Dating and romance: Then vs now*

We’ve all heard the expression ‘romance is dead’, and in todays world of dating app mishaps, social media meetings and ‘catfish’ TV shows, you might just believe it. Luckily, according to data, romance is very much alive and kicking in 2018; the Happiness Index Study by eHarmony recently revealed that millennials are the most romantic age group. It’s possible that this younger generation of people simply express love and affection in different ways to the older generation. Engagement ring experts Angelic Diamonds are here to take a look at changing attitudes towards dating and romance over time.
The changing definition of romance
In the past, it was normal to go on a few dates before deciding that you were officially in a relationship. People would go to the cinema or perhaps out for dinner a few times to get to know one another. There were no dating apps to help start up a conversation and no option to ‘ghost’ someone by not returning their texts — in fact, you might think that it was much more romantic back then. But, the older generation had their dating sites in the form of lonely hearts ads (the first one being published in 1695) and it’s likely that people still had the experience of being stood up. So, maybe it wasn’t that different after all.
Although it may seem as though people’s attitudes towards romance has changed a great deal, it may simply be down to the way that younger generations define and recognise romantic gestures.
According to romance studies, the five most popular gestures of affection were:

Holding hands (46%)
Cuddling (44%)
Giving a surprise gift (43%)
A romantic walk (32%)
Giving flowers (31%)

When different age groups were asked about their opinions on historically chivalrous acts, differences became clear.
When asked, different age groups had very different attitudes towards romantic acts. A huge 93% of over-45s believed there was still a place for them in the 21st century whereas 37% of 18-24 year olds disagreed. In particular, ordering for someone at a restaurant was frowned upon and taking off a hat when entering a room was also considered outdated.

What romantic gestures do different generations prefer?
Different generations also express their affection in very different ways, for example:

90% of 18-24-year-olds say that they hold hands when they’re out for a walk, 70% make sure that they go on date nights together, and 68% enjoy making romantic gestures such as writing love notes.
79% of 25-34-year-olds enjoy making romantic gestures — more than any other generation.
15% of 35-44-year-olds are less likely to go on date nights than older millennials. Holding hands during walks was the most common romantic gesture among this age group.
45-54 years olds are generally less likely to buy their partner small gifts between birthdays and more likely to hold hands during a walk.
59% of 55-64-year-olds like to go on a date night and 49% enjoy making romantic gestures.
Over 50% of 65+ year-olds like to go on date nights and 40% like making romantic gestures. They were the least likely to buy gifts for partners outside of birthdays.

All participants agreed that letting your other half know how much you value them was extremely important, with 68% of people across all generations reporting that they say ‘I love you’ at least once a day.

What to do if you’re looking for love
So, other than following the typical romantic trends for your age group, what should you do if you’re looking for love?

It’s always a good idea to show your romantic side. One study revealed that 76% of Britons would enjoy having more romance in their lives but 57% said that they didn’t make romantic gestures because they didn’t want to be seen as cheesy! It might depend on where you live, too. If you live in the capital, definitely pull some romance out of the bag to woo your other half — an astounding 86% of Londoners said that they’d appreciate more romance in their lives.
Additionally, according to Zoosk (an online dating site) users that describe themselves as ‘romantic’ in their dating profiles get 24% more matches than users who do not – and, when the phrase ‘hopeless romantic’ was said, matches were boosted by 38%.

As for date locations, less is sometimes more. Three-quarters of people surveyed in one study said that ‘snuggling in front of the fireplace’ is the most romantic date, followed by ‘candle-lit dinners’ (58%) and a ‘picnic in the park’ (45%).

As for things to avoid, people voted that mobile phone addiction, in particular at the dinner table (49%), was the biggest passion-killer. Closely followed by bad personal hygiene (45%) and rudeness (33%). So, no Snapchat or Instagram posts over dinner!

It’s clear that the definition of romance has changed a great deal. But, this doesn’t mean that we’re any less romantic in ourselves — we simply have different ways of showing it. So, don’t be afraid to let your soft side show and display some affection.

Posted in lifestyle, love

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Beauty Advent Calendars from Chemist 4 U (and discount!)

I’ve never actually had a beauty advent calendar before. I’ve been intrigued by them ever since they popped on to the scene a few years back, but I’ve never had the spare money to drop on one so have settled for chocolate each year instead (apart from last year when Bob bought me a Lego one, which was pretty much the greatest thing ever).

I was recently contacted by the team at Chemist 4 U who are stocking beauty advent calendars this year. They wanted to know if I would be interested in reviewing a couple, and of course, in the interest of research, I said yes.

I wasn’t really sure what the etiquette was on posting advent calendar reviews was- spoilers vs. no spoilers was my main concern. In the end I’ve opted for a no spoilers approach, but will share my thoughts on the contents below to help influence your decision making.

