Spare a thought for the comics

On Saturday night I went on a very nice trip down memory lane. Well actually it was Chiswick HighRead

Feel good factor of visit to hairdresser

They say that a good hair cut can be a woman’s crowning glory. But after a wonderful visit to myRead

Ali to the rescue with Henry's costume

I’m afraid it’s proud mother time again folks. Last week was Molly’s school production of TheRead

Note to Self: Having a fur-raising time at Crufts

Last week I had the opportunity to visit Crufts for the first time ever. Read

Note to Self: We're British and always moan about the weather!

We are a funny lot when it comes to the weather aren’t we? At the end of January we were all sitting wondering about whether global warming might be the cause of our particularly mild and dry winter. Then, with appropriate forewarning, the February cold snap came upon us.Read

The harmful notion of size zero

By THE time you read this, people of Ealing, the media coverage will no doubt have died down somewhat. However, at the time of writing there is much in the press about an outrageous comment made by Karl Lagerfeld and I just can’t let this one pass.Read

NOTE TO SELF: Real bodies come in all shapes and sizes

By the time you read this, people of Ealing, the media coverage will no doubt have died down somewhat. However at the time of writing there is much in the press about an outrageous comment made by Karl Lagerfeld and I just can’t let this one pass.Read

'Call the Midwife' makes great Sunday night viewing

There seems to be great surprise in the media about the extraordinary success of the new BBC TV series Call The Midwife.Read

New Year of Mum and Daughter dates

My LITTLE girl Molly and I were talking over Christmas about the year ahead and what we hoped it would bring. I don’t mean world peace, winning the lottery or my forthcoming engagement to George Clooney, we were talking about what we could do to make our weekends together a bit more varied in 2012, and how we needed to think of new, fun things to do with our free time.Read

NOTE TO SELF: Don’t wait, make your memories today.

My little girl Molly and I were talking over Christmas about the year ahead and what we hoped it would bring. Read

Note to Self: A Christmas pudding is for life, not just for Christmas

So the Christmas and New Year festive season has come and gone for another year. Read

Note to Self: A bizarre form of New Year’s Tourettes

Here we go again. It’s that time of year when, at some point, every conversation seems to end up with the ubiquitous question ‘What are you doing on New Year’s Eve?’.Read

Note to Self: No home-made Christmas for me

This week I was asked onto the Jeremy Vine show on BBC Radio 2 to discuss the growing trend for making your own Christmas presents, cards, cakes, puddings and decorations. Also appearing on the programme was the queen of all things home-made, Kirstie Allsopp.Read

Note to Self: No home-made Christmas for me

This week I was asked onto the Jeremy Vine show on BBC Radio 2 to discuss theRead

NOTE TO SELF: Variety is the spice of breakfast

This week I spent 24 hours in Stratford on Avon. Sadly it wasn’t there to enjoy the sheer loveliness of the place or to soak up some culture at the RSC. I was there for a conference and was put up for the night in the very pleasant Stratford Hotel. Read

NOTE TO SELF: Sunday nights is a time for escapism

Last wekend I sat down, like millions of others in the country, to watch the final episode of the second series of Downton Abbey. Read

NOTE TO SELF: Looking forward is important but looking back can be magical

Last Friday I was delighted to be invited to appear on BBC Breakfast. Read

NOTE TO SELF: Still failing to shake-off my Strictly addiction

It’s back! Yes, Strictly Come Dancing, the show I love to hate and hate to love, has returned for a new series. Read

NOTE TO SELF: The trouble with weather forecasting

I’m very confused. Until a week ago I was still desperately hoping for an Indian summer, and was shocked and dismayed at the chilly onslaught of autumn. Read

NOTE TO SELF: Cherish everyone who is dear to you

Very sadly, last week, my Grandmother passed away. She died peacefully aged 96 after a long illness and a struggle with dementia.Read