Surviving The Christmas Party Season When You're Teetotal

So, if you didn't already know, I'm teetotal. Yep. I suggest heading over to read my 'why it's okay to be a teetotal 23 year old' post before reading on to get the low down. I've been off the drink for over 3 years now which is both amazing, and scary. But the fact is, whatever your reason for not drinking, it never gets easier when you head into the party season. With upcoming work Christmas meals and family gatherings, I can imagine it's a similar feeling if you suffer from social anxiety, as you just can't escape it. I know it shouldn't, but these occasions are mainly celebrated by drinking alcohol which can lead you to feeling like 'the odd one out'.

A year on from writing my post, and I still feel like nothing has changed in society about the so called 'drinking culture', drinking until the cows come home and collpasing in the gutter is NOT Hygge, nor is it cool. The best thing I have found is removing yourself from the situation, but unfortunately it's not possible when the impending doom of the work Christmas party is approaching. Seeing as this will be my 4th teetotal Christmas (do I get a jacket for when I reach 5 years?) I thought I'd share some of my survival tips with you to help keep you sane over the Christmas period!

#1. Don't Overthink

Overthinking and worrying is the first thief of happiness. I usually have 5 questions on repeat in my head before going to any type of social event; 'will they ask why I'm not drinking?' 'Will they think I'm boring?', 'what if I'm not confident enough to sit with drunk people?' 'will they ask why I can't drink?' etc. I am so guilty of doing this and more times than not, only a couple of questions will actually come to fruition during the evening.

Overthinking beforehand will put you off going, and you should never let being teetotal stop you from doing something. Which leads me to....

#2. Do GO
Just say yes! It's like suffering from social anxiety, however hard it is, it makes it worse for yourself if you don't go and turn down an invite. I always ask myself, what is the worst thing that's going to happen? Probably nothing, so go, enjoy yourself, you deserve that glass of orange juice with your friends!

#3. Be Confident
Just by going to an event and not drinking in itself is a huge achievement. How many people could actually go to a Christmas work party sober? No, really? The reality is that people drink because it makes them feel more confident, and to relax. REALITY CHECK: They need it to feel less socially awkward, and to give themselves a boost of confidence.

Confidence comes from within, and the reason people say 'how can you do it?' or 'is it boring?', is actually because they would never be able to do it in a million years. If you have confidence, you can survive any social occasion without alcohol, and you can go home feeling confident that you're going to be hangover free the next day, woop!

#4. Answer Questions, BUT Don't Justify
We all know that one person that never takes no for an answer, and will ask you the same questions about your drinking habits at EACH social gathering, give it a break? No matter how many times you tell a person they just can't seem to accept it that not everyone drinks.

These people are boring, my best advice is to avoid them if you can, and remember to never justify. You don't have to tell anyone why you don't drink if you don't want to, its 2016 AND YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU WANT! 

#5. Pick A Yummy Drink
Water is probably one of the only things that I actually drink during the week, so when I go out for a meal or a night out it makes it more of a treat to have something a bit less 'boring'. Mocktails are a good choice, and more places are starting to cater to the teetotal market so they'll always have a space on the drinks menu for some options, albeit small. 

Actually, people may not even know you're not drinking sometimes - I've played drinking games with water and been bought top ups of vodka lemonade when I was just drinking lemonade. People don't even know the difference when they've had one too many!

#6. Be Yourself
It's not your fault that you can't drink for whatever reason, and you should never let it feel like that. I've completely changed my life for the better since I stopped drinking 3 years ago, and I couldn't be happpier. I'm alive, happy and healthy, and I really couldn't ask for anything more.

Everyone will see you at your best all the time, as nothing is ever clouding your judgement or enhancing your personality. When you're acting yourself, you don't need to be anything else. And if people don't like that? They're not worth having in your life!

Whatever event you have coming up, I hope you all have an amazing time during the Christmas season, remember that your teetoal status doesn't define you! I don't personally know of many people that are 100% teetotal and I really wish I would have been able to confide in someone 3 years ago. So if you're in a similar position or need some advice, please do tweet me or get in touch via email on nicolelisasage@msn.com!

Are you teetotal? Do you have any other tips for surving the Christmas party season?

