This week, Debenhams summer soiree with Gusto, a pocket-friendly lunch at Turnip and Enjoy and why I wasn’t blown away by Blow!

 

Glasgow Times:

 

Debenhams Summer Soiree @ Gusto

Wednesday was a scorching day in the city, with temperatures topping the dizzy, mercury heights of 29C. It may have been more muggy than cup of tea but it felt like suddenly we were no longer in a Game of Thrones episode - and winter was coming - Summer was finally here!

To celebrate, Debenhams cleverly organised their summer shindig for the day after; and given that during their spring fashion show, the handsome Craig McGinlay made his way down the catwalk in nothing but his David Gandy’s, I was excited to see what exactly summer had in store!

The soiree was in the recently opened Gusto on Bothwell Street, tucked away in their private dining room and was, quite possibly, the best girls party ever; and there were no David’s or Craig’s in sight! In fact, the room was filled with treats, from their current colourful summer collection to flower crown making with the blooming fabulous Lorraine Wood. There were spray tans from Fakebake (although there was no way I was getting down to my smalls, at the rate we’re going bump and me would have obscured the sun, even from inside), gorgeous gold temporary tattoos from Bare Baroque, which would be ideal for next weekend’s T in the Park, and so much more! I felt like I’d been invited to a birthday party with bells on… and there was even a ‘going home bag’!

I made some new pals as well - working it in their gold bikini’s - sadly their chat was a wee bit wooden!

Glasgow Times:

Lunch @ Turnip and Enjoy

What do you do with a spare Thursday lunchtime? Well, how about just Turnip and Enjoy? I had a lunch date and a free afternoon, so I decided to make the most of it and check out the newly re-named Turnip and Enjoy (previously Enjoy) on Great Western Road.

From the outside, it looks a wee bit like a cafe but the menu is much more accomplished. It’s fine, contemporary Scottish dining with a homely edge, peppered with flavours from further afield. And, in fact, the decor matches perfectly; it’s charming, light and welcoming.

Almost every seat was taken, so the two of us were placed at a large round table. I was surprised to see the place quite as busy as it was on a weekday, but then it could be because other gluttonous souls - like us - were making the most of their pocket friendly offer of two lunchtime courses for just £12.95.

To start with I had the Jerusalem artichoke soup, with pork dumplings and truffle oil, whilst my friend tucked into blackened mackerel, with crab, fennel and bergamot. Both were a delight, the soup creamy and moreish with a hit of salty pork in almost every mouthful and the mackerel was fresh and flavoured with sunshine.

Our mains of Spelt Risotto and Lamb Loin weren’t such a success, but I was still hugely impressed with the quality and innovation of the dishes, as well as the deliciously clever seasoning. Given that we had two, exquisitely prepared dishes for about the cost of your standard burger and chips, I couldn’t resist pudding. A melting delight of sticky toffee and brown bread ice-cream. Thank you oh mighty food gods.

The meal and the place are lovely. The only thing I’m not too sure about is the name: but you know what they say, never judge a book by it’s cover and, in all honestly, the menu does have enjoy written all over it!

Glasgow Times:

Blow @ Blow

Ever since it opened, I’ve been wanting to try BLOW! in Finnieston; the coolest chopper of locks in the West. It’s not just a hairdressers, it’s a hang-out, a bar and a girl-gang you want to be a part of. They won two awards at the Look Awards, one for Small Defacto Salon of the Year. The other for their impressive stats on social media; things blew up for them when Miley Cyrus reposted a picture of one of their hairstyles.

So, needless to say, I was excited about checking this place out. In addition to styling, colouring and a blow-dry bar, the salon also has some fringe benefits: a specially dedicated Bang-Bar (now, now, lads, it’s not what you think…!) I decided to book in for colour and a style dry, as these seemed to be two of their highlights.

I arrived just before my appointment and fell for the clean, clinical but quirky set up, plonking myself down on a beautiful Timorous Beastie armchair. Little did I know, I was going to be sitting there for close to 40 minutes. I was about to leave when I was called me over and asked what I was having. I told the lassie and she said due to the time, they could no longer do any colour for me, what was I having anyway ‘just some bleach?’

Although annoying, this response made me glad there wasn’t enough time for colour, so I sat down for my blow dry. After a choppy start, I had a pleasant chat with the girl doing my hair. The mirror was broken in front of me so I couldn’t see what was happening, so I pretended I was on one of those makeover experiences where the big reveal would have me in tears. It nearly did.

Whilst the lass did an ok job, I was far from blown away. I can probably give myself a better blow dry, save £20 and nearly two hours of my time. I thought she was lovely but it felt as thought she wasn’t particularly well trained. My ‘curls’ had fallen out by the time I got home, quite different from many blow dries I’ve had before, that often last for days.

I really wanted to like this place, however, I can’t tell you how disappointed I was, or how close I was to blowing my fuse. I think there are some very talented hairdressers who work in the salon and there’s equally no doubt that it’s a stylish place to be. However, if every experience isn’t as good as the glossy pictures they post online, it seems that the hype might just be a load of hot air…

Glasgow Times:

Wee Bird Recommends

Wee love the annual Bard in the Botanics and this week things got underway with one of the first plays of the summer, Love’s Labour Lost. Ooh, that Shakespeare loved an alliteration, didn’t he! The play is the ultimate battle of the sexes, so if your other half doesn’t fancy it, consider it a Wee challenge to get them to the park this weekend! Tickets still available online.