A Lot On Your Plate - Dating In Your 30s, Paternity Leave & Lazy Girl Confessions

Episode Date: September 8, 2026

This week we're having a biiiig old catch up! Surprise engagements, last-minute trips to London and some exciting birthday month plans!We also get into dating in your 30s and why being single looks very different for women now, the campaign for better paternity leave in the UK, and a handy childcare tip for Scottish parents.Links and Codes below:Campaign for better Paternity Leave:(@dadshiftUK /  ⁨@MotherPukka⁩  )https://parentstrike.orgTax-Free Childcare Scot Gov:https://www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcareShuffle App:code ALOYP26 for free 6 months.https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/shuffle-rewards-eat-earn/id6474543590@shufflerewards (insta)Plus, we're sharing some current beauty and fashion favourites and reading some hilarious lazy confessions.Got a story or dilemma you'd like to share? Pop us a DM on socials or email [e-mail]!And remember you can sign up to Patreon for extra episodes every week plus bonus vlog-style content, competitions, group chat, early access to tickets and looooads more! See you there piggies 💖 patreon.com/ALotOnYourPlate Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello everybody Let's clap your hands for Tuesday Happy Tuesday I noticed you the day that we always say Happy Tuesday I could be a singer song right Yeah Boys of an Angel

Ha La La How are you Oh Punch my mic there I noticed I did that so much in last week's episode By the way You always hear like a boof

A boof I apologize for that I think you could hear me slurping my water But I thought At least you're hydrated. Remember it was you, I don't know if I'd water. Anyway, I'm good, thanks. How are you?

Not great. I'm like a deflated balloon. I can't talk about it, but I've just had a tough week of parenting. Just a tough toddler, should we say? But do you know what's frustrating? It's like you have such, this is just parenting as it is, I guess. You have such an amazing few weeks. It's a great stage.

There's no, I'm not taking that from him. And then they think, let's humble that bitch. Yeah. And he has been teething. There's just something not right with him. It's not like he's being a type of way he's ill. But it's not in a way of like a cold. It's a fever.

Yeah. And Saturday night, he had a temperature of 40, which has been the highest I've ever had with him. That is fucking lost. In the stage as it was 38, 39. I'd be panicking. I was like, holy shit. But I guess when obviously the guys,

a bit older, you kind of, Saturday night, which was like, we need to take him hospital. And I'm like, if we go to the hospital now, we bring one-one-one, they will just say, is his temperature going down with cowpole? Yes, it is, and it did. So it's like, then what would you rather do? Put him in a uncomfortable position on a Saturday night

at Wishaw Hospital with everyone drunk as a fart. For hours as well. Hours. Last time I took him there, it was a six-hour wait. I'm not doing that. You're just a bit more confident now as well that, like. You know he's just not well. And you know he's going to be fine.

He's just about no will. And he was. But then he just, he won't let me put him down. He's not like that either. He's been so needy. And then I checked his gums. And you know the canines, they are piercing through bright red. He hasn't eaten for like three or four days.

Just not satisfied doing anything. And it's just, it's, we're at our wit's end, to be honest. But it is what it is. What I find so funny is when you post close friend stories and it's like your daily condom? Your daily condom and I think, thank you.

It was a pasta wrapped up in the hair for me. Last night he just got macaroni scooped it up because I thought I'll make something soft I just literally made overboiled macaroni

with some cream cheese right? I was it. I think I put a little bit of Cajun in there to give it a wee kick and it went scoop all over the hair I'm like, I can't be asked for you no, I know

can't be asked and I put him in the bath and then I spring cleaned my bathroom whilst he was in the bath. Perfect. And it was like, this is perfect. Good opportunity. By the way, it got the most incredible mould spray, which I should give a shout out to.

Get that a shout out. People struggle and all. Honestly, Richard's mum's a cleaner, right? And she told me to get this mould spray. Right, it's the astonish mould and mildew spray. It's like that bottle, remember? You get it in like B&M, ASDA. She went, get that.

I sprayed it on the cracks of the tiles in the bathroom. Because it wasn't that bad, to be fair. But you know, it gets it inside the bit of the slidy door of a shower and stuff. What is that plastic of stuff? This, like, sealing? Exactly that sealant thing. Right. Sprayed it on.

I then went to go and clean the rest of the bathroom. As I went back in, I was like, where the fuck's the mold? I hadn't even spray it. Yeah, you forgot if you were looking to spray it. Yeah. One wipe and it was quite, it was actually brilliant. I know the pink stuff solves everything as well. That's so good.

Only if you use that actual pasty one, though, and I kind of be aroused with that. I know, it is a bit much. Definitely the pace, though. Any tough stains. And another shat cleaning products I need to shout out is called My Beekeeper's Friend. It's a powder that turns into like a, a bit like pink stuff, turns into a solution. Depends how thick you want it.

It polishes anything off. And I've got the, and if you've got anything antique brass or real brass things in your house, put this powder on it and it will polish it off like it's a brand spanking new. I saw it on TikTok and I've got it. thought there's no way that's true. It fucking is. You get off Amazon. We'll add it into the next to the newsletter.

You don't know what you're getting week to week with us, cleaning products, face products. You just don't know. Speaking of, should we do a little bit of a makeup breakdown? Because the girlie's freaking love it and we get out to every single week. I'll need you to have a memorise my makeup bag.

Three, two, one, picture chatting, we're ready to go. You're ready to go. Yeah. Right, day to day, I think you have to mention the SPF. I think you just tell me what's on your face today Okay On my face today We've got

Skin Citicles Serum Yeah Then we've got What's that moisturiser We're using in? Astora Did you buy that?

