Aum Ganesha

Ganesha – one of the most worshipped deities in Hinduism. Ganesha – widely revered as the remover of obstacles and the bestower of spiritual gifts such as intellect, knowledge and wisdom. Ganesha – the God of beginnings.

Mythical Wall hanging

The Royal arcade is famed for it’s curious little shops and quirky cafes, but it is also known for a little boutique that houses all things Ganesha.

Aptly named Ganesha Handicrafts, after the majestic elephant God, this colourful multi-level store houses a wide selection of ethnic clothing, jewellery and Eastern inspired handicrafts. What’s special about their products is that they are ethically sourced from India and Nepal, ensuring that the craftsmen and women who hand make the store’s product range receive a fair wage for their skilled work.

If you’re hunting for a gift out of the mundane selection found elsewhere, then this shop doesn’t disappoint. Items like cloth messenger bags and backpacks for example retail for just £10 upwards. These bags come heavily embroidered in bright colours, are soft to touch and easy to sling on your shoulder or back. Choose from mirror work, patch work, tassels or simple knits, depending on how subtle or flamboyant your style is.

Embroidered bags

If traditional jewellery is more up your alley, the store has a wide collection of rings, pendants and necklaces, studded with vibrant gem stones from the Far East. Some of the natural stones used in the jewellery pieces include blue turquoise, Indian ruby, Japanese opal and black onyx. Though the jewellery is simple, it’s timeless and elegant, and makes the perfect accessory to complement any spring or summer outfit.

gems

Ethnic inspired earrings

 

And speaking of outfits, the store is stocked with ethnic wear for both men and women. The boho gypsy skirts, are sure to catch your eye as they glisten in the sunlight, almost as if they are showing off their pretty shades and mirrors.

Gypsy skirts

The shop smells as fragrant as oriental Jasmine flowers thanks to the aroma released from burning incense sticks, which are also available to purchase.

Kelly who loves shopping here says excitedly, “I cannot wait for pay day! I’m heading straight to Ganesha Cardiff!”

However, even if you were to leave without buying anything, just the experience of visiting the shop will leave you with a sense of calm and well being.

 

Thank you, Ganesha – the God of good fortune and success.

 

 

 

Penarth’s Windsor arcade

Located on Windsor Road, a quick 25 minute bus journey away from Cardiff city centre, is the quaint and charming Windsor arcade.

Privately owned, the arcade was designed by Edward Webb as a commercial development for entrepreneur Solomon Andrews and built in 1898 on Plymouth Estate land.

Today this Grade II listed hidden gem serves as a bridge, connecting Windsor Road and Ludlow Lane in Penarth.

Quirky signage

Walk in

Please come inside

The arcade is not a busy place, neither is it flamboyant. On the contrary, it’s quiet and unassuming. But the skills it lacks in being able to command attention, it makes up for in character.

Stroll through

With a bakery, tea room, sweet shop and flower market, its where the locals may wander through to meet an old friend and catch up on the days events.

Spring blooms

A young couple would venture here to grab a flat white to soak in the rustic ambience or a working mum would visit on her way home to purchase a lolly for her toddler.

Remember my story?

Umpa Lumpa

Got Nerds?

An executive may even rush in to grab a sandwich or have a quick business lunch with colleagues. The scenarios are endless.

You really don’t need a reason to visit this arcade, but if in Penarth, add it to your ‘to do’ or ‘to see’ list. Strolling through the entire arcade might take just under 10 minutes if you don’t stop at one of the tea rooms for a cuppa. Nonetheless, it would be the 10 best spent minutes of your afternoon.

Magical candy store

 

Want to feel like a princess?

As you walk in, a soothing all-white interior greets you as warmly as Theo does. Located in the quaint Wyndham Arcade, Bellisimos Aesthetics offers up the finest range of treatments any woman (or man) can desire.

Soothing interiors

From skin and body, to face and lips, this high ceilinged academy serves it all on a pristine platter. The treatments are designed with care and quality and aim to satisfy the majority of women and men who want to enhance their natural features, increase their metabolism, reverse the signs of aging, or simply slim down.

