Had a lovely supper out after work one evening with my good pal Emma from Imedeen and put the world to rights. Mostly, we were talking about relationships. I describe some of the waste of time relationships I’ve had in the last 20 years, including several in the “what was I thinking” category! I explained that post-menopause I’m really not bothered about the usual reasons as to why you want a relationship, and Emma said “well, no one will come along if you’re not trying to find someone.” But actually, I believe that if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be, and something will happen regardless. My old colleague Carmel for instance, met her man at a cashpoint while they were both queueing for money! What’s the most unusual instance you’ve heard of?
The only thing is, as I approach 60 next year and I’m thinking about going on a big cruise possibly the year after, it would be lovely to go around the world with somebody, rather than as the gooseberry accompanied by two couples. That would mean I would need to find someone pretty soon! But it’s the word “find”, that I don’t like. So I just go to supper with my friends instead! And see my grandchildren.
Baby time
Had the most wonderful time last weekend as my son brought his family over to see me and cousin Evie came to play as well. She and Blake play so perfectly, it’s marvelous, and that left me lots of time for cuddles with little Kaleb. He is filling out now for sure! I managed to get a couple of videos of him with a big beaming smile on his face and he is becoming much more knowing, as they do when they pass the six week mark. So lovely to spend time with the grandchildren, isn’t it? Hopefully they enjoy being with me as well. 🙂 I know Blake does as she dresses up in some wonderful outfits! Just wish they did them in adult sizes ha ha. (Scratch that, they probably do, don’t send me any links.) 🙂
Snippets
Finished it Friday
This week it’s my Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser! Yet another one finished. What have you finished lately that you’ve loved and will re-buy?
How wonderful then that this cleanser, which I have used more or less since it launched during the earliest days of QVC (around 27 years now), has a new Today’s Special Value this Sunday. I’m lucky enough to have the midnight hour and a show the next day, unless things change. A massive mega bundle for Christmas, with huge savings, and a new fragrance featuring vetiver. As mentioned, I’ve used this for donkey’s years, mainly because it suits my skin so well. It removes all of my ‘telly tart make-up’ easily, tackles difficult things like waterproof mascara et cetera and with the exfoliation part of the hot cloth polish, removing it leaves my skin so soft. In this set there is the new fragrance Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, as well as the original in a smaller size. Can’t wait to bring it to you in its very pretty presentation box. Don’t miss it!
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Jewellery update
These gorgeous earrings are from our vintage Diamonique range, item number 347142. Noticeable, a show-stopping statement piece, but still comfortable.
And some fabulous news regarding our jewellery, on two counts. Firstly, do you remember Kirks Folly? Well… a super fantasy range of jewellery we did on QVC for many years, I still have a magic genie bottle brooch! It returns for a show on 3rd November! And secondly, my bee jewellery – I have been asked to help design a new brooch and I’ve requested aquamarine and pearl to feature. More news as I get it. 🙂
Booster jab
Had my Pfizer booster jab on Wednesday, and had a really sore arm that night! If you’re around the Sutton area, I highly recommend the vaccine centre in Saint Nicolas Centre, really well organised and clean and fast. And I recommend getting your jab, of course! For those that didn’t realise it, I volunteered in a vaccination centre in Epsom for much of the first part of this year and really enjoy doing my bit to help the NHS and local people get protected. I’m a big fan.
Watch – An English Game, Netflix
Found a belter of a new series this week and binge watched all six! Imagine Downton Abbey but about the early years of the Football Association, all about the characters with the overall plot pitching old Etonians against millworkers in the 1880s. Absolutely loved it and highly recommended – by the same guy who did Downton, Julian Fellowes, so you know it’s got to be good!
Also saw Bond, James Bond, and will probably see it again. Love Daniel Craig, love the way he makes a character so real, and I’m sad it’s his last one. When you see the ending, you’ll know why. Hope you enjoyed it if you saw it at the cinema as well!
Podcast
Still time to catch up with Will Gowing and his latest inside QVC podcast with my fabulous friend, fashionista Patrick Hoy! Then the new one Monday is Dr Vanessa Creaven from Spotlight. You can listen to all the podcasts here.
Vlog
Go here to see my oat milk hot chocolate, whisked up by the latest Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser Today’s Special Value deal, already selling quickly. It’s so easy and a real boon if you want to get it for somebody who then doesn’t have to worry about milk boiling over on a hob or forgetting about it and burning the milk! Plus, super high quality chocolate flakes included in a big bag, as part of the offer. Go here to see and buy it now, and look at my social media about it here.
Book – The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman
The Thursday Murder Club book two is out and already garnering thousands of five-star reviews. So I thought I would download it. I did enjoy the first one, a little slow in places, but charming nonetheless. So here are some of the same team venturing into their second case.
“Elizabeth has received a letter from an old colleague, a man with whom she has a long history. He’s made a big mistake, and he needs her help. His story involves stolen diamonds, a violent mobster, and a very real threat to his life. As bodies start piling up, Elizabeth enlists Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron in the hunt for a ruthless murderer. And if they find the diamonds too? Well, wouldn’t that be a bonus?”
