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Size Saga

May 2, 2012 Blog No comments

Some would say that there is no mystery as great as that of a woman’s love of shopping.

I would deny this. It’s simple – we like nice things, to get nice things we shop. To me the greatest mystery is not why we love to shop – but the business of shopping for the right size!

Nothing is worse than trying an outfit on and it being too small. It’s a knock to your confidence and is enough to see a dark storm cloud over your head for days. So after two naughty weeks away from the gym (costly too really) I was close on devastated and in self-kicking-mode (why, oh why I had taken those two weeks off from the gym?) when a dress for a friend’s wedding arrived and was too tight!

So the next day I went online and begrudgingly ordered a larger size (sad face).

Then it occurred to me……my work clothes (from Next) had fitted that morning. All items still being in my ‘usual’ size. So unless I had lost the odd inch or so from my waist overnight (unlikely) I was still ‘my’ size. So why had a dress from another shop not fitted? Surely a size 6 is a size 6 – standard. No.

So here’s a quick comparison of a few high street regulars and how what they believe a size 6 measures:

Next – bust 31.5 inches, waist 25.5 inches, hips 34.5 inches
Warehouse – bust 31 inches, waist 24.5 inches, hips 34 inches
Oasis – bust 31.5 inches, waist 24.5 inches, hips 33.5 inches
Topshop – bust 31.3 inches, waist 24.5 inches, hips 33 inches
Miss Selfridge – bust 31.25 inches, waist 24.25 inches, hips 33 inches
Marks and Spencer – bust 31 inches, waist 25 inches, hips 35 inches

As you can see there is a good inch (and more) difference between stores. Marks and Spencer are more generous and suited to curves when you compare them with Miss Selfridge, which seems to be for a more ‘boyish’ figure.

So why is this? Why aren’t sizes standard? And if sizes aren’t standard should labels show what you are actually buying – like jeans labels. I buy a 30? leg and a 25? waist and I’m happy and comfortable 99% of the time.

The UK has no standard sizing set. Each shop/retailer/designer choices how their size should measure. Many retailers also indulge in ‘vanity sizing’ and label larger clothes smaller than they are to flatter women into thinking they are thinner – or of course in this case it’s made me think I’m bigger than I usual feel I am!

Personally I would love to see sizes standardised. For one thing as life gets busier, parking gets more expensive, and patience runs thin I, like many others, are turning to shopping online and I would love to know that the deliveries will definitely fit and not end up having the trouble of returning items.

Whilst one size will never fit all – and the beauty of women is that we are all very different shapes, sizes and proportions – at least if we standardise the sizes most commonly used we’ll know where we stand and not have this cross-retailer issue.

Until then, however, help is at hand and anyone facing the same problems will do well to turn to the ‘What size am I?’ website (http://sizes.darkgreener.com/) where you can get an honest reflection of what size to buy at a whole range of High Street stores. The difference is amazing – and the help most welcome!

Reuniting us with Friends Reunited?

March 27, 2012 Blog No comments
16197040

In the days of Facebook and Twitter whoever thought they would log on to Friends Reunited again?

We’ve reunited with the school and college friends we wanted to over Facebook, and because of the innovation of Mark Zuckerberg I, for one, have never logged back in to the pioneer of social networking sites.

Today the site was relaunched – to bring together “great memories”, which inspired me to dust off the grey matter and remember back to 2000 to see if I could log in.

New owners, Brightsolid, (poor ITV – whoever brokered that deal must wonder what happened) claim a host of professional archive content and users’ own material will help make Friends Reunited the choice of social network for those ‘remember when’ moments. Coming away from just reuniting us with just our past and our past friends, they say that they will reunite us with every blast from the past. They go on to claim that this is going to fill a gap for the average user that Facebook doesn’t.

Personally, after a quick click round the new look site I logged out unimpressed. Content wise, the site doesn’t navigate as easily as I would have liked. Idea wise, ok, it is different but to reconnect again, on another website with the people I’d want to share things with – people I’m already connected to on either Facebook or Twitter (or both) – I can’t see why I would do that.

In my opinion, personal memories are well covered with Facebook. Archived memories, things of public interest etc that happened are indeed being collected through the new look site. For example, Friends Reunited’s homepage mentions memories of Charles and Diana’s wedding - something I think we can all agree is well documented throughout a variety of resources. Perhaps in a year where we celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee and all things great about the UK they see an opportunity to drill into the nostalgia that these events great, but I don’t see that that will provide for long term success.

