Teaching, Tasting and Touring Europe

Every travel destination and experience is incredibly memorable and important to me regardless of when, where or who I went with. My family holidays to Cornwall or Greece mean just as much to me as city breaks to Dublin or London and girls’ holidays to Spain, though I find the trips where I go solo end up being the most challenging and therefore, the most rewarding. After spending the summer of 2023 working at … Continue reading Teaching, Tasting and Touring Europe

Memories made in Tunisia

This year, on the second of September, I joined my partner and her parents on their holiday to Tunisia. I’ll let you in on two of my favourite memories. One isn’t of the holiday itself, but actually from the journey in travelling there. I have a fond memory of the time spent during the delay of the flight that I often revisit with affection. It was no more than a few hours but those of you who have flown before will understand the pain and boredom of prolonged sitting on airport seats all too well.My partner and … Continue reading Memories made in Tunisia

Under All the Pretty Lights: A Trip to Cardiff Bay to Trace the History of Nadifa Mohamed’s The Fortune Men

‘This is a story that belongs to Butetown.’ – Nadifa Mohamed, Acknowledgement to The Fortune Men. I get a rare moment of pride when I read a novel set in Cardiff. Normally, I prefer to use fiction as an escape into countries I’ve never been to and cultures I’ve never experienced; stories set in harsh Siberian winters, or the drab Midwestern suburban counties of America. But … Continue reading Under All the Pretty Lights: A Trip to Cardiff Bay to Trace the History of Nadifa Mohamed’s The Fortune Men

Ticketmaster app on phone

The War on Ticketmaster, Prices and Venues – Are Gigs becoming more inaccessible?

Dynamic pricing, outrageous costs and an increasing monopoly: Ticketmaster’s users cry out evermore for the company to relent on the underdog. The past year has seen the promotion of many hit tours: Oasis’ reunion concerts, Swift’s Eras Tour and the emergent Sabrina Carpenter’s Short N’ Sweet shows. Alongside the excitement and anticipation amongst fans for these gigs, frustration and disappointment has become a common theme … Continue reading The War on Ticketmaster, Prices and Venues – Are Gigs becoming more inaccessible?

One Keychain at a Time

Last summer, when I went to Italy with my sisters, I unintentionally started a little tradition: collecting keychains from every place I visited. It started in Verona, where I picked two keychains shaped like keys, one for me and, of course, one for my mum. Then, in Lake Garda, I found a beautiful golden one with engravings of the lake, and at our final stop in Venice, a Venetian … Continue reading One Keychain at a Time

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

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

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.