12 of The Best Drinking Games & Apps To Get For Your Next Pre Drinks
Whilst a banging playlist is guaranteed to get everyone in the party mood, when hosting a bigger 'pres' or on the nights when you want to add a little bit of spice, a fun, flirty, and fiery game or two can be exactly what's needed to make the night a memorable one.
Did someone order 4x tequila and limes every Friday night for the rest of the year? Hell yes! Social distancing restrictions are a thing of the past, 90s, noughties, and generally naughty (oi oi) nights out are back on, and finally, our favourite part of the night, pre-drinks, can resume- nature is healing!
Whilst a banging playlist is guaranteed to get everyone in the party mood, when hosting a bigger ‘pres’ or on the nights when you want to add a little bit of spice, a fun, flirty, and fiery game or two can be exactly what’s needed to make the night a memorable one. Keep reading for the must-have card and board games to add to your shelf before your next big night out, and get ready for secrets to be spilled and dignity to be lost.
One for the couples who love a tipple together before date night, the Let’s Drink To That card game blew up on Tiktok last year and has since extended their original design to include 4 new different decks for every occasion. The 100 pack of cards includes categories Let’s Drink to, Risky Business, and Tipsy Trivia and is one guaranteed to lead to some serious sexual tension and playful secrets being revealed. Couples who drink together stay together!
With the help of a dice and 5 categories of cards, The Confessions Game is one that lays it all out on the table and leaves nothing to the imagination. Perfect for bigger groups getting to know each other for the first time or in more intimate friend circles when delving deeper is the aim, The Confessions Game allows you to reveal all via the categories of career, sex, money, relationships and family, sparking daring conversations and true honesty. Although the game isn’t designed with alcohol in mind, baring all to those closest to you is always easier with a drink in hand, and so finding ways to weave in shots, sips, and downing your drink won’t be a challenging one!
Turned up at a spontaneous party without cards or a game in tow? We got you! Mobile app PSYCH! (designed by Ellen DeGeneres FYI) has been described as where trivia meets Cards Against Humanity and encourages you to anonymously answer questions about your friends, with the funniest or most accurate answer winning. Prompts such as “What’s the last thing Savannah googled?”, “What does Leo spend too much time thinking about?” or “What’s Meredith’s hidden talent?” are to be expected here, and the tipsier you are, the funnier the outcome…
One for your next ladies night, For The Girls is designed to get your night off to a messy and hilarious start from the get go, be it for pre drinks, hen parties or birthdays galore. Whoever has the most Instagram followers will be the first to roll the dice and up for the challenge of performing the initial task without hesitation. The game is made by the creators of What Do You Meme, another at-home party classic, so you know it’s one that will bring energy, fun and hilarious Instagram Story content you’ll be watching back for weeks. The pack includes 100x ‘I Have Never’ Cards, 100x ‘Rapid Fire’ Cards 100x, ‘Best of the Best’ Cards and 100x ‘ Most Likely’ Cards meaning the fun will last for hours.
Designed by our favourite Instagram besties and podcast pros Sophia and Cinzia, The Girls Bathroom: The Card Game is the ultimate in night out fun for your closest and wildest girlfriends. Including 250 playing cards divided into Most Likely To, Drink or Dare and Say it or Shot it, it’s sure to get pulses racing and leave nothing unsaid. Examples include, ‘Drink or Dare: Ask the last person you slept with if they’re out tonight’ and ‘Say It or Shot It: Of those in the group, whose ex are you the most attracted to’ … spicy!
The gorgeous pink box design makes the perfect addition for your bar cart or drinks shelf and is a guaranteed ‘must remember’ item to pack for your girl’s staycations this summer.
Need something simple to kick your night off right? Look no further. For those who can never remember the rules to Ring of Fire and are forever asking “What’s the difference between spades and clubs again?” then the Drink If game is for you. The deck contains over 50 ‘Drink if’ options, ranging from PG to 18+, such as “Drink if you have a cat” and “Drink if you have ever taken revenge on an ex…”
The playful twist on Never Have I Ever comes in the pastel pink packaging of dreams and is one of the most affordable drinking games around!
Get the drinks and good vibes flowing with this 150 deck card game designed to make you laugh, then keep you tipsy. When the game works its way around to you, simply act out the card’s instructions without holding back and watch as those around you try to keep a straight face, or inevitably sip their drink as the giggles start and don’t stop. A playful and harmless game, it’s perfect for when in a new group of people if sharing your darkest secrets isn’t your style, and is one you’ll be forever reaching for on Christmas and Boxing Day too.
DIY drinking Jenja did the rounds on TikTok during 2020’s main lockdown, but if you don’t have the time or creativity to make your own now that your social calendar is fully booked, then Typo has you covered. Featuring prompts such as ‘Take a shot without using your hands’ and ‘Everyone touch their nose. Last person drinks’, this innocent but surefire way to get tipsy (if not a little more) is one for all the upcoming BBQs and birthdays in your diary.
If you’ve not heard of Picolo then seriously, where have you been?! This party game drinking app is another that encourages individual involvement from all your pals, as you answer questions, follow rules and leave the direction of the game in the fate of the app. Spoiler: good times guaranteed. It’s simple, fun and most versions of the game are free! What’s not to love?!
No you’re not already drunk, you’re just two rounds into the Incohearent party game in which everything sounds like Gibberish no matter how many drinks you’ve necked. Whilst written down the words on the cards make zero sense, when read aloud they are in fact commonly known phrases that your teammates need to guess before time runs out. Containing over 500 cards, you’ll be screaming at your besties all night long as your competitive side is guaranteed to be activated.
A tipsy twist on the childhood classic we know and love, Snakes And Bladdered is a surefire win for anyone that’s partial to a shot (or 5) ahead of the big event. Using the shot glasses provided as counters, make your way around the board with the aim of avoiding (or aiming towards depending on your game plan for the night) snakes and slipping into drunkenness. Suitable for 2-4 players, it’s the perfect quick and easy game for housemates before heading to the club.
When you’re a few vodkas down, everything around you slows, making Name 5 a must for earlier in your night as quick thinking is the name of the game here. With prompts such as name five famous rivers, five British Kings or queens, or five high-end designers, teams must complete their task before time runs out or drinking is obliged …
Although not strictly a game that involves alcohol, adding a forfeit of alcohol to those who lose always makes it that little bit more fun, and who doesn’t love dishing out a losing tequila to your defeated opponents?!
Wedding Series: The Best Off the Rack Wedding Dresses and Outfits Under £1,000
With cult brands such as Rixo, Sleeper, Self-Portrait and Ghost all delivering high-fashion collections, “buying off the rack” has never looked better.
We don’t know who needs to hear this but you don’t need to drop £2k on a wedding dress to have the ceremony of your d-r-e-a-m-s.
Thanks to an array of online retailers offering affordable alternatives, speedy shipping and 10/10 service, finding a dress that gives you all the feels without breaking the banks is no longer just a fairy tale.
