Starting out as a radio presenter, Alison moved to television and quickly became the queen of lifestyle programming. She was a stand-in presenter, along with her former husband, for Richard and Judy on This Morning for four years...

Read Alison Keenan's full biography

Wanted: Tips for a good night's sleep!

I do try each week to make a note of things I want to tell you about, but even if I remember to write them down, I never seem to be able to find the piece of paper I wrote them on! I did try for a while to record them onto my phone. It has a voice record button and has things stored on it like Colin snoring... (ok, so I'm a little odd, but he doesn't believe he does, so I needed proof!!) Oh, and any suggestions you may have for rectifying the racket would be much appreciated!

My attempts to get to sleep...

Of course the snoring may be why I'm not sleeping very well, but you know what it's like when you're mind is busy.... too many things to think about and not enough time in the day to sort them! My Mum had two very good suggestions to determine how serious the problem was or not... if it's bad enough that the thought of getting up and doing the ironing is preferable to lying there awake, then it's bad. 

So, having finished my ironing by 5.13am, I decided to go back to bed and try her tried and tested method of getting back to sleep. Think of a journey you take regularly and try to get from A to B in your mind.  You're not allowed to cheat and you have to think of all the junctions, and road signs, and pubs/shops/motorways along the way. 

Of course you have to keep going back to start - or I did - because in my mind I'd forgotten to bring my phone, then I couldn't remember the code to pay the Congestion Charge, oh, and did I need a wee... you're getting the picture? Needless to say I'd sorted the kitchen cupboards as well as done the ironing by 7am! ANY tips on a better nights sleep would be grand - just post them below!

Christmas shopping and special Christmases gone by

I have been somewhat panicked after last Friday's gem show with Jilly, when so many of you texted and rang in to tell us how organised you are with your Christmas present buying! The fact that I was still sunbathing in October has lulled me into a false sense of security and, as I admitted on the night, I have only just begun to break the back of my shopping list! 

I don't think Jilly was much further forward than me, although she rather fancied the boots I was wearing on the night and caught me unawares just before we went on air (see photo left)! So now you know what goes on underneath the table  - Jilly was in a sleeping bag! :) 

Actually truth be told we always have a bit of an issue with the air conditioning in that Studio - it's either freezing cold or boiling hot, but as long as my feet are warm I'm OK. 

Returning to QVC after a girly weekend away

I have missed you!! Just a couple of days off and a few days away, and I found myself looking forward with eager anticipation to returning to QVC Towers... seriously!! But you know the great thing is that when I do get back, everything's the same, which is why I love it :) 

Did nearly have a minor wardrobe crisis though, as I'd eaten something for supper that clearly didn't agree with me and my stomach filled out like a barrage balloon!

I couldn't get into my black trouser suit and was only able to encase myself in a rather tight pencil skirt thanks to Slim 'N' Lift! Luckily I was only ever standing head on to the camera otherwise comments like, "Isn't she rather old to be having another child?" would have been rife. 

My brief break to Hay On Wye was one of my twice yearly holidays with the five girlfriends who've been in my life ever since I moved down south from Shropshire over 15 years ago  We used to pick a different place to stay each time, but have found this fabulous house that we keep returning to.

Guess the road sign...

Gosh, it was a busy old weekend wasn't it! Never mind previous listings of parties and reunions, I spent Saturday and Sunday here at QVC Towers and in the company of some lovely guests. Not sure if you saw Tova at all, but I was spoiled with three hours of her company and not just her fragrances but the jewellery too.
 
I always make sure I check with her as to what she'll be wearing so that I don't clash! I do remember one time having to present a fitness hour beforehand, and although I managed to cover the lycra with a dress, my trainers didn't really work... Tova though, was far too much of a lady to mention it :)

Guess the road sign

Talking of memorable moments, while driving into work along my usual route - the M1 - I noticed in the middle distance a rather strange pink and orange light. This was on Saturday when the weather was appalling and my wipers were moving faster than a Geisha's fan in their vain attempts to try and shift the water that was sloshing down from the heavens. 

Well, the pink and orange light got closer and I was able to see it was actually an illuminated warning triangle, with the words Slow Down highlighted underneath it and the number 30 by the side. Nothing unusual there, until you look at the position of the car inside the triangle. See??? (Sorry the picture is a tad poor as my passenger had to try and take it through rain, screen and wipers!)

A fantastic night at Debbie's!

I'll be honest I didn't know whether or not Debbie Greenwood's birthday/anniversary party was common knowledge until I read both hers and Julia's blogs, so as to not to appear churlish - and in response to your lovely comments this last week - here are a few more photographs of a fantastic night!

It's best to look at them in time order... less dishevelled, earlier on... and also to see those who clearly were not up for a late or energetic night! To be honest the fact that any of us could even move after sampling so many fabulous Thai dishes was a miracle!

But we polished Debbie's parquet flooring up a treat, and although there is no photographic evidence, I do remember belting out "I will survive" through a microphone (a la karaoke stylee) to all those who couldn't run and hide. Pippa - as you can see - did her best, but even she wasn't safe. 

