The Benefits Of Keeping Bingo In Your Travels

If you have a zeal for new experiences, then there is nothing that can beat traveling. You can never be too old to chase after your dreams. A huge delusion for many people is that to travel to any part of the world, you will have to have made your savings but that doesn’t really happen until much later in life, by which point many may feel too old to pack up and leave. Well that is why traveling is a dream to be pursued and realized by anyone, at any age.

Traveling is a hobby that everyone holds very close to their hearts, but for me it has been more of a learning experience. Traveling not only helps to refresh from one’s every day monotonous life, but also gives us an opportunity to see and experience something new. 

What can be even more interesting than traveling? For those who love traveling, it has always been the most self-gratifying experience you will have in your life. There is nothing more alluring than the ever-green ridge, beautiful ranches, the feel of a new city, the experience of diverse culture and much more. Personally I feel traveling teaches us a lot about life, as we get know the outlook various people have about life.

When you actually plan to travel somewhere alone orwith family or with friends, you have to take care of a lot of things. Because if we set everything right, no one can stop us from having the most amazing experience ever. Traveling itself works as a great stress reliever but there is another way we can keep ourselves occupied or relaxed during a long journey.

It’s called online bingo. The abundance of bingo sites available over the internet makes it possible for us to try out different sites every time when you travel and get various experiences out all the games available on each of these sites. 

Recently, when I came across a very unique site called GameVillage. The site is themed and designed in an enticing way with an attractive village ambiance and an extensive range of games. If you play on GameVillage Bingo, you will find that the site has welcome bonuses and other promotions that can benefit players immensely. 

According to me, traveling and bingo are inseparable. It help me take a break and feel all the more relaxed. I can actually consider these as the openers to a peaceful and blissful life...

A Teenagers Wish List For Christmas

I will most probably be shot for mentioning  the "C" word already but take it from me when you work in retail you realize that its never too early to start thinking about Christmas. With that in mind I figured it was about time I got my butt into gear and started making a dent in the Christmas shopping (however small that dent may be) I must admit when it comes to Christmas I am most definitely an "early bird" and start really early on in the year even bagging as many bargains as I can in the boxing day sales ready to put away for the following  Christmas. This year however most of you who follow my blog will know of the tragedy that hit our family recently. With that and all the extra added stress I never even gave Christmas a second thought so I have been left to now panic at the upcoming holiday and the realization that there are a mere 3 paydays left before the big day.

As I have been collecting bits here and there to hide away, It came to my attention just how much Aalliyahs Christmas list has changed. There was a time when Scooby doo figures and Pop up pirate would have been top of her list. Now it seems to be filled with Games consoles, clothing, make up and every other thing that a teenage girl simply "must" have in their life. I say every year that finding the perfect gifts for her becomes harder and harder but this year Its safe to say I am totally stumped! Beside the obvious requests I have no idea what to get. I do love surprise presents and don't want her knowing each and every gift like so many other teenagers I know. Everyone loves getting surprises right? No matter how old they get.

I thought I'd share just a few things on her wish list this year. I would love to hear what's on your children's Christmas list this year? Do you have a demanding teenager to buy for? How does their list compare to Aalliyahs? I'd love to hear some suggestions and maybe pick up a few tips on what to buy!

Aalliyahs Wish List For Christmas 2016

PS4 - Like most teenagers, a games console is top of her list. She already has an Xbox 360 which she plays less and less nowadays and I think it's used more for watching YouTube videos and connecting with her friends.

Make Up - Ok, so this isn't so much a request from her but more so from me. Every single morning I wake up to go to work and find my make up bag has been raided! So I think its definitely time for her to start her own collection. I do have some favourite brands when it comes to make up. Simply for quality and one of them is Mac Cosmetics. There is a lovely little Mac shop in Bicester Village  so I am hoping to get her some lovely little things to start her collection up.

Clothing - Very wide spectrum here! I feel I know her style enough to be confident in choosing things myself but you can guarantee Ill no doubt be wrong so would rather just get her direction on this one. She has mentioned certain items of clothing in particular such as an Adidas jacket but as for everything else is very vague. She has asked for bomber jackets, leggings, crop tops, skinny jeans... Where do I even start with those? After scoping out a lot of fashion stores I have found a great variety of clothing from Esprit. A great range and definitely on trend.