You put it in Sephora? Yeah I don't know how to pronounce it By the way I say that all the time But you guys know what I'm talking about The Korean Barrier Cream Great stuff

Then I've got Astura Light Moistiser on Then I've got Beauty of Hosen SPF but the one that's got the blue cap now the more like hydro on God, not seen it

full much lighter on the skin I don't think the other one's heavy anyway but it was just a bit more like watery I don't feel like which quite like and then I've got on House Labs Foundation Have you? Yep Did you buy that in Sephora

the other day? No it's my all-time favourite And COSAS concealer Which is my new concealer which I love Light Chanel Bronzer road freckle

It arrived guys It's not even the new one I'm not using the new one Until you like Nothing goes on my skin from that old one Because I just think Get your fucking money's worth 100% sense this

And then I've just got my Rimmel Wonderful Brow gel And Miscara is the One we like Sky High Sky High

A bit of Veeve set and spray And lips I've got my lip products here Today I've got road lip liner and bend Bend, bend and snap it's just bend and summer Friday's vanilla

lip balm that's what I've got on I've actually got no powder on today which I'll regret when the clips come out but he forgot what is in your hair hair um

a really busy night out on Saturday and grease and um They got to be... The yellow one? Yellow, like, mascara thick one. Okay.

So it's not... You're not got any oil and it's just literal grease. Just literal grease and then that thing. Brill. I would like to see if I'm doing this, I would like to put a mask in, but the masks or the oils I have, like it doesn't look like grease.

It looks like oil. Yeah. Like actual oil. And if I touch something, it would be oily and I just think it's too far. Yeah, I know what you mean. Like I couldn't like put my head back in the car. in, do you know what I mean? Instead of wet hair.

Yeah. Whereas I just going to be harsh washed my hair today so here we are. Every week, sorry, every month we put our outfits in the newsletter by the way we had somebody messages like, please can you start to share in your outfits? I'm like, sis, we do it every single month. Every month we do it. And we tag the products as well if we can. A lot of them we wear us old stuff so.

Yeah. And you know what? Speaking of, you know these leggings, even the matter of land leggings, so many people have wrote in the chat. Have you seen it like, yes, they are amazing. I saw you say there was a specific tape. Okay, so I panicked because I went on the website to try and link it for the girlies in the chat. And I saw there was two different kinds now. It's the so looks ones.

Don't get the cotton ones. And then somebody wrote in the review, because there's two new colourways, a burgundy and another one that I hadn't seen before. And somebody wrote, oh, I can't believe they've changed the composition of these leggings. They were so good. Just be worn like the new ones are different. And I thought, fuck. I don't want people to classic. to buy something that I've recommended in it not be...

Yeah, it's definite. Yeah. But the girlies seem to think that it was... They were amazing, so... Maybe that person was just using... And I noticed they had pockets on in the picture, but they might don't have side pockets. So I'm thinking, is it a move on, like, style and they've just...

I checked the composition in it is the exact same. 76% poly, 24% elastane or something like that. Fair enough. So, I don't know, but I'd really recommend them to you all, and somebody said that one colour was one pound on the website. What the fuck? But there was... I think it was sold out.

but... How the fuck can that be? I know. What I would like to mention before we move on is that I got the merit stick did I tell everyone about this? Yes.

You said it on the vlog? I'm not sure if I said it on the main but if I did apologies but I got the merit stick at Sephora and I think that with... Well, I had it on last week maybe that's what I said it with the COSAS

and see there's a lovely mix. A lovely combination. Lovely. Yeah. So that's me. Where's your jacket from? Mango. Mango via A sauce.

Mango's or we can't even talk about it. I can't talk about it. And then under here I've actually got a cute wee top on that's from maybe. Is it? I only got out the other day. First time wearing it.

But then I realized my arms looked at corned beefs so put my jacket back on. Yeah. And then my trousers are aloe and I've got... Yeah, we can't really see our stuff in the... Chrome... If you're on YouTube, I appreciate these moves that I'm doing for you.

Chrome, new balance. Balance. And that's me. That's my breakdown of... ask about my rings. Nothing special, guys. Nothing special. This one, if you're on YouTube, can you see? Maybe too far away.

Double, it's got a gold bit and a silver bit, two tone. I'll wear it on both hands, both middle fingers. It's from and other stories. I would like to go see if they've still got them because I would like to top up because they get scratched, do you see? Yeah. But I'm okay with that because they're cheap. And then one finger is a gold fendering,

which I don't recommend because it looks like actual arshel now. And then another one's just a cheap one from ASOS. or something and that's it. Stunning. That's it. What I'm thinking about getting for my birthday is an ORA ring now.

I know you would. And I just kind of feel like can someone send me one? Sending them to everyone? Feeling it! Like, biggest influence of Glasgow is starting bright year. Duh.

I just don't think it's that hard. And if you're listening... Oh, so we speak about it all the time. If you are listening... If you are listening... If you're listening in the ORA, aura. I would like the new

silver one. Thank you very much. I can't tell you my size actually. you get in touch first. Actually, I have no idea what my ring size is. Jason. Someone needs to figure it out and let him know. Yeah, I can make a sneak one. Anyway, watch your face.

Today, I didn't realise we're doing skincare, but okay. We have on, I need to be careful what I say here because Emma will be listening. I need to make sure that I say the right thing. I just make up what she's the way. Skin suit school's P.T.Ox serum, which we absolutely love. We do. Cream has come out and I can't wait to get it. PTOx serum, shit, when what have I put on?

Do you know what? I think I was a bit shit this morning. I think I just popped that on because I had stress with child. And I put on the Stora cream. Lovely. Love. But last night I put on my skin better science retinol. So I was like gentle stuff this morning.

Nice. Then I went in with the Skin Nova. Plamer. Primer. Merit sticking bisque. I love it. So good, isn't it? Then I put on the New House Labs.

conceal it a tiny weenie bit. I think it's quite thick but I do like it. Then I went in with the new road bronze, same thing as the blush, but like a stick. Yeah, it's the first time I've used it today so I'll let you know but it looks quite orange in that camera there but usually when I look on YouTube it's... It doesn't, I think it looks

really nice. Okay, so I've used Road. Then I used the Road tan lines blush. I used the Merritt Mid-Century eye shadow like a tiny weenie bit. It's like a it's like wet I use the rare beauty clear muscat clear eye gel

which is bare bones I need a new one I saw they do a tinted one so I might look into that do they is that new? Yeah it's just brand new yeah

would love to try it because people love the rare eyebrows but I just I need tint yeah they do tinted ones now and so basically everyone says they run out

so quickly so quick why is that they're too small it's tiny then I use the VIV eyebrow pencil. Lovely.

