First off, how has your 2021 been?

2021 has been fast and busy! I can’t believe we’re already in November and the end of the year is approaching. It’s been a strange year for certain, going from the lockdown at the start of the year to the gradual reintroduction of “normal life” back into our daily lives. I feel really fortunate that I’ve been able to pursue so many of my creative goals and ambitions this year, from signing with a new agency for representation for my writing, doing more acting work alongside my writing and establishing my own theatre company, Fury Theatre, focused on “female stories told with fire”. I’ve also had the pleasure of working with brilliant people, and having the support of friends and family along the way, which I’m so grateful for.

Can you tell us about your background and journey to scriptwriting?

I grew up writing stories and poems – and even plays when I got a bit older – but I never really knew that I wanted to be a writer. It didn’t feel like something “someone like me” could do. I was from a small village in Lincolnshire in the Midlands and didn’t know anyone who’d made a successful career doing something like writing. Theatre was my route into creativity from a young age, first as an actor and then realising that I loved writing scripts (and getting to tell other people what to do on stage!) I studied English Literature at the University of York and after graduating, decided to give writing a go and see how it went.

It’s been a long process since then, filled with lots of twists and turns, but I wouldn’t change a thing as I learned so much from each of those ups and downs. When I discovered screenwriting and started collaborating with filmmakers, I really felt like I’d found a new way of telling stories that excited me hugely. I started writing short films initially, before plunging headfirst into feature films with only limited experience – but a strong sense of the kind of stories that I wanted to tell, about women, places and emotional experiences that I felt I hadn’t seen depicted on screens with the complexity they deserve.

Your film Lapwing releases this month, can you tell us what an audience can expect?

Lapwing is a psychological historical thriller that has some challenging themes at its heart, from emotional abuse and coercive control to bigotry, toxic masculinity and misogyny. Set in 1555, on the rural coast of Lincolnshire, Lapwing is the story of a young non-verbal woman, Patience, who lives a suffocating life under the tyrannical thumb of her brother in law. When she meets an illegal traveller, a young man called Rumi, she starts to imagine a different life for herself. But this brings her immediately into conflict with her family and her community – particularly her toxic brother in law who will stop at nothing to keep Patience close.

What gave you the inspiration for writing Lapwing?

Lapwing actually started life as a short film. I have always been inspired by the past in my creative work, and also by isolated rural locations, and these things came together with a very vivid image of a young woman in Tudor dress covered in blood. That probably gives a sense of the tone and some of the themes of Lapwing – violence was always at its heart. From there, I developed the other elements of the character, world and story on my own initially, and then with Philip Stevens, the director of the feature. Lapwing was always going to be a story about a young woman finding her voice in some way and rebelling against the constraints placed upon her, which, like for so many young women, felt like a very resonant story that I could connect with and empathise with.

The movie is set in 1555, how much research goes into writing something set so far back in history?

A lot, in all respects of the process. Not just for me as a writer, but also for the director, the actors and particularly the design team from costume to set and props. It was important to us that Lapwing was as historically accurate as we could make it, and we were really fortunate to be working with incredible creatives who brought the world to life on a minuscule budget. From my perspective, the historical research was really about asking questions about the kind of life Patience would have had, and what her worldview was like compared to the others around her. Patience is in some ways a very modern figure, but she is also a woman of her time.

What is the process like for writing a script and eventually having it become a movie?

Exciting and terrifying in equal measure! It’s a really exciting time when you’re working on a new creative project, but inevitably it’s also scary when you’re handing that script over to other people, who you know will have opinions, ideas and feedback on it. You make yourself vulnerable when you write from the heart and when you write about themes and issues that are really important to you, as I did with Lapwing. But I do believe that the feedback you receive from trusted sources is all about helping you to tell the story you want to tell and ensure it’s communicating itself to the absolute best of your ability. So then the making of the script is a really thrilling process, seeing actors and a whole team of creatives bringing this thing you wrote to life. It can feel quite overwhelming sometimes, and now I’m in the midst of all of the confusing excitement of introducing the film to a wider audience. My mum and dad haven’t even seen it yet, and now it’s getting reviews and will be going out in front of people who I’ll never meet. That’s strange – but totally wonderful.

What are some common misconceptions about scriptwriting and the film industry?

I suppose my biggest misunderstanding about the process of filmmaking was the time these things can take. I was prepared for Lapwing to be a long journey, but it’s been a learning curve for me to really see and feel that play out. Also, it’s been a fascinating process to see how much a film is created and refined in the edit after filming. It makes complete sense retrospectively because the decisions an editor and director make in the edit shape the film, the tone and the way the story is told, but as a writer who’d never experienced a film edit before, that was a really new and interesting experience for me and not one I’d imagined previously.

Do you have to make many compromises on what you had originally imagined when a script gets made into a movie?

Inevitably things have to change on the journey from page to screen, whether that’s because of budget, time constraints on set – or sometimes things just don’t work the way you want them to when you start doing them with real people in a location. I think because of my background in theatre, where there’s always a lot of collaboration between writer, director and actors in the room, I feel quite relaxed about changes that might need to take place. I think it’s about trust – as long as you are working with a team of creatives who understand your story and truly want to put your vision forward along with their own, you’re in safe hands. That was exactly what it was like with Phil Stevens (the director of Lapwing), as I knew that everything he suggested or spoke to me about was to make the story as clear and strong as it could be. Also, Phil always talks to me about changes he might need to make – for whatever reason – which helps enormously, to always feel part of the conversation.

What are you working on now?

At the moment I’m in rehearsals for a new Christmas show for the Durham Gala Theatre. It’s an adaptation of the Nutcracker story called The Nutcracker Re-Miced and told from the perspective of a Rat Pack of three punk-rock loving mice living in the Durham clock tower. It’s been lots of fun to work on something full of life, music and fun – quite a contrast to the darker themes in a lot of my work! I’m also busy working on several new features and TV ideas, as well as developing a new show with my theatre company Fury Theatre.

What does your perfect weekend look like?

Brunch would definitely be involved, along with catching up with friends and family (usually drinking prosecco!) and my partner and I will probably go to the cinema or theatre, head out for a walk around our home city of Lincoln, which is beautiful, and paint together. We both work in the creative industries, so at least some of the weekend will involve some writing for me, and probably rehearsing the current project for the stage as well!

What do you always carry with you?

A tube of Smarties. They’re my essential fuel for writing, and the nostalgia of them always cheers me up!

What would your last ever meal be?

Definitely my mum’s Sunday roast, with my boyfriend’s chocolate mousse for pudding. That’s totally a hint to them, if they feel like cooking for me any time soon!

What is one positive piece of advice you could give to our audience?

Take the time to figure out what it is you want to do, and when you know that – go for it with everything you are. Never hold back and never let fear stop you from doing something. Believe in yourself and push yourself out of your comfort zone. It’s worth it.

The countdown to Christmas is officially on and television sets everywhere are warming up for the epic Christmas ad battle. Much to our delight, some retailers are getting into the spirit of things earlier than ever (18 months of turmoil has that effect), making the most of the lead up to the most wonderful time of the year. We stan the eagerness.

Following the global pandemic, kindness was the overwhelming theme from last year’s flurry of heart-warming ads but which retailer will take the crown for the best Christmas ad 2021? Will Kevin the Carrot reprise his role as Aldi’s most-loved character and who will lend their vocals to the John Lewis soundtrack this time around?

Brief your heartstrings and stick your predictions in a sealed envelope folks, here’s a look at all the surprise entries and big budget crimbo campaigns from your favourite brands so far, along with the iconic debuts from the likes of John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Coca Cola, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Disney as they hit our screens.

John Lewis

And now it’s Christmas! The most anticipated moment of winter tv has crash-landed onto our screens, two weeks earlier than usual and naturally, it’s out of this world.

Set to an ambient soundtrack of Together in Electric Dreams reworked by rising star Lola Young, the ad follows a young teenage boy as he befriends an unexpected guest.

Space traveller Skye lands in the woods near the home of 14-year-old Nathan, who shows her how Christmas is done on earth, from eating mince pies to snowball fights, decorating the tree and wearing novelty jumpers. When the time comes for her return to her home planet, Nathan gifts her a light-up jumper, she pecks him on the cheek and off she flies.

The strapline, ‘For A Christmas As Magical As Your First’ reminds viewers of the importance of sharing traditions and enjoying Christmas with their families again after 2020’s last-minute lockdowns left many missing out on the togetherness of the season.

Claire Pointon, Customer Director at John Lewis, said: “There is nothing more magical than discovering the joy of Christmas for the first time and enjoying your favourite festive moments with loved ones.

“After the last 18 months, we wanted our advert to really celebrate this as we look forward to a brighter future.

“We know our customers are excited for this festive season more than ever, as they reconnect with family and friends. Through the story of Skye and Nathan, we celebrate friendship and are reminded of the joy of experiencing Christmas for the first time.”

Were we overcome with emotion and running off to the loo to compose ourselves Edgar the excitable dragon style? Maybe not, but the festive ad carries a sweet and meaningful message nonetheless.

Sainsbury’s: A Christmas to Savour

Etta James. The cinematography. Every tear-jerking-round-the-table Christmas Day moment captured in 60-seconds flat. That’s how it’s done.

This year’s Saino’s ad captures a series of freeze frames as the camera pans around the room to show a Christmas Day mannequin challenge of sorts. From the champagne spray to the gravy bout mid-pour and the family dog begging for dibs on the roast potatoes, it’s a heartwarming reminder that we’ve been waiting a long time for this big family get-together, without the worry of cutting the guest list down to your six favourite relatives.

Apart from the spinny bit under the table that made us want to vom up a sprout a tiny bit, we liked this seasonal offering from the big orange ones. They might have peaked with the plug boy era (truly the definition of iconic content) but this isn’t a bad attempt at rekindling that modern-day Christmas spirit.

Honourable gripe/mention: We can’t help but notice they seem to be getting shorter and shorter. Mog’s slow blinking Christmas Calamity was a whopping short film compared to this. Bring back the bigger portions next time, please. We need more STORY.

Waitrose – You Can Taste When It’s a Waitrose Christmas

Infused with truffle, stupidly succulent turkey and Heston’s mince pies, the Waitrose ad has gone heavy on food for 2021 and we’re not mad.

It’s the first time in two years that Waitrose, which is part of the John Lewis Partnership, has gone it alone with their advertising campaign, which explains why the grub is the main character this year. Again, we’re not mad.

Starring Extras actress Ashley Jensen and top chef Heston Blumenthal, the light-hearted ad is really just a 60-minute journey that will leave you feeling kind of festive but mostly fucking starving.

Whilst the close-up food shots can come again, we’re not here for the Carol of the Bells mash-up, it feels a little too sinister for us, like Les Mills trying to cobble together a fun festive workout track for us and failing.

Did it set our souls on fire? No. But did it leave us wanting to run down to the world’s most expensive supermarket for a three grand Christmas pudding complete with candied figs? Yes, yes it did. Consider that a job well done. Take all our money.

Amazon

Amazon

What a way for Adele to debut her new song! The 2-minute Amazon ad is set to the goosebump-igniting ballad “Hold On” by Adele – the second glimpse of what to expect on her upcoming album ‘30’.

It tells the story of a young woman anxious about life after lockdown as she attempts to get back to normal, attending university lectures and seeing friends again.

In the next scene, a neighbour heads to the local park to feed the birds and notices the young girl on a bench next to her. After hearing a news update about the rise in anxiety amongst young people on the radio, she realises the young girl is struggling.

Determined to make a difference, she heads home, opens up the app and orders a gift to be delivered to her door.

Upon opening the present, the young girl smiles at the bird feeder and the thoughtfulness of her neighbour. She watches the birds gather on the feeder and glances across at her neighbour as she potters about on her balcony. She then gestures to her heart and mouths ‘thank you’. And just like that, we’re a mess, just like the soundtrack suggests.

Sharing a message about overwhelm and anxiety as we navigate the new normal in the wake of the global pandemic feels as poignant and necessary as ever.

Stripped back, current and unfussy in its approach to Christmas sentiment, it reminds us all that kindness truly is the greatest gift of all. We’re going to put it out there, it’s our favourite ad so far.

Boots

Three whole minutes of tear-jerking joy, Boots really pulled it out the bag this year.

The short film has gone for straight up Mary Poppins vibes featuring a magic bag bursting with sentimental gifts and never-ending glee.

