Dockyard Social: Review

I was very kindly invited down to the Dockyard Social in Finnieston for a blogger and influencer night by One For Events.  I have been dying to try the Dockyard Social for a while after hearing such rave reviews.

It is made up of roughly 10 food tracks and a very fabulous bar with trade experts behind every counter. Very low key, chilled out and affordable - so right away very much up my street. The staff were so lovely right from the off. There was a brilliant variety of food on offer from all over the world. Lots of options for vegans and vegetarians too. I personally went for Thai Chicken Noodles which to be honest would blow your head off as they were pretty spicy but delicious all the same. Prices vary but I don't believe I seen anything over the £7 mark. Fabulous sized portions from each truck as well so you get real value for money.

I absolutely loved my experience at Dockyard Social. Food brings folks together no matter age, religion, nationality or sexual orientation and this space really reflects that. Very sociable friendly place where I felt really comfortable from the moment I stepped in. I think its important to state that as they are bars and restaurants in Glasgow that I feel really out of place in. We got to hear a wee bit from the founder, Kyle Steel, who spoke about why the venue was created and whats next for them. A true proud Glaswegian who is looking to build on the success of the Dockyard Social to start a movement. They are planning an extending the venue by 4000 square feet for a training school to help those who are homeless, unemployed and young people in care to help them achieve success in the hospitality industry. I urge every single person to get down there and see for yourself. Rx 

#RoyalBank100women event

I was very kindly invited along to the RBS event by Stripe Communications. Basically the event was about celebrating 100 years of women winning the right to vote. When I go to these events I can't help but think that us, women, are still fighting for a cause. To be listened to. To be seen as equals. To be respected in business as well as every other industry out there. I personally have been working in male dominated working environments since I was 17 (7 years) which might not seem like a long time to some but in that short space of time I have been subjected to sexist attitudes and degrading comments. I am not saying for one minute that all men act or think like this but I do believe there is a mentality amongst some men that they are the superior race and our place as women is in the home. My experience with men in the workplace and the influence of my wee maw has definitely made me the strong feminist I am today which is why I appreciate events like #royalbank100women so much more. 

It was a fanastic evening listening to Susie Cormack Bruce, Emma Gannon, Chloe Milligan , Louise Rusk and Yvonne Greeves from RBS. Talking all things impostor syndrome, the multi hyphen method, self value and self worth. Sitting listening to their stories was just incredible and truly influential career advice. Talking about going with your gut, not letting fear or intimidation hold you back from amazing opportunities and overall self development and success. I highly recommend that you check out Emma Gannon's book The Multi-Hyphen Method: The Sunday Times business bestseller ! Rx 

Club Scene Veterans

On Saturday night, the gals and I went out for a boogie in celebration of Jade's 24th birthday! It was standard procedure, 9pm pre-drinks at Jade's gaff, getting the guestlist sorted before arrival and talking about the good old days when we used to do this 5 days a week. Cuppla quick photoshoots and boomerangs, we set off for shots of patron and over-priced vodka cranberries.

We were one of the first folk there with a fashionably early arrival time of 10:30pm so it was a bit of slower burner as we were waiting for a tune that we knew to come on. "Gold digger " by Kanye West Ft Jamie Foxx is enough to get any night started .. paired with a cuppla shots of patron. 

 

The gals instantly felt a little older in the crowd but I couldn't really see it until I went to the bathroom and realised I was fixing my make up with, what can only be described as an 18 year old fetus who was complaining that she will be single forever. This hurt my soul. I wanted to give her a wee prep talk but I found myself unable to give any good solid advice as there I was 6 years older, single, drunk messaging a guy.. doesn't exactly scream "things will get better". Reflecting on it now,  I wish I had told her to never forget her self worth and stay true to herself. Ah well hen, if you're reading this there ye go!

 I guess in a way its the club circle of life. Out with old and in with the underage with fake lips. I think i'm ready to accept that my future seshies with be held in respectable mature adult venues like the Horseshoe bar and Quinn's. Home by 11 with donner, chips and sauce. HWFG. Rx 

Labels and Love

Goodbye July and hello August! I don't know about yourselves but I have definitely felt a wee chill in the air recently. My spidey senses are telling me that summer is coming to an end and that autumn/winter is on its way.

This autumn/winter is going to be slightly different for me as I will be grabbing my tartan woolen wrap coat rather than a beau to keep me warm! I have been on the auld Tinder app which is still as terrible as it was 3 and a half years ago. Some guys just have no class and jump straight in with the lines like "We would have fun together" BOKE! I definitely believe that " Hey, hows it going" or "Hello, what have you been up to" are still pretty effective when trying to start a conversation. Call me crazy!

I am personally looking to get my own wee flat and concentrate on my work and blog right now so I am not really looking for a new relationship. However, I'm not being too strict with myself, I am still going on dates and talking to guys and if I meet someone then great, if not, I'm not fussed. At least, I will be have an excellent A/W wardrobe which is what the post is gonna about but I'd thought I'd fill you in on the search for that special someone. 

