MY POP ART VALENTINE

So I know it was Valentines day over a week ago now, but I thought I'd still show you some cute pictures from a shoot I did with Carrie for the Sunday Herald last week.

I particularly loved the pop-arty styling and awesome post-production artwork - makes a nice change from the more predictable soft, pastel, romantic Valentines vibe.

Cute, right?

All images shot by the lovely Kirsty Anderson.

Heading back to the Herald HQ this week and really looking forward to it :)

OOOH, by the way, a post finalising deets for the International Women's Day meet will be up before the end of the week I PROMISE! Just getting some last min stuff together but y'all are gonna flip out - it's THAT good!

SCOTTISH BALLET: THE SLEEPING BEAUTY

Yesterday, after yet another day of pampering at Blythswood Spa and a humongous curry for tea, my friend Jenna and I trotted along to the Theatre Royal to indulge in Scottish Ballet's winter offering - the sumptuous spectacular that is The Sleeping Beauty. I've talked about my love for the ballet before and this time I was thrilled to be given the chance to wax lyrical to my heart's content in a wee article for the programme:

This isn't sad at all...

Back in October I was invited along to Scottish Ballet's southside HQ to investigate the painstaking costuming process involved in a grand production like The Sleeping Beauty, and found that heaven DOES exist in the huge warehouse-style hangar that is the wardrobe department. If you have a spare five mins gie it a read - click on the pictures to enlarge:

It truly was an amazing show. The 1940s costumes in Act III looked stunning contrasted with the earlier extravagance of the late Regency gowns. My favourite costume was Auroras when she has her first proper dance with the Prince after she awakes... It's just a simple, light and airy white dress (almost like Victorian undergarments) but it looked so elegant and innocent, especially with her hair down, dancing such a beautiful, romantic duet.

I also loved the other four princesses dresses, and especially enjoyed seeing them updated for Act III - for example, Snow White's traditional fairytale gown was transformed into a smart navy and white skirt-suit with a quirky poisoned apple-shaped fascinator!

The Lilac Fairy was my favourite dancer of the night. Unrivalled fluidity and grace - gobsmackingly good.

The baddies.

Aurora and her pals.

One of the many fairies who bless Aurora at her Christening.

All in all, yet another smashing success from Scottish Ballet. If you fancy going along, and WHY wouldn't you, booking details can be found here.

MULBERRY LOVES SCOTLAND

Y'all know how much I bang on about Mulberry, right? Well, last week I was very kindly invited to a fabulous event at the Mulberry store in Ingram Street in Glasgow - Mulberry Loves Scotland -  in celebration of the brand's Spring Summer 2012 collection. 

HOW ON EARTH could I pass up an opportunity to schmooze with press and customers alike, be wined and dined by the PR team, and spend quality time in the company of some of THE most gorgeous bags and accessories ever? I couldn't. Obviously.

What follows are about ten squillion photos and some ramblings about the collection.

Here is the lovely Carrie (stylish stylist who I work with at the Herald & Evening Times Group) looking WAY chic in her signature stripes-and-Alexa combo.

During the schmoozing and boozing in store, the lovely Jack from Mulberry HQ in London showed me a few of the stores best sellers (Bayswaters, Alexas and a particular leopard-print Evelina he couldn't keep his hands off) along with some of Spring Summer's newcomers.

Afterwards, we all trooped across Royal Exchange Sqare to the UBER posh 29 Private Members Club for wur tea. Well classy, and check out the awesome Mulberry decorations!

Animal balloon craziness.

Those OOOH! glasses were such a hoot and allowed for many hilarious photo opportunities, but I was also MASSIVELY impressed by the food! I had myself a Caesar salad, one of the nicest steaks I've EVER tasted and a scrummy pear tart. But the stand out food of the night had to be the freshly-baked bread to start. I genuinely couldn't believe bread could taste SO GOOD!

Bread deliciousness. MMM!

Um, tasty.