Mascara sky high in black. My lip liner is the wonder skin in shade saddle my shandikai sorry rose lipstick with a little

bit of summer Friday's pink lip gloss. Then I use the one size setting spray, the glass skin one. Still not sure

I love it more than Charlotte Tilbury set in spray I think it's the best in the world but I've bought it now so I will be using it. Do I not?

Do I not? No. I didn't use any highlight. I think that's it. I mean, we do look extremely glowy, but you looked wet that time. I looked so wet. It was ridiculous.

Over a ring I've really got out on today. Jumpers, Sisters and Seekers, Matalan Leggans, and then old, new balance. Same as Zoe's actually, but just got the Burgundy. I just know a lot of people are going to buy that jumper

because it's so beyond cozy looking. It's gorgeous, isn't it? And they do loads of different colours, you know? And you can just fling that on loads of definite occasions. And it's got a hood. I've got the most beautiful rain jacket. And I've not,

I've not fucking spoke about this with you for ages, right? But I bought it ages ago in End. I realized when it was raining, probably like, what month we are now? I think it was May. Right. And I haven't got any jackets with a hood when I'd take Jen tonight in a Pram.

And I went to go and get this one that I'd seen on Instagram. As somebody messaged me about it, it listens to the pod, like Jess, I've seen that you follow this Instagram. Are these rain jackets any good? Because I need one. I was like, I don't know.

I haven't bought one. Anyway, I then saw one from Damson and Madda, like the old school one, but they've got a new check version, right? And it reminded me that I have it because Ruby Rose shared it on a story and I was like, I actually bought that myself. Right. And it's in my cupboard. It's the one that pools at the waist. It's like a green, red, beautiful check. And I had to get it in.

I had to downsize it in it, by the way, because it was massive. And I got it from End in Glasgow ages ago. So it might still be in store. It's online because she shared it on her. story and it's got a hodding it's so gorgeous and I can't wait to wear it it's a war at the day it's bloody pushing in I know but that's something oh anyway my point of that was the girl that messaged me about this rain jacket I'll try and get you the brand um said to me because they're targeting everybody on ads you'll see it like a brown one the girl that message you it's not damson

mad no no no it's a different brand that I was thinking of getting but I followed them on Instagram she said by the way Jess I bought that rain jacket for 60 quid it's freaking shit the worst material whatever, I should have just gone and paid more for the damson matter one because I said to her, I went to that one instead. But yeah, if anyone else has been targeted at this raincoat that everyone's seeing, don't get it. It's apparently the worst quality ever. I don't think I've seen anything like that. Maybe I've just not engaged.

Do you have a waterproof, sorry, I'm saying rain. Do you have a waterproof coat with a hood? No, I probably don't. Because I have my north face puffer jacket that has like a hood that goes in the zip. But I don't even think the north face is waterproof. Because it's feathers. Yeah, well I was just about to say I've got a long

like puffer jacket from Uniclo which I think is meant to be waterproof but I need one's probably what you've just bought where it's not too warm Yeah It's more like it's not a puffer It just needs to be waterproofed it can just be shoved on Regardless of the temperature

But it'll keep me warm Yeah Dry Do you know Yeah Interesting okay Because I know we're going into that now It's going to start raining

And obviously if you're someone that walks a dog Or someone that walks with a pram What we are, I can't be asked to hold an umbrella as well as push your pram I'll hold a dog lead Not physically can't because all hands need be doing something Yeah so there you go Especially when they've stopped Anyone can recommend any like waterproof cool

That look nice rain jackets Yeah Send them in because I struggled to find them And I came across that when I thought Oh my God that's gorgeous I'm going to treat myself And then I just forgot I've lost it Because it's not rained Well it has

I apologise it's not fucking stop raining But I haven't actually been out actively like I'm going to go for a walk today in this gorgeous trench right yeah you're just getting caught in it yeah that makes sense right a wee bit about what we're up to shall we yeah number one thing to say today is

well something else is better than this actually but it's my birthday month now and we're not going to hear the bloody end of it she is 30 and she's striving also it's the busiest month of my whole existence I know Zoe, I actually feel so anxious for you. But also, like, so excited, but, like, I can't be asked for you,

and you just severely can't be asked as a person. It's more the things of, like, the in-between days where, like, the work needs to come in. Yeah. And I've got a lot on with work and fun. It's just a mix of both, and there's, like, two times that I'm going away, and I'm having to go to London for a day, and it's a lot. Oh, it's just a terrible life, isn't it? It is. It's a lot.

But anyway, secondly, my best friend got engaged. Oh-hoo! One of my best friends. Congratulations, Louise. She got engaged on Saturday, and she phacetined was like, oh my fucking God, I'm engaged. And we were all like, oh, my God, wow. And then we went to the pub on Saturday night to celebrate. I was so hung over on Sunday.

And you didn't roll in until... 2 a.m. I would say. Not too bad. I was serving home at 2. I don't think it's the worst. Because you were texting me like, Jess, like all we go... You actually put me in first name to him and I'd text in the morning like, lo, this is hilarious.

Jess, are we going tomorrow? I will set my alarm at 8. Obviously, I'm fast at fucking sleep. It was 2am. But I think I'd text you before that and you hadn't responded. Yes, because I was having a weekend from hell. No, I know, but I was unaware of that at the time, obviously. So I was like, are you going to tell me if we're going or not?

Because we're meant to go Glen Eagles. We're meant to go to Glen Eagles. And I sadly could not go. No, Jess was too unwell. You were probably quite thankful for it. I was so thankful. I don't think I could have went. It was the one in Edinburgh.

