Quench Magazine, issue 190, December 2022

Editor’s Note

I can’t quite believe that it’s time for us to publish our second Quench of the academic year, and during the run-up to Christmas as well! Where has the time gone? December can be incredibly stressful - the frantic last-minute gift-buying, the pressure to find meaningful gifts for your loved ones, all while desperately trying not to think about those January deadlines looming in the shadows of the Christmas bliss! - t’s a time of year like no other, isn’t it?

Just under 2 months ago, we welcomed you to Cardiff with our fabulous Independence issue. I hope that by now you all feel more settled in our lovely city, and that your first term has been kind. The theme of this issue is Place. With areas like Cathays being so populated with students, I think that it’s really easy to forget that there is more to the city than just University. Over the course of your time here, I hope you’ll get to know more of Cardiff. With so much to see and do, the city doesn’t get old - trust me, you really do want to see more than Cathays! For those looking for some inspiration, some of my favourite spots to visit are Pontcanna and Penarth - the vibes are immaculate.

Not only is my love for Wales’ capital city extremely significant in my decision to choose Place as our theme, but also the time of year. Christmas in Cardiff is extremely special. I have so many wholesome memories from festive pub trips with my housemates, to evenings spent browsing the Christmas Markets, to walking the lights trail in Bute Park and setting our stick of

marshmallows alight. Yes, it can be expensive, but it’s all so worth it. Why not treat yourself at the end of term? The fact that you’re here and reading this issue means that we’ve made it through in one piece.

From simple elements like the background colours, to our gorgeous illustrated cover - our design team have done an impeccable job of making this issue look absolutely stunning. I hope you enjoy all of our cozy reads. I’d like to thank all of our contributors once again for your incredible writing - I’ve loved reading every piece. I know that many of us on the team are in our final yea, and that it has been a stressful term. Despite this, everyone involved has worked incredibly hard to hit every deadline. I can’t tell you how glad I am to have you all around. Diolch.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas break, and that you’ve managed to find your own place in our city. For the time being, Quench will be taking a little rest, but we’ll all be here when you return!

See you in the New Year.

Nadolig

Llawen, Alexa Editor-In-Chief

When I sat down to write my second Deputy Editor’s letter, I found myself struggling to translate my thoughts into words on the page. I think this is due to the complexity of our theme for Issue 190: Place.

For many years, the only place I had ever truly known was Leigh on Sea, the quaint seaside town in Essex where I was born and raised. Leigh has such a strong sense of community and pride, which is something that I have always admired about my hometown. However, as I stepped outside of this place and begun to explore more of the world on my own, I found myself feeling conflicted about my Essex roots. As a place, Essex has a reputation fraught with negative stereotypes. So, when I broadened my horizons and explored new places, I would often instinctively attempt to distance myself from Essex. However, as I’ve grown up, I’ve realised that to think of a place the way that I once thought about Essex is to undermine the intricacies of places and all that come with them.

I’ve realised now that the sense of place that you create in the locations that you visit is far more important than anything else. I no longer view Essex as a place defined by stereotypes. I view it now as a place that will always be there for me. It is the place where my incredible family live, the place where my love for reading and writing developed, the place where I learnt to swim; to ride a bike; to drive a car, the place where I’ve laughed for hours on end with my friends, and the place that has shaped who I am today. The memories we make and the people we meet grow to define the places that we visit, and this is what makes ‘place’such a complex and deeply personal theme. Places differ for everyone.

The Christmas holidays are now fast approaching, and I hope that you have managed to find your sense of place in Cardiff this term. Whether you’ve found it in your university bedroom or in the library, in a local café or on the YOLO dance floor, I hope that Cardiff and the memories that you’re making will always hold a special place in your heart.

Please remember that there will always be a place for you in Quench.

Happy holidays!

Welcome readers to the second edition of Quench! This edition marks the end of the first term of university and with that the end of 2022. With the theme of this edition being ‘place’, I hope that the last few months have been a time of finding your ‘place’, settling into or back into university life, making friends, joining societies and understanding yourself. When thinking about what ‘place’ means to me, especially at this time of year, I have been reminded of how big a year this has been for me. For those who don’t know me, I moved to Cardiff this summer from Brighton, which is around 200 miles away. I have completely uprooted my place and I am sure many of you have too to come to University. It is a huge achievement to come to university and maybe move away from home; so when evaluating the idea of place, remember your importance and your achievements in getting to your ‘place’ here today. I think it is also important to understand that ‘place’ is not static, despite how contradictory that sounds; place can be situational, individual and personal, it can change and adapt. A lot of the articles in this edition are as much about ‘place’ as they are about change, individuality and identity.

This edition is a really special one to me, as it is all about the cosy vibes, with Christmas around the corner there is a lot of festive content alongside some very poignant and fascinating pieces. Whilst this might be a stressful time, with assignments and the daunting notion of a new year, I like to view the end of the year as a recalibration, getting ready for another year, new beginnings and maybe a few new year’s resolutions. It is also an important time for reflection and kindness to ourselves and others

I hope you enjoy reading this edition, all of our writers, editors and designers have worked so hard to deliver this edition to your hands! To everyone who celebrates this festive season, have a lovely rest- and remember Quench makes for a great present if you’re stuck for ideas!

Molly Deputy Editor Maddie Deputy Editor

Meet the Team

Editor-in-Chief

Deputy Editor

Maddie Balcombe

Molly Openshaw Deputy Editor Alexa Price

Charlotte Harris Columnist

Sophie Revell Features

Rume Otuguor Features

Kate Nichols Film & TV

Amy Wild Film & TV

Alanya Smith Spotlight

Lucia Cubb Literature

Dominic Bramley-Carr

Spotlight

Rhiannon Farr Music

Beth Yates Music

Eve Davies Food & Travel

Hannah Wild Travel

Bryony Wright Literature

Zoe Price Fashion

Libbi Kettle Fashion

Laura Mae Copy Editor

Rubie Barker

Copy Editor

Lowri Powell Clebar Editor

Beca Dalis Williams Clebar Editor

Eleanor Byrne Page Designer

Constance Cua Photographer

Mia Wilson Photographer

Julian Tse Photographer

Ananya Ranjit Deputy Head of Design

Rida Rehman Head of Design

Millie Stacey Clebar Editor

Meet the Team

Yaiza Curtis Twitter Deputy Manager

Grace Dawson Twitter Manager

Millie Knappett Instagram Deputy Manager

Paulina Wisniewska Instagram Manager

Gracie Richards Head of Social Media

Soyal Khedkar Illustrator

Isla McCormack Page Designer

Eva Castanedo Page Designer

Tahira Ali Page Designer Haris Hussnain Page Designer

Empire, Place & PROGRESS

Words by Rubie Barker

With the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the announcement that King Charles III’s coronation will take place on 6 May 2023, questions about the future of the monarchy have perhaps naturally arisen. One of the oldest monarchies in the world but with a complicated history of empire, colonisation and commonwealth there is a prevalent discourse about the role that the British monarchy has in the modern world, not just within the United Kingdom but across the globe.

For those 14 countries that still have the British monarch as their head of state, officials in at least six countries in the Caribbean have stated an intention to become a republic. In November 2021, Barbados removed Queen Elizabeth as their head of state in a ceremony attended by the then Prince of Wales, Charles, 55 years after they gained independence from Britain. This move raised questions about whether

other countries in the Caribbean region could follow suit and upon the death of the Queen, the question has become once again more relevant. It is worth noting that not every country within the Commonwealth has King Charles as the head of state, only those which are commonwealth realms.

Earlier this year, as members of the British royal family toured various countries in the Caribbean, protests were held at the ongoing presence of the British monarchy in the region. In March of this year, 100 people in Jamaica released an open letter accusing the Queen of doing ‘nothing to redress and atone for the suffering of [their] ancestors that took place during her reign’, a sign that some in Jamaica wanted a break away from the British monarchy. Klandine Thomas wrote in the Jamaica Observer last month upon the death of the Queen that ‘To a plethora of Jamaicans The Queen symbolised the horrific role the British monarchy played in institutionalising slavery in Jamaica.’ For some in Jamaica at least there is the feeling

that the death of the Queen is the right time to cut all ties with the British monarchy and establish a republic. Recent discussion around the return of the Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, with the British Museum seemingly refusing to follow the restorative examples of other Museums worldwide, highlights some of the failures in British discourse to come to terms with our colonial past and the negative impact that the empire had on so many lives. The statues were looted back in 1897 by British troops who invaded Benin City in the former kingdom of Benin, now a part of modern-day Nigeria. Many of the statues are making their way back to Nigeria but the refusal of the British Museum to return theirs, reects a hesitance in Britain to face a darker side of our history Whether or not those Caribbean countries leave the commonwealth realm, it is certainly true that the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the new reign of King Charles III will mark a renewed discussion about the past, present and future of the British Monarchy and its impact across the world. For now, only time will tell, but whether it is as head of state or to hand over control, we are sure to see the new King Charles keen to make his presence felt across the Commonwealth.

Design by Isla McCormack

We are all familiar to a certain extent with the fact that the figure of Father Christmas was crafted by Coca-Cola. Santa Claus had been portrayed in various ways before 1931. Still, that year the soda company commissioned illustrator Haddon Sundblom to paint the happy, white-bearded character with a red costume that we know today, for their Christmas advertisements. Once those ads were released, the image of Father Christmas was unified all around the globe.

However, there is still a corner on this planet where even though Santa has made his presence known through the ways of capitalism, he co-exists with a relatively similar - but at the same time ancient - Christmas tradition: The 3 wise men in Spain. In a nutshell, the story - which appears in the Bible - tells of how a bright star guides Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar, filled with presents, to the newly born King of Kings (aka Jesus). They started their journey with their camels on Christmas Eve someplace in the Middle East and made it to Bethlehem with their gifts on the 6th of January. That is why nowadays, children in Spain go to bed every 5th of January full of hope to see presents under the Christmas tree the following day.

The festivity is also known as the Three Kings Day, and coming from Spain, for me, it signifies the epitome of tradition and one pillar of the country’s culture. The celebrations start the evening of the 5th - the most magical night of Christmas for everyone in Spain - when towns and cities across the country put on grand parades to greet the justarrived Three Kings from the Middle East. After the parade, children go back home, prepare some cookies and milk for the Kings, water for their camels, and jump into bed full of excitement. The following morning the food is gone, and in its place, presents fill the space under the Christmas tree. This day is spent with family, and there is a vast breakfast where the “Roscón” is the star of the feast. “Roscón” is a crown-shaped, brioche-like cake bread garnished with dried fruit. It also contains two surprises: a porcelain figure of a baby and a dry bean hidden in the dough. Whoever finds the baby will have good luck and be the king of the party, but if you find the bean, you pay for the cake.

words by: Eva Castanedo

The 3 wise men vs SantaA Spanish holiday tradition that Coca-Cola couldn’t market:

f or the Holid a ys!

The More the Merrier:

For many people including myself, the perfect Christmas, worthy of a John Lewis advert, isn’t all that realistic. Coming from a family which has been changed and expanded (for the better, may I gratefully add) by parents’divorceand the additions of stepparents and siblings, it goes to show how traditions don’t always have to be old-fashioned – nor do they have to be limited to your closes, immediate family. In my houses, both mum’s and dad’s, it’s always a big, slightly frantic, run up to the holiday. Whether it be taking my younger half-sister into town for a hot chocolate or baking mince pies using my grandma’s filling, there are so many little things that help contribute to our version of a traditional Christmas.

One of our main traditions is to host and attend a ‘progressive supper’ with two other families who live locally. All this entails is moving from one house to the next for each course of the meal –starters, mains, and deserts. Doing so has always been so much fun for all of us and I always look forward to the food, the company… and the drinks! With 13 of us in the whole group, it’s always a bit of a squash and a squeeze around the dining table, but that’s all part of the joy! Getting to share quality time with some of our closest friends, especially now that the ‘kids’ are getting a bit more adult, is so valuable. To be able to spread the responsibility of hosting across each household, certainly leads me to believe that the tradition of generosity at this time of year is so special.

Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or any other holidays you may be celebrating around this time of year, I think it’s crucial to remind ourselves that quality time can be had with anyone close to you. The whitewashed version of a picture-perfect family is so difficult to achieve for so many reasons. But more importantly, why should we need to aspire to that when new traditions can often be better? Finding a family, blood or not, who you genuinely want to be around, this time of year, is surely the sweetest tradition of all and I am so grateful that I can share in a piece of Christmas magic with those that I love, year after year, after year.

