Meet The Team: Jen

It's time to get to know the team a little better, this week we're talking to Jen our Official Blogger.

Tell us a little about your blog. 

I run the blog Tartan Brunette which is a fashion and lifestyle blog. I'm currently undertaking a capsule wardrobe challenge, so you'll find lots of posts on creating and living with a capsule wardrobe. 

What do you love most about blogging?

I love how social blogging is. I didn't think that writing about my life on my laptop would introduce me to so many amazing people. Bloggers spend so much time chatting on social media, reading blogs and attending events we're bound to met so many new people. There is a great community in Edinburgh, everyone is so friendly I look forward to every event. I'm lucky that I can now call these bloggers my friends. 

What do you do when you're not blogging?

I work full time for a children's charity, which is the complete opposite of  blogging. It's nice to be able to switch off work mode and talk about the more frivolous things in live (like clothes and make up). When I'm not working on my blog, my weekends are spent at home with my dog (Charlie the Collie) and my husband.

Have you attended any Edinburgh Bloggers events and could you tell us about your experience? 

I've been lucky enough to attend quite a few blogger events since I started my blog. My first Edinburgh Bloggers event was the Coast event earlier in the year. It was a great introduction to Edinburgh Bloggers and I had a great night meeting other bloggers and admiring the glamourous clothes, all with a drink in my hand. Since joining the team, I've attended a few events on behalf of Edinburgh Bloggers including Of One Mind Networking evening, Pout, Ted & Muffy and of course the Edinburgh Bloggers and Molton Brown event. 


What do you love most about Edinburgh?

I grew up in Edinburgh but didn't appreciate what an amazing city it was until I moved away. I moved to Aberdeen for uni and stayed for a few years after graduating but always had the desire to move back home to Edinburgh. Last year I was lucky enough to be able to do just that and have loved being back in the city. Edinburgh has such a positive vibe to it and there is always something going on. It's such an exciting city to live in and will always be home.

What advice would you give to a new blogger?

No matter what you want to achieve with your blog you have to put yourself out there. Sign up for social media accounts for your blog communicate with other bloggers (we're a friendly bunch). Find local bloggers networks like Edinburgh Bloggers to join, blogging is much more enjoyable when you have a community around you. Attend local events, often people post about events in local Facebook groups which you can go to, the more you blog the more likely you will be invited. Events are a great opportunity to meet your fellow bloggers (who will become your friends) and are great for new content. Blogging isn't as easy as setting up a website and getting loads of free stuff it takes a lot of hard work but it is worth it.

Where to find Jen

Blog
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest

Press Release: Mamma’s Pizza Celebrates 30 Years’ Star Wars Style

Mamma’s Pizza Celebrates 30 Years’ Star Wars Style

Former Star Wars actor and original owner of Mamma’s Pizza, Angus MacInnes, joins 30^th birthday celebrations

Sign up for your free ticket!!

Edinburgh’s Mamma’s Pizza, the Greater Grassmarket’s award-winning American pizza and panzerotti restaurant, celebrates 30 years’ this December with the launch of a special Star Wars themed menu and FREE birthday party event on Tuesday 8^th December. Celebrations will be joined by original owner and Star Wars actor, Angus MacInnes.

Angus, who played Gold Leader in the first movie, is also Mamma’s Pizza’s original owner, first opening the restaurant in 1985. Guests will have the chance to meet Angus and find out what it was like to act in one of the world’s best known sci-fi movies. There will also be complimentary Star Wars inspired pizza, blind pizza tasting competitions, cooking demonstrations and Star Wars themed activities for kids.

To celebrate turning 30, Mamma’s Pizza has also created a unique Star Wars menu which will run from 8^th December to 31^st January, and includes pizza specials such as ‘Ham Solo’, ‘Cheese-3-PO’, ‘BBQ-D-2’, ‘Boba Feta’ and ‘Darth Veggie’. Anyone who dines at Mamma’s Pizza in December or January after watching the new Star Wars movie* or who dresses up in Star Wars costume will also receive a Star Wars treat.

