Cosmopolitan Sri Lanka

TRAVEL & STAY

Need to book a last minute SSGTHLYOOLBPEAP&LINPAGER:RTFSAOSNHAIOLN, EXPERIENCES EVENTS
family holiday to Paris?
Feeling a staycation in the The Jaguar & Land Rover There are particular benefits VVIP passes, entrance, long
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your Jaguar & Land Rover Colombo Jewellery Stores and get picked up in a luxurious it’s all just a call away with
Owners Club Membership Jaguar or Land Rover, be your JLR Membership. In
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Lay back and relax as your Sweden to the Land Rover Ice
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Contact Colombo’s JLR office
for more details on upcoming
events.

personal concierge takes care Trunk. You can get bespoke But wait, there is more! Jaguar
of the ideation, booking and pieces created or simply have Land Rover Owners Club members
all the little details that make the latest collection personally will also get Three Wishes from
your vacation perfect. Choose delivered to your doorstep— January 2018 where, during the
from some of the island’s best don’t be afraid to ask. month in which they were born,
hotels, including the likes they will receive discount and gift
of Shangri-La, MÖvenpick, If art is your collection of vouchers that they can redeem at
Santani Wellness Retreat choice, look out for the any point during the month.
or Cape Weligama, or go monthly newsletter for the low Every month, customers can also
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Go on, holiday without the or even the latest iPhone, just information.
hassle. choose it.
149



PROP AND FOOD ST YLIST: JANINE IVERSEN. HAND LETTERING BY JEN WHITE. SLUG

I’ll
Drink

to
That!

GET YOUR TOASTS
READY, PEOPLE. EACH OF

THESE FUN, NOVEL
COCKTAILS IS

GUARANTEED TO STIR UP
GOOD TIMES, STARTING

WITH THIS HOLIDAY-
READY CRANBERRY
WONDER. CHEERS!

PHOTOGRAPHED BY GRANT CORNETT

Combine 1½ ounces tequila, 1½ ounces cranberry juice, 1½ ounces orange liqueur and agave nectar to taste
in a shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain over ice. Garnish with sugared cranberries.

151

LIVE IT UP! IMAGE: EXAMPLE 1 | WORDS: EXAMPLE 2

This super-boozy
drink’s name is
no joke. Just one sip

and you’ll be
crushing, hard.
Another round, please!

1 ounce
bourbon
1 ounce brandy
3/4 ounce fresh
lemon juice
½ ounce peach liqueur
½ ounce simple syrup
A dash of Peychaud
bitters
Add ingredients
to an ice-filled shaker;
shake and strain over ice
or into a coupe.
Garnish with peaches
or a lemon wheel.

Courtesy of Eryn Reece,
head bartender at Death +
Company in New York City

152

IMAGE: EXAMPLE 1 | WORDS: EXAMPLE 2 SLUG

Is it just us, or is
this the most

adorable cocktail
idea of all time?

Okay, enough
eyeballing. Give
each guest a spoon

and get to it!
2 pounds

gummy bears
1 liter vodka
In a covered
container, soak
gummy bears in
vodka (covering the
bears and leaving
½ inch extra alcohol
on top). Refrigerate;
let soak for at least 4
hours. Pour off
alcohol and serve up
the bears—
with caution!

153

SLUG IMAGE: EXAMPLE 1 | WORDS: EXAMPLE 2
Think of it as the Jell-O
shot’s cool older sister
who lives in Cali.
Whip these up the night
before your party, and
enjoy your guests’
suddenly sunny moods.
½ cup tangerine juice (about
6 tangerines,
save the halved peels)
½ cup Aperol
1 cup prosecco
1½ packets unflavored
Knox gelatin
1/4 cup granulated sugar

Pour juice into small
saucepan. Sprinkle with
gelatin and sugar; let soak
for a couple of minutes.
Heat on medium, stirring
occasionally, until sugar
and gelatin dissolve. Do not

boil! Set aside to cool.
Meanwhile, carefully peel

away the fruit from the
tangerine peels, and set

tangerine “cups” in a
muffin tin. Now that the

mixture is cool, stir in
prosecco and Aperol. Pour

mixture into tangerine
cups. Chill in refrigerator
for 2 to 3 hours, until set.
Jell-O-side down, using a

sharp knife, slice each
tangerine into wedges

before serving.

