Hood November 2019

November 2019 Issue 12

STYLE AND LIVING SCOTLAND

ALL WRAPPED UP! FREE

TO PICK UP

Chic outfits•Winter markets Great gifts for every budget

+ YOUR INDISPENSABLE GUIDE TO THE SEASON

EDITOR’S LET TER

TAKING STOCK

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find a great deal of comfort in November. The dark nights and plummeting temperatures forcibly slow my pace, allowing me to spend more time in the sanctuary of my home without the usual associated guilt. I’ll spend much of this time reflecting on the months gone by; the challenges I’ve faced this year which, fortunately, I’ve mostly overcome. I’ll replay the cherished moments, do my best to banish any negativity, and just be. This divine sleepy lull is exactly what we need to take stock and recharge our batteries—because we all know what’s on the horizon.

Christmas has always been my favourite time of year. Writing cards, wrapping presents, adding mint syrup to hot chocolate, snuggling underneath a woollen throw watching festive films, hosting guests, whipping up canapés, mixing cocktails, silently praying for snow… As you can see, my perception of it is very “chocolate box”. That said, I know all too well that with Christmastime comes stress. That’s where this issue comes in.

We’ve made “fail to prepare, prepare to fail” our mantra and, as such, have equipped you with everything you need to navigate the Christmas period with unflappable, chic aplomb. Consider your every present dilemma sorted with our sure-to-please gift guide on p17. Having pangs of anxiety at the thought of throwing that party you committed to after a few glasses of prosecco? Fret not, for we’ve asked four esteemed experts to bestow us with their hosting knowledge on p24. If cooking isn’t your strong suit, you’ll certainly be pleased to hear the cold buffet is back on p60, but not as you know it. And, should you require additional support, our resident columnist Kirsty McWilliam shares her truly-effective stressmanagement techniques over on p29.

Granted, the further into November we delve, the busier it gets. Amidst our dashing and dining and drinking and dancing, however, it pays to remember that not everyone is in the same privileged position. Loneliness is a year-round issue that affects people of all ages, from all backgrounds but, at Christmas, the feeling of desperate isolation can be considerably heightened. On

THIS MONTH YOU’LL FIND ME…

p72, we speak to several Hood readers who know this feeling all too well, and who each, in turn, provide their tips on how to combat it.

Furthermore, on p30, we’ve taken a long, hard look at the poverty experienced by children right on our doorstep—the children for whom Santa won’t come. A difficult read it may be but we believe the merriment of the festive period needs to be measured with sombre reality. Because showing compassion to others is all that really matters now, and throughout the year.

To a very happy and healthy festive run-up minus the stress, but with plenty of heart.

Maxine Eggenberger, Editor

Jumper, £49, Warehouse

Queuing up to see Emilia Clarke’s new festive flick, Last Christmas.

Digging out my impressive collection of Fair Isle knits, which I’ll proudly wear on rotation until January 2nd.

Exploring the trails surrounding Loch Lomond with my husband and two miniature dachshunds before stopping off for lunch at The Oak Tree Inn. hood 7

TABLE OF

CONTENTS

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11 This month’s must-buy 12 The style chart 14 Choose your plus one 16 Sarah Millum of Chic Scotland Shares her November moodboard 17 The only gift guide you need 24 How to host 29 Harness your stress With resident coach, Kirsty McWilliam 30 Do they know it’s Christmastime at all?

Scotland’s child poverty pandemic 34 Playlist 25 Hood reads, guest-edited by author Catriona Innes 36 Reach out and touch me Autumn’s top texture trends 43 Shop the shoot 44 Winter’s #1 coat 46 To be adorned The sublime storytelling of Laings fine jewellery

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51 50 Ask Dr. Judy Demystifying the skin peel 51 Pumpkin spice lips 52 Prep and prime Pre-party beauty rituals 54 Dream liners 55 The beauty edit 56 Be our guest Interiors to inspire 59 Table manners 60 Amazing graze The sleek resurgence of the buffet 62 This month’s must do 64 The Hood to-do list 66 Dial up your downtime 68 Bewitched by Berlin The ultimate festive experience 72 Lonely this Christmas…?

74 Danny Wallace Rediscovers the defining tastes of his childhood

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Editor: Maxine Eggenberger Designer: Emma Goodman Style editor: Laura Mearns Lifestyle & digital editor: Gillian McDonald Partnerships managers: Sarah Fraser and Sarah Ferguson Published by Miller Mitchell Media Limited, 2 The Old Engine House, Eskmills, Station Road, Musselburgh, EH21 7PB Tel: 0131 273 5245. Email: accounts@hoodmagazine.co.uk Website: hoodmagazine.co.uk All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. All prices are correct at time of going to press but subject to change. Hood Magazine cannot be held responsible for unsolicited material. The views and opinions expressed by contributors to this magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers.

Hood Magazine takes no responsibility for claims made by advertisements in this publication. ©Miller Mitchell Media 2019

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TASTE TOMORROW TODAY. Thomson & Scott has created an entirely new sector in the wine industry with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic top quality organic and vegan certified sparkling wine that cuts unnecessary sugar and is transparent on its labelling what in the bottle. about what’s We’re obsessed with what we’re eating and want to be fit and healthy, but many of us still love a drink f rom time to time. In the search for the perfect blend of healthy hedonism, Thomson & Scott wanted to find a way of an answering this dilemma. So, it created two bottles to answer the question: Thomson & Scott Prosecco has become a by-word in the media for drinking better. It has changed consumer attitudes to Prosecco both in the UK and around the world.

T homson & Scott Noughty proves that you can have a delicious and beautifully designed bottle that is a brilliant non-alcoholic alternative.

Please drink responsibly. www.drinkaware.co.uk

WWW.THOMSONANDSCOTT.COM

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STYLE CHART

Your must-have fashion and beauty buys, in-store and online now…

PJ PARTY

Cosying up indoors this November? Do it in style, and swap out your old PJs for something a whole lot chicer. We’re in love with these sumptuous satin pyjamas from stylish Scottish brand Fèleil, which will make snuggling up on the sofa, or lazy winter mornings in bed, much easier on the eyes.

Pyjamas, £45 Feleil.com

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Boots, £59, Faith at Debenhams

L’Oreal Paris Color Riche Ultra-Matte Nude Lipstick in No Judgement, £7.99, Lookfantastic.com

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4 Headband, £8, Very.co.uk

5 6 Cardigan, £89, Somerset by Alice Temperley at John Lewis & Partners

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WOMANHOOD

Dress, £75, & Other Stories

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Benefit Cookie highlighter, £26, Lookfantastic.com

Skirt, £35, Oasis

Coat, £199, Hobbs

8 Hair bow, £15, Oliver Bonas

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Urban Decay Stay Naked foundation, £29.50, Boots

12 Bag, £16, belt, £7, and shoes, £35, all Dorothy Perkins

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@aimeesong

£69.99, Zara

£19.50, Marks & Spencer

@aimeesong

£295, Staud

£65, Topshop

CHOOSE YOUR PLUS ONE

These add-ons are sure to get you in the party spirit…

£59.99, Mango

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WOMANHOOD

£32, Skinny Dip

£49.99, Zara

@monikh

£95, LK Bennett

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hether you live for getting dressed up in embellished frocks or prefer to keep things on the subtle side with straight-leg jeans and a silk blouse, we all know it’s accessories that maketh the outfit. And with party season fast approaching, there’s a bounty of beautiful shoes and bags to be had. Footwear errs on the standout side with jewel heels, satin fabrics and metallic finishes. The arm candy is just as extra, with velvet, glitter and pearls as standard. The big question is, will you opt for a shoe or bag? Both it is then.

£315, Rixo

£26, Next

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I’ll be relaxing…

At a wonderful retreat at Arisaig House, run by The Body Toolkit.

Starts November 22 with the amazing Katrina Mather, for an emotional and physical boost.

I’ll be sipping…

Expertly made Old Fashioneds, always with an orange twist.

MY NOVEMBER

MOODBOARD

I’ll be decorating…

My home with a framed piece of the Gucci Heron wallpaper featured in the House of Gods hotel, a luxurious and fun new hotel in Edinburgh I stayed in recently. It’s quite a statement.

Dress, £690, Solacelondon.com

I’ll be coveting…

A few of the stunning dresses from Solace for my birthday celebrations – I’m a sucker for anything asymmetrical with a puffy sleeve.

I’ll be wearing…

My go-to everyday wear from Marks and Spencer – they are working really hard to keep up with the trends. I couldn’t live a life without M&S!

Chic Scotland

S I’ll be listening to…

H.E.R.’s stunning, calming voice is the perfect driving soundtrack. Listed to ‘Best Part’ or ‘Focus’ - wow.

I’ll be planning…

For my milestone birthday, the big 40. On the bucket list is The Machrie on the Isle of Islay for modern luxury, or a medieval banquet at the decadent Borthwick Castle for something more traditional.

