Style of the city Magazine by Style of the city Magazine

EDITOR’S LETTER

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Rosie Harris

DESIGNER & ART DIRECTOR

Catherine Smith

FASHION DIRECTOR

Karine Laudort

PHOTOGRAPHY

Justin Harris

EDITORIAL & COMMUNICATIONS

Good Vibes Only!

Angharad Thomas

Sounds cliché but it’s definitely our motto here at Style of the city, and with 2020 in full swing we are certain that this year will be a positive one. It was truly awful to hear the global news of sporting icon Kobe Bryant’s passing along with the other victims who lost their lives, a reminder that life really is short, to grab each day like it’s our last and to be grateful for the loved ones around us.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Sophie & Hannah Pycroft Yvonne Jones Tracey Holloway Polly James Luca Malacrino Stephen Truelove Saul David PUBLISHER

Marcar Media Ltd, Temple Court, 13A Cathedral Road, Cardiff. CF11 9HA.

Call: 02920 647640 ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES:

info@marcarmedia.com

GENERAL ENQUIRIES:

rosie@marcarmedia.com LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Style of the city Magazine does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the quality, accuracy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information, product or service represented within our magazine.

We welcome you then to our 11th issue and couldn’t be prouder to see gracing our cover Cardiff’s rising star Thaer Al-Shayei. Thaer is currently starring in Channel 4’s Baghdad Central after a monumental rise gaining Hollywood recognition from his first feature film Mosul. He shares with us his journey (P14) In this issue we cover beauty and aesthetics with our special guide (P49). Our fashion director Karine Laudort shares best looks this season. We are thrilled to have new parenting columnist Polly James join us (P20). ‘Polly’s Baby Blog’ will see us following Polly’s journey as she soon welcomes her new bundle of joy. ‘Cosmetics without compromise’ is the theme with our beauty columnists the Spectrum girls (P28) and wellness columnist Stephen Truelove helps those battling with guilt find clarity (P64,) plus lots more content to keep you our reader engaged We have lots of exciting things coming up in 2020 and look forward in more engagement with you our readers. Most importantly we hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together.

Rosie Harris

FOUNDER (EDITOR-IN-CHIEF)

www.styleofthecitymag.co.uk Instagram @styleofthecitymag Twitter @SOTCMag Facebook.com/styleofthecitymag

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CONTENTS

In this Issue

Out & About P44

WHAT’S ON All the events to keep the whole family entertained this New Year

P74

SOCIAL BUTTERFLIES Pictures, parties and events

Fashion & Shopping P10

DESIRABLE LIST Our ultimate top picks

P24

FASHION Our Spring must-haves

Features P14

P20

P36 P60

P71

THAER AL-SHAYEI Talks to Style of the City on breaking boundaries, Hollywood recognition and his new role on Channel 4’s Baghdad Central POLLY’S BABY BLOG Polly James, our brand new parenting columnist, shares first time mum essentials INTERIOR DESIGN How to revamp your home LUCA MALACRINO Our columnist shares motivation advice for 2020 BUSINESS Businesswoman Tracey Holloway shares her advice on motivation and organisation

Food & Travel P40

P41 P79

THE IVY CARDIFF The new restaurant at the heart of the city centre COOKING BYDEI Shelma Dei shares her stylish recipes THE ROYAL LANCASTER Experience luxury this Valentine’s Day in London

Beauty & Wellness P28

P49

P62 P64

THE SPECTRUM SISTERS Sophie and Hannah Pycroft share their new Vegan cosmetic range BEAUTY & AESTHETICS GUIDE Our definitive guide for invasive and non-invasive cosmetic procedures in Cardiff and the surrounding areas NUFFIELD HEALTH The hospital that makes a difference WHY DO I FEEL GUILTY ALL THE TIME? Mindset coach Stephen Truelove shares his advice on mental health wellbeing

The Motability Scheme – Enjoy worry free motoring in a brand new Volvo

• Up to two named drivers • Windscreen repair or replacement

he Motability Scheme has helped millions of people over the last couple of decades find hassle-free motoring and the freedom of a brand new car with minimal financial outlay, yet there are still millions of eligible people who qualify for the scheme yet don’t know they do. The scheme caters for a wide range of users such as those with physical disabilities, and also offers certain adaptations to the car at no extra cost. It is also growing ever popular and available to those with mental and cognitive conditions too providing they are receiving a qualifying benefit. Who can qualify? To be eligible to join the Motability Scheme, you need to receive one of the following mobility allowances and you must have at least 12 months’ award length remaining. Please note that the Attendance Allowance cannot be used to lease a car through the Scheme. • Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (HRMC DLA) As of 10 April 2019, this allowance is £61.20 per week. • Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (ERMC PIP) As of 08 April 2019, this allowance is £61.20 per week.

• War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS) As of 10 April 2019, this allowance is £68.35 per week. • Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) As of 10 April 2019, the mobility element of the allowance is £61.20 per week. Even if you can’t drive you can name up to 2 drivers such as a carer or family member to drive for you, giving you the freedom and enjoyment of a brand new hassle free car regardless of your situation. What does it include? After you have paid the initial Advance Payment for the car from your benefit allowance, each car is yours for 3 years and the following is always included in the price: • Car insurance, servicing and maintenance 60,000 mile allowance across the 3 year period • Full breakdown cover • Certain adaptations at no extra cost • Replacement tyres

At the end of the 3-year term you simply hand the car back and choose another one for the next 3 years. What car is available from Volvo on this scheme? At Volvo Cars Cardiff, we offer the multi-award winning XC40 on the scheme available in manual or automatic, starting from £899 Advance Payment. This stunning model has all the standard features you need for ultimate practicality, comfort and convenience. Control your entertainment and practical functions from the 9’’ centre console portrait touchscreen, which includes Sat Nav Pro, DAB radio and Bluetooth handsfree enabling you to stream music and take calls on the road. There’s also rear park assist, voice activated controls for key features and Volvo on Call with the app which is available should any road side assistance be needed. If you think you or someone you know might qualify for the Motability scheme, then visit us any time 7 days a week on Penarth Road, Cardiff or contact us on 02920 644 300 to book a test drive or consultation with one of our Motability specialists.

THE DESIRABLE LIST Plume Avenue duffle bag with wheels – in jet black The Lipault fashion house is embracing the trend for bi-materials with the launch of a resolutely urban collection: Plume Avenue. The duffle bag includes handles, wheels, bottom glides, side pockets and other external parts. £175 www.lipault.co.uk

Corella daybed sofa, velvet upholstered, dusky pink The Corella sofa bed will make a statement without taking over. With velvet upholstery, plush cushioning, and stylish tufting set between two solid sideboards you can sit, nap, and hang out in pure comfort. Delivery 7 to 10 working days. £799 www.sohohome.com

The

DESIRABLE List

Compiled by KARINE LAUDORT

Limited Edition – Aspen 4 Wick Candle

Aspen is a rich warm festive fragrance with sweet orange and tangerine zest enriched with an abundance of warm winter spices of cinnamon sticks, clove buds and fresh ginger, sitting on a warm, sensual base note of musk. 1000grms approx. Hand poured in the UK. High Performance Mineral Wax. High Fragrance. Height 144mm Width 220mm Depth 132mm. Presented in a luxury red gift box. £158 www.johnsonandwhitearomas.com

Kitchen Aid Artisan 4.8-Litre Tilt Head Stand Mixer

Versatile and easy to use: A single multipurpose attachment hub for a wide choice of optional attachments available. The stand mixer, as well as the bowls that come with it, are made from stainless steel. Hygienic, classy and ready for a long term use. £599.99 www.very.co.uk 10

THE DESIRABLE LIST Soho Home Houston Chandelier

Inspired by 1930s New York restaurants and used in the bedrooms at Soho House Chicago, this dramatic chandelier has nine opal glass globe shades and antique brass finish arms and fixtures. Requires 9 E14 light bulbs, maximum wattage: 25W. Use filament light bulbs for an orange glow or compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) for a pure white light. Found in the bedrooms at Soho House Chicago. Dimensions: H104cm x D91.5cm £1,250 www.sohohome.com

Palm Tree Floor Lamp

Handmade in Egypt Key features: On/off switch on cable. H165 x D77cm. Base D30cm. With echoes of the Jazz Age, this handmade brass Palm Tree Floor Lamp will bring exoticism to your décor. The curvaceous stand topped with big palm fronds is a real statement piece which brings to mind the decadence of the roaring 20’s.

£1,025

www.audenza.com

White Gold Diamond Stud Earrings

These earrings feature a luxurious 18 carat white gold construct, with diamond accents and butterfly fasteners. £599.99 www.tkmaxx.com

Star by Julien Macdonald Multi Squared Mirror

This mirror from our exclusive Star by Julien Macdonald range will elevate your home. Made from glass, it has a multi square design and will add a dose of contemporary appeal to lift living spaces. £80 www.debenhams.com 11

Quan Quadro Small Wood Fired BBQ in Carbon

Part of the standard collection, experience al fresco dining at it’s best with the Quan Quadro Small Wood Fired BBQ. Featuring a fire pit at the centre, surrounded by a tempered steel top plate, enjoy ‘Teppanyaki’ style cuisine. Carefully designed and engineered, the top plate can reach temperatures of up to 400ºC, with an innovative airflow system that allows you to easily control the temperature of your barbecue grill. From meat and fish to fresh vegetables and fruit, experiment with your flavours and tuck into wood-fired dishes with family and friends!

£690

www.cuckooland.com

LAINGS

An Adventure of a Lifetime with Laings –

BUYING AN ENGAGEMENT RING

uxury jewellers, Laings, are celebrating all of your adventures that are to come in 2020. Choosing an engagement ring is one of the biggest adventures that you can embark on and marks the next step on your journey together – maybe this will be your year and Laings will be with you every step of the way. Here they share some top tips for you to think about… FIRST THINGS FIRST One of the first decisions that you should make is what colour of metal you would like, as each have their own unique characteristics. Laings have a huge array of glittering rings, but the main metals tend to be – yellow gold, rose gold and platinum. Yellow gold is firmly back in fashion. It has a classic and timeless feel with a warm glow that gives the ring a truly indulgent look. Rose gold has a subtle pink hue to it. Its soft blush makes it a really feminine and romantic choice, with a stylish and unique feel. Platinum is still a really popular choice

when it comes to engagement rings. It has a sophisticated look, that’s polished and refined. Its undeniable sheen really captures the brilliance of diamonds, truly allowing them to sparkle. THE PERFECT DIAMOND FOR YOU Diamonds come in all different shapes and choosing what cut you would like is step number two. Laings diamonds are available in a range of different cuts, each chosen for their own distinct brilliance. The Round Brilliant cut is one of the most popular, with its 58 facets offering a fire and sparkle that’s hard to miss. However, if you’re looking for something to standout the marquise cut has a dramatic and glamourous feel to it, whilst a rectangular emerald cut stone can create an art deco and vintage feel. A STYLE THAT SUITS YOU Finally you should look at what style of engagement ring you like. Whilst Laings have an exquisite selection of engagement rings, each with their own elegant details, the most popular styles tend to be – the solitaire, the trilogy and the halo ring. A solitaire engagement ring is a true

classic. Showcasing a singular diamond it’s the world’s most iconic symbol of love and beautifully represents ‘the one’. The trilogy, three stones set together, is also a really romantic choice. The three stones represent your past, present and future together as a couple, marking every step of your journey. A halo ring is a glamourous choice. It features a ring of smaller diamonds framing a centre stone, creating a dazzling ring with an eye-catching style. ALWAYS BUY FROM AN ESTABLISHED JEWELLER Buying from an established and responsible jeweller, like Laings, can give you peace of mind that you’re receiving only the best quality of product. They have 180 years of experience and really understand diamonds. Laings – St David’s, 27 The Hayes, Cardiff, CF10 1GA 02920 660 890 Laingsuk.com

THE INTERVIEW

Cardiff ’s rising star

THAERAL-SHAYEI

Talks exclusively to us on breaking boundaries, Hollywood recognition and his new role on Channel 4’s Baghdad Central

Wo r d s b y R O S I E H A R R I S haer Al-Shayei is Cardiff’s up and coming actor, who was cast in a first of its kind Arabic Hollywood movie, Mosul. He is currently best known for his role on Channel 4’s Baghdad Central, which aired on Monday 3rd of February 2020.

