From: http://www.hdwallpapersinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Happy-New-Year-2014-Pictures3.jpg

From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/2013/01/130102_todays_phrase_new_years_resolution.shtml

New Year's resolution

Today's Phrase

A New Year's resolution is a goal made on 1st January, which a person aims to complete within that year.

Examples

Have you made any New Year's resolutions? I want to lose weight and get fit.

My mum's New Year's resolution is to stop smoking.

Let's make it our New Year's resolution to run a marathon in 2013!

Take note

If you break your resolution, you are unsuccessful at completing it.

I don't bother making New Year's resolutions, as I always break them. 

Interesting fact

Many people use the New Year as an opportunity to make resolutions to change their life. Popular resolutions include eating healthily and getting fit, although around 60% of gym memberships taken out in January are said to go unused

Here it goes some nice easy ideas if you're holding a New Year's Eve party: candles and bottles, silvern and golden to help light up your evening!

Aqui vão algumas ideias fáceis e legais se você vai dar uma festa de reveillon: velas e garrafas, prateado e dourado para ajudar a acender sua noite!

From: http://www.pinterest.com/herzerl/diy-silvester-new-year-s-eve-ideas/

From:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/2013/12/131224_todays_phrase_live_in_the_present.shtml

Live in the present

In many countries, people open their Christmas presents on Christmas Eve but in the UK it usually happens on Christmas Day. Photo: BBC

Today's Phrase

Present as a noun has two meanings. A present is a gift. The present is the time we are experiencing at this very moment. When you tell people to live in the present you want them to deal with current events and not be too concerned about the past or planning for the future.

Examples:

Don't worry if your former boyfriend cheated on you. Live in the present and find another person to love!

Johnny was keen to save money to buy a house. His friends told him to live in the present and go on a holiday with them.

Take note

The expression there's no time like the present is used when you want to say that there is no reason to postpone something - that action should be taken immediately.

Example:

You've always wanted to visit your cousin in France. There's no time like the present! Go and buy a ticket now to fly there tomorrow.

Interesting fact

Most families in the UK buy a Christmas tree and send cards to friends. However, these Christmas traditions only date back to the 1840s, and are actually German in origin. That's when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert popularised a new way of celebrating the Christian festival. But the Victorian Royal Family favoured roast beef over turkey for their Christmas meal.

From: http://themuseinwoodenshoes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/baby-jesus-vintage-christmas-card-2.jpg

Have a look at this wreath idea!  You can make someting similar using colorful light bulbs and a similar structure.  Use your imagination and creativity to make a one-of-a-kind and full of light wreath!!!

Dê uma olhada nessa ideia de guirlanda!  Você pode fazer algo semelhante usando lâmpadas coloridas e uma estrutura parecida.  Use sua imaginação e criatividade para produzir uma guirlanda iluminada e única!!!

Lights Up

Sometimes you need to put things in bright and brilliant light to create the right amount of excitement. Start with a wire wreath frame and weave through strands of oversized bulbs for a cool holiday vibe.

From: http://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/holidays/christmas/diy-christmas-decorations-00100000089665/page6.html

Snowed under  

Text from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/2012/12/121206_todays_phrase_snowed_under.shtml

Image from: http://www.japantoday.com/images/size/x/2013/01/snowintokyo.jpg

Today's Phrase

If you are 'snowed under', you have too much to do and not enough time to do it.

For example:

I'm sorry, I can't write that report for you right now – I'm snowed under with work today.

Mum didn't have time to bake a cake; she was snowed under with cooking the dinner.

I'm going to treat myself to a spa weekend. I've been so snowed under this week; I need some time to relax.

Don't confuse it with

When the snow falls so heavily that you can't leave the house, we say that you are 'snowed in'.

Wendy rang to say that she can't come for dinner tonight – she's snowed in!

As a Phineas and Ferb fan I wish you a Merry Christmas!!!

From: http://static3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111206053142/phineasandferb/images/7/7f/We_wish_you_a_merry_christmas_35.jpg

Para começar o ano com organização e estilo que tal as sugestões do site abaixo:
- uma faixa magnética na parede para colocar anotações convites etc;
- um abajur personalizado com cúpula bordada;
- um organizador de borracha modelado em forma de folhas de grama para segurar suprimentos de escritório.
Lembre-se de usar cores que combinem e tornem do seu dia-a-dia de trabalho mais estimulante e feliz!

From:  http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/decorating-ideas/cheap-decorating-ideas#slide-22

Mark Lund

BackNext

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Organize in Style

A 14-inch-long magnetic strip turns any spare wall into Command Central, holding notes, invites, etc. $10, Three by Three Seattle.

Swap a zero-personality lampshade for this charming embroidered version. $12, IKEA.

Modeled on blades of grass, this rubber organizer holds office supplies. $10, Umbra.

