OK, so it's been a while. My plan of writing more while also living more wasn't so well thought out since, well, both take time. Well done me. But, while the inspiration for this post is the reason I've been so slack on the blogging front lately, it's also given me plenty of ideas, hastily scribbled on anything nearby - so prepare for a few posts coming your way. 

Lately, I have been putting myself first (and the site second, evidently). For the past few years I thought that that was what I was doing; surely, that's what you do when you're single, right? But throwing yourself into work, doing the sensible thing because the scary thing is downright terrifying and being the responsible one in the family isn't, as it turns out, the same as being a little selfish. I'm not saying I've been a cow, as my thirteen year old self would say - I've just been doing a little more of what I want and learning how to make decisions that cheer me up. 

So it probably wasn't the sensible thing to spend a further £200 that I do not have on Spanish Level 2 - but I get so much out of it, that I did it without even a moment's hesitation. Oops. And yes there is a pile of washing-up downstairs that requires my attention (they are yet to invent the dishwasher that loads itself, apparently), but I've realised I had come to resent Saturdays because I spent the majority of the precious free hours cleaning, so it now comes second to whatever I want to do. I can still be a Monica, but it fits in around my fun time. 

I've also realised that despite work commitments and the ever decreasing bank balance (or should that be ever increasing overdraft fees?), holidays are necessary. Holidays make the world go round. Taking time out is so underrated, particularly when moaning about the packing and organising that goes into it - but after my recent best-holiday-I've-ever-had-ever holiday in Ibiza (post upcoming), I've been so much happier, more positive and just feeling pretty damn good about life. 

Of course I am now back and missing it like crazy, but I also have hundreds of great memories that keep me going. In those party-filled seven days, I felt more like myself than I had in years; I took risks (good ones), danced all night every night, fell in love with music again, fell in love with the island again and had enough girl talk to last a lifetime (though there is always room for more).

So, 2011 is still going strong... and there's plenty more fun to be had. What about you - how do you make sure you put yourself first every once in a while?

So most people have heard of or used Bach's Rescue Remedy for a bit of stress relief, whether it's to prepare for an important exam, steady the nerves for your tenth driving test with Mr Grumpy, or to deal with something life has unexpectedly decided to throw at you.

Well, I hadn't, until a couple of weeks ago. For some unknown reason, I had no idea what Rescue Remedy did, despite having worked in a chemist when I was younger and no doubt selling plenty of them come GCSE season. As someone who suffers from the previously mentioned panic atacks, you'd think I might have caught on already. Well, better late than never. 

However, while I'm slow to know the greatness that is Rescue Remedy, I am up to date with the latest in the line of stress relieving wonder products. I was sent the new Bach's Rescue Chewing Gum to try out a couple of weeks ago; chewing gum with an orange and elderflower liquid centre, that contains four drops of the famous Rescue. Designed to soothe and relax, I thought I'd give it a go. 

Did it help? I'm not 100% sure. When feeling stressed or panicky, I tried to have one of the pieces of gum to see if it made a difference - I did tend to calm down, but I think that was a result of a mixture of things. Interestingly, I think the act of chewing is good for stress; they do say it helps you think and focus, and I would say it helps get some of that frustration out (surely better than gritting your teeth!). The taste does go quite quickly, so a little like bad bubblegum you can't keep chewing for too long, but it did have a pleasant orangey taste. It does have the four drops of Rescue in, but having bought a bottle of the original Recue Remedy I found that just directly using the drops was more effective. 

Handy when you're on the move and need to be discreet, Rescue Chewing Gum is a good product to keep in your handbag but I wouldn't replace the drops with it entirely - it's more a sidekick than anything else. Plus, for days like today (the dreaded Valentine's Day, in case you hadn't noticed), Bach also now do a balm, perfect for lips or your temples... that might come in useful for first date nerves!