Pringle of Scotland

kaimc — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 05:57:05 +0000

Over the past two years it’s seemed as if Pringle of Scotland has been on a never-ending project of transformation, from 196-year-old Scottish heritage brand to relevant and fashion-forward knitwear favorite, beginning with the adoption of Tilda Swinton as face of the line in 2009, not to mention the appointment of former Balenciaga designer Alistair Carr as design director earlier this year. This week the label has launched the Archive Collection, a capsule collection in collaboration with Central Saint Martins MA Fashion students which sees the students revisit the depths of the company’s archives in an attempt to create a modern update on the company’s cashmere knits and prints.
Details, details, details, this way >>
In total 12 pieces were created by five design students under the supervision of course director Prof Louise Wilson as well as knitwear experts from the company. The collection features many of the hallmarks of Pringle’s traditional style, including cashmere twinsets, the company’s signature lion motif and lots of bright patchwork argyles – but, of course, with a far more refreshing and modern slant.
The Archive Collection

Coming soon to wish4a…

kaimc — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 06:36:59 +0000

Scottish Slate – see our new range.

Christmas Fun & Shopping Events

kaimc — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 08:10:40 +0000

Great Scottish Santa Run
Events > Edinburgh’s Christmas > Great Scottish Santa Run
• West Princes Street Gardens, by the Ross Bandstand
• Sunday 12 December
• 11am, registration opens from 9am
• £10 adults – includes Santa suit to keep
• £5 children – includes Christmas hat to keep
• All participants will receive a medal
• Register at www.thesantarun.org.uk
Edinburgh’s Farmers Markets
Events > Christmas Markets > Edinburgh’s Farmers Markets
• Castle Terrace
• Every Saturday
• 9am – 2pm (except 26 Dec, 2 Jan)
• Free
• www.edinburghfarmersmarket.co.uk
This year, there will be a special Christmas Market on Thursday 23 December on Castle Terrace from 9am to 2pm.

Traditional Christmas Market – Glasgow – St. Enoch Square
For the 6th time Glasgow will be welcoming a traditional Christmas Market. This year it will be again on St. Enoch’s Square. With numerous traders from all over Europe and of course also highly qualified Scottish craftspeople, visitors can enjoy the festive atmosphere of the yule-tide.
East London Design Fair (3-5 Dec), Shoreditch Town Hall, 380 Old Street, EC1. An annual event that brings together the best of the UK’s independent designers of furniture, accessories and jewellery. www.eastlondondesignshow.co.uk

Clarendon Cross Christmas Shopping Fair( 7 Dec, 5-8.30pm), London W11
Seasonal refreshments and discounts are on offer from the shops taking part, including Summerill & Bishop and Stephen Ryan. www.summerillandbishop.com

‘New Bloomsbury’ Christmas Shopping Evening ( 9 Dec, 4-8pm), Rugby Street & Lambs Conduit St. Tucked away in Georgian London, this network of independent one-off shops and galleries promise a festive shopping evening with music and merriment. www.benpentreath.com
Cologne Christmas Market (until 23 Dec), Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1. A traditional German Christmas market with hand-crafted gifts and seasonal comestibles. www.southbankcentre.co.uk

Detox with Amanda Hamilton at Stobo Castle

kaimc — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 06:46:36 +0000

Monday afternoon and the detox begins…Amanda arrives to review my health & fitness levels and she is the best advert for her detox plan; slim but not skinny, luminous skin and full of energy.
She talks me through the program – mainly fresh fruit and vegetable drinks with supplements. I am left with a juice schedule and we agree to meet the following month for a catch up on my progress.
My first juice (5pm) is surprisingly tasty and at 6pm I have some hot vegetable soup in the dining room. Stobo staff make sure no other diners are eating at this time, however I was sorely tempted to steal some bread from the next table. My last juice is delivered to my room at 8pm, this one is hot and quite spicy. I down with my 2 supplements and that’s all I am getting today!
Tuesday starts with hot water and fresh lemon juice arriving at 8am. I also have a skin brush in my room which I have a quick go with and then decide it just makes my dry skin look worse. My juice and supplements start at 8.30am – courgette, apple and orange (delish) and then I am off for my full body massage. The treatment was wonderful but I did struggle not to crave coffee during the treatment as I normally start my day with a double shot.
At 11am I have another juice and again at 2.30pm, consequently I don’t actually feel very hungry which was one of my main concerns. Nevertheless I do have a coffee headache (or lack of). Next up is my Darphin facial which is glorious – kiwi and pomegranate re hydrate my skin and the therapist has helped my headache with her soothing head massage.
After pretty constant rain the sun has come out so I am off for a walk around the stunning grounds. I could take a bike ride then again.. Amanda did warn me not to be too energetic during the detox. I return for my 5pm drink and it’s not long before my hot soup. The entertainment tonight is something to do with crystals – not really my thing so I decide to retire to my room and read. The rooms in Castle Lodge are small and basic but very comfortable and much less expensive than rooms in the actual castle.
Wednesday morning and YIPEE I can have some breakfast. Amanda warned me that I would not be very hungry and she was right! Although I did have 2 black coffees (heaven). A great extra when you stay at Stobo is that a lovely chap washes your car for you (real treat for my little SLK as last washed in 2008).
Before leaving you must visit Duncan the in house hairdresser to complete your stay.
I left feeling very clean (inside and out) and refreshed and have already requested dates for Amanda’s next 6 day detox..
Not sure I would manage it without the staff, treatments and hospitality of Stobo which helps takes your mind of food or coffee..Strangely enough I did not miss wine and continued to eat well and drink no alcohol for another 4 days.
http://www.stobocastle.co.uk/Tariffs/amanda_hamilton

