I've Moved!

Hello, gorgeous! Didn't you hear? I've hopped on over to a new domain!

You can still read all about me and my adventures at my new and improved blog, it's all going on over at www.misswestendgirl.com - you're gonna love it.

Can't  wait to see you there,

Miss West End Girl x

Let's See Other People

Dear Blogspot,

There was a time when I never thought I'd say this, and there is no gentle way for me to say it but...

I'm leaving you.

Don't look at me like that. You must have seen this coming. It's not you, it's me. You see, I've outgrown you. We've outgrown each other, don't you think? It was fun when we first got together, things felt fresh and new and you made me happy. Things seemed so much more simple back then...I wasn't looking for anything complicated and you were so charming.

But now I need more for me and my blog. Something that can give me exactly what I'm looking for. Something that will grow and change with me. I've met someone else, and I think we're going to be really great together. I hope you understand.

I will be moving out gradually, to my new domain with Wordpress. After that, you won't see me anymore but I will leave a forwarding address in case any visitors are looking for me. 

You can keep the plants and the sofa but I'm taking the record collection.

With much moving and shaking,

Miss West End Girl x

Cure for the Mid-week Blues #9

Wednesdays. The mid-week hump. Where the weekend seems like a happy memory and you've still got the rest of the week to go. Some people are saying that Wednesdays are the toughest day of the week to stay feeling energised and it's easy to see why. But I'm all about staying positive, so in my Cure for the Mid-week Blues mini-series, I'll be dishing out my top tips to keep those warm and fuzzy feelings going all week long...

I can't believe I'm at my ninth cure for the Hump Day hangover. I don't know how long I will keep doing these posts but I'm really enjoying them so far! This week, I'm recommending something that always helps give me a little bit of get-up-and-go, and it comes in MANY shapes and sizes...

The great thing about inspiration is, it can come from anywhere and be about anything, really. Some people like a quiet afternoon in the art gallery, soaking up some great pieces and making a pact with themselves to be more creative.  Others like to do a little window shopping and be inspired to put together a gorgeous new outfit! The burst of energy and enthusiasm that comes from inspiration can feel so uplifting, and encourage us to try something new which can lead to even more excitement!

This week, I will be finding my own inspiration back in Shoreditch and in the company of my fellow Blogcademy classmates. Being in a creative and positive atmosphere with so many like-minded and talented ladies is a sure-fire way for me to feel inspired and I can't wait to get brainstorming and giggling with them all! Plus, regular readers of my blog will remember that on my last trip to London I fell head-over-heels with Shoreditch, which is itself a wonderful area that celebrates the unique. I can't wait!

Have a fantastic week, and tell me: what inspires YOU?

August Round Up

As I write this, it's the first day of September and already things are starting to look a lot more Autumnal around here! It's windy outside, the leaves are starting to fall from the trees and I'm beginning to crave big hearty bowls of soup! The Autumn/ Winter collections are hitting the shops and I'm already dreaming up outfits for the chilly months ahead (hint: it involves oodles of fluffy black wool, studs  and tartan).

But before we dive head first into Autumn, lets take a moment to remember the last month of Summer and what a blast it was! For me, August was a whirlwind of good times, including my birthday, trips to the theatre and the zoo, and loads of laughs spent with friends. I also found out I won a Scholarship place at The Blogcademy (you can see my scholarship application post here) - so much excitement!

Here are a few snapshots of my month of August...

1. Finally getting my paws on V Magazine with Prince on the cover  2. Gelato-a-go-go!
3. Birthday trip to Edinburgh Zoo  4. At the late night double feature picture show...
5. Kick-ass 30 Rock pencils from the lovely Sarah  6. Pastries to die for at Little Birds Market

7. A steak dinner at Angels  - totally unlike me but so tasty!  8. The Boy really spoiled me this year
9. All dolled up for afternoon tea at Blytheswood Square  10. Home made red velvet cupcakes
11. A yummy dinner at Munro's with some great pals  12. New Tatty Devine speech bubble necklace

13. Sunday night cinema date with this guy (swoon!)  14. Hitting the Hard Rock Couture exhibition
15. Late night soft taco action at Pinto ("Baby I Like It")  16. Bathroom selfie just 'cause
17. Penguins Rock at Edinburgh Zoo (aww)  18. Lunch at Martha's (the first of many I think!)


So that was my August, I hope you had an awesome one too! Most of these pictures have come from my Twitter and Instagram posts (@misswestendgirl) -  feel free to come say hi if you are on there!

How was your August? What did you get up to? Have you started stalking the Autumn looks yet?

Thanks for reading!

Bling with Bite!

Ever since coming across Bonnie Bling's designs a couple of years back, I fell head over heels for their tongue-in-cheek acrylic designs, made on the Isle of Bute. With cheeky, well-known Scottish phrases like 'Peely Wally', 'Blether' and 'I Heart Bucky' in their designs, they have become a firm favourite with local and visiting fashionistas alike. As well as their staple word necklaces (which are usually available all the time), Bonnie Bling also introduce new collections and collaborations with other artists & designers, such as Obscure Couture and DIY Nails.

After getting a hint of the new Autumn/ Winter 2013 collection from Bonnie Bling, I knew that I had to see more. And let me tell you, the Blingers have a belter of  collection coming our way for the colder months. Something darker and more mystical than the cheery sunflowers and friendship bracelets seen in their Spring/Summer collection and with more than a nod towards the original vampire series. After all, years before Bella and Edward were making the front page all us 90s teens were hooked on the will-they-won't-they drama of Buffy and Angel!

I got the lowdown on the new collection from Bonnie Bling designer extraordinaire Mhairi Mackenzie (along with some exclusive sneak peek photos), so pick up your crucifix, sling that garlic around your neck and follow me through to the graveyard...

 What is the name of your new AW13 collection? Bonnie is a Vampire Slayer

What sorts of things can we expect to see in it? The pieces are a lot darker for this collection. Strong and mystical but never far from the cheeky humour we are known for. We have mysterious triangles, skulls and crosses, flashes of neon and Swarovski crystals and they all pull together into a really powerful collection.

What is the inspiration behind it? I used to watch Joss Whedon’s ‘Buffy’ when it started on TV in the 90’s. I came across some old VHS tapes and it reminded me what a great character Buffy was, the show created some inspiring role models for strong, independent women. Looking back at the fashions and styling was pretty fun, a lot of that has come back around and is really popular at the moment. I liked the idea that our ‘Bonnie’ could also be a slayer, someone who deals with everyday life 9-5 but takes on big, bad evil in her spare time. I put a lot of thought into making pieces that would tie in with that. Turning dark times into fun times, being strong when everything around you is looking impossible, fighting to make your mark in the world and doing it your own way, never letting things get so big that they swallow you up.