With cult brands such as Rixo, Sleeper, Self-Portrait and Ghost all delivering high-fashion collections, “buying off the rack” has never looked better. From Bridgerton-inspired gowns to avant-garde designs and understated slips, these ready-to-wear bridal styles will ensure you’re ceremony-ready with change to spare. And the best bit about going down the non-bridal shop route is that you can shop for your dream matrimony ‘fits, all from the comfort of your own couch with a Prosecco in hand- what else are Love Island ad breaks for?
Without further ado, let’s say yes to the dress shall we…
Sorry, dispatched within 1-2 working days and sent on a priority delivery service? It’s a love story. The Self-Portrait bridal edit expertly bridges the gap between high street and luxury, boasting everything from statement Victoriana style lace maxi dresses to fresh and contemporary designs perfect for an intimate backyard micro-wedding. With an impressive A-list and royal clientele, you can trust that Self-Portrait is an iconic label to wear on your big day.
Laid-back brides won’t want to sleep on this brand. Sleeper really said feathers on everything and pjs for all occasions, and we absolutely stan. Whether you want to say ‘I do’ in your elevated comfies (iconic) or save the party pjs strictly for the dance floor and snap up their silk Atlanta dress for your nuptials, Sleeper will make it their business to ensure your lewk will take you from ceremony chic to slumber party ready in a heartbeat.
Affordable, impactful and wearable? Prepare to ask for Solace London’s hand in marriage because it really is the full package. The designs are bold, confident and refined with dramatic ruffles and sculptural sleeves aplenty. Modern brides, this edit will steal your heart.
Not all brides want to stick to traditional wedding wear. If you’re eloping for your special day or you’re having an alternative wedding abroad, Free People is the leading label for unconventional bridal threads. Featuring smocked necklines, cool crochet sets for a laidback beach nuptials, effortless silk suits and vintage inspired maxis, this boho collection was made for the wild at heart. Barefoot brides, prepare to swoon.
For the bride who wants to make the ultimate fashion statement, look no further than Net-a-Porter. The beautifully curated edit of high-fashion designer dresses and separates carries all the need-to-know bridal labels, including Halston, Les Rêveries and Galvan. Whether you want to own the aisle in a crepe jumpsuit or command the room in something period-drama chic, Net-a-Porter is your one stop shop for exclusive of the moment pieces, modest silhouettes and everything in between.
The British brand knows a thing or two about show-shopping occasion wear so naturally, their wedding dress edit was always going to be next-level. If you want to go all-out romance with blush tones, soft playful tulle and whimsical detailing, say ‘I do’ to Needle & Thread, my friend. She fancy.
Leave it to Whistles to handle your capsule wardrobe and your wedding day attire. From sleek white suits perfect for a town hall venue, to fluted silhouettes and dramatic trains made for an intimate church setting, these off the peg pieces are proof that you don’t need to go to an appointment-only bridal boutique to find ‘The One’.
We’ve never met a Ghost dress we didn’t like, and their wedding offering is no exception. Famed for its romantic details, contemporary silhouettes and fashion forward cuts, the bridal edit offers a range of options, suitable for every bride-to-be. From pared-back party pieces destined for a rehearsal dinner to floor-length masterpieces with oodles of wedding day wow factor, you’re bound to find your sartorial significant other amongst this lovely lot.
Their bridesmaids collection is equally magnifique, consisting of ethereal vintage-inspired dresses in a variety of hues ranging from watercolour pastels through to moody jewel tones and punchy poinsettia red. We’d couple up with any one of them tbh.
Category is: take all of our money. The brand’s first foray into bridalwear did not disappoint, full of vintage inspired pieces, elevated fabrics and signature RIXO shapes, ready-to-wear, off-the-peg bridalwear doesn’t get better than this. We’d live happily ever after with the Allegra, that’s for sure. It’s a boho dreamboat! None left in your size? You can get in touch with their dedicated Bridal Specialist to have a chat about a made-to-order design.
Second only to naked nuptials or recycling your mum’s wedding dress, wearing a Reformation dress (with all the wear-again appeal) on your big day is the most sustainable option.
Unfussy silhouettes paired with ample romance is Reformation’s domain. Whether you’re into little white linen dresses, puff sleeves, ruched bodices or open cowl backs, they’re committed to making sure you look the part whatever you’re wearing, whilst doing their bit for the environment, too. Outfit repeating never looked so good.
The contemporary London-based brand is the ultimate marriage material, offering effortlessly timeless gowns at accessible price points (all the dresses are priced at £1,000).
Their 10-piece collection is all made to order using 100% ivory silk and lends itself particularly well to a summer wedding complete with a dreamy open air tablescape, soft candlelight and bundles of blooms.
For the brides who want to be fancy and frugal, allow ASOS to do the legwork for you. With such a huge variety of styles ranging from fishtails to lace A-line styles, co-ords and fuss-free bandeau designs, plus free delivery over £35 and free returns, you may as well make a day of it, order in a few options and host your very own at-home bridal boutique appointment with your girls. Cue the happy tears!
High Street Neon Pieces to Brighten Up Your Wardrobe
Neon is always a summertime dream, and as Covid restrictions are lifted and the roaring twenties x2 can officially begin, making a statement is more of a priority than ever when selecting the perfect outfit for any occasion
You glow girl! It’s Leo season and you best believe there’s no better time to act like the main character, pop on a luminous ‘fit and channel the confidence you have after a few glasses of bubbly in your day to day routine. Take that Instagram photo in front of a crowd, drop it low in the club like no one is watching and wear that revealing crop top you’ve been saving until you felt confident enough- we promise you look great. Our babe Billie Eilish gave neon green a real moment over the past few years, but the team’s picks this week are head over heels for all things hot, hot pink.
Neon is always a summertime dream, and as Covid restrictions are lifted and the roaring twenties x2 can officially begin, making a statement is more of a priority than ever when selecting the perfect outfit for any occasion- is anyone else still so excited at any excuse to get dressed up?!
From small nods to the trend in the form of accessories such as strappy heels or mini bags to full neon extravaganza dresses and jumpsuits, it’s not one for the faint-hearted.
Danielle
I don’t own much neon I’m usually a neutral gal but if I’m going to go for it I’d blast this beautiful sequin bardot number from PLT. Would wear with some simple white accessories because let’s face it this dress is doing all the talking. I’d also slick my hair back with some Ouai pomade and live my full Instagram baddie dream.
I love an ‘out there’ look so neon is right up my street, and it also looks fab with a tan in the summer months too so I’m all over this trend right now! Ganni is one of those brands I’m forever lusting over and these shorts are no exception, giving me ultimate American sporty vibes and also look v comfortable. I’ve doubled up on the neon with this bag from Roop which I know I would get so much wear out of despite the bright colour palette, and tied it all together with a basic but cute top and comfy trainers.
I’m most at home in top-to-toe neutrals and earthy tones but I have pushed myself out of my beige bitch comfort zone lately, embracing colour and playful prints in moderation. Admittedly, I’m a bit of a novice when it comes to neon but hot pink is the cheery antithesis to the lockdowns we’ve all just lived through, so I’m going ham on this happy shade. Gimme an oversized blazer, bracket and tailored trousers for a few vinos in the sun and consider me a neon convert!
