THE BRANCH BLOG 

Humankind. Be both. I thought about this quote whilst sitting at my desk whilst at work. It was one of those quiet moments where your body is doing one thing, but your mind has wandered somewhere else entirely. I first heard the quote a few years ago while listening to Archetypes, one of my favourite podcasts, and for some reason it found its way back to me that afternoon. I always find it so peculiar how certain words have a way of resurfacing exactly when you need them. Thi

When in Bali I have been to many countries, but none have touched my soul as much as Bali. From the moment we arrived, it felt as though we had stepped into another world. A world filled with beautiful smiles and incredible food. And of course, the slow mornings, the kind that make you forget what day of the week it is. One of our adventures consisted of us visiting the Monkey Forest. Which you can imagine was slightly chaotic, but nevertheless magical. Watching the monkeys

Thalidomide Voices There are moments in history that somehow manage to become distant, neatly tucked away in textbooks. That is, however, until you realise their ripple effect is still very much alive to this day. The story of Thalidomide is one of those moments. Prescribed in the late 1950s and early 1960s as a seemingly harmless remedy for morning sickness, the thalidomide drug carried a ruinous secret. Thousands of babies were born with severe congenital disabilities, incl

A taste of Jamaica There's something so special about sharing a meal that comes with a story. One of my favourite cuisines has always been Jamaican food. Perhaps it's because my grandad is Jamaican, so it's always felt like a little piece of my own heritage. Food has such a beautiful way of connecting us to family, our roots, our culture, and memories, and for me, Jamaican food does exactly that. Even sweeter? The person I was cooking with has Jamaican heritage, too, so spend

There was a time, not so long ago, when I genuinely believed that anyone who could run a 5K had to have been engineered in a lab, with perfect lung capacity and an unwavering sense of discipline. It certainly didn’t feel like something meant for me. I would constantly try on the treadmill and feel so disheartened when I could merely last five minutes.

Sunrise & Soulmates: Climbing Moel Famau This Valentine’s weekend, we skipped crowded restaurants and did something that felt far more us. We climbed Moel Famau. Just me and my man, a packed lunch, and a 5 am alarm that honestly felt illegal at the time. And it turned out to be the most perfect ending to our Valentine’s weekend. There’s something quietly romantic about setting off while the world is still asleep. The air was crisp, our breath visible in the dark, and everythi

Carbonara Recipe My man casually mentioned he loved carbonara, and wouldn’t you know it, the very next day, a recipe for it gracefully appeared on my feed. The universe has a funny way of nudging us, doesn’t it? So, in this Branch blog, I’m sharing my own take on the classic, simple, soulful, and made with love. Because sometimes the most beautiful moments begin with a craving… and end with a perfect bowl of pasta. What you will need: ୨୧ 80 grams Guanciale ୨୧ 2 tsp finely gr

This is a short, quick blog in appreciation of my best friend, my Dannen. This weekend was all about celebrating your 21st, and I honestly couldn’t have asked for a nicer way to do it with you. I dropped him the location pin, and we met at one of our hotel favourites The Titanic. From the moment we went for food at the Gino D’Acampo Lounge, it already felt special. We headed straight into the photobooth. Good food, good atmosphere, and even better company. We ended the night

Some recipes are more than just food. They're memories. For me, Ratatouille was one of those childhood movies that stayed with me long after the credits rolled, and that was admittedly due to my deep love of Paris. The idea that food could tell a story, spark such emotion, and bring people together completely captivated me. I remember watching Remy carefully layer vegetables with such care, thinking that cooking must be something truly special, and you know what good ol’ Gust

Date night My wonderful man took me out to one of my newfound favourite restaurants. The daffodil, Liverpool. From the moment I saw it, I couldn’t stop smiling. Every time we’d drive past on our way home, I’d tell him how it reminded me of the riverboat from The Princess and the Frog. So romantic, timeless, and just magical. The manager, Peter was wonderful. He was very kind to us as soon as we walked in and took lots of pictures for us, and if you know me, you will know j

There’s something so wonderful about a Victoria sponge. It is that classic, no-fuss beauty of a cake that feels like a warm hug from an English afternoon. Two soft golden layers, a hint of jam, a cloud of whipped cream, and a delicate dusting of powdered sugar on top. To call it perfect would simply be an understatement. I remember the first time I baked one. It was a Friday morning, and that evening I was meeting my mans’ family for the first time, and I wanted to make a goo

Love in Layers a short 'n' sweet recipe There’s something so grounding about baking a cake together. The sound of music in the background, which allows you both to boogie whilst baking, the scent of vanilla traveling through the kitchen, and that moment, you know the one , where you both lean over the bowl, laughing as you spot an eggshell that has sneaked its way in. It’s simple, messy, and somehow perfect. This is a recipe I adore; it is easy and hassle-free. It’s a classic

There’s something about Dubai that feels like stepping into a postcard, only the postcard comes alive around you. The moment I arrived, I felt wrapped in a warmth that went way beyond the desert sun. It was the warmth of the people, the vibrancy, of the energy. It is a country that’s both beautifully modern and deeply rooted in tradition. From the moment I arrived, I was struck by how alive the city feels. It’s a city that celebrates contrast… bold yet graceful, fast yet gr

There’s a certain kind of magic that casts itself over October evenings, the air turns crisp, candles flicker, and there’s this perfect excuse to slow down and lean into cosiness. The other night, with the faint sound of rain outside we decided to stay in. No fuss, no fancy plans. Just a cozy, spooky night in… the kind that feels like a warm hug.

As soon as we landed in Hong Kong, we were greeted with the skyline wrapped in mist, the air heavy with the promise of rain. My gal pal / cousin Helena and I had planned a last-minute spontaneous trip, blissfully unaware that the cyclone season was waiting to make its grand entrance just as we arrived. All the main attractions were closed, the wind was wild, and yet… There was something so majestic about it all. So instead of letting the stormy weather warnings get us down, w

There are some occasions that feel worthy of more than ' just a take away' celebration and last weekend was exactly that. My man had just reached a huge milestone in his career. One of those moments that deserves more than a quiet “well done.” It deserved a toast, a memory, and an experience to match the achievement. The Farmhouse was the perfect setting for it all. I had never heard about it, it was only through D mentioning how much he enjoyed it that I knew it would be

12/08/2005, my birthday. I always see birthdays as a new year, new you, fresh start type of thing. This one, however, feels like more than just blowing out candles and making wishes. I have left my teenage years behind, and I am starting to feel more like an adult… a new career in law, a wonderful man, and new goals. I am no longer a 'young adult'. I am someone carving a path, defining values, and shaping a future that I get to claim as my own. Nineteen carried the remnants o

To be loved is to be seen: the importance of surrounding yourself with good people This year I have been surrounded by the most wonderful people; some have always been around me, and some came in just at the right time. Those who I have entered the new year with and those who I have met along the way I am extremely grateful for. ‘To be loved is to be seen’ is one of my favourite quotes, and this branch blog will delve into the meaning of it and how this can help with your p

He loves his warm Vimto. I mean warm. Not room temperature, not hot. Just warm enough to his comfort, done his way. Trying to get the hot to cold ratio just right was a little hard at first, but I think I have got there. He is so particular about his peach loops. Not just any kind. The kind. The kind he got when he was little. Mango and papaya juice and a bar of Cadbury's chocolate are staples next to his gaming chair. In all honesty, at first I was scared. I’d never real