4 Things To Do To Make This Winter More Bearable

Let’s face it – we are probably going to go back into some form of lockdown this winter, and even if we don’t, this winter will most definitely not be normal. Rather than looking at all of the negatives of this, we at the Zillennial feel like this is a great time for us to try some new things and take advantage of these very strange times. 

1. Keep A Journal

This may not be the most exciting option on this list, but it is a really cool and fun way to start and/or end your day and keep track of the wild times we are living in. Easy ways to start off journaling is to find prompts and just free flow with what your mind is thinking. When starting off your journaling, it can be helpful to set-up notifications in your phone to remind you to do your daily entry to help you form a routine of writing everyday.

If you’re not a pen-to-paper kind of person, consider trying a journaling app. We are loving using Journey right now. 

2. Learn How To Cook

Ok not to be rude, and I mean this with the best intentions, but most of us Zillennials cannot cook, or our level of cooking is probably not where it should be at this stage of our lives. I digress, but there are most definitely ways that we can change this! There are SO many amazing blogs across the internet with amazing and easy-to-follow recipes. I have recently been obsessed with Tabitha Brown and her amazing vegan recipes that have blown up all over TikTok. Some of our other fave chefs and blogs to follow for more recipe inspo have been Sohla El-Waylly, Clair Saffitz who recently released her new cookbook Dessert Person and Taste Toronto who has been posting recipes from our fave Toronto Restaurants. 

3. Start Dating

I know this is probably the last thing you ever expected to see on this list but with the virtual world, I truly think that there is no better time to date. Of course, in person dates should be limited, but virtual dates should be explored! Want to go on a date with someone from Denmark? Switch your location to Denmark and do a FaceTime date! Tinder has recently made this feature free on their app and the opportunities with this are truly endless. Who knows, maybe in our post-covid world you’ll be packing up and chasing down your international love on the other side of the globe!

4. Explore a Side Hustle or Hobby

If there is something that you have been putting off because it was not the right time, or you just didn’t know if it was the right thing to do, then there is no better time than now to do it! With WFH continuing into the winter, we all are going to have more free time on our hands so go out there and take on that side hustle. This is something that I really want to do as well, so I will report back on how it goes.

Anyway, that’s all for now, folks. If you have any tips for making the most of this winter, comment below! But real talk, laying on the couch and doing nothing is also pretty fantastic. This isn’t a competition for ‘who can be the most productive rn’ – do what makes you happy!

Xoxo,

Aidan and the Zillennials

6 Totally Random Hobbies for Lockdown 2.0

With a possible lockdown 2.0 probably around the corner (or already in action for some), the most wonderful time of the year is going to be a bit different this winter. BUT there is one thing to get excited about – trying some new & totally random lockdown hobbies!! Yes. We are going to TAKE CONTROL of our free time and try something creative and fun! While dabbling in bread baking and TikTok stardom was fun back in Spring 2020, I’m sure we’re all ready for something new and ~outrageous~ to try. Here are some of my very ~zilly~ suggestions:

1. Soup Making

Soup is honestly one of the most underrated foods. It is healthy AND delicious AND versatile. With so many veggies in season right now, you can really get creative. Carrot-ginger soup? Butternut squash-parsnip-pumpkin? The possibilities are truly ENDLESS.

2. Calligraphy & Card Making

Who doesn’t love receiving a handmade card during the holidays?? You can send a little bit of joy to your friends and family this year by sending out some cute little cards. All you need to do is turn on the Christmas tunes, perfect your penmanship, and use as much glitter and as many cut out snowflakes as possible!!

3. Candle Crafting

I did this once at a pioneer village as a child, and oh it is truly riveting. It kills a whole bunch of time, you can customize your scents/colours however you like, and you will have candles that didn’t cost $30 when all is done!

4. Cross Country Skiing or Snowshoeing 

Just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean we can’t have fun outside!! The great thing about cross country skiing or snowshoeing is that you don’t have to buy a ski hill pass to participate in it – all you need is to invest in a couple pieces of equipment. Plus you get to explore nature, and find a fun new way to workout – which isn’t following along to some fitness video on your laptop.

