Giving Up Everything

It's a difficult week. I am on day 4 of not smoking. I had a few false starts, having announced I would give up for Lent and failing spectacularly. But I've managed the last 3 nights, (my weak moment is at 9 o clock, when the children go to bed.)   I have eaten sweets and popcorn to get through it and put on weight. So am now back on the Dukan Diet. So I was cooking cod with grated ginger and lemon at 11 o clock this morning because I couldn't wait until lunch time. I managed all day until I got home at 4 and gave my son a doughnut and took a giant bite of one myself. Then I had half a Penguin and two oatcakes with low fat cheese. Thus cancelling out everything I had tried to do. So not only am I not smoking or eating much, but I am also not allowed hot baths, (my true solace) because I am wearing support stockings (which have to be worn day and night for 14 nights) as I am having some thread veins treated.  I've been through this twice before and I can tell you it's not fun. 

I feel strange, and weird without my crutches. Help? Someone? Anyone?

The Big Switch

This morning, I was waiting in the car, while my son played football. It was cold and windy and I was worrying that he wasn't wearing enough clothes. I switched on the radio, and listened to Money Box live on radio 4. There was a man on from Which talking about a brilliant scheme to which so far, 57,000 people have joined (and which was originally trialled in Denmark) - the aim is to find the best deal from energy suppliers for a big group of the public who want better deals for gas and electricity, the more people who join, the better the potential deal. There is no obligation to commit, if you decide to sign up. So I urge you to give it a go.  (I have) the more of us do, the better the deal from potential supplier.

This is what Which say about the deal:

What is the Which? Big Switch?

Which? and 38 Degrees are calling on consumers to join together to cut energy bills. Using a completely new way for people to buy energy, we’ll be using the combined switching power of thousands of consumers. We’ll negotiate with energy suppliers and seek to secure a market leading deal. The more people who sign up, the stronger our bargaining power.


Once we’ve secured a deal, we’ll notify you of the outcome either via email and/or text message and you can choose whether or not to accept it. There’s no commitment or obligation to sign-up with the new supplier, so if you decide to stay with your existing energy company, that’s absolutely fine too.


Join The Big Which? Switch today and be part of our campaign to cut your energy bills. Register before 31 March 2012.
In partnership with 38 Degrees.

Watch this if you want to laugh

Every time I watch this video, of a little girl shouting her way through a nativity, I laugh. My children love it and my 7 year old makes us watch it all the time. It's absolutely brilliant. Watch it and see.

Skating Makes me HAPPY

Skating is the one thing I love doing, that makes me feel like a child again. When I was young, I had regular skating lessons, at Queensway in London, and even learnt to skate backwards and dance.  A few years ago we started skating at Kew on the outdoor rink, and loved it all over again - first we would toddle around with the small children which was a little boring, and then me and my husband would return for a date on the rink, which was really fun. Kew no longer has a skating ring, but this year I've been skating twice, just to feel the thrill, and now my children dash around too without any help - my seven year old daughter is a real whizz in fact.

I've just returned from France where we skated on the outdoor rink in St Tropez. It was very cheap - 2 Euros for as long as you wanted to skate (officially meant to be an hour, but no one knew). It was surrounded by twinkling Christmas trees and fairy lights, lovely. However, the rink was run by a trio of maverick men, who admitted it was never cleaned and so it was easy to trip up on the mounds of ice that mounted up. Also there were gangs of teenagers playing "it" which was terrifying. The first time we skated I fell over twice.

Much safer and brilliant in this rainy weather is the indoor rink at Westfield, which closes this Sunday the 8th. It's reasonably priced and not too crowded. The rink is smallish, but the ice is beautifully smooth. We rushed around the rink and didn't feel scared once. Great Fun and well worth a visit.

Two Tickets to Discover Dogs at Earls Court to Give Away.

The other day I saw a man treating his small white labrador, really badly -yanking it into the air by its lead - then making it stop and sit for no apparent reason -  the scene haunted me for 24 hours. I felt helpless and pathetic, particularly that I didn't say anything. He was a horrible aggressive man, and I was wary, sure that if I confronted him,  he would hit me or something.

Luckily most people in this country love their dogs or their cats. Personally I am a cat person, but I know most people are passionate about their dogs. 

So I am offering two adult tickets (Worth £11 each) for the Discover Dogs show at Earls  court on either 12th or the 13th November - (Under 12's go free). There will be over 200 types of pedigree dogs to look at and meet and lots more to do and see. The event is now in its 16th year and is the biggest dog event in London - they are expecting over 3,000 dogs.