Starring Doctor Who’s Jenna Coleman as Joy (aka chief gift giver and generous angel to her core), the campaign sees a young woman receiving a gift from her nan alongside a note that says, ‘This is what Christmas feels like.’ Realising that her bag contains a stash of perfume and beauty goods, she sets off to save Christmas, delivering thoughtful prezzies to her friends and family, from a polaroid camera to a woolly hat and even eyelashes for a sorry looking snowman. Honestly, we were doing just fine until the nan part at the end. Hold me.

M&S

So that’s what Percy Pig sounds like! The iconic character has been brought to life for the very first time thanks to a little bit of fairy dust and the nation is thrilled about it. Voiced by Marvel’s Tom Holland, Percy Pig can be seen roaming the aisles after hours with the help of his fairy friend, expertly played by national treasure Dawn French. Exploring the delicious treats on offer from triple chocolate panettone to delicate smoked salmon and golden blonde Christmas pudding, this is the best M&S food advert yet and it’s thanks entirely to the Spiderpig crossover we didn’t know we needed.

Elsewhere, their clothing campaign ‘Make the season anything but Ordinary’, staring former Victoria’s Secret model Madisyn Ritland and shot by Autumn de Wilde, showcases all the glitz and glamour of party season with the iconic matching pjs thrown in for good measure.

Very

Very really said Christmas cannot wait by unveiling their festive ad in October and after last year’s last-minute lockdowns and underwhelming festivities, who can ruddy well blame ‘em for starting the celebrations early. Chief Marketing officer Carly O’Brien said that after a pared back Christmas for many in 2020, the retailer wanted to “get into the spirit early and unashamedly embrace the season as soon as the leaves start to fall.”

Titled “It’s the Very Best Excuse” the ad plays on its keen timing with confused Halloween trick or treaters turning up to a house bedecked with Christmas lights and mince pies for treats instead of sweets. Whilst it’s no match for Man on the Moon, we’re all for getting organised and starting early to avoid the hell that is last minute hoo-ha of Christmas shopping.

Etsy

Keen to spread some festive cheer, Etsy dropped their first ad back in October and we’re here for it.

The online retailer has gifted us with not one but two Christmas ads this year, drawing on the importance of unique and meaningful presents.

“Our Santa” is the first 30-second commercial, which highlights the importance of representation, as a father sees how disheartened his own dad is that Santa Claus is always portrayed as a white man with rosy cheeks, in store, on gift bags and jumpers. When Christmas Day arrives, a young boy reaches under the Christmas tree for his grandpa’s gift a fluffy stocking featuring a Santa Claus that looks just like him. When we say our bottom lip left our body.

The second Etsy advert to air in the UK, “The Tradition” focuses on good ol’ neighbourly kindness as an older woman set to spend Christmas on her own is invited for a spot of wild swimming with the rest of the Sea-Gals. A neighbour named Agnes turns up on her doorstep on Christmas Day bearing a special gift – a personalised dry robe and an invitation to join them in celebrating their longstanding tradition.

Disney

Titled “The Stepdad”, this year’s heart-warming short film is a sequel to last year’s instalment and celebrates family togetherness and the power of storytelling.

The sweet story follows Nicole, the granddaughter from 2020, all grown up with two adorable children of her own. Stepdad Mike moves into the family home and bonds with little Max and Ella as they make new festive traditions together and share in the magical storybook gifted to them by their papa.

But chaos ensues when their DIY gingerbread house collapses and the children run off in tears. Mike stays up to reconstruct it and by morning, Max and Ella are happy once more. Not all heroes wear capes.

All proceeds from each download of the soundtrack “Love Runs Deeper” by Grammy award winner, Gregory Porter, will go towards the Make-A-Wish foundation.

Lidl

It seems futuristic Christmas ads are the way to go for 2021 and Lidl certainly got the memo. Set to the soundtrack of Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree, the one minute Lidl ad starts in the present day with a family gathered round the table tucking into a festive feast with all the trimmings, popping the bubbly and carving the turkey.

The second part cuts to the same scene only this time it’s set decades in the future. Some family members have moved to the moon, they’ve got a cutting-edge laser to carve the turkey, levitating plates and in a plot twist, their pet dog can now talk and even ask for a pig in a blanket.

The final scene leaps even further into the future with the same family still enjoying Lidl’s delectable Christmas spread and getting into the intergalactic spirit of the season, featuring a novelty Christmas jumper we can’t help but want.

Lidl marketing director Claire Farrant, says of their festive ad offering, “After a challenging couple of years, the nation wants to look forward, not back, which is why we’ve set our light-hearted ad decades in the future.

“Given our commitment to always be ‘Big on quality, Lidl on price’ this year we wanted our Christmas advert to show that we really do mean always, no matter what the future has in store for us!”

Aldi

Anyone else over here casually having kittens about Kev the Carrot’s whereabouts?

This year, Aldi are starting a new animated tradition with… Ebanana Scrooge – a beggy banana who really, really wants to meet Santa. It’s giving 2020 with the banana thing, ngl.

Whilst ditching our Kevin the Carrot for Ebanana Scrooge isn’t exactly festive (nor forgivable) we’ll see if they redeem themselves when the full ad hits our screens. There’s hope for Kev’s safe return, yet. For now, here’s the 20 second trailer.

TK Maxx

It’s serving big Love Actually vibes. Six seconds in and someone is cutting onions because that little girl with the wand is everything.

School boy Laurie takes to the stage, nervous at first due to a digitally distracted (read: rude) audience who clearly have very little faith in a) this festive comeback concert and b) the power held in the toe of those teal ankle boots. Give ‘em hell kid!

A penny for more of our thoughts: Finding a matching pair of anything in TK Maxx… It really is a Christmas miracle.

Sports Direct

Jack Grealish in a white fluffy East 17 coat is the Christmas cameo we were holding out for and Sports Direct delivered. They win. Featuring a stellar cast of sporting legends from Jordan Pickford and Emma Raducanu to Jessica Ennis-Hill and golfer Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston, the one-minute ad captures the essence of what Christmas is all about. Read: snowball fights, fistfuls of Quality Street and family members who refuse to play games with you. Our only grievance: it needed to be longer.

If the festive period wasn’t already magical enough, then a tiny present every morning in December certainly goes a long way to help- that’s right, we’re talking advent calendars, people! And whilst these 12 or 24 tiny boxes of joy are truly supposed to be a fun part of the run up to Christmas, choosing a luxury advent calendar to invest in from the endless variations now available can actually be a little overwhelming when the options feel so endless. If you’re in need of a little help deciding, you’ve come to the right place …

From beauty to alcohol, foodie treats to creative pastimes, there are tiny versions of everything good in life to help the overwhelm of December feel that tiny bit more manageable. Self-care at Christmas? Check! 