Paul Duncan, owner of Mamma’s Pizza, says: “We are really excited to welcome Angus back to Mamma’s Pizza, 30 years after he originally opened the restaurant!

“It’s not every day you have a Star Wars actor visiting your restaurant. So, we thought we would celebrate in style by launching our Star Wars themed menus and character-inspired pizzas to welcome the return of the Gold Leader.”

Tickets for Mamma’s Pizza’s 30^th birthday party are free and available from: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/celebrate-mammas-pizza-30th-birthday-star-wars-style-tickets-19704666187

* Simply show your cinema ticket at the time of dining.

Of one mind: Ishi Hairdressimg

On Friday night Edinburgh Bloggers attended Of One Mind's exclusive networking event in one of Edinburgh's premier hair salons, Ishi. Having been to the last Of One Mind event in Rox I was looking forward to the event and I was not disappointed.

Once again Juniper were in charge of the drinks and had set up a bar in the salon. The most difficult decision of the night was which cocktail to try first as they all sounded amazing. To add to the luxury (and making the decision even more difficult) there was complimentary Moet champagne. Of course I had to sample all the drinks available (the things we do for blogging!),

Once everyone had arrived the evening got underway with a talk from the salon director and demonstrations from the salon stylists. After learning how to do a super quick side braid in our hair - perfect look for a night out and hearing about the new GHD tongs it was time for some more drinks and to get stuck into the networking.

The salon staff were also offering to style our hair for us. Joanne from Fashion Polaroids had some beautiful loose waves put in her hair. I made the most of the opportunity and spoke to the stylist about what I should do with my hair. She had some great ideas, and I promptly booked myself in for a restyle the next day. You can read about my experience at Ishi salon over on my blog.

Once again Of One Mind put on a fantastic event. It was great meeting so many new people and the location was perfect for us beauty bloggers. Of One Mind's next event in being held on Friday 4th December at Lamborghini Edinburgh. They are promising that this will be the most luxurious event yet. Its going to be a great evening with cocktails, music and canapes surrounded by rare Lamborghini's, Bentley's and Ferrari's. Tickets cost £25pp (cost includes all drinks), Of One Mind are currently offering £5 off using the code ES15.

Jen


Photo Credit: Of One Mind (once again I was too busy networking to take photos)

Meet The Team: Veronica

Welcome to the first post in a new series to help you get to know the team behind Edinburgh Blogger a little better. This week we're talking to Veronica, our official vlogger (who also happens to manage our Instagram)

Tell is a little about your blog

I've a Youtube channel and a blog named TheMeneghinGirl, on both platforms I like to share my passions from makeup and fashion, to travel, food and lifestyle; a bit of everything; a bit of me. I love to write but I think that video communication can be powerful that's why I'm fascinated by both.

What do you love most about blogging?

I see blogging as a hobby, but a commitment at the same time. It's a safe place where you can write and film about what you love and where you can connect with people who share the same interests. Through my blog I have met some wonderful people and through reading other people's blogs I learn something new everyday ( and I find new things I don't know about to spend money on as well ;))

What do you do when you're not blogging?

When I'm not blogging? Well unfortunately or not I work, I eat too much food, I go shopping way too often and watch a lot of movies, all these possibly with the people I love.

Have you attended any Edinburgh Bloggers events and could you tell us about your experience?

Edinburgh Bloggers was one of the first contacts I had in Edinburgh and through it I found some good friends and met lots of people. I love to attend all the events that I can as I like to know what's happening in the city, keep up to date on the news and discover new places.

What do you love most about Edinburgh?

It's been a while now since I first came to Edinburgh and although I get to know if better everyday, I still love it as a tourist. For me walking over the North Bridge at anytime of the day or night is magical and breathtaking, when I'm there I always think that I'm where I want to be.

What advice would you give to a new blogger?

