Foodie Finds #1

Over the past few years, Glasgow has defined itself as a city that bloody well knows its food. Almost every month there is a new food joint opening somewhere in the city from gourmet pizza bars in the centre to dessert parlours in the West End and fine dining restaurants in the South Side. We’re completely spoilt for choice and I love that it gives us locals a chance to continually discover our own city, one bite at a time.

With the influx of new restaurants, new menus and bottomless brunches (Hello my little friend!) I thought it was about time I introduced a new feature on the blog dedicated to my latest foodie finds. So, without further ado, let me tell you all about three exciting (and totally different) discoveries I’ve made over the past month.

#1 Champagne flights at Champagne Central

Perhaps a little light on the food but nonetheless a foodie find that has got me very excited. Hot off a train from Forres (don’t ask), I headed along to one of my favourite city centre spots – Champagne Central. Ideal location, divine interiors and all over good vibes …. I won’t go on much more, just trust me when I say, it’s one to visit on a Friday night with the girls.

Now, champagne flights I hear you question. To sum it up, it’s a serving of three different flavoured Taittinger champagnes that are accompanied with your choice of delectable canapes – the perfect pairing they say. On the food front, I went for the oaked smoked salmon with caviar (how fancy!), a tasty Belgian white & strawberry chocolate and the cutest mini meringue. On the champagne front you get to try the Taittinger Brut Reserve NV, Taittinger Prestige Rosé NV and Taittinger Nocturne Sec NC. This is the first time I’ve ever tried Taittinger and I can’t believe how good it is! Honestly, divine. Like too good. Being an avid prosecco drinker, champagnes can sometimes be a little too - is bitter the right description? - for me, but not Taittinger.

I love how unique this experience is and think it’s the perfect way to celebrate. Whether it’s a birthday, graduation or engagement, it makes going for a glass of champagne even more special.

The Taittinger champagne flight costs £25 which I think is amazing value for money.

#2 First-class food at Lido Troon

 

 

Although not Glasgow based, Lido in Troon is absolutely worth the drive (or train ride) out of the city. Last week, I was kindly invited along to try out their delectable menu as part of their new #LoveFoodFeelGood campaign that’s essentially all about the amazing memories you create over food. With a pasta-making demonstration from one of their in-house Italian chefs, the thought of what memories we’ll be making over just the dish for our wedding in Italy next year got me very excited!

I can’t remember the last time I went to a restaurant and was so highly impressed by every.single.dish. The quality of food on offer was amazing and I can say that with confidence as we went through almost everything on the menu! My favourite dishes were definitely the duck ragu, butternut squash risotto, Moroccan lamb and sharing platter. We’ve filled what little room we had left in our stomach with a taster of the deserts available – passion fruit cheesecake was my favourite out of the lot.

Oh, and how could I forget… the mixologists put together a rather special Edinburgh Gin menu especially for us which were D.I.V.I.N.E. Good food and the perfect serves of G&T make me very happy indeed.

I’ll absolutely be back to Lido very, very soon. Next time though, I’ll be incorporating a walk along the beach after the meal to shift a few of the just consumed calories 😊.

#3 A taste of Korea at Bibimbap

 

 

Last but by no means least, my fiancé and I headed along to Bibimbap on West Nile Street to chow down some authentic Korean grub. To be honest, before visiting, I wasn’t entirely sure what would be on the menu at a Korean restaurant. I typically go for a very generic ‘Chinese’ so was intrigued to discover what dishes would be on offer.

On arrival, I was immediately impressed by the eclectic and striking décor that has transformed the space that was once the Riverhill Restaurant. A ceiling of umbrellas, neon signs and plenty of colour –it’s an Instagrammers heaven.   

On the menu we had a choice between small plates, noodles, soups, stir-fry’s, rice bowls and more. We decided to try three of the small plates to share and then a main dish each. This turned out to be quite a bit more food than we can comfortably consume so for anyone visiting I’d recommend trying one small plate and one main per person  which would be more than enough to satisfy.