Born in Basra, Iraq, Thaer Al-Shayei moved

to Wales with his family at three-years-old, where he spent his childhood in St Mellons. The rising star continues to give back to his community by being an ambassador for a local charity that aims to support the youth of our city. Thaer has worked with the National Theatre of Wales, and he has written and produced a series of short films. He’s continuously recognised for his talent, and won the Rising

Star award at Cardiff ’s International Film Festival in 2019. Down to earth and exuding positive energy, Thaer Al- Shayei’s charisma was palpable as I interviewed him at the Style of the City office. It was clear that acting is his one true passion and his sense of authenticity makes

Continued on Page 16

THE INTERVIEW Continued from Page 14 his star quality shine that much brighter. Thaer Al-Shayei talks exclusively to Style of the City on breaking boundaries, Hollywood recognition and his new role on Channel 4’s Baghdad Central. Tell us about some of your earliest memories of growing up in Iraq? Well, my earliest memories are of living here (in Wales), as I was born in Iraq in 1981 and moved to Wales in 1983 and I’ve been here ever since. Have you always been interested in acting? Always, I think I had the energy when I was younger and I knew I had to channel my energy into something where there had to be a stage. What was it about acting that inspired you to peruse it as a career? Once I tasted being on set about 20 years ago, when I was in a film called Mindblowing, I played a street thug called

Jewels. Once I saw the attention you get from playing a character with lines and a name, I was like this is me, this is my job. Tell us about your time on set in the Hollywood directed film Mosul? Mosul was based on an article by The New

Yorker in 2014. I did a self-tape and a week later I went to meet the award-winning writer Matthew Michael Carnahan, who wrote and directed Mosul, as well as Deep Water Horizon and World War Z. Twelve days later he gave me the role, and then I moved to Morocco for three months to train with Tiger Swan. This was the first Hollywood film in Arabic with English subtitles. Off the back of this film, I then had an audition for Baghdad Central. Tell us about Baghdad Central? Baghdad Central is a six-part thriller series on Channel 4, set during the Iraq war in 2003. The series tells the story of an Iraqi ex-policeman named Muhsin al-Khafaji, who is desperately trying to keep his daughter safe. My role is Omar, who is the bodyguard for Professor Zubeida Rashid. Working on Baghdad Central was an amazing feeling, as I’m originally from Iraq and got to speak the language. I loved working with the lead director and executive producer Alice Troughton. Alice had unbelievable vision and energy on set, it was like she lived and understood Iraq and she was able to bring the best out of the actors. Do you feel a responsibility to give back to your Iraqi community now that you’re on this platform? Yes, I’m representing my people, and I’m on this platform because I’m Iraqi. I can’t represent them in any Olympic games or international sport, but I am able to represent my country in a film. Does being a father help you with your acting career? Being a father definitely helps me in some of my roles. My son is Autistic, so I always use my son as my drive in my acting career. When I got offered the role of Omar in Baghdad Central, I related to it because the plot of the series is a love story between a father and daughter. It related to me personally because of the relationship I have with my son. As an ambassador of The Gloves Are On charity, what message do you try to

convey to the youth of Cardiff? Being an ambassador for The Gloves Are On is to help younger people to achieve their dreams. Young people are full of self-doubt and need encouragement to be able to go for what they want to achieve. However, I find that a lot of youngsters don’t know what they want to do as a career when you ask them; whereas, my generation had more of a plan, e.g. Joey (Joseph Cordina) wanted to be a boxer, I wanted to be an actor etc, but I understand the world is changing with social media, which plays a big part. I want to inspire the younger generation and my role as an ambassador will hopefully allow me to do this. What actor would you ideally like to work with in the future? I would like to work with Leonardo DiCaprio because of all the different roles he’s played and I would love to work with Meryl Streep.

dedicate yourself and never give up. Don’t take no for an answer, knock doors, and if you fall get up and keep moving forward. Within this industry and community, mental health is a concern. Did you come across any mental health issues, and if so, how did you overcome them? It’s definitely hard with constant rejection

from auditions, you start to think to yourself, ‘what are you doing? You’re wasting your time and money’. It came to a point where I didn’t want to look at my reflection whilst travelling on the train to auditions. But, the only person in your way is you. You’ve got to keep pushing through the barriers and keep believing in yourself.

QUICK FIRE QUESTIONS How would you describe your style?

Funky, my style is definitely out there. I always wear a Fedora Hat if I’m going somewhere special.

What are you currently reading?

Build and Become, they are a series of books that highlight topical life issues.

What are you currently listening to? Old classics, like Queen.

What’s your philosophy to live by? Never give up!

What would you say to a young Thaer? I would tell him to believe in yourself,

POLLY’S BABY BLOG

First time mum essentials

’m going to be a new first time mum in February 2020 to a little girl. I’m excited to embrace this new chapter more than anything, but getting prepared is super daunting.

I want what is best for my baby, like every Mum, but what I’ve realised the most since I’ve been pregnant is that every opinion, every ‘fact’ contradicts the next. I’m prepared to learn on the job and to remember that nothing is the same for every family. I’m taking advice, but ultimately I’m going to do what is best for me and hope my maternal instincts kick in fast when she arrives. What do I need though? What are the essential items? Moses basket or side sleeper? Is this recommended by the midwife? What brand do I get? These questions are the most overwhelming for me and that’s why I booked myself a 2 hour mum-to-be advice appointment at John Lewis in St David’s. It’s free, it’s no pressure and now writing this after the appointment, I feel it was the start of a great

relationship from bump to birth and beyond. A good place to start (even though I could have dropped every cool baby product in my basket) we focused on feeding and sleeping.

I remember when I announced I was pregnant, people thought it was an actual prank. I’m probably not going to be the most traditional Mum, but I’m happy to be that offbeat, unconventional Mummy and give you a real insight into parenting, as I stumble my way through motherhood and try to find my own vibe. Enjoy x

I will try my hardest to breast feed but I’ve heard it’s the most challenging bit and I’m not going to break my back over it if it doesn’t happen for me. I know plenty of Mums who bottle feed and have the happiest and healthiest of babies. I am determined to give my baby breast milk for the first two weeks for all the lovely natural nutrients from me. My motto will be ‘survive, not thrive, just get through it’ and I figured I would need an assistant to help out on the days when it gets too much and that’s why I’m definitely going to be expressing. My main thing was ease and then a pump that would express comfortably and efficiently! No fuss needed and why not have the best help during a tough job? I went for the Medela Freestyle flex.

If it’s not the breast feeding which causes you stress, its settling your little one. A baby rocker is intended for nap time obviously, and I want my baby to sleep or just be calm, wishful thinking I know. I’ve heard the rocking and swaying movements reminds babies of their time in the womb. Keeping my little girl close and developing a strong bond whilst keeping my hands free is going to be priceless which is why a must have for me is a baby carrier. Even when doing my chores in the house to have that closeness will be lush. And for that soothing and calming affect for your baby, I feel a rocker is a must as well. The 4Moms MamaRoo rocker is just revolutionary! My

POLLY’S COLUMN

Mum friends said this was a lifesaver. It actually replicates a parents natural motions. Bouncing up and down and swaying from side to side, just like parents do when comforting their baby. I was probably sold on the fact you can control it via Bluetooth so you can change the motion, sound, speed and volume from your phone without disturbing baby! Bliss! Bedtime (if there is such a thing for a newborn) was next on my agenda. Although the baby will be in my bedroom for first 6 months, I wasn’t keen on her being next to me by my bed but I did want the option just

in case. I think my mum friends have drilled into me that it’s important for the baby to be independent so they aren’t too attached.

cushion as well. If she doesn’t settle well in the carrier, rocker or the Snuz, this should do the trick.

Without sounding super cold, I’m determined not to make a rod for my back and get the baby in a routine pretty quickly, the fact she will be right next to me in a side sleeper is too tempting to just cuddle her all night. As advised by the John Lewis staff when I was completely confused of what to get, they said the Snuz Pod acts as a cosleeper/beside crib, a bassinet, and a standalone moses basket all in one. The best of both worlds. When I cave in for cuddles, she can be next to me with a zip-down wall for easy access during the night and I have to admit I was slightly bought on the fact that the Snuzpod 3 Luna has a dark/almost black frame and I’ve been a bit obsessed with black furniture for the nursery.

There is something so wild about picturing your actual baby, whatever they will look like, so tiny in a car seat or crib. Even though I’ve given you my list of what I’m getting and I’ve read through every review and safety concern, the greatest one piece of advice I’ve had is that your baby just needs to be loved! Nothing is bad for the baby unless you neglect it and don’t feed it. Sounds simple, doesn’t it?

And on that note, safety first obviously, comfort and durability next then your colour scheme when picking a sleeping and travel system for your baby. Even though I was hellbent on a black on black car seat, I did find one! The Mercury l-size car seat from Welsh suppliers Ickle bubba which includes a memory foam newborn insert and headrest

Well, here goes… wish me luck!

FASHION Shirt - £16 f&f Dress - £55 oasis J by Jasper Conran £28 debenhams Dress - £179 hobbs

Pullover - £85 betty&co

Skirt - £18.99 lauraashley Top - £18.99 mandco

Dress - £32 glamorous

POLKA DOTS

Dress - £45 joebrowns

A classic which will never go out of fashion If you like patterns, this will be the way to go Blouse - £27.99 bonprix

Compiled by KARINE LAUDORT Fa s h i o n D i r e c t o r

Top - £40 joebrowns

Swimsuit - £40 swimwear365 Shirt Dress - £69.99 tkmaxx

Body Suit - £42 dancingleopard

Dress - £75 oliverbonas

Dress - £69 sosandar

Dress - £95 bettybarclay Sunglasses - £70 visionexpress

FASHION Ski Jacket -£49.99 newlook

Trousers - £30 simplybe

Jumper - £19.99 bonprix

Coat - £79.99 m&co

Swimsuit - £16 f&f

Shoes - £19.99 deichmannuk

Shoes - £120 dunelondon

BUTTERCUP YELLOW

Bright colour not to be missed this spring Warm, loud and proud, yellow will draw the eye in and brighten any of your outfits Compiled by KARINE LAUDORT Fa s h i o n D i r e c t o r

Dress - £30 lipsy

Jacket - £249 sosandar

Jumper - £45 joebrowns

Sweatshirt - £39.50 oliverbonas

Dress - £22 f&f Mac - £18 tuclothing

Stilettoes - £16.99 tkmaxx Coat - £90 oasis Mules - £16.50 georgeatasda

Geometric Midi Skirt £29.99 bonprix

Lurex Skirt £39 elvi

Sunray Pleat Skirt £35 jdwilliams

PLEATED SKIRTS Floral Pleat Skirt £28 bonmarche

Hottest trend and biggest return in fashion this season, pleated skirts can a big staple statement in your outfit if you are not afraid to play with colours and patterns Compiled by KARINE LAUDORT Fa s h i o n D i r e c t o r

Pleat Midi Skirt £16 georgeatasda

Soft Pleat Skirt £90 purecollection

Glamorous Pleat Skirt £40 joebrowns

FASHION

Blazer - £95 joebrowns

Overshirt - £22 tuclothing

Jacket - £55 romanoriginals

Scarf - £18 lipsy

Jacket - £60 riverisland Jacket - £45 tuclothing Overcoat - £39 matalan

MENS FASHION Compiled by KARINE LAUDORT Fa s h i o n D i r e c t o r Waistcoat - £69.95 whitestuff

Shirt - £15 matalan

Watch - €307 harveynorman

Scarf - £120 purecollection

Jacket & Waistcoat - €139.99 tkmaxxireland Shoes - £100 dunelondon

Jacket - £85 topman

SPECTRUM

GOING VEGAN

Beauty routines without compromise

his has not just been the start of a new year, but a new decade which sounds pretty daunting, but if anything warrants a couple of tweaks to your beauty routine at the very least. January or Veganuary was a hot topic and while a whole new diet is a step too far for most, you can easily switch out a few of your beauty products for vegan ones without compromising on quality or price, and of course this also provides the perfect excuse to bypass the January blues and pick up a couple of well-deserved treats.

Sophie and Hannah Pycroft are the sisters behind the incredibly successful Spectrum Collections, the fabulous makeup brush brand taking the world by storm. Launching their brand from their garage in Wales, Spectrum Collections has grown at an incredible rate, their brushes are loved by countless celebrities, and have been called the “World’s most Instagrammable.” In their exclusive column for Style of the City the sisters will be sharing their beauty and makeup advice as well as highlighting some of their must-have Spectrum Collections brushes.

We have to admit that adopting a vegan beauty routine is one of those things that takes time, if you have your go-to products you really don’t want to waste time and money on testing vegan alternatives, but that has been part of our job for the last couple of years while we’ve been developing our own range of vegan cosmetics. It hasn’t been easy but it’s definitely been worth it, we’ve found some new favourites that we wanted to share with you. Vegan cosmetics are not hard to find, but

BEAUTY

it’s sussing out which ones are good enough quality to swap in to enhance your makeup bag. We love Charlotte Tilbury light wonder foundation. It has a vegan formula which basically means no animal by-products or ingredients. It gives a fairly sheer finish so for additional coverage where we need it, we use Urban Decay weightless complete coverage concealer in a slightly lighter shade, to disguise tired eyes!

For blush and bronzer we opt for PixiGlow Cake, a product which has an ombre effect and tones to suit a contour under the cheekbone and a pop of colour on the apples, so a bit of a two in one find, we like to keep things simple when we can. We also cut corners most days and use our A05 brush to apply both bronzer and blush, it helps the two blend together for a more seamless finish.

The key ingredient in colour cosmetics to look out for is ‘Carmine’ which is crushed beetles. This animal derived natural ingredient is what gives pinks, reds, oranges and purples their tone, so best to avoid as it is quite common but there are very many alternatives.

Mascara has been a real challenge, most of the good ones are tested on animals and contain beeswax. We just had to develop our own because we could not find one we loved. Finally we have one, our Dark Matter mascara is now the one product we cannot bear to be without, and it’s super affordable,

definitely worth a try. So maybe you can’t manage the gym every day, or the thought of reading the label on everything you eat just sounds too complicated, just try swapping one product in your makeup bag and you may find a new fave.

Follow the sisters: @spectrumsophie @hpycroft

THE GLOW CLINIC

A leading skincare clinic in the heart of Dinas Powys

ictoria Gillespie, the founder of The Glow Clinic, has a passion for skin therapies and result driven treatments. She has undergone extensive training to ensure her patients receive the best luxury treatment. All the products and treatments available have been carefully chosen for the Clinic. The Glow Clinic is based in Dinas Powys, within Victoria’s breath-taking home, which is discreet with ample parking facilities. The clinic offers Dermaplaning, Microdermabrasion and AlumierMD Chemical Peels. The clinic also has a highly skilled Aesthetic Nurse offering the very best Botox and fillers, with more exiting treatments coming soon. The Glow Clinic will make sure you leave glowing and with the knowledge of how to look after your skin. The medical grade professional products and home skin care line used is AlumierMD. AlumierMD is a multifaceted, results orientated medical skin care brand. The skincare line is designed to meet each individual’s needs for optimal results. With over 100 years of combined skincare experience, they have created science-based products, in luxurious formulations, that work to reveal more radiant and luminous skin. As a full range medical skincare line, AlumierMD is exclusively available through skincare professionals. The Glow Clinic have the privilege of being able to supply AlumierMD treatments for all skin types and conditions. All products are free from parabens, phthalates, sulphates, petrolatum, artificial fragrances and dyes. The products are not tested on animals and are packed in recyclable packaging. Also, each AlumierMD products are designed to work effectively with each other. At the Glow Clinic, we welcome anyone who would like a complimentary

Style of the City Magazine readers can get

£10 OFF their choice of treatment quoting

GLOWGANG when booking

consultation to discuss their needs, with no obligation to purchase or book. Contact us at 07595973828 or follow us on Instagram to see our work and latest offers @TheGlowClinic and website at www. theglowclinic.wixsite.com/glowgang

MEGAN MARIA MAKEUP

Glam night out in London or mini-break with the girls? Look no further than Megan Maria Makeup, the mobile makeup artist you have to try! Megan’s favourite looks My favourite looks to do tend to be on private clients. I do more shoots than private clients so whenever I get the chance to do a full face of heavy glam I get very excited.

Megan Maria Makeup is a 21-year-old Makeup Artist from London. Her career began at the age of 17 when she realised her true love for makeup artistry. From a young age she would do her older sisters makeup whenever she would go out. She then started practicing on herself and a few of her friends. When she turned 18, she decided to join a makeup course in Central London to gain some professional skills. After that, she started working for a few different high-end makeup brands. Working on a counter made her realise that she was much happier working for herself, so she made the decision to go freelance.

My favourite look to do is a bronze eye with a bronzed, glowing skin to match. I find this to be the most versatile look that looks amazing on every skin tone. I think it’s super important to have a signature look that you’ve perfected that you can always go to when working on a client, as long as you know how to adjust the technique to the person this will help you to become more efficient and consume less time. I’m known for always doing/having a flawless base. If I can give one top tip to creating a smooth base, is always use a facial oil! No matter the skin type, even if they’re oily, use an oil! It helps your cream products sit so much better on the skin and I think it helps the powders almost stick and melt into the skin. How to be successful in this industry? It can be very competitive in this industry, but my advice would be to learn how to market yourself as a person. I am my brand and my personality is what makes me unique and stand out from others. In this industry a

Since doing so, she has worked with the global sensation Giggs, the Independent Newspaper and the Evening Standard newspaper, as well as having worked on numerous music videos and TV commercials. lot of the time it has nothing to do with your talent and more to do with who you are and who you know.

Network, network, network!

might be able to help your career in the future is key. Get to know as many other makeup artists, photographers, stylists and creative directors as possible.

Building great relationships with other creatives in this industry is extremely important as a lot of positions are filled through recommendations. I can say a lot of bookings I’ve had have been through recommendations.

In this industry being a nice person honestly gets you a very long way, I’ve worked on set with other MUAs that probably weren’t that talented but having the right connections and attitude is key.

Creating friendships with individuals that

Instagram @meganmariamakeup

Last chance to buy at Redrow’s Tinkinswood Green development

There are just three homes remaining at Redrow’s popular Tinkinswood Green development in St Nicholas, Cardiff. The site, which has proved extremely popular since its launch in 2017, has now seen over 97% of its properties sold. Set in the heart of the beautiful South Welsh countryside, the development boasts 100 three- and four-bedroom homes on the outskirts of the rural village of St Nicholas. With a primary school just over five minutes’ walk away and a short drive from the highly desirable town of Cowbridge, named as the Sunday Times best place to live in Wales in 2017, the development has been a hit with families, couples, professionals and retirees alike. Available properties include The Oxford Lifestyle, a generously proportioned detached home boasting three en-suite bedrooms, an integrated single garage and a substantial kitchen/dining room opening out onto the garden. Priced at £434,995, with flooring throughout and a stunning lighting package included.

The Cambridge, available at £448,995, is a four-bedroom house designed with practicality and style in equal measure. The property is filled with all of the latest features that the modern family could need, while the contemporary, elegant interiors mean that homeowners can enjoy a luxurious living. Meanwhile, The Shaftesbury, at £450,995, features four spacious bedrooms, with the master boasting an en-suite for increased convenience. Downstairs, the property comprises an expansive kitchen/dining and living area to put family time at the forefront of the living experience. Resident at the development and homeowner Lydia Knox has been living in her Redrow home since November 2018. “We love Tinkinswood Green - it is a smaller development which we feel makes it very personable. All the houses are beautifully presented with a traditional looking front that makes it feel like you are walking into an established home. “Everyone is really friendly and it’s also in

a very beautiful and quiet location that’s not too far off the beaten track with good links to Cardiff.” Kate Lacey, area sales manager at Redrow South Wales, said: “The Tinkinswood Green development has proved very popular amongst homebuyers, so we are not surprised that there are only three properties remaining. “The Heritage homes are perfectly designed to maximise space and combine comfort and style with convenience. People interested in buying at the site should move fast as these homes won’t stay on the market for long.” These last few homes at Tinkinswood Green are how being sold from the nearby Parc Plymouth development. For more information about the site, please call 01446 474228 or visit: https://www.redrow.co.uk/ developments/tinkinswood-green.

INTERIOR DESIGN

First impressions do count!

ur homes are, of course, very personal to us and, in many ways, are a representation of our style.

We all love to show off our homes; they are great platforms for creativity and design and for demonstrating our personal aesthetics. There’s nothing more intimate about being in someone’s home because you get to know more about them. We all lead busy lives these days with long hours, stressful jobs and the unending stream of social and work events. Because of this pressure on our time the hours we spend at home are a lot more valuable, which is why home entertaining is on the rise. I have refurbished this farmhouse recently. The clients entertain at home and this formal drawing room needed to exude timeless elegance. They are worldwide travellers so are used to staying in luxury environments. The hand made central

Interior design columnist Yvonne Jones has over 30 years of experience in interior design, having trained at the Royal College of Art and is founder of ‘Chameleon Interiors’ based in Pontcanna Cardiff. Yvonne regularly works for clients in London, Monaco, Italy and Spain. Her intricate eye for detail and design has seen her stay a consistent and trusted figure. light fitting is a stand alone show stopper! The oversized convex mirror exaggerates it’s impact and large scale, hand finished

Chinese pots enhance the drama. What ideas can you steal from this room? The first thing is being selective with a few dramatic items to create interest. Always remember less is more. Do not over clutter; think refinement and longevity of style and design. If you are paying a lot of money for something it needs to last and last and look good for many years.

HIGHLANDS PENARTH

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS The Highland’s Penarth development on Old Barry Road, Penarth CF64 2NR, is setting a new standard of luxury living

o expense has been spared in their construction, with the developer using high quality, traditional construction methods. The main contractor of the development is Delta Construction, whose managing director Kevin Ireland a fellow Penarthien, is on the board of directors for the Federation of Master Builders.

development. We have hired many skilled tradespeople from Penarth and South Wales and have also used many local businesses in the supply of the luxury internal finishes. I am extremely proud to be offering a once in a lifetime opportunity for residents to live in an exquisite home in Penarth which has exceptional amenities close by. This development has captured my heart and I am excited for the first residents to move in Spring 2020’

The Highlands Comprises of eight new four and five bedroom properties, with unique panoramic views across Cardiff Bay and The Vale of Glamorgan, with only 3 home remaining.

Highlands Penarth are looking to hold its final open weekend on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th January 2020 11am-4pm- no appointment required!

The houses replace a derelict, structurally unsound mansion which could not have been restored as all of the original features had been removed by a previous project

decades ago. Nevertheless, the existing mature landscaped boundaries have been maintained which makes the new properties very private and fully respect the privacy of the neighbouring properties. The houses benefit from a prime location, close to rail links and within minutes of access to the M4 corridor, also within walking distance to Penarth Town centre, Cardiff Bay and under 2 miles to Cardiff City Centre. With only 3 plots remaining on the development, Lewis Edmunds, Developer of The Highlands said ‘as a local resident for 8 years, I have been delighted by the way we have been able to enhance the local environment and community with this

To arrange a viewing contact Stephanie on 07969 495520 or email marketing@ highlandspenarth.co.uk Follow us on Instagram for the latest events and updates Penarthhighlands

CASTLE FINE ART

Pascale Taurua Pour le Plaisir

napologetically emotional and feminist, Pascale Taurua flips the traditional roles of art and fashion to convey messages of empowerment, strength and sexuality in her work, which explores the complexities of life as a 21st century woman. Translated as ‘for pleasure’, the body of work sees the French painter explore the symbolism of the mask in modern society. The artist, known for her edgy and progressive figurative style, has built upon her usual bold aesthetic for her latest limited edition pieces, which she has embellished with gold leaf, conferring to them a unique sense of elegance and adding a new dimension to the pieces. The creation of the portraits took a considerable amount of time, usually requiring the artist to revisit each one several times. Pascale says: “I start each creation by drawing several faces, all of which correspond to a particular facial

ART BY PASCALE TAURUA

expression. This part is the most timeconsuming and complicated because to choose between them is difficult; I have to really feel the sentiment of the idea to take pleasure in painting it. Once I have made my selection, I sketch in pencil, charcoal or oil. When I feel satisfied with the general form, I begin to paint with oils and then finish with the golden mask, which I apply with glue, one piece of gold leaf at a time.” There’s more to these pieces than first meets the eye, as the artist prides herself on the emotion she puts behind each piece. She says: “The idea for the gold leaf masks first came to me about two years ago. My son, Thomas Amaru, is a stylist and I saw him using gold on his men’s jackets and liked it a lot. “The masks reflect the fact that in society we cannot be ourselves because there are codes to respect. I wanted to explore the idea that the face we are wearing is already a mask – a façade – and materialised this with a gold leaf mask that each portrait hides behind. Knowing that a large part of the expression of the face is created with

the eyes and the eyebrows, while the mouth stays relatively neutral, I thought how better to deny people access to our vulnerability than to hide behind a mask.” For more information about artwork by

Pascale Taurua, visit Castle Fine Art in Grand Arcade, St David’s Dewi Sant or contact the gallery on 02922 130 100 cardiff@castlefineart.com

The Ivy Cardiff

he Ivy Cardiff has become the most popular fine dining experience in the city centre. The new restaurant is an all-day British brasserie with an all-encompassing menu serving modern British and international Ivy-inspired classics from dawn until dusk, seven days a week. The venue is vibrant with colourful patterns throughout each room. The Ivy Cardiff has a phenomenal layout, yet still has an intimate fine-dining setting and an exotic feel with large plants covering each service. After a busy week at the office, we at Style

of the City couldn’t think of anything better than indulging in exquisite food and cocktails at the most talked-about restaurant to visit in Cardiff.

reserving, making the perfect setting for residents, businesses and shoppers who are looking for an ideal destination to relax and unwind.

The menu There are plenty of options to indulge in at The Ivy, as their large menus cater for everyone from brunch to a la carte.

The Ivy Cardiff offers residents, businesses and shoppers a relaxed yet sophisticated dining experience in the heart of the city centre.

The starter menu includes the classic prawn cocktail (£9.95), Yellowfin tuna carpaccio (£9.95), Seared Atlantic scallops (£12.50) to name a few. The main menu offers dishes such as Keralan sweet potato curry (£14.50), a selection of stakes (starting at £15.95) to the classic Fish & chips (£15.50). Finally, desserts… where to start? From the traditional Apple tart (£8.50) to a tasty Melted banana ice cream (£7.50), you are spoilt for choice.

