How To Meet The Queen

With the Queen's 90th Birthday this weekend it got us thinking about what to do if you ever get invited to hang out at le palace. SO should you be invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace, or the Royal Family pops by for a cup of tea (well, they are terribly keen on 'meeting he public' these days) you should know what to do. 

Buckingham Palace do not issue a strict dress code as Her Majesty does not want guests to stress, or feel obliged to go out and buy a new outfit for the occasion. Which is very kind of her, but lets face it, you get an invite to the palace, you go and buy a new outfit. And some gloves. And a hat, but don't buy one with too large a brim, as you'll spoil the view for others. 

If there is a specific dress code it will appear on the invitation. If you are invited to an event by a member of the royal family to an event you have to go. Treat it as a command. They have stopped chopping heads off, but it would be extraordinarily bad manners to decline the monarchy. You can wear black to meet the monarchy but ladies seldom do, as royalty tend to only wear this to state funerals, and when in official mourning. 

For state banquets wear white tie. For a garden party it's normally morning dress, national costume if applicable.  

Take a small bag, you will be security checked and mobile phones, tablets and cameras are not allowed. 

Be punctual. You must arrive before members of the royal family. If an act of god stops you, slip in discreetly. 

DO NOT charge up to the Queen (the security will likely stop you before - quelle embarrassment) Wait and let her come to you. 

If you're addressed by the Queen then your reply should be 'Your Majesty...' and continue with 'Ma'am' For other members of the royal house hold begin with, Your Royal Highness...moving to Sir/Ma'am as appropriate. 

You may not sit down to dinner, tuck in or make any dramatic executive decisions until after the member of the royal family as entered, sat down, and got themselves settled. The same applies to leaving - you do nothing until they have made their move. 

Try to relax, the royals are the most socially skilled family going. They are trained to put mere mortals at ease. But don't go there looking for love, that only worked for Cinderella. 

Signs You’re Way Too Old To Be Going Out This Hard

You feel like you’re coated in a permanent lining of dried sweat and whiskey.

The very mention of “shots” makes you want to hire your own personal security detail.

You’ve crossed paths with a particular bouncer with such frequency, you’ve started to wonder, with incredible detail, what his life outside his job is like.

Hangovers have taken on the mantra of the boyfriend/girlfriend who’s around so often, it really doesn’t make sense not to move in.

Every upbeat song making the current radio rounds is somewhat familiar, though you don’t have the slightest clue who all these “going out” songs are by.

You’ve slept on enough random sofas to have penned an review book of them. 

You haven’t bought new clothes in 2 months, but your checking account makes you cringe each time.

After breaking down the numbers, you’ve become so upset with the terrible investment that is drinking alcohol that you need a cocktail this second.

And then subsequently hate-google “AA.”

There is no word to describe the envy you feel for people who “have mornings” and don’t sweat radioactive poison.

Tell everyone you know how much you hate drinking, in the way a third grader with a huge crush on Sarah tells everyone how much he hates Sarah.

You order entire pizzas for yourself, have one bite, burp, and fall asleep.

Your greatest fear is looking at a picture of your liver.

You’ve lost so many dinners to happy hours, you have half a mind to construct a memorial.

Even that really strong-willed angel that floats around your right ear has come to terms with the fact that your car is probably gonna be staying here overnight.

Your blackout resume features both proms and weddings.

You take to shadowing the drunken Aunt/Uncle at weddings, just to see if it’s a suitable career path.

You’ve started to refer to the hardest of your nights as “your ‘nam.”

It’s 2am, you have work in 5 hours, and the zombie that has taken over your body is staring at the wall repeating “drank, drank.” incessantly.

I mean you know it's time to start on the cocoa and early nights when you start finding these relevant!

Reasons Not To Live With Your Best Friends

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Living with your best gal pals always seems like a freakin’ fantastic idea.

I remember signing my first lease and daydreaming about my girlfriends and I setting up our place, cooking great meals, drinking way too much wine and having pillow fights for our own damn good. Looking back on these daydreams, I seemed to have forgotten that we all had different schedules, different goals and pillow fights were not on the cards. 

