Some expressions to help you talk and write.  And if you don't know some of them look them up: http://pt.bab.la/dicionario/ingles-portugues.

Can you find which one was repeated in one of the columns?  See if you can find it!

From: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1450608328488496&set=gm.612547902133208&type=1&theater

From:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/2014/01/140123_todays_phrase_to_chicken_out.shtml

To chicken out

Chickens roam free at the Hackney City Farm in London

Today's Phrase

When you say someone has chickened out of something, you mean they have failed to do something, or they haven't tried to do it, because they were afraid.

Examples:

Johnny says he is an action man but he chickened out of riding a horse.

Are you absolutely sure you want to go bungee jumping with me? I don't want you to chicken out at the last minute.

Take note

If you say someone is no spring chicken you mean they are not young.

Example:

I don't go partying every night any more. I'm no spring chicken and I need to have a good night's sleep.

Interesting fact

According to the Guinness World Records website, the oldest living chicken was found in Maryland, US, in 2011. It was called Muffy and was 22 years old when it was found.

From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/2014/01/140121_todays_phrase_childs_play.shtml

Child's play

A child's crayon drawing from a London primary school. Photo: BBC.

Today's Phrase

You use the expression child's play when you mean that something is very easy to do.

Examples:

I finished the test very quickly. It was child's play!

Stop trying to fix the car and call a professional mechanic to do the job. This is not child's play.

Take note

To be a poster child (for something) means to be a perfect example of something.

Example:

Mr Cancino went from a poor young immigrant to a powerful businessman in a decade. He is a poster boy for the 'American Dream'.

Interesting fact

Research by scientists based at King's College London and Brown University, Rhode Island, suggests that immersing children in a bilingual environment before the age of four gives them the best chance of becoming fluent in both languages. They studied 108 children with normal brain development between the ages of one and six.

My dear friend, Raquel de Castro, gave me this tip about learning English through movies, videos and books: www.speechyard.com.   Very interesting and useful.  Have a look and improve your English even more! 

Among the book titles:
     

From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/2014/01/140116_todays_phrase_wise_old_owl.shtml

Wise old owl

A long-eared owl at a display of birds of prey in London. Photo: BBC

Today's Phrase

When you say someone is a wise old owl, you mean they are very experienced in life.

Examples:

My English teacher was a wise old owl. He told me that I shouldn't give up on things when they don't work the first time.

Mary saved 20% of her salary for her retirement. She was a wise old owl.

Take note

A night owl is someone who stays up late into the night.

Example:

Bob is a night owl. He never goes to bed before 3am.

Interesting fact

Long-eared owls spend most of the year as a solitary species. But in winter they stay together in groups of up to 200. The visible parts of their ears are merely decorative: they have no purpose.

I love books!!!  A charming way to arrange them can always make your home look more beautiful and cosier.  Have a look at the ideas in the link below.
Adoro livros!!!  Uma maneira charmosa de organizá-los pode sempre tornar a sua casa mais bonita e aconchegante. Dê uma olhada nas ideias no link abaixo.

Acessórios apropriados e dispostos de maneira atraente podem valorizar a estante!

From: http://www.myhomeideas.com/decorating/design-ideas/bookshelves-00400000064002/

Style Your Bookshelves Like a Pro

Make sure your bookshelves are as interesting as the titles you've so carefully collected.

Dressing Bookcases

Grand bookcases can be humbled by a bad arrangement, while humble ones become grand with thoughtful accessorizing. There is no one rule for dressing bookcases--each needs a custom treatment.

From:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/2014/01/140109_todays_phrase_stand_tall.shtml

Stand tall

Snowy owls' plumage (feathers) can vary from pure white to brown. Photo: BBC

Today's Phrase

When you say someone stands tall you mean they are confident and proud of themselves.

Examples:

Our athletes stand tall after winning many gold medals at this year's Olympics.

The critics thought the movie was awful, but its director stands tall as he heads for tonight's Oscars ceremony.

