Blink Box

A night out ...in.

Following on from my last post about life after children, I thought I would talk a bit about what happens when you need a night out! Here is my run down of what happens when preparing for a night on the tiles for the first time after having a baby:

• Panic. Ive not been out since before the baby was born so will anything fit.
• Panic. Who can I trust to baby sit.
• Phone Mum. She can't do it.
• Panic. Phone step mum who can't help either.
• Phone anybody out of desperation and my sister's boyfriend offers.
• Panic.
• Write a list as long as my arm about what to do if baby wakes and where we will be with numbers to call. Babysitter nods blankly and asks how the TV works. 
• Panic.

I remember it being a blur and not getting out for about a year. It became easier as they got older. Now I feel sorry for the babysitter as my little girl views us going out as a night of fun ahead for her. Here are some of the lines she has tried:

•  "I only sleep on Tuesdays."
•  "Lemonade gives me superpowers you know."
• " Mum always makes us hot chocolate with marshmallows at bedtime." 

However, one of the ways around getting a night together, without the hassle and expense of getting a sitter and going out, is to grab a takeaway and watch a film together on the sofa .

Blinkbox is a way to watch movies online on your SmartTV, xbox360, ipad, PC , Mac or TV connected to PC or Mac. You pay for what you want to watch, when you want without being tied to a monthly subscription. You simply make an account, select what you wish to watch, pay to rent or buy and then watch it. I must admit we have been members of Lovefilm for a few years and although we have enjoyed having DVDs sent to us, I don't think we have done it justice and prefer the idea of watching a movie online when we fancy it. We hang on to the DVDs for too long and often the films aren't what we fancy right there and then so I've cancelled my subscription and am giving Blinkbox a go instead. It seems to me a much more instant way of choosing a night in and who doesn't enjoy a good film? I like the idea of not being tied down to a subscription. I can choose to pay for just what I watch.

I was sent some codes courtesy of BlinkBox (thank- you) to redeem and review the service they provide and we chose to watch a couple of films. I watched Kate Perry on my Mac ( not a boys film you see), we also got The Hunger Games and have another to pick . All in all a great success. Easy and simple site to browse and a great way to watch movies online without the hassle of having to leave your house! Definitely worth checking them out over the Christmas period - escape from the Christmas re runs and watch some great films instead!

What are your film recommendations at the moment?