So... That's the lot! See what I have to work with? Not a lot really. I just hope she starts dropping some more hints from now until December otherwise her present selection will be more like a lucky dip ;)

Ten Top Tips For Keeping Your Dog Cool This Summer

So with the weather heating up dramatically lately here in the UK, its no surprise that most of us are seriously suffering in the heat. Even as I write this, its past 1am and I just can't sleep because of the hot and humid weather. It's vital that we don't forget that out furry friends are also suffering so here are ten top tips to help your pooch stay cool this summer.

1. Water - Ok, So this seems like an obvious suggestion but keeping your dog hydrated is vital. Always make sure there is plenty of water readily available to your pooch and if you are going out pop out an extra bowl of water just in case.
2. Shade - If your pooch spends some or a lot of their time outside make sure they have a shaded area they can retreat to when laying in the rays becomes too much. If you have no naturally shaded spots in your garden then make one using a parasol, gazebo or anything else you have to hand.
3. Ice Ice Baby - No I'm not talking about the classic Vanilla Ice track we all loved to bust a move to back in the day. Pop a few ice cubes into your dogs water bowl. The water quickly raises in temperature in this heat and the ice cubes will help keep it cooler for longer.
4. Paddling Pool - You can pick up some inexpensive pools now in many discount and pound stores. These may not be ideal to go swim ten lengths in but are perfect for your pooch to laze around in when they feel the urge to cool off.
5. Parked Cars - Again it seems like an obvious one but never lock up and leave your dog in the car. You have all seen the horror stories on the news involving not just dogs but babies too! The temperature rises in a car at a ridiculous rate and can have devastating consequences for your dog. If you do come across a dog , try and locate the owner of the vehicle. Failing that call your local RSPCA or police for guidance.
6. Get The Fan Out - If you don't have the luxury of air conditioning then a simple desktop fan can help cool the air and regulate the dogs temperature.
7. Maintain Good Grooming - Maintaining your dogs coat and general well being is important no matter the season but it is especially important during the summer when improper grooming can cause your dog to be uncomfortable. Check out your local dog groomer and always check the appropriate grooming for your breed. Most people assume simply shaving the dog will help with the heat but this is it not the case. Dogs need there cost to help regulate their body temperature.
8. Dawn/Dusk Walks - Try to schedule your dogs walks to early morning or evening times. The temperature will be a lot cooler and there will no risk of your dogs feet getting burnt from the hot pavement.
9. Cool Cloths - If you find your dog is suffering with heat exhaustion, wrap cloths soaked in cool water over them to help regulate their temperature.
10. Be Aware Of Hazards - Its not just heat to watch out for this summer. With summer comes plenty of other chemical hazards such as weed killers and insecticides. Always take caution in unknown areas of land.

Whatever you and your pooch get up to this summer make sure you stay safe and have fun!

Until next time..

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Losing It With Slimming World

Most of you will know that I have been on the weight loss wagon for sometime now. I joined Weight Watchers a few years back and achieved fantastic results, losing 5 stone in total! I needed a break from counting calories and with my work schedule changing it meant I couldn't get to meetings as much as I'd have liked to and with not going I just found my head and heart wasn't in it anymore and it was just a waste of money. So I quit and decided to just take a breather and see how I got on. Now thankfully my weight didn't immediately start piling on but gradually after having about a year off plan I noticed my weight increasing so decided it was time to start making some changes again before I ended up back where I started.

I wanted to try something new so decided to give Slimming World a chance. Don't get me wrong I have nothing against Weight Watchers, it was amazing and worked for me but I found myself at a plateau and needing something different. My first meeting went by in a bit of a blur. There was just so much information to take in and I was certain I would forget it all the minute I left the meeting. It all seemed very confusing but never the less I decided to give it my all.

