Where to Eat & Drink in Glasgow

As I mentioned in my last post, I want to add a little lifestyle to my blog. I've been proud of being the only blogger in Scotland to solely focus on fashion, however after a few years you begin to run out of content ideas! I also started to realise that friends ask for my recommendations on things beyond fashion, including beauty products, TV shows and places to eat and drink.

After living in Glasgow for nine months, I thought it would be good to start off with my favourite bars, restaurants and cafes in this vibrant city. Although I still have a few on my list to visit, I feel like I got to know the city enough to make this little guide. If you haven't planned a trip to Glasgow, I hope it will tempt you!

For lunch or a sweet treat

I've been to Cup Tea Lounge on Renfield Street a few times and I seem to love it more with every visit. The Victorian interior (with original tiled features) is so stunning that you will want to get on Instagram immediately! Although it feels very decadent, the prices are surprisingly affordable. This combination, along with the delicious food makes this an extremely popular venue for a bite to eat. If you're visiting on a weekend I'd suggest that you book a table. 

Usually I'm quite decisive when looking at a menu, but Cup makes it a lot harder to choose! There are SIXTEEN different flavours of cupcakes and an even bigger selection of teas. I also really like the variety of sandwiches and toasties that are full of flavour. Just don't ask me which one to go for!

For casual drinks

Hillhead Bookclub in the West End is another impressive looking venue. It was originally a cinema, built in 1913 and it has maintained it's beautiful ceiling. I love the mixture of vintage furniture and the games area where you can play ping pong and retro computer games. Whenever I've visited this bar, there's always been a great atmosphere and good tunes thanks to their DJ talent. 

One night here that is still on my to-do list is Lady Balls Bingo, hosted by hilarious drag queens with a prize of £500. It's on at 9pm on the fourth Wednesday of every month. As for the drinks, they are known for their tasty cocktails. The majority of them are £6 - and a couple of mojito drinks are just £3! Cocktail drinking without the spending guilt is a pretty ideal night to me!

For Dinner

The Burger Quarter in the central location of St Vincent street will spoil you for choice if you're craving a yummy burger. You'll find Bread Meats Bread, Handmade Burger Co, Five Guys, and Gourmet Burger Kitchen (plus Byron is a couple of blocks away!) Everyone has their own favourites but mine personally is Handmade Burger Co because they have such a large variety of quality burgers and it's a nice restaurant too (pictured below). Some of of my friends prefer Bread Meats Bread though and I do love their caramelised sweet potato fries. You're most likely to wait in a queue for a table there so it's better to go elsewhere if you're absolutely starving!

For a big night out

I'm sure most Glaswegians will agree that if you're planning a big night out, Bath street is the perfect place to go. Lots of people rate Hummingbird and Bar Bloc as their favourites. I really like the lesser known Saint Judes which is a colourful and stylish bar that was fully revamped a year ago. If you're after delicious cocktails, you won't be disappointed. 

Bath street also has some fab clubs with excellent DJs. I love Bamboo and Kushion which both have more than one room so you have a choice of music genres. These clubs mostly attract students, but I don't let that put me off because the music is THAT good! 

For gay bars/clubs

Anyone who knows me, knows I love gay bars (despite being straight! It's all about the fun atmosphere). Merchant City is the area you should head to (in the centre of the city, where I used to live.) Polo Lounge is the biggest gay venue in Scotland. It has a spacious bar on the ground level and a couple of different rooms in the basement to suit a range of music tastes. Throughout the whole week there are drinks available for £1.50 so you can't argue with that! I also like Katie's Bar on John street, but most of my favourite nights in Glasgow have been at AXM. If you're a fan of RuPaul's Drag Race, you need to book tickets to see some of the show's most popular queens there. The local queens are amazing too, and you can see every Thursday at Trigger.

For somewhere fancy

It doesn't get much fancier than The Corinthian in Glasgow, which is in the central location of Ingram street (my favourite street!) I've been lucky enough to go there twice - for a work night out and a press event. Both times I was blown away by the lavish interiors of the different rooms. There are five floors which include bars, conference rooms, a club and a casino. My favourite that I've discovered is The Flying Scotsman room (see below). I also really loved the music on a Saturday night which was well mixed chart music on the first floor and retro music on another floor. If you have enough cash to splash I would seriously recommend The Corinthian.

I hope you liked the sound of my selection and let me know if you have any other favourite venues in Glasgow.

ASOS High Summer 2015

Coat - Dahlia

Leather jacket (underneath) - Topshop

Dress - ASOS

Heels - New Look

Handbag - Deena & Ozzy

It's not every day that you get invited to one of the most prestigious restaurants in Scotland to be wined, dined and introduced to the ASOS High Summer collections months in advance! Last week I was lucky enough to attend this exclusive event held at The Dome. I can never get over how incredibly beautiful and lavish this restaurant is, both inside and outside the building.

Once I met up in the lobby with my blogging friends, we headed up the stairs to a private room filled with chandeliers, candelabras and rails packed with amazing clothes. Three lovely ASOS PR girls chatted with us about the collections and we all picked out which pieces we were coveting. My favourite had to be the dress below, which I'll be keeping an eye out for on the website. I love the cut of it and the unique print.

We then indulged in our three-course meal which was heavenly! Chicken and mushroom terrine followed by honey roast salmon fillet, and finished off with a pear and almond tart. Yum! The chat was actually the best bit though, which ranged from reality TV to all things fashion (of course!) 

There's lots to get excited about with the SS15 High Summer collection. Think metallic shoes, prints on fur, quirky clutches, glamorous jumpsuits, colourful stripes and lots of suede. Here's a sneek peek of what's to come on ASOS.com...

Thank you ASOS for one of the highlights of my year so far. I'll be visiting the website even more now - as if I wasn't addicted enough!

Love from Lou Lou

Chokers + Cuffs

Jewellery is often the best way the complete an outfit. It's that extra detail that can add either an edge, sophistication or glamour to your look. At the moment my favourite piece is the ear cuff, worn by the likes of Cara Delevigne and Jennifer Lawrence. I think I'll be buying the vine leaf one by Topshop. 

The bracelet cuffs below have a contemporary look to them and would look amazing worn with a sleek monochrome outfit. As for the chokers, I much prefer those with stones and metal rather than the velvet kind. The leaf choker below looks so unusual with the opening at the front. 

Let me know which is your favourite piece! 

Accessorize - Zara - Topshop

ASOS - Regal Rose - Topshop

& Other Stories - Whistles - Coast

Love from Lou Lou

Edinburgh Fashion Week

What a weekend it has been for Edinburgh's fashion fans! My hometown has been showcasing several catwalks as part of Edinburgh's first Fashion Week, set in a giant marquee on The Mound. The shows were mainly categorised by various shopping destinations including Multrees Walk, The Grassmarket and George Street. 

I had the chance to watch three amazing shows on Saturday, all featuring the most covetable looks from the spring season. My favourite brands from Saturday's collections were Sandro, Reiss and River Island. As for this season's key piece it was definitely the jacket! Whether they were suede, printed, bomber or trench - I wanted them all! 

There was such a great atmosphere during the shows and in-between when I hung out with my friends by the pop-up shops and bar. I also had the fantastic opportunity to model for the Satisfashion SS15 trends tutorial. Stylist Laura Russell dressed her favourite bloggers in the latest trends, and I got to wear a very stylish seventies outfit. Thankfully I avoided tripping up in my huge platforms! 

Backstage shot by Helen from Wardrobe Conversations

Living the VIP life!

Edinburgh College of Art's Constructing Tailored Silhouettes

My blogger babes -  Ema from Is it Vintage, Sultana from Dream to Inspire 

& Emily from Frankly Ms Shankly

Don't worry if you missed out at the weekend as there are still plenty of exciting events to attend over the next few days. Click here to find out more.

