A Carol to Sing About!

Since I was very young I loved going to see live theatre. The feeling of the soft shivering velvet seats and smell of old wood and stale smoke brings back so many memories; from seeing my first musical to participating in many a ballet display.

Over the years I have seen cringe worthy amateur musicals with traumatising fifty year olds in fishnets as well as breath taking west end musicals andShakespeare in the park, each just as worthwhile as it is the live performance that makes it!

Yesterday I went to see The Scottish National Theatre's production of A Christmas Carol directed by Graham McLaren. What is so great about the National Theatre is that they do not have a home resulting in each production taking place in a unique venue, perhaps a warehouse, grave yard or ship yard. This production took place in the Govan town hall (just outside Glasgow) This old Victorian town hall is now looking slightly unloved, however if you look closely many of the beautiful features are still visible such as the ornate arches’ and velvet wall paper.

The audience of just ninety were lead through a door in pairs where you had to find your own way down a corridor to a second door. I have to be honest here as a control freak I did not enjoy this walk into the unknown and was holding my breath waiting for something to jump out on me; this was an empty Victorian building and we were there to see A Christmas Carol after all. One we entered through the tiny wooden door we stepped into Scrooge's (Benny Young) shop which was full of some of the cast who greeted us in character before showing us to our seats(wooden steps on two sides of the square room) The venue was so intimate that it was easy to quickly feel as though you were really there in the shop throughout the play. The cast of seven along with many beautiful but never the less haunting puppets (designed by Gavin Glover) controlled by members of the cast presented a truthful and evoking performance of the Dickens classic and the two hours flew by.

The whole audience was buzzing with excitement and appreciation by the end of the show and typical of live theatre I was left with a feeling that I had experienced something quiet unique. I am a great fan of Dickens’s and A Christmas Carol will always be a favourite! Tickets are still on sale and I would highly recommend it.

Christmas Cheer

It has been a lovely Christmas this year probably due to the fact that you appreciate home more when you have been away. As ever my mum out did herself with dinner and I avoided work but taking some pictures! One of my big loves in life has to be eating beautiful food, one of the reasons I love Christmas time. As I get older this time of year is about different things; it moves away from Santa and violin playing to good food, drink and friends. It is the only time when you can eat embarressing amounts without judgment and sit on the couch for an unhealthy number of days.

The German Market

There is nothing that gets you more in the Christmas mood than The German Market. Yesterday I went into Glasgow to soak up the atmosphere in the city which was crowded with a mixture of frustrated and triumphant shoppers tackling the queues and the icy pavements. I took the train into the city and the view across the Clyde was beautiful, reminding me why I love home! I love the weather we have been having at the moment; cold, dry and clear skies.

The Market was mainly food and present stalls making you feel slightly as though you are in the south of France bar the sunshine. My favourite stall was the cake stall with its huge maragues that looked more like art the desert!

After wandering through the market we came across a vintage sale in a basement just the main road. A mixture of Christmas knit wear, jewellery and vintage clothes were spread out around the room. It was a great chance to look for Christmas Presents though I was distracted by the beautiful stack of cupcakes.

Loved the rail of Christmas jumpers!

The street bar in the German Market was a perfect spot for some mulled wine and food with my sister and mum before continuing with our Christmas shopping.

'Bearly' even started

Today was the last day of my first term at University. After our final exam we all celebrated making it through the first fifteen weeks that saw new surroundings, with new challenges and friends!

The girls and I headed into town to do a spot of Christmas shopping where I purchased some gifts for friends before we took refuge from the cold wind in a cosy corner of a coffee shop with hot chocolates and copies of Grazia and Cosmo.

Our cute hot chocolates added to the excitement of Christmas and of heading home tomorrow! Sitting in the cafe, the same one I sat in nervous and excited on my first day in Gala, I couldn't help reflecting on how far we have all come. I am so grateful that I have settled in as I knew that the Uni course would be amazing but did not know how I would like being so far away from home. Gala might not be the usual 'student life' but it is important to learn that sacrifices sometimes need to be made to achieve your goals, and if that means I live for four years with an unhealthy distance between me and the nearest vintage shop then so be it!

I have learned so much and we are only just getting started. Next term we will have an introduction to Fashion Communication (my course) and I am really looking forward it! Over the holiday I will blog about the festivities but also hope to do a few pieces on my adventures from 2011.

A Love of Letters

I live in a world where a Blackberry is thought of as an essential organ and people are completely lost without their iphone (quite literally since they replaced the need for a map) Communication is instant and annoyingly constant, okay it may be vital but is still sadly impersonal.

Gone were the days when one would stand longingly at the window waiting for the post man to bring news from a far or sit hunched over a candle writing tales from their adventures and words of undying, distant loves. I have accepted that I will never experience this romantic 'Pride and Prejudice' styled life when Skype has already taken over from 'courting' but no amount of amazing apps will ever take away from my love of letters.

Since moving away I have been receiving letters from home and replying, regardless of the fact I text constantly, why I hear you ask...because nothing quiet beats opening your mail box and finding a thick envelope containing a hand written letter especially for you. Not a group mail or a fb post but I letter. Letters allow rambling of thoughts and a familiar tone, perhaps even an illustration... (Or is that just me?)

I will never go a day without technology but nor will I ever get bored of reading a letter...with love xx

With the first snow fall...

This morning the fashion students woke up to the first snow fall of the year! Here in Scotland the temperatures can get pretty low so layering is essential!

As with every situation we like to embrace it not as a challenge but as a wardrobe opportunity. So here are a few photos of what we wear when the path to class is an icy one.

Jeans by Topshop. Jacket Oxfam. Camel boots Tesco. Mittens
and head headband presents.

Jeans by Topshop. Cape charity shop. Ear-muffs TK
Max. Mittens John Lewis. Wellies Hunter.

University Project

Final photograph

So before I could really begin to think about the holiday season I had one last design project to complete. It was a Tony Cragg sculpture inspired women's skirt. These are the photographs I took of my friend and project partner Sarah wearing our final design. It was a knee length, knife pleat, navy skirt with orange buttons at the top of each pleat. We were really happy with it and it is due in next week along with our portfolio.

Now I know you will be wondering why a fashion comm. student is being let loose near a sewing machine...? Well the idea of our general first years is that all fashion students here at Heriot-Watt understand all areas of the industry and get to grips with the terminology such a knife pleat, yokes or darts. Though I have to be honest taking the photographs of the skirt was the most enjoying able part of the project so I will definitely not be changing my career choice anytime soon!