Cosy couples getaway

Every once and a while, city life can get a bit much and if, you're anything like me, you’ll crave some fresh, countryside air. Living in Glasgow, it’s easy to forget just how fortunate we are in terms of geography (yes, geography). The capital and one of the best cities in the world is just 50 miles away.  One of the most romantic places in the UK, the Lake District, can be reached in under two hours.  And one of the world’s most beautiful Loch’s (and my happy place) can be discovered in just an hour’s drive. It’s time to make the most of having access to so many fabulous destinations so to kick it off, last month, Liam and I took up the offer to visit a quaint hotel perched on the edge of Loch Lomond, in the charming little town of St Fillan’s.

A BEAUTIFUL AUTUMN DAY

On route to St Fillan’s it was clear we’d struck the weather jackpot. The sun was splitting in the sky and the temperatures had reached above 15 degrees – it was perfect. On arrival to The Four Seasons, we were greeted with a warm welcome, but what I was most impressed with was just how welcome our little pug, Indie. We’ve taken Indie to a few hotels in the past but I can say without doubt that the staff at The Four Seasons took doggy welcomes to the next level. We were informed that our little baby could even join us for dinner AND breakfast. If you’ve got a dog of your own, you’ll appreciate how rare this is!

A PERFECT SUNSET

All checked in, we decided to head straight out and explore St Fillan’s while the sun was still shining bright.  We never actually made it into the little town but instead stuck to the loch edge, exploring forest walks, stumbling across tree swings and stopping to take pictures. Lots of pictures!

With the sun beginning to dip, we headed back to our hotel to get ready for dinner. Putting my makeup on in front of our HUGE window that looked directly onto the loch, I noticed the sun setting behind the hills quicker than I expected. I grabbed Liam, Indie and the camera and we headed down to the little dock and captured some of my favourite pictures of recent. You honestly can’t beat a sunset picture!

TASTING THE GRUB

Dinner time now and we were suitably starving and ready to stuff our faces! We’d read a little about the Tarken Bar & Bistro on Tripadvisor before we headed up so knew were in for some good food. For starters, we shared the Chicken and Haggis Croquettes. I’m not one to choose haggis but these were actually super tast. For mains, we chowed down the Traditional Burger in a Brioche Bun with double (or was it triple) cooked chips. TAST-Y. With little room left to spare but just enough, we ordered some desert and by desert, I mean cheese and crackers for me (LOL) and cheesecake for Liam. Full to the brim and a little tipsy from prosecco, we called it a night and headed back to our room.

Unfortunately, we had plans the next afternoon so couldn’t stay around to enjoy more of the area but we did have time to enjoy breakfast (yes, more food) before we departed and a brisk walk in the foggy weather. Again, breakfast was super tasty and set us up for the day ahead.

One thing I truly loved about St Fillan’s was how laid back the community was. Walking Indie down the road at 9am felt more like 6am with not a soul in sight and just the occasional car passing by. The Four Seasons echoes just that feeling with cosy fireplaces and the cutest library nook that would be the ideal spot to get lost in a book.

If you’re looking for a cosy, welcoming and homely place to stay with unbeatable views of Loch Lomond, The Four Seasons is just the place. I could only imagine how beautiful this place would be in the winter and would make a great Christmas getaway.

Thanks again to the staff at The Four Seasons for inviting us to stay and experience the beautiful St Fillan’s. We hope to be back one day soon.

xoxo

Falling in and out of love

I 'm gonna make a presumption and say the above heading has you questioning an uncertain love and whether or not I'm going through a rocky pre-marital stage of my relationship. Well folks, I'm happy to report that I'm not. And this blog post actually has nothing to do with the love of my relationship (phew). What I do want to talk about though is my love/hate relationship with Instagram at the moment.

I'm sure you're probably well aware of the sticky topic of Instagram's algorithm. Whether you've experienced its annoyance first hand or have seen other Instagrammers that you follow complain about it on their channel - you know something is going on and the majority rules: Not in Favour! I can now say that I'm joining this group of frustrated Instagrammers.

If you follow me on the photo sharing app you'll know that I have a modest following. For me, Instagram has never been just about the numbers but of course, creating content and getting acknowledgement via kind comments for something you've worked hard on is super rewarding. Nowadays though, you could post one really kick-ass image that's taken time and consideration, vs a lack-lustre 2-minute snap from your phone and get more engagement on the latter. Despite how much I love to capture creative imagery and (what I hope is) interesting content, the exposure you get on your work does have an impact on your motivation, whether I like it or not.

