Thanks so much as always for getting in touch with me. It’s always good to catch up and your kind words of support have really cheered me through some of the longer days… Hard to believe it’s over three months since we lost mum, but life goes on, and both my sister Jenny and I feel we’re coping better with the changes that inevitably come about when you lose someone. Mum’s partner Joe is doing well too, and for him, his loss of short-term memory has been a positive thing as he finds comfort in looking back at how life used to be and genuinely doesn’t remember what has happened over the last year. I went to stay with Jenny last week, and we took him out for a coffee. It was lovely to have time together and he really appreciated the company.

Having taken him back home, Jenny and I headed into Winchester for a mooch and some lunch. The last time I’d been there was when mum was first in hospital, and Jack and I had a pizza there after we’d visited her. I hadn’t spent time in the city though since the 1990’s when Jack was in a pushchair! I was really impressed by the Cathedral. It’s one of the largest cathedrals in Europe and construction began in 1079 on the orders of William the Conqueror. Built close by is the Old Minster – a Benedictine monastery that was the home of St. Swithun – incredible how all these buildings still look as good today as they did no doubt when first built!

I’d learned great deal about Winchester having read a beautiful book called ‘A Single Thread’ by Tracy Chevalier. I say ‘read’ I should have said ‘listened to’. I’m a huge fan of Audible Audio Books, and Fenella Woolgar (one of the sisters in Call the Midwife) reads it so well! Jenny had listened to it too, and it was really interesting bringing to life the places Tracy had described so perfectly.

Equally interesting and far more energetic was an evening I spent with a great many of the QVC guest presenters and the backstage staff! A couple of them had booked out a bar in London, and I danced for at least four hours that evening. Was really miffed that I hadn’t remembered to wear my Fitbit as I think I must’ve done at least 60,000 steps!. Did you get the Fitbit Today’s Special Value last Saturday? I really enjoy using mine – not least for the sleep app which is particularly accurate, but also the steps. I have to admit to only having had three hours and 13 minutes sleep after the party, but it was such fun that I was on a high for at least the following 12 hours.

Good job too because that night I had the Diamonique regular show and we had some stunning new designs and a set of single stud earrings at a great price. I know I always bang on about the value and the fact you can’t tell them apart from the real thing, but honestly, looking in a jewellers window on the high street in Winchester I saw these diamond earrings… the largest pair were £7200! As a bit of a treat, Charlie Brook will be joining me this Tuesday night with his fabulous Diamonique ‘Wish Upon A Star’ pendant. The story behind the design is absolutely beautiful, and it will be great to have him with me to share that.

I’ve started gathering together a few things for my holiday, and top of the list is Ultrasun! This year I’m going to try out the Body Tan Activator and the Face Tan Activator – Julia said she had great results from it so I’m going to give it a go. I’ve been prepping my skin with Gatineau’s Tan Accelerator as its not seen any sunlight since the beginning of September last year and it’s always worked very well for me in the past. I’ll need to get my summer clothes out of the Spacesaver Bags too. It’s a great way to keep them out of the way, and as I washed them all before I put them away they still smell fresh because of the airlock. Talking of clothes, Kim and Co have a Today’s Special Value coming up the day before I go away. It’s a long-sleeved godet insert tunic in a myriad of different colours and prints, so if you keep in touch with me on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter I can give you the price and item number a little nearer the time.

That’s pretty much it for me for now, I will take as many photos as I can while I’m on holiday and then put them together in a blog for you when I return, but do write to me here as I’ll have plenty of time to respond. Oh, just thought you might like to see these mighty sausage rolls I made for Colin the other day.

I used his favourite sausages – Lincolnshire – but took the sausage meat out of the skins before I put it inside the pastry. I was quite chuffed, and also very glad of the Cooks Essentials silicone liner as my baking trays have definitely seen better days!

I hope you enjoy the remainder of January, and that February is a good month for you too. Thanks as always for your support and for keeping in touch with me.

With my love,

Ali xxx

The post Happy days, holidays and everything in between!   appeared first on QCommunity.

Christmas at cracking speed, and having over the week before New Year, that too came and went in what seemed to be, a ridiculously short space of time.  How was it for you?  I very much hope that if you had plans they all panned out, and if you were facing a difficult or lonely time, that it was better than you’d anticipated. Thank you for all your sweet wishes here on the blog – I hope you found your replies – I’m just sorry it took me so long to write them this time!

We had our Christmas sort of spread out.  The ‘family’ party was on the 21^st December and involved as many of Colin’s and my children as could make it.  We had most of them with us, and along with crazy games, far too much food, and dancing until the wee small hours, a good time was had by all.  We hardly took any photos, but I found these two:  me with Colin’s two daughters – Lily and Vicky – and then Colin with his son Dan and granddaughter Calla.

I was glad I didn’t have to get back to work until the 23^rd as it took me almost a day to clear everything up! As Honey was to be with her daddy this Christmas, Colin and I, Jack and Sam all went up to Lucy’s to spend Christmas Eve with them.  It was a lovely day, full of more fabulous food, lots of laughter and game playing, and making new memories.