I'm 3 weeks into Slimming World now and have to say I am amazed at what you can actually eat on the plan. I know a lot of people complain about it being restrictive when it comes to treats but it allows for them quite easily and lets face it , every diet plan boils down to simple concepts. Fewer calories, more movement and portion control. It's all about making the right choices. I have lost each week since I started. Granted they are quite small losses in comparison to some people. I have seen people lose in excess of half a stone on their first week! But I am not complaining a loss is a loss and if I am honest I probably wasn't 100 percent committed to the plan the past few weeks. I have followed the plan loosely, not logged any of my food, just kept a mental note and have more than likely gone over my syns allowance each day. So this week I am totally committed to giving it my all and seeing if it shows when I weigh in next week. I am tracking everything I eat so I am aware and accountable, I am upping my water intake dramatically. Water intake has such an impact on your weight loss among various other benefits. I am also making a conscious effort to move more weather it be walking the dog or doing a HIIT home work out, just something that takes me out of my sedentary state even for a short time.

I am feeling very determined to have a great week and look forward to catching up with you all on weigh day and sharing my results. The way I see it you'll only get back what you put in and a little effort goes a long way in helping you achieve you goals.

I'd love to hear from any fellow Slimming World members out there? Or just people who are changing to a more healthier lifestyle in general? Have you made changes to your diet and exercise regime? Get in touch, I'd love to hear from you.

Until next time..

My Blogging Gap Year

I am amazed and a little bit mortified that in just a few short weeks it will mark a whole year since my last blog post. At the time I decided to take a few weeks off. Work was getting busier. Those of you that know me know I work for Toys R Us so once the summer comes it's manic then we start gearing up for the Christmas season. (Yes that early!) A few weeks slowly become a month, then two then before I knew it, It was 2016 and I realised I hadn't blogged since the previous year.

So where do I start? How to I jump back into blog land? I am sure there is no sure fire way of getting back into my groove so thought I would start with a quick update on whats been happening to me and mine since we last spoke.

After being single for a long time (and posting about my singleton life often ) I met a lovely guy in October. It was a chance meeting on a night out. It was a girls night and meeting a bloke was never further from my mind than it was that night. But they do say love comes to you when you least expect it right? And that is exactly what happened. The relationship is still going strong. He is such a lovely guy and I have never been so happy than I am with him. True love indeed.

Now for the not so happy news...

Those of you that are regular visitors or know me out side of the virtual world will know the battles we faced as a family with regards to my mum and her health. She had kicked cancers arse more times than I can remember and was gearing up to do it once more. Unfortunately in May this year while she was in theatre having an operation which should have once again freed her from this horrendous life shattering illness, she ran into complications and this resulted in her passing away shortly after. It was the single most traumatic and heart breaking experience of my life and one that I don't think I will ever truly come to terms with. We dropped her off in the morning, said are goodbyes and had no fears of anything going wrong. We knew we would be returning the next day to visit her when she was out of theatre and in recovery. We had been here before, we knew the drill but sadly it just wasn't the case this time. It still feels so raw and I still find myself unable to take in the fact that I will never see her again or hear her voice. I had always assumed the cancer eventually getting the better of her, I think as a family we all did. But to be taken away from us so unexpectedly during an operation which was going to take it away is just something that's hard to accept. I don't want to go into much more details as even writing this now, I find my heart getting heavy and I am struggling to keep my cool and not break down. But I will say this. Through every illness she was a fighter and this proved true to the very end. The surgeons fought for hours upon hours to try and save her and she hung on and fought with everything she had until the next day. Surrounded by her loved ones she passed away.,

When mum was in theatre she was given over 42 pints of blood as well as various other clotting agents. Donating blood is something I always said I would do but when it came down to it I either lost my nerve or didn't bother going. Well last month I put my needle fears aside and donated for the very first time. Forty two people selflessly donated to help keep my mum alive and I couldn't think of a more amazing gift to give. I am already booked in for my next donation and will donate each and
every opportunity I can for as long as I am able.

I do wish I hadn't left it so long before returning to blog land, but I'm back and ready to connect with you all again.

Until next time....

Beating The Bank Holiday Blues

Bank holidays seem to follow suit throughout the year. With them comes rain, reruns on the TV and a whole lot of boredom for those fortunate enough to be off work. Whether you are watching you weight or not they bank holidays can also be a one way ticket to over eating and zero activity.

Check out the following info-graphic for some inspiration on ways you can keep those cravings at bay and do something productive.

What do you have planned this bank holiday? Whatever it is I hope you have a fun filled , productive day..