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arah Millum, the brains behind @chicscotland - the hand-picked guide curating the country’s best places to eat, meet and sleep in style - shares with us what’s on her radar for A/W 2019…

“November is still a good time to take a trip in Scotland. We’ll be marking a friend’s 40th by hiring a beautiful lodge in the countryside. We’ve chosen Foss House, near Pitlochry. There’s a hot tub and real fires, then we’ll cook up a storm on the Aga and drink lots of wine. We may attempt a bracing walk up Schiehallion, if just to relieve us of the guilt of all the wine. Warning: not all holiday houses in Scotland are built the same, check the Chic Scotland website for the stylish ones worth your dollar!” www.chicscotland.com

Merry Christmas!

We’ve got your Christmas shopping wrapped up with our expertly-curated edit of gifts your nearest and dearest are guaranteed to love‌

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NEIGHBOURHOOD 3

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STYLE MAVEN W BLO

Whether a trend trailblazer or classicist, the woman who appreciates every facet of fashion and beauty is sure to love these treasures.

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T GIFT

1 Leather purse, £175, A.P.C. at Epitome • 2 Earrings, £7, Next • 3 Herbivore Prism Exfoliating Glow Serum, £44, Space NK • 4 Pyjamas, £24.99, H&M • 5 Shoes, £59, Charles & Keith • 6 Luxe Gems Eye Shadow Palette, £59, Bobbi Brown • 7 Coat, £85, Topshop • 8 Jumper, £69, & Other Stories • 9 Spa vouchers, from £50, Fletcherscottagespa.com •10 Eyelash curler, £30, Hourglass Cosmetics • 11 Leather bag, £335, Elleme at Harvey Nichols 18 hood

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WELL-TURNED-OUT GENT Be he 16 or 65, bestow him with the gift of style with these thoughtful presents.

If in doubt, go for the turntable…

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1 Tu Casa Mi Casa Mexican Recipes For The Home Cook Book, £30, Phaidon at Amazon.co.uk • 2 Turntable, £99.99, Jamaudio.com • 3 Playing cards, £15, David Shrigley at Tate.org.uk • 4 KeepCup Original Reusable Coffee Cup, £12, John Lewis & Partners • 5 Backpack, £60, Herschel • 6 Jumper, £30, Topman • 7 Oro gin, £38, Orogin.co.uk • 8 Longines VHP conquest watch 43mm, £980, Laings • 9 Dior Savage Eau de Toilette,100ml, £76, Feelunique.com • 10 Trainers, £39.99, Zara Man hood 19

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INTERIOR OBSESSIVE

If their aesthetic is hotel chic with soul, anyone who’s house-proud will appreciate these interior staples.

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7 9 8 1 Mug, £12, Urban Outfitters • 2 Cushion £29.99 Zara Home • 3 Throw, £49.99, Malagoon.com • 4 Drinks trolley, £149, Very.co.uk 5 Handwash, £9.99, Scottish Fine Soaps • 6 Three-wick candle, £29.95, Blomus at Trouva.com • 7 Velvet armchair, £395, Oliver Bonas • 8 Vase, £60, Quail • 9 Dish, £60, BoConcept 20 hood

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EFFORTLESS HOST

Usually found whipping up gourmet meals with borderline-irritating ease or mixing drinks for guests, these gifts are sure to please every willing entertainer.

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GIFT

1 Champagne saucers set of four, £34, Oliver Bonas • 2 Serving board, £30 Habitat • 3 Cast iron pot, £49.50, Marks & Spencer • 4 Juicer, £129.95, Zara Home • 5 Apron, £17.99, H&M • 6 Seven Crofts handcrafted dry gin, £40, Highlandliquorcompany.com • 7 Serving spoons, £9.99, H&M • 8 Klevering salt and pepper shakers, £17, Arket • 9 Spice rack with jars, £44.95, Baytreeinteriors.co.uk • 10 Ooni wood-fired outdoor pizza oven, £199, Lakeland • 11 Table runner, £16, John Lewis & Partners hood 21

A warm country house, a Scottish adventure, a glamorous retreat. Gleneagles is a five-star hotel like no other.

From wee stocking fillers to gifts that will knock their socks off - our vouchers make a special surprise on Christmas morning. From shooting, golfing and fishing lessons to Afternoon Tea for two, and from beauty experiences at Bob and Cloche to monetary vouchers from ÂŁ50 to ÂŁ5,000, we have gift vouchers for every kind of adventure.

Visit Gleneagles.com

FOR THE

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KIDS

From baby to teen, we’ve taken all the effort out of finding the perfect gift for the little ones in your life. Santa will be proud…

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1 Cardigan, £14.99, H&M Kids • 2 Rattle, £20, Scandiborn.co.uk • 3 Tulle skirt, £40, Boden • 4 Dinosaur toy, £14.99, Bestyears.co.uk • 5 Coat, £38, The White Company • 6 Play kitchen, £60, IKEA • 7 Jon Klassen’s Hat Box, £26, Waterstones • 8 Hat and mittens set, £12, John Lewis & Partners • 9 Beats Pill+, £179.95, Apple •10 Twister edge rollerblades, £269.99, Rollerblade.com • 11 Popcorn maker, £29.99, Wayfair.co.uk •12 Let’s Take A Mini Trip makeup gift set, £17.50, Benefit •13 Initial necklace, £51, Pdpaola.com • 14 Micro Flex Deluxe Scooter, £179, John Lewis • 15 Exploding Kittens card game, £19.99, Waterstones

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DON’T FORGET THE FURBABIES

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An animal is for life, and we’ll be treating ours to these haute pet treats 2 3

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1 Pet bed, £49.99, Animaly.co.uk • 2 Dog bowl, £28, Amara.com • 3 Chicken roll dog biscuits, £8.99, Mutts & Hounds • 4 Catnip toy, £4, Notonthehighstreet.com • 5 Dog jumper, £9.99, John Lewis & Partners • 6 Jax Bones dog toy, £12, Aurorapets.co.uk

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DEFINE YOUR BUDGET Before you even start thinking about the canapés you’ll serve and the cocktails you’ll shake, you first need to identify your budget and stick to it.

Divide your total budget into categories; food, drink, decor, and any additional costs, and don’t waver. Keep receipts, as it’s harder to disregard your spending when you have hard proof in hand.

HOW TO HOST From intimate gatherings to sophisticated soirées with a 100-strong guest-list, however you plan on entertaining this festive season, our exclusive hosting guide will ensure your attendees are left in awe from start to finish…

INVITATIONS Nothing sets the tone for an occasion quite like the initial invitation. If you want to create an occasion your guests will remember for years to come, forgo group messages and instead invest in the real thing. “Use your stationery to give a subtle hint to the decor of your theme, be it fresh foliage, crisp white, or traditional red and gold”, suggests Kirsty Brannagan, the skilled pen behind Edinburgh-based calligraphy company, Olivia Hope Calligraphy.

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WOMANHOOD

FAVOURS You needn’t be made of money to give your guests a memento to take home at the end of the night. You don’t want something they’ll simply stuff in a drawer when they get home, which is why food is an excellent option. Why not bake cookies, parcel them up in brown paper, and tie them with twine?

DRINKS

Drinks are often a stumbling point for many hosts, with cost proving to be a major concern for most. That said, you don’t need a full-stocked bar to appease. Beer and wine are essential, and there’s hardly a drink that can’t be mixed without either vodka, gin, or whisky. “Christmas-themed drinks are always fun and make for an Instagrammable shot”, advises Ben Iravani, owner of Aberdeen’s most glamorous cocktail bar, Orchid.

Allow your guests to do the hard work by creating a garnish station, stocked with everything from cinnamon and berries to lemon wedges and rosemary sprigs.

MUSIC

Your guests will take their cues from the music you play. If you want refined, engaged conversation, keep the tempo low, but not so low that it sends them into a slumber. If you want dancing, choose songs with an easy to follow beat with a subtle base undertone, so as not to drive your neighbours up the wall. The key is to create a tasteful playlist that includes a mix of genres; this will stop the atmosphere from becoming stale. If budgets and space allow, entertainment can be wonderful.

Whether you favour a jazz singer or a DJ it gives your evening a real talkability factor and will mark it in your guests’ memories for years to come. hood 25

WOMANHOOD

GUEST LIST

DRESS CODE

Seldom does the opportunity present itself to properly dress up, which is why we suggest making the most of this one.

If you do send out invites, ensure you make your desired dress code clear.

There’s no harm in suggesting garments either; “ties aren’t essential but very much appreciated”, for example.

Hosting can be stressful enough, so it certainly pays to give thorough consideration to your guest list. You need to think about who will gel with whom–particularly if a seating plan is involved. In an ideal situation, each attendee should know at least one person other than yourself who they can speak to initially while you’re topping up drinks or preparing food. It also pays to invite people you know are comfortable leading conversations. “If you invite engaging people, you and your guests will have a good time’’, confides Eric Garner, General Manager of Edinburgh’s favourite eatery, The Ivy on the Square. “I’d also suggest, for larger events, inviting 20% more guests than you want, as you’ll inevitably have last-minute drop outs”.

LIGHTING

As far as ambience goes, lighting is just as important (if not more so) than music. If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace, use it. Overhead lighting should remain off—instead, let light spill out from underneath floor lights, low-slung lampshades, candles, and simple Christmas tree lights.