5. Scrapbooking

Aah “our trip to Paris 2018”. Who doesn’t love to look back on the times when we could actually travel to other countries, or live it up with family and friends? Getting ~creative~ with your photos, souvenirs, and a little bit of glitter will leave you with an awesome keepsake you can treasure for YEARS.  Also this requires a lot of time and patience which is ideal for days stuck indoors!

6. Learning an Instrument 

I found out recently that lots of libraries allow you to rent out a variety of instruments, which is pretty neat! Always wanted to pursue your childhood dream of playing the cello? Who knows, maybe you could be the next Yo-Yo Ma! As a music nerd myself, I will be definitely be delving into a learning a new instrument. 

So there you have it – six new hobbies to try out this winter season. Whether you want to keep it safe and stick to candle making, or try your hand at every single one, I guarantee you will enjoy learning something new (or at least kill some time)!! 

XOXO

Olivia and the Zillennials 

Making a Commitment

Sometimes committing to something can be tough, especially if you are in a time of your life where you are surrounded by so much change. Commitment changes shapes, and sometimes can just be easier to forget than to follow through on your promises – this is what makes it so challenging. Sometimes commitment leads us in over our heads, sometimes it leads to the best thing ever. The fact of the matter is that in life, we are surrounded by hundreds of commitments that we made at one point or other. That utility bill you agreed to? That’s a commitment. The dinner plans you made months that you really want to bail on? That’s (unfortunately) also a commitment.

Where I am going with this long and sad attempt at being ~inspiring~ is that commitment is something that is difficult, and can be something that can be hard to uphold. I mean, I guess that is why it is called a ‘commitment’. I promise you this ramble is going somewhere…

Last October, in what was a very different world (who would’ve thought we’d miss going to the office), we decided we would restart the Zillennial for everyone who had been there along the way through our journey and grow our platform across Zillennials. Well, one blog post and a few sad instagram posts later, we fell short of that promise. Being a Zillennial is TOUGH. We are in the early points of our careers trying to make our mark on the world, all while trying to balance a personal life, find love and somehow fit sleep (among other things) into this equation. This is not easy work (even though I am sure there is a person or two who would tell us otherwise), and with everything we were juggling, we lost touch of our blog and forgot about the commitment we made.

Flash forward to June, our former professor, JP, invited us back to speak as Zoom guest lecturers for the very same class where the Zillennial was born. After speaking to the students about our blog, some of which were well established business people pursuing their MBAs/EMBAs, we were inspired by the love for the Zillennial and realized that it would be too sad to let something as special as this fizzle into the depths of the Google search algorithm – it is time for a rebirth. 

So here we are now telling you we are coming back – but like actually this time. We want the Zillennial to be the place you come to after a long day a work and you just need a fun article to pick you up, we want it to be that mid-day chuckle during a hard day, we want it to be a place where you can get advice. We want the Zillennial be a place for you to come to find a community of like minded people who are somehow stuck between two generations. 

That is our commitment to you, and we can’t wait to see what it brings.

Xoxo

Aidan & the Zillennials

Welcome Back B*tches

Welcome back. It’s been a while. We have been very busy juggling extreme procrastination with multiple other activities – including but not limited to: crying, getting a job, spending all our money, and more crying. As you can tell, it’s been a time. But the good news is that we’re back. Better than ever. And, we are here to stay.

We have a whole bunch of cool stuff planned for you guys. We’ll have advice, memes, and all the hot goss – because The Zillennial is more than just a blog, it is a community. It is a place for all of us to come together when we are staggering home after a 12 hour work-day, or when we just want to see a funny cat meme. We are going to laugh. We are going to cry. We are going to laugh-cry together. And through it all, we are going to continue to crush every aspect of adulthood. We will give the world a reason to not only believe that gen-Zillennial is in fact its own legitimate demographic, but to have them truly believe in us.

So expect some great things to come. Maybe a Lady Gaga tribute page. Who knows. But basically, get pumped.

xoxo

The Zillennials

Yes, You Can Afford to go on That Vacation – How to Travel on a Budget

In my opinion, travelling is the BEST thing in the world (my insta handle is literally @aidantravels). Although I may be a bit biased, since both of my parents work in the airline industry, travelling has changed my perspective on so many things and has provided me with my most memorable moments.

I mean, even Britney Spears likes to travel:

“The cool thing about being famous is travelling. I have always wanted to travel across seas, like to Canada and stuff”

Britney Spears

All kidding aside, everyone should try to travel more! However, I do recognize that there is one huge barrier which can usually stop people from travelling: money. Unfortunately, there are several costs associated with going ~abroad~ (aka plane, accommodation, food, and leisure costs).

Over my many years of travelling, I have learned some GREAT ways to save money, so listen up for all of my exclusive secrets, so you can go on that trip you have been dreaming about. 

1. Use discount websites

Okay, this may be a very cliché and typical piece of advice, but using discount websites can save you a TON of money. The great part about discount travel websites is that you can compare different dates, destinations, and routes to see which route has the cheapest flight. Seriously, using a discount site helped me book a $280 flight from Toronto to Lisbon. MIND BLOWING. While Google Flights is a great first place to look, my lifesaver has been Skiplagged. Their website finds ~secret~ routes- that may involve strange connections and flights you don’t actually take- but it is dirt cheap. Skiplagged is SO good that United Airlines literally SUED them. The only catch is that sometimes you can’t take any checked luggage. Nonetheless, I love them!

2. Rent out rooms on Airbnb

If you don’t have the budget to book an executive suite, or are a snob like me and don’t like to share a room with 23 other people in a hostel, you’ll definitely like this piece of advice. After my bad hostel experience (I’ll miss you forever Helly Hansen jacket), I turned to booking private rooms through Airbnb as a means of accomodation, without breaking the bank. All across Europe, my friends and I started to rent out rooms when we would travel and boy, am I glad we did. Not only were they DIRT CHEAP, but they always felt safe and secure! Some of the best places I saw while on my academic exchange were based off of advice from Airbnb hosts. Also, the great thing about Airbnb is the countless reviews you get to see beforehand, so you know the host isn’t a creep! Defs a great way to save a few dollars.

3. Travel during the off season

Listen, I wouldn’t recommend going to some places in the middle of winter (trust me, I have made that mistake), but there are definitely some amazing deals and places to go during the off seasons that aren’t too cold! Heading to Europe, for example, in September vs. August can result in HUGE cost savings, because most North Americans go back to work or school. Because of this, many restaurants and tourist attractions lower their prices, and airlines begin to slash their prices to fill their routes during this awkward time period! So not only will travelling in the off season save you some cash, but it will allow you to have a more ~authentic~ experience that isn’t plagued by other tourists. That means you will have more opportunities to meet locals, and truly experience the destination without all the selfie-sticks!

4. Use transport strategically

It is hard to say that there is one best mode of transportation for all cities, but utilizing a bit of thinking and planning can save you a lot of money! For example, splitting an Uber in Poland with my 4 friends was not only 10x faster than utilizing public transport, but it was substantially cheaper. Crazy! Now, Uber will not be the cheapest option in all cities, but make sure to always compare all your transportation options when abroad. However, while public transport and taxis/ubers are great and quick, my favourite way to get from point A-B is by walking. Not only is walking FREE (shocking right?), but it is a great way to see the city you are in. By planning out your days in advance, you can figure out the best walking route to cover all the things you want to see. You may even find some secret gems along the way! Save the other methods for long distances and rainy days. 

5. Skip the tourist traps

While going on a Segway tour of the city may sound tempting, these types of activities are complete rip-offs. Not only that, but sometimes even the most hyped-up attractions in cities can just end up being tourist traps- *cough* *cough* The London Eye. To avoid these, plan in advance and trust the advice of the professionals. Rick Steves’ travel books and blogs will help you avoid every travel cash-grab, and help you to find more authentic and local experiences. For example, if you want to avoid being ripped off, don’t eat in the city center restaurants. He also helped me find a secret way into the Louvre that saved me from waiting in a 2-hour line. He honestly is the best, I’d 10000% recommend getting his books for your trips. 