Courtesy of Ludlows Cocktail Company

154

IMAGE: EXAMPLE 1 | WORDS: EXAMPLE 2 LIVE IT UP!

Get your caffeine
fix in the most fun
way possible—with

a shot of booze!
1 pot black coffee
Baileys Irish Cream,

to taste
Pour room
temperature coffee
in an ice-cube
tray, and freeze.
Put the cubes in a
glass, and top
off with a shot or
two of Baileys.

155

LIVE IT UP!

Cosmo s

Not another GrainndgyeArblreexaandder
eggnog! Instead, B
sip this creamy
concoction at your PHOTOGRAPHY: GRANT CORNETT, EMILY KATE ROEMER/STUDIO D

NYE party.

2 cups brown sugar,
2 cups water,

5cm piece ginger
root (peeled and

chopped),
5 cinnamon sticks,
1t grated nutmeg,
double shot brandy,

2T thick cream,
crushed digestive
biscuits to garnish

In a saucepan, heat
sugar, water, ginger

root, cinnamon
sticks and nutmeg.
Let simmer for 15
minutes. Cool and
strain. Add one shot
of the mixture to
brandy and cream.
Shake vigorously in a
cocktail shaker with
ice and strain into a
glass rimmed with
crushed digestive

biscuits.

156

COSMO ADVERTORIAL

CHEGEEGSNECOAGKE

Probably the best part of the Christmas season PRO TIP: Keep prying
is dessert. Don’t break the bank stepping out to fingers away from the
order your baked goods this December—make fridge while you set
this decadently creamy eggnog cheesecake at
the cake!
home! All you need is a few good ingredients
(eggs and cream cheese, obviously), and some

patience.

what you need how to whip it up

• 2 whole eggs • Pre-heat oven to 160°C.
• 4 egg yolks • Mix wafer or biscuit crumbs, butter and
• 2 packets vanilla wafers OR nutmeg; press deeply into the bottom
ginger biscuits, finely crushed and around 1 inch up the sides of the
(final amount should come up to baking pan.
about 2 cups) • Bake base for around 10 minutes.
• 6 tbsp. soft butter • Blend cream cheese, sugar, flour,
• 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg rum and vanilla extract in a mixer. Add
• 600 grams of plain cream the whipping cream and mix well until
cheese smooth. Add high-quality whole eggs
• 1 cup sugar and yolks, one at a time, mixing on low
• 3 tbsp. flour speed after each is blended.
• 3 tbsp. non-alcoholic rum • Gently pour the mixture into
essence or rum bakery the crust.
emulsion (not mandatory) • Bake for around 1 hour 10 min, or until
• 1 tsp. vanilla essence the center is almost set. Run a knife
• 1 cup whipping cream around the pan rim to loosen the cake.
• Cool until not very hot, and refrigerate
cheesecake for 4 hours.
• Serve with a drizzle of chopped walnuts
or burnt caramel if you’d like some
additional texture!

This delicious recipe
was brought to you
by Nel Farms.

https://www.facebook.com/nelfarms/

CSLOUSGMO FOOD

BCiaErteaBosswiygfdor

Wow your entire squad with these zesty
Latin-inspired eats from the chefs behind

NYC and Boston’s Toro restaurants.

BY JESSICA GOODMAN

PREP FOR Zucchini 1 lb. zucchini, 1. Combine
SUCCESS Pesto on shredded, salted all but the last
Grilled and squeezed ingredient in a
Avoid last-minute Bread with a kitchen bowl, and mix
stress by mixing the towel well. Set aside to
spread in the AM. MAKES 6 marinate for at
Then, put these bad 2 cloves garlic, least 1 hour.
boys out first—they minced
can be served at room 2. Brush bread
2 oz. olive oil with olive oil,
temp. and cook on grill
4 T basil, chopped (or simply toast)
until slightly IAFMLOLAOIGDEM:ASEGTXEYASL IMCSPOTL:UERJT1AE|MS IYWESOUKR IBDJSME:MCETX|SAPMRPOLPE S2 T Y L I S T : A L M A M E L E N D E Z F O R H A L L E Y R E S O U R C E S .
½ c. Marcona charred.
almonds, toasted
and minced 3. To serve,
spoon mixture
1 T fresh thyme over toast.

½ c. grated
Parmesan

1 t. lemon juice

½ t. lemon zest

Salt and pepper
to taste

1 baguette, sliced

MAKE THAT
MEAT ROCK!
Marinate steak for at
least one hour before
cooking. For optimal flavor,
let your carne soak
up the sauce overnight
(in the fridge, obviously).

158

SLUG

Spicy 1. Cook corn
Corn in hot pan or on
hot grill for 10

MAKES 8 minutes or until

4 ears corn, golden yellow.

husked and 2. Remove corn
from grill, and
halved
brush on mayo.
WHIP UP A 1 c. mayonnaise Roll in cheese
SALSA VERDE 1 and dust with
c. Cotija cheese, cayenne.
In a blender, puree 2 1 grated fine or
unripe tomatoes, ½ bunch crumbled 3. Serve with
lime wedges.
cilantro, juice of 2 T cayenne
limes, and ½ jalapeño, pepper
seeded. Salt to taste,
and drizzle over tacos (and 2 limes, cut
into wedges
corn, if you dare!).
SERVE A ROSÉ SANGRIA

Combine 1 bottle rosé,
¼ c. brandy, 1 oz. peach liqueur,

2 oz. lemon juice,
and 2 oz. simple syrup
with strawberries, blueberries,
smashed raspberries

and sliced peaches.
Refrigerate 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Garnish with mint.

[Adapted from Wölffer Estate
Vineyards]

Carne
Asada
Tacos

MAKES 8 Add steak to
marinate.
2 cloves garlic,
minced 2. Heat a
grill pan until
1 small onion, smoking. Dry
peeled and steak with paper
diced towels, and sear
about 4 minutes
½ can cola on each side
until medium-
1½ T soy sauce rare. Let rest for
4 minutes. Slice.
2 T olive oil
3. Heat tortillas
1½ lbs. skirt steak on pan until
warm. Top with
8 corn tortillas sliced steak,
cilantro and the
½ bunch cilantro, remaining diced
chopped onion.

1. Mix garlic,
half of the onion,
cola, soy sauce
and oil in a large
ziplock bag.

159COSMOPOLITAN _ DECEMBER 2017 _

COSMO ADVERTORIAL

B et your mouth is
watering at the thought
of these yummy dishes
for your next meal. Or,
perhaps, you’re watching
the latest episode of MasterChef,
and imagining yourself making the
very same in your own kitchen.
Well, why ever not? Cooking has
long been a source of joy the world
over, and even if you’re no domestic
goddess, you cannot deny the sheer
thrill of watching your guests
smile in satisfaction while eating
something you’ve prepared…even
if it was the only thing you made
that week! (Hey, there’s so much a
modern woman needs to do, am I
right?!)
You may be an expert in the
kitchen, easily churning out
curries and cakes just as your
mother did before you…or,
you may be a relative newbie,
recently married or just settling
into your own apartment. Being
able to cook a decent meal is not
only empowering, it can also be

COSMO ADVERTORIAL

liberating and fun! You don’t have to So, what exactly can you create with WHAT YOU NEED:
whisk through takeout menus each butter? Or, should that be rephrased
night; if you have the right ingredients to, what can’t you create with butter? 500g tagliatelle
at hand, cooking becomes a breeze! Because the possibilities are endless! 100g Lurpak Slightly Salted
And, what ingredients are essential Butter is crucial to baking, and can butter
to every kitchen? Apart from the make all the difference between
usual meats, fruits and vegetables, that dry cake you tasted at the chain 1. In a large pan of boiling water, cook the
complementary ingredients that form bakery near your house and the rich
the base of many recipes include flour, decadence of that cake your bestie pasta for 10 minutes or according to packet
oil, sauces and that oh-so-tempting made for your birthday. And, who instructions—until just cooked. Drain and
item…butter! And, you don’t know doesn’t love the buttery goodness of reserve the pasta water.
how GOOD butter can taste till you basically anything cooked in butter?
try Lurpak! Scrambled eggs for instance! Oh yum. 2. Meanwhile, in a deep-sided frying pan,

