New puppy alert! And supersize Decleor ahead

He’s here, he’s here! Ziggy the puppy arrived recently at my brother’s, where I live when I’m in London working. He is a gorgeous Australian Shepherd, a marled brown and white one. He is such a good natured boy and has the biggest blue eyes, can you see them in the montage here?

He is so soft and fluffy, and so far has not chewed anything up, as he is being taught gradually how to behave, and seems very intelligent. What a lovely breed. I laughed when he encountered Oreo the cat, who is getting used to him, I think they could be good friends longer term. Oreo is definitely the boss!

We had cats and dogs growing up when I was a kid. But I’ve only ever had dogs as an adult because I became allergic to cats when I was about 20. However, homoeopathy definitely made a difference for me, which is how I manage to live alongside Oreo the cat.

Not to be left out, Oreo got some attention this week when he was perched on the edge of the bath trying to eat the bubbles! He is a funny little boy. And it was a lovely bath! I have been using the SBC bath soaks, go here to see their range. In particular, the Arnica & Sandalwood smells heavenly, like a really expensive unisex fragrance/men’s aftershave. Do try it out if you can by clicking here.

Snippets

Panto season – oh no it isn’t!

Well it kind of is, as last week when I went to see the local Holsworthy panto, Sleeping Beauty, it was still January – just! My lovely friend Sheila was playing the piano as she always does, and kindly saved me a ticket. HATS Theatre Group in the nearby town to me in Devon has such a superb collection of performers. I particularly loved Nanny (Mike Wonnacott, even if he did embarrass me a bit!) and his wife Lesley, who stole the show as the cranky crow! Amazing costumes, heartfelt performances, and a really lovely atmosphere as usual.

And another well done to Gabby Bradshaw, whose panto I sadly did not see this year, but I was very impressed with her posts on social media – what a villain she made! Oh yes she did! I always wanted to be in a panto, I guess the time has gone, but maybe I can be the old fairy godmother one day when I retire down to Devon ha ha.

Down the rabbit hole

Had a super meeting this week, partly about weeding out some invasive Himalayan Balsam during the summer, with a group of friends and colleagues in Exeter. We went to a meeting place that is in a basement, so it’s called The Rabbit Hole! Ha ha. Very Alice in Wonderland with neon lights…

I am very excited about getting together to help Devon Wildlife Trust with a countryside clean-up, focussing on this fleshy , tall plant with bright pink flowers. (Google it and you will see pics. It’s the one that has pods of seeds that explode as you go past them in the autumn.) Very prevalent and taking over the local flora all over the UK. I remember lots of it in the woods in Devon and at the back of my house in Hollow Lane. It has shallow roots and it was very, very satisfying tugging at the top bit and the whole lot came up! I’m helping to arrange some volunteers to help the clean-up, with CWO Devon women, mostly in the upper Torridge area. I’m sure it will be great fun and we’ll get some exercise as well!

Liz Earle eye cream

When I was away from QVC, the only eye creams I used Liz Earle ones. And the Instant Brightening Eye Cream was excellent. This new eye cream has even more wonderful ingredients in it, helps to brighten as well.

Watch

Had a film fest this week with my friend Sheena, and Wendy came along for the first one. We saw David Copperfield, which was Armondo Iannucci living up to his reputation – colourful, quirky, comical, lightweight. Glad I saw it, but wouldn’t see it again. Loved the character portrayals in it and cameos from so many wonderful actors. Then we stayed on and watched 1917. Came out feeling that ‘oh my God what a waste of life that was’ and how senseless were the stupid orders those men gave to each other and their poor regiments , going over the top to almost certain death. Very, very, very well made. Definitely will not watch it again #Harrowing. 8.5 out of ten. And for Copperfield, 7.25.

Book of the week

Started listening to Sweet Sorrow by the author of bestseller One Day, David Nicholls. Loved One Day. Quite liked others of his too. Nicholls has a quirky turn of phrase and demonstrated that again in this book within just the first few paragraphs, which always makes me happy. I love it when people propel you on through each chapter with the little pleasurable “squee” that you get in your stomach, every time a writer uses original witticisms, or funny turns of phrase. Having invested in the book in trepidation, it’s always nice to get that reassuring pay back. Nicholls gives you this in abundance. The narrator is Rory Kinnear – no wonder, he is excellent. Thoroughly enjoying it. You know the book is good when instead of listening to anything else, you want to get back to continue this story! One life changing summer, after a group of teenagers finish school, one awkward 16-year-old encounters a quirky drama troupe. Fabulous dialogue. Highly recommended.