Coming soon to wish4a…

kaimc — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 06:27:44 +0000

A new look for wish4a.com – we are going minimalist with colour and maxing up on style trends and advice. Look out for our review of the Amanda Hamilton Detox.
We are also launching our new product range focusing on lifestyle gifts for grown ups (baby and children’s gifts are all reduced to clear).

Design trends for 2011

kaimc — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 08:09:36 +0000

Soften / Energize / Excite are keywords for 2011.

Colors will be translated by treatment and finishing, integrated into the material as a part of the fabric.
Colors will be described by words like airy, waxy, silky…

When the environmental account is to be settled regarding a new product, more and more elements will be on the plate: energy consumption, disposal after use, waste materials, ecologically benign and renewable fibers,…
The interior designer’s role will be still more complex, being a part of the effort of “greening” the fashion world.
The task is, above all, to design products in first-class materials and production with aesthetic qualities in order to create lasting emotional and functional relationship between the object and the user.

“Slow fashion” will develop from being a buzzword to signifying quality in production and product. E.g. working to turn artisan crafts into fashion – and into profit for the locals – and to producing long lasting fabrics and clothing.

Different materials will only be blended for performance purposes, special effects etc, and preferably components that are to be taken care of and disposed of in the same way. On one hand “loom state” fabrics and natural color cottons awaken significant interest, on the other finishing and refinements are still developed and sophisticated. Feel good luxury sense is essential for our choices.
Design for delight!

flutter wall design

Glamour and comfort

kaimc — Mon, 10 May 2010 06:50:18 +0000

velvet warmth

One of the five main interior trends for 2010 was country house glamour encapsulated beautifully above.
Bold splashes of elegant muted shades will give your home a country house feel without looking like you’re showing off. Velvet is used to add some luxury.

Autumn trend…an alternative to fur

kaimc — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 07:15:24 +0000

Velvet just might be the most polarizing textile of them all. For some of us, the tufted fabric is an unpleasant reminder of the stiff party dresses donned for the yearly family photo shoot. For others it’s the ultimate luxury. For autumn designers who don’t use fur looked for fabrics that feel as rich and soft to the touch.

A return to elegance and a sense of relaxed glamour all around is the reason for the fabric’s current popularity. This isn’t the velvet you remember: Curve-enhancing jewel-toned evening dresses popped up at D& G, while Alexander Wang turned out plush trousers that were cool enough to dispel even the ugliest school-era memories. My question is how will this elegant trend reproduce itself in the home?

Velvet red carpet style

Afternoon Tea for Charity

kaimc — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 06:37:59 +0000

Prêt a Portea

3pm – 6pm Sunday 23^rd May 2010

The George Hotel, Edinburgh

There cannot be many better ways to spend a Sunday afternoon, than enjoying a champagne afternoon tea and we know we can set the scene for a truly memorable day.

We’ll add in a fashion show staged by the Glasgow based design house Che Camille, supported by Boudiche who will show off their beautiful lingerie. In addition to being able to purchase items from Camille and Boudiche, we are delighted to have pop up shops from wish4a, Nova Handbags, Jewellery from Cyon and the lovely girls from Absolute Nails and Beauty will be there to provide some pampering.

The best part is that we will be raising funds for The Princess Royal Trust for Carers.

Any one of us could become a carer, whether it’s with our child, sibling, parent or friend – it seldom is a role we can turn down. Every day, many carers are at breaking point for the want of some support and respite and we can play a huge part in helping them. The Trust currently helps over 49,000 adults and young carers in to cope with their caring role and there are many more carers that we would like to reach – through attending Prêt a Portea and supporting our event, we can all take part in achieving this goal.

Tickets are modestly priced at £35 per head and should you be able to round up a table of ten we can offer a discounted rate of £300 per table.

For more information or to buy tickets email Yvonne Hughes @

yhughes@carers.org

wish4a treat !

kaimc — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:32:28 +0000

Click here for a special treat at the Sheraton Edinburgh!

http://www.sheratonedinburgh.co.uk/offers-events

Afternoon tea with pink champagne. Treat your parents! What about a girlie day out – combine with spa treatments at the wonderful One Spa. Or boys how about surprising your partner – drop kids with parents and have a decadent afternoon with your loved one (gaining you major brownie points).

Remember to print the flyer to claim your free bubbly.