Tabla de contenidos para December 2016 en Glamour UK

One of my favourite things to do as the year draws to a close is clean up the pictures on my phone. Because among the inevitable, useless pictures of cheeseburgers I take for Instagram (although honestly? Best. Cheeseburger. Ever. I had to snap it), there’s always a great deal of forgotten treasures. The little moments that make me smile and often laugh out loud. I recommend it as probably the easiest, cheapest ‘happy therapy’ there is. We live in a crazy, unpredictable, often scary world. Let’s allow ourselves a moment to really appreciate what’s good in our lives and not take it for granted. Here are a few of my 2016 highlights. I encourage you to remind yourself of yours. And I wish for a brilliant, happy and safe 2017…

JK Rowling casts her spell over the multiplex once more, with the box-office behemoth that is Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them. The first in a trilogy, it’s set in 1926, well before the Harry Potter timeline, and stars Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander, a British wizard who accidentally releases a suitcase full of magical monsters onto the streets of New York. Eddie, who’s on boyish, twinkly form, proves he can hold a Hollywood franchise as well as shine in highbrow works like The Danish Girl. It’s a big break for his Brit co-star Katherine Waterston, who plays Newt’s future wife, Porpentina – and rest assured she’s no 2D sidekick. Undoubtedly, Fantastic Beasts is fuelled by the Harry Potter hype machine – but by crafting its own…

DNCE, DNCE Who hasn’t caught themselves singing the über-catchy Cake By The Ocean? Now, Joe Jonas and his band deliver more funky vibes with their debut album: Doctor You and Naked are total mood boosters Long Live The Angels, Emeli Sandé The quiff-rocking singer-songwriter excited fans with explosive comeback belter Hurts. While there are other blow-your-socks-off ballads (Breathing Underwater, Shakes) on her follow-up to 2012’s Our Version Of Events, tracks like Garden (featuring Jay Electronica) have an urban edge. Watch your back, Adele. Heavy Entertainment Show, Robbie Williams Robbie’s first release in two years is the usual swaggering, singalong pop. Any attempt at deviation (such as Party Like A Russian) doesn’t feel quite right – it’s better when he sticks to what he does best. Starboy, The Weeknd At 26,…

1. The Coveteur by Stephanie Mark A beautifully photographed snoop round the inner sanctums and wardrobes of 50 fashion figures, including Karlie Kloss and Miranda Kerr. Interiors inspiration doesn’t get any glossier. 2. Life On Instagram 2017 A rainbow over London, a marriage proposal in Chicago, a Cuban political march – some of the 800 off-the-cuff posts in this simple but stunning visual journal of the way we live today. 3. The Fashion Set: The Art Of The Fashion Show by Federico Poletti Whether it’s a ghostly hologram of Kate Moss at Alexander McQueen, or an actual steam train at Louis Vuitton, the best catwalks are about more than the clothes. This book celebrates the brilliant and the bonkers. 4. The New Garconne by Navaz Batliwalla In this book, subtitled…

We all know long-term relationships (LTRs) have ups and downs, but new research shows that modern ones are rooted in positive thinking. So, not “looking back on the years a couple have been together, but looking forwards at their future – we call it having a ‘relationship horizon’,” says Open University sociology professor Jacqui Gabb. And they aren’t boring. Compared with single life, “more people in LTRs are realistic that the grass isn’t greener – it’s just different grass,” which may need a zhoosh now and then. Here’s how to do just that. OLD RULE: FEAR SILENCE NEW RULE: EMBRACE SILENCE The image of the couple eating out in silence used to be the Freddy Krueger of relationships. Now, it has a name – ‘apart together’ (not ‘social mortification’) –…

Roasted veggie toast • 1 small sweet aubergine, thinly sliced • 1 courgette, thinly sliced • 1 summer squash, thinly sliced • 1 red pepper, thinly sliced • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced • 2tbsp olive oil • Salt and pepper, to taste • 4 slices wholegrain bread • 110g goat’s cheese • ½tsp chopped fresh thyme leaves • 1tsp grated lemon zest Preheat oven to 220°C/200°C/gas mark 7. Toss the veg and garlic with olive oil and spread on a baking sheet; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast, stirring occasionally, until the veg is tender (about 20 minutes). Toast the bread, then spread with the goat’s cheese and sprinkle with thyme and lemon zest. Top with vegetables, one colour at a time, to get a rainbow effect. Serves 4 Veggie…

education 2000-2003 BA (Hons) Archaeology, Anthropology and Art History, University of East Anglia I became fascinated by archaeology after watching a TV programme and, after much reading, I decided to pursue a degree in it. It taught me how to think analytically and to question everything. I graduated with a First, but as a career it involves mostly quiet, academic work, so it wasn’t for me. employment 2003 Sales exec, BRAD Insight, London Based purely on Jennifer Saunders’ character, Edina, in Ab Fab (yes, really), I decided to work in PR. I was told at a graduate recruitment fair that a job in media sales would be a good stepping stone, but I hated it. Selling rates and data to ad agencies was too monotonous, so I left to work…

