Asian street food at Bar Soba Glasgow

When Hayley was through in Glasgow last weekend I was mega pumped when she told me she was curious about Bar Soba. I'm a fan of trying new places but Bar Soba is one of my favorite places to eat in G-town and I was more than happy to take her up on her offer.

I first visited Bar Soba when I came flat hunting over a year ago after securing employment so I suppose it holds some kind of special place for me. The food is of an Asian persuasion and the menu has dishes that span across Japan, Tailand, Malaysia, Korea and India. As normal for this cuisine the veggie options are a plenty with many of the dishes having a 'meat-free' option. It also feels ultra stylish inside with quirky decor and trendy, well-dressed staff.

I took a while to choose my main but settled on the Thai Green Veg Curry. Quite a safe choice from the menu but it was so beautiful that I gobbled it down whilst mildly forgetting about my table manners. As you can tell it was beautifully presented and came with jasmine rice, a lime (covered in some kind of seed?) and a small bowl of chilies.

As a side I decided to pick roti bread and yellow curry sauce even though I had absolutely no idea what it was. But after one bite I decided that if I was ever to - for whatever reason - rank the tastiest foods that have ever been in my mouth this would rank within the top five. Hayley ordered a side of chili fries which I decided to dip into the leftover curry sauce but unfortunately the heaven only occurred with the curry sauce/roti bread combo. Whoever came up with that combination deserves all the internet glory I can give them.

Also, their fries? They remind me of McDonald's fries which is honestly one of the foods I've missed since deciding that they need to get their story straight on the whole frying with beef fat (or not) before I eat them again.

Seriously go eat here. The cocktail menu also looked to die for, so drink something too.

 

The Linkables

 Check us Scottish people hanging out in the Atlantic.

The 10 most common mistakes of blogger outreach

5 Christmas gifts for your dog

I feel better after a good herbal tea and love that Dana is taking up the habit.

A green gift guide

10 organic brands to know

Keep your blogger ego in check (nothing puts me off a blog more than 'okay I've made it, time to put out shitty content only five times a month)

Musicians talk about the idea of 'selling out' (I love Mike Dirnt's response)

Tomboy flower girl outfits (from a wedding blog, which is one of the best I've ever read, and by read I mean scrolled through)

Blackberry chia seed jam

Sweet potato and quinoa burger with red onion and blue cheese

A briefing on feminist porn

Why do people hate the word 'chemicals'?

One of the best male feminist articles I have ever read

23 real life struggles of being 23

Lush Squeaky Green solid shampoo

Remember that beauty goal I started sometime last year to discover the best in solid shampoos and conditioners? Yeah, I barely do either. I reviewed the Jungle solid conditioner and the Big solid conditioner and it sort of ended there. But recently I decided to finally pick up a shampoo, and went for Squeaky Green meant for oily hair.

The main theme to my review will be that this is meant for very oily hair. I have quite oily routes but because my hair is very long the ends get dry and matted with not much difficulty. I found that this did wonders for my routes: there was no oil on my scalp and my hair didn't fall flat around my face. It created quite a 'messy' look as well which I know isn't everyone's cup of tea but it is mine, so pffft. However: it did really dry out my ends and caused the tangles of my life. I found myself using a really thick conditioner (i.e. a hair mask) each use to balance out the un-oiling of my hair.

Another negative I'll point out: my hair went back to brunette really really quickly whilst using this. Which isn't a problem if your hair isn't colour treated, but mine is highlighted using henna which fades anyway but it would usually last longer than this. The drying out didn't bother me because as long as I balance it out with a good conditioner it worked wonders on my greasy scalp, but the ripping of my faux redheadiness is a deal-breaker.

Though, I wouldn't warn anyone off this product completely. If your hair is colour treated then I wouldn't recommend it, but if you have (really) greasy hair which is either 1) short or 2) you're willing to balance it out by using a strong conditioner on your hair then by all means give it a whirl.

Fur, studs, pleather and the SECC

After myself and Hayley attended the Country Living Fair it was only fitting that we went outside and had a pose outside one of Glasgow's landmarks. I purposely wore a mostly brand new outfit that day because I really am that sad, but also because I was yet to wear everything I bought during my most recent haul. Some of the pieces you might already recognise from last winter, but the two new pieces are my top and my boots.

I picked up the top from the maternity section of New Look. I'm a big fan of having a wonder through the non-obvious parts of the store for new items, and on the same shopping trip I picked up two wooly jumpers from the Generation range (for £10 each). The top comes down far enough that it is in the 'is this a top or dress?' grey area (because it is meant for women with a heavy mid-section) so I decided to tuck into one of my favourite pieces ever: my H&M pleather skirt from last winter.

