goodtoknow's team blog
Keep up with the goodtoknow goings-on, from Louise's beauty secrets to Anna's food news

By Beth Ivory

Lots of people I know, even single girls, are already decided on what sort of engagement ring they want.

But I've never been much of a girly girl, and ever since my man proposed in November I've been almost dreading ring shopping.

He chose not to buy the ring before he got down on one knee because, and I quote, 'I thought you might want something a bit weird.' Thanks for that, Jackson!

He was right, though. The last thing I wanted was a solitaire diamond ring, just like everybody else.

We went down to Brighton last weekend to get a ring. I was determined to come back with something unique. Something that people would really notice.

But, every shop window I looked in, it was the sparkly diamonds that caught my eye. And try as I might to find 'something weird', guess what I came away with?

Yup, a simple, traditional, diamond solitaire. (Which, by the way, I love more than anything.)

I hope I have better luck making the wedding a bit more original. We decided to get married in France at Cazenac, as it's cheaper than doing it in this country. Fingers crossed that should do the trick!

By Jolene Akehurst

So apparently I'm going to have to fork out another £200-£300 a year for my gas and electricity. All because British Gas has seen its profits drop this year. Sorry, did I read that right? Their PROFITS have dropped? Yes, the poor little blighters have only made £992m. Shame.

And don't go kidding yourself that we've got time to save some money before the next bill - the price hikes start today!

According to uSwitch.com, the average energy bill will now cost £1,126. Cripes. Already I've been desperately thinking of ways I can use less gas and leccy - things like switching off the TV rather than putting it on standby, turning the lights off when I leave a room, using candles to cook my Sunday roast...

I don't think I'd be gnawing my nails quite so much if British Gas could guarantee they won't raise prices again. But there's no talk of that. Forget the credit crunch, this is turning into the credit stomp.

They're a motley crew, but they're good to know

You all know me pretty well by now so I thought it was about time I got the rest of the goodtoknow team involved in the blog. And here they are...

From right to left:
First of all there's Jolene. She runs the website and keeps all the editors in check. Then there's Jenny. You may have noticed her name on a few of our Food and Diet articles. Next is Beth and she keeps Coffee Break and Competitions looking fresh and fun.

Charlotte is next and she writes on the Health, Family and Sex & Relationships channels. Then there's Anna. She's Food and Diets editor. If you need to lose weight or want a new recipe idea for dinner, she's your woman. Louise works on all of our channels, including Diets where she wrote our summer weight loss plan. And finally there's Rob. He's the Health, Family and Sex & Relationships editor and knows all sorts about, well, all sorts!

They'll be keeping you up to date on everything that's going on in goodtoknow, as well as making time for the odd rant on those topics that really annoy us all. Watch this space!

She's asking for how much?

Getting divorced is never easy and I know because I've been there and done that. Fortunately, we weren't wealthy so there was no ugly scrapping over money. Which is why I was fascinated to read about John Cleese letting rip on the subject of his soon to be ex-wife.

According to a report in the paper, she's claiming half his earnings, half of his nine properties and £900,000 a year. They don't have any kids, it's just for her. £900,000 a year? I wish I'd married him myself!

Anyway, they've been together 16 years and clearly she has rights to many things, but is that fair? What do you think? Or is it simply none of our business?

Check out the new Batman trailer with Heath Ledger as The Joker

Have you seen the trailer for the new Batman film The Dark Knight? I just watched it and it looks absolutely amazing. I'd read about Heath Ledger being brilliant as The Joker and from this little snippet, it looks like the reviews were right. Will you be going to see it? I can't wait. I don't think I'll have had as much fun since The Bourne Ultimatum!

Anyway, check the Batman trailer out and see what you think...