Author: catkinbell

Celebrities, Family life

The January Blues – a few reasons it’s not so bad

Statisticians have identified mid-January as Britain’s Annual Low-Point – our spirits communally crushed by a mix of post-Christmas detox, debt and dismal weather. Boo-bloody-hoo, I say.  Most of us have food, shelter and a choice of towels. What’s to fret about? The January Blues, that’s what.  They’re mean critters, who clutch your soul, twist your spleen, and then make you do stupid things like read … Continue reading The January Blues – a few reasons it’s not so bad

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Reviews, TV

War and Peace…and a Hot Potato

Despite having read the book twice (I’m 43, there’s been time for reading) all I can remember is page after page of Pierre rattling round his vast estates and sweating the small stuff (namely, what to do about the serfs? And Crops: Where To Put Them?) With all the sex, war and dancing gone down my cerebral-swanny, I was ready for a BBC re-boot. Though … Continue reading War and Peace…and a Hot Potato

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Celebrities, Family life, Features

Does your man pass the quality test?

Much as I love my husband, he’s a bog-standard bloke. And sometimes the bog is strong in him. Take last year: exhausted by three kids, a stressful job and a profoundly irritating wife, he gave up on his hitherto rigorous exercise programme. As he piled on the pounds, I drew a clear message: I wasn’t worth bothering for. We sparred about it for a bit … Continue reading Does your man pass the quality test?

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Celebrities, Family life

How to look after your divorcing friends – the rules

Kate Moss and Jamie Hince are reportedly splitting up; Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner’s marriage is also over. Divorce among couples aged 40-44 is on the rise again – but surely there’s a way to do it amicably, whether you’re part of the couple breaking up or the family and friends? Stick to these rules and you won’t go wrong. 1. Don’t pass judgment Your … Continue reading How to look after your divorcing friends – the rules

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Family life, Features

Dreaming of escaping to a big house in the country?

Moving to the country – trading a tiny town house for a rambling, rural pile – it’s the middle-class dream, isn’t it? Well, it is if you’ve got three small children, a business run from home, and a garden that couldn’t say ‘boo’ to a shed. That’s where my husband and I were two years ago: not really “living” in London, just treading on toys … Continue reading Dreaming of escaping to a big house in the country?

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Family life, Reviews

Salisbury Fashion Week

Autumn means Fashion Week.  You know the roll call – Paris, London…Salisbury.  Wiltshire’s annual celebration of style kicked off on Sept 25th, but where were the style bloggers, vloggers and Vogue?  Who the hell was covering it? Moi, that’s who.  Sadly, I missed the Launch Night ‘Musical Extravaganza’, because it didn’t kick off until 7.30pm, and I was in bed with Lucky Santangelo.  (Like all … Continue reading Salisbury Fashion Week

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Family life, Reviews

How to survive a family festival

You know how Nature has a way of making a woman forget the pain of childbirth – until her next labour starts. (“Silly me, how could I forget? THIS IS HELL”) Well, it’s the same with family festivals. Every year, you stagger home – eardrums ringing, spouse catatonic and kids bleeding face-paint – and swear NEVER to do it again. Yet a year later, there you are … Continue reading How to survive a family festival

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Reviews, TV

Did you catch ‘Lady Chatterley’s Lover’?

I had a high old time watching ‘Lady Chatterley’s Lover’, partly because I did it on a train – via laptop – and every time my ticket inspector got a glimpse of downloaded bottom, he put his hands over his eyes, and did a comedy side-stagger. (South West Trains have very cheerful staff, because they’re invariably on their way on to Devon). That said, the … Continue reading Did you catch ‘Lady Chatterley’s Lover’?

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