Melissa Hugel

Bio

Melissa is a freelance writer and blogger. She has written for the Scottish Book Trust and regularly contributes to Edinburgh based Illicit Ink. A keen interest in all things pop culture, Melissa studied history and film at McMaster University, and has an MA in creative writing from Edinburgh Napier University.
Now that an estimated 20% of Americans between the ages of 25 and 34 are using online dating sites, it seems like everyone and their mother is on Tinder. But with the rise in online dating comes the rise of assholes who see dating apps as a vehicle…
Some long distance couples sext. Others Skype every day. Korean couple Danbi Shin and Seok Li have their own unique way of staying connected: It involves Instagram, some smart photo editing and an impressive amount of time coordination.  The couple…
If you're thinking of moving in with your significant other, you might want to think again. According to studies, moving in with your partner at a young age can lead to a higher likelihood of divorce down the road. That's in part due to the…
A constant nervous feeling, sweating palms, a rapidly increasing heart rate and a vague sense of impending doom. These are just some of the common symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.  Many of us have felt anxiety and dealt with its symptoms to…
3,317 miles. That's the distance between Toronto and Edinburgh. It also happens to be the distance between me and my long-distance boyfriend. We've been dating for 10 months. Most people think of long-distance relationships like mine as doomed from…
Remember Hailee Steinfeld, the little girl from True Grit? The 18-year-old actress just released her first single, "Love Myself," which has a theme that's not often celebrated in pop music: female masturbation. At first blush, "Love Myself" seems…
Is there any combination sexier than a man bun and beard?  Uh... no. There is not.  The man bun/beard is enjoying something of a cultural moment, if the multiple Pinterest boards devoted to the style are any indication. And in light of the rise of…
We've all heard the advice: no glove, no love. Don't be silly, wrap your willy. Cover your stump before you hump. Basically, wear a condom. Well, unless you're in a committed relationship. Or on birth control. Of if you've both been tested in the…
As if it were at all possible, Chris Pratt and Anna Faris got even cuter last week. Their super sweet exchange about Faris' jealousy in regards to one of Pratt's Jurassic World costars sent hearts aflutter across the Twittersphere: Talk about…
You're innocently scrolling through Facebook when it hits. "Wait, am I really supposed to be married right now?" you think, staring at the onslaught of wedding photos. Or, "Look at everyone with their fancy new degrees — should I have gone to grad…
"Let's stay friends" — it's the breakup mantra, as inevitable as the tears that accompany it. Sometimes it's meant sincerely, other times it's meant to soften the blow.  It's a noble thought, but unfortunately not the reality for plenty of people.…
If only your doctor recommended it more.  Sex gets talked about as a guilty pleasure, that thing we do out of pure desire when we could be spending our time productively or improving ourselves. But instead of feeling guilty, it's worth remembering:…
Sex is a beautiful, wondrous experience that always ends with both parties orgasming wildly.  At least, according to Hollywood. Oh, and it always looks sexy and beautiful. Hell, The Notebook has us thinking that first time sex between long-lost…
How can you tell if your mom is your best friend? Well, first check if you're a millennial. According to Fusion's Massive Millennial Poll, 55% of millennials consider one or both of their parents to be their best friend. This is especially true for…
"How do you know they're the One if you haven't been with anyone else?"  "Do you ever wonder what else is out there?" "Don't you get bored?"  Staying with a romantic partner you've been with since high school may seem unconventional at best and…
"Fancy a snog, hen?" No, it's not a line from an unpublished Dr. Seuss book. Actually, it's fairly common British slang. Translation: "Do you want to make out?" While we may all technically speak the same language, North Americans and Brits have…
The impression you'd get from looking at our culture around us (save for a few Cialis commercials) is that sex is for young people only. Take most TV shows, and you'll see sweaty young things writhing around with one another while anyone over 40…
The $50 billion wedding industry would have us think that in order to celebrate your special day, you need to tick off certain boxes: white dresses, formal tuxes, bouquets and bouquets of flowers, religious vows, toasts and countless more…
It's hard enough living with your parents, from keeping your room up to their cleanliness standards or arguing over a single Netflix account. But what happens when you throw dating into the mix? Take Craig*, 30, who lives in New York City but lived…
Losing your virginity — it's a seemingly simple concept that in fact glosses over a complicated reality.  Talk of "losing your virginity" (or simply our "first time") typically requires a rather restrictive definition of sex: penetrative sex, or…