A day out with some fellow bloggers checking out some of the best shopping in the world (may be a slight exaggeration there!).
The day started with a visit to Kimbles in St Enoch Centre. I regularly drool over the beautiful chocolates posted on their Instagram feed, so a look at these was a must. That and some heavenly chai spiced hot chocolate to start the day (and warm me up!)
I didn’t know that they had a mezzanine floor, and what a view!
I loved the shop, full of foodie gifts and chocolate. Make sure to try some, especially the chilli truffle. Mr Foodie was called to meet me afterwards to get a little box of treats for Christmas.
No Christmas shopping is complete without a visit to Santa. The elves at Hamleys are suitably crazy, sorry I mean…special. We met Nigel and Glitzy as well as the man himself!
We got to find out what the “in toys ” are for kids this year (and no I hadn’t heard of any of them!). I quite liked the look of the moving Minion and Bb8..for the niece of course!
St Enoch Shopping Centre
Location: St Enoch Shopping Centre Saint Enoch Shopping Centre, 55 St Enoch Square, City Centre, Glasgow G1 4BW
Next stop was House for Fraser on Buchanan Street to visit the new Charlotte Tilbury concession.
Now if you’ve met me, you’ll know I’m not a big girlie girl (short hair, comfy shoes – I’d rather have that extra 20 mins in my bed!) but I loved Charlotte’s shop.
The old-style Hollywood glamour and the friendly staff helped a lot. However it was the make-up demo that grabbed me. I buy make-up and when I try the “smokey eye” look, I end up looking like someone has punched me. I missed the ‘be a girl’ day at school! We were shown the Dolce Vita look. The day look was gorgeous.
Our model for the day with the before and after. Not too much on to scare me, but enough to look polished and smart.
Now if only I could get the ladies to come to mine every morning!
Ive booked myself in for an appointment to see if they can show me their tricks.
House of Fraser
Location: House of Fraser 45 Buchanan St, Glasgow G1 3HL
It was soon time to move on to Argyll Arcade. A stunning building and a timeless classic in Glasgow. Looking beautiful dressed up for Christmas.
A wander around ROX looking at all the glistening jewellery. Upstairs the Laurent Perrier Bar was a hidden gem. Festive and glamorous.
They also sell candles, with patchouli being my favourite.
Argyll Arcade
Location: Argyll Arcade, 42 Argyll Arcade, Glasgow G2 8BG
Hours: Mon 1000-1730, Tue 1000-1730, Wed 1000-1730, Thu 1000-1900, Fri 1000-1730, Sat 0900-1800, Sun 1100-1800
Secret Santa time was here with each of us given a Buchanan Galleries voucher to buy a fellow blogger a present or presents.
We split up checking out the various shops from Boots to Tiger to Boux Avenue. Lots of different shops to buy something gifty in.
My gifts were suitably foodie and something I can use. I’m looking forward to an excuse to sit with the chocolate teddy.
We all moved onto visit the christmas shop at John Lewis. Surrounded by the music from their Christmas advert (you can buy soft toys, with 10% donated to The Wildlife Trust, baby grows and more) we immersed ourselves in their huge selection of baubles.
There are five tree styles:
The Grand Tour is designed to be child-friendly with felt animal decorations.
Ostravia harks back to 1930’s styling with retro baubles and feathers.
Ruskin House is a traditional styled tree with a nod to the arts and crafts movement.
Chamonix style tree has alpine and ski motifs
Snowshill reflects the snowy hills of the countryside..
Lots of traditional decorations.
Merchandise from the John Lewis Christmas advert including Otto and Olivia the fox pyjamas.
Buchanan Galleries
Location: Buchanan Galleries 220 Buchanan St, Glasgow G1 2FF
Opening Hours:Mon 1000-1900, Tue 1000-1900, Wed 1000-1900, Thu 1000-2000, Fri 1000-1900, Sat 1000-1900, Sun 1000-1800
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After all that shopping it was time for a treat. Some cocktails at The Restaurant Bar and Grill in Princes Square.
Princes Square always looks good at Christmas.
Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh cocktails. Recipes to come soon.
Princes Square
Address: Princes Square, 48 Buchanan St, Glasgow G1 3JN
Hours: Mon 1000-1900, Tue 1000-1900, Wed 1000-1900, Thu 1000-1900, Fri 1000-1900, Sat 0900-1800, Sun 1100-1700
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There are loads of great things to do in Glasgow this Christmas, click to find out more about Glasgow Loves Christmas.