Start small and for yourself. If you start a blog it needs to be for the right reasons. Today lots of people see blogging as an easy job, which it may become for very few, but mainly it should be because you feel the need to communicate and be yourself.

Where to find Veronica

Blog

Youtube

Twitter

Instagram

PRESS RELEASE: BUCCLEUCH ARMS EMBRACES CHRISTMAS WITH FINE FESTIVE DINING

BUCCLEUCH ARMS EMBRACES CHRISTMAS WITH FINE FESTIVE DINING

An award-winning Inn in the Scottish borders is inviting people from throughout Scotland and the North of England with a love of good food to embrace the magic of Christmas with a spectacular programme of events taking place over the Christmas and New Year period.

From 2-24 December, the historic Buccleuch Arms in St. Boswells will be offering a scrumptious three course Christmas lunch menu priced at £19, and a show stopping three course dinner for just £21.50. This delicious menu will be followed by an equally sumptuous New Year selection of local produce, accompanied by dancing and a piper.

The festive menu will showcase some of the best local food and drink from the Scottish borders, including baked breast of partridge with smoked bacon bubble and squeak, and roasted turkey with herb potatoes, parsnips and chantenay carrots.

Those looking to add a little sparkle to their festive celebrations could opt for one of The Buccleuch Arms’ renowned Christmas party nights, taking place every Friday and Saturday throughout December.

Guests can travel to The Buccleuch Arms by train, alighting at Tweedbank which is only a few miles away, or by car. Those who aren’t keen on driving home or who have travelled from a distance, can book one of the 19 comfortable yet contemporary rooms and enjoy the treat of dinner and an overnight stay.

Billy Hamilton, owner of The Buccleuch Arms said:

“Christmas is a fantastic time of year at The Buccleuch Arms and it’s always wonderful to see our guests and staff embrace the festive spirit together. Our Christmas party nights, which offer a complimentary cocktail on arrival and a delicious three course festive dinner, are incredibly popular, and they give party goers the perfect opportunity to get their glad rags on and party the night away.”

To round off 2015 in style, The Buccleuch Arms will also host a Scottish Hogmanay dinner, featuring a menu that will take guests on a culinary journey of the Borders and Scotland. Courses include Ettrick Valley hot smoked salmon mousse, Westruther roe venison loin wellington and Hot Chainbridge honey and lemon curd soufflé.

Billy continued:

“We know how to throw a good party at The Buccleuch Arms and we look forward to welcoming our guests and bringing in 2016 in style. Those staying the night in one of our 19 guest bedrooms will be able to rest assured that 2016 will get off to a flying start with our delicious New Year brunch menu. With everything from a full Scottish breakfast to Arbroath smokies to eggs benedict with smoked salmon, there’s something to suit every palette.”

For more information, visit www.buccleucharms.com
Follow us on Twitter @buccleucharms
And on Facebook – Buccleuch Arms

Competition - Foodies Festival Christmas

Hi everyone! 

The foodies festival are giving away two tickets!

All you have todo is tweet us @edinburghblogg and @foodiesFestival with the hashtag #Edinburghbloggers #FoodiesXmas

Winner will be announced on Tuesday the 10th of November! 

Date: 13-15th November

Where: 150 Morrison Street

EH3 8EE Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Opening times:

Friday 13^th November: 5pm – 9pm
Saturday 14^th November: 10am – 6pm
Sunday 15^th November: 10am – 5pm

Web: http://www.foodiesfestival.com/

T&C: The winner will receive two tickets for the Foodies Festival Christmas that can be collected at the event Entrants must enter in accordance with the instructions in the paragraph above. Entries received after 5:00pm on the 10th November will not be accepted. Winner will be chosen at random and announced after 6:00pm the 10th November.