Well there is all of my advice on how to ball on a budget for your next vacation. Happy travelling!

XOXO

Aidan and the Zillennials

Have any more money-saving travel tips? Post them in the comments below!

Goodbye PSLs: 7 Tips on How to Start Saving Money NOW

Let’s get real. You’re young and broke- or your parents still pay for your expenses. So obviously that means you’re trying to save money as hard as you can… right? Well, a quick look at your monthly credit card statements would probably show something different.

Where is all that precious, hard-earned money going, you may be asking?

Basically, here: 

Okay, so maybe putting all the blame for this on ordering avocado toast at brunch is just a bit over dramatic, but you do have some bad spending habits which should probably be addressed. Especially if your goal for these next few years of adulthood is to be somewhat financially stable, and maybe, to one day even be able to afford… a house! 

So, to help you out, we took a long, hard look at our credit card statements and realized that there is some absolutely unnecessary spending going on. Here are 7 things which need to be addressed RIGHT NOW, so you can stop throwing your money away: 

1. (Sadly,) it’s time to end your relationship with the PSL.

You are probably (very) familiar with the fact that your “grande non-fat-half-sweet-extra-spice PSL with soymilk” costs $4.95. That means, in theory, if you are purchasing 5 lattes a week, you are spending almost $1300/year on coffee. Just imagine what you could do with even some of that money. Now I’m not saying to give up coffee (I seriously wouldn’t be able to function without that sh*t), but start making it at home! Purchasing a coffee machine will save you LOADS of money in the long run (and time from waiting in lines)! You can buy a BEAUTIFUL and easy to use De’Longhi espresso machine on Amazon here for $299.99. 

2. Ditch the fast fashion 

Trends change. And hopefully this is not news to you all. Instead of trying to keep up with them every month by buying lots of “cheap and trendy” items, buy a few high quality items that will ACTUALLY last. Now I’m not saying go out and buy all your items in designer labels, but do a bit of research before shopping, and make realistic wardrobe decisions. Read more about making the right wardrobe decisions here!

3. Have a little check-in with your paid subscriptions

Take a quick look at your credit card bill. You’ll be surprised as to what’s hiding on there. Especially the monthly subscriptions you now pay for since your long-forgotten-about free trial for some photo app (which you thought was cool for a hot minute) ended. When you start a free trial just for sh*ts, set a reminder in your calendar for one day before it is supposed to end. Also, really step back and evaluate how you are using your paid subscriptions in general. If you truly aren’t using the service on a regular basis, or if it is not valuable in the long term, THEN UNSUBSCRIBE FROM IT. 

4. Skip the drinks @ dinner and drinks

Going out to dinner with friends or co-workers is unfortunately unavoidable if you want to keep up a social life. I mean, now that we literally have no time to eat and socialize separately, the multitasking is REAL. Unfortunately, ordering a drink or two will take your bill from 0-100 REAL QUICK.You are not obligated to order a drink each time you go out somewhere just because you are of age. So skip the cosmos, and cut your bill by anywhere between $10-30 on your next meet up with your gal-pals or bros. Lemon water is just as delicious (…kind of)! 

5. Stop wasting energy

You are actually horrible when it comes to wasting energy. Not only are you wasting energy, but you are wasting your precious, precious money. As Nelly Furtado once said: “turn off the lights”! Also, wash your laundry in cold water. And when you have to use large amounts of electricity (aka laundry), do it during off peak hours. Bam. You are on your way to cutting your utilities bill almost in half for the month. You’re welcome. 