Top picks I hear you ask? For me, it has to be the (very spicy) lamb skewer, vegetable dumpling and Katsu curry. We also tasted a few of their cocktails which set of the meal perfectly.

The restaurant only offers a walk-in service but that didn’t seem to stop anyone as the place was packed full of happy customers.

If you’re eager to try something different in the city – I’d highly recommend adding this one to your list.  

That’s all for my first #FoodieFinds post but I hope you enjoyed learning about my latest discoveries. 

Let me know if there are any styles of food you’d like to see more of and I’d be happy to do my research (lol).

Until next time.

Xoxo  

Disclaimer: I was kindly invited along to try out the food/drink at all of the above restaurants/bars however all of my opinions and recommendations are genuine. 

A festive 24 hours in Glasgow

You have a free weekend in December, there are Christmas gifts to be ticked off your gift list and you want to have a little fun. What do you do? Pack your bags, invite your girlfriends and take a spontaneous trip to Glasgow to soak up all things festive, of course.

As the UK's best shopping destination outside of London, Glasgow is an AMAZING place to find gifts your friends and family will love. Shopping at Christmas shouldn't be a chore though so why not start your day off with brunch, visit department stores with the most magical twinkly lights, refuel with a few sweet treats and finish off your day recapping on your successful shopping trip over dinner and drinks before resigning to your comfy hotel bed. Sounds like the perfect day to me. 

I gave this exact trip a test run last weekend with Glasgow Loves Christmas and had the best time. Here's what we got up to. 

Start your day off with brunch

With a busy shopping day ahead you'll need a good meal to kick start your day. Kimbles in St Enoch Centre is a new discovery for me. I've passed by the sweet little cafe more times than I can remember but I never realised they have a gorgeous upstairs area that is so light and airy. The store is also the perfect place to pick up a festive treat for your sweet toothed friends, 

Shop 'til you drop

Christmas shopping pre-lunch time means for less queues, a calmer atmosphere and a better opportunity to capture pictures of the millions of festive decorations you will pass by. 

If you visit anywhere in Glasgow during December it has to be House of Fraser. The department store is completely decked out in fairy lights and is an Instagram dream. They've recently welcomed the stunning House of Dior which is everything I want my home to look like and more. Filled with couture perfumes, candles, soaps and beauty, it's the perfect destination to pick up a gift for that someone special in your life. They provide a glasses of Moet to all customers and also occasionally provide free engraving service so it's the ultimate shopping experience. Before leaving House of Fraser, don't forget to visit the new Charlotte Tilbury counter. I've never really tried out the brand but after test running their matte liquid lipstick, Hollywood Lip, I'll be back very soon. I was SO impressed with this lipstick's staying power and the colour was spot on. 

Have a wander down the Christmas markets

They're only here for about six weeks so you'd be silly to miss this one out on a Christmas shopping trip. The markets are the ultimate festive spirit switch on spot as you stroll through unique gifts, sweet smelling treats and indulgent takeaway foods. 

Refuel over afternoon tea

You've now shopped yourself dry and urgently require fuel for the second half of the day why not stop by Cup Tea Lounge in Virginia Square for a festive afternoon tea. This cafe is seriously cute and is situated in a cute lane just off the hustle and bustle of the Style Mile. Perfect to get away from it all for a moment. 

Update your Christmas decos

I'm not sure about you but adding a new Christmas decoration to your home is a self-made tradition that I enjoy a lot. John Lewis is always so creative with their Christmas themes each year. This year they have seven themes from Winter Palace to Into the Woods. 

Get a pick me up at the Nespresso pop up

If you like coffee you'll love Nespresso. There's currently a pop up in Buchanan Galleries for all of you coffee lovers out there. Picking on the right capsule will be your only concern here. 