My shoes are from New Look (because that's where I seem to buy everything) and they were the only boot I found that matched all my criteria: smart enough to be worn to work, flat because I walk to work, casual enough that I can wear them elsewhere and still in a design I like. They are mega comfy and they've barely been off my feet since I bought them earlier this month.

And to finish here is a picture of the ears on my hood (clearly this isn't my 'posed' face):

Lots of November love x

Country Living Christmas Fayre

Yesterday, me and my pal Hayley from Water Painted Dreams were invited along to put on press badges and attend the The Country Living Christmas Fayre in Glasgow. As a lover of food, quirky accessories and supporting small businesses, Christmas Fayres are one of my favourite things about this time of year and I absolutely loved all what the stalls had to offer.

I'm a bit skint until pay day so my only purchases were gifts for other people, but believe me if I was rolling in it I would have bought something from just about every stall. But alas, I am on a graduate budget however here are some photos of what was on offer:

As always, all photos from the event can be found on my Facebook page

Some of the stall that did catch my eye and I think people should check out include Gillian Kyle Ltd, Susan Gray's, Arran Aromatics, Susan McGill Designs, Summer Harvest, Flossy Teacake, All That's Delicious, >Miss IntegriTea, Live Native, Coole Swan, and Caurnie Soaperie. 

Even though I couldn't afford to buy something from every stall these are brands that I am planning to part with money for in the future (and some I did buy a Christmas present from, but shhhh). I'm a big supporter of indie and small businesses but still love to look at purchases before I buy so these kind of events are perfect for me to hunt out something unique and not on the high street. 

The fayre is open for one more day tomorrow, but it is well worth a look. You do need to pay to get in but on the other side many brands were offering discounts and you get to have a look at products from brands that don't yet have a physical shop. I got in for free but I would definitely consider going back as a paying visitor. 

The Linkables

What's the biggest sexual misconception you had when you were younger? [NSFW] (I used to think sanitary towel was called a condom...)

An open letter to my (imaginary) daughter about sexting.

Scotland's same sex marriage bill: How MSPs voted

For anyone interested in the Dundee music scene. 

Making energy less boring since 2010

Blogging advice I'm nodding my head along to

I fucking cried like a baby (and I never cry): Katy Perry and girl with autism sing Firework

Vegan Feminist Network

Confessions of a former misogynist

Recipes for singles and couples 

I'm a deadbeat on a phone: 10 tips for the telephone intimated

So, Dundee didn't get City of Culture 2017 but my pal Alan (a real Dundonain, non some pseudo like me) summed up how quite a lot us felt about the bid.

Guess where Hull is on a map (har har, I kid kid - good luck with 2017!)

Stripes and a lizard

Almost two weeks ago it was my 23rd birthday, and to celebrate I swished about in a dress in front of a camera. I kid, I kid. But my party did mean I had someone on hand to take pictures (I broke my tripod in early summer and haven't bothered to replace it) of my dress and jewelry pieces.

The dress itself was bought in the sale section of New Look having originally been an Apricot design. For some reason I seem to have grown into black a lot this year - not sure why, I've never been a 'black dress' kinda gal. Maybe it's my age creeping up on me.

I remember buying the lizard necklace back in 2010 from the Next summer sale (I even added my haul picture to Flickr haha) and it has remained one of my favourite necklaces since. However being a gold necklace with a sparkly lizard on the end it does mean that it doesn't really go with that much, but I felt this somewhat simple black dress would be a good backdrop for it.

My nails are painted with a Barry M shade. When I was trying this dress on a few days prior I knew blue was the shade I wanted on my nails, but I only owned navy and baby blue so I rushed out to buy some specially (trying my hardest to ignore all the other shades that were calling out to me!) but it's my new favourite shade which has yet to budge from my talons.

After the drunken outfit photos were taken (I take outfit photos seriously, clearly) we headed to The Garage but he's a super smiley one of me first:

Lots of lizard and drunken smiles love (this is my final birthday post, promise)

Birthday at Bier Halle

Last Sunday marked my 23rd birthday, and to celebrate me and some of my nearest and dearest headed to Bier Halle in Glasgow - whilst nursing our hangovers from a night in The Garage. I could barely function due to my hangover and part of me would have enjoyed watching more Sabrina from my sofa but alas I dragged myself along. But I did end up almost having a nap in the corner.

My hangover from the night before did prevent me from trying their enormous range of foreign beers (I may take Papa Mo here during his next Glasgow joint) and I only had energy to take a couple of photos of pizzas and didn't venture from our corner booth (we were the very last table) to take photos of the rest of the place.

So here are two photos of pizzas:

I had the goats cheese pizza (the one you can see in the bottom photo) whilst the other pizzas going about are margarita, hoi sin duck, haggis, chorizo, and spicy sausage. All the pizzas were on a thin crispy base that felt very 'real' and authentic and not like someone had been meticulously shaping them in the kitchen.