The first calendar I picked was the Morris & Co. Pamper Advent Calendar*. Chemist 4 U are selling this for £32.99 (it’s available on John Lewis for £40, just to give you an idea). This calendar contains 24 days of pampering treats which range from shower gels to bath salts, in a range of fragrances. I broke in to this calendar almost straight away as it smelt so good through the packaging! Since moving, I don’t have a bath so have passed on the bath salts and mini bath bombs the calendar contains, but the products I have tried have been lovely- although highly fragranced so approach with caution if you, or the recipient has sensitive skin.

Since Bob and I are now living together I thought it would be fun to get a his ‘n hers advent calendar which we could open together. The Ladies Fragrance Advent Calendar* and Men’s Fragrance Advent Calendar* cost a respectable £14.99 each, with an RRP of £49.99 each. Whilst you won’t find big name brands in these calendars, you still get 24 difference fragrances in perfect handbag (or pocket) sized bottles. I feel like perfume is a very personal thing so this isn’t going to bit a hit with everyone and some of the scents weren’t to our taste, but we found some hidden gems and the combined haul will keep us going, probably until next Christmas rocks around!

To celebrate this year’s stock of Advent Calendars the guys at Chemist 4 U are offering 20% off all calendar purchases. Simply add the code ADVENT20 when you check out and get even more of a bargain!

What’s the best advent calendar you’ve ever had?

A fool-proof guide to winter footwear*

(Photo by Raphael Nast on Unsplash)

Do you ever find yourself a little overwhelmed by all the shoes in your wardrobe? And is it still a struggle to find the right pair for every occasion? To make your footwear decisions as easy as possible this winter take a look at this handy guide. It showcases a handpicked selection of the latest trends – so you can step out stress-free all season. 
Renew your runners

Picking up a new pair of trainers doesn’t sound like the most exciting addition to your wardrobe, but with this season’s vibrant, retro-inspired designs they are sure to add a well needed injection of colour into your look. When it comes to these chunky trainers it’s the brighter the better. Check out the Gucci men’s clothing sale for the latest must-have sneakers. 

Hiking with a twist

The trekking trend is taking over after appearing on catwalks at Gucci and Chloe, making it a day wear must for autumn/winter 2018. It means bulky hiking boots with even bigger soles. Designs are popping up everywhere in both suede and leather, and either look great with colourful laces for an additional splash of colour. 

The crepe effect 

Chelsea boots have long been a staple in every man’s wardrobe. This season, however, they are back with a twist. The usually sleek sole has been replaced with a crepe-effect rough edge adding a new and improved cool vibe to a classic. Pair with dark jeans and slim-fitting knitwear for an effortlessly stylish look.

Moccasins are in 

This season moccasins are the perfect go to shoe for any occasion. Opt for sleek modern leather or a traditional suede design teamed with fitted trousers and a simple white shirt to take you through to the spring months. An added plus is your moccasins will also come in handy if you’re planning on heading off for a bit of winter sun. 

Let the sole speak for itself

One of this season’s most eye-catching trends has to be the colourful and textured soles that made their way into lines at Prada and Adidas. While the look – which was seen on everything from trainers to loafers – may be vibrant, it’s actually pretty easy to master. Let the shoe shine and pair back the rest of your outfit by sticking to neutral hues above the ankle.

Keep it clean

There’s nothing like a pair of crisp white trainers to freshen up your look and this season clean sneakers were all over the catwalk. Think big and bulky teamed with a pair of ankle-length or cropped trousers to ensure they don’t go unnoticed. It’s all about being box-fresh so try to stay clear of off-road activities once you’ve invested in a pair.

Swap sliders for high tops

The summer is officially over so it’s time to keep those feet warm and out of sight. Swap your summer sliders or mules for a pair of toasty high tops. You can even add an on trend tube sock for extra comfort.

My Vaping Journey (part one)

It’s been a little over a month since I started my journey in to serious vaping with a little (lot) of help from my friends at e-cigarette direct. Quitting smoking has been high on my agenda once more, and something I have had in my mind as something I would do as soon as I felt my anorexia recovery was complete.

Well, my recovery isn’t quite complete, but my motivation was high, so I gratefully accepted the opportunity to pick out some kit and wean myself off cigarettes- hopefully for good this time.

Tank wise, I got Bob to help me pick out a good set-up as he’s also joining me on this journey and has a lot more experience of vaping than I do. We decided on the Wismec CB80* which is designed to give an experience as close to smoking a cigarette as possible as I knew this is what I would struggle with the most. We also picked out two different types of coils* so we could see which I preferred.

Getting the kit set up was super simple, and it looks and feels substantial whilst remaining lightweight and portable enough to come with me where ever I go. Another big plus for the tank I chose was that it charges via USB as well as supporting rechargeable batteries, meaning I am less likely to run out of power, and therefore reach for a cigarette.

Picking which vape juice to choose was another minefield. There are so many flavours and strengths available that I just did not know where to start. In the end, after consulting with Bob we decided to jump in with some high strength nicotine as although I didn’t smoke that many cigarettes (between 5 and 10 a day) we thought starting high and weaning down would be our best bet, and it meant that Bob, a heavier smoker than I was, could share.

