If I was Prime Minister

So, just in the name of having a bit of fun, I decided that although I know nothing about politics, I could do an amazing job at being Prime Minister. Here are some of the laws I would bring in:

1. Socks with sandals would be illegal.

2. Duvet Days twice a year. So if you woke up and just wanted to stay in bed, you could use one of your fully paid Duvet Days!

3. People who smoke get smoking breaks at work. So I would introduce social media breaks so we could check our Instagram and Facebook with a nice brew for five minutes too.

4. Greasy hair would be a crime against fashion, punishable with instant, police enforced dry shampoo rugby tackles.

5. Men would be forced to wear a neon sign above their heads if they are cheaters, players, mummy's boys or commitment-phobes - so we could see them coming.

6. Junk mail senders would be fined a gazillion pounds per letter.

7. Feminine hygiene products - Tampons - would be free!

8. Bullies and mean people would be forced to shave their heads - just because.

9. People who don't use their indicators when driving (especially at roundabouts) would be forced to surrender their license forever. Just because.

10. Builders bum, the top of the bum crack being on show - both would result in community service and compulsory braces for life.

11. Bad spelling, grammar and text speak would be banished and anyone found using it would be arrested by the Grammar Police.

12. Couriers would be forced to stand in the rain for one hour solidly for every time they leave a parcel outside in the rain.

13. Gym membership would be free for everyone.

14. On everyone's birthday, a full band would turn up in the morning and sing 'Happy Birthday' to you.

15. The Xfactor would be banned. Forever.

16. Girls wearing shorts that don't even cover their bum cheeks would be forced to wear maxi skirts for the remainder of the month.

17. Sports of any sort would only be allowed to be on TV between 2am-5am. Sports would no longer be allowed to overrule the soaps, or any other program. And can only be watched when it wouldn't interfere with decent TV.

18. Men who don't pay for, spend time with, or step up as parents (when separated) would be branded as such. Probably on their foreheads.

19. All single parents would win awards.

20. People who abuse the benefit system would be given smarties instead of money.

21. The working week would consist of two days. The weekend would last for five.

22. Going to the cinema wouldn't cost more than a mortgage payment.

23. People who discriminate would be segregated. (See what I did there?!)

24. Every house would be built with a 'special' tap. That just poured Gin.

25. One day a year, all make-up would be free.

So, those would be my laws...what do you think, would you vote for me?

28 Things You Learn By The Time You're 28

It's my birthday in a week or so and I've been reflecting on all of the wonderfully hard learnt life lessons I've had in the past 27 years (I'm 28 this month).

It's funny how the older you get (oo-er) the more open you become to learning about life, yourself and the world around you. I think it's because in our teens and early twenties we are so sure that we've got it all sussed - and then we actually realise that we have no clue what we're doing, but neither does anyone else, so hey, lets all wing it together. Either that or I was just incredibly stubborn in my younger years.

So, as the big 3-0 begins to loom (a few years yet, I know), I thought I would share with you the things I've learnt, and hope to God that I'm not the only one...

1. Hangovers last longer. WAY longer. Those days of sleeping till 3pm and then junk fooding it through the day, with little sign of a headache - they're long gone. Now you're lucky if you aren't still feeling ill 2-3 days later.

2. You've accepted your taste in men sucks. Big time. You also have zero clue what to do about it.

3. You've not yet stopped phoning your mum on a Sunday asking how you cook a Sunday roast exactly like she does. And how long do you cook gammon for, or how do you make that lamb dish she does? You've accepted you've not yet stopped asking, so you probably never will.

4. Someone lied. You still gets spots in your twenties, and your late twenties at that.

5. That cute stationery shop? Anything pink and fluffy? You don't have to hide your love for kitsch things anymore. It's kind of cool to like the previously uncool.

6. You obsess about ageing. That large birthday approaching in a few years is like another reminder that you're not yet engaged or married and you still can't boil an egg properly.

7. You actually eat salad. Out of choice. Your mother refuses to believe this, even when she's a witness.

8. Being an adult is just googling how to do stuff.

9. No-one buys you advent calendars and you can't quite bring yourself to buy your own. You almost covert your own child's daily countdown...

10. You value your work colleagues. You spend most of your waking hours with them, and you may as well get on with them and have some fun with them, or else the days will be painfully slow. And boring.

11. No-one is going to tell you off for eating dessert for dinner. Woohoo!

12. You feel so smarmy when you see your old maths teacher. You never did need that square root of pi.

13. You don't experiment with high fashion styles anymore. You've found what fits, looks good and works for your budget and you're not prepared to stray too far away from it.

14. That old saying is true, you're stronger than you think. You can take more than you think you can bear. You got this. Whatever 'this' is.

15. As much as spontaneity is brilliant, you welcome plans and routine. You even buy calendars and planners to help you keep track of everything. And if you don't have your diary and someone invites you to an event, you break out in cold sweats.

16. Netflix and chill actually does mean watching Netflix and chilling out - in fluffy slippers and bun head.

17. They lied. Your body won't look like that, ever.

18. You understand why expensive underwear exists. And what's more, you actually own some.

19. No longer do you go for the youth of today drinks like WKD, nope, you're all about Gin. Your tastes have matured and you don't even care.

20. You like what you like. Your hobbies make you happy and you couldn't care less who thinks otherwise.

21. You understand the importance of keeping your mouth shut at times. Doesn't always mean you manage to though...

22. Chipped nail varnish is completely unacceptable. No excuses.

23. Speaking of unacceptable, bad spelling and grammar will offend you. You appreciate the ability to spell and punctuate.