6. Cut down on ride sharing

It is so important to always check the price of your Uber or Lyft before you order it! Peak-time pricing can really get you, and that extra cost is definitely not worth it. Unless it is the only safe option, paying a premium to be driven a couple kilometers is not necessary. Better yet, cheaper alternatives do exist; compare the cost of the ride-sharing service to the same route via taxi, try finding a public transit route, or even try *gasp* walking! 

7. Start making your meals @ home

Eating out for lunch, and ordering takeout/delivery are NOT bank account friendly. Seriously though, your chicken pad-thai you got delivered is NOT worth $25- especially with the $5 delivery fee in there. Learning how to actually cook a thing or two, and meal-prepping for the week, will be healthier, AND save you money. PLUS, when you take your lunch to work, all of your co-workers will be shocked at how “healthy” you are, and who doesn’t love a compliment! 

Now I can almost guarantee that from pursuing a combination of these money-saving activities, you will end up with at least an extra $1000 each year. You can then either put that extra moula straight into a savings account, investments, or buy things that you actually want- SO MUCH FINANCIAL FLEXIBILITY!!

You better start preparing your breakup speech to the PSL ASAP! 

XOXO

Olivia and The Zillennials 

20 Songs That Will Take You Back

Do you ever hear a song that just…takes you back? Back to standing in a corner with your friends at the middle school dances, rushing out to Walmart to buy the newest Avril Lavigne CD, and jamming out on your iPod Nano, or even better, your Walkman, what a time.

We may have missed the peak of the Backstreet Boys, NSYNC and Britney Spears era, but we certainly lived through the height of Hilary Duff’s career and the rise of icons like Katy Perry and Lady Gaga. We want to remind you of the better days by sharing twenty essential throwback hits from our childhood.

Absolute Bangers

These are the songs that never fail to fire everyone up when they come on at the bar. Whether it’s Gwen Stefani who taught us all how to spell bananas, or belting out to Kelly Clarkson, these classic hits will never get old.

1. A Thousand Miles – Vanessa Carlton

2. Hollaback Girl – Gwen Stefani

3. Since U Been Gone – Kelly Clarkson

The Angsty Teen Phase

If you didn’t start wearing black nail polish, rocking beanies and feeling like a bada$s after these song came out…you did your childhood wrong.

4. Gives You Hell – The All American Rejects

5. American Idiot – Green Day

6. Sk8er Boi – Avril Lavigne

Pop Princes

These baby faced angels captured the hearts of teens everywhere. There truly was nothing more exciting than getting a new poster from Tiger Beat or J-14 magazine that you could put up on your bedroom walls featuring one of these cuties.

7. Beautiful Soul – Jesse McCartney

8. One Time – Justin Bieber

9. Crush – David Archuleta

The Disney Channel Phase

Disney channel stars turned singing sensations – all contributed to countless hours of  watching the Lizzie McGuire movie on repeat, fangirling at Nick, Joe and wait- who’s the other brother?, and crying when Hannah Montana ended.

10. Come Clean – Hilary Duff

11. S.O.S – The Jonas Brothers

12. 7 Things – Miley Cyrus

The Middle School Dance Soundtrack

Those were the days…the sheer panic when a slow song came on and you needed to find someone to slow dance with, feeling like a boss when you knew all the moves to the Soulja boy dance or seeing who could drop it low.

13. So Sick – Neyo

14. Low – Flo Rida

15. Crank That (Soulja Boy)  – Soulja Boy

16. Poker Face – Lady Gaga

The Scandy Soundtrack

Catchy tunes to sing along to…until you were old enough to realize the true meanings of the lyrics.

17. Smack That – Akon & Eminem

18. Fergalicious – Fergie

19. I Kissed a Girl – Katy Perry

20. Right Round – Flo Rida ft. Ke$ha

We hope you’ve enjoyed being taken back to the better days! To make it even easier, we’ve put together a Spotify playlist of these classic throwbacks.

Check it out:

20 songs that will take you back

XOXO

Paige & the Zillennials

It’s Time to Upgrade Your Boxed Wine

Listen up everyone. We have a serious issue to address. For some reason we have been absolutely horrible to wine culture: Passing off a $10 bottle of Bodacious as a “good” wine. Then binge-drinking said wine. And…the entire existence of  *shudders* boxed wine. It is tragic. We need to stop.