DECORATIONS You’ll be pleased to hear that, when it comes to party decor, less is most definitely more. If you want to adorn the outside of your home, stick to simple warm white lighting—feel free to skip the icicle variety. On your door, a simple wreath or spruce branches held together at the stems with cream ribbon will suffice. Inside, fill jars and vases with foliage and berries—either white or red, depending on your preference—and place on every empty surface.

FOOD For bigger gatherings where a sit-down dinner just isn’t possible, instead consider creating a bountiful grazing table instead. Over on p60, we spoke with Gaynor Kay, founder of The Good Graze, who specialises in blending centrepiece styling with delicious food. hood 27

HOW TO MAKE STRESS WORK FOR YOU If you Google stress, there are over one billion results. Even medics can’t agree if stress is the problem, or a symptom of problems. No wonder we use the word frequently, often not being able to articulate what we actually mean.

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he definition of “stress” is a reaction to any change in our physical, mental or emotional responses. In terms of emotional intelligence we look at “stress tolerance”, which is the capacity to cope with stressful situations, but with the added belief that we can manage or influence in a positive way.

Before we kick off with the “problem” side of things, it’s important to understand stress is, and has for a long time, been a part of everyday life. It is referenced back as far as caveman times—think the fight or flight response.

As a coach, when a client talks about stress, I seek to understand by asking; “What triggered this, what emotions are you feeling and what can you do about it?”.

To tell someone to stop being stressed is not helpful at all but, to ask them, or yourself, what triggered this and how you feel, and what is in your control will help you both

understand the root of it.

When we feel in control of a situation we can cope with stress but, when we feel out of control, that’s when we can become overwhelmed. As such, stress can be linked to control and the need to be in control.

Let’s look at a simple example of hosting a party. I love hosting but with it brings a whole lot of stress. “Do I have enough food?

What if I run out of drinks? Will everyone enjoy themselves?”. These questions will whirr around in my head in the lead up.

Then, right on cue, my stress triggers.

Educator, author and businessman Stephen Covey created a useful model called the “Circle of Concern”. At its core, it asks us to list our concerns then filters them into what we can influence and what we can control. If we can’t influence or control them, we need to let them go. If we don’t, this is where stress can creep in.

Back to the party example, let’s look at my main concerns; food, drink and everyone getting along. Using Stephen’s model, I should first focus on the things I can control. Food—I’ll stockpile the cupboards full of shop-bought goodies should my home cooking fail (as it very well could!). As for drink, it’s not quite as easy to stockpile as my friends have the magic

WOMANHOOD In par tnership with Coaching Direct

Want to explore further?

Subscribe to Coaching Direct’s Emotional Intelligence podcasts and video at Coachingdirectuk.com

ability to vaporise even the fullest wine rack, but I’ll do my best to buy in enough…

Now, can I influence everyone to have fun? No, but I can influence the environment. My guestlist can be made up of people who already know each other and get on. I can attempt to steer chat away from Brexit and arrange for the kids to be entertained. But I can’t control whether they enjoy themselves.

Trying fruitlessly to orchestrate an outcome of which you have no control over will cause you great anxiety. Instead, acknowledging what you don’t have control over and you’ll soon feel unburdened, ultimately less-stressed and ready to party!

Your stress management takeaway: 1. Know what your stress triggers are. If you can’t identify them, ask those closest to you to say when they recognise stress in you. Identifying the situation you were in and the behaviours you displayed will lead to a better understanding of the stress you experience.

2. Step back and ask yourself; “What can I control or influence here, and what do I need to let go of?”

3. Adopt an “I can cope with this” attitude.

Optimism is always your friend. hood 29

Do they know it’s Christmastime at all?

It should be the most wonderful time of the year but for thousands of families living in poverty here in Scotland it means anxiety about how to provide food, shelter, gifts and heat for their loved ones.

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esearch by Professor John McKendrick, of Glasgow Caledonian University, found, even in local authorities with the lowest levels of child poverty, there are areas where more than one in every four children are living in deprived circumstances. Professor McKendrick said his findings demonstrated the challenge for anti-poverty strategies to reach those most in need “as only delivering in the most deprived areas means that the majority of people experiencing poverty are beyond reach”. So, with the knowledge that the children next door might be going without this Christmas, Hood asked Professor McKendrick what can be done. Here he shares his thoughts which were written as part of Children in Scotland’s 25 Calls campaign.

LOSS OF THE VILLAGE Those of a certain age are prone to lament the demise of community and neighbourhoods where the welfare of children was the responsibility of parents, friends and wider family. Times certainly have changed, often for the better, but in some respects it would seem also for the worse.

Without doubt, our lives are more complex, faster and interconnected. And these changing times have spurred on a paradox with regards to tackling poverty–if we yearn for times when everyone was more concerned for the welfare of others, why then are we content to attribute the primary responsibility for tackling child poverty to government?

What Scots think: tackling child poverty is the business of

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government… but parents are largely to blame Every few years, the British Social Attitudes survey asks the people of Scotland (as part of its wider study) to identify who is responsible for tackling child poverty. The results are broadly stable through time.

A few years ago, I posed the same question with a few additional options to a representative sample of more than 1,000 adults in Scotland. Around three quarters of people in Scotland think that the national government (both UK and Scottish) has a responsibility, with around two thirds thinking the same for local government.

No other response gets majority support, although just under half of us think that parents have a responsibility, while a third think that both the voluntary sector and friends and relatives have accountability, and around one in five think that business has a role to play.

Interestingly, when the same Scots are asked to identify the main reason for child poverty, very few attribute it to the factors which are within the realm of government, for example “social benefits not paying enough” or “because of inequalities in society” (which could in theory be tackled through progressive taxation). Rather, we Scots are more likely to blame parents on account of perceiving them to be troubled (suffering from alcoholism, drug abuse or other addictions) or by not achieving in the labour market.

So, we look for solutions from government and blame parents… but is there another way?

SISTERHOOD

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NEIGHBOURHOOD

EXTENDING PROFESSIONAL REACH The Attainment Challenge has emphasised the importance of our education system in tackling disadvantage and enabling all of our children to realise their potential.

High profile initiatives such as free school meals for Primary 1 to 3, breakfast clubs, the Pupil Equity Fund, raising the allowance for school clothing grants and the excellent work of the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in scrutinising the cost of the school day are all making headway in overcoming the barriers faced in schools by children experiencing poverty.

However, there is another initiative that has received much less attention but is equally deserving of praise. A few years ago, the EIS teachers’ union published Face up to Child Poverty a short booklet for union members that concisely described the nature of six problems (hunger, school uniform, equipment, homework, school trips and fundraising activities) and offered succinct advice on what they could do as part of their everyday work to

income maximisation measures supporting pregnant women and families with children; and any measures taken that impact on the household income of those comprising children with protected characteristics.

This has the potential to be a game-changer.

However, these local strategies will not achieve their ends if no attempt is made to share (or grasp) ownership among the wider population and interest groups. A local strategy that is a showcase and blueprint for the good work of local authorities is interesting and valuable, but also insufficient.

Local strategies need to belong to everyone and we need to ensure that professions, communities and interest groups are as central to these 32 strategies as local authority/NHS departments and budgets.

Everyday impacts every day: the way ahead for tackling child poverty in Scotland What I am suggesting amounts to a cultural change. Some might argue that these are difficult to achieve, but we have had one already – we now accord responsibility for tackling child poverty to the disconnected apparatus of government,

“This has the potential to be a game-changer” ameliorate, avoid or eradicate a poverty-related problem.

Tackling poverty must be systemic and systematic. However, there is also a pressing need for actions that seem incidental, and which are rooted in interpersonal interaction and everyday contexts.

Much progress could be made in improving the lives of Scotland’s most disadvantaged children if other professional groups followed the lead of the EIS and practitioners acted on the good advice therein.

MAKING AN IMPACT LOCALLY On 18 December 2017 the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017 received Royal Assent, making the historical commitment to “eradicate” child poverty in Scotland by 2030. This due process followed the passing of the Child Poverty (Scotland) Bill on 8 November 2017, with 115 MSPs voting in favour and none against.

Most significantly, each local authority and each relevant Health Board must prepare a local child poverty action report, as soon as is practicable after the end of each reporting year.

This should comprise (in relation to tackling child poverty): any measures taken during the reporting year; any measures that it proposes to take; any

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whereas once it was viewed as the responsibility of close-knit communities working collectively. Things are not so good now that we should continue on regardless and things were never so good that we should aspire to return to the past. Rather, Scotland’s children deserve a better future and we need a third dimension that builds on both the interventions of government and everyday community support.

This means all of those who engage with children should be thinking about what they can do to ameliorate or even tackle poverty through their everyday interactions with children experiencing poverty, be they butchers, bakers or candlestick makers (and, of course, caterers, doctors, youth workers, shop assistants, teachers, bus drivers, and so on). We also need to hold government to account.