Like, I don't think I could have went to that. I know. There's just times where you can... And also you need to go and be hungry and when you're hung over, like, I can't eat. No. And you need to go and, like, look at least half decent and I couldn't...

What I'm going to tell you is I stayed in my jammies all day. Good for you. Got a subway delivered. Oh, nice. A subway 6 inch. I love a subway. I like a subway. Tex-Mexin.

It's my favourite at the moment. It's got Doritos in it. Oh, wow. Actual Doritos in it. Yum. Love it, Jason's worst nightmare. so I took in silence in the kitchen, like, in that way

when you're like, I'm not hung over, and they're like, yeah. I'm not just tired. Yeah. And actually I'm going to be sick every minute. And then we end up having a chicken roast for dinner, and I was like, too far. Are you nannas? No, I just at home.

Who the fuck made a roast? Jason. Bloody Nora. He made a whole chink. It was heavy on the stomach. It's not been the same since. But anyway, that was great news. Have to get your bum all washed out.

Yeah, I'm having to back there. I think. Reversed. Yeah, I think we're needing round too But yeah, it was so nice One of your besties from school getting engaged I know, that's lovely And it was kind of out the blue

Like we'd said a few times Like I'm sure it'll happen at some point But it wasn't like a Like she had no idea And she's an avid fake tanner Yeah You're no really ever seen Louise about fake tan on She had no fake tan on

So that just showed you how shocked she was So she had about an instant on for the night out On her little hands Just instant the hands The ring's gorgeous by the way It's very different Well, she loved, like, Princess Diana's ring It's very similar to that

And it's fucking massive on her finger Blue with the spiky diamonds around it Gorgeous. What's that called? It's called something. Sapphire? No, the style of ring, I'm sure. I don't know.

Can you tell you? I've just got a blue sapphire engagement ring but that's because her man's a lesser city football fan. Oh, so it's for different reasons. Nice. That's like Jason buying you a blue ring because he loves Rangers. No, thanks.

We're not getting married. We're also splitting up. Thank you So anyway That happens And imagine No No and bye

Get up off that knee Goodbye Get up and move out So we've got a wedding to plan Wow that's so exciting to us But see obviously we've done a lot of this chat recently And it is so funny that And this is what I'm saying to her

And my group of friends Was You just don't know how you'll be Until it's you Because Louise And she won't mind me saying this is definitely someone who was like, I'm not that bothered of getting married,

like, would definitely run off to, like, Gretna Green. Yeah, and now she's like, oh my God. And now she's like, I might get married next year and, like, do we have a hend? So that is just going to be me and you, though, we know it. And also, because you're excited

and you just think, well, why the fuck not? And I think because me and my friend Lindsay went on Saturday and then some of Todd's pals, like her boyfriend's pals and, like, a few other people kind of joined the group and whatever. And I think that gives you a taste of, like, how fun a wedding.

be. Yeah. Because it's like all your favourite people together. Exactly. So I think that's probably just spurred her on thinking fuck it, why not? But she's got really big she's actually an only child but she's got a huge family in terms of like cousins. Yeah. Like aunts, uncle's cousins. So it would need to be a big wedding if she was having anything

at all. Yeah. Either like the two of you or 200 folk. Yeah. So I think we've got that to think about in the next year or two. Especially if she's getting married next year. That'll be here before you know. No, I know. Which is fun and exciting. So that happened. I was so hungover. I can said to her look I hope that was your engagement party

in wedding. Yeah, in London because I can't handle it anymore. Party girl, the season is over. You can't do it again. And honestly, so I've got to tell you. Wow. That sounds like a really fun weekend. It was. Have you got anything to give from your weekend? Yeah, I went to London.

So you did. So I told them, I told the girlies this, we're on Patreon last week so you'll have known that. You'll have known that means I were meant to go to Glen Eagles and you've known that I was going to London. Correct. But basically, in short, my friend knows that I like Siena Spiro.

Both of us. But she knew that I did, and she didn't know anyone really that also did. And her friend is her hairstylist. And he happened to have two tickets for her to go and see her album show at a really small venue in Hackney on Thursday. It was like a one-off thing. She texts me on the Monday, and she was like, Jess, do you want to come to this? And I was like, Richard, is it any way you can rearrange all your clients? Because I read it and he was like, obviously he was like, he knows I love her.

And he was like, absolutely, like, I'll do that. So I was like, also the kind of show that you're getting invited to is like a one-off thing. Yeah, exactly. Like it's not like her tour and you can go somewhere else. He knows I was really trying to get his like tickets and stuff. And he was like, look, we'll just, you should go. We'll work it out. Anyway, book the train down because the flight was extortionate.

And I just thought like I'm just not in a position to be paying like, Before you know it with London, you need to, and you need to go and get a flight. And then before you know it, you're spending a few hundred quid. Yes, my ticket was free, but you're then going out for dinner. And I'm like, I just, I'm not in a position to be flipping throwing around like 400 quid off the whim. Like, I just can't do that. So anyway, I ended up getting a train down, which was with a new service called Loomi, by the way. Have you seen it?

Or Loomoe, loomie. Not seen it. I didn't notice until it pulled up. It was like a bright blue train. and it's basically a brand new thing alongside like Avanti West Coast or that. And I would say it's like the Ryanair of trains. Oh, okay? Right.

It's not terrible, but you don't have any way you can go and get food. like they come down with a trolley like quite old school still. I didn't have any plugs on my seat except if he sat at a table. It was chock a block in there. But it was cheap. My ticket was cheap. And that was the, and also it's one of those services where let's say that train was cancelled. no other company like rubs their back. It's like you can't go on that train. You have to go wait for the next loomy train. Right, okay. And vice versa.

So, and there was a delay on the way back, which was a fucking annoying. Anyway, so I booked with them. I thought it was worth shouting out because if you need a cheap last minute train, that's good one. And then got there to Houston. And we went for dinner.