Twenty-three years ago, at the same moment, I met the two most important men in my life. They were in the final year of university and close friends, sitting side by side. “I want you to meet Jay and Brendan,” a friend said. “You’ll love them.” A solid prediction. I did love them. I still do. Light poured through the windows of the fraternity house in upstate New York, where the boys lived like slobs. Being there in daylight was like walking through a haunted mansion with the lights on. Jay, Brendan and their friends were neither famous jocks nor, blessedly, college predators. I was rehabbing myself off an addiction to other kinds of boys – vanity cases and unfunny, hot babies. I wanted someone smart but not too serious.…

...uploads Snapchat footage of the story, as told by Kim’s fly-on-the-wall biographer, EL James It was a slow day at Kardashian Towers. “Kan-Kan,” Kim drawled languidly. This was her secret pet name for Kanye, which no one will ever know about except for the 3 million viewers of the forthcoming series of Keeping Up With The Kardashians (series 457). “Kan-Kan, I’m bored. Let’s play a game.” Kanye looked up from his copy of Sartre’s L’Être Et Le Néant, which he was reading upside down in the original French to challenge himself. “I’m tired, Kimmy.” “Kan-Kan, I don’t mean that kind of game.” Kanye looked relieved. He was tired of trying to navigate Kim’s constantly expanding and contracting hindquarters. “No, Kan-Kan. I mean a mind game. Who can we mess with…

This all started with an email. I was in my dressing room on August 8, 2009, taking off my make-up after a performance. I’d been on tour for almost a year as one of three dancers in rock star David Byrne’s show, and my life felt electric. I was working with my creative heroes and really feeling my power as an artist, as a woman. That night we were in Edinburgh. I’d been getting a lot of fan emails, but this one stopped me in my tracks. The sender said he’d seen us in Lyon, France, a week before, and went into detail about my performance. He mentioned wanting to work together in a company he was starting, but something about his tone made the hair on my neck stand…

Jewellery stole the show on the A/W16 catwalks – we saw it worn in hair at Alexander McQueen, strings of pearls appeared at Chanel and Gucci, and at Marchesa, the dresses were covered in brooches and other adornments. OTT not your thing? At the No21, Dolce & Gabbana and Miu Miu shows, bags and shoes got the bulk of the beading and embellishments, allowing outfits to keep things simpler. For inspiration, look to Dries Van Noten, whose dark, tailored looks had pearls wrapped round the heels of boots, for an unexpected party twist.…

SPRI T Z THIS Want a pretty new scent for under the mistletoe? Coach Eau de Parfum £69 for 90ml Coach is a total winner (and it’s Chloë Grace Moretz-approved, too). ST YLE STEAL Alexa Chung’s second Archive By Alexa collection for M&S is in store and online now – and we want ALL OF IT. First up? This vinyl trench (as sported by the style maven herself at London Fashion Week). Just. So. Cool. HOT N EW SHOP ALERT A store dedicated to Tory Burch accessories, you say? Sign us up. Yep, treasures like this super-chic rucksack, £410, will be hitting the Westfield store this month. See you in line! L E T ’ S PARTY… …because we need to dazzle in this Pinko look: Footloose bomber jacket £314,…

MASK A-PEEL “A mask is ideal pre-make-up, as it makes skin appear plump and fuller,” says dermatologist Dr David Colbert. Here are three masks that do more than just hydrate. EVERY DAY Better skin starts with a thorough cleansing routine, so start as you mean to go on. “A good regime includes a minimum of three steps: cleanse, exfoliate [skin-type dependent], moisturise,” says A-list facialist Sonya Dakar. Exfoliate with (1) Intensify Facial Discs £60 Colbert MD. A MONTH BEFORE Treat your skin to skincare’s latest trend – LED light. “The combination of yellow and near-infrared lights treat all layers of the skin, leaving you with a perfect partyready glow,” says Laura Ferguson from The Light Salon. thelight-salon.com BEFORE YOUR PARTY Do a DIY cheek lift. “With flat hands, glide up…