Read more: Cheap Decorating Ideas - Cheap Home Decorating - Good Housekeeping
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Visit us at GoodHouseKeeping.com

From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/2013/12/131205_todays_phrase_ask_moon.shtml

Ask for the moon

A plane passes over the face of the full moon as it heads for Heathrow Airport in London

Today's Phrase

To ask for the moon means to make unreasonable demands for things, or to wish for something impossible to achieve or obtain.

Examples:

Bob's wife is always asking for the moon. He works hard 12 hours a day for poor pay, but she still expects expensive holidays and clothes.

Don't ask for the moon, Mr Jones. Be reasonable, please.

Take note

Don't confuse with to promise the moon (to someone), which means to make extravagant promises to someone which are difficult to deliver.

Example:

My husband promised me the moon when we got married: a big mansion, a flashy car and all the diamonds I could wear. But none of it happened!

Interesting fact

The Apollo missions between 1969 and 1972 returned over 380kg of rocks from the moon, which have been used to help us understand its origins and structure.

Nelson Mandela was a really important icon for South African people.  To listen to or read more about it access the link below.

From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2013/12/131206_witn_mandela.shtml

Nelson Mandela dies

Summary

6 December 2013

South Africa's first black president and anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela has died at the age of 95. Mr Mandela led South Africa's transition from white-minority rule in the 1990s, after 27 years in prison for his political activities. He had been receiving intensive medical care at home for a lung infection after spending three months in hospital.

Reporter:

Mike Wooldridge, Johannesburg

Mandela became a worldwide symbol of resistance to apartheid

Dê uma olhada no contraste desse tom de azul-petróleo com cores claras e neutras dessa charmosa sala de estar, valorizando e destacando a lareira.  
Ideia para uma renovação sem muitas modificações nem gastos, usando objetos e móveis em tonalidades neutras e uma cor dramática e marcante.

From: http://www.housetohome.co.uk/room-idea/picture/small-living-room-ideas-10-of-the-best/10

INSPIRED?
SAVE TO MOODBOARD

Blue country living room

The stone fireplace is an integral part of this updated period-style living room. The teal-blue colour on the walls gives this space a fresh vibrancy.

Read more at http://www.housetohome.co.uk/room-idea/picture/small-living-room-ideas-10-of-the-best/2#cRFMzkUgJZSYzQpA.99

The end of the semester is coming and it's time to file away all paper work, to have a fresh beginning in 2014!
Some of it will surely go in the circular file.  Don't you know what these two expressions mean?  Take a look down here, then!

From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/2013/11/131126_todays_phrase_file_away.shtml

To file away

Are you good at organising your papers?

Today's Phrase

To file away is a phrasal verb which means to store a document in an organised way, often in a file with other similar documents.

Examples:

All my letters are filed away in a big cabinet in my office.

On Friday mornings I pay the bills and invoices from the past week, then I file them away.

Take note

One funny slang expression isthe circular file. When you put something in the circular file, where does it go? In the wastebasket!

Example:

A: What happened to those printouts?
B: Oh, they went in the circular file, sorry. I didn't think you needed them.

Interesting fact

These days, in English, you are likely to see or hear the word 'file' when talking about computer files. We talk about 'filenames'; 'types of file' (doc, jpg, mp3, mp4); and 'file size' in kilobytes (KB), megabytes (MB), gigabytes (GB) and even terabytes (TB).

If you like pop music, a cappella singing, dancing and a light romance, you just can't miss this lively movie!
Se você gosta de música pop, canto a capela, dança e um romance leve, você não pode perder esse filme cheio de vida!

From: http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMTcyMTMzNzE5N15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNzg5NjM5Nw@@.
_V1_SX214_.jpg

70 A Escolha Perfeita (2012) "Pitch Perfect" (original title) 12 112 min  -  Comedy | Music | Romance  - 7 December 2012 (Brazil) 7,1 Your rating:   -/10  Ratings: 7,1/10 from 109.988 users   Metascore: 66/100  Reviews: 184 user | 189 critic | 33 from Metacritic.com Beca, a freshman at Barden University, is cajoled into joining The Bellas, her school's all-girls singing group. Injecting some much needed energy into their repertoire, The Bellas take on their male rivals in a campus competition. Director:  Jason Moore Writers:  Kay Cannon (screenplay), Mickey Rapkin (based on the book by) Stars:  Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow, Rebel Wilson

Some vocabulary:
freshman - calouro
cajole - adular, bajular
join - juntar-se
take on - competir

From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/2013/11/131128_todays_phrase_safe_hands.shtml

In safe hands

Newborn babies respond enthusiastically to soft stroking, cuddling and caressing, say experts

Today's Phrase

When you say someone is in safe hands, you mean they are being cared for by someone who is confident and skilled.