In the end, even though the IDEA of living with great friends may seem like the right choice, think long and hard about the friendships that are worth keeping.

 

Your friends may come with emotional baggage

 The ability to be not only a friend, but a good friend, is important to sustain a meaningful friendship. If you or your roommates have some sort of problem that requires support from close friends, living with someone who needs that support can hinder relationships. Offering constant advice and being someone’s emotional crutch can be exhausting, especially when your first priority is taking care of yourself. Offering advice and support from a distance can be more helpful and encourage the person to problem solve on their own. This means that you can be a good friend and at the same time, be a useful source of advice without feeling overwhelmed.

Someone likes alcohol a little too much

We all party hard at Uni (well most) Sure that’s fun on the weekends or once and awhile, but there always seems to be a booze-hound in the house. Ok, these gatherings can be pretty fun, but how often do you really want to deal with the dirty aftermath of these events? The stench of booze-laden breath in class the next morning is only socially acceptable so many times. Make sure your gal pals have similar attitudes around drinking/partying or make sure you have strong enough willpower to do what you need to. This mindset comes with the complimentary title of house party-pooper.

They don’t have the same vengeful attitude as you do when it comes to a dirty kitchen (or any house common area)

So many of my past roommate conflicts have come from dirty common areas. Take, for example, the kitchen and dirty dishes. Who used what mug or who left their shit on the stove doesn’t really matter if, in the end, the dishes get cleaned. Just do your dishes when you’re finished using them (instead of leaving them to crust over and harbor bacteria in the sink). Doesn’t this seem like simple, common sense knowledge? I think so, too.

*Note: If you know, for a fact, that somebody is not cleaning their dishware (and you are looking to stir the pot hehe!) make a trail of dirty dishes from the sink to their bedroom. I cannot speak from experience but I hear this tactic is quite effective.

You have the same schedules

Hanging out with good friends is great, but hanging out with good friends in class, during your free time, during your meal times, and right before bed can be tolerable at most. Just like unlimited drunk pizza, your friends can be too much of a good thing. Take the personal time you need if your roommates become overwhelming…or just live with people who have different interests and never wanted to hang out with you in the first place.

Somebody has a pet

Any household with a pet can cause roommate conflict. If the owner is not taking full responsibility of their animal, I can guarantee somebody is not going to be happy. If you’re already having issues with your live-in friends, don’t drag a poor dog or cat into the mix. Animals can sense emotion from the people around them. Who wants a stressed out pooch/kitty/ferret/chinchilla/etc.? Not me.

They have significant others

This is a big one. You may not think that your roommates significant others should affect your feelings towards your roommate. Believe me, they will. Significant others tend to linger around the house and stay just a tiny bit over their welcome. This, of course, is brushed under the rug for a bit because it seems temporary. But, when this significant other starts using the cable/dishes/food/electricity/internet/washer/dryer and isn’t paying a penny, there’s a definite problem. It is obnoxious, it is impolite, and you will end up hating your roommate when she gets defensive after you bring up the obvious problems with her boyfriend hanging around 24/7. Plus, you have to deal with her significant other eating the majority of your snack food and leaving the toilet seat up (not cool).

 

You and your friends ‘split groceries’

Since you all get along so well anyways (I mean you’re such great friends), why not split groceries to make everything a bit easier? This never, ever works. Either someone’s going to get drunk and eat too many pizza slices or there will be some type of feud over who ate the last slice of bread. To outsiders, these examples seem minimal and harmless, but harboring ill will towards a roommate who you think took more than their fair share can be unhealthy and catty. Skip the drama and buy your own grub.

You are the responsible one who pays all the bills

Being in charge of monthly payments can be a bitch. Everyone is poor in Uni anyways and nobody wants the task of haggling money out of each roommate when a payment is looming. It’s harder to press people you like for money versus someone you could care less about. You never want bill paying to become anything more than a mere transaction. I would avoid being in charge of this task (it really sucks).