All in all, I didn’t spend very long on the site – it didn’t grab my attention enough to pull me in. I think the networking sites like Facebook have made social networking all about ourselves and very personal, and this moves away from that in many ways. When so much about Facebook and Twitter works are we going to log into yet another site - and are we going to move away from it all being about our current day to day lives and what’s important to us now, in this minute?

My events on pinterest

February 26, 2012 Blog, Events No comments

I’m loving pinterest! So today I put together a quick board of a few great images of some of the events I’ve put together…..http://pinterest.com/cazashton/my-events/

(Hot) Diamonds are a girls best friend

February 24, 2012 Blog No comments

Over the past five years my obsession with Hot Diamonds jewellery has grown from a my gorgeous charm bracelet and it’s very first charm (a beloved birthday gift) to basically wearing little else – especially day to day (the odd special bit, hint of Tiffany appears from time to time!).

I don’t like wearing expensive jewellery as, honestly, I’m quite a forgetful clutz at times and loose (sunglasses are the worst – costs a fortune) and damage things a lot! The range of prices and the style suits me down to the ground. I love the silver focus, I only wear silver or white gold, but the hints of gold set a few items off and add that bit of colour.

What better subject therefore for my first experiment with new(ish), site pinterest than putting together a board of my loves / things still available that I own. Note to anyone that perhaps might be looking to buy me something – this collection is welcomingly added to at any time and if you think carefully you’ll know the bits I’m now missing too!

So here’s my first pinterest board - http://pinterest.com/cazashton/my-hot-diamonds-loves/ - dedicated to my Hot Diamond loves, most definitely this girls best friend.

A boost for Bromsgrove

January 23, 2012 Blog, Featured No comments

A while ago now I wrote a somewhat negative post about the apparent demise of Bromsgrove High Street.

It had a very clear ‘why isn’t anyone doing anything’ message running through it – pointing out the negatives of what leaving the town centre in that state does to a small place like Bromsgrove. It seemed at the time that little was being done and it was only getting worse.

Two big (well one big, and one big-for-me) things have happened since that first post. Firstly (and this is the big-for-me bit) I became a full-time, council tax-paying, home-owning resident of Bromsgrove. Secondly (and this is really from a less selfish point of view) £2million of investment was secured for a transformation of the High Street.

Big cheers all around!

I was delighted to read that one aim is to ensure more space. There’s a lot of street furniture and clutter and the market stalls have only gone to making this worse. There’s nothing more frustrating than getting to the High Street and then not being able to get where you’re going easily. I’ll be honest I’m not a fan of removing the trees….those and the old buildings that are left give the High Street some real character; but a provision for new trees is mentioned….so fingers crossed.

In the meantime it’s great to see some investment in improving the shopper experience for  this little town I have come to grow fond of. With improved shopper experience hopefully comes higher footfall figures for the High Street – and with that hopefully comes the shops and retail brands that we want that could make such a huge difference to Bromsgrove.

What would you like to see happen with the investment, and what would you like it to bring to the town?

It’s all about Brum!

January 7, 2012 Blog One comment

This week saw Birmingham’s airport voted the Best UK Airport by ‘Which? Travel‘ members and the city named the 19th place to go in 2012 by the New York Times. A pretty special recommendation really – for one thing, have you seen their city?! And who did we beat? Space…… the Maldives!

It seems that after a lot of hard work by various companies and people in Birmingham, the world is starting to acknowledge what the city has to offer. Congratulations to all involved in getting Birmingham this recognition at long last. It’s not been an easy task, and I’m sure there is still much you will all do for the city.

Many have recognised that one of the things that perhaps holds Birmingham back is the fact that Brummies don’t shout about the city and what we have to offer. Let’s be honest we all live/work/spend time here for a reason – it’s a damn good place to be! But as people we don’t shout about that as much as we could. Twitter and other social media has meant that this is improving – but it appears to be down to a small group of people (and an especially small percentage of our increasing population).

Let’s hope that these latest recognitions start to give every Brummie the confidence to shout about the city that we all hold dear to our hearts.

Just one thing I would like to point out to the New York Times team – and I don’t mean to be picky – but we don’t just do food! And you forgot Cadbury’s chocolate! I don’t mean to take away from the food aspect – it is rather splendid (I never had to be a gym member before I moved up here!) – but we have history and vibrancy and so many other things you forgot to mention. We have an amazing range of cultural venues, places to see and things to do…..but don’t worry – you’ll find a lot of them in between all the restaurants. It’s all here!

