Student Rag Edinburgh Issue 23

DY / BEAUTY / MUSIC FASHION / MOVIES/ TRAVEL / COME

Student Rag

Winter 2015 Edinburgh #23

FREE

HOWG S P E E P FINAL FLIN THE

WE’VE GOT

TICKETS!

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SOMETHING DO YOU DIFFERENT SOMEONE WHO

LOVES WHISKY? THEN PROVE IT! www.scotchblender.com

SCOTCH BLENDEr PERSONALISED WHISKY

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contents

28-32

TREND SETTER

Winter fashion..............4-8

TWELVE OF THE BEST Xmas Gift Ideas...........10-13

WHO...WHAT...WHERE Winter City Guide.........14-17

WE’RE LOVIN’ IT Spreading Xmas Cheer......18-19

AYE, BERRY GOOD Juniper-based happiness...20-21

THE REEL DEAL 10 Best Xmas Movies Ever..24-27

COVER STAR Isy Suttie Interview......28-32

WILL TRAVEL Top Places to Check Out...34-40

BREATH OF FRESH EYRE Ella Eyre Interview..........41

SHINING BRIGHT Sunset Sons Interview.....42-43

SUMNER TIME Eliot Sumner Interview....44-45

BEAUTY SPOT Winter Trends.............46-50

GIVE ME SOME SPACE Shura Interview..............52

4-8

42-43

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WHATEVER NEXT Coming Soon to You........54-55

Editor: Debbie McInnes. glasgow@student-rag.co.uk Design: Calvin Douglas.

Contributors: Stephen Butchard, Kerry Harkin, Alice Cruickshank, Saskia Williams, Liam Menzies, Ryan Connolly, Richard Jones, Holly Fleming, Susie Daniels.

www.student-rag.co.uk Published by Track 10 Media. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. Student Rag magazine takes no responsibility for claims made by advertisements in this publication.

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fashion

Come in out of the cold WRAPPING up to brave the winter chill needn’t mean losing your sense of style.

Clothes can still have some shhwwing and frivolity thanks to knee high boots, stunning suede, warming wool, playful fringes and Paisley pattern swirls.

So who wants to look like they’ve just stepped out of a Biba catwalk show?

You do? Okay, read on to pick up the top tips.

ALICE CRUICKSHANK guides you through the season.

Knee Highs STAR BUY

Over the knee rider boots @www.next.co.uk £58

Year after year ankle boots have reigned supreme for winter, but this year attention has switched to the knee-high.

Don’t panic! While this might seem daunting after seasons living out of your faithful Chelsea boots, once you introduce long boots into your wardrobe, you’ll become addicted.

We love the bold range of colours and prints available on the High Street this season.

Look for glamorous snakeskin or striking winter hues.

Instead of throwing on any shoes last minute, why not base your look around your boots?

Team them with an A-Line skirt for a new season update, wear over skinny jeans for practical cool, or be brave and embrace thigh-highs for a statement look.

STAR BUY

Heeled knee high tieback grey boots @www.missguided. co.uk £45

STAR BUY

Dark red knee length block heel boots @www.newlook.com £34.99

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fashion

STAR BUY

Lumi burgundy faux suede pinafore dress @www.prettylittlethings. com £20

Simply Suede One trend that has transitioned from summer through to autumn and now to winter is suede.

Brace yourself for suede everythang – skirts, dresses, coats, boots – the velvety-soft material is very much taking the spotlight right now.

Reasons we love suede: it’s warm, looks gorgeous in any colour and is the perfect

STAR BUY fringed

Brown suede ankle boot @www.riverisland.com £85

companion to leather. Plus, that button-up suede skirt you bought in summer?

Team it with a turtleneck and wool tights and you have an effortless new season wardrobe update.

We reckon this trend will be hanging around for a while yet, so invest in some great pieces to see you through to next winter.

STAR BUY

Mya suedette contrast trim button through skirt @www.boohoo.com £20

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fashion

STAR BUY

Jenny wool look coat@ www.boohoo.com £50

STAR BUY

Michelle Keegan faux fur tie waist coat@ www.lipsy.co.uk £110

The Maxi Coat AS much as we love our bikers and bombers, they are no match for a Scottish winter – our poor icy legs!

Well this season you can enjoy being well and truly cocooned, as coats reach maxi proportions.

From Crombies to waterfall, cover-ups are long, lavish and layered.

Invest in styles in camel or black for versatility, or treat yourself to a statement cover up that Navy geometric longlineis an outfit in itself. oversized coat Even celebrities who are not @www.riverisland.com exactly known for their practical £95 attire are getting cosy this winter.

The Kardashian/Jenner tribe

STAR BUY

have been rocking their statement waterfall coats, while Michelle Keegan’s latest collection for Lipsy features a gorgeous furtrimmed wrap coat.

But how to wear this trend and not just look like you’ve thrown on any old thing?

An open, double-breasted coat looks effortless pulled together over skinny jeans and trainers, while a voluptuous belted coat is a glamorous cover-up over a dress.

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fashion

Lace Up You know those trends that start on the sly then somehow they explode and everyone and your gran wants in on it?

OK, maybe this look won’t quite be to your grandma’s taste, but the High

Street is going crazy over laceup detailing, as worn by Kim Kardashian.

Whether it be side panels on skirts, subtle detailing or splitto-the-navel bodysuits, it’s hard to avoid this one.

This style of top might at first seem only suitable for bigger busted ladies, but that’s definitely not the case. In fact, a bold laced-up panel can fill a bare cleavage and look striking.

STAR BUY

Lace up back oversize jumper@ www.missguided.com £32

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STAR BUY

Iris halter neck lace-up bodysuit @www.boohoo.com £12

STAR BUY

Sharon Black knee-high lace-up boots@ www.prettylittlething.com £40

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fashion

STAR BUY

Beige stripe lightweight rolllneck knit@ www.riverisland.com £20

STAR BUY

Voluminous shirt@ www.zara.com £25.99

STAR BUY

Karla Brown Paisley swing dress@ www.prettylittlething.com £18

Guccification The designer of the moment has to be Gucci. The brand’s signature 70s vibe, prints, colour palette and designs have been imitated a hundred times over.

Hurrah – finally a designer look we can work on a student budget.

You’ll pretty much walk into this trend – Gucci vibes are all over the High Street.

Because 70s style is such a huge thing right now, you’re

guaranteed to find something you like, whether you’re keen to imitate the whole Gucci lookbook, or want to tap in to this trend with your accessories.

Look out for A-line skirts, pleated midis, lace-up heels, chevron prints and sheer detailing.

And when someone inevitably compliments your outfit, you can respond with, “oh, it’s just a little nod to Gucci autumn/ winter 15, daaarling”.

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FOR THE TEENAGE SISTER Believe In Your Selfie tee £24.95 @ notonthehighstreet.com IF you can’t believe in yourself anymore, at least you can believe in your #selfie.

For a girl who’ll spend all day Instagramming her Christmas presents

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(#luckygirl), this is the perfect gift, while you can make sardonic musings about youth culture that will sail right over her Mac makeup-covered head.

Even better, you can also add a hidden message to be printed inside the bottom of the t-shirt for £4, but whether it’s friendly or offensive is up to you. #blessed

2 FOR THE G A L P A L Sassy Stash £24.99 @ firebox. com

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for the boyfriend

Bacon iPhone case £7.62 – £8.79 @ bonanzamarket.co.uk Everything is better wrapped in bacon- even an iPhone, it seems.

Ok, you’re probably going to get him that soppy framed couples photo anyway, but might as well get him something he actually wants (we joke – that heart-shaped picture of you two

from the Christmas market will definitely take pride and place when you’re in his flat).

This ultra-realistic phone cover looks good enough to eat, with its authentic looking rasher design.

Our mouths are watering at the thought.

Warning: may lead to weight gain due to constant bacon cravings.

Sticking your phone down your bra is so 2009, daaarling!

Try strapping it to your leg instead.

This handy little leg pocket is designed to look like a garter (how long have you been waiting for those to come back?), yet provides a surprising amount of space for cash, phone, lipstick etc.

Your friend will be blessed with never having to carry a pesky handbag on a night out again and will look really, er, glam.

We predict it won’t be long before men throughout the nightclubs in Glasgow will be heard shouting, “geez a swatch o’ yer lipgloss, hen”.

Nice.

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THINGS YOU

MIGHT NEED THIS XMAS

Christmas means a lot of different things for different people but mostly, we’re all either panicking about what we want or what we’re going to get people.

It’s a seriously stressful time of year, present hunting and worrying you haven’t got the right thing.

Christmas shopping is never a fun experience, even when it’s online (thank you Amazon) but it’s something we have to do.

And there’s that awful question, “What do you want for Christmas?”. Six words

FOR ‘THE LAD’ Hot Stuff in a Matchbox £6 @ notonthehighstreet.com

to cause weeks or even months of stress. But never fear, ALICE CRUICKSHANK has the answers you’ve been looking for.

And out of seasonal goodwill, we present them to you here...

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WE all know one – the guy who thinks he’s nails because he goes for extra hot at Nandos. You’ll soon find out just how hard he is when you give him this gift of some truly hot stuff!

This explosive collection contains samples of the hottest chillies in the world; Scorpion Moruga (2,000,000 SHU), a Butch T (1,500,000 SHU), 7 Pot (1,300,000 SHU), and Ghost powder (1,000,000 SHU).

A cruel, but highly amusing gift.

Make sure to have the camera and 4 pints of milk handy.

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A sick r o a d b i k e

FOR THE ONE WHO IS IMPOSSIBLE TO BUY FOR PERSONALISED Whisky £various @ scotchblender. com

FOR some people there is simply no hope. Until now, that is.

Erase years of disappointing your unfathomably hard-to-please dad/ mum/boyfriend/girlfriend/ brother/sister (delete as appropriate) by giving them the gift they’ve always wanted – the chance to blend their own whisky this Christmas.

At scotchblender.com anyone can become a master blender simply by mixing their own malts and blends in the online Blending Room.

Or to make it even easier simply order a gift card and let the recipient do it themselves, which chances are is what they’d prefer anyway.

A truly unique way to show your love / fulfil your festive obligations.

ELEPHANTS and BAGELS

10%

Student Discount 37 Marshall St, Edinburgh, EH8 9BJ 0131 668 4404

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FOR THE GIRLFRIEND Scrabble lights £17.99 @ iwantoneofthose.com

Monopod aka a Selfie Stick

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Girls enjoy fairy lights. Girls also enjoy love notes.