Did you attend any of the shows? What were your thoughts? I already cannot wait for the next one!

Love from Lou Lou

Argento Treats

Dress - Miss Selfridge

Necklace - Argento

Boots - Topshop

What girl doesn't like receiving a lovely piece of jewellery for Valentine's day? I may be a single lady this time (again!) however, I was lucky enough to be sent some treats from Argento, a fab jewellery company. They picked out a beautiful rose gold necklace which is such a timeless piece. My package also included a tanning mousse and mitt from Vita Liberata, and a heart shaped candle from Scent which smells of rose and cinnamon. I will definitely be lighting it tonight when I enjoy a bubble bath! Oh and another little gift - a SELFIE STICK! I never thought I would own one but you've got to love them!

If you fancy treating yourself to jewellery by Argento then now is the best time to as they're offering you lovely lot 20% discount (excluding Pandora & Nomination) by using the code LOVE20. Have a little browse of their website - argento.co.uk

Have a great day whatever you're up to!

Love from Lou Lou

A Touch of Red

Top - Zara

Skirt - Urban Outfitters

Fedora - ASOS

Boots - Duo

Necklace - Topshop

Ever since I modelled for a red themed shoot last spring, I've been searching for the perfect bright red top. I was told by the photographer that the colour looked striking against my pale skin and dark hair, and I think she was spot on! Luckily red was one of the predominant colours seen on the catwalks of A/W14, so it has filtered through to our high-street. 

You can always count on Zara to produce elegant pieces in beautiful block colours.  This top is the exact shade of red I was looking for and I love its bell sleeves. It's such a romantic look - just in time for Valentines day! 

Love from Lou Lou

The Haute Couture Edit

Over the past few days, London and Paris have hosted the extravagant spectacle that is Haute Couture of Spring 2015. We got our fashion fix of the most dramatic and intricate designs, with bolder statements compared to previous couture seasons. 

In London, John Galliano showcased his first collection for Maison Martin Margiela. He may have a bad reputation, however you cannot deny that he is a creative genius and I loved the striking designs of his show. My favourite look had to be the floor-sweeping red trench coat complete with the trademark Margiela mask. It's the definition of fierce!

I was less impressed with Chanel's collection (with the exception of my two favourites below) as it was stepping away from it's chic aesthetic and taking an unusual direction with unflattering silhouettes and ugly flat boots! I could deal with the trainers from last year's couture show, but the boots were an eye-sore. 

I'm really looking forward to seeing which celebrities grace the award ceremony red carpets wearing the latest couture. Kate Hudson has already turned heads with her risqué red Atelier Versace dress at the designer's show. I hope to see someone opting for one of my top picks below.

Maison Martin Margiela

 Schiaparelli

Elie Saab

Christian Dior

Valentino

Chanel

Atelier Versace

Which collection was your favourite?

Love from Lou Lou

My Biba Bargain

Shirt dress - Biba

Hat - Miss Selfridge

Boots - Topshop

A few days ago, Shelter in Morningside were having a special shopping event where they sold some designer pieces and other valuable items. Of course I had to check it out, so I popped along the road with my friend and waited in the queue. All of the shop windows were covered to keep us shoppers in suspense, and were torn down as the doors opened at 10am. 

Inside was a group of journalists and photographers, who quickly noticed a young girl with a Steiff teddy bear, which must have been the first purchase of the day. The photographers gathered around her and snapped away for a while as I rummaged through the clothes and handbags. My friend and I didn't find anything we wanted to buy inside, however I suggested we looked in the windows from outside. When we did, I was over the moon as I spotted this beautiful silk Biba shirt dress. With a price tag of just £25, I immediately rushed back into the shop to purchase it. 

