Ok so don't get me wrong, I love my food just as much as the next gal/guy. When I'm not eating, I'm thinking about what I'm going to eat. I love food so much I have a trademark food dance. Anyone that loves food can relate to this- you know what I mean- the little dance shuffle you do when you put in an order at a restaurant, or the waiter is bringing your long awaited dish over to your table or you know the microwave only has 30 seconds before the 'ping!'- TMI? Ok so maybe I need help......

Anyway, point is I get it, I love food too, but why oh why do you think I want to see a picture of what you cooked for you honeyboo-boo on Valentines Day? or for the fam on thanksgiving? I clearly wasn't invited, so why would I want to see a picture of it? After selfies this has to be my second biggest no-no! As always I like to give exceptions to my rules and these are; your first attempt to decorate a cake, breakfast in bed made by your 2 year old, ok 2-5 year old, I don't want to seem unreasonable! and maybe a surprise romantic picnic spread in the park, but that's it! Just to assure you, I was never under the illusion that you didn't eat food, or go to restaurants, so the photo evidence is really not necessary! Bon Appetit!

#ImJustSaying

With the Winter Olympics upon us, as with the 2012 games, I have begun to once again feel very patriotic, and it got me thinking about what it is I love about being British. So I have compiled a list complete with our many isms and schisms that make us British. Here's a list of my likes and gripes;

LIKE: Our culinary innovation makes us responsible for one of the most famous dishes in the world- Fish 'n' Chips (no-one says 'and'). Traditionally eaten on a Friday, but tastes just as good on any weekday or Saturday afternoon- hold the mushy peas!

LOATHE: Our obsession with the weather, talking about it, speculating about it, complaining about it, downloading apps to track it. Moaning about the weather is the number 1 'go to' subject if you are ever stuck in any of the following awkward situations with a stranger; in a lift, in a slow moving queue, beside a slow boiling kettle in a place of work, or stuck on London Transport- although here you can flitter between complaining about the weather and the transport system.

LIKE: Britain is steeped in such rich culture and history, with our museums, cathedrals, castles, towers and famous bridges, not to mention art galleries, theatres and architectural landmarks. 

LOATHE: It is a well-known fact that Brits when abroad like to holiday under the illusion that they have not really left the UK, and therefore insist on a diet of English breakfasts, pie and mash and chips. Finding a British watering hole with 'good beer', where we can watch Match of the Day and X Factor is top of the itinerary. And it is unheard of to try and learn a few pleasantries in the native speaking tongue to get by, but instead we insist on speaking in slower English (because of course that's the only reason you're not being understood by someone who doesn't speak English- the speed!) and by way of compromise we do so with our 'generic' foreign accent, no matter where we are in the world.

LIKE: Britain is home to one of the Fashion Capitals of the world- London! Goodness only knows why Posh Spice had to go all the way around the world to find that out?!

LOATHE: The unbearable pressure to do 'something nice' on the bank holiday, even if there are predicted snowstorms and motorway closures, and anything short of running a marathon, landscaping the local playground, abseiling down the London Eye or swimming the English channel for The Guinness Book of Records is deemed an utter waste of a bank holiday. So the fact that you re-organised the bookcase, or finally clocked Grand Theft Auto should be 're-versioned' before you attend the morning meeting on Tuesday!

LIKE: I love the British resilience and commitment, best demonstrated by us staying at the seaside and 'sun-bathing' for 8 hours in celebration of the hottest day of the year so far, even if that means it is only 10 degrees with short spells of sunshine, heavy winds and light rain. Without fail, if we've booked a coach, you betcha we will be there on that stoney beach we could have sworn was sandy (but then remember that was Margate- we always forget the sandy beach is Margate! doh!) playing rounders down-wind and eating cold sandwiches with cold fingertips, whilst wrapped up in picnic blankets, 'making the most of it!' 
Cup half full kinda people- that's us Brits! 

LOATHE: Paying taxes! This is not a party political broadcast, but it does feel like nowadays there are taxes for everything to buy, to sell, to live, to drive, what next? That was a rhetorical question Prime Minister if you're reading this, which I'm sure you are!

LIKES. We are pioneers in not just fashion, but also music, creators of sounds like garage, funky house and grime- which cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world! 