So the restaurant I went to was called Lagana in the Shortwich. Nice. I was going to go to another one called Crispin. in the east but my friend said we need to try this and it's actually the same group as where Zaffair is

in Notting Hill where I went to last time when I went in which I loved Greek style small plates when you walk in it's all dimly lit the music's quite loud

so this is such a good place to go by the way with your girlfriends or whoever very baby so vibey and we've got our last minute reservation you can have

counter seating or normal seats and then when you get there there's loads of crayons on the table right and there's their signature thing is you can just basically create artwork all over your tablecloth. It's so cool. That's quite fun.

Yeah, it's really fun. Obviously, you don't have to do that if you didn't want to, but you have the option to do it. It's quite quirky. The food is incredible. And I have to say that I had the best, and I haven't stopped thinking about it since, dessert. And apparently they're really known for this, but it's their Basque cheesecake. Well, it's like their burnt cheesecake.

And it's got this thick, like super, super thick. caramel sauce next to it and it wasn't just like a normal cheesecake texture it was almost like silky soft smooth with the burnt bit on top guys it was outrageously good I love a good cheesecake by the way Greek salads for catcher

pimento's peppers with lots of salt potatoes chicken steak we had all like this small dishes at you share but it was so good so glad we went there And then we went to, we went to see Sienna in Hackney. And I need to shout this out right, because when we walked by, right, any of our, the girls and the gays listening to this, when we were walking down the Hackney High Street, I think it was actually Dahlston Junction, whereas with the nearest train station, there was this pub, really cool pub. And there was what I could only describe as the most gorgeous men all outside, right, with little name tags on their t-shirts. And we were singing Sienna Spiro as we'd like.

left the concert, which by the way was incredible. There's not much else I need to say to you about it. It was 45 minutes of just her singing at her whole album. We were right at the front. By the way, we were also standing next to Central Sea. Central C was there with all his posse. And it was tiny, tiny. So good.

She's amazing. A voice of an angel. Love her so much. Left, walked down the high street. And I saw these gorgeous men. And we were singing Sienna. And they were like, singing with us instantly just knew that they were gay. And I was like, I fucking love you.

They were just dropped their gorgeous. Obviously, I didn't go up to them. They were like, oh my God, have you just seen Sienna? and we were like, yeah, she was two doors away. They were like, no way. I went, what are you doing? They're like, we're on speed dating. Right.

I was like, what? And they were like, yeah, it's speed dating. It's gay speed dating. And I was like, what the hell? I said, no offense, but like I genuinely thought if I was to go to speed dating now as a single woman, I'd be too scared to go because I'd be thinking everyone there would, no one else would be up for it. It would be too cringy or I don't know how I'd feel about it. But every single one of these men were stunning.

I would, right? and they were howling and I was like oh my god wait so like how was yours today and they were all just obviously chatting afterwards or having a fag or whatever outside or making their merry way home and I was like so did you like him and it was like yeah it was nice and they showed me their phone and who they'd ticked and what they would do next time they meet up and then what happens is it's a bit like Tinder they'll go home they'll get an email of who matched you and then they'll connect you in some way where you can go and take it to the next level with them but I just thought you know what if you do live in London definitely check this out that's so good by the way

It's a date. Cute. Because also there's the pressure to maybe say to someone that you quite like them on the day or at the date, but then you maybe didn't. So it's good that you can do it through the... It's a date.

And it was at a tiny little pub. So definitely check them out because all of them were so hot and I thought, fuck me. If I knew that I would be confident enough to go to something like this on my own and there would be fellow...

And they were also sound as well. And is it specifically for Game N? Yes, but I don't think this particular thing. thing it's a date is for they obviously just had a gay night on in Dulcet. I think Dulcet area is quite gay anyway. So it was just like lots of, the vibes were immaculate down that high street by the way. Just so good.

So I just thought, that's such a good thing to know. And you should bring it, because you know they do that thing called Thursdays, which a few people have, somebody messages about it. And they said, girls, is it in the chat? Has anyone been to Thursdays? Yeah. Come to Edinburgh or Glasgow. And I was like, no, but you need to go for the plot.

Like, you have to go to tell us. So we can tell the podpicks how it is. I agree. But I just love real-life meet-ups, and I'm so glad it's still a thing. I know, me too. I think it's needed. And in London, like,

I think it's so important because it's a very, it's an area where there's a lot of, like, people that are striving for, like, their career and a lot of people move there on their own. And you two tend to find a lot of people that are single or in the same stage of their life that move to London. And that's why we're,

when you go out on a weeknight that's people just having nice glasses of wine with their friends like you don't really see that all that much here or especially in my hometown like you'd need to go to a bigger city to have that sort of lifestyle. Yeah, I agree.

Which brings me on nicely actually to an Instagram that I saw the other day and I thought it'd be really good to talk about it. Let's do it. So it's a pod clip from a podcast called Too Much Podcasts. So I don't know if any of you guys listen to it. But I thought it was really interesting. because I was having this exact conversation with one of my girlfriends recently who isn't in her mid-30s.

And we were talking about like, would she like to meet somebody one day? And she was basically saying, like, what I really struggle with is letting my guard down because in this day and age now, it's really difficult to find somebody that can be, that can give me what I need in this life. Because I'm financially stable. I have my own house. I've got a really good career. I've got really great friends, people that I really value and I love to be. around and I've got a great social life. What I need from a man is they need to be a bonus and be a great addition to that.

And I think the older that you get, the more comfortable you are on your own. And she was saying this in all a complete positive light, by the way. It wasn't like, she went, I just don't think I need a man. I don't know if I want one because I'm so insanely happy. Without one. Without one. Yeah.

So I just don't know where I stand with it. Like I don't even know if I want children. Like it's just such a great stage that I'm at. Yeah. And then I came. across his clip and I sent it to her because it's so key, like this is what's happening in the world right now. One second.

Around at my friends. I look around at my friends and most women I know and they have careers. They have apartments that they pay for. They constantly are going on trips. They have hobbies. They have friends. They eat at the best restaurants. They have entire fucking lives that are completely self-funded.