Take note

A tall order is something that is very difficult to do.

Example:

My teacher wants me to write three essays for next week. That's a tall order!

Interesting fact

Snowy owls use their white feathers to reflect sunlight, warning rivals of their presence, according to researchers at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada and the Museum of Natural Sciences in Spain.

Inspiration of the day...   breakfast, lunch or dinner nook.  For step by step access the site below.
Inspiração do dia... canto para café da manhã, almoço ou jantar.   Para o passo a passo acesse o site abaixo.

From: http://www.myhomeideas.com/decorating/design-ideas/simple-breakfast-dining-spot-00415000067374/

Get This Look: Sweetly Chic Dining Nook

Get inspired by the cheerful elegance of this Southern Living breakfast nook. We'll show you how to steal the look.

Simple Breakfast Spot

This intimate dining nook from Southern Living’s Texas Idea House received 4 out of 5 stars on MyHomeIdeas.com and is one of the site’s top-rated rooms. Adjacent to the home’s kitchen, this simple but bold niche brightens up a neutral background with charming pops of color and pattern, from the striped area rug to a custom cushion and coordinating pillows. Love this casually elegant look? We’ll help you replicate it in your own home.

ESTUDE INGLÊS EM SÃO PEDRO (Juiz de Fora - MG) COM METODOLOGIA COMUNICATIVA!

AULAS INDIVIDUAIS OU EM GRUPOS DE 3 PESSOAS

helena.lara@yahoo.com

Picture from: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6Mx2xtJhrNV_r-uweQapIjNZ7LPctfbwbBIY_J0DOR7bIKFN19p6859ZtIP1n8BXeRVPdd1SCsdJWCSu6hGxwlQKafoBWwaCiQQGchgxfRViUYP6gOsbjrp5U8OA_KvdKhofzcZVUx6w/s1600/flags.jpg

From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/2014/01/140107_todays_phrase_cheap_as_chips.shtml

Cheap as chips

Chips are often paired with cod to make the traditional British meal 'fish and chips'. Photo: BBC

Today's Phrase

When you say something is as cheap as chips you mean it's very cheap.

Examples:

People keep asking my mother which designer created her beautiful party dress. In fact she bought it at a street market. It was as cheap as chips.

Mobile phones used to be very expensive. Today they are as cheap as chips.

Take note

Let the chips fall where they may means to allow things to happen no matter what the consequences are.

Example:

I know you think investing in that company is risky, but I think we should do it. Let the chips fall where they may.

Interesting fact

What the British call 'chips' are known in the United States as 'French fries' - and the packets of flat, thin, fried potato slices that Americans call 'chips' are known as 'crisps' in British English.

Ano Novo!!!  Boa hora para fazer renovações em casa!  Com criatividade, um toque diferente aqui e ali, e alguns materiais como tintas e papel de parede ou tecido é possível dar uma cara nova a sua casa ou AP.  Abaixo algumas ilustrações para inspirar.
From: http://www.reformafacil.com.br/inspiracoes-para-reforma-1; http://www.reformafacil.com.br/reformas-inspiracoes-2; http://www.reformafacil.com.br/consultoria-personalizada-para-reformas-rapidas

From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/2013/12/131210_todays_phrase_branching_out.shtml

To branch out

The branches of a yew tree. Photo: BBC

Today's Phrase

If someone is branching out it means they are starting to do something new or differently from the way they usually do.

Examples:

Jane has been working as a journalist since she left university but now she's branching out and writing a novel.

The supermarket has branched out and started selling clothes as well as food.

Take note

If someone holds out an olive branch, they are trying to end a disagreement in a friendly and peaceful way.

Example:

Bob is always the first to hold out an olive branch after we have an argument.

Interesting fact

The yew tree is a medium-sized evergreen. It usually grows to about 10 to 20 metres. This one is in the Access Sculpture Trail at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, UK