From Love Honey to luxury cocktails, Fortnum and Masons to Friends, and of course the classic Colin the Caterpillar Advent Calendar (who could forget…), keep scrolling to browse the creme de la creme of luxury calendars available in 2021. 

Psst: If glam is your thing, check out our run down of the beauty Advent Cals to add to basket ASAP here …

For The Foodie

For a Very Wholesome Christmas 

For The ‘Just One More Drink’ Person

For The ‘Under The Sheets’ Lover

For The TV And Film Fanatic 

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If you’re sitting there twiddling your thumbs, wondering what the hell to do with yourself now you’ve binged the entirety of You Season 3, then allow the latest Zoella book club pick to fill the Love Quinn shaped void for you.

Paula Hawkins, author of best-selling global hit The Girl on the Train, is back with her latest novel A Slow Fire Burning and it is every inch the addictive and terrifying psychological thriller we’d hoped for.

Featuring nosy neighbours who just love to tamper with a crime scene, a grotty canal boat and plot twists that only a clairvoyant could see coming, it’s an iconic cocktail of murder, revenge, whodunit mystery and complex female characters. Need we say more?

Keep reading to see how the team rated this eerie and epic Hawkins masterpiece.

But first, a reminder of the blurb.

‘What is wrong with you?’

Laura has spent most of her life being judged. She’s seen as hot-tempered, troubled, a loner. Some even call her dangerous.

Miriam knows that just because Laura is witnessed leaving the scene of a horrific murder with blood on her clothes, that doesn’t mean she’s a killer. Bitter experience has taught her how easy it is to get caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Carla is reeling from the brutal murder of her nephew. She trusts no one: good people are capable of terrible deeds. But how far will she go to find peace?

Innocent or guilty, everyone is damaged. Some are damaged enough to kill.

Look what you started.

Why is it we dream about being unprepared for a big exam years after we’re done with A-Levels? Or falling from a height and losing teeth? Then there’s the whole turning up to the office naked (cue the awkward meeting with HR) and having *that* infidelity dream, sometimes it’s Jack Grealish, sometimes it’s your neighbour who you don’t even fancy?

Dreams excite us, we want to make sense of them and revel in their madness with anyone who’ll pretend to listen and say, “that’s crazy” at the appropriate moments. Because that’s the weird thing about dreams, no one else really cares how realistic or crazy they are, unless of course, the said dream belongs to them in which case it is WILD and everyone must hear about it on repeat for the next week until it’s eclipsed by another crazy dream. Prime example – the one where you failed to attend Louis Walsh’s 70th birthday bash despite dream-shopping for a sequin jumpsuit specifically for the special occasion. 

We want to understand them and discover their hidden meanings whether serious or novelty, in order to make some arbitrary connection with our real conscious minds. 

A man who we’re hoping can help us unpack the mystery of our subconscious adventures is Martin Rothery, Sanomentologist, Dream Architect, and Founder of The MacRothery College. 

Why We Dream

Science is a good place to start; exploring the function of dreams and their role in helping us to process our day, cache any unnecessary data and clear emotional pathways. 

“The ability to dream is one of the most powerful healing processes we possess. It is the ultimate connecting and communication medium across the whole of consciousness. It has been recognised as a healing modality since ancient times, with many civilizations such as the Ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Persians, Mayans all having a form of “Sleep Temples” where people went to heal,” Martin says. 

“The science behind it lies in the functioning of the amygdala, a small part in the brain which is key in assessing the input from our senses to evaluate danger. Many of the events of a day get stored in the amygdala for further processing, and when a person is dreaming this is the most active part of the brain. 

“Dreams will often bring messages too, messages from the deeper parts of the subconscious. Problems can be resolved, ideas are formulated, blockages get cleared, and clarity achieved. Many inventions and theories owe their development to the power of the dream, the sewing machine, DNA, The Periodic Table, just to name a few.”

Common Dreams & Their Possible Meanings 

Dreaming of flying – This is about accepting yourself for who you are, reaching for your potential, and letting go of everything that weighs you down.

Being naked in public – Often associated with being vulnerable or being exposed as a fraud. It is sometimes linked to imposter syndrome. 

Being chased – This dream can have several meanings depending on the chaser, and the emotion related to being chased. If the chase is enjoyable then the dreamer loves attention. If not, and the chaser is unknown it may be linked to unnecessary fear of a situation or event. Other times it can represent unexpressed anger, fear, or guilt.

Falling – This dream is often down to a perception of not being in control or losing control of a situation.

Childhood – Dreaming of being a child is a personal experience. Most of our programming is carried out during our childhood, so even small events can lay seeds for bigger ones in adulthood. The dreams will attempt to resolve the initial seeds to collapse the issue at hand. 

Dream cheating is another common theme and can possibly represent your own insecurities, or fears and anxieties around your current relationship. 

“If you are the one cheating in the dream, then it may also indicate suppressed wants or desires. If it is the partner that’s cheating, then it indicates trust issues. Dreams of infidelity seldom reflect real life, and the best resolution to these is to talk to your partner.”

Vivid Dreams & The Benefits of Having A Good Nap 

Many people experienced more vivid dreams as a result of the pandemic due to heightened stress, increased isolation and a shift in sleeping patterns. If that’s you, there’s no need to worry. In fact, it’s a very natural response to our changing environment.

“It’s for this reason that the higher the state of anxiety caused by things such as the current pandemic, the amygdala has a lot more to deal with, so dreams become more vivid and enhanced. The subconscious is purely trying to make sense and deal with something out of the ordinary. This happens with any major unusual event, wedding, moving house, illness, but coupled with the heightened fear driven by social and conventional media, with opposing views, the subconscious mind has a dilemma to resolve, making the dreams much more vivid and real.”

If you’re experiencing recurring dreams repeatedly, often accompanied by negative or disturbing dream content, it could be a sign that the dreamer has an unresolved persistent conflict or trauma in their life. 

“If someone is experiencing a recurring dream, it is the sign of either an unresolved issue that needs addressing or an ongoing situation/current event that is happening daily. The same problem is presenting in the subconscious and it’s attempting to give the answer, but the dreamer may not be accepting it, or acting on it.” 