24. Sometimes when you open your mouth your mother comes out. Worse, sometimes your grandmother.

25. Have a job you love. Life is too short to hate where you spend the majority of your waking hours. But don't quit until you've got another one lined up.

26. Scented candles are the best thing in the world. It doesn't matter how expensive they are, they're an investment in the cosiness of your home.

27. Nights out don't equal the most fun. Sometimes the best nights are the ones on the sofa laughing with your girls so much you can't remember why you ever wanted to get dolled up, totter in heels and throw away the best part of £100 for a three day hangover...

28. You don't have to ask permission to get a tattoo or stay out late, and it feels so good.

So, do you agree? Or have I missed anything out?!

Girls Day Out

This weekend I went out for the day with the girls.

Destination: Bluewater. 

Aim: shop till' we dropped and get as much of the Christmas shopping done as possible.

Did we do that? Lets just say we struggled to shut the boot with the purchases of three adult women who all love shopping when we packed the car. (You can watch my YouTube Haul video to see exactly what I got, here!)

Bluewater is my all time favourite shopping centre. Located in Greenhithe, Kent, it's approximately an hour and a half from my house in Cambridgeshire - so it's not too far and when I go, I make a day of it. There's over 300 shops (!), over 50 restaurants, a cinema, Pirate Cove Adventure park (crazy golf) and loads more, so there's no shortage of things to do to keep you amused. Put it this way, you'll plan to go for the day, but want to stay longer.

Is the force with you? If so, don't lego... (hehe)

Ghostbusters Lego in the Lego Store

I like Bluewater for loads of reason - a huge one being the range of shops. Two floors host the best range of brands, and at the risk of sounding like an advertising leaflet, they really do have something for everyone. One of the things on my shopping list for the day was some winter clothes for myself, as I had a mass clear out recently, and needed a few bits. Bluewater have everything that I want, including some of my favourite shops that only have the odd store or two here in the UK.  For example; Victoria's Secret or American Eagle. So it's worth making the trip, even if you live further away. It's also got the great everyday's like H&M, River Island, John Lewis and Warehouse etc. as well. All of which seem to stock a much better selection of items than other branches I've been to.

Lovely gift idea from New Look

With Christmas fast approaching, I needed to really crack on with the pressie buying and my first stop was Menkind. I managed to pick up some great stocking fillers, and even managed to bag a bargain buying two selfie sticks on offer for £5 - can't go wrong with a bit of a special offer! And who doesn't need a selfie stick?! (I've never actually used one!) After this I managed to continue my Christmas haul with buys from the Disney Store (where they had a sale on Marvel Avengers toys - which my son happens to love) and also some decorations from this beautiful gem of a store called Flutterbyes which sold the most beautiful gifts.

Lovely range of plaques at Flutterbyes

Flutterbyes

After a successful start to the day, we decided it was time for food. The range of restaurants is just as fantastic as the range of shops and considering one of the girls in our group is vegetarian, we didn't struggle to find somewhere that catered for both her and us. We settled on a lovely bit of Italian at Carluccio's and were really happy with the meal - a starter, main course and a drink each only came to £40 for three of us, so for the value we were very happy! And with full tummies off we went for the next half of the day..

We hit the good old trusty's like John Lewis and Marks & Spencer, and I of course spent (well, I class it as investing!) some money in MAC. It was then that I noticed what was going on with the annual Bluewater Winter Wonderland. I'm the worlds biggest Christmas lover, it's my favourite time of year and Bluewater put on their epic wonderland with indoor ice-rink, snow slide and Christmas cinema. As well as this, they have festive rides and stalls for the kids too (ah-hem, and me). Make sure you check the website out for full details and to book your tickets - here. Winter Wonderland wouldn't be complete without Santa's Grotto either, and I'm pretty sure I saw the big man in Pandora buying my pressies in preparation...

Winter Wonderland opens on November 26th, but if you can't wait until then, the Christmas Light Night, with festive music and fireworks is happening on November 13th and Heart FM's Toby Anstis will be there too (claim to fame - I've met him!). I will likely be visiting for both of these events, being the Christmas fanatic that I am!

My shopping trip was made so easy because I used my loaded Bluewater Gift Card. Accepted in nearly all of the centre's shops, it was so easy and straightforward. It's great if you want to give a gift, but don't want to be limited to one store and it's like having your own little credit card for Bluewater! It's also good if you're on a budget and don't want to overspend - just pop your money on the card and off you go. I must say that it's my birthday in two weeks, and if anyone wants to buy me anything, please can I have a Bluewater Gift Card...?

Being able to go to all my favourite shops under one roof is brilliant. It's easy to get everything done and you can literally tick every name of your Christmas buying list while you're there because the choice is so vast. The centre loops round on itself, so no walking back and forth, you just follow yourself round...which is also great is you need to 'think' before making that splurge purchase (who needs anything more than toast for a week anyway?!)

I'm just sad that I couldn't try any of Lola's Cupcakes! I mean, just look at these beauties!

Lola's Cupcakes, artform i edible version!

Oh Lola, you do know how to make a good looking cupcake!

If you're wondering how to get all your Christmas shopping done, then Bluewater is your one stop destination. And for those who seem to have everything, the Bluewater Gift Card is something you can't go wrong with (birthday donations gratefully received).

..So, what are you doing this weekend? Could you squeeze in a trip to Bluewater? If so, see you there!

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My Bluewater Haul

So I went on a girls day out to Bluewater Shopping Centre at the weekend, and I had an amazing day. We did some shopping, had a lovely lunch and had a generally wonderful day out. Want to find out what I got? Then check this out!