September Round Up

Can you believe September is over already? Once again it's been a busy month for everyone here at Edinburgh Bloggers. I migrated by blog from Blogger to Wordpress, signed to an agency and have been working the site full time. And I'm sure we've all been super jealous of Sultana's glamorous honeymoon in Egypt. And from the number of amazing blog posts you've been sharing it's been a busy month for you guys as well. Today I wanted to share some of your posts and news from the month that was September.

Top 10 Posts of the Month

1. Emily from Frankly Ms Shankly took part in a boudoir photo shoot and shares a few sexy pics from the shoot while discussing body confidence. http://www.franklymsshankly.com/2016/09/body-confidence-boudoir-photography.html


2. The creative girls from Wardrobe Conversations managed to create outfits around the theme of milk (yes you read that right - milk) earlier this month. Check out Kimberley's milk themed outfit - http://www.wardrobeconversations.com/2016/09/styled-by-kimberley-milk.html


3. Lucie from Tetris & (Cheese)cakes took part in #Zerowasteweek which got her thinking about how you can be a shopaholic and still be sustainable. Read her shopaholic's guide to ethical fashion -  https://tetrisandcheesecakes.com/2016/09/12/zerowasteweek-weekends-and-the-shopaholics-guide-to-ethical-fashion/


4. Kimberley in The City made us all very jealous of her experience flying Business Class with BA, even the aeroplane food looked good. https://kimberleyinthecity.com/2016/09/14/british-airways-business-class-champagne-afternoon-tea/


5. Lyndsey from The Quiet Resolution shared some quick and easy recipes for busy students (and everyone else), so much better than beans on toast. http://www.thequietresolution.co.uk/2016/09/quick-easy-healthy-recipes-for-busy.html


6. Ruth from Urbanity was lucky enough to be in London during fashion week and shared what she wore with us http://www.urbanity-blog.com/2015/07/ruths-london-outfit-diary.html


7. I was thinking about sleeping this month and shared my top 5 tips for getting a great night's sleep http://tartanbrunette.co.uk/2016/09/getting-good-nights-sleep.html/


8. Talor Gilchrist has been rating food Instagrams because 'if you didn't take a picture did you even eat it' https://talorgilchrist.wordpress.com/2016/09/26/outoften-5/


9. Zoe from IKIWN has been sharing tips on how to layer your clothes and look awesome this autumn http://www.ikiwn.com/fatshion/layering-under-autumn-looks/


10. Jennie from Jennie Stamp enjoyed a meal at The Table. Check out her review to see if The Table is the perfect date night venue http://jenniestamp.com/fine-dining-at-the-table/

News/Updates

Not only have the Edinburgh Bloggers been sharing great content, there has been lots going on behind the scenes.

• Not only did Sultana get married and go on honeymoon, she also found time to re-vamp her blog and get a new domain. Check out her shiny new site https://sultanamalik.com/


• Kimberley in The City celebrated it's 1 year anniversary - Congratulations Kimberley!


• Urbanity Blog has had a re-vamp and hit 10,000 pageviews for the first time this month. Congratulations Ruth on hitting a great milestone!


• Amy Newcombe has been working on a new fitness blog called The Luminous Life which launches on Sunday 2nd October - keep your eyes peeled!


• I migrated Tartan Brunette from Blogger to Wordpress and have a shiny new design. I also signed up with an agency and have been working on the site full-time. 


• Louise from The Little Things built a shiny new site. She has also been blogging 5 days a week all month whilst working full-time. 


• Alice from Twenty Something City published her 100th blog post.


• Agita changed her domain to www.elegancelies.co.uk


• Xandra from Heroine Training started offering organisational coaching - sign up here http://www.heroinetraining.com/work-with-me/

I'm going to try to do a round-up post every month, so make sure you share all your posts and news on the Edinburgh Bloggers Facebook or Tweet us @EdinburghBlogg

Jen xx

Edinburgh Festival Insider Tips and Tricks

With the Edinburgh Festival in full swing, who better to ask for advice than the amazing bloggers of Edinburgh. The Edinburgh Bloggers team have been hunting down posts on everything festival related from top tips, to what to see, to where to eat and pulled them together here in one handy post.

