June 2011 ~ TWINKLE STYLE & TRAVEL

Treats Galore For Glasgow & Belfast

A new Glasgow & Belfast daily deal website has launched called Treat Ticket; offering fantastic beauty, travel and dining discounted deals plus much more. Twinkle Magazine readers also get an exclusive further discount of 10% until 30th June by entering 'TWINKLE1' at the checkout.

Forget a Father's Day gift? Or just want to spoil yourself? Visit www.treatticket.com and get your daily deals such as today's Swarovski crystal manicure with champagne (Monday 20th June).

Beauty Must Haves

This month, there are several beauty products that the Twinkle Magazine office have been relying on. What did we do without them before?...

1. Toni & Guy Touch Control 230 Degree Digital Straighteners, £24.97, Tesco
These straighteners heat up amazingly fast, and provide a sleek straight finish with ceramic plates. Get gorgeous straight locks fast!

2. Body Shop Body Butter Duo: Macadamia, £12.50, Body Shop
This twin pot moisturiser smells deliciously edible! Sometimes 'one size doesn't fit all'; so this product contains one light moisturiser, and one intensive one for areas such as elbows that require more work. All fair trade; and made with Shea Butter, it provide all-day long hydration.

3. Label.M Sleek Blow Out Cream, £12.50, Label.M
This fabulous professional hair styling product will help you get the perfect blow-dry with a smooth high-shine finish. It contains ingredients great for your hair, such as Avocado Oil. Available in Toni & Guy salons nationwide, so check website for stockists.

4. Aveda Color Options Eye Shadow Transformer, £22.50, Aveda
This wonder product transforms eye shadow powders into a cream; intensifying the colour. It means your shadows can be used to achieve more than one look. The brush that comes with it for application means that it goes on smoothly and without creases. It dries quickly, and is run and smudge proof too! You can also use it to turn your eye shadows into liquid eye liners. The perfect way to free up space in your make-up bag!

4. Bobbi Brown Tortoise Shell Collection Eye Palette, £48, Bobbi Brown
This eye palette isn't out to buy until July; but we've been using ours so much we think we'll have to get another one when it launches! The attractive tortoise shell patterned palette opens up to two levels containing 8 shadows. There are two palettes launching- Bronze and Sand. We love the Bronze as the shadows have extra sparkle! The shadows have high colour pigments, so a little goes a long way!

Gumigem- Yummy Mummy Practical Style

All yummy mummies out there will know how much your little darlings love to chew on your necklaces. Whilst it's not good for their teeth and creates swallowing hazards; it's also not ideal for your brand new shiny Swarovski jewels.
Mummies meet Gumigem- stylish necklaces that are actually designed for babies to chew.

These teething necklaces will help your young ones through the painful teething process; but nobody other than you will know it's purpose is anything other than fashion.
They are of course baby safe and made from non-toxic silicone; as well as being soft and kind to growing teeth.
Jo-Anna McGillvary, one of our yummy mummy readers from Newcastle, and son Logan were our guinea pig testers; and they loved it!
Jo-Anna said "Gumigem is fantastic straight out of the fridge for Logan. I finally have a cool necklace that I don't need to about worry if he tries to eat. We were at the supermarket and he got bored so I passed him the Gumigem necklace and tied it to his seat. I got all my shopping done with no tears or tantrums! I'm over the moon with it. It looks coo,l is practical and I have been asked a few times where it is from".
Denise Van Outen and baby Betsy are also fans of the brand. To purchase a Gumigem necklace (£12.50) visit www.gumigem.co.uk.

Scottish Fashion Awards 2011

A 'Who's Who' of British fashion descended on Glasgow last night for the Scottish Fashion Awards. Fashion icons, models, designers and journalists all enjoyed the glittering awards ceremony, Swarovski catwalk show and Capital FM after-party.