The boys came back home with us that night, and then Lucy joined us first thing Christmas morning and helped me in the kitchen.  I have to admit to making a bit of a muddle of the Christmas lunch as I managed to singe my pigs in blankets and my sausage meat patties! When we moved into this house seven years ago we inherited a large double oven range type thing. The oven on the right has never worked properly, and has always functioned at a lower heat so I put all the trimmings in there expecting them to cook slowly. Unfortunately this year it decided to ramp itself up to 220c!  Sausage meat patties are something my mother always made, and looking at my somewhat burnt offerings I could almost hear her voice telling me they should’ve been cooked on a lower heat… there were many moments over Christmas when I thought of her and missed her…

My children luckily have iron constitutions, as does Colin, and the fabulous boned and rolled turkey from our local butcher went into the main oven so was fine, along with the roast potatoes.  Everything was eaten and then we all flopped about in front of the fire, playing Trivial Pursuit and enjoying the Gavin and Stacey Christmas special before bedtime.

If you watched QVC over the holiday, you’ll have seen me there on Boxing Day with my fabulous Clarks boots Today’s Special Value.  I think we surpassed ourselves with winter offers and of course our New Year sales have only just begun!  I hope you got yourself a bargain or two.  As I worked over the Christmas week I had New Year off which worked very nicely as it was my friend Jo’s 60^th birthday on New Years Day!  Jo and I met each other on the first day of secondary school – way back in 1971, so our friendship goes back 49 years!  She’s been with me through some of the best and the worst times of my life, and I can honestly say, I don’t know how I would have got through most of it without her.  In keeping with her family tradition, we had a cheese fondue – well four fondues as there were 14 people – and Colin made a mighty MDF table topper for the dining room so we could get everyone round it.

It was lovely setting everything up with her, and then having her family here with us all.  Her daughters had asked Jo’s friends and those of her family who couldn’t make the evening to video a little birthday message for her, and they put them together in film form for her.  It was really touching and lovely to hear how special she is to all of us. We did manage to get a few photographs that I thought I’d share, and we made some fabulous memories too.

And so here we are in 2020…  From The Naughty Nineties, this decade has already been dubbed The Roaring Twenties!  If I remember correctly from my history lessons, in the 1920’s this term came about because of the major changes economically and socially in the USA.  Their economy boomed, Prohibition had less of a hold, the movie and fashion industry flourished, so for some it was a great time, but not for all.   Looking back over the last decade, it was a definitely a mixed time for me as you know.  I couldn’t believe just nine months after turning 50 I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  The treatment and surgery definitely took up a lot of the following four years, but I felt incredibly lucky to get through it.  Sadly I lost far too many friends to the disease, and of course we lost my mum at the end of last year after a short illness.  But on the plus side, it was an incredible 10 years with so much to be happy about.  My marriage to Colin, Honey being born, travelling around the world, and having my first book published and now working on it as a novel are just a few of those things.   I know from this blog, and our interaction on it, that life and health has been mixed for you too, but I hope that you’ll be able to hang onto the positives as we move into this new decade.   You know me, I’m definitely a glass half full kind of gal, so I’ll just crack on with the year ahead and wait to see what it holds.  I’ll be 60 in March, and Colin and I are heading back to Holbox in Mexico for some sunshine, so that’s definitely a plus!

I do plan to keep up with my walking as I really enjoy being outdoors and in my garden, and if you’re the same you may be interested in this Thursday’s TSV from Grumpy Gardener which is a bird feeding station.  If you already use Richard Jackson’s amazing High Energy bird food you might like to know that it’s our Garden Product of the month, and would be perfect with the TSV.  Richard’s improved the ingredients so there are now whole sunflower hearts and higher energy suet pellets included.  Doesn’t exactly whet my appetite, but then I’m not a robin, but I know how much the birds in my garden are going to enjoy it!  I’ve had it on Auto Delivery for the last year, and will repeat it again this year – delivery every 60 days and SO worth it for results like this.

Please do keep in touch with me here and if you want to keep up to speed with our special offers and events, then Alison Keenan QVC is my new Facebook page, or you can use Twitter or Instagram.  I’ll be back with you at 8pm with my regular Diamonique show, and a chance to see the brand new promo they filmed for it!  Here’s a sneaky preview. Happy New Year!

With my love,

Ali xx

The post Looking back and moving forwards… appeared first on QCommunity.

Another addition to the tree is the ornament Lucy bought me, as she has done for the last ten years or so, but I thought this one was particularly sweet – not that dissimilar in size to her Chihuahua, Bear!

It’s been a busy fortnight since I last wrote, and I’ve worked some far earlier shifts at QVC than I normally do.  I’m very much a night bird, as the cancer medication I take makes it hard for me to sleep, so I’m not all that bright first thing in the morning!  That said, I thoroughly enjoyed presenting The Morning Show with Claire Sutton and then being treated to a whole hour with Tova Borgnine, who looks gorgeous at any time of the day!  I’d been up early the day before too to film a short promotional video for the Diamonique show I present every Tuesday.  We had been set to record this earlier in the year, but my operation put a stop to do that and then of course poor mum became ill…  It was lucky that the team managed to find a fabulous location in West London, and we set up cameras and lighting etc, using a great many of the gorgeous rooms as backdrops to the video. It made a really nice change to be out of the studio, and I was spoilt rotten by Rachel Avent my make-up artist, who worked wonders on my somewhat tired face earlier in the day!   I know it’s currently in the editing process but the finished article should be on our screens at the beginning of next year.  Exciting!

Something else that has been particularly exciting for me was being asked to record the latest ‘Inside QVC’ podcast with Will Gowing!  Over the last three months or so, Will has been taking time out to talk to many of our special guests like Thea Green of Nails Inc, Nikki Gerwirtz who founded Lola Rose, the delightful Tova Borgnine, and our CEO Rob Muller.  Julia Roberts, Jackie Kabler and more recently Ali Young have all talked openly about their lives not just here at the Q but when they were younger, their childhood, their families and careers.  For someone like me who is inherently nosy, I’ve found these podcasts fascinating.  So many things I didn’t realise about my colleagues, although we are all agreed on many things about working at QVC!   This week it’s Simon Wilson of Butler and Wilson who is under the spotlight, but then my time with Will will be ready to download over Christmas which is lovely.  If you’d like to catch up on some of the previous interviews just use this link: https://blogs.qvcuk.com/category/podcasts and if you get the chance to listen to mine, I’d love to hear what you thought, because you’re in it!  The blog is a huge part of my 19 years here at QVC, and the support you have given to me through this medium is mighty.  Obviously Will and I talked about my diagnosis of breast cancer and how the lifeline you gave me through your comments and your kind words of encouragement saw me through the darkest days.  It’s because of you I wrote my book ‘A New Kind of Normal’, and the 80 five star reviews you’ve written have humbled me hugely…  But I think it’s the support we all give each other here that means the most, and I’m so glad that in spite of all the other ways we can keep in touch on social media, this still works for so many of us.

In fact from next January 2020, the blog will return to being far more personal – yes still a bit of gossip from the Q – but less about the business side of things. Of course I’ll still keep you up to date about all we have to offer, it’s just that I’ll also be doing it on a new Facebook page that’s been set up where you’ll find me under ‘Alison Keenan QVC’.   I hope you can follow me there too, and it’ll be easier to keep you in the loop with TSV’s and special offers as and when they happen.

So, here we are, with just a week to go before Christmas, and this year for me it will bring a mix of emotions.  I know from reading your comments on the previous blog, it will be the same for many of you too. We had a lovely Sunday lunch with my brother’s children Claire and James (here I am with them), but I missed my brother Peter…  I am lucky to have Colin, my children, and so many other members of the family though with whom I’ll share this time, but I realize for some of you Christmas can be a lonely and difficult time of the year.

I know also that for those of you who share the care of your children it may not be ‘your year’ to have them… I remember those times and they’re not easy either.  My feeling is that whenever we see those we love, we should make that time special.  And something else that has come through so clearly here on the blog is our shared belief that those we love are ALWAYS with us, because we keep them close through our memories and our words.  Hold onto that – I do.

Thank you for all my beautiful Christmas cards and good wishes.  I am hoping to send mine out to you later this week.  I will be with you on Tuesday with Diamonique, Radley handbags and something very special from Harry Slatkin, and then Percy and Reed at 11pm.  Actually we’ll be focusing on hair on Wednesday when the Babyliss Hair Curler is our TSV.  It’ll be interesting to see how they’ll style mine with it!  I’m with you again on the 23^rd December and back on Boxing Day too, but keep in touch with me on Instagram, Twitter and of course my new Facebook page, and I’ll keep you up to speed.  All that remains for me to do is to wish you the happiest time this Christmas, and every good wish for the New Year.  May 2020 be your best year yet.

With my love, Ali xx

The post Christmas, classic memories and a change of direction… appeared first on QCommunity.

I had a lovely time with Honey last weekend and arrived in time to pick her up from school.  She looks so grown-up in her black pinafore dress and it took me back to when I was five and attended Mrs Dovey’s nursery school on the Walton Road.  I used to wear a grey pinafore dress with little Scottie dog buttons on.   That was in 1965 and yet the memory is crystal clear.  Strange how these days I sometimes struggle to remember what I’ve had for breakfast! Honey writes and draws beautifully, and here we are posing with the picture she drew of her and I.

She insisted she put on the sparkly dress I bought for her as she loves sequins almost as much as I do!  Lucy and I broke the back of my Christmas shopping list and then I spent Sunday trying to remember whom I bought what for! I’d pretty much cracked it when I got a phone call from Lucy to say that Honey had come out in spots and it had been confirmed that she has chickenpox! Poor little scrap! She is now being given antihistamines and dobbled with calamine and I will be heading there on Wednesday to take over babysitting duties while Lucy works. I had another flashback – this time 30 years – when two days after I’d given birth to my second child Sam, Lucy – who was 3 1/2 years old then – broke out in spots and It transpired she too had chickenpox. So there I was with a brand-new baby, trying to breastfeed (which luckily gave Sam immunity) and coping with a little one who looked like a pink and white dalmation!  Lucy called the spots chicken pecks (which I’m sure you’ll agree sounds much nicer) and believed that a hen had pecked her and that’s why she had the spots bless her… She had 82 of them, I remember because we used to count them each time we dabbed them with calamine, but she was such a good girl and didn’t scratch and so luckily there were no scars.  I wasn’t quite so well behaved when I had it and ended up with a scar right in the middle of my forehead, which is why I keep my fringe long!

Talking of hair, I’m not sure if you saw the photograph of my slightly shorter style on my social media pages?  I got home after having it cut and coloured and found myself looking at this pencil drawing of my paternal grandmother that my grandfather had sketched in 1922.  I couldn’t believe how uncanny the likeness was.   What do you think?

