I popped into the lovely Sarah Wiseman Gallery in Oxford’s Summertown a while ago and Sarah gave me a sneaky preview of some of the paintings and prints of an upcoming exhibition by the much-admired Catherine Rayner. Then I promptly forgot …

• Drinking tea and eating cake for charity? Oh go on then!
• £600 fashion frenzy with Vestiaire and Curve!!
• Wouldn’t you though?
• Review: The Long Dog pub, Waddesdon (Bucks)

Waddesdon Christmas Food Fair, Waddesdon Manor, Sat 8 – Sun 9 Dec You name it, you’ll find it here. The very best Christmas cakes, meats, chutneys, cheeses, biscuits, pies, puddings and chocolates in the Plant Centre. Head up to the house …

• Opening night of Peter Pan
• New independent shops in Oxford…. we salute you!
• 5 must-see events before Xmas

Christmas at Waddesdon Manor is always special and I had a lovely day up there this morning. I didn’t make it into the house today – you have to book for that and frankly I’m not that organised – but …

• FIRST LOOK: the new John Lewis Christmas ad

I’m experimenting. This is the first Muddy Guide to come out at the beginning of the week, the idea being that I give you more time to plan your weekend in advance rather than having it thrust upon you  on …

• My Favourite Places: Susan McCormack
• Ballet beautiful
• 5 brilliant things to do this week
• Vermeer on a hangover – feels pretty good!

I touched on this a few posts back, but there’s a lovely half-day to be had in central Oxford, either on your own, with kids or extended family that effortlessly includes a bit of culture, a lovely walk, and some …

• Drinking tea and eating cake for charity? Oh go on then!
• £600 fashion frenzy with Vestiaire and Curve!!
• Wouldn’t you though?
• Review: The Long Dog pub, Waddesdon (Bucks)

I don’t know about you, but I love going to the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. It’s really calming, beautifully set out and, apart from some not-so-great expereriences in the cafe which is a bit too school canteen for my liking …

This brilliant exhibit – knitted coral no less! – was part of the inaugural Birmingham Made Me Design expo, a showcase for the best of midlands design that finished on Friday. It’s totally batty and entirely useless and totally wonderful. …

• Drinking tea and eating cake for charity? Oh go on then!
• £600 fashion frenzy with Vestiaire and Curve!!
• Wouldn’t you though?
• Review: The Long Dog pub, Waddesdon (Bucks)

Fashion is having its Fifties moment at the moment with two gorgeous exhibitions to tie in with the Queen’s Jubilee. I just love the old-school glamour of the nipped in waists, sharp silhouettes and acres of fabric. It’s about as far …

• Wouldn’t you though?
• The Muddy Guide to Going Out: 12-19 July
• Victoria Beckham designed it. I want it!
• 5 brilliant things to do this week

I took my own advice and I went to the Lucian Freud Portraits exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery last week (clever Muddy Stilettos!). Whether the reality of the exhibition lives up to the hype depends on how much of a chuff you …

• Drinking tea and eating cake for charity? Oh go on then!
• £600 fashion frenzy with Vestiaire and Curve!!
• Wouldn’t you though?
• Review: The Long Dog pub, Waddesdon (Bucks)