Why not aim for top boyfriend points and write a love note using fairy lights?

These Scrabble lights are seriously cute and a really unique gift.

With 60 interchangeable letter stickers, you can let your romantic side out again and again.

Just remember to aim for messages of love and admiration, and not the highest score (although we think there should be bonus points if you achieve both).

FOR THE ONE WHO HAS EVERYTHING

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Bubble wrap suit £12.99 @ menkind.co.uk There’s always that one person you have absolutely no clue what to buy for him or her.

Whether it’s your tech-savvy sibling who already owns every conceivable gadget, your Hipster pal who has no interest in anything conventional, or the one Secret Santa you were dreading, sometimes gift buying is just impossible.

Well fear not – we have the perfect solution.

Say hello to the bubble wrap suit – hours of fun for big kids of all ages.

Who hasn’t sat popping a sheet of bubble wrap and thought, man, I wish I could wear this?

Not only will you be giving the recipient a snazzy waterproof (we think) suit, but also the gift of pure, unadulterated joy.

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FOR THE FLATMATE Molecular mojito kit £30 @ thegreatgiftcompany.co.uk Prepare to host the best cocktail parties EVER after you gift your flatmate this for Christmas.

Move over Sex on the Beach and Pina Coladasif it’s not alcoholic alchemy we don’t want to know.

No more sugar-rimmed

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glasses and boozy ice cubes – we’re talking really exciting taste concoctions here.

Prepare yourself for deconstructed Mojitos, spectacular foam cocktails or even an exploding sphere of boozy goodness.

Just remind yourself this gift is for your flatmate and not you.

Definitely not for you.

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Smartphone projector £14.99 @ iwantoneofthose. com Give your brother the gift of the ultimate Netflix and chill set- up with this snazzy smartphone projector.

His Tinder profile will be filled with new matches after he shows them his sweet home cinema.

The suave, vintage design of this

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compact projector will fit into even the coolest of bedrooms and will lead to hours of novelty cinematic pleasure.

Who needs to watch the Queen’s speech on Christmas day when you could be watching old episodes of Big Bang Theory projected onto the curtains?

Epic.

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FOR THE DAD y No Sh*t Sherlock Bathroom Spra £6.99 @ iwantoneofthose.com the Never live in fear of walking into bathroom after your dad again.

This quirky bathroom spray will g, have fellow bathroom users askin “whodunit?” as the commode is left smelling sweeter than ever.

With a decidedly manly aroma of y lemon and cedar, we reckon Dadd Dearest will enjoy spritzing this round the bathroom, much to everyone’s relief.

Might be best to buy this one in bulk.

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FOR THE BIG BROTHER

FOR THE MUM

FOR THE GRAN Nessie Ladle £9.99 @ iwantoneofthose.com

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IF your gran is anything like our grans, then she probably makes great soup.

We firmly believe that with great soup should come a great ladle and are totally infatuated by this adorable Nessie take on the essential kitchen accouterment.

Envisage the cuteness as he comes swimming through the soup pot.

He’s even got wee legs to keep the worktop clean, clever Nessie.

OK, our inappropriate love of a soup ladle aside, this is a quirky cool gift for a family member who’s not always the easiest to buy for.

FOR THE MUM Personalised wooden spoons £22 for four @notonthehighstreet.com Now we are certainly not suggesting that a mother’s place should be in the kitchen.

What we are suggesting is that this type of personaliSed family gift might bring a tear to her eye and help catapult you towards Favou rite Child status.

This quirky little set will be at home in any family kitchen, and the number of spoons can be changed to fit any size family.

Of course, it helps for design purposes if yer maw wears rollers, yer da has a beard and yer sis wears specs but hey, it’s the thought that counts, right?

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GO W GL AS

Etsy Made Local Etsy is bringing its homemade trinkets to the UK this Christmas!

The website, which mainly sells handmade and vintage items, will be hosting events across the UK on December 5 and 6.

This is your opportunity to meet local designers and producers in your area and find unique, special gifts for anyone in your life.

And you won’t want to miss the chance to nab a treat for yourself, too.

This community-led initiative aims to celebrate local artisans and creative types, and will help bring about some

Christmas cheer with festive surprises in store, too.

Etsy Made Local will stretch across the UK, and will take place in Glasgow on Sunday, December 6.

It will be hosted in The Briggait, a beautiful Merchant City building which has 45 studios for visual artists, four shop-front units for creative industries units and other spaces for artsy folk.

The vintage fair will have around 60 stalls open on this day for Glasgow Etsy team members, and every space is packed!

This surely promises a wide variety

of beautiful creations. Details will trickle in from now to the weekend of the actual event.

Stalls will be open from 12pm until 4pm.

On Etsy Made Local’s Facebook event page, nearly 1,000 people have said that they are interested in attending the event!

And why shouldn’t you be? This sounds like the perfect event to get you into the Christmas spirit! o Etsy Made Local will take place at : Briggait, Glasgow, Decembr 6.

Style Mile Christmas Carnival Christmas shoppers, prepare to be dazzled! On November 22 at 12pm, the Style Mile Christmas Carnival will spark the festive feeling throughout the city centre.

The carnival will take place on Buchanan Street and many surprises will be in stores along the route, to help bring in the season to be jolly.

With over 15,000 shops, it should be no bother spreading the cheer and finding the perfect gifts for your loved ones. o The Style Mile Christmas Carnival will take place in Buchanan St on November 22, starting at 12pm.

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winter in the city HOLLY AND RYAN’S GUIDE TO what’s on in glasgow & edinburgh

5K Santa Dash

FORGET your Personal Best! The Santa Dash is all about raising money for charity and guess who can enter – anyone and pretty much anything!

If you qualify as adult, child, dog, baby or anything in between then grab your Santa beard and suit cos you’re going to have the best fun with your mates all dressed up with somewhere to go and some point in doing it.

Run through the centre of Glasgow satisfied with the knowledge you’re both gaining and losing pounds! o Glasgow 5K Santa Dash will set off at George Square on Sunday December 6.

It’s a Wonderful Life THE Glasgow Film Theatre will again be showing Frank Capra’s 1946 Christmas classic.

What better way to feel the festive cheer than to watch a film about a man contemplating suicide?

Sounds dark, yes, but it is heart-warming! Here’s a synopsis: George Bailey (James Stewart) is out of luck and swimming in debt – he considers suicide on Christmas Eve (no really, it gets cheery).

When he wishes that he had

never even been born, Clarence the Guardian Angel (Henry Travers) comes from the heavens to convince him not to do it.

Clarence takes George for a nightmare-like trip which helps George realise how much his life has touched the people around him.

So with this, George learns that it’s a wonderful life after all! o It’s a Wonderful Life will show at the GFT from December 11-24.

Cinderella

Orlando

You will go to the theatre!

That’s because Cinderella shall be playing at the SSE Lomond Auditorium from December 15 – 20.

Tickets start at £31.20, due to high demand of course, but for this classic fairy-tale it will be well worth it!

ON December 10 at 6pm, a male Elizabethan courtier invites you to witness the journey of self-discovery through four centuries and one sex change.

At Glasgow’s Women’s Library, androgyny of everyman/woman is captured in a humorous and visually beautiful succession of episodes. fifteen

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ED IN B

UR

GH

WHAT’S ON

European Christmas Market WHO doesn’t love a market? I mean, really? Well this one’s extra special because it’s, well, Christmas!

From East Princes Street Terrace to the Scott Monument, on November 20 the European Christmas market in Edinburgh will open at 5pm, and

then at 10am every day until the January 4.

What better way to get in the festive mood than enjoy new foods and buy fascinating trinkets for yourself, family and friends?

The markets are open until 10pm

every night and are on the picturesque Mound. Enjoy the beautiful winter sights while you shop! o THE European Christmas Market runs from November 20-January 4.

Abandonman: Hot Desk ‘Hip hop improvisation’ is how Abandonman are billed. Ireland’s comedy team are bringing ‘Hot Desk’ to Edinburgh’s St Andrew Square for three nights from Dec 28 to 30th.

Rob Broderick and his merry band members are using audience participation to take you on a magical musical mystery tour transforming popular hits – and songs we’d rather flush down the toilet – to a different level.

It’s clever stuff so don’t blink and make sure you prick up your ears as you wouldn’t want to miss a punchline or double entendre! o ABANDONMAN will perform at St Andrew Square from December 28-30.

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WHAT’S ON

Edinburgh Hogmanay

Edinburgh; monuments, statues, a now working tram system and Americans.

It’s quite the city. But this city is nothing without the signature cannon blast when the clock strikes midnight on Hogmanay; ringing in the new year and frightening tourists with it’s mighty bellow.

Tickets are scarce for this world class show now but if you’re one of the lucky few to grab one on time you’ll get to experience the electric atmosphere of the street party that runs all night long, the warming glow of the torchlight procession and the friendly and buzzing atmosphere of a good old Scottish ceilidh! o SEE our Hogmanay feature on Pages 22- 23 to win tickets for the street party and garden party.

The Proclaimers Would you walk 500 miles to see the brilliant brother duo, the Proclaimers, this December?

On December 4 and 5, Craig and Charlie Reid, who have been singing together since 1983, will put on whaty’s guaranteed to be a storming couple of shows at Edinburgh Playhouse.

Pic: Murdo Macleod

If you’d seen them steal the show at T in the Park this year (like I did) then you’d be pushing your granny out of the way (yep, me again) to secure a ticket for these home turf gigs. o THE Proclaimers play Edinburgh Playhouse on December 4 and 5.

Sh*t-faced Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night’s Dream THE S**t-faced Shakespeare company’s own website explains it better than I ever could.

And I quote, “This show contains a single, genuinely inebriated, cast member and may therefore contain strong language, nudity, implied acts of a sexual nature, rapidly expelled bodily fluids, bad singing, actual acts of a sexual nature and possibly ‘moist moments’.”

It’s an entirely serious Shakespearen play with an entirely inebriated cast member.

You have been warned! o SHIT-FACED Shakespeare will be at St Andrews Square from December 9-13. seventeen

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FEATURE Seasonal Starbucks drinks This may be a bit of a ‘hipster’ choice but spiced pumpkin lattes and festive Starbucks cups definitely signify the start of winter.

Who doesn’t love an Instagram pic with their festive Starbucks cup?

Cosy Clothes Winter is here and it’s finally socially acceptable to start wearing woolly jumpers, fluffy cardigans, tartan scarves and huge jackets – hooray!

