Sonias Retreat

24/10/2023

Love is complicated. Attachement is complicated. Human beings are complicated. Perhaps some of you can relate but I fell in love with the wrong person. The worst and painful part was we were working together and he was married with kids. At the beginning for one month it was normal then it turned abusive and toxic soon after but slowly over time we built a bond....

Love is complicated. Attachement is complicated. Human beings are complicated. Perhaps some of you can relate but I fell in love with the wrong person. The worst and painful part was we were workin…

06/04/2023

From an Arabesque palace fantasy in Dubai to lush tea trails in Sri Lanka, here are a few exciting hotel recommendations. Jumeirah Al Qasr, Dubai A blissful retreat sited at Madinat Jumeirah, Jumeirah Al Qasr boasts a serene waterway, unrivalled views of the Burj Al Arab, lush greenery, epicurean dining experiences, exceptional spa and gym facilities, making it the perfect spot for a staycation or last-minute Eid al-Fitr escape....

From an Arabesque palace fantasy in Dubai to lush tea trails in Sri Lanka, here are a few exciting hotel recommendations. Jumeirah Al Qasr, Dubai A blissful retreat sited at Madinat Jumeirah, Jumei…

13/03/2023

From dealing with irrational people to handling toxic co-workers and overcoming emotional difficulties, here are a few book suggestions for this week. Talking to Crazy by Mark Goulston We all come across irrational people at some point in our life. It could be an overbearing boss, an annoying colleague or a partner who constantly picks a fight. Once we accept everyone can be a little crazy and try to understand what triggered their actions, we'll be able to handle their craziness better....

From dealing with irrational people to handling toxic co-workers and overcoming emotional difficulties, here are a few book suggestions for this week. Talking to Crazy by Mark Goulston We all come …

12/03/2023

You know those days, the ones where you want to whip up a meal from the comfort of your home. Think creamy dips blending richness with tangy sauces to heartwarming meatballs with spicy paste bursting with flavours. Here are some exciting recipe suggestions for the month. Za'atar-Spiced Beet Dip with Goat Cheese and Hazelnuts This vibrant beet dip builds flavours in a variety of ways - slightly sweetened with pure maple syrup, enhanced with minced chile, topped with crunchy hazelnuts and soft goats cheese....

You know those days, the ones where you want to whip up a meal from the comfort of your home. Think creamy dips blending richness with tangy sauces to heartwarming meatballs with spicy paste bursti…

10/03/2023

Be the kind of woman who, when your feet hit the floor each morning, the devil says, “Oh no, she’s up!”

06/03/2023

Whether you are looking to destress or reset, here are a few wellness retreats to rejuvenate the mind and body. One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai Embark on a memorable holistic wellbeing journey and pamper yourself with oriental healing and therapeutic treatments at One&Only Royal Mirage's spa. The Traditional Oriental Hammam features a calming steam bath and a heated marble slab to help rejuvenate your body, skin and muscles....

Whether you are looking to destress or reset, here are a few wellness retreats to rejuvenate the mind and body. One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai Embark on a memorable holistic wellbeing journey and…

27/02/2023

From iconic castles in London to breathtaking lakes in Italy, here are a few exciting hotel recommendations. The Langham, London Nestled in the heart of West End, The Langham whisks you away on a British cultural affair, with its opulent interiors, adorned with chandeliers, marble columns, and charming suites, to name a few. The venue has hosted some of the most notable writers in history – Charles Dickens, Oscar Wilde and Mark Twain, amongst others....

From iconic castles in London to breathtaking lakes in Italy, here are a few exciting hotel recommendations. The Langham, London Nestled in the heart of West End, The Langham whisks you away on a B…

22/02/2023

From exquisite Mediterranean cuisine to French brasserie classics, here are a few exciting recommendations for the week. Bungalo34 Bungalo34 by Tashas Group takes diners on an epicurean dining experience across the Mediterranean with picturesque beachside views. Nestled within Nikki Beach Resort & Spa on Pearl Jumeirah Island, the venue offers Greek, French and Italian inspired flavours, featuring dishes such as Billionaires Crab Sticks, Lobster Thermidor, Prawn Bazaruto, Nutella Puffs, and more....

From exquisite Mediterranean cuisine to French brasserie classics, here are a few exciting recommendations for the week. Bungalo34 Bungalo34 by Tashas Group takes diners on an epicurean dining expe…

21/02/2023

From organizational psychology to help achieve your goals and avoid mental pitfalls to leveraging your mistakes, here are a few book suggestions for this week. How Successful People Think by John C. Maxwell Looking to achieve personal success and your full potential? This book helped me understand the key areas of successful thinking to change my life including big-picture, focused, creative, shared and reflective thinking, amongst others....

From organizational psychology to help achieve your goals and avoid mental pitfalls to leveraging your mistakes, here are a few book suggestions for this week. How Successful People Think by John C…

18/02/2023

"Everything negative - pressure, challenges - is all an opportunity for me to rise."...

