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Stockbridge fashion and homewares shop Dick's puts emphasis on quality and functionality

Co-owner Andrew Dick has a 'passion for well-made, functional things – from clothing to homewares'

Why did you set up Dick’s? After being in London for years we wanted to be somewhere quieter, more compact. I was working in the newspaper industry (which is in a precarious state) and we fancied being close to one set of our parents. I’m from…

The best (anti-)Valentine's gift guide

The perfect presents for both the pro-Valentine's romantics and anti-Valentine's cynics in your life

LOVED UP Utterly lost in Loveland, but not sure what to give without seeming like a total cheeseball? Or don’t know what to offer because you’ve only just begun dating? Or only got a fiver to your name? We’ve got a few ideas: Put a mixtape on a…

Food, print and zoo subscriptions - the perfect last minute gift

Featuring animal adoption, monthly book and magazine subscriptions and early bird ticket offers

It’s 8am on Christmas morning. All the stockings have been opened. Wrapping paper is strewn everywhere. Grandpa’s on his third sherry. But you have one trick left up your sleeve: a gift that will last all year or, at least, a few months into…

Festive fairs and markets in Glasgow and Edinburgh

A round-up of the best places in both cities to get those last minute Christmas gifts

Glasgow Regular craft markets take a seasonal twist, with Granny Would Be Proud offering clothing and accessories with a retro twist (Hillhead Bookclub, 16, 23 Dec). Designers and makers will be showcasing their wares at The Lighthouse Design Markets…

Hot 100 2012: 69-60

Rachel Sermanni, Limmy and Peter Capaldi among Scotland's hottest cultural contributors in 2012

The Hot 100 is our list of Scotland’s 100 hottest individuals and groups who’ve made a splash this year, from comic book writers to comedians, artists to actors. If they've contributed to Scotland's cultural landscape in 2012, you'll find them here.

The best places to buy Christmas trees in Glasgow and Edinburgh

Real Christmas trees, fake trees, wreaths, firewood and flowers

Caring Christmas Trees has outlets for their sustainably-farmed Nordmann Firs in various locations around the country, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen, Musselburgh, Paisley, Livingston and Fife. The ‘caring’ part of the title comes from…

Christmas activities in Edinburgh and Glasgow

A round up of the best markets, concerts, light displays and sports events across the festive period

When does the Christmas season start for you? Is it a week before the 25th December, when you frantically check websites to see who’s still offering last-minute gift deliveries? Or is it OK to start drinking mulled wine as soon as Hallowe’en decorations…

Five great Christmas markets in Edinburgh and Glasgow

The Lighthouse, Summerhall, Hillhead Book Club and more host festive markets this winter

Design Supermarkets A city centre market, upstairs at The Lighthouse. These two events will feature a range of sellers from the worlds of art, design and fashion, giving you two December dates to make a dent in your Christmas shopping list. The…

Essential autumn fashion purchases

Orkney-based knitwear designer Hilary Grant shares her fantasy autumn shopping list

1. Hello Jenuine’s notebooks are as beautiful as they are functional. The illustrated covers are screenprinted and hand bound. etsy.com/shop/hellojenuine, £7 2. Ally Capellino bags and leathergoods are produced in London and with responsible…

A buyer's guide to fashion photography

Inspired by the Dundee V&A’s Selling Dreams exhibition, we find out where to buy fashion photo-lit

The artful ogle is celebrated this Autumn in Dundee, in the lead up to the V&A opening there in 2015. Beautifully captured moments from the fashion world are on show from the end of September – including a grainy, black and white one of Twiggy whizzing…

A guide to cheap deals for students in Glasgow and Edinburgh

A quick guide on where to go for cheap films, music, travel, tech and more

We all know money can be tight as a student, so Niki Boyle and Suzanne Neilson do their homework and find you the cheapest tickets, greatest deals and biggest bargains CHEAP FILM The upsurge in movie piracy has led to a cinema industry eager to…

Design exhibition Scotland Can Make It showcases quality Commonwealth souvenirs

The Panel-curated event dispenses with tartan tat in the run up to the 2014 Games

Enter ‘Scottish souvenir’ into your mental Google and what comes up? A crazy straw with a kilted bagpiper at the top? A See You Jimmy bunnet? What about a ceramic jelly mould based on the interior of Glasgow’s Rogano? A picnic blanket inspired by a…