Words by Charlotte Crispin Design by Julian Tse

Housemates, Landlords and Estate Agents: The Highs and Lows of the Student Property Market

Words by Charlotte Harris

As the Autumn-Winter semester speeds by many of us are beginning to think (or more accurately to worry) about where we’ll be finding ourselves this time next year. Whether you’re a fresher figuring out which friends you’ll still get on with in second year, or a final year student thinking about where to look for young professional house shares, we’re all living with a certain amount of anxiety about the ‘this time next year’ question. So here are the key facts I think you should keep in mind during this house-hunting season.

1) EstateAgents Will TakeAdvantage ofAny Sign of Weakness

Estate agents come across as lovely people, and they probably are outside of work, but you have to remember that they absolutely do not have your best interests at heart. Oh, they know the landlord personally and he’s a great guy? Lies. The patches of damp on the wall will be properly dealt with by the time you move in? Codswallop. Estate agents will play on your inexperience to get overpriced, poorly maintained properties off the market faster, so don’t fall for it.

2) Your Landlord will probably be a bit laissezfaire here and there.

Most student landlords will be managing a lot of properties at once, with all of them falling apart in one way or the other. Whether it’s a shoddy boiler, a warm fridge, or a broken lock, they probably won’t be sprinting to your door to fix it. Don’t feel bad about sending them a reminder text when something still needs fixing, you pay plenty of rent and you deserve to live in a functioning house.

3) You Can Be Great Friends With Your Housemates, But You’ll Probably Resent Them a Little Bit

There are two options when it comes to shared living: you can live in filth, or you can live in resentment. Sometimes good people do bad things, things like never taking the bins out or buying any toilet roll. It’s important to remember that we all have our good weeks and bad weeks when it comes to cleaning up after ourselves, so try not to let the household bitching get too intense - you can always laugh to yourself about the disgusting state they’ll be living in post uni with no one to clean up after them anymore. (As you can tell, I normally opt for resentment.) Living together is one of the biggest strains you can put on a friendship, so take your time choosing who you live with and don’t rush into a tenancy agreement with the first people you meet.

4) It’s Ridiculously Fun

Toilet roll disagreements aside, living with friends is everything I ever dreamed about before leaving home. Getting glammed up for nights out in each other’s rooms, skipping lectures to watch telly, late night deep chats in the kitchen: I love it. No more security guards responding to noise complaints, or cleaners locking you out of the kitchen on a Monday morning, it’s all yours to revel in. Take lots of photos and try not to spend too long hiding in your room, you’ll probably look back on the times in your student house as the good old days in years to come.

by Alexa Price

Design

That I Want

indisputably dark and gritty. By contrast, Pandora’s luscious rainforests, floating boulders tethered by vine branches, and bioluminescent nightlife depict a world that is consistently vibrant and beautiful. No wonder Avatar swept the Academy Awards for Best Art Direction, Cinematography, and Visual Effects. And although the planet’s toxic atmosphere makes it impossible for humans to survive in these fantastic landscapes, you could still invent some sort of aircraft that transports its passengers around the planet and back to Earth at lightspeed. Perhaps that’s something for Richard Branson to figure out

The Barbie Fairytopia Universe

Timeless, magical and fantastical are some of the words that I would use to describe the Barbie Fairytopia universe. With fairies and mermaids alike, the animated films world is made to be so mystical and enchanting that I truly could not think of any other fictionalplace that I would rather visit.

As a child, I was in awe of the Magic Meadow, which is the beautiful location of the film. It is visually stunning and looks like it could have been torn from the pages of a fairy tale book – the flowers are enormous, the sky is a gorgeous pink, and it is surrounded by rolling hills as far as the eye can see. What’s

To Visit

more, the fairies live inside these huge peonies located in the Meadow, which is so incredibly cool and unique to me; I can only wish to go inside one of them. Asides from this location, I would also want to tour around Mermaidia, which is the underwater kingdom featured in the sequel. Firstly, Mermaidia (like the Meadow) is gorgeous - I have honestly never seen such bright blue water and the second is that magical seaweed is grown there that can turn you into a mermaid. Now, who wouldn’t want to turn into a mermaid for the day? It was my childhood dream to become one.

Beyond the aesthetics of the film, I think it would also be a joy to spend time with the main characters of the film, Elina (Barbie) and Bibble (her puffball companion). Whilst Elina is portrayed to be both kind and thoughtful, Bibble is the sassy comedic relief. I just know that I would be well taken care of

I can only wish that this place existed beyond the screen; if so, it would let me live out my childhood fantasies of being with the fantastical. If I only could, I would overstay my welcome and live there.

Words by Genevieve Gunn Design by Eleanor

Words by Georgina Whitehead

The Breakfast Club is perhaps one of the most iconic 1980s teen movies ever made. It resonates with multiple generations and highlights the ups and downs of the teenage experience, which is what has cemented its place among the greats. The film itself launched many Hollywood careers, including that of John Hughes, who went on to write and direct filmslike Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Home Alone. However, what I think makes The Breakfast Club resonate with so many people is its simplicity. The only location shown in the filmis the school, and the plot follows fivestudents from completely backgrounds and cliques as they attend detention on a Saturday, which sounds like quite a simple premise.

They’re supervised by Vice Principal Vernon (played by Paul Gleason) who gives them one task to complete while they’re sat in detention all day; to write a 1000-word essay on who they think they are. Over the course of the film,the group begin to develop a sense of solidarity and end up sharing their feelings and starting to understand each other.

One thing that particularly stands out is the cheerful, hopeful overtone throughout the film,which provides a nice relief from the melodrama. The characters struggle towards the future and understand that life can be difficult,and how they feel now might not correlate to how they feel when they’re adults. Hughes doesn’t shy away from the unavoidable fact that all teenagers eventually become adults. The crucial thing for me, however, and what makes the filmso nostalgic and relatable is that they remain hopeful for the future. The Breakfast Club perfectly captures the importance of teenagers and young adults, as well as the potential they have to inflence the world. For me, this is one of the key reasons for its great cultural significance

Words by Alice Lumley

When you think of a one-location film,it’s easy to come up with filmsor plays – which can feel theatrical and not as satisfying as pieces of cinema. But one of the best examples of a filmset in one location, which is also an adaptation of a play, is Alfred Hitchcock’s 1948 filmRope. The story follows two arrogant Harvard graduates attempting to pull off the perfect crime (spoiler: they don’t!)

Rope is undoubtedly as compelling and tense as any multi-location psychological thriller. Not only did Hitchcock constrain himself with the films location, but he also filmedit in real-time - meaning that the whole filmplays out in over 80 minutes at that dinner party. Clearly, filmslike this rely much less heavily on the plot rather than on the character and dialogue - as you never actually see the murder! But the tension that develops as the filmprogresses with the question of whether they will or will not get away with it is literally breathtaking.

Our Favourite

Words by Tegan Davies

Indisputably, the magic of The Breakfast Club is the intimate feeling emanated from the setting in which it takes place. It is a trope almost too simple to work: fiveteenagers in their school library for a weekend detention. It can sound boring and lazy to an outsider who does not know (or appreciate) the true thrill of the coming-of-age film.However, as the ninety-seven minutes of nostalgia for a life you never lived progresses, you findyourself enraptured by the lives of this group of misfitsand almost findyourself befriending each character with every evaluation of their truths and experiences.

As an outsider in a Catholic comprehensive school, I for one longed for the rebellious and cheeky experience of high school that was displayed by the majority of American Hollywood films.Throughout each re-watch of The Breakfast Club, I become more and more obsessed with the idea of living an American teenage lifestyle, where your biggest worries were detention and homework. At the same time, you begin to comprehend that all American kids aren’t living the lives of luxury they seem to be, through the abuse endured by John Bender, and the suicidal tendencies of the relatable academic overachieving Brian Johnson cheeky experience of high school that was displayed by the majority

cheeky experience of high school that was displayedbythemajorityofAmericanHollywoodfilms. Throughout each re-watch of The Breakfast Club, I become more and more obsessed with the idea of living an American teenage lifestyle, where your biggest worries were detention and homework. At the same time, you begin to comprehend that all American kids aren’t living the lives of luxury they seem to be, through the abuse endured by John Bender, and the suicidal tendencies of the relatable academic overachieving Brian Johnson.

Classed as a cheesy ‘must watch’ for adults who crave the normalities of childhood and for teenagers who misunderstand the pressures of life itself, the genius of The Breakfast Club and its solo environment is central to why the film isconsidered classic. It is real, and it is raw, yet it is still breathtakingly beautiful.

Design By Mia Wilson

Favourite One Location Films

êr Cymraeg! S

(Welsh Stars)

Nicknamed the ‘Land of Song’, it comes as no surprise that Wales has produced a huge number of music stars. Some are known for being Welsh, while it comes as a surprise with others.

Design by Isla McCormack

‘U

nderworld: today we know them as

renowned and respected techno pioneers, cultural

provocateurs. The band’s name holds critical acclaim, and a glamorous status in musical culture as pioneers of the iconic 90s rave scene, channelling the love, lust, and intoxicants pumping through the veins of the UK into an electrifying sound. It was Born Slippy Nuxx that lifted the band out of a dark and dank underground scene and shifted them into mainstream consciousness, following the tracks iconic features in Danny Boyle’s 1996 Trainspotting. It was not, however, a precipitous rise to success for the band; rather an unfolding of artful experimentation. This was a journey which began in Cardiff. Band members Rick Smith and Karl Hyde met in the city as students during the late 70s, and joined forces after a rooftop gig at the Cardiff University Students Union; Hyde was performing with his band The Screen Gemz and Smith was invited to join the band. From there the pair, united by a passion for German electronic music, formed a musical partnership which would endure a string of decades and bands; playing in The Screen Gemz, which would evolve into the band Freur, they stayed local to Wales for nearly a decade, establishing a promising reputation. This was until a bittersweet departure to sign to Sire Records in 1987 as Underworld. Cardiff however, was integral to Underworld’s incubation of sound: bold, beautiful and free, which resonated deeply with the youth of the UK, both then and now.’

Words by Ellen Litchfield

Growing up in Wales has meant that my childhood has been defined by music and is a massive part of my national identity. From Tom Jones to Catfish and the Bottlemen, Welsh music is inescapable in every instance and absolutely defin-itive of formative aspects in my life. In June of this year, the Stereophonics brought their show ‘We’ll Keep a Welcome’ to the Welsh capital, selling out the Principality Stadium two nights in a row. The Stereophonics put the best of Wales on display as Tom Jones, Feeder and Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard joined them onstage, demonstrating the unmistaka-ble sound of Welsh superstars that generations have been influenced by, making this the most at home I have felt at a gig. Growing up with the songs of Tom Jones has influenced the music I listen to today and his love of the land he comes from shines through his performance, having immense gratitude for the Welsh crowd echoing his songs back to him. With tracks such as Handbags and Gladrags and anthems like Dakota, it’s not hard to understand how the Stereophonics could earn the respect of listen-ers on home soil. Their music promotes sentimen-tality within the listener, as being Welsh is synony-mous with being a Phonics fan.'

Words by Ashley Thieme

Arainy day, another weekend of miserable weather accompanying our car ride, and my Dad puts on the same compilation in the car for the umpteenth time. TFI-Friday – The Album. Now the only particular relevance of this is that one song stood out for me on that album. A tale of wonderful sorrow, grief and a reminder that life moves on beyond death, Kelly Jones perfectly conveys a heart-wrenching story behind your pretty standard ‘Britpop’ guitars in the song Local Boy in the Photograph. It’s a song that pinches me with nostalgia every time I hear it, but that also represents the beautiful lyricism that can be found consistently through the Stereophonics’ discography. With ballads such as Maybe Tomorrow and Graffiti on the Train, as well as the fantastic cover of Rod Stewart's Handbags and Gladrags, the passion for song-writing and storytelling associated so strongly with Welsh tradition of the ‘Land of the Song’ shines through. Kelly Jones remains one of the most underrated singer-songwriters to emerge from not only Wales, but the UK as a whole and his dedica-tion to his craft sees a brilliant representation of the music Wales has to offer'

Words by Harry Taylor

Reminiscing- Songs That Take You Back To a Certain Place

It’s undeniable that we all have songs that take us right back to a certain place as soon as we hear them. Whether they are good memories or bad, we tend to associate music with a time and place. We asked our contributors about what music takes them back:

‘Music has this unique ability to shape lives and memories through a simple beat. Rihanna was the soundtrack to my childhood. When I hear the chorus of her hit song Umbrella I am transported back to scorching days, playing with plastic figurines by the poolside in Menorca, whilst my mum desperately tries to get two minutes’ peace underneath the blaze of the sun. Still, I sing ‘Ella, Ella, Ella, May, May, May’ instead of the real lyrics, thanks to a joke that one of the holiday entertainers made about my friend Ella-May when the song was playing. In the two weeks together, every hour of the day was spent in the pool (“Come on in, Tegan, the water’s lovely!”) unless my mum called me back to the loungers, begging for me to eat something and stay hydrated. I remember my head resting in my mum’s lap and being covered by her cardigan as I succumbed to sleep after hours of fun each day, lazily being carried by my uncle back to the apartment (pretending to be asleep, of course), and the

sticky ruffles of Spanish flamenco dresses as we danced along to the classics that will only ever be re-lived by my future children, never me. But, I will always experience it once again when Rihanna comes on, only in my head.’

