look good...feel better

This week I was invited to attend the 'look good.....feel better' workshop at Mount Vernon Hospital. The course was designed to give some confidence back to women who have gone through chemotherapy and radiotherapy and have lost both hair and self-esteem. We were all given a goody bag full of the most amazing treats.......clarins foundation, clinique lipsticks, elizabeth arden 8 hour cream, lancome eye serum, perfume and lots of other lovely things.
I came away with a full make-over (the kids didn't recognise me.........!)
and a little more of a spring in my step.
This is a charitable organisation based all over the country and is supported by 40 leading companies and brands. Thank you to all those who give to this incredible charity, it really does make a difference....
and I love my new lippy!!!

look good feel better

tHaNk yOu ♥ LoVeLy LaDiEs

last night we held a little mulled wine, mince pie evening at our house, with part of the proceeds going to the Hospice of St Francis. The air was filled with warm spice and laughter. Thank you to all the brave ladies who ventured out in the freeeeeeeezing cold to come and support us. We have quite a stash to hand over to the Hospice. Thanks Dhrooti, Jenny, Lynn and Katy for bringing your wonderful things to sell, thanks to Jo & the Cheeselets for a fab raffle, to Lizzie & Mari for the mince pies and a MASSIVE thanks to all you lovely gals for your support xxx

katy leigh
minimills and bloom
ps I love my new poncho and picture xx

tHaNk yOu ♥ julia

I received a lovely hand-knitted hat to keep my ears warm in this ffffreezing autumnal wind and drizzle. Thanks my love, it's just fab x

our little trip to norfolk

We are really grateful to our kind friends who let us stay at their lovely houses in Norfolk. The Russells let us stay at their fab house in Sheringham (the ping pong and football table went down well). It was great to be next to the seaside. We ate plenty of fish & chips, ice cream and spent all our coppers in the amsusements. Just fab.
And we then went to C&M's barn in north Norfolk. We had fun collecting crickets, spotting the owl, watching the most amazing sunsets and chilling out.
Thanks everyone, we had a wonderful time xxxx

tHaNk yOu ♥ mr & mrs swinson

Oh it's just like The Good Life..........thank you mr & mrs S for the wonderful selection of produce from your allotment. Just fab xxxx

The Race for Life

What an amazing day! The brave, wonderful, fabulous ladies and girls ran their socks off on sunday in the Race for Life in St Albans. It was such an emotional day watching hundreds and hundreds of women, dressed mostly in pink, running to support, and in memory of, their loved ones. Many a tear was shed and there was plenty of hugging.
Thank you to the fantastic band of friends who ran, supported and donated to such a wonderful cause. It was truly uplifting and I hope that next year I will be joining you around that lake and up that hill. Well done my beauties and my gorgeous little fluffy one xxxxxxxxxxxxx
(oh and the peck on the cheek from Mr Jean Christophe Novelli obviously rounded the day off perfectly ;-)

tHaNk yOu ♥

A big thank you to Mrs Littler for the orange fizzy energy AND the most delicious soup. It was perfect timing after a long day at the hospital.
You are very thoughtful, thank you xxx




My old friend Donna took time out of her busy textile lecturing schedule to visit me for a few hours. And she gave me these lovely things, a beautiful embroidery set and some fab vintage bits from Paris.
Thanks sweetheart, it was really good to see you xxx




Look at this lovely book Mrs Geldart gave me.
It appeals to my textile and pattern mind (and it comes with a secret CD.........Joy!)
It's lovely, thanks Mole xxx

tHaNk yOu ♥ mrs hutchinson & ms duce

This made me cry when Mrs H sent it to me (and I didn't stop for a long time). Thanks for running in Trent Park the other weekend and helping to raise money to fight this horrid disease.
A big thank you to Ms Duce too, who ran the Race for Life up in Durham a couple of weekends ago.
I applaud you both, you're fab xxxx

and chat and coffee and walk

Thank you Mrs Russell (pppppparker) and Mrs Evans for a lovely stroll through the bluebells and a trip to another lovely coffee shop (one for the list). Thank you also Mrs R for the wonderful pampering goodies and Mrs E for the delicious soup. A lovely morning xxxx

lunch and coffee and cake and chat

Thank you lovely Kate and little Miss A for a great lunch yesterday. It was really good to see you both and lunch was delicious (especially those meringues!!!!!!!!) xx

Mrs Riches, thanks for the longest, most expensive coffee ever. My idea of a good morning, coffee and retail therapy xx

A big crush............

You can keep your Robbie's and your Ronan's, I have to say I've developed a BIG crush on Eddie Izzard, my hero (see Mr Cheese's blog) and an odd one on Sophie Dahl..........she was fabulous and beautiful on her new cooking programme last night.
Haven't quite got round to putting posters of them up on my bedroom wall, but there's time yet.

Lovely people

A huge thank you to all you lovely people for your kind words and lovely food.

Mrs Twelftree - for the mounds of magazines, they helped take my mind off things on monday x
Mrs Hunt - thank you for the lovely quiche. Mr Cheese had his regulation 2 portions x
Mrs Ineson - wonderful cookies. A massive thank you from the cheeselets (and as tasty as Tim's too) x
Mari the cake - Another wonderful creation of banana and chocolate. Mr Cheese can't wait to get his teeth into it x
Mrs Mills - for the wonderful relaxing spray and beautiful biscuits. Just lovely x
Mrs & Ms Russell - thank you both for your lovely cakes, fudge and magazines. Very very thoughtful of you x
Mme Ray - for my breakfast. Looking forward to the continental style x
** Oh and Mrs Littler - for the loan of her freezer to store the delicious spag bol that's coming my way when I'm up to eating solids again. And for the emergency grapes & lucozade! Thanks sweetheart x

And last but not least
Mr & Mrs Swinson - Oh how we miss you all. Can we move back?
Thank you both for filling our freezer with the most delicious food. It all looks amazing. Thank you (photos to follow..............)
xxxxx