And yet there is this bizarre. cultural narrative going on that if you are 32 and single, something must have gone wrong. But the problem we're having is not that we cannot find anyone to date. The problem is finding someone whose presence would make our already good life better. We are the first generation of women who can genuinely ask, but do I actually like this man enough to build a life around him? And apparently that question has resulted in a bit of a staffing shortage. I look around.

I just love that. And I think it's so true. Like there is a huge declining birth rate. And it is all because of, and so many people that are single, people that aren't settling. And so many people weirdly, because it's society that think if you are a mid-30s woman or older, you've, quote, failed at life. Like there must be something wrong or don't you want to settle down or blah blah blah blah time's ticking. And it's actually like in most cases anyway. I know this is not all the case.

I know there are people that really want to meet someone and I get that right. But my friend, for example, she's really found true happiness in how she is as a person right now. She's found that she can just, I'm so happy. Like I'm so fulfilled in what I've got. Now, if I was to add somebody into the mix, man or woman, right? They have to be, they have to make my life even better. And I don't know how they can do that. I know.

And men feel emasculated a lot of the time. Yeah. Enter Manosphere. Like they're being told that women or this, that and the other. But actually what's happening is it's the first time where we've had freedom. We've had equal pay is getting better. You see women that are directors in companies like they weren't before. You have women that are making a decision that they don't want to have a family.

they have really great friends, financially stable, you name it, the list goes on and on and on. And it's mad that it wasn't like that at one point. And it's mad to think that it's actually taken this long, even it wasn't long ago in ways, since that it's still taken almost like this long

until probably that's a couple of years for it to actually like have stopped things happening. Yeah. Do you know what I mean? Yeah. Like it is only really our age group of like 30s who are maybe like making this change as that. clip we're saying. And I know there are women out there and men that do look to be kept men or women.

Like they do, there is still that narrative out there being thrown about. But on the most case, especially with the people that I surround myself with and yourself. Yeah. And probably a lot of people listen to a lot of people listen to be, yes, we want to have somebody to care for us and look after us. And listen, it's nice to be treated. It's nice to feel financially stable. But I don't, I think less and less people want. Depend on that. Yeah. Yeah. And they just think, well, if they left me tomorrow, that I know that I'll be fine. Yeah.

In terms of, like, a home, financial, whatever. Because even if you've got a home with someone, which we do, if you split, you would get half of that back. Exactly. So you're not, you're not going to be stuck without them. It's like kind of the answer to all of this. But I think, as well, the longer people go without that, the more they're just okay with it.

Kind of the same as, like, going into your mid-30s with still no kids. You're kind of like, at what point am I going to want them? Because my life's great without. It's a similar. You're only getting, like, better. You're only getting more used to your own company. Exactly. It's the same as being single.

Exactly. You're only getting used to just living life and not having to care about someone else. Obviously there's the added pressure though on women, which will never change, unfortunately. That's just science. Yeah, that's just science. You do have that pressure like, do I want them because time is ticking?

Yeah. But do you know what I think is an interesting thought? How many people, if they really think about it, only want a man to have a baby? I bet you a lot more than you think. No, I know. Or like if they didn't really want kids that much, would they be as bothered with a partner if they were single?

Probably not. But I think on the flip side as well, I do believe that men are becoming much better dads. Yeah. But for many reasons, right? I'm not just saying like they worked in the past. And they were just softer people as well. But they aren't the ones having to go out to work all the time

because women are working as well. and they just think that they're softer. They've not got the pressure of like the whole house hold on their head either. Yeah. And interestingly, I saw Mother Pucker, if any of you girls, follow her. She's campaigning right now for men to have a longer paternity leave. And I do think that, whether you've got children or not, I do think we should all sign that document and encourage that to go to Parliament

because apparently the statistics show that the UK is the worst in Europe, I believe, with the worst paternity leave for men. And I think, and also women, the levels of postnatal depression is extremely high in the UK. Which clearly goes hand in hand. Exactly. Yeah. Not only is it incredible to have that woman's support if you've got obviously a good man or woman around you, right? But I do believe that men want to be more present as well.

I think that's really hard for a man to majority of men to be like, right, I've only got 10 days off, like rich and self-employed, so he took himself voluntarily, like 10 days off. But to have six weeks paid paternity, like that sets you, your partner and your child up for life. That's so important. Some companies, you were telling me that our friend's partner gets six months leave because they're companies in Sweden or one of them, is it Barclays? They give them six. I think Barclays is really good, but I think a lot of companies are all students so you can split it as well. Yeah, so you can take it at a different part of it.

So say for example, you could maybe do like three and three. Yeah, or you could choose to take it when the baby was maybe one or something and go on like a six-month leave. Yeah. Just think how incredible it is for. I just think the problem is it creates like a competition between a mom and a dad. And it does, yeah. And it does.

And there's no point arguing that because... You become the default parent. And I would argue it too if I was a parent. Like, so I know that that happens and I would do the same. But it's like both situations, are actually hard. You're both up during the night by crying child, right?

Because it's one week old. It's hard on the mum because you've had no sleep and then you've got a child today with all day. But it is also hard on the dad no sleep and having to go work in an office. Of course, yeah. There's no doubt about that.

Worth on a building site or build a fucking house the next day. Yeah. Like, and people argue, well, I would rather be at home my child and people argue well, I would actually rather be at work because having a child's hard.

