Last month I was invited to The Glee Club, Cardiff to review their stand up comedy shows. I have to admit I am a big fan of The Glee as it has a great selection of stand-ups, the organising is spot on and you can almost always guarantee a good night. Did I say how cheap it was too? On certain nights tickets are only £9.50 and with headliners going from £15 it's great value and Christmas party nights are from only £14.




Over the next few weeks, they have some great shows on.

Firstly they throw some great Christmas parties and have been doing so for almost 20 years. If you are looking for somewhere different for a work do, or just a group of family and friends The Glee Club is great for a fun night out.

The Christmas party nights come complete with a two-course meal including turkey, beef or roast butternut squash with all the lovely trimmings and a choice of desserts including fruit salad, cheese and crackers or mini chocolate desserts. Of course with the Christmas food comes a knock out selection of all the best in new and established stand up talent. Bar service is quick and efficient and last time I went they even came around with ice cream in the interval, a fab addition I thought.

Then there is the New Year party celebrations. At £25 for advance booking, it certainly is a bargain for this time of the year. 

You get

4 premier comedians
The chance to pre-order food and drink
Disco and bar open late
Reserved seats
and the all important midnight countdown

Why don't you combine it with a stay in a Cardiff hotel? 

The line up for this New Year's Eve at Cardiff consists of two stand-ups I have seen before Mark Olver and Mike Bubbins. Mike Bubbins intercedes his stand up with being an Elvis impersonator. You know he will make you laugh but don't step on his blue suede shoes or he won't love you tender. Sorry, it had to be done! Mark Olver is a well-known compare on the circuit, always guaranteed a laugh, this is one show you won't want to miss.

Of course, The Glee Club has other venues besides Cardiff - They also have venues in Birmingham, Nottingham and Oxford.

I'm going to The Glee Club next week to see Tom Stade. This Canadian comedian has been a smash hit at The Edinburgh Festival and is a regular on Live At The Apollo. Check out his appearance here on YouTube. I think it will be a great night!



Have you been to any comedy nights at The Glee Club? Would you visit at Christmas or New Year? Who is your favourite comedian?

* I have been given tickets to The Glee Club for an honest review

When someone you knows commits suicide you break your heart and something inside you is never the same again.

A close family member committed suicide when I was 18.  I remember coming home and my mum telling me. The hurt, the sadness, the anger, still seems fresh to the day. And the questions. What happened? How did they do it? Why?

They say depression is a selfish illness and in some ways, I have to agree but I can also see it from the other side too.

Speaking from the heart I wanted to shout from the rooftops why didn't you talk to me? Wasn't I good enough? Didn't I make you happy? I could have tried to help.

And in those moments of sheer sadness and depression that I have suffered too, I can empathise. People with depression can't shake off this feeling. They don't wake up tomorrow and all is better. They have this black cloud hanging over them all the time.



Those who attempt to and those that commit suicide feel like there is no way out. They don't think about their partners, their family. They just want the relief of never having to feel like this ever again.

If you know someone who suffers from depression it can by a joyless experience spending time with them but please do. This may sound like I'm being harsh but when they are wrapped up in their own little world it can often feel this way.

Be there for them, listen to them, get them to seek help. That's all you can do.

The Samaritans are there to listen when you feel you can't talk to anyone. They are nonjudgmental. You can ring them on 08457 90 90 90 but did you know you can also contact them in other ways including emailing them, writing to them, texting them or even visiting their offices in person? You can learn more about getting help with your depression with Thrive Talk as well.

On one last note, I wished you had come to me and talked and hugged me and kissed me. I wish those tablets weren't there. I wish you had thought about your family. I wish depression didn't exist. I love you and always will.

References
The Mental Health Foundation - Getting Help http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/help-information/getting-help/

Then there was the fancy dress party where my husband went as Al Capone and I went as a 20's flapper dancer. Stumbling home in the cold as we had been drinking I wondered why we didn't stay the night...

At times like these having a Christmas bed bundle tucked away would have been very useful.

We have a sofa bed which I find a godsend especially at Christmas and for unexpected guests any time of year. But then I have to route around in my airing cupboard for some sheets and steal one of the duvets off my son's bed.

To have a complete bed set all in one place is a great idea so I was pleased when I was sent the John Cotton Christmas bed bundle to review.

What do you give the person who has everything? Chocolates of course - and not just any chocolates, luxury Belgian chocolates!

Guylian the luxury Belgian chocolate company has become a forerunner in the luxury chocolate market since 1960.




The story of the Chocolaterie Guylian began in the late 1950’s with the marriage of Guy Foubert and Liliane. Guy and Liliane joined their names and the company Chocolaterie Guy-lian was born. This young couple created for the first time chocolates in the shape of seashells and whilst Guy developed the recipe for the signature hazelnut praliné filling; Lilliane added the artistic touch by designing the shining marbled look and the delicately sculptured shapes.

Every year in their factory in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium, up to 75 tonnes of Guylian chocolate can be produced daily. They combine traditional Belgium craftsmanship with high tech production techniques, just to make the perfect chocolate for their devoted fans. Only the finest ingredients are used in their chocolates and fillings with the emphasis on quality, and giving the consumer a luxury chocolate experience.



With a range of gifts and also little treats for yourself they appeal to chocolate lovers worldwide.

Did you also know about their work with the conservation project Project Seahorse which is dedicated to reserving seahorses and other marine life throughout the world? Each and every time you buy a box of Guylian Belgian Chocolate Sea Shells and Sea Horses, you are helping to save seahorses and the seas. Something to be applauded for I think you would agree.

Today on my blog I have a little treat for my dear readers. I have a box of the luxury Belgian collection to giveaway.







a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ingredients

8oz SR flour
8oz sugar
8oz porridge oats
8oz margarine
1tbsp golden syrup
1tbsp hot water
1/2 tsp bicarbonate soda

Greased baking tray

Method

Mix the dry ingredients together. Melt the margarine, water and golden syrup in a pan. Add the liquid to the dry mix. Stir well.

Make into small balls put on a greased tray and flatten slightly Put in the oven at 180 degrees C for 10-15 mins. keep an eye on them as they brown easily. Take out of the oven and cool on a tray. They should be golden but not too brown.

Hotel Chocolat make the most amazing chocolates. The British chocolatier chain now have over seventy stores in the UK and worldwide. I first came across them in Bath when I was staying there on a short break. The store there is like an Aladdin's cave of chocolate. So many delicious and intriguing chocolates, so many delights to try!

Hotel Chocolat base their brand on three main ingredients, Innovation, Authenticity and Ethics. Their look is influenced by the London fashion scene and their chocolate has an authentic taste "less sugar more cocoa". It's great that they also base their business on a strong ethical stance and over the last 8 years have invested in the cocoa communities in Saint Lucia and Ghana. They are a rare breed - a chocolatier that actually grown their own cocoa beans and look after their suppliers.
The Large Festive Wreath is a chocolate lovers delight. Made from nibbly cookies and hand cut florentines it is perfect for slicing and sharing with family and friends. I know I'd rather have one of these than a traditional one hanging on my door this Christmas!
a Rafflecopter giveaway Win competitions at ThePrizeFinder.com