My Christmas blooper

Putting the star on top of the Christmas tree is a great family tradition for us and each year the children take turns. Steven puts up the tree, I do the lights and then they are lifted (normally by Steven) to put on the star. 

But last year when it was time to put the tree up we were waiting for Steven to arrive back from work and the children were just so keen on getting the star up. I suggested we wait for Daddy but they just kept begging and begging. 

So here is the hard evidence of what happens when you give into small young and very excited children! Actually listening back to Zak's commentary on Bella and I trying to reach the top of the tree and finally crashing is just hilarious. Check out little Blake who harmlessly gets wedged between the two sofas.

Click here to see Bella and myself in action.

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No harm came to any of the participants in this short film but the presents underneath didn’t come off too well!

Enjoy

Lots of love as always
Claudia
x

Fun at the weekend playing dressing up games

This weekend we had a fun time. Not only did we catch up with lots of old friends that we haven’t seen in ages, but we also raided our dressing up box.

Since I was little I’ve loved dressing up and have managed to keep many of the funny outfits which my children now love to play with. Along the way we’ve also collected many new ones as various characters become popular and bring out an outfit to be purchased. 

Recent additions have been Spiderman, Batman, Star Wars and Cinderella. It got to the point last year that I lent the whole lot to a local school that a friend's son goes to and they managed to kit most of the children out for their Christmas Play. 

I shall go to the ball... in Butler & Wilson

Being dressed by the lovely Simon Wilson was a treat last week. As I made my way into one of the many summer balls that present themselves at this glorious time of the year, I felt a million dollars. 

Simon has recently ventured into the most stunning vintage frocks and oh my, you’ll be in 7th heaven when you see them. I hear news of them becoming more readily available soon. But, you can of course venture, as I did, into the mesmerising jewel cave that is Simon's South Molten Street store, in London.
 
I met up with Simon and the lovely Nicky to pick out some gorgeous jewellery for the occasion. We were met by a number of keen QVC fans that afternoon. Simon says he loves the QVC customers visiting the store and having a catch up with them. 

I love working with Simon on the Butler & Wilson shows. He’s the only man that’s ever convinced me to wear such large jewellery. I can now be easily persuaded to go occasionally OTT on a night out. Just take a look at the photo of the dress, bag and earring combo we chose together. Thankfully everyone else was suitably blinged-up to the nines as it was a very glamorous event.
 
If you are looking for some amazing pieces of vintage-inspired jewellery and accessories you simply must check out Simon's next shows. Simon will be back on our screens on Wednesday 12th August and Thursday 13th August. 
 
Well, I’ve loved dressing up in Butler & Wilson. What's your most favourite piece of B&W jewellery that you own?
 
See you soon

Lots of love

Claudia
X

It's just one big QVC family all over Europe

I'm back in the UK at last after travels to two countries in as many weeks!! It's great going away but it's even nicer coming home isn’t it?

Well, it's not great opening the suitcases full of two and a half weeks worth of sandy, damp clothes that all need washing. The poor old washing machine has been doing over-time since my return, and forget about all that ironing…YIKES! I’ve drafted in some serious help.

QVC fan to the rescue

A very lovely QVC customer came to my aid whilst I was having a serious dilemma prior to my trip to Copenhagen. The lovely Brit at Gatwick airport spotted me having a minor tantrum after our flight was messed up. Over came Brit and said, "I know who you are, gosh I buy most of your jewellery, can I help you out?"

I took one look at her friendly face and airline uniform and thanked my lucky stars. She told everybody who was trying to sort it out to leave it and she just took over and sorted everything. Wow, what a service!

Reliving my childhood with Yankee Candles

Yesterday during the Yankee Candle hour I was taken back to many special and magical moments in my life. The simple act of breathing in a scented candle can evoke strong cathartic emotions. I'll give you some examples.

The Baby Powder candle took me back to my own childrens' babyhood, of memories of them as tiny babies in baby grows and nappies. Lying them out in front of me I recall marvelling at how tiny and perfect each of their little fingers or toes were.