Location: The Ivy Cardiff, 69/70 St David’s, Cardiff, CF10 1GA

There are plenty of options for vegetarians and vegans too, as they supply a separate menu which lists many suitable choices. The bar As well as the main restaurant and central bar situated on the ground floor, the first floor of The Ivy Cardiff boasts a large showstopping onyx bar, adorned with striking interiors and fabrics. Located under the stunning central blossom tree is a limited number of drinking tables available for

For more information visit theivycardiff. com. Bookings can be made by calling 02922 338 940, or online theivycardiff. com.

COOKING BYDEI Hey Guys, My name is Shelma Dei, my love of food stems from my childhood & also being rather fussy when it comes to food. My parents enjoyed cooking at home as a child especially my father who would bring home to the kitchen exotic foods such as rabbits and snails . My father would produce amazing results from these ingredients, as a child snails seemed yucky but thanks to my father I learned to love them and learned to use my imagination on how to create lovely dishes. I am very passionate about food & love to create dishes that spring into my mind . I love to experiment with different ingredients often things you wouldn’t think to put together. I enjoy eating out & also I adore fashion. Overall I am a creative that wants to bring fresh new ideas into the universe. My aims are to create a cooking book & also to create food products that can be sourced from the best supermarkets/ stores. I have recently created a food page called Cooking ByDei where some of my latest recipes & also food posts can be viewed and recreated.

Good food rocks.

@cookingbydei

COOKING BYDEI How to impress your dinner guests? Shelma Dei shares her stylish recipes that are perfect for every occasion.

Clams & Linguini with Saffron Serves 4 1lb of linguini 6 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil ½ cup finely chopped shallots, from 2 shallots 6 cloves of garlic, coarsely chopped 1 cup of dry white wine ½ tspn red pepper lakes 2lb Littleneck clams (40 to 45), scrubbed ½ teaspoon of saffron threads 4 tbsp of vegetable stock broth ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons of fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped 3 tbsp unsalted Method Boil pasta according to package direction in lightly salted water with a drop of olive oil until al dente, about 8 minutes. Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water. In the meantime, butter in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes and cook about 1- 2 minutes or until the garlic gives off a strong aroma. Add white wine and cook until the liquid starts to boil, then add clams to the pan.

Cook over medium heat until all clams open wide. When the pasta has been drained, add to pan with clams and sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes more. Add a small amount of the pasta water with vegetable & tock broth to the white wine garlic sauce and mix well before removing from heat. Add salt and pepper to taste and fresh parsley, stirring to combine and then serve immediately with a fresh squeeze of lemon. Finally, garnish again with parsley.

1-2 cups of fresh figs, halved (peaches, berries or cherries can be substituted) 40g chopped pistachios, toasted (optional) Method To prepare the crust: Whisk together the brown sugar, digestive biscuits crumbs and slat in a medium sized bowl. Add melted butter and stir until well combined. Press the crumbs into the bottom and sides of a 9-10” tart pan with a removable bottom. Place in the fridge to chill. To prepare the filling: In a large bowl, beat the mascarpone cheese on medium speed until creamed and no large lumps remain. Be sure the cheese has come to room temperature or you will have a clumpy filling. Add the brown sugar and beat to combine, for about 30 second. Add in the honey slowly with the mixer on low.

Honey Mascarpone with Figs & Pistachio No-Bake Cheesecake For the crust: 1/3 cups (70g) brown sugar, packed 2 cups (200g) graham cracker crumbs ¾ tspn salt 7 tbsp (100g) unsalted butter, melted For the filling: 8 ounces (230g) mascarpone cheese 3 tbsp brown sugar 3 tbsp honey 1 cup plus 1/3 cup (320ml) heavy whipped cream

Scrape the sides of the bowl and beat for an additional 30 seconds to ensure everything is well combined. In a separate bowl, beat 1 cup of the heavy cream on medium low speed until it gets frothy. Increase the speed and beat until stiff peaks form. Fold about half of the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture. Add the remaining half and fold to combine. Spread the filling into the prepared tart crust and allow to chill in the fridge for several hours to firm up. Once ready to serve, garnish the tart or each slice with figs, pistachios, and an extra drizzle of honey, if desired.

FUTURE INNS

Discover a local culinary gem

hat is Welsh food? There is so much more to our local produce than lamb, leeks, and rarebit. Of course, these are on the menu alongside the familiar sweet treats of bara brith and Welsh cakes. Still, other incredible ingredients are filling the dishes on the Taste of Wales menu at Thomas Restaurant. Thomas Restaurant in Cardiff Bay The elegant restaurant is a cosy but bright space filled with comfortable booths and stylish furniture. It has gained an excellent reputation as a perfect setting for a family celebration, a catch up with friends, client meeting or an intimate dinner for two. The restaurant is open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, evening a-la-carte dining and for traditional roasts on Sundays. Led by Head Chef, Andy Martin, who has been working at Thomas Restaurant for 8 years. He has a real passion for food and has travelled around the country gaining experience in 5 Red Star, 2 Rosette and Michelin Star restaurants and hotels. The front of house team is led by experienced Food & Beverage Manager Adam Jasiczak. He has a wealth of experience in hospitality and has trained in four-star and rosette establishments.

Lunch or Dinner? Some of the lighter bites on the lunch menu are a rich Welsh onion soup with rarebit croutons and homemade crusty bread, or Anglesey eggs with a Blaenafon cheddar and leek sauce, a herb crumb and grilled homemade sourdough – ideal as a starter – or a cychwynol too. For something a little heartier you could indulge in a Celtic Pride steak burger bacon, pickles, smoked mayonnaise on a brioche bun and French fries. Plus, you can add your choice of Monterey Jack or Perl Las Blue Cheese. Or the traditional Welsh cawl, which is a lamb stew served with Caerfai cheddar and homemade crusty bread. After a more relaxed daytime menu, things move up a notch in the evenings. Some of the notable dishes include braised lamb shoulder served with an onion cake, carrot and caraway puree and a homemade mint sauce, or the grey mullet with winter cabbage, fish stock, baby vegetables and baby herbs. The Dessert Menu – Bwydlen Pudin If you have a sweet tooth, there is so much to choose from that will hit the spot. How about, a Celtic Raspberry Wine poached pear served with fresh honeycomb and honeycomb ice cream, or a homemade ginger and lime sticky toffee pudding with your choice of custard, cream or ice cream?

Want to try a traditional dish with a twist? Then it will have to be the homemade Monmouth pudding served with vanilla ice cream. Taste of Wales Afternoon Tea What could be better than a traditional afternoon tea but with a Welsh twist? Consisting of delicious, delicate finger sandwiches; with Carmarthenshire ham, smoked salmon and Black Bomber cheese. A savoury leek and goats cheese scone, alongside traditional and fruit varieties and mouth-watering homemade cakes. All washed down with Welsh Brew Loose Tea, or coffee if you prefer, for £14 per person. Make a Reservation Thomas Restaurant is found at Future Inns in Cardiff Bay. It is open Monday – Friday between 6.30am-10.00pm and Saturday – Sunday between 7.30am-10.00pm. Bookings can be made by calling 02920 487111, by emailing thomas@futureinns.co.uk or www. futureinns.co.uk/cardiff/restaurant-bar

WHAT’S ON

WHAT’S ON in Cardiff

As the days are becoming longer and warmer, what better way to spend your evenings than enjoying our fantastic city. Cardiff is home to some amazing events this new year, whether you want to get outdoors, entertain the kids, watch some incredible talent or sample some delicious cuisine – there’s something for all the family. We’ve rounded up the best events for you to enjoy over the upcoming months. 44

Something for the grown-ups

JIMMY CARR: TERRIBLY FUNNY 4th March 2020 (Wales Millennium Centre)

STEREOPHONICS 14th March 2020 (Cardiff Arena)

FINAL CUT: INTERACTIVE DINING EXPERIENCE 5th – 7th March 2020 (Wales Millennium Centre)

RU PAUL’S DRAG RACE: WERQ THE WORLD TOUR 2020 10th May 2020 (Wales Millennium Centre)

Something for the Children QUAY REX AT MERMAID QUAY 8th – 23rd February AJ LIVE 18th March 2020 (Wales Millennium Centre) THE JOE & DIANNE SHOW 27th March 2020 (Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff) DISNEY ON ICE 23rd – 26th April 2020 (Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff)

Something for the whole family WALES VS FRANCE – GUINNESS SIX NATIONS 2020 22nd February 2020 (Millennium Stadium) WALES VS SCOTLAND – GUINNESS SIX NATIONS 2020 14th March 2020 (Millennium Stadium) FRIENDSICAL 17th – 21st March 2020 (New Theatre, Cardiff) WWE LIVE 6th May 2020 (Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff)

BEAUTY & AESTHETICS GUIDE

Cosmetic surgery or non-surgical enhancements can be incredibly life-changing in the most positive of ways, not only physically, but emotionally too. Your relationship with that person who treats you is built upon mutual trust and understanding with shared goals. If you’re reading through this guide I imagine that you’re considering the possibility of having a cosmetic procedure.

Mr Richard Karoo

If that’s the case, please do research carefully, always seek the advice of someone with the appropriate qualifications and experience, who is on the Specialist Register of the GMC and think carefully about your aftercare.

FRCS (Plast)

With very best wishes

Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon. Clinical Lead for Plastic Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery at the Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery, Breast & Cosmetic Surgery Fellowships London and Australia, now based privately in Cardiff.

Beauty notes 52

Treatment reviews 54 49

Party make-up 57

THE CARDIFF CLINIC

Eyelid Reshaping

ersonally I feel extremely fortunate to have found a career in a field of surgery where every day I enjoy going in to work! As a Consultant Plastic Surgeon I meet a whole multitude of people from every walk of life, each with their own personal choice for seeking my advice, each with a personal goal. Time is split between my busy private cosmetic practice where the majority of work is breast and facial surgery, as well as non-surgical procedures, but also reconstructive surgery undertaken as Clinical Lead for Head & Neck Reconstructive Plastic Surgery in the Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery. Many patients ask if I have one particular

surgery I enjoy the most…. Rhinoplasty? Face lifts? Breast enlargement? Tummy tucks? The pleasure is actually derived from seeing the positive life changing affect on the patients feeling of well being after all has healed and settled down. However, if there was just one cosmetic procedure that in my experience provides some of the most noticeable enhancements to the face, I would always be drawn to Eyelid Reshaping Surgery (Blepharoplasty). Eyelid Reshaping, be it for excess skin or eye bag removal is in my opinion the one of the most rewarding facial cosmetic procedures to perform which, if undertaken well can give the biggest “wow” factor resulting in a refreshed and less tired appearance to ones looks. With aging of the facial skeleton and tissues, genetics, lifestyle and smoking all of these factors will determine the potential development of eye bags, lax skin, heavy eyelids or dark circles. With your eyes one can express almost every emotion one has, this maybe in part the origin of the saying “the eyes are the window to the soul”. But interestingly gaze analysis studies will show that during conversation up to 60% of that time is spent with direct eye contact, this

is felt to be just right to create feelings of mutual likability, resulting in a comfortable productive atmosphere. For those with only fine lines present Anti-wrinkle injections using botulinum toxin can soften the crow’s feet radiating out from the eyes and elevate the brow. But if the key concern is with skin excess, general laxity, or eye bags (which are usually due to fatty pockets behind the lid) then surgery is the only real way to tackle these issues. Often upper lid skin excess with hooding and coverage of the smooth part of the upper eyelid is a problem, make up application is difficult and in some cases vision can be affected! For many, excess skin removal can be undertaken as a local anaesthetic day case procedure. On occasion only lower eyelids require

with this type of surgery. Having treated thousands of cosmetic surgery and non-surgical cosmetic patients over the years a volume of experience builds. One must always consider carefully where the surgery is undertaken, as regular follow up and aftercare is also just as important as the operation itself. So once again if asked what if there was only one facial cosmetic procedure that I could undertake, resulting in the most dramatic and positive appearance changes, it would have to be eyelid rejuvenation surgery every time.

lifting with tightening. Quite commonly upper and lower lids will be worked upon at the same time to help provide the ultimate refreshed look desired. For a few individuals where fat only is the key issue, in patients with younger tighter skin an incision from within the lid (transconjunctival approach) will be performed to avoid external incisions.

The importance for mentioning numerous techniques is to stress that this is a tailor made operation, as with all surgery there are always potential risks along with a recovery period but on average by 2 weeks most are back to work, able to apply makeup and socialise as normal. Everyone is unique and must be assessed by a surgeon qualified and experienced

1. How do I prepare for surgery?

It is important to research carefully what procedure you are hoping to undergo and seek the advice of a Plastic Surgeon with some years experience in this field. Some patients who are seeking body contouring surgery may benefit from losing weight, others who smoke must stop to reduce potential problems with wound healing. These concerns can be discussed at the time of consultation but otherwise a general healthy lifestyle is all that’s required.

2. When will I see the results?

Results are the best part of this whole surgical journey! Although nothing can ever be guaranteed an appreciation of the final outcomes can be between 3 - 12 months depending upon the anatomical site.

3. What happens if I wake up during the procedure

General anaesthetic awareness is very rare indeed, with monitors now in place I’ve never seen this happen. A more common question I often hear from more mature patients considering surgery is “am I too old for a general anaesthetic” - the answer is quite simple, if ones general health is good and common health problems well controlled with medication, age really is just a number.

out to the clinic undertaking this surgery. A meeting with your surgeon should take place well in advance of any operation with options discussed and information provided to help provide a fully informed decision. Surgery undertaken in a local hospital where doctors and nurses are to hand to provide that high quality aftercare required.

4. Does it really matter where I have my surgical procedure?

5. If I’m not ready to commit to surgery. Are there less invasive options to improve my appearance?

This really is of significant importance, unfortunately there are a number of patients who travel abroad, having never met their operating surgeon until the day of surgery, undergoing significant procedures and then flying back to the UK only days later with no follow up in place. Complications such as bleeding, infection, wound breakdown, implant loss occurs and there is no one to properly care for this individual unless they fly back

This is a common feeling and in some cases the answer is yes. Non-surgical Facial Aesthetic treatments, if performed well, can really enhance ones features and deliver that refreshed look. It’s also important however to be realistic in what can be achieved, a honest opinion from a medical practitioner is of value as for some patients surgery is the only way to help achieve that individuals goals.

ORCHARD FACIALS

Yakov Gershkovich the master of Sculptural Face Lifting technique

Get a Markle-like Sparkle

here have been rumours that even royalty have used Sculptural Face Lifting to achieve princessworthy glows, and it’s now available at ORCHARD FACIAL PROCEDURES, the only clinic in Wales to provide this treatment. Sculptural Face Lifting has been dubbed as ‘natures answer to botox and filler.’ It is an anti-gravity method designed to lift the face, strengthen its muscles, correct its form and remove unnecessary sagging. The technique is taught by Yakov Gershkovich, a recognised authority on natural rejuvenation and facial manipulation. His method is the modern day mega trend in the field of holistic aesthetics, which has been used by thousands of women around the world who prefer holistic alternatives to invasive lifting procedures, and is believed to have been praised by Meghan Markle, Kate Moss, and Jennifer Lopez. Sculptural Face Lifting is performed by deep tissue massage of the facial muscles and part of the technique is the buccal intra-oral massage where muscles are massaged from within the oral cavity. As a result, muscle tone and elasticity are restored, skin becomes smoother, helping to return the face to its natural shape.

as an intense release of tension in the facial muscles. The way we look and the way we feel are interconnected. Sculptural Face Lifting works with the muscles and facial structure which are the result of the emotions we have experienced over a life time, so the technique is working with something which is much deeper than the muscles and physiology, bringing emotional release and improving wellbeing. This treatment is now offered by Sarah Nicolson at Orchard Facial Procedures, the first clinic in Wales to offer Sculptural

The facial works from the sternum up to the forehead, bringing blood circulation, and therefore oxygen and nutrition to the dermal layers resulting in lifted, stimulated, and youthful appearance to the face, as well

Face Lifting, and is incorporated into her signature facial. Following a consultation, a tailored facial depending on the client’s skin type and needs is incorporated into the sculptural massage using botanical pharmaceutical grade products. Sarah believes in treating the epidermis as well as the deeper muscles for the ultimate result. For more information visit: www.orchardfacialprocedures.com Tel: 07969 877469 Facebook @orchardfacialprocedures Instagram @orchardfacialprocedures

Julie Brackenbury Cosmetic Nurse Practitioner RGN (Registered General Nurse) INP (Independent Nurse Prescriber)

Age-defying treatments

WITH NATURAL LOOKING RESULTS

B Cosmetic brings advanced cosmetic injection techniques and results to South Wales. Nurse Practitioner Julie Brackenbury offers a range of safe anti-ageing treatments using the very latest technology to defy the ageing process. She combines clinical skill and artistic flair with ethical practice for natural looking results.

About Nurse Julie Julie is one of the most experienced and expert aesthetic practitioner nurses in the UK with a keen interest in women’s health and wellbeing. She has 20 years of nursing experience and over 10 years of experience as an anti-ageing injector. She has helped thousands of women and men improve their lines and wrinkles over the decade. She sits on the editorial board for the

Journal of Aesthetic Nursing and the Dermatological Nursing Journal and is the author of more than 30 published peerreviewed articles. Tatler’s top ten Nurse Julie was listed as one of the top ten aesthetic nurse practitioner’s in the UK in 2016 in their non-surgical aesthetic guide. A background in women’s health makes Julie Brackenbury (a former British Association of Cosmetic Nurses board member) excellent company if you’re considering having work done. ‘Empathy is a big part of what we do, so is listening,’ she says. ‘Women and men want to feel good about themselves - there’s a lot of emotion involved.’ Ethical practice Nurse Julie is renowned for her ethical approach to non-surgical aesthetic treatments and in 2012 was commended for this by Dame Esther Rantzen at the British Journal of Nursing awards. The conscious consultation Nurse Julie offers an in-depth consultation to understand how she can help you achieve your aesthetic goals. She believes that looking at the person behind the patient and using a holistic approach is absolute key to the success of your outcome. It maybe that you go away after the consultation and have a cooling off period, which is good clinical practice. Nurse Julie does not treat everyone

JB COSMETIC

Where can I see Nurse Julie? Marooned Hair and Beauty, 52 High St, Cowbridge. CF71 7AH who she sees; “Sometimes, it may not be the right time for someone to have a non-surgical injectable treatment” in addition she says “some treatments are just not suitable.” Less really is more Julie says; “There is no doubt that less is definitely more and the best results I have seen are from administering treatments over time. There are reasons why some people tend to look overdone, and one of them is because of having treatments too often. Another is that they may not be receiving the right

Sunkissed, East St, Llantwit Major. CF61 1XY

product” What is the latest advancement in non-surgical injection procedures? Julie says; “Ageing skin loses its structural proteins (collagen and elastin), which causes it to begin to sag and loose it’s elasticity, therefore contributing to a tired and aged look. Collagen loss actually begins at around age 25, and by some estimates, we will have lost up to 30% by the time we are 45. By using collagen biostimulator dermal fillers, you can reverse ageing, have a natural look and delay face lifting surgery”

To book a consultation please email: julie@jbcosmetic.co.uk or contact Mobile: 07866515664 IG @jb_cosmetic Fb @JBCosmetic

FACE CLINIC

Kostas Panagiotou, Business Owner FACE Clinic is on a mission to give their clients a wide range of clinically effective and aesthetic treatments to choose from. The clinic is all about skin confidence, as the aim is to see clients come out of the treatment room full of self-confidence, self-love and with a smile on their face.

FACE CLINIC

ACE Clinic has introduced a range of new treatments in the last six months, such as CBD facials, their own Signature Facial and the inch loss machine NRG Liposculpt.

BEFORE

They have also introduced the clinically effective EleniLondon skincare range, which quickly won popularity among the clients. The clinic is currently in the process of introducing laser machines within the upcoming months; but, are proud of their most recent acquisition, the Geneo+ device! Geneo+ provides a complete skincare experience; it delivers skin nourishment and oxygenation together with clinically proven anti-ageing results. It’s a big player in skin tightening. It is capable of delivering 4 treatments simultaneously: a microdermabrasion exfoliation, infusion with ultrasound, it oxygenates and it tightens and contours with radiofrequency. It has a variety of benefits to the skin of our face and neck area; it plumps and hydrates the skin, reduces the appearance of wrinkles, it firms skin and tightens pores and it improves skin cell and collagen production. All this is achieved with zero downtime! GeneO+ Technology is designed to work with specially developed nutrient rich formulas for optimal results. There are 2 nutrient rich formulas available: NeoBright Formula, which evens skin tone & pigmentation, reduces sun damage, and brightens & nourishes the complexion.

AFTER

NeoRevive Formula, which tightens and firms, reduces wrinkles, repairs, hydrates and nourishes skin and renews collagen production. FACE Clinic offer Geneo+ in 3 treatment programmes, depending on the client’s skin concerns: *GENEO+ FACIAL (OXYGEN FACIAL) This treatment begins with a procedure akin to microdermabrasion, but more powerful. They gently buff the skin creating oxygen bubbles which are infused into the skin tissue and oxygenate the blood stimulating cell renewal. The ultrasound will ensure that the product is infused deeper into the skin than a manual treatment could do. *THE GENEO+ SUPER FACIAL (OXYGEN FACIAL WITH RADIO FREQUENCY SKINTIGHTENING) The ability to layer Radio Frequency

induces collagen and elastin regeneration, which leads to smoother and tighter skin and a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles. Radio Frequency is most effective with the Geneo+ Facial, but can also be a standalone treatment. FACE Clinic are all about offering tailored treatment programs to clients who are serious about maintaining an effective long-term skin routine. In that respect, the Geneo+ fits perfectly in their philosophy and they are looking forward to integrate it as another tool for the benefit of their clients’ skin! To book your treatment, call 029 2022 6066 For more information, visit facecosmetics.co.uk FACE Clinic, 27 Castle Arcade, Cardiff. CF10 1BW.

SIMON CONSTANTINOU

Award-Winning Hair & Beauty in Cardiff

Simon Constantinou’s AwardWinning Cardiff salon is ready to take you into the new decade with his talented and creative team of hair and beauty professionals. You’ll always leave looking and feeling fantastic!

Kerasilk Hair Treatment

Kerasilk Smoothing Treatment - £175 – Lasts up to 5 months (pictured left) The Smoothing treatment softens waves and smoothens the overall hair structure, with long-lasting results. Takes Approximately 3 Hours in the salon. Lasts up to 5 months. Price includes a home maintenance kit worth £35. These Salon Exclusive home care products maintain the salon results.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a hair or beauty service that Simon Constantinou’s doesn’t offer. But here are their top three long-lasting services that will transform you this new year.

Microblading

Hair Colouring / Balayage

Do you have unmanageable, unruly hair? If you get frizzy hair, especially in this damp weather, Simon Constantinou’s have the solution for you. Goldwell’s KERASILK treatments are revolutionary luxury hair treatments that deliver long-lasting hair transformations. Providing beauty, strength and protection from the elements. Maintaining the health of your hair is of utmost importance to achieving gorgeous locks. There are two types of in-salon treatments…

One of the easiest ways to transform your look is to change your hair colour. Simon Constantinou’s number one hair colouring request and specialism is the trendy Balayage. This is a hand-painted hair colouring process that is totally bespoke. The biggest benefit of a Balayage is that it is low maintenance, so whilst this type of job seems more expensive, it means you can go longer between colours. Each hair colour is unique and prices can vary depending on the techniques & time required. Clients are asked to book a complementary colour consultation and skin test in order to have the opportunity and time to discuss exactly the ‘look’ that they desire and what steps it will take to get to that finished look. Simon’s colour specialists are all highly trained and are absolute perfectionists when it comes to giving you a perfectly balanced and natural looking Balayage.

Kerasilk De-Frizz Treatment - £50 – Lasts 4-6 weeks This keratin hair treatment takes just over an hour in the salon. It controls frizz and beautifies the hair’s natural shape for a long-lasting transformation into smooth and perfectly frizz-controlled hair for up to 4-6 weeks.

AFTER

Wake up with perfect brows with this latest trend in semi-permanent makeup. Microblading is the perfect solution for those with thinning or patchy eyebrows, or if you just want to embrace the trendy fuller look. Constantinou’s amazing beautician, Monika is fully qualified and has had lots of experience in creating perfect brows unique to you! Microblading (including top up session) £199 – Lasts up to 1 year Microblading is a form of tatooing, implanting pigment into the epidermis to create the look of fuller brows. The natural looking results are achieved with a fine, hand-held blade made up of 7 or more micro-needles. Microblading allows for the placement of hair-like strokes into the skin to mimic your natural hairs. Book your complementary Microblading consultation and skin test with Monika. To book or discuss any of these services, call 02920461191 or book online via www.simonconstantinou.com O.Constantinou & Sons 99 Crwys Rd, Cardiff. CF24 4NF

BEFORE

LUCA MALACRINO

Actor Luca Malacrino here, and today I happen to find myself in Malta. I am visiting family for the holidays and upon my morning walk, I came across a derelict building in Swieqi with the most incredible view ever. Obviously, I did not enter as that would have been highly illegal…(see image for proof of me ‘not’ being there...) This spot falls perfectly in line with this issue’s theme New Year, New You.

New Year, New You

hat does this overused phrase actually mean? Reflection? Self Discovery? Breaking Habits? Based on a life that has been filled with new turns and drastic changes, I felt I would share some of my experiences on how I relate to this phrase and see if it prompts any questions within. The word “new” is a term that has followed me around without fail. From starting a new life with my mother and sister in Italy at the age of 14, to moving back to Cardiff four years later where I started at a new school (number 7 out of 10), to setting up numerous businesses, and most recently selling everything I had in order to embark on a new dream in Los Angeles: acting. Some would call it inspiring, some say I am missing a few screws… both are probably correct. When I think about every new beginning, they all had their own issues and lessons, but in the end, it came down to pressure, passion, and a plan. When it came to the nightclubs, I remember locking myself inside the storage cupboard upon opening night, away from my friends and family, petrified by the fact I was an

eighteen-year-old kid with a £100,000 loan on my shoulders. What would have happened if I had failed? Looking back, I didn’t have a choice. It was either learn, push through the recession and make it happen, or potentially sink the businesses my family had worked so hard in

order to build. I am not saying this to try impressing anyone because trust me, for every success story, I have ten failures that follow. However, I am trying to reflect on why I put myself in these situations in the first place and the answer is simple. I needed to grow

WHAT WOULD YOU TRY IF YOU KNEW YOU COULD NOT FAIL? WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE YOUR BIGGEST TRIUMPH BY THE END OF THE YEAR? WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE YOURSELF AS YOU BEGIN THE NEW YEAR? WHAT WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO CHANGE ABOUT YOURSELF? WHAT BRINGS YOU THE MOST JOY AND HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DO MORE OF THAT? WHAT IS ONE CHANGE YOU COULD MAKE TO YOUR LIFESTYLE THAT WOULD GIVE YOU MORE PEACE?

always leave me feeling better and never worse. This could include activities such as meditation, working out, resting, cooking, a spa day, painting… the list goes on. Then when something tries knocking me off my path, go to these activities instead of my old habits, as all they do is provide a quick fix instead of feeling stronger to tackle any given situation. Still easier said than done, but this is going to be what I focus on next year. Diary Daily journaling is something I know a lot of people do. Some simply write three pages of whatever comes to mind, but I use a diary called the 6-minute diary. Each morning it asks me for three things I am grateful for, how I will make the day great, and what my positive affirmation is. Then in the evening, I write what my good deed was, what lesson I learned, and three great things I experienced. Recently, I have noticed a pattern revolving around my journaling: when I began to fall off the path, I do not fill in the diary, as I feel guilty about going astray. Instead, I should treat it as a non-negotiable daily routine, as it enforces me to check in with myself and not just mask the issues. I often think about the year we are entering. Anything and everything that can have a negative impact on our lives, seems so

“Frequently we do not leave the past behind. We clasp on to it. We dissect it, and let fears for the future, tempered by the past, unconsciously prevent us from taking up the task eternal.” RAY SIMPSON

and learn, the very basic definition of the word new. Habits These changes, coupled with owning nightclubs at such a young age and the fact that I’m now chasing one of the hardest and most isolated careers in the world, mean that much like everyone else, I have picked up habits that I struggle with on a daily basis. Such habits make it harder at times to digest the phrase New Year, New You. This year I have been trying to understand what triggers certain behaviors. I currently have this habit of treating life like an elastic band. I get to a place where I am healthy, motivated and happy, and then instead of maintaining this lifestyle, I sabotage myself

by doing the complete opposite until I am depressed, anxious and so off-track that I force myself to do something about it… and the cycle goes on. We all have previous life experiences that cause us to deal with life in different ways and my goal for next year is simple, yet extremely hard. Set up stronger habitual pillars. Stronger Habitual Pillars A good friend of mine recently gave me some advice. He advised making my key habitual pillars stronger, as I keep losing my way whenever something significant knocks me in life. He advised writing a list of activities to fall back on that only give and never take. This means activities that

much more accessible. As such, I believe we need to set boundaries. With a few clicks or swipes on a phone, you can gamble, order junk food in seconds, and be brainwashed into thinking what the “normal” is, via how many likes someone gets on social media. There is obviously a flip side to this, as we can choose to listen to podcasts, track goals with specific apps, and Facetime across the globe by simply asking Siri. It’s just a matter of choosing what we see and monitoring it. I hope you got something after reading this column. I truly believe that it is important for us to find someone we can share stories with and open up to about any issues that are having an effect on our mental wellbeing. I am always here if you are in need of a chat. Your favorite Welsh/Italian actor, Luca Malacrino

Nuffield Health, the hospital that’s making a difference Welcome to Nuffield Health, the UK’s largest healthcare charity. For the last 60 years, Nuffield Health’s experts have been working together to make the nation fitter, healthier, happier and stronger, all for the public benefit. serious conditions like arthritis or cancer. Nuffield Health delivers unsurpassed standards, with a sector-leading 94% of is hospitals judged good or excellent by national regulators, so it’s no surprise that Nuffield Health is trusted by the NHS, private medical insurers, employers and the general public to provide exceptional health and wellbeing services to the nation. Its two Welsh hospitals, The Vale Hospital

What makes Nuffield Health different? As an organisation with no shareholders, Nuffield Health invests all of its income back into its vision to build a healthier nation. This is achieved through outstanding day-to-day services across a broad family of 31 award-winning hospitals, 112 fitness and wellbeing clubs (local gyms in Cwmbran and Brigend), healthcare clinics, and over 200 workplace wellbeing services, and through its flagship charity programmes to support communities by widening access.

patients recover with physiotherapy or emotional wellbeing counselling, or providing hospital treatments for illness and

(mainly in-patients) and Cardiff Bay Hospital (day cases), are multispeciality hospitals which combine the finest consultants, the latest medical technology, with the unrivalled reputation of Nuffield Health.

What makes Nuffield Health unique is the breadth of expertise in providing connected care spanning from personal training and health MOTs to supporting people on their fitness journeys, helping

The Vale Hospital is included in the top 30 most technologically advanced

NUFFIELD HEALTH What payment plans are available? When it comes to the way in which patients pay, transparency and clarity are key. Prices are all-inclusive – the confirmed price is all the patient will ever pay (no hidden costs). Not only that, if a patient can find a treatment within a 15 mile radius to their Hospitals, Nuffield Health will equal any written quote – so, if you can find a better price for the same procedure, they’ll match it (terms and conditions apply). Whether you’re paying for yourself, have

hospitals in the world for the design and technology within its two operating theatres. It specialises in the areas of orthopaedics, men’s health, women’s health, ophthalmology and diagnostic imaging. Nuffield Health’s high standards have been continuously recognised within

services. One of the main reasons why people chose the Vale Hospital is due to its tranquil location. A visit here is incredibly peaceful and calming, and is a great benefit to patients’ wellbeing, especially when undergoing a major operation. Just take a look online at its many positive reviews. What treatments are available at Nuffield Health? Common treatments provided at Nuffield Health The Vale Hospital include: knee and hip replacement, spinal surgery, cataract surgery, sporting injuries, physiotherapy, dermatology, a range of cosmetic procedures, hysterectomy, vasectomy, prostate resection, vaginal prolapse repair and hand surgery to name but a few.

their industry. They’ve collected several prestigious awards: Private Hospital Group of the Year, for the 3rd year running, from both the Health Investor Awards (2017-19) and the Laing Buisson Awards (2017-19), and a Nursing Times Award for Infection Prevention and Control (2017). Where is Nuffield Health located? The Vale Hospital is located near Junction 34 of the M4 to the west of Cardiff and is a 25-bed private hospital, with two fully digital ultra clean air operating theatres, an excellent physiotherapy department, 24-hour high dependency, surgical and medical RMO cover and exemplary outpatients and diagnostic

private medical insurance or are considering taking one of its interest free loans, Nuffield Health is here to help. For more information about the services Nuffield Health provides visit the Website www.nuffieldhealth.com/ hospitals/cardiff-and-vale or call reception 02920 836700. A very warm and professional welcome awaits.

WELLNESS

A proud son of the South Wales Valleys, Stephen Truelove is a mindset coach with 18 years experience, author of A Journey of Discovery and Self-Learning and developer of the Love Life Love You process - Breaking Limitations. He has experienced the highest highs and lowest lows of life and now works with people to tackle anxiety, depression, phobias and other limiting mindsets. In his column he shares his life story, advice and goals for the future.

Why do I feel guilty all the time? Whatever I do, it’s never good enough I just can’t do anything right.

By Mindset Coach Stephen Truelove uilt, with its cousin shame, is a many-headed monster and the qualities we need to tackle it are summed up in the well known words:

the serenity to accept what we can’t change, the courage to change what we can, and the wisdom to know the difference. According to The Independent, the average Brit spends six hours a week feeling guilty. The pubs are full of people running away from guilt and feeling even worse afterwards. The cafes are full of people eating more cake because they’ve already broken their new year diet. So what is this thing called guilt and shouldn’t it make us behave better rather than worse?

The psychology of guilt At its most basic, guilt is a kind of fear that lives in the oldest part of the brain, which evolved to help us stay safe by predicting what stronger people and animals may do if we step on their toes or pull their tails. We are a social species and understanding how our actions can hurt or upset others is a sign of healthy psychological development. Rather than beating ourselves up, we need to focus on how to actually help ourselves and others. Understanding guilty feelings as a source of information about our place in the world is a lot less scary than just feeling terrible without understanding why. Feeling guilty isn’t always bad, then? As Shakespeare put it, “there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it

so”. And when it comes to emotional health there’s no such thing as a good or bad feeling. It’s what we make of it that counts. Dealing with an emotion directly is much more effective than trying to ignore it – there’s room for only so much dust under the carpet. To be the best version of ourselves, we need to take control of our past. We can’t change what happened, but we can change how we deal with it and how it affects our lives. And remember, the person who can let you off the guilt hook is yourself, not anyone else. Guilt trips and fake apologies People manipulate others by creating guilty feelings to get their own way. “Finish your dinner – think of the starving millions.”

“After all we’ve done for you...” (the devil is in the dots!) Beware, too, of the fake apology: “I’m really sorry for blah blah blah”, followed immediately by “But you always/never...” Guilt tripping may work for a while, but it builds up so much resentment there may eventually be little relationship left to save. So how can I stop feeling guilty about everything all the time? First, make sure you actually have something to feel guilty about, then decide how to deal with it and dump the rest. Most of us live with many layers of different beliefs, some of them contradictory or not rational at all. Some people even feel guilty about things they don’t believe in at all. How many high-flying women have been socialised into feeling deep down that they should be perfect home makers as well? How many gentle, hard working men believe they should be masters of DIY and able to fight monsters with their bare hands to protect their family? Sounds daft put like that, but if we look carefully enough we all harbour outdated and even conflicting beliefs about what we ought to do or be. If our underlying belief system is realistic and helps us move forward, it can be very helpful. If it undermines everything we do, it is highly damaging. Children and Guilt Guilt is a conditioned response that we learn from parents, guardians, teachers and the culture we grow up in. Children given little praise and lots of blame may grow up believing they are basically bad and nothing they do will ever be good enough. Lack of love brings feelings of worthlessness and lifelong problems with giving and

receiving love without the person ever really understanding what they did wrong. For a small child, little things loom large. I remember pinching sixpence from the little mug in the china cabinet and buying a chocolate bar. I actually confessed to my Mam when I was 35. Sounds sweet and rather funny now, but to a six-year-old the guilt was huge. Small children also can’t yet distinguish between fantasy and reality. If they think a bad thing about someone and something bad happens, they may think it must be their fault. They may also feel responsible for their parents splitting up or even for not being the girl/boy their parents were hoping for in the first place. Helping children develop healthy reactions. Children tend to internalise parental values uncritically, so never tell a child they are bad, only that something they’ve done needs to be put right. “That was a naughty thing to do – give your friend their toy back” allows things to be put right and a lesson to be learnt. “You’re a bad boy/girl – go to your room” affects the child’s very sense of selfworth and may eventually create an irrational belief that they will always get things wrong and everyone will think badly of them. Some people grow up feeling that any kind of pleasure is somehow wrong, while others are always on the lookout in case they get “found out” – often with no idea what it is they’re so worried about anyone finding out. Children and shame. What we now call “body shaming” is a bit like guilt tripping in that the aim is to make others, especially teenagers, feel

bad about themselves - boys too skinny, girls not skinny enough, compared with Photoshopped ideals on social media. Kids may even make up a fake personality and appearance and become ashamed of their real selves and unable to make real friends. This is serious stuff and very difficult for developing youngsters to handle. At worst it can lead to anorexia, self-harm, isolation and even suicide – sadly all too prevalent in south Wales. How do I know if my feelings are rational and justified? First, it can help to separate out the different kinds of guilt you may be feeling. Guilt for something you actually did. This is perfectly normal and healthy. The problems start when you dwell on it. Just accept that it happened, make amends if you can, and think how to avoid it happening again. Problem drinking or compulsive eating may be worth getting support with; likewise, constant all-pervading guilt. Guilt for something you didn’t do, but would like to. Repression and denial may actually make it more likely to happen. Better to accept that such thoughts are part of us and commit to making sure we don’t act on them. Guilt for something we think we did. This can bring as much or more guilt than actually doing something wrong. So before launching into an orgy of self-blame, make sure the offence actually happened and that it really was your fault.

Continued on Page 66

Continued from Page 65 Guilt for all the good we didn’t do However much we do for others, even if we’re neglecting our own lives as a result, it’s somehow never enough. Decide how much you can realistically do and stick to it, however much pressure others may apply. Acting out of guilt will just drain you further and make you less effective. Guilt at doing better than others equally or more deserving. The classic example is survivor guilt when others have been injured or died. Or first generation college students may feel guilty compared with parents and siblings who willingly made sacrifices to get them there. At worst, it can lead to behaviour that undermines their very success. OK, suppose the offence did happen and it really was my fault. Sometimes it takes very little to put things right. It’s just a matter of taking the first small step. But most of us need help knowing where to start - I certainly did. When you’ve worked out how much of your guilt is rational, if you still feel you’ve failed someone, ask yourself a few more questions. Can you put it right? If yes, then do. If not, think how to avoid anything similar happening again and move on. Putting things right means making amends, not just saying sorry and dumping the burden on someone else. Before you launch into an orgy of confession and self-abasement, ask yourself who it will make feel better - the other person or yourself? If the latter, think about how you can treat them better in the future and commit to that. They will soon notice the difference. What if I can’t make amends because it was so long ago or the other person is dead? Try writing a letter to your supposed “victim” (they don’t have to be alive or even human, just someone or something you feel you damaged and haven’t forgiven yourself for). Put it somewhere safe where you can re-read it from time to time till the pain has gone. You may also find ways to make amends for what went wrong, if not to the original “victim”, then to the world in general. Random acts of kindness can have an amazing impact.

One sad example I heard of involved a young woman left paraplegic after a road accident. The driver, her best friend, was unharmed physically but broke off all contact because he felt so guilty. The young woman, now in her fifties, has long since dealt with that and a lot of other things besides, but her friend will feel bad for the rest of his life – to the benefit of absolutely no one. I’m a grandfather now, but when I was a small boy I used to chase my little brother away if he tagged along when I wanted to play with my friends. Nothing unusual there, and as adults we got on fine. But when something triggered that early memory recently I felt really terrible. I couldn’t apologise in person because my brother was killed in a road accident in his thirties, so I wrote to him. Based on a poem I saw by a young girl whose friend committed suicide at age 14, this is what emerged:

I’M SORRY The words do not come easy But it’s something I must say: I don’t think I ever told you I wish I’d let you play. Just putting things into words, separating them out from the muddle in the bottom of our minds, can have a powerful impact. Try it and see. Make friends with guilt – it’s your best way of learning to do better next time. Don’t assume that if you fall short once you’re doomed. Accept that you’re only

human, learn the lesson and carry on. Hate what you did by all means, but hating yourself won’t help anyone at all. And the same applies when others upset you – you don’t have to go on being best friends, but don’t be carrying a huge burden of hate around for ever after. You can’t please everyone all the time, only some people some of the time – and don’t forget to include yourself. Compassion, like charity, begins at home. Finally, a wise and compassionate new year wish from a consultant clinical psychologist at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board: “Please encourage the good folk of Cardiff and beyond to go easy on themselves and show some selfcompassion.” ----------------------Love Life Love You 36 West Bute Street, Cardiff Bay. CF10 5LH. www.lovelifeloveyou.co.uk Telephone: 07790003075 Email: info@lovelifeloveyou.co.uk youtube.com/c/LovelifeloveyouUK Twitter: @stephentruelov1 Techniques Stephen uses include: Hypnotherapy, Neuro Linguistic Programming, Emotional Freedom Techniques, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Emotional Coding, Emmett Technique, Reiki, Matrix Re-Imprinting. Registered with the GHR, CNHC and DBS.

WOO WOO

The brand highlighting sexual health and the products every woman should be using!

ritish health and beauty brand WooWoo are on a mission to help liven up the nation’s sex lives with a new range of sexual health and pleasure enhancing products. In a move that will see the brand extend their product offering to straddle both the feminine care and sexual health categories, the new product line-up includes an arousal boosting lube, a hemp and CBD based orgasm oil, and pleasure enhancing condoms to complement their current range of cleansers, soothers and pampering products. As with all existing WooWoo products, the new collection is derived from natural ingredients, paraben free, and will also feature the same stand out bold and bright packaging made from sugar cane. Launched 12 months ago, the female designed British health and beauty brand aims to help women value their vaginas and feel more sexually self-confident. Extensive research by the brand earlier this year revealed that three quarters (75%) of sexually active British women are dissatisfied with their sex life, with four out of five (81%) women also admitting to having unprotected sex at some point in their lives. With the latest figures from Public Health England revealing a shocking rise in sexually transmitted infections, particularly in young adults, WooWoo is launching the range of products in a bid to stem the spread of STI’s and put sexual pleasure forefront and centre for women. WooWoo company founder and CEO Lucy Anderson comments on the range: “Our aim from inception has been to make women’s sex lives better. Our own research into sexual health and attitudes towards female pleasure reveal women’s sexuality and sexual activity is still a taboo topic. These outdated attitudes are not only impacting our sexual pleasure, but also mean young women are putting themselves at risk.” “We’ve led the debate around sexual health and well-being issues with our Worship Your WooWoo Campaign, now we’re taking

action. We hope our new range of sexual health and pleasure enhancing products will help women feel more confident to say yes to fun, but safe sex.” The new WooWoo product line includes: Protect it! - WooWoo Ribs & Dots Condoms |12 pack – RRP £9.99 Natural rubber latex ribbed, and dotted condoms designed to mutually maximize pleasure during sex. Protect it! WooWoo Real Feel Condoms | 12 pack – RRP £9.99 Extra thin natural rubber condoms for an intimate and sensual experience. Protect it! - WooWoo Ribbed Condoms | 12 pack – RRP £9.99 Natural rubber latex ribbed condoms designed to increase sensation and pleasure during wear. Protect it! - WooWoo Party Pack Condoms | 3 pack – RRP £3.75 Mini pack of 1 x Real Feel Latex Condom 1 x Ribbed Latex Condom 1 x Ribs & Dots Latex Condom Slide it! | Arousal boosting lube – RRP £9.99 A slick, moisturising lubricant designed to help keep things moving and stimulate senses. Featuring natural and soothing moisturisers such as macadamia oil, and aloe vera, and Japanese honeysuckle and geranium oil to aid relaxation and reduce irritation and inflammation. This beautifully scented waterbased lube is safe to use with condoms and sure to put a spring in your sex life. WooWoo Bliss Oil | Natural orgasm enhancing oil – RRP £9.99 An exotic, beautifully fragranced oil perfect for use alone, or better still

with friends. Featuring moisturising Aloe Vera, relaxing geranium, and hemp and CBD oil to heighten and stimulate sexual pleasure. Refresh it! | Cranberry & Aloe Vera Wipes 12 pack – RRP £2.25 A smaller 12 wipe handbag or festival ready pack of our refreshing intimate wipes. The wipes are lightly scented with cranberry extract, which is widely recognised for its healing properties in helping prevent UTI’s. These 100% biodegradable and plastic free wipes are ideal for a quick wipe down after sex. Cranberry cleanse | Cranberry & Aloe Vera pH balanced wash for all over and intimate use – RRP £3.75 A gentle cranberry & Aloe Vera pH balanced wash for all over and intimate use. Featuring cranberry extract which is widely recognised for its healing properties in helping prevent UTI’s, and soothing Aloe Vera to cleanse intimate skin and maintain your natural pH balance. The seven new products are available exclusively at Superdrug stores nationwide now, before wider distribution via woowoo. fun, feelunique and the Amazon beauty store from September. To find out more about the WooWoo product range visit www.woowoo.fun Instagram @woowoo.fun | Facebook www. facebook.com/woowoo.fun | Twitter @woowoofun

EUROPEAN SCANNING CENTRE

When you think about an MRI scan what comes to mind? Does the thought of a closed tunnel fill you with anxiety?

he European Scanning Centre (ESC) in Cardiff prides itself on it’s friendly and relaxed environment. The centre situated in Cardiff Gate Business Park contains the only Open and Upright MRI scanner in Wales and has been carefully designed with patient comfort in mind. The Cardiff branch is the third European Scanning Centre to open in the UK, following sites in London and Manchester, both housing The Paramed Open and Upright MRI scanner.

Most MRI scanners require patients to lie down inside of a closed tunnel, meaning that some can feel trapped as the machinery whirrs around them. Staying still is vital for clear images, but claustrophobic feelings can lead to people moving around, hampering the results of the scan. The Paramed Open and Upright MRI scanner, allows patients to stand or sit while the scan is performed around them. It is completely open in front, behind and above the patient creating a nonclaustrophobic environment. Not only does this help patients feel at ease, it can help

diagnostic effectiveness by scanning patients in their ‘position of pain’. This unique ability increases the accuracy and relevance of the report as many symptoms affecting our spines and joints are appreciated in the upright position. In the spine, this can be used to expose conditions such as vertebral slipping, and disc herniation. Melanie Jones, Radiographer and Centre Manager for Cardiff, has worked with MRI for over 30 years and has witnessed how MRI imaging is being used more frequently. As demand increases this has created a demographic of people who can’t or don’t want to use a conventional closed bore scanner. As a result of this, ESC decided to create an environment that

scan, and the viewing window ensures that both the patient and the radiographer are always in the line of vision. Dr Paul Jenkins, Medical Director, explained: “We’re excited to be able to offer the only open MRI scanner to patients in Wales and the south of England. The easy access to Cardiff Gate from the M4 was a contributing factor in deciding the location of the new clinic.” The team are happy to offer a tour of the centre to prospective patients and referring clinicians to discuss how the scanner works, and all staff are equipped to deal with any queries or concerns you may have. ESC are recognised by all insurance companies and imaging reports are available within 24-48 hours. would achieve the same result as a closed MRI, but in a more comfortable setting. This has significant benefits for reporting radiologists, who receive better-quality imaging from patients who are more relaxed in their surroundings. The scan room is spacious, allowing bariatric patients and those with limited mobility, space to get themselves comfortable. The team have taken a holistic

approach to the patient experience, investing in ‘relax-vision’ panels to increase the open feeling of the room. Appointments are not time restricted and up to an hour can be allocated for each examination. During the scan, patients are able to watch television, listen to the radio or select their music of choice. Audio facilities allow radiographers to communicate with patients throughout the

For more information or to book an appointment, please call the team on 02920 731 654.

BUSINESS

Clear the decks...

it’s the start of another year!

bet everyone is saying the same thing, where did 2019 go? In fact, where did 20 years go when we all thought the world was going to fall into oblivion when we left 1999? The good news is we are still here alive and kicking!

However, it is the time of the year when we all start thinking about the future, what we are going to do better this year than we did last year! It’s the time of the year when everything we have done for the last 12 months is called into question personally and professionally “Am I overweight? Do I smoke too much? Should I be doing more networking? Do I drink too much? Do I need to look for another job?” The answer to all the questions is probably yes, otherwise you wouldn’t be asking! The important thing is that we never stop asking questions of ourselves as I believe only by asking will we continue to achieve. The one thing to remember is that we cannot solve everything in January, so many people fail because by the time they reach the end of January they think they have failed because they haven’t achieved everything on their to-do list. But, a to-do list is a list to do, not a list to do now! (Bit of a tongue twister I know.)

Business columnist Tracey Holloway started her career as a buyer with Sony UK and appreciates all the disciplines that Sony taught her for the 20 years that she was with them. Moving on to be a buyer for British Airways to sample the tastes of the aviation industry, the role took her to many corners of the world for nearly 10 years. Now after 10 years at Office Space in Town Ltd and as Quality and Control Director for the past 4 years, Tracey feels settled and comfortable to share all her business experiences. To ensure you keep making progress in all aspects of your life you need to plan and plan sensibly, responsibly so that the targets you set yourselves are achievable. Organisation is everyone’s best friend

and clear 4. Organise your whiteboard – make this lookup to date and fresh so that the information you are adding is relevant to now…colour coding helps.

1. Email diary – a must use to give you confidence that you won’t forget anything and appointments won’t clash

At the start of every month decide what is the most important thing that you need to do for that month and stick to it.

2. Out of office meetings – plan for each quarter at the end of every quarter that way you will feel in control 3. Clear desk policy – Makes you feel so on top of things when your desk is shiny

Don’t worry about the 100 other things on your list just concentrate on the most important one, the one at the top of your list! Eventually, everything on your list will arrive at the top anyway!

BOOK / REVIEWS

LITERARY LIFE

Monmouth-born Saul David is a historian, novelist and broadcaster. His many critically acclaimed history books include The Indian Mutiny (shortlisted for the Westminster Medal for Military Literature), Zulu (a Waterstone’s Military History Book of the Year) and Operation Thunderbolt (an Amazon History Book of the Year.)

Talking bestsellers, blockbusters and the books that inspired him to become a writer B y S A U L DAV I D

MY NEWS I’m now counting the days until the publication of my new book – Crucible of Hell: Okinawa – The Last Great Battle of the Second World War (William Collins, £25) – on 2 april. In the meantime I’ve started writing the follow-up, an authorized history of the SBS in World War Two (the first time the secretive special forces unit has given a book its seal of approval), and am on the verge of exciting news about The Force which was launched last September. More next time.

FACTUAL FAVOURITE

Recent winner of the 2019 Costa First Novel Award is The Confessions of Frannie Langton (Penguin, £8.99) by Sara Collins, a former lawyer who left her job to do a Creative Writing MA. Set in London during the Regency, this Gothic fiction revolves around the eponymous heroine who is on trial for the murder of her employers. Described by Margaret Atwood, no less, as ‘Deep-diving and elegant… Wide Sargasso Sea meets Beloved meets Alias Grace’, it has to be worth a read.

Weighing in at more than 900 pages, and itself just the second of three volumes, N. A. M. Rodger’s The Command of the Ocean (Penguin, £20) is a wonderfully rich naval history of Britain from the execution of Charles I to end of the Napoleonic Wars. Cleverly sub-divided into social history, administration and operations, the book tells you everything you need to know about Britain’s rise to maritime and imperial greatness. Full of surprising facts, it is never dull.

BOOK OF THE MOMENT

The inspiration for the hit film of the same name (starring Saoirse Ronan and Emma Watson), Louisa May Alcott’s novel Little Women (Oxford, £5.99) was first published in two volumes in the late 1860s and follows the lives of the four March sisters – Jeg, Jo, Beth and Amy – as they move from childhood to maturity in an unnamed Massachussetts’ town. Loosely based on Alcott’s own upbringing in Concord, it combines romance, tragedy and, ultimately, redemption, and was an instant critical and commercial success when it first appeared.

The best of Polish-born Joseph Conrad’s many wonderful novels is The Secret Agent (Penguin Classics, £7.99), a spy thriller set in London in the late 19th Century. The central character, Adolf Verloc, uses his cover as a shop owner to spy for an unnamed country (obviously Russia). Verloc is instructed by his handler to bomb the Greenwich Observatory, and it is the lead up to and consequences of this terrorist act that form the basis of the plot. Told partly in flashback, and based on real events, it’s a brilliant read.

“

LITTLE WOMEN was first published in two volumes in the late 1860s AND FOLLOWS THE LIVES of Jeg, Jo, Beth and Amy - as they move from childhood to maturity IN AN UNNAMED MASACHUSSETTS’ TOWN

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IN THE NEWS

CLASSIC FICTION

BEAUTIFUL

INSIDE AND OUT

The beauty of Bryngarw House and its surroundings is matched by the knowledge that your special event is helping to fund cultural initiatives with real heart

rom weddings to corporate events and from birthday parties to baby showers, Bryngarw House offers a beautiful, landmark setting, breath-taking surroundings and a luxurious interior. Throw in an expert hospitality team and superb, proudly Welsh food and the stage is set for a truly memorable experience. Dating back to the 15th Century, Bryngarw House sits in 113 acres of award-winning parkland. From 1775, it was home to the coal-owning Traherne family – a grand country house with grounds to match. These days the estate is a beautiful country park, enabling the public to enjoy its lakes, formal gardens and rambling footpaths, while the magnificent house at the heart of the estate provides a unique setting for any special occasion. Run by charitable organisation Awen Cultural Trust, Bryngarw House has strong cultural and social values. These are seen in its partnership with the Goodwash Company, a local Welsh producer of luxury toiletries whose products are available in all of Bryngarw House’s stunning residential rooms. Book a stay to coincide with your event and you can enjoy beautiful award winning bathroom products ethically made by this

local social enterprise who use wash profits to improve lives of animals and people. Cruelty-free and made with the finest natural ingredients from land and sea, the Goodwash Company’s products are feel good in every sense of the word. Goodwash Co are about to launch a exciting project with B-Leaf, a work-based initiative for adults with disabilities located adjacent to Bryngarw House. The people who attend B-Leaf will play a role in helping produce Goodwash products for Bryngarw House. Bryngarw House empowers you not only to hold a beautiful wedding, meeting or special event, but also to make it a socially conscious one. The Goodwash Company is just one part of the story: the profit from your event will go back into Awen Cultural Trust, helping it in its mission to make people’s lives better, providing vibrant cultural experiences that inspire and enhance their sense of wellbeing.

Awen’s initiatives range from public libraries to community centres, and from arts and cultural venues such as Maesteg Town Hall and the Grand Pavilion to Wood-B, a work-based project based on the Tondu Industrial Estate in Bridgend that offers training in carpentry and woodwork for adults with disabilities. You can also enjoy the knowledge that you are helping to support local businesses including local food producers: Bryngarw House’s excellent menus are proudly Welsh, from the recipes to the sourcing of the ingredients. Besides wonderful food, you can enjoy the support of expert, experienced staff through every stage of the process, from planning your event to making sure it runs like a dream on the day. An expert eye has also gone into the creation of the setting: from the French-styled Traherne Suite to the romantic, airy marquee, and from the sophisticated, club vibes of the bar to the bucolic views from the terrace, this is a setting that everyone will cherish. Whatever you are planning, get in touch today to see how we can make your dream a reality. Tel: 01656 729009 www.bryngarwhouse.com

SOCIAL BUTTERFLIES

STYLE OF THE CITY CELEBRATED ITS 10TH ISSUE AT CASTLE FINE ART GALLERY Hosted by our previous cover star Polly James, Style of the City celebrated its 10th issue at Castle Fine Art Gallery. Along with the celebrations we raised money for ‘2 Wish upon A Star’ charity, by organising a raffle with prizes from our fantastic clients, such as Volvo, Nuffield Health, Lush Cosmetics and many more. Thank you to everyone that attended. Images by Justin Harris Photography

SOCIAL BUTTERFLIES

REAL LIFE WEDDING

CHARLOTTE & DAN’S BEAUTIFUL DAY

Charlotte and Daniel Franks from Cardiff, married at the award winning Fairyhill by Oldwalls, the luxury Gower wedding venue that’s got Cardiff couples talking. www.fairyhill.co.uk

MINI BREAK

Weekend of Romance at Royal Lancaster London this Valentine’s Day

ith cupid just around the corner, couples will be searching for the perfect city retreat to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Spoil your loved one with a choice of two luxurious Valentine’s Day Packages at Royal Lancaster London, available on 14th, 15th and 16th February 2020 and make it a weekend to remember! Royal Lancaster London is the closest hotel to Hyde Park - ideal for those romantic strolls. It’s also close to the shopping districts of Oxford and Bond Street – perfect for engagement ring shopping! The hotel offers sweeping and far-reaching vistas of the city, making it the most Insta-worthy hotel to celebrate Valentine’s Day in London. Romance in the City Enjoy an overnight stay in a luxurious Deluxe or Executive Room, complimentary bottle of Champagne, Valentine’s inspired chocolate treat on arrival and breakfast the next morning – making it an unforgettable romantic treat. The package is priced from £359 (inc VAT) based on two people sharing. Suite Romance For those after pure indulgence, the Suite Romance package is the ultimate London getaway this Valentine’s weekend; including an overnight stay in a stunning Suite, bottle of Champagne, chocolate surprise

and breakfast in bed the next morning, all whilst taking in the dreamy views of London. Indulge in a celebratory drink or two with the complimentary mini-bar. Guests will also be offered a 1pm late check-out so they can truly relax into the moment. The package is priced from £599 (inc VAT) based on two people sharing. *** For guests not wanting to leave the hotel, there are two award-winning restaurants

onsite; Nipa Thai serving traditional and authentic Thai cuisine and Island Grill, offering a tempting aphrodisiac menu, specially-created for Valentine’s Day. Alternatively, guests can treat themselves to the in-room dining service allowing them to enjoy first-class cuisine from the comfort of their room. Royal Lancaster London, Lancaster Terrace, London W2 2TY Tel: 020 7551 6000 or www.royallancaster. com

Wedding Venues for every taste and budget

Looking for a beautiful wedding venue in Cardiff? We’ve put together some of our favourite Cardiff wedding venues to suit any taste or budget. We’re sure you’re bound to find the perfect place for your special day. THE CELTIC MANOR RESORT

HOLM HOUSE

The Celtic Manor Resort is licensed to hold civil ceremonies in a range of unique and beautiful venues throughout the Resort. Whatever the size of your wedding, from an intimate group of friends and family, to a grand celebration the Celtic manor has a venue and range of packages & menus to suit you. The Celtic Manor offers four unique wedding packages – each providing a choice of special touches.

Holm House sits in a prime position on Marine Parade in the quiet and affluent area of Penarth. It is an exclusive use wedding venue that caters to your bespoke needs. Every wedding at Holm House is unique and personalised to each couple. . Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a reception location Holm House is able to accommodate up to 86 guests for a wedding breakfast and 120 for evening parties.

Call 01633 410 252 Email weddings@celtic-manor.com www.celtic-manor.com/weddings

Call 02920 706029 www.holmhousehotel.com

CARDIFF MARRIOTT HOTEL

VOCO ST DAVID’S HOTEL

Sophistication and convenience go hand in hand at Cardiff Marriott Hotel. Impeccably located in central Cardiff.

Recently presented with a 2017 Gold Award by Visit Wales, voco St David’s Cardiff hotel offers a luxurious setting for your big day. The hotel is fully licensed for civil ceremonies.

You can easily seat up to 330 guests in the Bardd Suite, the hotel’s largest venue, or choose a smaller location for a more intimate affair. The hotel offers a range of packages that enable you to customize your wedding to suit your unique requirements.

Or for larger weddings, the Dylan Thomas suite can host up to 220 guests for a wedding breakfast and has its own private balcony. Call 44-29-20454045 Email rhiannon.parker@ihg.com www.ihg.com/voco/hotels/gb/en/cardiff/cwlcd/hoteldetail

Call 44 (0) 29 2039 9944 www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/event-planning/wedding-planning/ cwldt-cardiff-marriott-hotel

THE PARK PLAZA

VILLAGE HOTEL CARDIFF

The four-star Park Plaza Hotel is situated in the heart of Cardiff city centre. The Park Plaza Cardiff is fully licensed for Civil Marriage Ceremonies and can accommodate the smallest intimate gatherings to the largest most extravagant affairs with a number of different sized function rooms. Their dedicated and experienced Wedding Coordinators will work closely with you to ensure that your occasion is perfect in every aspect, from room design to bespoke menus to table decoration.

Just off the M4 located in the suburb of Coryton, the Village Hotel is located 15 minutes away from the buzzing city centre of Cardiff. Weddings can be hosted within the grounds of or within the hotel’s large banqueting room which accommodating up to 300 guests.

Call 44 (0) 2920 111 111 www.parkplazacardiff.com

02921 671120 www.village-hotels.co.uk/hotels/cardiff/

MANOR PARC HOTEL

PENCOED HOUSE ESTATE

The Manor Parc Hotel offers a superb setting for a wedding. Only 5 miles from the city centre Manor Parc was built in 1850, is surrounded by picturesque gardens beneath Caerphilly Mountain. With its spectacular domed ceiling, the Orangerie is a beautiful setting for your wedding breakfast, and features a terrace where your guests can enjoy breathtaking views.   With two bridal suites to choose from, you never need to be too far away from the action.

Located just 7 miles from Cardiff, Pencoed House Estate sits in the picturesque village of Capel Llanilltern. Pencoed House Estate is fully licensed for civil ceremonies & partnerships. Celebrations typically take place in the Old Hall but for larger wedding parties there is also a range of marquees to house 120 guests upwards on the manicured lawns overlooking the woodland. Pencoed House firmly believe that a bespoke wedding is the way to go – your wedding should be as unique as you. be at your disposal.

Call 029 2069 3723 www.manorparc.com/weddings

Call 029 2167 8090 www.pencoedhouseestate.co.uk/weddings

DE COURCEYS MANOR

CARDIFF CASTLE

The Manor is set in beautifully manicured grounds and is conveniently close to Cardiff city centre, ideal for travelling guests. De Courceys Manor is run as a family business that prides itself on personal service, individuality and imagination. Whether you are planning a small, intimate gathering or a large celebration, exclusive use of the venue will mean that you and your guests will enjoy the team’s undivided attention.

If you’re looking for a fairytale location it will be hard to beat a real-life castle. Cardiff Castle is one of Wales’ leading heritage attractions and a site of international significance. As one of the most exclusive wedding venues in Wales Cardiff castle offers a beautiful backdrop to stage your special day against. Cardiff Castle are able to put together tailored packages that will make your wedding day truly special.

The hotel offers dedicated wedding planners and a variety of local contacts who can decorate the venue to your taste.   Speak with one of their wedding coordinators on

Call on 029 2089 2232 Email enquiries@decourceys.co.uk www.decourceys.co.uk/weddings

Call 029 2087 8105 www.cardiffcastle.com/wedding-and-venue-hire