Top Tips

Edinburgh Festival Top Tips by Tartan Brunette

Edinburgh Fringe: 8 Survival Tips for Locals by Tetris and Cheesecakes

How to do the Edinburgh Fringe like a Local by Two Scots Abroad

Edinburgh Festivals by Blu Blazer Guy

5 Tips for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival by Adventure and Anxiety

How to Fringe it in a Day by Little Katie

A Quick Guide to Edinburgh Festivals in August by Migrating Miss

Why Edinburgh's Festivals Have to be on Your Bucket List by Migrating Miss

What to See

Edinburgh Fringe Festival: Katie Brennan's Quarter Life Crisis by Laura Kathren

Fringe Highlights by Kimberley in the City

Girl Power at Edinburgh Fringe by The Meneghin Girl

August in Edinburgh by A Rose for Epona

The Best of the Edinburgh Fest for a Weekend Visit by Yankee Doodles

What to see at the Edinburgh Festival by Wardrobe Conversations

An EdFringe Worthy Introduction by DIY Shopaholic

Discovering Local Scottish Craft Talent by DIY Shopaholic

Last Ditch Effort to See Stuff by Tetris and Cheesecakes

Alice's Edinburgh Fringe Picks by Twenty Something City

Where to eat

7 Places to Eat During the Fringe by Kimberley in the City

Where to Eat in Edinburgh by Water Painted Dreams

Finge Nods to Jazz and Juleps by Yankee Doodles

*If you have written a post on the Edinburgh Festival please let us know so we can add it to our list.

Foodies Festival Returns to Edinburgh This Weekend

Foodies Festival Edinburgh Returns to Inverleith Park with a Feast of Culinary Delights and Foodie Fun 5th to 7th August

• Scotland's Michelin-star and top chefs cooking live in the Chefs Theatre
• Focus on Brazilian street food on the Street Food Avenue for the Olympics
• More award-winning producers than ever before
• Champagne, wine and whisky masterclasses
• Burlesque Baker Charlotte White in the Cake & Bake Theatre
• New Bug-Eating Challenge and the famous Chilli-Eating Competition
• New 1920s themed VIP Tent with grand piano and Mirror Bar sponsored by Simpson & Marwick
• Local bands competing to win the Unsigned Music Awards
• Giant Pimm's Teapot and Mojito Ship return

After a record breaking 10th anniversary festival last year, which welcomed over 38,000 visitors, Foodies Festival enters its second decade as the UK's biggest celebration of food and drink with a tantalising menu of new culinary features, top chefs from across Scotland and a line-up of foodie fun that promises a great day out 5th - 7th August.

Aga Rangemaster Chefs Theatre

Scotland's culinary masters will showcase their skills and share insight into this year's food trends while answering questions from the audience. Chefs confirmed include:

• Jacqueline O'Donnell - The Sisters and Great British Menu regional champion
• Marcello Tully - Kinloch Lodge (Michelin-starred)
• Brian Grigor - Number One at The Balmoral (Michelin-starred)
• Stuart Muir - DINE
• Mark Greenaway - Restaurant Mark Greenaway
• Jamie Scott - The Newport and MasterChef: The Professionals winner
• Colin Fleming - The Printing Press
• Gordon Craig - The Field
• Fraser Smith - Angels with Bagpipes
• Fraser Allen - The Pompadour 
• Graeme Pallister - 63 Tay Street
• Paul Wedgwood - Wedgwood's
• Neil Forbes - Cafe St Honore  
• Stuart Ralston - Aizle
• Edward Murray - Gardiners Cottage
• Gillian, Nichola & Linsey - Three Sisters Bake 
• Tony Rodd - MasterChef Finalist 2015
• Kaori Simpson - Harajuku Kitchen 
• Kim Kaewkraikhot - Chaophraya
• Ian Pirrie - Edinburgh School of Food & Wine

Drinks Theatre
Champagne enthusiasts can relax in the Drinks Theatre with 'The Fascinating Story of Champagne Canard-Duchêne and Pinot Noir' masterclasses presented by writer Brian Elliot or learn how to match wine with seasonal ingredients with TV wine expert Charles Metcalfe. 

Tutorials in craft beer are also available with beer critic Melissa Cole, and for those who enjoy Whisky, R&B Distillers host whisky tastings - perfect for both whisky novices and connoisseurs.

Street Food Avenue
A feast of international flavours and delicacies are served on the Street Food Avenue. Japanese, Thai, Malaysian, Argentinian, Turkish, Indian, Korean, Mexican, French and African are just some of the cuisines on offer and can be enjoyed in the every growing Feasting Tent, ensuring hunger is banished and tummies are full. 

There’s a special focus on Brazilian street food this year to celebrate the Olympic host’s cuisine, including traditional Brazilian BBQ and Rio’s favourite dish Feijoada made from black beans, salted pork, trimmings, smoked sausage and jerk beef, which is cooked in a traditional clay pot. Brazil’s national cocktail Caipirinha, a mix of lime, sugar and Cachaça (made from sugarcane juice with an ABV of 48%), and Brazilian coffees will be available.