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OOTD | Frenchie Jumper

Frenchie Jumper* - Louche via Joy

Jeans - Topshop

Coat* - Boohoo

Shoes - Converse via Office

Bag - River Island

I'm back after a weeks break from blogging and I'm soo glad to be back! You probably couldn't have written the last week I've had, it's been so awful as everything that could possibly go wrong did go wrong, those weeks that are so awful you just want to stay at home and watch Christmas films all day. But as the saying goes 'if you want a rainbow you have to deal with the rain', and I know that this week is going to be so much better! 

I don't like being down in the dumps on my blog but I like to keep you all in the loop, and there's nothing like my blogging/social media family that always cheer me up! Anyway....

GUYS, look at this jumper!! It's like a Christmas jumper but it's not, it's a little bit festive and I've fallen in love with the little Frenchie on it, I've decided it's probably the closest I'm ever going to get to owning one, but I'm OK with that. 

This jumper is from Joy who sell such an amazing range of different brands from your favourites like Mink Pink, Lavish Alish and Louche. I've never heard of the site, or Louche before and I love discovering new clothing retailers that do something a bit different to the high street. The quality of the jumper is amazing, and it's so warm despite being quite a thin knit. I'm not usually a red kinda gal, but it's such a statment look and it's too darn cute not to like it. If you like this Frenchie Jumper take a look at the full Joy Knitwear section for plenty more styles to choose from! I already know what my Boxing Day jumper is going to be....

What do you think of this outfit? Have you shopped on Joy before? 

*Products marked with an asterix (*) have been sent to me for review. However, all opinions in this post are 100% my own.

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How To Make A Hygge Emergency Kit

I lived in Finland for a year so that should basically make me a 'hygge' pro, right? There always was something special about coming back from walking on the frozen lake when it was -30 degrees and getting straight into my bed fully clothed, and slowly defrosting. Although I didn't realise that this 'feeling' existed until I snapped up The Little Book of Hygge a couple of months ago. Since then I've been fixated on this Danish way of living, and of course, mentioning it in any blog post where I can make it relevant. 

Whilst it doesn't directly translate into a word, it's something that everyone will have experienced and felt before. Got back from a day walking through the snow and letting your feet thaw out against the fire? Hygge. Listening to the rain outside whilst tucked up in bed? Hygge. Indulging in a pizza by candlelight? Hygge. You get the picture. Hygge is what makes us happiest, and after a miserable 2016 for the UK in particular, we could all do with a little bit of hope and Hygge in our live. The Danes are after all one of the happiest countries in the world, so they must be doing something right.

They do say that Hygge is just something that happens, and not necessarily something that can be forced. But I snapped up their idea of a Hygge emergency kit that can be stored away and called upon when you really need a little bit of hygge in your life. All you need is a suitcase, a box or a cupboard and a few special components to create a some hyggeligt times (cosy times). It's like a box filled of everything that makes me happy and I think everyone needs one in their life. 

Your Hygge Emergency kit is basically built up of everything that makes you happy, and to help fast track you to that elusive hygge feeling. I've created mine with 11 of my favourite essentials to help give you a little bit of inspiration to create your own.

#1. Blanket
Nothing speaks happiness and winter than cosying up on the sofa with a cosy blanket. It doesn't even have to be cold. Up the hygge levels by watching the rain fall whilst snuggled up in one.

#2. Candles
Everyone knows that candles are central to Hygge. It's all about soft, gentle lighting rather than harsh lighting. I mean, who even uses a proper ceiling lamp anymore? If candles aren't your thing, cosy fairy lights will do just the job. I always opt for the battery powered ones as it means I can use them anywhere!

#3. Favourite Book
I promise this post is not sponsored by Penguin books, I just love Hygge with all my heart and soul. There's nothing like a good, solid concept to follow. Because of this, The Little Book of Hygge is currently my favourite book that I will be popping in my emergency kit. It doesn't matter that I've already read it page to page at least 3 times already...

#4. Lush Goodies

If lush goodies aren't at the top of your list for your hygge emergency kit, I'm sorry, but you're not doing hygge right. You'll note that lush bathing products are also at the top of my ultimate pamper night list. 

