Scottish Ballet: The Nutcracker

Having not been brought up with a very 'festive' upbringing, Christmas-sy things are still a bit new to me including Scottish Ballet's winter season offering of The Nutcracker.

Of course I knew The Nutcracker's wonderful score was by Tchaikovsky and that the story entailed a toy soldier, the famous sugar plum fairy, scary mice and a magical dolls house but for me the Christmas connection and the actual storyline didn't mean very much to me... until now.

What better way to get to know this enchanted tale (and get in the Christmas spirit) through the beauty of music and dance?!

'An enchanted dolls' house, an evil governess, and a nutcracker who may just be a handsome prince in disguise ... '

Scottish Ballet has certainly helped me enter a magical new world with their production of The Nutcracker, based on ETA Hoffmann's original story 'Nutcracker and the King of Mice'.

As always, Scottish Ballet presented a vivid retelling of the Christmas story with colourful and stunning sets and costumes that even included a representation of Tchaikovsky himself on stage.  It was a truly magical performance from start to finish and I can't believe I have missed out on this fantastical tale for such a long time.

Since discovering the beauty and joy of the art through Scottish Ballet's influence, I have actually become acquainted with many new interests and The Nutcracker is just one of them.  It is such a wonderful (and slightly mad) story that I will be making sure that elements of it is factored into my annual celebrations.  In fact, I had to make sure I had candy canes for my tree after it and a rather beautiful emerald Nutcracker prince was purchased!

Christmas might be over but there is still time to catch a performance near you and reignite the magic of Christmas:

Glasgow 
Theatre Royal 8-29 December 2012

Edinburgh
Festival Theatre 8-12 January 2013

Aberdeen
His Majesty's Theatre 16-19 January 2013

Inverness
Eden Court Theatre 23-26 January 2013

Belfast

Grand Opera House 30 January-2 February 2013

Newcastle

Theatre Royal 6-9 February 2013

I'd love to hear if you have been to see it or if you are planning on going! 

BearPaw - the Ugg-a-likes ...

Summer is over and the shopping for a winter wardrobe has officially begun.

A Scottish winter isn't just a cold one, we get pelted with extreme wind, rain and as we experienced last year, snow!  North of the border we take quite a pride in our appearance but the practicalities of winter can make it difficult and usually through the colder months, a sea of Ugg boots pound the streets as they battle their way through the weather.

This was the year I promised to ditch the wag-a-licious Ugg boot.  However, a shopping trip this week swayed me again.  You just can't beat a soft, cosy, comfortable boot when going about daily menial tasks (even if i do look like a TOWIE reject).

I was damned if I was paying nearly £180 for a new pair of Ugg boots and promised not to go fake after seeing this article.   When I stumbled across a pair of branded chocolate brown Ugg-a-likes in TK Maxx this week I chose to reconsider my decision to turn my back on uggly but practical footwear.

BearPaw are an American brand of Ugg-a-likes sold at a fraction of the price.  Roughly around £60-£90.  They are worn by the likes of Jennifer Anniston and J-Lo according to the press, not that this impacted my purchase at all.  They are made of the same materials as Ugg and apparently the only difference is the sole.  As far as i'm aware Ugg soles are made from a special kind of foam and BearPaw are made from rubber.  This makes sense after comparing my new BearPaw with an old and battered pair of Uggs.

The sole and support seem pretty sturdy so hopefully I won't get the dreaded sloppy heel which even my old Uggs gave me despite guarantees of extra support.  And the grips are, well, grippy!  All I need to do now is waterproof the boots so I can splash about in the slushy scottish streets which no doubt will hit us soon :(

And why am I raving about such a bland purchase?  Let me tell you... all I paid was £37!  Which saves me more money to spend on a luxe pair of boots for some winter posing ;)

So, if you see me out and about in my BearPaws, please don't judge, my tootsies just want to stay cosy.

Oh yeah, and do you call all boots of this style Ugg regardless of their own brand?  It's a bit like cellotape, hoover and tippex in my eyes.  A name that will forever be associated with this style of boot.

Who else favours practical winter footwear?

x

You can leave your hat on ...