PRESS RELEASE: Corn Exchange Wedding Fair 2015

Plan your dream wedding at the 25^th Edinburgh Wedding Fair

SATURDAY 07 – SUNDAY 08 NOVEMBER 2015
11AM – 4:30PM
THE EDINBURGH CORN EXCHANGE

Advance tickets: £5
On the day: £7
Click here to register

Blushing brides and nervous grooms, if you’re feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of planning what’s meant to be the greatest day of your life, don’t worry. Forget endless nights scanning the internet for suppliers and wasted weekends travelling to look at yet another wedding venue. Everything you need to create your perfect day is under one roof at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange, hosts of the Edinburgh Wedding Fair.

Taking place 07 – 08 November 2015, the Edinburgh Wedding Fair will celebrate its 25^th show with dresses to die for, creative cakes and fabulous flowers, as well as venues, stationery, jewellery and more. Plus, it could all be yours for free. One lucky visitor will win the lot in the Win My Wish Listcompetition.

There’ll be plenty of exclusive show discounts to take advantage of; the Edinburgh Corn Exchange itself will be offering up to 20% off wedding receptions booked at the show.

No matter what stage you're at - whether you're newly engaged and just starting to plan, or you're looking for the last few finishing touches as your big day fast approaches - the day you've been waiting a lifetime for can be arranged in one hassle-free weekend at the Edinburgh Wedding Fair.

Ted & Muffy Bloggers Event

The Edinburgh bloggers team were invited along to the new Ted & Muffy store on Castle Street for an exclusive bloggers event. When I arrived at the store I was greeted with a glass of fizz (this should be a thing everywhere), after a quick catch up with the lovely Edinburgh Blogger ladies the event kicked off and a look round the store.

After a short introduction to the brand, everyone got the chance to try on their favourite boots. We had all received an email earlier in the week asking us to have a look on the website to see which boots/shoes we would like to try and be gifted (yes you read that right everyone was gifted a pair of boots/shoes). Having had a good look online I knew I wanted the Freia boots and made a beeline straight for them. After trying on a pair I knew they had to be mine - Decision made. However it was a pretty tough decision for a few bloggers as all the boots are gorgeous and everything fit perfectly. Once we found the perfect pair we had to find our individual keys and fill in the details of our favourites. The team collected these keys at the end of the night, and are arranging for our fabulous new boots to be sent out. Think everyone will be waiting patiently by their post boxes until they arrive.

Ted & Muffy is the relaunched Duo boots, it was created after the owners of Duo felt it no longer reflected what they wanted the company to be. So Ted & Muffy was created, offering the same quality but with more fashion forward styles (don't worry they still have a range of classic boots and shoes). Ted & Muffy really care about giving their customers the best experience possible, which you can tell as soon as you walk into the boutique. The staff are all so friendly and helpful, they really know their stuff and are able help you pick out your perfect pair of boots. The unique thing about Ted & Muffy is they measure your calves when fitting you for boots to ensure you have a fairytale fit. All of their shoes and boots come in a range of width and calf fittings meaning everyone can find a pair to fit. I'm sure we've all experience knee high boots which wouldn't zip up or are soo wide you feel like your wearing welly boots. If you are familiar with this I recommend getting down to Ted & Muffy. Now their boots are a little more expensive than what you find on the high street but they will last you for years (and will be a perfect fit) so are worth the investment. Ted & Muffy also have 25% off online orders just now (but you'll have to be quick).

Meet the Team

Our first team video is here. Get to know Sultana, Jen, Veronica and Emily a little better.





All of the Edinburgh Bloggers team are bloggers/vloggers themselves so check out our blogs
Sultana, https://sultanamalik.wordpress.com
Jen, http://www.tartanbrunette.co.uk
Veronica, https://www.youtube.com/user/iverogomy
Emily, http://frankly-ms-shankly.blogspot.co.uk

We would love to know what you thought of our first video. Please leave a comment below telling us 3 things you like.

And Don't Forget to Subscribe!!

