My latest furniture project, not too demanding this one, but new sideboard for my kitchen, the space where the old wine fridge was - I am going to replace the handles with stainess steel versions but I can live with them for now! I am really pleased with it (excuse the TV wire!) top one is before.. below after - cleaned, sanded, top primed and painted in Farrow and Ball's All White

No word on my neighbour.. haven't seen his wife either so can only assume that she is spending a lot of her time with him at the hospital, I do hope he is on the mend and home soon.

Just wanted to big up this facial tanner from Chanel, Soleil Identite - this is my third summer of using this stuff and I love it! Gives you a very natural glow, doesn't have a whiff about it and it lasts me all summer long. Highly recommend it

I am not really the praying kind - not wholly sure why, I have never been hugely religious (despite my stint as a chapel prefect at my good private CofE boarding school, the only time readers that I would ever bear prefect after my name, and really it was only because there were a limited number of us and I think it gave way to the smoking/drinking guilt that I didn't harbour in sixth form - anyhow, I digress) but never opposed either, I hope for a greater good and I want to bring my kids up with 'faith' but I am sorry to say that I am not entirely sure what that means. I do love going to the services now (maybe smugface that I know all the words to hymns due to my ridiculous talent that is retaining lyrics to any song I hear from Rutter to Lady GaGa) and am happy to bring my children up as members of the church but sometimes I feel, quite frankly, lost in it all.

What I do know is that it is late and I am pondering. My dear next door neighbour was taken ill whilst we were in Florida and further to a number of doctor and hospital visits over the past weeks - this evening we have seen the emergency ambulance arrive outside their house. Quite honestly I feel incredibly scared about what happens next. Two of my incredibly dear friends have lost their dearly loved ones in the last 10 days and my heart breaks for them, it is just so very sad and their sense of loss must be immense, I only hope I can be a good friend when they need me, and a sympathetic shoulder.

To the lovely Bob next door, a wonderful man who always has a spring in his step and an amusing anecdote to tell - a loving husband, father and grandfather and someone who needs to remain with us for a good while yet. So, I guess I pray, or maybe I just hope, but I really want to see his bubbly self restored to our village very soon - get well Bob, lots of people are rooting for you xxx

Fascinating program on BBC 3 - super brands, Abercrombie and Fitch is on now and a quote from a respectable member of the public states that the brand 'projects vanity and superficiality' this is absolutely right, what have they done? Half starved staff in (what are essentially) tracksuits is NOT a good look, although tragically our teens seem to lap it up and have have snapped up 20 salmon pink polo shirts quicker than one can say 'Daddy I NEED an allowance raise!'

I know I am sounding old when I say that it is not what it used to be, it was all American fun once upon a time, but now it is chavtastic clothing for those with a large student loan, and/or a trust fund and with no individual style of your own. One kid even said that they wouldn't be friends with someone who 'didn't wear the brand' ..

But, seriously, have you seen the CEO ??! Urgh and OMG ;) am so very glad that I was over the brand by 2002 !!

After 2 days away and 800 miles done in my little silver motor car, I am home and back at my desk! Phew, way too much to catch up on, but all is well. The little sister dined with Kirsten Dunst (coincidence that she was mentioned in my previous post!!) in Cannes last night and I AM STILL waiting for an update.. Little Sister is currently working down there because the film festival is on - she always goes dark during this week, way too much partying and work going on ;) but I cannot wait to hear from her.

So on my trip away I managed to visit my friend Pooja and her rapidly expanding family, it was the first time that I had met her littlest, Alisha (14 months) and OMG what a little doll she is! Akshay is a gorg boy too and the Bump is expanding at a great rate.. 3 under 4.. wow! Pooj is as fun and fabulous as ever, the time goes so quickly - as I drove away from their house at 11pm it struck me just how much I love seeing my old friends, how much I miss them and how glad I am that no matter how long it has been we can just pick up where we left off.. I feel very lucky for that.

Stayed at the Malmaison in Liverpool which was as fab as the Mal's always are - I just love them. Bargain room as I pre booked and the whole thing was fabulous.. the lie in till 845am was very very welcome too - but I did whizz on down the M6 as fast as I could after my meetings, desperate to see my minis who gave me a wonderful welcome home..

So, typically last week my new Wayfarers arrived, the week after my holiday! But I have to say that they were worth the wait (esp at the price I paid for them) and I am loving them - I feel all Kirsten Dunst in them, teamed with denim shorts and a white tee, they are fab. No squinting at the sun at all, and their chunky shape indulges my geeky side, v chuffed.

I must not buy any more sunnies though, I must not, not, not.

Basil's training has begun! Last week Mum pegged out our new arena in the field and on Thursday I took Baz in there for the first time, in his headcollar. He responded really well, despite his initial hesitance and was walking and standing to voice command immediately. He did nap in the corners between A & K on the left rein and between A & F on the right, but only a couple of times (that was because we were turning away from where Ladybird was standing) but by the end of the 20 minute session he had stopped and was doing wonderfully. He looks stunning at the moment too, all black and shiny! I must get some recent pictures of him. I am going to put him in the lunge cavasson on Thursday but continue in hand - here's to a smooth second lesson.

What a day Friday was! Loved every minute (despite being up early and making the aforementioned vol au vents before leaving the house!) it was great to spend the morning watching the main event with our friends at Janet and Matt's, champagne a plenty, followed by a super lunch then back home with Johnno in tow to enjoy a brilliant evening with Thompson royalty, and to toast our latest love story in JC and Andrea <3 shame I passed out on the sofa at midnight mind you lol