Charlotte Elizabeth Grainger

Don’t let the upbeat tempo of Robert Palmer's 1980s hit "Addicted to Love" fool you, love addiction is no song or dance. Researchers from the University of Oxford recently suggested romantic love can be addictive, much like alcohol or drugs, and those experiencing it may engage in risky behavior that harms themselves or others.

Lockdown and other restrictions have meant that mixing, mingling, and in some cases, even meeting up with new people is more difficult. The result is an Austenesque approach to finding love; penning long letters (read: texts) from afar before heading on walking dates together.

While many couples go through sexual “dry patches”, it’s important to communicate openly about the issue. Keeping schtum and hoping that the spark will reignite is the easy option. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right one for you and your sex life.

COVID-19 has impacted all of our lives in the most profound way. Brides-to-be around the world have grappled with changes and even cancelations. Of course, one of the biggest shifts is towards smaller, more intimate events, to adhere to the latest restrictions. If your wedding is on the horizon and you’ve decided to go ahead, choosing which guests can still attend is a colossal decision.

While the 9-5 is still the norm for many of us, there's a new wave of employees changing the job market: digital nomads. Armed with nothing more than a laptop and a strong work ethic, they're giving a new meaning to flexible working hours, travelling the world while making beaches, cafes, and sofas their offices.

You’re sitting at work when – *ping* – an email drops into your inbox. It’s Sandra from HR asking for a ‘quick chat’. Sounds ominous. You’re sure she’s never liked you and now she’s found some reason to make you really suffer.

Deck the halls with boxes of glazed donuts? Um, sure. Now that the festive season is upon us, it’s time to create a winter wonderland inside your home. Rather than dusting off decades-old decorations that your family handed down, why not give your seasonal celebration an entirely new look? Should you love foodie delights as much as you love the holiday season, you’re in for a real treat (or 23, to be exact).

Have you heard of the Newlywed Game? This wildly popular activity is the perfect way to spice up any wedding-related event. The game is most commonly played at the bridal shower, but you can play it at the couple’s engagement party, at the bride’s bachelorette party, or even at the wedding reception.

Genuine friendship is a beautiful thing. Friends make you laugh and smile, and support you no matter what. However, not everyone you come across will have the best intentions at heart. Getting caught up in a damaging friendship is draining and time-consuming, to say the least. You should avoid them at all costs. Ali Moore, a self-esteem therapist and author of Reconnect Your Life, highlights the signs that your friendship is toxic.

Your one wish is to make them swoon the moment they see what you’ve picked out.
Deck the halls with boughs of holly and put something special under the tree for your partner. Yes, it’s that time of year again. The holiday season is the perfect opportunity to show that special someone how much you care.

You wake up to find your freedom has been taken away. You can no longer leave your home as you please. Instead, the government outlines specific instances when you’re allowed out on the streets. You’re locked in. To add insult to injury, your income stream is becoming worryingly unstable.

The countdown to the new year has begun. As we move toward the end of 2019, it's time to whip out your notebook and consider ways to improve your life next year. If you're hoping to be happier and healthier than ever (and who isn't?), be sure to add some self-care to your list.

Starting a family is a major milestone. From the moment you find out you’re pregnant to when you get to take your newborn home, the excitement starts to build. You envision your picture-perfect family, the experience you’ll have and the joy of being a parent.

Is it Wine O'Clock yet? Are you counting down the time until cocktail hour? No matter how you cut it, society has an obsession with alcohol. We drink when we're happy; when we're sad; when we're celebrating; and when we're commiserating. Whatever the occasion happens to be, you can bet that there's an alcoholic beverage we'll gleefully pair with it.
Drinking is as much a part of our lives as the food that we eat.