Author: Contributing Writer

Fashion

The Best Independent Jewellery Shops in Cardiff

Words and images by Mazy Wyeth The city of Cardiff is well-known for the vibrancy of its city centre which contains an array of shops, ranging from retail giants Urban Outfitters and Bershka to the small, independent shops located in the depths of the cities various arcades. Amongst these arcades lie CardiffÔÇÖs jewellery shops that are often hidden from view due to their small size … Continue reading The Best Independent Jewellery Shops in Cardiff

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Love

Ethical Porn and Where to Find It

By Georgia MeropoulosImage credit: Dainis Graveris via Unsplash As long as porn has existed (which is probably almost as long as human existence), straight male pleasure has been taken care of. This has often happened at the expense of women’s own pleasure and safety. In the United Kingdom, only 28% of visitors to PornHub- the internet’s most popular pornsite- are women. This is not due … Continue reading Ethical Porn and Where to Find It

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Literature

Quench’s Year in Books: 2020

Jasmine Snow on Olive by Emma Gannon Olive is the debut novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author, Emma Gannon. Olive is about a woman of the same name, who is struggling to come to terms with the fact that she does not want children. As she does so, she reflects back on her University days which she spent with her three best friends and where they are today. Bea married young … Continue reading Quench’s Year in Books: 2020

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Travel

Christmas Around the Globe

Image by Chad Madden Words by Eve Davies Christmas traditions vary from family to family, from religion to religion, and from country to country, meaning that although Christmas is a globally celebrated holiday, it is not a homogeneous experience for everyone. You might spend Christmas day at home and open presents in the morning, while your best friend spends the day at her grandparentsÔÇÖ house … Continue reading Christmas Around the Globe

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Food

New Year’s Eve Foodie Picks

Image by Myriams-Fotos (via Pixabay) Words by Shubhangi Dua 2020- A year of tragedies, indeed a year of solitude. On the upside, 2021 is a year of challenging individuals potential of creativity as well as self-reflection. The most awaited time of the year, Christmas and of course New Year’s Eve befalls upon us. While we are impatiently waiting for the beginning of the new decade, … Continue reading New Year’s Eve Foodie Picks

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Culture

The Culture of Our Christmas Traditions

A Black Christmas, Hazel Ravu ‘Twas the night before Christmas and me and my mother are sweating in the kitchen trying to prepare as much food as we can. WeÔÇÖre hosting this year. That means a bunch of families, including a few expected unexpected guests are due to be arriving. On the day, me and my mother are back in the same positions, putting the … Continue reading The Culture of Our Christmas Traditions

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Film & TV

Behind The Lens: Biopics

by Suraya Kazzuz Biopics often garner a lot of attention especially during Oscars season. The genre of film can often be seen as tacky or unsubstantial but in many cases, biopics introduce us to real-life individuals in different ways. One of the most notable biopics of late has been Bohemian Rhapsody which has introduced a whole new generation to Queen and their music. With a … Continue reading Behind The Lens: Biopics

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Literature

Festive Books to Get You Ready for Christmas

Contributions by Alexa Price and Katie Waits. Alexa Price – A Letter from Santa Claus by Mark Twain Everyone can agree by now that nothing makes Christmas quite as special as the presence of children; that pure rush of excitement at 7 am is enough to make anyone believe in Santa Claus all over again. Mark Twain encapsulates this warm feeling in A Letter from … Continue reading Festive Books to Get You Ready for Christmas

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Film & TV

Unorthodox Christmas Movies

Gremlins┬á┬á by Luke Hinton Gremlins, the 1984 comedy-horror executive produced by Steven Spielberg, may have all the hallmarks of a conventional Christmas movie ÔÇô presents, snowy landscapes and a soundtrack stuffed with holiday classics; but its style and message make it stand out  within the genre. The premise is simple: Billy (Zach Galligan), a down-on-his-luck teen, receives a mogwai for Christmas ÔÇô an adorable hamster-like … Continue reading Unorthodox Christmas Movies

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Features

HIV and AIDS – The Forgotten Pandemic?

