Chiswick Park, health focus and Prometheus
This week...
- New studios ahoy! A first bit of on-air fun with Laura Geller and her amazing lips! Lol.
- Debbie Does Sheena Easton - me on 'Stars In Their Eyes', repeated on Challenge TV this week!
- And 'Prometheu's at the movies - hit or miss, for you?
- Plus, news of a fab new competition coming soon!
New Chiswick Park studios
Well, it’s been an eventful... er... event, our grand opening! What bargains there were to be had at Event Prices! Did you snap one up? If so what were you most proud of securing in your first shopping experience from our new studios? And what do you think of the sets?
So far I've heard 'like a New York loft', and 'quite vintage', and I know they're still tweaking the lighting and so on, but what are your first impressions? Let me know by leaving a comment (go to the P.S. section on this blog post to find out how to leave comments). Plus - see below for a fab blooper - on-air fun with Laura's lips!
The nostalgia continues
After last week's clip from the earliest days of the Marco Polo building and BSB TV a couple of week's ago (see here if you missed it - it's worth a look - see if you can spot Guy Pearce!), on Facebook this week, I had a post from Lee Hohbein, my lovely mate and our IT guest, as well as lots of other friends on there and Twitter, saying I'd been on Challenge TV at the same time as on QVC!
It was that infamous 'Stars In Their Eyes' from 1991. 'Tonight, Leslie, I'm going to be Sheena Easton'! Well it sounded like her, but believe me it looked like Eartha Kitt! Lol! I blame the Elvis wig myself! 'Modern Girl' indeed!
And big thanks to lovely Jeannette Swift, who's now a Facebook friend after all these years, for spotting it and telling me too - she was actually the one who won it with a brilliant 'Clang, clang, clang goes the trolley' Judy Garland! Fun times... Did you see it? What did you think?!
Snippets
Health focus this week! So many people have been commenting about my weight loss, looking slimmer in the face etc, I thought I'd see if Marlene is thinking about having any courses near me, in case I can tell you guys about them. And she is!
The macrobiotic three-day courses are due to take place in the south London/Surrey area on either 21-23 July or 4-6 August - possibly both, or possibly later in the year. If anyone's interested, leave me a comment below (and do say if you want it not to be posted on here - I don't mind). I'll pass them on to Marlene and let her know you're interested. Some of my family may be there and, who knows - I may go too! Say if you'd like to go on her mailing list too for news of future courses or offers. She's so fascinating, as is her book.
And big news! Yay! Marlene's agreed to run a competition to win one of her books, worth £10, but also to include a consultation - which usually costs over £100! If you read any of my previous blogs - like this one, where I went to Scotland for a week in April to learn all about macrobiotic cookery - you'll have an inkling as to why I'm 'bright eyed and bushy tailed', as one lovely lady said on Facebook - and no, it's not just because I'm off on holiday to LA later this week!
Watch out in the next few weeks for the competition - it’ll be a popular one! P.S. - go here to find out more about the consultations and how to contact Marlene direct.
The papers are catching on - now if you're a regular, you’ll know how interested I've been in all things health and diet, especially how enthusiastic I've been that people watch 'Sugar the Bitter Truth', the so-called YouTube 'sensation'.
Well how chuffed was I, when daughter Lauren rang me and said 'Mum, read today's Guardian - it's everything you've been saying about sugar and low fat diet myths'! Yes, there it was in the G2 section, making headlines. I tell you, a tide's turning somewhere, and we're all along surfing the waves!
Blooper
Whilst I can't bring you as many pics and vids as usual (normal service resumed in August after our lovely blog team are free again after they have finished their extra work on our new look website), I thought I'd give you a flavour of our new sets with a clip from launch weekend!
As promised, here’s that funny from my show with Laura Geller - I LOVE this woman! Such fun to be on with, and so genuinely caring. Johnny did an amazing job backstage again, of my make-up, so I felt suitably glam to start showing off those 'big lips'! Lol!
Footnotes
WATCH - made it to the movies again and pal Goody and I had those tasty 3-seed coconut bites whilst watching 'Prometheus'. Now have you seen any of the 'Alien' movies? Are you a fan? Then this prequel will definitely appeal to you. BUT - big but - if you're not necessarily a fan of such sci-fi and blood and gore monster movies, then it won't. Guess which category I'm in? Considering I gave it 7 out of ten.
Two major reasons I marked it down on my checklist of 'what makes a great movie' - first one was a couple of tiresome plot tricks - too obvious 'monster about to attack' moments. Second was a poor - and weird - performance from the guy playing a Cockney with some weirdo Clint Eastwood tone to his voice - I was actually glad when he got eaten. Not so Rafe Spall ('One Day', 'Anonymous') - who was totally wasted in this film - he played a - what? American? - and his comic genius was hardly utilised at all. Shame, but an OK film. Glad I saw it? Yes. Would I watch it again? No. Maybe you'll like it tho' - let me know.