Kiqplan App Review Plus Chance To **WIN**

It seems there is an app for pretty much everything nowadays. Whether its shopping, banking or even reminding yourself to tie your shoe laces! and for most of us busy bees out there, we are turning to technology to aid in our day to day duties more and more. I admit to being one of these people and since I have recently started to introduce a more substantial exercise regime as part of my healthy lifestyle I was eager to try out Kiqplan.

Think of Kiqplan as your own personal trainer/fitness guru/nutritionist all rolled into one. Kiqlan have a range of different 12 week programmes all designed to help you change you lifestyle and change the way you think about food and exercise. The app is crammed with advice and motivational tools so that which ever plan you decide to follow you can be sure you will achieve great results if you stay on track with the plan.

So how does it work?

It's a really simple to understand plan. With easy navigation around the app and its menus you should be able to find using the app quite easy. To start with you select your plan, with many to choose from you will be sure to one which i ideally suited for your situation and fitness needs. Such plans include, Slim And Trim, Goodbye Baby Bump, Suns Out Guns Out and many more. 

The next step is to pair your device. The other great thing about the Kiqplan is that it is designed to be compatible with many different devices and apps. You can find the full list here: Compatible Devices.

Next you want to set your goals. This is really important as the more information you put in the better tailored it is to suit your needs and help you achieve your goals. Some people are more focused on weight loss where as other maybe more focused on toning or the nutritional side of things. But as long as you stay on track for the duration of your 12 week plan I am confident you will be happy with the results.

I was given the Slim + Trim plan to review and its hard for me to explain how great the plan was without literally flooding this post with screen shots of every single page. There was an abundance of information on this app to help you stay motivated and on plan such as recipes , how to exercise videos, step and calorie tracking and even little daily motivational pep talks to get you pumped. 

I was super impressed with this app and will be looking into the "your 1st 5k Plan" as this is something I hope to achieve after never being about to run much more than a bath! Plus these plans comes with a very pleasing price tag of £19.99 which for a personalised plan which will get you looking and feeling amazing is money well spent.

**WIN**

Don't just take my word for it. How about trying out a plan for yourself. I have a Goodbye Baby Bump plan to giveaway to one of my lucky readers. I believe all mummies are yummy but if you are struggling to shift that baby weight or just wont to tone up after having your little bundle of joy then this is the plan for you.

Kiqplan Goodbye Baby Bump Giveaway

Big Girls Run Too Ya'Know

I posted a video this morning that got such an amazing response and such lovely support from people that I decided to share with you lovely lot and let you know what happened and why I decided to post. I have recently started to introduce running into my weight loss regime and as someone who has never ran much more than a bath before I am being careful not to run before I can walk (no pun intended) I have downloaded the coach to 5k app and I am really enjoying it . One day in particular I was out jogging when some insensitive moron decided to throw some comments my way about my not so secret larger size. Anyway here's my reaction to said events and why I decided that day was not going to be the day that the bullies won.

I can't thank you enough for all your lovely support and if you would be so kind as to give it a like, a share or even subscribe to hear more from me in the future please do so..

Safeguarding Our Tech Savvy Kids

Today's generation of youngsters take technical gadgets for granted. They are brought up alongside mobile phones, tablets, computers and the internet, both in the home and school environment. 

With children being exposed to technology from a younger age than ever before, it is likely they will have mastered the features and functions of many gadgets quicker than a lot of adults can. Even toys given to babies or toddlers introduce them to technology early in life, such as basic touch buttons and big screens that let them explore numbers, words and sounds. Long before many children go to school they will have played games on their parents' phone or tablet, or may even have one of their own.

Research has shown that nearly one in 10 children get their first mobile phone at the age of five, and over half of youngsters own one by the age of 10. A third of children under the age of 15 also have their own tablet.

With children having easy access to the internet via a range of devices it stands to reason that any responsible parent will want to ensure that their child is only viewing information that is appropriate and safe. Although it might not be feasible to keep a constant watch on what children are exposed to online, there are lots of ways that you can help to safeguard them from the risks.

Installing antivirus software to all of your devices should be your first strategy to keep kids safe online. A good antivirus package will keep spam, viruses, dubious content and other potential threats at bay. Make sure to keep your software up to date, however, as the threats can change over time as spammers and viruses alter their tactics.