Plus, inspired by last week’s book of the week by Katie Fforde, I started listening to another one of hers, as Katie is always reliable for a well-written family drama or two. Or several! A Springtime Affair is fabulous, and I listened to it for a long time on my journey down to Devon for my committee meeting this week and really enjoyed listening to the story of Jill, a fifty-something with a grasping son and daughter-in-law, who want her to sell her house so they can live in a mansion, and she can stay in the granny flat and be an unpaid babysitter. And her other daughter Helena who falls for her hunky landlord. Love it!
QVC top deals for the next seven days
Friday (today) – go here to see and buy what’s left of the Kim & Co foil-printed Brazil knit shirt, especially for the mini winter fashion event. And look out at 9pm for the launch of…
Saturday – Saturday‘s deal is the incredible Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser machine – which I mention above in the vlog section. Already online, go here to see and buy it.
Sunday – already available online here, the Liz Earle six-piece Patchouli & Vetiver Botanical Face and Body big Christmas gift set, less than £10 per piece for one of the best general skincare ranges around if you’re looking for presents for people. And I have it at midnight Saturday and 7pm Sunday, assuming there are some left.
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!
Lambertz Assorted German Gingerbread Christmas Gift Box
Mr Christmas set of two ceramic nostalgic Christmas tree mugs
Bell & Howell set of two 3-in-1 Mega Lights
Revamp Progloss Deep Form Brush
L’Occitane Four-Piece Fragrance Gift Set
White Stuff Olivia colour block jumper
Nina Leonard faux suede biker jacket
Cozee Home embossed fleece four-piece duvet set
Go here to see and shop them all
And here are the new Big Deals launching on Sunday 17th at midnight:
Centigrade longline faux fur coat
OPI six-piece Celebration collection
Ninja two-piece hard anodised cookware set 24cm & 30cm frying pan
Alpha-H four-piece Rose Gold Glow collection
Now back to the Today’s Special Values for the rest of the week:
Monday – it’s Christmas grotto time, and we have the Home Reflections pre-lit oversized fairy light glass bauble, 22 cm in size!
Tuesday – Price’s Candles are here for their big Christmas collection as well, 66 pieces and another super value stocking filler gift bundle!
Wednesday – Judith Williams is back with her Day to Night Retinol Science collection, one of her biggest sellers. This is one of our most affordable brands, and a great way of stepping up your skincare from basic levels.
Thursday – Morphy Richards bring us the Auto Clean Speed Steam Pro seven bar steam generator iron, these often sells really quickly so watch out for it.
Friday – time for the Tarte collection, with a five-piece Shape Tape set, going on sale earlier in the week.
Friday 9pm – join us for the Skechers waterproof boot, the Trego Alpine Train design!
Next week – a flying trip to Devon and a super writing retreat with an old friend.
Best wishes,
Debs
7 Responses
Debs look forward to reading every Friday. You give lots of information regarding what’s coming up and going on at QVC and, also in your own life. As for finding a relationship I have found that things happen when you least expect it. You seem to have a great life, good friends, family, your writing job etc., men are like buses…wait for one for ages,the two come along. This is first time I have ever left a msg, probably first and last. Take care. Babs
Went on a world cruise in 2020 by myself and rebooked for 2023. There were a lot of singles onboard and at no time did I feel like a gooseberry – Go for it
Thanks for the heads up for the TSV always enjoy your blogs
Good to see you back on air, I hope your eye is more comfortable now. Take care Jean Given
Hi Debbie
I’m with you on the relationship front, I’m 55 have been single for nearly 9 years, I’ve no children sadly as Chronic Fatigue destroyed my life during my fertile years. I’m not into online dating so hope one day I’ll meet someone in a queue or such like! It’s the lack of company, being able to share life that I find hard but I live in hope as surely I can’t be alone for the whole of the rest of my life?!!
You always come across as such a warm, giving, loving person on screen, you always seem to be out in the world meeting people I’m very surprised someone hasn’t snapped you up, they will I’m certain. I’m of the reasoning that when you’re not looking the right person will come into your / my life.
Crossing everything for you it’s sooner than later so you have the ‘right’ company on your planned cruise in the future!
xx
Hi Debbie,
I lost my fabulous hubby 15 years ago and have never looked or wanted another man. However, everyone is different and I do understand what you mean about playing gooseberry. Hopefully you will find someone to fill your life but try to focus as you do on enjoying your family . You may even meet someone on your cruise.
I remember you yearning for grand children and look what happened!
I enjoy reading your blogs, always full of information regarding the products.
Best wishes
Janet X
I’ve travelled (some of) the world mainly on my own over the last 25 years or so and highly recommend it. I love it – gives me complete freedom to do what I want, when I want with no compromise! And my experience has been that you meet more people travelling alone – not necessarily romance, but friendship (though have found the former too but that’s another story…). My only regret is that I didn’t start until I was nearly 40 as I didn’t have the confidence when younger. Now in my 60s, I’d need considerable persuading to travel with other people.
I think the key is to pick the right trip. I’ve done some adventure cruising (to Antarctica for for example) where the ships are much smaller (c100-200 max) which means you get to know people more easily and in a much less formal environment. Lots of solo (not necessarily single!) travellers too and generally from all over the world which adds to the vibrant and enriching experience.
Still not keen to travel whilst the world isn’t fully vaccinated, particularly as the places at the top of my bucket list are all very far flung or still restricting visitors. Ho hum. But nothing to stop me dreaming and planning….