Money doesn't always equal happiness

Money. Money makes the world go round. Or so everyone leads you to believe. I was one of these people who spent money like water. I wanted to do everything and anything. I still do. But I don't have a full time job. So that makes it kinda hard.

At first I was unbelievably upset that I couldn't have my monthly spree on ASOS, treat myself to a Pret baguette or go out for spontaneous Friday night drinks. I moped around whining and sulking about the fact my bank account wasn't regularly being topped up by wages.  But then all my family, boyfriend and friends rallied round me. I realised money wasn't the centre of my happiness. They were.

When everything comes crashing down around you, you start to question where you are in life and how you get out of the rut, these are the people who have your back. They're the people who help you realise nothing's the end of the world. You just have to pick yourself up, dust yourself down and get back on the life road full steam ahead. They help you belly laugh, smile until your jaw aches and help you get back in the game. If they're lovely boys, they may even buy you a beautiful bunch of flowers to let you know they're thinking of you. Or if they're good parents they'll bring you home a bottle of perfume from their travels and treat you to dominos to cheer you up. Or friends who send you hilarious memes to remind you why you're friends in the first place.

Next time you feel down about your lack of friends, remember money isn't central to your happiness. The people you surround yourself by are. Don't take them for granted.

Read more

Introducing the new ASDA Italian ready meal range

Ready meals have such a bad reputation. They're billed as tasteless, unhealthy and quite frankly, a little bit rubbish. However, ASDA were having none of this and took themselves to explore the many regions of Italy to ensure an authentic taste. Pretty cool eh? Each one features truly local ingredients and they've really work hard to ensure they're packed full of intense and gorgeous flavour.

I luckily got to try four different dishes - it's a hard job but someone had to do it. I was very impressed with the quality and the rich flavour of each meal.They didn't have any of the blandness you come to expect from a ready meal. I'm usually a bit of a snob but I had to eat my words - and pasta! - when it came to these dishes. My personal favourite were the chunky succulent pork meatballs in a fresh tomato sauce served with thick bucatini pasta. ASDA have tried really hard to use a variety of pastas to help their customers experiment. Non-pasta dishes have also been introduced such as gnocchi and potatoes. 

Not content with bringing 18 brand new ready meals to the shelves, they've introduced a new chilled fresh-baked breads to the equation. Keep an eye out for the incredible sweet caramelised onion bread topped with gooey cheese. Perfection!

The ready meal range starts at just £2.18 making them great if you're on a tight budget one week yet don't want to compromise on taste. They're three for £6 at the minute too - catch them while you can!

Read more

Exploring the UK: Whitstable, Kent

Last weekend we decided to have a spontaneous trip to the Seaside for some fish and chips. Not really knowing where to go, we had a handful of places in Kent that were possibilities. As we were driving down the motorway, we saw a turn off for Whitstable and decided to take a chance. What a good decision that was!

Whitstable is such a quaint little seaside town full of pastel coloured houses, oyster shacks and cute, quirky boutiques. We only ventured down to the harbour which wasn't the most picturesque of seafronts but realised there was a whole other beach that we didn't discover as we drove home. Next time!

We stuffed our faces with the most delicious fish and chips at VC Jones. The crispy battered haddock, chunky chips and the curry sauce were the perfect Saturday afternoon treat. After a wander in a few of the boutiques, a quick browse of an old fashioned sweet shop for some strawberry bon bons and a pitstop for some salty cockles, we headed back. October isn't too warm by the seaside!

It was such a lovely afternoon and made me realise just how much I loved wandering along a seafront soaking up the salty sea air and gazing out longingly at the coast. I often forget we're a tiny little island in the middle of North Sea! The trip was short but sweet so I'll definitely be back as soon as the elusive sunshine appears!

Read more