Buying cosy clothes to wear has got to be one of the biggest highlights of winter. Off to Primark we go!

Seeing People Slip on Ice Okay, this one might sound like I’m being horrible but you have to admit that it is hilarious when people slip outside in winter.

Remember the scene in Still Game when Jack, Victor and Eric keep falling on the same bit of ice?

If witnessing that isn’t a pro of winter, I don’t know what is.

Pyjama Days I don’t think I’ll ever get tired to having those lazy winter days where it’s too cold to go out

Hot Chocolate There’s nothing like being warm and cosy inside with a cup of hot chocolate with cream and little pink marshmallows when it’s freezing cold and snowy outside.

Hot chocolate is always a good idea.

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X

FEATURE

MAS 10 reasons to love the festive season

and you just stay in watching movies and eating the entire contents of the kitchen all day.

Pyjama days are the best.

Winter Films Frozen. Need I say more? Let it go! Let it go – it’s not summer anymore!

Bubble Baths Another cosy favourite of the winter months.

Buying a Lush bath bomb and soaking in borderline-scalding soapy water after a day of being soaked in the rain and snow is bliss.

Snow Snow is amazing. Snow is fun. Snow is pretty. If you think otherwise, you are wrong.

Winter Footwear Wearing fluffy socks and big leather boots is definitely a winter fashion highlight – well, for the girls anyway.

Whether it’s ankle boots or knee highs, flats or heels, boots are great and they keep your little feet from getting damp and cold in the wintery weather.

And finally having an excuse to wear your ridiculously oversized clown Dr Marten boots is always a bonus.

Being able to say ‘Winter is Coming’ IT is now socially acceptable to start quoting the great Eddard Stark’s famous words and say the iconic Game of Thrones phrase: “Winter is Coming”.

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OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST GIN JOINTS 56 North, 2-8 West Crosscauseway, Edinburgh Who thought there could be so many options when it comes to a G&T? With six different tonic waters available, including elderflower and lemon varieties, 56 North offers a personal twist on an old classic.

You can try classic jenever here, as well as traditional English-style Old Tom gin.

Don’t worry if you’re a complete newbie – the menu is conveniently divided into different flavours; floral to citrusy to spicy.

Heads & Tales, 1a Rutland Place Edinburgh Heads & Tales is the home of Edinburgh Gin. A distillery by day, and a hidden gem of a bar by night, this is a fascinating visit for anyone interested in gin.

With two stills installed in the bar, nicknamed Flora and Caledonia, you can watch the distilling process at work as you enjoy a gin cocktail.

The Royal Dick, 1 Summerhall, Edinburgh Summerhall has earned a reputation as an edgy performance venue, and this quirky little bar located at the old vet’s school is a must visit.

The bar doesn’t specialise in gin, but thanks to a unique pipe running from the distillery to the bar, you can enjoy Pickerings gin on tap. Awesome.

Gin 71, 71 Renfield Street, Glasgow AS the name suggests, you can enjoy your pick of 71 delicious gins at this Glasgow bar.

Having originated as a bank, the venue is beautifully decorated with a stunning high ceiling.

Gin 71 serves as Cup tea lounge during the day, but after six PM the lights go down and the music turns up as it transforms into the perfect spot for an evening G&T.

P

ut simply, gin is a distilled spirit predominantly flavoured with juniper.

It is the key ingredient in a classic Martini cocktail and is known for its British connection.

But the origins of the spirit are much humbler than swanky gin bars and lavish cocktails suggest. Modern gin evolved from the traditional Dutch drink jenever, created in the 1600s.

Jenever was originally produced by distilling malt wine to an eye-watering 50 percent abv, and since the flavour was

DID Alston Bar and Beef Glasgow Central Station 79 Gordon St The only thing better than a refreshing gin is a refreshing gin served with a hearty slab of beef.

A selection of 28-35 day dry-aged steaks is served alongside over 50 gins, in this gorgeous underground bar.

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Once the preserve of middle-aged, middle-class couples, gin is now the drink of choice.

And with Scotland being one of the biggest gin producers in the world, you’re in the right place to discover this juniper-flavoured spirit.

Alice Cruickshank investigates why we’ve all gone gin-mad.

yoU KNOW? 12/11/2015 04:30:22

GET IN WITH THE

GN

so unpalatable, herbs were added. Across the channel jenever evolved into gin, and Britain’s love of the herby spirit began.

During the reign of William of Orange, low taxation made gin cheap to make and cheap to buy.

And so began the time of ‘Mother’s Ruin’. Brits went mad for this super strong spirit and it was held to blame for much of the debauchery during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Such was its popularity that when taxation was vastly increased on the spirit under the Gin act of 1736, it led to ‘The Gin Riots’.

The working classes revolted as their favourite tipple was rendered unaffordable, and subsequently the new legislation was ineffective, as the production of illegal gin soared.

After the Gin Act was repealed

eight years later, the quality of gin improved significantly, and led to established brands. s new reforms took effect, gin slowly increased in prestige and made its way into the upper echelons of society.

However, gin businesses still tried to tempt the working classes to drink their spirit with the creation of gin pal-

A

THE phrase ‘Dutch Courage’ originally refers to the gin given to soldiers fighting in the Thirty Years War, who drank the spirit for its warming properties as they waded through the damp conditions.

aces. These were ornately decorated venues designed to provide people with a luxurious setting to enjoy their liquor, in contrast to the slums they came from.

In fact, gin palaces formed the origins of Victorian pubs and now contemporary bars – who knew we had gin to thank for that?

Gin and tonic originated in India, where Brits drank tonic water to fight off malaria. Gin was added to make the bitter beverage more palatable.

Juniper has been renowned for its medicinal qualities for over 1000 years. It is claimed to help treat rheumatism, arthritis, gout and loss of appetite.

Unlike other alcoholic drinks, the only required flavour for gin in juniper.

This means any variety of flavours can be used- such as cucumber, rose, black pepper, elderflower…the list is endless!

Gin does not have the same geographical restrictions as other spirits, such as Scotch Whisky. In fact, only a small number of London Dry Gins are actually produced in the city.

There are several kits available on the market to make your own gin at home.

That’ll add a whole new meaning to homemade cocktails.

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COMPETITION

WIN

TICKETS FOR CONCERT IN THE GARDENS AND PRINCES STREET PARTY we’ve got ONE pair of tickets the Edinburgh Hogmanay Concert in the Gardens PLUS FOUR PAIRS of tickets for the street party to give away.

To be in with a chance of winning one pair of tickets, simply answer the following question:

WHICH SCOTTISH BAND WILL HEADLINE THE CONCERT IN THE GARDENS THIS YEAR?

Text your answer FREE along with your name, contact phone number and email address to 07746-792724 or email competitions@ student-rag.co.uk

YOU WILL BE ENTERED FOR BOTH PRIZES Closing date December 4. Editor’s decision is final.

twenty-two

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Release E

dinburgh’s reputation as the ‘Home of Hogmanay’ is hard to dispute, last year the sell-out 3-day event welcomed over 150,000 visitors to Scotland’s capital city for a feast of spectacular outdoor events, concerts and fireworks...LOTS of fireworks!

This year the celebrations launch on Wednesday 30 December with the Torchlight Procession as 10,000 torchbearers wind their way through the city streets lined with over 30,000 spectators.

The Procession moves from George IV Bridge towards the finale of the Son et Lumière display on Calton Hill which can be viewed from across the city and from the streets surrounding the hill.

For 2015 Edinburgh’s Hogmanay has partnered with Unicef, the world’s leading children’s organisation, to raise vital funds for their work to protect children affected by disasters and conflicts, such as the one in Syria.

A donation from Torch sales will go towards the charity and you can also donate £5 by texting GIVE to 70080.

On Thursday 31 December, the musical line-up across the seven stages in the centre of the city promises to deliver an exhilarating party soundtrack for an anticipated 75,000 revellers.

The flagship Concert in the Gardens – already sold-out – features headliners Biffy Clyro making their only UK appearance this year and are joined by very special guests Idlewild and Honeyblood for an incredible all-Scottish line-up.

There’s a new look to the world famous Street Party with an additional stage and

screens, expanded entertainment zones and new ‘Food & Drink Villages’.

The Waverley Stage (Indie) will be headlined by Newcastle alt-rock band and Mercury Prize nominees Maxïmo Park with special guests, energetic punk duo Slaves and Glasgow funk outfit, the hotly tipped White.

The Frederick Stage (Party) provides the soundtrack to the whole Street Party with DJ sets from BBC 6 Music’s Craig Charles, who presents his ‘Funk n’ Soul Show’, alongside Simon Hodge.

VJ’s Buttercup and Pixels mix cutting-edge visuals to accompany the dance tunes which are relayed on seven screens along the length of Princes Street and throughout the Street Party arena.

The Mound Stage (Cabaret), which alters position this year, features the Guilty Pleasures

12/11/2015 04:30:45

Y

HOGMANAY

l a m i n A y t r Your Pa

cabaret performers, fresh from their sell-out shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August.

Guilty Pleasures offers a heart-thumping, show-stopping, disco-dancing, rollercoaster of a night’s entertainment featuring DJs, dancers, performers and audience participation. new event for 2016 sees the annual sell-out event ‘The Keilidh’ move into its own exclusive outdoor arena on the Royal Mile to become ‘The Old Town Ceilidh’.

New Year revellers across Edinburgh and beyond will enjoy a feast of fireworks

A

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with countdown displays on the hour from 9.00pm, rising to the crescendo of the spectacular Midnight Moment as the fireworks lift from the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle and Calton Hill.

All stages are live from 9.00pm to 1.00am but the party starts from 7.00pm throughout the Street Party arena.

Free Hogmanay Night Bus Services will run throughout the capital for revellers supported by sponsors Diageo and Lothian Buses.

These safe rides home are part of the Join the Pact global responsible drinking initiative from Johnnie Walker

which has secured over one million personal commitments from people across the world to never to drink and drive.

On Friday 1 January 2016 the ‘Stoats Loony Dook’ celebrates its 30th anniversary and sees 1,250 ‘Dookers’ in fancy dress, ranging from the weird to the wonderful, welcome the New Year with a dip in the River Forth at South Queensferry.

Thousands of spectators are expected to line the streets to watch the Dookers parade through the town before plunging into the chilly water under the shadow of the world famous Forth Bridges.

