Strictly Come Scottish Charity Ball

In October, I spent many a late night organising the charity ball "Strictly Come Scottish". It proved to be a fantastic night and raised over £20,000 for CLIC Sargent, a charity in desperate need of support. It was the first big event I've ever organised so looking at the video has filled me with a great sense of pride. Some of the events team are climbing Machu Picchu in September and there are still spaces join the trek so get in touch if that's something that interests you. Here's to a repeat next year Louise and Stephen?

Victoria

xo

Creativity

Over the past few days I have spent time putting together mood boards for the staff room at work and I honestly forgot how much I love creating my own things. I know a mood board is pretty straight forward but I feel like I've spent so much time doing pointless things like watching tv when I could have been getting much more enjoyment from simply sitting down and get lost in my own creativity. Someone give me a new project!
Victoria
xo

Through Russian eyes

 

 

Moscow's Winzavod Centre for Contemporary Art have released their annual list of photos that show the "Best of Russia 2011". 365 photos have been chosen to represent a year in Russian life with the only stipulation being that photographs must be taken during 2011. It offers a unique insight into Russian life - one that is not always pretty. I immediately looked at the artistic skill of the photographers before realising the tragedy behind a lot of the photos. It still amazes me that a country that was once so powerful could now be so poverty stricken. Looking through the photos, I became fascinated by their culture and the many different influences that it seems to portray. Even if you view the gallery purely for it's artistic value, be sure to check it out!

Victoria

xo

Amazon opens a physical store

I was quite taken aback when I read that Amazon, one of the world's largest e-tailers, was to make the move into a bricks and mortar location. Using it's home town of Seattle as a trial run, the store will showcase their electronics range including the ever popular Kindle.With the idea that consumers can trail their products, I envisage it being a bit like the Apple store. However, in a world where traditional retailers are struggling to make ends meet, I'd love to know what sparked the move. I'm curious to see how they will maintain their low prices and if their success will be mirrored offline. It will be interesting to see if e-tailers manage to take a section of the market that traditional retailers have lost. Who will be next? Maybe ASOS? Please please please ASOS!

Victoria

xo

Sweet dreams

In light of the Superbowl last night, I'd like to dedicate this blog post to my favourite American symbol - the cupcake! I'll definitely be baking sometime soon...

If this has got your taste buds tingling, then head straight to The Hidden Lane Tea Room (Glasgow) where you will be lucky enough to indulge in the best afternoon tea in town!

Victoria

xo

French Connection S/S 12

It's not often that menswear collections capture my attention more than ladieswear, but French Connection's Spring/Summer 2012 is set to turn our men into particularly dapper chaps. With simple cuts, beautiful colours and striking patterns, I don't think it'll take much persuasion to get the boy to part with some of his hard earned cash. Have a flick through the mini clips on YouTube and see for yourself the quirky slant French Connection have taken with this season's marketing. I'm loving that such a good campaign is actually supported by excellent product. Well done!

Victoria

xo

Transparency

In this consumer driven world where not a whole lot is made publicly visible, I was pretty taken aback when I read on PSFK that ex-Hugo Boss designer Bruno Pieters' new venture, "Honest By", was to provide a cost breakdown of all manufacturing costs associated with products. Taking ethical fashion to a new level, they offer a plethora of information from how much the buttons cost to how much of a mark up is placed on items. As an industry that has been plagued with controversy regarding production processes, they also aim to educate consumers by providing information on this section of the supply chain. 20% of profit will go to charity chosen by the designers, while 80% will fund growth, including hiring new staff and expanding collections as "Honest By" looks to expand into more democratic products, engaging a wide range of people with the concept. They state that:

"We want to offer total clarity, because we are consumers ourselves. We want to give you the opportunity to shop with complete awareness of what you are buying. Only then, every purchase can be made conscious of its true cost."

Whilst I think this is a wonderful idea and I openly encourage fashion brands to consider their supply chain as a whole, it did make me question whether I would actually want to know how much of a mark up I pay for a brand name. I am fully aware the mark up will be more than I care to admit, so I'm not sure actually being aware of the true cost would make me covet the brand as much. What are your thoughts?

Victoria

xo

It's the little things in life

Flicking through Springwise, my heart melted at this lovely story from Ljubljana, Slovenia. Library visitors were offered a mystery package of three books, created in line with a variety of different genres. The brown paper packages all contained one novel from a contemporary writer, one classic, and one “easy to read” novel introducing the reader to a different style of reading. Personally, I think there is nothing better than holding a book and getting lost in it's story. I love that the likes of ebooks have given readers the chance to carry their library in their pocket, but it takes away the notion of sharing and the symbolic meaning of giving somebody your favourite book.

Having visited (and fallen in love with) Ljubljana this summer, it comes as no surprise to me that this wonderfully artistic city has offered such an project. Their cobbled streets are full of independent book shops in every shape and form and their dragon guarded bridges ooze ideas of a fantasy land. If you haven't visited the city yet, add it to your list! (as well as Glasgow of course. It was ranked 12th in the New York Times "places to visit in 2012" after all...).   

Victoria

xo

I'll be back soon!

I have to admit, I'm ashamed at my lack of blogging. I would like to blame being hospitalised with a kidney infection but seeing as that happened after the new year and my last post was the 5th December, I don't think I can. However, top of my lovely new year to do list (which I haven't got round to starting yet) is to become a better blogger. Expect the first post of 2012 in the next few days!

 Victoria

xo