12 very real struggles of Christmas in your 20s

There'll be no prizes given out for guessing that this girl here flipping LOVES Christmas.

From trying to stay up all night and catch a glimpse of Santa, to falling asleep early on the sofa from all the Bailey and Bucks Fizz - as soon as midnight hits on December 1st, I just can't hide that festive spirit anymore. (And let's be honest, I've not done a very good job of disguising it ever since Halloween finished anyway).

But singing along to your Christmas playlist and glugging down the mulled wine ain't all that the festive period is all cracked up to be when you're in your 20s, oh no! 
There's oh so much more to that when you're stuck in between being a big kid and pretending to be an adult...

1.) The balance between twinkly and tacky

I'm all about the Christmas jumpers - sequins, glitter, vintage, and even ones with actual bells on - but as much as 5-year-old me could go all out practically dressed as Santa's little helper, that might be just a BIT too jazzy nearly 20 years later on my work commute. So, a slick of red lippy and my 'kissing guys for mince pies' jumper with do as I head to my meetings.

2.) The gift of giving

How about instead of gifts, we do gifs instead? I'll make you a personalised one with my expert Photoshop skills and everything. Tis' the season of giving, and I always see stuff I'm dying to get my loved ones - before I look at the price tag and remember than I've also got about 15 other people to buy for and I chose a career that pays a pittance... WHY MUST YOU COST SO MUCH YOU FESTIVE FIENDS.

3.) Winter bulking

Party season means the tiniest and tightest of dresses come out to play, but also, so do mince pies. And well, you can't go to a Christmas market without having a Bratwurst or 2 right? No other time of the year would it be acceptable to start your day with a teeny tiny chocolate every single day, but, y'know...it's Christmas! It's cold - you need to add a few extra layers on your body to keep you warm right?

4.) All I want for Christmas is...you?

Once upon a time, you imagined your life to look like the front of a snuggly Christmas card, with a couple cozy in front of an open fire. But in reality, you've been seeing someone for a bit and you don't know whether or not to get them a present - cus if they've got you one and you have nothing in return, well, you just look like a dick don't ya? Or you're just inundated with family members asking you if you've got a partner and why you're the only single one at the dinner table...BECAUSE I'M JUST FINE AND DANDY AUNTY CAROL LEAVE ME AND MY PIGS IN BLANKETS ALONE THANKS.

5.) Voice of an angel

Speaking of Mariah Carey, who HASN'T has tried to sing along with her vocal acrobatics and highest of high notes. Every time, every year, i'm convinced I can sing just as well as her (especially when it's the last song played on the dancefloor), and every year, I'm sorely proved wrong. Also, how many times is too many times to listen to that song in one day? Just asking for a friend...

6.) He's making a list, he's checking it twice

Well, I'm old and independent enough now that if I want something I like, I kinda already just, well, get it for myself? Long gone are the days of folding down pages in the Argos catalogue for my wish-list to Santa, and instead, I've realized I've ran out of that swish moisturizer I really like or I need a new diary - but that's just not as exciting as being surprised with a Barbie dream house is it?

7.) Decoration goals

You envisage your home to look like a winter wonderland of millions of fairy lights and wreaths that even Pinterest would be well jel of. In reality, you're stringing up your own baubles, cutting out snowflakes to hang on your archway and you've got the tiniest christmas tree that you and your flatmate's loose change can afford. It may be small but dammit it's YOURS and it smells glorious.

8.) White Christmas

As a kid, waking up and seeing the outside of your window covered in a beautiful white blanket was one of the best and most exciting feelings in the world. School was off and you were all geared up for a day of sledging. Now though, yeah you still get just as pysched - before you make your commute into work and the train's delayed or you need to de-ice your car. You're inevitably half an hour later and your gloves are soaked through.

9.) So, when are you free? 

Look, there's only 4 weeks in December, so only 3 weekends before the big day, therefore, realistically, only about 6 whole free days where you haven't got that thing called a job or life getting in the way. That ain't a lot of time for having fun with your squad! And with everyone's schedules being different, trying to find a time everyone to get together is just an absolute mission, but there's a reason why they call it a Christmas miracle.

10.) Merry & mulled 

It's been a long day at work, you'll go to a Christmas market or a pub with some friends just for a quick drink you think to yourself - you deserve it! You've been working hard at that 9-5 life yo. But mulled wine has this tricky power of tasting just like hot Ribena and before you know it, you're 6 mugs in and it's about to turn midnight. Just like Cinderella herself, you're trying to get the last train home after you've essentially drank a bottle of wine to keep yourself warm.

11.) Chill or thrills?

You can't wait to get home, get in your comfy clothes, and put on Love Actually with the bae (be that your other half or a big ol' pizza). Buttttt, the girls from yoga are also at the bar down the road - you know the one who do two for one cocktails and always play your favourite songs? Yeah. That one. YOU WANT TO DO BOTH BUT THERE'S ONLY ONE YOU.

12.) Nearest & dearest

And that's the biggest struggle of them all - having to come to terms and accept the fact that you're just a big festive soppy git deep down (you don't fool me you Scrooge)

Hope you all have a magical, love-filled festive period with all those that you love! 

Until next time,

A.x

Icy November

Oh winter - you can be such a cruel and icy mistress, but dya know what? It does mean that I get to wrap up in a long ol' camel shearling coat that makes me feel like I'm in a 90s pop music video. And just to complete the throwback look, a slogan t-shirt that has 'trouble' scribbled inside a heart should do the trick.

It's no suprise that the weather hasn't deterred me from my love of all things pastel, cus y'know, the cold never bothered me anyway (sorry, not sorry). And you know what the best thing is when you wear all the pale colours under the sun in the winter?