Dream Recall 

So, we’ve covered vivid dreams but what about those of us who don’t remember our dreams at all? Fear not, you’re still dreaming at some point…

“We dream every time we sleep, as long as we reach that level of sleep where REM takes place. The average is estimated at 4 to 6 dreams every night. The actual active part of the dream is often over in under two minutes; however, the processing will continue for much longer, taking between 2 minutes and an hour. 

For any journalling enthusiasts, jotting your dreams down on paper to look back on another day isn’t generally recommended: “Occasionally revisiting the dreams can be detrimental as it can reactivate the issues that the dream was created to resolve. It brings awareness back to the problem, which in turn places it back into the amygdala. Once a dream is done, the natural process is for it to be forgotten quickly,” Martin says. 

What Are Lucid Dreams? 

“Lucid dreaming is where you become aware that it’s a dream and take control. It can be beneficial as it allows you to steer and control the dream to suit. However, without guidance, you may not be aware of the purpose of the dream and therefore interfere with the process. Our signature Interactive Lucid Dreaming program allows you to have the lucid dream whilst being guided by one of our experts to ensure a successful dream.”

Sleep Paralysis 

Sleep Paralysis (or “old hag” syndrome as it’s sometimes known) is a glitch in your natural sleep-wake cycle when an individual passes between wakefulness and sleep, often causing vivid hallucinations and temporary paralysis. 

“When we are dreaming, we have a clever mechanism that stops our bodies from acting out the dreams we are having. When sleep paralysis occurs, it is purely an extension of the dream. The dream is happening during the waking state,” Martin says.  

“In our work, we use the ability to dream whilst awake to resolve problems, and because we are guiding, we can prevent the fear, however when it happens naturally it can cause fear to set in. Sometimes the dreamer is unaware it is a dream and will think it is all real. This has led to reports of demons, abductors, aliens, and many other strange happenings, but they are just dreams, the same as the ones experienced when dreaming. The paralysis usually only lasts for a few minutes, therapeutic interventions can help to prevent or resolve Sleep Paralysis by dealing with the unresolved issues causing it.”

What Are Nightmares? 

“Bad dreams are no different to good dreams in their purpose. They are still there to resolve an issue stored in the amygdala. One element at play is the fact that the inner mind has no concept of fantasy or reality. It doesn’t realise zombies, ghosts, etc are not real, and that the movie you watched before bed was make-believe. Therefore, it needs to resolve that in the same way as any other event it has stored away. Your fear and dread of the nightmare or bad dream is only your perception in the moment. Good and bad is a conscious concept programmed into us.”

Myth Busting 

Can cheese and caffeine really affect dreams that much, and if we dream-kill does that mean we’re a psychopath, or does it just mean we’ve been spending too much (viewing)  time with Love Quinn & Joe Goldberg? We tasked Martin with busting a few dream myths:

“Food, including cheese, can appear to affect your dreams. In reality, it doesn’t, however, the digestive process at play can cause micro fluctuations in your sleep pattern which will make you more aware of your dreams.

“Doing bad stuff in dreams doesn’t mean you are bad. Killing or hurting people does not make you a potential psychopath. It is purely your subconscious mind’s way of bringing about closure or resolution to an issue.”

Getting Into a Good Dream Routine

If you suffer from bad dreams, there are a few good practices you can utilise to help improve your dream routine. This might be stating the obvious but watching Squid Game at 10pm is probably not conducive to a sound night’s kip. Decline that invitation, people. 

Martin says, “Seeking help to resolve this issue is beneficial if it is a reoccurring one, but if they are random and sporadic then be mindful of what you allow into your awareness. What you watch, read, and think about will all affect your dreams. Acknowledge to yourself that these situations are not real and you can release them safely from the amygdala. Addressing your problems and issues and being aware will help to prevent bad dreams and promote good ones. We also have a number of waking techniques that can help to prevent bad dreams.”

Nightmares are not always bad and can inspire creativity much the same way as dreams. “The inventor of the sewing machine accredits its success to an extremely harrowing nightmare. He was chased by cannibals who were going to eat him. At the end of the chase, one of them threw a spear at him and it landed in the tree next to his head. He looked at it and saw the hole in the spearhead, and this made him realise that the thread needed to go through the point of the needle to make the sewing machine work,” Martin adds. 

Sanomentology: Dream Architecture & Healing 

“Sanomentology is a form of therapy that uses dreams in a directed and guided way. We design and create the dream state in the waking client, and then allow their subconscious mind to take over and run the dream, while we guide it and keep it focused. Because of the busy world we live in, and the abundance of information bombarding the senses, often dreams are muddled and confused, not dealing with what it needs to deal with effectively. With a guide we can make sure it is focused on the issue.”

Unlike traditional hypnotherapy which relies mostly on the subconscious mind, Sanomentology works across the whole consciousness, giving the client’s mind the freedom and permission to resolve the issues at hand using the dream state as a communication bridge. 

Martin Rothery

Martin explains, “The dreamer remains in control, allowing the dream to play out in a way that is safe and effective for them. We make sure that the confusing and muddled overload is removed and the healing can take place. 

“All emotional issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma-based responses, and even chronic pain (pain that seems to have no underlying medical cause) are rooted in the mind, and the dream is the place where these issues can be resolved. Chronic pain appears physical as the emotional and physical pathways are shared, but that pain is still usually an emotional response. Most issues can be resolved in a single session, with long term success. Sometimes when the issue is deeper or more complicated, we need more than a single session, but with dedication from the therapist and client, success is assured and guaranteed.”

Seeking Professional Help

If your dreams are causing undue distress, fear of falling asleep or affecting your day to day life on a regular basis, then please do seek professional help. However, make sure the professional has a track record and experience, as dreams are very powerful, and misinterpretation / misguided meddling could cause deeper issues.

To find out more about Martin and his Sanomentology program visit: http://www.sanomentology.com

From Fair Isle to fluffy, gingham to gaudy and the classic traditional styles in between, there’s no shortage of patterned and printed pyjamas to curl up in with a takeaway this cosy season. And with the big day itself less than 2 months away, it’s certainly time to get browsing this year’s selection of festive pyjamas if you want to get your money’s worth and a chance to show them off in all their glory for as long as possible.

So whether you’re a PJs all day on the 25th kinda family or you simply retire into your well-loved loungewear post-roast dinner, keep scrolling to see Team Zoella’s picks of the creme de la creme of Christmas PJs! Spoiler: no sexy pyjamas in sight. Comfort = EVERYTHING around these parts.