I’m here for the neon trend, I’m all for standing out from the crowd so let’s hope not too many people jump on it. Although I do find it annoying when flies come to me more because of the bright colours. I’ll opt for something simple like a neon t-shirt contrast it with high waisted black shorts and black sandals. Then, as ever some chunky jewellery and we’re off for brunch or beach drinkies.
I really like a pop of neon in my wardrobe, I’ve gone with a really simple neon slip dress from Collusion in hot pink. I like this as it can be dressed up and down, versatile pieces are always great for getting the most out of a piece of clothing. I’ve paired it with some black accessories and some fun jewellery to tie it all together!
NSFW: All the Thoughts & Twitchy Feelings We Had Whilst Watching “Sex/Life”
If you haven’t heard of the show, the premise is this: penis. That’s it. That’s the premise. The steamy eight-part series follows a married woman called Billie who can’t stop thinking about her ex and all the mind-blowing, clit-throbbing, hot-as-fire sex they had.
*CONTAINS SPOILERS*
It’s the question on everybody’s lips after the meat-cute to end all meat-cutes, brought to us by Netflix’s Sex/Life…
Was Brad (played by actor Adam Demos) wearing a prosthetic penis or is he really just blessed with king-size junk?
The gym shower scene (episode 3, 19 minutes in, for anyone wanting to skip to full frontal nudity) has left the nation well and truly hung up. If our memory serves us correctly, we haven’t been this excited since the Duke licked a spoon in 2020.
If you haven’t heard of the show, the premise is this: penis. That’s it. That’s the premise. The steamy eight-part series follows a married woman called Billie who can’t stop thinking about her ex and all the mind-blowing, clit-throbbing, hot-as-fire sex they had. In the lift, in the pool, in the bath, the restaurant. Everywhere and anywhere. Cue the love triangle and thirsty sex scenes so gloriously choreographed, they’ll charm your libido out of its wicker basket and have you pausing to frantically masturbate. The instrument responsible for this sorcery? Brad’s pungi.
Prepare to get so hooked and horny on Billie’s life, you lose sight of everything that matters in your own.
Here’s all the thoughts and feelings we had whilst watching Sex/Life…
I mean, that house in the snow with the old car in front is enough to arouse me. Game over.
Billie’s boobs are magnificent.
But she’s being far too vocal for a finger job.
“Just get the vibrator” should be a podcast.
18 months without going down on her? I’m going to masturbate out of principle because Cooper, that is a war crime.
Not gonna lie, I came here for the famous phallus…
One minute I’m horny the next I’m broody and I just don’t know what to do with all these feelings in quick succession.
It’s all butterflies, babies, boobs and buttcracks. It’s nuanced stuff.
Because the kid is so cute but her tits are so great and I really just want Cooper to fuck her brains out like she deserves.
Did not see the Carrie Bradshaw erotica twist coming.
Just a modest chandelier, Brad. No biggie.
The things that fruit bowl must have seen…
Holy shit, the GIRL CODE IS EXTINCT.
Hudson in his little pastel shirt with that little fucking yellow pocket. Not coping.
That breast pump sounds strangely like a) my aromatherapy diffuser b) my convoy of vibrators.
I feel like I need to hire Hudson to back me like he backs his mum.
It’s been a good 20 minutes without a sex scene. Might turn over for Naked Attraction.
Is Brad’s dog tag the new Connell’s chain. Time will tell.
If my memory (and opinion) serve me correctly, Connell wore it better.
Feel like awkward mumbling Irish is distinctly hotter than Australian but it’s a close call.
Never thought fairy lights would make me horny but here we are…
No peen in that scene. When is this gigantic bell end gonna make its debut?!
Cooper with wet hair is a vibe.
I thought you had to pump and dump after a night out?
Since Cooper discovered the kitchen counter he really does love it doesn’t he.
Side note: even his wank-kins are fancy. What’s on them, a botanical print commissioned by Soho House?
Ok, all the breastfeeding and cute babies between wanking and shagging is really not the formula for me. We get it lady, your nipples are a true multi-hyphenate pair
Bold of B to carry on journalling after the phone call from Brad knowing full well Cooper is a hate follower now.
Well, Mrs Brenda is pure SUNSHINE isn’t she…
19 floors to come, without a vibrator? I’d need at least 100 floors with a mechanical breakdown in between to buy some time.
Fucking hell what is THAT?!
Why do I feel like I’ve just been through an exorcism?
He could literally pick up a bar of soap with that thing.
Got me feeling like I’ve just done a lateral flow test because my eyes are watering and I’m gagging.
This is not real life. This is FICTION. Nothing but a well-hung fable.
And yet, on closer inspection, a rewind and several frantic pauses later, the appendage looks incredibly realistic. I need facts.
calls the boyfriend to (quote) ‘come and look at this!’
“Nah, that’s CGI. Someone’s paid to make that”
Me: “But it has a vein and everything!”
Thank you, Stacy Rukeyser for catering to the female gaze with APLOMB.
Mmm Cooper must be an oat milk kinda man. Breast milk? Not so much.
I’m going to be bitterly disappointed if Brad’s Lad doesn’t have its own Instagram account.
Oh, to be the intimacy coordinator choreographing THAT.
Hate to break it to you Billie but you can’t take a shower with your laptop.
The DEAR ME > Thanksgiving Recipes transition. Well, it sure is eat out to help out this year, Billie.
She does pick a man with a superior head of hair doesn’t she.
THERE WILL BE A DUEL WITH THEIR PENISES I KNOW IT.
And I shall enjoy it.
Very much here for angry Cooper. This is the passion Billie needs, craves and deserves.
‘Piece of shit’ sounds so much better with an American accent.
What is it with sexy TV shows and bees? Don’t remember seeing them in the shower scene.
That buggy is bigger than Billie. The handlebar is literally higher than her libido.
Wait, he doesn’t know what big dick energy means? Pray for Cooper.
Floppy hair + a far from floppy penis. What a combo, Brad.
There’s not a FaceTime screen ratio big enough to handle the wingspan of that thing.
Googles coital alignment technique colloquially known as grinding the corn
“Tonight darling, we’re doing the CAT. The clit wants what it wants”
That is one loaded motorbike.
Steals Bowie from Brad’s baby names list
Is that Farrow & Ball Rangwali they’ve got on the walls?
I’m sorry but there is no way you could do doggy with Brad without sustaining an injury. Nope.
Billie really gets the wear out of that white nightdress. Sultry and sustianable. Love her.
Seriously though, Billie mate, get a password.
If we just let morals slide for one tiny second, can they just fuck one more time?
Mmm, that bathtub doesn’t look big enough to fit both Brad and his penis in it.
Are they going to throw their keys in a bowl with Devon and Trina?
Cheating on B at her cousin’s wedding Brad?! That’s some real shit show shit.
This is one party I would never expect to run into a Karen.
That is quite the aerial yoga swing!
@ me looking around the room trying to find a reliable ceiling I can levitate from.
I’m not really into the whole circling people like they’re Aslan the dying lion though.
It feels very Riverdale all of a sudden.
The party has bad, bad vibes.