How many pieces are in the collection? Is it bigger/ smaller/ about the same as your past collections? There are ten main pieces, each named after a character from the tv show and most with matching accessories to create full sets of jewellery. It’s a really comprehensive collection that all ties together really well.

What is your favourite piece in the new collection (and why)?
I absolutely love the ‘Giles’ mystical pendant and the ring and earrings that match it. I’ve already been wearing it out and about and it always gets commented on. It’s gold mirror with these cool triangular patterns engraved into it, it sits really low and is just really different to the work I’ve done before.

What sets these pieces apart from anything else we might see out there (on the high street for example)? Our designs are unique because they are all created, tested, lasercut, assembled and packaged by us and that makes me really proud of what we’re doing. I think our customers really appreciate that Bonnie Bling is made in the UK and our designs are always moving forwards in new directions, keeping things fresh and exciting. I love doing the Scottish pieces we are known for but when it comes to our seasonal collections I can really get stuck into the design work. I tend to set myself little design briefs and then begin sketching out ideas, and from there we test how that might work on our laser and as a finished piece. I love that we now have our own team set up over on Bute and that enables us to make all our items right here in Scotland.

And what everyone is dying to know, where can we buy the collection? Full collection is available from 1st September on www.bonniebling.co.uk and at selected retailers.

Finally, what else can we expect from Bonnie Bling this year? This Winter we have a relaunch of our brilliant Bonnie Bunnets with lots of new additions to the Wonky Wooly hats that were so popular last year. And not satisfied with one jewellery collection this season we’ve decided to spoil everyone with another coming out closer to Christmas, it’s going to be a beauty!

 Are you guys as excited as I am for this? I mean, come on! The gorgeous, glittering winged hearts of the Angel pieces, the huge statement necklaces, the Xander arm candy (stack up a pile of those bad boys and you're good to go!) and that dramatic, black and gold Buffy headpiece. And any collection with a few pieces dedicated to a Seth Green character (hello, high school pin-up) gets my vote. As if the drop-dead gorgeous photos and the awesome thought process behind the collection weren't enough to get our attention, check this out for a collection manifesto, sharper than a stake to the heart:
  

AW13 takes on a fierce new persona in the form of our heroine Bonnie the Vampire Slayer. Taking on the very darkest of evil in her spare time, Bonnie roams the high street full of strut, attitude and style, leaving a trail of haters in her wake. Turning dark times into light times, being strong when everything around you looks impossible, fighting for your own place in the world and doing it your own way. Play like you have everything to live for and never let the cracks get so big that they swallow you whole. Autumn/Winter celebrates the powerful, feminine night time warrior who isn’t afraid to stand up for herself, who shares her strength and love with others and who always looks out for her nearest and dearest. She is strong willed and possesses the special ability to pull herself together when times get super tough. No duvet days for Bonnie, there are bad guys to be beat!

Bonnie is a Vampire Slayer is the perfect collection for all kick-ass babes looking for something unique and well-made to take you through the dark nights. The collection is available from this Sunday, September 1st so be sure to check it out! A huge thanks and hi-five to Mhairi at Bonnie Bling for sharing this exciting new collection and putting up with all the cheesy vampire references!

Will you be getting in touch with your inner slayer this Autumn/ Winter? What is your favourite piece from the collection? Did you have a crush on Seth Green too (anyone?)?

Thanks for reading!

(All photos in this post are used courtesy of Bonnie Bling)

Sex, Clothes & Rock n' Roll

At the weekend I visited the Royal Concert Hall, which was hosting a very special exhibition in celebration of Hard Rock Cafe announcing their plans for a Glasgow restaurant. Hard Rock Couture was a display of twenty iconic items of clothing from the Hard Rock archives and was open to the public for a limited period of time (from 16th-24th of August).   

Being a massive fan of both music and clothes, and as an enthusiastic visitor to Hard Rock Cafe's whenever I get the chance, I knew I had to  get along to the exhibition to see what legendary pieces were on show. The Boy and I went along early on the last day and managed to get a good look at everything before too many other people showed up.

The clothing worn by rock stars of past and present, along with other pieces of memorabilia such as journal pages and high school yearbooks, were spread out around the Island Bar area of the concert hall. Each display was housed in a special case designed to look like a flight case, giving the exhibition a real rock n' roll "on tour" feel.

The variety of clothing was very impressive, despite being a small collection, and I must admit I was geeking out a little being in the presence of some of the items worn by my heroes!

 With two cases of items worn by Elvis, The Boy was truly in his element. We also couldn't believe our luck when we came across jumpsuits worn by members of KISS and Motley Crue in the 1970s and 1980s. There was also a case containing Sid Vicious' iconic leather jacket and Madonna's gold Jean Paul Gaultier bodysuit, complete with conical bra. It was like getting up close and personal with some of our favourite music videos and album covers.

There were also stage costumes worn by more contemporary artists like Lady Gaga and The Killers. These outfits were a little less exciting for me personally (although I did squeal a little when I seen a sequined Katy Perry frock, because La Perry is the awesome exception to the rule) but they contributed nicely to a varied selection of pieces and lots of other visitors were excited to see them.

Nothing prepared me for what came at the end, and when I seen a flash of red I could feel a huge grin spreading across my face. This is it. The plaque read. The real one. It was only Michael Jackson's jacket from the Beat It video! It's not every Saturday morning you get to see such a piece of music and fashion history (and pose next to it shamelessly). Getting to see this item so closely was exciting, and was a great way to end our visit to the exhibition.

Hard Rock Couture was an interesting and fun exhibit and I'm glad we got to go and see it before it finished. I'm really excited that Glasgow will soon be home to it's very own Hard Rock Cafe too, and can't wait to visit it in November when it opens.


Did you visit Hard Rock Couture? What was your favourite item? Will you be visiting Hard Rock Cafe Glasgow when it opens?

Thanks for reading!

Tea for Two

Recently I went for afternoon tea at the beautiful Blytheswood Hotel as a little birthday treat. In recent years (and maybe it's part of getting older) I've started to really enjoy going for afternoon tea - the ritual of getting all dolled up, eating cake and having a natter in a fancy setting is one of my favourite indulgences. And let me tell you, settings in Glasgow don't come much more fancy than at Blytheswood.

From the moment my friend and I arrived we were  made to feel very welcome, and nothing was too much bother for the waiting staff. We were seated promptly in a large room up on the first floor, which had a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Our hostess explained that there were different kinds of afternoon tea available and what each of them entailed. I had booked ours in advance and had chosen the Duchess of Bedford Strawberry afternoon tea, which I thought sounded very Summery!