I'd really like to return here another time, maybe a time when I can stomach the thought of a beer.

. 

The Linkables

All too familiar from my time at university (especially when spent around the sports teams).

Hello Fresh is a foodie subscription box I wasn't aware of (they do a veggie one too!).

That hilarious moment when a black talk show host gives DNA results to a white supremacist, “Hey Bro!”

A Buzzfeed article ranking every single episode of Buffy - such productive use of time and research.

The most extreme weather in the solar system

Scotland named manliest nation, erm, okay.  

My friend Alan wrote a blog on useless councils haha

The cheapskate guide to NYC

If you're looking for new desktop wallpaper, Design Love Fest has some pretty ones.

The final pitches to win the UK City of Culture happened yesterday and next Wednesday I'll find out if Dundee got it (I'm pissed that the BBC piece didn't mention the games sector though!)

A Highland Fling has to be one of new favourite blogs - check out those photos!

Another cute blog I found this week

Some stylish Christmas jumpers

Bloggers that don't declare freebies or paid features: the ASA has released a warning aimed at you.

The Body Shop seaweed skin care range

I've touched briefly on this range before but the Seaweed skin care range for oily/combination skin from The Body Shop is one of my all time favourites. I have stated several times that I think TBS is very hit or miss with their products, but for me this range is a complete hit. I had tried the Tea Tree range for 'spot-prone' skin (which is the kind of description I'm drawn to) but the toner made me break out. (Whattt?)

Seaweed Mattifying Lotion SPF 15

I was first given this as a present for my 20th birthday and I have been re-purchasing it ever since. It first landed itself on my birthday wishlist because I had read even in this country we should be using SPF (the small scar on my right cheek is now virtually invisible after I took this advice) but finding an SPF moisturiser that also worked on oily skin (and then add my later lifestyle change to cruelty-free into the mix) was proving difficult. It's very light so I'm putting it aside until the winter months are over, but I'll definitely be revisiting when March roles back in.

Seaweed Clarifying Toner

I'll admit, I'm not a big toner person. Having never really noticed a big different between using one and not using one, I've went periods without owning one. But I've heard they're important so I pick one up on occasion. This product hasn't made my skin break out and my skin looks roughly the same but what I have loved using this for is removing make-up. If I have a full on night face then I require something stronger but for the quick removal of my work make-up this does just nicely.

Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask

I currently have three facemasks in rotation (this, Cupcake from Lush and the FC5 mask from Arbonne) and this is the one I use when my skin needs to get told and I have a range of spots that need controlled. It dries very quickly and into a hard clay, so is over quickly. Be prepared to use a thick moisturiser afterwards though!

Seaweed Clarifying Night Treatment

I've played with the idea of using a night cream for some time but given how oily my skin is naturally I don't think it would do much for me. And all this oil will pay off when I'm 50 and look 35 so wrinkles aren't in my skin time worries book. This product however hits a better checklist for me. It provides a product to help my skin during the time when my skin will naturally rejuvenate itself but instead of adding moisture to fight wrinkles it balances my skin to fight spots. I wake up with soft skin, but not in an oily way, just soft. And it doesn't have that 'wash-off' feel that some night treatments have.

Las Iguanas Aberdeen

When I was shopping in Aberdeen last week I decided I wanted to stop in by an Aberdeen cafe for lunch. I was looking for a quaint off-beat place but independent places don't ever seem to last long here and after a hunt around the Belmont Street area I decided to give in and go towards Union Square. The restaurants in Union Square are the usual cluster of TGI Fridays et al that you get in 'quay' areas but one or two different ones had popped up, including the Latin American restaurant Las Iguanas.

Having been impressed by the prices and the vegetarian selection (rare for a Mexican place) I opted for their lunch deal where you can get a slightly smaller portion, and add in a starter either for £1.50 or £2.90. It was quite empty whilst I was in and I spent some time ooh-ing over the menu as the selection was so good it took me a while to decide which dishes to get.

For starters, I opted for the veggie empada with a brie & mango filling with corn & sweet chili salsa.

And for mains I went for, the "the full enchilada" with roast butternut squash, roasted red peppers, spinach & gooey cheese. I know it doesn't look that appetising in the picture but believe me it was delish! 

After all this I was still hungry and having been impressed by the meal so far I decided to have a sneaky look on their dessert menu. They had quite a 'mainstream' dessert selection but I settled on the 'Affogato Cubano' which was mainly because it had some rum in it!

There was also a really impressive drinks section with all sorts of rums but I was there by myself, during the afternoon, having a three course meal and taking photos of it so decided I probably shouldn't draw too much attention to myself. But I would love to return to this place - it looks like it would be perfect for a birthday meal or just a good place to come with friends in the evening.


