Bet the cake's great cake. I just made a cake - Nigella's cranberry bakewell tart. Really delicious and just tastes like Christmas. Yum. I decided to get steeped in the whole Christmas thing early this year, as we are leaving for Dubai on 22/12, which will be warm and , well... Muslim. The boys are concerned 
I want to look at vin's dress but can't find the right post.
I'm really mystified by Uggs, I can't get used to the way they look, and sloshing about with your very-expensive sheepskin in the rain and snow is very odd, I think. Good slippers though, if rather ££ for a pair of slippers.
I had done nothing at all Christmas-wise until yesterday afternoon. So I got pretty much everything the dc could want from Amazon for £200. DH and I don't really buy presents for each other for Christmas usually, so we will consider the holiday our present. So I just have to get something for my brother who lives in Dubai, and who has cleverly managed to borrow a 3-bed villa with private pool for us for our hols . Can't believe we may finally be going on a real holiday (ie all 5 of us on a plane to somewhere we haven't been before) for the first time for years. Fingers crossed for no more Icelandic volcanos!
Now any tips for Istanbul hotels that are pretty but not pricey?
Vin it's up to you whether you go or not - it doesn't mean anything to your much-loved dd whether you are missing her at home or anywhere else, and it's certainly nothing to do with the rest of the congregation, who are all there for themselves. Don't feel you have to perform for anyone.