
In which Vanessa breathes a sigh of relief at the modern trend for informal entertaining . . .

Welcome to the very best year of my life, writes Vanessa Lloyd-Thomas – in fact not just the best year of my life, but possibly the very best year of your life too . . .

Vanessa decides that this year, for once, it will be a hassle-free, low-labour Christmas

Vanessa nudges hubby away from the ironing pile towards something more . . . improving

What’s in the past is best left in the past, maintains Vanessa Lloyd-Thomas

Introducing Ladies First, a new column by VLT, taking a generally light-hearted look at the world from a woman’s perspective