The euphoric palette and the impact that colours have on us as simple beings is something that I believe we wash over a little too much. We are distracted by the fact that we are running late for work or too conscious about the fact that our jeans may fit a little differently to notice the comforting natural colours surrounding us. I come from Pembrokeshire, … Continue reading The Euphoric Palette
Growing up in an increasingly digitised world has increased the importance of self care breaks and digital detoxes. When I want to unplug myself from technology and social media, I take myself to the Gower Peninsula, South Wales. Having been there every summer since I was born, there is no better sanctuary than the beautiful miles of beaches available. From a surfer’s haven at Llangennith, to tucked … Continue reading A Coastal Reset: Digital Detoxing on the Gower Peninsula
Being Bangladeshi was never an essential part of my identity. My connection to Bangladesh was mostly through stories from my parents, traditional (delicious) food my mum cooked at home, and the Bangla I spoke with them – though, to be honest, it’s more of a Bangla-English mashup that they’ve learned to understand after years of hearing their kids mix and match both languages. I finally … Continue reading Roots and Routes
Dating apps love to sell us a story of finding our soulmates using algorithms and prompts, as if finding the perfect partner is solely down to a matching of criteria. Through my years — yes, years — of being on and off dating sites, I’ve come to the conclusion that they are nothing more than glorified hookup sites. Sure, you get the odd happy ending … Continue reading Dating in the Digital Age
Getting the date right on Valentine’s Day can be stressful, whether it’s to celebrate a longstanding relationship or to woo a situationship, the time, place and atmosphere can be crucial for making a memorable Valentines. A table for two is the staple hallmark of a Valentine’s date- after all, with all the love in the air, who has time to cook? If a candlelit … Continue reading Best Places for Valentines in Cardiff
The five love languages of ‘Quality Time’, ‘Giving Gifts’, ‘Words of Affirmation’, ‘Acts of Service’ and ‘Physical Touch’ are all special in their own ways showing the varied ways we express and receive love! From Quality time to Words of Affirmation and Giving Gifts, it’s funny how humans love differently despite our similarities. My love languages evolved over the years and continues to shift through … Continue reading Love Languages Explained: What’s Yours?
‘I was born in England, but my mum is from the Netherlands and my dad is Syrian.’ It is a sentence I’ve uttered countless times throughout my life. But the answer to the common small talk question ‘where are you from?’ was far from simple for me. Born and raised in the UK until the age of 5, living in Aleppo for 2 years, and returning to … Continue reading Third Culture Kids: Identity Across Boarders
Sappho – Fragment 147 – Written by: Samira Abbey Sappho’s fragment 147, ‘someone will remember us / I say / even in another time’, resonates with me as more than just a poetic reflection on legacy; it’s a subtle, powerful reminder of resilience. Queer people, who have navigated history often overlooked or erased yet unquestionably present, will find this message especially relevant. Sappho’s words transcend … Continue reading Connecting with Poetry: Finding Emotion in Experiences
While it may not be open late, I think The Secret Garden is the perfect way to kick off date night. I personally love an evening stroll through Bute park, coconut matcha lattes and cake. Well, The Secret Garden offers all three. Many a time I have met my boyfriend there for a drink and a sweet treat and leisurely strolled through the park, before … Continue reading Date Night in the Diff
Love is universal. Whether it’s your family and your friends; your partner or a pet, it exists in all our lives. Love is holding someone very close to your heart, but that does not always mean they are close to us physically. Learning to adapt to our environment is hard enough as a human being in this massive world, and then you add someone else … Continue reading Long Distance Love
Are there any heroes left in the modern age of dating? In this modern age of dating, something very interesting can be observed: the simultaneous celebration of both intentional abstinence and sexual exploration. This duality represents not a contradiction in how we are approaching our love lives, but instead an evolution in how individuals claim agency over their sex lives, making narratives that transcend traditional, … Continue reading Holding out For a Hero
‘Why don’t you just wash your face?’. As someone who has personally struggled with acne, this has to be the worst of a bad bunch of comments you might throw at somewhere who has tried every product, antibiotic, and pimple patch under the sun. Some seem to be uneducated about the harmful opinions regarding skin and appearance. However, there is also an influx of understanding … Continue reading Patches in Public
Right now, we are witnessing a new way of perceiving art, one of scepticism and constant critique. Our eyes are drawn to subtle discrepancies and potential mistakes to prove that the art was not made with human hands but rather generated by artificial intelligence. The negative term “AI Art” can be applied to many fields, the most common types we associate it with are pictures … Continue reading Canvas to Code: Are We Experiencing a New Era of Art?
As someone who has been lucky enough to do a fair amount of travelling in the twenty-three years I have been on this planet, I am pleased to recount that the experience has been delightful. A fan of slow travel, I have been used to the odd missed connection here or delayed train there. I usually find it within myself to let it all wash … Continue reading A Troublesome Trip
My first solo trip by plane fell short of the travel ads. I blame the false sense of security that my airport experience fabricated. I had no issues with trains (for once!), crossed the security border without being drug-tested and arrived at my seat with maximum time to spare and scheduled departure on time. So, I relaxed and allowed my thoughts to finally drift to … Continue reading Travel Trips & Troubles
Speaking as the girl who’s worn both hats, the singleton and the practically married-ton; Valentine’s Day for me is a day where every relationship is worth celebrating, romantic or platonic. Whether it’s buying your housemates a funny card, having a cocktail night with your girls or sharing a romantic meal for two; Cupid’s holiday should never be exclusive to couples. Continue reading Gal or Val?
Never forget where you’re coming from! The Welsh certainly don’t. Take That returned to Swansea once again in 2024, where they had one of their first Welsh concerts all those years ago. Take That’s return to Swansea wasn’t just another stop on their tour- it was a powerful nod to the places that shaped their rise to stardom. Back in the ’90s, cities like Swansea … Continue reading Looking back: Our Favourite Concerts of 2024 in Wales
Journey to Bali, Indonesia I found myself in Bali. A phrase I’ve repeated over and over, and only sometimes in jest. Since this life-changing experience my friends and boyfriend often tell me to shut up when I bring it up. It’s also a question I get asked all the time. Did you find yourself in Bali? Truth: Yes. Initially Bali hadn’t been my first-choice travel destination. I … Continue reading I Found Myself in Bali
Brat by Charli XCX There are pop culture moments that shape each year, and it would be hard to sum up 2024’s legacy without one word: Brat. Charli XCX’s monumentally successful sixth studio album defined some of the most iconic social media trends, club nights, and memories of the past year. Von Dutch and 360 are an instant confidence boost and were the first singles … Continue reading 2024 Wrapped: The Best Albums of 2024
Who doesn’t know someone with a fridge full of magnets from places they’ve visited? Many of us have a special something we like to bring home—postcards, trinkets, bracelets, or even photos. But travel traditions aren’t always material. They can also be experiences like trying local food, exploring markets, or taking the same photo pose at every destination. These rituals connect one journey to the next, … Continue reading Threads of Tradition: Connecting Journeys and Memories