Artisan Producers Market
This year there are more award-winning producers at Foodies Festival than ever before with a glittering array of Great Taste Award winners available to shop and sample from, each being hailed as a producer of ‘Exquisite, Outstanding and Simply Delicious’ food and drink – a fantastic opportunity for visitors to meet artisan producers from the local area and across the country, learn their story and stock up on award winning produce.

New Vintage Tea Room and Cake, Bake & Tasting Theatre

A beautifully decorated new Vintage Tea Room offers visitors Afternoon Tea with a selection of cakes, scones with clotted cream and jam, and finger sandwiches served on china from a tea trolley by vintage styled tea ladies and gentlemen.

Baking extraordinaire Charlotte White, master chocolatier Fiona Sciolti and top local cake-makers work their baking wizardry on the Cake & Bake stage, inspiring visitors to reach for their whips and spatulas at home and create show-stopping cakes and delicious summer bakes. A neighbouring Chocolate, Cake and Bake Village sells freshly baked breads, sponges, tarts, jellies and trifles to enjoy with a bubble tea or fresh juice. 

Into the Jungle
Festival goers can munch their way into the depths of the jungle this summer with a trip to the Vietnamese Street Food stand, where those with a taste for the exotic can indulge in insects, including grasshoppers, caterpillars, mealworms, beetles, scorpions, locus and ants.

For those brave enough, there’s a daily Bush Tucker Trial on the Challenge Stage, where visitors compete against one another by eating jungle insects, from small ants to large juicy grubs, with the contestant eating the biggest and the most being crowned champion. 

Childrens Cookery School
The Olympic theme continues into the Childrens Cookery School, where little foodies can decorate their very own gold medal with coloured icing, glitter and edible ribbon.  Pizza and cupcake making classes also allow kids to explore their taste buds and learn basic cookery skills to practice at home.

Chilli-Eating Challenge

The famous Chilli-Eating Challenge continues in 2016, inviting fans of spice to beat an eye-watering 16 million scoville record set by Shahina Waseem last year. Participants start at the low end of the chilli spectrum by eating bell peppers, but things quickly get a lot hotter with Habanero, Scotch and Carolina Reaper (world's hottest chilli) chillies being added to the menu. Those still standing are then inflicted to pure chilli extract, increasing in strength, until a winner is crowned.

New Deco Noir VIP Tent

This year's 1920s themed Deco Noir VIP tent offers those looking to relax in style at Foodies Festival a decadently decorated VIP Tent sponsored by Simpson & Marwick Property. VIPs can enjoy a red carpet reception with a welcome glass of bubbly and goody bag, and take advantage of priority entry to food and drink masterclasses between relaxing in the VIP Tent with private Mirror Bar, live jazz music and refreshments throughout the day. 

Live Music and Pop-Up Bars
After a day of feasting and fun, visitors can picnic on the grass with friends and soak in the atmosphere with live music from award-winning local bands at the Unsigned Music Awards Stage and a glass of bubbly or refreshing cocktail from the Giant Pimm's Teapot or Mojito Ship. 

Tickets: 

Tickets are on sale now at www.foodiesfestival.com or by calling 0844 995 1111

Ticket prices:

Friday adult ticket £10.00/£8.00 concession

Saturday/Sunday adult ticket £14.00/£11.00 concession

Three day adult ticket £20.00/£16.00 concession

VIP day ticket £38.00/£35.00 Friday - includes a glass of bubbly with red carpet welcome, use of the decadent Deco Noir VIP Lounge and Mirror Bar, refreshments throughout the day, priority entry to food and drink masterclasses, show guide, and goody bag to take home.

Children aged 12 and under go free to all Foodies Festivals when accompanied by an adult.

Open times:
5th August - 11am - 7pm
6th August - 10am - 8pm
7th August - 10am - 7pm

@StreetAssistEdi

Street Assist Edinburgh

This afternoon I volunteered my day to make a difference to help promote Street Assist Edinburgh.

Street Assist Edinburgh provides immediate support, advice and first aid to a wide range of people. Many people become vulnerable, lost or disorientated as a result of alcohol misuse, but also people who became separated from their friends, homeless people, dementia sufferers and victims of assault/domestic abuse. The emergency services are able to refer vulnerable individuals to Street Assist for minor incident treatment.

This new initiative has been founded by and delivered by a dedicated group of award winning volunteers. Find out how you can join them!

