Sunday Best: Visiting the Museum

This weekend the Nation Museum of Scotland reopened after almost four years of refurbishment so naturally Adam and I paid a long awaited visit. I'm quite sure that I was not alone in exhaling a great sigh of relief upon seeing that the main hall remains relatively unchanged. Aside, of course from the sad departure of Scotland's most beloved fish. This revelation, I admit, was a little distressing but after strolling (elbowing) through the taxidermy rooms any upset was quickly forgotten. All manner of animals - lions, tigers and a polar bears are all housed together under an ocean of sea creatures aswell as a lone hippopotamus all suspended from the ceiling by wire. The inhabitants of Noah's Ark have been my favourite part of the museum ever since my first visit seventeen years ago when I was only eight so in celebration of their return I dressed for the occasion in a fox and deer print shirt dress.

Shirt Dress - H&M, Pyjama Blazer - H&M, Tote - The Orphans Arms, Loafers - New Look.

Another of my favourite artifacts was a gigantic light from a decommissioned lighthouse. I visited the exhibition on Lighthouse Life on my birthday this year and became utterly enchanted by the seemly romantic, though probably lonely life of a life house keeper. I can already see this winter wardrobe containing roll neck sweaters, flat caps and a pipe! After a good nosey around all the exhibitions and a cup of tea we made for the roof terrace to admire the view. If you are in the city this summer, I would thoroughly recommend visiting, admission is completely free and the view from the terrace is only second to climbing Arthurs Seat which would involve, well... climbing.

Edinburgh Guide: The Glasshouse

A few weekends ago, The Glasshouse were so kind as to invite Adam and I to stay. On the day we arrived, Mother Nature chose to send a downpour of biblical proportions and we quite literally washed up in the foyer, Scottish summertime at its very best. Needless to say, when we arrived in our room to find a warming dram o' whiskey and a tray of freshly baked shortbread it was a much welcomed treat. After we had dried of a little and explored the bounteous suit, we moved to the bar to sit in front of the open fire and indulge in my country's best offerings.

Once warm, dry and a perhaps a little tipsy, I was straight in the gigantic bath amidst a clouds of bubbles. Is there anything more satisfying than a long hot bath on a rainy day? Simple pleasures... Simple pleasures...

After much priming and preening I changed into my favourite TBA dress and we shared a bottle of champagne on the balcony before heading out for dinner. I must admit that it is quite a disconcerting feeling, being a tourist in your hometown but at the same time pleasantly refreshing.

Next morning I stubbornly refused to get out of bed choosing instead to luxuriate in the worlds most comfortable (aswell as quite possibly the worlds biggest) bed accompanied by pancakes with bacon and maple syrup and one of my favourite books, Love in a Cold Climate. All the while romanticising about how lovely it would be to live in a hotel like Eloise or Royal Tenenbaum. Only then it was back to reality - racing to get ready, stuffing everything back in my suitcase before heading out onto the glorious roof terrace to take these pictures and one final look over Edinburgh's Georgian rooftops and the storm clouds gathering over the Firth.

If you would like to see some more pictures of the Aberlour Suit, you can see a few more on Wayward Daughter's Facebook page.

A Day at the Beach

On Saturday we packed up the car and headed for the beach to celebrate my friend Becky's birthday. We barbecued, toasted the birthday girl with Prosecco in jam jars and made friends with a lovely dog named Jess. Then basked in the sunshine chatting until everyone decided to to paddle and play frisbee, so Adam and I snuck off to take some photographs and investigate the rock pools. It was actually so hot that I had to wear my jacket because my shoulders were burning up!



Dress - Urban Outfitters, Belt & Sunglasses - H&M, Jacket - Topshop.

When we returned my dear friends bullied me into swimming in the sea, since I live in Scotland I didn't even think to bring a bikini and ended up swimming (read: jumping in the waves) wearing my nice new frock. I would entirely recommend it, it was the most fun I've had in ages only then a huge wave completely engulfed me and my sunglasses were swept away, never to be seen again. I am really quite heart broken, any ideas where I can find a similar pair?

tba aw eleven

From the very first moment I saw tba's debut collection, I was swept away. Completely and utterly head over heels in love with Binbin McNiven's designs. Each season she continues to steal my heart and AW11 is no different.

What I love about tba is that their pieces are so effortlessly cut in flowing silk and gossamer organza but at the same time are so easy to wear. They are so perfectly thought out that all I ever have to do is choose a pair of shoes and I'm ready. Another thing that keeps me coming back time and time again is their value for money, I have worn my black silk dress with the beaded collar from SS10 to the point that my friends mock me for not owning another party dress but I don't care a bit because its the most perfect dress and I love wearing it. My only regret is that I didn't buy it in Navy and Fawn too!

This season draws inspiration from the 60's, with an added hint of austere 40's. Suggestive sheer panels alongside tba's signature peter pan collars come together in an all together sultry manner while triumphantly remaining delicate and feminine. Out of all the reasons that I love tba, this is why I love wearing their clothes - they are are designed for girls who dress to please themselves and most certainly not boys!

Which is your favourite? I'm already devoted to the first dress - Isadora, I fear the world will end if I do not own it.

All images courtesy of tba.

Tutorial: Half Moon Manicure

First off, I have a confession to make. I'm no nail expert, I've never even had a manicure. When I actually paint my nails its usually right before I go out, between sips of gin and tonic with only moments to spare. This method was learned through trail, error and a few stellar tips from my future Mother-in-Law, Lilian. She's true Geordie lady, always perfectly turned out with a standing manicure appointment.

I've always admired half moon manicures but it was only when I was watching Atonement a few weeks ago, where in one scene Emily Tallis lays her perfectly manicured hand on Bryony's shoulder that I really fell in love with them. At first I tried to cover my half moons with stickers usually used for french tips but on my nails they were a little uneven so I tried circular stationary stickers and it worked perfectly. Admittedly its all a little fiddly but if I can turn my hand to it (pun intended) then anyone can.

• Basecoat
• Nail Varnish 
• Circular Stationary Stickers
• Quick Dry 
• Toothpicks 
• Cotton Pads
• Nail Varnish Remover

Until now, I didn't see the point in using a basecoat but its really important here otherwise there will be a distinctive line between the nail and half moon. Start with a quick coat of clear varnish, I used Barry M's "All in one" then once its totally dry stick a sticker over each of your nails. I found the holes in these really useful because I could just line them up with my cuticle.

Once they are all stuck on firmly, with no gaps otherwise the vanish will seep under, paint on two coats of your favourite colour and wait a few minutes. I already had the toothpick to hand for the final stage but I found that they were pretty useful for peeling off the stickers while avoiding any smudges. When all nails are sticker free, paint on a coat of quick dry coating. This was the first of Lilian's tips but after sceptically paying nearly £7 for Save The Nail "45 Second Dry" I am entirely convinced. It does exactly what it says on the bottle and leaves your nails with a super glossy coating, like a 'proper' manicure.

Lilian's second stellar tip is for mini DIY cotton buds made from cotton wool pads and toothpicks. They are perfect for dipping in nail varnish remover and cleaning up any smudges and are so much more accurate than ordinary cotton buds, even the pointed kind. Just put a little NVR on a cotton pad and roll a toothpick on the pad until a little comes away. Smooth it off with your finger and clean off the smudges. Thanks Lillian! x