If you are a fan of comic strips and Monica's Gang you gonna love reading it in English!


This phrase is pretty similar to one we have in Portuguese

 From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/2013/08/130820_todays_phrase_plenty_more_fish.shtml

Plenty more fish in the sea

Woman dressed as a fish on a WWF demonstration in Brussels
WWF members and sympathisers protest against overfishing of the European seas in front of the EU Council in Brussels. Photo: Geert Vanden Wijngaert/ AP Photo

Today's Phrase

If you say there are plenty more fish in the sea, you mean that there are other choices in a situation. It is often said to comfort someone who has just had a romantic break-up.
Examples:
Mary was not a good wife. Don't cry about her. There are plenty more fish in the sea.
Stop flirting with my boyfriend and find someone else! There are plenty more fish in the sea.

Take note

If you fish for compliments, you try to make someone give you praise, often by criticising yourself.
Example:
Ann: I'm not very good with children.
Sue: No, don't be silly. You are a great babysitter.
Tony: She knows that. People in the neighbourhood are always asking her to take care of their kids. She is just fishing for compliments.

Interesting fact

Overfishing is changing the type of fish in the sea, according to scientists at Bangor University. Because larger fish are being caught, they cannot pass on their genes to a new generation. As a result, only smaller fish are surviving.
Olha outra ideia legal, do Homens da Casa, para fazer uma renovação barata em algum móvel  -http://homensdacasa.blogspot.com.br/2012/11/reformando-um-criado-mudo-com-contact-e.html

Já fiz algo parecido na mesa de estudos das crianças, só que utilizei recortes de revistas bem coloridos além de figuras do universo infantil.  Ficou muito legal!
I admire people who are 
assertive, but not aggressive
self-assured but not arrogant
charming but not smarmy
frank but not tactless
trusting but not naive
open-minded but not unprincipled
resolute but not stubborn
and shrewd but not cunning.
If you can master these qualities, for sure life will be lighter and more enjoyable...
Olha que bacana essa ideia para aproveitar restos de madeira!
Do blog: Homens da Casa, dica da Mayra.

 http://www.homensdacasa.blogspot.com.br/
From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/148_phrasalverbs/page4.shtml

 Part 1B - Reading 
Read the conversation

VICKI:So, Callum, I hear you’ve got a wonderful new flat. 
CALLUM:That’s right. I’ve just moved in. 
VICKI:So you’ve recently started living there. 
CALLUM:Yes. I moved in last week. You must come round some time. 
VICKI:Thanks - I’d love to come to visit. 
CALLUM:Well why don’t you come round next week then. 
(Doorbell)
CALLUM:Hold on a minute. 
(Opens door) Hi. So glad you could come round. Come in. 
VICKI:Thanks. Hey this is a fantastic flat. 
CALLUM:Thanks. Let me hang your coat up. 
VICKI:OK, here, I’ll put my scarf on the same hook too. 
CALLUM:OK. Well, I’ll show you around. 
VICKI:Yes, let’s have look at the other rooms. 
CALLUM:Right. This way…This is the living room… 

 For more information visit the site above.
I've watched this intense movie lately and recommend it. It's a great opportunity to evaluate how judging and claiming "facts" to be true can be so dangerous and irrevocable... not even a painful regret can mend a mistake like that.
Desejo e Reparação (2007) Poster

Desejo e Reparação (2007)
"Atonement" (original title)


14  -  Drama | Mystery | Romance  - 11 January 2008 (Brazil)
7,7
Your rating:
  -/10 
Ratings: 7,7/10 from 137.228 users   Metascore: 85/100 
Reviews: 549 user | 305 critic | 36 from Metacritic.com
Fledgling writer Briony Tallis, as a 13-year-old, irrevocably changes the course of several lives when she accuses her older sister's lover of a crime he did not commit. Based on the British romance novel by Ian McEwan.

Director:

 

Writers:

  (novel), (screenplay)

Stars:

 , ,   
Some vocabulary:
fledgling - novata, inexperiente
irrevocably - de maneira irrevogável
several - diversas

Definitely two wheels are better than four... but only if you don't live a town so full of hills!

Two wheels are better than four

Cyclists holding their bikes in the air
Cyclists in Budapest lift their bikes in the air during a pro-cycling demonstration. Photo: Ferenc Isza / AFP/ Getty Images

Today's Phrase

When someone says two wheels are better than four they mean riding a bike is better than driving a car.
Examples:
If you want to get healthy, get out of your car and onto your bike; two wheels are better than four!

The traffic is really bad in the city so two wheels are definitely better than four.

Take note

A two-for-one offer or promotion in a shop means you can buy two of the same products but pay the price of just one.
Example:
I hope you like eating cabbage; I got them on a two-for-one offer at the supermarket, so we've got lots to eat.

Interesting fact

The world-famous Tour de France is a 3,400km cycling race around France. It is one of the toughest endurance races in professional sport. This year the 100th Tour de France was won by British cyclist Chris Froome, who got to keep the famous yellow jersey.
Cosy little corner...  
Cantinho aconchegante...