As you know, I always listen to audiobooks. I also have several others waiting to be read on my app. Including one about the gut, one about Victorian England, and Elton John‘s biography read by the amazing Taron Egerton, plus the autobiographical book from my colleague, psychiatric doctor Joanna Cannon. Good job I’m so busy doing stuff, I can listen at the same time! Plus, my new headphones help.  Actually, the bone conducting headphones from Aftershokz have been great – there is nothing stuck in your ears, handy when I’m out on the Devon country roads!

Podcast of the week

Don’t miss this week’s podcast, featuring Lee Hohbein! So many things to find out about my lovely telly hubby.

Vlog

Talking of being out on the Devon country roads, look what I got Daisy to help us walk safely in the lanes around Sheepwash! Jennie, (who looks after Daisy when I’m not there) got her spaniel Gerald (Daisy’s BFF) a different coloured one as well! What a pair they are :-). Watch the vlog on my Facebook page.

Oh, and here’s another one! Ever seen round our QVC Canteen? I was in early on Sunday, Beauty Day, to do the brilliant Dermaflash Luxe Facial Exfoliation and Skin Renewal System, among other things, and went down for breakfast, and posted this!

Hot stuff

Talking of food, oh my goodness, what a surprise I had last week. A group of performers called Protein Dance, who were doing a show called The Little Prince nearby, stayed at my place last weekend. When they departed, they left some grub behind, so I thought I would try the barely-touched curry that was in the fridge. Oh my goodness, I really should find out what these initials stand for before I put anything in my gob. Nearly blew my head off! Wonder what it stands for! Won’t be touching that again that’s for sure.

This weekend’s highlights and next week on QVC

Friday – its Winter Sale day today (Friday 31st), and we have the fab All Weather Latrobe leather and suede mid-length boot from Emu: go here to see and buy them (or what’s left.)

Saturday – Richard Jackson is back with his 12-piece collection of Begonia Majestic, which come with 100g of Root Buster. So a lovely morning of just gardening ahead, right the way through till 2pm. Roll on spring, that’s what I say!

Sunday – Fiona Brackenbury returns with lots of marvellous Decleor shows. It’s the massive four-piece Comforting Skincare & Body collection, all supersizes for both face and body, featuring a huge cleanser, huge body lotion, double-sized face cream, and more. My show is at 7 pm. Hope there is some left!

Big Deals old and new

Mr Max printed hacci swing tunic

Skechers men’s Dyna-Air Blyce mesh lace up jogger trainer

Kipling Shayna premium small flap-over cross-body multi-way bag

Simple Human Sensor Pro five times and ten times magnifying vanity mirror with Tru Lux technology

Go here to see and shop them all

Vionic orthotic Remi Delmar lace up trainers with FMT technology

Liz Earle The Power of 3 Superskin Regime

Skullcandy Indy Truly Wireless

Kim & Co croc pleather bomber jacket with pockets

Monday – Laura Geller make-up returns, with the Beauty Excellent three-piece collection. Very affordable and on an early bird order link ((hopefully this is available now to put the presell link in here))

Tuesday – Kim & Co is back with fabulous fashions, this time a printed long sleeve tunic, and once again a really, really good price. I will be launching this on Monday night at midnight. Also on Tuesday, watch out for a whole hour of Ultrasun at 7pm, plus a Frank Usher accessories show with my lovely friend June at 11pm.

Wednesday – Amanda Wakely bring us the baguette Costner shoulder bag. Effortless glamour from this designer brand.

Thursday – OPI returns with the incredibly priced eight-piece nail collection with a Mexico influence, complete with cosmetic bag! Watch out for this going on sale earlier in the week.

And on Friday…

Fab rug

This fabulous new Aurora shaggy rug is coming to QVC. We do a wonderful wide range and the Cozee Home ones are particularly good quality. So soft, this one is deep, and almost chenille-like in feel. It fitted superbly in front of niece Lara’s mantelpiece in the bedroom next door to mine. Go here to see the range on QVC.

9pm Friday – going on sale earlier in the week, the V10 Animal cordless vacuum cleaner on six interest-free instalment payments, and a ridiculously low price considering it’s a Dyson V10! There will be lots of people wanting to upscale to this top of the range model (almost, I think there is a V11 now) so get in early and watch out for it towards the middle of the week.

Next week – A very busy week again. I have a massive dinner that I’ve helped organise on the Saturday night with some VIPs, have sold way over target so I am very pleased with the response. A lovely evening with my friend Alix, listening to the bells toll on Friday night and a meal in Belstone. Plus the tearoom opens again after the Christmas break, and seeing my lovely grandbaby Blake on Monday. Plus, of course, lots of work – it’s my London week so I’m on nearly every day for the next nine days! Have a great one yourself. Much love.

Debbie

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