The big red four letter word

Everywhere you turn there is a sale. Sale. Sale. Sale. Sale. I'm not talking DFS either, more like every single shop that I love (and that's a lot) is adorned with special offers, reductions and utterly tempting bargains.

Ok, I don't need anything, but just seeing that big red four letter word is enough to send any shopanista fleeing to the rails. However, my new mantra being "I don't need that (even if I really want it), there is nothing more to do than to walk away and breathe. Of course, I am allowed to have a quick peek to feed my temptation, but this kind of looking involves my eyes and not my debit card.

So in the spirit of sale, I have found some tips on how to effectively manouver around the sales, making sure you get things worth having and not last season's cast offs. However, if you are off on your hols, get your bikinis now - cheap as chips.

1. Stock up on basics; jerseys, vests, underwear, jeans.

2. Make a list of things you need (possibly one item of what you want) before you leave the house and make sure you stick to it.

3. Shop online to stop being caught up in the crazed sale shopping crowds.

4. Buy it because you love it not because of the price or label.

5. Buy things that actually fit. It may be the bargain of the century but if it looks like its about to rip at the seams, leave it.

6. Ask yourself, 'when will I wear it?' Something that will sit in your wardrobe for months because you haven't gone to that special event yet is a waste.

7. Finally, if you're really prepared and style-savvy, take a look at next season's trends and pick items that will reflect this. Super style on a shoe string budget, now that's a real bargain.

Summer feeling

I am loving Kelis' new dance hits. Once a star who sang about bringing boys to the yard has now found her forte. 4th of July, her new single is perfect for getting into that holiday mood.

I've got the love, have you?

I can't deny that I am jealous of all those lucky souls who went to Glastonbury this weekend (some of whom I saw on the Tube this morning looking rather ragged I may add). Having tried and failed to bag myself some tickets for the 40th anniversary of the festival this year, I am religated to watching the footage on the BBC website.

It's not all bad though, I passed up Glasto and settled for Benicassim in two weeks and I simply cannot wait.

Until then I have reignited my love of Florence and The Machine.

Click here to watch her AMAZING performance this weekend, no Hunters required.

Je t'aime Blackpool?

Think sophisticated culture, a tasteful ambiance and a place where class, elegance and poise are all regular phrases used amongst the inhabitants.

This is what Blackpool will have to offer by 2021, according to a new video posted on YouTube as a promotional tool to attract tourists to the area.

The video shows Blackpool's finest landmarks and people speaking with French accents. Well, there's not that much difference between Blackpool tower and the Eiffel tower, lets face it. Throw in a Parisian drag queen and we are good to go.

Blackpool is a feature of the Fylde coast, which plays host to about ten million visitors per year, but the local council wants to increase this figure and is doing so through the 90 second video entitled "Je t'aime", meaning 'I love you'. How many people really love Blackpool, I can't help but wonder.

A place which is great for a dose of tack, sugary snacks, a ride on the waltzer and a cabaret show, but a place where the affluent dine and come for regular holidays? Only time will tell.

Blackpool council has launched the Talbot Gateway Project to drastically improve the areas around the North Pier and Blackpool North station. The project, which is currently in the planning application process is due to start in 2011 and is anticipated to be completed by 2021.

Having been to Blackpool on two occasions, I feel that the classic British holiday destination may be stuck in a bit of a rut. A revamp of the area might do some good and indeed attract more visitors, but the tacky charm of the promenade might be what people are really looking for.