PRESS Release: City bakery goes Cuckoo for Halloween

City bakery goes Cuckoo for Halloween

Cuckoo’s Bakery launches gruesome Halloween range

Cuckoo’s Bakery launches its macabre range of Halloween cakes, based on a Cuckoo tale of a Professor who once experimented with the Plague above the Dundas Street bakery.

Cupcakes include the bloody raspberry and dark chocolate ‘Trouble and Squeak’, the vanilla and strawberry ‘Eye Witness’, gluten free carrot and orange ‘Something Earie’, lemon and white chocolate cheesecake ‘Bursting Boil’, rhubarb and vanilla ‘’Snot Your Business’and lemon and raspberry ‘Pane-ful Death’. The cupcakes have been created based on the tale of Professor Rothesay whose grotesque experiments left behind an ear, eyeball, dead mouse, runny nose, shard of glass and an infected foot above the Dundas Street bakery in the 19^th Century. Cupcakes are priced at £3 each and will run from Friday 23^rd October until Sunday 1^st November. Gift sets start at £18 and come with a copy of ‘The Cuckoo Tale’. Their Halloween range also includes a gory lemon and raspberry eyeball decorated layer cake.

Cuckoo’s Bakery is owned by Graham Savage and Vidya Sarjoo. Graham says: “We are excited to bring a Cuckoo Halloween to Edinburgh with our spooky range of unique cakes. Our customers love our seasonal cakes and this year we wanted to push the boundaries and create something unusual and gory.”

Vidya says: “Halloween is a fun time of year where we can experiment, which is why we decided to give each cake a backstory and create our own haunting ‘Cuckoo Tale’.

PRESS RELEASE: Story is part of themission

Edinburgh Based Creative Agency Story Creates Brrr…acing Sponsorship and Brrr..anding for the New Year’s Day Stoats Loony Dook

Story, the UK’s best-selling agency, has delivered a creative campaign to support the Stoats Loony Dook on 1^st January 2016.

Story’s client, Stoats, has secured sponsorship of this annual event, which sees around 1,500 people brave the Firth of Forth just outside Edinburgh on 1^st January to welcome in the New Year.

Story were briefed to come up with a creative platform to promote the association between the icy waters of the Firth of Forth and the energising warmth of Stoats porridge.

Inspired by the language of cold, they developed a strong campaign incorporating words beginning with ‘brrr’. The partnership was announced as ‘The Stoats Loony Dook, brrrought to you by the Porridge Pioneers.’ The rallying cry throughout is to ‘Brrring on the porridge!’

Working closely with Stoats and Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, Story’s campaign supports pre-event sign up as well as on-the-day branding. The concept is carried across a suite of marketing comms, from online and CRM messaging, to on pack promotion across 50,000 multipacks; trade and consumer advertising; and partnering with South Queensferry’s local retailer Scotmid to create an in store display. For the day itself, Story will produce branded swimming caps and swim arm bands, to banner flags, waterproof picture frames and a photo stage.

Sheryl Newsome, Story’s Deputy Creative Director, commented:

“The Loony Dook is a fantastic local event for Stoats to be sponsoring. With this campaign we wanted to keep things relevant, simple and fun. In other words, leave dookers and their supporters with a warm feeling towards the Stoats brand.”

Tony Stone, co-founder of Stoats Porridge, said:

“Although we like to be perceived as a healthy product, we don’t like to take ourselves too seriously and Story are able to capture this perfectly. We are very excited to see the Stoats name associated with this amazing event and can’t wait to see the campaign come to life over the next few months.”

PRESS RELEASE: Mexico's Day of the Dead celebration visits Edinburgh

Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebration visits Edinburgh’s Grassmarket

El Toro Loco to host alternative Halloween celebration

El Toro Loco, the Greater Grassmarket’s newest Mexican restaurant, is bringing the traditional Mexican ‘Day of the Dead’ celebration to Edinburgh for Halloween (Saturday 31^st October) with their free, family drop-in event.