Darcey

I love, love, love this time of year and Christmas PJ’s! Admittedly, I wear Christmas PJ’s from September all the way through to May/June when it gets too warm for them. I love a tartan set and Boux Avenue have some right crackers, especially this pink and red set which I loooove! Chelsea Peers are always a firm-fave for PJ’s, I’m obsessed with this set from ASOS too with the celestial print. Always need a pair of slippers too this time of year!

*Boux Avenue, Red and pink gingham pyjamas in a bag, £30 | Chelsea Peers, Merry Mountains Classic Pyjama Set, £35 | *ASOS, celestial print pyjama set in cream & blue, £36 | *Marks and Spencer, Suede Mule Slippers, £19.50

Lareese

Now you’re talking my language. I wear Christmas PJs all year round (and loungewear too of course, duh). Why wouldn’t I wear a reindeer robe or a set of elf-adorned PJs in March just because it’s not seasonally appropriate? That’s madness. Christmas PJs deserve ALL the love and that’s exactly why I rotate mine on the 365. Yep, I’m one of those people who wear full-length PJs in the height of summer. As for loungewear, it’s basically a synonym for glorified PJs / house clothes, isn’t it? Again, I’m a simp for comfort so bury me in sweatpants.

Yawn, Treetops & Tales Organic Twill Pyjama Set, £89 | *Jigsaw, Shearling Slipper, £80 | *Nap, Vintage Silk Pajama Set, £132 | *Jigsaw, Little Paisley Cotton Flannel, £75 | *Boden, Vanessa Cosy Bottoms – Ivory, Rainbow Trees, £35 | *Future Self, Acid Wash Hoodie in Burnt Orange, £58

Danielle

I usually go balls to the wall when it comes to Christmas PJs and I absolutely carry on wearing them all year round. I’ll pick up anything from chich and subtle to full-blown novelty traditional so I’ve picked two options depending on how festive you like to remain whilst you sleep. I’m actually in need of a new pair of slippers and these Oliver Bonas look like I’ll be stepping into a cloud! Also added a hot water bottle because 9 times out of 10 I don’t actually need to turn the heating up I just need a little heat help.

*Boux Avenue, Spot satin revere pyjama set, £40 | Chelsea Peers, Curve Mistletoe Boxy Button Up Pyjama Set, £42 | *Oliver Bonas, ONAIE Butterfly Embroidered Brown Sheepskin Slippers, £39 | *Marks and Spencer, Alphabet Hot Water Bottle & Mask Gift Set, £17.50

Charlotte

If there’s one thing and one thing only we can take from 2020 (let’s be honest there’s too much we would want to carry over) then the ability to wear loungewear and pyjamas at all times would 100% be it. Considering the amount of time I spend in my comfies I think a more spenny pair is actually justifiable, and these iconic ones from Sleeper are what DREAMS are made of. A more budget-friendly (and realistic purchase) is this striped leggings and top set from Boux Avenue which is giving me 11/10 elf vibes and I love it!

*Boux Avenue, ‘Nice-ish’ red stripe henley pyjama set, £35 | *Net-A-Porter, SLEEPER Feather-trimmed crepe de chine pajama set, £245 | Hush, Joy Flannel Pyjamas, £59

Maddie

If I could live my entire life in PJs and loungewear I would, actually I basically already do. Loungewear becoming acceptable outerwear was one of the best things to come out of the pandemic as far as I’m concerned. I absolutely love that high street brands like H&M are bringing chic styles in luxe materials at affordable prices, win-win. When it comes to Christmas PJs this year I only have one thing on my mind…how can I get mini-me versions of everything!

*H&M, Fine-knit cashmere jumper, £79.99 | *H&M, Knitted cashmere trousers, £79.99 | Next, Pink Matching Family Womens Hohoho Pyjamas, £28 | Next, Pink Christmas Matching Family Kids Hohoho Pyjamas, £12 – £19 | Next, Matching Family Kids Check Christmas Sleepsuit, £10 – £11 | Next, Red Matching Family Womens Check Pyjamas, £38

Holly

I have two whole draws full of Christmas Pyjamas at my house and I’ve just brought some more to add to my collection. Keep the festive spirit going all year round I reckon. For ultimate comfort, I’ll go for a classic long set. The Chelsea Peers ones are sooo soft and fit perfectly. You’ll find me with an extra-large onesie or blanket wrapped around me for the whole of December too. Big fluffy socks and slippy’s and I’m ready for the truck load of mince pies making their way to my mouth.

Chelsea Peers, Garland Button Up Long Pyjama Set, £42 | *One Piece, THE NEW PUPPY JUMPSUIT NAVY, £169 | Next, Suede Mule Slippers, £20 | *John Lewis, Slipper Socks, £4.50

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Whilst for many of us the Christmas season and its endless buffet dinners, chocolate boxes and ‘go on just one more’ glasses of mulled wine are a reason to look forward to the festive period, for those suffering with an eating disorder or disordered eating in general, it can be a more testing time than ever for their mental health. Dr Prathiba Chitsabesan, NHS associate clinical director for children and young people’s mental health says –

“Living with an eating disorder is a constant struggle but Christmas can be particularly challenging with an increased focus on food, drink and big get-togethers, while the added pressure of New Year resolutions and the bombardment of weight loss messaging is just around the corner.”

Dr Prathiba Chitsabesan

We checked in with Psychotherapist, Author, Personal Empowerment and Transformation Coach, and Founder of The Recover Clinic, Emmy Brunner, to learn more about coping with an eating disorder in the run-up to Christmas, and gain some invaluable advice for not only making it through this period but also making it as enjoyable as possible. Emmy founded the Soho based Recover Clinic back in 2004, and since then she and her team have treated and worked with thousands of patients to “heal their trauma, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, personality disorders, low self-esteem and other mental health conditions or destructive behaviours, cycles, and patterns.” Here’s what she had to say about taking care of yourself and managing triggering eating disorder behaviours this Christmas…

Those with restrictive eating disorders may feel the need to control their intake before the festive period, whereas those with binge eating tendencies might find it difficult to control their need to overeat in a season so focused on food. How can those behaviours be managed to help an individual feel more in control and less as a victim of their ED?

