Big Girls Are Sexy Too

Cannie Shapiro is overweight and her size makes her feel uncomfortable and self-conscious. When she goes to the beach she covers the rolls with a sarong. Sounds familiar, we are conditioned to think that thin is beautiful and fat should be hidden.

At the beginning of the book we hear that 28 year old Cannie is a journalist, writes a column about the famous for the Philadelphia Examiner. She had ended her 3 year relationship with writer Bruce Gruberman 3 months earlier by saying that she wanted a break. She is fine with that until she picks up a copy of Moxie, a popular women’s magazine. There she reads an article by new columnist Bruce called Loving A Larger Woman.

Read more Big Girls Are Sexy Too | Britster:

Join Japanese Holidaymakers Visiting the Okinawan Islands

 

Okinawa has always been a top holiday destination for mainland Japanese holiday makers to retreat to, and is also becoming a popular getaway for European tourists too. It attracts simply for its sandy white beaches, their fascinating culture and awe inspiring scenery filled with mountains and jungles.

Okinawa is made up of around 150 islands, which are most southern to mainland Japan. Though it is heavily populated for it’s size, it still maintains it’s tradition and is in contrast to anywhere else in Japan as their culture and language is almost completely different. Though these days islanders also speak mainland Japanese, Okinawan dialect is still widely spoken. You will notice also that the traditional dress is quite different in colour a style. In my opinion, more ornate and beautiful!

Getting there

To get to Okinawa there is a bit of hopping around to do, but it is completely worth it. Domestic flights come in every couple of hours from Osaka and it only takes a few hours to get there from mainland Japan. Or, if you want to really make a holiday of it you can take the ferry, which takes around 40 hours and only runs weekly!

Learn more: Join Japanese Holidaymakers Visiting the Okinawan Islands – Where To Go:

Keep On Giving up Smoking: My New Years Resolution

Every year millions of people all over the world make New Years Resolutions, but an awful lot of those promises are broken pretty soon. The most popular resolutions are to stop smoking or lose weight, both difficult to do in their own way. This year I will be making an Old Years resolutions and this is:

To carry on giving up smoking and never put one of those disgusting, addictive, foul smelling, cancerous things in my mouth ever again.quit smoking

There I’ve said it. Do you know how much it means to me and anybody else who manages to stop smoking to be able to say that and know that this time you really mean it? When you watch TV programmes like the X Factor, beauty pageants or Strictly Come Dancing the contestants always seem to say that winning means the world to them. Well in the real world stopping smoking truly can mean the world to you when you have smoked for many years.

read more ...Keep On Giving up Smoking: My New Years Resolution | Britster:

4 Types of Singapore Accommodation to Fit in With Your Budget

Are you backpacking through Southeast Asia and looking for a cheap and clean place for the night?
Are you here for a romantic rendezvous and are in search of a luxurious suite equipped with spas and Jacuzzis? Perhaps, you are traveling on a shoestring budget and simply need an affordable room without bursting your wallet? Depending on your budget and traveling style, you can choose just about any type of accommodation that suits your needs. From hostels, budget lodgings to boutique and five-star hotels, you will be spoiled for choice when selecting accommodation in Singapore.

4 Types of Singapore Accommodation to Fit in With Your Budget

Is Your New Years Resolution Giving Up Smoking?

Every year thousands of people make new years resolutions to quit smoking and this year is no exception. Working in a shop that sells cigarettes, countless customers have told me that they are going to give up smoking in the new year and I know that most of them won’t succeed.

Quitting smoking is not easy, it took me 40 years to finally stop. I must have made that resolution nearly every year and the other favourite ‘I’m giving up smoking on Monday’. Neither worked for me for long, a few days and I’d be back to smelling like a stinky old ashtray. Patches worked for a few weeks, but as I worked behind a bar back in the days that smoking was allowed in pubs I practically overdosed on the added nicotine from customer’s cigarettes. Cold turkey wasn’t an option for me at all.

Read more Is Your New Years Resolution Giving Up Smoking? | Britster:

Memories Of Holidays In Malta – Part Two

Gozo, Malta

If you like sandy beaches you can find them on Malta, but they are few and far between and quite small. The one that I remember visiting is Golden Sands. I think that one is the biggest but it was only a few hundred yards across. For a beach holiday you really need to check carefully if you don’t want to be disappointed. Topless sunbathing was banned in Malta, but I did visit a nudist beach there once.