I  don't want to ramble on about what Instagram is or isn't doing but I wanted to put my thoughts down on keyboard and ask, do you still enjoy my content? I guess nowadays it's hard to know what people like and don't like so please, please, please, share your thoughts. I'll always stay true to my own style but it would be great to know what type of things you like seeing and reading.

From my side, I want to share a lot more wedding content - we're on the nine month countdown now...eek! I also always love to show fashion-led posts and despite a near non-existent clothes shopping budget atm, I'll try my best to keep this up. I'd also like to dip my toes into more emotional/real blog posts - it's one category I've typically stayed away from in the past but love to read other peoples. And finally, experiencing life and sharing those happy little moments in the best way I possibly can!

If you've made it to the end of this post - thank you! This post is a little different to what I've written in the past and am happy to step out of my comfort zone.

I hope this is the start of more regular posting here on The Girl with the Big Hair and you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it.

Until next time.

xoxo

Foodie Finds | August

If you enjoy your grub like me, then trying somewhere new for breakfast, lunch or dinner will bring a lot of happy smiles to your face. Despite my best efforts, I find I’m a creature of habit when it comes to eating out and often book into the restaurants I know and love all too often. In a bid to spread my wings, I introduced the Foodie Finds feature on my blog a few months back and I’m finally back with a few new discoveries.

Mono - South Bridge, Edinburgh

When you look at the website for Mono, it reads, ‘Progressive Italian Dining’ and that’s exactly what you’re served. Inside, the restaurant is very minimalistic, with a nod to Scandi style interiors featuring a quaint fireplace, wood floors, tables and chairs, and modern lighting. 

After missing Mono’s bloggers banquet a few weeks before, I was kindly invited to try out their Apertivi menu on a date that suited. When we arrived, my friend Tessa and I were greeted with a warm welcome from staff before being shown to our table.

So, what’s their Appretivi menu I hear you ask. Essentially, it’s their early evening menu that runs from 5-6.30pm and offers a pre-starter with a house spritz followed by three courses from a selective menu.

We started off our meal with a selection of delicious breads with oil and a few bite-sized canapes, otherwise known as ‘stuzzichini. In all honesty I didn’t know what to expect and these snazzy little pre-starters put the bar high for the rest of the meal. 

Following our bread and stuzzichini, we were served our first (or Primi) course. Both Tessa and I went for the baked ricotta with pine nuts, peppers, aubergine, olives and tomato. Again, what was served took me by surprise but in the best possible way. After the first curious mouthful we scoffed down the rest.

Course two, I went for the Dry Aged Beef Ox Cheek with kohlrabi, cauliflower, hazelnut and sea truffle and Tessa tried the Octopus Alla Piastra with courgette, spring onion and curried butter. Again, we both really enjoyed our choices and each were cooked to perfection.

We finished off with dessert - I went for the cherry and chocolate and if I’m honest, regretted my choice. I think I realised I’m not really a fan of cherry however I’m sure the desert would be enjoyed by anyone that does. Tessa rated her Caramelised Peach, (almond milk, peach sorbet with Amaretti biscuits) as the best course out of the lot and I was envious to say the least!

Overall, we really enjoyed trying something completely different. Each course was presented beautifully and at the end of the meal we felt satisfied but not over-full (as I often find I do). I’d really recommend giving Mono a try if you’re in Edinburgh. The restaurant also offers a regular A La Carte menu, Lunch Menu and rather exciting Tasting Menu which looks ideal for a special occasion. You can view all of the menus on their website here.

Mozza – Renfield Street, Glasgow

Sticking with Italian cuisine, another new try for me this month was Mozza in Glasgow. Last week, the girls and I headed here to celebrate the exciting news of Rachel’s engagement (eek!). Side note – check out her beautiful ring here.

Now back to Mozza - the restaurant is conveniently located a few minutes-walk from Glasgow Central station…the ideal spot for some Friday night grub, pre-cocktails.

