlap with health, property and travel.
I've written on various lifestyle topics for a range of publications, including UKTV, Channel 4, Handbag.com, Dial magazine, SkiEngine.com, Internet Genealogy, Family Chronicle, Discovering Family History, Craft Expert, It's On The Net, Berkshire's County Child, Windowbox.com and Health Today.
Blogging Your Genealogy, March 2007
Article looking at the benefits of an online 'weblog'.
Alternative Heirs to the English Throne, August 2007
A report on the quest to find the alternative heir to the throne of England.
Finding
Old UK Maps Online, May/June 2007 (2236 kb)
How to map out a strategy for finding your family.
Discovering Family History magazine
Citing Sources, Preview Issue 2008
Why it's vitally important to properly record your sources from the start.
Lifestyle / nutrition columns for the quarterly Expotel travel magazine:
Food Myths Debunked, Summer 2007
Brain-Boosters and Stress-Busters, Spring 2007
Cocktails 'n' Canapes, Winter 2006
Rainbow Foods, Autumn 2006
Great British Grub, Summer 2006
Food Allergies, Spring 2006
What to Pick, What to Skip On The Menu, Winter 2005
Under Pressure, Summer 2005
Your Daily Cuppa, Spring 2005
Separating Fad from Fiction, Winter 2004
Are You a GI Joe? Autumn 2004 (566 Kb)
Tips, trivia and facts on lifestyle topics written for the UKTV e-text service (it can be accessed if you're a digital viewer and press your 'red' button whilst watching certain programmes). The topics I've written about include:
Cornish Myths and Legends
Ecotourism Holidays
Making Mosaics
House-Swapping Facts
Tea Trivia
Fabric Painting
Cooking with Pulses
The Chelsea Flower Show
Alcohol-free Cocktails
Food Additives
Scented Flowers
UK Theme Parks
Thatch
UK Wine
Kitchen Gadgets
UK Island Breaks
In conjunction with the New York-based Cybergrrl.com, I wrote a range of features in the early days (pre-launch and during the first year) for the UK women's website, Handbag.com. A selection of examples are listed below, but the links are no longer available as the old archives haven't been kept on the site.
Choosing A Web Consultant
Finding Free Useful Tools Online
MP3
Reducing Stress At Work
Entertainment Sites
Fashion Sites Abound
The Best Y2K Resources Online
Small Business Resources Online
Using Plug-ins and Downloads to Enhance Your Web Experience
Fighting Breast Cancer
More recently, I've written health and travel features for the website.
Features for the Channel 4 website (I've also written various health pieces):
A Brighter Future for Organic Farming?(With Jenny Bryan)
The demand for organic food is on the rise, with three-quarters of households in the UK choosing to buy some or all of their regular shopping organically. But with many items still being imported, what's being done to encourage farmers increase the availability of home-grown organic food in the UK and is organic food really more nutritious and healthy?
Sex and The Law (With John Illman)
This guide offers an insight into how sex is viewed in the eyes of the law.
Crafting in various forms is a personal passion of mine and I was pleased to get the opportunity to write some articles for the Papercrafting section of this site.
A Guide to Using Brads in Papercraft
A Guide to Using Buttons in Papercraft
A Guide to Using Ribbons in Papercraft
Getting Started With Decoupage
A Guide to Using Eyelets in Papercraft
I contribute several posts a week on scrapbooking and papercrafting to the Scrapbookist blog.
Berkshire's County Child
A bi-monthly regional parenting/lifestyle title which ran from November 2003 - October 2004 (I also wrote travel pieces and the book review pages). Examples of my articles include:
Interview With Errol Hendrickse, Interior Designer - Designing Children's Rooms
Coming up with new ideas for your child's room, let alone putting them into action, can seem overwhelming. But Errol Hendrickse, an interior designer on GMTV's popular Hand Over Your House series, believes it needn't be a nightmare task.
"I find designing children’s rooms great fun, as you can be really creative," he says. "You can have fun, play with colour, come up with themes and create unique rooms."
Pick Your Own Fruits and Vegetables
Farms where you can pick your own (PYO) fruits and vegetables are rife in Berkshire. Not only is it a great way of obtaining your weekly produce, but it’s fun and educational for children, too! Rachel Newcombe looks at what's on offer.
Finding a car suitable for accommodating the whole family in comfort, but also being practical for a quick dash to the supermarket or the daily school run can be tricky. Rachel Newcombe looks at some of the contenders in the family car market.
Lifestyle features (some with a health/parenting/travel slant) for this US-based ski site:
Getting all your gear together and packing tends to be the least favored part of any trip, but making sure you have the essentials is crucial. So, before you head off skiing, what clothing, equipment and other items do you need to squeeze in your suitcase?
Planning The Key to Family Ski Trips
Taking children on a skiing trip for the first time can seem a bit daunting, especially if you were previously used to child-free skiing vacations. So how can you ensure your trip runs smoothly and successfully for everyone, and that your children get the most out of their skiing experience?
Skin Protection Important on Slopes
Taking care of your skin when you're out and about on the slopes might not seem like a top priority, but it should be. The winter sun can be just as harmful as the rays during the summer, with skin cancer a big risk, so doing your bit to protect yourself from harm is crucial.
Stock Up On Energy Foods for Skiing
Although it may not to be top of your priority list while you're on the slopes, paying attention to what you eat could build up your energy and keep you going for longer. But what foods could provide this extra lift and how much should you be eating?
Skiing is great fun, but like any activity, it carries with it risks and safety issues. When you’re out on the slopes it’s essential you do all you can to keep both you and other skiers safe and out of harm’s way. But are there codes of conduct to help you achieve this and what else can you do to ensure your skiing experience runs smoothly?