As well as being brought as much tea, coffee and iced water as we could drink, we were soon presented with our cakes and sandwiches - on a full cake stand each! I have never been to an afternoon tea with such a generous amount of food. Both cake stands were exactly the same - with about 5 different kinds of dainty sandwiches (even the egg and cress one was delicious - and I don't normally eat egg sandwiches), freshly baked scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, and a full tier of home-made desserts and pastries. Heavenly!

I'm the kind of person that could live on cakes and sandwiches, so I knew it would be no problem at all for me to take on a full cake stand! With so many treats to choose from, it was hard deciding where to start. The food was yummy and tasted very fresh, and our waitress made sure that we were never going thirsty as she topped up our drinks regularly. Then, rather unexpectedly, our waitress appeared with a really lovely surprise - a plate of tablet and mini chocolate truffles with 'Happy Birthday' spelled out in white chocolate icing. She explained that she "had noticed that it was someone's birthday" (my friend had given me a card and presents when we first arrived). How kind! It was a really nice gesture and made the day feel even more special.

Another thing that I noticed about being a guest for afternoon tea was that there was no rush for us to leave after we had finished our cake stands. Our waitress assured us we could sit and have more tea and coffee for as long as we pleased. I really hate being hurried out of the door after I've eaten, I feel like it reeks of bad manners and really says to the customer "you've given us your money, now beat it". Luckily, there was no such behaviour at Blytheswood and we sat chatting over tea for about 45 minutes after the plates had been cleared away.

I really enjoyed my afternoon at Blytheswood Hotel and taking into account the sumptuous surroundings, attentive & thoughtful staff, and the delicious treats provided; I feel that they really do provide a 5-star experience. I want to go back and try the other kinds of afternoon tea available - their Tea Tox (detox themed tea) sounds especially interesting!

Have you been for afternoon tea in Glasgow? What about at Blytheswood Hotel? Could you take on a full cake stand too?

Thanks for reading!

Love at first Liberace

I was super excited a few weeks ago when I read about Rock n' Roll Bride's collaboration with Crown and Glory, which had been kept under wraps (aside from a few subtle online hints) until it launched on July 29th with a glittering BANG! It's no secret that I adore hair accessories, and I couldn't wait to check out the collection brainstormed by two fellow sparkle lovers.

On the day of the launch I eagerly browsed Kat's blog, which was filled to the brim with beautifully-shot photos showing off all 20 headpieces. What can I say? It was all kinds of awesome! The collection combines glitter, flowers, gems, bright colours, delicate lace, bows and ears. It all looked gorgeous and I must admit it's difficult to pick a favourite when it all looks so good. Although the product photos have styled the headpieces as part of a bridal ensemble, they are very accessible to all girls (and boys!) that like to rock some sparkle and fun whatever the occasion would be. The Gala bows would look epic worn to a gig (I can imagine the stage lights dancing off of the glitter), the Lisa and Emma floral pieces at a summer barbecue or a festival, the Shauna alice bands are perfect for afternoon tea  and as for the ears...well, they can be worn for any occasion!

Although I had cartoon-hearts in my eyes for the entire collection, I was drawn right away to the Liberace ears, which come in both kitty and bunny designs. These are encrusted with rainbow-coloured gems and described as 'the sparkliest piece in the collection'. Be still, my heart! Once I'd looked at the collection I realised I was still under a self-imposed shopping ban. I had a birthday coming up and told myself that I would treat myself to a pair if I got any birthday money. About a week later I was texting with Elaine and asked her if she'd seen the collaboration - as a fellow headpiece aficionado I was sure she would dig the whole collection too. "Yeah, I've seen them birthday girl", she hinted. Eeek!

Last weekend we celebrated my birthday and at midnight, when it was officially my birthday I was presented with a beautiful pink bag of treats. It was filled with lovely gifts and then I pulled out a white drawstring bag, decorated with the Rock n' Roll Bride and Crown & Glory logos. Oh my! I delicately unwrapped my present, wondering what piece my friends had chosen since we hadn't discussed any of the collection in detail. I seen a flash of sparkle as I peeled away the tissue paper and I let out a sqeal! THE LIBERACE EARS! Wow! They had picked out the bunny ear design for me, since I already have a few pairs of kitty ears and "because, y'know, they're called Liberace" - what great friends!

I tried them on instantly, then took them off to admire them, then tried them on again. While I was looking at them I noticed how very well made they are, with the backs of the ears strengthened with a layer of silver glitter and a little pink & white label. I also loved how well-presented they are, wrapped in tissue in a dust bag and with a little bag of pink heart-shaped confetti included. I love when products are packaged well and I can see that a lot of thought has gone into the packaging of this collection.

I wore my ears out to dinner two nights later (see? Suitable for any occasion!)  and couldn't stop looking at them. I must be part magpie! It was truly love at first Liberace.

Needless to say that I am over the moon with my new RockGlory ears and I can see myself wearing them lots over the coming months. I have a feeling that they will also make an appearance at The Blogcademy which I will be attending very soon!

You can browse and shop the Rock n' Roll Bride for Crown & Glory collection on both of their websites (linked at the start of this post). Pieces are priced from £20 and the designs are sure to set your heart a-flutter, whether you're a bride-to-be or just a bunny babe.

Have you seen the Rock n' Roll Bride for Crown & Glory collection? What is your favourite piece? Do you ever feel part magpie?

Thanks for reading!

Cure for the Mid-week Blues #8

Wednesdays. The mid-week hump. Where the weekend seems like a happy memory and you've still got the rest of the week to go. Some people are saying that Wednesdays are the toughest day of the week to stay feeling energised and it's easy to see why. But I'm all about staying positive, so in my Cure for the Mid-week Blues mini-series, I'll be dishing out my top tips to keep those warm and fuzzy feelings going all week long...

In my last post I blogged about my trip to the zoo. Spending a day in close proximity to so many animals made me really happy and from what I could see, it had the same smile-inducing effect on the other visitors too! It got me thinking about animals and people and I was inspired to write this week's post on beating the blues. So this week's tip is...

Some people get a kick out of holding a baby, but I'd rather be cuddling a kitten or playing with a puppy (no offence babies, it's just the way it is). Spending a bit of time around animals can be really relaxing - for example sitting with a cat purring on your lap (such a nice feeling!) or watching some tropical fish swim around (I know fish aren't technically furry but still...). Going for a long walk with your pooch can also be a great way to clear your mind. I've been reading articles about how the relationship between people and animals can be so strong and have positive effects on our moods. This is especially true with domestic animals, which can often sense when you need cheering up (aww).

