Hi everyone,

Last weekend in Blackpool was really good, and a good change from the London studios. It all started on Friday morning very early! We went up on a team bus, it was a long drive but there was a good team atmosphere so it went by quickly. As soon as we arrived there was alot of rehearsals and a chance to have a look at the ballroom! It was amazing and looked so magical. It is alot bigger than the studio dance floor so I think it was a bit different for the celebs. We later met up with some of the forces in honour of Remembrance day, and taught them all how to dance! I think it was very different from their day to day jobs, but they all had a really good time and It was so inspiring to be working with such brave and wonderful men and women. Before Blackpool I also had the chance to model a Swarovski crystal brooch for the Royal British Legion, which was a limited edition poppy. The poppy was to raise money for the poppy appeal, I went with Lizzie Cundy, Zoe Salmon and Alex Best and it was an honour to be involved and help to raise money for such a good cause (pictured above)

At the end of last week I also went to the film premier of 'A Christmas Carol'. It was in Leicester Square and It felt like Christmas! I was very cold in my dress, but really enjoyed the film! This week I also went to another event with Joe to the MTV Staying Alive foundation launch. This was held at the Westbury Hotel, and again was really good and I had a great time!

I mentioned on my twitter a few days ago the clothes company called ' Ronen Chen'. http://www.ronenchen.com/main.php?lang=en This is an Israeli designer, and they are having a grand opening of their first UK store on the 19th November. I love their clothes, they are really stylish, comfortable and affordable so I have alot of clothing from there. I will be at the opening on the 19th, and if you want to have a look at their collection, call Anne on 0207 723 1973 as she is organising the guest list. There is 15% discount on the night, lets get shopping, and a good excuse with Christmas round the corner!

This week I have been keeping really busy with group rehearsals! So I am looking forward to Saturday's show. I am also going to the Showbiz awards on Sunday night, so a busy weekend ahead....

Thank you all for your continued support and lovely messages through my blog and facebook! I am also pleased to say that Brian and I have some shows confirmed for 2010 so I will be posting those as soon as I have all the details. I love meeting you all at these events, so I really look forward to them.

I will be in touch again soon

Kristina xx

New hairdo....?

I have not been blogging for the past week, so I have a lot to catch up on. Even though I am no longer in the main Strictly competition I am still keeping busy. Last week was a really relaxing time, and a good chance to take some time out after the busy months, but since then I have been back to practice and doing various shoots.

I had a great time on Saturday's show, and really enjoyed the dance Brian and I did with James and Ola...the Bee Gees are so amazing and it was really special to dance for them. It was also a great honour to see them perform for the first time in so long, so I will always remember that. Thank you for all your comments about our dance, I am glad you all enjoyed it!

I know we are now in November (the year is going so quick!), but I wanted to thank you all again for the birthday gifts I received in September! They were so special, and I was so touched to receive them. My schedule was very hectic back then so I do not think I thanked you enough. Rihanoff's Radiant Lounge I was so grateful for the tee shirt, which as I mentioned on my facebook page earlier, I love! I hope to take a photo at some point...also the book you made was so sweet. So thank you all!!

As you know this week is a bit different as Strictly is going North. It will be good to have a change of scene, and I look forward to seeing the sights of Blackpool. I hear where we are dancing will be really good, so very excited. We are all going up very early on Friday in a team bus, so an early start! I look forward to talking to you about it here next week, with all the news and gossip from the trip.

Since I last blogged, the photo shoot I did for St Tropez has now come out. If you have not seen some of the pictures click on this link http://www.st-tropez.com/en/spotlight/news/kristina-rihanoff.aspx It was a really great shoot, and the black hair shoots were a bit different, I know some of you said you did not recognise me! I do not think I did either, but I am glad you liked the change. It was reported I had changed my hair colour for good, but I have not as you would have seen from Saturday....Some of you even compared me to a bond girl! Very flattered.

Once again thank you so much for all of your support as always. I feel so lucky to have such kind, supportive people behind me all the time, it means so much.

Speak to you all soon!

Kristina x

Hi everyone,

Well this week has been a bit different and alot quieter than the past few months! Joe and I were sad to leave Strictly last weekend, as I know that Joe had a lot more to give. He was making improvements as the weeks went on, and Im sure we would have seen alot more. I think last week you could see that Joe really enjoyed the performance, and felt alot more confident. I really did enjoy every minute of it, and am looking forward to taking part in all the group dances. Thank you all so much for voting for us over the series, I was so grateful for the time we had on the show. I have also received some really kind messages of support, so thank you all, It is so kind, and means so much that you take the time to write to me.

I am pleased to say the photo shoot I did for Hello magazine is out this week, It was a really fun shoot. I will also be in a few more magazines at the end of the month, all part of the project for being an ambassador for St Tropez perfect tan products. I will keep you updated....

