The oat and bean, Photo credits to Ellen Hollingshurst (@a_bakingmess)

The Oat and Bean: a cafe review

A Cafe for Vegan struggles Speaking as a vegetarian, I have always admired vegans. Their struggle to find suitable places to eat must be incredibly stressful. Staple “Mediterranean pastas” or hummus bowls, which are often the only vegan options at many restaurants, must get so boring. So, it must be such a relief when a fully vegan cafe, offering a packed, changing menu of over … Continue reading The Oat and Bean: a cafe review

Mementos

Ever since I can remember, I have been super fortunate to travel the world. From city breaks to relaxing on a white sandy beach to exploring the USA. As a Starbucks enthusiast, a tradition of mine, in every place I travel to, is to visit a Starbucks, order an iced latte and purchase one of their location mugs as a precious keepsake. It is so important to me … Continue reading Mementos

Anti-Resolution Revolution

Resolution or trend? New Year’s Resolutions are out, constant self-improvement is in.  It is futile to attempt to better yourself once a year, especially considering most resolutions fail anyway: I, myself failed Veganuary on day five this year. However, in attempting Veganuary it made me consider why I decided to take up resolution in the first place. I have never wanted to be a vegan, … Continue reading Anti-Resolution Revolution

Broadway to West End: Are Classical Musicals Disappearing?

With the recent premiere of Wicked skyrocketing the West End world levels beyond London, the gravity defying movie isn’t the first to turn classical musicals into cinema. At the turn of the decade, Hamilton became an on-screen hit. Newer and undoubtedly granted a bigger budget, Matilda also became a movie masterpiece in 2022. This evolution of theatre is not only comparative to cinema. Broadway is being reinvented, and the stage is … Continue reading Broadway to West End: Are Classical Musicals Disappearing?

Danger of Travel: Misconception or True?

Travelling is one of the best ways to expand your horizons, but there is no denying that safety concerns are often on our minds. We’ve all heard the stories: dangers lurking in places like Rio, pickpockets in Barcelona, or civil unrest in Budapest. But are these fears truly justified, or are they just misconceptions fuelled by media and hearsay? When planning our next trip, most … Continue reading Danger of Travel: Misconception or True?

Does Distance Make the Heart Grow Fonder?

One of my best friends lives over 2000 miles away from me. We met online 4 years ago so we’ve always been long distance. As we’ve grown older, our lives have become a little busier. We don’t always have the time to send the daily flood of messages we used to during the pandemic. But we’ve grown closer over the years even with an entire … Continue reading Does Distance Make the Heart Grow Fonder?

The Trad Wife: A Redux

TikTok is flooded with this image of spotless kitchens, flowery aprons and picture perfect homes – neatly folding together retro glamour and domestic bliss. For audiences tired of hustle culture and girlbossing, the trad wife lifestyle holds a certain allure. It’s a throwback to an era we’ve been told was simpler and happier. Yet, like all nostalgia, there’s a catch: this rose-coloured view overlooks the … Continue reading The Trad Wife: A Redux

Christmas Tree and Christmas decor at Cardiff Bar

Best Places for Christmas Drinks in Cardiff 

As the Christmas season approaches, Cardiff transforms into a magical hub of festive cheer. Whether you’re in the mood for a cozy hot chocolate or a festive cocktail under the twinkling lights, the city offers a range of delightful spots to relax after a day of shopping. Here’s your guide to Christmas drinks in Cardiff! Of course, I’ll start with Winter Wonderland itself. Situated within … Continue reading Best Places for Christmas Drinks in Cardiff 

The New Sex: How Horror Films Have Reckoned With Threats To Bodily Autonomy

Content Warning: Discussions of abortion and sexual assault At its core, horror is a genre of fear. It is the fears of uncertainty and inhumanity manifested in a monstrous figure. One such fear that has manifested itself throughout history is the loss of bodily autonomy. At its most basic it can be a killer impaling his victim with a machete, a woman under the trance … Continue reading The New Sex: How Horror Films Have Reckoned With Threats To Bodily Autonomy

A Review of the York & Whitby GIAG Trip

I recently joined a two-day “Give It a Go” trip to York and Whitby, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. From start to finish, the trip was well-organized and stress-free, with a comfortable coach ride that allowed us to relax and enjoy the journey. In York, I had the chance to explore some incredible attractions. The York Chocolate Story was a sweet highlight, where … Continue reading A Review of the York & Whitby GIAG Trip

Guaranteed Good Times with The Overtones!

I was kindly given the opportunity to attend The Overtones Good Times Christmas Tour in October. As someone who has briefly heard of the group, but isn’t incredibly aware of them, I went into this show quite blind and was pleasantly surprised with my evening. The opening act, Tom Ball, was incredibly notable for me, as his stage presence, crowd control, and voice were all … Continue reading Guaranteed Good Times with The Overtones!

Act One’s The Small Mermaid: A Horny Whirlpool of Eco-Conscious Crustaceans

Under the sea, it is certainly wetter. Act One’s sin-soaked panto The Small Mermaid plunges us into the deep end of a very wet (fever) dream; think Rocky Horror meets Sea World meets Am-Dram.  Directed by Millie Quarm (Twelfth Night), the plot is anchored in the upcoming erections, I mean elections, of the human world – of which Just Stop Oil leads the polls – … Continue reading Act One’s The Small Mermaid: A Horny Whirlpool of Eco-Conscious Crustaceans

Overcrowded and Unwanted: How Locals In Popular Vacation Spots Are Starting To Reject Mass Tourism

A growing tide of resentment is sweeping across popular holiday hotspots as locals, overwhelmed by the influx of tourists, begin to push back against the costs of mass tourism. With 1.5 billion international tourist arrivals in 2024, this summer marked a tipping point for many locals increasingly concerned about over tourism driving up housing costs, harming the environment and eroding the fabric of local communities … Continue reading Overcrowded and Unwanted: How Locals In Popular Vacation Spots Are Starting To Reject Mass Tourism

Mince Pies on a plate

A Foodies Christmas Gift Guide

When it comes to Christmas, there is such joy in giving presents to others. The older I get, the more excited I find myself getting when buying gifts for other people, and the less interest I have in receiving them. However, what comes with the celebration is a season of gift-giving block, and a need for help finding that something special for friends, family, or … Continue reading A Foodies Christmas Gift Guide

Cardiff University’s Winter Showcase: A Night of Unforgettable Talent and Community Spirit.

Cardiff’s University’s winter showcase was an electric evening of singing, dancing, drama, and excitement. The show ran for just under three hours, broken into three parts with ten minute intervals. I found every single performance captivating, and at times I even had goosebumps. The evening demonstrated the immense amount of artistic talent amongst Cardiff’s students. Shriya Aaytee, the president and performance coordinator of Bollywood Dance … Continue reading Cardiff University’s Winter Showcase: A Night of Unforgettable Talent and Community Spirit.

Winter Wonderland Sign with stalls and lights in the background with a Welsh Dragon teddy in the centre

The Arrival of Winter Wonderland

It is that time of year again when, as the festive season approaches, Cardiff transforms itself into a magical winter wonderland! From the festive markets to the food and drink stalls to the big wheel – there is something for everyone. This article will be discussing the best attractions this seasonal event has to offer! Christmas Markets In the heart of town on St. John’s … Continue reading The Arrival of Winter Wonderland