You manipulative little shrew Brad showing up at her house with a ring and your leather jacket and your perfect fucking teeth.
But at the same time, if Cooper says stain one more time please runaway with B and have all the sex.
A Brad and Cooper shaped homoerotic twist would really save this finale.
Haven’t heard chickenshit in a long time.
Every kids’ party I’ve ever been to has left me wanting to make a beeline for gelato on the other side of town too tbh.
Alright the stain analogy has gone on long enough.
Blimey, they build blowjob bridges real quick in the suburbs of Connecticut.
Or is she going to risk the 85% for the extra 15 inches?
So, Billie is right back at square one? Settling for the man with the smaller penis and the big pay package when she really just wants to live a sexually fulfilled life with the man in Manhattan with the small bathtub and the colossal package?
Oh Brad & Billie are a couple in real life now! That explains A LOT.
Fresh and Funky Graphic Tees That Are Guaranteed to Make a Statement
Slogan tees did the rounds a few years ago as feminist statements became the focal point of this out-there trend, but recently the focus has turned to fun, fresh and lighthearted graphics and sayings that spark a smile and ironic 'lol'.
Get ready for the stares and intense reading faces of those that walk past you in the street, it’s statement tee shirt time people! Slogan tees did the rounds a few years ago as feminist statements became the focal point of this out-there trend, but recently the focus has turned to fun, fresh and lighthearted graphics and sayings that spark a smile and ironic ‘lol’.
Gen Z and TikTok humour are one likely influence, but this trend originally dates back to the early ’00s with everyone from queens Britney Spears and Paris Hilton rocking a graphic tee with a low rise jean. This streetwear staple is the perfect throw on and go item for days when you need to leave the house in a hurry and your bar/beach/dinner reservation is calling your name, and is guaranteed to earn you compliments aplenty from both strangers and pals alike- designs not to be worn on the days you want human interaction at a minimum!
Add some feel-good to your ‘fit this summer and embrace your playful side- it looks good on you …
For most of us being inspired to follow a career path based on our most loved TV series might seem like a pipe dream, but what about the people who decide to take the plunge and follow in the footsteps of their favourite characters?
Ever watched Grey’s Anatomy and found yourself frantically Googling, ‘how to become a surgeon’ at 3am after one (let’s be honest 5) too many episodes? Or maybe you got a little too invested in Orange Is the New Black and convinced yourself you would be far happier with a career as a prison officer?
Turns out you’re not alone if your curiosity is piqued by your most loved TV series, with statistics showing the number of people searching ‘how to become a detective’ increased by more than 24% in the past year, during which Line of Duty hit its most dramatic moments. For most of us being inspired to follow a career path based on our most loved TV series might seem like a pipe dream, but what about the people who decide to take the plunge and follow in the footsteps of their favourite characters? We spoke to 4 people excelling in their chosen field because of their love for everything from Glee to Waterloo Road to see how it all started…
Suits inspired Lawyer…
Twenty-one-year-old Elysia from Southampton was studying for a degree in Hair and Makeup before the pandemic hit last year but was quickly forced to continue this from home as the country went into lockdown and the practical parts of her degree were taken away. As she began to doubt her future studies and career more after learning that the final two years of her degree would also be completed at home, in came Suits- a seemingly random choice of TV show to binge with her family over the summer, but one that changed the course of her life forever…
Were you interested in working in law before watching Suits?
I had always had an interest in the news (I understand that may sound a bit odd), and always felt the need to be connected with what was going on in the world. But, to be honest, I never felt particularly drawn to the legal world within the news. I would see it come and go, but never bothered to look into it unless it involved a famous person or group that I followed or liked, and wanted to know the latest gossip. I, unlike a lot of my classmates, was not born into a family of solicitors, barristers, judges, or firm owners. I was, however, born into a family of hard-working and loving people, who just did not have an interest in the legal world.
We started watching Suits after Meghan Markle came on the scene with the royals and, with my mum being an avid royalist, we all decided to binge watch it together. As soon as we had watched the first episode, I knew I wanted to learn more, and look into that career path after being stuck in a loop of an unknown future.
Did you worry that the reality of working in law would be different to the fictional depiction of it?
The glamour and glitz of having a high-profile legal career was something that I really wanted, but I was worried that the fast-paced, active and fun office job that was depicted in the show, similar to the uncomfortable scenes, was going to be all fiction.
Definitely! Like anything on TV, it was dramatized to hook people, like my family and me, to watch the whole show from start to finish. I had hoped that some areas of it, albeit not the illegal goings-on (haha), were true and real. The glamour and glitz of having a high-profile legal career was something that I really wanted, but I was worried that the fast-paced, active and fun office job that was depicted in the show, similar to the uncomfortable scenes, was going to be all fiction. After certifying my future in a legal career after being accepted into my current LLB Law Degree, I have quickly (and luckily after doing a life-sized 180 turnaround) learned that working in law is just as fast-paced and action-filled as it looks. Once again, I’d like to highlight the lack of the illegal goings-on in real-life law- the extent of the show demonstrating this would not be accepted in the legal field for one second compared to the 8 series of Suits.
Were your family and friends supportive of the decision to pursue this career or were they sceptical that it was ‘just a phase’ because of your love for the show?
My family were always aware that I had never had a set life plan, and was always relatively content on floating through life until I found something I enjoyed, and, if that never came, they were happy, provided that I was happy too. I had explained to them previously that there was always something missing from my plans, that I wanted to make a change in the world, and leave a mark on people once I’m gone; I wanted to make a name for myself, I was just never sure why.
Once we had finished watching Suits, I had discussed with them that it was something I was really interested in. I think they could tell how serious I was, as within the week, my mum had looked through local University options, and called my current University to find out information on their Law degree and how a transfer may be possible for me. To say I had their support and encouragement would be an understatement.
I was, initially, worried that they would think it was ‘just a phase’, as I was easily influenced by shows when I was younger; watching a pet show? I wanted to be a Vet. Watching a Disney show? I wanted to be a Princess. Watching the Olympics? I wanted to be a gymnast. You name it, I wanted to do it. But I think my parents understood the difference between a child watching something fab on the TV, compared to my self-realisation that this was my calling, and that it was the career path for me.
They have continued to support me, and gloat a little as parents do, with each and every achievement I have obtained in my first year. My boyfriend has also been incredibly supportive throughout the transition, and also felt that, as long as I was doing something I loved, he was going to love me regardless of my career. He continued to fuel my desire to move onto a career in law, and never once failed to believe me when I told him where my dreams had come from.
Is law as glamorous, fun and sexy as it seems on Suits?
In all honesty; yes and no. Law can be tough, with long hours, a long, long time studying and qualifying, and heavy topics and areas to go into once you qualify. The legal world can be challenging, and is definitely a career for those who are willing to work the hardest they have, every day of their lives to achieve the best. That will likely, as far as I have experienced and heard, involve late nights, big exams, not much of a social life and hard work.
The people you get to meet, the individuals you get the chance to work for and the cases that are discussed will never be repeated or the same, making every new experience fun!