There is also a splash pool park with some pools and slides, a cafe and a small funfair. I went there in 1990 on a day trip with the hotel. I thought that I was being clever finding a large umbrella to keep me out of the sun but the sun moves and the umbrellas don’t. By midday I was fully exposed to the hot sun and without a hope of finding any shade in the busy place. By the end of the afternoon I had little bubble blisters on my arms and back which scared some of our Maltese friends into thinking that I’d caught something. A problem with the sun that I previously had on a smaller scale in the UK and my doctor advised me afterwards to have a few sunbed sessions before going again in the summer. That worked but I always came back paler than when I went and sparking off rumours because I have a tendency to stay out of the sun if I can.

Read more... Memories Of Holidays In Malta – Part Two – Where To Go

Memories Of Holidays In Malta – Part One

 

Valleta Harbour

I went to Malta for the first time for 2 weeks in the summer of 1990. After that I had holidays in Malta for 2 weeks every summer and 2 weeks twice at Christmas and the New Year until my last holiday there in 1996 – 8 times in all. It is the type of place that is said you either love or hate – obviously I loved it.

Although it is a while since I have been to Malta, a friend who has just come back from a holiday there has assured me that little has changed. Also my type of holiday is not the normal touristy thing. I do not go on many guided tours or have much interest in old ruins. Saying that I picked up a fairly extensive knowledge of the brave history of Malta.

What I love about there most are the people. I have never known such friendliness and helpfulness even though I live in friendly Yorkshire. Cynics say that it is because you are spending money. I do not think so, even though a lot of the Maltese people are on low wages and work in two jobs to survive I found that many of them happily buy you drinks, take you for meals, spend money on petrol to drive you around the island without asking for anything back but friendship. We always left with invites to stay in homes the next time but we preferred to be independent and use hotels.

Read more ....Memories Of Holidays In Malta – Part One – Where To Go

Christmas Magic

The room was in darkness, night had drawn in,

A clock struck the hour for fun to begin,

The lights on the tree spark up one by one,

A fairy jumps down, the magic begun,

She twirls round and round with wand in her hand,

Waves it just once to strike up the toy band,

She danced all alone until she did see,

The cards on the shelf, toys under the tree,

A picture of Santa was magicked alive,

He partners her once they do the hand jive,

Read more ... Christmas Magic | Britster:

Forgot Presents? Get Gift Cards

Forgot Presents? Get Gift Cards | Britster: Buying Christmas presents is a tradition of the Western world or Christian societies and rather a nice one. It’s basically about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, but for me it’s also about getting together with the family get and giving you loved ones gifts.

I’ve been really good this year for buying all of my Christmas presents and getting them wrapped and ready for the mad scramble to unwrap them. That’s unusual for me, normally Christmas sort of creeps up on me and I end up rushing around trying to find the perfect gifts at the last minute.

Running Shoes Are Great Gifts To Aid Fitness and Health

Running shoes are a great gift idea that can help somebody that you care about to live a longer and healthier life. If a friend or family member runs regularly, or if they are about to make a resolution or life changing effort to regularly run they are the perfect present. Even though decent quality running shoes can be expected to last a long time, for someone just starting out or someone who is an experienced runner a new pair will very probably be on their list of things to buy soon.

Read more .... Running Shoes Are Great Gifts To Aid Fitness and Health | Britster: 

A Review Of The Testament A Novel Written By John Grisham

 

Eighty-year-old Troy Phelan jumps out of his wheelchair, practically runs across the room out onto the terrace and dives from the top floor of his 14 story building to his death. The sick, sad, lonely self made multi billionaire knew that he wanted to die, knew that his family wouldn’t mourn him much and wanted to cause them as much grief as he could by setting the scene for the last act of his life.

A short time before his death Troy who was one of the richest men in the USA was examined by 3 notable psychiatrists and pronounced sound in mind. Then he signed a 90 page professionally prepared will sharing his billions out equally amongst his 6 children from 3 broken marriages. All of who were in the room with their individual lawyers at the time of the examination and signing. His families, their lawyers and the psychiatrists then left the room totally satisfied with the filmed proceedings.

read more .....