It is laudable that the Scottish Government has committed the nation to eradicate child poverty by 2030. It is exciting that Scotland’s 32 local authorities (alongside their NHS partners) will be developing their own action plan to tackle child poverty locally.

But it will be shameful if we don’t all contribute to capitalising on the opportunity that presents to realise a child poverty-free Scotland within a generation.

Find out more at Childreninscotland.org.uk

SISTERHOOD

Facts and figures from Scottish charity Withkids.org.uk

3£10,000 year olds in households with incomes below

2.5

are

times more like to suffer chronic illness

220,000 of Scotland’s children are officially recognised as living in poverty

512 £500 32% By the age of

children living in poverty lag

months behind more affluent peers in terms of school readiness and attainment

Half of Scottish parents will spend

or more this Christmas

of parents said that thinking about their finances around the Christmas period makes them feel stressed

Ways to help children in poverty this Christmas Donate: Justgiving.com/withkids Donate food: Trusselltrust.org Donate toiletries: Beautybanks.org.uk

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EMELI SANDÉ

One of Hood’s celebrity fans, Emeli Sandé has two Scottish dates this November that are selling out fast. Enjoy an intimate evening with the songs you know and love from Aberdeen’s biggest name, as well as previews of new tracks from her upcoming album, ‘Real Life’.

17 November 7pm, Usher Hall, Edinburgh and 19 November 6.30pm, SEC Armadillo, Glasgow

BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB

Indie darlings Bombay Bicycle Club take to the stage at Dundee’s Caird Hall, bringing with them their signature jangly indie-pop sounds.

Take yourself back to the mid-2000s and hit the dancefloor!

5 November 7pm, Dundee Caird Hall

PLAYLIST

The gigs you’ll want to be front-row for this November…

REX ORANGE COUNTY

Too-cool-for-school readers will be all over this one; get your ticket to the Barrowlands for an evening of warm, lo-fi chamber pop from the ‘poster boy of sad pop’.

24 November 7pm, Barrowlands, Glasgow

GERRY CINNAMON

Expect a barnstormer of a show from Scotland’s musical raconteur Gerry Cinnamon. A singalong fest for sure, this is one you’re bound to get all fired up for! Support comes from The Coral so definitely one for indie lovers nationwide.

23 November 6.30pm, P&J Live Aberdeen

SIGRID

Norwegian musical ingenue Sigrid comes to Edinburgh for an evening of twinkling synth-pop, electro-pop bangers and epic love songs with a contemporary twist.

26 November 7pm, Usher Hall, Edinburgh 34 hood

BJÖRK

Taking to the stage with her immersive theatrical tour ‘Cornucopia’, Bjork’s first show in Scotland since 2007 is sure to be an extravaganza to remember. Expect the unexpected!

25 November 6.30pm, SSE Hydro, Glasgow

THIS MONTH IN THE ‘HOOD

reads

Ahead of the launch of her debut novel, The Matchmaker, breakout author Catriona Innes shares her must-read books for the month of November…

THREE WOMEN, LISA TADDEO A novel about sex and desire... but about as far away from Fifty Shades as you can get.

It follows the real-life sexual histories of three women, over a span of ten years, all of whom have different wants and needs. It’s as compulsive as fiction but because it’s all true there were paragraphs I was highlighting as they were so relatable.

Out now, £9.99, Bloomsbury THE HUNTING PARTY, LUCY FOLEY I love to sit on a rainy, winter’s day and just consume a thriller in one day. You never remember much about them afterwards but that’s the joy of them. They’re the one thing that actually helps me escape from reality. This one is about a group of seven friends who hire a cottage in the Scottish wilderness for the New Year, and one of them is found dead. It has quite a lot of Scottish cliches in it, admittedly, but I was racing through it to find out what happens. And have also, oddly, decided to go away to the Highlands for New Year…

Out now, £12.99, HarperCollins THE FAMILIARS, STACEY HALLS Historical novels are not my thing at all. So I normally wouldn’t pick up a book set during the Pendle Witch trials (and disclaimer: the reason I did is because Stacey is in my writing group). But despite being set in a time I know little about, it’s so relatable and feminist - following two women (who really existed) trying to help each other from the expectations of being a woman at that time (which parallel a lot of the pressures facing women today.) It’s also evokes stormy evenings inside mansions with the fire-lit, which makes it an ideal winter read. Out now, £8.99, Zaffre

PHOTOGRAPHY: SARAH BRICK

THE LOST ART OF KEEPING SECRETS, EVA RICE This is one of the only books I’ve read again and again. It’s set in a crumbling English mansion, just as the UK is coming out of the second world war and it follows two new, best friends as they navigate the perils of growing up, falling in love and realising that your parents aren’t heroes. There’s also lots of drinking champagne in the snow, in sparkly evening dresses which is literally all I ever want to do but never actually manage.

Out now, £9.99, Headline Publishing Group DAISY JONES & THE SIX, TAYLOR-JENKINS REID I spent a lot of time googling whether this was a real band or not, as the entire book is written like a rock band’s memoir, told in interviews with the ‘band’. It follows this rock band whose first album was the biggest hit of the 1970s. But then just as they were about to go on their final tour they split and no one knew why. Now the band, a lot older and wiser, reveal exactly what happened back then. I fell so in love with all the character that by the end I just clutched the book to my chest and cried as I was going to miss them all so much.

Out now, £12.99, Penguin Books

The Matchmaker, £7,99, will will be available online and from all good bookshops from November 28th 2019. hood 35

Top, £49.99, Zara Earrings, £6.99, H&M

REACH OUT AND TOUCH ME Leather, fringing, tulle and taffeta; it’s time to open autumn’s dressing up box of tempting textures....

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Dress, £60, ASOS Shoes, £10, Primark

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Blazer, ÂŁ39.99 Stradivarius Belt, ÂŁ2, Primark

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Dress £29.99,Zara Boots, £45, ASOS

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Coat, £79,Topshop Headscarf, £2.50, Primark Boots, £135, Office

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Top,ÂŁ6,Primark Skirt,ÂŁ39.99,H&M

Photographer: Aleksandra Modrzejewska Makeup artist: Gosia Majewska Model: Flo Millar at Colours hood 41

A.P.C. Chloe Stora CHUP Socks Common Projects Danner Engineered Garments Grenson Kapital Masscob Needles Norse Projects orSlow Rototo Snow Peak Tricker’s Veja

WOMANHOOD

Earrings, £10 Dorothy Perkins Earrings, £8 Next

Blazer, £58, Next

Vegan leather shorts, £49.99, H&M

Dress, £25.99, Zara

SHOP THE SHOOT If you’re inspired by our new textures shoot, here’s our pick of the high street to help you steal the style….

Boots, £79, Topshop

Blouse, £24.99, H&M

Bag, £59, Jigsaw

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#1

WINTER’S COAT Cover-ups don’t come chicer (or more versatile) than this…

Coat, £88

Bag, £24 Dress, £48

Earrings, £20

Gloves, £10

Sandals, £30

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I

n our opinion, there’s nothing more sophisticated, classic, and luxe-looking than a camel coat. With the ability to go with literally everything you can throw at it, be it jeans and a t-shirt or a little black dress, it’s an essential part of any winter wardrobe.

Our favourite this season is this sleek style from Next. Part of the Emma Willis edit, this versatile staple pulls together any outfit— whether you’re dressing for work or going out at night. For the fashion seal of approval, we suggest wearing it with delicious shades of coffee and cream, much like the ensembles seen during Fashion Month. Trust us, it’ll soon become your cold weather saviour.

In par tnership with Next

Sunglasses, £12

Trousers, £35

Boots, £65

Watch, £32 Jumper, £35

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TO BE ADORNED Conversation starters they may be but truly beautiful jewellery will tell touching stories for generations to come...

F

ine jewellery is an extremely special investment. While the diamonds, sapphires and emeralds in each piece play a part, often the thought behind them goes way beyond their material value.

Be it a beautiful engagement ring given to you by your soulmate, a pair of glittering earrings bestowed to you by a loved one, or a necklace you treated yourself to, commemorating a major achievement, jewellery plays an integral part in many of life’s greatest celebrations. This is exactly why esteemed clientele keep coming back to Laings.

Steeped in heritage and prestige, Laings is a family-run jeweller with 179 years’ experience in the business of sparkle. Born in the heart of Glasgow’s vibrant Merchant City in 1840, Laings, which now boasts six stunning stores across the country, has become a luxury destination where families come to spotlight special moments, marking them with a piece of jewellery specifically crafted to be passed down from generation to generation. These stories come together with Laings’ illustrious history, to create a rich tapestry of sentiment and splendour, which has enticed people from around the world through its gilded doors.

18ct White Gold Multi-Sapphire and Diamond Necklace, £50,890 18ct White Gold Diamond Line Necklace, £21,225 18ct White Gold Round Brilliant Diamond Drop Earrings, £3,950 Platinum Family Collection Suzanne 2.01ct Diamond Ring, £27,500 Platinum Diamond Eternity Ring, £3,775

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SO, WHAT IS IT THAT MAKES LAINGS SO

MAGICAL?