Morag x

The Linkables

Men replace woman In sizzling Ducati Motorcycle posters

The Buzzfeed article to end all buzzfeed articles: 52 Things ’00s Teen Girls Know To Be True UK EDITION!

A geeky resource for comparing video cards and graphic cards: PassMark Software

I do, sometimes, really, really miss cheerleading, here is someone who is a professional cheerleader.

 

10 awesome secret passage bookshelves

10 startups making travel more affordable

Sad Etsy Boyfriends. hahahahaha. 

I've been working my way through the Buffy episodes and I am developing a teenage crush on Oz (you thought I was going to say Angel didn't you?) and have been loving Tumblr's dedicated to him.

If you're a teenage vegetarian or vegan than TeenVGN is for you.

And I'm loving this Buffy Tumblr.

23 Awesomely Underrated Things About Being 23

This made me throw up a bit: Are sex offenders and lads’ mags using the same language?

I cried: How An Abusive Father Ruined His Son’s Life. And What His Daughter Did About It.

Hoe lovely of you New Zealand: New Zealand police probe ordered over 'teen rape club'

Bleach London I Saw Red

Before I start this review I would like to point out that I did, in fact, read the bottle and various blog posts that stated Bleach London works best on lighter hair.

But I tried it anyway because I loved the idea of wash in wash out dye in funky colours on the high street. I then found out that it doesn't appear to work on any hair colour that isn't blonde.

I used this on the morning of my trip through to Edinburgh for Halloween, to brighten up my red hair with not much worry as I had the next week off work. I wad disappointed that the dye didn't work on my naturally medium brunette hair (albeit dyed auburn, using henna) - I know it says 'recommended for blonde hair' but I thought it would still do something? But from the first look at my freshly dyed hair (once I was finished with the hair dryer) I seen no change. Not just 'it came out with one wash' look I mean my hair looked no different from the get-go.

I've been dying my hair auburn solidly for almost two years. And before that I went through a MySpace stage which seen me own bright red tresses and then diy blonde streaks (never again). Not once have I ever had a problem with my hair not changing colour, so you can see why I was surprised this did nothing.

Even if I did take a mad turn and bleached my hair I am not sure I would re-purchase this. I found the formula to be similar to a very thick gel/thin paste and found it quite difficult to spread through my hair. I would recommend taking a small bit spreading it through a section, and then continuing like that (not a big splat that you then spread and run through the hair). I also didn't own plastic gloves at this point so I used my bare hands - the dye came off no problem, which makes me wonder if this is hair dye, or hair paint...

I won't speak for the blondes of the world and your view is your view, but if you have any other hair colour (which would be, erm, most of you) then I'd just leave this on the counter.

Have you tried the Bleach London hair dyes? What did you think?

Edinburgh: The Purple Pig

As mentioned in my Sunday post, whilst through in Edinburgh for Halloween I met up with my old uni friend (who has thought about starting a blog, but hasn't boo!) for some lunch and a catch-up. We were originally planning on the The Two Thin ladies but it was closed for repairs, so we headed to The Purple Pig nearby (it's within the Tollcross area, near Cav). 

I was feeling quite delicate from the Halloween celebrations the night before so opted for a simple greek salad: 

Those falafel were heavenly. There was also a 'comforting macaroni cheese' on the menu, which my hungover self was half-tempted by but my stomach decided it wasn't quite ready for anything heavier than small lumps of feta cheese.

My friend was fresh as a daisy because she celebrated Halloween a day before me and just needed some carrot cake before she headed to do a library session.

We stayed in the café's relaxed surroundings for a chat about coursework, beauty and food before I headed back to pick up my stuff before my trip up the Aberdeenshire countryside (and she went to read-up on readings for her masters).

The Linkables

Encyclopeida of Feminism according to Harry Potter

Do you know the legal differences between living together and marriage within Scotland?

It looks as though Stila may no longer be cruelty-free. 

However Welsh skincare brand Consious Skincare achieved Leaping Bunny status this week (I'm still upset about Stila though)

This is something I've thought about a fair bit: how private are you really online?

The letter of all letters to The Daily Mail. 

I signed a petition to make it harder for people to commit suicide from the Tay Bridge (you should sign it too)

The best critique of Blurred Lines I've read thus far (as it is more real-life experience rather than a sociological academic critique)

Why, hello there breakfast tacos

Atlas Obscura is my new favouirte thing.

How about a trip the Abandoned Wizard of Oz theme park?

A blog all about magical housekeeping.

Times I wish I had more money: when I discover a hotel with a bath shaped like a martini glass.

Bolivia has a witches market...

30 non-Americans on the American norms they find weird (my own addition: why do you make your own versions of British TV but we just watch your American version?!?!)

This week I've found myself researching a lot of theory behind the 'final girl' in a horror flick.