I don't have a pet at the moment, so for me a trip to the zoo recently was an awesome treat (I wanted to take all of the bears home...now that's a car journey I'd love to see!). I also love the fact that some of my friends have pets! In the West End, I've made many little trips to the Botanic Gardens to watch the koi fish and think about nothing for five minutes. The hypnotic effect is really soothing!

So this week, make a bit of time to hang out with an animal (or a whole menagerie!) and feel the furry - or scaly, or feathered - vibes!

Have a wild week!

Edinburgh Antics

At the weekend I decided to celebrate my 28th year on the planet by having a jaunt through to Edinburgh and a fun-filled day at the zoo. I've had lots of lovely visits to Edinburgh Zoo before, but what made this trip extra exciting was that it was the first time I had went since the arrival of the two giant pandas, Yang Guang and Tian Tian (also known as Sunshine and Sweetie - adorable!). I love seeing all animals, but I'd never seen pandas before!

Armed with copious amounts of picnic food and a car journey soundtrack to make my heart (and tone deaf voice) sing, we set off for the zoo on a very rainy Saturday morning. It was soaking wet when we left Glasgow and I was starting to wonder if I had made the right decision. After all, no-one likes a soggy picnic and what if the animals were all hiding from the rain? Luckily, the rain totally cleared up and it was dry in Edinburgh by the time we arrived. Apart from a few light showers here and there, the sun was out and it was dry and bright for the most part. Score!
 

I decided to wear my Hello Kitty vans as I knew I had a long day of walking ahead. I also wore my favourite Prince t-shirt from Topshop,  tube skirt from Primark and Levi's denim trucker vest. I was glad that I had sunglasses and a small unbrella with me as it turned out I used both of them in the one day! I also wore a glittery star headband by Crown and Glory - because nothing says "I'm the birthday girl" like sparkly stars in your hair, right?


There was plenty to see at the zoo - and I got to see every animal except for the porcupine (I don't know where that guy was). I couldn't pick a favourite but some of my highlights were the koalas, the monkeys, the penguins (in their newly opened Penguins Rock island enclosure, which looks amazing and gives visitors the freedom to walk around and over the water while the penguins swim), the jaguar (pictured below) and of course, the pandas. I didn't get to see Tian Tian, who is thought to be pregnant at the moment, but I did get to see Yang Guang who was super cute and looked very hug-able! He spends 16 hours a day sleeping and the remainder of the time eating - what a life! Look out for a photo I took of Yang Guang in my next blog post!

I really enjoyed learning about the animals in the zoo, and it was great to hear about all of the conservation projects that the zoo is involved in as well. It's a great day out and although it costs £16 I really feel like it was worth the entry fee. I made sure I booked our slot to see the pandas in advance (slots are free but limited so it's best to book in advance) and we had just enough time in the rest of the day to walk around the whole zoo. As the zoo is situated on a steep slope, I think we were burning off the picnic in no time!

After our day with the animals, we knew it would be a crime not to swing by Krispy Kreme while in Edinburgh. I know, I know -  I think I'm probably the last blogger in Scotland to visit our (one and only) branch of the ever-popular donuts and coffee joint, but when it comes to sugary treats I just can't help myself. Luckily my faithful companions were of the same opinion and we bought some donuts and iced coffee and chilled out in a booth for a little while. We also bought a box of a dozen donuts of our choice (harder than it sounds considering I would happily eat ALL OF THEM) and took them home to enjoy later. The Millionaire's Shortcake flavour has to be my favourite of the moment, although I had a praline one that was also amazing. Obsessed!

I thoroughly enjoyed my day in Edinburgh and will definitely not leave it as long before the next time I go! Have you been to Edinburgh Zoo? What about Krispy Kreme? What is your favourite flavour of donut?

Thanks for reading!

Cure for the Mid-week Blues #7

Wednesdays. The mid-week hump. Where the weekend seems like a happy memory and you've still got the rest of the week to go. Some people are saying that Wednesdays are the toughest day of the week to stay feeling energised and it's easy to see why. But I'm all about staying positive, so in my Cure for the Mid-week Blues mini-series, I'll be dishing out my top tips to keep those warm and fuzzy feelings going all week long...

Each week when I come to write this feature, I consider what makes me feel happy, inspired , relaxed or motivated. Some of the activities I write about involve taking the time to do something with a positive payoff at the end, and others are virtually effortless. Some of them involve other people, and some of them are a solitary exercise. I have suggested things that can take place outdoors and others that you can do at home. This week, I'm going to suggest something that you can do alone, with others, indoors, outdoors and (BONUS) it's one of the most simple tips yet...

 I love to laugh. Not much makes me feel happier or more like myself than having a good old giggle until my sides hurt and tears are welling in my eyes. They say laughter is the best medicine and I don't know if it was a qualified doctor that coined that phrase, but whoever it may have been was one smart cookie. This week I am encouraging laughter in all forms, so have a think about what has you in stitches. Is it that cleverly written article you just haven't had the heart to throw out? An episode of your favourite comedy series that you've seen a million times but still has you screeching with laughter? Maybe it's that awful joke that you shouldn't laugh at but you still do. Take the time this week to do whatever it is that tickles you.

Spending time with good friends and laughing about all the daft things you used to get up to when you were younger (or maybe just stuff that happened last week!) is one of the things that makes me happiest. I did it this week and I felt totally content. I think laughing is good for the soul (maaan) and I try to do it as often as possible. I have also found that laughing can help me on paticularly chaotic days as a minute or two of humour can have a surprisingly soothing effect!

So this week, make sure you go get your giggle on. It can be as quick or time-consuming as you like and no matter how much of a mid-week slump you're feeling, I can almost guarantee you'll feel amazing after letting out the laughs.

Have a fantastic week and let the LOLs out!

Weekend Wear: Maxi a la Marion

I was going to call this post 'Baby's first Maxi', because this weekend was my first go at wearing a maxi-skirt. I never thought I'd ever wear a maxi skirt, it just isn't my usual style and I thought I would look like I was wearing a tent. In fact the only time I've worn a floor-length skirt was when I played Maid Marion in a (very improvised) short production of Robin Hood! However, over the last few months I've seen many a babe (be it friends, fellow bloggers or even celebrities I admire) rocking a floor-length skirt, which made me re-consider my stance.

