Hello everyone! The end of another year and the beginning of 2025. And here is my regular look back at the past 12 months featuring some of my biggest highlights and one of the best bloopers ever!
Firstly, another year of super family events, nights out with friends, catch ups and lunches, and me organising tons of stuff mainly in Devon. I’ve tried to go back and pick out some of the best and the superlatives. This year it was more tricky to choose I must say so in some instances there are two options! Anyway enjoy it! At the bottom is the usual sneaky peek for the next seven days. And in this week’s newsletter oh my goodness so funny, a new blooper from Jackie, I’ll feature it in next week’s blog but in the meantime everyone who subscribed to the newsletter will see it. Make it your ambition to subscribe by pressing newsletter below (please note that some Internet providers decide my newsletters are spam in which case let me know and my lovely IT guy Phil will look into it if you’re missing one, one week).
See you back on the telly box on Sunday, have a good few days.
HIGHLIGHTS OF 2024
Product of the year
Well I have to say I thought it might be the jacket and let’s face it, it has to be my garment of the year considering how many times I’ve worn it in so many different shots in so many different colours! 177 300, star of the year from our fashion department for sure! Plus a little highlight also shown here, the work I’ve done down in Devon arranging event events, see below.
But there’s a new kid on the block. If you look at the straight hair I’ve had recently, the Dyson AirStrait has romped into pole position. The compliments I’ve had and the comments about looking younger with straighter sleek hair, mean that I’ll probably carry on using it & gradually work it into my routine until I’m used to the new look! When it’s just been done it looks amazing. Then on days two or three and four I’ll go back to myAirweap. Just got to love a Dyson! Expensive but compared to the damage created by scorching temperature straighteners, there’s no comparison!.
Production of the year – Devil Wears Prada
By contrast from product of the year to production of the year and it has to be the one that’s just opened, the musical version of Devil Wears Prada. I absolutely loved Mrs Doubtfire as well. Two real corkers.
Film of the year for me looking back, the one that jumps to mind without examining my blogs to remind myself of what I’ve seen, definitely The Critic. Stellar performances from Gemma Arterton and Ian McKellen. Catch it if you can. On TV, there’s been too much that I’ve loved! But Slow Horses has to be right up there. I’m sure Yellowstone will be one of my favourites when I start watching that too because so many people have commented about it. Especially the prequel 1923 with Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren! Lots of goodies to look forward to as well, especially now that Traitors is back. In fact Traitors was probably my favourite from the start of the year as well! What was yours?
Book of the year, there have been so many! Lots of lovely novels that I’ve enjoyed, and Katie Brent is a standout author for me. Check out ‘How to Kill Men and Get Away With It,’ and ‘The Murder After the Night Before,’ amongst others. And not just because she stayed at my retreat either! Non-fiction probably ‘The Plot’ by Nadine Dorries, really made you think differently about the shenanigans behind the scenes in number 10. And she writes a good novel as well, I enjoyed the four streets series from her. I’ve had another brilliant year of Audible enjoyment and far too many to mention. Don’t know what I would do without it now! App of the year for me definitely Audible!
And Elevate – nightly brain training that has definitely shaken off some cobwebs from the problem-solving part of my brain!
Social event of the year – going out with the girls from work to the charity ball run by Anouska. Not been to anything like that this year that was just a social and wasn’t political, and really had a blast! So many good chats with so many lovely colleagues and friends. And a chance to get dressed up properly! See top picture 🙂
Fundraiser of the year – Medical Detection Dogs afternoon tea – in November I held a fundraiser at the Milton Keynes HQ and it went rather well! Very pleased with the response from everyone and the money raised to help this amazing charity that I’ve been an ambassador for, for 10 years this year! So we’re having a big event in June in London if you’d like to come along. An affordable lunch just off Whitehall and a chance to meet some of the dogs with a bit of luck!
Look out for news in my blog in the next few weeks so you can book your ticket because there are already about a dozen or so people who say they want to come and there will only be about 40 tickets 🙂 thanks everybody who has also supported this amazing charity of dogs helping humans.
Achievement of the year – in Devon – being clapped when I took over as Chair for my Association, plus I enjoyed organising the leadership hustings events as well. But it can be a full-time job in a bad way! Considering so many other things I’m supposed to be doing. (As can the other “unpaid full-time job“ looking after the flats. I enjoy organising and making things better for everyone for sure. That goes without saying. But considering how full my life is, I’m looking at making some changes. Three big projects and then I’m taking my foot off the pedal! Lifts, parking, signage. Then I’ll let someone else handle the big stuff!) Anyway, I’ve run lots of events this year and done my bit in Devon, as well as being Devon area Deputy Chair, and all mostly from a distance too. Yes I can look back and say I had a good year!
Family time was obviously a highlight, and that would be a whole blog on its own if I was allowed to put pictures! From family time on the beach with them, seeing them play together, going to the Eden Project when they came for their annual stay in Devon in August, seeing the little ones growing and becoming little people. You know what it’s like. And of course my lovely kids. We had some smashing family moments in 2024, too numerous to mention. This one was at my niece’s wedding in May. So proud of my offspring!
Reunion of the year – LJ Rich lunch!
