My lovely little Phoebe was six on Thursday, and this was the amazing Moana cake that Nick made and Lauren helped with, and it was so delicious, I can’t tell you! See below.

How time flies, I know it’s a cliche but it really does. So I don’t need much excuse to go see my grandchildren. So after my conference trip (see below and more in this week’s newsletter for subscribers) I winged my way to Wales, for a wonderful flying visit for two nights.

We had a lovely time – playing, reading, trying out her new bedroom furniture, tidying her toy jewellery, laying out her toy Dyson hairdryer (yes really! It blows cool air!) although she was at school.

I actually spent the afternoon period with Jasper for the most part as lollipop and Nick were putting up her IKEA cabin bed that they had bought her as well, to transform her bedroom! We went to Newcastle Emlyn and had a look at the ruined castle! I wonder if that’s why it’s called Newcastle…! Jasper thought it was fascinating… For about 60 seconds.

I paid for a new dressing table for Phoebe from IKEA which she wanted, and some Tonies story/song magnets, amongst other things. She loved all her stuff and was very kind and let her little brother open a couple of her presents. Bless her.

Jasper made everyone roll up laughing with his hilarious Tarzan antics on the long swing suspended from the roof which they both love! And he is so strong minded. On the night I arrived we were eating dinner and he suddenly wanted a spoon but he didn’t want a little spoon he wanted a big spoon. So daddy got him one and he threw it on the floor and instructed everyone that only Nan Nan needed to go and get the spoon from the kitchen. And I said ‘no, I’m not doing it, I’m eating my dinner, I’m not going out to the kitchen for a 2 1/2-year-old, use the spoon that you’ve got!’ Slightly tongue in cheek. But he got the message. (I actually did get it for him – only when I went out to get more of Nick’s delicious cottage lentil pie, but that’s besides the point!) I then had the honour of spending the day with Jasper till Phoebe came back from school for her super cake!

It was another lovely trip and a very good visit in terms of the weather. Fingers crossed it’s good for her outdoor party at the weekend. He and Lauren are very imaginative. Lucky children, to have such clever parents. Lucky parents to have such a clever mother / in law, ha ha ha! 

Hope the weather holds up for them till 1pm anyway! I will be in London looking after Blake and Caleb, the other two, for Brad and Kari’s anniversary night out, then I’m back to work on Saturday. So I will have collected the set this week and seen all of them. What a lovely, lovely diverse week I’ve had!

SNIPPETS

My Annual Conference Education

Went to my Annual Association/party conference in Birmingham and enjoyed some smashing times with friends. One of them I spent the most time with was lovely Margaret Boadella from Plymouth, she’s a really good laugh and a good stick! The rain was horrible though, and our hotel was a long way away, And I celebrated my inner geek… More over on my newsletter! (Subscribe below by pressing the word newsletter. You get an email inbox update every Friday, and exclusive content – for this week’s, it’s a bit gross- you probably never ever ever in 1 million years, will be able to guess what it is!)

Some good laughs, nice meals, interesting sessions, and educational talks! Oh and some belting group shots! Next year, Manchester!

Maggie Smith RIP

Just wanted to say I’ll be at a little bit late, RIP to one of the most amazing actresses ever, Dame Maggie Smith. One of my favourite lines of all time from her was in the Marigold hotel film, where she plays an old lady planning ahead. She said, ‘I’m so old I don’t even buy green bananas’. And of course Countess Grantham in Downton Abbey, she will never be forgotten.

So here’s this week’s Watch – it had to be didn’t it, some of the best of Violet Crawley! See it here.

Watch 2! – The Joker. Out this week in the cinema. Considering it is Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix, what’s not to like. Looks very dark, but the trailer was pretty spectacular so I expect I’ll see this at some stage on the big screen.

Vlog – and considering I was somewhere completely different, in #thehiveawayglamping‘s The Hyde cabin in West Wales, here’s this week’s #thursdaybantz! See it here.

Book of the Week – Well considering where I was at conference I decided to try Graham Brady’s memoir. But that’s not my recommendation this week! I’m onto another one of Elaine Everest’s period novels concerning the World War II brigade, this time Molly – in ‘the Butlins Girls’. Looking forward to reading more of it, about a job role I would’ve done in an alternative universe. 

It’s one of my “if I wasn’t doing this I would’ve been a…” options, have always looked back and thought I would’ve really enjoyed doing it. My cousin Christina did it for years and years and years. Of course being in the entertainment industry as I was for a while, and as I (semi) still am, I guess I got my fair share anyway. But I think I would’ve excelled as a holiday camp entertainer. Or a cruise entertainer. I would’ve enjoyed it anyway however good I ended up being! Or an archaeologist. Oh well maybe in the next life.

Funny – just one of those little moments, but little 2 1/2 year-old Jasper who can barely pronounce some of his consonants, but is quite well spoken with what he does say, made me cry with laughter this week when we were putting away the cutlery. We got to the last thing which was a nozzle from an icing bag, a big one. And I said to him ‘and where do you put this,’ meaning where in the drawer. And he took it from me, put it on his forefinger and said “I put it on my finger normally“. I just thought it was hilarious! Especially at 2 1/2 year-old telling me what he does “normally“! If you want to hear me tell it live, watch this week’s Vlog!

Nov 12th!

PS don’t forget to come along to the £49 afternoon tea raising funds for the incredible charity medical detection dogs. It’s in Milton Keynes on November 12 and several of my QVC guest friends will be there. Do go here to find out more and see the ticketing platform!

Only 30 people can go so don’t miss out – and bring somebody who likes to do fundraising for animal charities, but remember this time it’s dogs helping humans!

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 Sunday Riley plumping and hydrating four piece gift set.

Saturday – time to get your backup plan sorted for your car this winter with the halo bolt car jumpstart and tyre compressor, and huge power bank, back in stock!

Sunday – online now the Molton Brown Christmas today’s special value! And 11-piece luxury gift collection!

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:

– style – sea salt Cornwall brush drawing three-quarter sleeve dress, I’ll be looking out for this one!

– extra – Skinsense winter defence gummy trio, six months supply

– beauty – nails inc, party ready seven-piece collection with bag, under £30, unbelievable

– main – cooks essentials rectangular smart spin turntable

Digital — Algenist green micro algae retinol and liquid collagen two-piece routine, very affordable for algenist!

Now back to the today’s special values for the rest of the week –

Monday – Christmas tree time! It’s Santa’s best, this time the Carlisle pre-lit Christmas tree with storage bag, going on sale early! Join me 9 pm Sunday for the launch.

Tuesday – Moda in Pelle bring the Kinzey loafer

Wednesday – Cozee Home wearables and a velvet soft Sherpa lined snuggle hoodie – it’s all the rage!

Thursday – Mally Makeup returns with the five-piece collection

Friday – Ruth Langford has a patchwork pattern jumper

Friday 9 pm – going on sale earlier in the week, the Gatineau luxury age benefit five-piece advanced skin care collection, including their brand-new age benefit neck treatment! Already on their social media, go and have a look!

Plus Sunday’s, already going on sale early, is the hotel chocolat something for everyone Christmas collection!

Next week – concluding my weekend looking after the kitties, this time in Fulham with Brad. And a week back at work! Look after yourself and don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter if you haven’t already.

Best wishes

Debs

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Ps don’t forget to come join us in November, on the 12th in the afternoon in Milton Keynes, for a wonderful afternoon tea featuring medical detection dogs partners, talented doggies, and delicious grub! Find out more here.

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