One final piece of advice: Do NOT use a dry-erase board for communication purposes. There is nothing more obnoxious than passive-aggressiveness. Just voice your opinion whenever there is an issue (especially if it effects more than just you). Don’t write it with an excessive amount of exclamation points or evil emoticons. This can make people feel slighted and crappy. 

 

Have you had better luck with friends?

Our Travel Tips!

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How you travel is surely up to you, but you will obviously be doing it in style! However that is not dependent on whether you travel first class, or having the latest Vuitton luggage, although most obviously help! 

So what will your travel choice be? The most uncomfortable? the tandem bike, then there is the most expensive - a private jet; the most romantic? the gondola; the most environmentally friendly - a glider or a sail boat. The decision is yours. There is always a car, coach and train, but why not jazz things up and look at a trip on the Orient Express, the Trans-Siberian Railway, or take the Eurostar. Sailing encompasses everything from canoes to cruises. Then of course there is flying, how about a private helicopter or a hot air balloon? Horse drawn carriages, elephants and camels are also options, but they are rather slow and have limited on board entertainment. 

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Now lets be fair the chances are you will be travelling by plane, and our travel tips mostly cover the airport! It is essential to arrive early at the airport, not only does it give you time to do all the necessary check-in and security rituals, but the early bird does baggeth the best seats. 

Upgrading is not an every day occurance but it is more frequent that winning the lottery. It is at the discretion of those behind the counter who gets the bulkhead and who gets the seat next to the toilets. (However with online booking you can also request seats so the early bird does get the worm!) Smile, remember that happiness is mainly dependent on the mood of the person at the check in desk, rather than the number of seats sold on the flight. Dress smartly, but not so smartly you look try hard and will be uncomfortable. 

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In economy the best seats are those next to the emergency exists, as they often have more leg room, although they can be colder. On long haul flights opt for the middle section at the front of the plane, as this is where the fold down area for travel cots and tots is and so there's a bit of extra room. The downside is that a screaming infant might be brought on to use the area. But if you have to be ousted to make room for the travel cot, there's a chance you could be upgraded. 

 

Try hard to have compact hand luggage. Take a rich heavy moisturiser (well buy one at duty free - remember liquids are now banned)  Face spray (same rules apply) a bunch of magaznes, note book, phone (obviously!) and a thick pair of socks. If you are smartly dressed for the airport then take something comfy to change into. Don't underestimate what can be found at duty free, and at great prices. (Just be aware on the restrictions - although they are secure and go through the checkpoints - some countries have rules on arrival so make sure you check them, it's pointless spending lots of Chanel No. 5 to then only get it confiscated at the other end!) 

For more advice on inflight travel check our flight tips! 

Do you have any travel tips?

 

Our Tips For Air Travel

If you are being totally jet set and crossing times zones, it will catch up with you sooner or later. Avoid caffeine, and alcohol, food you cannot identify, and try to adapt to the time zone you are heading to as soon as possible. 

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If you are travelling west it is best to arrive in the late afternoon then it is not too long until bedtime, and you will be fresh when you rise. If you are travelling east they try to arrive in the morning. Take the night flight, watch one movie and then lights out. Wake up when you land, and arrive in sunlight. Don't give in to the desire to nap as it will send your body clock into chaos. If you can't sleep on the plane put on some soft calming music and shut your eyes to drown out the sound of engine noise and screaming children - rest is better than nothing. 

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If you view a flight from London to New York as the equivalent time of watching two films and flicking through your favourite glossy mag the whole thing seems much more doable. If you have been on a long haul flight and want to remain stylist, well have a stylish handbag, don dark glasses, and pop on your heels and shimmy! 

 

How To Survive an Occasion...

There are the good ones, the bad ones, and the down right ugly ones. But occasions we have to attend are inevitable. Being the start of the year, we are going to give our tips on how to survive them! Birthdays are fairly predictable, Funerals, though not pleasant are fairly straight forward. The hardest thing to navigate is the wedding. 