The third (and my last) edition of The Word

January 2, 2012 PR, The Word No comments

Due to moving on to a new, exciting role in Birmingham at the start of 2012 the third edition of The Word is my last. But here it is…The Word – Issue Three.

Turbulence Gets Celebrity Thumbs Up!

December 13, 2011 Press Releases, Turbulence coverage No comments
TURB3
Birmingham’s latest feature film, Turbulence, has received fantastic feedback from a special exclusive screening.
 
Shown at the British Film Institute in London yesterday afternoon to a select few, the film received a warm welcome from the gathered audience.   
 
Amongst those in the audience were comedian, writer and director, David Baddiel, and star of hit comedy ‘The Inbetweeners’, Blake Harrison.
 
David Baddiel gave his support to Turbulence, saying: “I really enjoyed Turbulence, go and see it!” David also commented that the film was: “Charming, funny, warm and sweet”.
 
Blake Harrison also left the screening having enjoyed his Turbulence experience, commenting on the “great music” of the film.
 
With other fans to have seen the film saying: “It reminded me of going to a good party, at the beginning you don’t know anyone, then you relax, maybe have a drink or two, then by the end you think – I LOVE THESE PEOPLE!”; Turbulence is a sure fire hit.
 
Speaking about the film’s progress to date Producer Natasha Carlish said: “We are delighted with the reception that the film is getting from all who have seen it. Though TURBULENCE is at the very beginning of its long journey it’s clear that audiences are responding well and that people feel uplifted when they have seen the film. The team is working hard to find new and unusual ways to get the film out there and we are hopeful that its popularity will grow to cult status through word of mouth and social media.”

Turbulence launches on DVD

December 13, 2011 Press Releases, Turbulence coverage No comments
full
November saw the DVD launch of Birmingham’s newest feature film, Turbulence.
 
Having received fantastic acclaim from test screenings earlier this year, the DVD launch is the next exciting stage for the all-Birmingham production. In an unusual step, the film is being self-distributed by the team behind it in a unique first for a low budget film.
 
To celebrate this momentous occasion there will be a launch party as part of The Garage Presents… season at VIVID in Digbeth this Friday (2 December) from 8pm until late. The night will feature live sets from many of the film’s fantastic array of talent, including Stinky Wizzleteat, alongside DJ sets from legendary DJ Russell Shumway, a.k.a. Shumdog Millionaire, and Speech Fewapy Records. The event will be headlined by popular indie band, The Scholars, whose music features throughout the film, including the title track ‘Turbulence’. Advance tickets are £5 and available from The Ticket Sellers website (www.theticketsellers.co.uk).
 
The film’s journey to the big screen also continues, with new and exciting developments happening all the time – this week sees an exclusive celebrity screening in London, to the likes of comedian David Baddiel and more.
 
Turbulence follows the lives of a group of young, gifted and clueless 20-somethings finding their feet and chasing their dreams. It tells the story of a failing music venue set to close its doors. Manager Keith launches a last ditch Battle of the Bands competition. More by accident than by design, musical genius is unleashed by a rapping transvestite, some precocious indie rockers and a barmaid with a golden voice, who together save the world they love.
 
The film is the brain-child of BAFTA-award winning producer/director team Natasha Carlish and Michael B Clifford, and was shot on location in Birmingham and Kings Heath. The actors (David Alwyn, Adrian Banks, Emma Pearce, Connor Mills, Shay O’Driscoll and Sophie Waller) are all graduates of Birmingham School of Acting. The film has been co-produced by Julia Higginbottom of Jewellery Quarter based Rebel Uncut.
 
Speaking about the film’s progress to date Director, Michael Clifford said: “We’ve had some great screenings for the film. Now, releasing on DVD is a new milestone – and to think we’ve done that entirely by ourselves is deeply satisfying”.

Size Saga

May 2, 2012 Blog No comments

Some would say that there is no mystery as great as that of a woman’s love of shopping.

I would deny this. It’s simple – we like nice things, to get nice things we shop. To me the greatest mystery is not why we love to shop – but the business of shopping for the right size!

Nothing is worse than trying an outfit on and it being too small. It’s a knock to your confidence and is enough to see a dark storm cloud over your head for days. So after two naughty weeks away from the gym (costly too really) I was close on devastated and in self-kicking-mode (why, oh why I had taken those two weeks off from the gym?) when a dress for a friend’s wedding arrived and was too tight!

So the next day I went online and begrudgingly ordered a larger size (sad face).