However, as with any career, if you love the job you are in, you will never work a day in your life. You can make it as glamorous, fun and sexy as you choose. The people you get to meet, the individuals you get the chance to work for and the cases that are discussed will never be repeated or the same, making every new experience fun! The glamour definitely comes through with the endless outfit possibilities in the legal world, while keeping it professional, of course, the dresses, the coats, the shoes and, my favourite, the hand bags. You can have one for every dress or day of the week if you please. So yes, it can be just as glamorous, fun and sexy as it seems on Suits, provided it’s kept professional, a career in law can be the best choice in the world!
Did you do much research into life as a lawyer or were you confident you knew what it would be like based on the shows you had watched focused on the industry?
The only show I had ever seen that had anything to do with the law industry was Suits, so, the information I had based on the life of a lawyer was very limited if I were to base it solely on the show. I knew I had to do some research, and I did, what felt like, an eternity’s worth of research. I now have come to the realisation, after studying the law for one year, that I only scraped the surface with my research, and that the world of law is like an onion; there is so many layers to peel back and learn about, that I could have never gained a full understanding of everything on my own before studying.
However, I researched enough to learn that Suits depicted both truths and exaggerations of the life of a lawyer, and the corrections for the exaggerations that I discovered in my research before committing to a life in the law, was enough to suffice my want and need to pursue it. Had I not done any research, I probably would have assumed that everything in Suits is exactly how a life in the law is set out.
Do you think shows like Suits are the inspiration for a lot of people in law? Have you met anyone else that also loves the show whilst studying?
100%! Mainly because, for those who are not lucky enough to be born into a legal family, it is their first introduction to the life of a lawyer, and sparks that initial interest in what it takes, what it involves, the fun that can be had and the friends that can be made.
Funnily enough, in my first online lectures, (COVID-19 ugh!) one of the first questions my lecturer asked was ‘So, who is here because of Suits?’ to which half of us raised our virtual hand emojis. While it was a great ice breaker, it was so interesting to see how many others had had the same epiphany as me while watching the show. There were still many students who came from a legal family, or those who have had the passion since they were small, but having that love for the show in common with so many other students meant I knew I was in the right position and it made making friends even easier. It’s also worth noting that the same lecturer did warn us that the life of an English lawyer is not quite the same as the law-breaking actions that are featured in Suits…
Ultimately do you think you would have become a lawyer if it hadn’t been for watching the show?
Easy answer – No way! I was introduced to what a lawyer is by Suits, and even though an American Lawyer and an English Lawyer have big differences, I would not have even considered looking into that career had it not been for Suits. If I ever get the chance to meet any of the cast or crew of the show, I wouldn’t hesitate for one second to let them know that their programme changed my life for the better.
Contagion inspired Epidemiologist
We all love a zombie film and dystopian drama now and again to get our pulses racing, but now qualified Epidemiologist, Mandi, took her love for this genre one step further when deciding to pursue a career in public health and infectious disease…
What came first: your interest in science and disease or love for zombie films?
My interest in science came very early in my life, particularly in the medical, veterinary, and environmental sciences. As a kid, I was interested in learning how everything around me worked. As I got older, I developed a love for zombie films and it sparked my interest in infectious diseases. Eventually, these various interests all combined into my career today as an epidemiologist.
Environmental epidemiology is one of many branches within epidemiology and it allows us to determine how environmental exposures impact a population’s health, whether that is through natural or man-made sources. This includes identifying which agent/vector exposures resulted in a particular disease of concern and which populations were affected. Also, there is an increasing focus on One Health, which recognizes that human, animal, and environmental health are interconnected with one another.
What was it about the industry that appealed to you?
It satisfies both my curiosity of how we work and how our environment affects us, but also my desire to help others.
Was there a particular film or show that cemented this as a passion for you, and/or one that made you feel like it could be a viable career path?
I believe Resident Evil (2002) was my first zombie film and it piqued my curiosity about infectious diseases. However, Contagion (2011) was a more realistic interpretation in dealing with infectious disease than zombie films (although, as with all films, some liberties were taken) and it made me feel like epidemiology was a potential career for me.
I think the influence of zombie films helped create an epidemiologist and the influence of environmental films helped create an environmental epidemiologist.
FernGully (1992) was an animated film I watched as a child and it’s a similar environmental message as Avatar (2009). Both of these films helped encourage me to protect our environment. An Inconvenient Truth (2006) made me aware of climate change and how it could affect people across the globe. But I think what had the most profound environmental impact on me was a moment in Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey (2014). During that series, Carl Sagan’s Pale Blue Dot excerpt played during an animation of what Voyager 1’s cameras would’ve seen as it travelled further and further away from Earth. It was an incredibly small blue dot in this vast, dark universe. That dot is our only home amongst the stars and it made me appreciate Earth in a way that no other film has before. I think the influence of zombie films helped create an epidemiologist and the influence of environmental films helped create an environmental epidemiologist.
Do you think you would have ended up working in a similar industry had it not been for these films and documentaries or would you say they were instrumental in you following this route?
I think that I would’ve initially gravitated toward the medical sciences at first. In fact, during university, I worked in a local hospital. I’ve always had a desire to help people, but I also enjoy research, so in the end, I think I would’ve landed in this field at some point.
What are the main differences between the films you love focusing on public health and the realities of working in this industry?
Zombie films are clearly not realistic. When I was a teenager, I wondered if zombie-esque viral outbreaks were a possibility, but now I can watch those films purely for their entertainment value. Also, for the sake of time restrictions, films tend to skip over the behind-the-scenes work of data analysis & scientific research and mostly focus on field investigative work.
Did you have a backup career plan if you found the reality of the industry was totally different to how it’s portrayed in the movies?
Just like how doctors can specialize in their field, there are also many areas of specialization within public health. It’s a very interdisciplinary field, so I had a multitude of backup options if needed.
Do you have any advice for those looking to work in this field in the future?
YouTube hosts an array of ‘Day in the Life’ videos for all kinds of professions, so that can be helpful to check out as well.
I always recommend job shadowing and internships to become familiar with a field before you commit to it in university. YouTube hosts an array of ‘Day in the Life’ videos for all kinds of professions, so that can be helpful to check out as well. If you have a desire to help others, particularly populations of people, public health may be a good career path for you.
Ultimately, do you think you would have become an epidemiologist if it hadn’t been for watching these shows?
I think so. I was interested in medicine at a really young age and when I began to learn about it in school, I had several areas that I naturally gravitated to (such as infectious diseases), but I’ve also been a researcher at heart as well. So I think that combination would have eventually led me to my current career.
Waterloo Road inspired Teacher…
You’d be forgiven for wanting to pursue a career in teaching or education after watching the glamorous and picture-perfect likes of High School Musical, Gossip Girl, and Riverdale, but we all know life as a teacher, especially in the UK looks a little (read: a lot) different. It was clear therefore that Becki had a real calling for this career when it was in fact the challenging and troublesome highs and lows of British TV series Waterloo Road that piqued her interest in teaching, more specifically a desire to work in a low income or disadvantaged area. The rest is history…
What was it about Waterloo Road specifically that inspired you to follow this career path?
I loved seeing how the teachers and other staff made an impact on not only the children’s school life but their home life, too. I loved how invested the staff in the school were to support and make the pupils’ lives better.