Many devices now come with handy Parental Control features, so that you can set functions to decide exactly what your child can have access to. This can give you peace of mind that they are not being exposed to content which may be harmful.

Always instil the importance of being safe online to your children. Teach them not to disclose too much personal information online, particularly on social media, and if they come into contact with someone or something that upsets them, they should tell an adult.

Children can get hooked on technical gadgets, which may distract them from doing other things like homework or going outdoors and getting exercise. Consider setting time functions on devices so that they can only use them for a specific amount of time, giving you control over the frequency that they use them.

How much of a role does technology play a part in your life? At home or at work? Aalliyah is a super tech savvy kid and an avid YouTuber so does spend a fair amount of time online but everything she does is monitored and I will quite happily make her take a break if I feel her time spent online has became excessive.

I'd love to hear your thoughts..

*Post published in collaboration with Panda Security

The Summer Haul Of A Tween

In August I have what will be my second to last holiday of the year from work. Then come September that's it . The Christmas season starts and it madness until 2016 (Those in retail will not only relate but will also feel my pain) I am taking Aalliyah back to Blackpool for a 5 day mini break and one thing that she was in desperate need of was some new summer clothing for the glorious weather that I am ever so hopeful we will receive while we are away. Aalliyah has never been what you would call a "girly" girl always preferring to wear joggers, jeans, trainers and such over dresses, skirts and sandals. Recently though she has been keen to explore more feminine options when it comes to her attire (I think it's the secondary school influences) so I was more than happy to take her on a mini spree for some new holiday essentials. Now I am far from being well off, I barely scrape by at times and being a part time working mum appreciate a bargain as much as the next person. Take a look at some of the little gems we found..

We picked up these gorgeous floral cotton dungarees (£12) and festival style hat (£5.60) from Peacocks. Perfect for those summer days.

This gorgeous dress from Primark was a bargain at only £5 perfect to slip on for dinner or even as a cover up on the beach. We also couldn't resist this Aztec print T-Shirt for £3.. Perfect for layering.

Primark definitely came up trumps as we also spotted these gorgeous summer trousers at only £6 a pair. Perfectly cool to wear in the daytime but nice enough if you are off out for dinner in the evening. Plus you can never have too many shoes and at £3 a pair! then why not get one in every colour right?

Last but not least was some make up bag essentials (In the hope that my mascara would stop disappearing from my make up bag) We headed to Superdrug who I think are fab for make up! Aally picked a fabulous mascara (after trying on many) and went for a very subtle natural pink lippy.

We had a great time shopping and I think she got some gorgeous bits that I cant wait to see her in on holiday.

Welcome To YouTube

So I did it...

My first official YouTube video on my new channel..

It's not brilliant, it's not cleverly edited or amazingly shot but its out there in vlog land. As much as I love writing I have wanted to dip my toes into vlogging for quite some time now and I am excited to produce more videos and grow my new channel. I will no doubt be roped into some of Aallys Youtube videos along the way too!

I would love it if you could pop over to my new channel and give me a thumbs up or even better hit that subscribe button. I have lots planned and you will definitely be seeing more of me (and my sidekick no doubt) 

If you do have any younger ones at home that are YT users themselves then Aally has a very entertaining all be it crazy channel if they fancy popping a sub her way..

So here it is. The 40 second video that got me all a fluster! Why was I so nervous eh?

Until next time..

My Time With New Look Bingo

As a single parent I always have the best time with my daughter Aalliyah. Never did she make me feel like she’s a responsibility or a burden. I have to manage my home and work life and sometimes, I its easy to get stressed thinking about all my worries and issues, but Aalliyah always brings a smile to my face just by talking to me and making me laugh.

Aalliyah’s school decided on taking the students on a residential trip for the weekend (The first overnight trip she'd been on). I didn’t want to hold her back from the trip just because I’ll miss her. So, I had to straighten up and allow her to go and have fun. Staying at home without Aalliyah is a task for me so I called my sister over to my place to keep me company and have a girls night in. My sister and I decided to do something different which we hadn’t tried together before. She suggested the idea of playing an online bingo game. After a quick Google we came to a site called New Look Bingo and it showed me all the offers, welcome bonuses and promotions available. Initially I was hesitant in signing up and depositing any cash on a site I hadn't been on before.

I did not want to deposit right away so instead just tried out the free bingo online games in the 90 ball free bingo room. I tried and quite liked the game for starters and the welcome bonus was something which grabbed my attention. All we have to do is deposit £10 and we get to play with £75. The theme of the site is very well presented and enticing. We went on to play more games by just spending £10. We got quite drawn into the fun and thrill of the game we hadn't noticed how much time had flew by.

Even now after Aalliyah is back I still play a game or two on the New Look Bingo site after putting her to sleep. This site is a genuine stress buster for me on a quiet evening with a glass of wine. You never know, I may well hit the jackpot one of these days too...

Is Playing Out Getting Outlawed?

Kids on a Nottinghamshire street have been banned from playing football in front of their own houses. Their parents were even threatened with a £100 fine if they were caught.
It all kicked off after neighbours in Ena Avenue, Sneinton moaned to police about noisy children playing football in the street. They said they were worried a ball would smash a window or damage a car.
Officers said there were enough complaints to warrant a letter to parents warning them against rowdy behaviour that might damage property and letting them know they could be fined if their kids stepped out of line.
It’s not the first time children have been given a metaphorical clip round the ear for having fun.
Last summer, housing officials in Worcester sent four families in Wensleydale Drive a letter warning kids about playing in the street on health and safety grounds.

Not everyone has a nearby park or rolling meadow to run around in.

Not all 'natural play' involves rural idyll: urban public space is a playable blank canvas. https://t.co/CRrDbil3Js

— Alice Ferguson (@aliceplayingout) April 20, 2015

 Gone are the days when kids used to turn up unannounced on a friend’s doorstep, asking if they could come out and play.

Whatever happened to jumpers for goalposts and using chalky stones to draw hopscotch on the pavement?


Our children already live comparatively sedentary lives. So do adults, for that matter. Dads are more likely to be screaming at the ref on the telly and checking out the football betting news online than they are to grab a pair of shorts before heading off for a sweaty game of five-a-side.
It’s just odd that we’re told our children need more fresh air and exercise and, in the same breath, told to keep them indoors.

Perhaps this is just nostalgia talking. These kids from the 1950s grew up in a different world.




There’s more traffic around for a start which makes playing out a lot more dangerous than it was in our parents’ day.
But there’s also a lot more going on inside the house to keep kids happily entertained without setting foot outside the front door.
Loads of television and music channels, video and computer games create a virtual world that’s so much more tantalising than the real one.
Even texting and social media mean kids don’t actually have to see their friends to have fun with them.
The very idea of riding your bike up and down the street or skipping happily to a song in your head is now so far removed from normal life that campaigners have launched a nationwide scheme to bring it back.
Playing Out was set up in Bristol in 2009 when a group of parents desperate to introduce independent outdoor play to their children closed off their road to traffic for three hours.
Now the scheme has been rolled out throughout the country with more than 30 local councils signing up to positive street play policies. And more than 100 streets are regularly closed off to allow kids to play happily and safely for a few hours.
The project is helping families reclaim their share of the streets. It’s their neighbourhood too.


**Written By Jenna Wilson, Jenna is a freelance writer and mum of two from Nottingham. When she’s not running around after the kids she enjoys gardening, reading and a glass of wine or two!

Why Bingo's The Perfect Recipe For A Fun Night In

When you have kids, it’s kind of inevitable that you’ll spend more evenings at home than anywhere else. For a start, once you’re a mum, you’re too tired to go out that often! Also, there’s something nice about being at home and knowing that your kids are tucked up in bed. It gives you a warm and cosy feeling.
However, that’s not to say that the daily routine which nine times out of ten ends up with you slouched on the sofa watching TV can sometimes feel a little monotonous. Of course, it would be great if you could devote your evenings to a fulfilling activity such as sewing or quilting, or another kind of craft activity, but you need to have a certain amount of energy to do that kind of thing.

Is too much sofa time getting to you?