Then it occurred to me……my work clothes (from Next) had fitted that morning. All items still being in my ‘usual’ size. So unless I had lost the odd inch or so from my waist overnight (unlikely) I was still ‘my’ size. So why had a dress from another shop not fitted? Surely a size 6 is a size 6 – standard. No.

So here’s a quick comparison of a few high street regulars and how what they believe a size 6 measures:

Next – bust 31.5 inches, waist 25.5 inches, hips 34.5 inches
Warehouse – bust 31 inches, waist 24.5 inches, hips 34 inches
Oasis – bust 31.5 inches, waist 24.5 inches, hips 33.5 inches
Topshop – bust 31.3 inches, waist 24.5 inches, hips 33 inches
Miss Selfridge – bust 31.25 inches, waist 24.25 inches, hips 33 inches
Marks and Spencer – bust 31 inches, waist 25 inches, hips 35 inches

As you can see there is a good inch (and more) difference between stores. Marks and Spencer are more generous and suited to curves when you compare them with Miss Selfridge, which seems to be for a more ‘boyish’ figure.

So why is this? Why aren’t sizes standard? And if sizes aren’t standard should labels show what you are actually buying – like jeans labels. I buy a 30? leg and a 25? waist and I’m happy and comfortable 99% of the time.

The UK has no standard sizing set. Each shop/retailer/designer choices how their size should measure. Many retailers also indulge in ‘vanity sizing’ and label larger clothes smaller than they are to flatter women into thinking they are thinner – or of course in this case it’s made me think I’m bigger than I usual feel I am!

Personally I would love to see sizes standardised. For one thing as life gets busier, parking gets more expensive, and patience runs thin I, like many others, are turning to shopping online and I would love to know that the deliveries will definitely fit and not end up having the trouble of returning items.

Whilst one size will never fit all – and the beauty of women is that we are all very different shapes, sizes and proportions – at least if we standardise the sizes most commonly used we’ll know where we stand and not have this cross-retailer issue.

Until then, however, help is at hand and anyone facing the same problems will do well to turn to the ‘What size am I?’ website (http://sizes.darkgreener.com/) where you can get an honest reflection of what size to buy at a whole range of High Street stores. The difference is amazing – and the help most welcome!

Reuniting us with Friends Reunited?

March 27, 2012 Blog No comments
16197040

In the days of Facebook and Twitter whoever thought they would log on to Friends Reunited again?

We’ve reunited with the school and college friends we wanted to over Facebook, and because of the innovation of Mark Zuckerberg I, for one, have never logged back in to the pioneer of social networking sites.

Today the site was relaunched – to bring together “great memories”, which inspired me to dust off the grey matter and remember back to 2000 to see if I could log in.

New owners, Brightsolid, (poor ITV – whoever brokered that deal must wonder what happened) claim a host of professional archive content and users’ own material will help make Friends Reunited the choice of social network for those ‘remember when’ moments. Coming away from just reuniting us with just our past and our past friends, they say that they will reunite us with every blast from the past. They go on to claim that this is going to fill a gap for the average user that Facebook doesn’t.

Personally, after a quick click round the new look site I logged out unimpressed. Content wise, the site doesn’t navigate as easily as I would have liked. Idea wise, ok, it is different but to reconnect again, on another website with the people I’d want to share things with – people I’m already connected to on either Facebook or Twitter (or both) – I can’t see why I would do that.

In my opinion, personal memories are well covered with Facebook. Archived memories, things of public interest etc that happened are indeed being collected through the new look site. For example, Friends Reunited’s homepage mentions memories of Charles and Diana’s wedding - something I think we can all agree is well documented throughout a variety of resources. Perhaps in a year where we celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee and all things great about the UK they see an opportunity to drill into the nostalgia that these events great, but I don’t see that that will provide for long term success.

All in all, I didn’t spend very long on the site – it didn’t grab my attention enough to pull me in. I think the networking sites like Facebook have made social networking all about ourselves and very personal, and this moves away from that in many ways. When so much about Facebook and Twitter works are we going to log into yet another site - and are we going to move away from it all being about our current day to day lives and what’s important to us now, in this minute?

My events on pinterest

February 26, 2012 Blog, Events No comments

I’m loving pinterest! So today I put together a quick board of a few great images of some of the events I’ve put together…..http://pinterest.com/cazashton/my-events/

(Hot) Diamonds are a girls best friend

February 24, 2012 Blog No comments

Over the past five years my obsession with Hot Diamonds jewellery has grown from a my gorgeous charm bracelet and it’s very first charm (a beloved birthday gift) to basically wearing little else – especially day to day (the odd special bit, hint of Tiffany appears from time to time!).