From: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=278803518927576&set=a.101676963306900.1729.101447593329837&type=1&theater
It's so nice when we people pass their driving test with flying colors...  yes, with flying colors.  If you don't know what it means chech below.

From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/2013/08/130815_todays_phrase_with_flying_colours.shtml

With flying colours

A plane drops water to put out a fire
A plane drops water to put out a huge fire. Photo: Nick Ut/ AP Photo

Today's Phrase

If you do something - especially a test or exam - with flying colours, you do it easily and with great success.
Examples:
She passed her exams with flying colours!
With all that practice, John will pass his driving test with flying colours.

Take note

If something gets off to a flying start, it means it starts very well or very successfully.
Example:
Our trip got off to a flying start: the roads were empty, and we got to our destination early.

Interesting fact

The origin of the phrase 'with flying colours' relates to ships' flags. A long time ago, ships coming into port flew coloured flags, to show people how successful their voyage had been.
Mais DIY!  Renovando as cadeiras e a mesa com tecido. Na mesa também revestimento de plástico para proteger o tecido dos líquidos e gorduras.




For good times and bad times... for all times.

Antoni Gaudí foi um arquiteto Catalão e dedicou-se a obra do Templo A Sagrada Família, em Barcelona, por 43 anos de sua vida.  Ao aceitar a encomenda de dar seqüência ao trabalho iniciado por Villar, teve necessidade de alterar radicalmente a concepção do projeto, pois pretendia que fosse um templo incomum.  Partiu de uma nova concepção extremamente ambiciosa, a qual pode realizar apenas uma parte, por razão da complexidade e do alto custo da obra.   Podemos notar um percurso de um gótico muito apurado a um cubismo em alguns de seus detalhes, tanto na visão do conjunto quanto das partes dessa realização arquitetônica surpreendente.  
Entre outras de suas famosas obras incluem-se o Park Güel e a Casa Milá, também conhecida como La Pedrera.
    
Try this phrasal verbs exercise!

 From: http://www.eslpdf.com/esl-pdfs/english-phrasal-verbs2.pdf

 PHRASAL VERBS | Using phrasal verbs in everyday situations 
Choose the best answer:

 1. The recession was ___________ ( = caused) by bad economic planning.
a) brought on/about    b) brought in    c) brought over 

 2. My cousin ___________ ( = visited me) the day before yesterday. 
a) came on    b) came by    c) came to 

 3. The robber ___________ me ( = attacked me), but I was able to fight him off. 
a) came on    b) came to    c) came at 

 4. He decided ___________ moving to Spain. ( = decided not to move to Spain)
a) against    b) along    c) away 

 5. I’ll ___________ at 8 = I’ll come get you at 8 
a) pick on you    b) pick at you    c) pick you up 

 6. I picked ___________ ( = noticed) her bad mood and left her alone.
a) in    b) up on    c) on 

 7. The other kids always ___________ me ( = tease me/ give me a hard time)
because I look different.
a) pick on    b) pick at    c) pick around 

 8. I’m really tired. I’ve been ___________ all day trying to get things ready for the party. 
a) running on    b) running away    c) running around 

 9. Let’s ___________ your test. ( = let’s review your test) 
a) go over    b) go around    c) go away 

 10. Go ___________ ( = leave) - I don’t want to talk to you right now. 
a) out    b) away    c) on 

 ANSWERS:

1) a 2) b 3) c 4) a 5) c 6) b 7) a 8) c 9) a 10) b

Mais DIY !!!  Renovação de mobília!
Essas foram cadeiras doadas pela minha avó materna.  Depois de uma pintura com tinta spray preta, conserto do assento, colocação de espuma e tecido, ficaram parecendo outras!  Totalmente renovadas e mais confortáveis!
A mesinha de tampo de vidro também era irreconhecível antes.  Estava pronta para virar lixo, daí limpei, pintei com a mesma tinta em spray e coloquei o tampo de vidro que já tinha em casa.






O Leitor (2008)
"The Reader" (original title)

16  -  Drama | Romance  
Post-WWII Germany: Nearly a decade after his affair with an older woman came to a mysterious end, law student Michael Berg re-encounters his former lover as she defends herself in a war-crime trial.

Director:

 

Writers:

  (screenplay),  (book)

Stars:

 , ,  | 
From: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0976051/

Vocabulary:
WWII - Segunda Guerra Mundial
Nearly - quase
Affair - caso de amor
Former - anterior
Trial - julgamento

I really beautiful movie... but be prepared to shed a lot of tears.  Very moving!
Um filme realmente lindo... mas prepare-se para chorar bastante.   Muito emocionante!

Unfortunately most Brazilian people can hardly keep their heads above water, and in many situations they are in deep water because of this...

If you don't know the meaning of these expressions, take a look below:

From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/2013/08/130808_todays_phrase_head_above_water.shtml 

To keep your head above water

Synchronised swimmers performing
French synchronised swimmers at the World Swimming Championships. Photo: Michael Dalder/ Reuters

Today's Phrase

If you say you're trying to keep your head above water, you mean you are just managing to survive despite not having much money.
Examples:
Our company isn't doing very well but we're just about keeping our head above water.
I'm struggling to pay the bills; I don't know if I can keep my head above water.