Star Wars LEGO Snowspeeder 75074

Most children must have owned ever popular Lego building bricks in one shape or form at some time in their childhood. For me it was housebuilding and for my brothers it was cars and aeroplanes. Lego gradually got more sophisticated with their model collections.

LEGO have added to their Star Wars collection with the Snowspeeder. Once your child has enjoyed building the 97 piece model they will be able to pretend to fly in circles around the empire and defeat the forces on Hoth with the LEGO Star Wars AT-AT microfighter with posable head and legs, flick missiles, mini cockpit and a Snowspeeder Pilot minifigure with a blaster pistol.

read more... http://toptoysite.co.uk/star-wars-lego-snowspeeder-75074/

Original Rubik’s cube

This is a puzzle that many of us know well, challenging and frustrating Rubik’s Cube is back and one of the best selling toys this year. The biggest and fastest selling cult ‘toy’ of all time swept the world by storm in 1982 and 34 years later it still takes me ages to solve it. Invented by Hungarian sculptor and professor of architecture Erno Rubik this 3 D combination puzzle was originally called the ‘Magic Cube’

Rubik’s cube has six different coloured sides, each made up of nine squares. When the different coloured faces are mixed up you have to twist and twirl them to return each coloured square to its place. Sounds pretty simple? You’d be surprised.

Read more Original Rubik’s cube – Top Toy Site:

Watch Dogs 2

Watch Dogs 2, which was released on November 15th this year is currently the best selling game on Amazon. Designed for players aged 18 and over the developers Ubi Soft say that Watch Dogs 2 uses hacking as a weapon in the massive & dynamic open world of the game.

As the story unfolds you learn that in 2016, ctOS 2.0, which is an advanced operating system networking city infrastructure, was implemented in some US cities to create a much safer environment and more efficient metropolis.

You play as Marcus Holloway, who is a brilliant young hacker living in the San Francisco Bay Area. You team up with Dedsec, a notorious group of hackers. Together you expose the hidden dangers of ctOS 2.0, which is in the hands of corrupt corporations and being wrongfully used to monitor and manipulate the people on a massive scale. With the power of hacking and Dedsec by your side you launch the hack of the Century. In Watch Dogs 2 you fight to take down ctOS 2.0 and give freedom back to the people.

Watch Dogs 2 – Top Toy Site:

Muslims Like Us

One of the most interesting and thought provoking television programmes that I’ve seen for a while is the BBC2 production that aired last week, Muslims Like Us. A 2 part fly on the wall documentary where 5 female and 5 male Muslims where taken to York to live in a house together for 10 days.

As the 10 housemates arrived I felt that they were a very likeable group of people except for one of them. It became obvious very quickly that one of the men, Abdul Haqq who was very vocal in his intrpretation of being a Muslim was going to be trouble. He is retired champion British boxer Anthony Small who converted to Islam 11 years ago. You could almost tell that he was a convert because of his over zealous views, rather like some people who manage to quit smoking and how they annoyingly lecture smokers – I stopped smoking 7 years ago and hope I don’t do that!

Muslims Like Us | Britster: 

Hornby R1167 Flying Scotsman 00 Gauge Electric Train Set

The Flying Scotsman is the most famous British locomotive in the world. Built in Doncaster in 1923, the Flying Scotsman is still running today hauling tours around the UK.

Hornby is also a British brand which was started by Frank Hornby back in 1901. Hornby is the most well known model railway manufacturer and twinned with the most famous locomotive this is going to be a great train set for enthusiasts.

Read more... Hornby R1167 Flying Scotsman 00 Gauge Electric Train Set – Top Toy Site:

Scalextric C1361 American GT Set

I can remember playing with my brother’s Scalextric back in the 1960s. We used Lego to build a ticket office and waiting room and for some reason we put our younger brothers toy forts in the middle of one of the figure 8 loops, great imagination in play I guess. Our father used to join in sometimes making Scalextric family entertainment.

I suspect that a lot of men will be wanting to relive their childhood with this Scalextric set and buying this for their children so that they can play with it.