There is so much more to the art that is, as the Italians call it, ~vino~. Wine is an entire experience. A journey, if you may.

Now lets be real though. There is way too much about wine to know and realistically, we don’t really have the time or desire to care about every single detail. But lets cover some basics to help you seem like you actually know what you are doing when the server hands you the wine list, and hence, avoid embarrassing yourself in front of your cute date.

We’ll cover everything from what the heck a dry wine is, to confidently being able to say that you can taste the oaky, fruity flavour notes in your Chardonnay.

There’s more than just Red and White

So you know the difference between a red and a white wine. Congrats, you are not colour-blind. But let’s dig a bit deeper into the differences between taste and texture of a few different types of “Reds” and “Whites” -because a difference does exist.

Red Wine

For some reason, we are all terrified of red wine. But in fact, red wine is actually kind of healthy for you, and quite delicious. You can typically pair a red wine with red meats or a nice charcuterie board.

Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon

These are both full-bodied wines, meaning that they are rich in texture, taste, and weight. Merlot is a very smooth, dark wine, and has notes of cherry and plum. Cabernet Sauvignon is a bit more acidic, with riper notes of currant and pepper.

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is most typically classified by its light, acidic taste. It is also fruity. And dry. Delicious.

White Wine

White wine is also quite lovely, when treated well. It pairs well with seafood, and creamy sauces/cheeses

Chardonnay

Ah, Chardonnay. This is a very popular, and full bodied wine. It is both oaky and fruity, with fresh notes of apple and citrus.

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc can be best described by its refreshing and crisp taste. It is acidic with earthy and herbal flavour notes, and typically has hues of green.

Pinot Grigio

Pinot Grigio is a very refreshing, almost oily, light-bodied wine -which can be contrasted with the full-bodied Chardonnay. It typically has a fruity, almost spicy taste.

And a thing about Rosé Wine…

No, Rosé is not made with pink grapes. Rosé is a nice, light pink colour because the skins of the grapes are removed during the fermentation process. Now you know.

Just an FYI, this only skims the surface. Within each of these wine types, there are even more ways to break it down. Not only that, but there are more types of wine which we haven’t even discussed yet. But we’re not going to get that intimate with the vino.

HOWEVER, here are a few important variants you should know about:

Dry: A dry wine just means that there are minimal or no added sugars- so they are not very sweet. If you care about the full wine experience, try to order a dry wine, as this will make sure the lovely flavour notes are not sugar-coated (haha literally).

Oaky: Wine has something called tannin, which is a powdery substance found in ingredients such as oak, grape seeds etc. Tannin is what makes your mouth feel “dry” when you are drinking the wine.

Fruity: The fruity notes in your wine can vary according to different climates (warm or cold). After all, wine is made all over the world. For example, in warmer climates you will most likely get notes of more tropical fruits.

Taste the Wine

Believe it or not, wine was not meant for chugging the whole bottle before going out on a Saturday night. There is, in fact, a specific way to drink your wine to taste flavour notes other than “drunk”.

Luckily, I visited Italy just to collect the best wine tasting knowledge for all you poor souls. SO, to fully embrace all that the wine has to offer, follow these steps:

1. See the wine

First, observe the colour of your wine. If it’s a white, are there hues of gold? Straw? If it’s a red is it a deep, dark cherry colour? Or is it more of a bold red, like strawberries? Observing your wine will help you be more in tune with the fermentation process used to make your wine- In case you were interested in that.

2. Smell the wine

Observe the scent of the wine by bringing the glass close to your nose (and smell it). Then, give the glass a twirl to release the flavour notes. Smell it again. See if there is a difference: are there fruity notes? Earthy ones?

3. Chew the wine

Now that you have used two of your senses, it is time to taste the wine. Take a sip and “chew” it around in your mouth. This way, you can observe the different tastes in the different places of your mouth. Try to observe the freshness in the side of your mouth. That sensation comes from minerals which are in the soil where the grapes are grown.

