I for sure mostly certainly am.  I might read a couple or go online and see if there is something that vaguely interests me in one of the sales, but in fairness, it ends there.

This month though, in an attempt to declutter my life, I have made a commitment to dramatically cut down on the number of articles in an embarrasing number of wardrobes that I have filled in my house.

Searching around for advice, here’s a few of the most sensible, practical and doable ideas that I know I can actually put into practice.

Don’t just think that if you haven’t worn it for a year or two then bin it. If you have the space to store it and it’s still unworn, it’s vintage or it’s a classic and you absolutely love it and it still fits, then keep it. Fashion has a habit of reinventing itself.

Start with the easy bits. I’ve started by chucking out old creams, make-up and other toiletries that I always intended to use but never got round to.  Old perfumes that have gone off I’m using as exotic air fresheners in my toilet and bathroom.  I’ve even put some down a smelly sink – it smells great now and expensive!

I’ll move onto my underwear draws next.  Nothing quite like throwing out old socks, miss matched underwear and grey pants.

Then I’ve decided that it’s the T Shirt draw next. Old T Shirts and tops that have got miss shaped in the wash, or got a stain on that I never managed to get out properly and that I wouldn’t even wear under a jumper curled up on the sofa watching TV will be gone.

Shoes.  I love my shoe collection but I have far too many (Imelda Marcos springs to mind) and many of them I wouldn’t dream of wearing again.  You see, for a lady of a certain age, 5 inch killer heels that I can barely stand up in doesn’t do a great deal for the posture never mind the street cred when you’ve fallen over onto your backside in front of a group of teenagers! 

Clothes. I have a number of outfits that I still aspire to getting in to, which practically, will never ever happen.  Those that can’t be sold on sites like EBay, I will try to car boot.  Others I will take down a charity shop (Cancer UK) and the rest I intend to offer to my friends at a girlie evening where I will put a charity donation bucket at the door for them to contribute to once they’ve taken their pick.  Makes me feel good too.

Any clothes that I keep I will get a second opinion on before I do. A great excuse for my friends to tell me how I really look in them!  And a bit of honesty will always help you when you’re detoxing your wardrobe!

Last but not least.  I’m going to get sensible and arrange my clothes into areas of my life such as slopping around the house, business meetings, casual trips out, holidays, jackets and coats.  Some people like to arrange their clothes into top half and bottom half items, some like to organise them into colours.  I’ve tried this a couple of times but find that I get lazy in putting clean clothes back in their right places and in a matter of weeks, my wardrobe looks a mess again!

The big plan is to have this little lot completed by the end of January.  If anyone has any other sensible tips – please pass them on.

Millions of motorists fear they will be priced off the road this year, according to a poll by AXA car insurance.

Four in ten motorists say they would use the car less in 2012 if the costs associated with driving continue to rise, and one in 13 have already been forced to stop.

Ah, so that is why second car sales are such good value for money at the moment and probably why him in doors bought me a lovely new motor for Christmas knowing I could not afford to run it! He is now so binned.

Almost half (44%) admit they enjoy driving less than they used to, largely down to the cost (68%). This is striking in comparison to last year’s figures, when cost clearly had less impact on motorists’ habits (just 38% admitted they enjoyed driving less than they used to, and 38% blamed the cost).

Of course, in the last year motorists have seen fuel prices soar from 127.7 pence a litre of unleaded in January to a record high of 137.43 per litre in May, with warnings of a possible 145p next summer. Indeed, if petrol prices rise to £1.50-£1.60, one in eight say they will have to seriously consider driving less or even stop driving, while a further one in eight will be stopped by any increase to £2.01-£2.20.

Moreover, it is not just fuel drivers are worried about: 16% said they will have to consider driving less or even stop driving if insurance premiums go up.

Get this, however; some drivers are so concerned about the costs of driving that they would consider breaking the law!  Almost one in ten said they would drive a car with no insurance, 6% would drive without taxing their car and 3% said they would be happy to drive away from a petrol station without paying for fuel. Oh that is really so sad yet so inevitable if you think about it.

Some drivers are more business like and would think of charging their friends and family for lifts!

Well I can’t say I blame them for it is a jolly good idea really. Far better than driving illegally without tax or insurance.

Come on Mr Transport Secretary. Give us motorists a break. Reduce the outlandish tax on fuel that lines your pockets leaving ours empty.

