XCity 2024 Magazine
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Maria Sarabi
lifestyle & culture journalist
An Iranian infatuation: the hidden magic of turmeric
Maria Bastan-Sarabi reflects on the importance of turmeric in Iranian cuisine, and its role in Western wellness culture.
Nothing was ever quite so bleak as the first grey and groggy hangover spent in my university hall during freshers week in September of 2020. With the stale taste of vodka and lemonade still on my tongue, I recall crawling to the shared kitchen. Surrounded by wrappers from takeaways the night before, I was itching for the comfort of my family home.
But peering into my sticky
Nothing was ever quite so bleak as the first grey and groggy hangover spent in my university hall during freshers week in September of 2020. With the stale taste of vodka and lemonade still on my tongue, I recall crawling to the shared kitchen. Surrounded by wrappers from takeaways the night before, I was itching for the comfort of my family home.
But peering into my sticky
Best Fashion Exhibitions Opening in 2024
2023 was the year for fashion enthusiasts — from Gabrielle Chanel: Fashion Manifesto at the V&A, to Gucci COSMOS at 180 Studios — we were given the very best that fashion exhibitions have to offer. And, luckily enough, this years line-up promises to be just as dazzling. So, here’s our guide to the best fashion exhibitions opening in 2024 that can’t be missed.
Greta Gerwig’s Barbie masterpiece starring Margot Robbie influenced the Barbie-core fashion trend, with pink being the colour of summer 2
Greta Gerwig’s Barbie masterpiece starring Margot Robbie influenced the Barbie-core fashion trend, with pink being the colour of summer 2
The Best Health and Wellness Trends for 2024
Navigating healthy choices in the new year can sometimes feel daunting. It can seem tricky knowing where to start. Luckily, we have made a simple guide of the best health and wellness trends worth trying in 2024.
The minute January hits everyone is ready to perfect their health and wellness regime for the new year. 2023 proved to be the year of self-care — out went excessive alcohol consumption and ultra-processed foods and in came prioritising gut health and mindfulness. The importance of heal
The minute January hits everyone is ready to perfect their health and wellness regime for the new year. 2023 proved to be the year of self-care — out went excessive alcohol consumption and ultra-processed foods and in came prioritising gut health and mindfulness. The importance of heal
Michelin-Star Indian Restaurant Benares Launches New Set Menu
The set menu will be available between January 8 and February 5 for lunch and dinner reservations, with a price of £49pp.
Benares has held a Michelin Star for 16 years, with the name deriving from India’s holy city. For those looking for a cosy escape from the cold and a hearty meal packed with nourishing ingredients, it makes for the perfect spot. Relax in one out of four of their private dining rooms or enjoy a drink in the lounge bar.
Benares has held a Michelin Star for 16 years, with the name deriving from India’s holy city. For those looking for a cosy escape from the cold and a hearty meal packed with nourishing ingredients, it makes for the perfect spot. Relax in one out of four of their private dining rooms or enjoy a drink in the lounge bar.
Restaurants with Shops in London
It’s time to blend food fanatics and shopping addicts with SPHERE’S edit of London’s best restaurants with shops. From handmade Italian pasta to pre-packed goodies, these shops offer everything for you to recreate your favourite dishes at home.
Quite often we dream about the fresh pasta we indulged in during a date at the local Italian. Or wish we could prepare a tapas board as good as the one we enjoyed in the summer holidaying in Barcelona. Fortunately for Londoners, many of our favourite aut
Quite often we dream about the fresh pasta we indulged in during a date at the local Italian. Or wish we could prepare a tapas board as good as the one we enjoyed in the summer holidaying in Barcelona. Fortunately for Londoners, many of our favourite aut
Escape Off-Grid to L’Ovella Negra
Found in the Pyrenees Mountains of Andorra, L’Ovella Negra is a place for everyone — for those who wish to recline and relax in their own privacy and escape the bustle of home, but also for those who want to meet people, share stories and explore the valley. Whether winter or summer, snow or shine, the lodge adapts with the seasons and provides the ultimate luxury stay for holiday makers.
L’Ovella Negra, the Spanish for black sheep, is a four-room mountain lodge at the end of the Vall d’Incles,
L’Ovella Negra, the Spanish for black sheep, is a four-room mountain lodge at the end of the Vall d’Incles,
Seasonal Farm Feasts at Pennard Hill Farm
Popular Glastonbury glamping site Pennard Hill Farm now hosts monthly seasonal feasting nights. Run by husband-and-wife team Tom and Pippa Chambers, the feast is made from Somerset produce and ingredients foraged or grown by the family.
As winter hits, we all look to hearty, seasonal meals to keep us warm. Luckily, Pennard Hill Farm’s open kitchen offers a dining space for 40. Tom Chambers’ deep knowledge of the countryside is translated into the cuisine, from buttermilk partridge with smoked q
As winter hits, we all look to hearty, seasonal meals to keep us warm. Luckily, Pennard Hill Farm’s open kitchen offers a dining space for 40. Tom Chambers’ deep knowledge of the countryside is translated into the cuisine, from buttermilk partridge with smoked q
‘I paid a friend to tile my bathroom and it was shoddy – should he fix it for free?’