The Street Assist Edinburgh bus will be parked at King’s Stables Road between 8pm and 2am on Friday and Saturday nights.

I managed to speak to Neil Logan one of the volunteers at Street Assist Edinburgh and the Director of Roadshow Solutions about their services and how they have helped the community.

Interesting facts:

•  It can cost the NHS around £1000 because of the result of Misuse of alcohol PER PERSON = 3 hours of police officers time, £250 to have an ambulance called out and overnight stay in a hospital which includes servicing from nurses, doctors and the running of the hospital.
• Street Assist Edinburgh cuts costs as this as a voluntary organisation to help vulnerable adults, help sober them up before they contact a friend or family and ensure they have money to get home safe.
• Neil even told me a story of an Alzheimer’s patient that came to Edinburgh from Kings Cross by mistake and Street Assist Edinburgh helped them contact their family as they were reported lost.

It was great giving back to the community by learning and helping sign up more volunteers. 

Follow them on social media today!

Twitter @StreetAssistEdi

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/streetassistedin/?fref=ts

Instagram @Street_assist_edi

Website http://roadshowsolutions.org/street-assist-edinburgh/

Sultana XOXO

Press Release: Grassmarket's Circus Weekend

Roll up, roll up to the Greater Grassmarket’s Circus Weekend

Let’s Circus comes to town on Saturday 18^th and Sunday 19^th June

The Greater Grassmarket Business Improvement District (BID) in association with travelling circus school and performance company, Let’s Circus, will bring an acrobatic circus show to the Grassmarket on Saturday 18^th and Sunday19^th June (11am – 5pm) as part of their free Circus Weekend.

The international line-up includes contemporary circus, Head First Acrobats, who will perform their family-friendly pirate-themed circus show, ‘Arr we there yet?’ on the Greater Grassmarket’s Community Stage at 12.30pm and 3.30pm. The 40-minute show will feature slapstick comedy, extraordinary acrobatics and spine-tingling tricks such as juggling with knives. From 11am until 3.30pm, there will be amateur workshops for anyone interested in learning circus disciplines including trapeze, juggling, tight rope, acrobatics and even hula hooping. Let’s Circus will bring a team of international artists including Francis 'Odo’ Odongo, one of Kenya’s elite circus artists, who will be on hand to show off his skills and get everyone involved. As well as two shows per day, there will be demonstrations from artists in diverse circus disciplines such as hand balancing, trapeze, tight wire, and toothbrush twiddling.

The Greater Grassmarket BID’s Circus Weekend follows on from the success of their Vintage Weekend and is part of their plans to drive greater footfall to the area by offering unique family-friendly events.

Norrie Stewart, Grassmarket BID Project Manager, says: “We’re really excited to be bringing international circus acts, from as far afield as Australia and Kenya, to the Greater Grassmarket for our Circus Weekend. Travelling circuses have wowed audiences around the world for hundreds of years, so where better to host a weekend dedicated to this notable art form than the performance space in the historic Grassmarket?

“The extraordinary acrobatic shows will not only mesmerise kids but impress adults too, making the Circus Weekend the perfect family day out.”

Steve Cousins, artistic director of Let’s Circus, says: “Our mix of high quality touring shows and workshops makes what we do of really broad appeal. As a travelling circus school we cater to all ages and stages - from kids touching a trapeze for the first time, to acrobatic enthusiasts working on their one armed handstand. We’re very excited to bring this activity to the beautiful and historic Grassmarket for the first time. Many of the young people that we meet during these events, and indeed adults, have gone on to become highly skilled circus enthusiasts and indeed professional artists. You no longer need to runs way to join the circus, as we’re running away to join you!”

The Greater Grassmarket’s free Circus Weekend takes place on Saturday 18^th and Sunday 19^th June from 11am – 5pm, with performances on the Greater Grassmarket’s Community Stage at 12.30pm and 3.30pm each day.

Edinburgh International Magic Festival Competition

Press Release

MagicFest Announces 7^th Magical Year Programme and Launches a New MagicFair at Summerhall

Seekers of wonder and amazement are invited to ‘lose themselves in magic’ this summer as the Edinburgh International Magic Festival celebrates its 7th magical year as the UK’s biggest festival of innovative and cutting-edge magic, 1^st – 8^th July.

Edinburgh will sparkle with an enchanting programme of world-class magic events, unforgettable performances, and jaw-dropping stunts from some of the greatest illusionists, mindreaders and accomplished magicians from around the world.