This weekend, Brian and I will be in Maidstone on Sunday! We are really looking forward to it, so I will see some of you there. I do not think there are any tickets left, but keep a look out for last minute cancellations if you want a ticket and do not yet have one.

I must sign off now, I have some practice this afternoon so have to get ready.

I will be in touch soon.

Kristina x

Its the Friday feeling!

Ladies and Gents!!

Only 24 hours until show number 5...and this week has flown by! Joe has been working even harder this week, and we have been practicing alot, so I really hope it pays off as it would be so good to get some positive comments from the judges! Joe is feeling a bit exhausted, and for a boxer I think that proves how hard he has been practicing! Thank you for all your support this week, it is so good to know that you have noticed Joe's improvement, as he really has come along way since we started.

Last night we went to the Royal Albert Hall for the National Ballroom Championships. It was a nice change to watch, and there was some incredible dancing. It was also a good chance for Joe to see how its done on stage, and pick up a few tips. I know that watching is really helpful, particularly when you are learning.

I am really looking forward to tomorrow! I hope you all enjoy the show as well as our routine, last minute practice time now....

Speak soon and I will be blogging again next week with updates on the show.

Kristina x

Practice makes perfect!

Today Joe and I are back to practice for this weekends routine! We have taken on board all of the judges comments, so hopefully we will get some positive reactions on Saturday. I am really proud of Joe and the improvements he is making so I did disagree with some of the remarks from the judges, but I really hope you all enjoyed the Foxtrot! Thank you so much for all your messages and for voting to keep us in! We are so grateful and it means so much.

Yesterday I did a really cool photoshoot with Hello magazine as the new ambassador for St Tropez perfect legs product. I will let you know when the shoot is published, but It was really fun...I wont give too much away otherwise it will spoil it when it comes out!

Brian and I have another event coming up on the 25th October. This time we will be in Maidstone, Kent. All the details are on my web, or click here. Some of you have sent some messages to ask if we will be doing some events further North. Our schedule is still being finalised, but as soon as I know I will post on here and my web so watch this space.....

The glamour magazine shoot that us Strictly girls did is now out in the November issue of Glamour mag! That was a really fun shoot as well, take a look.

Thank you all so much!!

I will be in touch again soon, to keep you updated on our training.

Kristina x

Pride of Britain

Hi Everyone!

I have been keeping busy in the past few days, so I have alot to tell you about. On my last post I was getting ready for show number 3 on Strictly. I hope you liked our dance, I wanted to try and make it fun with the boxing cape and thought it would make Joe feel at home, so I hope you enjoyed the choreography. Joe was feeling alot more confident and I think it showed in our dance, we are making some steady improvements but thank you all for believing in us, and voting! We are so grateful, and are really enjoying this journey. I will be back in Wales later today, so we will be working really hard this week on Saturday's routine. I will let you know how it all goes.

On Sunday, Brian and I did a Salsa class at the Wandsworth Palais. We always love these events, and really enjoy teaching you all and performing for you. For those who went I hope you all had good time, and have been praciticing your Salsa! Our next one is on October 25th, the details are on my web, or click here. Look forward to seeing some of you there.

Yesterday, Joe and I practiced all day in London, before going to the Pride of Britain awards in the evening. The event was so amazing, and the stories from all the brave people, were really inspirational. I felt so lucky to be a guest and I think everyone needed their tissues!

I wore a really cute dress from the Debenhams range again. I love their dresses which I have a few of, see the picture above.

I look forward to the show at the weekend, and a busy week of practice ahead. As always, I will be in touch soon! Thank you all again!

Kristina x

Team Calzaghe!

Day 3 in Wales and its dance, dance, dance. Joe and I had a real boost last week when Craig gave us some positive comments. It was great to hear, as last week we worked our socks off! This week we are going through all our steps again, and learning our new routine, so we are really hoping that Saturday will be a good evening...Joe and I have just had some personalised jackets with 'Team Calzaghe' on the back made, so we have some team spirit going on!

I also want to remind you about the event that Brian and I are doing this weekend. All the details are on my website, it is at the Wandsworth Palais. Really looking forward to it. The Salsa class we did a few weeks ago, was alot of fun and everyone had a good time so this one should be good. For those who already have tickets, look forward to seeing you there!!

Also, the Pink Vest is still selling well and making lots of money for the Breast Cancer Campaign. Tomorrow (1st Oct) is the first day of the Breast Cancer awareness month which is what the Pink Vest supports. You can still buy them from Damart. Check them out online!

I must get back to practice, but thank you all so much for your recent messages of support, it really does mean alot that you have taken the time to write to me. Speak to you all really soon.

Kristina x