Beach with my babies, sneaky peeks and early bird links

Last weekend I went to Wales with Brad, my son, and two and a half-year-old Blake (sneaking into the picture above Brad’s shoulder in the top photo.) We stayed with my daughter Lolly and her beautiful girl Phoebe, 20 months-old, and hubby Nick. I stayed in the shepherd’s hut, and did a special extended vlog from inside for my regular #thursdayBantz night!

(If you follow me on my social media, you will see these updates regularly.)

When London was sweltering, I was in relative tolerable temperatures, 24 degrees-ish. We went to the beach on Saturday and it was overcast but warm, before it then turned much brighter in the afternoon. Blake and Phoebe loved making sandcastles, but not as much as the two daddies did, enthusiastically digging arm-wide tunnels under the sand ’til their hands met!

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We managed some lovely walks around the grounds on the smallholding, and managed to avoid the field that has their holiday let, the Hiveaway, as they had visitors at the time. The babies were fascinated by the cows and the cows were fascinated by the babies!

Had some lovely meals, most of which Lauren cooked, but we did go out for one or two and had the most beautiful riverside walk on the Sunday morning as the weather got warmer. Took probably 100 photos, but as you know the little ones are not social media babies, so this one will have to do!

Lauren has also grown the most enormous vegetables in her poly tunnel and they are doing very well down there in Wales. I’m very proud of my kids. Phoebe is so grown-up now. She wanted her fingernails trimmed and pointed to the scissors. When Lauren said no, Phoebe said “too, sharp, for, Phoebe.” Adorable at that age, aren’t they?

Blake was terribly grown-up and kept looking after little Phoebe, although they did have their share of spats. Precious times. I can’t wait until Lauren and Phoebe come to stay at the start of October for Phoebe’s second birthday, hopefully in my new place! At time of writing, everything is falling into place, so we will arrange completion either the end of August or beginning of September. 🙂

Snippets

Story plots…

Thought this would make you smile. One of my friends posted it online this week, with the comment “one of the four basic story plots…” Made me laugh…

Bruce’s Zoominar

Had a great time this week while in my brother’s back garden joining in on the Bodyblade Ohana Facebook group’s live Zoom session, all of us using the brilliant Bodyblade devices in our own homes with Bruce in LA. He is still in a tighter lockdown over there, but took time out to help everybody and answer lots of questions afterwards. Well done Bruce! His genius fitness device is available online here. And thanks to the girls for organising: Anne, Sue and Helen.

Fab gifts!

OMG I am very excited to be bringing you the Bell & Howell set of four magnifying ballpoint pens with light, on with me at 9pm and midnight Sunday. They come in boxes so they are perfect for presents. Works out around £4 each, plus a smidge of postage. I’d say they are going to absolutely fly, so please be prepared to get in nice and early. In a choice of colours (including my favourites, purple and turquoise), this is a really high-quality ballpoint, whose body becomes a magnifying light! Check out this video, and join Gill Gauntlett and myself Sunday night!

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Watch

I’m still gripped by ‘This is Us’, only halfway through season two and there are four seasons. But something I will take a break to watch is Knives Out. I missed it at the cinema (last year?) and now it’s available online, with a stellar cast including Daniel Craig playing the inquisitive detective Blanc. It’s a modern take on the classic whodunnit mystery and a tribute to people like Agatha Christie. My kids watched it and thought it was really good.

Another film that’s on Prime is Official Secrets, based on world-shaking true events. It tells the gripping story of a whistleblower in British intelligence who leaks info to the press at the time of the Iraq war. Matt Smith also stars, as does Ralph Fiennes. Really good and I’ll probably watch it again!

Podcast

A special tribute this week to the lovely Michelle from Alpha H, from Will and Tom Ogden. Do catch it here. Plus, spin down to see this Sunday’s Today’s Special Value sneaky-peak. It’s a new three-piece Liquid Gold set from your favourite problem-solving brand.

And, update! Will has asked me to do the one year anniversary podcast episode, including some of the highlights! I’m thrilled, as it means I get to talk about other stuff, not just me! I love his weekly insights into the world behind the faces you see on our QVC screens. You can look back on dozens here and they make great entertainment. I do love a good podcast. 🙂 There are some amazing ones on Inside QVC. You guys agree as well, because they were celebrating over 50,000 downloads last week.