And finally I received a mixed response to this one; The Royal Family! With some saying that the Monarchy is not relevant or necessary as part of British culture, and others feeling very patriotic when it comes to our royals. I for one could only imagine how dull it would be without the likes of Wills, Kate and Harry. Visit my instagram page to see a pic of Prince Charles boogying with The Three Degrees- priceless!

Now seen as February is the shortest month of the year, there is less time to cram in all the exciting things that are happening this month. So I have taken the liberty of compiling for you a short list of must-sees (and 'must-do's'). I like to call it 'Nikki's Fab-Feb list of things to do' -you don't have to call it that, but yes I will be slightly offended if you chose not to! 

Movie must-sees, for my American readers About Last night starring the hilarious Kevin Hart, is to be released on Valentine's Day (although the trailer depicts a humorous but less than romantic dilemma!) But don't worry to all those UK Hartbeat Production fans, never one to disappoint, on the 28th February the little funny man's second movie of the year, cop comedy Ride Along also starring Ice Cube will be released in UK cinema. You can also see this month faith film, A Son of God  starring Diogo Morgado and for all those 80's and 90's babies out there The Lego movie is in cinemas from Friday 7th.

If you, like me, are having an early spring iPod refresh you will be happy to know that Katy B, and Ed Sheeran are releasing albums this month and Ashanti believe it or not is too, with a comeback album entitled 'Braveheart'. However if a comical evening in the theatre is more your thing why not go and see I  can't sing- The XFactor Musical written by the fantastically funny Harry Hill.

Right now you have no excuse not to make the most of it, now you have Nikki's Fab-Feb list of things to do! I know it just rolls off the tongue doesn't it!

Like most women, I love buying new clothes and undeniably shoes are my weakness. But I have never been one to enjoy tireless hours of traipsing up and down high streets and around shopping centres frequenting women's clothes stores. I am very much an online surfer, and if I ever have to venture out on a dreaded clothes quest I am not a browser, or a 'sale skulker'-not because I am a snob or because I can afford to miss out on a bargain, but because there is nothing that is appealing to me about the hustle and bustle of women's clothes shops, digging around endlessly for your size, then queing for the changing rooms and then once making your selection waiting to be served by one of the two members of staff that have decided to show up for the weekend shift.

It is for a combination of these reasons, why I have several items hanging in my wardrobe that I have never worn, due to a frenzied panic whilst shopping, inspired by a pressing desire to just get in and out. Which has often resulted in me purchasing the wrong size or realising later my oversight that my garment was emblazoned with an inappropriate sexual slogan or covered in skulls- what's with skulls on everything by the way! Anyway I digress... the items I have never worn and will never wear, are constant reminders that taunt me everytime I am frantically rummaging through drawers for a suitable Saturday night ensemble. But the alternative of enduring the dreaded ordeal of attempting to return the items at the customer service desk whilst queuing for what feels likes months whilst potentially losing the will to live is just too overwhelming a thought.

I really can't understand why everyone doesn't prefer the easier option of shopping online. There is nothing appealing about having to beckon the sales assistant over to help find a pair of jeans in your size whilst sifting through the mounds of size 6's on the shelf. Is anyone a size 6? Or is this just a ploy by the retail industry to make us feel even more depressed so that we enter into a vicious cycle of retail therapy? I only have one friend who is a size 6, who will remain nameless just incase I have multiple friends who consider themselves to also be, but certainly are not! No matter what size you are, love it and embrace it, but please can retailers start stocking sizes of the average woman too? Ever wonder why all the size 6's are left on the shelf!

Don't worry I am aware that my evident distain for all day shopping sprees means that I should not be expecting a call from the Sex in the City girls any time soon. Besides I don't think Carrie Bradshaw would appreciate my response to her invitation- 'No thanks, but what time are you stopping to eat and talk about boys? Can I join you then?'