There were a few fashion disasters, including a Scottish actress in a top-hat; but our Editor Laura Pearson was there to capture the atmosphere and the night's best dressed...

The best dressed of the night goes without doubt to actress Louise Linton, who oozed classic Hollywood glamour.

Another guest who chose an outfit that was spot-on was presenter and fashion guru Brix Smith-Start; in her Scottish designer Christopher Kane dress and Swarovski Saltire bag.

Christopher Kane was a popular choice at the event; with Prime Minister's wife Samantha Cameron also opting for the designer in a simple and chic green printed dress. She looked stunning as she posed with award's organiser Tessa Hartmann.

Also present was Accessories nominee Emily Lamb of Emily Lamb Shoes wore her own gorgeous creations on the red carpet.

Designer Henry Holland looked dapper in his Harris Tweed suit; whilst Lulu looked sparkly and glowing in her sequin jacket.

All eyes were on Shirley Bassey who showed her love for Scotland and the new film Scottish short film 'Sir Billi' in which she sings the soundtrack; by wearing this glamourous tartan creation by Graeme Black, and sporan handbag.

The awards were hosted by MTV presenter Laura Whitmore; who 'rocked' the red carpet in this short black creation.

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS: LAURA PEARSON

And the winners were...
Scottish Designer of the Year: Jonathan Saunders 

Scottish Young Designer of the Year: Henrietta Ludgate 
Scottish Textile Brand of the Year: Harris Tweed Hebrides 
Scottish Accessory Designer of the Year: Bebaroque 
Scottish Fashion Icon: Freya Mavor 
Scottish Communicator of the Year: Angus Munro 
Scottish Model of the Year: Tali Lennox
 Scottish Retailer of the Year: Rox
 Scotland’s New Face: Caitlin Jamieson 
Scottish Graduate of the Year: Campbell Dunn 
International Designer of the Year (for use of a Scottish fabric): Henry Holland
 Scottish Fashion Innovator: Professor Pamela Gillies (Glasgow Caledonian University)
 Fashion Ambassador: Hilary Alexander
Scottish Hall of Fame: Rankin

Stylish Break: Dromoland Castle, County Clare, Ireland

We have all heard Belinda Carlisle sing that 'Heaven is a place on Earth'; but until you have experienced Ireland's Dromoland Castle in County Clare, you don't really know what those words mean. This 16th Century castle and estate is a little (well, it's very large actually) piece of paradise.

Dromoland Castle Hotel & Country Estate far exceeds it's 5-star AA rating. The grounds and hotel itself are immaculate; and nothing is too much trouble for their dedicated staff. John, the smiling porter will greet you on arrival and remind you why Ireland is known as the land of charm.

Photograph: Dromoland Castle

Chocolates await you in your room; the Irish Independent hangs on your door each morning when you wake; you will return to your room after dinner to find your bed turned down and an Irish greeting on your pillow; and if you are going out for the day, the hotel will pack you a lunch bag containing their delicious homemade fruit cake amongst other delights. When you stay at Dromoland Castle you will struggle to think of something you need that the hotel has not thought of and provided first.

The activities on offer at the hotel and it's grounds are numerous, and won't fail to occupy and relax you for several days. The Dromoland Castle School of Falconry runs daily Hawk Walks that can be booked with reception. One of the experienced Falconers will take you (and a Hawk) out for a walk around the estate; teaching you how to get the bird to land on your hand.

The country club offers swimming, golfing, fishing and boating; perfect ways to while away an afternoon. Men can go fishing on a boat with the estate's experienced ghillie Dennis, or go for a round of golf with the resident pro-golfer; whilst the girls can go boating on the picturesque lake.