EAT - part of the secret to macrobiotic diets is cooking stuff! Yes, I know - sounds obvious. But... me?! Mrs 'packet of this, can of that'? (as Simon Brown will testify after years of listening to my inane questions on his cooking shows ('what - you don't need a packet of cake mix to make a sponge?')!
Well last week I excelled myself, when pal Johnny P was visiting. I also prepared some special detoxing recipes - the Marlene way - carrot and daikon broth as pictured here. It really clears your system, if you know what I mean! (recipe is in her book - comp to win a copy coming soon!) Plus one of my fave dishes in this pic - it's this delicious adzuki bean pate. In addition to which, I actually made - from scratch - a macrobiotic lemon mousse. Came out a bit like a blancmange/jelly/mousse but was very tasty! Using agar flakes instead of gelatin.
Next week, tho', a change from the recent meals which may have bored you a bit!! 'Cos I'm off to LA for that well deserved holiday, and to visit one of my best friends, Mr Back-of-My-Tandem - who writes movies. We're going to Santa Monica - how fun will that be?! But will I be able to stick to the macrobiotic 'path' in the land of the takeaway and giant portions?! Make sure you come back next week to find out! :-)
QVC - this week I are mostly been using - the new Today's Special Value nails invention! If you've spotted my nails the last few weeks, it's the long-lasting gel manicure called 'Red Carpet Manicure' (from the people who gave us Seche Vite).
It's due to launch at the end of June - the last Friday in fact - and I can't believe I've got nearly two and half weeks' wear out of doing my nails with it just ONCE - still shiny and everything! If you saw them on-air, in a deep plum colour, then that's what it is! Will remind you nearer the time, but many people asked me about my nails once they tuned in for the Grand Opening - so I thought I'd flag it up again. I reckon it may well sell out early tho', so be warned!
Also on QVC this week - two highlights for you when I'm away - Kipling's Today's Special Value with lovely Marie Francoise on Friday/Saturday 16th, and Julian's flameless candles - intriguing! - Sunday/Monday 18th.
I'm soon off to LaLa land for a week's hol and will see my other mates too - including Rob Locke - remember him? (Leave me a message for him on here and I'll pass it on, if you like). And also the lovely Antthony - we're meeting for lunch when I'm out there! Should be fun! Then he's back on 27th with another wonderful TSV outfit.
'Till Saturday 23rd, then, when I'm back on air with a new Gatineau special at midnight.
News of my trip in next week's blog! Don't miss it!
Best wishes,
Debs
xx
The nostalgia continues
It was that infamous 'Stars In Their Eyes' from 1991. 'Tonight, Leslie, I'm going to be Sheena Easton'! Well it sounded like her, but believe me it looked like Eartha Kitt! Lol! I blame the Elvis wig myself! 'Modern Girl' indeed!
And big thanks to lovely Jeannette Swift, who's now a Facebook friend after all these years, for spotting it and telling me too - she was actually the one who won it with a brilliant 'Clang, clang, clang goes the trolley' Judy Garland! Fun times... Did you see it? What did you think?!
Snippets
The macrobiotic three-day courses are due to take place in the south London/Surrey area on either 21-23 July or 4-6 August - possibly both, or possibly later in the year. If anyone's interested, leave me a comment below (and do say if you want it not to be posted on here - I don't mind). I'll pass them on to Marlene and let her know you're interested. Some of my family may be there and, who knows - I may go too! Say if you'd like to go on her mailing list too for news of future courses or offers. She's so fascinating, as is her book.
And big news! Yay! Marlene's agreed to run a competition to win one of her books, worth £10, but also to include a consultation - which usually costs over £100! If you read any of my previous blogs - like this one, where I went to Scotland for a week in April to learn all about macrobiotic cookery - you'll have an inkling as to why I'm 'bright eyed and bushy tailed', as one lovely lady said on Facebook - and no, it's not just because I'm off on holiday to LA later this week!
Watch out in the next few weeks for the competition - it’ll be a popular one! P.S. - go here to find out more about the consultations and how to contact Marlene direct.
The papers are catching on - now if you're a regular, you’ll know how interested I've been in all things health and diet, especially how enthusiastic I've been that people watch 'Sugar the Bitter Truth', the so-called YouTube 'sensation'.
Well how chuffed was I, when daughter Lauren rang me and said 'Mum, read today's Guardian - it's everything you've been saying about sugar and low fat diet myths'! Yes, there it was in the G2 section, making headlines. I tell you, a tide's turning somewhere, and we're all along surfing the waves!