The Caribbean Trade Winds candle took me straight to the picturesque beaches of Antigua and family holidays filled with laughter and carefree attitudes. Of chasing up and down the beach, free of everyday stresses. The Mulling Spices fragrance encapsulates pre-Christmas excitement and the anticipation of the family-filled festive season ahead.

The Sparkling Lemon candle placed me as a child outdoors at my Grandfather's house drinking homemade ice cream sodas. Glasses full of lemonade with generous scoops of vanilla ice cream. I see his stripy deck chairs in his overgrown lawn and feel the warmth of summer. Ice cream soda, a taste and experience I've not tried since.

Easter fun on the beach at Sandbanks

We have just spent the Easter holiday at Sandbanks in Dorset, in a hotel right on the sandy beach. What fun we had making sandcastles and playing beach cricket. Steven kept whacking the ball right up into the sky and seeing if I could catch it. It went plop onto the sand every time (I blamed the sun). Then Zak our son had a go and caught it every time.  The sea was cold but it didn’t stop the children from wading in.  I got buried in the sand by Zak who was on track to dig a hole to Australia. See the photo of us in the hole.
 
The atmosphere amongst all the guests was so warm and friendly because the sun was out and it lifted everyone’s spirits. There is something magical about the British coastline and I now long to live by the sea. At night I was just zonked, after spending the day running around and swimming in the pool with the children and then monitoring their activities during the evening's entertainment. By the time it got to 9pm I was ready for bed, but the children weren’t!.
 
Driving home in the car on Monday night, the children recollected their stay and described their most favourite times. The sweetest thing Isabella our daughter said was ‘just spending the time together was my best bit’.  Family time is so precious isn’t it? 

See you soon.

Claudia X

Having fun in the sun

I'm having a lovely week with the children and the sunshine.

What a difference the sunshine makes to our lives. We went to the park at the weekend, tidied the garden and sorted all the children's outdoor toys out.

Blake has his own little house in the garden with little yellow windows and door, and on Sunday we put a carpet into the house. On the door there is a sign that says 'Blake’s House' – he loves it. 

I find myself smooched up against the roof occasionally serving make believe cups of tea through the window! It really is a sight.

I’ve put a picture of Blake and I in for you to see just how big he’s getting now. He’ll be three in June – wow, where does the time go?
 
What lovely memories do you have with your children and the sunshine?

Speak soon

Love Claudia and Blake
XX

Having fun hand-painting with Blake

Just been hand-painting with little two-year-old Blake this morning.

We did lots and lots of pictures for his friends and grandparents. Plenty of splodgy hands all over some cards and finished off with more splodgy hands all over the envelopes. 

We both had a whale of a time until it came to clearing up. The lovely bright orange hands you see in the photo are still orange! Child friendly poster paints it said on the tub!

Blake was not amused and asked me several times if I could ‘keen them Mummy’. I explained that they were clean but it would take a while to come off. ‘Mummy I want them keen now’. Oh dear…

Take a look at my sledge crash on the slopes

Here I am braving the slopes during my New Year trip to Chamonix, France.

It's definitely one for the 'You've Been Framed' archives.

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New Year's resolution

I have only one New Year's resolution and that is to work hard on my fitness levels. I’m already quite fit and a very healthy eater and with three children lead a very active lifestyle but my plan is beyond that, almost a bit extreme.

I’m going to work hard every week to get to a fitness level that is more than I have ever been. I want to be able to pull my whole body weight up over the pull up bar in my gym and to squat my body weight. 

There was a time before Blake was born when I was training hard three or four times a week! Our producer Geoff will remember this as he would regularly give me updates via my earpiece whether I’d put more muscle on (which is really hard when you’re naturally a stick insect!). 

I have this fantasy of being a Miss Universe type without the steroids, beard and flat chest!!! Call me bizarre but that’s my motivation this New Year. 

What's your New Year's resolutions?

See you soon,

Claudia X