After writing about aspirin face masks in last weeks column (check the recipe out at www.uxbridge gazette.co.uk/west-london-news/west-london-columnists/ransons-rants-andraves if you missed it) I've had one friend who told me her pharmacist is stock piling aspirin, as loads of mums have been in buying it to crush into face masks - and another who told me her pharmacist refused to sell it to her!

Remember ladies, as long as you keep your mouth and eyes closed when using the mask you should be fine.

I've changed the recipe a bit after doing some further research on the web - using hot water rather than cold makes it easier to crush the tablets up and a spoonful of honey added to the final mixture is not only good for your skin but it helps it stick to your face a bit better, so you don't end up with flaky bits on your clothes.

I received an exciting parcel this week when my new FootprintBag 4-pack arrived - they're these great eco alternatives to plastic bags that you take shopping with you.

I already had the eight-pack of strong fabric shoppers; they fold up into a neat package that is easy to keep in the boot of the car and then take with you on a shopping trip. They also have a handle to hang off of the trolley and come complete with a trolley coin.

There was only one flaw with the bags - the pack was great for the supermarket but too big to take out when you hit the high street for shopping. I did try keeping a small cotton shopper or plastic bag in my handbag but I only ever managed to use it once as I kept forgetting to put it back into my handbag once I'd emptied out everything I'd bought.

Fortunately, the mums that designed the FootprintBag realised there was great demand for a smaller pack and so they've just launched the solution - a four pack of bags.

It still has the trolley coin if you are going to do a small supermarket shop and the fact that it's so small and neat means it can go into a handbag or hang off a buggy.

Inside are two of the regular tough and roomy shopping bags but there are also two stylish shoulder shopping bags as well!

I think these are a great alternative to the plastic bags for life that I seemed to have a growing collection of. They were breeding in my cupboards of late so it's good that my collection will start to dwindle!

I like pretty cotton shoppers but you can't really squish them up small enough to fit in your handbag - so this is definitely the answer.

Cathy recommends

AT THE Odeon cinema, located in The Chimes, Uxbridge, Odeon Kids takes place every Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Tickets are just £2.50 and with every kid's ticket booked, an adult gets in free! Odeon Kids also runs every day throughout most school holidays.

OK, so it's not the latest movie that they've seen advertised on the box, but it's still a fun outing for the family.

Just steer clear of the expensive sweets and drinks or, if you must, take advantage of the special deals available.

Regular cinema tickets cost £8.20 for an adult and £5.60 for under-16's so this is a superb saving! Visit www.odeon.co.uk  to find out more.