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!)

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

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.

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.

Anyone suffering with hayfever?

I've had it since I was 13, and by jingo it's come back with a vengeance this week! I've been given tablets, Dimotap LA, to combat the itchy eyes, running nose and throat that feels like you've swallowed an entire dandelion clock... but it had the unfortunate effect of sending me to sleep, which wasn't helpful when I was trying to negotiate More Lane in Esher on my bike after school!

Or possibly more importantly, my O levels in the summer of '76. My eyelids became heavy at the point they told us we could turn our papers over... and I awoke to find the invigilator telling me that my snoring was distracting others in the exam!

But seriously, do ANY of you have any weird and wonderful remedies that have worked for you? I think the strangest I've heard is to rub petroleum jelly around your nostrils, which is supposed to catch the pollen before it gets into your nasal passages! I feel it could have the same disastrous consequences that wearing lipgloss used to have when I rode my bike to school. 

My accident prone week and the final of 'Britain's Got Talent'

Not sure how accident prone you are but whether it's my advancing years or just sheer carelessness, I do seem to be more now than I was before.

Last Wednesday having had a beautiful pedicure in readiness for my Pedpro foot file launch, I managed to stub my toe on the bathroom step and smudge my nail polish!! Then, in a very busy car park - while searching for my keys (which makes a change from searching for my car) - I was shocked to find I was the reason for frantic hooting! My trolley had slyly trundled away from me and into the bumper of a small car that looked like a Lock & Lock container on wheels... the driver was not best pleased. 

I have somehow managed over the last four days to tread on the cat, cut myself while shaving - I won't even go there - and then I inadvertantly sprayed sun protection under my arms instead of deodorant  - which I think even Alison Young would feel a tad too protective...
 

I check out our Sanyo camcorder TSV...

I thought it would be churlish of me not to let you know about this fab Sanyo camcorder that we're bringing you as Saturday's TSV! 

Now, I'm really not all that technical, so when it was arranged for me to have a play with this little gismo (and it is little - fits in the palm of your hand and weighs just a fraction more than a small jar of mustard), I had visions of spending hours trying to read the instruction manual or getting one of the boys to work it out for me.

But... IT'S A DODDLE! And most importantly it's not just a movie camera, it takes 10MP quality still pictures too so you've got the two things in one.