Some of the popular services include microdermabrasion for example. From £75 upwards, this treatment is incredible for de-clogging your pores and evening the skin tone on your face, neck and décolletage area. The treatment is known to cure dull skin, replacing it with a clear glow instead, while alleviating blemishes and any previous scarring caused by acne.

Other services you can enjoy at the clinic range from microblading and correcting eyebrows to lip enhancement, and Botox anti wrinkle procedures.

For expert skin care

Bellisimos takes pride in specializing in facials to suit all skin types and these are reasonably priced, starting at just £30. Melanie Evans, a resident of Cardiff, who recently had a facial was over the moon after her skin care therapy.

“I expected it to be painful, but the experience was so rejuvenating. All the dead skin on my face was professionally removed and it has left my skin feeling soft, fresh and naturally glowing,” she squealed.

Once you have decided on your therapeutic routine, select your preferred beverage from the menu provided. The choices start with a glass of prosecco, hot chocolate or juice and end with coffee, tea, water or soft drinks.

Fancy a Prosecco?

The beverage menu

Then relax and let the expert team at Bellisimos work their magic on you.

Walk in a lady, walk out a princess.

Paper, pens and poetry

They say love is a letter written on pink stationery. Well, what about letters written on other sheets of coloured paper? What do they represent?

Walk into the Pen and Paper in the Royal Arcade, the largest stationary retailer here in Cardiff, and you may be able to find out.

This store is a haven for those with a penchant for paper in all shapes, sizes and forms.

Leuchtturm notebooks

Organizers

Feeling Patriotic?

From diaries and Filofax’s for the super organized souls to journals and notebooks for those who only prefer the occasional scribble.

Paperblanks are beautiful writing books renowned for their intricately designed covers. The covers depict anything from traditional 17th century motifs to art nouveau inspired elements, such as the one pictured in the photograph below.

In a mood to share your deepest thoughts and secrets with someone? Then forget instant messaging, the writing sets and notecard collections with floral emblems could turn out to be your new best friend. Coupled with matching envelopes for a cohesive touch, the sets scream elegance and sophistication for just under £5.

Notecard collection

Notecard collection

However, vintage and art deco postcards are also on hand should you opt to pen a quick ‘hello’ to someone faraway..

Art nouveau postcards

Fancy a Rothbury Card?

Classic Advertising

There are also greeting cards, retro themed calendars, gifts in a tin and plenty more trinkets to surprise a family member, a lover, a colleague or a friend. They are as quirky as ‘sock monkey in a tin’, affordable and fun.

Gifts in a tin

Gifts in a Tin

 

The list goes on. What you write says a lot about you. But what you write on may convey a whole lot more. So forget writing texts for now. Go on a little paper chase and choose to write some poetry instead.

 

 

 

 

 

Meet me at the Wyndham

It stands alone. But it stands proud. The Wyndham Arcade is the oldest of the city’s arcades. Perhaps not as flamboyant as the other arcades, perhaps not as loud, yet every inch as grand.

It’s Edwardian architecture sets it apart from the crowd. Currently home to 10 independent retailers, if you’re looking to rent a commercial space or be a part of the arcade family, then hurry, there are two units currently available for leasing.

Space to let

 

Rick, the co-owner of Rebel Rebel, a body piercing an alternative living store in the court, shares his story: “This store has been around for 28 years, in three locations in the arcade. We love our customers. Some of our regular customers happen to be family members of our original customers, while we also have some tourists returning to the store after an year or more.”

Heaven Sent

Gypsy Bandanas

Bracelets for life

Boho Headbands

Rebel Rebel smells of insense sent down by the Gods, and is a myriad of colour, and other quirky and eclectic finds. The owners will gladly spare some time to chat and share their exotic tales.

Bellisimos role in the arcade, is to make clients look and feel beautiful. Just as its name suggests. Sparkling white interiors and dazzling chandeliers whisk you away to cleansing rituals, skin care routines and treatments, designed to make you feel Hollywood good. Kiera from Bellisimos Aesthetics says, “The arcades should definitely be the ‘go to’ place in Cardiff even though they are currently not, because they are a part of the city’s soul – quaint and charming.”

All that glitters

Bubbly anyone?