There are some really great trends coming up the autumn/winter and here they are: 

Animal Print

This one is a goodie! I am absolutely obsessed with leopard right now. All the big high street names have stocked up on the print however a couple more are joining in on the fun... ZEBRA and SNAKE! Zebra and Snake prints are looking to find a more hit with the streetstyle fashionistas. 

Zebra Print Pinafore Dress £55

Aubrey Snake Flat Leather Boots £79

Zara SNAKESKIN PRINT BLOUSE £39.99 

Zara LEOPARD PRINT TROUSERS £29.99

Tartan 

I know that some folk it plaid or flannel but to us Scots.. its TARTAN! I personally am the lookout fot a tartan woolen trench/wrap coat this winter! I completely feel in love with the Burberry PVC tartan trench coat at the start of the year and since then have had my heart set on finding a winter version and lucky me its also a AW18 trend so fingers crossed one will be easy to find. 

Topshop Brushed Check Beret £12 

Reserved Suit  Checked blazer £49.99  Suit Trousers £24.99 

ASOS DESIGN tartan check mini tux dress with pephem £55.00

Silver style 

I personally find it really hard to style sparkly or silver coloured accessories and clothes. I got a pair of kitten heeled boots from Marks and Spencer last christmas, I think i've worn them twice. I absolutely adore them too so I am really glad this is an upcoming trend this season to help me with some inspo! 

Silver Sequin Jumpsuit - Topshop £99

METALLIC BIKER JACKET - Zara £69.99

Trim satin trousers Mango - WAS £59.99 NOW £15.99

So there are a few trends to look out for this season and if you spot a tartan woolen trench coat pretty please send me the link!!! Please leave your comments below if you enjoy this post. Rx 

Block out the negative noise

People always comment on how strong a person I am and often ask me where I get my strength from.

I know who I am as a person. People have tried to bully me over the years or paint me out to be something I'm not. The only person who truly knows who you are is yourself. I am strong believer in that. When I was a counsellor in America, I had the opportunity to inspire young people to express themselves, to set out goals and achieve them and to block out the negative noise that people  try to inflict. 

One of the kids sent me this message as a result of my advice: 

"I feel like I should thank you for being a great counsellor at camp. You taught me a ton throughout the time which makes me want to be a counsellor even more now. I have set goals for this year such as reach for my dreams and really express who i really am rather than hiding it. In conclusion, thank you for everything you did for me. You're the best" 

Every time I feel really down and unimportant I re-read that over and over again. It honestly puts the biggest smile on my face knowing I made a difference to someones life. That was a 15 year old girl who had little to non self confidence. I used to be that girl. I couldn't stand back and do nothing. Happiness comes when you are the purest form of yourself. Bad or wrong decisions do not define who you are as a person - you learn from them and you move on. Life is always moving forward and so should you be. 

Folk regularly forget that the longest relationship you are in is the one with yourself. Don't let negative noise make you feel like you're not good enough, pretty enough, smart enough to achieve success or find love. You are fabulous and never let anyone tell you otherwise. Rx 

Maybe our Girlfriends are our soulmates and guys are just people to have fun with?

I had such a wonderful weekend hanging out and catching up with a couple of my favourite people.

The working week is a long one and when its pretty much 25 degrees and above everyday, it makes it even more unbearable. I have to admit, I am starting to get bored of this sunshine and heat. I canny handle much more - bring back the pissy rain and the 10 degrees bitterness that we all know and hate. Since it looks I am stuck with this weather for the foreseeable future, I thought it best to adapt to it so I planked myself down in a beer garden on Friday night and enjoyed an ice cold pint of Strongbow Dark Fruits with my best pal Jade. 

What started as a couple of drinks in the local pub The Crow quickly turned into a pub crawl of Bishopbriggs cross. Vodka, cider, vodka, cider as we went and then eventually we decided to patch Bishy and head into town ending up in Malones. Malones is my favourite pub in Glasgow city centre - always guaranteed to have a belter of a night, it's an excellent lunch spot too! The live music started at half 10 and the place turned into a mini TRNSMT festival. Cutting all kinds of shapes and drinking pints of Magners. 1am, we decided to call it a night. Quick pit stop to Subway ending a fabulous Friday night! 

Saturday during the day was a real struggle. Saturday night was with my bestest gal pal Gillian. We were both skint so we did a Saturday night out on the cheap, a 5pm voucher to get dinner and a discounted rate at the cinema. We were laughing! Dinner was at The Chippy Doon the Lane which was very lovely indeed! The night started with a confusing turn, I was the first to arrive so I decided to get the drinks in and head to our table, when Gillian arrived she couldn't spot me at all and then it came to light that she upstairs in the restaurant and I was downstairs in Bread & Butter - OOPS! 

Alas, we made it!  We sat down to 2 sausage suppers and a bottle of the house white wine. Probably the best house wine I think we both ever had. The deal we had was 2 suppers and a bottle of wine for a total of £20.  So decent! 

We went to see Ocean's 8 at the cinema and it was honestly so good! Really recommend going to see it if you haven't already done so. Absolutely stuffed from the meal, we decided to skip the cinema snacks and go straight for the Ice Blasts - of course we added our own little cheeky ingredient to the mix . 