Lurpak is all about good food and Lurpak gives you all the goodness add half of the Lurpak Slightly Salted butter,
cooking simply with a few natural of real butter, without the excessive and when it starts to melt, add the prawns
ingredients, which is why Lurpak salt. So, the next time you’re feeling and saffron; cook for one minute.
is made with just cream, lactic acid lazy to cook, just toss some grilled
culture and a pinch of salt—three fish or chicken and veggies in some 3. Add the garlic, chilli and lemon zest,
natural ingredients with humble Lurpak butter (add wine if you’re
beginnings that bring sublime results. feeling adventurous), sprinkle a dash and cook for a further one minute until the
Lurpak means you never have to of herbs and voila: restaurant-level prawns have changed colour and are bright
compromise on quality or taste, as you deliciousness! (Remember to use the pink. Add the lemon juice, the remaining
spread, dollop and battle your way to a leftover juices and buttery sauce to Lurpak Slightly Salted butter and flat-leaf
kitchen victory. toss some pasta, making the perfect parsley.
easy pairing!). Or, if you’re spending
When it comes to creating the subtle a lazy Sunday at home and want to 4. Season with salt and fresh black pepper.
taste of Lurpak (a pale-coloured surprise your family with a treat, use
lactic butter), this historic Danish Lurpak in your favorite cake recipe— Stir until the Lurpak Slightly Salted butter is
brand combines traditional methods they’ll wonder how you just made an melted; then remove from the heat.
with state-of-the-art technology. already great cake even better!
The process begins with roughly 5. Add the pasta to the prawns with a ladle
20kg of whole milk to make every Bet all this talk about butter has got
1kg of butter. The most valuable and you wanting to whip out that apron of the pasta water. Stir the tagliatelle into the
flavorsome part of the milk – the (vintage chic!) and make some magic sauce for one minute and serve immediately
cream – is carefully ripened before right now. Why not try this simple with a rocket, tomato and parmesan salad.
being used in the butter-making tagliatelle recipe with prawns, chilli,
process. Lactic cultures are then lemon parsley? You won’t be able to
added, giving a fresh and slightly resist the smell wafting through your
aromatic note with the unmistakable house when you add some buttery
creaminess that creates the magic. Bon Appetit!
characteristic Lurpak flavour. That’s
it. Nothing more is added, apart from
a pinch of salt to our Slightly Salted
varieties. Unmistakably fresh and
ever-so-slightly aromatic, Lurpak is
perfect for spreading, cooking, baking
and just about anything you want to
make in the kitchen.

Working From
Wine To Five

A Perfect Glass
For Every
Occasion
Your Day
Throws
At You

Veni, vidi, vino, ladies.

You may have grape expectations for a night out,
but the wrong wine can end up ruining it all. After all,
dropping like 5K for a bottle you don’t even enjoy is
Bordeaux-ing on ridiculous. Kinita Shenoy uncorks
some bold truths, bad puns and beautiful wine in this
expose of rosé, bubbly and everything in between.

162 _ COSMOPOLITAN _ DECEMBER 2017

3 EXPERT LIVE IT UP!
LESSONS
FOR WINE LESSON #1: LESSON #2: LESSON #3:
NEWBIES YOU DO YOU, GIRL. DRINK MORE! CHILL OUT.

If you don’t understand Shiyani Saranapala of House of Laure Oger of Wine World Another great tip for enjoying
wine, find the whole field Wines comforts us by saying, suggests we start with white wine, especially in our
“Trust your palate. Don't feel wine, “It doesn’t contain sweltering tropics, is to chill
too dang intimidating intimidated by wine lingo used tannins, so is usually easier both reds and whites before
or manage to slosh on wine labels, wine apps and to drink and understand. A consumption. According to
by wine critics; what matters is Sauvignon Blanc is a perfect Favourite Wine’s Dushan
wine onto yourself each if you like the taste or not.” start, and you can play with Dushyanthan, “This will give
time you attempt a the regions like Loire Valley red wine a better taste by
in France or Marlborough in cutting the bitter tannins,
swirl-and-sniff, that’s New Zealand. Even if it is the while chilling white wine cuts
okay. We asked some of same grape variety, the taste sourness”. Win-win!
Colombo’s top sommeliers and characteristics will be
to give us some first-timer completely different depending Dushan Dushyanthan,
advice on how to enjoy on what region, soil or “terroir” General Manager at Favourite Wines
it comes from. Then, move on to
your wine tasting. Chardonnays and light body

reds like Pinot Noir,
Pinotage, Zinfandel or
Merlot until your palate
adapts to detecting wine
aromas.”