Foodies have lots of options to choose from at the Wyndham – be it Ask Italian, Bills family restaurant, Servini’s café or the Waterloo teahouse.

sunshine on a rainy day

Ask Italian

Bills Menu

The Hilton Hotels often boast that their slogan “Take me to the Hilton” is so well-known that it has been used by travellers for well over a century.

But when in Wales, opt for local culture and heritage. Besides, “Meet me at the Wyndham” has far more finesse, wouldn’t you agree?

For the bookworm: In you

If a penny was saved each time someone mentioned the phrase “cuddle up with a good book” or “cozy up with a good book”, there would be far too many pounds collected to count.

Although the words ‘good’ and ‘book’ always go hand in hand, it’s not really an essential requirement.

For, depending on what you like to read, isn’t it granted that all books are good?

While most books are tasked with the responsibility of sharing knowledge and imparting wisdom, some go a step further. Some take it upon themselves to divert your attention to mysterious, far off lands. Others will teach you how to bake the perfect red velvet cake. There are books whose pages take you to the past, there are those which fast forward to a future on Mars.

Books that teach colloquial Mandarin are quite different from books that teach the art of Feng Shui. While interior decorators might grab a book on antiques, fashion designers may opt for one about fabric textures.

Joke books make you laugh, classics have the potential to make you shed a tear or two. Thrillers will have you grabbing the edge of your seat, gardening manuals will have you grabbing a pair of gloves.

But rest assured, whatever your choice, there is one store in Cardiff that has it all.

Thrillers

Humour

Crime

Classics

Troutmark which specialises in selling second hand books, first editions, comics, annuals magazines and other rare specimens, is conveniently located in the Castle Arcade.

At first, Troutmark may seem like an unusual name for a bookshop but read it in context with their slogan ‘just one visit and you’re hooked’ and bingo, it starts to make sense.

Explore Troutmark’s extensive collection:

Molly Ernestine tweeted after a recent purchase of an autobiography: “The best find this afternoon from Troutmark Books –  a treasure trove of second hand books, comics and records.”

What’s truly special about this store is that not only are they book-sellers, they are also book buyers and will willingly purchase books off you.

Prices start from as low as a pound for some of the books on offer.

“Read a thousand books, and your words will flow like a river.” – Lisa See, Snow River and the Secret Fan

 

 

 

 

 

Art in the arcades

With the holiday festivities over, and the Christmas lists done and dusted, you might wish to detox by immersing in activities less stressful than shopping.

A walk in Bute park, morning yoga, jazz concerts and visits to museums are some of the more therapeutic activities that spring to mind, to calm the mind.

For some, if art is your ‘go to’ place, then look no further than the Duke Street Arcade. Step into Jian Chen’s Fine Art studio and whether you’re an art lover, collector, enthusiast or just a browser, this colourful little gallery will transport your mind to a more spiritual zone.

One where fairies and butterflies co-exist with parrots and penguins.

To another world

Every piece of artwork in the shop is derived from the artist’s original paintings, which can be viewed in her basement Gallery.

The artist, Jian Chen says uses watercolours to create her masterpieces. She has been painting since she was a child.

Here you can sneak a peak into Jian Chen’s exquisite collection

“I believe I’m now at a point where I exist within creativity,” Jian explains.

“I have the need to paint every day, just like when I was a child. Inspiration comes from everywhere, anything can trigger me.

“With regard to what to paint and how to paint, I just follow my instinct,” Jian expresses.

Jian’s candles, keychains and tshirts are ideal to present as gifts, while the paitings make perfect keep sakes to decorate your home. They are affordable with small prints starting from just £2.50 upwards.

One of the store’s best buys is the Sloth (featured below). Katie Mitchell who recently purchased a Sloth watercolour acknowledges that Jian is very talented.

The Sloth

“I love her work and I’m looking forward to hanging the beautiful painting up in my house!” she says joyfully.

A Christmas wish…

A special message from Jackie, who works at Sara Halewood, Royal Arcade, Morgan Quarter

“I want to wish a happy Christmas to everyone in Cardiff, to all religions and all cultures and I hope that everyone has a happy and healthy 2017!”

