Tuesday 21 December 2010

Oh the weather outside is frightful...

With only four shopping days to go until Christmas it's time to get off the sofa, put on your wellies and brave the snow. To help you on your way here is my last minute Christmas gift guide and (in no particular order) four perfect shops to buy your presents from. What's more, they're local and they're fab - ditch the chain stores and get something a bit different in one of these four.


Hannah Zakari - if you like it indie and homemade, then you'll love HZ!

Hannah Zakari: Pay a visit to Candlemaker Row and take a wander around Hannah Zakari. For the quirky and the fabulous, this shop has some of the best individual gifts in the city. I'm loving this limited edition Edinburgh skyline screen print by Kate McLelland - a steal at £30.

Covet: This Thistle Street boutique celebrated it's 3rd birthday this month and launched a fantastic new website and I love it. With 1930s inspired jewellery from Rosie Fox at £8.85 to beautiful Belen Echandia leather shoulder bags up to £495 you're guaranteed to find something for your sister, mother or best friend in here.

Edinburgh Larder: For your foody friend who loves fresh Scottish produce why not buy a fabby hamper from the Edinburgh Larder on Blackfriars Street. With three hampers to choose from for the tea lover, the cheese lover and the chocolate lover, you're bound to find something delicious and with hampers starting at £18 - it won't break the bank.

Demijohn: For all things fluid, look no further than Demijohn on Victoria Street. The Christmas Spirit selection is a great present for those over 18. With three delicious drinks - Brammle Whisky Liqueur, Raspberry Vodka and Sloe Gin presented in a handmade cherry wood rack it's the perfect present to take when visiting relatives. 


Demijohn - pop in and taste what you can buy!

With all the snow problems hitting the UK, it's probably not the best idea to start online shopping now...or is it?

isubscribe.co.uk  I swear by this website for magazine subscriptions, not just because it's quick and easy to use but because they always deliver.  I've bought several gift subscriptions through this site and those receiving them have always loved the 'gift that keeps on giving'. Order right up until Christmas day for your brother, your mother or your best friend - perfect for that last minute extra! Print out the confirmation and pop it into a gift card and you're good to go.

Good luck with your Christmas shopping and feel free to add any other top tips on your favourite shops in the comment box below.

Merry Christmas!

The Ltd Lady
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Sunday 21 November 2010

Hyde and seek some Edinburgh style

On a wet and dreary Thursday night I braved the November weather and headed to the opening party of HydeOut for a glass of fizz and a chance to see the newest addition to the bar scene. Edinburgh Quay is slowly becoming a new little hot-spot in the city and I'm delighted that the guys behind HydeOut chose to set up camp here. The bar is on two floors and at first glance is bright and bold with lots of bling - but upstairs is a softer relaxing Veuve Cliquot Champagne bar with cosy booths and dim lighting. The jewel in the crown is the outside terrace which overlooks the Union canal - definitely set to be a popular spot in the summer. They've done a great job making a large space feel luxurious and comfortable.

A luxurious booth at HydeOut - perfect for an intimate drink with friends.

William Street in the west end has a new addition this month to its range of quirky independent boutiques in the form of Arkangel & Felon. Located on the site of the former Arkangel shop, husband and wife team Sarah Cosgrove and Andy Kidd have refurbished the premises and are introducing lots of new independent designers including Goat, American Vintage, Lolly's Laundry and Sarah Pacini. Make sure you pop down soon and check it out!


Arkangel & Felon - William Street.


Last Saturday I paid a visit to Covet on Thistle Street and met Anna - the friendly co-owner and buyer for the boutique. Covet has been opened for nearly three years and I can't believe it has taken me this long to drop by. I was really impressed with the collection of beautiful classic Italian leather handbags, soft wool scarfs and sparkling, stylish accessories. The shop stocks only a few products in each style so you're sure to get something a bit unique when shopping in Covet. I'm loving this TRIWA of Sweden watch - in fact I couldn't resist ordering one for Christmas!