“I started working in jewellery 23 years ago and, I must say, there’s no place quite like Laings”, reminisces Debbie McKernan, the jewellers’ resident diamond expert. “I began my career at Laings and, having returned there earlier this year, I still feel the same excitement in the air that I did on my first day. It’s a truly remarkable place”.

“For me, the best part of working with jewellery every day is its sentiment”, Debbie continues. “From your first baby bangle, coming of age with ear piercing and treasurable 18th birthday presents, right through to engagement and wedding rings, milestone anniversaries, and inheriting special heirloom pieces from your family, transforming them, and giving them a new lease of life. A special jewellery purchase is an investment and one that has emotional implications. It’s my job to ensure that this

emotional purchase is not only right for a customer, but to also ensure that their experience with Laings is part of the memories carried by the piece. There is nothing more rewarding than becoming part of someone’s journey and this is often a journey that lasts for a lifetime and beyond”.

Indeed, nothing mesmerises us quite like gemstones, and Debbie is no exception. With an encyclopaedic knowledge of carats, cuts, and clarity, she believes that our fascination with them is deeply rooted. “These are pieces that have been unearthed after thousands of years, so it’s little wonder we’re so drawn to them”, explains Debbie.

“It’s a constant education, I learn something new daily, and I find it such a joy to educate clients on the wonders of jewels. I’ll forever be inspired by and in awe of the beauty of the gemstone world”.

18ct Rose Gold Panerai Luminor Due 3 Days, £18,700 18ct Rose Gold Trefoil Diamond Ring, £4,295 18ct Rose Gold White and Champagne Diamond Bracelet, £23,260 18ct Rose Gold White and Champagne Diamond Earrings, £5,690

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In par tnership with Laings

Pre-Owned 18ct White Gold Diamond and Emerald Brooch, £4,760 18ct White Gold Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring, £1,485 18ct White Gold Emerald Pear Cut Earrings, £4,515 18ct White Gold Diamond and Emerald Bracelet, £28,475​

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For more information please visit Laings Glasgow: Argyll Arcade, 0141 221 7199, Laings Edinburgh: 72 George Street, 0131 225 4513, or go to Laingsuk.com​ hood. 49

Ask Dr. Judy We speak to one of Scotland’s longestpractising aesthetic doctors, and NHS hospital consultant, Dr. Judy Todd of Synergy, to answer your skincare and beauty questions…

Q

: Since the weather turned, my skin’s condition has gone downhill virtually overnight. What treatments can I do in winter to rejuvenate my complexion?

A

: The dark nights and harsh weather of winter means that you’ll likely be spending a lot of your time indoors. Many expert skincare treatments require you to avoid harsh light and sun exposure, so the hunkering down you’ll likely be doing for the next few weeks ahead of party season provides the ideal opportunity to consider treatments that need more “downtime” to settle.

Depending on your specific skincare woes, there’s a variety of options at your disposal, but one of the treatments I think most effective for bestowing a glow is a chemical peel.

Peels might sound scary, but in reality, a peel will work its magic in a few short days. A little time indoors is required, but the results will be worth it. Peels work by causing damage to the skin (not as painful as it sounds!) in order to stimulate it to heal, resurface and essentially reorganise itself, giving you a fresher glow and a smoother complexion overall. The amount of damage induced is often proportional to the level of result that can be expected, and how aggressively a treatment is applied can be controlled, so we can predict the amount of downtime you may need.

At Synergy, we offer a variety of chemical peels that resurface and rejuvenate your skin, to give it a 50 hood

radiance and polish that belies the amount of time you’ve been spending at home. My particular favourite is the ZO Medical Three-Step Peel (from £350), which provides long-lasting benefits to improve the signs of acne, scarring, pigmentation, sun damage, fine lines, rough texture, large pores, and lacklustre skin. This peel contains a mixture of salicylic, trichloroacetic and lactic acids, as well as a high dose of retinol, to transform your skin.

It’s perfect for reclaiming your glow during the dull winter months.

As the name suggests, it’s a three-step peel, which we complete in-clinic and at home. It encourages active peeling of the skin, so you will need to stay home during this time, but it’s the ideal excuse to keep cosy indoors for a few days. Have it on a Thursday evening, take the day off on Friday; the worst of the peeling and flakiness should be over by Monday morning.

Another treatment option that’s great for the winter months are energy-based treatments, such as the Fractora™ radiofrequency treatment (from £950). Fractora™ tackles lines and wrinkles, textural problems, pigmentation, scarring and redness.

The treatment works by delivering radiofrequency directly to the skin via pins, producing a gentle heat and micro-lesion dots, promoting a

boost in collagen to rejuvenate the skin. The strength of this treatment can be altered to limit the downtime required, and it offers low downtime in comparison to laser resurfacing; you should expect three days of dryness and scabbing, but makeup can be applied the day after the treatment, so it’s easy to cover up if necessary.

If you want to dip your toe with something gentler to start, medical-grade skincare is a good way to begin your medical skincare journey. It’s an ideal time to introduce prescription-grade retinol into your skincare regime, as your skin will take time to acclimatise to it and you may experience redness and flakiness, but it’s yet another good reason to snuggle up indoors for a few days. These symptoms settle if you persevere, after which the results will become obvious: brighter, smoother, clearer skin you’ll love showing off at all of your festive parties.

Dr. Judy Todd is based at Synergy Advanced Skincare & Aesthetics, 200 Fenwick Rd, Giffnock, Glasgow G46 6UE 0141 237 4110 Synergygiffnock.co.uk Facebook: Synergy Giffnock Instagram: @dr_judy_todd Twitter: @DrJudyTodd

Barry M Satin Super Slick Lip Paint in Peachy Keen, £4.99, Superdrug

PUMPKIN SPICE LIPS

This party season, switch things up with a pout inspired by your favourite wintry Starbucks beverage.

PHOTOGRAPHY: IMAXTREE

Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Riviera, £25, Space NK

Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick in Tangerine, £8.99, Boots

By Terry Terrybly Velvet Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Ingu Rogue, £32, Frasers

Rimmel Lasting Finish Extreme Lipstick in Lit, £7.99, Boots and Superdrug

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Face Much like what lingerie is to clothing, we firmly believe that makeup is only as good as the skin underneath it. On the lead-up, use The Ordinary’s cult-status oil to boost your complexion’s radiance. Semi-precious stone rollers are also key as they help reinvigorate your circulation and thus, create a fuller, plumped visage—use with your favourite moisturiser. If a breakout should occur, fret not—Indie Lee’s sell-out blemish lotion will clear them up overnight. Simply dot the wonder elixir directly onto the problem area, leave on for a few hours or even overnight, then wash off to discover the spot has shrunk beyond belief. On the day, depuff your peepers with gel eye masks (pop them in the fridge for ten minutes prior).

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& PRIME PREP

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4 1.Indie Lee Blemish Lotion, 30ml, £25, Net-a-porter.com 2.Herbivore Amethyst Roller, £38, Cultbeauty.co.uk 3.BeautyPro Eye Therapy Under Eye Mask, £4.95, Sainsbury’s 4.The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil, £9

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With a flurry of Christmas parties falling upon us like snowflakes, it can be overwhelming, to say the least.

That said, there’s plenty you can do ahead of time to ensure you look beautiful on the night (and all winter long for that matter). From silky locks to glowing pins, here’s how to get party-prepped in advance…

WOMANHOOD 5

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Hair

We don’t know about you, but we think our hair looks its best washing it the day before you need it to sit just-so; otherwise, your hair will be too soft to style. In lieu of conditioner, instead use Ouai’s Treatment Masque to give your hair a moisture surge. Should you intend on heat-styling on the day, too, a heat protector is paramount. Our go-to is ghd.

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5.ghd Heat Protect Spray, £14.50, Lookfantastic.com 6. Ouai Treatment Masque, £22, John Lewis & Partners

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7

Hands & Feet 8

Body

Everyone has their preferences when it comes to hair removal, so we’ll leave that up to you. That said, we all want super-soft skin, and nothing buffs bodies better than Liz Earle’s cleanser and mitt combination. Once you’re smooth and have applied your go-to body moisturiser, slick Iconic London’s body illuminator over any skin you’ll have on show for an instant, multidimensional glow.

All too often overlooked, give your hands and feet the luxury treatment too with these It buys. We’ve seen these Starskin moisturising booties all over Instagram of late—a must if you intend on wearing strappy sandals. For your hands, use cuticle oil daily to strengthen your nails ahead of a mani, or to add a natural gloss to virgin talons. And, with cooler temperatures, hand cream is certainly worthy of some precious space in your clutch bag 9. Sally Hansen Vitamin E Nail & Cuticle Oil, £6.95, Boots 10. Lanolips Rose Intense Hand Cream, £8.99, Waitrose 11. Starskin VIP The Gold Foot Mask, £11.50, Beautybay.com

7. Iconic London Body Illuminator, £35 8. Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Body & Gentle Mitt Cleanser, £19, Boots hood 53

If you find gel liners too restricting, Bobbi Brown’s Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner Pot is the answer. The formula loans itself to thin flicks, but it can also be blended out to create a smokey finish.

