How To Plan, Prep and Pull Through The Office Christmas Party!

Hi There, 

Since last week surviving the life or death scenario of the London Underground (and an evening with friends), slowly but surely I have been taken over by a headache-infusing, runny-nose-bringing, achey-skin-feeling winter bug! I suppose I could say that in a way Miss Tweedle-Dumb and her Boyfriend of many, many moons did bring me back a present from Rome - A Cold! In a way you could say that I my body has been invaded by a foreign object (of influenza)! 

And so - I am ill! Just what I need before our annual works Christmas Party whereby we all get absolutely sloshed on overpriced wine, watch the boss dance some very odd Elvis inspired moves and end up having a row with your other half in the middle of the street in the town centre after he turned from Gorgeous Gent to Grumpy Granddad in under 2.4 seconds. Ahh yes the annual 'Do! Something everyone looks forward to and hardly anyone really remembers past the first round of Jager Bombs at 6.30pm, just before the starters arrive. 

Last year's Blog post was entitled "The Argument That Was Not An Argument!" and was, and still is, one of my most popular reads. If you haven't already I urge you to read along as there are a few choice phrases and interesting pieces that make me realise that even a year on I love my cuddly grumpy cat! 

But what men, including Mr. Warehouse and the other Mister's that came before him, did not seem to grasp is how much I personally and together with all women kind, enjoy getting ready for such a social occasion. The hair, the make-up, the outfit, the shoes, the bag, the schedule, the conversation starters!? Its like going on multiple first dates, only with your work colleagues AKA people you have spent more time with than your own parents! Its stressful. 

Now first of all the dress, what I deem to be one of the most important dresses you will all year. Apart from maybe if you got married. Or Graduated. Or something else important like walking for Chanel or Prada. But anyway, I digress. Last year I wore a just-above-the-knee, muted Grey Lipsy dress with thin straps and skater style skirt. I loved it to pieces and had many a compliment on the night however, I feel as though now I need to up my game a little this year. It was sparkle and sequins galore and I am still on the hunt (with yes, less than four days to go) for a dress that is as equally, if not more sequiny and glitzy and shiny as last year. 2014 was the year of the twinkle. 2015 however will be the year of possibly the very-deep-V-neck, bra-less number. 2016? Not so sure yet although with upcoming New Year Resolutions coming about I may well have to set myself the unmanageable goal of slipping into a size 12 for next years Office Christmas Party which will unfortunately end on the fourth of January when I rediscover the leftover box of Celebrations left under my desk from Christmas Eve. 

Next is the hair and make-up. You don't want something too complicated as by the end of the night it will be all falling out of place and probably have more than a few cocktail sticks hanging out, especially if my workplace has anything to do with it?! Yes, simple, yet elegant. Soft curls are always a good start and for make-up; Wide faux eyelash-ed eyes with a classic red lip always works a treat. But always remember the key is making yourself look better that you do when you are just plain old Margaret from Finance sitting at your desk but not to make yourself look like you just walked out of the Crayola Factory and been to have your hair cut by Edward Scissorhands. 

Now yes I understand that there are some females that will find this time of year horrendous as wearing make-up and dresses in the force to look pretty and girlie is totally not them, and I get it. Trust me when I say that I am sitting here right now in my Cookie Monster Dressing Gown and not much else, sipping on Baileys and enjoying the fact I am still wearing my UGG boots from work, feeling sorry for myself as I am sick with a cold. There is nothing more I love more than curling up and watching some trash TV ideally with a pet of some kind and pigging out on junk food and take-away's. But I cannot deny that I do love a party. And The Office Christmas Party is no exception ... 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx