Midlothian Vintage Guide

Are you a fan of all things vintage? Do you have a special occasion where you want to add a bit of vintage glamour? Here we have a round up of all the best products and services Midlothian has to offer in the way of Vintage.

If you are looking for that perfect vintage outfit, then look no further than the amazing Stephnie Anne Dressmaking and Design, based in Loanhead. Stephnie can make you the vintage dress of your dreams. Perhaps you want something in 1920's art deco style, or perhaps you would rather something from the flamboyant 70's….or how about a perfectly fitted 1950's dress as she created for this Mother of the Bride?

Isn't this just spectacular?! For more information on Stephnie Anne's Work and to get in touch, visit her website here.

So you have the dress, now to look at the accessories to match. How about a beautiful vintage fascinator. Carol from The Tiny Hat Company can help out with this one.

This can be created on a bespoke basis in order to match in with your chosen outfit. Here is a little more information about The Tiny Hat Compan, based in Bonnyrigg.

I have been doing all sorts of craft work since I was a child and I love to sew and create with textiles.

A few years ago I started to do voluntary work in charity shops handling many beautiful donated garments and hats. We never had enough hats to satisfy demand and so I started making fascinators for the charity shop to sell. I then took some millinery courses and read millinery books and continued to expand my skills of making fascinators.

Most of my customers come to me 'by word of mouth' but I also take part in a few craft fairs in Edinburgh and Midlothian. My fascinators have been worn to many weddings, to the Royal Garden Parties at Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh, to Buckingham Palace Investitures, and to Ladies' Days at the races in Musselburgh, Aintree and Ascot.

Each fascinator is made by me and they can be mounted on a comb, clip or band. I will invite you to my home in Midlothian where I have my hat salon and workroom and you can try on some of the styles that are available as sample pieces. I will work with you to choose a colour that matches or complements your outfit as well as suggesting decorative features eg feathers, silk flowers, beads or Swarovski crystals that bring the whole look together.

 I do not make hats, but I can source them from a millinery supplier and decorate them for you. An example is the picture below. If you wish a hat then an extra 3 weeks needs to be added to the order time. 

For more information and to see more of Carol's designs, visit her website here.

Just as important as the fascinator itself of course, is the hair style. Here is Ashley from Signature Hair by Ashley to show how you might create an authentic Vintage look.

Here is more information about Signature Hair by Ashley.

Having had 10 years of experience working in a top salon, Ashley now works freelance, meaning she can fit in with the time you need her and travel to your chosen location. As well as providing hair colouring and cutting, Ashley specialises in Bridal Hair. 

For more information and to contact Ashley, visit her Facebook page here.

How about the jewellery? No outfit is quite complete without it, and nothing says vintage quite like some of the fabulous ranges from Stella & Dot. The Casablanca and deco ranges are particularly suited to a 1920's outfit.

Casablanca Necklace £85

Casablanca Bracelet £65

Maddie Pearl Earrings £25

Deco Cocktail Ring £35

Here is a little more information about Stella & Dot

Stella and Dot is an exciting jewellery and accessories company, founded in San Francisco by Jessica Herrin, a mum of two children. She had a vision to create a new kind of company that would offer today's busy woman a career alternative. As co-founder of WeddingChannel.com (as featured on Oprah!), Jessica wanted to use her savvy to help solve the modern woman's dilemma: achieving success and balance through a career you love. Never one to go with the status quo, Jessica felt that the typical home based business just didn't deliver. With lacklustre product, high pressure sales tactics, and old school marketing methods, inventory was ending up in people's wardrobes with little profit in their pockets.

Jessica's vision called for an entirely new concept that could guarantee women flexibility, reward, style, profit and fun. With an irresistible product and exceedingly personal service, a proven formula for passionate earning and personal success was born.

Stella and Dot, an Inc. 500 Fastest-Growing Company, is a San Francisco based social selling company that creates flexible entrepreneurial opportunities for women. Our boutique-style jewellery and accessories line is available exclusively through in-home Trunk Shows by Independent Stylists and online.

Our one of a kind collections are designed by celebrated New York designers and featured in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Grazia and Elle as well as on the wrists and necklines of today's hottest celebrities. The Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Independent and The Telegraph have praised Stella & Dot for our innovative social shopping concept which brings together the best of ecommerce, social media, personal service and passionate earning to create the ultimate home based business for today's modern woman.

In Bonnyrigg, we have a number of Stella & Dot stylists including myself. Items can be purchased directly through my website located here.

To finish your look, you of course need that perfect vintage 'rouge' and the all important Lipstick. Thankfully, Complete You have the perfect Forever Living products.

Brilliant Blush - Olivia £18.16

Pomegranate Lipstick - £17.30

Here is some more information about Complete You owned by Sara Linton.

'Hi I’m Sara Linton. I live in Bonnyrigg with my partner Jonny, and our little girl Eilidh.

I was introduced to Forever in February 2015 by a friend, after I had decided that I didn’t want to go back to working away from home after being on maternity leave and then being made redundant.  At first I was sceptical but I saw the opportunity and what it could do for my family and me so I went with my heart and joined up, and have not looked back since. I was promoted to Supervisor after just one month in the business and I now have a growing team that I’m really proud of, and I’m always looking for new people to join us in this exciting opportunity.

Joining Forever has to be one of the best choices I ever made. I can now be the mum I want to be, dropping off and picking Eilidh up from school every day whilst being a working mum. I want to help other people achieve their dreams and aspirations too, so, like me they’ll feel ‘complete’.

My business is called Complete You, and we have over 300 fantastic products, all aloe vera based; from creams, weight management products, aloe vera drinking gels, supplements, make up and products just for pets. There’s definitely a product to suit everyone.'

For more information and to order, visit the Complete You Facebook page here.

You've got the look, but where are you going to go? To the new Border's Railway of course. On selected dates/times until 18th October, you can step back in time and enjoy a ride from Edinburgh Waverley on a classic Steam Train. You will board a No 60009 Union of South Africa train. This Steam Locomotive is one of six remaining LNER Class A4's and was built in Doncaster in 1937. A genuine piece of history.

For details on timetables and ticket prices, visit the Scotrail website here.

The train departs from Edinburgh Waverley so how will you get there…..a Vintage car of course.

Ecosse Classic Cars based in Rosewell have a vast array of vintage cars from different time periods. Here are a few examples - the ultimate in luxury.

Here are more details about Ecosse Classic Cars.

The cars that Ecosse Classic Wedding Cars provide are bespoke. They are not kit cars made to look old, but are the original genuine article. We are passionate and enthusiastic about ensuring vintage and classic cars, are not solely for private museums, but are used for the purpose they were designed. All our cars are in stunning condition and well maintained. All the cars we use for weddings are owned by Ecosse Classic Wedding cars.

Your car will of course be immaculately presented, as will your driver. On taking your booking we will seek an indication of what services you wish our driver to provide, and will consider the finer transport details, such as the need for child seats, whether any guest has a disability or is infirm.

We are happy to decorate the vehicle, provide refreshment, or provide any other service which you require within reason. 

Our vehicles are available to view in our new showroom at Gourlaw Filters near Rosewell, where you will receive a warm welcome. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have and allow you to peruse our vehicles at your leisure with no obligation. We have an open viewing at Gourlaw each Sunday from 2-4pm where customers can turn up without appointment, and are open all other days other than a Monday.

For more details and to get in contact with Ecosse Classic Cars, visit their website here.

Do you like a bit of vintage, but would prefer something more subtle for the home instead? Scentsy have a wonderful array of warmers and waxes including this beautiful vintage tea pot warmer.

Here is Nicola with more details about Scentsy.

I was introduced to Scentsy through a friend based in Dundee. I loved it instantly and that was the start of my Scentsy love affair. Shortly after that, I decided that I wanted to become a Scentsy Independent Consultant.

For those of you that aren’t familiar with Scentsy, I’ll give you a brief description:

Scentsy is a fragrant wax that is heated and melted in a warmer by a low wattage bulb. There is no wick, no flame, no black soot and no smoke fumes.  As a result, they are a terrific product for people with small children and pets. The warmers are specifically designed to melt the wax at a low temperature; this is why the fragrance that is released outlasts scented candles.

Scentsy has 6 different warmer categories (Element, Deluxe, Premium, Gallery, Silhouette and Art glass collection) and over 85 different scented wax bars. This ensures that there is something to suit everyone. 

I only became a consultant a few weeks ago but so far I am having a brilliant time, its so much fun! Next month, Scentsy is rebranding and launching some new exciting products. These include a new state of the art Scentsy diffuser and range of essential oils and oil blends.'

For more information and to place an order for your vintage teapot warmer, visit Nicola's Facebook page, Alba Scents here.

Are you looking to have a vintage wedding? The wonderful Stephnie from Stephnie Anne Dressmaking and Designs is also a freelance photographer.She was kind enough to share some of the photos of a recent 1940's inspired wedding. These really show you what a vintage celebration should look like.

If you would like to discuss wedding photography options with Stephnie or see more of her work, get in touch through her photography page here.

If you are looking to have a vintage wedding, how about some vintage inspired wedding stationery to set the scene for your big day. Here are LE Designs we can create something totally bespoke for your needs. Here is an Art Deco inspired invitation we created.

Here is a little more information about my company LE Designs.

Here at LE Designs, we believe that your wedding stationery is such an important aspect of your wedding day, as it is the first glimpse your wedding guests get into the kind of wedding you are going to be having. It sets a precedence for your day. 

We like to discuss in detail with the Bride and Groom what kind of stationery they would like. All ideas can be catered for - we offer a completely bespoke service for all Brides and Grooms. Your stationery should include a bit of your personality and we will strive to include this for you. We have been very fortunate to have been the stationer of choice for a variety of weddings, ranging in the amount of stationery we have provided for them- from simply just the Wedding Invitations, right up to the full Wedding Stationery Package- Invitations, Table Names, Table Plans, Guest Name Table Tags, Guest Book and Menus.

We are able to do as little or as much as you wish. 

If you are interested in our bespoke invitation service, then please do get in touch. Even if you are on a tight budget, we can work to what you want to pay.

Contact us via ledesignsboutique@icloud.com

Not after Wedding Stationery but would still like a vintage themed card….here is a Birthday card that was again created on a bespoke basis.

To see more examples of our work please visit the LE Designs Etsy page here.

I hope you have been given some vintage inspiration from local companies. Please pop by each of them, even just to say hello.

Join me next week when we will be speaking to one of our companies to find out more about them.

Inspiration to Card Design…….Art Deco

Every since visiting New York, I have had a complete love for the place. The sights, the sounds, the hustle bustle and of course, the shops! I first visited this wonderful place in December 2007 with my then Boyfriend. We set off the day after Boxing Day to spend New Year there. The day after arriving, I was whisked to Tiffany's where a diamond ring was purchased and then swiftly taken to the Whispering Gallery in Grand Central Station where I was Proposed to…..Of course, I said yes.

As this was my very first trip to New York, we did all the tourist sights such as the Top of the Rock and Empire State. From here, you see an amazing view of the city and the skyline is filled with the most beautiful architecture. Many of these buildings have one thing in common - Art Deco. This architectural style of the 1920's is so iconic that you can spot one a mile of. The symmetry, the bold lines….all utterly beautiful.

It is not just the architecture that makes the 1920's stand out though. The clothing, the jewellery, the hairstyles, even Art Deco style writing……I don't think there is another era that stands out quite so well.

The Ladies of Downton Abbey Showing us how to wear your hair 1920's style

1920's style Dresses 

Art Deco inspired Jewellery by Stella & Dot

Although there are many eras that could easily be used as inspiration for a vintage card, I decided to go with my favourite. I am a huge fan of black and white paired together and Art Deco lends itself well to this. I know it had to be something with lots of lines, those infamous deco style corners (luckily I have a paper corner cutter to do this) and something quite 'grand'……it therefore seemed appropriate to make this a Wedding Invitation. There also had to be a bit of glitz and glamour too which was added by way of a crystal cluster embellishment. Here is the video showing what I created……Enjoy!

Whilst this Wedding Invitation is not available in my Etsy shop yet, a range of other cards are. Check them out here. If you are looking to have Wedding Invitations made, these are done one a bespoke basis where something is designed just for you. For more information or to discuss your requirements, email ledesignsboutique@icloud.com

Thank you all for joining me. Do come back next week, when we will be looking at lots of vintage gifts and accessories from local businesses in the area.

Laura x

LE Designs Card - Vintage theme

Good evening everyone,

This month on the blog we have a super exciting theme….Vintage!! Everyone loves a bit of vintage don't they - whether it's vintage clothing, vintage architecture or vintage wine! I am a huge fan of all things 1920's and so you will see quite a bit of this appearing over the month.

Lets move to the card being looked at today though. This was a card I designed a long time ago for a competition run by Uniko Studio for a 'Vintage' theme. I decided to make this a card for my Mum and she was over the moon when it was chosen as the winner of the competition!!

Here is the card…..



I wanted to create some 'vintage' looking lace so I began by heat embossing chrysanthemums and small doilies in a sea foam white powder which natural created a more crackled look, on to vellum. Some small pearls were added to the centres of the doilies. Flowers and leaves were also heat embossed and carefully cut out. These were then coloured and shaded using Spectrum Noir markers. These were layered with foam adhesives over the top of a ribbon. Finally, 'Mum' was stamped at the base of the card.

Whilst this is not a card I would replicate exactly (I like to keep it a one off for my Mum), I am always willing to design a card specific to your chosen recipient. You just have to tell me as much as you can about them -favourite colours, hobbies. likes etc and I do all the rest! Want a bit of inspiration first? Check out my Etsy shop, where you will find my current collection of Cards. This can be found following the link here.

Join me next week when I will be designing an Art Deco inspired Wedding Invitation. There will of course be a video showing you how it was done :-)

Laura x

Meet the Midlothian Small Business - The Little Cake House

For this month's Meet the Small Business, I am delighted to be introducing you to Carol-Anne Henderson of The Little Cake House. I have been lucky enough to sample some of Carol-Anne's delicious cakes and I can assure you, you will not be disappointed. I've got my eye on a couple of her amazing cakes for my next 'big' Birthday!!

I will now Pass you over to Carol-Anne.

How long have you been running the Little Cake House for?
The Little Cake House has been running since 1st July 2014

 What inspired you to become a Cake designer/baker?
I have always had an interest in baking/decorating from a very young age.  My father and brother were both chefs and My mother and grandmother were fantastic home bakers.   I really got the bug after I attended a Cake decorating Class with Paul Bradford in December 2012

Which cakes are your most popular?
Most Popular cakes are Minions and and Disney Frozen Cakes for children and Tiffany boxes for ladies.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of ordering a Birthday cake from you?

If you are thinking of ordering a cake from any Cake business please remember the following.

The number you want to feed

What is your budget 

Appreciate that the Cake Decorator is running a business and your cake is made and designed specifically for you with all the best ingredients.  I have heard on many occasion that “its only eggs and flour” but remember electricity costs, time to bake and decorate and also you are paying for expertise.

Can people sample your cakes anywhere?
You can sample my cakes at 'The Front Room' in Portobello.  

If you are interested in seeing more of Carol-Anne's amazing work, do get in touch with her through her Facebook Page for The Little Cake House here.

Midlothian Birthday Guide

Another year, another birthday and another birthday present to buy…..sometimes this becomes more and more difficult each year! Do you ever find yourself buying the same 'kind' of thing all the time and wish actually that you could get something a bit different? Well I most certainly do. A website that I love to help do this is Not on the High Street, but I much prefer to help out local businesses where I can…that's why I am bring you the Midlothian version of this! There are so many fabulous companies out there on our doorstep and hopefully this will give you lots of inspirational ideas for the whole family.

Warmers & Waxes

 I adore having candles on around the house, but I am always very wary with two children running about. I love the smell and that beautiful light being cast but something so beautiful could so easily cause disaster….also, my husband is never happy at the smoke stains that begin to appear on the ceiling and walls!! When I heard about Scentsy from Nicola, I was desperate to try this safe alternative to candles. I took advantage of one of her borrow bags and I was hooked. I now have my own warmer with a range of waxes. I have already had lots of compliments about it. Here is Nicola to tell you more about herself and this fabulous system.

'My name is Nicola Rooney, I moved from Edinburgh to Bonnyrigg last year, I’m still getting used to being out of the hustle and bustle of town, but all good so far! I live with my partner Graham & son Joshua (6). In my spare time I enjoy walking, volunteering with Thornton Rose (riding for the disabled) and learning Gaelic.

Love Bundle - Love Burner and 3 bars £43.50

I was introduced to Scentsy through a friend based in Dundee. I loved it instantly and that was the start of my Scentsy love affair. Shortly after that, I decided that I wanted to become a Scentsy Independent Consultant.

 Bride warmer and Bar - £44.50

For those of you that aren’t familiar with Scentsy, I’ll give you a brief description:

Scentsy is a fragrant wax that is heated and melted in a warmer by a low wattage bulb. There is no wick, no flame, no black soot and no smoke fumes.  As a result, they are a terrific product for people with small children and pets. The warmers are specifically designed to melt the wax at a low temperature; this is why the fragrance that is released outlasts scented candles.

Urban Luster £39

Scentsy has 6 different warmer categories (Element, Deluxe, Premium, Gallery, Silhouette and Art glass collection) and over 85 different scented wax bars. This ensures that there is something to suit everyone. There is also a children’s range of soft toy products, buddies & mini buddy clips.

Scentsy Buddy with free scent pack £28

I only became a consultant a few weeks ago but so far I am having a brilliant time, its so much fun! Next month, Scentsy is rebranding and launching some new exciting products. These include a new state of the art Scentsy diffuser and range of essential oils and oil blends.'

As you can see from what Nicola has explained, you can also get gifts for children - the buddies. There are also gifts for men too by way of a men's collection of waxes and more masculine warmers.

 If you are interested in finding out more about Sentsy, then get in touch with Nicola via her Facebook page here.

Jewellery

Stella and Dot is an exciting jewellery and accessories company, founded in San Francisco by Jessica Herrin, a mum of two children. She had a vision to create a new kind of company that would offer today's busy woman a career alternative. As co-founder of WeddingChannel.com (as featured on Oprah!), Jessica wanted to use her savvy to help solve the modern woman's dilemma: achieving success and balance through a career you love. Never one to go with the status quo, Jessica felt that the typical home based business just didn't deliver. With lacklustre product, high pressure sales tactics, and old school marketing methods, inventory was ending up in people's wardrobes with little profit in their pockets.

Pave Chevron Ring - Gold £25

Jessica's vision called for an entirely new concept that could guarantee women flexibility, reward, style, profit and fun. With an irresistible product and exceedingly personal service, a proven formula for passionate earning and personal success was born.

Gilded Arrow Bangle - £32

Stella and Dot, an Inc. 500 Fastest-Growing Company, is a San Francisco based social selling company that creates flexible entrepreneurial opportunities for women. Our boutique-style jewellery and accessories line is available exclusively through in-home Trunk Shows by Independent Stylists and online.

Capri Pouch Metallic Geo Chevron - £30

Our one of a kind collections are designed by celebrated New York designers and featured in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Grazia and Elle as well as on the wrists and necklines of today's hottest celebrities. The Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Independent and The Telegraph have praised Stella & Dot for our innovative social shopping concept which brings together the best of ecommerce, social media, personal service and passionate earning to create the ultimate home based business for today's modern woman.

In Bonnyrigg, we are so very fortunate to have the lovely Tracey who is an Independent Stylist for Stella and Dot. She can advise you on the best products to match you or your chosen recipient's style and also offer lots of incentives for hosting a trunk show. You are able to shop through Tracey to purchase the perfect gift for the lovely ladies in your life. Have a look at the pictures throughout this section to see the suggestions Tracey came up with as Birthday presents. Her very top suggestion is detailed below.

My top birthday gift would be a charm necklace: you choose a gold or silver delicate chain then add two or three charms- an initial, a birthstone and something meaningful to recipient. I've posted a picture of one of mine below. This is my charm necklace for my son, Cameron. A clover charm with 'C' initial, a wishing bone to wish him well and an angel wing so there will always be an angel watching over him ❤️💕

Should you be spoiled for choice and undecided on which item(s) are best, you can also purchase Stella and Dot Gift Vouchers that your recipient can spend at their leisure.

If you are interested in ordering from Stella and Dot, you can do so by visiting 

Tracey's website here.

Beauty Products

Complete You offers consumers a variety of Aloe Vera based products including creams, weight loss products and some lovely sets as shown below. Complete You is run by the lovely Sara. Here she is to tell you a bit more about herself and her company.

'Hi I’m Sara Linton. I live in Bonnyrigg with my partner Jonny, and our little girl Eilidh.

I was introduced to Forever in February 2015 by a friend, after I had decided that I didn’t want to go back to working away from home after being on maternity leave and then being made redundant.  At first I was sceptical but I saw the opportunity and what it could do for my family and me so I went with my heart and joined up, and have not looked back since. I was promoted to Supervisor after just one month in the business and I now have a growing team that I’m really proud of, and I’m always looking for new people to join us in this exciting opportunity.

Joining Forever has to be one of the best choices I ever made. I can now be the mum I want to be, dropping off and picking Eilidh up from school every day whilst being a working mum. I want to help other people achieve their dreams and aspirations too, so, like me they’ll feel ‘complete’.

My business is called Complete You, and we have over 300 fantastic products, all aloe vera based; from creams, weight management products, aloe vera drinking gels, supplements, make up and products just for pets. There’s definitely a product to suit everyone.'

Below I have listed some products that would make great birthday gifts'

Aroma Spa Collection

I gave this set to my gran for her birthday in July, she still talks about it every time I see her. The shower gel has a delicate scent of lavender, bergamot, lemon and cucumber extract. The bath salts are scented with lavender – perfect for having a relaxing soak after a hard day at work. Then why not get the hubby to give your feet or back a nice rub with the rich massage lotion which has all the soothing and conditioning benefits of aloe vera and white tea with rich oils of lavender, bergamot and sunflower seed.

Promotional price is £47.00 (RRP £62.86)

Aloe Fleur de Jouvence

A fabulous skin set, for the lady who loves her skin.

Great birthday prezzie for anyone, it has everything you need for your daily skin routing.

The name given to this exclusive facial care collection with collagen and elastin speaks for itself, 'The Flower of Youth'. It offers your skin everything it needs to appear healthy and radiant, from deep pore cleansing to nutrient-rich moisturising care.

Collection includes:

                                   

Rehydrating Toner

Aloe Cleanser

Firming Day Lotion

Masking Powder

Recovering Night Cream

Aloe Activator

Mixing spoon, application brush and mixing bowl included.

Promotional price is £75.00 (RRP £92.55)

Luscious Lipgloss

This luxurious and nourishing gloss is infused with our very own aloe vera. Five vibrant and subtle shades shimmer with a touch of a button – the wand lights up for perfect coverage in any light. Perfect your lips using the built-in mirror for flawless application. I’m so in love with these lipglosses and so is Eilidh my little girl. She loved mine so much that I had to buy her one. A must in any handbag and for any night out.

Promotional price is £17.00 (RRP £22.01)   

If you are interested in find out more about the products Sara has to offer, or you wish to order, visit her Facebook page here.

Hampers

There is something so special about receiving a hamper full of your favourite products. Luckily we have a wonderful company locally who can help to create a hamper for your chosen recipient. Here is Katrina with more details on these and other gift ideas they can create.

'Simple Celebrations is a fully registered and insured business which provides a large range of products including party bags, gift hampers, activity packs, bouquets, button holes, wedding favours and more. 

Ladies Pamper Hamper - £10

Mens Pamper Hamper - £10

We also have contracts with record labels allowing us to sell fully licensed merchandise along with occasional concert tickets. 

Candy Their

Pop over to our page, give us a like and have a look around. We have something to suit every budget.' 

Scottish Hamper - from £10 upwards

For more details and to order, visit the Simple Celebrations Facebook Page here.

Manicures & Pedicures

Every woman loves to feel special and nothing does this quite like a luxurious manicure and pedicure. Luckily help is on hand from Nails by Fi. Here she is to tell you more about her company.

'Nails by Fi provides every nail service you’ll ever need. From basic manicures to luxury spa pedicures, there will be something for everybody. I specialise in finding solutions for people who have previously had problems such as nail polish chipping quickly, weak nails, and nail biters.

 I provide a prescriptive enhancement service using premium quality CND products such as Brisa gel and Retention+ Liquid and Powder. I also stock every CND Shellac colour and additive under the sun, have hundreds of pots of glitter and do custom hand painted nail art. Nails by Fi is open Monday – Saturday and there are always evening appointments available.

My name is Fi Aitken and I studied Beauty Therapy 20 years ago – then worked in IT Support! I can’t say that the world of IT was particularly for me as I am very much a people person. So I decided in April 2014 to start my own businesses (I also run a web design company, Midlothian Web Design).

I returned to the beauty industry as it’s something that I love and look forward to every day at work. I enjoy learning and am always attending nail courses and workshops to further my skills. I am going to be sitting my CND Master Painter exam very soon – watch this space!

I live in Bonnyrigg and have done so for around 6 years now.'

Nails by Fi offer gift vouchers that can be given to your chosen recipient so they can have a Manicure and (or) pedicure of their choosing. 

To purchase vouchers and to get in touch with Fi, visit her Facebook Page here or her website here.

Lanterns and Light Letters

For a Birthday present with a difference and with real sentiment, look no further than the wonderful Shelf Life Designs, run by the hugely talented Vicky. As well as designing and creating beautiful home decor items, one of Vicky's most celebrated items are her beautiful hand scratched vases. All you need to do is give Vicky a picture/photo/location and she will work her magic, creating a beautiful hand scratched vase. These can be used for flowers or indeed a candle. The latter looks beautiful as the flames of the candle flicker through the image. Have a look at some of her amazing work below.

How about your recipient's favourite holiday destination, or something to do with their hobbies. The possibilities are endless and Vicky can do just about anything for you. The Vases are priced at just £15 plus delivery.

Another popular item that Vicky hand makes are her light letters. These make an ideal present for a child's room and can be create in a colour of your choice. These are priced at £25 each.

For more details, to see more of Vicky's work and to order, visit the Shelf Life Designs Facebook page here.


Card Making Gift Sets

Do you know someone who likes to get crafty? This could be a child, and adult or an elderly person. If so, here is a gift suggestion suitable for all these people from my company, LE Designs. I am so passionate about creating handmade cards, that I love to share the process with others. When I first started out, I bought a whole bunch of resources, not really knowing all what I would actually need. This takes the guess work out of all of this and delivers everything needed to create 12 beautiful cards wrapped in a single package. There are two sets to select from, a butterfly or a flower set. Ecah comes will all the resources required - pre-folded cards, inks, embellishments (ribbon, sequins), acrylic block, double sided tape and an amazing stamp set in each from the fabulous Uniko Studio. The stamp and inks alone would cost around £15 to buy, but you are getting the chance to purchase the whole kit for £16 (Butterfly kit) or £18 (Flower Kits).
I recently ran a workshop at one of the local primary schools with two Primary 4 classes (age 7-8 years olds) and they had a wonderful time with these - each child got to make one of the cards from the kit.

DIY Flower Kit - £18

DIY Butterfly Kit £16

If you are interested in purchasing one of these card kits, they are available from my Etsy shop here. If you live in the Bonnyrigg & Lasswade area, I am happy to hand deliver in order to avoid the postage cost. Please contact me beforehand so I can give you the free postage code to enter at checkout. 

ledesignsboutique@icloud.com

Gifts for the children

Finding something bespoke and unusual for kids can be a tough challenge, but luckily we are given lots of great ideas from Sara-Jayne of The Baby Times. Here she is with more details about her company.

My name’s Sara-Jayne and I own a small company called The Baby Times.

I started up The Baby Times in March this year.  The first product that I launched was a set of Baby Milestone cards.  I’ve had a lot of pregnant friends over the last 6 months and loved the idea of milestone cards, but could never find anything that I liked enough to buy.

So one day, I decided to make my own.  One of the big things that I wanted to incorporate into the cards was an area for new parents to write down key moments in their baby’s growth.  Silly things like what car you brought them home in, what music made them giggle, what was their first favourite TV character, what was their first solid food.

I remember doing a project in High School and you were asked to write about the year you were born, imagine if your parents handed you a box with all of that in it!  You’d be getting the star pupil badge for that project.

The other thing that I desperately wanted the milestones to have was a memory box to keep them in.  I took a while sampling boxes and ended up falling in love with the box that I’ve chosen.  It’s big enough to keep all the photos and any extra keepsakes.

Following on from the success of the Baby Milestone cards, I’ve created a set of Pregnancy Milestone cards.  I’ve dedicated one of the cards to Count the Kicks, to provide awareness for mums-to-be of the amazing work that you do.  These come presented in the same memory box, and also come with some blank cards to write down memorable information – like when someone predicts the sex of your baby, or the first time someone noticed your bump.

Aren't these just gorgeous? They would make the perfect birthday gift for a friend who is pregnant or perhaps one who has just had a baby. For more details and to order, visit The Baby Times Facebook page here.

Soaps and Diffusers

There is nothing quite as nice as some beautifully smelling soaps and room diffusers. Luckily, we have a fabulous local supplier of such items! Here is Nicky to tell you more.

Welcome to Lavender's Green. If you are looking for handmade products made with natural ingredients, but without preservatives in a range that goes from fresh and zesty to calm and soothing...you've come to the right place! At Lavender's Green, every one of our products is lovingly created, wrapped and packaged by our own fair hands so that you can have confidence when you put them on yours!

Lavender's Green is my business, it was started because as a Mum I wanted my family to use only pure soap products, made with natural ingredients and no additives, to see if it would help their eczema or psoriasis ... Oh, and I enjoy making things! 

There’s no mass production here, I make all the products myself by hand and I only use the best and purest ingredients, for instance all products are made with essential oils rather than “fragrances” .

I do however, make sure that all my recipes and products are properly tested and are in compliance with current EU Regulations

I really enjoy making and packaging all these lovely things, and I especially like to hear from you.

We make a range of beautiful small gifts. Our range includes drawer fragrancers, massage bars and soap stacks, all of which can be tied with your choice of ribbon and wrapping. All gifts come with personalised tags and we will try to accommodate any individual preferences that you may have - please contact us and tell us what you would like.

Lavender's Green also provide men's gifts such as shaving balms and sets.

For more details, more ideas of what Lavender's Green has to offer and to get in contact with Nicky, visit the Lavender's Green Website here or Facebook Page here

Flowers

Purchase a beautiful bouquet of flowers, and you are on to a winner. Especially if the flowers are from the fabulous Michelle at Simply Flowers. Simply flowers can create a bespoke bouquet for your needs. Have a look below at examples of Michelle's work.

For more examples of Michelle's work and to get in touch to order, visit the Simply Flowers Dalkeith page here.

Makeup

Perhaps your recipient is a fan of all things makeup, fragrances or skincare products. A fabulous company that can be accessed locally through independent consultant Louise Murray is Arbonne. Here is some more information about their products.

The idea to provide skincare products unparalleled in quality and effectiveness developed in Switzerland in 1975, when one man, Petter Mørck, together with a group of leading biochemists, biologists and herbalists, fulfilled his vision and founded Arbonne.

Glossed over Lipgloss Cosmos - £18

Arbonne skincare products, based on botanical principles, became a reality in the United States in 1980 and are now shared throughout the world through the Arbonne network of Independent Consultants. 

In bloom gift set - £30.00

Building on these same founding principles, the product line has since grown to include both inner and outer health and beauty products that are unparalleled in quality, safety, value, benefits and results.

Sky for Men Cologne  - £41.00

For more information about Arbonne, to view more of their products and to get in touch with Louise, visit Louise's Arbonne Website here.

Birthday Cards

Just as important as a present, is a beautiful card to match. I like to send my recipient a card that really reflects them. Here are a few examples of the cards I have designed and sell through my LE Designs Etsy shop. As cards are made to order, they can be personalised in terms of the colours and sentiments, a name can be added or a card can be designed completely bespoke for your chosen recipient.

And for children

To see more examples of our work and to order, visit my Etsy shop here, or my Facebook page here

Birthday Cakes

Of course, no birthday is complete without a Birthday cake and there are none so fabulous as those created by Carol-Anne of The Little Cake House. Here is Carol Anne with more details about her lovely company.

The Little Cake House celebrated 1 year in business on 1^st July 2015.  I have always been interested in baking, cooking, decorating from a very young age.  My father was a chef and we were all encouraged to help out in the kitchen.

I was unfortunately made redundant in November 2013 and after a few months thinking what to do next I took the giant step to set up in business as “The Little Cake House”

I work from a studio in my home.  I am fully registered with Midlothian Council and have all the relevant Health and Safety checks.  I am also registered with HMRC.

If you want information on a wedding cake from The Little Cake House please contact me through my Facebook Page or email me at thelittlecakehouse7@yahoo.com or telephone 07759426619.  My Website is under construction at www.LittleCakeHouse.scot

All cakes are individually priced and I would suggest you pop in for a consultation and to taste some cake.

 For more details, visit The Little Cake House's Facebook page here.

The Birthday Bash

No birthday is complete without a night out with family and friends - here are a few companies that can help you make your night a success.

Hair

How about getting your hair done for the big day? A new colour perhaps? A new cut or perhaps just your hair put up? Whatever your requirements, the lovely Ashley from Signature Hair by Ashley can help. Here is some more information about Ashley and her company.

 Having had 10 years of experience working in a top salon, I now work freelance, meaning I can fit in with the time you need me and travel to your chosen location. As well as providing hair colouring and cutting, I specialise in beautiful up-dos. 

Have a look below at some of her amazing work.

 

For more details and to get in touch with Ashley, visit her Facebook page here.

Nails

She was our feature company last month and she is back with us again to show us the perfect nail designs for a Birthday night out. Here is Lynsey from Nails by Lynsey to tell and show you more.

My name is Lynsey Waterson & I'm 32 years old. I moved to Bonnyrigg 7 years ago from Penicuik with my husband, Jason. I have 2 chocolate Labradors named Bailley (8) & Cooper (18 months) who are loving but are completely crazy!! In my spare time I like catching up with my friends & family (usually over a few shots of tequila!!).

I was made redundant from my full time employment & decided to do something completely different. I've always loved doing people's nails, even as a kid, so it seemed a logical move. Being mobile means I can expand my client base to mums with very young kids who can't get to a salon and also to those ladies whose work full time during the week & don't want to waste their free weekends sitting around nail bars.

I use CND Shellac, CND Additives & Lecenté Glitter. I also use Dashing Diva Design FX wraps.

For more information and to make an appointment with Lynsey, visit her Facebook page here.

Jewellery

We have already been introduced to Stella & Dot above by Tracey who gave us lots of suggested Birthday present ideas. How about some retail therapy for yourself though in preparation for your birthday night out. Stella & Dot offer jewellery and accessories to suit a variety of tastes and budgets. I absolutely adore their products and that is how I was so easily convinced by Tracey to take up the role of a 'Style Insider'….my job is to wear the jewellery and accessories and share my love on social media - simple! I have my own dedicated website as per an independent stylist and so you are able to shop the fabulous collections through me here.

So you want some birthday night out outfit suggestions? Here are some of my favourite examples below…which is your favourite?

For more details or to order any of these items, email me on stelladotle@icloud.com or visit my Stella and Dot website here.

Venue

You are all dressed up, and so now where to go? The Paper Mill in Lasswade makes the perfect venue for dinner and drinks. They also have live entertainment on a Friday evening to give your birthday that real party feeling. Here is a bit more information about the bar/restaurant in Lasswade.

Overlooking the beautiful River Esk in the tranquil conservation village of Lasswade, Scotland, the 
Paper Mill is an all-day bar and restaurant situated in an historic former paper mill.

With a long and rich history of papermaking, the Esk Valley was once home to ten mills, renowned for the production of fine papers made from Esparto grass imported from Africa. The era of papermaking ended with the closure of the last mill on the Esk, which ceased production in 2004.

With interior design conceived and developed by Jim Hamilton Design and distinctive branding and signage designed by Edinburgh-based creative agency Touch, The Paper Mill is a striking, yet informal destination sympathetic to the village’s historical surroundings. Reclaimed materials, screenprinted artworks and found objects add to this laid-back feel, while a spacious outdoor terrace leads down to the riverbank. 

Our award winning bar is stocked with a wide range of craft beers and lagers from the best Scottish breweries, along with a fantastic wine list to suit all pockets and a great selection of cocktails to add some sparkle to your event.

The exciting menu for The Paper Mill can be found here. For more details and to book a table, visit their website. For a Birthday night out with a difference, The Paper Mill can also host a cocktail demo event for you. For more details contact them here.

I hope this Midlothian Birthday guide has provided you will lots of inspirational ideas. Even if you are not ready to purchase anything yet, do pop by the Facebook pages of each of the companies to say hello.

Join us next week when we will be meeting Carol- Anne from the Little Cake House to find out much more about her lovely cake company.

Laura x