But they're both fucking hard. They are. They're actually both hard. They are. And it doesn't mean obviously we naturally side with the women right because we are women and I think from what I see a child's maybe harder depends on your job actually I mean also statistically depends like there's a lot of stay-at-home dads now yeah the woman actually earns more money so she's going back to work or you would

both both of you go back to work and then you put your child in nursery really at a day I mean it depends on loads of things like what your job is what you're having to go to work and do the next day how hands-on it is how behaved your child is how hard your postpartum experience is. Also how much money you've got as a couple. But all of that shouldn't matter if you just had more support

like government wise. It would make all of it easier. It wouldn't fix it for everyone but it would make it a hell lot easier. Talking of government. We yeah so basically yesterday the system method came to my

house which we love. Good point. Yeah, good point. And they came and did my kitchen. If you don't know who the system method are, you've probably been living under rock because we speak about them all the time but they are organisation queens that come into your house

and basically make your life a lot easier and to some people it would probably feel excessive because you maybe are a really organised minimalistic person but there's a lot of people out there like myself that is quite chaotic can be a hoarder in some sense

you know you look at something you think oh maybe I'll use that one day yeah you don't but since they came into my life I'd probably say about three years ago now, maybe longer, actually. Yeah, maybe. Maybe four years ago. They changed my life and I thought that it was going to be one of those things where once

they leave I would be back to my ways. Genuinely wasn't. I kept on top of it. Yes, they had to come and do like a declotter with me again a year later but I kept on top of it. It helped me so much. Then they came and did my nursery. We've become good friends with them. Both of us, we went to Katie's wedding. Zoe actually worked with Sister Method for Quinn Management. Anyway, they came to do my kitchen and they've, they've been. done an amazing declutter, but we're having a good chat because they're both mums. And Lisa said to me, I hope you do, because I said, Jensen's at nursery now two days a week,

I hope you do the government funding thing. And I says, interestingly enough, I've only just started doing that. And she said, I've also done that. And her daughter's a lot older than Jensen. And she went, no one ever tells you about it. And I was like, really? But then I think to myself, no one ever told me about it either, like until a few months in. So I thought, you know what, this would be really worth be saying on the pod for any new mums or anyone that doesn't know this.

Definitely. And I do think that it might, it may depend on salary. So don't quote me on this, like a joint salary. But the government in Scotland, don't know about anywhere else, but definitely in Scotland,

will give you 25% back of your nursery funds. You need to set it up in your government gateway. You basically put money into an online account on there. They then top it up 25%. They give you, I think,

£500 every three months of extra cash and then you pay your nursery via that fund, right? So you're basically getting, it works out for me that I'm basically getting like one and a half days for free.

I know when he hits three years old I will get more funded days but for someone like myself where I don't have parents to lean on that is such a huge help for me when a nurse is extremely high. Yeah. So I just thought I'd mention that.

I definitely look into it. It's called, I think it's called the child care funding scheme for nursery look into it. I can add the link in the episode description or in the newsletter, but look into it, it will help you. It's just so bizarre that when you put your kid into nursery,

assuming that you get a bit of a welcome pack of like opening hours, stuff like that about a nursery. Every nursery school, whatever, gives parents some sort of, this is who to contact if your child needs this, this and this, this is who to contact, if you need to speak to someone. Like within this welcome pack, let's call it. Yeah. This funding thing should be involved in that.

Yeah. Like it should be part of it. I guess maybe just presume everyone knows about it because I suppose there's other mums. Like lots of people have mum friends so they tell them, I'm not someone with loads of mum friends. So I didn't, I had one mum friend who had a baby similar time to me that said, oh by the way, who's got loads of mum friends.

Yeah. You should do this. But I think in ways you actually do have quite a lot of mum pals. Like obviously over the last. Maybe not in nursery at the same. time though is what I mean like even just like mums talking to mums like some people like she don't have one friend with a child I don't think I would tell someone that though if I was chatting to them I wouldn't be like because I'd just presume they know I know it's a child of nursery

I'm mostly then presuming that maybe do they get it some people can get like council nurseries where it's a lot cheaper and also you just kind of you're talking about nursery but you're not necessarily talking about like what it costs you everyone knows it's expensive it's a given thing so we don't really need to discuss it any further. I just think it's wild. But yeah, I think we should all be signing this petition for paternity. Better paternity. I'll add the link for the government to help any moms, future moms,

you tell your mum friends, whatever. Yeah. Even like if you're in a workplace, there's quite a lot of women. Like, could you add it to maybe like a monthly newsletter in your work or stuff? I don't know it. I just think there's such a lack of stuff like that.

Like people that just care about families. But I would never mention that, you know, unless Lisa Adolto said, by the way, no one told me that either. I'm like, maybe I should mention that on the pod. Because surely there'll be somebody listening to this. That's like, I didn't know about that. Oh, I think there will be. I think you're right.

Right, I also saw a TikTok that I wanted to discuss. Go for it, honey. Which I think, I mean, it's not helpful to anyone's life. And the way that... But we just want some brain rot. In the way that any of these topics of conversation have been to say. However... We love the balance as Oz.

I don't think about these important things you yet in my life. You don't. What's the laziest thing you've ever done? Nothing small, like sleeping all day, something crazy, and it's a guy that's posted this and he's ticked up right. Oh, I want to read the comments. So it's the comments. Do you know what, the first one I like?

Bought two phone chargers for each side of the bed so when I turn, I can just swap it over, which is actually helpful. Yeah. Sometimes I just snap the hanger because I'm too lazy to take a hoodie off properly. I've done that. Same. But often, you just pull it.

and kind of fuck it I'm doing. Sometimes I just stop in the middle of a sentence because they don't feel like finishing it. You just like, can't be bothered. Ordered for my dominoes and Uber Eats that is so close to me they didn't even assign a driver just had to sit an employee walk over with it. Might be find another one.

Put sunglasses on that were sitting on my nightstand instead of getting up to turn the light off to go sleeping. During COVID, I checked how many steps I'd taken it in the day and it was 16. Open my ring door I feel like that's my step count quite often Open my ring up to look out the window

Oh I need some time to think about this Because there's been many things that I've done in this I was too lazy to take my plate downstairs I just threw it out the window I didn't want to fold the laundry So I just re-washed it No do you know what I do still have that sometimes

I French braided my hair and missed a piece instead of fixing that I just cut the piece off. It's like when you feel you just threw it out. I saw my neighbour struggling to carry her groceries in so I just hid in the bushes so I didn't have to help. I threw a pot away because I didn't want to wash it. You know when it gets really stuck on that whole fucking shit? You just take the bottle going on?

