2015-06-05

This is a little play on words. I’m sure you’ll agree that this is a stunningly beautiful poppy. Last year we only had one flower on the poppy plant in our garden but after moving it to a sunnier spot and feeding it with Richard Jackson’s Flower Power we have loads of flower buds and it looks like some of them will be in flower on my cat Poppy’s twentieth birthday on June 24th.





Yes, she is truly the ‘fabulous’ Poppy. Twenty human years is apparently equivalent to a hundred cat years and she still looks amazing and seems to be enjoying her life. All this after a health scare around this time last year when I really thought we were going to lose her. Although slightly deaf, she is still alert enough to whack Milo or Wilfie if they step out of line!

Talking of birthdays, it is mine next Wednesday. As I mentioned in last week’s blog I will be fifty-nine, so entering my sixtieth year. I would like to attempt sixty things over the course of the year that I have never tried before and this is where I would welcome some input from you.

Post your suggestions (please be gentle I’m getting old) on here. If you are searching for inspiration it could be things like visiting places I’ve never been and doing things I’ve never done. I will compile a list and tick them off as the year progresses. To kick things off, number 1 will be publishing my first paperback book on June 19th, already available to pre-order on Amazon.



The picture of the outer wrapping of the only paperback copy of ‘Life’s a Beach and Then…’ appeared on last week’s blog, but here is the real thing. There are now several more copies, which arrived this morning, in readiness for my book launch party. I should also mention that for the best three suggestions for my ‘Sixtieth Year’ list I will send you a signed copy on launch day, so thinking caps on.

I took my only copy of the book to an interview I did on Monday with QVC guest presenter, Lorna Ko. She is the features reporter for Chiswick Buzz, a local TV station dedicated to what is happening in the Chiswick area and we filmed a lovely interview at local restaurant, Villa Di Geggiano, which you can watch here if you would like.

You will be pleased to hear that after the slight hiccup of the wardrobe fitters not arriving last Thursday, Sharps (yes, I can name them now that I am pleased with them) arrived promptly on Monday morning and by late Tuesday afternoon I had fitted wardrobes. The fireplace is yet to be fixed in place and we are intending to decorate but I’m really pleased with how it is looking so far – what do you think?

Well I am off from QVC now for a couple of weeks so unfortunately will be missing the Butler & Wilson shows – Simon has already given me the dates for the anniversary shows in August! I wasn’t sure if we would be going away but as it is the only opportunity for Daniel to take holiday (one of the drawbacks of working in professional football) I’ve booked a villa in Portugal.

To be honest I’m really looking forward to it particularly as there will be no last-minute proof reading to do like I had in Cyprus. Speaking of which, Happy 6th Birthday to Keeley from Elemis‘s son, Kaya … Gemini like me.

I may not write a blog next week but I will be keeping an eye out for your suggestions for my ‘Sixtieth Year’ list.

See you in a couple of weeks

much love

Julia xx

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