We wanted our bathroom updated so I turned to the husband of my wife’s friend, who is a plumber. Despite my expectation, there was no friend’s discount, but I didn’t mind paying full price as trusting a tradesman to do a proper job is worth spending money on.
However, a couple of days after the installation, when using the shower, I heard a banging noise coming from behind the newly tiled wall. My research tells me this is caused by the hot water pipe expanding.
I mentioned this to our friend
However, a couple of days after the installation, when using the shower, I heard a banging noise coming from behind the newly tiled wall. My research tells me this is caused by the hot water pipe expanding.
I mentioned this to our friend
For sale: Francis Bacon’s former home where he painted George Dyer
There are conflicting accounts of how Francis Bacon met George Dyer, his artistic muse. The most captivating story is that Dyer, known as a criminal from East London, attempted to burgle Bacon’s Reece Mews home in 1963. According to the Irish Times, Bacon told Dyer he could take whatever he wanted if he took his clothes off and came into his bed. Although this may be urban legend, Bacon continued to paint Dyer in his small studio at Reece Mews.
Bacon’s London home serves as the location where h
Bacon’s London home serves as the location where h
‘My fiancée wants to splurge our house deposit on a big wedding – what can I do?’
What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below and by emailing moralmoney@telegraph.co.uk.
You can also put any question to us (and anonymously) by using the email address above.
Last week’s Moral Money: 'Is it wrong to send one child to private school – but not the other?'
I have two children – a son and a daughter aged nine and 10. Ever since they were little, my wife and I had our hearts set on enrolling them in one of the best schools in our area.
For a long time, covering
You can also put any question to us (and anonymously) by using the email address above.
Last week’s Moral Money: 'Is it wrong to send one child to private school – but not the other?'
I have two children – a son and a daughter aged nine and 10. Ever since they were little, my wife and I had our hearts set on enrolling them in one of the best schools in our area.
For a long time, covering
VOGUE Mock December Issue
As part of the short course in Fashion Journalism we had to create a mock mini issue for British Vogue's upcoming December Issue. I chose the theme of regeneration.
To grow. To change. To rethink our institutions and how they serve us. To move into a new era of sustainability that fits with our view of the future. To speak to a new audience who've not felt part of the discourse.
To grow. To change. To rethink our institutions and how they serve us. To move into a new era of sustainability that fits with our view of the future. To speak to a new audience who've not felt part of the discourse.
Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D star and university alumna Elizabeth Henstridge returns to Birmingham
The evening saw Elizabeth interviewed by two of our current students, the screening of an episode she directed, and a Q&A with the audience. Hear below from Elizabeth, our host for the evening Professor Rob Stone, and one of our interviewers Maria Bastan-Sarabi, BA English and Film. Elizabeth talked about her time as a Drama student at UoB, including her first time on campus:
Elizabeth also reflected on what drew her to study drama at UoB: ‘It felt all encompassing, I knew I wanted to act but I
Elizabeth also reflected on what drew her to study drama at UoB: ‘It felt all encompassing, I knew I wanted to act but I
Sofia Richie’s ‘Old Money’ Wedding: Just Another Trend or a Style as Old as Time? | Life&Style
Life&Style’s Maria Bastan-Sarabi questions whether Sofia Richie’s ‘Old Money’ style wedding is simply a passing trend among wealthy celebrities, or whether it is here to stay
Sofia Richie Grainge has become TikTok’s latest muse thanks to her recent opulent and minimalist outfits. The youngest daughter of singer Lionel Richie and so-called ‘nepo baby’ (short for nepotism), swapped her sexy Californian-girl wardrobe for modesty and elegance as she served a string of timeless couture wedding piece
Sofia Richie Grainge has become TikTok’s latest muse thanks to her recent opulent and minimalist outfits. The youngest daughter of singer Lionel Richie and so-called ‘nepo baby’ (short for nepotism), swapped her sexy Californian-girl wardrobe for modesty and elegance as she served a string of timeless couture wedding piece
Review: Amsterdam | Film
The saying that too many cooks spoil the broth is perhaps applicable for David O. Russell’s new star-studded Amsterdam. The film positions itself as a mysterious historical drama, while incorporating a light-hearted comedy into its dialogue. Despite the impressive cast list, including big names such as Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, John David Washington, Rami Malek, Mike Myers, Anya Taylor-Joy and Robert De Niro, Amsterdam lacks in coherence. Playing on the theme of history repeating itself, th
Rewind: The Godfather Turns 50 | Film
50 years have passed since Francis Ford Coppola released The Godfather; a film hailed by many as the greatest cinematic masterpiece in history. Paramount were initially reluctant to produce and fund the project, with many individuals set against the creation of the film. Therefore, the question that remains is how Coppola’s work ended up achieving this remarkable status and influencing cinema to date. A rewind on the Golden Anniversary seems best fitting to discover where it all began for the cr