In the meantime –

Top Tips To Keep Motoring Costs Down

1. Buy a cheaper more economical car.
2. Before signing on the dotted line, find out how much the insurance premiums are, how much the road tax is and how much the combined fuel economy is. So do your maths first and if this is over your monthly budget, put the Ferrari back and choose a Fiat.
3. Never fill the car up. Firstly you cannot afford to, and secondly it puts more weight on the car thus uses more fuel that effectively is money down the drain or rather in the Treasurer’s pocket.
4. Decide if your journey is really necessary. Can you walk; take the bus even the train or tube?
5. Invest in a bicycle – just in case. You will be fitter more energetic and money saved from running a car could pay for a lovley well deserved Spa break.

Ah Just imagine the massages, the spa pools, the smell of expensive oils wafting from the treatment rooms and relaxing in peace with that book you bought five years ago and never go around to reading.  That should take the sting out of dumping the motor.

Jackie Violet
Motoring Correspondent

the New Grand Cherokee 3.0 V6 Limited

What is it? The ultimate SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) as it combines the rugged Jeep 4X4 capability with on-road refinement. Oh and a huge dollop of sophisticated luxury.

Who would want one? Any wealthy confident women who could take on the large Cherokee in her stride and who will not let snow, ice or muddy roads deter her from driving to the shops.

The exhilarating thrill: Powered by a stonking turbo charged 3-litre V6 CRD diesel engine, this vehicle roars to 60 mph in just 8.2 seconds and has a top speed of 126 mph ensuring you get to the sales first!

Wow factors to make the neighbours go green: Trust me, they will not be speaking to you for days courtesy of 18-inch alloy wheels with all terrain tyres to start with. Then comes the huge bonnet with a massive chrome grille falling into the colour coded bumper with integrated fog lights. To profile are colour coded door handles, body strips and colour coded electrically adjustable heated door mirrors plus roof rails. Round to the rear is a roof spoiler, neat light clusters, rear fog lights and the all important Bright exhaust tailpipes that will keep following drivers at bay.

On the other hand… it is very very big and even I will have to admit to finding parking the beast a bit of a problem and much to the childrens amusement found myself going to the furthest quietest part of the car park to battle out this manoeuvre.

Where would the sunglasses fit? Surprisingly, as this car seems to have everything else, not its own sunglasses holder, but plenty of options like the deep door pockets, dual glove boxes, or the illuminated cup holders or more likely, inside the centre armrest.

Will it take the shopping? Is the Pope Catholic? Try filling up the boot of the vehicle with 782 litres of space complete with cargo cover, cargo net and cargo tie downs so nothing escapes! That is a challenge. This extends to 1554 litres if the rear seats are folded flat. That’s Mission Impossible. On bring on the sales.

Helping hands well this is more like a full time nanny helping you out here. Quadra-Trac 11 4WD system along with Selec Terrain System and Quadra-Lift air suspension will see you conquer any terrain will sheer ease. Then come automatic headlamps, Bi-Xenon HID headlamps, rain sensing wipers, rear view auto dimming mirror, cruise control, Keyless Enter-N-Go, ParkSense – front and rear parking sensors, rear view camera, electric windows all round and the wonderful powered operated tailgate to take the strain from you arms that are laden with shopping bags.

Creature Comforts to luxuriate in is like being in a Spa for cars. Heated leather electrically adjustable front seats with 8-way memory seat settings that also include your favourite radio station and the settings on the mirrors. No more nagging from him indoors over having to adjust everything when “he” gets to drive this.

Then there are the heated steering wheel, heated rear seats that the children loved, leather upholstery including the gear lever and handbrake, dual zone automatic air conditioning and electric sunroof. Then comes the entertainment package that is far superior to my one at home! This comprises of an Alpine surround sound system of 9 speakers and subwoofer, iPod connector, remote USB port, Uconnect navigation system, Uconnect Bluetooth with voice command all through a media centre with a 6.5 inch touch screen display and – get this – 30 GB hard drive with 6,700 song capacity!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Its most annoying feature: There is so much gadgetry on the car that you have to spend an awful lot of time working out all the devices wasting valuable off roading time.

The quirkiest accessory: Has to be the innovative Quadra Lift air suspension that offers five height settings for optimum ride performance so basically the more dodgy the terrain gets, the more the suspension lifts making it such a smooth ride you would not realise you were driving over a potholed roads.  Coupled with the Selec-Terrain the driver simply turns a dial to change settings from either sand /mud, sport for more fun driving, Auto – boring but reliable, snow, great fun or rock that appears effortless. This really is a very clever vehicle indeed.

Avoiding the costly repair shop is virtually guaranteed thanks to anti-lock 4 wheel disc HD brakes, performance brakes with sports suspension, ESP with ABS and ERM (Electronic Roll Mitigation), Traction Control, Hill Descent Control, Hill Start Assist, and a tyre pressure monitoring display. For those who like to tow, there is a Trailer Sway control, which reduces trailer sway and improves handling in adverse towing conditions.  Trust me, this vehicle will simply stay where you want it to be regardless of road or weather conditions.