By Hazel Ravu December 1st was World AIDS Day and it brought to light on how HIV and AIDS are still not as widely discussed or destigmatised as they could be in 2020. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system, resulting in vulnerability to other infections and diseases. It is spread by contact with certain bodily fluids, mostly during unprotected … Continue reading HIV and AIDS – The Forgotten Pandemic?

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Travel

The Worlds Most Wonderful Christmas Markets

Image by Maggie Gannon Frankfurt Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market), Germany – words by Maggie Gannon Germany is certainly well-known for its annual Christmas markets, so much so that English cities across the UK such as Birmingham and Manchester aim to give the same festive experience across the sea year on year. Unfortunately, this year restrictions in Germany meant the wooden stalls would not be able to … Continue reading The Worlds Most Wonderful Christmas Markets

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Film & TV

Is 2020 The Worst Dystopian Film?

by Lottie Ennis When I watched Contagion during the first England lockdown, I was shocked at the similarities between the film and the real life ongoing pandemic. Contagion features a mystery illness which spreads around the world causing absolute chaos. The illness in Contagion is spread through respiratory droplets and fomites as is Covid- 19 and also brings the world to a halt. The virus … Continue reading Is 2020 The Worst Dystopian Film?

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Music

Rocking Around the Christmas Tree: The Best Alternative Christmas Songs

Words by Katie Waits, Pui Kuan Cheah, Georgia Glenn, Abi Edwards, Emma Williams and Alex Payne Image courtesy of 5Bam Management December Song – George Michael WeÔÇÖre all probably very familiar with Wham!ÔÇÖs iconic festive tune, Last Christmas. In fact, itÔÇÖs often difficult to escape it at this time of year. However, this isnÔÇÖt the only Christmas song that features George MichaelÔÇÖs famous voice. Last … Continue reading Rocking Around the Christmas Tree: The Best Alternative Christmas Songs

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Film & TV

The Asian Silver Screen: Anime

Digimon Adventure by Alex Daud Briggs For years Digimon has been accused of being a knock-off of Pok├®mon and yet the 1st Digimon Anime: Digimon Adventure far exceeds any of Pok├®monÔÇÖs animated attempts. The story is simple; seven kids in summer camp are transported to an alternate world inhabited by strange creatures called Digimon. Each child gets a partner Digimon and must fulfil a prophecy … Continue reading The Asian Silver Screen: Anime

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Culture, uncategorized

Netflix VS The Crown

Words by Suraya Kazzuz, Header Illustration by Shafia Motaleb Following the release of the fourth season of The Crown, there has been quite a lot of backlash directed at the royal family, specifically surrounding Charles, Prince of Wales, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. The show depicts the troubling drama of CharlesÔÇÖ relationship with his first wife, Diana, Princess of Wales. The show riled up feelings … Continue reading Netflix VS The Crown

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Fashion

Princess Diana: Best Fashion Moments

By Nicole Rees-Williams Since the most recent instalment of NetflixÔÇÖs The Crown a new generation has been introduced to the peopleÔÇÖs princess. The Princess of Wales has a glowing reputation. She was (and still is) loved by the many for her kindness and humanitarian work. However, in a Vanity Fair article Eleri Lynn (curator of ÔÇÿDiana: Her Fashion StoryÔÇÖ) highlighted an all-important fact; ÔÇÿIt is … Continue reading Princess Diana: Best Fashion Moments

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Literature

Why Do We Find Classics So Boring?

by Alex Daud Briggs Throughout our childhood there were a number of books that were pushed on us to read and appreciate, stories that have supposedly shaped society and revolutionised the culture we see today. Unfortunately, thereÔÇÖs often a chance that upon actually reading through these, they may seem just a bit dull. But why is that? These are some of the best works of … Continue reading Why Do We Find Classics So Boring?

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Literature

Review: A Promised Land by Barack Obama

By Suraya Kazzuz In light of the current political climate, it seems that Barack ObamaÔÇÖs newly published memoir, A Promised Land, couldnÔÇÖt have come at a better time. After a tumultuous four years following Obamas precedency, it is refreshing to reminisce or discover a time which was, if not necessarily better than the times we live in now, certainly more hopeful and less erratic.  Barack ObamaÔÇÖs eloquent … Continue reading Review: A Promised Land by Barack Obama

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