The following are a series of gardening-related articles written for the Amercian site Windowbox.com.
Growing Houseplants In Windows
Looking for a feature for your windowsill? Why not try brightening up an empty space with a stunning display of houseplants. Windows are a popular location, providing the much needed light for plants as well as adding a splash of color and interest to what might otherwise be an ordinary and plain area.
If you thought that the joys of hanging plants could only be experienced by those with gardens and the room to hang baskets outside, then think again! There are many varieties of houseplants that are ideal for hanging, either individually or grouped together, and they can be used to create stunning displays.
If you love flowers and are keen on the idea of bringing them into your home, then why not try flower arranging! Arrangements can add style and decor, as well as brighten up rooms and bring an aspect of nature into the home. With so many glorious varieties you can create stunning displays all year round and enjoy the colors, scents and textures they bring with them.
It would be nice to think that once potted and placed in a suitable spot, plants would happily get on with growing and living in their own humble way. But unfortunately this isn't the case. Indoor plants need lots of regular care and attention from their owners, be it through watering, re-potting or merely keeping them in the right conditions. But don't despair, the life of a plant owner isn't all drudge and hard work - follow the guidelines below and your life, and that of your plants, will be stress-free!
Having plants in your home adds decor, style and natural life to your living environment. But having flowering houseplants adds that extra touch - of magnificent color! With so many plants flowering at different times of the year the choice is wide and means that you can add colorful touches and evoke the seasons in your home throughout the calendar months.
Ever fancied creating more of your favorite house plants? Then why not try propagation! Although the term ‘propagation’ can sound technical and terrifying to the uninitiated, don't panic - it's not as difficult as it sounds. Put simply it is merely the act of reproducing plants and is a satisfying task that anyone can have a go at.
Common Houseplant Health Problems
If you thought it was only humans who suffer from health problems, then think again, as plants do too! All sorts of problems can affect plants, from wilting and loss of leaves, to insect infestations. Awareness of the common problems is crucial as it can help with a quick diagnosis and ensure treatment occurs as soon as possible. So take note of the following instances just in case your plants are suddenly inflicted and need first aid!
It's On The Net magazine
As a contributing editor to this Internet listings magazines, I wrote boxouts (including reviews of relevant websites) on a variety of topics. Some examples include:
Kid's Just Wanna Have Fun, Summer 2002
Organising children's parties can be a daunting task for any parent. Apart from working out if you really do have enough space for a horde of extra children in your house or need another venue, there's invitations to write, party bags to supply and entertainment to provide! Thankfully, there's plenty of advice and tips available on the Internet to help you through each stage, from advance planning and buying, to surviving the actual day.
Taking Care Of The Earth, Autumn 2001
Pollution is one of the major causes of damage to our natural environment, yet each year more instances occur. Unless we all act responsibly and play a part in helping to preserve our planet for future generations, long-term un-repairable harm could be done.
Fluffy Tales, Autumn 2001
Rabbits are social animals and make great pets for both adults and children. In the wild they're used to having lots of space to hop about in, so it's important to ensure that the environment they're kept in as pets is fully designed with their needs in mind. Some people choose to keep their rabbits indoors, but if you'd prefer the more traditional method, a good-sized hutch and a large, secure run area where they can exercise are ideal.
Lost Forever: Endangered Species, June 2001
The world's natural environment has a wide array of different animals living in it. Yet, many are endangered and statistics suggest that up to 100 species become extinct each day. If you've ever wondered why this happens, what animals are at greatest risk and what you can do about it, then the Internet can help.
Man's Best Friend, June 2001
If you've got a new puppy or have recently taken on an older rescued dog, one of the key things you'll need to do is ensure your pet is properly trained. There are lots of classes offered locally throughout the UK that can help you, but many websites also cover dog issues and can be a great source of instant training tips.
Caring For The Environment, May 2001
As a nation, we tend to be rather wasteful. Statistics suggest that 90% of all household rubbish ends up in landfills or incinerators, despite the fact that lots could easily be recycled and re-used. If you're keen to help the environment and try recycling, then the Internet is a great place to start your quest.
Feeling Lost? Map Sites, May 2001
If you're going on holiday, planning a journey or are visiting somewhere new, then you need the Internet! There are many sites where you can obtain free, downloadable maps and use planning tools that can help you choose the best route to take.
Feline Friends, May 2001
If you're thinking of having a pet, why not offer a home to a rescued cat? Each year thousands of cats are taken in by centres throughout the UK. Although some cats are abandoned, other owners are forced to say goodbye due to illness, moving house or sudden allergies. Many centres are now online and the details of their work and animals can be found on the Internet.
Other articles
We buy new clothes and make ourselves look good, but what about our actual wardrobes? All too often they easily become overloaded, with too many clothes piled in to a small space, shelves bursting with jumpers or accessories and shoes littering the floor. Is this really the proper care your clothes deserve? Most definitely not! So, before you pile in any new purchases, read on and discover how you can give your wardrobe a much deserved makeover.
The Origins of Popular Christmas Foods
Thoughts about traditional Christmas food are likely to include items such as mince pies, Christmas cake and turkey. It is generally taken for granted that these types of foods are part of the yearly celebrations as they help to characterize Christmas and make it as we know it. But if you've ever wondered if turkey has always traditionally been eaten at this time of year, how Christmas pudding originated or whether mince pies have always been popular, then read on!
Increase in Mobile Gaming (blog entry)
Analyst Debates Xbox Sales Figures (blog entry)
Need a writer? Got an article that needs commissioning? Call now on 07801 944 978 or email rachel@newcombe.co.uk