When  experimenting with a new look, I don't like to break the bank (unless I'm positively certain I'm going to love it) and I'm sure many of you are the same! Cue one trip to Primark and a rummage on the racks and I came away with this fuchsia number. The range of colours was brilliant - cobalt blue, emerald green and even jewel-toned purple. In the end (as ever!), bright pink was the obvious choice and I could see myself teaming it with some of my Sonia Rykiel for H&M pieces to create a swoon-worthy pink and black ensemble.

This weekend, it was still too warm to crack out the Sonia knits so I wore my new pink maxi with a slouchy grey marl tee by Disney Couture. The top is decorated with symbols from Alice in Wonderland, which I found appropriate seeing as I had just fallen down the rabbit hole into maxiland! This top is an old favourite from one of my jaunts to Downtown Disney, I really could go wild in the shops there (So. Much. Cuteness). 

I accessorised this outfit with a Topshop flower crown and gold glittery Vans. I think everyone needs a sparkly pair of sneakers at some point in their life!

Wearing this style of skirt was definitely a kick out of my comfort zone, but any uncertainties were soon soothed when The Boy smiled and informed me that I looked "like a princess". Aww! Maid Marion, eat your heart out! I took the skirt out for a spin on Saturday afternoon and I must say I quite enjoyed it. I'm not leaving my skater dresses and circle skirts behind for it, but I could definitely be persuaded to wear it again sometime soon.

What did you wear this weekend? Are you rocking maxi skirts this Summer? Who is your favourite character from Robin Hood?

Thanks for reading!

Local Lovin': Something Different

In Local Lovin' I am looking at designers/ stores/ creators of marvellous things/ anything else that catches my eye - all based in Glasgow. I believe that we should be supporting the talent that we have locally so have decided to start Local Lovin' as a regular feature. If you would like to be featured please get in touch! See my Contact page for details.

As many of you will know by now, I am a huge fan of glitter. And bows. And hair accessories. I feel a bit naked if I don't have something pretty perched on top of my head! Call it a fancy comfort blanket if you like! So it was with great delight many craft fairs ago that I discovered Something Different and their sparkling treasures. As well as gorgeous hair candy, designer Eilidh also creates other accessories like shoe clips and beautiful multi-coloured jewelled collar necklaces. I have mentioned Something Different in previous outfit and shopping posts  but I think that it's only right that I give them a full Local Lovin' fanfare for their services to accessory lovers everywhere!

I caught up with Eilidh and found out more about her designs and what inspires her, as well as getting an exclusive sneak peak at some new designs that will be hitting the web soon...
 
When did you start Something Different and what made you decide to do it?
I started about 5 years ago now one summer when rummaging through all my sewing things. I've always made things since I was little so a sewing machine has been a part of my life for years! From having to take things up and in, back when I was younger to whizzing up little tote bags for my friends. I've made prom dresses for myself and friends, and even made a sarong for an old boy - friend going through a David Beckham phase! I hadn't done any sewing in a while as the 9-5 job took over... So It all started out as I had a massive collection of sample fabrics and silk scarves and a creative itch! With a huge revival of all things retro and vintage I wanted to use what I had to turn in to simple hair bows. Hence the name Something Different each hairband was unique. I sold them through a friends shop in the west end to huge success and simply grew from there...

If you had to sum up the overall style of your accessories in a sentence how would you describe it?

Limited edition pieces with something suit everyone! Always girly and more importantly glitzy! 

What kinds of things inspire you to create your accessories? Are you influenced by other designers, artists or anything else?

Mainly influenced by what I love... beading, sequins, glitter and print all feature heavily in what I like and what I wear so I try and incorporate these elements in what I think my customers will like. Street style is massively important also as I love to see what and how people wear there hair accessories to inspire me to make new styles.

I love that you can be seen modelling your own creations, who else do you have in mind when you are designing your pieces?  What kinds of customers do you normally find buying your designs?

I don't aim my designs at anyone in particular and am always surprised when any piece becomes a such a success. Simple things like my valentines print bow was so popular with everyone. I have a lot of young girls that have huge collections of my bows and people that maybe make a one off purchase of that one thing they love. I love summer as it's holiday and festival time and I always think girls of every age love to go a little bit further with their accessorising.

What has been your favourite piece so far and why?

Hard to pick a favourite! (I don't blame her...)

Over the last couple of years I've seen lots of your happy customers giving testimonials online and in person at the craft fairs. What has been your proudest moment so far?

Whenever I can help anyone to get something unique I guess... I do a lot of custom orders where people come to me with an idea which is always great to turn into reality. Even people like yourself who has followed me and continued to buy new pieces all the time.  Also a friend of mine told me once she heard a couple of girls discussing my glitter bows on the bus! So I guess knowing that people are talking about the website is a great boost! 

Anything coming up soon for Something Different?

Hopefully be back in Hummingbird maybe end of August/ September time to meet all the new freshers and show off my new autumn pieces... of which I'm working on now. I love a change in seasons to push you to think of new ideas. It's such an exciting time hunting down supplies to make new creations! So watch this space... Hope everyone will love them as much as I already do!

Eilidh also  very kindly let me see some new pieces not on sale yet! These new metallic leather hair bows (shown left) are a total exclusive and will be available to buy from Sunday. I just know that people are going to LOVE these bad boys. You can find out more about Something Different, keep up to date with new events and browse their accessories on their website (which has a summer sale on at the moment!). I definitely have my eye on a few things! A huge thanks to Something Different for being part of Local Lovin'! 

Remember, if you would like to be featured as part of Local Lovin' please see my Contact page and get in touch!

Have you ever bought anything by Something Different? What is your favourite piece? Do you have a fashion comfort blanket?

Thanks for reading!

(All photos in this post are used with thanks from Something Different)

Cure for the Mid-week Blues #6

Wednesdays. The mid-week hump. Where the weekend seems like a happy memory and you've still got the rest of the week to go. Some people are saying that Wednesdays are the toughest day of the week to stay feeling energised and it's easy to see why. But I'm all about staying positive, so in my Cure for the Mid-week Blues mini-series, I'll be dishing out my top tips to keep those warm and fuzzy feelings going all week long...

 At the weekend I watched For A Good Time, Call... , a sassy comedy about two girls that decide to set up a chatline together. Now, don't jump the gun - I'm not suggesting that you cheer yourself up this Wednesday by going into the phone sex business (although it does involve using the telephone)! Something that really stood out to me when watching the film was the friendship between the two girls and their phone conversation towards the end of the film is hilarious, touching and just a little bit gross! It got me to thinking about this week's cure for the mid-week blues, so my tip to you this week is...