That’s why it’s great to have an alternative to TV and online bingo can be a great option. It’s a game that requires very little effort on the player’s part as the game’s software marks any numbers on your cards that correspond to the calls. So, you can just sit back and watch the game’s progress once you've decided which game to play and how many cards to buy.
Sites such as 32red, Booty Bingo and Take a Break also offer new players incentives to sign up. These are usually in the form of free playing credit. If you want to play any of the 32red bingo games, you can get an extra £32 of credit for every £10 you put in as a first deposit on an account. That will pay for many bingo games as they only cost a few pence at a time and, with a win or two, you could soon be adding to your playing fund.
Bingo’s a good game to play and not only because it’s good value and easy. With sites offering 24/7 schedules, there’s always a game about to start, no matter when you log in. It’s also a way to socialise, as once you have a game in play you can join the chat room associated with that game and share the fun with other players.
As well as being good to play when you’re home by yourself, online bingo is something you can play with friends if you’re having a girls’ night in. All people need to do is bring their phone or tablet and sign in to the same site as you. It’s just like going out to a bingo hall together without having the inconvenience of having to share the venue with other people! In just a couple of weeks’ time, people will be hosting Night In for Macmillan to raise funds for the cancer charity. You could host your own Night In and make it a bingo night!
Of course, bingo doesn't have to be saved for the evenings. It’s a great five-minute game for whenever you want a break. And, who knows, you could hit the jackpot while you’re playing one day!

**Article written by Diane. Diane is a mum to three, physiotherapist and a recent convert to the world of online bingo.

5 Ways I Like To Spend A Night In

It's not often I go out on the town. Not anymore anyway. Now I am far from being ready to hang up my heels and go into early retirement but the whole prospect of going out on the lash just doesn't appeal to me as much as it once did. So more often than not I find myself indoors for the night and looking for a way to spend my evening and here are my top 5 choices..

1. Catching up with all my Sky + recordings. Ok so this is going to make me sound ridiculously sad but I have so many recordings set up on my Sky box, I very rarely get to watch any of them at the time of airing so literally have to catch up with everything and watch an obscene amount of programmes in one night. I get far too excited than I probably should at the thought of a whole night to myself with nothing but my Sky planner.

2. Our regular "Treat Nights". Since being on Weight Watchers , Saturday nights have become my treat night. Not only is it a day I look forward to because I can treat myself to something yummy but its also a day Aally has come to love also. She loves treat night more than me as it means pizza, popcorn and a movie. She is a big movie buff like me so loves to settle down in front of a good flick with a big bowl of popcorn.

3. Eyes down for a bit of bingo. I have played online bingo for a few years now. Nothing excessive just every now and then. I love the thrill of being close to a win and given that I cant always make it to the bingo halls online bingo is a far better option. I can socialize and win some money (hopefully) without even leaving the sofa. Most sites offer great bonuses for new players too. Just check out a bingo comparison site and see which big bonuses you could claim. Who knows you might be the next jackpot winner!

4. Game Night. Aalliyah is an absolute board game nut! As much as she is glued to her iPod or the Xbox most of the time, she loves nothing more than playing a good board game. I always make sure she gets lots of new games for Christmas so she has enough to last throughout the year. Game nights are brilliant and we love to get competitive with knock out rounds of monopoly, connect 4 and battleships live. She actually has around 4 games still sealed from Christmas that we are yet to try out so I think is game night is on the cards again soon.

5. Catching up on the chores. Ok I wasn't actually doing these in order but somehow the housework has ended up in last place (Funny that) Now I know most of us don't see housework as a pleasant way to spend an evening but with work and other things in the week, sometimes things just get in the way and I put things off until the next day (then the next, then the next) A pattern forms and before you know it the washing is piled high and the dust is an inch thick. Sometimes I enjoy just catching up on the cleaning at the end of the week.

So there are my top 5 ways I would usually spend my night in. Exciting eh? How do you spend a quiet night in if you are lucky enough to have one?

*Written in collaboration with Greatbritishbingo.co.uk 

The A - Z Of Me

After seeing many bloggers taking part in the A-Z of me challenge, I decided to give it a go myself as I saw it as a great way of sharing a little more insight into our little world..

So here goes ..

A is for Aalliyah. The ultimate love of my life and my best friend.