4. Drink the wine

This is now a great time to swallow the wine. Obviously.

Now, hopefully you have developed somewhat of an appreciation for the art of vino. Next time you go out, you can impress your date by ordering a bottle of wine like a pro (or to just sound like a pretentious a**hole, whatever you’re into really).

So go celebrate your new knowledge with a charcuterie board and a nice bottle of Merlot with some friends.  Cheers! Saluti! Prost! Skål!

XOXO

Olivia & the Zillennials

No, You can’t Order a Jäger Bomb at a Restaurant: the Ultimate Guide to Ordering Drinks

Let’s face it – it can be hard to read a room sometimes, especially when it comes to ordering drinks. Being in a “professional” or “fancy” setting just makes it worse, especially with your nerves already at a peak. Do you order something sensible? Do you get what the boss is getting? So many thoughts going into what should be one simple decision. You are absolutely craving a Jäger Bomb to ease your nerves, but you know that’s probably not appropriate. You decide to order something practical, and go for the Jackson Triggs white wine. Well, let’s state this lesson early – you should NOT go for either! In my opinion, ordering drinks in formal settings is all about balance, and although mine may not be the best advice, at least it is some sort of advice (I mean, I did work one shift as a bartender). Nonetheless, here are some of my best drink ordering recommendations in order to not embarrass yourself in front of your coworkers and/or boss! 

Wine

Wine is an easy go-to for any dinner occasion, but beware, your wine choice may say something about you, so choose carefully! Choosing an expensive red wine may come off as bold, and show that you are a bit stuck-up (again, this is just my opinion). Ordering a lighter, white wine comes off as more casual, and easy going (even if you are a serious wine fanatic). ALSO, it won’t stain your lips or teeth dark red, which is a huge plus. One more thing, try to avoid the cheapest and most expensive options – something in the middle shows that you aren’t a cheapo, but you aren’t going to grab the bill for the table.

My Go To: Even though I do love a nice glass of prosecco, I typically go for a mid-priced chardonnay. This helps me come across as easy going and sophisticated, but not too pretentious.

Beer

 

Beer can be a tough thing to order in a more formal setting, but it can also be an opportunity to showcase a bit more of your personality. In these situations, avoid at all costs any brand with a ‘cheap’ or a ‘college’ affiliation. You want to show that your palate is more developed than simply whatever will get you buzzed the fastest (even if that is your goal). Opt for beers that stray away from the big name brands and have flavours that pair well with the food you have ordered.

My Go To: I leave it up to the server! I like to ask if they have any local craft beers on tap and if they would recommend anything. Not only does this allow you to make a personal connection with the server, but it shows the other people that you care about getting something local, that will pair well with your meal. Overall it makes it seem like you know what you’re talking about, even if you don’t!

Cocktails

WE ARE TREADING INTO ROUGH WATERS HERE. Ordering a cocktail can make you look either sophisticated or trashy based on what you order. A good rule of thumb is to avoid any cocktail that has any type of sugary substances in it. Save those drinks for the club. Instead, any simple drink with a basic hard alcohol should be good to go. Martinis and lightly mixed drinks are definitely a crowd pleaser.

My Go To: A simple gin and tonic. It shows class, simplicity and that you are not too serious. It  may even show that you have a more refined taste, which will impress the people around you. Literally,  you cannot go wrong with a nice G&T.

Not in the mood to drink

It’s completely fine to not order an alcoholic beverage if you are not in the mood! Plus, you will save a few dollars in the process! BUT, whatever you do- do NOT go for a sugary soda. You are not 10 years old. Instead, opt for some sparkling water, and ask for a lemon wedge. That way, it gives off the sophistication of having a cocktail- but really, it’s just Perrier. What a revelation!

Well, there you have it, all my advice for how to impress people on your next dinner date or at drinks with work. Goodbye Jäger Bomb, and hello Chardonnay. 

XOXO

Aidan & the Zillennials