Of course last weekend was all about hair with our amazing Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer Today’s Special Value that sold out in record time.  It really was one heck of a deal, and, if you missed this hair tool, don’t worry because we’ll have a Babyliss offer later in December – details to follow, so watch this space!

If handbags are more your thing, we have this Ashwood Katie cross-body bag as one of our Big Deals until Sunday 1st. It’s leather, and comes in a choice of six colour options, is so stylish and would make a lovely gift.

You’ll also soon be seeing Doris Dalton the founder of Doll 10 cosmetics, as she will be back in the building this Sunday the 1st December with her pre-Christmas TSV – a five piece Hydralux Collection (239594).  No-one does foundation quite like Doris, and If you want a light yet full coverage then I would highly recommend you have a look at these products.  The shade I tend to wear is Medium although I have been known to sport Tan if I’ve been away somewhere sunny!  Doris is an absolute hoot to work with, and I’m delighted that we have the 2pm show together this Sunday. Do join us if you can.

Another one of my favourite female guests is Tova Borgnine, who brings to us her incredible collection of Diamonique jewellery.  It’s not just her stunning designs that make these pieces some of our most popular, but also the incredible stories that are attributed to each piece.  Many of these pieces are copies of Tova’s own jewellery that was gifted to her by her late and very great husband, Oscar winning actor Ernest Borgnine.   I’ll be with Tova on Friday 6th December at 10am (an early start for me!)  but if you want to find out more about her fascinating life before that, please do listen to our Inside QVC Podcast.  This is a relatively new area for us, but we’ve already featured some of your favourites, and I can share with you the very exciting news that I am to be interviewed by Will Gowing for a future podcast, so watch this space! I’m also getting involved in the filming of a brand new promotion for my regular Diamonique show and that will hopefully be ready to air at the beginning of next year.  It’s all go!   In readiness for this we are dedicating the entire hour on Tuesday the 10th December to Diamonique Glamour!  Some of the most gorgeous, showstopping, stunning and sensational pieces have been put together in an incredible line up of jewellery that you can order in time for Christmas.  It’s going to be fast and furious and I’d love you to be a part of it, so please do join me that Tuesday at 8pm.

And on that note, I had better go and sort out the photographs I’ve chosen to accompany this blog so that you can enjoy it and hopefully keep in touch with me.  Thinking of you and wishing you well.  With my love,

Ali xx

The post Handbags, Hair styles and a huge number of gift ideas! appeared first on QCommunity.

We were blessed on the day of Mum’s funeral with clear blue skies and bright sunshine, but the biggest blessing of all was that my brother Peter and his wife Sarah came all the way from Australia to be with us. He had written a beautiful eulogy, and Jenny and I put our thoughts together, and I read those out. It’s so hard to condense a lifetime of love into a few minutes, but I hope she would have been pleased. My niece, Emily, read a piece from Winnie the Pooh, and my daughter Lucy had chosen a perfect poem. But just a week before, I’d found a small piece of paper with Mum’s handwriting on it, tucked inside a book she had wanted me to read. The book was ‘Somebody I Used to Know’ by Wendy Mitchell – a very moving memoir written by a 56-year-old woman who has dementia. She had suggested I get in touch with the publisher, as she felt it was similar in writing style to my own book. Mum wasn’t one who believed in self-publicity, so this meant a lot to me. Lucy looked it up, and found the quote to be written by Teresa of Avila, who is the Patron Saint of Writing, and Lucy told me she believed mum had copied it out for me.

May today there be peace within.

May your trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others.

May you use the gifts that you received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

Let this knowledge settle into your bones and allow your soul the freedom to dance, sing, praise and love

It is there for each and every one of us.

I thought it was absolutely beautiful, and the words most definitely resonated with every one of us at the ceremony.

Peter and Sarah flew back to Australia on Friday, and I came back to work on Monday night, which was absolutely the right thing for me to do. After all these years at the Q, there is definitely a sense of belonging, and it did me good to see my friends again and to bring you the fabulous Today’s Special Value from Peony, which I know sold incredibly well. Of course I missed the Elemis TSV, but I am very glad to be back in time to tell you about a four-piece Liz Earle ‘Big Deal’, which is available all this week. It contains the award winning Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser (my cleanser of choice for the last 18 years), the intensely hydrating and beautifully fragranced Orange Flower Body Wash, the Nourishing Botanical Body Cream, and your choice from one of the five signature Liz Earle fragrances! The interest-free instalment deal means you can buy this now for just £18.99, with a total price of just £56.97, when the fragrance alone would be £52! No. 20 is definitely my favourite fragrance, but I have to say that No. 9 with its blackcurrant, bergamot and ginger notes is a close second. What’s yours?

Another one of your favourite beauty brands will be heading up our Christmas event this Saturday with a TSV that gets top marks from me for its festive packaging! Just have a look at this seven-piece collection of bath and bodycare from L’Occitane, available in three different options: Warm, Fresh or Floral scents and with a payment option of four interest-free instalments – basically £12.49 to secure your order with our reduced P&P of £1.95, and then three months interest-free credit to follow on the remaining payments. But the best bit is that you can buy it now, rather than having to wait until Saturday! Go on, treat yourself!

I must admit, the last few months have run away with me, and I can’t quite believe we are so close to Christmas. I took these photos just a week or so back when I was on a walk.

Stunning colours this autumn, and lots of berries too, which is good news for the birds.

