Glasgow Reviewed; The Ideal Home Show

Last weekend I was invited along to experience the Ideal Home Show Scotland with the focus of the bloggers event being the reuse of older furniture and how upcycling can transform a home. Now it will come as no surprise that this aspect of it was right up my street, so much so that I will cover that in a post of its own, but for now I just wanted to fill you in on my time at the show generally. This was my first time going along but have been at similar from big crafting expos, to Girls Days out, but the Ideal Home Show was by far the absolute best. There were three huge halls absolutely stacked full with 400 exhibitors selling things like food and drink to beauty to the obvious homewares to gardening too, without a doubt there something for everyone and it was such a good laugh to go and explore.

Ally and I headed into the show not knowing exactly what to expect and were really impressed with the line-up of stalls and products to take a look at, the good offers that were being extended and the all round fun element it brought to a day out. We had a fantastic time racing between the big garden pods, to trying samples of gins to watching cookery demonstrations and learning about products and brands we had never heard of before. We got to chat to the owners and creators of lots of Scottish made products which was lovely, and it was great to store away some ideas for when we have a bigger home of our own. I was really impressed with the whole day and totally recommend heading along next time- my top tips would be to go early before it gets too rammed, take some cash out before you head in to beat some of the queues and be sure to check out the timetable for demonstrations and talks on the main stage so you don’t miss any!

We had such a good time we sent my mum and dad along on the Sunday to enjoy it too and they couldn’t get enough either! They were there most of the day and left with a lot of the same stuff we did ( Heck sausages, the gorgeously packaged Rock and Rose Gin and a print from Urban Rebel Designs ) I think all four of us will definitely be heading along next time around, I am already excited!

Beauty Blogger Sleepover

Being a blogger has provided me with some amazing opportunities over the years from fabulous parties to trying amazing products but the best part has to have been getting to know other bloggers along the way. The number of us here in Scotland has grown massively through those years and I have met some absolute beauties in that time, so the chance to have an old school sleep over with some of them was amazing. The lovely Laura from A life with frills was super smart and organised a fabulous night in for us at the Fraser Suites in Glasgow with a host of companies taking part to make it a night to remember.

I have used these suites a few times in the past to accommodate both work colleagues and also my own family as I love that the rooms are not just beautifully put together but incredibly practical too with their own little kitchens to allow you a little bit of home whilst staying right in the city centre. They were the perfect spot to host a gaggle of excited bloggers indulging in a little bit of pampering and a big bit of snacking :)

We were treated to some amazing snacks from Dominos ( including some bloody gorgeous macaroni cheese bites that I am still burning off), nifty little cake pops from Cake-Cetera and a really beautiful berry cake from Whole Foods in Giffnock to top it off. We washed it down with an amazing punch laura made and some Fentimans botanical flavours- whilst gabbing away about all things beauty and blogging ( and possibly tearing up at numerous christmas tv adverts too....!)

 Fit to burst in my pj's we were lucky enough to have some of the fab Glasgow Benebabes with us to sort out our brows and soothe our skin. I have met the amazing Heiman before and she is a real waxing pro and sorted my messy brows right out with the signature benefit brow mapping, and then the super lovely Lynne treated me too a relaxing facial which ended up with a surprise sneak peak at a brand new Benefit product not out until next year! Puff Off! is an eye gel that can be used under OR over makeup to help fill in fine lines and of course de puff the area- it even has a little iron as an applicator- how cute is that!? It is going to be the niftiest addition to your make up bag come January.

We were delighted to be given a Shearers candle to take away with us which was amazing considering the rooms had all been scented with them which created such a lovely atmosphere. I love a good candle and the burn time on these beauties are seriously impressive.

Thanks so much to Laura and the rest of the gals for a really unique event that going into the mad party season was just what I was needing.

Highland Fling reminder!

Just a quick post to remind all my lovely Scottish based readers to get along to Michael Bourne and the Scottish Ballet’s Highland Flingif at all possible. I went along last night and it was a truly mesmerising and  fun filled evening. I have never really ‘ laughed’ as such at a ballet before but this one was so lively, witty and genuinely funny you could really feel the warmth from the packed out audience. It was so nice to see people at the end really buzzing about the experience!

It is such an infectious performance, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it today- there were so many well observed and communicated moments, that it made for a magical experience. It is so ‘Scottish’  without being just stereotypical or twee ( even with all the tartan!). It was a piece that made me really wish I could get pretty much everyone I know along , as I just know how much they would all enjoy it, male and female, through all the generations.

A massive well done to everyone involved in creating this production,it really was a ‘romantic wee ballet’  and I felt honoured to get to see it. 

For ticket info head on over to the Ballet's website

Glasgow Reviewed: The Grand Ole Opry

The greatest birthday cakes of all time!

Enjoying some amazing food at Roastit Bubbly Jocks.

Some secret decorations and a gorgeous amulet necklace

Ready for the best night in ever!

I am on a come down today from the BEST birthday ever and I had to share. I was 27 on Friday ( sob) and had a lovely day celebrating with the boyf and the bestie ( sounds like a crap band name!) I was thoroughly spoiled rotten by  my loved ones and it was a perfect relaxing quiet day, ending in a bottle of baileys and pitch perfect on DVD- HURRAH! Saturday night however was party time, one of my good friends celebrates her birthday two days after mine so often we celebrate together with our friends, and this year we decided it was time to get something off the bucket list and have a night out at Glasgow’s Grand Old Opry and it was one of the best nights out I have had in years and I am so glad I finally went.

 Opening its doors in the 1970’s the Opry is a country and western club split over 3 levels, with 2 dance floors, a saloon bar  and even a takeaway style café filled with all the goodies you could possibly want after a few shandys- chips and cheese between line dancing- HELLO!  I was blown away by the place from the authentic décor, the line up of the evening,  and how incredibly welcoming and friendly both the staff and regulars were to our merry band of pals! With incredibly cheap drink prices, fabulous music and amazing line dances to watch ( and try to join in with!) the whole night was fantastic, there is even a break for a spot of bingo, a raffle AND there is a chance for people to sign up for the shoot out, where you get the chance to draw a gun and win respect from your cowboy pals! This might all sound a little bizarre but I cannot explain how much fun it is and how nice it was to do something completely different. 

If you are looking for a new experience I can whole heartedly recommend trying a night at the Opry, I cannot wait to go back and the whole group has been raving about it since! They even do line dancing and 50's jive classes that I am so tempted by, I will be a pro in no time! 

Thanks to all my lovely friends and family who really made it the most memorable and fun birthday ever, maybe 27 ain't so bad after all...

Hope everyone else had a fab weekend.