the citrus treat Jimmy Choo ILLICIT FLOWER £36 for 40ml EDT. Accords of jasmine and mandarin orange – the perfect floral-meets-fruity fragrance. Available at debenhams.com the luminous base Candleglow Soft Luminous Foundation £35 Laura Mercier. The glowiest skin perfector with a gorgeous dewy finish. Available at johnlewis.com the lightshampoo Coconut Water Shampoo RRP* £6.99 OGX. Super hydrating without residue – it’s a fine-hair miracle. Available at uk.ogxbeauty.com the perfectnude Lasting Finish Lipstick by Kate in Rock ‘N’ Roll Nude RRP £6.49 Rimmel London. A creamy texture and long-lasting colour for all occasions. Available at boots.com…

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A Letter To My Rapist brought tears to my eyes. I had a similar experience years ago, and I get daily flashbacks, which makes me feel I’ll never fully recover. Reading such an honest experience brought back some awful memories, but it was also a stern reminder that you can harness those dark times and become something better. I really hope the author continues to move forward, and that we continue to talk about rape. Alice, by email This month’s star letter wins a Cloud Nine curling wand that allows you to create curls, waves and more, worth £125. It has a temperature control and a heat guard to protect your wand. cloudninehair.com @jenna_coleman_ Thrilled to be the @glamouruk October cover star for #Victoria ... Thank you @joelvinglamour and @glamouruk…

Two houses, two courts, one Crown”. Now that’s a dramatic tagline. With a budget of over £100 million, Netflix’s The Crown is suitably lavish and ambitious. Claire Foy stars as a young Queen Elizabeth with Matt Smith as her Prince Phillip; we join them in 1947, the year they married (five more seasons are planned, bringing us up to the present day). While Elizabeth navigates her first years as monarch, Princess Margaret (played by Vanessa Kirby – turn the page for our interview) brings the glamour and scandal. For something less jolly, Downton’s Joanne Froggatt stars in ITV’s Dark Angel, playing Victorian killer Mary Ann Cotton, who was responsible for a string of arsenic poisonings. Meanwhile, BBC One’s Rillington Place is based on the real-life case of Timothy Evans, who…

1 . Two powerhouse actresses play two feminist heroes on stage: Ruth Wilson as Ibsen’s frustrated housewife in HEDDA GABLER (from December 5, nationaltheatre.org.uk), and Gemma Arterton as Joan Of Arc in SAINT JOAN (from December 9, donmarwarehouse.com).* 2 . With 200 props, costumes and artworks on show, STAR WARS IDENTITIES: THE EXHIBITION at the O2 Arena is a fan’s nirvana. From November 18, the02.co.uk 3 . THE RADICAL EYE: MODERNIST PHOTOGRAPHY FROM THE SIR ELTON JOHN COLLECTION at Tate Modern is a once-in-a-lifetime peek at the musical legend’s collection of portraits by iconic photographer Man Ray. From November 10, tate.org.uk 4 . Michael C Hall wowed on Broadway in LAZARUS, set to the music of David Bowie. Now’s your chance to see it in the West End. Until January…

BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BACON-HOLDER SIZZL Best for Bacon lovers, pork fans, ham aficionados. We love Everything, but best of all, how seriously this app takes bacon. One of its features is a button to report someone if you think that they don’t truly love bacon. MUST LOVE DOGS TWINDOG Best for Pet owners, dog people. We love That you can find mates for you or your dog, or both at the same time. You can make profiles for humans and pups. Taking your dog on a first date is the ultimate ice-breaker, and our kind of threesome. GET YOUR OWN ALADDIN MOUSE MINGLE Best for Disney fans, boys who own Mickey Mouse ears, girls who know every word to A Whole New World. We love That…

Ah, 2016, you’ve been good to us, social-wise. Who can forget those naked paddleboarding pictures that went viral, nearly broke the internet and found the ultimate use for the aubergine emoji? Or Taylor Swift when Kim Kardashian posted a Snapchat recording of a conversation between Taylor and Kanye? We saw Justin Bieber getting flamed by Selena Gomez’s army of fans for (gasp!) having a new girlfriend. Even HM the Queen had her #trending moment when Harry twisted her arm into appearing in a viral video featuring Barack and Michelle Obama. But how did these things actually happen? What was it really like in the room? We take you behind the scenes (well, what we think happened anyway). LET’S PADDLE-BOARD Or lando…