·         Three day MagicFair at Summerhall – a brand new multi-space experience with family events and late night sessions

·         Matinee performance added to MagicFest Gala at the Festival Theatre

·         Magic School, Secret Room and Magic à la Carte Dinner

·         Grand Prix World Magic Champion Hector Mancha joins MagicFest line-up

·         The legendary Juan Tamariz (‘El Maestro’) performs live for the first time in Scotland

·         Show premieres from Kevin Quantum, forensic mindreader Colin Cloud, BBC’s R. Paul Wilson, and debut performances at the Festival from Vincent Gambini and David Gerard

·         Korean magic company from the world’s only magic college, featuring the Asian Champion of Magic

• City centre Magic Hunt for children and adults, and FREE magic performances at Krispy Kreme stores in the run up to the Festival

Kevin Quantum, Artistic Director of MagicFest, commented… ‘This year we have arguably one of the greatest living legends in magic, Juan Tamariz, and one of the greatest up-and-coming stars, Hector Mancha, both featuring at the Festival. It’s our biggest line-up to date with the launch of MagicFair, free entry for under 7s, and the addition of a matinee performance at the Gala Show, allowing us to share magic and its top stars with more people than ever before. Watch out for surprises around the city too!’

Competition

To celebrate the launch of MagicFair Lates Edinburgh Bloggers is offering you a chance to win a pair of tickets to the Edinburgh International Magic Festival. The tickets will give you entry to Summerhall where you can see as many shows as you want, or just soak up the atmosphere and enjoy food and drinks and a few spontaneous magic performances in the courtyard.

To enter all you need to do is tweet us (@EdinburghBlogg) what magic power you would like and why using #EBMagic Alternatively you can enter via the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms and Conditions

1. This competition is run by Edinburgh Bloggers in partnership with Lanyard Media
2. There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition
3. The Closing date for entry is Friday 17th June at 12am. After this date no further entries will be accepted
4. Edinburgh Bloggers reserves the right to cancel or amend the competition and these terms and conditions at any time. 
5. No cash alternative to the prizes will be offered. The prizes are non transferable
6. Winners will be chosen at random on Friday 17th June
7. Edinburgh Bloggers will contact winners by email as soon as possible
8. Lanyard Media will contact winners separately to arrange prize collection
9. Competition open to UK entries only
10. Entry into the competition will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions

Favourite Posts of the Week

I wanted to try something new to help promote some of the amazing Edinburgh Bloggers by sharing my 5 favourite blog posts from the week. If you want your latest post to be included, make sure you are on our blog roll so we can find you.

In no particular order here are my 5 favourite posts from this week:

Ultimo Styling. Ultimo Fun by Little Kaatie's Little Thoughts.
Katie has been sharing all the details from the recent Ultimo event at Jenners. Now I may be bias since I was also at the event, but this was one of the most creative and exciting events Edinburgh has had in a while. When else to you get free run to try on clothes and have your photos taken in Jenners. Katie looks so beautiful in her pictures (when doesn't she) and has made me want to go check out the Ultimo range in Jenners.

Reflections on Recovery by Urbanity Blog
A vulnerable and honest post from Ruth sharing her own journey to recovery. Ruth reflects on her experience of anorexia and the important factors in her journey to recovery. This must have been a difficult post to write (and put online) and I'm proud of the positive steps Ruth has taken to aid her own recovery - she is one inspiring woman.

I Dream of Shapes x Flaminosaurus Rex by Wardrobe Conversations
Kimberley from Wardrobe Conversations has been sharing all the gossip (and behind the scenes pics) from the recent bloggers photo shoot for local brand I Dream of Shapes, which will be stocked in Flaminosaurus Rex (a new studio/shop in Bruntsfield). You'll fall in love with the clothes and will be queuing up to be part of the next photo shoot after reading this post.

Have you met...Tuk Tuk? by Talor Gilchrist
Talor is talking to Indian restaurant Tuk Tuk in this weeks post. Be warned this post contains food pictures which will make you crave a curry. Talking to the owners is a unique method of working with a restaurant as a blogger. As a reader its interesting to hear the owners thoughts on their own restaurant and the photos make me want a curry right now.

How to Start a Youtube Channel by Layoutlines
A good old fashioned advice post over on Layoutlines this week. This post will be incrediably useful to anyone thinking of venturing in the world of Youtube. Sonia covers all the basics involved in developing a Youtube channel as well as sharing an insight into her own experience.

So there you have it my favourite posts by Edinburgh Bloggers from the week. Let me know your favourites in the comments and let me know if you have a post you'd like included in next week's post.

Jen x