Family Affairs and other matters

However much I tell myself it’s OK to be on my own, I’m not really enjoying being single at the moment.  It’s not much fun at my age knowing that you haven’t got somebody who’s going to like you enough to stick around when they have to push you around in a wheel chair in a few years time.

I’ve given up bothering to look about – it’s quite clear that I’m being overlooked by octogenarians for younger models and have too much baggage (aka three children) for the toyboys – and anyway, even if I did decide to copy Sam Taylor Wood, I’m not sure I fancy playing the role of the cougar.  It just sounds way too exhausting and high maintenance – I’d have to constantly be on top of bodily hair, with bits waxed, hair dyed, blobby bits removed, saggy bits lifted, wrinkly bits puffed up…..CBA with it all.

But even worse than that is that I have become the butt of all my friends jokes of late.  When I went out for my birthday meal I talked briefly with a man at the bar.  He wanted my number.  I didn’t want to give it to him.  He gave me his number instead and told me that I HAD to call him because it would change my life.  My girlfriend texted me a couple of days later “we’re all still laughing about the fat ginge bloke u pulled”.

Ha Ha.

Then tonight at book group, not only did one of my friends mention bringing husbands next time….I pointed out that I didn’t have one of those so she suggested that I bring a boyfriend – ditto and then another friend suggested that I start looking in the obituary columns.

Not funny.

What an unusual day I’ve had.  Right up there in the more surreal you could almost say. Firstly I had to deal with a kitchen explosion caused by the highly successful meal served by five gorgeous boys to 15 impressed adults.  They did a great job and it was lovely to have them about.  A [...]

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One of the MAJOR disadvantages of deciding to become a “stay-at-home” parent is the demise of The Christmas Party. The Work Do. At EMI in the 80′s the parties were huge. They’d hire out the ballroom of a hotel and fill it full of giant chess pieces and vodka luges and cabaret acts and get [...]

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There is an article in The Times today all about the rise of the “six pack” and how desirable it is.  I am very pleased to see that one of the best recommended ways of developing a six pack is by doing Pilates.  This is very good news for me as a newly qualified Pilates [...]

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ANNA VALENTINE’S FASHION SHOW

Here is the information on the fashion show I”m on the committee for and if you click on this link you can see some photos and further information regarding Maggies itself: Anna Valentine Fashion Show

Let me know if any of you would be interested in coming.

Leading light in the British couture scene, Anna Valentine launches her Spring/Summer 2010 collection with an exclusive fashion show in aid of Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres

The show is Anna Valentine’s first public launch of a collection in five years and takes place in the Royal Courts of Justice, one of London’s unique events venues.

Around 500 guests are expected to attend the glamourous event, which is sure to attract many famous faces, and aims to raise a significant sum for Maggie’s Centres. Taking place on Thursday, February 11, the fashion show will be followed by an after show party.

Anna Valentine has been a leading name in the fashion world for 20 years. Although Anna has dressed many society names she is perhaps best known for her recent designs for HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, which includes her wedding gown.

In November 2008 Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres was honoured when HRH The Duchess of Cornwall became their first President. Anna was inspired to showcase her latest line of clothing in aid of Maggie’s Centres, due to this connection and because many of her clients over the years have faced cancer.

This will be Anna’s first public launch of a collection since her show at the Victoria & Albert Museum in June 2006 which helped raise more than £120,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity and the REACH Leukaemia Appeal.

There are currently six permanent Maggie’s Centres, five in Scotland and one in London, with five more planned across England and Wales by 2012. Each Centre provides emotional and practical support to anyone affected by any kind of cancer, empowering people to live with, through and beyond cancer.

Each Maggie’s Centre is designed by a renowned architect, for example, Zaha Hadid and Frank Gehry, with the aim to create a positive and inspiring environment so that people can receive the specialist help they need in a place where they feel valued. In fact, Maggie’s London Centre, designed by Lord Richard Rogers, was recently awarded the RIBA Stirling Prize for Best Building of the Year. Opened in April 2008 by Sarah Brown and Nigella Lawson, the Centre has already seen over 20,000 people through its doors and received a special visit from US First Lady Michelle Obama in April 2009.

Maggie’s Centres Chief Eexecutive, Laura Lee, said: “Maggie’s Centres are continuing to expand across the UK, which is testament to their great need. Although the money from the fashion show will be raised in London, the funds will support all Maggie’s programmes, especially where it is most needed. We had a hugely successful 2009 and with Anna’s fashion show, we are off to a tremendous start for 2010. What a fabulous and glamourous event Anna has organised for Maggie’s!”

Info on Anna Valentine
• Anna Valentine has been a leading light in the British couture business for 20 years, originally trading as Robinson Valentine until Anna became sole proprietor some years ago. Anna came to public prominence in 2005 when she was approached to design the wedding outfits at the wedding of The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.
• Anna Valentine’s show room and atelier are based in Marylebone. Anna supports British artisans and is very proud that all her clothes and accessories are made in the United Kingdom.

Info on Maggie’s Centres
• Maggie’s Centres offer a range of support, including one-to-one sessions with psychologists; a library of information with cancer specialists on hand to answer questions; benefits and nutrition advice; relaxation and yoga classes, and much more.
• And all of this is offered – with a cup of tea – in an atmosphere that is determinedly non-institutional. Maggie’s believe greatly in the power of architecture and environment to lift the spirits. Each Centre is designed by a renowned architect, with them working to a demanding brief, which beyond the purely practical requirements, asks them to produce spaces in which people feel safe and welcome but also have their imagination and their curiosity kindled.
• Maggie’s run an Online Centre, where people can write blogs, join groups of similar interest, seek advice and join sessions facilitated by a clinical psychologist. Visit www.maggiescentres.org/community for more information.

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STIRLING PRIZE WINNER 2009

The prestigious Stirling Prize for architecture 2009 has indeed gone to Maggie’s Centre. The building I wrote about recently – the one Lord Richard Rogers designed that is situated in the grounds of The Charing Cross Hospital in Hammersmith. The building is truly amazing – a calm and tranquil space with lush green foliage both [...]

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ONE WATER ADVERT

Can you do me a favour blog mates…..can you forward this advert around and about please:- I went to an event the other night with a friend of mine. This company, Global Ethics are making a huge impact in Africa. Their play pumps are proving to be a huge success. I met the guy who [...]

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