I'm sure, like most people, you speak to your best friend every day. Maybe barely an hour passes without a jokey email, an "I seen this and thought of you" Instagram post or an emoji-filled (if you're anything like me) text. You guys are in touch all the time, right? But I'm not talking about texts, tweets or emails. I mean call her (or him!). When was the last time you sprawled out ontop of your bed/ couch/ floor and talked about everything and nothing on the phone? It's totally different to typing, trust me! Don't get me wrong, I'm all about using social media - it's so quick and easy and you can write a message to anyone in seconds. But taking half an hour out of your day to catch up on the phone takes minimum effort and feels AH-MAZING!

So this week, give this a go. Your bestie might be halfway across the world, or just in the same city as you. You might have a heart-to-heart, a gossip-fest or just giggle endlessly for the entire call. Either way, I bet they'll get as big a kick out of an old-school (and it's a shame that we call a phone call old-school now, but I digress...) phone conversation as you!

Have a smashing week, and get dialing! 

Weekend Wear: Peach Kitty

After the jam-packed week I'd had, I was super glad to have a quiet weekend with The Boy and take it easy. We decided to go out for a walk on Saturday and it was the perfect excuse to wear this cat print dress that I had bought from H&M recently. As well as the tres adorable print, I also love the fit and cut of the dress - it's a bit like a skater dress-meets kid's party dress!

The monochrome colourway of the dress means that I can accessorise it with whatever colour pop takes my fancy. On Saturday I decided to pair it with some peach tights (also from H&M) and a little black cardigan by Betsey Johnson. The cardigan doesn't look too exciting from the front, but then I turn round and POW! A massive bunch of cherries stitched on the back. Oh, Betsey...

My hair is getting really long, but it can still be comfortably put into a bun/ topknot so I wore it up on Saturday with a black and white printed Topshop bow (I think Saturday was my third or fourth day wearing that bow, I love it!). I wore some studded ballet flats from Primark which were perfect for mooching around for the afternoon.

On Saturday (or should that be CATURDAY?) I also managed to (FINALLY) track down the latest copy of V Magazine with Prince on the cover! I was so happy to find it at as you can imagine I carried it around preciously for the rest of the day. We went for dinner at Zizzi on Cresswell Lane and quite conveniently we were offered a table with 4 seats, which meant Prince even got his own seat at the table! Dinner was delicious and a highlight of our visit was Kitty's gelato - wow! I tried the dark chocolate, mint choc chip and (my favourite) pistachio. All of them were amazing and I can't wait to go back and try them again!

It was lovely to have a lazy day and just do whatever we wanted without rushing around. And considering that the day took us for a long walk, a Prince discovery and gelato-fest; I'd say lazy Saturdays might be just as good as planned weekends!

How was your weekend? What did you wear? What is your favourite flavour of gelato?

Thanks for reading!

Vintage Twirls

Last weekend I went along to Vintage Glasgow 2013, a festival in its own right and being held this year in Glasgow for two days as part of the bigger Merchant City Festival event. My friend and I went on the Saturday and enjoyed lots of what the festival had to offer. A large chunk of our day was spent indoors at The Old Fruitmarket, putting our best feet forward at Let It Rock (and by the way, whoever decided to hold a club during the day totally deserves a high-five) and learning a few new steps. Let It Rock was excellent and had a great, friendly atmosphere. It was wonderful to see so many people joining in the dance lessons and the live band, The Coy Dogs, kept us jiving with their excellent covers of songs by classic artists like Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran.

 Many of the other events were also being held indoors and after Let It Rock finished we took a little wander elsewhere in the City Halls. We took a peek into the Tiki Bar, found a couple of workshops and screenings being held upstairs and even spied Vintage festival founder Wayne Hemmingway sitting on a sofa chatting!

Back outside, the streets were filled with people and it was great to see so many people out enjoying the festival. Lots of people were dressed in outfits inspired by their favourite decades and as it was such a nice day there was no risk of perfectly coiffed hair getting wet! I was hoping to get myself a vintage pin-up girl hairdo at the Vintage Salon, but I was not the only one with that idea - the appointments were all fully booked by the time I arrived! Never mind. I still enjoyed seeing the end results on the other girls, their hair looked gorgeous! 

We took a trip into the Vintage Marketplace and enjoyed having a rummage at the vintage clothes and homewares (including a brilliant/ terrifying bust of Elvis' head and shoulders...that kind of looked a little like Roseanne Barr as well...). There were some local indie designers at the marketplace too and I spotted stalls from We Are The Robots, Tatty Bon and Gillian Kyle amongst others. I bought The Boy a couple of presents from Beardcraft's stall - a shop I haven't come across before but I was glad that I did! Brilliant products and branding and The Boy loved his loot.

Never one to shy away from a photobooth I also took full advantage of the Dr Martens free photobooth van, I promise that getting in the back of a van and having our photo taken was NOT as seedy as it sounds! The photobooth was a very nifty touchscreen device and automatically printed a full colour glossy print - I could have happily played in it for much longer! There were also plenty of food and craft stalls on the surrounding streets (did someone say CANNOLI?!) to explore - after all, dancing sure builds up an appetite!

Ever since filming my Blogcademy Scholarship entry video I feel like I've caught the iPhone video bug! If you never made it along to Vintage Glasgow 2013 (or even if you did), here is a wee video I made of my time at the festival - I'm sorry it's so narrow, I forgot to turn my phone around and film it widescreen (rookie error)...

 

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I hope you've enjoyed my little summary of Vintage Glasgow 2013. I had a ball and really hope it comes back to see us again next year!

Did you go to Vintage? What was your favourite part? Did you spot the Elvis/ Roseanne bust?!

Thanks for reading!

PS: the song on my little video is Gator's Groove by  Willis Jackson.

July Round Up

July, you've been and gone like a flash of sunlight! Here in Glasgow we've seen some of the warmest days in a very long time and despite the odd grumble I suspect many people have been making the most of it! For me, this month has seen some excellent times spent with The Boy, family and friends. Barbecues, feel good music, long walks in the sun and slapping on the SPF - it sure feels like a Scottish summer. This month has also seen some awesome events - not least the Vintage Festival  in Merchant City, and I even found myself being a tour guide in my own neighbourhood for a day (quite happily I add).

