On thin ice! And Christmas recommendations galore

Went to the local Epsom shopping mall recently with sister Linda, and in the middle of the walkway was this… You can guess what we were thinking, can’t you?! Well, we ended up resisting the urge to hop over the rope and take a picture sitting on Santa’s throne. But we had a lovely walk later that day.

Was out and about again with sister, tackling the wet windy woods in Banstead this week. Must get my steps back up I think. Going to have a concerted effort in the run-up to Christmas. What about you?

Family Christmas

Had the most glorious weekend – last Friday and Saturday night and Sunday morning – with my kids at Brad’s in Fulham. Lauren came down so it was an absolute joy to see the children playing together. We went ice skating on the Friday at the Natural History Museum, which is something I last did with my own children and my lovely friend LJ Rich about 15 years ago! We took the little ones there on the bus because it was easy with baby Kaleb in the pram, and the girls absolutely loved being on the top deck looking out the front window, especially little Phoebe who isn’t used to seeing big red London buses, since she lives in the depths of Wales. She and cousin Blake treated the passengers to their version of The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round!!

The fun continued at the ice rink. The skates were not very sharp so I was basically sliding around all over the place, but fortunately did not end up on my bottom! Lauren took some lovely pictures from the sidelines as she cannot skate, being six months pregnant. Brad is really good, he had a few lessons when he used to live in Peterborough for a little while, and he really enjoyed whizzing around as best he could while weaving in between everybody. There was even a romantic couple proposing during our session, under the Christmas tree. Then we had a go on the carousel behind the ice rink. The little ones loved it with their big skate-on balance penguins, and so did I. Check out my Facebook page for a little video, posted on Thursday, of the aftermath!

Saturday was the whole Christmas lunch kit and caboodle, provided by my son and his lovely wife. We had a big present opening session and lots of playing of games.

It was an ideal way to spend our family Christmas, and if you don’t know, it’s because my son and daughter are never together on the same day at Christmas, because they take turns in being with me and alternating being with their in-laws. So I get two Christmases every year! What do you do?

Snippets

Cousins Bash 

Sunday was then the big get-together with the cousins at our annual event in Walton on the Hill at the little hall. A smaller turn out than normal, but still very, very enjoyable and a good time was had by all. My Lollypop was very tired bless her! No wonder, with that big bump on her front! Not long now. 🙂

Red Riding Deb

What a lovely pic this was, don’t you think? On the day that we had the Lola Rose Today’s Special Value called the Joseph (item number 346878), we also had the Frank Usher faux fur gilet, and my sis took this lovely picture. I soon put my big coat on again afterwards though, as it was so cold that day! Check out the Frank Usher range here, especially if you need a nice sparkly Christmas jumper, and remember we have Christmas shopping right the way through ’til the 20th on QVC, so there is still time for delivery, depending on when you read this!

Craig’s news

How amazing is this? I am absolutely over the moon for my lovely friend Craigy, who has been secretly filming already in places like Barbados for his new job. I’m so happy for him! He will be brilliant at it and nobody loves the sun more than Craig! And Catherine Huntley is back this week after an extended sabbatical too!

Bee update

For those who have been asking, yes I will be back on with some bee jewellery before too long, including, I think, on 21st. Then new designs will come through in February. Here is a little sneaky peak, a proper long-distance one, of a design I’ve been working on. Can you guess what it is and what might be so special about it?

Watch

Been watching several Christmas movies lately, and I must admit I’ve been thrilled by a few. I highly recommend on Prime Video, Godmothered. A fairy godmother film with a nice twist or several. And the lead actress is really funny! And one I really enjoyed is called A Starry Christmas, and is really, really well-acted. With a quite original storyline as well, which is hard to do with Christmas films, don’t you think?

Got any recommendations for me? I don’t mind it being on any of the main streaming services. The ones I watch mostly are on Netflix or Prime so feel free to leave a comment below with your favourite Christmas movie, when you think I should watch!

Podcast 

Did you hear Will’s catch-up with cooking expert and presenter, Simon Brown? Next week, he chats all things Dyson with brand ambassador Abby Horne and National Education Manager, TT Hart. You can listen to them all here.

Vlog

Another behind-the-scenes at QVC here! Follow my social media to see more of these and almost always a preview of that night’s shows whenever I am on!

Book of the week

Still loving The Girl at the Window, which I’ve been reading for the last week or so. Just getting to the climax at the end now! But there are several books on Audible included in membership that I have my eye on, some just in time for Christmas, like Sleeping Beauty with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra accompanying.

But at the Christmas get-together on Sunday, one of the kids was reading Will Smith‘s new autobiography so maybe I’ll go for that one, to make a change! I’ve downloaded it and if he reads himself, I think it will be a great listen!

QVC top deals for next seven days

Friday (today) – go here to see and buy what’s left of the amazing indulgent Molton Brown hand wash set, it’s incredible!

Saturday – we have top tech from Amazon with the all-new Fire HD10 Tablet 10.1″ FHD Display with 32GB SD Card and Caseable voucher.

Sunday – looking forward to launching this on Saturday night at 9pm, the new Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleanse, Treat & Hydrate Skincare set, hot on the heels of the previous massive deal but this time focusing on skincare. Join us for some more amazing value!

Big Deals are available on air for usually a week, they may be longer online if stocks last. New ones every Sunday night! Subject to change!

Spotlight Oral Care whitening water flosser
Cook’s Essentials four-piece non-stick metallic cookware set with silicone handles
Orbitrek X17 Multi Path Trainer
Le Creuset 3-ply stainless steel 24cm non-stick Chef’s Pan & 20cm Deep Casserole
L’Occitane five-piece Shea gift selection
Kim & Co Wellness stretch velour blouson top
Rieker water-resistant lace-up boot

Go here to see and shop them all

And here are the new Big Deals launching on Sunday 12th at midnight:

Carole Hochman honeycomb fleece cowl neck lounger
Elemis five-piece Indulgent Face & Body collection
Set of five reading glasses including one pair of arnti-blue light readers
Cozee Home metallic dot Velvetsoft four-piece duvet set

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

Monday – again, I cannot wait to launch this on Sunday night, the big Neom TSV, really incredible in terms of what you get and one of my favourite brands.

Tuesday – it’s the turn of practical presents with Kelvin Tools set of two 17-in-1 Multi Tools.

Wednesday – we have Radley London back with the Coleman Street large gift-boxed purse.

Thursday – Lulu’s Time Bomb is back with the four-piece Deluxe Anti-Ageing Skincare Heroes Collection.

Friday – get gorgeous locks with the Revamp Progloss Compact Perfect Blowdry Brush.

Friday 9pm – it’s the return of luxe skincare with Liz Earle’s four-piece Gift Of Great Skin collection, going on sale early!

Next week – flying trip to Devon and some super family time with another birthday and more get-togethers – hectic or what!

Best wishes,

Debs

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