This year the event is supported by Stoats, who’ll be there on the day, warming everyone up with free bowls of energising porridge, giveaways and a fabulous

fancy dress competition. Registration for the event is now open at £10.00 (includes £1 booking fee and a 10% donation to the South Queensferry branch of the RNLI).

On New Year’s Day, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay presents Scot:Lands – incredible new worlds hidden in beautiful buildings and outdoor spaces in the city’s Old Town, where audiences can discover the very best in music, art and theatre, created and curated

by Scotland’s most innovative artists, arts organisations and musicians: a festival in itself.

It’s all FREE but you need a ticket!

n

Full programme details and tickets are on-sale from www.edinburghshogmanay.com, by calling Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Box Office on 0844 573 8455.

12/11/2015 04:30:54

“the 10

movies

Starring: It’s a Wonderful Life, Santa Claus the Polar Express, Miracle on 34th St, The Nightmare

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b

STUDENT RAG PRESENTS

best xmas s ever�

Movie, Love Actually, Elf, A Christmas Carol, The Before Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas...

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12/11/2015 04:31:53

FEATURE

The 10 best WE all have a favourite Christmas movie. Each year usually brings a new film, which is either amazing or a total flop.

Clearly there’s an art to being able to make a good Christmas movie, yet not all releases manage it.

There are a few that will always be some of the best Christmas movies we have ever seen.

These are Kerry Harkin’s Top 10...

Love, Actually Let’s start with Love, Actually. Not everyone loves this movie and that’s fine, but you have to admit, it’s really Christmassy and also romantic in that cheesy, I-need-be-sick kind of way. It’s a great rom-com and has a pretty great cast. If it’s your kind of thing, then give it a watch.

Elf IF you haven’t seen Elf, I’m shocked and I’m judging you. It’s one of the funniest Christmas movies by far. You’ve got the humour from Will Ferrell and the lovely voice (and face) of Zooey Deschanel.

They work well together, seriously.

Now I know there are Will Ferrell haters out there and fair enough, each to their own and all, but this movie is not only funny but incredibly uplifting. Watch it.

The Polar Express The Polar Express is one of the best animated movies of all time. The animation is amazing and it’s such a cute story line. Plus, Tom Hanks

and Josh Hutcherson (pre The Hunger Games of course), who wouldn’t want to watch that?

How The Grinch Stole Christmas You can’t go wrong with a bit of Jim Carrey and he’s been around a long time so he knows his stuff.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas is perfect in so many ways, I can’t even explain them all.

It’s funny, a little silly (okay a lot silly) and also really sweet at some parts as well. Who doesn’t love a fuzzy, green guy who’s slightly insane?

A Christmas Carol And of course there’s also A Christmas Carol if you love Jim Carrey.

He’s three characters in the movie, it’s Carrey over-load, which is a great thing.

It’s a classic story that I’m sure you all know and have probably seen so many versions that your head’s spinning.

But watch this one, it’s probably the most modern version about.

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FEATURE

Christmas movies Muppets’ Christmas Carol Another great version of A Christmas Carol is The Muppets Christmas Carol.

The Muppets is something people grew up with and which made a comeback in the last few years.

It’s funny and a great retelling of that great story we all love or hate.

And you can’t go wrong with the Muppets…or maybe you can, don’t quote me on that please.

The Santa Clause The Santa Clause is clearly a Christmas movie. Read the title and that much is apparent.

Tim Allan as the famous Mr Clause is weirdly brilliant and works really well. We all know he’s a good actor but I’m guessing not everyone pegged him to be a good Santa.

He’s neither fat nor has a big fluffy beard. But hey it works, so no complaining. It’s so funny and it’s a great idea for a movie.

Put on a suit and become Santa; genius.

The Nightmare Before Christmas Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas is still amazing (and my personal favourite), even though it came out in 1993.

The music is amazing and so catchy, Danny Elfman being the genius he is. It’s probably one of the only Tim Burton movies in which Johnny Depp isn’t the lead, but even without him this is pure gold.

You can also watch it on Halloween and Christmas, it being the

hybrid that it is. Christween? Hallomas? I should just stop.

It’s A Wonderful Life THE poster movie for Christmas, it’s so classic it’s unreal and they put it into colour so all us young people would like it more. That’s dedication, I tell you.

Everyone should have seen this at least once and if you haven’t then you should seriously take a look at your priorities.

Miracle on 34th St Everyone knows Mara Wilson from her days in Matilda, but she was also the adorable Susan in Miracle on 34th Street.

Take a kid who’s not sure about Santa, throw in a real life Santa Claus and you’ve got a great movie.

It’s not the original but it’s maybe the best. Just saying, it’s pretty damn good.

twenty-seven

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12/11/2015 04:32:18

INTERVIEW

Womanchild DURING your study years a halt is placed on grown up life. You say, ‘not yet’ to sensibility and exhale a sigh of relief that responsibility hasn’t yet come knocking on your door.

All that can change once you’ve graduated. If you start work you may find yourself taking a good, hard look in the mirror and notice routine creep in.

But not for Isy Suttie. Her reflection giggles back wearing a jesters hat and bells while she sticks her tongue out at settled life.

Isy tells Susie Daniels why she’s the biggest kid she knows.

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VER PLACED an advert in Private Eye or Facebook, trapped a lawyer’s cat or set up secret dinner parties in the desperate quest for a boyfriend?

No? You’ve clearly not tried hard enough. Now if you’re anything like Isy Suttie you’ll have had an SAS approach to dating.

Isy reveals her tactics: “There were many attempts to meet guys and get boyfriends. My mates and I set up a group called, ‘Secret Seven’.

“We decided to invite seven single guys to a dinner party regularly and when anyone hooked up that guy would be carried over with six new single guys to the next dinner party.

“We even put an advert in Private Eye and on Facebook and there were other actresses and producers in the ad so I’d best not name them!

“We didn’t want to reveal who we were in the ad so there’s a silhouette of us all in a Charlie’s Angels pose.

“Another time my mum set up an internet dating profile for me. She had written things like, ‘curvy, sassy

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and unique’. Then she added to it, ‘she likes walks…maybe more’.

“I said, what does that mean, ‘maybe more’? Especially when you are going out in the country for walks!’ (laughs) We had a few arguments about that.

“I would point out to my mum someone on an internet dating site wearing a cardigan and my mum would say, ‘no, he’s doing a phD, he won’t be responsible’!

“A lot of my friends started settling down so I tried to throw myself into the dating zone with a glass is half full feeling. I was going to parties in hipster areas where they were showing films and speaking in rhyme.

“One party I went to a lawyer who lived next door turned up. We’d met and talked before – he was quite a nice guy.

“He’d brought his cat to the party. I pushed the cat into my mate’s bedroom upstairs and went downstairs to talk to the lawyer saying, ‘I think your cat’s trapped in the bedroom upstairs’.

“It got him into the room and we snogged for a bit. Later I tied a note round the cat’s neck with a reef knot. It said, ‘It’s me, Isy’(laughs).”

It all sounds like a bit of crazy, zany fun – if somewhat extreme in measures.

But things began to change in Isy’s life whether she wanted them to or not.

Most of her friends got more serious and sensible in their relationships and settled down and Isy had to seriously question what was going on around her especially after things came to a crunch one Hogmanay. Isy says:

12/11/2015 04:32:29

INTERVIEW

d seeks similar “While everyone was settling down I was buying shower curtains and boring stuff.

“I guess I should have known human beings don’t behave the way you want them to.

“My two best friends went away with me to a cottage for New Year’s when I was in my late twenties and they told me they were going to have a baby.

“My reaction was happy and sad at the same time. I was happy for them as it’s great news but I wanted them to wait two more years.

“I didn’t want family life to happen just yet. The last few years of my twenties and early thirties I wondered if it’s better to be single.”

And so, reflecting on that time, Isy has recently finished writing her debut novel and memoirs, The Actual One. sy recalls: “Next week I’m about to do a book reading with some excerpts of my book and I thought ‘hmm, should I read the bit about sex…or the smear tests?’

“There are so many things during that time to look back at. One time I made an attempt to save my long-term relationship that was worse than stale – it should have been finished but it wasn’t – so I decided to make a paper mache penguin and give it to my boyfriend as a present.

“He was a lovely guy and the penguin took me two or three months to make. I even gave the penguin a name. ‘Roy’.

“I got this chicken wire to make it and couldn’t cut it so Roy ended up being around five feet two inches tall!

“It cost me £200 to make but when I presented the penguin my boyfriend was really nonplussed and I thought to myself, ‘I now have a penguin’. It’s still somewhere in my loft.”

The book is only the tip of Isy’s rich and colourful life.

The Hull-born comedienne has covered musical stand-up, radio shows – winning the gold Sony Radio Academy Award for her radio show Pearl

I

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12/11/2015 04:32:38

INTERVIEW and Dave and writing a Sony award-winning BBC Radio 4 series Isy Suttie’s Love Letters – TV (Peep Show, Shameless, Skins) and panel shows.

She’s writing a new show called The Dance next year, around Christmas time she’ll be on the radio presenting a documentary entitled Brain Tingles and will also be appearing in an episode of Boomers next year with actress Alison Steadman. o where does the perpetually busy all round entertainer feel most grounded?

“I really like variety.

When I was little I wanted to be an actress and some sort of writer.

“I find it hard to choose. Sometimes when I’m doing an acting job the filming can be arduous and you can be up against it and it’s not necessarily like summer camp.

“I realise panel shows can be really tough as you’re like the new person.

“Would I Lie to You and 8 Out of 10 Cats are really easy and fun to do. I don’t enjoy topical stuff and I’m not great at it.

“I find it hard to graft the ins and outs of politics so for (a panel show like) Mock The Week I don’t necessarily fit into that arena.”

Climbing the comedy ladder to get to the panel and big-time comedy shows wasn’t easy but Isy felt well-equipped after acquiring a great entertainment skillset following her studies at Guildford School of Acting in Surrey.

She left with an air of confidence that prepared her for the

S

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Oxbridge-dominated comedy circuit that lay ahead.

Isy says: “I didn’t realise a lot of the comedy world goes to Oxbridge. When I started doing comedy sketches at night I hardly got paid – just some beers at the end.

“I was often one of the only acts on that hadn’t been to Oxbridge. I was lucky though.

“My drama school supplied me with my acting and song-writing skills so I could do comedy songs.

I never felt like a grammar-educated bumbling idiot.”

Isy has now gained a different perspective on her comedy life and relationships following her big leap into parenthood last year with boyfriend, Welsh comedian Elis James.