Shiyani Saranapala,
Wine Adviser at House of Wines.

WHEN, i. Spilling tea with your BFF Laure Oger, Wine & Spirits Master i. For a BIG celebration
WHERE or gal pals - Gris Blanc Rose at Wine World (Engagement? New job?
& WHAT available at Cafe Francais New life?) - Besserat De
TO DRINK i. A lovely Christmas glass Bellefon Brut available at
ii. Fancy date night with your to match all the food you’re Hilton Colombo and Ministry
Here, we help you boo - Podere Monastero La feasting on this season – of Crab.
pick the perfect glass Pineta available at Rare, Uga Hardy’s Cabernet Sauvignon
Residence available at Curve and ii. Cheap and chic,
of wine for every MÖvenpick Hotel Colombo. an easy-to-drink wine perfect
occasion, and tell you iii. Low-key celebration, like for when you’re drawing a
which spots in Colombo wrapping up a big project or ii. A wine to pair with a blanc – Valdivieso Sauvignon
have them all chilled and hitting an all new Pokemon proper Lankan rice & curry. Blanc or Valdivieso Merlot
ready for you to sip on! streak – Sacchetto Prosecco You need an aromatic wine available at Cinnamon Grand
available at The Gallery Cafe with high acidity to ensure and Galle Face Hotel.
that it cleanses your palate
and doesn’t get overwhelmed iii. The perfect wine for our
by the spicy food. Try the hot-hot endless summer–
Torres Vina Esmeralda, Nederburg The Wine Masters
a blend of Moscatel and Riesling or Danzante Pinot
Gewurztraminer, that goes Grigio available at AMARI
perfectly with curries and Galle, The Fortress Hotel in
seafood dishes. Available at Koggala and Paradise Road
Botanik Bistro & Bar, The The Gallery Café.
Bayleaf and Galle Face Hotel.
Whether you’re broke AF or
ii. A yum dessert wine- blinging it up, a wine lover,
Floralis Moscatel Oro available or totally clueless, these tips
at Semondu at Dutch should make your wining in
Hospital, Colombo. Colombo easier. So, skip the
swirling and sniffing, and get
straight to sipping this season!

163

Cosmo Reads
Say ‘no’ to holiday gift-giving stress and knock out your
THIS CHARMING MAN shopping in one easy go with these jolly good page-turners! THE COMPLETE
by Marian Keyes NOVELS
COMPILED BY ANURADHA WITHANACHCHI
The news of Paddy de by Jane Austen
Courcy’s engagement brings A read that needs no
forth frenzies in Lola, Grace, introduction! Full of humor,
romance and elegance, no
Marnie and Alicia, four one can resist the genius
women strangely intertwined of Austen. From Emma to
Persuasion, to Pride and
with him. Touching on Prejudice, this collection’s
problems like alcoholism,
got it all.
domestic violence and [Available at Vijitha Yapa]
romance, this book is bound
to reach anyone’s Top 10. WINE FOLLY
by Madeline Puckette and
[Available at Vijitha Yapa]
Justin Hammack
THE MINISTRY OF Lost when it comes to pairing
UTMOST HAPPINESS
your Christmas eats with a
by Arundhati Roy suitable wine? A flip through
With vibrant imagery and this book is all you need to
lyrical prose, Roy once again channel your inner sommelier.
paints a riveting story about It has the A-Z about all things
the tumultuous Kashmir and vino, with cute illustrations and
the fringe communities in mouthwatering descriptions.
Delhi through the characters
[Available at Chapters.lk]
of Anjum and Tilo.
[Available at Chapters.lk] THE IMPROBABILITY
OF LOVE
THE COMPLETE STORIES
by Anita Desai by Hannah Rothschild
When Annie McDee
A collection of Desai’s
greatest works, including discovers a dirty painting
Diamond Dust, Games at a junk shop, she doesn’t

at Twilight and her know what she’s getting
novellas from The Art herself into. Soon, she
of Disappearance. An finds herself involved in the
unflinching observation of intense London art world
instances where East meets full of cunning auctioneers,
West, and a perfect read for dealers, the darkest secrets
cozy Christmas evenings! of European history and a
[Available at Sarasavi] strange tale of amour.
[Available at Sarasavi]