Here's my July round up (in photos of course):

1. "an ocean of violets in bloom"  at the Botanic Gardens   2. Donut day at the office  (DROOL)

3. Family barbecue day   4. An exciting find in the record section while shopping

5. Mandatory police car posin' at TriBeCa   6. Skin Guru spritz in the heat has been a SAVIOUR!

7. Clever girl...dino spotting at Kelvingrove   8. A visit to Burger Meats Bun on opening day

9. Blogcademy giggles (full post here)  10. Starbucks Refresha (my new summertime beverage)

11. Dinner with The Boy at The Lansdowne  12. Beautiful building-spotting in Dundee

13. Another glorious day at the Botanics   14. Photobooth action at the Somewhereto_  launch 

15. Rainbow cake - truly a feast for your eyes!   16. Shopping for my beardy Boy at Beardcraft's stall

17. At Vintage Festival (more on which very soon)   18. Enjoying my annual McFlurry! 

I hope you had a marvellous month of July! I'm looking forward to seeing what this next month brings.

How was your month? What did you get up to? What is your favourite Summertime treat?

Thanks for reading!

Cure for the Mid-week Blues #5

Wednesdays. The mid-week hump. Where the weekend seems like a happy memory and you've still got the rest of the week to go. Some people are saying that Wednesdays are the toughest day of the week to stay feeling energised and it's easy to see why. But I'm all about staying positive, so in my Cure for the Mid-week Blues mini-series, I'll be dishing out my top tips to keep those warm and fuzzy feelings going all week long...

This week's blues-buster is about music. When I'm in a funk, putting on some of my favourite tunes will snap me out of it quicker than you can say "Wanna Be Starting Something". I'm sure I'm not the only one, so this week my tip for a wonderful Wednesday is...

Did you ever make mix tapes? I adored making mix tapes of my favourite songs and some of you reading this might even remember the magic of making a mix tape for someone else, or better yet - the excitement of getting one made by someone else for you! There's definitely a certain happy nostalgia when I think of mixtapes and making one to jam to (yes, JAM) come the mid-week is sure to keep you smiling.

So maybe that double tape deck bit the dust a long time ago, but that's OK. There are lots of websites that you can use to put together a motivational mix tape masterpiece for free! For example, 8tracks not only lets you create your own playlist but you can also listen to other people's themed mix tapes too. You can even search by keywords to find something that suits your mood. Making your own mix is always fun and even choosing which songs to include can lift your spirits. You might decide that you need a dose of Walking on Sunshine cranked up to 11, or maybe something from your favourite musical so you can belt it out too! Or perhaps there's that one cheesy pop song that reminds you of your school discos (Backstreet's Back, anyone?) and always makes you laugh. Whatever it may be, make sure you include it in your midweek mix.

As for me, I've just been reminded by The Boy that Prince songs from different albums jumbled up is NOT a real mix tape. He may be right on that one. My ideal mix tape would still include lots of Prince, but with some groove-tastic 80s tunes, classic rock and a few wild cards thrown in too for good measure.

Have an awesome week - and turn it up LOUD!

WestEndGirl Eats: TriBeCa

Recently I spent the day with a friend that didn't know the West End very well. On a quest to show her some of the best of what this side of the city has to offer, I took her on a 'West End Tour'. Although I couldn't cover absolutely everything in a day, we did manage to get a lot of excellent activities squeezed in - including a visit to Kelvingrove Park, Kelvingrove Museum & Art Gallery, a stroll up Great Western Road, the Botanic Gardens, drinks at Hillhead Bookclub (including a rummage around Granny Would be Proud!), a trip to some of my favourite shops like La La Land, treasure hunting down Ruthven Lane and ended the day at Bar Gumbo for some dinner.

 But let's start at the beginning of the day. For such an action-packed day we needed a kick-ass breakfast to set us up. As TriBeCa cafe on Dumbarton road had only just re-opened their doors the day before, we decided that should be the first stop on our tour. Regular readers of this blog will know that I have already posted about many of the places we visited that day, but I haven't blogged about this little gem before.

TriBeCa are a New York themed kitchen who (even before the refurbishment) were known far and wide for their awesome food. You can spot their location a mile off due to the authentic-looking NY taxi cab and NYPD police car parked outside (perfect for a post-pancake pose, how could you not?). But don't be fooled - TriBeCa aren't all talk and no walk. Priding themselves on bringing "a slice of the Big Apple in the heart of your neighbourhood" and serving up hearty portions of delicious Americana to happy customers day in day out, this place is serious about what they do. Unlike some themed restaurants that you come accross in the UK, TriBeCa are just as serious (in fact, I would say more serious) about the quality of their food. Yes, they are a themed cafe, but it doesn't start and end with a gimmick.

Unsurprisingly, TriBeCa has a loyal customer base and even though we arrived before 11am, the place was already busy with chattering girlfriends, families out for brunch and couples cosied up with coffee and French toast. I get the impression that some of them might even come every Sunday - now that's the kind of tradition I could get used to (I even had a quick daydream about being able to stroll in and say "the usual" with a wink and the waitress would know my order. Wait...since when did I turn into Fonzie from Happy Days in my daydreams?!). I guess the point I'm trying to make is that it was a busy but friendly atmosphere. People seemed comfortable and they weren't being rushed out after they finished their meals.

Which brings me onto the service. We were seated promptly and the staff could not have been more helpful or approachable. I guess happy staff and happy customers go hand in hand and our waitress was very friendly and polite. We were a little overwhelmed (in a good way) with the menu - I wanted to eat it ALL but eventually I picked The Brooklyn (a huge stack of buttermilk pancakes served with crispy bacon and Canadian Maple Syrup) and my friend chose one of TriBeCa's famous five egg omelettes, The Meatpacker (which had German Salami, Honey Roast Ham, Spanish Chorizo, Black Forest Ham and cheese) and was served with toast. I almost went with the French Toast but at least that gives me the perfect excuse to come back!

While waiting for our food we admired the HUGE mural of NYC on the wall and I noticed that even though TriBeCa isn't a massive space, it's clean white tiles on the other walls make it feel more spacious and bright. Also, it was a nice day so the glass doors at the front of the cafe were open, letting even more light in.

Our food arrived and it did not disappoint. The sheer size of my friend's omelette made me ooh and ahh and then when my massive stack of pancakes arrived it was her turn to admire my food! Of course this didn't last long and we both got stuck in. The food was wonderful, I really enjoyed my pancakes and I know that the omelette across the table went down a treat too - even the toast was super tasty (huge thick hunks of bread served with Lurpak butter). I've had pancakes in a lot of places on both sides of the Atlantic and I have to say these were some of the best I've tasted. I love thick pancakes, just as a personal preference, and TriBeCa's pancakes were perfect. The Maple syrup complimented the sweetness of the pancakes and salty bacon perfectly too.

Admittedly, we didn't quite finish our plates but it wasn't for lack of trying! I assured our waitress that we were really happy with the food and that we just couldn't manage it all. When our bill arrived (along with some Jelly Belly jelly beans - nice touch!) the total was totally reasonable (about a tenner each) considering the quality and portion size of food. When we left other customers were starting to arrive for lunch (TriBeCa's menu extends beyond breakfast to burgers, paninis, salads and soups).

