This week’s vlog is a real blend of the everyday and the slightly surreal.

It begins at home, in that familiar juggle of lists and last-minute errands, as we plan a secret 16th birthday party for Coco. Nothing too fussy, just something warm and fun, with the sort of food teenagers actually want, music in the barn if the internet behaves, and a bit of quiet plotting behind the scenes. I also share a few simple outfit details, and a delivery that’s making party food (and dog treats) feel reassuringly sorted.

But alongside the practical bits, there’s a more reflective thread running through this vlog too. I sit down and read you my latest Substack piece about watching our children “grow wings” that tender, in-between season of parenting teenagers, when they still need you just as much, only in different ways. It’s the kind of stage that can catch you off guard: full of pride, and a little ache, and a deep desire to get it right.

Then we head off on our girly ski trip to Italy, up at 3 a.m., snow all around, and the feeling of being away from home at exactly the right moment. Because the biggest secret I’ve been keeping for a long time is finally announced… and I share what I can, now that I’m allowed to.

If you’re feeling a bit emotional about the seasons of motherhood, or you’re holding a lot in your own head at the moment, I hope this feels like a gentle hand on your shoulder.

Love, Charlie x