Isy says: “I am now settled down so I’ve got a bit of perspective.

“I’ve got a baby who’s one and I own a flat with a boyfriend.

There’s still a rebel in me saying, ‘I’m not married yet’. I’m a womanchild.

“There’s something very organised about my life now, although if we find out the boiler’s playing up we still say, ‘what are we going to do?

“And then go down to the pub’.

“I think I could write quite easily the next stage in my life of having a baby and write honestly about the birth and that I didn’t know how icky it can get.”

Isy Suttie’s book, The Actual One is out in January.

P

EEP SHOW’S Series nine brought back some embarrassing teenage memories for Isy Suttie that she would rather push to the darkest corner of her mind.

It involves Isy, her bedroom, a guy and a lot of mumbling. But the mumbling wasn’t from either of them!

Isy reveals: “There’s a scene in Peep Show when we’re all (in character) watching Jeremy doing something he shouldn’t be and we shouldn’t be watching and it’s squared.

“It’s kind of like one of those moments when your mum catches you doing something as a teenager. All I can really emphasise about it is it’s squared.

“I can relate to that moment of embarrassment. My mum caught me doing stuff with a guy when I was a teenager.

“She was standing at the door with her hands on her hips staring at us and she kept repeating ‘Amazed, ashamed’ and other words she was mumbling I couldn’t quite make out.

“The guy wasn’t quite pulling his weight if you know what I mean. (laughs) I’d have been better on my own.”

The stand-up comedienne first

12/11/2015 04:32:51

DOBBY: MY REAL LIFE PEEP SHOW! appeared as Dobby in the hit comedy in Series 5 in 2008.

At the end of Series 8 Dobby is at the centre of a love triangle involving Mark and Jez. The guys are fighting over her so she decides to leave for New York.

Isy says: “Mark and Dobby are kindred spirits. They both feel like oddballs. Both feel like they’re on the outside.

“He’s even more dweebie than Dobby, although she also still rubs people up the wrong way. With Jez she’s getting stoned, having a laugh and an ‘ah, screw it, let’s watch Beavis and Butthead’ attitude’.

“During the time that’s gone by since she left Dobby has changed.

Going to New York was the right thing to do for her. She got out of a claustrophobic situation.

“Working on Peep Show has been amazing. [Writers] Sam (Bain) and Jesse (Armstrong) are great and sit

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down and say, ‘is this the way you envisaged your character would be’.

“Recently they did a Q&A with broadcaster Mark Lawson and Mark asked Jesse ‘how did Superhans get his name?’ and Jesse said, ‘he made up his own nickname’.

“And I thought, ‘it’s that sort of detail that’s amazing. Superhans is the type of person who would think, ‘What shall I call myself?’ t was an extremely emotional moment wrapping up filming of Series 9 in September – for some more than others.

Isy says: “It was really funny on my last day. Sam and Jesse were there and David and I had recently had a baby (not together!) and we talked about our babies.

“It was an emotional day as it was the very last scene and I started crying but then someone came over to say it wasn’t going to be the last filming day and I was like ‘Oh!’ It was

I

like I’d broken up with someone and now we were going to go away for the weekend!

“Just before I was told that I tried to get Matt King (Superhans) to cry but it wasn’t happening.”

The versatile entertainer, who regularly pops round to David Mitchell’s for dinner with some of the other writers and also keeps in contact with Robert Webb is happy for the Mitchell and Webb double act to be back in a new Channel 4 comedy ‘Back’ due to start filming soon.

It’s written by genius sitcom writer Simon Blackwell who penned The Thick of It and collaborated on Peep Show. Will Isy be involved?

Isy enthuses: “I’d love to be in their new comedy series but I’ve not been asked yet. I’m really glad they’re still working together. David and Rob have got such a natural chemistry.” thirty-one

12/11/2015 04:33:00

FEATURE Rainbow Rhythms “IF there isn’t room here for people who stand against everything you believe in, then what sort of a hippy free-for-all is this?”

In a bid to convince future wife Sophie that he’s a normal

Dog Food When Jez accidentally kills the beloved pet of the latest object of his affections there’s only one thing for it – eat the dog.

Jeremy internally delivers the unforgettable line: “I’m eating dog leg! This is definitely a new low” just as Mark is trying to impress his friend’s would-be girlfirend’s dad with his basic life skills CV. Ahhh, life on a canal boat...

human being, Mark joins in with her Rainbow Rhythms dance class.

The uptight freak in Corrigan soon explodes with predictably side-splitting results.

A classic.

PEEP SHOW TOP QUOTES Stationery Cupboard AS sexual encounters go, the office stationery cupboard isn’t up there. But that, and a chat about feta cheese, seems to be working for Mark.

He muses: “Is she just accidentally waggling her bum around and I’m getting an illegal benefit?”

Darty Dirties Jez and Mark board the National Express down to Dartmouth Uni to ‘accidentally’ meet student April (right) who Mark met in a shoe shop.

As they take their seats on the coach, the El Dude Brothers sing: “There’s no quim likes to party like the quim down in Darty.”

Nice.

Wedded P*ss THIS one had it all – with Jeremy’s efforts to not wet himself in the upper tier of the packed church in which Mark is about to get married stealing the show.

Jez: “Oh piss yourself, stop pissing yourself, it’s not that easy Mark...the flood gates are open!”

Moments later Mark and Sophie get married.

Reluctantly.

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12/11/2015 04:33:16

Award winning Mexican inspired street food celebrating our 5th year of business!

Home to the ORIGINAL haggis burrito delivery in and around Leith after 5pm through: www.loscardosonline.com 281 Leith Walk, Edinburgh

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12/11/2015 04:38:34

travel

Adventure playground Adventure is out there. And the opportunities are endless.

Now, given that it’s Christmas (relatively) soon, I feel it’s only fair to imagine you’ll be considering the idea of leaving the country.

Summer is long gone, which means your three week inter-rail pass is likely now a distant memory, while January, February and March offer nothing but

bleak, post-Christmas rain and the occasional Nandos. Christmas and New Year is truly the time for adventure, and I’ve got you covered.

What follows are six (because that’s the number that came out when we recently played arbitrary listicle Bingo) exciting and adventurous destinations to head to over Christmas and New Year 2016.

I’ve taken the liberty of arranging them by my very-own-arbitrary-bingo-inspired adventure rating, meaning that fans of fire juggling and heli-skiing should jump straight to the bottom.

I’m RICHARD JONES and this is my guide to getting out there this festive season.

#1 Berlin

Now, I’ve been to Berlin. And it was totally wicked. Much the same as Amsterdam, Berlin is a quite phenomenal place to visit as a tourist any time of year.

The history of the place is a given, but the unique culture and characteristics that it’s developed in the last century truly blew me away.

Some areas of Berlin look like you’ve stepped three decades into the future, where neon lights and international franchises meet high-speed metro systems and ruthlessly clean-cut concrete.

Walk one mile in the right direction, and you’ll find your-

self in a square of unimaginable historical importance.

The Reichstag – refurbished in the nineties – acts as a perfect metaphor; a modern-looking steel and glass dome rises above the old building which was partially destroyed in a fire to begin Hitler’s rise to power.

Berlin has also grown to become incredibly cosmopolitan and multi-cultural; it’s home to people from more than 180 countries and has a frighteningly cool nightlife and contemporary arts scene.

Back to Christmas, however. Christmas in Berlin has, as you might have guessed, a lot of very happening

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travel

#2 Amsterdam Unfortunately for fans of fire juggling and heli-skiing, their thrill seeking nature has blinded them to some quite phenomenal options for this Christmas and New Year.

Amsterdam is the first of these options.

While there are some delightfully obvious reasons to pick ‘Dam for a holiday at any time of the year, The Netherlands’ largest city becomes even more alluring during the time of giving.

There’s dozens of Christmas fairs and markets to attend, offering everything you might expect at a Christmas market, like ice rinks and mulled wine, and some you might not, such as art exhibitions and live music.

Your New Year’s is covered in Amsterdam too. At the time of writing the 2016 itinerary for in Amsterdam hasn’t been made official, but NYE 2014/15 saw 41 separate parties and events take place across the city by my count.

And there’s something for everyone; Amsterdam

Christmas markets. Not just any Christmas markets, though, these are German Christmas markets, which means they’re the greatest Christmas markets in the world.

Think giant outdoor snow slides, ferris wheels, enormous Christmas trees and all sorts of fancy sausages.

Christmas dinner is sorted, too. Berlin has some of the nicest restaurants in Europe, while I feel I don’t need to tease too much for NYE beyond ‘fireworks in front of the Brandenburg Gate’.

has everything from nightclub parties, to pub crawls, to street dos, to swanky black tie events.

Fun fact: The Netherlands has its own, special, concept of Christmas.

Instead of Santa Clause, they’ve got ‘Sinterklaas’ or translated literally ‘Saint Nicholas’, who does much the same job as our guy.

Instead of Elves, however, Sinterklass is helped by a Batmanand-Robin-style sidekick called ‘Zwarte Pieten’, or Black Peter, who is said to have been ‘stuck in a chimney for a long time’.

The exact history of Black Peter has been the subject of some controversy across Holland in the modern era – certainly worth Googling if you get the chance. thirty-five

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12/11/2015 04:39:15

travel

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Now we’re getting a little further afield.

You’ve seen the headlines on the last two entries and thought ‘no, I won’t be that guy who orders the first thing he sees on the menu.’

As someone stupid enough to want to go to Antarctica on holiday, I respect that.

Zurich, admittedly, will be ever-so-slightly more expensive to get to than ‘Dam and Berlin, but you’ll have the potential to get a lot more out of it.

Zurich’s got pretty much everything the other two have; the markets, the old-timey architecture that looks very dreamy covered in a light-blanket of snow, the scent of cinnamon casually wafting through the air, but it’s also got two things the others don’t. Cheese and hills.

Fondue is apparently this huge thing in Switzerland (which is

something I now realize to be a traditional Swiss thing I should really have known about) and it’s even popular during winter time when it’s awfully cold outside.

There are hundreds of fondue-themed restaurants in the city limits, and to be perfectly honest, I can’t believe I’ve never had it for Christmas dinner before.

Honestly, Google the pictures, this stuff looks amazing.

Elsewhere, Zurich is near the Swiss Alps, meaning if skiing is you’re thing you’re in pretty much one of the best places in the world for it.

If, like me, you’re horribly uncoordinated and you’d prefer to watch the skiing take places in front of a fire, drinking wine and generally being blown away by the unfathomably pristine hills, there’s some availability for that too.