Book of the week

Well, what a week it’s been. I have started downloading other audiobooks I want to get into, but obviously I’m not driving so much now so I’m not getting through them so quickly, especially as I listen to podcasts. However, I had a splurge! I’ve ordered on pre-sell several of my favourites, including the new Lee Child for November, the new Robert Galbraith for September, and the new ‘Tales From the Folly’ by Ben Aaronovitch for the end of August.

However, for now, I just downloaded ‘The Sandman’, an Audible original featuring lots of actors rather than one narrator, including Taron Egerton and James McAvoy, among others. It’s a superheroes story, drawing on real world history, myths, and DC comic book characters. Following the king of dreams imprisoned on Earth until he fulfills a task and can rebuild his dominion. Michael Sheen plays the devil. Can’t wait to get stuck into it!

QVC top deals for the next seven days

Friday (today) – it’s fashion event time on both Friday and Saturday 15th, and if they are still available, go here to see and buy the Moda in Pelle Lori ankle boots with trim on three easy payments, and look out for much more fashion, including an extra shift from me doing 4pm Kim & Co and 6pm Skechers, as well as three tea-time hours Saturday.

Saturday – when we will be bringing you the Ruth Langsford jersey shirt jumpsuit in different lengths – great price as well! Go here to see and buy it as it is already online prior to its launch tonight at 9pm with Jackie and Ruth.

Sunday – the Alpha H three-piece Liquid Gold Firming and Hydrating collection is here. Featuring the most wonderful treatment Liquid Gold Eye product for firming, and just what we need with all the hot weather – the new Hydration cream, as well as a large size Liquid Gold. (And don’t forget to listen to the podcast remembering lovely Michelle, see above.)

Plus, on Sunday night I launch the latest Christmas gifts, see below.

Also the Big Deals end every Sunday night, here are the current ones…

LA Tweeze three-piece Pro Collection
VibroSlim Radial Plus 3D firness vibration plate
Liz Earle British Beauty Icons collection
Ninja Dual Zone Airfryer
Prime Fifty Total Health Gut and Immunity, Omega 3 and Multi Vitamins
Michele Hope swing hem shirt

Go here to see and shop them all

And here are the new big deals launching on Sunday 16th at midnight and lasting only one week:

Elemis three-piece Dynamic Resurfacing Essentials collection
Hardwall Takker 59-piece multi-purpose hanging kit
Protect A Bed cooling cotton mattress and pillow protector

Now back to the Today’s Special Values for the rest of the week:

Monday – the four-piece gift pen set – see above!

Tuesday – the most lovely L’occitane floral Shower and Liquid Soap Eco-Refill trio, going on sale early, go here to see and buy it. I love the rose one. And it’s good to use the bottles again, I think! These plastic bags are much easier to get rid of and don’t take up so much space. A great price as well considering it’s 500ml!

Wednesday – Lulu Guinness, top designer handbag brand, returns with the Winslet small flap-over chain cross-body bag.

And don’t forget to join me at 9pm for the…

Thursday – Joules Cora jersey cropped jacket (jersey, not denim eh?), according to the write up! Looking forward to trying this one.

Friday – Ecoegg bring us a really economical and eco-friendly washing machine set. Instead of using washing powders and fluids, how about trying these clever pellet-filled eggs you can refill. You get over 1000 washes and they come with stain remover and two machine detox tablets. Great for light loads or for frequent washes, and amazing for anybody that suffers from reactions to washing powders et cetera on clothes. Imagine how many washes you could do in your 60-Day Money Back Guarantee, just don’t forget to use the stain remover for a heavy wash.

Friday 9pm – Friday at 9pm I bring you the T’weaked three-piece Dhatelo Restorative Shampoo, Conditioner and Coconutty Body Cream, which is also a face cream. Saturday’s TSV. Live from his garage studio in Canada, I wonder who Dennis will pull on with him to show off to us this time! The cream smells amazing and is very, very soothing and comforting, so it’s really good value if it’s included with his famous shampoo and conditioners as well.

Plus, watch out for the new Decleor four-piece Ultimate Hydration Skincare collection, which goes on sale mid-week. A massive Prolagene Gel, which is useful for all sorts of things, (just look at the write-ups and check out the price of the regular size!) Plus, a full size face cream, it’s worth it just for one of them! And the rich shower jelly in my favourite neroli. What a week ahead of us on QVC!

Next week – oh my goodness, my first trip back to the hairdressers! I cannot believe it! 🙂

Best wishes,

Debs

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