Highlights will include the Scruffts Family Crossbreed of the Year competition and the Rescue Dog agility competition. There will also be hundreds of trade stands selling products for dogs and dog lovers, and opportunities for children to try out different dog sports in the Young Kennel Club ring. 

There will also be a series of seminars throughout the course of the two day event, covering topics such as dog training using the Tellington Touch technique, which recognises the link between posture and behaviour and uses techniques to release tension and promote a feeling of calm and well-being within dogs. TV vet Marc Abraham, will be talking about dogs in war, and Lance Workman, psychologist from Bath Spa University, will be talking about the psychological benefits of dog ownership.

www.discoverdogs.org.uk

To apply for tickets answer the question: What would you name your dog? And follow this blog. Competition closes Saturday 5th at 12noon.

Bicycling 22 kilometres along the Canal

Me and the kids bicycling along the canal to Camden

This Saturday, we we were invited to  Proud in Camden for their new weekend kids lunch. My husband persuaded us all to bicycle rather than drive the car and at first I was reluctant. It seemed like a long way -  it was a long way.  We set off down the Uxbridge Road in Sheperds Bush, and then hit the canal, which is perfect to bicycle down with children. It wasn't all plain sailing, there were roads to cross, and hills to climb, but it was the best fun I've had for a long time. It took us an hour and a half to get to Camden(mostly along the canal)  but it was worth it. At one point we passed the Zoo, and saw birds in the aviary and some wolves prowling along in their enclosure. I felt happy and free as though we were in the country.

Belle being made up and entertained by Lucky

I don't think I've ever been to Camden Market before, despite living in London all my life, and wow it's busy. More LA than London, but without the good weather. We found the old Horse Hospital and then the Proud.  It's a music venue, bar and restaurant. On Friday evening they have burlesque, which is apparently really fun. The old stables are now separate lounge areas, where men were watching sky sport. At the other end is  'the Kitchen," a laid back dining space. We chose from a reasonably priced small lunch menu - £4 for a kids main course. My children loved it. They loved the food, the vibe, the entertainer, a plucky girl called Lucky, who kept my daughter amused. My son enjoyed the swing that hung from the ceiling and the sport that was on in another room. Huge  Success.

T

A Five Star Pampering Alternative to Botox

About a year ago, I looked in the mirror and saw an angry, tired, face staring back at me. I wasn't actually angry that particular morning, it was just the two lines between my eyes resembled a furious frown that made me look stern. I took the plunge, did a bit of research and booked botox with a trained doctor at a clinic. It was expensive, clinical and quick. The botox in my forehead felt tight and strange for at least six weeks. A couple of friends noticed that my face looked 'fresh' but I haven't been back. Maybe I will, but for a more gentle, approach I decided to try a brand new package, that has LITERALLY just hit the market.

The initial three hour package consists  of facial acupuncture, facial massage and nutritional advice from a pair of lovely ladies, who are working in tandem, just moments from where I live in West London.  They work in rooms above Kite Studios and the whole atmosphere is much less exhausting and trying than rushing to town, and waiting in a room filled with back copies of Tatler, Harpers and some wretched flowers trying to survive in a vase filled with not quite enough water. Star Gifford is an experienced acupuncturist who used to work at the Zita West Clinic, where she met Melanie Brown who was working there as  a nutritionist.  They both left Zita West to pursue independent careers and together they have come up with a unique pampering package to enliven your skin.

First you see Melanie for a nutritional talk, (She will give you a form to complete before you visit), she also gives you loads of notes with delicious recipes and wise suggestions on how to live well.  She advises on anti-ageing skin nutrition and the best supplements for you and all kicked
off with a fantastic skin restoring diet, (I have tried out both the recipes she gave me, and they were both delicious.) Next you go to see Star, who will address your face, with fine needles, that don't hurt at all. The atmosphere is gentle and soothing, restful and peaceful. The acupuncture session ends with Star rolling a jade roller across the skin which feels so soft and smooth its as if she is massaging your skin with the best oils money can buy. I was zonked after my session with Star and you get to keep the jade roller, to use when your skin is feeling puffy or tired.

Next Melanie gives the best facial massage I have ever experienced in my life. It literally takes your breath away and it feels as though it's definitely doing good, for the tired and/or stressed skin. She ends the treatment by giving you a little pot of bespoke facial oil, that she has made herself. Divine. I give this treatment 10 out of 10. My skin is literally dancing for joy!!!

Need to Know:

First appointment will be nutrition, acupuncture and massage of an hour each, which can be booked separately and the whole package is £170. Subsequent treatments of the massage and acupuncture  are 45 minutes, costing £45 each and can be booked together or separately.
Phone numbers for appointments Mel 07968 369 076,