See what I made with today's TSV...

I have a question for all of you... what do you do with all those photos you keep on your camera or store on your computer? How many of them do you have out in frames? Well if the answer is precious few, I've got just the thing! And if you tune in today you'll be able to get one too! 

The posh name for it is a 'photo montage throw'... but to me it's a way of surrounding yourself with your favourite people, pets and places - literally. The company who make them can reproduce ANY photo you have onto this sumptuously soft throw in either colour, or black and white. 

You can either upload your photos online to them, or alternatively send them your photos, disc, artwork or memory stick and not only will they let you know they've safely received them, but within 7 days they'll send you a proof and you can make any changes you like. 

What do you think of mine then? :) I've got Willows and Dodge on there too! And just think - you could theme yours to be just pets, or a new baby, a wedding, or holiday of a lifetime, maybe your parents - for a special anniversary, your brother who now lives abroad... you name it, they can do it. And the quality of the pictures is extraordinary. 

Hope to have your company with me on Sunday at midnight and we can share memories! 

Have a great weekend,

Love Ali x

More photos from behind the scenes at our BCC Event

Well my plans to take photos of all that happened behind the scenes last Thursday night at our Breast Cancer Care fundraiser were thwarted by my ineptitude! I did remember to bring my camera in with me, and then at the 11th hour couldn't find it anywhere! 

I sent poor Dale to wander up and down the corridors of power in the vain hope he might see it lying alone on the carpet, but no. I went out into the freezing cold with my evening dress on and my rollers in, just incase I'd left it in the car, but it wasn't there either, so I had to give in and get on, remembering to remove my rollers before going on air (don't laugh but I've rushed into a studio on more than one occasion with a few stray ones still in my hair!). 

Of course, once the evening was over, the balloons and banners taken down, the donation lines closed, and Anthony's pink telephone wrenched from his grasp, I emailed dear Barbara (our saviour) who duly mailed EVERYONE at QVC Towers asking them to look for said camera. And lo and behold, it was found!  In my handbag... where it had been all along :)

However, I was sent these rather lovely shots for you to enjoy of the night, and for me they are a fabulous memory of a cracking evening...

And the dress I'll be wearing tonight is...

Well what can I say... except THANK YOU ALL!! :) So many of you have taken time out to choose the dress I am to wear tonight to host our fantastic Be Aware, Show you Care Breast Cancer Care Fundraiser.

I'm delighted to be able to tell you now which dress won... and trust me it's taken a few counts, as Willows (my cat) launched herself onto the lap top and I lost my place as her paws hit the keyboard... oh, and then the postlady called (with my Lock & Locks) and the battery ran out while I was answering the door, BUT all that aside, here's the verdict...

Having a ball at the Breast Cancer Care Fashion Show

Well, it was the cinema last week with superstars on the big screen but this week it was the real thing! Breast Cancer Care's Annual Fashion Show at the Grosvenor Hotel, which we - QVC - are the official broadcaster of!

One show, 24 models, one purpose - that was the motivational line that brought so many stars to the event to see 24 women, either suffering with or having survived breast cancer. These 23 women and one man were amazing! Truly. 

They walked tall on the catwalk wearing the most fabulous fashion, themed to music, and knocked the socks of what the others do in Paris Milan and New York. For some of the girls, who've undergone major surgery and are still having treatment, it was a very long day but the look on their faces as they gained confidence was priceless.

There were smiles and tears but overall an incredible feeling of wellbeing, hope and happiness. Best of all, you'll be able to see some of the show next Thursday evening between 7pm and 10pm when Dale and I bring you the 8th Be Aware Show you Care Fundraiser, so make sure you join us, cos we need your money and your support badly to raise even more money for Breast Cancer Care.

What a glorious week it's been!

I couldn't believe the sunshine over the weekend, and have even managed to top up the tan a tad whilst on a 6-mile walk with my friend Diane around a huge quarry near her home. Blissful :) 

That said it's certainly got a little colder at night, so I would highly recommend snuggling down on the sofa wrapped in something warm.
 
Any Mexican recipes?

Well, I had a night off from cooking when Colin and I went out with Sam and Becks for a Mexican meal. I introduced them to the delights of the Mojito cocktail, which I had quaffed on a beach in Ibiza, but they weren't all that smitten. So not wishing to appear ungrateful, I drank theirs too! 

The sombreros and ponchos weren't standard dress code but I think they looked pretty good, don't you?! A cracking night was had by all, and I'm now introducing enchiladas and fajitas to our weekly menu. Actually, if you know of any variations on the theme, or an alternative to chicken, I'd be really grateful, and then I could always create and blog the results!!  

'Julie and Julia'

I've had another lovely night out recently to see the film 'Julie and Julia' with Lucy and Jack. To be fair, it really wasn't Jack's first choice but being a true gent he graced us with his presence and motored through a huge bag of popcorn while Lucy and I sat enthralled.