“Everything negative – pressure, challenges – is all an opportunity for me to rise.”

09/02/2023

“When one door closes, another door opens, but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.”...

“When one door closes, another door opens, but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.”

04/02/2023

The Dubai Edition Thompson Toronto Fouquets New York Aman Kyoto

The Dubai Edition Thompson Toronto Fouquets New York Aman Kyoto

02/02/2023

From irresistible Thai flavors to authentic Greek cuisine, here are a few exciting restaurant recommendations for this week. Pai Thai Pai Thai surrounded by lush greenery and serene waterways offers the perfect spot to embark on a idiosyncratic dining experience. The restaurant has been earning raves since opening, featuring authentic Thai cuisine as well as a plant-based menu. The exceptional dishes with sublime ingredients at their heart include Steamed seabass fish fillet, garlic, chilli, thai celery and lime sauce; Crispy tiger prawns, garlic, coriander and green pepper sauce and Green chicken curry, Thai eggplant, coconut shoot and Thai sweet basil, to name a few....

From irresistible Thai flavors to authentic Greek cuisine, here are a few exciting restaurant recommendations for this week. Pai Thai Pai Thai surrounded by lush greenery and serene waterways offer…

02/02/2023

Throughout an individual’s whole life the question of identity and belonging arises at some point of life. This is usually when people are exposed to different communities and cultures. “It does so only because there is more than one idea to conjure up and hold together the communities welded by ideas to which one is exposed in our variegated, polycultural world.” (Bauman, 2004) I was born and raised in Saudi Arabia....

Throughout an individual’s whole life the question of identity and belonging arises at some point of life. This is usually when people are exposed to different communities and cultures. “It does so…

28/01/2023

"Your attitude is what determines your day. Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it."...

“Your attitude is what determines your day. Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.”

18/01/2023

In 2013, when I was 22 I moved from London to Asia with an empty bank account, one huge suitcase and dreams. Over the years, I worked for a range of different industries and travelled extensively across South East Asia. My life, career and relationships has been crazy, stressful and fun over the last 10 years with breakdowns and hard lessons learnt along the way....

In 2013, when I was 22 I moved from London to Asia with an empty bank account, one huge suitcase and dreams. Over the years, I worked for a range of different industries and travelled extensively a…

16/01/2023

“Every day is a chance to begin again. Don’t focus on the failures of yesterday, start today with positive thoughts and expectations.” - Catherine Pulsifer For some a New Year is meant to mark a fresh start, set new goals, to leave the past behind and a chance to build a new chapter. I'd like to believe every year is a blank slate to become whatever I want to be despite the tears and challenges....

“Every day is a chance to begin again. Don’t focus on the failures of yesterday, start today with positive thoughts and expectations.” – Catherine Pulsifer For some a New Year is meant to mar…

07/01/2023

Hello Dubai! My four-month experience in Dubai has been a rollercoaster ride. Moving to a new country has been exciting and challenging. I love the country, culture and food. I am grateful for all the beautiful people, places, food and experiences so far! On the other hand, it was tough to adapt to change - being away from family, working remotely without a good support system and dating heartbreaks, to name a few....

Hello Dubai! My four-month experience in Dubai has been a rollercoaster ride. Moving to a new country has been exciting and challenging. I love the country, culture and food. I am grateful for all …

02/12/2022

From the psychology of intrinsic motivation to building a multimillion-dollar fashion empire and improving your relationships, here are a few book suggestions for this week. Drive by Daniel Pink Looking to achieve high performance and satisfaction at work, school or home? This book helps us understand what motivates us, how serving intrinsic motivations and the need to control our own lives, produce new things and do better by ourselves helps us achieve our goals....

From the psychology of intrinsic motivation to building a multimillion-dollar fashion empire and improving your relationships, here are a few book suggestions for this week. Drive by Daniel Pink Lo…

11/06/2022

Favorites in Dhaka Bangladesh
http://soniasretreat.com/2022/06/12/favorites-in-dhaka-bangladesh/

Visit the post for more.

13/04/2022

What’s on your travel bucket list? What do you daydream about? So many incredible places and so little time. Indulge in bursting flavours of biryani and pani puri in India. Trek the spectacular mountains in Argentina. Surf the balmy waves in Sri Lanka. Get lost in cosy bookstores in Greece. Immerse yourself in vibrant music festivals in Cuba or just bask away at magical beaches in Portugal....

http://soniasretreat.com/2022/04/07/5-travel-bucket-list-ideas/

What’s on your travel bucket list? What do you daydream about? So many incredible places and so little time. Indulge in bursting flavours of biryani and pani puri in India. Trek the spectacular mou…

07/04/2022

Fengru Lin - CEO & Co-Founder of TurtleTree Sustainable food, travel and positive impact. Fengru is challenging the status quo with food intelligence creating nutrition that’s better for the planet, animals and people everywhere. Fengru, a food and nature lover, does it all. She’s a go-getter, driven by a bold vision to create a brand-new generation of sustainable nutrition using the best of modern cell-based technology....