PHOTOGRAPHY: PAMOD NILRU

164



HOROSCOPES IMAGES: GETTY IMAGES

by Aurora Tower | @AuroraAstro

SAGITTARIUS
11 .22–12. 21

Life will get more carefree when
pragmatic Saturn leaves your sign
on the 19th. Whatever’s been bringing you
down will finally start to dissipate.
Note what you learned, then let it go.
For most of the month, Mercury is retrograde,
which will help you use your intuition.
So trust your gut no matter what.
YOURYEARYou’ll balance lots of projects
with a stellar social life. Your love forecast
steams up in February and April,

and July will bring job success.
Use charm to work wonders all year.

SAGGITARIUS
GAL

Nicki Minaj
12.08.82

166

CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES ARIES

12. 22– 01.19 01. 20 – 02.18 02.19 – 03. 20 03. 21– 0 4.19

Time to exercise some Your love life is about to get That hustle is about to pay Get outta town! The Full
willpower, sister. Everyone’s lit. This month, romance is off! Venus moves into your Moon on the 3rd is prime
raging right now, but don’t imminent, especially on the zone of fame and success getaway time (even just to
party so hard that you lose 3rd and 20th. Look out for on the 1st, so expect hella the next area code). Watch
track of your goals. Around less serious types. If you’re gold stars for your work. for crossed signals when
the 10th, resist FOMO for a taken, all signs still point to Around the 9th, you will be Mercury retrograde collides
Zen night of Netflix. When fabulous people entering primed for a well-deserved with Venus around the 15th.
your ruler, pragmatic Saturn, your social circle. Just take a adventure, overseas or in your A career break could come
moves into your sign on the break from celebrating closer own hood. Make it home by at the end of the month, so
19th, you’ll be recharged to the end of the month, so month’s end for falala-ing take your schmooze face out
and ready to do something you can start 2018 strong. with friends. PISCES GUY: on the party circuit for nog
epic. CAPRICORN GUY: He AQUARIUS GUY: He’s The dude is doing well at and networking. ARIES GUY:
has a big opportunity on the down to go out, so use it as a work, too (#PowerCouple). He needs an escape, so steal
horizon. Be a sounding board chance to bond with his BFFs. A confidence boost from you him away for some snuggles.
while he sorts it all out. Next round is on you. will help him keep crushin’ it.
LEO
TAURUS GEMINI CANCER
07. 23 – 0 8. 22
0 4. 20 – 05. 21 05.22–06.20 0 6. 21– 07. 22
That glow, tho! You’re
Trust your gut, girl. Money You’re quite the charmer Hello, boss lady! You’ll get bursting with lurve during
troubles may arise on the during the holidays. Get your props for all your hard work the holidays, and everyone
3rd, so pay attention and flirt on all month long, and on the 10th—use the boost on your Christmukkah list
don’t agree to anything you especially on the 3rd, the only to shine outside your safe will sing a happy song. Don’t
feel iffy on. Your love life will Full Moon of the year in your place. When make-it-happen let confusion dampen your
heat up on the 9th, but know sign! Sparks could fly fast, Mars moves into your zone mood on the 12th, when the
what you’re looking for. Forget so make sure you’re willing to of true love on the 9th, your Sun collides with Mercury
flakes—your precious time commit. But, don’t lose steam love life will sparkle hard. retrograde. Give yourself the
is better spent meeting men at work—your progress Make the most of every gift of chill on the 24th. LEO
who want to commit, or even could pay off in dollar signs. invitation, especially after the GUY: He’s working hard to
reviving lapsed friendships. Add a cha-ching to that 21st. CANCER GUY: Not impress the hell out of you, so
TAURUS GUY: It’s Mr. cheers! GEMINI GUY: He’s even job stuff can distract him show him some after-hours
Moody! Give him some space feeling frisky. If it’s not with from you. A candlelit dinner appreciation.
and he’ll sort out his crap you, upgrade to a real keeper. may take things to the next
quick. level. SAGITTARIUS GUY
LIBRA
VIRGO SCORPIO Jake Gyllenhaal
09.23–10.22 12.19.80
0 8. 23 – 0 9. 22 10.23–11.21
You have mad social skills, Spontaneity and smarts
Friendship brings you all as you know, and they’ll be Get ready to get shit done. are both big turn-ons for
the good feels. Go with it and on display after the 1st, when Prioritize your to-do list by the him. An outdoorsy date
throw a bash for the whole your calendar splits at the 9th, when your energy kicks
gang. Just stay flexible, seams with all the soirees into overdrive. Also in excess with some friendly
as your ruler, Mercury, is you’re invited to. After the this month? Dolla bills, y’all! competition will leave
retrograde from the 3rd 18th, you may decide to dash Wallet woes will subside after
until the 22nd. But don’t be out of town, but come the 19th, when strict Saturn him wanting more
worried about drama. On the back in time to mellow out moves out of your income
19th, any family tension will with your family during zone, making it way easier for
lift in time for you to indulge the holidays. LIBRA GUY: He you to earn (and save).
in a decadent home-cooked has a long list of priorities SCORPIO GUY: He’s very
meal. VIRGO GUY: Bae is right now. Remind him that assertive this month, so get
crazed. Plan a staycation for you deserve to be on top. ready for some wrestling
two, and settle in for a silent between the sheets.