Keeping your precious cargo safe:  are a plethora of airbags including advanced multi stage front airbags, front seat mounted side airbags, supplemental side airbags and side curtain airbags. All the seats have active head restraints and 3-point seatbelts with the two outer rear seats Isofix anchorage points. Just in case, the Cherokee comes with an enhanced accident response system

Avoiding it being nicked is on par with trying to nick the crown jewels. One would have to break through the Thatcham Category 1 alarm and immobiliser systems, smash the laminated front door glass, or battle against the Sentry Key Theft Deterrent System. Another Mission Impossible.

Star rating: 4.5/5 due to the parking issues despite rear and front parking sensors and a rear view camera – it is a battle to park nicely and neatly in one parking bay.

Consider: If money no object, the other trim Overland but on the same engine and gearbox, that has a few more toys including 20 inch alloy wheels, blind spot and rear crossover detection and forward collision warning to name a few which will set you back £43,360.

Web link: http://www.chrysler.com/

By Jackie Violet
Motoring Correspondent 

At a Glance
Test Model:  New Grand Cherokee Limited
RRP: £36,795
Transmission: 5-Speed Automatic
0-62mph: 8.2 seconds
Top speed: 126 mph
Combined Fuel: 27.4 mpg
Insurance Group: 37
CO2 emissions: 218 g/km
Horsepower: 177 hp @ 3600 rpm
Torque: 550 Nm @ 1800 rpm

It’s easy to become uninspired and lack creativity when your workspace is a dull, grey box. If this sounds like your office, David Brent-alike optional, there are few measures you can take to liven the place up a bit. The following 10 tips should help make Monday morning less of a chore and you might even start to look forward to work!

1.      Choose funky chairs
A good office chair is usually about back support but that doesn’t mean you should compromise on the fun factor. Check out some of these colourful suggestions to add a little pizzazz to your work space!

Top tip: Mix and match different styles and colours to create a more unique look.
The modern New York office chair is functional as well as funky and the vibrant orange is sure to kick start your creativity.

2.      Start a ‘cool stuff’ board
This is a great way to encourage sharing of ideas and interests in your office environment. If you work from home and on your own, adding pics of your family or things you want to achieve can help make your workspace feel more homely or motivating!

3.      Get Spotify and nominate a DJ
Inject some fun into your office with a DJ democracy. Organise spontaneous ‘stick it on’ days and mix things up with themed playlists, so nobody’s musical taste gets ignored. Putting music on shuffle can also generate creativity, which may help you think about projects from different angles.

4.      Plants and flowers
Not only do plants energise a bland room, they’re also proven to help reduce stress and absorb toxins. Flowers such as lilies and jasmine have strong aromas which permeate – leaving your office smelling sweet and you feeling good.

5.      Pictures and photography
A simple option to spruce up plain walls is to pick out photography or pictures that inspire you. Be bold and make a statement in your office. Employees and clients alike will appreciate a sense of identity and individuality.

6.      Create a DVD/book library
All work and no play makes… a very dull workplace! So why not encourage employees to bring in books and films to share on a communal bookcase? You never know what may inspire a great idea!

7.      Start a Friday bake off!
There’s nothing like a bit of healthy competition at work and a bake-off creates something tasty for the whole office to enjoy.

8.      Have a five minute quiz
Pick a day once a week to send a five minute quiz to co-workers. Nominate a quiz master to write a few questions on a theme (work related or otherwise) and e-mail them to everybody to bring a bit of fun to their in boxes. You could give a prize to the winner or make the loser do a tea round.

9.      Accessorise your desk
Your personal workspace can seriously affect the way you feel during the day. Having an inspiring desk can make you think more creatively and simply cheer you up a bit. Investing in some colourful stationary that you actually like to use can help with your motivation, as well as making your desk look inviting.

10.  Comfy break out areas
Not everyone is their most creative at a desk so it’s important to create other comfortable areas that can be used when a change of scenery is required. Colourful beanbags, cushions, sofas and textured rugs, placed in a dedicated area, will create an inviting break-out space.

‘Marriage shock’ is the name given to the realisation that every noise or annoying habit from your new husband is something you’ve got to live with for the rest of your life – thus leading to a feeling of fear and shock for newlyweds.

Is it comforting or concerning to look at a man and think ‘I’ll be with him forever’? (But isn’t that the idea of marriage?)

Do you think things change after the marriage ceremony?