Photograph: Dromoland Castle

Dromoland Castle has two restaurants- the formal Earl of Thomond in the main castle, and the more informal Fig Tree at the country club. Dinner in the Earl of Thomond restaurant is a treat not to be missed (and if you managed to catch a fish earlier in the day, the chef will be happy to cook it for you). The menu is filled with local produce enhanced with the creative flair of the hotel's executive chef; and includes dishes such as Grilled Fillet of Irish Beef, Leeks & Ceps, Peppered Swede, Rich Claret Sauce. Four courses plus coffee and petit fours costs €65.00.

Photograph: Dromoland Castle

After dinner, retreat to the intimate cocktail bar for a night cap whilst listening to a resident traditional Irish singer. The staff's knowledge of drinks and cocktails is impeccable, and they can recommend something to suit your taste.

Photograph: Dromoland Castle

The castle itself is a stunning landmark in the middle of it's private estate; and as such, makes a perfect fairyale location for a wedding. The Corrs' band member Sharon Corr had her wedding party here. Dromoland can cater for large and small intimate weddings, and can provide you with everything you will need for your special day.

Photograph: Dromoland Castle

Brides can get pampered at the hotel's spa; which uses the delightful Irish organic Voya and Parisian Anne Semonin ranges.

Photograph: Dromoland Castle

Hair can also be styled on site in the salon. Let Dromoland's team suggest special ways to make your day memorable- why not have one of the owls or hawks from the School of Falconry deliver your rings? Nothing is impossible at Dromoland.

Photograph: Dromoland Castle

Outside the walls of the Dromoland estate, County Clare itself has numerous delights to explore. The Burren Smokehouse in Lisdoonvarna is one of those.

Birgitta Hedin-Curtin is the founder (along with husband Peter) and managing director of the business. Although born and raised in her native Sweden there is no mistaking her rolling Irish accent; albeit interspersed with Swedish vowels. Her passion for Ireland and Irish produce shines through as if she has lived there all her life. She is extremely proud of her salmon that has been born, cared for and smoked on Irish shores with local oak shavings; and so she should be. Her premium, organic and sustainably-sourced wild salmon is delicious; and even the Queen thinks so, as she enjoyed their wild salmon during two meals on her state visit to the country. Do not return home from County Clare without stocking up at The Burren Smokehouse first. It can also be mail-ordered at www.burrensmokehouse.ie, and is available from Fortnum & Mason. Shop for their Irish Organic Irish Smoked Salmon at Fortnum & Mason.

Dromoland Castle
Enjoy two nights at Dromoland Castle in a Queen Anne room including full Irish breakfast each morning and dinner one evening in the Earl of Thomond restaurant for £350 per person. For bookings call 0800 056 7434 or visit www.dromoland.ie.
* Valid for travel from June until 30 September 2011

Tourism Ireland

For more information about holidays and visiting Ireland call 0800 039 7000 or visit www.discoverireland.com.

Review: Twinkle Magazine Fashion & Beauty Pop-Up Fair (Glasgow)

A fabulous time was had at the Twinkle Magazine Fashion & Beauty Pop-up Fair in Glasgow; despite the appalling weather.

Jaspreet Kaur was there with her gorgeous Indian-inspired jewellery and accessories. Her brightly coloured pieces would brighten up any outfit. To purchase her range visit her Facebook page- Jewel In A Lotus.

Photograph: Jaspreet Kaur

Amazing dress and corset designer/maker Robert Leop was also present with many of his designs. He also takes commissions too; so look no further if you are seeking for that special outfit. Email his at robertleop@gmail.com.

Photographs: Robert Leop

Potty Loz Workshop was also there with their cute ceramic jewellery and trinket boxes. We love their brooches; and at only £3.50 they are a bargain! To purchase visit their Facebook page: Potty Loz Workshop.

Photographs: Potty Loz Workshop

Our Editor Laura Pearson was also there with her handmade jewellery line Jewels By Laura. The vintage and retro inspired pieces are must-haves. Necklaces such as the Alice In Wonderland collection are just £8.50; and rings and hair clips are just £5. To contact Jewels By Laura visit: www.jewelsbylaura.co.uk.