TRIWA of Sweden watch from Covet, Thistle St.

Friday 29 October 2010

The days were long and the nights so cold, the pages turn and the tale unfolds…

With news of Take That tickets going on sale today it made me sigh - another major act taking their tour to Glasgow. It would be nice to see more artists heading East with their tours - wouldn't Murrayfield be the perfect stadium for the group?

So I did a bit of investigating and as it turns out I'm completely wrong. Edinburgh clearly hasn't been left behind - a lot more up and coming artists are picking Edinburgh as their tour destination of choice and apparently a lot of them are coming in the next week - how did I miss this?


With brilliant venues like the HMV Picture House and the Edinburgh Corn Exchange, our city has a lot to offer for both the fan and the artist. Brit Award winner Ellie Goulding hits town tomorrow followed by the stylish Paloma Faith (who I love, love, love) and indie band Marina & the Diamonds on Tuesday. On Wednesday Tinchy Stryder's taking to the stage and on Monday tickets go on sale for the Jon Bon Jovi and Kings of Leon gigs at Murrayfield stadium next summer. Nice one Edinburgh!

Monday 18 October 2010

Food, wine and luxury walks

Autumn is in full swing in the capital - time to dig out my mac and pack away the maxi dress me thinks! I've had a busy few weeks in the Burgh and lots of interest in my new blog which is very exciting. Thank you to everyone who has shown their support. I also signed up to Twitter this week so please follow me and let me know what you think of the blog: @thelimitedlady

I was delighted to hear that one of my favourite streets in Edinburgh has gone online this week - Multrees Walk. Check out the new website http://www.the-walk.co.uk/ for all up and coming news and events from Mulberry, Reiss, Kurt Geiger and all the other luxury shops on The Walk.


The lovely people at Bordeaux Wines got in touch last week and invited me to the Love Cooking festival at the Playhouse. Needless to say I was very excited to go on my first Limited Lady outing and it certainly didn't disappoint...

Although the event was heavily supported by various sponsors, I had a fantastic time picking up some useful culinary skills and learning how to pair my Bordeaux with my beef.

James Martin (who I'm used to seeing on Saturday Kitchen from the comfort of my bed) and his special guest - Edinburgh's very own Tom Kitchin  - had great charisma on stage while wine gurus Oz Clarke and Olly Smith entertained the audience with quirky facts and tonnes of personality. But the highlight of the night was an Australian camera man who stole Oz's wine, took the mick out of the sponsors and almost ruined James's souffle by opening the oven door mid cook (gasp). A lovely night all round - thank you Bordeaux!



Friday 1 October 2010

Sole solutions

I am loving the new addition to DUO's Autumn/Winter 2010 collection - black and white patent 'Edinburgh' brogues. The androgynous look isn't going anywhere this season so pair these with skinny jeans and some sleek tailoring and you'll be bang on trend this month.


 
If you haven't popped into the Castle Street shop yet, make sure you pay a visit soon. The clever, thoughtful people at DUO have found the answer to the problem which haunts hundreds of us each Autumn - finding the perfect winter boots to fit over our skinny/chunky legs! The new 'fitting room' concept lets you choose from the latest season's styles in over 20 calf sizes - nice! And I'm loving these 'Calla' brown leather boots - also featured in Tatler this month.



And while we're talking fashion...Great news for fans of Grassmarket boutique Godiva - they've launched an online shop! Check out their cute, quirky accessories here: http://www.godivaboutique.co.uk/

Wednesday 22 September 2010

Hello Edinburgh

Welcome to my new blog. This is where I'll write about the things I love, the places I find and everything else in between.

I decided to start The Limited Lady blog to release my frustration as a wannabe writer and talk about the city I love - Edinburgh. I'll be blogging every week so if you like what you find, please tell your friends!

The Ltd Lady
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