Bobbi Brown’s Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner, £26, Debenhams

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A

fter seasons of forgoing shadow and kohl in favour of nude lids, eyeliner is officially back on the beauty agenda for autumn/winter 2019. Whether you prefer a slept-in smudging or precision-drawn cat-eye flicks, we’ve found the liner for that…

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Expensive it may be but you essentially get two liners for the price of one. The dual-ended pen has a thicker side for a more graphic finish, or a finer side to help you get the line snug against your lashes.

Tom Ford Eye-Defining Pen, £46, John Lewis & Partners

PHOTOGRAPHY: IMAXTREE

This eyeliner pencil comes with a handy smudger built in so you can smoke on the go.

Milk Makeup Long Wear Eyeliner, £19, Cult Beauty

Ab stap onafide c le u of liq , Rimmel’ lt beauty s u creat id liner is little pot ing d g rama reat for Rimm t el Ex flicks in ic feline se a Eyeli ggerate conds. ner, £5.29 Liquid , Boo ts

In par tnership with Clinetix

THE BEAUTY EDIT Temperatures are dropping and there’s less moisture in the air. As a result, your lips are likely to feel the effects of winter long before the rest of your skin. Prone to dryness, flaking and cracking, they can look unsightly at best, or feel incredibly sore at worst. With party season approaching, we sought guidance from Emma Ravichandran, clinical director at Scotland’s most esteemed and trusted aesthetic beauty clinic, the multi-award winning Clinetix, on how to achieve the perfect pout this winter.

What are the major causes of chapped lips?

The skin on your lips is thinner than that on the rest of your body, which means it’s more prone to damage and signs of ageing. At this time of year, drastic changes in the weather will cause them to quickly dry out, which leads to cracking.

How can you prevent chapped lips?

I’d always recommend seeking advice from a skincare expert before you try any treatments, as they’ll be able to pinpoint the issue. Before any cracking occurs, however, keep your lips supple with a delicate scrub balm. Soothe already chapped lips with products containing a low percentage of retinol, as they’ll be more nourishing and less harsh on the soft skin. One of our senior aestheticians, Erin Anderson, swears by IMAGE Ormedic Lip Complex. It contains polypeptide complex which promotes a fuller lip appearance, along with Vitamin E to enhance skin condition.​ Which lip colour trends should we be wearing this winter?

Red lipstick always looks classic and will make anything you wear feel more glamorous.

Lips are big news on the beauty scene right now— for those of us wanting to enhance our pouts, which treatment would you recommend?

They certainly are. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported an increase of

50% in lip augmentations for 18-55 year olds between 2000-2016 and, at Clinetix, we’re seeing the same upward growth with a 15% annual increase in requests for lip treatments.

Every procedure should be tailored to a patient’s needs—we’re not a “one treatment suits all” kind of clinic. However, more often than not, I’d recommend using Belotero Lips; the filler’s formula is very cohesive and doesn’t migrate underneath the surface of the lip, making for a very successful augmentation.

It gives a natural, long-lasting result, and doesn’t cause much inflammation, though you can expect slight post-treatment swelling for 24-48 hours. The results are immediate but I’d always advise carrying out the treatment two-four weeks before a big event—this’ll give the treatment time to settle, and give you time become accustomed to your new look.

What do you advise we do before going down the filler route?

Research is paramount. People need to remember that it is a medical treatment and, as such, should do sound research on who will be administering the treatment, as well as the product that is being used. If at all possible, speak with someone who has had the same procedure carried out at the clinic you’re considering—even better, go and see their real-life results firsthand. When done correctly, Belotero Lips look beautifully natural; don’t settle for anything less.

100% Natural Conditioning Lip Scrub, £6.99, Burt’s Bees

IMAGE Ormedic Lip Complex, £25, available at Clinetix

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Matte Lipstick, £7.99, Boots

For more information on Clinetix and the services it provides, visit Clinetix.co.uk. hood 55

Pillow spray, £19.50, This Works at Lookfantastic.com

Bedside table, £229, Swoon

Lamp, £39, Cult Furniture

Throw, £38, Oliver Bonas

Be our GUEST

Transform a tired, often-forgotten spare room into a chic haven for guests with just a few simple upgrades. Our top tips for creating a gorgeous guest room will see you through entertaining season and beyond…

Carafe, £29, Ferm Living at Nest.co.uk

Hand wash, £5, Marks & Spencer 56 hood

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There’s nothing more inviting than a big, plush bed decked out in crisp, white linen and plenty of plump pillows. But making the bed like a pro needn’t be a hassle, suggests Gilly Ligertwood of luxury Scottish brand, Gilly Nicolson Bespoke Bedlinen.

“I would always go for something which is easy to iron,” she explains. “You could even just line dry the duvet cover but iron the pillowcases; I often do this when time is short. I like using a percale for our guest room as the crisp cotton feels like a hotel but it’s easy to care for.” Gilly also recommends investing in bespoke bedlinen to elevate your interiors: “That way, you can subtly make sure your colour scheme matches the rest of the room.”

A range of pampering toiletries is always a welcome addition to any guest room. If you’re lucky enough to have an en-suite, make sure it’s kitted out with luxurious hand wash and bath oil for guests to use.

If not, be sure to leave a stack of fluffy towels along with everything your guests could need during their stay. We are loving Kaerlig Beauty luxury liquid soap and hand and body lotion, which both smell amazing and look very stylish.

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Don’t want your guests feeling like their room is an afterthought? Make sure it looks (and smells!) beautiful with some fresh flowers to leave visitors feeling extra special. “How lovely to have a little bouquet next to the bed or a splash of something colourful and scented on the dressing table,” says Marion Sandwith from Narcissus Flowers and Plants. “Our Wild, Scottish and

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Towels, from £12, Christy

Wild, Scottish and Natural bouquet, from £45, Narcissusflowers.co.uk

Bedlinen, from £30, Gilly Nicolson Bespoke Bedlinen

Natural Bouquet is a gorgeous addition to any guest room and includes thistles, deep blues and purples with touches of bright white.” Dreamy!

Bedside tables aren’t just there to look pretty - make sure they’re stocked with all the essentials your guests need. A carafe and glass is thoughtful but also attractive, while a bottle of pillow spray will help guests relax and drift off when they’re in an unfamiliar setting. Why not leave a little note card with the wifi password, and a couple of your favourite books too? Don’t forget a stylish reading lamp for those dark evenings, as well as a candle for added ambience–we are currently burning KOHA and Gold Hart at Hood HQ.

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The all-important finishing touches will take your guest room to the next level. “I think it’s important to sleep in your own guest room to really make sure your guests will have everything they need,” continues Gilly. “A mirror next to a plug, an empty drawer to pop things away and somewhere to store their bags are basic but helpful. If our guests arrive when it’s dark, I always like to make sure the blinds are down and there’s a side lamp on – much more inviting after a long journey!”

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Candle, £35, Gold Hart

Bed set, £69, Made.com

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NEIGHBOURHOOD 16-piece cutlery set, £19.99, Wayfair.co.uk

Napkin rings, £35 for four, Ferm Living at Trouva.com

Dinner plate, £3, Matalan

TABLE Linen napkins, £8.99 for two, H&M Home

Marble salt and pepper dishes with spoons, £50, Hubsch at Trouva.com

MANNERS Ensure your home is equipped for last-minute guests with the season’s chicest tableware…

Glass tumbler, £6, Anthropologie

Metal candelabra, £14.99, H&M Home

Stoneware jug, £35, Oliver Bonas

W

e’ve all been there—the soup is bubbling away nicely on the stove, and you’re settling down for a night cosying up on the sofa. Then the doorbell rings. We don’t know about you, but we find the run-up to the festive period to be busier than that of actual Christmastime. Mainly friends and relatives will drop by before the rush thinking it’s less of an imposition but, really, it doesn’t help anyone when they seem to arrive en masse. Which is why we fully intend on having our table set at all times. With gorgeous serving platters, gold accents in the form of salad spoons and napkin rings, and ornate cut-glass tumblers, it’s never been easier to decorate your dining space. The key is to layer different textures and moody colours together to create an eclectic but befitting mix. Then, simply add your favourite foliage (we’re firm eucalyptus advocates) for a fresh, festive touch.

Serving spoons, £32, Ella James on Notonthehighstreet.com

Table runner, £24.99, Aldi

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AMAZING GRAZE

W

e love a buffet. Even the most simplistic spread brings together a group of people, making for a highly social way to dine. That said, there’s something about the word “buffet” that makes us conjure visions of a hodgepodge of frozen food, with paper plates at the ready just out of our eye line. But The Good Graze, Scotland’s foremost grazing table caterer, proves that buffets can indeed be a work of art. With the freshest produce, richest fruits, and the tangiest cheeses, it’s little wonder the grazing table is set to be the festive season’s biggest food trend. We spoke to The Good Graze’s founder, Gaynor Kay,

who revealed her divine secrets to curating a mouthwatering spread.

STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD

Tablescaping and foliage will help add texture and colour to your table or platter and make sure it’s Instagram-ready. You can pick up some real foliage from your local florist or, even better, artificial which you can source at a reasonable price from shops like TK Maxx that you can use again and again. Having everything laid flat can look amazing but you could also use marble boards and gold baskets to achieve height and give a luxe look to your spread. We also love a bit of greenery such as eucalyptus and some pillar candles to help take it to the next level.

WOODEN, MARBLE OR SLATE?

We do love a wooden board as they are really easy to clean, great for cutting cheese, are economical and also can give your spread real character. However, marble or stone will provide the best temperature zone for foods like meat and cheese, so it will transfer the heat away and keep them 60 hood

FOOD IN THE ‘HOOD

GET THE PERFECT MIX OF SWEET AND SAVOURY

For a small gathering it’s always good to have at least three cheeses. A Baron Bigod, a Hebridean Blue and an Isle of Mull Cheddar are great staples alongside artisan breads, crackers and oatcakes–people tend to overbuy these but it doesn’t matter too much as you can always eat them another time. A good selection of cured meats such as salami and parma ham or prosciutto is key as we find this is what goes the fastest. However grazing doesn’t need to be purely savoury, to bring some sweetness we love adding different berries and homemade tray bakes including tablet and tiffin.

CATERING FOR EVERYONE

Nowadays there are so many people that suffer from allergies and intolerances so it’s always good to ask your guests before the event if there’s something in particular they can’t eat. Always avoid nuts, even if only one of your guests is allergic, as some allergies can be airborne. For guests with gluten intolerances, it’s always good to make sure that they have a separate portion with GF crackers, breads and traybakes, which is displayed on it’s own board so other guests are aware its not part of the main spread.

Cross contamination can be the biggest issue so make sure to either use gloves or wash your hands after handling food with gluten, and to also ensure those foods aren’t touching other foods that those guests can’t eat. cooler which is ideal, especially in the summer months. Slate is great if you are using colourful foods like strawberries as they are not as reactive to discolouration, however it can scratch more easily than marble or wood.

PICK THE FRESHEST PRODUCE

The local farmers markets and butchers are the best places to find the highest quality antipasti such as cured meats, olives and sun dried tomatoes. I.J Mellis has the biggest and most delicious selection of cheeses from Scotland and beyond, while Bakery Andante is our go-to for freshly baked artisan breads. Seasonality is key when putting together your spread; for your fruit selection, strawberries are at their best in the summer months but you can get really good Scottish raspberries up until the autumn months and blueberries pretty much all year round.

For more information on The Good Graze’s services, visit Thegoodgraze.co.uk. hood 61

THIS MONTH IN THE

Winter wonderland With just a few short weeks to go until the big day, we’re officially declaring it time to start getting excited about Christmas. Whether you’re there for the hand-crafted tree decorations, unusual gifts or - let’s be honest - the Nutella-laden waffles, the traditional Bavarian-style markets popping up across Scotland are a mustvisit in the run-up to Christmas. As well as Gluhwein on tap (an essential for warming up on dark, blustery evenings), there are street food stalls from some of Scotland’s best producers, rides and attractions for the kids and festive entertainment to get the whole family in the Christmas spirit.

Edinburgh East Princes Street Gardens From November 17 Glasgow St Enoch Square & George Square From November 9 Aberdeen Broad Street From November 21

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to-do

LIST Our pick of the best things to see and do across Scotland this November.

Diaries at the ready…

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DISCOVER THE STORY OF BRITAIN’S MOST ICONIC PATTERNS

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Launching on November 28, Edinburgh’s Dovecot Studio will be hosting the landmark exhibition, May Morris: Art & Life. The youngest daughter of William Morris and one of the most significant artists of the British Arts and Crafts movement, the exhibition tells the story of May, who took charge of the Morris & Co. embroidery department aged just 23, and was responsible for creating some of their most iconic textile and wallpaper designs.

November 28 - March 14, Dovecot Studios, 10 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1LT. Tickets £9

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ENJOY A MICHELINSTARRED CURRY NIGHT Traditional clubhouse cuisine is getting a makeover this month, as luxury hotel Gleneagles welcomes back Michelin-starred chef Alfred Prasad for a special curry night.

Making full use of The Dormy restaurant’s Tandoor ovens, Alfred - the youngest ever Indian chef to receive a Michelin star - will serve up a specially curated feast, served banquet-style.

November 10, Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Perthshire, PH3 1NF. Tickets £75

THIS MONTH IN THE ‘HOOD

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN A MAGICAL LIGHT ADVENTURE As the nights draw in and the festive season creeps ever closer, Edinburgh Castle will be transformed into a magical, sparkling wonderland with the help of state-of-the-art digital projections. The Castle of Light installation will illuminate the iconic landmark and bring its history to life through a 90-minute journey of light, sound and wonder.

November 14 - December 22, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, EH1 2NG. Tickets £20

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GET LOST IN A GOOD BOOK As part of Book Week Scotland, libraries, book shops and other venues will bring people together to celebrate the joy of the written word. From book swaps to author readings, there’s lots going on for both adults and kids - check your local library or visit the Book Week Scotland website to see what’s on.

November 18 -24, various venues across Scotland. Scottishbooktrust.com/bookweek-scotland

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GO SHOPPING AT A SEASONAL MARKET The ever-popular Bowhouse market is back for November, with a beautiful bounty of seasonal, local produce to enjoy. This month’s market will celebrate the increasing popularity of game meat, with live cooking demonstrations as well as produce stalls, food and drink vendors and the return of the craft market, carefully curated by TeaGreen Events for some early Christmas shopping.

November 9-10, Bowhouse, St Monans, East Neuk, Fife, KY10 2DB. Free entry

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THE CROWN

The epic royal saga continues this month, as Oscar-winner Olivia Colman takes over from Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth II in season three of The Crown. Picking up in 1964, this series will focus on Prince Charles and his burgeoning relationship with Camilla, the breakdown of Princess Margaret’s marriage, and the Queen’s ties with prime minister Harold Wilson.

Streaming on Netflix from November 17

Dial up your

DOWN TIME

Make the most of your precious free hours with our pick of the best TV shows and films worth dropping everything for this month.

LAST CHRISTMAS

At this time of year, sometimes all you need is a good old-fashioned festive romcom to give you that warm and fuzzy feeling. With a screenplay by Emma Thompson, directed by Paul Feig and starring Emilia Clark and Henry Golding, Last Christmas is a classic will-they-won’t-they love story, set against the backdrop of a very festive London with a charming George Michael-inspired soundtrack.

In cinemas from November 15 66 hood

THIS MONTH IN THE ‘HOOD

MODERN LOVE

Based on the New York Times column of the same name, Modern Love explores the joys and tribulations of love and human connections in the modern era. Part comedy, part drama, the show features an impressive ensemble cast - including Tina Fey, Anne Hathaway, John Slattery and Dev Patel - navigating their way through a variety of relationships. With each story inspired by a real-life personal essay from the column, we can’t wait to binge this series...

Streaming on Amazon Prime Video now

QUEER EYE: WE’RE IN JAPAN!

Could we actually love the Fab Five any more? In a special four-episode series, the Queer Eye guys are jetting off to Japan to learn about and experience Japanese cuisine, fashion, design, grooming and culture firsthand. With Kiko Mizuhara as their guide and Naomi Watanabe as special guest comedian, our faves will bring their special brand of positivity to a whole new continent.

Streaming on Netflix from November 1

AMERICAN SON

Based on the critically-acclaimed Broadway play, American Son follows the mother of a missing teenage boy as she struggles to put the pieces together in a South Florida police station. The cast, led by Emmynominee Kerry Washington, tell the story from four different viewpoints, exploring themes of racism, sexism and generational differences as they try to unravel the mystery.

Streaming on Netflix from November

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BEWITCHED BY BERLIN Christmas is coming and, as we previously mentioned, the country is full of festive markets. If, however, you wish to go farther afield to get your yuletide fix, look no further than Berlin...

M

ove over London, step aside Paris, Rome take a back seat the European capital of cool is now, undoubtedly, Berlin.

While culture vultures can head to the German capital at any time of year and be dazzled by its history, creative vibes and thriving food scene, there is something particularly special about this must-see travel destination over the festive season when the city turns into a real-life Christmas picture book. Here is the Hood guide to help you eat, drink and be merry in Berlin this winter.

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NEIGHBOURHOOD

WHERE TO STAY Berlin is more budget-friendly than most of the other European capitals and there is a vast array of hotels, hostels and Airbnbs to choose from. We wanted a little touch of glamour and chose to stay at the charming budget boutique hotel, Max Brown Ku’damm, which is on the border of the Wilmersdorf District and leafy Charlottenburg. This relaxed, residential neighbourhood is a foodie delight with over a hundred restaurants in walking distance.

The Max is one of Berlin’s hippest abodes with Insta-worthy interiors and a colourful blend of mid-century furniture and exposed copper piping.

The hotel is close to all of the city’s sights, best boutiques, the famed Paris Bar and Germany’s first concept mall, BIKINI. Rooms are compact, as most in Berlin are, but the beds are a dream – which is exactly what is needed after all that exploring.

