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

By Beth Ivory

Is anyone else out there addicted to Survivors? It's a BBC1 drama set in a time when a deadly virus has wiped out most of the population of the world.

It's bloody brilliant.

It really makes you think about how much we take for granted and what we'd do if there was no food being produced, no electricity, no water, no public transport, no law and order...

If you've not see it yet I strongly suggest you stop what you're doing, click onto the bbc iPlayer and get up to speed with the first 2 episodes.

You won't regret it.

By Charlotte Gunn

Well ladies and gentlemen, the future is here. A man has flown across a great big gorge in America powered solely by the jetpack strapped to his back. I was so excited when I saw it. It's like something from a science fiction film - and a really great one at that!

Think of how good it'd be to live in an age where we could fly down the road to get some milk. It'd be so much fun! Everyone would be rocking a windswept hair look most of the time but I've already mastered that one so it suits me just fine!

I think we're a little way off yet. Apparently the jetpack can only currently run for about 33 seconds, but that might just about get me to the corner shop and back...

Don't believe me? Take a look at Eric Scott, aka Jetpack Man, in action.

By Louise O'Connell

Cheryl Cole has been voted as having the best hair. And we have to admit, we agree. It always looks perfect even when she's doing that sexy, dishevelled, 'Yeah, I just got out of bed like this' sort of look.

Top British hairdresser Trevor Sorbie said. 'It's no surprise that Cheryl's hair came out on top. There's something very attractive about gorgeous glossy hair. Cheryl's hair always looks in perfect condition with a great colour, which really suits her.'

So, if you've got hair envy and you want yours to shine and shimmy like Cheryl's, here are a few tips:

Gloss - Did you know this can be a giveaway to your real age? As we get older our hair gets drier and coarser. So always use a shine-enhancing conditioner but rinse well otherwise your hair could look greasy.

Don't be too rough with your hair, constant straightening, blow-drying and scrunching can lead to dryness, dullness and split ends.

Use a conditioning hair mask every few weeks. Or, if you've got coloured hair, once a week.

Always use the correct shampoo and conditioner for your hair type: dry, coloured, greasy, chemically treated, etc.

If you want flattering colour never go more that two shades lighter or darker than your natural/base colour.

If you're in a hurry and you want instant shine, spritz some shine enhancing serum into the palm of your hand - about a 10p sized blob if you have long hair, 5p sized if you have short hair. Rub your hands together and make sure the serum goes all over your palms, fingers and the back of your hands, then run your hands through the ends of your hair.

Don't forget what goes into your body can also have an effect on the condition of your hair. Stick to a high protein diet with lots of good fats, the Skin Diet is a good one to try.

Check out our other fave celebrity hairdos (and don'ts!).

By Beth Ivory

A friend of mine, let's call her Mary, has been arguing with her parents lately.

She's got 2 small children and is struggling with looking after them and working part-time. She's lucky enough to have a loving husband and parents who live nearby. Her mum and dad look after the kids for her about once a week - but Mary's always moaning that they should do more.

Don't get me wrong, I understand how tough being a parent can be, but I really don't think baby sitting should be an obligation of the grandparents.

Mary's mum and dad are now retired and enjoying themselves. They don't want to give up their weekends all the time, and I can't say I blame them!

I want to tell Mary she's being unreasonable, but she's so sensitive about it. What should I do?!?

Louise's winter coat has made her soooo happy!

I'm a naturally negative, pessimistic and moody person - it's a wonder I have any friends to be honest. And I do get quite down about the state of society and the world. However, sometimes something small will happen and it will flick a switch in my brain and make me really happy.

This weekend one such thing happened.

I've got a new winter coat, which I love. It's got a massive collar which I can pull right up to cover my entire head and four pockets, two of which have zips - handy and security-conscious!

Even though I really love my new coat I've always felt that it could do with two more pockets that I can rest my hands in when I'm cold or trying to look cool. But guess what? This weekend I discovered two secret pockets that allow me to do just that!

And this is all I need to feel OK again - a simple thing but it's made me happy. Is there anything in your life that has perked up your mood?