The movie finished at 9:30 and me and Gill just were not ready to call it a night. We decided to go to Malones (again) for a couple but it was so packed there was no way of getting served. Next, we tried St Vincent's - can you tell I was leading the charge - but they couldn't take card. We don't carry cash. 

We were beginning to think that fate was telling us to just go home, until the odds changed in our favour and I spotted Gusto and we thought we'd end the night in a classy manner. We consumed 8 cocktails in less than a hour between us. Oh so classy. Those strawberry and vanilla martinis are what dreams are made of. 

We both missed the last trains home so Gill had to get the bus. On the walk up to the bus stop we spotted the outdoor rave across from Bread Meats Bread and we went right amongst it giving it yaldi. An absolutely brilliant end to a brilliant night with my besto. It took me 40 mins and a £20 uber to get home and it was deffos worth it to have a wee night on the town with my fave. Rx

Happiest Place on Earth

Orlando, Florida was my second trip of the year.

I have to be honest that I am a massive Disney geek, even at the age of 24! So when the opportunity came up to visit for the 6th time - it was just too hard to say no! We flew with Virgin Holidays and before I even got on the plane I was amazed - the plane had an upstairs and downstairs scenario which I have never seen before. It honestly blew my mind. It was a very comfortable flight, I am a very anxious flyer but with the help of morning mimosas, cuppla vodka cranberries, sour cream and chive pretzels and The Greatest Showman, I was quite content. I thought I would collate my pics into the post for y'all to check out.

When we landed we were absolutely exhausted. I personally can't sleep on transport so jetlag is always a bitch for me. Our first night consisted of getting into the room and going straight to bed. The next day we woke up at 4am .. (9am here) and that is pretty much the time I got up everyday .. it was still dark outside. Our first official day we went straight to Walmart for water, snacks and in my case lots of random stuff I didn't really need. After Walmart we decided to hit ground running with the shopping and headed to the Florida Mall. It was actually raining so a pool day didn't suit until Day 2!

As you can probably tell - our first park was the Magic Kingdom. Oh what a day! Going back as an adult I have more appreciation for the detail, imagination and the stressed out parents. If I am honest, I felt like the oldest person in the park without kids but it still has the same effect on me every time I walk down Main Street. Sheer excitement. I have to say a massive shout out to the all the parents (especially my own) who bring their kids to these fabulous parks. Florida is a very expensive holiday and if I'm honest I have no idea just how expensive it really was. You are at least $100 dollars a day in these parks and that is just food and drinks. That price is based on a family of 3. So if you're part of the Von Trap family and are reading this and you've been to Disneyworld in Florida, GO GIVE YOUR MUM AND DAD A HUG NOW!

Disneyworld has not changed one bit since I last visited about 11 years ago however the new rides are are absolutely fantastic ie Seven Dwarfs Mine Train as well as the old family favourites Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain. I wasn't dressed up as a Disney princess to which I regret but to see the wee girls all dressed up made me even more excited for my wee niece's first visit to Florida in a couple of years time.

I highly recommend checking into Chillies if  you are in the states. I had been to the one in North Carolina too and the Florida did not disappoint. Very reasonably priced, the food was outstanding and the staff were super helpful and friendly. (Craving fajitas now) 

Next it was onto my fave park, Universal. Universal (aka Neverland as I like to call it) has hours of fun for everyone of all ages. Universal is easy a two day park as there are two parks within it. Universal and Islands of Adventure. I didn't make it to Islands of Adventure this year as I was bed bound with the flu which I am gutted about but I honestly could not recommend it enough to all those Marvel fans out there. Universal was amazing - it has The Simpsons land, Harry Potter world, a mini Hollywood 1950s section. Something for everyone! The waiting times are a bit lengthy at both these parks so I really recommend booking your fast passes well in advance - especially for the newly opened rides. (That advice goes for all parks)

There are 3 main locations to shop til you drop - The Florida Mall and the two outlets either end of International Dr. The Florida Mall is good to go and see but I'd recommend saving your dollars and spending them at the outlets. The outlets have all the same shops and in near enough all of them you will get an absolute bargain. I went mad as I am a shopaholic but I can't help but wish I had bought more.. YES.. MORE! I couldn't help but be a little paranoid at the weight of my case going home which definitely controlled some of my spending.  I shopped for myself, my family and of course my pending little niece. 

Hollywood Studios doesn't have much is the form of rides but it is super retro and very much a must do! The Toystory ride was my favourite ride there and it well worth the wait. I believe they are actually building a Toystory land that is due to either open this year or next, I'm not quite sure so if you are heading to Florida this summer - look out for it and let me know! 

Animal Kingdom 

Epcot

Discovery Cove 

Disney Springs - STK

I had a really wonderful two week holiday in Florida and I would just like to take the opportunity to thank both Ross and his Mum for inviting me along! It's a wee family tradition of theirs and it was really lovely to be included! Please leave your comments below if you enjoyed this post! Rx