I have become a bit of a hat fiend of late. We even own a 'hat box' in our home used mostly for fancy dress and drunken antics but it's nevertheless a legit millinery delight.

Summer and winter are the main seasons I find a use for my hats and while last winter I had my furry trapper hat glued to my head, this year I decided to change it up a bit.

Panda hats or beanies with fluffy ears attached are just not for me as cute as they can look on others. This year I went a little bit sophisticated. Think of Angelina Jolie in Changeling ... yes, it's the cloche hat. It's chic, ladylike and retro.

I take my inspiration from Twiggy to get a modern retro twist on it. I picked my cloche hat up from Marks & Spencers, it even has a gem clad bow detailing. Very pretty.

Then there is the floppy hat which I don't actually know the proper name for. Maybe it's just the 'floppy hat'. Answers on a postcard.

Again, this is very retro but more of a seventies vibe which I love. This one is actually a vintage ... well, I bought it over 10 years ago so in my eyes it's vintage. Nuff said. I usually wear with a fur jacket for an uber glam, Studio 54 vibe ... just imagine a sparkly jumpsuit underneath and a pair of platform heels. Last days of Disco, eat your heart out!
This Gucci watch ad sums up my floppy hat lust. Tres chic, non?

Most practical of this years winter hat choices is the furry cossack hat. I got this from H&M along with a multitude of other faux fur purchases a few months ago. Leaving the trapper hat behind this year, the cossack hat provided a feminine, glam touch to a practical hat with just a hint of James Bond girl. Super cosy and stylish at the same time.

Winter doesn't seem to be slipping by quickly or unnoticed so looks like I will be alternating my hats for a few months yet - can't say I am not secretly pleased about it ;)

What have been your choices in this hat weather?

x

Clinique Strawberry Fudge

Cliniques latest LE holiday collection, I have to say is pretty sweet.

Almost quite literally.

Strawberrry Fudge palette described as strawberry dipped in chocolate is super pretty with a dusky pink blush and a mixture of pinky shades for the eye including a dark chocolate berry shade for depth and contouring. The palette has a good pigment and is long lasting. The blush is particularly lovely and easy to wear giving a natural looking flush to the cheeks.
This is also a great palette to take your from day to night. Add a bit of depth with the deepest shade and create a soft pink smokey eye.

I thought pink was quite an unusual offering of colours but it works very well and I think Clinique have been really smart releasing it. At this time of year when every other cosmetic brand are showcasing shades of gold, berries and red, Clinique have provided us with a bit of variety.

Pinks for winter are so wearable, soft and pretty on the face. The palette is priced at £25 and I think it is a real winner.

The other stand out product for me is the Vitamin C Lip Smoothie Lip Colour in Strawberry Bliss. This is a gorgeously wearable shade that will probably suit most skin tones. It's just so pretty and feels smooth on the lips. The Lip Smoothie lip colour retails at £13.50.
Have you tried the Strawberry Fudge collection?

What are your thoughts on pink for winter?

x

Another year, another winter

I found this set of drawers lying outside my old flat just as I was moving out. It looked like it had been placed their deliberately as someones idea of an art installation.

Whatever the case, it almost seemed a little haunting and somewhat deep.
Winter has arrived.

x

If there is one thing you should buy this winter ...

It's an H&M faux fur stole.



A steal at only £12.99, it is the perfect winter accessory for:



a) warming you up
b) adding a bit of glam
c) looking like an extra from The Sopranos: Christmas edition
d) looking like an extra from 'Where the Wild Things are'
d) changing your daytime blazer from spring/summer to autumn/winter chic in seconds
e) draping over your bare boobies a la Dita Von T! (Don't pretend you hadn't already tried/thought it!)

Here's me wearing mine (in the bathroom - as you do) over a belted cardi, also from H&M. It gives the cardi a cosier, dressier feel for work but underneath I still look like a bit of a pleb ... oh the art of illusion!

This is such a versatile item, worn casually or all fancied up and looks delightful draped over your winter jacket/cardi as equally as it does just thrown over a t-shirt or vest.

I suggest adding some blingtastic broaches and adornments for an evening party look ... great for all the upcoming christmas nights out!

What do you think of my fur stole? C'est chic? non?

x