You feel like a sassy lil' ice princess with your grey hair, frosted lippy and kick-ass over knee boots. (Can I add sassy ice queen to my CV please?)

If taking inspiration from from Disney princess Elsa isn't enough, then what about Brigitte Bardot? 

A zipped-up little cord number with some slinky 70s boots will make you feel suitably old-school, in the best way possible.

Or a laced-up knit with a trusty golden chained belt will do a similar job - the choice is yours! (oh don't I spoil ya?)

And of course, it wouldn't be winter without some festive knitwear now would it? Am UBER-cozy jumper with gold stars should do the trick, especially when teamed with a leopard print fuzzy mini-skirt and a big ol' high pony tail that would give Ariana Grande a run for her money.

Bit jazzy? Well, if all those patterns and prints are just a bit too jazzy for you liking, then it's time to take things down a notch with an all black ensemble, complete with sheer stripes and a deep side-parting. 

 Don't worry though - the underwear may be black, but it's still sparkly as a Disney festive parade.

And if all else fails, take a leaf out of your girl Posh Spice's book and go for a trusty LBD - i've gone for a scalloped edge and cut out number - and some high black boots wouldn't go amiss either.

 And why stop at going out ensembles when it comes to going back to black. A pair of ripped jeans and a tile printed polo neck will do the trick for any lazy weekend - and with a pair of sassy snakeskin boots and a Tracey Emin book on hand too, your inner Alexa Chung can sleep easy tonight.

Until next time,

A.x

Month by Numbers: brunch, birthdays & babes

You know when I decided to do weekly favourites? Yeah, well, who was I kidding - we all know that I was gonna fall behind on that so let's start afresh and turn this into a monthly thing yeah? Because, you know, life and shit like that tends to get in the way.

7 favourites..

1.) I've been counting down the hours until it was December 1st and I could whack out ALL the Christmas jumpers and put Mariah Carey on full blast, but that did mean that I had to say bye to a homely November that was filled with wintery frolics and old-school memories.

2.) One of the highlights of the whole month, was when I went to brunch. Yes. A meal was a highlight of mine and I'll tell you for why - it had been in the diary for about 3 months, it was with 3 of my dearest friends from Uni and it was at an absolute dreamy, tropical, palace. We went to Bourne & Hollingsworth near Farringdon and many a yummy treat were had: cripsy potato hash, bacon, maple syrup, french toast, salon, hollandaise sauce, and of course, bottomless bellinis. It was such a lovely day of chatting and wondering around the festive lights of London and it felt like no time had gone since we finished Uni together 3 years ago.

3.) And Uni friends aren't the only ones I've been catching up with as it was my 5-year school reunion and it was weird and wonderful all at the same time to walk back through those school days and share a glass of wine with the teachers that used to tell me to stop chatting so much in class. What it really made me realised is that everyone has taken so very different paths in their lives and you know what? Everyone's just happy for everyone and no-one's judging one another for what they have or haven't done - you do you babes, you're doing fab.

4.) Ok, so I know it's only just turned December BUT I've had the festive spirit bubbling under me for a while now, so it's hardly surprising that before the festive month had even arrived, I'd already indulged in twinkly lights, the Coca-Cola truck, and eggnog cocktails while roasting marshmallows in front of an open fire on a rooftop Wig Wam bar.

5.) And with friends, comes family, and this month saw the 3rd birthday of the youngest munchkin in the Lo family and as my nephew ran around with excitement ripping open presents, I fully indulged in some priceless Lo family time (as well as eating all the jelly and ice-cream on offer of course)

6.) But it's not just birthdays that means loads of Lo love. I spent a whole week fulfilling Aunty Amy duties. In case you don't know what that entails, it means drawing ice-cream shops, giving piggy-back rides, watching cartoons and playing hide-and-seek (which can prove to be rather difficult when you're a grown adult and the only places you can really hide is behind doors and the side of beds.)

7.) The soundtrack of my November has mainly consisted of 3 albums: Adele, Justin Bieber and Tame Impala. And lucky me is going to see one of them next year! (Can you guess which one?)

5 tweets...

1.) Honestly, one of my worst traits EVER is video snapchatting when I'm out and drunk...

2.) Oh GOD I've got a sore throat. This is it guys. This is the beginning of the end. Crack open the Lemsip and blankets.

3.) The past 2 weeks have been pretty indulgent in terms of calories, alcohol & my bank account. Oops.  #winterbulking

4.) Can't stop eating gherkins today. Gross but delicious (story of my life)

5.) Listening to #Adele25 and I keep staring meaningfully out of the window as I travel through London

3 outfits...

tshirt:Topshop, skirt:Topshop, boots:Daisy Street, coat:Missguided, sunglasses:RayBans

Even when you're a 23-year-old adult, you can put on a t-shirt that Lizzie McGuire would've worn and a long ol' shearling coat that looks like it came out of a S Club 7 Christmas music video to take on the day. Over the knee boots and wrap around icy blue skirt are perfect to make this into an ice princess outfit (grey dip-dye hair and fits of giggles optional)

LEFT- jumper:& Other Stories, skirt:Topshop RIGHT- dress:Topshop, boots:ASOS

Winter also means the time for jumpers, and what better knitwear to snuggle up in that a navy blue number with gold stars - I'd fit right in with a Christmas nativity don't you think? Paired with a furry leopard print mini skirt and a high ponytail and you've got yourself a pretty sassy ensemble.

Not quite as sassy as channeling your inner Posh Spice though in a cheeky cut-away LBD and black over the knee boots. Hi-Ce-Ya, hold tight!

Until next time,

A.x