Words by Tegan Davies

‘For me, there is one song that from the first note sung, instantly takes me back to the kitchen of my childhood home. Mambo Italiano by Rosemary Clooney transports me back to Saturday evenings spent convincing my mum to play Monopoly with me, my dad cooking dinner and listening to Music to Watch the Girls Go By, a compilation CD inspired by the Andy Williams hit. While the Dean Martin version of Mambo Italiano became more popular and well-known, Rosemary Clooney’s voice brings back sweet memories of dancing around the kitchen until I dropped and inevitably mispronounced every word sung, or just made up my own version of the lyrics. Unfortunately for me, this childhood Saturday night memory was captured by my parents on our old video recorder once; me swishing my skirt around the kitchen and confidently butchering the song is forever on tape. Even though my parents’ CD collection rarely gets played now, whenever

the song makes an appearance on Spotify or begins to play over the radio it brings back memories, perhaps rose-tinted, but sweet.’

Words by Rubie Barker

‘Some songs grab you by the collar and whisk you back to long-ago parties: the Bee Gees at my school’s prom is one of the more embarrassing examples. Some, you listened to so often for a time they sum up a season’s mood (September Gurls by Big Star, namely). In some albums, you can vividly recall the sensations of hearing for the first time. I can remember buying a CD of my now-favourite album, Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust, when I was around twelve years old and hearing it radiate from my TV, standing utterly awestruck by the unknowable, inexplicable power it had over me. Its ferocity and sensitivity, and its strange story of triumph, was all told by a voice you could follow to the death. This became a sacrilegious act realised most school evenings. The great thing about collecting physical copies of recordings is that every object is linked intrinsically to you. When collecting CDs or records, nothing is taken for granted. Every time I listen to the first Roxy Music album, I recall buying it off an elderly lady at a front-lawn sale for £3 and carrying it home under my arm, so proud of my success. There are hundreds of blissful examples of this.’

Words by Billy Edwards

“Shut up and dance!” are perfect instructions to guarantee a good night and all-round immaculate vibes, whatever your music taste may be. That’s

what makes WALK THE MOON’s track so wellsuited to a wedding evening reception.After a long day of celebrating love, family, and life itself –you want to make it last as long as possible, right? Let’s set the scene! Everyone is in the party mood. The bride and groom have had their first dance, and the rest of the evening guests are settling in with the same energy that everyone else had at 8 am that very morning. It’s not too late for the worn-out grandparents and little ones to be heading off, but it’s not even close for the party to be settling to a close.All I can picture happening next is the eruption on the dancefloor as soon as the guitar riff commences. Strangers, friends and family of all ages are clapping, jumping and shouting the lyrics in unison for a glorious three minutes nineteen. We’re all tied to that dance floor through different people, but at that moment we all have the same mission –to simply “Shut up and Dance!” until we can’t any longer.

by

Shinner Designed by Rida Rehman

Words

Megan

Wales is a nation of great beauty, as well as great talent in the creative sector, speciically with Cardiff growing as a cultural and creative hub. Due to the picturesque landscapes here, Wales is invariably at the heart of literature, whether that be as inspiration, setting or adaptations.Walesishometomanyfamous authors, writers, playwrights and creatives - it is clearly a country that exudes and breeds imagination.

The rich history in folktales is a strong theme in Welsh writings and goes hand in hand with the beautiful setting of the Brecon Beacons in Hilda Vaughan’s Iron and Gold. Published in 1948, Vaughan’s novel reimagines ‘The Lady of Llyn y Fan Fach’- a classic Welsh fairy-bride folktale. This feminist novel about women’s experience in the patriarchal twentieth centu-ry uses the mountainous terrain of the Brecon Beacons to demonstrate the human yearning both for equality and escapism into beauty.

When curating a guide to Welsh topography in literature, it is essential to mention Dylan Thomas’ immense inluence both in writing and also in the celebration of Welsh beauty and setting. Dylan Thomas was a popular and fa-mously cynical poet. Born in Swansea, Thom-as fell in love with Laugharne, a town in South Carmarthenshire, and swiftly moved there in 1934.

Outside of Thomas’ literature, his legacy lies within his Boathouse, now a museum, tearoom and shop in Laugharne where you can visit the home of Thomas’ works and understand the Wales he wrote about in his poetry. Laugharne is a microcosm of Thomas’ Wales, shown in this quotation from Dylan Thomas’ BBC Radio Broadcast titled ‘Laugharne’ from 1953:

“They envy Laugharne its minding of its own, strange, business; its sane disregard for haste; its generous acceptance of the follies of others, having so many, ripe and piping, of its own; its insular, feather-bed air; its philosophy of "It will all be the same in a hundred years." They deplore its right to be, in their eyes, so wrong, and to enjoy it so much as well. And, through envy and indignation, they label and libel it a legendary lazy little blackmagical bedlam by the sea. And is it? Of course not, I hope.”

Laugharne was instrumental in Thomas’ writing of Under Milk Wood -a poem and radio drama commissioned by the BBC and adapted for the theatre. Using Laugharne as inspiration for his work, Thomas set his creation in the mythical town of Llareggub, playing up to the idea that nothing much really happened there!

The setting of rural Wales is used repeatedly, especially in literature intending to show the mundane, prosaic lifestyle. Te yn y Grug (Tea in the Heather as the English translation) is a novella by Kate Roberts set in the historic county of Caernarfonshire in the hills south of Caernarfon (now known as Gwynedd). This novella follows the young Begw from the ages of four to nine in small windows of their lives in a small Welsh village. In this no-vella, the adventures of childhood are depict-ed and Roberts gives a charming insight into the quaint goings on in 1950s rural Wales.

Despite the use of rural Wales in literature as a setting of the ordinary, Wales has also been used as the setting for fantastical and otherworldly literature. Authors from all over the world have come to Wales for inspi-ration for mystical and fantastical fictional lands. J.R.R. Tolkien is one of the authors who has famously taken inspiration from Welsh landscapes in their writing. This au-thor of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings is rightly associated with rich worldbuilding, idyllic settings and immense descriptions.

It is not only the setting of Wales that Tolkein was captivated by, but also the language with the “hint of a language old and yet alive”. The Shire is a region of Tolkien’s fictional Middle Earth in The Lord of the Rings, understoodtobebasedonruralWales andtheBlackMountains.

The fantastical landscapes of Wales are used both in inspiration for these high-fantasy novels, and also frequently in movie adapta-tions of novels. For example, the Harry Potter franchise made use of picturesque Pembrokeshire for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One. Director David Yates used Freshwater West as the filming location of The Shell House in the penultimate Harry Potter film. Fans of the franchise are able to visit this National Trust site on the coast and pay a tribute to Dobby the house elf, who died and was buried at this site in the films.

From these examples of Welsh literary lo-cations, it is evident that Wales is a na-tion that inspires creativity, fascination and pride. Hopefully we can continue to see our beautiful country at the heart of literature.

Words by Molly Openshaw Design by Molly Openshaw

Travel Writing: Why go somewhere when you can read about it?

Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything by Elizabeth Gilbert

I’m not one for generic city guides or guided tours –I feel like they drag the joy out of travel, turning it into a factual overload, something akin to a comprehensive school history or geography lesson. So, when I wanted to find out about travelling Bali back at the beginning of 2020, I turned to literature and came across the gem that is Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love.

Gilbert’s eloquent memoir of self-discovery, spiritual en-lightenment, and solo adventure provides vivid descrip-tions that help readers get to know the three countries she visits through the page. Gilbert’s aim is to examine one aspect of her own nature against the backdrop of three different countries. We see her learning about the study of pleasure in Italy, the art of devotion in India, and art of balance in Bali.

Thanks to Gilbert’s memoir, before arriving in Bali, I understood the deep spiritual and cultural heritage of Ubud. Her passages about this beautiful place and the kind people she met there particularly resonated with me, and after visiting the town myself I can only commend Gilbert for the accuracy and vibrance with which she captures its aura.

Eat, Pray, Love proves how travel can benefit independ-ence, self-love, and overall happiness. Through her book, Gilbert shares her journey and all she learnt from it with her readers. Tied to university timetables, travel is not always possible, so perhaps it is time to combine our travel bucket list with our TBR list – delving into a travel memoir like Gilbert’s is the next best thing to stepping off the plane.

Words by Eve Davies

The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley

Being a culturally curious child who aspired to travel, de-spite not yet having the opportunity to do so, I was always daydreaming about my future escapades. Throughout my teenage years, I eased my ambitions through read-ing. When I first picked up The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley, the first of a series by the same name, I entered a new phase of my life: exploring the world through travel literature. At 12 years old, I had stepped into the world of travel, inspiring my wanderlust while I bid my time until I had the opportunity to travel. As a teenager, I contin-ued to read every book in the Seven Sisters series, until it came to the most recent, The Missing Sister - I was able to read Riley’s detailed descriptions of the Southern French landscape while travelling in the South of France. Albeit, the protagonist’s chosen vehicle was a lavish convertible while I was shoulder to shoulder with strangers on a Flixbus.

Travel literature has given me insight into I world I wouldn’t have otherwise known existed. I grew up with travel writing assisting my travel aspirations while I wait-ed patiently until it was my turn and grow up into some-one that spends a month alone in Europe. Travel litera-ture has opened me to a whole world of adventure. Now, being a young adult and covid restrictions have loosened, I get to slowly retrace my imagined steps in the destina-tions I have read of while waiting for the opportunity to do the same in real life.

Words by Jasmine Dodd

Cartes Postales from Greece by Victoria Hislop

It was only a few years ago when I was aimlessly browsing every inch of Waterstones with the intention of finding something to read out of my usual choice of genre, this ultimately led me to discover Victoria Hislop’s Cartes Postales from Greece, to which it quickly became a per-sonal favourite. The book introduces Ellie: an ordinary woman who receives numerous postcards that are solely signed by ‘A’, showcasing breath-taking images from vari-ous parts of Greece. After realising that the postcards are addressed to the former occupant, Sarah Ibbotson, Ellie piles them together and gets ready to return them to the sender but essentially fails when she notices that a return address is not included. Intrigued by the scribbled mes-sages, beautiful photographic images and a journal filled with travel stories that drop through her letterbox, Ellie decides to travel to Greece for two reasons: to see the beautiful country and reunite the evocative journal with the mystery man.

As someone who grew up and lived in Greece, I was in awe of how accurately Hislop portrayed the rural, more traditional parts of the country, especially her acknowl-edgment of fascinating cultural insights, facts about Greek history, ways of living, Greek traditions and many more that I, myself, have experienced first-hand. Cartes Postales is a series of exciting but poignant short stories with a captivating description of Greece, that is definitely worth a read if one has never been to the country or sim-ply to explore the authentic side of Greece without even visiting!

Words by Nikoletta Saroglou

Design by Haris Hussnain

re-settlement

A stab of homesickness ruptured his heartstrings driving up the A-road choking up towering lorries, cars with their window wipers swinging, flashingcolours red and amber and green.

Road blocks lined like soldiers. SLIPPERY WHEN WET. DRIVE SAFE. PROCEED WITH CAUTION. REDUCE SPEED NOW. Trafficcones, a shade of smouldering embers, burning retinas.