These little bottles of juice are great for carting around on the go and means you don’t get stuck on one flavour consistently. As you can see, I’m definitely attracted to the sweet flavours! Vampire Vape’s Heisenberg was hands down my favourite though.

In terms of juices I’ve found I much prefer shortfills, I thought they would be more complicated as you have to mix them up yourself, but I think they represent better value for money, and I’ve generally found the flavour experience much better (and you can make it up as strong, or weak as you like). I’ve been spoilt really though as I was sent the set of Gloop shortfill which I reviewed a few weeks ago, and I have another bunch just arrived to try out and review (coming soon!).

I can’t fault the service, or value provided from e-cigarette direct, and I find their website, and blog a really valuable resource when it comes to learning more. This infographic around vape juice is definitely worth a read if you’re looking to learn more!

I guess the big question here though is how am I doing?

Well, in all honesty, I’m not quite there yet. I still find myself wanting the feel of an actual cigarette and I am still caving in, albeit much less than I used to. The savings are clear to see on a financial level, and I resent paying out now for even one packet a week. Today is actually the day where I feel ready to say “no more” and just stop buying the damn things. Everything about the vaping experience is better, apart from the fact it feels so big and clunky at times. But I need to learn to live with that, and so I will.

Whilst I certainly don’t intend for my blog to become solely focused on vaping you will find a couple more reviews coming up, and a progress update on how I’m doing in a few weeks time.

Now I’ve moved house and I am settled in I’ll be looking to return to blogging in a way I haven’t for quite some time. I’m looking forward to getting back in to the swing of outfit photos, general life musings and updates, wish lists, food, you name it, I’m probably gonna cover it. I’ve felt detached from the blogging world for some time now, not sure if I still fitted in, and during that time away from it I’ve realised that really, it doesn’t matter. This is my place to say, and share what I want to say and share. The fact I’ve had such fantastic opportunities, that any one even bothers to read it, is just one big old happy bonus.

All products in this post were sent to me free of charge. All opinions, and decision to post are mine and mine alone.

Tightening Your Skin Without Resorting to Surgery*

Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash

When you look in the mirror and notice sagging skin, it can be an embarrassment; however, it is one you do not have to live with. In fact, if you catch your wrinkles or skin sags early enough surgery may not even be required. There are many other ways to tighten up your skin that should be considered first.

When You May Need Surgical Intervention
There are times when surgery for sagging skin is necessary, however, those times are not as frequent as you may think. If you have severely sagging skin; such as after losing a lot of weight or having a baby surgery may be a good option for you. Otherwise, there are probably other options you can take advantage of that cost less, take less time and come with fewer risks. A skincare professional can advise you regarding whether your skin is sagging severely enough to require surgical tightening.

Clearing Up Skin Wrinkles Using Laser Devices
When surgery is not required but you have moderately sagging skin, clinical intervention is still important as home treatments will not get rid of moderate wrinkles. One of the best clinical treatment types is laser therapy. Professionals have used cosmetic laser machines in clinics to treat many types of skin problems for decades.

Ablative laser machines are devices that are often used to perform procedures called laser peels. A laser peel can help you improve the appearance of your skin quickly by getting rid of undesirable materials on the surface of your skin. However, laser peel procedures cannot immediately get rid of deep wrinkles- they are best for treating mild surface concerns.

Non-ablative laser treatments are more likely to remove moderately deep wrinkles. However, they can take a lot of time to do so. This is because non-ablative laser procedures are predominantly designed to trigger the natural defence mechanisms in your body. One of those mechanisms is increased production of substances that support cellular health, including collagen; that collagen takes time to be produced and distributed properly so you may need several treatments and you will not see results for a while after treatment.

Tightening Sagging Skin with Sound Procedures
It may seem odd, but sound is another common tool in skincare circles. Certain sound frequencies can create cellular vibrations that promote healing. One such therapy is a monopolar radio frequency procedure. It is also known as Thermage therapy in the skincare industry. The Thermage treatment causes your skin cells to move towards each other, the result being widespread tightening of your skin.

Ultrasound procedures are also types of sound wave therapy that can reverse skin sags when they are mild or moderate. Ultrasound is similar to radio frequency treatment in some ways, but it usually treats deeper tissues. Additionally, it is a stronger treatment and can be slightly more uncomfortable than Thermage. However a topical anesthetic can be used to reduce any discomfort you may have.

Deciding Which Skin Tightening Option to Try
There are many factors you must consider when deciding which skin tightening option to try. The first two are the type of skin you have and the severity of your existing skin wrinkles at the time of treatment. You must also consider the costs of each treatment, including costs associated with requiring multiple appointments for some treatments. Additionally, you have to discuss your candidacy for any treatment you are considering with your skincare professional. He or she may tell you that you can’t have a certain treatment after assessing your skin. If so, an alternative may be suggested.

If you’ve had any kind of skin tightening treatments done it would be great to hear about your experiences in the comments.