10 Ways to Get Your Start In the Creative Industries

*Contains affiliate links  A career in creative industries is something that is appealing to many people but it's now always the easiest industry to get a foothold into, although with a clear plan and ambition it really is possible. I always knew I wanted a creative job when I was younger and I feel very privileged to be able to write for a living but it took a lot of work to be able to do this full time. Firstly I started out about 15yrs ago writing for local and community-based magazines while studying in Photography and Photojournalism at college and then University, although I strongly feel you don't have to go to University achieve your goals.  There are plenty of opportunities in the creative industries but often you have to go out and find them. Besides writing for local magazines during my studies I also worked for an events company as a festival & live bands photographer, learning the importance of selling rights to images, networking and being profession......

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3 Theatre shows in Cardiff to see this Christmas

*We were kindly provided with tickets to watch Nutcracker on Ice in return for an honest review  Who doesn't love a trip to the Theatre? I know I do, whether it be on a date night or with the kids there is something really special about seeing a live performance. We are lucky in Cardiff and the South Wales area that we have some fantastic Theater and production companies as well as being a destination for touring shows. While we cannot compare to the West End in London there is an ever-growing scene that offers something for everyone. The festive season is the perfect time to catch a show, with so many going on it can be the perfect treat for you or the family so I thought I would share 3 of my favourite ones that are on at the moment. 1. The Snow Queen , Sherman Theatre until 31st Dec The Sherman Theatre is one of my favourite Theatres right in the heart of Cardiff and while it's not the biggest it puts on some steller shows. The Show Queen is a fantastic Chris......

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4 Must Try Unique Experiences in Brisbane

After my last post about why I want to visit Iceland and reasons why it should be on your bucket list I thought I would do the same for another country I am desperate to go to - Australia. Having grown up in the South Hemisphere (South Africa) I know a lot of friends who have moved down under as the lifestyle is very similar. I love hot climates and living near the coast and I know I would just love it there and have been putting together a few favourite off the beaten track places I want to see in Brisbane, which is meant to be one of the most underrated cities in Australia. So what is it that I find so appealing about Brisbane, well like anywhere I like to visit places that are vibrant but have less tourists, but still plenty to get your teeth into and Brisbane is just that. Still very much a large and bustling city with it's being the third most populated in Australia, the capital being Queensland means there is plenty of great cafes, art scene, nice establishments, and......

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A weekend exploring London's West End with Kids

I still remember like it was yesterday my own excitement as a child heading into London to see Starlight Express on the West End with my parents, it was a big deal and I was captivated from start to finish, it is one of my favourite childhood memories and I was thrilled to be reliving this experience with my kids. We boarded the train early in the morning and I'm not sure who was more excited, me or the kids about our trip to the Capital, either way I knew it was going to be a fantastic weekend away and  wasn't wrong. As soon as we arrived at Paddington station we made our way to the Lyric Theatre in the West End, picked up our tickets and stood in line as the atmosphere started to build as more families joined. August is the best time to introduce the wonderful world of theatre to your kids as it's Kids Week in London, a month long initiative that allows kids to go to an array of West End productions for free with a full paying adult. Being Julia Donaldson......

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Birmingham – 5 reasons why you should visit this stylish city

Birmingham might not be the first place that comes to mind as a stylish city break and is often overlooked despite it being the most populous city outside of London. Personally, I have always found this city to be vibrant, colourful and leaving me with wanting more time to explore all that is has to offer. Like most cities in the UK a lot of redevelopment has happened over the past few years tapping into the mix of cultures in the city making it a paradise for foodies. Street style and fashion has also boomed over the last decade making the city a haven for trendsetters and boutique buyers. Interior design stores have popped up over the city as well as many new stylish flats, hotels and modernised buildings and bigger budgets going into maintaining one of the many parks and green spaces across the city. I usually find myself in the city around once a year, mainly on day trips although we are planning on a short family night away as historically and culturally there is so much......

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5 Fantastic Theatres in South Wales

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at The Sherman Theatre, Cardiff When visiting Wales for the first time or the hundredth time, the one thing you will most assuredly want to do is have a night out at the theatre. If there is one thing the UK is famous for around the globe is the amazing theatres that offer everything from Broadway musicals to family theatre to opera. Whether staying in Cardiff or any of the outlying cities and towns, you will find some of the best entertainment there is to be found while getting a taste of culture, Welsh style of course! Here is a sampling of some of the favourite theatres Wales has to offer. 1. Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff The Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff opened back in November of 2004 and over the past decade has been host to a great number of theatre events including such things as ballet, opera, musicals and comedy events. The centre itself is an arts centre that is located on a total land area of 4.7 acres and the......

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Must See shows at The Sherman

If you live in or around Cardiff you will more than likely have heard about The Sherman Theatre - a fantastic place that helps develop and nurture Welsh and Wales based artists and provides a platform for them to showcase their productions in a professional and high production manner. We have been to this Theatre many times and have never been disappointed as it has something for everyone - amazing kids shows that are engaging and interactive to more serious dramatic and inspiring plays for a more adult audience. This month we have been lucky enough to come along and review two very different productions that are currently running at The Sherman, the first being The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and the second  being The Princess and the Pea. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe I have always loved CS Lewis fantastical stories of Narnia and other far flung lands so I was very excited to see this well known story adapted for the stage. The age recommendation fo......

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Dogs don't do Ballet - Theatre Review

Mr A ready for the show At the end of the last month the little man and I were lucky enough to have a little trip to the theatre at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama to watch The Little Angle Theatre puppet production "Dogs don't do Ballet" and we were hooked instantly just by the name, it's screams out curiosity and fun. It can sometimes be hard to find age appropriate shows but this one was perfect for toddlers and children aged 2-6 yrs old. The story is based around a dog called Biff who unlike ordinary dogs likes music and walking on his tiptoes and is convinced he is not a dog but rather a ballerina. This is brought to life through beautiful puppets, ballet music and comedy and it had a lot of laugh out loud moments for both toddlers and adults. It mixes puppets and performers together with the show starting with one of the performers taking the role of the ballet dancer and getting the children to do some ballet moves in their seat, which......

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Date night at the Sherman Theatre

With the whole house move, Christmas, work as well as juggling parenthood, it's not left as much time to spend as a couple of late so when we were given the opportunity to have a night out at The Sherman Theatre in Cardiff we couldn't wait. With tickets in hand to watch the wintery themed " The Sleeping Beauties " and a little tipple from the bar on our way in, we really didn't know what to expect, especially when at least half of the audience was pre-teens in age we wondered if it was going to be like watching a children's performance, but we couldn't of been more wrong. The show started with a smokey stage, the witch of the forest singing in the corner and an eerie and enchanting atmosphere, any concerns we had drifted away immediately as we became mesmerised by the beautiful stage set and talented cast. It was one of those productions that had many levels to it and dealt with some serious subject matters such as the wheel of life and death, ......

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