If it feels manageable, it may be helpful to adapt your meal plan to include festive foods, rather than only your usual foods.  Find out what will be cooked and roughly when in advance. Allow time to talk over the plan with your therapist/nutritionist. Share this plan with someone you trust who will be with you over Christmas so they can help you, and others, stick to it. Be proud that you have been so well prepared! 

What are some tangible steps those suffering with an ED can take to make the Christmas period feel a little more manageable?

1. Focus on maintaining a structure to your food of 3 meals a day and snacks but give yourself permission to eat things that your ED wants to demonise.
2. Plan ahead for difficult and challenging social situations by making sure you have support in place either before or after. Are you able to text a friend for support or drag a good pal along to something with you? Sometimes we just need someone close to us to know that we’re struggling in order to better cope with a difficult scenario.
3. Be kind to yourself. This is always the answer to difficult times in life I find. We so often overlook the impact that being a little more patient and compassionate toward ourselves can have. Your ED might not disappear over the holiday season but it doesn’t completely hijack your enjoyment. What else do you love about this season? What’s your favourite movie? Christmas jumper? Game to play? Focus on those things too.
4. Put in boundaries. Considering what we need at this time of year is so important. If you know that being around certain people or family members is going to be painful and triggering for you then put boundaries in around your exposure to them. 
5. Don’t isolate yourself. The ED loves to isolate people and it’s up to us to gently challenge this. Think about ways of staying connected to people and experiences that you love to keep you from withdrawing and feeling lonely..

How can family and friends support someone struggling with an ED this Christmas? 

For those struggling themselves, know who from your support network will be available, as during the festive period they may have their own plans. This will help you to feel more comfortable reaching out, rather than worrying about disturbing anybody. 

Are there any resources or helplines available for those needing support and feeling isolated during the Christmas period itself?

Our Reframe and Rise up Facebook group is facilitated by clinicians and coaches and is a great free resource for people that are struggling. You can also read Find Your True Voice which offers you a step by step guide for starting recovery on your own.

Christmas can also be difficult for those in active recovery from their eating disorder. Do you have any helpful affirmations or phrases of encouragement for those challenging their ED’s over Christmas?

• Did you know that you are worthy of love and respect because you are a human being and this isn’t based on who you might think you are or how you might have behaved in the past?
• Did you know that your ED is a strategy for coping with difficult life events and emotions and that if you develop new ways of coping you will be able to leave your ED behind?
• Although it might be impossible for you to imagine recovery, it is possible and you are not the exception.
• Useful affirmations: “I accept myself”, “I am safe”, “I am worthy of kindness”.

Eating in front of others is often difficult for those who struggle with food, which is made particularly difficult during the incredibly sociable Christmas period. How can someone manage situations like this which are out of their control? 

Give yourself as many positive affirmations as you can before going into these situations. Often our unwell voice will try to control and manage these situations which draws more attention to us, thus increasing our anxiety. Keep reminding yourself that the unwell voice is trying to damage your relationship with yourself and food and wants you to isolate yourself, it’s not a voice you can trust. Consider how you would speak to someone you love in the same scenario and practice speaking the same way toward yourself.

Do you have any tips for dealing with insensitive comments from family members regarding food or dieting, especially those from older generations who are typically less aware of the impact ingrained in their perception of food by diet culture? 

Be mindful that the unwell voice will focus on insensitive, clumsy or even hurtful comments from people to support the negative narrative that it is telling you about who you are. If you feel yourself being triggered, give yourself permission to excuse yourself and walk away, take some deep breaths and re-engage if you feel comfortable. If you find that certain people don’t respond suitably to your cues or boundaries then ensure that you prioritise your wellbeing above anything else.

Opening up to those close to you about your eating disorder struggles can be really helpful in forming a close support system during this challenging time. What are some tips for making this conversation feel less intimidating? 

Be brave. The unwell voice uses shame to silence and isolate us but vulnerability is a Patronus to shame. The more we talk, the easier it becomes and the less alone and ashamed we feel. Please know that you are not alone and that there are those of us out here who know how you feel, have walked similar paths and can help you to find a way forward.

Don’t suffer in silence this Christmas, you can find Emmy and her wonderful resources on Instagram at @EmmyBrunnerofficial and @RecoverClinic, or learn more about their therapy services and groups at therecoverclinic.co.uk.

First off, how has your 2021 been?

Honestly? Both incredible and really tough. So many amazing things have happened this year, we fell pregnant with our baby girl due to be born in Jan, we opened our first flagship store in Cardiff city centre, launched in all stores at Urban Outfitters and went from 0 to nearly 200K followers on TikTok in under 6 months which has been insane. But also with rapid growth comes so much pressure, especially when you’ve never run a business or do any marketing/finance/logistics so you are learning on the job and have to learn fast. We also have 15 employees now, when this time last year it was only me and Ronnie (my finance). Running a business is a roller coaster, the pressure is intense!

Can you tell us your background before starting Mallows?

I have always been fashion and clothes obsessed, so did a Fashion Design degree at Bath and then after graduating I went to work for Dune as an accessories buyer in London, I absolutely loved buying and designing accessories, however buying for a customer with a totally different taste to you is hard, I loved working on the bright fun pieces, and introduced as much pink as I could get away with, I love that my whole range is pink and fun now! I actually got into skincare as when living in London developed severe acne, and just become obsessed with buying, testing and trying products to try and cure my acne myself, as everything prescribed to me didn’t work, my skin is very sensitive so I ended up with raw burnt skin a lot, which I was so fed up with. I would stay up all night researching ingredients and products, and seeing how they worked on my skin. I ended up finding out over the counter ingredients that worked for me and wanted to put them all into one face mask/product and that’s really how Mallows Beauty was born.

What inspired you to go it alone and start your own brand?

I wondered how many other people like me had made themselves feel so inadequate due to this, I literally felt like I was dirty, that I couldn’t go out because of my spots or skin texture, when actually I was totally normal. It really affected my mental health and made my anxiety so bad, I would panic before going into meetings thinking everyone would be talking about my face as soon as I left. So I thought there needed to be a brand that was 100% real, real skin, real bodies and real people – with products with actual real results, not just trying to sell something that wasn’t possible.

So many brands say they can shrink pores, when scientifically that just isn’t possible. So Mallows Beauty was born, it is important for me to have positive wording on the packaging that’s going to sit on your shelves, to remind you throughout your day that you are amazing, we also use lots of body-positive imagery on packaging to again remind everyone that you are normal and beautiful! We donate 5% of profits to mental health charities, and 100% never ever edit any photos, I love it when models flaunt their spots, cellulite etc as that’s what we are all about.