Inside, you’ll find a nice big space with the name Mozza in lights on the wall. From the menu you can choose one of 13 different styles of neopolitan pizza. I went for number five which was a spicy tomato-based pizza with mozzarella, spicy salami, ricotta cheese, black pepper, basil and oil. It was super tasty and actually really reminded me of Peasano's pizza (which I'm guessing are also Neopolitan?). 

The prices are extremely reasonable too with pizzas starting from just £5 with the priciest at £9 – bargain! I didn’t try any of the sides or desserts so can’t comment on them, but I did try some of their white wine which went perfectly with my pizza.

I’ll definitely be heading back to Mozza and would highly recommend for all of you pizza lovers out there.

Thanks again to Mono for inviting us along to try out their food!

Until next time.

XoXo

The Key to Glowing Skin

Is it just me that thinks beauty starts with gorgeous skin? As a hormonal 16 year-old, I longed for radiant skin and the confidence that comes with that. Now well into my twenties, I'm thankfully passed the stage of unwelcome break-outs, however my skin is scarred in areas and I've re-focused my energy on minimising the appearance of those imperfections.

Over the past few months, I've experimented with more facial treatments than I ever have and honestly, my skin has never looked better. Despite struggling with problem skin, facials have never been something I've been keen to try. The fear of crazy break-outs post treatment is probably the reason for this but as I've learned, not all facials will make you spotty before giving you clear skin.

I booked in for a consultation with the skin gurus at Therapie Clinic, to determine what I wanted from the treatments and agree my areas of concern. My agenda was clear - I wanted my skin to glow, the appearance of my scars to be minimised and my pores reduced. I can say with absolute confidence that we have genuinely achieved this! Here's how we've transformed my skin from lack-lustre and a little dull to plump, smooth and even.

My First Facial 

We started off simply by trying out one of their less-abrasive treatments with the Organic Passion Image Facial Peel. This was a relatively relaxing treatment, with various products wiped across the face with a slight tingling sensation. The results from this were super glowy skin immediately after. I loved the results and my skin felt extremely replenished and nourished - something it absolutely needed. This treatment is perfect for a quick fix - perhaps ahead of a big event like a birthday or celebration. 

Prepping the skin for deeper treatment 

Treatment two was their advance skin peels. This treatment was similar to the first but a little more intense with stronger products used on the face. They say this treatment can result in a little peeling after the treatment but my skin was absolutely fine. Personally for me, this treatment didn't make my skin look quite as glowy and bright as the Passion Peel but that may be because the first treatment was so overdue and therefore had a more drastic change. 

Trying out the Derma Pen Treatment 

After 'prepping' my skin, we moved onto something a little more intense that would really target my scars. The therapist advised me on trying the Derma Pen facial - a fairly new treatment on the market that is said to transform skin. I'm not going to lie, the thought of twelve tiny needles being pierced across my face didn't exactly excite me but I was willing to give it a try. Much to my delight, the first step for the treatment is smearing a numbing cream across your entire face. After ten-minutes, the therapist got started. I was surprised that the treatment actually wasn't as sore as I was expecting. Of course, you can feel the needles but it's definitely bearable and manageable for someone with a low pain threshold. On my first treatment, we used a 0.5mm needle and a 1.5mm needle on treatment two. Naturally the bigger needle pierced deeper and so hurt a little more. I would say it is still bearable but just more intense so something to be aware of if you're wanting more intense results! 

One downside to this treatment is the recovery time. Don't be fooled and think the 'mild sunburn' as it is described on the website will mean you will be cool to go shopping straight after the treatment - you won't! Expect to be housebound for a least 48 hours. Of course, everyone reacts differently to any treatment and I can raise my hand and say I have very sensitive skin but I genuinely looked like I had laid in the sun for 24 hours in 40 degree heat after my first session. Don't believe me? Check out my vlog of the experience here. 

Once your skin recovers, you'll be pleased to know that your days in the house were absolutely worth it!! Honestly, I never expected the results to be quite as good as they were, and it wasn't just me that noticed how glowy and smooth my skin was looking. The treatment not only targets pores and scarring but also fine lines and skin pigmentation so it's amazing for numerous skin woes. 

I'm due to get a third and final Derma Pen treatment and I do think getting this treatment done a few times makes for better results! The treatment is also only £120 which I think is incredible value for money! 

As I said, my skin has never looked better and it's all down to these treatments. 