I really enjoyed our trip to the newly-reopened TriBeCa - as a fan of themed restaurants, friendly service and excellent food I believe it ticks all of the boxes and will definitely be back again soon to take on that French toast!

Have you been to TriBeCa since they re-opened? Are you a fan of themed restaurants? In your daydreams do you act like The Fonz?

Thanks for reading!

Rock n' Roll Blog School

This blog post is a little different from my usual posts for two reasons: Firstly, it's my first ever blog video (but more on that in a moment)! And most importantly, this post is my scholarship application for The Blogcademy in London!

SAY WHAT?! Let me explain. The Blogcademy is a two-day blogging masterclass, devised and run by blogging royalty: Kat Williams of Rock n' Roll Bride, Shauna Haider of Nubby Twiglet and Gala Darling. I have followed their World Tour via their blog with much admiration, ever since their first New York session last year, reading about their classes as they take their smarts, sass and sequins to bloggers in cities worldwide. The 3 headmistresses offer personal advice, blogging wisdom and bucketloads of encouragement to their classes; drawing on their collective knowledge and experience. This class is designed for those who want to take their blog to the next level and keep on building - which is exactly what I'm looking for. I've started making a few small changes in the right direction but I really need the guidance to help me make the full journey.

When I first started this blog, I had the intention of writing solely about fashion. While I love clothes (and you know I do!), I started kicking myself about pigeonholing into such a specific category. If I went to an awesome restaurant (for example) or seen a fantastic film, I wanted to be able to write about it. And, I'm utterly in love with my little patch of Glasgow so I try to feature it as much as I can too! So in March this year, with a new layout and a new outlook, I revamped the blog a little. After all, it's my blog!

I feel like I've just taken the first step. I'd love to attend the Blogcademy to build my blogging mojo, help my blog progress further and help it meet its full potential. On a sunny Sunday morning, The Boy and I filmed this video on my iPhone to sum up my application in a way that I feel says what I want to say, and in a way that is still 'me'. I hope you like it:

As a huge music fan, I took inspiration from Bob Dylan's iconic video for Subterranean Homesick Blues when deciding how to put together an entry. When we were watching the footage back afterwards, it seemed like the natural choice of song would be The Ramones' Rock n' Roll High School - after all, I'm hoping to get SCHOOLED! I had a blast filming it, yes it's a little bit silly (like me) but I'm really proud of my first video (also big props to The Boy for his filming magic). A year ago, I wouldn't even put pictures of myself on my blog - I just wasn't confident enough. If you'd told me then that I'd be putting a video in a post, I wouldn't have believed you! I still can't quite believe it right now. I'm starting to get myself out of my comfort zone a bit, one step at a time!

When I read that The Blogcademy Tour was coming back to the UK, I just knew that I needed to grab this opportunity to apply for their Scholarship programme. One lucky blogger will win the chance to attend their London workshop in September (a Scholarship is offered for every city) and learn how to transform their blogging brand in an environment filled with likeminded, passionate peers.

I hope that the Blogcademy babes like my video - and even better still, think it's good enough to win the Scholarship!

Keep your fingers crossed for me (toes too!).

Love,

WestEndGirl x

Cure for the Mid-week Blues #4

Wednesdays. The mid-week hump. Where the weekend seems like a happy memory and you've still got the rest of the week to go. Some people are saying that Wednesdays are the toughest day of the week to stay feeling energised and it's easy to see why. But I'm all about staying positive, so in my Cure for the Mid-week Blues mini-series, I'll be dishing out my top tips to keep those warm and fuzzy feelings going all week long...

This week's cure for the Hump Day hangover is best enjoyed on a sunny day but can really be appreciated anytime...

When we are going about our daily business, especially in the city, we usually focus on what we need to do next, where we need to go and how to go about getting there. You've probably heard the expression 'stop and smell the roses', and my tip this week is kind of like that. If you're rushing around and feeling like you have a never-ending to-do list, stop. Just for 30 seconds. Stop. And look up. The first time I noticed the beautiful buildings (particularly the rooftops) in my city and took a few seconds to look at them, it was inspiring. So many intricate carvings, massive windows, winding church towers and balconies. I'd been so busy going in them, I hadn't bothered taking in what they looked like.

Glasgow (and OK, call me biased) has such an eclectic range of buildings, with the very old and historic right next door to contemporary masterpieces. It's the same in so many towns and cities, so try having a look up next time you're out and about. You might even feel a sense of calm like I did after doing something as simple as looking up (make sure you stop walking first though, I don't want anyone walking into walls!).

Have a fantastic week and enjoy the view!

Weekend Wear: Two of Hearts

 

On Friday night we went to The Lansdowne Bar & Kitchen for dinner. It's one of these really great local places that never disappoints and I always enjoy my visits. It's got a great atmosphere - somewhere between stylish and laid-back and the staff are super friendly, rocking a smile and a pair of Vans. For Friday's visit to The Lansdowne I wore this Topshop dress - I got it for my birthday last year and have worn it a few times before. I love everything about it - the cut, the bold colour and, of course, the cheekily placed hearts! Plus, the material is very light (actually a little too light if a car whizzes past too quickly, haha!) so it was a pleasure to wear it out on such a balmy evening.

Clearly last weekend's leg baring did not end in disaster and I took it up a notch this time by wearing (for the first time EVER) heels with my bare legs. I've overheard girls talking this week about not wanting to bare their legs without tanning them first, but I must say it's never really crossed my mind. I'm sure my moonbeam stems will make even the palest legs look a bit bronzed though (maybe I should make myself available for a small fee to come and stand next to you if you have pin paranoia...). I wore these Irregular Choice stars n' stripes heels and felt the 'Wonder Woman' effect of having such kick-ass shoes on as I walked strutted into The Lansdowne.

Jewellery-wise, I kept things very simple and wore a couple of rings by Thomas Sabo and Topshop. Never one to go outside without something on my head, I chose a black cat ears Alice band by Diva. Purr-fect (sorry, couldn't resist).

While walking to and from the restaurant I wore my favourite new sunglasses - my tortoiseshell Dickies cat eye frames. I love that this sunny weather has given me so many opportunities to rock my sunglasses - I buy so many pairs and grab any opportunity to wear them!

We had a lovely meal and it was fun to get all dressed up and go out with The Boy and the family - the perfect start to the weekend.

What did you wear this weekend? What did you get up to? Have you ever felt the 'Wonder Woman' effect from a pair of shoes?