Did you watch any other films or TV shows set in a school environment leading up to your career path decision?
I watched the normal Saved By The Bell, Lizzie Migure, Zoey 101 etc but nothing that was more focused on the teachers.
Did you worry that the reality of working in a school, particularly one that presented challenges as difficult as Waterloo Road, would be different to the fictional depiction of it?
I knew that Waterloo Road would exaggerate some storylines, but I do know that some schools are like Waterloo Road when it comes to behaviour and the pupils’ home stories etc.
Did you do much research into life as a teacher or were you confident you knew what it would be like based on the shows you had watched?
I did lots of research into becoming a teacher and Waterloo Road definitely helped inform me about the types of behaviours I may come across whilst working.
How did you know becoming a teacher was something you really wanted to go for rather than a phase because you loved watching the show?
I have always wanted to work in a school but after watching Waterloo Road, I knew that I wanted to work in more challenging areas and schools, as I found that more rewarding. For some children school is the only constant thing in their lives, and to be able to be there for them and to support them is invaluable.
Ultimately do you think you would have become a teacher if it hadn’t been for watching the show?
I still think I would have ended up working in a school but I don’t think I would have gone down the route of working in a more challenging school environment without watching Waterloo Road.
Glee inspired Performer…
If you’re a lover of performing arts and musical theatre then it’s safe to say watching Glee is a rite of passage most singers have completed twice over, minimum. Georgia, a freelance performer and songwriter from Brighton, took her love for the show to new heights, following in the footsteps of Rachel Berry by studying musical theatre at university and pursuing her dreams of performing for a career.
Were you interested in working in musical theatre before watching Glee?
Before I discovered Glee, I wouldn’t say I had a real vision of what I wanted to do in my life. I had performed in a few musicals at school and really enjoyed it but Glee made me realise it was my calling. To see these teenagers follow their dreams and become full-time performers inspired me so much!
What was it about the show that confirmed that this was the career path for you?
Like Rachel Berry always says, ‘I’m like Tinkerbell, I need applause to live’.
I think seeing the journey the characters went through and watching their hard work pay off really reiterated to me that I could do it. There’s nothing else that I resonate with as much so I know that Musical Theatre is the path for me. Like Rachel Berry always says, ‘I’m like Tinkerbell, I need applause to live’.
Did you watch any other films or TV shows focusing on performing leading up to your career path decision?
The only other thing I could think of that inspired me along the way is ‘Smash’. I found that much later in my life and it almost served as a grown up ‘Glee’. For me though, nothing compares to Glee and the inspiration it gives me – I’ll always go back to it.
How did you know becoming a singer and performer was something you really wanted to go for rather than a phase because you loved watching the show?
After studying Musical Theatre at sixth form, I decided to follow in Rachel’s footsteps and move away to study at University. Throughout the whole process, I felt like I was imitating her journey in such a special way and it paid off! I now get to do what I love every day and I put it down to the hard work I’ve put in and never giving up.
Ultimately do you think you would have become a performer if it hadn’t been for watching the show?
I thank Glee every day that it has given me the drive to keep going. Once a Gleek, always a Gleek.
I don’t think so, no. Seeing people at the same stage of life as me succeeding and following their dreams was so inspiring. If it wasn’t for Glee, I wouldn’t have gone to Drama School. I thank Glee every day that it has given me the drive to keep going. Once a Gleek, always a Gleek.
BBQ's, lockdown belated birthday parties, Love Island viewing evenings ending at the club (because now THAT'S a thing again) mean the pressure is on to find a summer soirée outfit you can rely on when spontaneity calls.
Did someone say unlimited Pimm’s with the company card behind the bar? Don’t mind if we do…
A summer party, be it for business or pleasure, is the perfect excuse to slip into something stunning and slinky and lap up the sunshine with a cocktail or mocktail in hand, and as the 19th of July has passed us by, the opportunity to socialize freely with our loved ones is finally a reality.
BBQ’s, lockdown belated birthday parties, Love Island viewing evenings ending at the club (because now THAT’S a thing again) mean the pressure is on to find a summer soirée outfit you can rely on when spontaneity calls.
Lareese
Can I just say I am so here for Warehouse this year – they’ve really stepped it up with their summer edit and their dress game is strong, just look at the tie back detail on this midi dress. I love a party at the back! It’s one of those dresses that looks ‘done’ however you wear it, whether you’re going laidback with flats for a bbq or dressing it up with heeled sandals, a slick bun and a red lip for that summer soiree.
I can’t wait till we get a bit more sun. My whole wardrobe is full of cute summer dresses just begging to be worn. I’ll pop on a cute midi number, I’m loving the gingham at the moment despite being told I look like a picnic blanket. Pop it with some cute white accessories and gold jewellery and I’m ready for all the cocktails a girl can ask for.
wardrobe, alongside pink of course! This cherry mesh dress from ASOS is so cute, I paired it with orange accessories including this little ruched bag from PLT which just looks so designer in my opinion. This ‘goddess’ slogan necklace from Hoops and Chains is so cool and gold jewellery looks bloody lovely in Summer with a tan!
My mum recently bought this dress and it didn’t fit her right so I pinched it off her and I think it’s the perfect Summer Party dress. You can easily dress it down with flat sandals and a denim jacket if you’re not sure how smart you need to go (classic summer party problem). But I’ve chosen to pair it with some pony skin style mules, a cool brown mini bag and and a gold T-bar necklace.
The thought of a summer party fills me with SO much joy- something about work events like that (especially when working in this dream team) are one of the things I’ve been most looking forward to since lockdown easing, and now that the weather has brightened up I am READY. I recently bought a couple of bits from Nasty Gal and was pleasantly surprised by the fit and quality so I have high hopes for this lilac number. I’ve dressed it down a little bit with some chunky trainers so it’s not toooo girly and with some chunky sunglasses it’s pretty much the definition of my fave summer look!
When I’m asked to describe a day in my life, it’s not that I feel any shame, I just think, this can’t possibly be interesting to anyone. I get up, I pour cold brew, and I write.
In interviews, I’ve come to dread two particular questions. The first is, what’s your favorite book? It’s not just that I don’t have a favorite book (I don’t). As soon as I’m asked, my mind goes blank, every single time. Suddenly, I’m not sure I’ve ever even read a book, despite the stacks of them on nearly every surface in my home. And maybe that’s the problem. I’m daunted by the sheer amount of books, incapable of narrowing the field to just one.
But the other dreaded question is different. There are no competing answers, no sense of innate betrayal to choosing one response over all others. The problem is, there is precisely one answer to this second question, and I have no idea how to make it interesting.
Describe a day in your life.
On Instagram, I follow writers with interesting lives, ones with rigid schedules, who make highly photogenic breakfasts every day, and mix up cocktails with special garnishes each night. Writers with clean, carefully curated homes (at least as far as the Internet is concerned), and thriving gardens—side hobbies they’re ready to go pro in: cooking, knitting, weaving, painting, rock climbing.