...over his Instagram lovefest: the transcript of Justin’s internal monologue [One day in August, photos of Justin Bieber with 17-year-old model Sofia Richie (daughter of Lionel and half-sister of Nicole) appeared on Instagram. Selena Gomez is, of course, Bieber’s ex-girlfriend.] 6.06AM OMG. [Sings to self] “Chillin’ with my homies...” That is, like, totally a great hook. It’s weird, though. I don’t feel that chill and I don’t have any homies around me. But I can still sing it like I mean it. I’m just gonna check my Insta. [Sings] “Chillin’ with my homies...” Wow, I have a great voice. 6.07AM Oh, actual pants. What have I done, man? I post one picture of myself with a fly lady girlfriend and the internet goes crazy. It’s the Selena fans, of course.…

Add a little luxe to any outfit this season with a velvet slipper – a great alternative to a heel or statement flat. Opt for rich tones and don’t be scared of a pop of colour. It’s a versatile party option, perfect with a tux or to add a sleek touch to a faithful party dress. A classic shape is great, but also look for interesting cuts or details. Standout statement your style? Let the subtle touches talking.…

We cannot lie: we love our PJs. Nothing could have made us happier than when they broke out of the bedroom and became acceptable daywear. And – clever, this – if you invest in a luxe silk pair in a classic print, they’ll take you from work to cocktails to, ahem, bed. Add a cashmere jumper and pointed flat and you can get away with wearing your PJs to work. Zhoosh with heels and statement earrings to nail evening dressing. (And then roll right into bed…)…

My friends had been raving about something they’d found online called a ‘flash sale’, and I wanted in, immediately. And I’m so glad I tried it, as I’ve now discovered the excitement that is vente-privee.com. This French fashion hub is the best way to get your fashion fix from some of the most iconic brands in the style capital. “You have to get in there quickly if you want to pick up the cream of the crop” So, what exactly is a flash sale? Well, it’s a get-it-while-you-can sale – but held online. The flash part comes from its limited time frame (each sale runs, on average, for three to five days). And the best bit? Each sale has a limited stock of great brands, but at irresistible prices (we’re…

shimmer brows THE SHOW Giambattista Valli HOW TO WEAR IT “To create a glitter liner, first paint on lash glue under the brow – this will keep it in place. Then add glitter on top using a soft brush to ensure even application,” says make-up artist Polly Osmond. ultra-glam shadow THE SHOW Tommy Hilfiger HOW TO WEAR IT “I’m really loving glitter at the moment – it’s much more wearable and sophisticated, making it perfect for the party season. It’s about creating a subtle glisten to enhance your features, rather than blockcoloured sparkle,” says Terry Barber, director of make-up artistry at Mac Cosmetics. sequin tears THE SHOW Burberry HOW TO WEAR IT “For this look, all you need is a highlighter and glitter. I like to apply highlighter using a…

BEAUTY DIRECTOR ALESSANDRA STEINHERR ON HOW TO PARTY-PROOF YOUR SKIN, MASTER EYE-CONTOURING AND MAXIMISE THAT BEAUTY SLEEP Back-to-back parties may be good for the soul, but terrible for your face. My aim is to ensure my skin never gets dehydrated, so its barrier remains healthy, which ensures maximum plumpness and dewiness. How to snooze better I’m usually a really good sleeper – but lately, it’s been a bit hit and miss. It’s no big news that sleep deprivation stops skin regeneration in its tracks, and leads to accelerated ageing. Sleep Welle Fortified Calming Tea £48 welleco.co.uk – I always drink herbal tea before bed – has a calming blend of valerian root, hops and skullcap. Or try Super Sleep £15 This Works – the dual chamber contains two bestselling formulas,…

also this month...  Shop our edit of winter boots, woolies and coats Got your advent calendar yet? Don’t miss our festive favourites 10 cracking Christmas jumpers you simply have to own Snapchat glamouruk Facebook glamourmaguk Twitter GlamourMag UK Instagram glamouruk…

Dressing table essentials “I’m obsessed with Le Labo’s Santal 33 fragrance. And of course I always use my Rimmel make-up line: I like the reddest red lip, a strong eye and lots of mascara.” Style switch-up “I can’t get enough of the bodysuits from my Tezenis range. I like the velvet piece, too – it’s so soft that I accidentally feel up my own boobs when I’m out in public!” Fashion queens “Kate Moss, Gwen Stefani and Bianca Jagger. I admire the way they carry clothes with confidence. They’re not afraid to try a look they haven’t done before.” Secret escape “My parents have a house in Montenegro, just by the coast. It feels a bit undiscovered – there are no paparazzi to cause a scene. It’s really relaxing.” Comfort…