Blooper
Whilst I can't bring you as many pics and vids as usual (normal service resumed in August after our lovely blog team are free again after they have finished their extra work on our new look website), I thought I'd give you a flavour of our new sets with a clip from launch weekend!
As promised, here’s that funny from my show with Laura Geller - I LOVE this woman! Such fun to be on with, and so genuinely caring. Johnny did an amazing job backstage again, of my make-up, so I felt suitably glam to start showing off those 'big lips'! Lol!
Footnotes
WATCH - made it to the movies again and pal Goody and I had those tasty 3-seed coconut bites whilst watching 'Prometheus'. Now have you seen any of the 'Alien' movies? Are you a fan? Then this prequel will definitely appeal to you. BUT - big but - if you're not necessarily a fan of such sci-fi and blood and gore monster movies, then it won't. Guess which category I'm in? Considering I gave it 7 out of ten.
Two major reasons I marked it down on my checklist of 'what makes a great movie' - first one was a couple of tiresome plot tricks - too obvious 'monster about to attack' moments. Second was a poor - and weird - performance from the guy playing a Cockney with some weirdo Clint Eastwood tone to his voice - I was actually glad when he got eaten. Not so Rafe Spall ('One Day', 'Anonymous') - who was totally wasted in this film - he played a - what? American? - and his comic genius was hardly utilised at all. Shame, but an OK film. Glad I saw it? Yes. Would I watch it again? No. Maybe you'll like it tho' - let me know.
Well last week I excelled myself, when pal Johnny P was visiting. I also prepared some special detoxing recipes - the Marlene way - carrot and daikon broth as pictured here. It really clears your system, if you know what I mean! (recipe is in her book - comp to win a copy coming soon!) Plus one of my fave dishes in this pic - it's this delicious adzuki bean pate. In addition to which, I actually made - from scratch - a macrobiotic lemon mousse. Came out a bit like a blancmange/jelly/mousse but was very tasty! Using agar flakes instead of gelatin.
QVC - this week I are mostly been using - the new Today's Special Value nails invention! If you've spotted my nails the last few weeks, it's the long-lasting gel manicure called 'Red Carpet Manicure' (from the people who gave us Seche Vite).
It's due to launch at the end of June - the last Friday in fact - and I can't believe I've got nearly two and half weeks' wear out of doing my nails with it just ONCE - still shiny and everything! If you saw them on-air, in a deep plum colour, then that's what it is! Will remind you nearer the time, but many people asked me about my nails once they tuned in for the Grand Opening - so I thought I'd flag it up again. I reckon it may well sell out early tho', so be warned!
Also on QVC this week - two highlights for you when I'm away - Kipling's Today's Special Value with lovely Marie Francoise on Friday/Saturday 16th, and Julian's flameless candles - intriguing! - Sunday/Monday 18th.
I'm soon off to LaLa land for a week's hol and will see my other mates too - including Rob Locke - remember him? (Leave me a message for him on here and I'll pass it on, if you like). And also the lovely Antthony - we're meeting for lunch when I'm out there! Should be fun! Then he's back on 27th with another wonderful TSV outfit.
'Till Saturday 23rd, then, when I'm back on air with a new Gatineau special at midnight.
News of my trip in next week's blog! Don't miss it!
Best wishes,
Debs
xx
Hi, I woul be interested in attending macrobiotic cooking cllasses, I live in London. Please advise cost. Any time after 27 July - 12 August would work for me or a weekend course. Please contact me.
Posted by: Kim Harvey | July 22, 2012 at 09:53 AM
hi debsa hope you are getting on at chishick.
icame back on friday from a2 week lazy holiday from tenerife.
Posted by: martin forbes | June 24, 2012 at 07:42 PM
Pam - will let Marlene know! Will be nice to meet u if u come along! Where u based?
X
Ps more info on her website meanwhile - www.marlenewatsontara.com :-)
Posted by: Debs f | June 20, 2012 at 07:54 PM
Steven - yes, good food n fake tan does wonders! Haha! New studios fine - yes lots of adjusting to do! Incl brighter lighting, dontcha think? Am hoping I won't one trip end up in battersea out of habit tho! Lol.
:-)
Posted by: Debs f | June 20, 2012 at 07:53 PM
Pam - will tell Marlene you're interested too. Will be lovely to meet you if u come along! More info on her website too meanwhile!
Www.marlenewatsontara.com
X
Posted by: Debs f | June 20, 2012 at 07:51 PM
Carole - yes, am v happy with the food here - Wholefoods is amaaaaazing!