http://soniasretreat.com/2022/04/07/fengru-lin-revolutionizing-the-face-of-sustainable-food-with-a-grit-mindset/

Fengru Lin – CEO & Co-Founder of TurtleTree Sustainable food, travel and positive impact. Fengru is challenging the status quo with food intelligence creating nutrition that’s better for …

28/03/2022

Hey friends, I spent this Friday enjoying a burger while watching the steamy movie Gehraiyaan and Netflix series Bridgerton. The hopeless romantic in me needed some inspiration on love I guess. It was a good self-care weekend. Bridgerton Glamour Magazine Have you seen season 2 yet? The Emmy-nominated drama series on Netflix is inspired by Julia Quinn’s best selling romance novels....

http://soniasretreat.com/2022/03/28/gehraiyaan-bridgerton-romance-on-netflix-amazon/

Hey friends, I spent this Friday enjoying a burger while watching the steamy movie Gehraiyaan and Netflix series Bridgerton. The hopeless romantic in me needed some inspiration on love I guess. It …

20/03/2022

Yoga originates from Northern India over a thousand years ago. It’s an ancient holistic practice that focuses on breathing, strength and flexibility boosting mental, spiritual and physical well being.

“Yoga means to connect to the spiritual through controlling the mind, body & senses”. Yoga is healing, it’s wholeness, it’s energetic and it’s peaceful. Life can get overwhelming and we can get stuck with negative habits and thought patterns....

Learn more on: http://soniasretreat.com/2022/03/18/health-benefits-of-yoga-%ef%bf%bc/

Yoga originates from Northern India over a thousand years ago. It’s an ancient holistic practice that focuses on breathing, strength and flexibility boosting mental, spiritual and physical well bei…

16/03/2022

Meet Anita!
Psychologist
Chief Wellbeing Officer MindFi
Co-Founder The Brass Barre

Learn how she practices pole dancing to develop mental strength & become the best version of herself

https://soniasretreat.com/2022/03/16/how-anita-practices-pole-dancing-to-develop-mental-strength-become-the-best-version-of-herself/

08/03/2022

Firstly, hope the new year has been going well for you all! The new year for me has been filled with good laughs and an overload of Bengali food and sweets - it's good to be back home. It's also been great to slow down and reconnect with my family, siblings & childhood bestie. This year I have decluttered, recharged and simplified my life and mind to become more focused and productive for university/assignments....

http://soniasretreat.com/2022/03/08/a-guide-to-productivity/

Firstly, hope the new year has been going well for you all! The new year for me has been filled with good laughs and an overload of Bengali food and sweets – it’s good to be back home. …

27/02/2022

The beautiful thing about food is it brings people together, builds bonds and creates conversations. Its a universal language to connect with another person and experience ones culture. Sometimes it could be a hint of that aroma, spice or flavor which gives you a warm feeling of home. It is an emotional connection you have with food....

https://soniasretreat.wordpress.com/2020/11/29/the-kl-brunch-hit-list/

The beautiful thing about food is it brings people together, builds bonds and creates conversations. Its a universal language to connect with another person and experience ones culture. Sometimes i…

27/02/2022

Hello there loves, Happy Holidays! It's finally that time of the year. Joyful spirits, merry festivities and time to unwind. Sooo have you been naughty or nice this year? Haha. For some it's spending time with friends and family on the couch with a colorful decorated tree exchanging presents, for others it maybe a tough one being separated from loved ones....

https://soniasretreat.wordpress.com/2020/12/20/5-christmas-new-year-goodies-holiday-gifts-guide/

Hello there loves, Happy Holidays! It’s finally that time of the year. Joyful spirits, merry festivities and time to unwind. Sooo have you been naughty or nice this year? Haha. For some it& #8…

27/02/2022

Trendy Collage made of Natural Cosmetics and Beauty Products for Body and Face Care with leaves and flowers. The best gift for Valentine's Day. Holiday's, birthday, International women's day, Mother day, love, party concept. Copy space. Flat lay. A good skincare routine is something I really look forward to at the beginning and end of the day to keep my skin healthy and happy....

https://soniasretreat.wordpress.com/2021/03/01/feel-good-skincare-routine-top-5/

Trendy Collage made of Natural Cosmetics and Beauty Products for Body and Face Care with leaves and flowers. The best gift for Valentine’s Day. Holiday’s, birthday, International women&…

27/02/2022

Banana leaves are green nature. Happy April Guys! How are you feeling? I feel more centered and calm this year as we adapt to the new normal. Taking care of my mind, body and soul is the best thing I have done over the past few months. Constant stress from work, relationships or uncertainty in life can take a toll on our health - affecting our mood, sleep and appetite....

https://soniasretreat.wordpress.com/2021/04/04/5-ways-to-destress/

Banana leaves are green nature. Happy April Guys! How are you feeling? I feel more centered and calm this year as we adapt to the new normal. Taking care of my mind, body and soul is the best thing…