This is a new product for the UK so information is currently scarce reviews are few and far between. The reviews that I did find were on amazon.com and as I thought it’s as popular with men as it is with children. -

Read more  Scalextric C1361 American GT Set – Top Toy Site: I

Articulate The Fast Talking Description Game

Family games are ultra popular this year, which is good really because it’s moving away from solo playing video games and towards families getting together for some fun and communicating more.

Articulate can be played by 2 people but is better played in teams of 2 or more. It’s quite a simple game where each player describes as many words as possible to their teammates in 30 seconds and the players have to guess what the words are. You are not allowed to describe the words saying rhymes with or sounds like which makes the game a little less easy.

read more ...Articulate The Fast Talking Description Game – Top Toy Site:

My All Time Top Board Games To Play

My All Time Top Board Games To Play – Top Toy Site: If anybody asked you what the top all time board games were there is a good chance that you would guess at least 3 of them. Even with a multitude of board games competing in the toy stores there are still a select few that everybody has heard of and many of us have played.

Not only kids are fascinated by board games and the intriguing styles, colours, designs and gameplay, many adults enjoy board games making them a real family activity. The variation in the way these games are played is truly massive. So much imagination has gone into many of the games that they are really unique.

Board games are really games for indoors, but it can be great fun when you find outdoor versions of these games to play. The best can easily compete with video games for fun and entertainment. Some board games have been adapted to be able to be played on computers and gaming consoles, but I don’t think that they can beat the fun of playing the original games with friends and family.

Following are the top 5 board games that are popular worldwide. How many of them did you include in your top five?

A Striking Christmas From Postal Workers

Next week the Communication Workers Union, which acts for around 4,000 postal workers are planning a 5 day strike. The post office says that only 3% of mail will be affected, but the union say that it will be a lot more. I felt sad to hear about that knowing that these strikes are planned for the run up to Christmas and could cause much disappointment to young and old alike.

Santa, postal workers strikeTheir grievances are over pay, pensions and job cuts due to branch closures. I’ve got to admit to some concern about the disappearance of post offices. It’s quite a trek to my nearest post office now, but if the post office were making huge losses I can understand why the outlets have been closing. It’s just a pity that they couldn’t find a way to make the branches more profitable.

read more A Striking Christmas From Postal Workers | Britster:

Why You Can Never Get Lost When You Travel To Singapore

Any tourist travelling to Singapore for the first time can easily get lost in its labyrinth of high-rise buildings and interconnected roads. In this article you will learn more about Singapore and how to travel around this beautiful country without getting lost.

Known for its shopping haven and delightful wide-ranging local cuisine, this garden city was handpicked by the British colonialists for its excellent geographic position since it is smack bang right in the middle of the Malay archipelago – yet sheltered from strong winds and waves by the Indonesian islands. Singapore broke away from the clutches of colonialism in 1957 and separated from its neighbouring peninsula Malaysia, soon after in 1965 to become an independent nation.

Why You Can Never Get Lost When You Travel To Singapore – Where To Go:

NERF N-Strike Elite Hyper Fire Blaster

Some people don’t agree with giving children guns in any shape or form, but children like playing with them and especially boys.

Not suitable for children under 8 the NERF N-Strike Elite Hyper Fire Blaster requires 4 x D batteries and as there are small parts it could be a choking hazard for younger kids.

Take aim with the HyperFire blaster and challenge opponents with ultimate speed. It’s the fastest motorised Nerf dart blaster,

NERF N-Strike Elite Hyper Fire Blaster – Top Toy Site: 

Dobble Card Game

Dobble is a party or travel game that relies upon fast reflexes and being observative as you race other players to match symbols on cards. This is a game that can be played by all of the family over the age of 6 and can be played by up to 8 players. Adults don’t have an advantage over children with Dobble, so all players are equal no matter what age they are.

Each card has a matching symbol and players compete with each other to find the matching symbol between one card and another. Each card is unique and has only one symbol in common with any other in the deck. The match can be difficult to spot as the size and positioning of the symbols can vary on each card.

Read more Dobble Card Game – Top Toy Site:

Exploding Kittens: A Card Game About Kittens and Explosions and Sometimes Goats

Sounds intriguing doesn’t it? Who would have thought that there would ever be a card game called Exploding Kittens. Somebody has got a sense of humour so let’s see what this top selling game is about.