A fresh love slumped in the passenger seat rounding with new life, a plus-one to the angelic form laying dazed, tucked safely between cardboard crates filledwith remains of a past life.

And pulling up to the concrete box that was supposed to imitate ‘home’. Tore a new hole in the throbbing heart that ached for the bitter cold cobbled Walsall streets.

Craved the delightfully atrocious aroma radiating from Gill’s Fish Bar on a bitter Friday night. Long after the bars had closed and the inhabitants had thrown up their memories in an empty doorway.

Hiding in the rear view mirror were reminders of change, in peripherals, a white Peace Lily, discoloured by the sulphur hue of streetlights. Once pure, now a sombre parting gift from the life he left behind, doomed to fall through the cracks in the road.

Afterglow

by Isla McCormack

Words by Laura Mae

Clocks tick for so little time - a weekYet so long, weaved into infinitie As we sit around the table having tea, Singing songs all night because we daren’t sleep.

I’ve never felt like this beforeWhere I would wrestle giants and slay monsters To see them safe, and sound, and happy, Dancing the night away with them - lightsAnd sipping away at coffee.

How can there be such strength in our bond? Maternal silk wrapped around The inside joke in gold, Creeping to living life on the edge, Never sleeping ‘til the sunrise catches The glass on the tabletop ledge.

From rolling in at 4am, Feet aching and sweating bodies, We never stopped smiling, Our faces hurting, never lonely. Shaking my head but still smiling inside At the antics of causing mischief that night.

They’ll never not have me now, And we’ll always be connected, Glued like limpets to rocks And wet hair to a forehead. Warmth in my heart, An evergreen glow, Where my deep love and care Will always grow.

Words

Design by Constance Cua

Wanting, Wanted

What do you want? It’s a question familiar from birth, but one you never really get to answer until about a full year. At first,it’s a wail or cry, then it’s a yes or no, then you finallyget to say it. ‘I want.’ All of a sudden, those two words become vulgar. You can’t use them anymore. It’s ‘May I have’ or ‘I would like.’ Even then, without a please, you’re frowned at. A decade later ‘I want’ becomes unfamiliar. What do you really want? you ask yourself. Or if you’re lucky, someone in your life- maybe your guardian angel- really asks you. You ponder. You have to give it some thought. Almost immediately, everyday life lets you forget; nature lets you forget.

But then life comes to a pause. It’s deep into November, practically December, but the odd leaf says otherwise. It’s curled round the edges, rouge in the middle and still holding onto the last remnants of autumn. It reminds you of the time you waxed your firstsurfboard, red, shiny and new. Bali. It was only months ago, mid-summer, and a little more humid than you’re used to. Face flushedand shoulders now aching, you ran into the warm water; more shocking than the water back home: cold, sharp and uninviting. Bali’s water, however, could have slapped you in the face and still felt like a welcome back. Even more so than in the Caribbean, its water just as friendly as its people. It was a deeper blue, with some patches of turquoise and milky white. Strange. At the shore, schools of fish– yellow, grey, and silver in some lights, darted past your ankles as you stepped through, careful. They reminded you of the candle lit lamps in the markets of Turkey, burning, warm, and a vibrant amber. The one room you walked into was royally designed with golden architecture on the walls, intricate but almost pretentious, obviously there to entice tourists. It was the perfect scene of Eastern Europe, its other lamps an array of different colours: oranges, reds, yellows, blues, and greens that hung from the ceiling. You had to take a picture. It never looked quite as good though. Through your camera, the green reminded you of the early summer alps, borderline spring. After a long uphill hike, the view you had earned was not something you could capture through the same lens. Every bit of life was still blooming; nothing wilted in the fresh heat. Every strand of grass was thick in its wilderness, and as you sat, finallytaking some rest, with your fingersswollen and faintly throbbing, you took a sip of water. Your eyes never left what was in front of you. So much nature. Crickets chirped beside you. Or in front, you weren’t entirely sure. And when two white butterfliespassed you by, you felt safe and at home (you’re a little superstitious about them) because they always seemed to find you, wherever in the world

It’s at this point that you remember, you’ve forgotten to answer their question.

What do you want?

Words by Anushka Kar

CREATIVESUBMISSIONSWRITING

The Metaverse Is Taking Over

Words by Chantalle El Sharkawy

Lately, there has been a vast amount of discussion surrounding the Metaverse. To brieflybreakdown the idea of fashion shows in the Metaverse, you need to know what the Metaverse actually is and why brands are joining it.

The Metaverse is a digital space where users can take part in activities they used to do in their daily lives. This used to be exclusively shopping, but now you can also attend fashion shows from the comfort of your own home (and ,I for one, cannot wait). Many brands have evolved and adapted to this online public sphere, where parties, launch events, and the release of exclusive deals are all made for those on the Metaverse (Tompson, 2022). Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Givenchy are just some of brands that have embraced what this space has to offer.

Recently, in an act of goodwill, Gucci released a product classed as an NFT (an NFT being a non-fungible token aka a digital asset that symbolizes physical objects); the NFT in question was in the form of a four-minute filmthat was created to co-exist alongside their runway show. This was then auctioned off, and the profitwas donated towards UNICEF USA, and contributed towards the initiatives surrounding COVID-19 vaccines (Paul, 2022).

Last year, Gucci also began selling digital products on a gaming platform known as Roblox, yet as these were not NFT’s they only had value on Roblox and none in reality whatsoever (Paul, 2022). Yet, as Alexis Ohanian, the co-founder of Reddit, stated, ‘A Gucci bag in Roblox resold for 350,000 Roblox or roughly $4,115. The same purse IRL costs $3,400’, we’ve somehow reached a time where the value of this digital piece is worth more than the physical bag (Ohanian, 2021). This really shows how brands are

adapting to the changes taking place in the digital landscape in which we are immersed by. The obscene amount of money that can be made through digital pieces is building the foundations of a new imaginative playground for these creators to explore.

The Metaverse conducted its very own virtual fashion week this year. It featured many luxury brands as well as digital designers on the platform known as Decentraland, a non-profitorganization that oversaw the whole of the web-based platform. Decentraland would set you up with a digital wallet so you can buy and sell digital pieces using their very own currency. To create the boundary-breaking fashion week the Metaverse used a 3D engine called Threedium to bring it all to life. Anyone who had access to a digital device would be permitted to attend the event by simply registering their email. All attendees had a personalised avatar as a nod towards the early 2000s online games, which (if you reach back into your memory for days of MovieStarPlanet and the like) were always equipped with customizable avatars.

Seating was assigned to the avatars so that they could attend the fashion shows and events, as people would in the real-world, this also included meeting experts within the industry from those working in the media to the designers of upcoming new online labels. Some of the recognisable names that featured include D&G, Tommy Hilfige, Elie Saab and Cavalli.

It is undeniable that ‘the help of new technology means fashion can be part of your life online as it is offline (Metaverse Fashion Week ‘22, 2022). The Metaverse fashion week also lets you purchase digital and physical pieces from designers of your choice, enabling individuals to wear it not only in Decentraland but also as a real-life garment. However, for the physical piece to be

claimed, they firsthad to be bought as an NFT, not only as a way of making sure the digital pieces were purchased but as a way of taking shopping to the next level by moving away from the physical and traditional shopping experience. This newfound ability to present the fashion show digitally allows designers to produce items in an economically sufficientmanner, meaning that the creations depend on the number of sales made. It’s impossible to ignore that the way in which we shop, attend events, and invest in pieces has vastly changed.

Furthermore, the Metaverse fashion week included panel discussions, modelling workshops and interviews as well a show by Domenico Dolce & Stefano Gabbana in which twenty wearable looks on the Metaverse were presented. Dolce & Gabbana designed cat avatars to be their models, not only as a clear way of marking their transition to the digital age but simultaneously as a very tongue-in-cheek pun of the term ‘catwalk’. Held in a virtual hall with flowerson the podium, each cat had its personal and distinct style, stitching together the digital and physical fashion show through the sheer boldness and uniqueness of their designs.

Not to be outdone, Tommy Hilfigerwas also one of the major players of the Metaverse fashion show. The NFT they offered was redeemable for a limited-edition product from the 2022 spring collection while simultaneously offering 30 available garments for the avatars themselves. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the ability to sell both physical, as well as digital pieces, has extended the revenues and success of the brand. According to Martijn Hagman, CEO of Tommy Hilfige, the ‘consumers are showing an appetite for these interactions, and we are committed to being relevant on their journey’ (Hirschmiller, 2022). Hagman went on to mention how this is a new and exciting way of experimenting and hopes to achieve a ‘seamless consumer journey’ (Hirschmiller, 2022).

All of these competing brands are being pushed to function in the digital ecosystem in a manner that encourages them to engage with their customers in new and innovative methods. I’m not only impressed by the positive environmental implications that digital fashion will invoke but personally, I am behind this new fashion movement every step of the way.

Although, I remain curious to see what this means for models and the future of campaigns when digitally releasing new products and lines becomes mainstream. Are digital models the future? Will purchasing habits shift to being solely online? Will real life fashion shows eventually come to an end?

DesIgn by Mia Wilson

The implementation of Covid’s stay-at-home restrictions saw a great impact on our daily routine and purchasing habits. The rise of online shopping encouraged people to reconsider their fashion choices, both through the medium of clothes and interior design. However, have we stopped to consider how much the lockdown changed and influenced our interior fashion choices?

2020 was incomparable to any other year, with the only times we were allowed to leave our homes being for the daily walks and weekly supermarket trips. Therefore, it isn’t surprising when a July 2020 study identifiedthat the percentage of Generation Z taking part in interior design once a week was 20%. This was most likely due to classes and social events being cancelled, which allowed young adults to engage in large-scale creative projects. For that reason, the latest environmental and social situations encouraged redecorating to become a new visual medium enabling us to express ourselves.

Modifying the design of your home was used as an opportunity to reflectand portray your personal style and interests. However, the question remains, was this the only predominant factor which inspired us to design our homes?

The popularity of video communication platforms grew massively during the pandemic, which provided us with a platform and opportunity to display our rooms. Zoom became the standard way of communication, the platform being used by people of all generations. It made most people conscious of their living spaces and wanting to remodel their homes, even if it was the small act of purchasing new ornaments. Also, with over 1.1 billion monthly active users being recorded on TikTok in 2021, we can presume that the influenceof videography greatly impacted the number of houses which got remodelled. These new social media platforms created opportunities for our room to be presented to others. For teenagers and young adults, the redesign of bedrooms became the focal point for renovations, with apps such as TikTok being a platform to inspire and inform

viewers on the best purchases to ensure that their bedroom is regarded as ‘aesthetic’. With the pandemic leaving people to just sit and scroll on their phones, it encouraged comparisons to be made between themselves and others.

As the number of people shopping for clothing decreased, people focused on redesigning their homes instead. During the pandemic, studies showed that there was a 23% increase in household planning applications in 2020 from 2019. This reaffirms the fact that during lockdown, society regarded the remodelling of houses as a positive way of self-expression, which gave individuals an opportunity to reflect ontheirnewsenseofstyling.Forexample,theriseof sporting goods purchases became an easy way to express your hobbies and your lifestyle, in addition, to portraying a healthy image of yourself. Also, for Generation Z, the rise of Y2K fashion impacted how young people designed their room. Bedrooms became brightly coloured through the arrangement of wall photo collages and abstract-shaped items, and a creative way of self-expression.

Consequently, what do we believe will be the future of interior design post-pandemic? Will it be associated with allowing individuals to positively communicate individuality? Personally, I believe that interior design will never have such a strong influence onsociety as it did during lockdown. This is due to people not having anything to do, encouraging people to achieve these housing renovations which they have been wishing to do during the period of quarantine. Therefore, it is clear to hypothesize that Covid turned interior design into a more front-forward form of fashionable expression.

Words by Nicola Mayo Design by Ananya Ranjit

Travel’s Place

Around a month ago, I was scrolling down the BBC News website when a headline caught my undivided attention: “Ryanair boss O’Leary says the era of £10 flights is over”. I suddenly got really anxious about the prospect of the spontaneous European escapades my friends and I make every once in a while coming to an end. O’Leary argued that fuel prices were significantly higher due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and that low ticket prices were not profitable anymore. However, what surprised me was that he believes people will continue to fly frequently, despite the rising cost of living. He did not go into detail on his arguments to make this assumption, so it got me thinking: will it be possible to afford to travel as the cost of living continues to rise?

There is no doubt that whenever hard financial times hit, the first things we cut off are the non essential expenses, particularly the ones that have to do with leisure and entertainment. We have to budget better and become more conscious about our spending, but we still try to reward ourselves with the joy of travel.

The first thing that will change is how people book their holidays. In order to secure the best deals, holidaygoers will “trade down” by staying at cheaper hotels and flying with budget airlines. Another paramount step will be booking your trip in advance (but very much in advance). It is general knowledge that purchasing tickets in advance frequently results in a cheaper price point; this is the same with accommodation, as hotels generally set aside a certain number of rooms at a discount rate. Also, keep in mind that as long as you have the freedom to pick your holiday days, it is better to go away on a wonky weekend. Traveling off-peak is the best option to lower the trip’s overall cost.

Words by Eva Castandeo Design by Eva Castanedo

in our future

Once we have paid for two of the most significant trip expenses; transportation and accommodation, it is time to think about how to make the most out of our destination whilst on a budget. First of all, try to make the most of free activities. Even in the most expensive cities in the world, there are typically many free things to do. Consider London as an example; you can stroll around, taking in the architecture or taking pictures anywhere you go. Likewise, many of the world’s most remarkable galleries and museums don’t charge admission. We need to change our mindset from “I’m a tourist in this place” to “I’m a local from this place”. Why is it so much better to see a destination through a local’s eyes you may ask? Well the advantages are endless, but most importantly, you get to avoid the crappy tourist crowds and see the best spots from a new angle.

In the last few decades, with all of Europe on our doorstep and cheap flights the norm, a holiday used to mean go-ing abroad. Staying at home was seen as something boring. However, the pandemic introduced the concept of the “staycation”: the pleasure of discovering new parts of your country by holidaying there. This form of holiday has made a comeback throughout the duration of this crisis. In many ways, the notion of “going away” is arbitrary. Why do we have to fly abroad to put boundaries between everyday life and a vacation? It took a pandemic to stop people from thinking like this, but interest in staycations in the UK is rising.

The traditional concept of a holiday is changing, but that is not a bad thing. If you want to reduce your budget for your next trip, it is not just about the destination but what you make from it. Travel is an expense, not expensive.

Places, People, and the Travel Influencer

Design by Eva Castanedo

Words by Rose Hancock

Influencers have a significant impact on how and where we travel. In a survey by Schofields, 40% of UK adults aged 18 to 33 said that ‘how “instagrammable” a holiday will be’ was their main reason for choosing a destination.

Successful travel influencers are funded by sponsorship and paid promotions. In return, businesses and local economies enjoy clear benefits. In 2015, a campaign by Lake Wanaka Tourism saw visitors to the New Zealand region rise by 14%, and this growth was attributed to Instagram. And yet, travel influencers often sacrifice authenticity in order to maximise their commercial success. Influencers sell a lifestyle, and the sponsored destination, product, or service is presented as a way of attaining the unattainable. Audiences may experience feelings akin to ‘Paris Syndrome’ when they realise that in reality a destination is not as impressive as it looked online.

As a result, travel influencers have faced criticism for ‘appropriating’ places. A familiar photo in the travel influencer sphere is a woman leading her partner around the world. In a 2018 article for Medium, Daisy Alioto argues that this allows the viewer to imagine themselves in the image. The particular location doesn't matter; it's all about an exclusive lifestyle in which visual and aesthetic allure is paramount.

This may misinform audiences. Take, for example, Norway’s Trolltunga viewpoint, a site of exquisite natural beauty. #Trolltunga has appeared over 200,000 times on Instagram. Most of the images depict a single person perched atop the famous rock, enjoying boundless solitude. Less obvious is the vast number of fellow hikers. Fewer than one thousand people visited in 2009; now up to double that number make the trek every day. Online travel content is thought to be the main reason behind the increase. It's also the case that the same destinations tend to show up frequently on social media. In a 2020 article for Outside, Professor Marc G Berman of the University of Chicago argues that our attraction to images of nature is often based on colour palette, curved-edge density, and symmetry. This is why travel influencers love Trolltunga, as well as Arizona’s Horseshoe Bend, and it is clear that these locations, alongside many others, are suffering the environmental effects of over tourism.

As a result, some countries (e.g. the Balearic Islands) have introduced sustainability taxes. Wales has also launched a consultation into a possible green levy on people staying in overnight accommodation. This can help to combat carbon emissions from transport and tourism infrastructure.

Travel influencers have also faced criticism for appropriating people and cultures. For example, in a 2019 article for Curbed, Alexandra Marvar argues that it is morally wrong for influencers to pose in front of private property. This is prevalent in places such as Rue Cremieux in Paris and Choi Hung apartment complex in Hong Kong. By using these brightly coloured residential areas as backdrops influencers are able to draw attention and online traffic. A darker iteration of this is ‘Poverty Porn' - images of suffering intended to provoke an emotional response in the viewer. While the influencer may have altruistic motives, 'Poverty Porn' can be harmful. It oversimplifies problems by implying that they can be easily remedied. This overshadows the complex and multifaceted causes of poverty.

Similarly, online travel content has faced backlash for perpetuating ‘White Saviour Syndrome'. Popularised in 2012, this term refers to a focus on the benevolence of white people, especially when visiting the Global South. This portrays people of colour as lacking in autonomy and initiative. On Instagram, this often takes the form of 'voluntourism' - a package experience combining travel and aid. Critics argue that appropriating people in this way is a form of commodification. It enables influencers to 'buy into' humanitarianism for commercial gain (such as attracting likes and followers). Without a doubt, social media will continue to influence our travel choices. This does have benefits. Influencer content can help audiences to discover new destinations and pick up helpful advice. However, it may also inspire harmful behaviour. As before mentioned, online travel posts have been associated with a lack of authenticity, environmental degradation, ‘Poverty Porn’, and ‘White Saviour Syndrome’. So how can we be respectful to places and people when we travel?

Travel influencers themselves could play a vital role in encouraging responsible behaviours. A new approach, characterised by education and sustainability, is growing in popularity. On Instagram, #SlowTravel features almost 800,000 times. Many of the posts include carbon-free transport, lesserknown destinations, and local independent businesses. This style of content loses none of its aspirational power. But the focus falls on the subject matter – the experience or destination – rather than on forging an exclusive lifestyle. Although this is promising, it may clash against the commercial interests of sponsors.

To The Place I Fell

Words by Ella Collis

Food is invariably rooted to place and our taste palates often depend on the atmosphere and surroundings in which we eat – can we agree that a Fanta lemon never quite tastes as good in the UK as it does when sat at the poolside abroad? We asked our contributors to reflecton the places where they firstfell in love with food, and there seems to be a common theme here: GRANDPARENTS.

For as long as I can remember during my childhood, every week we would go to my grandparents’ house for a Sunday roast. This was always the highlight of my week, as I got to spend time with all my aunties, uncles, cousins, and my grandparents whilst enjoying the yummiest food. I might be biased but my grandma makes the best food in the whole world, and nobody can convince me otherwise. The aroma of the succulent beef, the taste of the roast potatoes as they enter my mouth, flufy on the inside and crispy on the outside (my favourite), and the ridiculously large homemade Yorkshire puddings were just some of the delights my grandma managed to cook up in the kitchen. And the best bit of all: the mouth-watering apple crumble topped with my grandma’s heavenly custard, the perfect end to a perfect meal. But it wasn’t just the place, my grandparents’ house, that made me fall in love with food, it was the people. Being surrounded by my big, crazy, cheerful but dysfunctional family has always been my happy place. The delicious home-cooked food was just the cherry on top of my joyous childhood filledwith love. Food has the power to bring families closer together, in times of celebration and in times of mourning, but it always seems to make everything better. To me, food represents love, and there’s no better memory than those lazy Sundays spent eating my entire body weight in roast dinner.

Words by:Tabitha Murrell

My grandparents live deep into the valleys of the Charente, inhabited by sweeping rows of vineyards, allusive wild boar and chateaus that are reminiscent of the picture book pages of Beauty and the Beast. The towns are quaint and peaceful, the weather befitsthat of the south of France, and each village has a vending machine for fresh bread, seriously! Since the 18th century, the Charente has been praised for its natural beauty, tropical climate, and distribution of liquor. Both Hennesey and Cognac are primarily made in this area – a tour of either of the distilleries will leave you pink in the face with a newfound appreciation for the alcohol-making process. Festivities take place throughout the year as a display of the symbiotic relationship between the grape harvest and the community in both economic and appreciative manners. Below the age of 16, the legal drinking age, my younger brother and I would go wide-eyed in the Chocolaterie Duceau in Angouleme. Fine treats wrapped in golden paper decorated with dried raspberries and nuts; grandparents know how to spoil you and if I didn’t leave waddling like Augustus Gloop, they simply were not satisfied.Afternoons included a visit to La Tonnellerie restaurant in Chateauneuf next to the river, watching the small boats go by and feasting on local meats and flamiche.Evenings were spent watching the sunset over the hills, eating goat’s cheese and melon salad made by my loving Nana, listening to the crickets, and trying to catch fireflie

In Love With Food

Words by Mia Coley

The way food brings people together, creating the best conversations and connections between us is truly magical. For me, the place I fell in love with food was Italy. Now I know this must sound so cheesy that Italy – the home of arguably the best cuisine on the planet – was the place I fell in love with food, but there’s a reason! My family and I had just arrived in Pisa, our last holiday before I went to university, and we were scrolling through Google in search of any restaurant that wasn’t fully booked. I happened to discover allabona, an environmentally friendly Tuscan restaurant – sounds like a dream, right? We were seated outside on the cobbled streets of Pisa and enjoyed what I can only describe as the epitome of charcuterie boards. Various cold meats and cheeses surrounded by warm bread and homemade butter. Love at firstsight. Supplied with paper plates and compostable cutlery that gets recycled by the restaurant, we got stuck right in. Sat round that table we had the best conversation, fuelled by the amazing meal. I’ve always loved mealtimes with my family, but they are just that extra bit more special when we’re on holiday together. No distractions, no worries, nowhere else to be. Just us together, chatting about anything and everything that’s on our minds, often interrupted by fitsof laughter. It’s something I really Iook forward to experiencing again when I’m back from uni –truly wonderful experiences.

Words by Kavita Patel

“You’re going to your ba and dada’s tonight.”

This was the sentence that made the school day the longest of the week. When the finalbell rang at 3:25 pm the rich scent of coriander and cinnamon snatched me away from the school gates. I was taken over by a trance. I’d dash through my grandparent’s front door, into the kitchen to findour glasses for water and my two favourite spoons, the ones with windy swirls along the handle. I would perch at the dinner table beside my brother, eyes beaming, anticipating a buffet of chai, samosas, dhokla, and chicken curry. Each burst of flavourfuelled the eagerness to grab another spoonful and shovel it down me.

“Slow down you pig!” my brother would shout at me.

Never, I continued to tear off chunks of roti, plummeting each piece into the thick tomato before devouring each mouthful in one clean bite. And there was so much to accompany the main event! Heaps and heaps of rice, dahl, chutneys, pickles, and poppadom were spread among the table like a banquet for a king. The mighty feast did not budge an inch; it was a continuous conveyer belt of food from ba’s kitchen. The inviting fumes spread across the house like wildfire,igniting a warm sensation inside. Every ingredient included in each dish accounted for care, love, and safety. My ba and dada’s house at breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided a plate of nurture and delicacy. I’ll always remember it as the place I fell in love with food.

words by: Kavita Patel

Design by Constance Cua

A Dive Into The Between Food

The range of food across the globe is vast and diverse, with each country on the map boasting their own selection of unique and flavourful dishes and ingredients. Some may be more well-known than others, but each holds its own significance to the regions they belong to. I’m sure many of you have tried a variety of

Regional variations take place not only within the country but also abroad. For example, sushi – a quintessential dish of Japan – in its traditional form is very simple: a piece of fresh fish on top of rice. However, these days the dish has evolved a significant amount since its supposed origin in 3rd-5th century B.C. We now encounter California

Relationship and Place

are well-known for their food. Italy, for example, is the home to world-famous dishes. Although most famous Italian foods are now easily accessible not only across the whole of Italy but worldwide, many particular ingredients or recipes can be traced back to their local origins. Tuscan beef comes from the north, whereas the famous

Not only does food have historical connections to the places from which they originate, but we can also look at its relationship to place on a more personal level. The relationship we, as individuals, have with food is all about the connections we feel to it, the memories it brings back and how it makes us feel (think about that one scene in Ratatouille when the food critic is transported back to his childhood from a single bite of ratatouille). For me, it is a traditional Welsh cawl. We all know the United Kingdom is, let’s say, not particularly admired for their food, but as a Welsh girl, I feel obligated to defend my cultural heritage. Admittedly, it’s not something I eat often with the range of other food available, but I do hold a special place in my heart for traditional Welsh food. Cawl is one of Wales’ most famous dishes, consisting of cooked meat (usually lamb or beef from Welsh farms) and root vegetables in a sort of casserole-style meal. It is said to have been invented in the 14th century and is now most commonly eaten during the winter months. A simple dish, but it holds a strong connection to not only me personally, but to many Welsh people.

It’s not only the food items that we can consider here. The relationship between people and food can also be seen as a part of culture or religion. Food can create a sense of belonging to a certain group and eating together is a way to form connections with others. Every culture has different ways of eating, different etiquette and table manners. Dinnertime brings people together in many cultures; in some European countries, it’s common to spend hours at the dinner table, talking and eating and spending time with loved ones. Food can act as the glue that brings people together. It forms connections not only to places but to the people who live there and grow up with it.

Words by Caitlin Evans

Design by Julian Tse

Traddodiadau Cymru:

Geiriau gan Iwan Kellett

Mae traddodiadau yn ysgogi teimlad o berthyn. Gallai fod yn berthyn i wlad, ardal, teulu, cymuned neu chdi dy hun. Maent yn cysylltu person i bobl neu amser yn y gorffennol ac yn cynnig etifedd i’r rhai daw ar ein hôl. Llwyddant hefyd i roi hunaniaeth i rywun wrth arddangos tebygolrwydd a gwahaniaeth o berson i berson ac yn hynny, rhoi hyder. Nid yw’r cysur o hunaniaeth yn dod yn hawdd i bawb. Yn aml mae pobl LHDTC+ yn tyfu tu ôl llen, mae’r traddodiadau o fewn y gymuned yn rhoi’r cyfle i ni ddod i ‘nabod a bod yn ni ein hunain. Erbyn hyn cynhaliwyd gwyl Pride yng Nghaerdydd ers dros ugain mlynedd ac yn Abertawe ers 2008. Enghraifft arall yw’r faner balchder ers 1978 sydd yn enghraifft o draddodiad yn newid. Yn 2018, wrth i gymuned newid a phwysigrwydd amlygu mae’r faner wedi cael newydd wedd ym maner “Progress pride” er mwyn dangos cefnogaeth ac undod yn fwy uniongyrchol yn erbyn hiliaeth a thrawsffobia. Mae traddodiadau personol hefyd yn bwysig. Mae fy nheulu i yn dathlu’r flwyddyn newydd yn canu karaoke trwy’r nos a’n meddwi. Y bore drannoeth ‘dani’n mynd am dro hir a pheint yn Nhraeth Coch. Mae’r traddodiadau yma yn dod a theulu a ffrindiau at ei gilydd i ddathlu gŵyl gyffredin a pheri cariad a chynhesrwydd. Efallai eich bod chi yn gwylio’r un ffilm pob noswyl Nadolig, neu’n cael takeaway bob nos Sul ar ôl noson allan. A beth am y rhai rydym ni yn gwneud ben ein hunain, pa ffilm a wnewch chi wylio pan yn drist neu ba gerddoriaeth pan yn hapus. Er nad yw rhain yn hen rai na’n hir sefydlog o fewn cyfnod ein bywyd cymharol fyr maen nhw’r un mor bwysig i ni’n bersonol.

Ym Mhle?

O fewn ardaloedd wedyn mae traddodiadau, a dyma ddau o rai Môn. Ers 200 mlynedd mae plant yn mynd i “Clapio wyau” adeg y Pasg. Yn crwydro o gwmpas eu pentrefi yn adrodd “Clap, clap, gofyn wŷ, hogia bach ar y plwy, plîs ga’i wy?”. Rhyw “trick or treat” am wyau. Ddim cweit cystal a bag o dda-da chwaith. Er i’r traddodiad gostwng yn y ganrif ddiwethaf mae ymdrechion i’w gynnal a chadw cysylltiad yr Ynys i’w hanes. Ym mro Marian-glas mae traddodiad sydd yn anffodus wedi gorffen. Yn draddodiadol ar y noson cyn angladd buasai teulu a ffrindiau’r trancedig yn ymgynnull ac yfed trwy’r oriau hwyr. Yn ôl sôn, y bwriad oedd ymlwybro am adre cyn gwawr yr angladd mor feddw â phosib. Dyna draddodiad na fyswn i yn erbyn ailgydio ynddi!

Mae pob mathau o draddodiadau, a phob un ohonynt yn bwysig i ni ein hunain mewn ffyrdd gwahanol. Rhowch ymdrech yn eu creu a’u chynnal neu’n ailgydio. Er mwyn cysylltu ag ein hanes neu i ddylanwadu’r dyfodol, amdani a chymerwch falchder ynddynt.

Dylunydd: Alexa Price

Photography by Julian Tse

While we have come a long way in terms of the rights of Queer people in the UK, this is not always the case on the international stage. Many people believe that the UK should make a stronger stand against countries that do not meet standards of rights and protections for Queer people. One clear example of this is Saudi Arabia, which criminalises LGBT+ people and enforces the death penalty. Despite the human rights violations carried out by Saudi Arabia, the UK maintains a strong strategic partnership with them, most recently negotiating a free trade deal. The UK government argues that the best way to encourage change from Saudi Arabia is by continuing economic interdependence while activists believe it requires more decisive action. Some organisations have made the recommendation that in order to take a clear stand against human rights violations the UK should end arms exports to Saudi Arabia.

Similarly, there has been extensive discussion about the decision of FIFA to choose Qatar to hold the Men’s World Cup in November 2022. There have been substantial concerns, since it was awarded to Qatar, due to their criminalisation of LGBT+ people. In Qatar, same-sex relations are punishable by up to seven years in prison, which goes directly against the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights that were adopted by FIFA in 2016. While Qatar made assurances that LGBT visitors would be welcome for the tournament, there is unease as this overlooks Qatari residents and risks erasing their lived experience. Compounding this issue, of

the 69 FIFA-recommended hotels, 3 would deny entry to same-sex couples and 20 others would only accommodate them if they did not publicly show that they were gay. The acceptance of these attitudes and practices displays a disregard for the safety and quality of life of queer people around the world. Many argue that Qatar should not have been awarded the tournament without clear progress and concrete human rights policies put in place.

When we think of international humanitarian actions, often the need to uplift, protect and work with the queer community is overlooked. The needs of the queer community are erased and humanitarian workers are ill-equipped to work with queer people in crisis settings. Traditional models of aid often don’t work for Queer people for a myriad of reasons: not fitting the norm of a “family”, not fitting into gender-specific aid or fear of violence. The importance of social invisibility in countries that criminalise LGBT+ people must be considered carefully. For these communities, invisibility can be vital to safety and so resources such as private safe houses may be more appropriate than public shelters. Local language is also an important factor to consider; in many parts of the world LGBT is not an umbrella term that people feel describes them, but instead is viewed as an identity imposed by the West. In order to give people the aid they need and uplift them in their communities, humanitarian workers must respect how individuals identify and take their lead. Aid must be centred around the needs of the people, even if that requires significant changes

to the way humanitarian groups are accustomed to operating. Comfortable, safe home environments are important for us all, but they are often robbed from Queer people. Queer people have to prepare to be ousted from their families if they choose to come out and live as their fullest, truest selves. This puts them at both a social and financial disadvantage on top of the discrimination they already face. If Queer people do not have a home where they are accepted and able to explore their own identity then it is all the more difficult for them to make a life for themselves where they feel fulfilled and content. This can be compounded for Queer people who are forced to flee their home countries and become refugees, especially considering that three of the countries with the highest refugee populations criminalise homosexuality or refuse to recognise samesex marriage. In 2020, only 3.1% of international humanitarian funding was distributed to local organisations. To build equitable, holistic spaces for Queer people to receive support, this needs to change. Ensuring that this work is Queer-led is key in making these services and spaces fit for purpose in uplifting and supporting the people that most need it.

It is vitally important that there is a progression in the social, political and economic rights of Queer people worldwide and that countries such as the UK use their influence to push forward countries that are still perpetrating human rights violations.

Words by Freya Johns Design by Molly Openshaw

Home Is Where The Heart

It is an inevitability whilst being at university that you will either know someone or be someone who has committed “flatcest”, perhaps the most common of first-year faux pas. Despite the chorus of friends saying, “don’t shit where you eat”, there are a few reasons why dating your flatmate can be a fun and convenient choice. Being forced to share so much early on, from weird kitchen habits to bedhead appearances, allows your lives to blend effortlessly. Furthermore, you don’t have to feel bad for kicking them out late at night -they can just pop back to their room!

So, how do you make living in such close quarters work?

1) Try not to skip the honeymoon phase just because your living situation makes you feel married already!

It can become easy to fall into a routine of date nights becomingnightsspentinfrontof Netflix.Scheduleintentional time to see each other and plan dates out of the house!

2) With living together, the temptation to spend every minute side by side is even stronger, yet don’t feel like you can’t spend a night apart. Relationships don’t need to consume you!

University is an amazing opportunity to make friends and explore different versions of yourself, so remember to see other people and have some alone time.

3) Lastly, try not to rub the relationship in your flatmates’ faces or drag them into your drama. Try to keep arguments discreet and PDA to a minimum. It can feel cramped and lonely to share a residence with a loved-up couple and even worse to share with a fighting one. So, try not to snog or shout at the breakfast table… And the best tip for dating someone you already live with? Don’t.

Maybe consider going a little further afield… perhaps next door?

Words by Laura Schjoett

“Home is wherever I’m

“Home is wherever I am with the right person.”

Everyone, including myself at first, must have unrealistic romantic expectations about living with their loved one. The joy of cooking together, having movie times before bed and waking up to your love every morning is genuine, but some incompatibilities are inevitable.

Despite living far apart from my boyfriend, we still stay together during long holidays like Christmas and Easter, sometimes in his place and sometimes in mine. Spending time together every single day makes us both realise the subtle differences in our lives, such as our food habits and how we arrange things. I love spicy food, while he doesn’t; I likethingstobeorganisedandneat,but he has a spontaneous personality; sometimes I’m clingy, yet he occasionally needs to be alone. These tiny things have made our cohabitation somewhat more difficult than I expected. Fortunately, we accommodated each other quite well and didn’t fight much.

Is: Living With Your Significant Other

I moved in with my partner about eight months into our relationship. After spending nearly every day together since the moment we’d met, we wanted nothing more than to have a place all to ourselves. In the beginning, everything seemed perfect but after the initial excitement wore off, we both found ourselves arguing more over issues we’d never encountered before – from little things such as whether we should or shouldn’t rinse dishes after soaping them (you should) to more serious problems like failing to respect each other’s personal space. After some time, we realised that the real issue was our lack of communication. It’s cliché, but communication is key.

with the right person”

I know how cliché it sounds but giving yourself and your partner enough time and space is the key to living together without huge fights. Try to make every moment you spend together quality time instead of complaining. Living together doesn’t mean blindly sacrificing principles or boundaries to accommodate one another. Having your own life is vital. You cannot stay together 24/7. If your partner wants some private time, leave them alone for a few hours and do your own thing. The proper break will make your time together more precious and meaningful as you get to share more little but intriguing things they don’t know. Personally, making space is how I keep the relationship, especially cohabitation, fresh and harmonious.

Words by Nicole Wong

When entering this argumentative stage, it’s easy to frighten yourself into thinking that you made the wrong decision and that you and your S/O aren’t so compatible after all. But often what you really need is a long, honest conversation about your living situation. Discuss what you expect from each other, making compromises where needed. Set boundaries, and establish your personal spaces. Simultaneously: make room for quality time. Whilst living together means being in each other’s company almost 24/7, consciously choosing to spend quality time together will strengthen your relationship as you are not only acknowledging your partner’s presence but actively appreciating it.

Remember to keep an open mind; you and your partner will never see eye to eye on everything but it’s important to always be open to each other’s ideas, from new routines to unusual home décor. And if things go smoothly, they may even start to rinse the dishes after soaping them.

Words by Francesca Manenti

Design by Ananya Ranjit

Film and TV

Words by Kate Nichols

Projector

If you’re looking for gift inspiration this Christmas, then look no further! One overlooked gift that I recommend buying is a projector. With your projector you can build your own at home cinema instead of being restricted to using your TV. Use your projector to watch your favourite movies in any room and on a much larger scale! Why not invite your friends over for a movie night in or even set up camp with a movie outside? However, projectors do not have to be used only for movies; a projector can also be very useful when hosting a party! For example, you can use your projector to produce laser beams to elevate the atmosphere in the room. Apps, such as MusicBeam, can be used to help do this where all you will need other than your projector is a laptop . Finally, your projector can also be used as decoration! To get into the Christmas spirit, why not project some fun seasonal visuals onto a wall or over the exterior of your house? Of course there are so many other ways that you can use your projector, it all just comes down to using your imagination!

Digital picture frame

Another gift which I would personally be delighted to receive would be the digital picture frame! Although I enjoy printing off lots of photos which I have taken, a digital picture frame is a smart and easy way to display all the photos which are stored on your phone. Instead of always having one static picture, the digital picture frame allows you to show several photos in one frame as it cycles through the chosen images. This way, all your favourite photos have a chance to be seen. If you fancy switching up your photo choices, you can simply electronically select the new ones you want to be displayed instead of having to spend money printing off new photos to put on display.

Additionally, you can select videos to be presented on the picture frame as well. I love this feature as it reminds me of the moving pictures from the Harry Potter movies – so this might be a gift ideal for a Harry Potter fan! In a nutshell, the digital frame is the most effective way to display all your best memories around your home and makes a thoughtful gift for a loved one.

Words by Amy Wild

Monthly subscriptions

A Cineworld monthly subscription is the perfect present for a film lover. For only £9.99 a month, you can watch unlimited films at Cineworld - including 10% off snacks and drinks! That’s cheaper than going to the cinema twice a month (What a bargain!) With so many exciting films coming out next year, what is a better gift for the film lovers in your life? (Available at Cineworld)

Interactive Presents

If you are looking for a cheap interactive present for friends I reallyrecommendthetop 100Moviesposter.Myhousematemoved to uni with it and over the last three years we have been slowly completing it. It has the 100 most notable films, according to both fans and critics. For someone like me who is super indecisive, it’s perfect. Once you finish the film, you can scratch it off to reveal a fun picture. They are must-see films and a great decoration for a uni bedroom and for under £10 you can’t go wrong. (Available onAmazon and eBay)

Features

Words by Rume Otuguor

Photo Albums

Physical photos don’t get the credit they deserve anymore. Digital is nice and easy to keep track of but nothing replaces the feeling of holding a memory in your hands while your mind transports you back in time. Thus, for a loved one this Christmas, photo albums are a great idea. You can even take it up a notch with a plain multi photo frame to add a personal touch yourself. These can be found online from Amazon or Etsy for under £10 or under £20 if you want to scale up. Scrapbooks are also easy to get a hold of from the swwame places mentioned or even your local high street retailer which can range from simple to decorative depending on your taste and budget. Photowise, if you have a printer on hand, it would make things a lot easier but if you have to outsource, the library is probably your next best bet and relatively cheap also.

When you get down to business and need some inspiration, Pinterest hasn’t gone anywhere; the app is always brimming withideastogetyourcreativejuicesflowing. Asforresources, you can borrow, buy new, or dare I say locate that pencil case that you haven’t seen since high school that’s sitting in the dark, wasting creative potential. At the end of it you’ll have something that your recipient will cherish, not least for your time and effort put into it.

Love Tokens

In the same vein of the diy gift, you can’t go wrong with love coupons.The idea is that your person will receive something resembling a small booklet that has a ticket which grants a specific wish. When trying to come up with different ideas, the love languages (excluding gift-giving of course) is a good place to start. For example, one coupon can grant one home-cooked meal and another a pamper session for acts of service. For it to truly be for them, ideally the recipient would set the terms and conditions, so depending on how vivid of an imagination they have, be prepared for what they might have in mind.

There’s many ways to get creative with this idea taking into consideration the person you are giving to. You can buy these from most stationery or diy retailers, both highstreet and online and there’s plenty of choice allowing you the freedom to add personal touches as you wish. you’re a

Words by Sophie Revell

Subscription

boxes - the gift that keeps on giving

Do you ever wish it could be Christmas every day? There’s no shame in loving receiving presents - so why limit yourself to one day of them! Subscription boxes are a great way of keeping the treats coming your way all year round, so Christmascanbeeveryday(orat least once a month.) When I was a teenager, my parents subscribed me to Kerrang! Magazine - to quench my thirst of all things emo - and for my 17th I had a year subscription to Glamour magazine. It was a nice routine to have and a lovely pick me up when I remembered the next issue was on its way to me.

There’s nothing you can’t subscribe to anymore; From plants, pickles, and pasta to records, gin and gadgets, subscription boxes make it easy to tailor gifts to who you’re buying for. Maybe you have someone special in your life who loves tea and would really appreciate the tea subscription from Bird and Blend which delivers three new blends straight to your door every month! Or for £15 a month, Books That Matter offers a monthly box filled with feminist books, zines and sustainable and empowering products.

FOR Cardiff gift card

Hear me out - gift cards make GOOD presents. They skip out the awkwardness of opening a present you don’t like in front of your entire family. The FOR Cardiff card is perfect gift if you’re just not sure what to get someone. It can be spent in over eighty businesses across Cardiff from big brands like John Lewis to Wally’s Deli and other local independent shops in the city centre.

We all know the importance placed on shopping independently in the past couple of years, and FOR Cardiff is a great way to support local Welsh businesses. You never know what new favourite you could discover down one of Cardiff’s iconic arcades.

Design by Haris Hussnain

FASHION

ZOE PRICE

Instead of focusing on specific items as present inspiration, I thought I’d pick a couple of local places in and about Cardiff to pick your gifts up from and what I recommend. The Cardiff Creative is my favourite for their affordability and variety, they host lots of different artist works so anything from art-prints, incense, porcelain mushroom teacups and the most gorgeous earrings are available. On the more expensive end is Lush Spa, where there are so many different treatments available that you can pre-purchase with their spa vouchers. Personally I would love the Fresh Facial Spa Treatment to relax after a busy term (hint-hint). When struggling to buy for the men in my life I always turn to second-hand vintage stores like Hobos or Flamingos where a cool graphic t-shirt that features vintage cartoon characters or album covers will undoubtedly be a crowd pleaser. My last recommendation is The Bone Yard which is the community space for so many different brands, from the handmade jewellery by Crane Jewellery to all the luscious plants available in Blaus#2 to the handmade gifts you can create in Peggy’s Pots you are absolutely spoilt for choice. Happy shopping folks and happy holidays!

LIBBI KETTLE

The Little Book Of…

Valentino, Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga, Chanel, whatever your favourite, you’ll likely be able to find it in the Little Book Of selection. Each mini book is by different authors, and explores the history, development and details of these high end fashion brands, allowing you to delve deeper into your fav. They are a perfect little read, as they don’t contain a huge word count, so can be fit around your busy studies with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine (I enjoy the latter). They contain pictures as well, so if you have a person in mind that would love one of these but isn’t a fan of too much reading, then this is ideal. They also look lovely on your shelf, so could even be bought for room décor as well as to read. How to buy? They can be found in most book shops, as well as Urban Outfitters, Amazon and other online locations, so they are easy to get a hold of for a long planned or last minute gift idea. When it comes to price, they are reasonably cheap, ranging from £9-£13 each, depending where you get it from. Although if you wanted to get it from the Urban or Waterstones here in Cardiff, rather than paying extra for postage online, you can show your Student ID and get a discount! So as well as their fashionable aesthetic, slight personal touch ( your gift receivers fav brands), their price is another selling point. Perhaps even if you have a little more money to spend, you could get a few. Or just the one is perfect. They’re ideal for all year round, and I personally highly recommend. Plus it makes you look like a fashionable gift giver.

Typo

If like me, you need a bit of retail/ window shopping therapy every now and then, you probably have been into Cardiff’s St David’s Shopping Centre and most likely seen Typo, a vibrant store on the ground floor by the Lego shop. It’s one of my favs, filled with fashionable gifts for yourself or for another.And depending their price range is very wide, and gifts such as goofy socks and little items cost no more than £10-£12. Right now I’m a fan of all their candles, which you will see at the front of the store. They have the zodiacs, all lined up in different colours and beautiful decorated candles holders, with a sweet scented vanilla. As well as the popular star sign design, they have candles with different personality labels, each with a different scent. I own the Over-thinker candle (perfect for me) , which gives off a lovely pomegranate/floral scent. They add to your room aesthetic, perfect for interior fashion as well a nice personal gift, ideal for a friend, a sibling or significant other. You can treat them to their star sign or their personality, there is plenty to select for £12 each.

As well as candles, they have lush phone cases for around £12.50, most with creative designs that fit most phone types. So if you know someone with an old case or a new phone, this would be ideal. Or if you like the idea of treating someone to a cool pair of socks, they have a wide collection that right now include the Grinch, Snoopy, Garfield, MTV and so on, at £6 each or £3.60 if you head online, there’s a 30%-70% site wide sale! So if any of these or more gifts such as bags, candle holders, plant pots, etc sound appealing, I’d hurry before it goes. They are all great for affordable, fashionable gifts, whether this be accessories or interior.

LITERATURE

BRYONY WRIGHT

Penguin Clothbound Classics

There’s a reason why classic novels have retained their place in the literary sphere. They recount history, allow you to dive into a different moment in time, and are almost always beautifully written. As such, people still read and enjoy them decades after their publication. Classic novels are a solid gift choice for any book lover; the proof of their excellence lies in the fact that they’ve stood the test of time. The Penguin Clothbound Classics collection is the ultimate in the world of special editions. Penguin have published 85 novels as gorgeous clothbound hardbacks, featuring motifs from each book on their coversMary Shelley’s Frankenstein, for instance, features a repeating pattern of anatomical hearts, whilst the cover of Lewis Carroll’sAlice’sAdventures in Wonderland is decorated with illustrations of flamingos. Penguin have also released box collections by prolific authors; what better gift for a Charles Dickens lover, for example, than a collection of six of his best works, beautifully clothbound and finished in a decorated presentation box? Novels in the Penguin Clothbound Classics collection can be found online on the Penguin website, both individually or as pre-collated and individually selected bundles.

Literary Tours and Experiences

If you have someone close to you who is a literature fanatic, a literary tour or experience is the perfect gift for them. Whilst these experiences can be on the pricier side, they’re great for a special occasion, and could even make up part of a longer trip to a location for a perfect city or country break. Whether you’re looking for a classic-themed tour or something more modern, there’s a tour to suit everyone. A couple of experiences that I think seem especially gift-worthy include a Jane Austen tour of Bath, during which you can visit the author’s house and locations from her novels under the supervision of an Austen specialist, and a Harry Potter walking tour of Edinburgh. This trip takes you past the sights that influenced locations in the series, to the location where the first novel was written, and even to the kirkyard that contains many of the graves by which many names in the books - McGonagall and Tom Riddle to name a couplewere inspired. If you’re looking for a more rural experience, there are companies that offer trips in the literary counties of Cumbria, Lancashire, and Yorkshire, comprising tours of Brontë country, to lakes such as Windermere that inspired the romantic poets, and even dedicated Jane Eyre tours. A literary experience would be the perfect gift for a bookworm in your life - it’s sure to be a personal and memorable present!

Gift giving is never an easy process – finding something that your gift receiver will love or an item that they don’t already have can be incredibly hard. If you’re looking for a festive present for that book-loving friend, well, you’re in luck: here’s my guide of gifts to buy for any bookworm you know!

LUCIA CUBB

Blind Date with a Book ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’… let’s be honest, this is something we almost always do. One way to solve this (that also happens to make a fantastic gift) is the ‘Blind Date with a Book’ idea. Typically wrapped in brown paper packaging with a few key words as clues for the plot of the novel, nothing is given away about the actual story and the name and cover are both a secret. Using the key word clues on the packaging is a great way to decide if you think your book lover will like it, and it will definitely solve their search for their next read. The ‘Blind Date with a Book’ concept is such an exciting option – it’s filled with mystery and curiosity, as well as the thought that someone out there in the world took the time to wrap your chosen story for others to enjoy. With many genres and plots to choose from, Etsy is a great place to start when looking for a ‘Blind Date with a Book’ – many sellers also provide the option of second-hand, pre-loved novels, making it a great environmentally friendly and sustainable gift idea.

Literary-Themed Jewellery

For that special someone who is obsessed with a certain story, literary-themed jewellery is a great gift to choose. With so many options on the internet (Etsy once again popping up as a great shopping choice), you can find bracelets, necklaces, earrings and many more items that your bookworm is sure to adore. This long-lasting and durable gift option is great and will always serve as a reminder of you and the occasion you brought it for them, most likely becoming a sentimental item. If jewellery isn’t quite their thing either, keychains or other book-themed accessories are also a fantastic choice. This way, whoever you’re buying the gift for will be able to carry with them a reminder of a story that they love. Shops on Etsy also often add the option to personalise or customise jewellery pieces and gifts – another great way to individualise the present and make it all the more unique.

Music Gift Guide

BETHANY YATES

I tend to find Christmas shopping a nearimpossible task - especially if the gift is for somebody who seems to already own everything they could ever want or need. However, one place that always has my back is Spillers Records, which can be found in the city centre’s Morgan Arcade. I think that this Christmas, everyone should take advantage of the fact that the world’s oldest record store is quite literally on our doorsteps. Whether you buy an album from the band who have been your dad’s favourite for the past 20 years, or

delve into the eclectic sea of vinyl’s and choose one at random to introduce someone to a new artist, I think that music is the perfect gift to show that you care. This isn’t the only record store in Cardiff, though, I recommend exploring all of the independent shops to support local businesses this year, especially in current difficult circumstances. Happy shopping! P.s. don’t leave it all until the last minute like I did last year.

RHIANNON FARR

This gift is on the pricier side, but if you purchase a good quality one it’ll last you for decades. The original mode of listening to recorded music, a record player is the perfect present for any music lover. Make sure to buy speakers if the one you choose doesn’t come with any!

A slightly cheaper option is buying vinyl copies of albums. Of course, the person you’re buying for will need to already own a record player, but any vinyl owner would love to expand their collection!

Vinyls come in a huge variety of genres and artists, so there is quite literally something for everyone – having a physical copy of your favourite album is unmatched for a music lover.

Merchandise/Tickets

Is your gift recipient a fan of a particular artist or group? Getting them some merchandise means giving them something to treasure forever and is a great memento even if they move on from that musician. Merchandise comes in a huge range of prices, so choose based on your budget: it’s perfect for a little Secret Santa present or an extravagant gift for a loved one.

If the person you’re buying for isn’t huge on merch, why not get them tickets for their favourite artist? Have a look at what musicians they like are touring in your area and surprise them with an experience they’ll never forget. Gig tickets can be expensive, but musicians playing in smaller, intimate venues tend to charge less than the hugely popular ones.

Download Gift Guide

RHIANNON FARR

Cleaning Kits

Trust me, any gamer (PC, console or otherwise) would definitelyneed a specialised cleaning kit for their electronics. Compressed air, microfibretowels and specialist screwdrivers are all vital for the upkeep of electronics: an excess of dust and/or grime will result in the device running slowly and eventually malfunctioning. Those graphics cards can’t clean themselves, so don’t let the high investment of a gaming device go to waste from a lack of maintenance!

Gift Cards

You can’t go wrong with getting a gift card for someone. It sounds like a massive copout but if you’re unsure what to get your tech-obsessed recipient, gift cards are always well appreciated. Gaming stores such as Steam, Nintendo eShop and the relevant shops for consoles all have the option for gift cards, but if they’re not much of a gamer then a gift card for a hardware site, Adobe or even Apple/Android will certainly do the job.

Design by Eleanor Byrne

Spotlight Gift Guide

Alanya Smith

Something Nice - Nature Walk

Although it may feel cheeky to plan a gift around something primarily free and seemingly obvious, planning a walk through a forest, beside a lake or even a miniature hike around your local area can be a great way to learn more about your partner. Stepping outside of metropolitan areas and reconnecting with nature can be beneficial for both your relationship romantically and mentally. Turning off your phone, carrying a flask of your favourite drink and maybe even taking a pet on the walk can put talking at the centre of the activity. What’s something they’re proud of accomplishing this year? What are they grateful for in the relationship? Do they have any new years resolutions to accomplish personally, professionally or romantically during 2023?

Asking simple questions to each other can help you create a clear headspace during a season which can be overwhelming and stressful at the best of times. It’s also key in checking in on each other’s emotional well-being, showing that you care and providing support if needed. If you don’t have a date, take a mate!

The winter holidays are a time for sharing love and laughter amongst all those close to you, so share the experience with anybody who you feel comfortable with.

Something Naughty - LoveHoney Advent Calendar

During the holidays, it’s important to dedicate time to you and your partner. In the hectic blur of Christmas parties, work doos and present wrapping, taking an effort to prioritise intimate time together can be imperative in keeping the merry attitude alive — in and out of the bedroom. There are many sex-positive advent calendars that are being sold this year, encouraging festivity in all parts of the season amongst partners or even just for yourself.

My personal recommendation is LoveHoney, which boasts a 20% discount to students registered with UniDays. It’s the perfect site for trying something new, with student-specific pages to teach you the ins and outs of whichever sex toy your heart desires, alongside student blogs discussing sexuality, relationships and body positivity. The excitement of opening each day in the advent calendar to a new product to try and expand your horizons with can be a prime opportunity to learn more about your’s and your partner’s likes and dislikes in the bedroom. With its sizeable student discount and holiday sales, LoveHoney can be an exciting and affordable option that doesn’t break the student bank account. Who knows, whilst shopping you may even findsomething to buy for yourself as a preholiday indulgence!

Bramley-Carr

DIY Pottery Painting

I always feel the best gifts are ones that involve shared experiences, simply because of how unique and special it becomes to the two of you. A great example of this is at home pottery painting. It’s a super fun date night activity that makes for a perfect gift for your loved one because it’s a creative and different way to spend time together. Not to mention you end up with lovely little pieces that you can keep your flowersin or use to decorate your bedroom! You can buy fully stocked gift sets online or assemble your own by buying some clay and paints (which will most likely work out a bit cheaper) and it’s guaranteed to be entertaining for both of you no matter your artistic ability. If you’re feeling especially romantic, you can always go for it by re-enacting the iconic Ghost scene and making a pot together. Whether you’re more Patrick Swayze or Demi Moore, this gift is always going to be a winner.

Jar of Hearts

Another great gift to give to a partner is a jar full of notes with things you love about them. Whilst initially this may feel cringey or uncomfortable, it’s a really sweet thing that can make your partner feel really appreciated and valued. This sort of gift is especially amazing for when they’re having a bad day or feeling down because they have a consistent reminder of your love. It can also help you to connect more as a couple because you both come to realise all the things you love about them, however small. This is great if you’re budget conscious as you can easily make it for under £5, but it’s still a valuable present because of the thought and care required. Make sure that they know exactly how special they are to you and that’ll be more appreciated than any number of pricier presents.

Design by: Eleanor Byrne

Dominic

Editor-in-Chief & Deputies Gift Guide

Words by Alexa Price

Sgen I’m Syniad - Snogs, Secs, a Sens gan Gwenllian Elis

Ar ôl darllen y llyfr ‘ma yn ddiweddar, dwi di ddod i’r farn mae hon ‘di un o’r llyfrau pwysicaf dwi di ddarllen ers troi yn ugain, a swni’n ei hargymell i bawb. Mae Gwenllian Elis yn neud job anhygoel orannu ei phrofiadau o dyfu lan yn ardal Pwllhel a thu hwnt, o symud i ffwrdd o adra’n ifanc, i bob peth cariadon a one night stands. I unrhyw un sydd yn stryglo efo’r harymchwel o fod yn eich 20s, neu efallai jesd yn angen easy read - hwn yw’r llyfr. Mae gan Gwenllian Elis steil ysgrifennu mor naturiol ac yn hynod o ddoniol, does dim amheuaeth y byddech chi yn gorffen y llyfr yma o fewn dyddiau, oni methu rhoi o lawr.

Slippers, Sliders, or Crocs

With student living conditions generally being known to be pretty grim, I can assure you that any pair of comfy shoes will not go to waste, and I’m speaking as one who has gone through 3 pairs of slippers during my time at University. Not only are they comfortable, but they let me avoid walking barefoot through student housingthough this was more of an issue in my first yea, because who wants to walk around University accommodation? Shared bathrooms and kitchens with up to 10 other people? Not for me… Nor my feet.

Words by Maddie Balcombe

Book an Experience

Whilst some people may feel as though buying a gift voucher or experience for somebody is a slight cop out, these are actually my favourite presents to both give and receive. The beauty of gifts like this is that you can completely tailor it to the person receiving it, and also to your budget requirements. Here are some suggestions of experiences to buy: Virgin Experience Days – From afternoon teas to skydives, day trips to comedy nights, the Virgin Experience Days website offers a plethora of gift vouchers for some incredible experiences. There really is something for everyone on sites like these, with prices ranging from less than £50 right up to over £500 depending on what you decide to book!Everyman Cinema Voucher –Located down at Cardiff Bay, the Everyman Cinema is a luxurious way to watch the latest blockbusters. You can sit back and relax on plush sofas and have food and drinks delivered straight to your seat whilst you’re watching the film. I received a gift card for the Everyman last Christmas and only just got around to using it. It was a great day out and an amazing experience for any film buff. Theatre Tickets – From the New Theatre to the Millennium Centre, Cardiff’s arts and culture scene is unmissable. Many great musicals, plays, comedy shows and live music gigs visit Cardiff each year, with most theatres in Cardiff offering discounted student tickets, so why not book some tickets this festive season?

Sunset Lamp

Although the festive season is a magical time, part of me can’t help but feel sad when the clocks turn back and it starts to get dark early. As university students, I’m sure you can all agree that there is no worse feeling than waking up when it is still dark, completing a full day of lectures and seminars, only to then return home once the sun has already set! That’s why, this year, a sunset lamp has earned itself a firm spot on my Christmas list. A sunset lamp is a small projector which shines various colours onto the wall, creating the warm and calming atmosphere that you get from golden hour. The lamps took TikTok by storm earlier this year, so they are guaranteed to be a must-have this Christmas! You can buy the lamps from a variety of different outlets, such as Etsy, Amazon, Urban Outfitters, The Range, and more. Depending on the style of lamp you chose, prices

range from £11 to £45.

Words by Molly Openshaw

Notebooks

Can you ever truly own too many notebooks? Never. It is a well-known fact that a notebook is always necessary, especially beautifully designed, clothbound, sprayed-edged notebooks. Special notebooks make the perfect gift because they are usually luxuries that a person would not think to purchase something for themself but also a useful and practical gift. Some of my favourite notebook companies are Paperblanks for their unique and fantastical designs as well as the suburb quality of their products, Papier also create lovely personalised notebooks and the classic Moleskine notebook is always a winner when it comes to gift giving! I think the secret to the perfect gift is always in the assembling of a well-thought-out theme, by this I mean that you pair a notebook with a few other items to suit the recipient of the gift! You could maybe pair the notebook with a patching pen for an aspiring writer, or with some coloured pencils for the creative or with a planner for the new student- the possibilities are endless. Notebooks are also relatively cheap, meaning they are a great gift on a budget!

Emma Bridgewater crockery and homeware

Maybe I am a little bit boring with my gift-giving taste, but I think an ideal gift is a quality piece of homeware. It is practical, it is pretty and it is personal! Buying somebody a Christmassy mug or festive blanket is the perfect way of celebrating the season in a sustainable and practical way that is sure to be appreciated by the recipient. I think that the epitome of classic, festive homeware is Emma Bridgewater with their traditional style and cute designs- it is difficult not to want a collection of their beautiful crockery. In terms of the perfect gift, Emma Bridgewater’s collection of hand-painted and decorated mugs are ideal for a Christmas present. Priced at around £16 for their smaller ½ pint mugs, these mugs are a perfect way to show your generosity and appreciation at Christmas time. Emma Bridgewater is also considered to be a sustainable brand with 100% recycled packaging and their clay coming directly from the ground in Cornwall.

Design by Alexa Price

Photography by Julian Tse

Photography by Julian Tse

Diolch o galon.