As I’m writing this, I’m sitting on my couch in the same sweatpants and oversized T-shirt I went to bed in. I’m wearing a hat made out of icepacks (a migraineur’s best friend, especially when on multiple deadlines), and on my coffee table, there’s still a dirty dish from last night’s dinner, next to an oversize bottle of ibuprofen and a half-full cup of the cold brew I buy practically in bulk so I can drink the exact same thing every morning, as soon as I get up, without making a single decision.
When I’m asked to describe a day in my life, it’s not that I feel any shame, I just think, this can’t possibly be interesting to anyone. I get up, I pour cold brew, and I write. I move around my house every couple hours, at random, and keep writing. I get up and pour more coffee sometimes. I look for something I can eat without any prep (yogurt, usually, which makes me feel about nine-hundred years old and ready to star in my own Activia commercial: did you know ninety-nine percent of women suffer from occasional irregularity?). I write, I write, I write, with a fair mix of Not Writing sprinkled in there somewhere. Every once in a while, I wash a dish, or vacuum up the dust bunnies that gather in the corners of my old house. I absolutely love my career, but so much of it plays out inside my head that a time-lapse video wouldn’t look much different than a photograph.
And the scene is not photogenic. It is not interesting. I’m often wearing zit patches but not in a cute, sponsored ad, full-face-of-makeup way so much as an I-constantly-pick-at-my-face-while-I’m-zoned-out way. And yet, despite the absolute, all-consuming banality of the writing life, I am absolutely addicted to writing about writers.
It started with one of my young adult books, A Million Junes, a quiet, fabulist novel about two teens grieving, and how story helped them make sense of the senselessness of pain and loss so intrinsic to the human experience. For me, writing has always been a way of exorcising demons and facing down fears, figuring out what I think about things that have been scratching at the back of my brain, and with these two characters, June and Saul, I found new pieces of myself. Or rather pieces that had always been there but I had yet to look full in the face.
Understanding. That’s what that book gave me. But it also left me exhausted, in the way that self-discovery often does—the way that, sometimes, after therapy, you get in your car and just sit, staring out the window for a moment before pulling away from the curb, feeling like your heart’s just run a mile after a very sedentary week.
It used me up, that book, and when I was done with it, I had no idea where to go next. My writer’s block was short-lived but intense, a complete kind of mental emptiness I’d never experienced before, and which I found surprisingly painful. I had only just discovered why I needed writing so much, and then it felt like Writing had abandoned me.
I had no ideas. I was a dried out sponge. Out of sheer desperation, I started to write a book about writer’s block. And for the second time, writing about writers unlocked something in me. It’s a very meta experience, sitting at your computer, writing about someone sitting at her computer, knocking her head against the table, waiting for words that won’t come. It almost felt like I was satirizing myself, and somehow that took all the pressure off. It didn’t hurt, either, that I had no intention of publishing that book. I just wrote, mostly about not being able to write, and again, I learned so much about myself.
Primarily, that what I’d always thought of as “writer’s block” was actually just fear. Of failure, of not being up to the task of telling a particular story or being terrified of how it would feel if I sat down to write and nothing happened. It was a self-fulfilling prophecy—a self rejection that guaranteed the very failure I was trying to avoid—and when I wrote Beach Read, it genuinely felt like I’d found this hackneyed workaround, a trick to slipping past an obstacle course of my own making. A couple years later, the book that I’d written only for myself was published and as it turned out, plenty of people wanted to read about a day in the life of a woman in her pajamas and zit patches, hunched over her computer for hours on end. So long as there were stakes, a reason it all mattered.
And the more I write, the more I understand why it does matter, for me. Not just the joy it brings me, but the self-reflection and understanding of the world, and the safe way it allows me to push back against my fears. Those magical moments in the writing process that make the days upon days of banging my head on the kitchen table more than worth it. But all of that is hard to get into in an interview. So from now on, when people ask me to describe a day in a writer’s life, I think I’ll just recommend a book called Beach Read.
Emily Henry’s newest perfect summer read, You and Me on Vacation, is out on the 22nd July
We couldn't wait to hear all about how Eleanor Bowmer started her business, what the process is like for designing her incredible prints and more...
First off, how are you and how is your 2021 going?
Honestly, it’s been a struggle getting back into the swing of things after restrictions have eased and I’m sure I can speak for a lot of people in that we’re readjusting to life which comes with new challenges. But the business had a massive push in 2020 during lockdown so I’m still revelling in that!
Can you tell us about Eleanor Bowmer LTD and how it all began?
It began in my spare room. I quit my job as a textile designer as I was no longer happy at the company I was working for. I designed collections for some top interior houses and wanted to continue my passion for design but I wasn’t sure how!
I started freelancing for a similar company I used to work for, designing repeat prints for interior textiles and started selling little A4 prints to mates after buying a scanner on eBay with my last wage. I set up EB with £500, spent on the scanner, some new paints and some sketchbooks and contacted not on the high street to see if I could sell my prints on there. They took me on as a partner and I was making a good profit so decided to invest some of that in tea towels! It may seem like a random product but I just saw a gap in the market for interesting kitchen textiles that were design-led. I struggled to sell them at first. But after setting up Instagram, initially with 200 followers (my mates lol) I started to contact influencers basically begging them to share my product. They did! Sales started to pick up and I moved to a studio that was in a shared space and got my first employee. I’ve grown the business organically from that point. Investing profit in new product slowly and refining what you do I think works amazingly!
I have a real passion for painting which I hope shines through in our products.
Where did your love of prints come from and did you always want to put them on product eventually?
I’ve been painting since I can remember. My dad was an artist and every Christmas I’d get a new art set. It was never pushed on me, I just had a real love for it. I carried this through to my working career and I’ve never stopped painting. I felt initially as though my prints would lend themselves perfectly to art prints, and they’re something I would like on my walls at home!
How do you want people to feel when they receive an Eleanor Bowmer product?
I want them ultimately to feel super happy! From packaging to product we really do put a huge amount of effort in making the purchase extra special as well as value for money.
What is the process like for creating a new print and deciding what to do with it?
I think it’s so useful to picture where you see the print before you design it. Some of my designs I know would instantly lend themselves to a lot of product types. I do a lot of research before design, which is often the most time-consuming part of the process but so worthwhile!
Sometimes I do designs and never use them because they’re just not quite right, but again it’s all part of the process…
Can you tell us about some highs and lows of starting your own business?
Can I? LOL. There are so many…
Highs:
Gratitude for being able to do what you love
Giving people jobs and hopefully creating a happy work environment
Watching the business grow
People buying your product!
Lows:
It’s all-consuming! You think you’ll have more time when in reality you don’t! I think that’s probably down to my own mentality and life choices. I could slow down but find it hard!
Making a bad business decision – not everything works out. But it’s the act of not letting it dishearten you (again hard!)
What’s the best advice for someone wanting to turn their art into a product?
Do your research! What gap in the market are you filling, what’s your USP? Find good suppliers and have a vision for your product and stick to it!
What are you currently working on?
I’m working on some new kids bags for back to school and a new art print collection!
What are some of your other favourite small businesses that kill it on Instagram?