From 10 am – 5 pm, families are invited to drop-in to El Toro Loco, where they will enjoy complimentary Day of the Dead food and drink and have chance to paint their own ‘Day of the Dead’ face masks, or decorate edible skulls. The event will feature face painting and food specials such as Apple and Habernero Margarita ‘mocktail’, Champurrado (Mexican hot chocolate made with chilli) and Pan de Muerto - Bread of the Dead – traditionally made to look like a pile of bones!

Guests will be given a ‘Dead Good Deal’ meal voucher to take away offering two-for-one on burritos up to the end of November, and those who attend in fancy dress will be given a free meal-for-one voucher, worth £10.

El Toro Loco, aims to offer its customers a unique street-food dining experience with its fun, laid-back atmosphere and quirky ‘create your own’ menu consisting of burritos, tacos and quesadillas. Prices range from £4.50 - £6 for a main course and all food is made fresh each day.

Paul Duncan, owner of El Toro Loco, says: “We are really keen to mark this traditional, family Mexican celebration. Day of the Dead or Dia de Muertos is a fun and upbeat annual event which allows families to remember their loved ones who have died in a very positive and respectful way.”

El Toro Loco’s ‘Day of the Dead’ family event takes place on Saturday 31^st October from 10 pm – 5 pm.  Families are invited to drop-in anytime and enjoy complimentary traditional food and drink as well as children’s activities.

Of One Mind Networking Event

On Friday night I went along to the Of One Mind luxury networking event at Rox on George Street. Luxury is definitely the word to describe this event. The Rox store on George Street has to be one of the most beautiful shops around, with its glass display cabinets, glamourous sofa's and not forgetting those diamond rings.

I was running a little late and arrived a little flustered but was greeted by the lovely Nicola who took my coat and made sure I got a (much needed) drink. Speaking of drinks the amazing team from Juniper provided the drinks on the night. The gin cosmopolitans made using London No3 Gin (with edible flowers) were delicious.

The Of One Mind team had organised a couple of speakers to start the evening. These included the lovely Karlie Simmonds (The Swag Guide) who spoke about the wonderful world of blogging and vlogging. We also heard from Catherine who runs The Really Good Fudge Company. There was also plenty of samples of her fudge for us to try and she kindly gifted everyone a bag to take home.

After the talks it was time to mingle and get some networking down. The guys from Juniper kept the drinks flowing all evening making it a really enjoyable evening. At the end of the night there was a prize draw to win some beautiful jewellery from Rox's collection. The winner was the lovely Andrea from Zomato whom I'm sure many of you know. Congratulations Andrea!

Of One Mind want to make networking an enjoyable and luxurious experience - as opposed to cold coffee and a bacon roll which I'm sure we've all experienced. There next event is on Friday 20th November at ISHI Salon on Hanover Street. If your interested make sure you book early as I think this might be a sell out.

*Photo Credit - Of One Mind (I was too busy networking to take photos)

Jen x

Edinburgh Blogger @ Molton Brown

On a wet and miserable October night, the Edinburgh Bloggers headed along to the beautiful Molton Brown store on Edinburgh's George Street for an exclusive bloggers event. We were welcomed inside from the rain by the store's friendly staff, who greeted us with a glass of prosecco (who can say no to a prosecco after work - not me). 

With a drink in hand the bloggers got to work taking lots of photographers of the store and all of Molton Brown's amazing products. We also had a good catch up with friends and met some lovely new faces. The staff then talked us through Molton Brown's Christmas range - all of which has been added to my wishlist. We were then treated to hand massages using Molton Brown's range of hand creams. There's not much more you could ask for on a Wednesday evening; good company and a relaxing massage. After a wonderful evening we all went home with a huge Molton Brown wishlist and a little gift bag for us to sample the range at home.

A massive thank you to the amazing team at Molton Brown, Edinburgh for being such fantastic hosts and of course thanks to all the lovely Edinburgh Bloggers who came along and helped make it an great evening. I hope you all enjoy your Molton Brown goodies.

Jen x