How do you describe Mallows Beauty to new customers and what is your mission statement?

We are the ultimate destination for self-love and we aim to make you glow, inside and out. We are all about the real; real skin, real bodies, real people, and products with real results. All my products are vegan, made in the UK and we donate 5% of profits to mental health charities. Self-love, inclusivity, body and skin positivity is woven into everything we do as a brand, it’s not just a campaign we are running to tick a box, it is everything we are about, our foundations and our goal as a brand, to encourage everyone to love themselves for who they are.

What’s the process like for creating a new product?

What do you use the most from all your products, any holy grails?

Toughie, as before becoming pregnant I would use my pineapple enzyme peel mask religiously, it was the only thing that kept my breakouts under control and helped my scarring, but I can’t use it now I’m pregnant (and why I started to develop a pregnancy range for mama’s to be)! Now I am obsessed with my body butters, watermelon is my fave (I am watermelon obsessed) and my watermelon body scrub, I haven’t got one stretch mark and I am putting it down to using these two! 😊

What have some of the challenges been whilst creating products and running your own business?

If I am honest, cash. I run Mallows Beauty alongside my fiancé and business partner Ronnie, we have funded Mallows beauty 100% ourselves through lots of different loans and reinvesting everything back into the business, we actually haven’t paid ourselves for the past 18 months! So we have to be very careful about which products to launch as the risk is on us and we have a limited pot of cash to use. I feel like that is the only thing that holds us back, otherwise, we could have a huge range and use loads of influencers to promote. But we have to be very selective and very careful about where we spend our money – small business issues! Both of us aren’t from a finance background either, so managing cash flow has been one of the toughest things, especially as the company has grown so rapidly.

How much of your growth do you owe to social media marketing, especially TikTok? (which is brilliant by the way!)

Aw thank you! A huge amount!! It is really what has made us so successful, especially TikTok, we get most of our sales from TikTok. It’s incredible as you can post one video, it goes viral and then you get 100’s of orders. You just reach a new audience all the time, which you don’t get with Instagram or other social media channels really. However, my IG following is really dedicated, loyal and supportive. I honestly feel so lucky to have such amazing followers, business can be so tough, and I have had some really hard weeks and my lovely followers have kept me going, boosted me when I’ve needed it most!

What’s next for Mallows Beauty?!

So much! We are launching with a super exciting retailer this month, which I am planning on spilling the beans on during my takeover. We have so many new ranges in the works like my pregnancy range, cleansers, face moisturisers, hair masks – so the full 360 beauty experience! We are also planning on launching 5 more stores next year around the UK, so watch this space!! 😊

What does your perfect weekend look like?

To be honest, it might sound boring but a really chilled one as my life is so full-on and hectic, and I work too much. So me and Ronnie love to have a ‘lock-in’ in where I switch off my phone, movies snuggled up on the sofa, and lots of food…I LOVE food. So pizza, baked cookie doughs and a roast dinner on Sunday. And then have long walks on the beach with Artie, especially in winter with a big coat on. YUM.

What do you always carry with you?

Not sure if this counts but Artie, who is a cavapoo but thinks he is human. He literally comes with me everywhere I go, even to external meetings – the best perk of working for yourself!

What would your last ever meal be?

Large Dominos pizza (all for me, no sharing) – half margarita, half chicken with veggies, stuffed crust of course. Aaand my mum’s home-baked scones for dessert, probably followed by some carrot cake (my pregnancy obsession).

What is one positive piece of advice you could give to our audience?

Know your worth and don’t tear yourself down. We are all programmed to criticize ourselves to push ourselves forward, but complimenting yourself and focusing on your strengths will have the same impact. I spent too long in my life hating myself, and it got me nowhere.

Laura Mallows

Start by giving yourself a cheeky compliment everyday and build it up, focus on what makes you, you. There is only one of you and you are incredible. You need to be your own cheerleader, not your worst enemy. Believe and love yourself, you’re wasting your life if you are spending it hating yourself.

Alright hun, whack that kettle on she’s gasping!

It’s not easy being the middle child, flanked between the holiday greats of Halloween and Christmas but November understood the assignment.

Here are 20 things to do this month featuring Adele, Joe Goldberg and a couple of pathetic sparklers, if you’re lucky. We hope it goes off with a bang.

1. Play Adele on repeat in a dark room with mulled wine and spend the rest of November pretending you’re going through a divorce.

2. Try to resist sticking your fresh mani out the car window to recreate Adele’s iconic meandering hand. Camera cuts to divorce papers waltzing in the November breeze.

3. Have your first mince pie of the season. Narrator: it is not a Percy Pig mince pie.

4. Let Love Quinn reaffirm exactly why you avoid your neighbours in the hallway.

5. Remind yourself that it’s Penn Badgley who’s hot. Not a sopping wet bookish Joe Goldberg.

6. Campaign to give Millennials a fallow year. Gen Z can take it from here, let us live already.

7. Fall down a Reddit rabbit hole of Squid Game theories.

8. Take 3-5 working days to recover from the No Time To Die ending…

9. And realise your sexuality is now: Ana de Armas

10. Normalise talking about how bad Excel is for your mental health. Keyboard shortcuts = violence.

11. Realise your toxic trait is sneaking out without saying goodbye when your social meter hits red.

12. Reach that point in your life when you have a favourite spoon in your cutlery drawer. Finally, an age-related milestone you can live up to.

13. Continue the October thirst trap on your feed. Listen, at £12 a pumpkin you’ve got an autumn to milk until December 1st at the very least.

14. Consider the irony of having a wholesome day out at a pumpkin patch, having 50 quids worth of gourds to your name and an iconic doorstep but absolutely no hope of going out between now and Christmas because you’re broke. Enjoy the fresh air whilst you can dallyn.

15. Wonder if you can claim eye rolls under expenses. What else are you paying an accountant for?

16. Try and fail to control your umbrella. Big Squid Game energy but also… Boris Johnson.

17. Realise 2022 is two months away. Time is but a shimmery facade.

18. Remember, remember… you don’t have to leave your house and your shaking dog for sub-par wine in a field on the 5th of November. Just stay in and sink mulled wine with your mates.

19. Feel personally victimised by your Pret subscription. It’s the angry bowels for me.

20. Hit rock bottom when you forget to cancel ^