This week, we’re discussing the best and worst of reality tv, and by worst, we mean the shows we’re not about to cancel plans to watch but that we’ll gladly allow to consume our lives anyway. Because this genre really goes like that. Does bad really even exist when it comes to trash tv?
Cast your minds back to the late ‘00s and you’ll remember the world’s first makeunder show, Snog, Marry, Avoid. It was a British reality tv staple, with some pretty shocking transformations and a catty little robot called P.O.D (personal overhaul device) with a hatred for piercings, fake tan, hair extensions and bright clothes. Basically, any form of self-expression. If that wasn’t bad enough, the P.O.D would ask members of the public if they would snog, marry or avoid the participant receiving the makeunder, both before the transformation and after…
Yeah, it hasn’t aged well, but we felt obliged to at least explain how our Snog, Marry, Avoid mini-series got its name.
This week, we’re discussing the best and worst of reality tv, and by worst, we mean the shows we’re not about to cancel plans to watch but that we’ll gladly allow to consume our lives anyway. Because this genre really goes like that. Does bad really even exist when it comes to trash tv?
From the trailblazing series that spawned the vajazzle and the GC to the Hulu greats that entertain us whatever mood we’re in, here’s a look at the real-life shows that gave us some kind of feels.
Holly says…
Snog – Geordie Shore
This is ultimate comfort watching. They’re all just absolutely mad, I’ve watched every episode probably twice. It’s just a group of young people living together having the time of their lives and getting drunk every day. It’s absolutely outrageous and dramatic at parts but you really get to know the people and can see that there is no acting involved, they are genuinely just all completely out there. It’s funny and sad and real life and I love it. When I was younger I always wanted to go in the house but I don’t think I could hack it now.
Marry – I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here
Absolutely nothing compares. I watch old I’m a celeb moments on repeat. A personal favourite is Stuart and Gino’s 2009 slip and slide, I urge you to YouTube it if you haven’t seen it! The show is hilarious and wholesome and dramatic and I can’t get enough. I would do anything to go on that show if there was a normal people version. I love seeing celebs in a completely different setting and getting an insight into their personality we rarely see. The challenges are hilarious and Ant and Dec are just the best. I even like the adverts in between where stick insects are speaking to each other.
Avoid – Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
I am an avid follower of all the Kardashians on Instagram and find them so interesting but I just don’t get the hype with the show. There are sooo many series and it’s just the same thing over and over again. And the drama just all seems a little fake to me as well as being drama over the tiniest thing. People have real issues. That being said, the snippets I see of Scott Disick make me want to watch. If Scott had his own show I would definitely watch!
Danielle says…
Snog – Selling Sunset
My snog has to go to Selling Sunset as I’m currently waiting – rather impatiently – for the latest series. It combines hot bitchy females, fashion, and insane property in ol’ Hollywood land herself. Watching them fight for real estate whilst dressed to the nines and crying about their relationship issues, it’s reality TV heaven. Each episode feels like it has a pretty well-rounded plotline that leads into the next making it the ultimate binge-able trash. I saw Mindy Kaling bumped into one of the shows ‘villains’ Christine Quinn the other day and she put on her IG “It’s my favourite show on TV and not in like a ‘guilty pleasure’ way” and I couldn’t agree more.
Marry – Keeping up with the Kardashians
Does the show even need an introduction? We all know what’s up, they’re hot and hilarious and I love seeing what they get up to in their ludicrous lives. I think the format of the drama going down on social media and then airing on the show 6 months later was always iconic, their full-on catfights as middle-aged women never ceased to amaze me, the number of balloons and flowers they had for birthdays was always mind-blowing, and I’m going to miss it SO much. I’m actually tempted to start from season 1 just for the mems.
Avoid – Real Housewives
This is a bit of a cop-out answer as I’ve never invested any time in watching any real housewives, it’s more that I’ve managed to avoid it for so many versions and seasons. I would love to be addicted to the show it’s right up my alley (rich, hot people struggles) but I don’t know where I’d begin at this point. Atlanta looks iconic but Beverley Hills has everyone talking, would I start from the beginning or can you just pick up on the latest series? These are the questions that keep me avoiding the show, but if someone can answer them for me I’ll be diving right in!
Lareese says…
Snog – It has to be The Only Way Is Essex
Whilst the golden age of TOWIE has been and gone – yes sometimes I go back and watch old eps for the nostalgia – it’s still a perennial reality tv great in my eyes. I mean, it gave us the GC. We’d be utterly meme-less without her. I love that it’s an easy watch and its formula has pretty much stayed the same since 2010. It paved the way for shows like Made In Chelsea and spawned a whole new wave of celebrities including Joey Essex. With Keeping Up With The Kardashians going into retirement after 14 years and 20 seasons, it’s only going to be a matter of time before the long-standing OGs like TOWIE and MIC bow out, so I’m going to carry on enjoying this ridiculous but undeniably iconic show whilst I still can.
Marry – Gogglebox
Who knew watching other people watch tv could be this entertaining, especially when they’re watching Naked Attraction. It’s one of the few tv shows I can guarantee will make me cry with laughter every time. The Jenny and Lee face mask debacle lives in my head rent-free. I love their friendship. The cast are all brilliant in their own right but the Nutties (Giles and Mary) are my absolute favourites, sat in their armchairs winding each other up – it’s the dry sense of humour for me. Tv GOLD.
Avoid – The Circle
I really don’t get the hype. I’m not sure if it’s one of those shows you have to watch from the beginning to get fully invested in, or whether I’m just missing a trick but I just don’t love the formula. Shouting their text messages at the tv all the time is annoying as well haha. So, to sum up… it’s a hard pass from me.
Darcey says…
Snog – Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Reality TV (almost) doesn’t get any better than this, I love the real housewives of Beverly Hills, the cast is so good, and the drama is intense to say the least. Of course, my ultimate Beverly Hills queen is Lisa Vanderpump and that is the reason I cannot marry this series because when she left it was never the same again. She made the show and actually I enjoyed watching her spin off Vanderpump Rules for more of my Lisa fix ha! I’m sure so many people have watched this series before but if you haven’t and you like reality TV you HAVE to watch it!
Marry – Made in Chelsea
I have to marry Made in Chelsea because I have been a committed fan since it began, I’ve watched every series and enjoyed them all the same. It just never gets boring! Even with a lot of changes in the cast there’s still some entertaining OG’s like Jamie Laing, Mark Francis and Ollie Locke. Must admit I do miss the Spencer Matthews and Millie Mackintosh era; Spencer was a savage on that show and the drama was always veryyyy wild. I also just think I quite enjoy watching people living their best lives in Chelsea (one can dream ha).
Avoid – The Only Way Is Essex
I was a big fan of TOWIE when it was the iconic era of Lauren Goodger and Mark Wright, oh the drama of it all I absolutely loved it. Amy Childs too, I miss you!! Of course, Gemma Collins too made that show for me alongside Bobby Norris, but I just don’t love it anymore. I know reality TV is fake, but TOWIE just seems SO fake and set up it’s like watching a really bad acted soap (sorry). It’s still so impressive how long it’s been going on for it practically kick-started reality TV in the UK, but I feel it’s lost its spark!
