“They want to see you do good but never better than them. Remember that.”

It’s not the most empowering of quotes but it came to mind when I thought about International Women’s Day. The world may be fighting for female equality, but it’s important to acknowledge the societal pitfalls that hinders real progress – and the fact that women may be at fault.

It was Tuesday. Day four of Ramadan, day two of my period. My cramps were unbearable and I was about to both cry because of the podcast I was listening to and shout at this guy whose rucksack kept touching me.

Commute aside, indoors with no one invading my personal space, I was asked how I’d been finding fasting.

“Oh I’m not fasting this week,” I said hesitantly, knowing what was about to happen.
“Why’s that?” I was asked.
“I’m on my period so I’ll be starting next week,” I said, wondering why I had to now justify myself.

Tragedies like 9/11, the refugee crisis and the recent attacks in London brought people together. However, I found myself wondering why the Yezidi crisis hadn’t generated the same reaction.

Photojournalist Benjamin Eagle, captured the portraits featured in the exhibition at the Lacey Contemporary Gallery. Alongside them were the stories of each individual woman.

Have you ever been offended by a woman and her decision to cover her skin?

No? Me neither, but try telling that to French officials.

Brunch is probably my favourite meal, which I think we should all take more time to appreciate and indulge in. What’s even better in my opinion is when you come across a brunch menu that isn’t filled with the typical dishes that are synonymous with this trendy past time. Smashed avocado on toast is great but let’s be real, we’ve all mastered this to perfection.

It’s always difficult to put pen to paper – or fingertips to keyboard in my case – when it comes to a subject that matters to so many, that you care about yourself, but feel as though you need to properly represent when writing about it.

I’ve probably bitten off more than I can chew when it comes to discussing the Black Lives Matter movement. I don’t have an African American background, but I am a woman of colour and every time I read about another shooting, another life lost, it not only infuriates me, it makes me lose another little shred of hope for humanity and justice.

For the first time, the European Grand Prix was held in Baku, Azerbaijan. Known as the ‘Land of Fire’, I was excited for the world to be introduced to a city that’s steeped in history and culture. A city where the East and West fuse together seamlessly.

With a new circuit to contend with, which pushed drivers, the European GP sure tested my patience as I’m sure it did with the drivers. A lot of work has gone into this particular circuit with Ricciardo telling Sky Sports F1 ahead of the race that “The track feels as tight as it looks.”

A few weeks ago I was on the Sunny and Shay Show on BBC Radio London discussing whether or not the South Asian community still held the attitude of son preference.

Growing up, I’ve always been aware that boys usually had more freedom than girls but never have I ever heard my parents or family members mutter that they wished I was born a boy. The discussion with Sunny and Shay really opened my eyes up to seriously damaging attitudes the South Asian community has when it comes to gender.

As the weather slowly heats up and we finally start to introduce sandals and short sleeves to our daily wardrobe – when it’s not pouring down with random rain – you’ll come to find that wedding season is upon us. It does seem over the last couple of years that so many people have decided to take the plunge and get engaged, and inevitably with their big day approaching I’ve been on the hunt for some wedding appropriate outfits.

Let’s face it – even the most sceptical of us would be intrigued at what a masterclass titled ‘Finding Mr or Mrs Right’ would entail.

Saturday was the perfect day to find out as I made my way to the Bermondsey Square Hotel. I sometimes do my best thinking on a long walk and making my way down to the masterclass hosted by Wajeeha Amin triggered a flurry of thoughts – what am I going to gain from this class? How does one even find Mr Right?