We visited Colin’s son Danny and Rae last Sunday, and spent time with our granddaughter Calla who loved the reindeer.

I know Christmas can be a difficult time for many, for all kinds of reasons, but I hope that whatever you have planned it will be a happy time.

I hope you’ll be able to join me on Sunday at 5pm on our Style Channel when I’ll have an hour of luxury jewellery, before legging it over to the main channel at 7pm to show you how many steps I’ve done according to my Versa 2 from Fitbit! You may have seen me wearing it on air, and I have to say that on those mornings when I’ve not really felt like even getting out of bed, it’s really helped to motivate me.

Take care, and do drop me a line, this time I promise I will get back to you. You can also keep in touch on  Instagram, Facebook (my new page Alison Keenan QVC) and Twitter.

With my love,

Ali xx

The post From autumn to winter, gift ideas and special memories appeared first on QCommunity.

Those of you who follow this blog will know that she was taken into hospital at the end of June, as she seemed to have lost the use of her legs and was immobile. We believed it to be temporary as that’s what we were advised, and so she was taken to a nursing home that specialized in rehabilitation. Try as they might, mum just couldn’t walk and she lost her appetite too. In September we managed with the help of social services to get her home adapted and arrange for carers to come in and she came home for two short days, but was completely unable to cope and was rushed to hospital.

The QA in Portsmouth were marvellous, but her condition deteriorated even further and so they organised her move to a beautiful nursing home in Liss, Hampshire. That was on Monday, October 7^th, and we were advised that the care she would receive there would be end of life care. My sister Jenny and I spent as much time as possible with her, as did her grandchildren, which was lovely.  Although she couldn’t say much, she still recognised us, so we could share memories or look at photos. The last conversation we all had was when mum told us of a ‘lovely place’ she was going to, and that she wanted us to come with her. We asked her if it was the seaside, and she nodded, and smiled when we suggested what we would bring with us for a picnic. We told her we loved her and she said the same…

The last time I visited she was in a deep sleep and I couldn’t wake her. I sat and held her hand, but for once I was lost for words… I’d wanted to ask her when I should prune my roses; I had wanted to tell her that Honey could almost swim without her armbands and what a lovely time we’d had in Wales… But I did tell her I loved her, as did my sister when she saw her, and when we were all together by her side on Monday morning we didn’t need to say it, because we all knew.

Thank you so much for the incredibly kind words of support you’ve written and thanks too for your love and kindness – not just to me, but for mum and the whole family.

With my love,

Ali xx

The post Sad news… appeared first on QCommunity.

Thank you so much for writing to me about Mum. I can’t begin to tell you how incredibly comforting it is to hear from you, and to learn from your very moving messages that many of you have been where we now are. Mum was moved to a beautiful nursing home in Liss in Hampshire on Monday. We are so lucky to have found this sanctuary, and to know that those who work there are experts in end of life care. Mum’s condition is Rapidly Progressing Dementia and although she still recognises my sister and I, she is not really able to speak to us anymore – just the occasional sentence… She sleeps a great deal, eats and drinks very rarely, but seems content and comfortable, which is all we can ask for. Joe has made the decision to move away to be closer to his son in Norwich, and we very much hope that life will be happier for him there.

There has been a lot of talk and discussion over the last few days about all forms of mental health issues, because this is Mental Health Awareness Week, and what I now understand is that Mum’s condition is something that can affect those who are the same age or younger than me, not just the elderly. It is a cruel disease that takes those we love from us way before they die, which is incredibly hard. Having lost my father 32 years ago with no warning at all, I think it is so important to let those around us to always know they are loved always, and to make the very best of the time you have together.

I intend to do just that this weekend when Lucy, Honey and I head off to Bluestone in Narberth to celebrate Lucy’s birthday. You may remember we all went with Colin this time last year, but sadly because of work he can’t join us this time. There’ll be other opportunities I know, and Honey will be coming to stay with us shortly too, so that’s something else to look forward to. I must admit to being more than a little chuffed to have the opportunity to take this beautiful leather bag from Brampton London with me.

They are really well constructed bags, made in original designs out of burnished leather. The company is set up in East London and their collection includes many designs and sizes – from cross-body to overnight bags in a myriad of different colours. The prices are keen too and you will find whole hour of them on Monday 14^th at 5pm on our live channel.

Before that though, we have a two-day Christmas event that carries right the way over this weekend. There’ll be decorative ideas from Alison Cork, fashion brands such as Moda in Pelle (incredible over the knee boots I’ve just HAD to order) and the oh-so-popular MarlaWynne, plus some stunning jewellery in our Premier Tanzanite and Diamond Spectacular shows.

If you’re into nail colour, then I’d highly recommend the Nails Inc Christmas Gift Show with me at 8pm on Monday.

My nails have improved hugely since I started having Shellac manicures, and the great thing about that is I can change the colour of my polish whenever I want, and then revert to the original without damaging it. Look at these beautiful colours and perfect packaging! Plenty more on Monday, and of course, just £1.95 on all beauty purchases through the build up to Christmas.

Oh, one final thing to mention is that I have a new Facebook page under the name AlisonKeenanQVC, which will be dedicated to all things QVC as well as some personal posts. Do have a look out for it and follow/like me if you choose. It’s another great way to keep in touch.  I’ve even changed my profile photo so it’s more up to date! What do you think?