I think it's likely to have been sold as nightwear, but at the moment I feel it's too pretty to hide under my bedcovers! I've always liked the Biba logo and it works really well as a print. What do you think?

Love from Lou Lou

What's Exciting About 2015

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you are all having a good start to 2015. It's a good time to start getting excited about what awaits us over the next twelve months, or even just the next twelve weeks. Beat the January blues by making fun plans and thinking about all the fashion, films, TV, music and events there are to come. Here are a few things I'm looking forward to:

1. Alexander McQueen's Savage Beauty Exhibition

From 14th March, the beautiful V&A will exhibit the highly anticipated Savage Beauty; a collection of Alexander McQueen's most innovative and iconic designs. I am planning my next London trip to coincide with this.

2. The return of Girls 

I'm so happy that one of my favourite TV shows is making a return so soon (11th January). Season four will follow Hannah's big move to Iowa, where she starts her writing course. Her relationship with Adam becomes difficult with the long distance, and Marnie's affair with her music partner Desi sounds even more complicated. If you haven't watched this show yet, you absolutely must!

3. #Onward: Scot Street Style Annual 2015

I am very excited about the launch of this book, due to be released within the next couple of months. Gordon J Millar is the founder of Scot Street Style, which is a community of Scottish creatives, who come together through his famous 'Gatherings' and also social media. His book "captures the country’s creativity" and amazingly, I am one of the privileged people to be included!

4. The high-street's spring/summer collections

Although I have enjoyed wrapping up in knitwear this winter, I now cannot wait for spring's sunshine, along with brightly coloured clothes to fill my wardrobe. Next season we can expect the seventies era to be a major influence, from cropped suede jackets to fringed dresses. Pop-art prints, culottes and denim separates will also be everywhere. 

5. On a more personal note, what awaits me in 2015 is both exciting and scary, as in June I am due to finish my Digital Marketing diploma. I hope I can then find a job I love after all my hard work!

What are you excited for this year?

Love from Lou Lou

Cambridge Satchel Company Event

Dress - H&M

Necklace - Urban Outfitters

Bag - Primark

Shoes - River Island

As a slight satchel addict (I own eight!), I have always admired the design and quality from The Cambridge Satchel Company. Although I don't have one of their's in my collection, attending the pop-up store in Edinburgh did tempt me to save up for one. There was a much bigger range than I could have possibly imagined, with so many colours and sizes to choose from. My favourite is the black and pink combination which you can see to the right of me in the last photo.

At the event, I was lucky enough to chat with the store manager as well as the fabulous founder of the company, Julie Deane. They filled me in on a lot about the store and products. Did you know the shops in Edinburgh and Glasgow sell exclusive satchels featuring tartan and Harris Tweed? I also found out that there is an exciting collaboration in the pipeline, so I'm looking forward to that!

The store is offering an embossing service so you can personalise your bags and accessories. We were lucky enough to be gifted leather keyrings with our initials stamped into them.

If you don't know the amazing story of how The Cambridge Satchel Company came about, you will love finding out about it in this little video. Julie Deane is such an inspirational woman!

Love from Lou Lou

Dressing up Knitwear

Cardigan - H&M

Dress - H&M

Hat - Miss Selfridge

Boots - Topshop

Bag - Primark

At last week's event at The Bonham, I decided to wear my new aztec patterned cardigan, and dressed it up with my tasselled dress and fedora hat. I quite like the challenge of styling a piece of knitwear into a statement look. Why not dress up your knits with a leather skirt or a pair of coated jeans, then add a wide brimmed hat or a striking piece of jewellery? 

As you can see I am currently growing out my fringe. Anyone with a full fringe will know what a hassle they can be to maintain, and I felt like a change. I'm aiming to achieve something similar to Jordan Dunn's bob.

Thank you Nicole for snapping my outfit - of course, I returned the favour. That's what blogger friends are for!

I can't wait to tell you all about the last two fashion events I attended, and will update you soon!

Love from Lou Lou