Took a roll of toilet paper from work so I didn't have to stop at the store my way home. That's genius, by the way. Netflix asked if I was still watching and my remote was another side of the room so I just finished the show on my phone I do this changing what I said after someone says huh because it took far too long to say the first time

I'll give me more I changed my phone password to all zeros because I was tired of stretching my thumb around the phone to type it I got a film on Prime so I couldn't be bored to get up and get it the DVD out of the cupboard DVD?

I don't know who'd have I watched DVDs inside table came in a box to be assembled I can't be bothered so I just used the whole box with the parts in it's the bedside table angled to position my glasses on the bed so I could just watch TV through the reflection instead of just turning my

lost a job opportunity because they asked for a reference oh oh god that's so good fuck by the way I'll be finished no but I would do this one I was hovering and the kids

had spilled some pretzels on the floor and instead of bending over to pick them up We just crushed him with my foot and continue to everything. Oh, that made me chuckle. Oh, that is bloody brilliant. I had to share that. I only read two and thought, no, that's a good thing to share on that. The pod.

Thank you for that, Zoe. Lighten the mood, gorgeous. Hellenis. By the way, guys. Ready? You have tears all down your face. So we did the Lord's work. We emailed shuffle app.

We did. They were buzzing with the shout out. I got a manager roll on. And we got a code. We got a freaking code for you. The code gives you six months free use of the app. That's mega, by the way. A-L-O-Y-P-26.

Shuffle App. Shuffle rewards app. It works in cities, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester. Manchester and soon to be London. Yeah. And I actually check the Manchester restaurants, and they are so good. Loads that I love on there.

High ground is on there. It's so good. I'm just looking on it right now Westside Tavern's on there That's another good one That wasn't on there last week Varonis is on there Never been

To the wine bar Varoni's No Gorgeous Wow Locale Is it? Ralph and Fins Glass Shoe

Duke's umbrella The Corset Club Right Our Fave Moots Green and Grinds Great going to get into an office. We can't think that.

Must be getting more and more. Anyway. So basically it's a cashback app. Go in there. Cashback app. If you missed his last week. All you need to do is connect your bank account. It's a bit like I've got the same cashback thing

with Monzo actually. If you have Monzo, you can activate things basically. And every time you pay in that store, you basically get the cash back. Same thing. All those restaurants are activated. Go into any of them. You don't need to book via the app.

You go in, as long as if you pay with the card that you've connected via the app, You will get instant 5% back minimum. Some people get 100% back. That's madness, I think. And it's in all the places that you know and love. It's all small, smaller businesses, which we always talk about.

We spoke about them last week. I think this is a no-brainer and a perfect, perfect partnership. Shuffle app, a lot on your plate. A-L-O-Y-P-26 as you go for six-month free membership. Wham-B-B-B-B-B- Thank you for a game, ma'am. I think it's perfect. I do. I'm going to be using it, absolutely.

I've got my page... up for ages. I've got my page set up. I said it all up. As soon as you got back because I thought I'm getting on this. Definitely.

We all have a bit of money back because hard enough for going out these days. It's really unfortunate. Now I'm like I'm obsessed with seeing everywhere that's on it. Do you know what I mean? Do you know what?

It's actually also quite good. See if you're like, I want to go out for dinner. Where can I go? Where am I going to go this weekend and then you can have a be looking that and it'll help you with some ideas plus you're maybe going to get some money back.

So imagine if you're going out for like drinks and stuff as well in like the locale rounds are quite expensive. you can just get money back. Pock of cash from your pals. And like is each transaction a different thing? Yeah. How does this?

I don't know, actually. We'll last them. I know, I don't know. I've got one product of the week to shout out about that I haven't, we haven't done it for a while. Product of the week. Here we are. I went and bought the Vaseline Glutea higher moisturising.

How is it? In the turquoise bottle. She really said to me, she was around mine and I says, by the way, they actually look really good. They do. And she says, they are. But you need to get the turquoise bottle. It's my favourite.

And it is all the ingredients that I love, same as what was in like Amelia 8. Amelia 8 worked wonders. And I'm getting chicken skin back on the back of my arms. Rough. Not even just like tiny little spots. Right. And I hate it.

But used it. Love the smell. Nice smell. Love the silky sort of syrupy sort of feeling. Nice. It's 13 quid, though. I need to talk about, are we really comfortable paying 13 pound for a Vaseline product

that's in just like a normal size, average, squeezy moisturiser from, and I think I bought it from ASDA. I know what you mean. I know what you mean. I'm kind of expecting a five, or I think. I think 13 quid's very steep. 8 pound max, I'm going to say, is what I would expect that to be. Yeah, and when all the Vaseline products are next to whichever,

and they're all like a quid, two quid, then you've got this 13 quid. Is it because it's so skincare-driven, though, do you think? I think so, and also the fact that it's really hyped up because a lot of the influences are using it at the moment. But I will say it's worth the hype. I was going to say from using it though, would you repurchase at £13? Good question.

We'll ask you another time. Very good question. Would I repurchase at £13? No, but I would repurchase when I wait for an offer. I reckon boots will be somewhere to go for that. Because it will have like... I feel like they've all get vastly on like... Yeah.

That, like, reduced price they get me. Yeah. If I could get it for like $7. I like that. I like that. Yeah. So that's a good one for you guys I really like it, I like the smell But is it helping the skin?

Yeah, my skin feels so smooth And I've only used it three times Some would say that's worth it Some would say that's worth it Anyway Good product recommendation, thank you for that Hope you enjoyed that ep That felt a bit like a Patreon ep actually

Did it you? We keep doing that We're getting a bit loose on here I think But we start, if you like this sort of style of chat We talk about this sort of stuff over on Patreon Every Friday, we're a bit more relaxed We have good fun over there. We do.

So if you want to join us for some more, then please sign up. We've had lots of new friends over there, and we really love it. Thank you so much of support. We can't do this podcast without our Patreon listeners, seriously. So thank you. We can't. And if you go to season Friday, we'll see you next Tuesday. Bye.