Did you have a moment of realisation and did it scare you?

Share your stories with Real Women Today…

Does being famous provide automatic freedom of speech that allows celebrities to say what they want when they want?

The lovely Mr Clarkson is well known for doing just this. Remember when he hit the headlines with his throw away comment about the death of the Morecambe cockle pickers in 2004.  His latest declaration joins his recent faux pas on India’s poor living standards mentioned in the Xmas Top Gear special and his suggestion on The One Show that striking public workers should be executed!

What on earth gives our TV celebrities the right to make such out of date comments?  Just because they have a TV presence doesn’t make them an authority on a subject!

Shouldn’t we be using the controversial ‘Gagging Order’ aimed at the press to get these so called ‘celebrities’ to keep their mouths shut?

What do you think?

So what is swinging?

Wikipedia describes it as ‘non-monogamousbehaviour, in which both partners in a committed relationship agree, as a couple, for both partners to engage in sexual activities with other couples as a recreational or social activity.^’

Swingers will tell you that swinging is a lifestyle that people take part in as a couple but single men and women can also join in.

A bit of history
Swinging isn’t a modern day concept born out of the ‘Swinging 60s’ nor is it restricted to western countries. Orgies have been happening since the Roman times. The Kama Sutra talks about sex with various partners in all sorts of positions. History records go back as far as the 16^th Century where it was referred to as ‘spouse trading!’  Documents from the 18^th, 19^th and 20^th century clearly list ‘wife swapping’ and ‘wife lending’ as recognised activities both in the UK and European societies and as tribal activities in Africa, New Guinea and South America.
Quite common when you look around then!

Where does it happen?
Swinging can take place in a number of contexts, ranging from spontaneous sexual activity at an informal social gathering of friends, at planned or regular social gatherings or by getting together with like-minded couples at clubs, swinger’s holidays and parties and these days, through a number of internet based introduction services.

What happens?
As a general rule, swinging couples engage in conventional sexual activities, but with other partners. Penetrative sex by a swinging partner is referred to as a full swap; while non-penetrative sex, such as oral sex, is referred to as a soft swap.

New swinging couples often choose a soft swap before they are comfortable with a full swap, although many couples stay “soft swap” for personal or safety related reasons. Soft swinging occurs when the couple engages in sexual activities while two or more other couples perform sex acts in the immediate vicinity.

Why do it?
No one really knows the answer to this question, just as no one knows exactly why some people are gay and others are straight or bisexual. Some people are very happy with monogamous relationships, and argue that a monogamous relationship promises security and stability.  Others feel more fully loved and feel they can experience deeper intimacy in an exclusive relationship with one person.

Couples engage in sexual activities with others for a variety of reasons, and the reasons are not necessarily the same for both partners. Some partners engage in these activities to add some spice into a conventional sex life or for curiosity. Others treat swinging sessions as a means of satisfying their heightened sexual desires.

Some couples say that swinging has improved their relationship; others state that they have no problem with the jealousy aspects.

Other swingers claim that they take part in order to not cheat on their partners and that their marriages are stronger because they don’t have affairs and they don’t lie to each other.

 Swinging Do’s and Don’ts

• Make sure you know what to expect.
• Make sure you always use protection – no sexual encounter is worth taking a health risk!
• Don’t pretend or feel pressurised to take part if it really isn’t for you.
• Take the opportunity to live out your fantasies and try new things without fear of retribution
• Don’t be rushed or pushed into something by anyone, including our own partner.
• Make sure you’re having fun. If you’re not, it’s not for you, so leave.

Having never felt the need to go to a swinging party, I don’t really understand the concept.  If I was unhappy in a relationship, I would end it first before moving onto other sexual partners.  I do know of single people who have been to parties out of curiosity and the need for sexual excitement in a new environment.

I don’t believe that there would ever be a time when I turned to a swingers parties to benefit a relationship or to feed an urge but I do believe that everyone has the freedom to choose and that swinging may be an option that encourages/excites/adds depth to your relationship.  Whatever floats your boat!

What do you think?

Relationship breakdowns are difficult and traumatic for everyone involved.  They can be made worse when your rights regarding any property you own are unclear and unwritten and you could find yourself involved in lengthy court proceedings to resolve the issues.

The rights of co habiting, unmarried couples are a hot subject at the moment due to a Supreme Court judgement that took place in November 2011.  In the case of Jones v Kernott, the interest of the unmarried couple in their property where the legal title was held in joint names with no express statement of how it was to be shared if they separated was in question.

Miss Jones and Mr Kernott had two children together and purchased a property in joint names in 1995 using money from the sale of Miss Jones house as a deposit.