Spread out all over the lavish table were the sweetest wee Polaroid cameras to capture the debauchery. Here's a few of the photos we took up our end. Jack collected these up at the end of the night with a view to putting them on the official Mulberry blog - EEK! can you imagine my mug on there? Keep yer peepers peeled!

Stuffing my face. I'm so attractive, right? Wearing my red velvet Monki frock, the black version of which I am still GIVING AWAY but only until the 4th of Dec so get entering!

Oh hey there, DRUNK EYES.

Oooh bantz!

After the meal we got to leave with an animal balloon - I took the tiger which caused muchos taxi hilarity and scared the crap out my cat - a press pack and a TRULY EPIC goody bag! Here's a sneak peek at the BOOTY:

Cute, individual press pack canvas bag. Ooh, I say!

Lookbook made to look like a ice-cream wafer. UM, awesome.

General contents including all the relevant lookbooks, some more OOOH glasses, leather friendship bracelet, sticks of Mulberry rock, stickers and a stunning Mulberry scarf featuring the cutest embroidered doodles.

Like, WOW.

Some of my favourite bags from the accessories lookbook.

Please note in particular the pale pink Alexa and leopard-print Bayswater. I'm in love.

Absolutely adore that first outfit on the left - yes to shimmering metallics for next summer!

Some more favourites from Spring Summer 12, described by Mulberry as "inspired by the Great British summer and seaside shenanigans; donkey rides, ice-cream on the beach, sparkling pier lights and kiss-me-quick chic. Our new season is oh-so English, from the of ‘Carry On Camping’ to the quirky English habit of enduring the beach no matter the weather, raincoats and nostalgic fun all! Add plenty of eclectic Mulberry charm and wit, luxe detailing, signature season prints and strong layered silhouettes for our most bonkers and beautiful season yet!

Most bonkers and beautiful season yet? Couldn't agree more, Mulberry!

I'm really glad that Mulberry decided to host an event up here. As a quintessentially English name, it shows great brand initiative and integrity by branching out and making key press connections north of the border. After all, we are AWFY FOND of a Heritage label in Bonnie Scotland, and it's important for us all to get behind BRITISH fashion so the immense amount of talent we harbour in this country can continue to make an impact on a global stage.

And when the pieces are as expertly-crafted, luxurious, innovative and easy on the eyes as Mulberry's world-renowned accessories and garments are, it's not a hard task!

Thanks to the PRs, 29 Members Club Glasgow and Mulberry Ingram St Glasgow for an awesome evening.

x

WHIMS-ICLE AFFAIR

This weekend I had just about the BEST wee Sunday ever! I started off at the Whims-Icle Affair vintage & craft fair at the Church on the Hill (a Shawlands landmark) with my pal Kirsten and her sister Mhairi.

The whole upstairs level was literally crammed to the rafters with over 50 stalls selling vintage & handmade clothing and accessories. AKA heaven...

 

Fell in love with this beauty, only £4! Bargain!

One of many fur jackets and coats. SWOON.

Love the little squinty clock-face charm.

Brooch anyone?

Kirsten and I working the cool vintage glecks and cupcake combo.

Kirsten almost died at the sight of these pistol earrings and pendants. Cos she's a goff.

Mood music! These guys were actually BRILLIANT!

More amazing rings... Literally had to tear myself away.

Inspecting shiz.

Loving the canny sales technique.

Me, Mhairi and KSpoon.

Whims-Icle Affairs are hosting a Christmas fair on the 4th of December (keep an eye on their Facebook for deets) and I totally recommend you pop by if you can. In particular I was MEGA impressed with the abundance and quality of the jewellery and accessories!

Since it was one of those beautiful, crisp, wintry days we decided to take a wee wander round the stunning grounds of Pollok House - another southside institution. Hunners of dogs, old folk, kids and cyclists were all out in force making the most of the day :)

Our new best pal...

All in all such a lovely little day, finished off with a couple of bottles of red wine at our local - OBV! Talk about a wondrous set up for the week... :)

By the by, in case anyone cares, my coat, boots and tights are from Toppers and the bag is Mulberry.