Antthony showed me the tsv for 27th - only £25 or so, a two piece cami n kaftan in 4 choices. And the nails!! Still lasting out here in LA with a coat of OPI on top! :-) xx
Posted by: Debs f | June 20, 2012 at 07:49 PM
Patricia - it was lovely to c Rob. Doing well as an actor in LA now. More in next blog!
Hugs
X
Posted by: Debs f | June 20, 2012 at 07:46 PM
Nige - yes, am v excited bout that series - this thurs night too isn't it? And final one next week. In twenty yrs HFCS will be illegal or taxed tats for sure! Fascinating stuff as ever!
X
Ps I'm sure Richard jackson's got something for rust...! ;-)
Posted by: Debs f | June 20, 2012 at 07:45 PM
Louise - think it might've been Dean Wilson!
Son brad is kindly dog sitting whilst I'm here in sunny LA! Yay! Xx
Posted by: Debs f | June 20, 2012 at 07:44 PM
Kay! Great comment thanks hon! Ridley for dog name - haha - genius! Do come bak again! Xx
Posted by: Debs f | June 20, 2012 at 07:42 PM
Have a great time in LA Debs. Plenty of jealous people you are leaving behind including me!! I think the new studios are great from what I have seen so far. Do you like them? Must be strange at first in a new place.
You have been looking fab lately I also have to add.
Take care
Steven xxxxxx
Posted by: Steven | June 18, 2012 at 07:28 PM
Debbie, great, newsy blog! I'm intrigued by your new macrobiotic diet and would like to know when and where Marlene will be conducting her courses this year please. Thank you and keep up the good work!
Posted by: Pam Colvin | June 17, 2012 at 04:11 PM
Gosh even when you are off on holiday, you STILL find time to write another epic blog! I love the Laura Geller bloop! lol She comes over as such a lovely lady, and besides that I have been using her products for years now and could not be without my balance-n-brighten!
How lucky are you, having lunch with Antthony whilst you are out there! I think he is just gorgeous. Give him a big kiss from me please lol Cant wait for his TSV at end of June!
It will be interesting to find out if Americans are into macrobiotic food as well as all the take-aways and pancakes. Just eat sensibly if not, it would be such a shame to put on weight when you are looking so amazing now. Just make sure the tonics and cokes are no cal variety and you'll be fine lol
Can't wait for that new gel nail polish to be on QVC, it certainly looked fab on your nails!
Well, save a bit of sun for us Debbie and have a fantastic holiday x
Posted by: Carole Ayre | June 16, 2012 at 04:33 PM
Hi Debbie. Sincerely hope you enjoy your LA trip. Please pass on to Rob that he is well and truly missed. Loved watching him. Hope he is doing well over there.
Ask him if he remembers time he was launching a TSV when the product wouldn't do what supposed to. Then next item the very
also wouldn't perform. He was like, what is happening here?
Posted by: patricia cochrane belfast | June 16, 2012 at 03:06 PM
Debs - Presume u know about the new series on BBC2(Thurs 9pm) 'The Men Who Made Us Fat' - first edition all about HFCS.
Any chance of bringing back some Californian sunshine with you as currently developing a nice coat of rust this so-called summer as opposed to a tan !!
Bfn, Nige :))
Posted by: Nigel | June 15, 2012 at 12:39 AM
Hi Debs
Funny you mention Rob; I was just thinking the other day about when he and Jamoke - and did Dale do it? - did the through the night shows. Pass on my best to him - what's he up to now? Rob is a likeably professional presenter and would be a gr8 asset if he came back to us over here. Hope u have a lovely break - what's happening with the woofs while ur away? Take care.
Louise.
Posted by: Louise | June 14, 2012 at 09:26 AM
Hi Debs---yes you are looking fantastic---best I have ever seen you look---and I was with you in the early days---well done.The film Prometheus---loved it----I do adore sci-fi and especially the brilliance of Ridley Scott (going to call my next dog Ridley as a/an homage)and I could have watched it all straight after---Blade Runner is still my fav film. The Laura Geller blooper was wonderful---that very brown and darkening face was fab but watching the two models at the side was the best---they looked very "she's not coming near ME with that!!!!" Thank you again for making me chuckle.New building? Not sure-jury still out-like the Gothic archy bit(bedroom area for Northern Nights-bought 1st TSV K.Hoppen throw) but not the place where they show the fashion-too messy, dark and 'busy' with all the shapes and patterns---difficult to concentrate on the clothes.Not working-miss the runway. Say hi to Rob Locke -used to love watching him with Alexandra Elliot??? Jewellery lady-American or Canadian? They were so funny together.Hope he is happy now.Have a good holiday and take care.K.XXX
Posted by: Kay Salisbury | June 13, 2012 at 07:40 PM