Weddings

What to wear. 

 Comparatively simple for the bride, utter nightmare for everyone else. Have a look at what the bridesmaids are wearing, or what the colour scheme is for the wedding or the flowers. A good tip is to stock up on summer/evening dresses in the January sales (so now!) Because you know that it's always the way, none for years and then six in one summer! 

 Go for pretty, delicate, non slutty, unagressive styles like the above. If you struggle in heels make sure you are wearing something comfortable. You will most likely be on your feet late into the day and night.  

Play fair: don't try and upstage the bride, and although you can wear white and black to weddings, it's bad form to do so. You don't have to wear hats to a wedding, but it is a good excuse to. (See our post on hats here!)

RSVP

You really need to RVSP promptly and politely to wedding invitations, whether you want to go or not. When replying to the invite casually call and find out a little bit more about the wedding. This can influence your dress code, do you take a shawl? will there be grass, cobbles etc to navigate in heels?

Wedding Lists

If they have a wedding list, go for it. Give them what they want, and save yourself hours of agony. If all you can afford is a sugar bowl lid, so be it. 

 Food
Have a full english breakfast in the morning as you don't know when you will see food again. There is the service, the photos, the line up, all manner of rituals and alcoholic moments to get through before you taste a morsel. Line your stomach. 

Being Single

For some reason being single at a wedding is SO much worse than being single at any other time. Never go to a wedding alone, seriously. Traditions say that this is the place to meet your potential partner, and if this is the case you don't want anyone cramping your style? I would take your best boy friend, your gay best friend, SOMEONE, honestly. Make sure however you have a plus one, often weddings are extremely tight on seating etc, so don't just roll up with a guest. So why not go alone if you want to meet your mate? well a friend will make you seem much more approachable, and you can have a partner in crime for the day. If you are alone you will have to nurse the obligatory flute of champagne, standing alone and a bit like a deer in headlights.

Think Of Others

If you do see someone of their own, go up and say something to them compliment their dress, etc. Make them feel better about being alone! 

Exits 

Know when to leave. It is considered bad luck to leave before the cutting of the cake. Always pre book a cab, why do you think Cinderella caused such a sensation at the ball? She left early. Always leave people wanting more. If you arrive knowing when you are leaving you can calculate how long can mingle, how long you can drink, how long you can charm etc! 

 What to Say...

In case you get tongue tied, glazed over, or are really quite drunk, have a prepared conversation opener in your mind:

Bride: You look beautiful, who made your dress?
Groom: She looks beautiful, where did you get her ring?
Best Man: Great speech, got any friends? 
In laws bride side: You must be very proud
In laws grooms side: You must be very relieved. 

Funerals

A solemn, sad and much more straightforward event. Wear black day wear not evening wear, and not too tarty. Think demure rather than black widow. Think soft make up, think water proof mascara. 

Think hats, or a black tulle side veil. 

Take inspiration from Jackie O at JFK's funeral, think Princess Diana at Gianni Versace's funeral.

Take tissues; if you don't need them someone else will. 

Pre order flowers. 

Never turn up late. 

Wakes: Go - but not for long. 

Don't mention money, or settling old scores.

 Birthdays

Men carelessly forget the, while women try to and cannot. Birthdays herald another year has passed, another wrinkle, another wealth of experience, another chapter in life's rich tapestry. On your birthday write a list of things you want to achieve in the coming year - and review it on your next birthday to where life has taken you. 

Write down all you friends' birthdays in your address book, as not to forget (facebook may tell you, but send a card!) Send it with diamonds, send it with cake, say it with meaning! 

Anyone can remember Christmas. Birthdays are for the individual so that day must be special for them. 

'Tis better to give than to receive. Try to give something unique and reflects how you feel about them. Cakes and candles are always essential. Other than the early years, 18, 21, 30, 40, 50, and 60 are the only birthdays that really matter, the only ones that really need the big party etc.

You are only these ages ONCE, PARTY! 

Hope our tips help you a little!