Been so many years since I’ve seen someone who was a best friend has gone by, known her for 25 years this year, my lovely friend LJ Rich. She’s achieved so much and is such a talent I’m in awe of what she does! We talked for England and hopefully will have more get togethers in 2025. I just love my friends. Who needs a partner when you’ve got a social life like mine! Specially post menopause if you know what I mean LOL
And talking of menopause, the show that I’ve probably enjoyed presenting the most because it’s so challenging and so rewarding, is Menopause Your Way!! The chance to have a girly chat and share experiences as well as offering some super problem-solving products, what’s not to like! Join me on the first Monday of the month for my regular slot presenting this clever hour on QVC.
And finally, I had to include it didn’t I, blooper of the year! Just watch it. Enough said! I’ll never see that Philip Kingsley fragrance in the same way again. And I still think it smells like a cocktail…
Well that’s my little review of the year, I’m sure there were lots of other things I could mention but those are the ones that spring to mind. Hope you had a good 2024. Here’s to a smashing 2025 for all of us!
SNIPPETS
Seeing in the New Year with QVC
I saw it in the New Year once again on QVC as I do most years, and the behind-the-scenes crew joined us at the stroke of midnight to say cheers to the end of 2024! Always a pleasure to be on with my lovely mate Miceal. And thanks to the lady who told me afterwards that they were in on their own and it felt like they had company because they watched us. It means a lot. Big hugs.
Siblings Supper
A final get together with most of my siblings at the Woodman pub in Banstead High Street just before brother Glenn and his family went back to Sweden. Gave my brother-in-law Dave the chance to take the selfie for a change! Believe it or not the man next to him is called Dave and my brother opposite him is also Dave! (Sadly we lost my uncle Dave this week, rest in peace David Bareham and love to Tony and the family).
Shyama Catch Up
My lovely friend of 34 years, Shyama, provided a nice interlude when I went to hers for a six hour long catch up and met her new cat! Always lovely when time flies and there’s never enough minutes to fit in all the words. Hope to see more of her in 2025!
QVC TOP DEALS FOR THE NEXT SEVEN DAYS
Friday (today) – go to qvcuk.com and search ‘today’s special value’ to see and buy what’s left of the super socks from Tommie Copper!! I bought another three sets having trialled them, they really keep your feet warm and feel therapeutic in someway. Grateful for these winter days. I talk about them on a little Vlog here.
Saturday – our well-being special continues with the aero Pilates 4 cord reformer with something new, a large Domed ‘shoulder pad cap’ and a flared foot bar!
Sunday – already online it’s the elite air grid mattress on five easy pays, from the excellent brand of Emma, delivered to your door with a 60 day trial and about 50% off! I’ve got the Sunday night show at 10 if there’s any left! That’s when I’m back on because I’m off now for a couple of days, unusual for me to be off!
Plus join me at 9 pm on Sunday when I will be launching the new storage offer with Gill Gauntlett!
Big deals ending Sunday night
Go to this section of our website each week to discover the current ones which often end on Sunday nights if there are any stocks left!
Big deals are available on air for usually a week, they may be longer online if stocks last. Occasionally they last a couple of weeks but there are new ones every Sunday night so come back again and see them on the link above.
Next week should include:
– garden – gardening is back! Hooray! Join us every day on style between five and seven live. Grumpy Gardiner bring us their massive box of deluxe fat balls
– style – cozee home Borg / foil print lounger
– extra – protocol have their complete greens in a set of three packs, to last three months, a really effective powder to help your health
– beauty – fresh wipes have a six-piece self-care collection, four body and two intimate, at a really brilliant price, I just bought some new ones so maybe I’ll stock up on even more with these!
– main – dew, the Scottish brand that uses an unusual form of sanitiser, bring us a choice of cleaning kitchen bundles, a great way to try it
– digital – and KitchenAid return with a four-piece chef set with blade covers.
Now back to the today’s special values for the rest of the week –
Monday – I launch it on Sunday night, it’s the set of two large collapsible storage boxes with another two topper boxes from Pereia!
Plus at 7 pm on Mon, it’s my turn for my ‘first Monday of the month’ menopause your way chat show, featuring protocol, and Philip Kingsley amongst others – my favourite show to present!
Tuesday – Elizabeth Grant bring us their caviar and supreme Torricelumn 3pc collection – it’s super affordable, lots and lots of product, great ingredients, if you’re looking for a new skincare treat, this is a day cream and night cream and they’re famous serum.
Wednesday – cozee home cotton Rich two-piece lounge set – an interesting departure!
Thursday – Beauty Bio are back with their micro stimulation tool glow pro, an investment but does something different to most others!
Friday – ninja return with a zero stick ceramic pro five-piece cookware set I really can’t wait to see this and will probably buy it as I absolutely love it!
Friday 9 pm – join me at 9 pm for practical ideas with SFIXX – a today’s special value on their rust converter and primer paint, well that’s different!
Also look out going on sale in the middle of the week, for the Sunday Riley beauty sleep skin care three-piece collection, a great price from this premium brand.
Next week – getting back to normal, and an unusual couple of days off at the weekend, what will I get up to! You can bet your life it will be something! Have a great start to the New Year and look after yourself.
Best wishes
Debs
X
PS don’t forget to come join us in June on 10th in London nr Whitehall – tickets go on sale soon – featuring medical detection dogs partners, talented doggies, and delicious grub! More info here.
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