Make your own gift at the Beauty Kitchen

I'm a total advocate for DIY-ing at Christmas. I love to make my own Christmas cards and such so the create your own classes at The Beauty Kitchen are right up my street. From choosing your base ingredient to the oils that it is mixed with you create the product that works best for you. Plus you have fun along the way.....bonus. 

Finish the day with festive dinner and drinks

Now that you're completely shopped out, it's time to reward yourself with some well earned grub while you guzzle down a few cocktails. Located inside the stunning Princes Square (queue more Christmas decorations photo opps) Restaurant Bar and Grill serves up a mean steak and sweet-tasting cocktails. The restaurant is totally unexpected and is a lot bigger than you would probably first think. There's also a private room for anyone dining out in a bigger group. 

Hit the hay at Grand Central Hotel

Now you've exhausted all energy it's time to head back to your hotel and get a well earned nights sleep. Located within Glasgow's Central Station and a quick five minute walk to the Style Mile, Grand Central Hotel ticks all the boxes. They have one of Glasgow's best, if not thee best, champagne bars in the city right inside the hotel for a night cap and check out isn't until 12 o'clock. That's right, you can lounge the morning away in your PJs while ordering breakfast to the room. 

I vlogged our entired festive day out with Glasgow Loves Christmas which is now live on my YouTube - get all the festive feels by clicking play below :) 

Thanks so much to Glasgow Loves Christmas  for hosting me on this trip!

Until next time. 

xoxo

What it's really like to get lip fillers

Lip fillers - it's the cosmetic treatment on everyone's lips (pun intended :P) but deciding if it's the right treatment for you is a scary process. If like me, you're not keen on the over plumped, fish lips that are swimming (double pun :P) around the internet, you don't have to give up all dreams of all a more voluminous pout.

Lip fillers can range from 0.5ml to 1ml per treatment. Hesitant for my lips to completely change from my natural shape and size I decided to go for something in between the measures available to ensure my results were as natural as possible. Now that my fillers have settled I have to admit, I could have probably went for a little more but easing myself in is the best way I could have done this. 

Now, with the actual process I think a huge factor in the service is professionalism and results depends largely on where you go to get it done. There are so many rookies offering lip fillers these days when they're really not qualified to do so so please do your research before booking! After my botox experience at Therapie Clinic I knew choosing to go back there that I would be in good hands. 

I was beyond nervous for this treatment but the moment I stepped into the clinic my nerves lifted. The staff were also hugely helpful in making me feel at ease which was nice since I was on my tod.

For any scardy cats like me you'll be glad to know it honestly isn't something to be scared of and I say that will complete truth. You can just about feel the injections going in and one or two areas stinged ever so slightly but it was really fine. 

All in all, I think the injections lasted around 2-3 minutes. After sitting for ten minutes with numbing cream on my lips I was probably in and out of the clinic in 20 minutes. Although quick, this isn't a lunch time treatment as you will experience some swelling and bruising for the next 24-48 hours but nothing a little make-up can't hide. I was out at an event the next day and no one was any wiser to my treatment.

Your lips don't properly settle for about a week. It's now been just under two weeks since I had my treatment. I have one small lump in the right hand side of my top lip but this is a natural side effect. If it doesn't go away itself, they simply advise you to visit your therapist who will gently massage this out. Try not to do this yourself as you may move the filler into the wrong position.

Overall, I'm really happy with the results. They're still incredibly natural but have a bit more oomph to them. I think I'll probably feel a little braver next time and might go for the full 1ml. 

Lip fillers aren't for everyone but if they make you feel the slightest bit more confident then they're worth every penny in my eyes. Plus, you have a new found appreciation for all of your bold lip colours. I certainly know what's on my Christmas list this year....

I vlogged the entire lip fillers experience from start to end so you can really understand what it was like for me so check that out below.

Lip fillers at Therapie Clinic currently start from £150 for 0.5ml.

Please don't feel shy to ask me any questions you may have. 

xoxo