I don’t like wearing expensive jewellery as, honestly, I’m quite a forgetful clutz at times and loose (sunglasses are the worst – costs a fortune) and damage things a lot! The range of prices and the style suits me down to the ground. I love the silver focus, I only wear silver or white gold, but the hints of gold set a few items off and add that bit of colour.

What better subject therefore for my first experiment with new(ish), site pinterest than putting together a board of my loves / things still available that I own. Note to anyone that perhaps might be looking to buy me something – this collection is welcomingly added to at any time and if you think carefully you’ll know the bits I’m now missing too!

So here’s my first pinterest board - http://pinterest.com/cazashton/my-hot-diamonds-loves/ - dedicated to my Hot Diamond loves, most definitely this girls best friend.

A boost for Bromsgrove

January 23, 2012 Blog, Featured No comments

A while ago now I wrote a somewhat negative post about the apparent demise of Bromsgrove High Street.

It had a very clear ‘why isn’t anyone doing anything’ message running through it – pointing out the negatives of what leaving the town centre in that state does to a small place like Bromsgrove. It seemed at the time that little was being done and it was only getting worse.

Two big (well one big, and one big-for-me) things have happened since that first post. Firstly (and this is the big-for-me bit) I became a full-time, council tax-paying, home-owning resident of Bromsgrove. Secondly (and this is really from a less selfish point of view) £2million of investment was secured for a transformation of the High Street.

Big cheers all around!

I was delighted to read that one aim is to ensure more space. There’s a lot of street furniture and clutter and the market stalls have only gone to making this worse. There’s nothing more frustrating than getting to the High Street and then not being able to get where you’re going easily. I’ll be honest I’m not a fan of removing the trees….those and the old buildings that are left give the High Street some real character; but a provision for new trees is mentioned….so fingers crossed.

In the meantime it’s great to see some investment in improving the shopper experience for  this little town I have come to grow fond of. With improved shopper experience hopefully comes higher footfall figures for the High Street – and with that hopefully comes the shops and retail brands that we want that could make such a huge difference to Bromsgrove.

What would you like to see happen with the investment, and what would you like it to bring to the town?

It’s all about Brum!

January 7, 2012 Blog One comment

This week saw Birmingham’s airport voted the Best UK Airport by ‘Which? Travel‘ members and the city named the 19th place to go in 2012 by the New York Times. A pretty special recommendation really – for one thing, have you seen their city?! And who did we beat? Space…… the Maldives!

It seems that after a lot of hard work by various companies and people in Birmingham, the world is starting to acknowledge what the city has to offer. Congratulations to all involved in getting Birmingham this recognition at long last. It’s not been an easy task, and I’m sure there is still much you will all do for the city.

Many have recognised that one of the things that perhaps holds Birmingham back is the fact that Brummies don’t shout about the city and what we have to offer. Let’s be honest we all live/work/spend time here for a reason – it’s a damn good place to be! But as people we don’t shout about that as much as we could. Twitter and other social media has meant that this is improving – but it appears to be down to a small group of people (and an especially small percentage of our increasing population).

Let’s hope that these latest recognitions start to give every Brummie the confidence to shout about the city that we all hold dear to our hearts.

Just one thing I would like to point out to the New York Times team – and I don’t mean to be picky – but we don’t just do food! And you forgot Cadbury’s chocolate! I don’t mean to take away from the food aspect – it is rather splendid (I never had to be a gym member before I moved up here!) – but we have history and vibrancy and so many other things you forgot to mention. We have an amazing range of cultural venues, places to see and things to do…..but don’t worry – you’ll find a lot of them in between all the restaurants. It’s all here!

The third (and my last) edition of The Word

January 2, 2012 PR, The Word No comments

Due to moving on to a new, exciting role in Birmingham at the start of 2012 the third edition of The Word is my last. But here it is…The Word – Issue Three.

Turbulence Gets Celebrity Thumbs Up!

December 13, 2011 Press Releases, Turbulence coverage No comments
TURB3
Birmingham’s latest feature film, Turbulence, has received fantastic feedback from a special exclusive screening.
 
Shown at the British Film Institute in London yesterday afternoon to a select few, the film received a warm welcome from the gathered audience.   
 
Amongst those in the audience were comedian, writer and director, David Baddiel, and star of hit comedy ‘The Inbetweeners’, Blake Harrison.
 
