The best part of being an adult in a new relationship? Grown up sleepovers! You can hook up whenever you want, and don’t have to worry about the sneaking in/out like you did in the olden days (otherwise known as high school). Plus, there’s pillow talk, ample time for cuddling, and if you’ve really found a keeper, breakfast in bed. What could be better? Even if you just love having someone to watch Netflix with at 2 a.m. (that's me), then you know that there is nothing better sometimes. However, knowing what to do and what not to do at your new partner's place? That's a little less of a no brainer.
Sleeping over at someone new’s apartment is beyond exciting, but can also be really, really stressful. What will your hair look like when you wake up? How are you going to deal with your morning breath? How are you going to deal with their morning breath? Luckily, these tricks will help make your slumber party experience easy and enjoyable, both the night of and the next morning. Oh, and a little secret to remember that won't hurt either: Your partner is probably a little nervous, too.
1. Use Your Partner's Products Freely, But Be Respectful
Any self-respecting grownup should have mouthwash and face-wash readily available for exactly these types of situations (and hopefully for themselves on any other normal night). Feel free to use these at your leisure. Using someone else’s toothbrush or deodorant, though, is pretty invasive and you should definitely ask first (although if you really need to sneak-swipe of someone’s deodorant in a moment of emergency — no judge). As an insurance policy, it’s never a bad idea to pack your own. If you’ve found someone who keeps a pack of toothbrushes readily available for overnight guests, congratulate them on officially winning at adulthood.
2. Carry Protection
Protection is everyone’s problem, and expecting that someone else is going to have condoms readily available is presumptuous and could land you in a sticky situation.
3. Bring An Extra Pair Of Panties
Walks of shame are never a great look (though I do think they should be retitled “strides of pride”), but it’s even worse when you have to do them in last nights clothes and last night’s lingerie. Do yourself a favor and throw a clean pair of undies in your purse (let’s be honest, they’re definitely small enough to fit in your clutch) so you can maintain at least some of your dignity when directing a cab driver to your apartment sub-7:30am.
4. Think About Your Shoes Beforehand
There is no greater giveaway to a walk of shame than a pair of stilettos before 9am, on a weekday nonetheless. If you know for sure you're going to be sleeping out, try to wear a pair of shoes that can pass as "daytime appropriate," or throw a pair of flip-flops in your bag.
5. Carry A Separate Set Of Contacts
Sleeping with your contacts in is so, so bad for your eyes (and something I accidentally do more often than I would like to admit) and waking up with old gritty contacts in can really start your day off on the wrong foot. Plus, you’d be surprised how easy it is to lose a contact during a hookup. Better safe than sorry, especially when you actually want to be able to see who you went home with.
6. Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For PJs
Sleeping naked is a personal choice, and can be incredibly uncomfortable when done next to someone who is trying to spoon you all night long. The thought of the sweat situation is shudder inducing. At the very least, your sleepover partner should give you a t-shirt to wear with the undies you’ve been carrying around all night
7. ...Or A Phone Charger
If you’re with a thoughtful person, they’ll offer.
8. Sleep Respectfully
People can be weird about their beds, so it’s important to pay attention when you’re a guest in someone else’s. Figure out who’s side of the bed is who’s (try to snag the side with the fan, if you can!), don’t hog the covers and whatever you do don’t force snuggle. Some people hate cuddling in their sleep, so be sure to pay attention to any cues that your partner is trying to wiggle their way of of the spoon hold.
9. Don’t Linger
Unless your partner explicitly invites you to stay in bed after he/she leaves, take his/her getting up as your cue to go. If it’s Saturday morning and your partner is hinting that they need to get to brunch or has a full workout outfit on and is on the way out the door, it’s time for you to #GTFO.
10. Make The Bed
If, once you’ve proven you’re not a kleptomaniac or a psychopath, your partner lets you stay in bed after they leave in the morning, surprise them with a made bed when they get home. It’s an easy way to say thank you and show that you appreciate and respect their space. Plus, who doesn’t love coming home at the end of a long day to a perfectly made bed.
11. Don't Get Caught Snooping
Because you will NOT be invited back.
And, most importantly:
12. Bring. Tampons.
Because I can’t imagine a worse situation than getting your period in the middle of the night in someone else’s bed and not being able to do anything about it. AHHH!
Images: ZoomTeam/Fotolia; Giphy (9)