Apparently Exploding Kittens is a card game for people who are into kittens and explosions and laser beams and sometimes goats. This card game is intended as a party game for 3 – 5 players, add another pack of 56 cards and 9 people can play.

The game is a sort of Russian roulette. Players draw cards in turn until an unlucky player draws one with an exploding kitten. Unless that player is holding a defuse card that player is dead or out. Defuse cards use things like catnip sandwiches, belly rubs and laser pointers to save the day. The rest of the cards in each deck are used to move, mitigate, or even avoid the Exploding Kittens.

Learn more: Exploding Kittens: A Card Game About Kittens and Explosions and Sometimes Goats – Top Toy Site:

Barbie Rainbow Light Mermaid

Barbie has been around in various guises since March 9th 1959 and is still going strong. I had a Barbie doll, my daughter had one, and Barbie’s boyfriend Ken and my granddaughter has a Barbie with a pet shop. You can see the first ever commercial for the doll if you scroll down and also a video showing the evolution of Barbie from 1959 up until 1916. It’s interesting to see how Barbie’s fashions changed with time. Plus a video showing this doll.

Barbie Rainbow Light Mermaid

This Barbie has a mermaids tail that lights up in or out of the water. Once you have added 3 x LR44 batteries and dipped the doll into water Barbie’s mermaid tail will glimmer with colourful rainbow lights,

learn more  Barbie Rainbow Light Mermaid – Top Toy Site: 

Trolls DreamWorks Poppy’s Coronation Pod Playset

One of the most popular toys this year is plush toy troll Princess Poppy who is also the heroine in the Dreamworks 3D computer-animated musical comedy film Trolls. Princess Poppy is the heroine who lifts the spirits of everyboy around her.

Released on October 8th 2016 the hugely popular film features the voices of Justin Timberlake, James Cordon, Anna Kendrick, Gwen Stefani and other famous names. It’s no wonder that the animated Troll characters from the film are so loved.

Poppy’s Coronation Pod Playset is just one of the Princess Poppy playsets available for children aged 4 and over.

read more Trolls DreamWorks Poppy’s Coronation Pod Playset – Top Toy Site:

The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition

The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition is the very special tool that helps Santa know who to put on the Naughty and Nice list. This interactive holiday hide-and-seek tradition is perfect for children and families of all ages. The tradition begins when Santa sends his scout elves out to Elf Adoption Centers. Waiting for their families to bring them home, these patient elves hibernate until their family reads The Elf on the Shelf, gives their elf a very special name, and registers their adoption online. Once named, each scout elf will receive its Christmas magic and becomes part of the family’s Christmas each and every year.

Learn more: The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition – Top Toy Site:

Relax and Lose Weight With Swimming Before Shopping

Swimming and Christmas Shopping

Today I went swimming before going Christmas shopping. Usually I find Christmas shopping stressful but by the time I had finished my swim I was so relaxed I could have shopped for England. Well I almost did with 9 Christmas presents, a week’s groceries and enough cat food and cat litter to last for a month – I buy it in bulk to save money.

Anyway that was my first swim for over 2 weeks due to me having a bad cold and then so much overtime at work I was too tired to make the effort to go to the pool at the local leisure centre. I enjoyed today’s swim though. It was so quiet I was the only swimmer for most of the time. My mum thought it was hilarious there being 3 lifeguards around the pool. Said it would take 3 of them to pull me out. Cheeky implication about my weight there. It does get quieter in the winter and especially when it’s adults only sessions.

Read more ... Relax and Lose Weight With Swimming Before Shopping | Britster: 

Chicco Bullet Balance Bike

Chicco Bullet Balance Bike – Top Toy Site: Children don’t play outside as much as they used to because of video games and watching television. One thing that can tempt them outside into the fresh air is their own bicycle.

One of the things that I enjoy about Christmas day is watching the kids testing their new bikes outside. Last year the kids in my street were excitedly showing me how well they could ride their new bikes when cheeky little Kyle told me that he had been learning how to ride his bike for 7 years. As he had just had his 4th birthday I had to smile.