Thanks again to Therapie Clinic for letting me try them out!

XoXo 

I've found "The One"

The deed is done.

The dress that I’ll walk down the aisle in come next July has been purchased and I can’t quite believe it myself. Only a few days ago, I thought about writing this blog post but with a completely different angle in mind. Having ventured out on my first day of dress shopping with my full bridal squad (sans one) I was ready to declare that my wedding shopping experience had ‘just begun’. Little did I know at that point that my dress was waiting for me in somewhat of a familiar setting, ready to purchase just a few days later.  Oh, how quickly things can change.

So, before I get onto the juicy stuff let me rewind it here a little for you, going back to my first day of dress shopping with the girls and my mum last weekend.

With the date in the diary for a few weeks, I made sure to make most of having (almost) everyone with me. I scheduled four appointments 1. Anne Priscilla 2. Susanne Christyne 3. June Bride 4. Melle Cloche with just enough time in the middle to cheers with a prosecco and grab a bite to eat.

Here’s a rundown of my experience with each.

1. Anne Priscilla

-       The staff in the store were incredibly welcoming, helpful and seemed to really listen to what I was looking for. They let us have fun – asking each of the girls to choose one dress for me to try on. My stylist also picked out a few crackers and it was her choice that was the front-runner for me. At the end of the day, the Watters gown that I tried on in Anne Priscilla was current front runner.

      2. Susanne Christyne

-       If I’m honest, we weren’t overly impressed with the experience at Susanne Christyne. Although the girl who worked there was very friendly, the dresses she pulled for me to try on were completely wrong, despite showing images of what I liked. Having only tried on two gowns, we decided this store wasn’t for me and didn’t want to waste the girls time so politely departed.  I do think however if you have a set visual in your mind of the style of dress you’re looking for and you can’t find it – this shop may be for you. Customised dresses are their thing. It just so happens I didn’t know what I was looking for at that time.

      3. June Bride

-        I’m very familiar with this store after my sister found her gown here back in 2013. Since we last visited the store has had a revamp and looks great. As soon as I walked into the store I was excitedly impressed by the styles of dresses they had on display. Although I didn’t find the one for me I’d highly recommend June Brides for the girl who’s looking for something modern with ‘glam’ in mind. 

      4. Melle Cloche

     Last but not least was Melle Cloche. Funny story, I actually pass by this store every day on my way in to work but up until this point I hadn’t taken much notice of the stock they had on display. On first impressions it looks like a relatively small shop but don’t be deceived – they have a really lovely space downstairs that’s perfect for a catwalk show.

After the day ended, knowing that I probably hadn’t found ‘the one’ just yet made me feel a little deflated. It’s silly really – I actually had a feeling before the day even started that I wouldn’t find my dress – but knowing that this was true made me feel a little disheartened. Essentially, what I’m trying to say is don’t feel stupid for feeling sad if you don’t find your dress right away – it’s natural.

Fast forward a few days to when I received multiple text messages from my cousin Naomi telling me that I MUST attend the Martina Liana trunk show that was running at Eleganza that weekend. After popping in store for her own dress fitting, my cousin got a sneak peek of the dresses that would be on display and was in complete awe. After seeing a 4-second Snapchat of what the gowns looked like I too was in awe and before I knew it, I was booked in for 9:15am that Saturday. The excitement was real and immediately had the feeling that I was going to find my gown.

A trunk show event offers a completely different experience to a normal shopping day at a bridal store. I’m going to save the details of this for my next blog post as I fear this post will be ten pages long otherwise so do stick around 😊

But my dress, let’s talk about that. Like most other brides, I’d like to keep the detail of this to a minimum as, let’s face it, it takes away some of the excitement of a bride walking down the aisle. What I will say though is that my dress isn’t super-fitted, or big and puffy – it’s somewhere in between. It fits absolutely perfectly with my venue and is romantic, whimsical and effortless. I think it’s the perfect balance between being sweet and under-stated sexy but I’ll let you guys be the judge come next July. It’s also not too heavy which is ideal for an abroad wedding. I hope that gives you a little feel of what I’ve went for 😊

Although I left with just one dress, every single one I tried on was absolutely stunning and I’m the designers new big fan. As Anna, the store manager at Eleganza said, “She just knows what a girl wants,” and I couldn’t agree more.

xoxo