Anne Berlets

I got a great deal on my boyfriends birthday present! I bought him a number of little presents but he mainly wanted a new pair of trainers. He had spotted some Diesel trainers he really wanted a little while ago and I think he thinks I won't remember which ones he wanted! They are these ones: They are called nostalgia trainers as the look old skool and I really like them as they are nice and simple and I think they will look really cool with a pair of jeans and a t shirt. They were £25 instead of £55 when he saw them! Bargain! So least he will think I have spent loads on him! Don't worry I am not that cheap - I have made the money up on some other presents so he is a very lucky boy! Picture: USC

A new craze at the moment seems to be people borrowing money from internet based loan companies. On paper the thing seems like a genius idea but is it the best? I mean the next time you are desperate for cash, instead of immediately jumping on google and searching for same day loans online how about looking at the way you live. Are there certain things that you could do without or cut down? Do you really need to do your laundry at a drycleaners? Or how about those two bottles of wine that are always on your weekly shop? Take a look at the little things first before jumping on the lender wagon. Image: drunken monkey

Movie stars trying to be rock stars it seems is a common pitfall of the acting vocation, one that, in the past has caused ample embarrassments and proffesionaly suicide. We only need to look at people Keanu Reeves, Billy Bob Thornton...Steven Seagal!?!? To know that such a thing rarely works. It therefore came as a great surprise to find out that Tim Robbins would be embarking on his own folk rock career. Oh lord, I thought, what a shame. I mean the guy is a great, award-winning even, actor. Does he really need this? It seems that he does, and judging by the few video clips I have seen, he is actually not that bad. Embodying a laid back yankee drawl with a traditional Americana folk vibe, it is surprisingly worth checking out. Check out Tim and his ban at the Union Chapel on the 30th September.