I’ll sign off now as I want to make a birthday cake for Lucy – just a small one for the three of us to share – but need to locate the candles too!

Please do keep in touch on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and of course here, and I promise I will reply just as soon as I can.

With my love,

Ali xxx

The post Autumn walks, colder days and busy evenings at QVC! appeared first on QCommunity.

Those of you who know me well will remember that Roz and Chris are old school friends, and they are still in touch with a number of other folk who also attended Wayneflete Secondary School in the 70s. This photo of us was taken in the early afternoon, and pre-empted a not-too shabby rendition of our old school song!

As Chris is the first of us to turn 60, I think we’ve got a fair few parties yet to come, but we may drop the singing next time We stayed outside until the sunset and were treated to this fabulous full moon. My first attempts to capture it on my phone failed dismally until someone kindly pointed out that I had some kind of sauce smeared on the lens!! So much better after I’d wiped that off

Talking of parties, Colin and I were delighted to be asked to Simon Wilson’s 50^th anniversary party at the very swanky Sea Containers 12^th Knot roof-top venue. It’s been 50 years since Simon set up the company Butler & Wilson, and this was a fitting tribute to his tremendous skill, imagination and all the hard work he’s put in over those years in building such an empire. He has dressed royalty and umpteen celebrities, as well as designing couture jewellery for the likes of Adele, Madonna, the Duchess of Cambridge and David Bowie. Of course we are very lucky at QVC to have his fabulous jewellery and accessory collection, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who owns a fair few pieces and has gifted many more. The party invitation arrived last month, and the code of dress read: We do not do subtle! I was delighted to have an occasion to wear this stunning teal sequined dress that I’d bought years ago to host our Breast Cancer Charity night. Luckily it hid all of my scars, and I have to admit to feeling a million dollars in it. I of course wasn’t the only one wearing sequins, as the many QVC friends and colleagues who were there also glittered and sparkled and looked incredibly glamorous.

The champagne flowed, the music played, and we danced all night! I took quite a few photos so here are just some memories to share with you. Colin and I stayed overnight in a riverside hotel, and even had breakfast in our room – a fitting end to a fabulous night out.

We took our time driving home, and were sitting in traffic when my sister called me. She’d had a long conversation with Mum’s doctor and the news wasn’t good. Although Mum’s chest infection has cleared, she still isn’t eating or drinking very much at all, and her mind is almost permanently muddled. She is becoming very frail, and in terms of time, Jenny was told it may only be weeks now before she’s too weak to go on. This obviously was devastating news, and so Colin and I continued down the motorway to Portsmouth where mum is in hospital. She still recognises us all, and is happy to hold our hands and talk, but her conversation makes little sense… Sam and Jack have been to see her, Lucy is there today, and both my brother’s children visited along with Jenny’s daughters too. My cousin Colin, who lives in Somerset also came, and mum remembered a great deal of her past while talking to him. In between my days at work, I’ve been driving to and fro, and some visits are better than others. I’ve taken Joe to see Mum, and he is coping well – his family are now helping him to make plans moving forwards… There is a possibility they may move Mum to a nursing home, but at the moment the general feeling is that she’s so very well looked after and is used to her surroundings that a change may not be good for her. It’s heartbreaking to think that just three months ago I visited with Lucy and Honey, and although Mum was having trouble walking, she was bright and relatively mobile. Just so difficult to take it all in really, but I wanted to let you know as you’ve been so kind and concerned, and your words and thoughts have been, and continue to be, a huge comfort to me.

It’s lucky that Jenny lives far closer to Mum than me, so she is able to visit most days and I’m heading there whenever I can. I find working helps keep me from over-thinking everything, and I’ve had some busy shows and great guests too.

This week of course we will have our Christmas Preview on the 25^th September, with an illuminating TSV! It’s item number 518619 and is a set of three Pull Cord Lightbulbs with a colour change option. They’re under £20 so I’d grab them while they’re still in stock. I’ll be bringing Christmas Gift ideas and a whole hour of home decorations for the festive period. Later in the week Kelly Hoppen’s ‘K’ home brand features with a Crinkled Faux-Fur throw as a TSV (item number 808850) and Babyliss have a fabulous Diamond Radiance Dual Big Hair rotating air styling brush up for grabs too (item number 401516). It’s only £36.98 so may be just what you’ve been looking for as a gift for a friend or for yourself!

One final thing I wanted to give you a heads up on is the Emu All Weather Latrobe leather and Suede zip mid-length boot that’s coming at the very beginning of October. It is a brand new design that’s waterproof, and will come in six different colours – Black, Dark Grey, Oak, Claret, Brown and Olive Green. Lined with Emu’s sumptuous sheepskin, the boot has a zip to make it easier to put on and take off. The price is excellent, so if you keep in touch with me on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram I will be able to let you know the price nearer the time, and then you can decide on your preferred colour!

I’ll leave you with these rather fabulous photographs I took when I was last out for a walk with Honey and Lucy. We couldn’t quite work out what had happened to the acorns though? Any thoughts?

Thanks so much for the lovely comments last time, and I hope I managed to answer them all. Ali’s Army is dear to my heart and particularly comforting during these difficult days. Take care and I’ll be in touch.

With my love,

Ali xx

The post What a difference a day makes! appeared first on QCommunity.

You’ve been really supportive too with your lovely messages and comments here on the blog and social media, and I’ve had plenty of spare time to appreciate them and respond, which is nice. It feels as though I’ve been off for ages, but when I look back and think of the number of people who’ve popped in, or who’ve stayed for a few days to help out, that time shortens. Roz – my lovely friend who lives in Dorset – drove all the way over to pick me up and take me back to her home just outside of Shaftesbury. We enjoyed two days together, just pottering about in her garden or sitting nattering! This was the only traffic jam we experienced, and the peace and quiet that is indicative of her part of the world was very therapeutic, as was her company.

If you could bottle it, I’m sure it would be a cure-all! Her husband Chris works close by and creates the majority of the London stage show curtains, backdrops, and other fabric scenery. He’s worked on Les Miserable, Miss Saigon, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Mary Poppins and of course Phantom, to name but a few! He also made curtains for their local village hall, and we got to see them when we were all invited to see the cinematic version of the London Theatre Production of Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake. Roz and Chris had seen the London show, and I remember Roz telling me about it. Hard to believe it was over a decade ago that Matthew Bourne set the dance world alight when he replaced all the female swans with male dancers. He certainly shook a few feathers in the little village hall that night, and with Chris’s curtains as a backdrop, we all agreed that it was absolutely brilliant.

Being at home has meant more time for me in the garden, and I have to admit to being rather chuffed with my hanging baskets this year.

I had a wonderful show of Cala lilies, some beautiful roses too, and mum gave me a packet of seeds earlier in the year that she’d found in a drawer.

They grew into these stunning Love in the Mist.

My hydrangeas this year have been marvelous too, but not quite as impressive as the ones I saw last week in Cornwall where they grow along the hedgerows.

You may remember that my friend Jo and I went to Cornwall two years ago, and stayed in Polruan, where she used to visit as a child. We’d planned our return trip for this August way before I knew I was going to have to go back into hospital, and so it was good to know that it was all booked in for my final week before coming back to work. It’s a fair distance by car, but we had so much to catch up on that it passed really quickly, and it still makes us both laugh to hear my voice on her sat nav system

We really made the most of our time there this visit, and in addition to Polruan and Fowey, we visited St. Austell to see my cousin Marianne and her husband Len, and then headed to Charlestown where they filmed some of the Poldark series. Sadly no sign of Ross, but these mighty tallships were pretty impressive!

We also made the relatively short journey to Tintagel Castle, where the views were outstanding, although poor Jo struggled a little with vertigo. It’s strange how things affect us differently when we’re older isn’t it? She’d been there as a child, and run up and down the ruins, and over the little bridge. This time we were clinging to each other like limpets as we gingerly crossed the suspended walkway, and didn’t venture further than the first set of ramparts. Still, I managed to get these rather dramatic photos. We drove to Polzeath beach and paddled in the surprisingly warm water, crossed the estuary many times on the Bodinnick ferry and had a cracking last day at Polkerris beach. I can quite honestly say that our picnic of a hot pasty and a pint of cider was one of the best I’ve ever had. In addition to all her wonderful family memories, we’ve now made more memories of our own and I have a feeling we’ll be back there again one day.

I had hoped to have happier family news for you this time, but things haven’t gone too well for Mum. I know the last time I wrote to you she was still at the nursing home and we were awaiting her scan results. Initially, they didn’t appear to have anything significant to report, and so, working alongside social services, we managed to have everything set up for care at home. Sadly, she was only there for two days before becoming massively disorientated and delirious and was taken back in hospital. We’ve since been told that she has atrophy in the frontal lobes of her brain, and as she struggled with the cognitive tests, we realise that this probably means dementia, and makes sense of her inability to walk, talk, and also her lack of appetite. The hospital staff are all incredibly kind and as always, I feel hugely indebted to those who work so hard to care for people with similar needs to Mum. Everything is very much up in the air, but we are now searching for care homes and trying to keep tabs on Joe, who is finding it harder to be on his own. We spent yesterday at the hospital and I was able to wash Mum’s hair for her and feed her some egg custard I’d made. Years ago she taught me how to cook it, and I still have the piece of paper with the recipe on it… it was good to see her manage a few spoonfuls. I’ll keep you updated, but thanks again for your kind words and supportive advice.

I’ve got a long day ahead of me catching up with all my emails, and getting back into the swing of our Today’s Special Values and Big Deals, but I’m glad to be returning on Diamonique Day when the TSV is a radiant and round cut bracelet that comes with a travel box and is at an incredible price. Do have a look at our website as every single piece of jewellery that will be featured on the day is detailed there. Our Diamonique Design of the Month is bound to make an appearance too – this stunning 1ct Baguette Heart Pendant and chain is under £40 and comes in two options – mixed plate or rhodium plated. It’s such a simple yet significantly sparkly design and would make the perfect gift.

And talking of gifts, please don’t miss the Philosophy four-piece Layering collection that comes with this fabulous felt bag that I’ll be launching at 9pm on Saturday. It features two new fragrances – the long awaited Amazing Grace Ballet Rose that is delicate yet memorable, and a travelsize of the Fresh Cream Soft Suede – a sweet and sensuous scent. Corinne Koolman will be joining me so you can get it early and hide them away for Christmas!

I think that’s pretty much all my news for now, but I’ll be back on Instagram and Twitter now to give you a heads up on any special deals, and am starting a new Facebook page so keep your eyes peeled for that. Again, I really appreciate your support and all the messages I’ve had over the last month or so, and please do keep in touch.

With my love,

Ali xxx

The post Home, away and Diamonique Day! appeared first on QCommunity.

I know it seems ages since I last wrote, but I really wanted to wait until I had the test results back following my operation last week. My surgeon actually rang to tell me that the nuclear bone scan showed no sign of cancer and my blood tests were all good.

The tissue they took during the procedure last week was also cancer free! It’s such a relief. It doesn’t matter how many times I tell myself  ‘it’ll be nothing’, until I’m actually told that, there’s always a niggle of doubt in the back of my mind. I have to add that reading through your kind and caring messages has been an absolute tonic for me. As always, I wanted to thank you VERY much indeed for them.

This last week has been very up and down and although I feel tired a lot of the time, I’m definitely on the mend now, although with some pretty impressive bruising! Thank heavens for SBC’s Arnica Gel and to Jackie Kabler, who very kindly donated hers to me via Kathy Tayler! I’d given mine to my godmother when she was poorly recently and had none left.

The operation was carried out at the same hospital that I’d had both my mastectomies, with the same breast surgeon. I’ve not really had much reason to go back to the hospital over the last four years, and apart from a different colour paint on the walls and a brand new remote controlled bed, the room looked very much the same.

However, I was delighted to see that they had brand new gowns – with a nautical stripe. They actually wrapped right round you, rather than leaving you bare down the back. And…  no more paper pants!! Check these out! Really snazzy stretchy cycle shorts, with no worries as to which way round you wear them:

The surgeon told me that he was going to take away all the scar tissue and spare skin that had been left when the implant had to be taken out. He would also remove the hard ridge that had been tethered to my chest wall and was definitely causing me discomfort.

Everything went according to plan and I eventually woke-up to find my right-side completely flat – something it has never been. The skin was smooth and felt very tight. Apart from a large sticking plaster, there was absolutely no evidence of what had been there before.

I have spent years trying to come to terms with physical changes the surgery has made. Even though for many women it is a huge relief to have no reminder of the disease, I have struggled with how it has made me feel. It’s something I tackled in my book ‘A New Kind of Normal’ and I realised from reading some of the reviews, I am not alone.

But now I feel differently. I see this flatness as a reminder of how incredibly lucky I am to still be here and to have a life to live in good health. I know full well that so many others are not this lucky. It‘s been difficult for Colin, too. He worries, and this is another change for him to get used to. However, he’s strong and kind and I’m lucky that he loves me, no matter what…

On the topic of health, although I so wish it was better news, I wanted to let you know that mum is still in the nursing home and still unable to walk. She is now refusing to eat or drink most things that are given to her and is very muddled. She has a scan on Friday and we are hoping against hope that this will give us some answers…

Obviously, the home can no longer keep her as their job is to rehabilitate folk, and she is not responding to any of the physio or care. The next step will be to get her back home with a team of carers that will visit three times a day, plus a fair amount of changes to the house to facilitate her immobility.

Colin drove me to see her a few days ago and it was very sad to see her so confused. Although, with some things she has absolute clarity.

It’s also very hard for her partner Joe, whose memory has deserted him and is becoming less lucid the longer mum is away. I’m hoping to see her again soon but the rest of the grandchildren and my sister are rallying, so they both have company. I know from some of your comments that you’ve been here with your own family and I thank you for not only sharing your experiences, but for your kindness and support.

I’ve also had support from my lovely family and friends. My children sent me this fantastic hamper with all my favourite foods. Lucy and Honey also came to stay and although I was unable to pick Honey up or cuddle her much, it was just great to have them here. This was Honey’s Playdoh picture of me – pretty accurate I thought on a day when I felt particularly peaky!

We had a little bit of sunshine, so I was able to sit in the garden with her – where we found this amazing beetle! I thought it was a scarab beetle, then remembered that they were black. Lucy said it was a shield bug? Any ideas? I thought it was absolutely beautiful.

The green colour is so like peridot, which coincidentally is the birthstone for August! I know this, because I should have been presenting a jewellery show this month and was sent images of a fabulous selection of peridot designs that are currently on sale, including this beautiful ring.

It works particularly well with the white gold, and the beautiful shape of the stone and saturation of colour is just stunning. The ancient Egyptians called peridot the “Sun Gem”, believing the stones had fallen from the sky. Strangely, it’s often found in lava deposits or meteorite showers.

Honey loves having sleepovers with us. I’d just taken a delivery of Cozee Home’s new and very beautiful bedspread from their Sophia Rose range, in this pretty floral pink design (808621). I decided to put it on Honey’s bed and she said it was like sleeping on a marshmallow. I think it really perked the room up! It will be Today’s Special Value on Monday 19^th August with the lovely Deborah Leigh and Miceal Murphy. As always with this brand, the price represents great value for money!

It is beautifully finished in this vintage style crinkle fabric with a plain backing, and you can choose from a number of different colours. It comes in either small or large sizes – this is the large one and is perfect on this standard double bed.

Time for a nap I think, but thanks again for keeping in touch. I’m off now until Thursday 5^th September with my lovely colleague Charlie Brook, as he and I will be presenting a Diamonique Spectacular together that day.

I’ll be checking in on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter if you follow me any of those. As always, if you write to me here, I will of course reply.

Enjoy the rest of the summer,

With my love,

Ali

The post The news I had been hoping for… appeared first on QCommunity.