B is for Black Ops . Just one of my guilty pleasures. I love playing Xbox with Aalliyah (even if I am ridiculously bad at it)

C is for Cancer. Something that we have had to face as a family on far too many occasions. My mum has battled it numerous times and is currently finishing up treatment to kick its butt once more.

D is for Dinner. Yes I am one of those annoying people that snap away at meal times and share my food with the world. Because I am following the weight watchers plan I am often instagramming my meals for my fellow weight watching followers,

E is for Emma. That's me! Emma Louise (of course)

F is for Fitbit. I have just treated myself to a Fitbit charge watch. I am logging all my activity and really trying to up my mileage with my walking.

G is for Gordon Ramsay. Anyone that knows me with know I am a bit of a Gordon Ramsay NUT! Totally in love with him and his shows. I had my day made a while back when he tweeted and followed me on Twitter!

H is for Hell's Kitchen. One of my all time favorite shows! I literally plan my whole week around settling down to this! #shutitdown

I is for Irish Lotto. Something I have always been interested in playing. I have always been put off at the thought of having to go into a betting shop but now I know you can buy lottery tickets online I've played it for the next 5 weeks. So keep them fingers crossed for me! 

J is for Jam tarts. Love them but its always the apricot ones that seem to be left in the packet.

K is for Kicking the habit. I used to be a smoker (Quite a heavy one in fact) But have been smoke free for about 4 years now and have never looked back.

L is for Love. Something I finally feel open to. After being on my own for so many years I finally feel comfortable at the prospect of a new romance.

M is for Minecraft . This game quite literally took over my house and much like my slight COD obsession I am quite the Minecraft lover. Seriously , You wanna see the excitement of finding diamonds after a hard days mining.. Too far?

N is for Nicky. My amazing big sister who I admire and love with all my heart. I honestly couldn't wish for a better sister. She is my rock and my best friend.

O is for Ordinary Lies. A brilliant program on BB1 recently. I am a big TV/movie lover. This was a great series and if you didn't get a chance to watch it then you should definitely check it out on iPlayer.

P is for Photography. Something I have always dreamed about studying further and only just had the confidence to even think about going for it. Looking into further study at the moment and hoping to pursue my hobby and turn it into something more professional.

Q is for Quorn. I hold my hands up . I am a fully fledged carnivore and I love my meat. But I have also (since joining weight watchers) found a new love for Quorn. It makes a pleasant change and I love the mince in particular.

R is for Running. Something I have always assumed I could never do, but you know what? Since losing weight and keeping up with my fitness I do often have an urge to run. Granted, I can barely run a mile and at such a slow pace but nevertheless.. I run.

S is for Snake. My little sidekick is such an entertainer she has recently made her own Youtube channel. She is now know to everyone by Aally the snake. She makes me laugh so much with her weird and wonderful videos.

T is for Toys R Us. It's where I work. I started out nearly 2 years ago as a Christmas temp and was offered a permanent position shortly after.

U is for Unfriended. A new film which is due in the cinemas very soon and one that I am very keen to go and see. It looks like a great movie. I am a huge horror fan so anything dark or sinister wins my vote.

V is for Venison. Something I had gone my whole life without trying until recently. I absolutely love venison burgers at the minute. They are just divine and so lean. Absolutely no fat and so low in points for us Weight Watchers.

W is for Weight Watchers (Of course) I decided to join weight watchers a couple of years ago after tipping the scales at just under 20 stone! I decided enough was enough and needed to do something about it. I have since lost 5 stone. I have a long way to go and it certainly has its ups and downs but its a lifestyle change and I am in it for the long haul.

X is for Xbox. As I mentioned before its a guilty pleasure of mine. Not only for gaming but I have all my apps on there too. In particular Netflix which is also another love of my life.

Y is for YouTube. As I mentioned before Aally has her own channel and I am such a YT addict . I can sit for hours on end watching anything from hair tutorials to science experiments. I am hoping to start my own channel soon and delve into the world of vlogging.

Z is for Zumba. Something I have never tried but have been invited to go to next week. I have a feeling I may pass out after ten minutes so wish me luck.

So there you have it. The A-Z of me. I hope you enjoyed learning a little more about me and if you feel inspired to write your very own A-Z do let me know so I can pop over and have a read.

*Post written in collaboration with lottosend.com