They shared the mortgage and upkeep on the property until their separation.  After which Miss Jones continued to live in the property and had been solely responsible for its mortgage and upkeep for over twelve years after their split.

Years of court battles ensued and following her appeal, it was ruled by the Supreme Court that Miss Jones was entitled to retain 90% of the equity in the property previously jointly owned with her former partner, Mr Kernott.  This was a change from the 50% entitlement prescribed by the property law.

Although this decision was very case specific, it does show that the law has begun to move forward to allow the courts to reach a view about what the parties intended and what a fair outcome should look like.

Obviously, at the beginning of a relationship, no one wants to discuss how things like property should be divvied up should they spilt, but a conversation followed by some kind of legal paperwork should be considered at some point.  Particularly if one of the partners has put in a substantial amount of money individually for deposits or improvements.  It could save a lot of time, heartache, expense and stress if things do go wrong.

For more information have a look at:

http://www.lawontheweb.co.uk/Family_Law/Cohabitation

http://www.compactlaw.co.uk/free-legal-information/relationships-family-law/unmarried-couples.html

Promoted as a delicate moisturiser that has been formulated for use around aged areas of the eye’s that works by reducing fine lines, dark circles and puffiness around the eye’s and helps revitalise and refresh the skin around the eyes.

It does contain Pro-Vitamin B5 and has been dermatologically tested but unfortunately after many months of use – it hasn’t reduced the dark circles around my eyes.

It has softened the skin and has been useful in combating areas of dry skin on my eyelids but that wasn’t the main reason for my purchase.

Normally a big fan of Olay products but unfortunately in my case, this product just didn’t do its job.

Varying prices at on-line stores ranging between £4.95 and £9

Suddenly, out of nowhere one appears in front of you. The heart skips a beat, the stomach becomes knotted and hairs stand on end through sheer terror. Even the most rational drivers are reduced to gibbering wrecks, blinded by the sweat now dripping dangerously into their eyes.

The fear of what the driver has just seen, coupled with total disbelief at how this can be physically possible, wells up like an erupting volcano.

What is this monstrosity that dares to invade our roads?

Headless drivers!

There is one again, right in front of you. A car being driven by – well no one it appears. How is that possible? OK, cars are laden with so much technology these days that a driver is sometimes left to simply point and go. Cars will brake for you in case you do not see an obstruction. They will maintain a designated speed thanks to adaptive cruise control. However, no manufacturer that I know of has yet to develop a car that drives on its own without a human being inside.

Yet they exist on our roads. I have seen them myself through boggling eyes. Even the children have spotted them. ‘Look mummy, that car is driving on its own,’ they scream in terror. I lean into the windscreen to get a better view, not wishing to get too close and sure enough I cannot see anything except the headrest. Yet the car is moving, albeit a bit slower than the rest of us. It stops at the traffic lights rather quickly. It moves eventually then turns off suddenly.

As it leaves the road I draw level with the car and look gingerly across. Blow me down. A person is in fact driving the car but they are so low in the seat they cannot be seen. Are they embarrassed by the car they are driving or are they so dim-witted they have not thought to raise the seat up or use a wedge cushion so they can see over their steering wheel?

No wonder they drive erratically because they cannot see the end of their bonnet, making it virtually impossible to see and read the road properly.

Headless drivers. More like mindless drivers. I tell you if I were Queen I would have their heads off. Well that is a bit drastic so instead I have devised some top tips to ensure the extinction of such monsters:

Top tips to ensure the correct driving position:

1. Use the seat adjuster to pump up the height. Ideally the shoulders should be in line with the top rim of the steering wheel that will give you the best commanding view of the road ahead.

2. If you are not sure, get somehow to stand in front of the car, and they should be able to see you head and shoulders through the windscreen.

3. If you do not have a height adjuster, then invest in a wedge cushion from any mobility shop or if you happen to be a whiz at the sewing machine, buy a square bit of foam the same size as your seat, and cut it to form a wedge shape then make a pretty seat covering. You will need to sit on the foam before you cut it to work out how deep the wedge should actually be.

4. Make sure your arms are not cramped to your body nor stretched out to far but have a natural bend at the elbows.

5. To reduce leg pain make sure your legs are level and not raised up that will cause sever pressure on your spine and much discomfort. The rest of the leg from the knee down should be a natural angle.

6. Keep the heel on the floor for security so it is not dangling in limbo land and swivel your ankle from one pedal to another.

You will be amazed at the wonderful things you will see if driving in the correct driving position oh and may even spot of those perilous things that you used to be – a headless driver

Jackie Violet
Motoring Correspondent