Have I made any new year's resolutions? Absolutely not. Why? Because the one I made 2 years ago is still serving me well- not to make any new year's resolutions! I personally do not relish the prospect of starting a new year riddled with self-loathing and a pre-prepared list of my shortcomings that will soon transform into an itinerary of failings. Isn't it bad enough that the holidays are over and my unregulated credit card spending is about to catch up with me with the arrival of the dreaded January statement, than to also have to deal with self-induced depression aswell? So will I exercise? - Maybe, but probably not. Will I spend more wisely? erm... two words 'January Sales'! Will I eat more healthily? don't hold your breath- it won't fill you up anyway! Hey maybe I have just stumbled across a new diet fad- holding one's breath, too late I'm patenting it! Happy New year, and if you remain adamant that you will accomplish a new year's resolution good luck- but don't be surprised when I smugly reply 'Told you so' on the 4th Jan!

Ok so you're getting ready for a night out on the town, the dress fits, your hair has come out surprisingly better than in rehearsals and your make-up is flawless. The girls haven't arrived yet, but you are proud of your masterpiece and want to capture this moment- Click! Done. That is one of the only acceptable scenarios for an upload of a selfie, unless you are a celebrity- and let's be real if you were you would have a 15-strong entourage of stylists, make-up artists and hair dressers on standby for this sort of thing. Here are a list of scenarios where it is unacceptable to indulge in a selfie and then inflict it or worst still them (multiple!) on friends and family on social media awaiting 'likes' and comments; in a changing room in a dress you did not buy, in a party or club- if you don't have the nerve to ask someone to take a pic of you, and no-one's offered it's either because you don't want to draw attention to the fact of how vain you are, or because no-one thinks you look all that great! Harsh- but true, and let's be honest if you are prepared to upload snaps of yourself in a mirror with a phone covering half of your face, taken discreetly from the unflattering angle of below the chin on London transport or just of your lips, cleavage or posterior Kim Kardashian-esque, you need to be open to a little constructive critique. Don't get me wrong we can all dabble every now and then in a little self-vanity in the confinements of our own home whilst blasting out Beyoncé and practicing our red carpet strut, but ALBUMS of sideways pics, too close, out of focus and with a freakishly large arm protruding from one corner, depicting someone all dressed up with clearly nowhere to go are all a bit cringe. But hey, if it makes you happy, you keep doing your thing, but please just keep your selfies to yourself.

Today marked an epic day in 'Nikki bucketlist history!' I had the privilege of meeting in the flesh my childhood sweethearts-boyband 3T and their father- the legend that is Tito Jackson, (one of the original members of the Jackson 5)- the title should be making sense now! 

Our meeting in Central London on a sunny winter's day was brief but poignant. I joked with TJ and Taryll  about who my favourite member of the band was as TJ gave me a warm smile and embrace, I cheekily told Taryll he was at risk of being replaced from the number one spot. I asked Taj about his recent wedding, and he was evidently flattered by my knowledge of his recent 'big day'. I joked with the guys- (get me, the guys!) that they had not aged by a day, since my bedroom was plastered with their posters over 15 years ago. They laughed graciously, whilst remaining tight-lipped about their secret source of youth. But nonetheless their humility and genuine appreciation for my complimentary assurances just made them even more endearing and charming than I had originally perceived. 

The icing on the cake was meeting 'Poppa T', how the guys affectionately refer to their Dad- Tito Jackson, who was warm and engaging in demeanour and suave in his trademark look of bowler hat and cigar. He optimised the twenty first century definition of 'Swag', (a term used to describe someone who is well-turned out in their, attire-slick, sharp- you know!). He told me to spread the word that 3T were reuniting and working on a new album. I was flattered and tickled by the notion that through my evident 'fanatical' disposition and appreciation of the band, he thought I was well placed to 'get the word out on the streets'- so never one to disappoint the Jacksons, I'm doing just that.
Follow me on twitter and instagram for photos of my celebrity encounters @Nikki_Presenter or click on the link at the bottom of the page.

There seems to be a craze sweeping the country where it has now become 'acceptable' for photos to be taken of the general public and uploaded on social media sites, without their knowledge or consent. Arguably this does not breach any privacy law, but does that make it ok? Is there anyone else that agrees taking pictures of people in public places, just going about their daily lives, without their consent is just morally wrong? How is this newsworthy? The photos are often distorted or of poor quality and are usually captioned with a comment of ridicule. I can't help feeling as a journalist this is such unethical practice and somewhat creepy. It's not art, it's not even clever, it's just plain weird!