Suitable for Children aged 3-5years this Chicco Bullet Balance Bike should be perfect for Kyle. It’s ultralight, the height is adjustable and it helps a child to exercise besides balance.

Aquabeads Beginners Studio

Aquabeads Beginners Studio – Top Toy Site: Most kids love making things and my grandkids are no exception. One of my prized possessions is a colourful heart made with beads by my grandson when he was 5. With the Aquabeads Beginners Studio children above four years old can play happily making many different designs.

The kit is designed for imaginative play and contains over 800 beads in 12 different colours. There is a bead storage case shaped like a shooting star, a bead pen to help arrange the beads and a sprayer to set them into a picture.

read more....  Aquabeads Beginners Studio – Top Toy Site: 

Halilit Baby’s First Birthday Band Musical Instrument Gift Set

Halilit Baby’s First Birthday Band Musical Instrument Gift Set – Top Toy Site: I can remember giving my daughter a musical instrument set like this for her first Christmas when she was 9 months old. She loved the noises that her toys made, she would giggle away whilst playing with them. They kept her entertained for quite a long time after her first birthday as the age this colourful set is aimed at.

The Halilit Musical Instrument Gift Set comprises a baby maraca, a rainboshaker, ocean drum, a bell and a clip clop. You also get a music CD especially composed for your child to play along to.

Visiting Britain’s National Parks – The Lake District

One of the most beautiful parts of England is the Lake District. Up in the north of the country, you could spend a lifetime exploring and taking in the sites of the wild yet amazing countryside. Holidays in the Lake District can be spent, walking, climbing, water sports or simply relaxing and enjoying the glorious views, there is something for everybody.

Read more ...   Visiting Britain’s National Parks – The Lake District 

Wood Puzzles Are The Best Gifts For Toddlers

Wood Puzzles Are The Best Gifts For Toddlers – Top Toy Site: It’s amazing to see just how many varieties of toys that you can find lining the toy store shelves nowadays. Most are manufactured for entertainment and play, but there are toys that can also be used for learning and education like puzzles.

A puzzle is a problem that was designed to test the ingenuity and problem solving skills of players and one of the main components is the use of logic. In a simple puzzle, pieces are put together in a logical order to come up with a desired solution. Some do them as a way of testing themselves and others as a form of entertainment.

Human Rights Cover Up Madness

Every day there seems to be at least one absurd news story, either about the EU or human rights and today I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read in the news about Europol’s cracking idea for a Christmas advent calendar.

The calendar features mugshots of 23 criminals who are on the run from the law. All of them have committed serious crimes which include terrorism, murder, drug trafficking and kidnapping

Read more: Human Rights Cover Up Madness | Britster:

TOMY Foam Cone Factory Toy

Bath time is more fun than it used to be that’s for sure. With the Tomy foam cone factory toy kids can make their own pretend ice cream cones while bathing. All they have to do is put a few drops of your preferred bubble bath into the cornet at the top of the factory toy, add some water, pull the lever and enjoy watching the pretend ice cream bubble and fluff up into the cone.
Read more ...TOMY Foam Cone Factory Toy – Top Toy Site:

My Little Pony Explore Equestria Crystal Empire Castle Playset

My Little Pony Explore Equestria Crystal Empire Castle Playset.  Kids love to use their imagination and this glamorous toy is perfect for make believe. The My Little Pony Explore Equestria Crystal Empire Castle playset is one of the best selling girls toys this year and it’s easy to see why. This playset is suitable for children 3 years and over and has some very attractive features.

There are a variety of play areas in this castle playset. It has a rotating light-up feature and it reflects 3 cutie marks at the press of a heart-shaped button. This attractive castle playset has 2 staircases, a baby swing, and 2 closets that have spinning shelves.
Read more:  My Little Pony Explore Equestria Crystal Empire Castle Playset

What Did Those Limeys Ever do For Us? The Yanks Ask?

I was looking through the internet archives again and found this very apt at the moment article that had been submitted to an article site that I used to own. Our politicians keep banging on about the special relationship we have with the US and hoping to get it back again now that Obama is toast. This article tells us about some of the things that we have given to the US, but before anybody complains we all know that we have had plenty in return.
Read more: What Did Those Limeys Ever do For Us? The Yanks Ask? | Britster: