Up until two years ago, I would have considered myself an absolute global travel enthusiast by all standard definitions. Speaking from the perspective of my younger mind, there were endless reasons why visiting cities and countries around the world could add value to my life—exposure to different cultures, a broadened professional career, friends, fun, international …
Author: malavika.thomas
UNPACKING THE APPEAL OF “SWANKY”
I write this as I dine at what some consider a semi-swanky place. This version entails high ceilings, industrial design and décor, and your standard heart-thumping deep-house (at a low volume) playing in the background. “Swanky” can mean different things to different people at various times. The definition can vary depending on how and where …
ALL ABOUT THE UPDO: THE VERSATILITY OF THE HAIRSTYLE THROUGH TIME
Getty Images for Unsplash+ As far as the concept of “minimalist” hairstyles goes, it’s unarguable that any look besides wearing your hair up and away from your face leads the charge. The only other option is wearing it down, but let’s face it: depending on your hair type, getting your flowing locks to behave and …
UNDERRATED ROMANCE, FOR VALENTINE’S DAY & BEYOND
The concept of love and romance has evolved dramatically over the last 100 years. Our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents all experienced extremely different versions of courtship, deep connection and love with their romantic interests, not all of whom ended up as their final wedded partners. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, I thought I’d take …
WHAT THE 7 DEADLY SINS LOOK LIKE IN 2025
The true root of my inspiration for this particular topic escapes me. I know it’s a heavy one. It may be the human nature and sociology reading binge I’ve been on combined with the 2025 goal-setting spree I decided to undertake earlier this month. Or maybe it’s the power of what seems to be a …
HOW TO EMOTIONALLY AND FINANCIALLY RECOVER FROM AN OVERSPENDING SPREE
It’s one of the oldest anxiety-inducing experiences in the book. Periods of intense overspending are usually followed by shock, regret, guilt, and panic about whether you really could and should have gone so far. Whether it was a pricey vacation you booked during a particularly stressful day at work, dinner out one too many nights, …
THINGS TO LEARN FROM THE YOUNG AND “INEXPERIENCED”
2025 will be the year I turn 39. I like this late-thirties era. The increased maturity (most days), deepened perspectives, heightened self-acceptance, and what felt like an instantaneous inner calm the day I turned 38 have all contributed to making me appreciate this stage of my life far more than I anticipated. In contrast, I’ve …
INTROVERT WEDDING IDEAS
I was never one to dream of or picture my wedding day growing up. Certain aspects of it, yes—the dress and choice of venue (always my favourite part of any wedding)—but that’s mostly where it ended. I adore attending weddings, however. Big ones that pull out all of the stops, complete with grand ceremonies and …
THE BEAUTY OF LIVING IN A LOW-KEY CITY
I’ve started to feel like the so-called “world-class cities “get all the hype. Whether they happen to be in Europe, North America, the Middle East, or Asia, the idealization of travelling to, working in, or living in cities like London, NYC, Paris, or Japan has reached diabolical proportions. I’m immensely guilty of this myself. I …
ACTIVITIES THAT DON’T NEED ALCOHOLIC ACCOMPANIMENT
The title of this article could be interpreted in two ways: as day-to-day routine activities that we currently engage in that we pair with the delight of an alcoholic beverage, or as leisurely or social experiences one may be searching for to escape the pressure of having to drink. With the holidays fast approaching and, …