Run yourself a warm bath, pop in a bath bomb and let the good times roll. I'll probably pop on a Lush face mask and smother my skin with Sleepy afterwards too. Now that is Hygge.

#5. Your Favourite Tea Cup & Saucer Complete With Tea/Coffee/Hot Chocolate

I'm not a massive tea drinker, but when I do drink tea I like it in the most flamboyant cup and saucer. It's like when you make tea in a tepot, you can't compare it to tea made in a cup. Alternatively, pop in your fav hot chocolate sachet and oodles of marshmallows too, mmm.

#6. Favourite DVD

There was no battle for the DVD that had to go in my emergency kit. Although, Harry Poter definitely gave Inbetweeners a run for its money. I have seen each episode of Inbetweeners at least 67508 times now, but I still laugh every time. I know every word to every scene and I'm not even sorry, nope.

#7. Chocolate

Ahh.. chocolate. There's few things that chocolate can't help, and indulging in it really is pure hygge. I should be putting a bag of mini eggs or galaxy chocolate in mine, but chocolate makes me really ill and that's really not hygge. So I'm sticking with my 80% chocolate from Tesco. I would sooner swap it for Hotel Chocolat though as that is a real treat.

#8. Cuddly Teddy Bear

I'm 24 years old and have a massive penchant for cuddly teddy bears, especially if they're called Boo or Doug. DON'T JUDGE ME. Not only are they 100% cute and don't answer you back, they're so comforting when you need a little cuddle. 

I wouldn't have survived my year abroad without Sully from Monsters Inc, do not underestimate the power of a cuddly toy!

#9. Letters

During my massive clear out on the weekend I came across loads of old cards, letters and a book that had messages from when I left year 11 at school. I had a smile at every comment that I read, and it brought back so many nice memories. It was the pick me up that I was in desperate need of. 

#10. Photographs

Do you remember the excitement of waiting for your holiday pictures to get developed? No me neither. Nowadays, everything is instantly uploaded to Facebook and never looked back at again. Everything is so online to the extent that if Facebook was gone tomorrow I would lose 1000s of memories, which isn't right. 

You just can't beat looking at old fashioned photographs, it's such a wonderful feeling and will bring those happy memories back to the surface in no time.

#11. Knitted Socks
There's nothing like slipping on a pair of knitted, woolen, super cosy socks after you've had a lovely bath or shower. I have a drawer full of (ugly) knitted socks that my mum made for me, and they beat the likes of Topshop novelty socks any day, soz.

Happy times are only round the corner with a Hygge emergency kit waiting to go. I think I'm going to need a bigger one for work...

What would be in your Hygge emergency kit?

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OOTD | Being a 'Printcess'

Shirt - Primark Waistcoat - River Island Joni Jeans - Topshop Brogues - Dune
3 bags later, and the 2nd part of my massive clear out later, I can finally see wood for the trees in my wardrobe, and I've found about 10 items that have either; never been worn, or never been photographed for the blog which definitely helps my spending ban/how do I still shoot relevant outfit pictures dilemna, so there's that!
I wore this little print/blush combo to our montly blogging catchup with the Plymouth bloggers on Sunday, I love how this is OUR thing. It makes me so happy to have such a lovely bunch of bloggers who all just get each other. After a stack of pancakes from Bella Italia, Emily (from May To October) and I made our way down to the Barbican to shoot each other's outfit pictures. Blogger friends who eat brunch and take each others outfit pictures stay together, right? We took them in one of my fail safe outfit picture locations in Plymouth, you don't need to worry too much about passers by, and the stone walls make your outfits pop!
I've had so many compliments about this little Primark blouse that was only £8 (I KNOW!), I adore the bow tie finish and it does mean that I can be a total 'printcess' whilst teaming it with a blush pink waistcoat and glittery brogues. I've been featuring these on the blog for over a year now and they're still relevant!! They've still got all of their glitter intact which makes me so happy. I really don't know how I would ever cope without these in my life, I think every girl would be forever happy with a pair of these on their feet!
Do you like this outfit? Have you had a recent clear out? & again, any spending ban tips please do share them with me (I need all the help I can get)!

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