6.30am There are four of us in our place in south London – me, my sister and two friends – all women. It’s really chaotic in the morning when we’re trying to get into the shower, or borrowing each other’s clothes. It’s like, “Have you seen my black T-shirt?” “Where the fuck’s my black T-shirt?!” 7.50am We have breakfast together before we head to the Tube. En route, I grab an almond latte to go from our local coffee shop. 8.50am Arrive in central London for the Season Two read-through of The Crown. It’s quite intimidating – we get miked up and read our lines in front of all the crew and Peter Morgan, the creator. All the producers are scribbling notes while we do it. Between episodes, we take…

GROUP CHAT HELL Aww, strengthening family ties the WhatsApp way. It happened to me: “I got to my mother-in-law’s before my husband, and she kept asking me whether we had bought her brother a birthday present. Thinking I was texting him, I wrote: ‘Your mum is doing my head in.’ Then her phone buzzed. And his dad’s. They just put their phones away silently.” Sarah, 32 DOUBLE-TICK ANXIETY Two tiny ticks = hours wasted staring at your phone. It happened to me: “I was dating a guy called Dan and decided to send him some sexy pics. But I was a bit tipsy and ended up WhatsApping them to Dad. Luckily, there were no blue ticks, so I knew he hadn’t seen them yet. I phoned my mum and asked…

15 MINUTES TO… MORE ENERGY Too tired to go out tonight? We’ve all been there, but a 15-minute nap can get you in the party mood, says sleep neuroscientist Professor Jim Horne. “It’s the optimal time to refresh your body. Sleep for longer, though, and you’ll confuse your body clock and wake up feeling groggy.” What if it takes you six minutes to drift off? “It doesn’t matter – it’s the act of resting for this amount of time that makes a difference,” explains Horne. 15 MINUTES TO… A HEALTHIER DIET If The Body Coach, aka Joe Wicks, taught us anything from his best-selling book debut, Lean In 15, it’s that we don’t need long in the kitchen to make something healthy. And he’s right. Even if you’re running out…

SOCIAL POWER COLLECTIVELY, OUR TOP 10 HAVE 196.2M INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS 123.2M TWITTER FOLLOWERS…

...and those photos: the tale, as told by Orlando’s penis Listen, it wasn’t my idea to go paddleboarding naked. I’m a big guy, but I’m a shy guy. I like to stay in the shadows. Orlando is the Hollywood star. I’m just along for the ride. I don’t want to have to get an agent. I don’t even like water sports. I certainly would not have asked to be displayed. But Katy Perry was very insistent, and it’s not easy to say no to her. I’ve said to Orlando repeatedly: “It’s OK for us to go paddleboarding – just don’t do it with me hanging out all over the shop.” But he never listens to me. I told him not to appear in a fifth instalment of Pirates Of The Caribbean.…

...trade mic drops: the text messages between Harry and HMQ that led to that moment [Text message from Harry to the Queen] HARRY Yo, Grandma. Would you be up for recording a 40-second viral clip promoting the Invictus Games? QUEEN Yo, sup, Grandson2. One is not sure. Will one have to act? HARRY No, Gran. You just have to say, “Oh, really, please...” in a sarcastic voice. QUEEN One doesn’t know. It sounds like a lot of effort. HARRY Come on, please. The Obamas are both going to be in it. QUEEN Can one do a mic drop? HARRY No, I’m doing the mic drop. QUEEN Oh. HARRY Come on, Gran. It’s only 40 seconds of your life. I dressed up as a woman in a peach dress and parachuted…

1 Try the mini in A/W16’s bold ’80s-style red. Synthetic leather skirt £65 Pepe Jeans 2 An oversized biker is the perfect pairing for your mini. Leather jacket £595 The Kooples 3 Make sure your supporting acts this Christmas are just as glamorous as the rest of you. Silk and cotton crêpe bra £83 Araks 4 Make that classic black clutch a patent one for a subtle ’80s touch. Mock-croc bag £8 Boohoo 5 This season is all about wearing sequins with nonchalance. A tux or slouchy dress is the perfect way to wear this tricky trend. Sequin pyjamas £435 Yolke 6 Wide is the shape of the moment for legs. Try trousers in silk – entirely elegant and ultra-comfortable. Silk trousers £220 Three Graces London 7 Miu Miu, for…