David Baddiel gave his support to Turbulence, saying: “I really enjoyed Turbulence, go and see it!” David also commented that the film was: “Charming, funny, warm and sweet”.
 
Blake Harrison also left the screening having enjoyed his Turbulence experience, commenting on the “great music” of the film.
 
With other fans to have seen the film saying: “It reminded me of going to a good party, at the beginning you don’t know anyone, then you relax, maybe have a drink or two, then by the end you think – I LOVE THESE PEOPLE!”; Turbulence is a sure fire hit.
 
Speaking about the film’s progress to date Producer Natasha Carlish said: “We are delighted with the reception that the film is getting from all who have seen it. Though TURBULENCE is at the very beginning of its long journey it’s clear that audiences are responding well and that people feel uplifted when they have seen the film. The team is working hard to find new and unusual ways to get the film out there and we are hopeful that its popularity will grow to cult status through word of mouth and social media.”

Turbulence launches on DVD

December 13, 2011 Press Releases, Turbulence coverage No comments
full
November saw the DVD launch of Birmingham’s newest feature film, Turbulence.
 
Having received fantastic acclaim from test screenings earlier this year, the DVD launch is the next exciting stage for the all-Birmingham production. In an unusual step, the film is being self-distributed by the team behind it in a unique first for a low budget film.
 
To celebrate this momentous occasion there will be a launch party as part of The Garage Presents… season at VIVID in Digbeth this Friday (2 December) from 8pm until late. The night will feature live sets from many of the film’s fantastic array of talent, including Stinky Wizzleteat, alongside DJ sets from legendary DJ Russell Shumway, a.k.a. Shumdog Millionaire, and Speech Fewapy Records. The event will be headlined by popular indie band, The Scholars, whose music features throughout the film, including the title track ‘Turbulence’. Advance tickets are £5 and available from The Ticket Sellers website (www.theticketsellers.co.uk).
 
The film’s journey to the big screen also continues, with new and exciting developments happening all the time – this week sees an exclusive celebrity screening in London, to the likes of comedian David Baddiel and more.
 
Turbulence follows the lives of a group of young, gifted and clueless 20-somethings finding their feet and chasing their dreams. It tells the story of a failing music venue set to close its doors. Manager Keith launches a last ditch Battle of the Bands competition. More by accident than by design, musical genius is unleashed by a rapping transvestite, some precocious indie rockers and a barmaid with a golden voice, who together save the world they love.
 
The film is the brain-child of BAFTA-award winning producer/director team Natasha Carlish and Michael B Clifford, and was shot on location in Birmingham and Kings Heath. The actors (David Alwyn, Adrian Banks, Emma Pearce, Connor Mills, Shay O’Driscoll and Sophie Waller) are all graduates of Birmingham School of Acting. The film has been co-produced by Julia Higginbottom of Jewellery Quarter based Rebel Uncut.
 
Speaking about the film’s progress to date Director, Michael Clifford said: “We’ve had some great screenings for the film. Now, releasing on DVD is a new milestone – and to think we’ve done that entirely by ourselves is deeply satisfying”.

Monday Night Football

December 12, 2011 Blog, Just me No comments
football-collectables

2011 has seen my life fall into two distinct categories; before co-habitation (BC) and all domesticated (AD).

The move from BC to AD was relatively simple on most grounds, I washed clothes, did housework and cooked during the years before co-habiting, now there is simply bit more washing, a few more ingredients for dinner – and to be honest sometimes I get to do nothing as someone else is there to do it (otherwise known as AD bliss).

The one phenomenon that is new to life is Monday night football.

I’d adjusted and begrudgingly accepted football appearing at the weekends and ever so often a midweek game would crop up. Saturday afternoon, Saturday’s Match of the Day, Sunday afternoon followed, of course, by Sunday’s MOTD2 was enough quite frankly. The odd midweek game could be avoided and forgiven by a long hot soak in the tub. But Monday night too?

BC I was oblivious to all this. Monday night football was an American thing as far as I was aware! Monday was usually my alone night and, thankfully, between the astronomic costs of Virgin Media and living alone I ‘couldn’t afford’ Sky Sports (among other excuses) (but seriously – it’s basically the cost of a good haircut).

So it has come to another Monday night game and I’m sitting here adjusted my Christmas wish list! So, Santa ‘baby’ hurry down my chimney and bring the good girl I’ve been an intermittent fault on my sky box – the timing of which is fully controllable by moi! It can be our little secret Santa – and a happy new year it will be!

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