by Sam Grisdale
Our gift to you this rather dreary December day is the secret to our ULTIMATE ho-ho-hot chocolate we prep every Christmas Eve for when Father C comes to visit down our chimney.
We think our main man deserves an extra special lil’ summin summin when it comes to his hot beverage of choice during his crazy busy evening. So we turned to the one thing that brings forever love and solves *almost* all of life’s problems; <3 Nutella <3.
The most wonderful time of the year is here, however it doesn’t all always go to plan. Here’s stages of the Holidays – what we expect, and what really happens…
Pets
Expectation
The holidays with our favourite critters – what a dream!
By Zhenya Nikolova
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…unless you are a single girl with a big, nosey family. As much as we love going home for the Holidays and having a big family reunion, we dread those annoying questions we get asked every single year, I repeat every year without an exception.
Is it just me or when we were younger, having a boyfriend wasn’t a massive issue but now that we’re single in our mid 20s, that’s the most worrying aspect of our lives?
Personally, I was always told that boys should never come first, I should focus on getting a good education and building a successful career instead of always thinking about ‘boyfriends.’ Well I’ve done exactly what I was told. But NOOO!
No grandma, I am single by choice. Boys aren’t horrible to me, I simply don’t have time for that right now.
Why aren’t our personal and professional accomplishments not good enough anymore? Do I have to commit to someone to prove you that I am completely fine and happy with my life?
Sometimes it feels like our relatives have too much free time on their hands, they start worrying when in fact there is nothing they should be worried about. Because it’s not just boyfriends, it’s university, it’s working too much or not working much at all. It’s partying every weekend or not having enough social life, the list just goes on and on and on.
All these years, however, have taught me exactly how I should handle my family. And I’m sure the same methods would work with yours.
Firstly, just accept it, they mean no harm. It would actually be worrying if your family didn’t nag at you over your festive meal.
Secondly, don’t give them the answers they want, don’t agree with them even if they are right- be sarcastic.
When you get asked why you’re still single, tell them you’re too fabulous and over qualified- that will keep them quiet for a bit. When you overhear your Aunt Karen asking your mum how long it’s been since you last went on a date, come back at her with a little sass. My personal favourite, however, is announcing in front of everyone before I was even asked that David Beckham is still happily married so I am still happily single. Obviously you can replace the name David Beckham with your celebrity crush but if you want to shut them up and make them laugh, try this one out. Works every time.
Most importantly, don’t be rude or horrible. Make sure your family understands you’re joking and being sarcastic. Don’t for a second make them think they’ve upset you or you are being a cow for no reason. After all it’s the Holidays and no one wants a family reunion turning into a family fall out.
No matter how much we get nagged at and how much we complain about it, we love our families (even your cousin’s wife) and everything that comes with them.
So show a little sass, briefly update them on your relationship status or anything they want to know about and move on. Stick the festive songs on and after a few glasses of wine sing your heart out to single ladies.
It may be cold outside, but that doesn’t mean you can’t bring your lingerie A-game this season. Slay in lace or look sassy in sheer. Need some inspo? Here are some of our faves to help you upgrade your underwear drawer…
Romantic expectations are always high on the lead up to the big day, but the reality of having a boyfriend isn’t always as high up the festive fun scale as you would expect.
By Jess Jepson
The most vital decision when you’re in a new relationship; to gift or not to gift? How much is too much? Because you want to show him you care and you’re totally into him, but you also don’t want to come across too keen. What if you get him one and he doesn’t bother to return the favour? What if you play it cool with a simple gift and then he pulls out all the strings and surprises you with a gift of a lifetime? You literally can. Not. Win.
Cute days spent frolicking in the snow are always high on the festive boyfriend expectations list, but when cute harmless snow ball fights actually end up with you being shoved head first into a huge pile of snow and you end the day freezing, soaking wet, disappointed and with a colder heart than the -5 temperature.
Home alone, The Holiday, Love Actually, the list goes on. The Holidays aren’t the same without binge watching all your festive favourites. However, all your cosy cuddled up festive dreams are soon crushed when he doesn’t share your passion for Holiday films and spends the whole time complaining. Literally, the WHOLE time.
Now this one brings high expectations every year, as a kid everyone dreamed of kissing their future bae under the mistletoe in a magical, unforgettable moment. But let’s be honest here, it just never happens, does it?
The most daunting part of having a boyfriend during The Holidays. Both of you want to spend it with your own families, but with each other too and you’re as stubborn as they come. You either have to spend the day apart or come to some sort of compromise.
The idea of spending your break at a cute lodge in the middle of nowhere is all rainbows and unicorns until you remember his mum’s a control freak. And you now have to spend the next 24 hours with her. With no escape.
Shopping for presents is hell as it is, let alone when you realise you have absolutely no idea what to buy your loved one. Like what do you even get boys?! I’m pretty sure you can still buy them toy cars once they’re beyond the age of 12, can you? So every year you settle for the safe option; aftershave, socks, novelty boxers and his favourite chocolates. It’s the thought that counts, right?
Months dreaming of cute evenings spent browsing the markets and sipping on mulled wine with your bae are soon crushed when you realise he just doesn’t share your love for tit bits. He feels your over analysis of the wide variety of soap flavours the stores have available is completely bonkers. Oh well, you tried! Beats going alone, right?
Once it passes 1st of December, whatever relationship you’re in; good or bad, the reality is, you’re stuck. Whether you like it or not. That’s the rule. I mean it really would make you more heartless than Chuck bass in his early days if you dumped someone during the festive season.
Queen of the witty one liners, changing hairstyles and so much sass – today we celebrate all things Tyra Banks. Here’s just some of the life lessons we learnt…
Rock black and white all day errrryday just like girl boss J-Law. At the premiere for her new film Passengers we love this stripped back look on Jen. Steal her style in sharp tailoring and monochrome styling.