Examples:

John is going to be operated on by one of the best surgeons in the country. He's in safe hands.

The new CEO of the company had degrees in engineering and business administration. The staff knew they were in safe hands.

Take note

A safe pair of hands is a similar expression. It refers to someone who can be trusted to do a good job, avoiding mistakes.

Example:

My boss gives me all the difficult assignments. He knows I am a safe pair of hands.

Interesting fact

In developed countries, the average birth weight of a full-term newborn baby is approximately 3.4 kg, and is typically in the range of 2.7 - 4.6 kg.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving! 

Amanhã é Dia de Ação de Graças!

American people celebrate Thansgiving with their families and friends on the 4th Thursday of November to thank the blessings they have received through the year.

Os americanos celebram o dia de Ação de Graças com suas familias e amigos na 4ª quinta-feira de novembro para agradecer as bençãos recebidas ao longo do ano.

Below there a site with a recipe of one of the dishes they may have on this date: Cheese and onion pie.

Abaixo está um site com a receita de um dos pratos que podem ser degustados nessa data: Torta de queijo com cebola.

From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/cheeseandonionpie_89625

Cheese and onion pie

This stunning vegetarian pie is perfect for a picnic or lunchbox and looks just as at home at the centre of the dinner table.

From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/2013/11/131121_todays_phrase_to_flag_up.shtml

To flag up

Bunting is a common sight at celebrations in the UK. Photo: Laurence Coss/ BBC

Today's Phrase

To flag something up is to emphasise its importance, or to mention it so that others know about it.

Examples:

At the meeting Martin flagged up the issue of late payments. He said that we hadn't paid our suppliers for three months.

There are a couple of points that I'd like to flag up today: one is the increasing number of customer complaints and the other is the problem with our computer system.

Take note

If you are flagging, it means you are becoming weaker and running out of energy.

Example:

I worked really hard from 7am until lunch, but after lunch I was really flagging!

Interesting fact

The colourful triangular flags in the picture are called 'bunting', and are often seen at street parties and weddings in the UK. The flags have a long history in the UK, though they have seen a particular return to popularity after the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011.

Have a look at this stylish bedside table.  You can have your own made of a range of different materials or just by putting things together, like books.  I have my unique night table: a tall wooden stool! 
Dê uma olhada nessa mesinha de cabeceira estilosa.  Você pode ter a sua própria feita de uma gama de diferentes materiais ou apenas colocando algumas coisas juntas, como livros.  Eu tenho  minha mesinha única: uma banqueta alta de madeira!

Abaixo uma mesinha constituida de duas malas apoiadas em blocos de madeiras e finalizadas com uma bandeja para amparar os objetos.
From: http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/beautiful-designer-bedrooms?click=hbu-more#slide-23

VICTORIA PEARSON

BackNext

Bedroom with a Touch of Vintage

Two mostly black vintage Louis Vuitton suitcases propped on wood blocks and topped with a tray serve as a night table in this master bedroom designed by Ken Fulk. The bedding is black-and-white with stripes and plaid.

Let's make do with DO:

do something up = redecorate
do wonders for something = be very good for something
do somebody a favor/ a good turn = help
do the donkey work = be responsible for the hard work
do something with your eyes closed = do something very easily
do time = spend time in prison

From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/2013/11/131112_todays_phrase_black_and_white.shtml

Black and white

A woman sits among panda bear sculptures at a World Wildlife Fund event in Germany. Photo: Thomas Peter/Reuters

Today's Phrase

If a situation is black and white, it means you have a clear opinion about it. You can easily see what you think is right and wrong.

Examples:

I'm really sure about some things. I think free education for all is a black and white issue.

The question of nuclear power isn't black and white. Many people believe it is the only way to produce a large amount of clean energy – but many others think it has considerable dangers.

Similar phrase

If something is in black and white, it means it is written down.

Example:

I couldn't believe I had won the lottery, but when I checked my bank statement there it was in black and white: one million dollars!

Interesting fact

Giant pandas are famous for their love of bamboo, and it forms over 90% of the animal's diet. Unfortunately, bamboo has very poor nutritional value, meaning pandas have to consume up to 20kg each day to survive.

A very moving film... but just watch it if you're not feeling blue...

Um filme muito comovente... mas só assista se você não estiver se sentindo triste...

From:  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0978762/

Mary e Max: Uma Amizade Diferente (2009) "Mary and Max" (original title) 12  92 min  -  Animation | Comedy | Drama  -  16 April 2010 (Brazil) 8,1 Your rating:   -/10  Ratings: 8,1/10 from 69.341 users  Reviews: 122 user | 143 critic A tale of friendship between two unlikely pen pals: Mary, a lonely, eight-year-old girl living in the suburbs of Melbourne, and Max, a forty-four-year old, severely obese man living in New York.