WHERE TO EAT Meandering the streets and stopping off for coffee and cake at a konditorei is an integral part of visiting Berlin, but it is the burgeoning gastro scene that is ultimately worth investigating.

Housed in an electricity substation, built back in 1928, Restaurant Volt is definitely

one to try. A Berlin native, chef Matthias Gleiß has a passion for local, seasonal ingredients with which he creates a menu infused with traditional Berlin cuisine and German home-made classics.

For a real taste of Berlin’s cultural melting pot, we recommend Neni – perfect at this time of year, as Christmas is all about sharing, after all. The culinary union of Mediterranean, Persian and Austrian influences makes for a colourful, flavourpacked, sharing plate dining experience.

Oh… and did we mention the panoramic view over the city lights and the Berlin Zoo hood 69

NEIGHBOURHOOD

is thrown in for free?

For a splash of grown-up ’20s glamour, cocktails and supper at the Grace is essential. A creative menu inspired by chef Martin Bruhn’s trips to Mexico and Southeast Asia, with an urban twist, Grace is the place to see and be seen.

WHERE TO GO However, Christmas in Berlin is all about the markets and with around 80 spread out

across the city there are plenty to explore while indulging in bratwurst, waffles and, of course, a Gluhwein or two.

It’s no surprise that “Winterwelt” at Potsdamer Platz is one of the locals’ favourite markets. Open from the beginning of November, the iconic square is transformed into a winter wonderland, home to Europe’s largest toboggan, live DJ set and an après-ski party in the evening.

Elsewhere in the city, the huge

Alexanderplatz Christmas Market attracts thousands of people from all over the world looking for - and finding - that magical Christmas atmosphere. The central point is the pyramid of lights which is visually spectacular.

The Charlottenburg Palace is a mustvisit at any time of the year but at Christmas it’s even more stunning, adorned with hundreds of lights and the cutest food and gift stalls.

HOW TO GET THERE Berlin is easy to get to from both Edinburgh and Glasgow. We flew with Easyjet; the flight time is just over 2 hours.

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VOUCHERS FROM £50

Scotland’s only winner in the Sunday Times ‘The Best Hotels in the World’ 2019 archerfieldhouse.com

Lonely this Christmas...?

With almost half of adults in Scotland experiencing feelings of loneliness, is Christmas really the season to be jolly?

We asked Hood readers who have experienced feelings of loneliness over the holidays for their top tips to seeing solitude in a positive way.

C

atchy Christmas songs on the radio and twinkling lights on every high street help most of us get into the festive spirit but, for those who live far from family, won’t see loved ones, or have suffered a bereavement this time of year can be emotionally draining. Statistics have shown loneliness and social isolation are a real issue in Scotland and, while the elderly are most susceptible to going days or weeks without seeing another human being, the feeling of being alone can affect us all. So, whether you will spend the big day on your own, dread going to Christmas parties and Hogmanay celebrations without a partner and end up staying at home, or feel lonely even in a room full of people follow these five tips and you’ll treasure your time by yourself...

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IDENTIFY YOUR TRIGGER TIMES AND PLAN AROUND THESE ACCORDINGLY Everyone has particular times where feelings of loneliness can hit hardest and this time of year can be particularly difficult.

Alison, a divorced mum-of-two will be on her own this Christmas as it’s dad’s turn this year, “2017 was so hard without the boys so this year I have planned in advance things to do. I’m having cocktails with friends on 72 hood

Christmas Eve which I am really looking forward to. On Christmas Day I’m joining a couple of other mums who are in a similar situation for a walk with our dogs and lunch out. It won’t be the same as a family Christmas but it will, hopefully, be enjoyable.”

BE KIND TO YOURSELF This may not completely erase feelings of loneliness but taking special care of yourself can help you to feel a little better.

Caroline, a widow, has a festive self-care plan in place. “I know I’ll be feeling sad and incredibly lonely this Christmas but I have bought myself a couple of books I’ve been wanting to read, scented candles and some luxurious bath-time treats. I plan on making myself my favourite food and having a bit of a pamper day – this will take my focus off feeling alone.”

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GIVE TO OTHERS When you’re feeling lonely and vulnerable, putting yourself “out there” can often feel like the last thing you’d want to do but that’s exactly how Siobhan tackles her feelings of loneliness. “I’ve been single my whole life and my only brother now lives in California so every Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day I volunteer at a soup kitchen. Helping others who need

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it more than I do gives me a real sense of purpose and joy.”

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GET OUTSIDE The days are short and can be grey which can leave even the most chipper of us feeling blue. Pauline, whose only daughter works Christmas, advises wrapping up and getting out. “I download a chatty podcast and head out no matter the weather.

SISTERHOOD

Listening gives you all the benefits of company, without the hard work, plus I squeeze in some exercise too – which gets those endorphins going. I view my time alone as a luxury, a time to be selfish and indulge my own wants without having to consider anybody else.”

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TRY ONLINE Did you know there are now apps and online platforms where you can meet likeminded individuals who are looking for friendship? Log on to Bumble BFF, download the Friender app or have a sneak peek at Meetup.com to connect with new people in your area. Jane explains: “I had tried and failed at online dating so was a bit sceptical about friendship apps but I figured

I had nothing to lose and a girl gang to gain.

It takes a bit of courage to go along to your first couple of events but everyone is in the same situation so it’s easy to get chatting and suss out others who share your vibe.

I’m hosting Christmas Day for a bunch of my Bumble mates and can’t wait!”

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MANHOOD

DANNY WALLACE

N

ot long ago, I opened a small compartment in the back of my car and found around two hundred small red and gold balls. They looked like tiny baubles from a hamster’s Christmas tree. I frowned for a moment or two, then picked one up and un-balled it. It was a screwed-up wrapper from a Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer.

For years now, my son seems to have eaten his number one treat of choice after school, after swimming, after every and any minor event that might warrant a treat, then carefully rolled up the wrapper and left it in exactly the same place, like tiny shiny trophies.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking ‘“that’s the kind of thing a serial killer might do.”

But you are wrong and should apologise. This was a thing of purity. A testament to childhood. A museum of after-school treats.

A chocolate hall of fame, curated by a biscuit magpie. A collection.

And it reminded me of growing up, and how the tastes of childhood never leave you.

I immediately had flashbacks of growing up in Dundee, and sitting on the green opposite the Tay, and taking six to seven hours trying to get Highland Toffee out of my molars.

“I’m going to buy some Highland Toffee!” I immediately thought, and I dashed to the internet. McCowan’s! With the little Highland Cow on the wrapper, and the tartan edges! I began to salivate.

McCowan’s Highland Toffee would make everything okay!

I don’t know why you didn’t tell me they don’t make it any more. I sat back in my chair, disappointed, but determined to find something from childhood. Something I could enjoy with my son. So, I bought a pack of Tunnock’s Caramel Logs and then immediately forgot about it.

One week later a package showed up and I had no idea what it was. It looked far too big to be my packet of Caramel Logs. So, I opened it. And realised with some confusion that in my haste to order I had inadvertently bought 48 Caramel Logs.

48 Caramel Logs is too many Caramel Logs. And don’t say “no it isn’t”. You’re not the one who was going to have to eat 48 of them. I thought I was buying some Caramel Logs. Not all of them.

“Why have you bought so many Caramel Logs?” asked my wife, as I sat in the kitchen staring at the box. “Also, what are Caramel Logs?”

“They’re sort of chewy but with roasted coconut all over them,” I replied, as if that in any way explains why I needed nearly fifty of them.

I had attempted to recapture my childhood. Instead, I had defined my future. A future of nothing but Caramel Logs. Day after day. For nearly two months.

“Have a Caramel Log!” I urged my wife. “Only then will you truly understand me as a man.”

If I could trick her into loving them, it would immediately halve

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the workload.

But my wife, being Australian, grew up on strange and exotic sweets made of synthetic banana or inexplicably purple things.

The earthy goodness of traditional Scottish coconuts would surely prove too sophisticated a taste for her.

“Have a Caramel Log!” I barked at my son with what I hoped was great enthusiasm, the second he was home from school.

“But I’ve had a Tunnock’s already,” he replied.

“Doesn’t matter!” I yelled, madly. “It’s Tunnock’s day!”

The pressure on him to enjoy this thing was immense. It could not go the way it went the disastrous day I gave him Irn-Bru. It put him off day-glo orange drinks for life.

“I like it,” he said, after a bite, “but it’s a bit weird.” This is his polite way of saying “nope”, the way he says he likes broccoli and peas and carrots, but has absolutely no intention of ever eating them again.

“It’s not weird!” I said, holding up a Caramel Log. “It’s my childhood!”

But it is weird, isn’t it?

So now there are two compartments in my car slowly filling up with wrappers. Two mobile museums dedicated to fine Scottish confectionary. And it turns out that despite my concerns, eating 48 Caramel Logs is really no hardship at all.

But it did make me check and re-check my basket several times – just in case – when the very next day I ordered a big jar of Buchanan’s Soor Plooms…

THE SEASON FOR

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DIAMONDS . WATCHES . JEWELLERY