12/11/2015 04:39:25

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12/11/2015 04:39:36

travel

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12/11/2015 04:39:50

travel

#4 Reykjavik Now, people, we’re venturing slightly out our comfort zones.

And by a little, I mean a lot. Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital will be a more expensive and longer affair than anything we’ve seen so far.

It will also be very surreal. When you’re there, daylight will shrink down to a four-hour window while emerald and magenta lights will dance across the sky in the night as you scrape a big fat line across the ‘SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS’ entry on your bucket list.

You’ll also have the option to go on some very cool day trips; Iceland’s alien landscape boasts volcanoes, hot springs, glaciers and big ol’ mountains for partaking in adventure sports.

Also on offer is the fact that Christmas in Iceland isn’t just one day; it’s a festival that starts on December 23rd and goes on till January 6th and owing to Icelandic folklore and tradition, there’s also 13 Santas known as ‘Yule Lads’.

NYE in Reykjavik is run entirely by the people; there’s no one official event, but locals go big and bold with house parties and firework displays, making it a rather more rewarding cultural experience, I suspect.

Language courses worldwide A life-changing experience

United Kingdom

Student Rag 23E.indd 39

t 020 7451 0943 e info@esl.co.uk

www.esl.co.uk

12/11/2015 04:40:02

travel

#5 Byron Bay

I did say it got progressively more adventurous and therefore difficult, didn’t I? If you happen to be one of those people who read the trigger warning and skip straight to the bottom, welcome thrill seeker!

Allow me to offer you a Christmas and New Year like you’ve never seen before.

Being about a billion miles away, Australia happens to be in the Southern Hemisphere, meaning December-February is summertime.

Also owing to being about a billion miles away, Australia experiences very warm summers and is home to the kind of beaches you’ve only ever thought existed on the travel magazines they put in clickbait articles on Buzzfeed.

Byron Bay is a town in Australia’s East Coast and is pretty much the jewel in the crown of Australia’s backpacker scene.

Stunning beaches, adventure sports, nightclubs, bars, other backpackers, it’s got everything you

might want. But all this isn’t even the reason you ought to book your flights yesterday, though.

Every New Year’s, Byron Bay is host to Falls Festival, an arts and music festival which this year will feature the likes of Bloc Party and Disclosure.

That’s right; it’s a summer festival, with guaranteed incredible weather, on holiday, at Christmas.

If only Falls Festival had puppies, it would be the greatest thing to ever have happened.

Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands, where you’ll have the chance to kayak around icebergs, whale watch, hang around with Penguins and even camp out on the continent.

It’ll be cold, sure, but never fear, thankfully waterproof boots are included as part of the package.

I fear after a Christmas like that, turkey and Yorkshire puddings just wouldn’t do it for me anymore.

#6 Antarctic Peninsula NO beating around the bush; this is a very expensive trip that will require a great deal of planning and some time at sea.

That being said, we’re talking once-in-a-lifetime stuff here, and I have never, ever, at any point, met anyone who’s told me doing something like that wasn’t worth it.

I suspect that’s because it is.

The way to get to the Antarctic (that’s the SOUTH Pole for all you geography enthusiasts out there) is by first going to Argentina, to reach the world most southerly city, Ushuaia.

Have fun pronouncing that.

Once you’re in Ushuaia you’ll board a boat which will take you on a 15- day round trip to the last bastion of human adventure.

You’ll cross the infamous Drake Passage to the Antarctic forty

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12/11/2015 04:40:12

Q&A Emeli Sande and fellow Brit School graduate Adele had a massive blast where it felt they were never out of the charts. Is this your time?

It definitely does feel like the beginning of something really cool. It has been so exciting.

YOU have a sassy diva soul look about you. You’ve been influenced by Lauryn Hill and Eta James. Is that any particular influence on your style?

I’m inspired by them but with my style I’m not really influenced by anyone in particular. I like to keep up with anything going on.

Competitive swimming was part of your teenage life. Does that help give you the competitive edge on the rest of your life?

I’ve always been quite driven so being a sportsman isn’t that different to being an artist in that way.

You’ve got lots of cat images on Twitter. Do you have your own cats and what are their names?

I have two, Frank and Edward. They live with my mum. They’re so ugly and that’s what makes them so funny.

Who has been your favourite person to collaborate with?

DJ Fresh. He’s such a lovely person! We get on very well.

Ella Eyre

What was Brit School like for you and have any of your peers enjoyed similar chart success?

No one else on my course made it into the charts because I studied Musical theatre.

I learned a lot there. There is discipline and a lot of structure.

Tell me about the Sky Academy you have become involved with.

It’s a very exciting time for women right now. I work on the scholarship section of the Academy.

Around 1,000 people apply and are given £30,000 to complete work in their field such as visual design, choreography, animation, film.

It would normally cost around £200,000 but the Academy can help with the money. The Sky Academy wouldn’t have benefited me as I didn’t need more help but it would have been so amazing to meet someone in

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the industry to tell you what it’s like.

When I sit down with people in the Academy I don’t want them to think I know everything.

What was your background like?

Did need a helping hand at any point?

I went to boarding school and I grew up around people who were quite privileged. I was surrounded by people who had connections I the industry.

JJ (Jonathan Joseph) who was three or four years above me at school is in the England rugby team.

What’s you ideal holiday to relax for Christmas and New Year?

Not in the UK! Mexico in the sun with my boyfriend sitting on the beach the whole time drinking cocktails.

Your birthday falls on April Fool’s Day. Have you had to deal with a lot of wind-ups on your birthday or you being the perpetrator of the pranks?

Pranks really p*ss me off. No one’s really tried to do it to me.

A lot of people would assume people would go out of their way to get me but on tour they play a lot of pranks like fake rats in the beds but they never play it on me!

If I did see it I wouldn’t care.

What’s your favourite food?

Sushi. I’m a massive lover of sushi.

What’s your advice to anyone joining the music industry?

Be nice to everybody. You never know who you’re going to meet along the way. forty-one

12/11/2015 04:40:20

interview STOKED WITH enthusiasm Sunset Sons have been making waves for years as surfer dudes.

But now they’re making a bomb off the hook with a never-ending shorey (that’s right surfing glossary – you have come in very useful indeed).

The boys still get to hang loose and enjoy in tandem the best of the music and surfer world.

As Sunset Sons drummer Jed explains to Student Rag, it’s like riding the perfect wave...

Your song On The Road, is it a sum-up of what it’s like to be touring?

It’s kind of tongue in cheek. We write in advance of what we thought it may be like on the road.

We basically got a bunch of songs together and made an EP. You were working in the upmarket French surfing resort of Soorts-Hossegar – not your normal place to tour local bars and dingy clubs. Were you already living the dream?

We were in Hossegar near Biarritz and all met in a bar by the beach.

I was teaching surfing so we didn’t actually have a plan to get together as

forty-two

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interview a band, we were all quite happy doing what we were doing.

Someone showed up from a record company and said, ‘do you want to make a record?’

We were in Val D’Isere, France and we used to go up to the Alps in the Winter.

There was good money when we played there. We played eight times a week and stayed there for a couple of months.

DO you like touring after spending so much time surfing and playing the bars?

We’re all nomads anyway so it’s nothing new to us. I left home seven years ago and touring is nothing new.

I saw you play at T in The Park – you command a very strong stage presence. What can we expect after the tour finishes?

We really enjoyed doing the festivals. We’ve got eighteen arenas in Europe and we’ve got some finishing touches to the record for our album.

What do each of you bring to the music?

We all write different stuff. I like Americana, Springsteen, Tom Petty.

A good song’s more important than a good noise!

Surfing’s your passion but what would you do when the money comes rolling in?

I’ve never thought about all the money. Buy some air balloons I guess.

What do you guys do once the European tour is over – hang out over Xmas and exchange pressies?

December is the time we agree to not see each other for a month. I’m going surfing

for a month with my friends and then I’ll spend Christmas in Newcastle and go back and see my mum.

What sort of presents do you expect to give and get, Are we talking socks and personalised wallets or Christmas jumpers and whisky?

I’ll buy vinyl for people. It’s better than iTunes! You can hold it and listen to it. I’m a big fan of Christmas jumpers. My dream would be to get all the Christmas jumpers I lost touring round Europe sent to me!

Surf ing into the sunset forty-three

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12/11/2015 04:41:13

Interview LIAM MENZIES

B

EING the child of a famous parent can seriously suck sometimes. Constant prying eyes, your first tooth and first date snapped by paparazzi and your parents’ dirty linen hung out for everyone to glare at.

Divorce, bankruptcy and illegal use of substances – the whole world knowing as much about your parents as you do.

More if you’re not old enough to read a newspaper!

Eliot Sumner is thankful that her life didn’t follow a typical rockstar’s kid’s path. All the more impressive when it’s revealed she’s the daughter of actress Trudie Styler and singer Sting.

Sting went solo with a massive music career only after being lead singer of The Police – one of the biggest bands of the eighties.

Dealing with that as a kid must find a lot of pressure and release – Kelly Osborne fits the rebellious mould perfectly.

But growing up in an idyllic, picture-postcard village in England Eliot avoided the glitz and the glam that seems to, for a lack of a better word, corrupt some child stars.

Eliot says: “The fact my parents were famous didn’t have any relevance to how I was brought up. They were great parents and I loved them to bits for it.

“I was very lucky to have the

Giving something back can make a difference Volunteering at the National Youth Group of the Year – Beyond Gender Accessing the services at LGBT Youth Scotland made a massive difference to my life when I was younger, and I wanted to give something back.

So when I got the opportunity to volunteer with them I jumped at it.

My main role is helping out at Beyond Gender, a youth group for trans, non-binary, intersex, and gender diverse people aged 13-25.

The group meets on a Tuesday 7-9pm and does a variety of activities from art, music, print making and make up, to workshops on human rights, non-binary genders, and safer sex.

The youth group is a lot of fun, but what makes volunteering really great is the young people who come.

The young people are completely

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accepting of anybody who comes along to their group.

They support one another through difficulties they face, as well as sharing in the joy of their individual successes.

They organise peer-education workshops to share their knowledge, and give hope and encouragement to each other on their personal journeys.

Beyond Gender is a community where the young people grow in confidence and become more assured in who they are.

It is a joy to be a volunteer with the group, and they richly deserve being awarded youth group of the

year at the Scottish LGBTI awards.