night…or not.

167

COSMO QUIZ

WHO’S What are you in the mood b.Double-check the name on your
YOUR for this season? screen, and pinch yourself to make sure
H LIDAY you’re not dreaming because O. M. G.
BAE? a.Something fun and uncomplicated
Aside from La La sans strings—though it’s not the c.Launch into a three-message-long
Land’s Ryan Gosling, worst thing in the world if said strings tirade about the hell on earth that is
we mean. naturally materialize eventually. Friday payday carmageddon.

b.Something new with someone sort What’s your favorite part of
of familiar. a first date?

c.Something steady that you’ve a.The challenge of getting to know a
been considering for a while. new person and peeling back the layers
one by one to (hopefully!) find someone
How would you react if he cool and interesting underneath.
messaged “You up?”
b.That moment when small talk
a.Depends. Are you in the mood? Is turns into a deeper and more meaning-
he worth tidying up your place or brav- ful conversation.
ing the ever-present traffic for? Most
importantly, are you already wearing c.When you can share a comfortable
that pricey snail essence face mask? silence, which is pretty rare on a first
date. Bonus: This level of intimacy
allows both of you to savor dessert in
blissful peace!

Which fictional couple do
you feel for the most?

a.Vee and Ian, and their internet-
assisted meet-cute in Nerve.

b.Jim and Pam’s Office romance.
c.Iris and Ali’s complicated, friends-
since-birth relationship on Till I Met You

If you had a No Tomorrow
inspired “Apocalyst,” what
would we most likely find
on it?

a.Stop hiding behind your phone
or computer screen, and take more
chances.

b.Ask out that cute guy 12 cubicles
away from you! (Yes, you counted.)

c.Find out if there’s really something
between you and your guy friend like
everyone keeps insisting.

THE BREAKDOWN

Mostly A’s Mostly B’s Mostly C’s IMAGE: LIONSGATE | TEXT: DYAN ZARZUELA

YOUR DATING APP MATCH YOUR OFFICE MATE YOUR GUY FRIEND

‘Tis the season to swipe right on Tinder, Bumble, et You feel the chemistry whenever you bump into him Notice that we only said guy friend, not guy best
cetera. You could end up surviving the worst date of at the office pantry, so why not suggest grabbing friend—that’s a tricky subject that requires a whole
your life (which makes for the BEST stories), going coffee outside sometime? You like coffee, he likes new quiz in itself. Dating second-tier guy friends is
on a magical, straight-from-the-movies date, or, if coffee, you already have so much in common! less complicated, and you’ve got the whole gang to
Santa’s feeling extra generous, finding The One. Kidding aside, it’s almost 2018—it’s absolutely fine act as a buffer if sparks don’t fly. And if sparks do fly?
if you make the first move. Then, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you!

168 _ COSMOPOLITAN _ DECEMBER 2017