The Argus, news, sport, events, jobs, homes for Brighton, Hove and Sussex

Alice, 38, lives in Hove with her husband, young son and dog. Our Reluctant Housewife will try anything once, even if it’s only to get her out of the house!

Christmas Comes Far Too Early Once A Year....

Every year around October I always find myself saying ‘Bah, Christmas always comes far too early’. I hate the way the toy adverts appear on TV and shops suddenly start blaring out Wizzard and Mariah Carey while I am still considering a few more days wear out of my flip-flops. But oh no, now it is actually upon us and I am far from ready! It’s the same every year...

Tackling Christmas recipes with ease (well, almost)

Friends, family and regular readers of this blog will know I am not the best cook in the world. In fact I am pretty rubbish. I don’t have the time or money to take myself off to Tuscany for a weeks’ long cookery course and I constantly fail when left to my own devices so decided last week to invest and indulge in some self-improvement.

Happy Halloween from the Housewife

I love this time of year. Especially the week of Halloween and Bonfire Night. The air smells fizzy crisp, woody and burnt. Sunsets are golden orange and the early darkening reveals little twinkling lights, candles and the odd carved pumpkin face in the window. It’s a special season full of suppressed excitement and the possibility of a stunt or a scare in the air. Husband and I married during this week.

Smoking As An Artform, Discuss...

Let me say straight away that I do not endorse smoking in any shape or form, I don’t want to glamorise it, I don’t want to encourage anyone to take it up, continue doing it or not think about quitting. I myself gave up smoking over 5 years ago and am very proud of myself for doing so, I have absolutely no plans to start again and I know that it has no redeeming features whatsoever and am pleased to enjoy a longer, hopefully healthier life without it. So having said that, let me tell about this little exhibition that caught my eye…

Smartphone Killed The Pub-Quiz

Ok not as catchy as Video Killed The Radio Star and maybe not as true but it can’t be denied that the fact we have easy access to every answer in our bags and pockets is impacting on our traditional quiz!

Hove's Tropical Underbelly

Having been intrigued for over a year now with Hove’s hidden resort spot The Bali Brasserie and it’s attached Tropical Bar I felt a visit was well overdue. I know its not so unusual to have a restaurant serving Malaysian food, but rather the thought of a Tropical Bar intrigued me. I had visions of an exotic bolthole hidden away from prying eyes full of a glamorous clientele who had just stepped off a recently moored yacht. I wasn’t far wrong…

Time To Put Away Childish Things?

I turn 38 this week and find that I am still struggling with this whole ‘grown up’ thing. Despite having a marriage, a child and a mortgage I still feel young and all associated words attributed to that state: foolish, floundering, fanatical, finding my way. But on the other hand I am still ensnared by the trappings of adulthood.

Crumbs In The Bed

You know that feeling when you wake up in a hotel and just as you’re about to consider getting up to go down for breakfast you smugly remember filling in your menu card before you fell asleep? Then suddenly its ‘Knock Knock, Room Service’ and ta-dah breakfast is served whilst you’re still coming to. It’s a lovely feeling and I think breakfast in bed is still one of the most wonderful things that can happen to you...

TOP TEN: Here Comes Trouble, and other t-shirts

It’s a nightmare. A sartorial minefield. What do you dress your child in every day to show off just how funny and imaginative you are as a parent?

Lets Hear It For The Big Boys: In Praise Of The Corporation.

Hello, my name is Alice and I quite like McDonald’s restaurants. And I let my child eat in them. I also don’t mind Disney, Coke, Apple or Microsoft.

My Family and Other Animals

Our Boy absolutely adores animals, he is rarely seen without a stuffed one under his arm. His favourite is Monkey – a small gangly thing that he has had since he was a baby. With this in mind it has been a pleasure to seek out a couple of local animal attractions...