On top of being immensely fulfilling, I’ve benefited a lot from volunteering with LGBT Youth Scotland.

Through it I’ve grown in confidence and developed new skills.

I’ve learnt many things and enjoy working alongside staff and other volunteers who share similar values.

I would highly recommend volunteering with LGBT Youth Scotland to anybody who wants to make a difference in young LGBTI people’s lives.

There are a variety of opportunities to suit you, and they provide training and support in your role.

It’s very rewarding and lots of fun.

www.lgbtyouth.org.uk 0131 555 3940 info@lgbtyouth.org.uk

12/11/2015 05:29:15

Me and my folks get on famously childhood that I had, not being in the limelight that much and I was a very happy child for it all and that. I couldn’t be more grateful for it.”

You might think that being repeatedly regarded in the media as ‘Sting’s daughter’ must grate.

Not so. Just in the same way Eliot avoided being like countless other children of stars, she’s also began to make a name for herself in the music scene.

In fact, she doesn’t see her father’s image as a hindrance. After all he gave her a first rate musical education.

“My father’s music will always be the thing I look up to the most since I grew up with it. I always try and do

my own thing but there’ll always be a bit of him in it,” she says.

Eliot’s influences span from The Police and Swedish pop to a library of books. he English singer reveals: “When I first really listened to Abba, I thought their songs were the most amazingly mixed and produced things I’d ever heard. Swedes have a magical formula, I think.

“I try and read whenever I can.

I’ve really been trying to read more but I just seem to spend a lot of time (laughs) just watching Netflix.

“My heart is definitely in writing music but some days you lack the energy and enthusiasm. It’s normal for

T

any musician. I’ll always be searching for my sound, it’s constantly changing but it’s what keeps it exciting”.

So, for a singer who’s father’s band played pre-internet days, what does she think of how music apps have changed the industry?

Eliot offers: “I’ve weighed up the pros and cons and they’re obviously a good thing since they’re more accessible but they don’t give musicians the money they deserve.

“Bandcamp definitely has the right approach, allowing musicians to set the price but there’s always going to be these issues.

“YouTube and MySpace is where a lot of my success derived from and they give a fairer share of royalties.”

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Student Rag 23E.indd 45

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12/11/2015 05:29:45

HEALTH AND BEAUTY

Superfoods to get you through winter You should eat well all year round. That’s a given and I know you’re probably fed up hearing that but hear me out.

Even if you don’t want to eat healthily all the time at least try to in winter.

Your body will thank you for

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it! During winter there aren’t many foods in season but there’s a few you really should try.

Let’s start with pomegranates.

Since you probably don’t have the inclination to exercise as much when it’s cold,

brilliant fruits like these will keep you healthy in different ways.

Grapefruits and oranges are also really good for you and surprisingly grow well in winter.

Who knew?

In terms of veg, potatoes are high in starch and vitamins which is always good. Just don’t eat them all the time because you’ll gain weight like there’s no tomorrow.

Small doses people.

Butternuts squash, and any other squash, are beneficial in lots of ways and very low in calories (yay!).

Now you’re tired of hearing about kale and all those other leafy greens but they’re so good for you that you need to keep being told to eat them.

Well, consider yourself told!

12/11/2015 04:41:27

HEALTH AND BEAUTY Dry weather can have a massive effect on our body, especially during winter when the temperature drops and the wind picks up.

Sadly, the worst effect is probably on our skin.

A colder climate means less moisture in the air and this can dry out skin, causing the prune effect.

The cold winds can take the moisture from any skin which is exposed to the elements and the dry

months can lead to skin becoming tight, red, or cracked.

And, if we’re lucky enough to get it, snow can cause glare from the sun. This can lead to premature aging of the skin and wrinkles. Different parts of the body need different protection from the winter weather.

KERRY HARKIN looks into it...

Put an end to the dry spell Lips

The lips are a major area of damage when it comes to winter. Dry air will kill your lips and if you want to get kissing, ladies (or gents) a lip balm or moisturising lipstick is definitely needed.

No one wants to kiss dry or cracked lips, it’s not exactly appealing, now is it? If you don’t want to spend a lot on lip care try a small amount of Vaseline, which will keep your lips full of moisture and help them stay supple.

Splashing out? Try the Clinique Superbalm Lip Treatment or the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Nourishing Lip Balm. Both these products aren’t exactly cheap but you want to look good, right?

Face

your face can bear the full brunt of the winter weather as it’s the most exposed part of your body.

Our face is the first thing people see (we hope!) when they look at us, so we want it to look its best, right?

Overly hot showers will cause your skin to dry out faster. Make sure your skin is completely dry before leaving the house, as dry air is drawn to moisture and will suck it away.

Moisturise daily and use a good quality moisturiser, such as L’Oréal, Garnier or Simple,.

Switch to a cream cleanser, not a foam one, to help skin stay moist (The Body Shop is a good idea for low priced but good quality cleansers).

And make sure you exfoliate, as dry skin finds it much harder to get rid of dead skin cells and no one wants to look like the walking dead.

Hair

When it comes to hair, everyone gets in a panic. Is it frizzy, greasy, matted or does it look just plain wrong?

In winter, hair problems can get so much worse.

The dry air dries out your hair and scalp, leading to hair snapping and an itchy

head. Keep your head covered when leaving the house, so grab a hat to keep your head nice and toasty.

Again avoid water that’s too hot, because your scalp will dry our with too much heat.

Avoid blow drying or heat styling your hair too much, leave it to air dry if you have time but don’t go outside with wet hair as the dry air will remove the moisture quickly.

Shampoos containing oils will protect your hair and scalp from the dry hair, so try argan or keratin oils (Organix is a fantastic brand), or even buy a hair oil and mix it with your normal shampoo if you feel attached to your usual brand. And don’t forget to condition your locks!

Hands

NO one wants ghostly pale zombie hands (what are we? 90?), so keep them covered with gloves and use a hand cream.

Creams containing aloe vera or an oil will help protect your skin and nails. And to have model hands like Karlie Kloss you must also have drop dead gorgeous nails, so a good product to use is a peeling and brittleness-solving nail lacquer.

Avon sell one of these for a low price or, try Nailtiques if you feel like splashing out.

Also, don’t over use soap, as this can soften your nails. forty-seven

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12/11/2015 04:41:36

health and beauty

Put on your winter face Winter is here and so is a whole new set of makeup looks for us to drool over.

Fashion week doesn’t just bring new outfits for us to try but new looks as a whole.

The catwalks are a sea of new things we can slap on our faces and hope we look up to date.

There’s a whole range of new shades, products, combinations and techniques this winter for us to try. KERRY HARKIN takes up the challenge

Lipstick Lipstick is probably the thing that changes most every season in terms of makeup.

It’s a very seasonal thing. Each season brings a range of shades and when it’s winter things tend to get berry toned.

This year isn’t that different. The lipstick shades

range from red to deep purple. In the last few years the trend of gothic shades on your lips has been a huge success.

Gothic makeup used to be set aside for Halloween but now dark lip shades are flying off the shelves.

Find a shade of dark lipstick you like and get it on those lovely, luscious lips.

LIP gloss is also Lip Gloss set to make a co meback in winter.

It’s not totally lips gear up for glossy tick heaven this winter; lips.

Clear or light pin enough, even tho ks shades are in, weirdly ug trends are so we h dark lips are in…beauty ird.

If you look at the catwalk you’ll se bold and glossy e a mix of lips Got to keep that , instead of a single look. hig h sh ining pout going among all those gothic lips.

Winged Eyeliner

Time to bring on the winged eyeliner and of course it has to be tarlike black.

Truthfully this trend is pretty much yearly, so it might not be called a winter trend, but in winter you can be a bit bolder.

Make it thick, bold and dramatic. Be

creative with it; make it interesting and different.

Do something you wouldn’t normally do – it’s okay when it comes to winter to mix things up.

It works well with dark lipstick. Ignore that you maybe feel like a goth and embrace the beauty that is this look.

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12/11/2015 05:19:48

health and beauty Layering

The Darkness

Dark is also the new shade for eyes this winter.

Darks greys, deep purples, moody browns and gothic blacks.

Any dark shade you can think of, get it on those eyes, but blend it with a lighter shade to give it depth.

Even deep green shades, seriously, that’s a thing now. Embrace your younger grungier self from back in your high school years.

Yeah, it’s a period of time we’d all rather forget but still, even those trends can make a comeback.

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Layering isn’t just a thing for clothes in the coming months, you’ve got to layer the mascara as well.

None of that light mascara touches, we need a little extra in winter.

This adds to the bold look we’re going for with the eyeliner and lips. Very gothic. Gothic is becoming a theme here; I need to not use that word again.

Right, back on topic, get those lashes layered ladies (or gents, whatever your style I guess) and be prepared to stun.

Softly, Softly Summer was all about contouring your face, giving it sharp edges that could cut stone.

Winter is time for tones to make your face softer.

Dust blush on your cheeks and lay off the bronzer; no one gets a tan in winter, we live in Scotland so who are we kidding!

Winter brings rosy cheeks, so you should be emphasising that.

Find a shade that makes our natural blush, lay off the bronze tones if you’re pale and most importantly, embrace the cold blushed look.

12/11/2015 05:20:02

health and beauty

Let’s get this straight During summer it was all about long, soft curls and beachy waves.

Everything about hair was soft and subtle.

And now that winter is here the styles have changed and we’re all now scrambling to keep up with the new trends.

Buns, ponytails, braids, basically any form of tying your hair back is very in for winter.

Quite a difference from Summer where everything was all soft and now it’s, well, not.

Straight hair is also the look

of winter this year so get those waves sorted out.

All you have to do it look at the Kardashians or any model walking the catwalk these days to see this is true.

It’s a massive change from summer but that’s what fashion and beauty does.

Changes means everything we bought is out of style when we’ve only had it a few months. Yeah, it’s annoying.

And yet, we keep at it because being in style gives a sense of satisfaction and pride.

How to find your new best friend

By SASKIA WILLIAMS I have always struggled with trusting someone else with my precious hair even if they are a qualified hairdresser, and I know I’m not alone there!

As I’m not originally from Glasgow, I have been on the hunt for a hairdressers where the people are more customer service-minded than money-minded or product pushers.

So many times I’ve entered a hairdressers and felt uncomfortable; they haven’t been very chatty or welcoming yet their prices are sky high.

I think a lot of people will have gone through the same experience as me, not liking how their hair has been styled but too scared to tell the hairdresser.