Yep, minimalism has had its day and it’s time to celebrate the extraordinary. Think swathes of sumptuous velvet in full-bodied colours, from Valentino’s flowing dresses to Alberta Ferretti’s laid-back pyjama set; lush brocades, as shown at Gucci, Miu Miu and Prada; tiers of shimmering sequins and beads (we want to be in Preen’s girl gang) and faultless embroidery. Statements and sparkle have long been a go-to for special occasions. I’m sure we all have a handful of beautiful pieces sitting in our wardrobe, just waiting for their time to shine. But navigating these for your everyday? Slightly daunting. First thing’s first: it’s time to invest, and not just in a dress. It could be jackets, bags, shoes, skirts or blouses. You name it, every piece is getting the star treatment.…

ALESSANDRA STEINHERR, Beauty Director DOMINIQUE TEMPLE, J u n i o r B e a u t y E d i t o r “My friends always say I’m the hardest to buy presents for – but I think I’m super-easy: get me a candle, and I couldn’t be happier!” 1 + 2 “I am obsessed with all the Christmas editions from Diptyque, Cire Trudon and Jo Malone – I’ve been collecting them for years. They’re the perfect gifts.” (1) Bethléem Candle £70 Cire Trudon; (2) Le Roi Sapin Candle £48 Diptyque 3 “Make-up brushes make really good presents – because let’s face it, we don’t often treat ourselves to fresh ones. This Bold Metals Collection Original 7 Set [£50 Real Techniques by Sam & Nic] has all the essentials.”…

PHOTOGRAPHS b y THOMAS SCHENK FASHION DIRECTOR KAREN PRESTON Suki Waterhouse and Poppy Jamie are wearing nothing but nude thongs as they plunder designer delights for their GLAMOUR shoot – trying on an enormous, shaggy, cottoncandy-pink Preen coat, marvelling over a pair of fluffy blue Miu Miu shoes that look like Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster, and teetering to the mirror in vertiginous velvet Aquazzura platforms. Even with the crew buzzing around, it has the air of two friends getting ready for a night out (albeit with about 20 grand’s worth of designer clothes to choose from), with that totally uninhibited, boobs-out whirl of gossiping, preening and Instagram-checking. It continues into hair and make-up, where, between blasts of the hairdryer, we hear Suki recounting a recent night out: “We only went…

Your mind is full of obsessive worries or thoughts, your stomach churns like a washing machine, you can’t sleep or eat and it’s hard to find any enjoyment in life. Welcome to the world of anxiety disorders – a growing epidemic now affecting 8.2 million Brits. Yet despite anxiety’s crippling effects, many people feel conflicted about medication – the first treatment likely to be offered by doctors. Why? Because everyone has an opinion when it comes to mental health. “When I told friends I was thinking of taking medication for my anxiety, some disapproved, saying it would just mask it,” says Katy, 30. But Rob Willson, a cognitive behavioural therapist and leading expert on anxiety disorders, says this is a misconception. “Some people argue that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs),…

Christmas usually seems to be a time to stop, reflect and digest the year gone by. This can be a moment of either relief or heaviness, as we prepare to embark on a fresh start for the New Year. As we approach Christmas 2016, I’ve written these letters to embrace what has been, what is happening right now, and what is yet to come. FAST LIVING To my ghost of Christmas past Dear 16-year-old me, I look back at you with admiration through gritted teeth, as I know you’re about to throw yourself naively into situations and friendships you should have avoided. This year, you are taking a massive leap in your working life. Don’t rush. I know things aren’t happening as fast as you’d like, but in the long…

1 QUIET TIME WITH A BOOK Perfectly acceptable in one household, an act of gross warfare in another. 2 “Could you wrap this for me?” “Sorry, ma’am, we’re not doing wrapping because of Christmas.” “IS THIS NOT PRIME EMERGENCY WRAPPING TIME?” 3 Over whether ‘Qi’ is a real word in Scrabble. (FYI, Mum, IT REALLY BLOODY IS!) 4 “But I reserved this seat in September. How the f***ing hell can the train have been cancelled?” Your brother’s new girlfriend will have absolutely no understanding of which Celebration goes to which family member. #deepbreath 6 WHEN YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE UNCLE has a sherry and remembers that he’s horribly sexist. Luckily, you also have a sherry and remember that you like arguing. 7 “IT’S 6.30PM. I THINK WE’VE ALL HAD ENOUGH WINE,…