Love, Mrs Clause

The recent Marks & Spencer television advertisement is probably one of the better commercials released this year.In the on-screen advert, unknown to Mr Clause, Mrs Clause travels by helicopter to procure a pair of red trainers for little Jake. This is just so he can lovingly surprise his elder sister Anna, come Christmas morning.

This video touches almost everyone who watches it because it shines a spotlight on a different Christmas icon than one the world is used to. Plus, the dazzling red trainers are just a really cool gift for a 12 year old.

If it’s zany, quirky or cool gifts you are looking out for to fill those stockings in time for 25 December, your prayers to Mr and Mrs Clause, have just been answered.

With only a week left to go to complete that Christmas shopping gift list, note that while the following gifts easy on the eye, they are also easy on your wallet!

Bricks at Home is the world’s first LEGO inspired designed store, and until 11 January 2017, Cardiff folk will have a chance to visit their pop up shop in the Morgan Arcade.

‘Coffee Chain’ travel mugs, LEGO clocks and LEGO storage bricks are some of the fascinating and playful gifts on offer in the store.

Coffee Chain Travel Mugs for just £8

LEGO clock £25

Branded pouches starting from £4.50

Andrew Morris, of Bricks at Home says, “These gifts are good because they are colourful, reasonably priced and everybody has a fun connection to Lego.”

Christmas games anyone?

Classic tales

Hey snowman, look at my lips, says Robin

Best sellers since 1930

Scribbler is a busy little greeting card store, also located in the Morgan Arcade. Renowned for edgy, and humorous greeting cards, they have added a range of upbeat gifts to their repertoire this month.

Much loved Enid Blyton and Lady Bird short story books, Christmas games in a tin, and snow man and robin lip balms all retail for under £10 and their compact size makes renders them the ideal stocking filler.

If it’s foodie gifts you are after, mangia bene, Wally’s deli will come to the rescue with all good things Italian.Smoked cheeses, Panettone, chocolate and biscuit tins will no doubt make gifting or house visits a breeze since these goodies are already beautifully designed and pre-packaged. Just pop them in a bag and off you go! No further bows or gift wrapping is necessary.

Traditional sweet bread

Amaretti biscuit tins

Smoked cheese, festively packed

Panettone, which literally translates to ‘big bread’, is a sweet bread loaf laced with raisins and candied fruits. It is of Milanese origin and traditionally enjoyed after meals, during the festive season. The Panettone at Wally’s is available in various sizes, with the smallest weighing 100 grams and merely costing £2.95.

Trysori, a pop up shop in the Royal Arcade is famed for clutch bags and jewellery. Until Christmas eve, they will also sell Welsh made fabric and knitted toys from Ellie Sew. These charming soft toys are made by hand, crafted with love and the furthest from a commercial doll you will find elsewhere on the market.

Elina Zvereva from Cardiff, the name behind the Ellie Sew brand, reveals: “Sewing and making dolls, toys, and stuffed animals is my greatest passion. Every doll and toy is special and I’m able to share the warmth of my hands and heart with you when you take them home.”

Ann George from Port Talbot who has caught a glimpse of Ellie’s creations online adds, “I really like these knitted toys.”

“Christmas is a magnificent time of the year and I hope my toys could bring happiness to many kids as well as adults. If you’re tired of mass produced gifts, please visit the Trysori Christmas pop up shop to find heirloom gifts for your friends and family,” requests Elina.

Ellie Sew’s handmade dolls

Ellie Sew’s handmade dolls

With the weather being as cold as it is, how about some cozy booties to keep your feet warm? At Sara Halewood cute and quirky moshulu slip on’s are just the love your feet will crave this season.

Cozy and comfy from £35 upwards

 Jackie, who has been with Sara Halewood for almost 5 years, explains the concept of  gift shopping in the arcades: “What I like about the arcades is that they are unique, independent shops. It’s a very special place to come and shop for people.

“I think they should be looked after very well and promoted more than the larger shops, which are okay but quite normal.”

Jackie, is passionate about customer service and adds, “In the independent shops you will be well looked after.

“We have novel things to offer and share a special relationship with the customers which we have developed over the years. They have become friends as well as customers.”

Mrs Clause might think so too, Jackie.