Blackpool: we’re back. Since we arrived the weather has been…let’s say, “mixed”. It’s always the risk when you opt for a stay-cation. But we’ve had lots of fun already – the kids did Laser Quest, we topped the Tower, took a breezy stroll down the deserted North Pier and quaffed bad burgers (!) in a …

Just a quickie post from me this eve (when the consultant told me to get lots of R&R until my face is healed, I don’t think he had doing five loads of washing, cooking a Goan curry and putting everyone’s pants away in mind). If I’m going to cut down on the cocktail-fuelled nights out …

This, my friends, is what North London types would call an “ice cream van”. It’s a deconstructed cone, man, and it marked the climax of a fantastic weekend that has involved: Spending hardcore quality time with my family before a fortnight of intense assignment marking. PUMPING IT UP with a Ministry of Sound fitness video …

In a fabulous Christmas present twist, my fella booked us into My Hotel in Brighton for the night. In the North Laines, it’s a well funky boutique venue with retro-inspired decor, a crazy posh penthouse and a 60s psychedelic, Maharishi vibe. I wonder why Matt thought I’d dig it here… Each room has a signature …

It had to be done; I mean, you can’t own a Dalek cake stand and not have a little bash to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who… We have a couple pals coming over to watch the Day of the Doctor at our place and El and I intend to enjoy a whole day …

Warning: if you’ve not had your tea, this post is going to make you hungry. We nipped down to Clapham Junction (or Battersea, if you’re a purist) this lunchtime, to sample the fashionable culinary delights of Dip & Flip on Battersea Rise… If you read the Independent on Sunday you may have spotted that editor …

At work last week I stumbled across this dressed Christmas table on the John Lewis website. Vintage-inspired, I fell in love at first sight with the colour palette and the sheer chicness of it. That’s why I schlepped all the way to JL in Kingston today: as well as buying props for a Christmas-themed shoot, …

I’m sure you’ve heard of Christmas in July, but what about Christmas in October? This was taken earlier today. At some point, all will be revealed…

It may have been a breezy trip to the beach, but I still got chance to wear one of my fave outfits of the summer – and I’m determined to make the mix of sky blue 50s-style dress and yellow Clements Ribeiro cardigan work into the autumn. El took the photos on the rocky beach …

It’s now around that time of the holidays, when I normally start getting stuck for ideas of how to keep El entertained. This year, given I have only spent four full days with my laddo since he broke up in July (*sob*), it’s not been as much of an issue – instead I have simply …