I want your birthday celebration suggestions!

My daughter Lucy has just packed her little bedroom up and flown the nest... this time permanently. Pathetic I know but I still can't bear to go in there now it's so empty. I never really expected her to come home to me once she'd left University, but the fact that she's been with me over the last two years has been such a comfort, particularly while Sam was so ill and in hospital. 

Sam too is talking of setting up home possibly next year, and now that Jack's 16, he's hardly ever here... I feel a little as though I'm trying to hold sand in my hands, and it keeps slipping through my fingers. My role as a full time mum is coming to an end. Not quite sure what will take its place, although my expert laundry service is still of use to Lucy, so I may utilise that skill!

Always guaranteed to raise a smile though is time with my friends. The group of girls that I go away with twice a year arranged for us all to have 'tea' at Luton Hoo on Saturday (see photo above). It was a joint birthday celebration and we had a ball! Nothing like putting on your posh frock, jewels and high heels, and eating your entire body weight in scones, cakes and sandwiches. LOVELY! Especially when you don't have to do the washing-up. 

I thought it was quite an original way to celebrate a birthday, but as Sue's is still to come in August, could you possibly suggest anything that the six of us could do that would be completely different? I'd love to hear from you, so we can book it up!

Love Ali xx

My search for a new car...

Driving back from the rounders match came another disaster - a fox ran out in front of the car and in swerving to avoid it, I caught the concrete island in the middle of the road and the car launched itself up and over the edge. I know nothing of the workings under the bonnet and even less about the highly sophisticated stuff under the chassis, but after a week of assessment, I've been told it's a write off - or is that right off?!

I'm now faced with the task of finding a new car within four days before they take the courtesy car away, and I can't see how the insurance company will get the money to me in that short space of time. Any idea how long it would take me to cycle from Bedfordshire to QVC in Battersea? I'd have calf muscles the size of a canoe :)

Must fly, the boys have been online and are looking for cars for me. So far they've come up with a BMW M3 Alpina, an Aston Martin, and a Porsche... my suggestion of an Astra didn't appeal to them.

Love Ali xx

Spot the rounders ball in the photo!

It feels like I've hardly had time to draw breath over the last six days, and have so much to fill you in on... I thought I'd put fingers to keypad now!

Rounders! Or should it be rounders? In my case it's very much a bit of both. For those of you who have no idea what I'm wittering on about, QVC Towers decided to suggest a night of sociable exercise for us presenters - in the shape of a rounders match. 

We obediently formed a formidable team of 10, and were pitched against a frighteningly fit and youthful side made of all those boys and girls who work backstage here. 

I personally haven't even picked up a rounders bat since I was 13 and had trouble hitting the ball then - now I can't even see it! We didn't get the chance to practice unfortunately and so when it was my turn to bat, I positioned myself, raised my bat, swung... and hit myself in the head with the bat, missing the ball completely!

I'm launching our brand-new jewellery range!

I was planning to give you all a blow-by-blow account of our rounders match the other evening, but am putting that on hold for a few days, 'cos there's something else I think you'd like to know about. 

You know when someone mentions a name to you and somewhere in your mind it rings a bell? Happened to me the other day when I was told I'd be launching a brand-new range of jewellery designed by none other than Judith Ripka! 

Not only is she the recipient of the prestigious DeBeers Award for Outstanding Jewellery Design, but after several years - literally! - in talks with our jewellery buyers, I'm delighted to tell you that she has designed a fabulous collection of sterling silver jewellery. Plus, it features an awesome collection of our very own simulated diamonds - Diamonique.

I'm back from the bright blue seas of Zante!

I've discovered something about myself over the last couple of weeks (something I've always suspected, but never had confirmed) and that is my innate skill at choosing to holiday in places with sunny climes, when the weather here in England is hotter! 

At least I don’t feel so guilty for having had such a lovely time away as I know you’ve all had the best of British sunshine here, while I‘ve been swimming in water the colour of paraiba tourmaline, and eating my entire bodyweight in feta cheese and moussaka.

What can I say, other than I highly recommend a trip to Zante - a jewel in the crown of Greek islands that inhabit the Ionian Sea. It’s not that big but has an incredible collection of tiny coves and bays, with crystal clear waters and some sandy, some stony beaches. It’s fairly still in the morning, but as the temperatures climb, soft breezes start to blow and take the edge off the hot sunny days.