Take note

To be in deep water means to be in trouble or a difficult situation that is hard to deal with.
Examples:
We're going to be in deep water if someone finds out that we broke that window.

Interesting fact

Synchronised swimming is a mix of swimming, dancing and gymnastics. It is an Olympic sport but only women are allowed to enter. Swimmers are judged on two performances – one technical and one freestyle. Russia won the synchronised swimming event in the 2012 Olympics in London.








DIY shelf - Faça Você Mesmo

Whether you want to save money, personalize your home, or just satisfy your crafting itch, 
do-it-yourself projects are a great way to put your mark on your home.
Seja para economizar dinheiro, para personalizar sua casa, ou apenas para satisfazer a 
coceirinha de fazer algo artesanal, projetos faça você mesmo são uma ótima maneira de 
colocar sua marca no seu lar.

Stylish Shelves
Oi!  Essa idéia é daqui de casa mesmo!  Olha o que fizemos com um carretel de fiação de telefonia: pintamos com tinta esmalte, colocamos rodinhas e adicionamos alguns caixotes pintados com betume e almofadas pra ficar mais confortável, né?  Alguns amigos já aprovaram essa mesa cheia de personalidade!





Having problems spelling plural nouns?
Try this exercise to help you learning some of them:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/quizzes/crossword/130526_crossword_spelling.shtml
I've been in the pink lately.  Hope to continue!  
What about you?  Are you in the pink?
Oh, don't you know what it means?! Check below, then:

 From:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/2013/08/130806_todays_phrase_in_the_pink.shtml
French football fans wearing pink clothes
Pink is the colour for these football fans at a French cup final match. Photo: Michael Steele/ Getty Images.

Today's Phrase

If someone is in the pink, they are in good health.
Examples:
Rob has recovered from his cold and is in the pink again.
Ruth looks very well, she's certainly in the pink.

Take note

If you are tickled pink, you are very happy or excited about something.
Examples:
Pippa was tickled pink when she got a new car for her birthday present.

Interesting fact

The photo shows supporters of Evian Thonon Gaillard during this year's French Cup Final match between Evian Thonon Gaillard and FC Girondins de Bordeaux at the Stade de France. Bordeaux won 3-2.

Você com certeza conhece a palavra ESQUISITO, não é?   Que significa algo estranho, bizarro.   E quanto às palavras EXQUISITE (do inglês) e EXQUISITO (do espanhol)?  Se nos pautarmos pela semelhança diremos que tem o mesmo significado que em português, certo?   Mas o fato é que têm significados totalmente diferentes:  querem dizer, de maneira geral, algo primoroso no inglês e algo delicioso no espanhol.  Ao que parece também no português possuía sentido semelhante, que acabou sendo deturpado ao longo dos anos e passou a ser usado significando algo estranho.
   
Have you watched this movie yet?
It's really worth watching it, if you like appreciating human being's personality traits, the way they make mistakes and try to get over their difficulties, living life throughly, learning and enjoying experiences.  A very inspiring movie!

Você já assistiu a esse filme?
Vale muito a pena assistí-lo, se você aprecia os traços de personalidade dos seres humanos, a maneira como erram e tentam superar suas dificuldades, vivendo a vida de forma completa, aprendendo e aproveitando as experiências.  Um filme muito inspirador!
New technology
Do you keep up with new technology?

I really don't... it's good to get and use new technology, but when it starts interfering with your quality of life, I think it's time for a stop.  With all these new gadgets and ways of communicating and getting information, it's hard not to become a slave of news and of being connected almost all the time.  This can be highly addictive!  What we can't forget is that the live contact is much better and richer than the virtual one.  So, it's really nice to put all new technology aside for a while and enjoy a real connection, the one we lack the most: human connection.

If you want to learn more about the expression keep up go to:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/askaboutenglish/2010/08/100817_aae_keep_up.shtml  
It has some different meanings!
Are you a culture vulture?  If you don't know what it means take a look below to check if you are.

From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/2013/07/130723_todays_phrase_culture_vulture.shtml

A vulture
A King Vulture. Photo: AFP / Rodrigo Arangua

Today's Phrase

If you love things like art, music and theatre, people could call you aculture vulture.
Examples:
William's going to see three exhibitions and a Beethoven symphony on Saturday. That guy's such a culture vulture.

Oh, give me the Arts section of that magazine. I'm a culture vulture; I need to know what's on at the moment.

Take note

A person who makes money or gains something from other people's bad situation can be called a vulture. It's an insult.
Example:
People who lend the poor money with high interest rates are vultures.

Interesting fact

There are 16 different types of vulture. Many kinds have bald heads, without normal feathers, so they can feed on dead animals without getting dirty.



Gosto muito das cores vibrantes e alegres desse pintor e escultor brasileiro: 
Romero Britto
       
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