Summerhall to host second Scottish Independent Music Fair

The event brings together Scotland's finest independent labels and artists

Local, lovingly reared, carefully selected, packaged with care. Nope, it won’t be organic food being laid out across the stalls in Summerhall’s Dissection Hall. Just quality produce of the musical kind. Stuart Thomas from the Scottish Music Industry…

5 Things: celebrity-endorsed fantasy products

Our favourite celeb cash-cows, from Alan Cumming, Al Pacino, Jay-Z, Bono and Meryl Streep

1 Second Cumming This one actually exists – it’s Alan Cumming’s second fragrance, after the equally silly Cumming: The Fragrance. 2 Al Cappuccino It’s just like REGULAR COFFEE, but with MORE SHOUTING! HOO-HAH! 3 Bononios Now you can give your…

Dundee fashion label Nkili aims to reinstate the blouse as a key fashion item

Has anyone worn a blouse to greater effect than Maggie Gyllenhaal in Secretary? She looked filthier in her high-necked, pussy-bowed polka-dot number than in her Agent Provocateur shoot. On the right person, the mother of pearl button, the leg of mutton…

Peroni Nastro Azzurro hosts a series of intimate dining experiences across the UK

Gianluca Longo hosts dinner at Glasgow's Old Fruitmarket

Over the past few months, Peroni Nastro Azzurro has been hosting a series of unique Italian dining experiences in cities across the UK. Amici di Peroni celebrates Italian style, good food and great company. The dinners are a revival of the Italian…

Record Store Day 2012 - events roundup

Edwyn Collins, Human Don't Be Angry and more to play live in support of independent music shops

In these days of digital piracy, the life of the indie record store seems constantly overshadowed with doubt; thankfully, the annual Record Store Day reminds what a pleasure can be hand from flicking through dusty vinyl LPs and just enjoying music in…

Style Guide 2012 - My Style

Six Scottish fashion and design creatives talk us through their wardrobes and shopping habits

Name: Dougal Marwick. Job: Vintage buyer and seller at HB Electronics/ copywriter. What three words best describe your style? Chip-toothed smile. Where do you find inspiration? There are so many identikit ‘cool-guy’ blogs these days it’s a bit hard…

Valentine's Day - How to buy lingerie

Don’t get your knickers in a knot - Scottish underwear experts provide expert advice

‘When someone enters the store, and motions to one of the agents, “She’s about your size,” that’s the biggest no-no of all!’ says Jemma Hill, manager at Agent Provocateur in Glasgow. ‘If you’re too shy to ask your partner about sizes, look at the labels…

Valentine's Day - where to buy your flowers

Independent florists in both Edinburgh and Glasgow advise thinking beyond roses

‘Red roses are absolutely the worst thing you can buy at Valentine’s time,’ says Esther Kuck, the florist behind The Wild Flower Shop in Portobello. ‘You can spend £70 on a dozen red roses, which is just mad. They probably won’t be good quality, and…

Neighbourhood Watch: Hyndland, Glasgow

Tips for hot spots in the plushest part of the West End

What’s it like? That nice bit between the ‘proper’ West End and Anniesland, with lots of cute coffee shops, restaurants and lovely flats. Think ornate doorways, stained glass and well-pruned window baskets, going for much more than your average…

Whole Foods Market opens in Glasgow

A trolley-tour round Glasgow's popular new ethical food outlet

You have to hand it to the Americans – they certainly know how to create an impressive supermarket. The opening of Whole Foods Market in Giffnock has had foodies, healthy eaters and ethical shoppers from Glasgow (not to mention resentful Edinburghers…

Neighbourhood Watch: Broughton Street, Edinburgh

A guide to Edinburgh's hip gay hub

What’s it like? A street full of bars, restaurants and delightful eateries nestled underneath old tenement flats. Ideal for stuffing your face full of food and hitting a pub with friends just a stone’s throw from the centre of the city. Where’s it…

Glasgow boutique Made in the Shade prepares to move to London

Carrie Maclennan and Clare Nicolson on expanding their horizons

Bad news for all Glaswegians who can’t get through the week without buying a quirky new tote bag. The Made in the Shade Maisonette, the spiritual home of the vintage fabric stuffed bird and curly moustache keyring, is closing its doors. Owners Carrie…

Spotlight: Starter for 6 - Salute

Starter for 6 is an enterprise training programme run by Cultural Enterprise Office

What's your name? Danity Blame Name of business? SALUTE Tell us more SALUTE is a unique multi-platform lifestyle brand created by those in the know! Our core focus areas consist of Creative PR, Marketing, Events, our ‘SALUTE’ Digital Magazine…