Shopaholic? Me?

Its that time of year again. Car needs a service. I hate having to deal with that. I am not talking about things like brake rotors and changing oil and spark plugs but more the fact that still there still is sexism when it comes to women and cars. You can go to the manufacturer, where everyone gets treated equally -  everyone gets overcharged. Or go to a mechanic and get ripped off as a woman.

The alternative is to send a guy or take one with you. And we are meant to live in a world of equality!

We are going through a Mango phase and I searched to buy some Mango goodies. I have tried Fresh obviously, ready prepared, and dried. I love the dried ones particularly the ones from the Philipines. I have tried Shampoo, Conditioner and body toiletries. Loved smelling nice. I tried it in ice-creams, smoothies and drinks. And I wanted to try it in food… so I did a search and found that african mango extract can be used to lose weight. But frankly, I am not dieting… so anyone has any nice recipes?

We saw some TV’s in the shops today, and we are still arguing over what to get. You see I would like one of these new 3d Tv’s but hubby says they are too new! He complains about HD TV’s because not everything is HD and when something is transmitted and is not HD, the visual is not so sharp. And then there is plasma versus LCD tvs and we still cannot come to any conclusion.

I think I am going to have to wait for our TV to die… and then we probably will have to wait for the kids tv to die and hopefully we then might come up with some agreement!

Last week I went on a business course. You see I was wondering if I could turn my need to shop into a money earner  such as shopping for a living. They went through everything from setting up a business plan to franchise opportunities to VAT, Accounts, Tax and Payroll. Oh my head…. but still if I could shop for a living.

Does anyone want to pay me to shop for them?

My son went to a party and came back with a balloon (as is often the case). The nice bit was that for once it was done decently and HiFloated – and this means that the balloon lasts at least a week… which means a happy child for a week.

So when buying balloons – get them Hi-Floated. (This is only applicable to latex balloons).

I just heard that my brother has decided to embark on an online business degree while working as cabin crew and seeing the world. I must say that is life. Mind you, when I worked as cabin crew, I spent as much as I earnt. I liked the high life but it was high maintenance too. You have access to all reknowned brand names and at discount prices… it was hard… nay impossible to resist. My dressing table was overflowing with YSL, Clarins, Chanel and more. My wine cupboard was filled with wines from all over the world and my larder filled with all sorts of decadent treats. The only thing that I have to show for it now, is an ever so expanded waistline!

Well, shows he has a good head on his shoulders, I hope. I wish him the very best!

BRO…. do well or else… I am still your big SIS!

As strange as it sounds I like winter. I like the cold dark nights, the smokiness when you blow out into the cold air, and best of all the warmth when you get indoors. I like sitting by a glowing fire and drinking hot chocolate with melted marshmallows. I like huddling up with my hubby on a cold night in front of the fire. I like snow, skiing and snowmen!

The only issue is the icy fingers and most of the time gloves are so bulky you cannot do anything. You struggle to hold children’s hands and you cannot do anything. But I found a pair of gloves that work. They are warm enough to beat the most freezing of conditions, yet soft enough for comfort and movement. They fit well, though I suspect you might need to go for a larger size as a general rule because I am a female and these are Men’s Ski Gloves. Although they are men’s, I think they are very unisex and frankly I love them.

The gloves are water proof and breathable. They have “DryShell” inserts inbetween the glove and lining  to prevent moisture getting in but still allowing air to circulate. How cool is that? I won’t just be keeping them for skiing but for my every day use too!

In case you want to know you can find Barts Men Ski Gloves on Twitter and FaceBook.

Spring is in the air. My daffodils are growing and so are my lilies and tulips and my house needs airing! So today I started with my kitchen. I pulled out everything from my utensils to my pots and to my sweet cupboard. I removed all the forgotten and shamefully expired stuff. And now it feels so fresh.

The best bit is that now I can get to go shopping to make it feel new. Perhaps I can get some new tea towels in a new colour or maybe even some kitchen gadgets or utensils.

Can you believe that I am already thinking about Easter? I think it might have to do with how early it was last year despite how late it is this year. However it is a good thing, because as always, I have to send gifts overseas. Mostly it works quite easily as I buy a batch of eggs and post. But as always getting a gift for my brothers (besides the egg is always a nightmare). And to complicate things they are both so different, so I cannot get away with 2 of the same present. I also have to get something for my sister ( a whole lot easier) but then there is her partner. Do I have to send gifts for him? I wonder if I can get away with just Easter Eggs. I think I need to find the best priced Eggs!

When I first found out Woolies was back (at least online), I was overjoyed. If I knew then, what I know now… well.. I would not have even given it a second thought.

On the 18th January I placed an order. I was under the impression that they offered a next day service. Except on check out I was informed that Party items can take a few working days. Thank heavens I left some time for the party rather than waited for acceptance confirmations for quantity. Delivery date arrived and most thing did not arrive… and there was just a couple of days to go and I thought “perhaps tomorrow”. Delivery never came. I had to change the theme of my son’s party to whatever I could find on the high street at the last moment. Can you imagine his little face when I told him I could not keep my promise of his having a Toy Story Party. I felt like a failure as a mother.

I also ordered a chest of drawers. AFTER placing the order, I found out it was going to be delivered on the 23rd February. Yes, more than a month after placing the order. I liked it, so I grinned and beared it. Only for the 23rd February to come and go and my chest to not arrive. I chased after it. They keep saying things like “it takes 5 days to look into it”. And today I looked at my account only to find that it has been cancelled. And they haven’t even bothered to inform me (and there is no refund on my account).

I am livid to say the least. I call them. They tell me that I have been refunded but it takes 10 working days to show. It is still not showing. I go as far as to tell them how dissappointed I am because the LEAST they could have done was dished out an email. You would think they would try to placate a customer and try to encourage them to buy from them again by giving them something like a discount voucher or credit note. That is ok by me, I won’t be buying there again especially because when I did try to buy I DID NOT receive. And I am telling you this, so that you don’t get caught in the same trap. After all there are plenty of other places who are ready to sell, to deliver and to stick to their promises.

(I will be letting them know about this post – and I invite them to post their comments below).