That’s why it’s so important for your hairdresser to momentarily be your best friend so you can trust them and still feel like you can express your opinion on the end result.

James Hughes, who opened his salon James Hughes Hairdressing six years ago, spends every day making sure that he is providing his clients with the care and attention that they and their hair deserve.

He believes that it is these ele-

ments which are the key to ensure the customer leaves feeling content and pampered.

Before travelling out to Sydney, Australia to manage a hairdressing salon Down Under, he studied graphic design but decided to opt for a career change.

While talking to his own hairdresser about wanting this change he decided “you know what? I like being creative and I’m chatty, that’ll

do me!” His new career began there and he trained to be a hairdresser over the next six years.

James is the friendliest hairdresser you’ll meet and offers students a 20% discount on all hair services within the salon on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday!

Situated near Strathclyde University and Collegelands Student Accommodation, you’ll find James at 237 High St, Glasgow.

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12/11/2015 04:42:26

BOOSH HAIR & NAIL SALON

STUDENT OFFERS

10% off All hair services Tuesday - Friday TEL: 0131 556 9993

Email: booshhair@yahoo.com Web: www.booshhair.com

Student Rag 23E.indd 51

12/11/2015 04:42:34

INTERVIEW

e c a p S s ’ a r Shu odyssey

I

T’S no accident that a constant thread running through Shura’s music, influences and visuals is Space and loneliness.

The singer would love to be beamed to another planetary dimension just like the character in the lyric of White Light, her single released earlier this year.

Shura has been on a quest for loneliness and Space fits right in with that search.

She explains: “I’m massively into Space. I’m an atheist and Space is the closest thing I have to religion.

“I own a Victorian diagram of the solar system which doesn’t show Pluto as it hadn’t been discovered in Victorian times.

“I watched every episode of the X Files and I love The Martian – I’ve just finished reading it. I don’t believe in the supernatural so ghosts aren’t frightening but sci-fi can be terrifying.”

The electro pop singer song-writer who grew up in Manchester has immersed herself in music and different worlds ever since picking up a guitar aged 13 and studying English Literature at University College London.

“When I was a kid my dad would write jolly songs,” she says.

“He’d sing three songs at night such as Emily The Eskimo, all made up and like stories but he’d turned them into songs.

“So when I was in my early teens I picked up the guitar and did something similar. By 16 I was performing at pubs in Manchester.

“While performing I studied English Literature at UCL. It was completely useless. It was a subject you enjoyed most at school. I loved going into different worlds in my mind, it’s like doing a history degree.

You can do it all when you study English Literature.

“It’s like studying the best subjects – history and philosophy. The downside was I read a lot of Dickens which was not so much fun for me.

“I read a lot of poetry, as you do as a teenager, all music is poems with

Interview SUSIE DANIELS

notes. Generally people write about relationships in most songs.”

After studying, Shura spent time soul-searching, trekking through the Amazon rainforest. A longing to search. But search for what?

She recalls: “When I travelled I found loneliness. Loneliness is a really interesting topic.

“The experience helps you realise you’re not the centre of the universe but in terms of our experience of life we each are the centre of our own universe and that’s quite a lonely thought.”

At odds with a perfect sickly-sweet ending, the singer finds herself writing from the heart about relationships with partners where love turns sour. er debut single Touch is a soft, electro-pop eighties sound and a story about relationship woes. It was very personal to Shura.

She explains: “Touch was about a relationship I was in that was over, being in that strange place after it’s over. You still have very strong feelings about that person and you look through the past relationship with rose-tinted spectacles and only about what was good with it.”

H

Shura plays King Tut’s in Glasgow on Dec 5.

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12/11/2015 04:42:54

WIN

TICKETS FOR THE IRN-BRU CARNIVAL

We’ve got five pairs of tickets for this year’s Irn-Bru Carnival at Glasgow SECC to give away. For a chance of winning a pair of tickets, answer the following question:

WHERE IS THE IRN-BRU CARNIVAL BEING HELD? The IRN-BRU Carnival is Back, Bigger and Better than Ever!

It’s that time of year to celebrate the return of Europe’s largest indoor funfair, the IRN-BRU Carnival.

From Wednesday 23 December 2015 until Sunday 17 January 2016* the ultimate thrill seekers playground, the IRN-BRU Carnival, is set to take over the SECC, Glasgow and it’s bigger, better and bouncier than ever before.

Celebrating 95 years of sparkling

family fun, the IRN-BRU Carnival is Europe’s largest indoor funfair with over 65 rides and attractions.

There are some new and exciting additions this year, including the brand new Inflatable Play Area, where the kids can bounce to their hearts content!

As a family ‘must do’ this season, make sure to book now to enjoy easy entry in to the hall.

For full information please visit www.irn-bru-carnival.com.

Text your answer FREE along with your name, contact phone number and email address to 07746-792724 or email competitions@ student-rag.co.uk Closing date is December 4. Editor’s decision is final

Student Rag

JOIN OUR TEAM

?

STUDENT RAG magazine is on the lookout for persons of interest.

They might be you, your friend or someone you haven’t met yet.

Be on guard. Are they studying journalism? Do they have writing experience?

Do they have an inquisitive mind that longs to share what they’ve learnt and think with others?

Does the art of writing give them ASMR? If so, get them to contact Student Rag – the country’s top student publication.

They will gain invaluable experience.

It will also seriously enhance their CV

so be on the lookout. If you see them, tell them who we are.

We pay them simply – with knowledge, experience and we’ll gladly swing them a free gig ticket or two!

Just ask Alice Cruickshank, Liam Menzies and Stephen Butchard – three of our top contributors who’ve been with us for a while.

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COMING SOON TO A PLACE NEAR YOU...

Looking for a gig or new release and don’t know where to go? STEPHEN BUTCHARD has a gander at what’s goin’ on...

C Duncan Classically trained multi-instrumentalist Chris Duncan makes music so blissful, detailed and refined that it’s hard to believe it was created in the bedroom of his Glasgow flat.

By layering individual instruments on top of each other, Chris creates fleshed out songs that feel organic without the need for band mates.

He even records wire brushes tapping against his desk as drum effects.

His bedroom studio wizardry resulted in an impressive Mercury

nominated debut album, aptly named Architect.

It brings together breezy dreampop and quaint folk melodies in a way that’s immediate in its satisfaction and timeless in its presentation.

Catch C Duncan on tour to see how his music translates out of the bedroom and onto the stage. l Chris will play Edinburgh Pleasance Theatre on December 4 and Glasgow School of Art on December 5.

Julia Holter Julia Holter has been flooring listeners for four albums straight with a mastery of choral instrumentation and intricate, expressive songwriting and pulls from Greek mythology and MGM musicals for inspiration.

If it wasn’t clear enough, Holter isn’t your usual pop songwriter.

Her lofty ambitions and avante-garde song subjects feel literary in their presentation, meaning that it’s slightly more challenging ground than some of her contemporaries.

Her latest album Have You in My Wilderness found her stripping back her eccentricities and delivering a record more grounded in scope whilst still retaining all of the beauty and complexity of her past work.

The instrumentation is as lush as ever, but the album finds Holter tapping into her intimate side by drawing the spotlight on her captivating vocal.

Massive Attack / Young Fathers Despite forming twenty-five years ago, Massive Attack haven’t lost their ambition.

In their formative years, the Bristol collective’s blend of hip-hop, dub and electronic music went on to essentially create the Trip-Hip genre all on its own, along with two perfect albums in Mezza-

nine and Blue Lines, and one of the greatest singles ever written in Unfinished Sympathy.

The band aren’t just a history lesson though – they’re a live force to be reckoned with. They come armed with striking visuals, a sinister atmosphere, stunning ar-

l Fans of art-pop should make sure they catch Julia Holter on November 17 at the Hug and Pint in Glasgow.

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Courtney Barrett “Don’t ask me what I really mean / I am just a reflection/ Of what you really wanna see/ So take what you want from me.” sings Courtney Barnett on ‘Kim’s Caravan’.

She aptly predicts the swathe of listeners who’ve frantically examined her lyrics over the past few months as she’s become a serious critical darling – but part of Barnett’s success is this refusal to take herself seriously.

Sometimes her music can be poignant and gripping, sometimes

Roisin Murphy’s return to music is bewildering in all the right ways.

Murphy has been combining an elegant blend of house and disco with art pop and undefinable eccentricities for over a decade as a solo artist.

Her latest effort Hairless Toys is her sharpest yet, and finds her enjoying the most creative control she’s ever been given, resulting rangements, and a wealth of vocal guests that live up to word Massive.

Overwhelming demand from hungry fans has led to the band to add an extra date onto their Glasgow stint after the first night sold out within the first few hours.

it gloriously embraces its own ridiculousness. Sometimes she sits and thinks. Sometimes, she just sits.

No matter how she’s positioned, Courtney Barnett is doing it impressively.

Her sharp wit and droll vocals set her apart from many of her contemporaries, while her knack for writing a sharp melody prove that she’s more than just an artist with a quirky sense of humour.

With a potential album of the year under her name already, Barnett is not one to miss when she plays Glasgow this December. l COURTNEY Barrett plays Glasgow O2 ABC on December 2.

Roisin Murphy in a deeply personal artistic statement that manages to keep the listener distant and puzzled through its underlying anxiousness.

Instead of luring listeners to the dance floor, Murphy seduces them with an evocative atmosphere and immaculate presentation that reveals itself after deep

listening. It’s cold, clinical and disturbing at times – but Murphy’s sleek soundplay keeps things playful through the darkness, which will go down a treat when she hits the stage in November. l ROISIN Murphy plays Glasgow O2 ABC on November 24.

Savages

l Massive Attack will be joined by Young Fathers at the O2 Academy in Glasgow on Jan 2 and 3.

Two years after breathing life back into post-punk with their visceral mission statement Silence Yourself Savages are set to return.

Their debut was commanding on every level, from the slick, muscular grooves that fuelled their songs, to the (even slicker) eyebrows that graced the cover.

Jehnny Beth’s strident

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lyricism acted as the album’s driving force, while the austere atmosphere and seething energy the band operate in turn their music into a ritualistic experience.

Adore Life will see the band heading for heavier territory, which should make for a beast of an album if the first single The Answer is anything to go by.

The track hurdles end-

lessly upwards, with chaotic drum fills and a snarling guitar riff, while the frantic vocals of Jehnny Beth act as the conductor of the madness from above, urging the listener to dive into it. l Adore Life is available from Janurary 22 via Matador Records. fifty-five

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