LAURA CARTLEDGE Life's Like That...I went out for teabags but what I found was nipple tassels...

Card shops have a red glow and many inappropriate items have been thinly disguised with a veil of romance and slotted onto the shelves to take shoppers by surprise.

I know this because I was one of them. I innocently went into a well -known outlet (which sells items costing one hundred pennies) in town the other day.

My intention was to stock up on teabags for the office and maybe a cheap Toblerone. I didn’t expect to see nipple tassels. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a prude. In fact I found it a little bit funny.

I just feel sorry for any parents who have gone in there and been asked awkward questions by their kids.

But then awkward seems to be what Valentine’s Day does best.

It is national ‘show how much you love someone day’ – which is just asking for trouble.

And while I am strongly of the opinion that you shouldn’t need a special day, I also don’t think hurts to be a little bit soppy now and then.

Let’s face it. When the going gets tough it is those people who are the silver lining to our storm cloud of a day. And they need celebrating.

It doesn’t have to be something big or expensive. For me cards are the best part of many occasions – I always open them first at birthday and keep them up for too long at Christmas.

Plus ‘loved one’ doesn’t have to just mean your partner – in my experience friends and family like signs of affection too.

Which brings me nicely to something else... This February 14 is going to be extra special in my household. As my dad is celebrating a big birthday which ends in an 0. So I’ll just take this chance to say – Love you!

** I’m up for the scrum of the Six Nations

The Six Nations is back. And as my favourite sporting event I am more than ready for it.

My spot on the sofa is reserved, my England rubgy hoodie is out and my ringtone has been changed to Swing Low Sweet Chariot. For the first match I even baked cookies for half-time.

But I am hoping the games get a bit more exciting. As while the result was good versus Scotland the rest was a bit of a snoozefest.

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