February: Gift List

It was my 22nd birthday on Thursday and I thought it would be nice to share some of the presents I was lucky enough to receive. I had a nice quiet day off which is a proper treat these days! Me and David went out for lunch and some shopping then had a family evening in with takeaway pizza and red velvet cupcakes - they were amazing, from Cake in Aberdeen. David got us tickets for Singin' in the Rain which is in Edinburgh in March (exciting!!) and I've got birthday money from my parents to pay for some driving lessons with. I also got a cake pop machine from David's parents (which I'll blog about once I've used it) and some other nice things which I've not photographed.

1. Lots of pretty cards. 2. The great thing about having a birthday near Valentine's day is I get lots of cute heart things like this pink heart version of connect 4, heart globe frame and heart cutting board from my sister Amy and her boyfriend Sam. 3. I got some lovely kitcheny things for my future cottage from my Uncle, Auntie and cousins - I chose these from Dotcomgiftshop. 4. Gorgeous vintage style pocket mirror and slate heart chalk board from David's sister Emma and family. 5. David also got me this adorable set of Rob Ryan mugs which have a wee poem and illustration that is completed when the two are together - aww! 6. I bought some Teapigs Tea with my birthday money from my Nanny and Grandad (also bought a dress but I'm saving that for another post) I can't decide if I prefer the chocolate flake or creme caramel, they're both so yummy. 7. My Mum and Dad got me a couple of little things so I'd have something to open (since driving lessons aren't that exciting) and these little hanging birdies from Cloudy Blue are so sweet. I hung one from my floral globe light shade and it goes perfect... apart from Daisy dog thinks it's a toy and keeps jumping up at it. Oops! 8. Finally, these are the delicious red velvet cupcakes from Cake

Thanks everyone! I'd also like to say thank you for all the kind birthday messages, it was such a nice surprise to have so many from Bottled Treasures customers too.
  

February WIP: Pebble Branding

Lots of you will know that my Mum is opening an exciting new shop in Aberdeen called Pebble, if not then here's some info: 

"Pebble will bring you an assortment of gifts, arts and pretty things with an emphasis on Scottish designers and makers. The name Pebble came from Lorraine's love of the sea which has previously been the inspiration for her jewellery collections. It is a nod to the uniqueness of her designers' work in that no two items are identical, like pebbles. Pebble will sell a range of jewellery, accessories, home wares, stationery, original art, ceramics, bath and beauty products as well as edible treats – all handmade or designed in Scotland. 

Pebble aims to make your gift buying experience satisfying and seamless. From the carefully curated products to gorgeous gift wrapping they've got it covered. They even offer loyalty cards so you can treat yourself after treating your friends and family! The shop is decorated with vintage upcycled furniture and quirky displays in the pastel Pebble colour palette giving it a fresh and fun feel"

Although I've been really involved in the whole shop planning and designing process this is my Mum's shop and not mine - lots of people have mistaken it as a joint business venture. The shop opens on 1st March so is still a work in progress but I've officially been behind the branding from logo design, stationery, packaging and website to shop sign, social media and photography. Unofficially I've been helping choose stock (candle and chocolate samples - yes please!), painting furniture, programming the till, working on shop layouts and displays and other odd jobs! 

The thoughts behind the Pebble branding was that it had to have a fresh and effortless feel. The colour palette, typography choice and use of circles mean it can easily be applied across all the items needed for a shop. The pastel tones are chosen to represent a soft seascape and the ombre effect sits really well with the liquid like font. I chose to use the circle "pebbles" with icons to represent what's unique about the shop but the logo can also be used without these. The icons are really fun for stickers and using throughout the decor too. Most of the branding and design work is done now apart from the website as we're waiting for the shop to be filled for photographing before that goes live!

The Pebble launch weekend is from Saturday 1st March 10am-6pm to Sunday 2nd March 11am-4pm. It will be a proper party with balloons, cakes and treats, a lucky dip with every purchase and grand prize draw over the weekend. Pebble is located at 198 Rosemount Place, Aberdeen, AB25 2XQ. Hope you can make it! (if not I'll be doing a blog post about it afterwards)

You can find Pebble on Facebook to keep up to date with the countdown: https://www.facebook.com/pebblegiftshop

February DIY: Jewellery Cabinet (part 2)

Earlier this month my jewellery collection filled the best part of a built in cupboard and about 6 boxes that sat on the mantlepiece. As I'm moving later in the year I decided now is the time to downsize, I can only keep what I fit in this upcycled cabinet! After drilling in the screws for the adorable rose handles I got to work trying to sort through the masses of jewellery. In the end I have necklaces in the side sections - the hooks came on the cabinet already. Sentimental and precious jewellery is in the bottom, one drawer for earrings (stored in a compartment box from Home Bargains, the lid cut off) with a few of my favourite nail varnishes in the back, one for hair accessories and the top part for brooches, rings and pendants. Now it’s like browsing a shop when I decide what jewellery to wear in the morning and I can actually see everything at a glance! This is definitely encouraging me to wear different jewellery so I'll be sharing more accessories posts soon. 

February Places: Almondine

Almondine opened their first Patisserie on Thistle Street in Aberdeen just before Christmas. I'd had their yummy macarons before so knew I had to go but it was just a case of finding the time - in January I was lucky enough to make it down twice. The atmosphere is so relaxed; a simple colour palette of silvers, baby blues and dove greys makes it feel so fresh and delicate. I love the attention to detail with the silverware too - little candles on the tables and silver pots for tea and hot chocolate. Their signature hot chocolate is truly the best I've tasted, served with a carafe of water since it's very rich! The choice of patisseries changes but there are always macarons in a selection of colours and flavours. They are all so pretty you'll be spoilt for choice! The little Almondine printed chocolate is such a nice touch, and tasty too. This time I chose the chocolate eclair, which was perfect with the proper chocolate crème patissière filling - I have to admit that it was a little bit of a chocolate overload but that's my fault for having hot chocolate with a chocolate based treat! The macarons can be taken away in a cute branded box of 7 which would be a lovely Valentine's gift.

I'm already planning my next visit, maybe an evening as it looks like it would be so cosy on a cold night. Almondine is open Monday to Thursday 8am-6pm, Friday 8am-7pm and Saturday 10am-7pm. You can find them on Facebook or check out their website below:

http://www.almondine.co.uk/