Showing posts with label New Business. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Business. Show all posts

Friday, 18 November 2016

What's Black, White & Offers Kickass Gelato? | Mad Penguin Aberdeen


Who is a penguin's favourite family member?

Aunt Artica!
No we're not talking bad wrapper jokes, chocolate biscuits or even penguins themselves (shocking right?), today we're talking about a brand new business taking the sweet scene in the Granite City by storm and really stepping up the game where frozen desserts are concerned, Mad Penguin!
I had the pleasure of being invited along to Mad Penguin the day after opening to sample their gelato range in store, meet the owner, Mike, and hear a bit more about the brains behind Mad Penguin. And after having a paroose of their Facebook page, seeing just some of the delicious flavours they offer, to say I was excited would be a gross understatement.

We visited the store on a cold, rather wintery evening, but I wasn't going to let a little cool air and wind and rain and you know the general demeanor of Scotland in winter keep me from my cool, refreshing dessert!

When we entered we were greeted by the cheeriest staff members and perhaps the biggest selection of gelato flavours I've ever seen in my life! A far cry from the run of the mill flavours we're used to in the 'Deen, here you'll find no Mars bar ice creams, Irn Bru icicles or indeed Mr Whippys in sight, instead what you'll find is far more sophisticated, far more exciting and FAR more flavorsome (and dare I say healthy?!)

Made from real, natural ingredients, sourced as fresh and locally as possible, Mad Penguin staff can not only tell you exactly what's in each and every gelato in store but perhaps more impressively, can cater to any and all audiences in search of a sweet fix. From a soy range for the lactose intolerant to a sugar free range for diabetics, suffice to say Mad Penguin are changing the lives of many one gelato at a time!
Mad Penguin's Soy, Sugar Free and Lactose Free range!
After sampling what I can only call a ridiculous amount of gelato I secured a few firm flavour faves, namely the Pear and Star Anise, Watermelon, Baileys, and finally the Orange, Lemon and Juniper Berry - these are just some of my personal favourites - if these however aren't for you I guarantee they'll have something more to your taste, and if not? Don't fret as the flavours change as much as owner Mike changes his mind and get his mad scientist experimenting hat on!

It was such a pleasure speaking to Mike after our tour of their premises, it has certainly been a labour of love and has been a long time coming. Having studied the art of gelato in Italy for a number of years Mike wanted to bring an authentic Italian experience to his business and of course cater to the masses without excluding anybody - which he has certainly mastered. Mike and his staff are so friendly, so accommodating and so passionate about what they do it just makes me beam having them as part of the independent business scene in Aberdeen - particularly when what they're selling is so damn tasty! In the future Mad Penguin are planning to cater for breakfast audiences too in the form of fresh yoghurts, granola and all sorts and they already have kick ass coffee connoisseur, Paul covering your caffeine bases (Rose flavoured latte guys..... and that's all I'll say)

If you're up the Deen way please I implore you, take a visit to Mad Penguin, you certainly won't regret it but I can't promise you won't leave without a new addiction!

You can find Mad Penguin in the Netherkirkgate area of Aberdeen and of course on Facebook and Instagram if you fancy a nosy!

And of course you can find me lurking undoubtedly inside Mad Penguin but if you're tastes are more digitally based then you can find me on Twitter, Instagram and more from the blog on Bloglovin.

Until next time folks, why did the Mad Penguin cross the road?

H.Elizabeth x

Wednesday, 13 July 2016

She's Got Style | HJC Styling Launch at Malmaison Aberdeen


How many of us have wished and hoped that Gok Wan would come and clear out our wardrobes? Or fancied a Wintour esk fairy godmother who would whisk us away to the shops and help us love our bodies  (and wardrobes) that little bit more and style us to Vogue like perfection? Well luckily for the ladies and gents of Aberdeen that fashion godmother is here in the form of HJC Styling.

Last week I was lucky enough to attend the fashionable, fantastic and fierce launch of HJC Styling at Malmaison in Aberdeen where we got the chance to meet, Hayley, the face behind the fashion. Hayley saw a gap in the personal styling market and leapt at the opportunity to fill it, previously a stylist for various brands Hayley felt limited by brands, sizing and the stores in which she worked, her solution? Become a self made Girl Boss and get it done yourself!

Hayley and HJC Styling currently offer a range of services, whether you're due for a total wardrobe shake up, just fancy a colour consultation or going all out and asking the lady herself to be your personal shopper for the day! I have copied Hayley's full list of services and prices below, I think you'll agree that they have all of their bases covered where helping out the fashion failures (like me) are concerned:

Price List:
Online Styling Service: £25.00
Colour Consultation: £80.00
Shop and Style: £120.00
Wardrobe Consultation: £150.00
Fashion Workshop / Bridal Workshop: £170.00
 
 Not only were we treated to cupcakes and prosecco a plenty as part of HJC's launch but Hayley took the opportunity to show off some of her sensational styling skills with a mini fashion show based on current SS16 trends. Through the show Hayley went through the current trends, how to wear them, what they look great with and the concept of patterns (which TERRIFY me!) I learned quite a bit that evening and wish I had brought a notepad or something to share some of her top tips, but alas I guess I'll just have to book in with her instead. (Also I want to add I was chuffed to find that one of the dresses she chose to dress her model in was actually one I almost bought in Topshop!)

I am so excited to see where Hayley's business goes in the future, it has been so refreshing to see so many new, innovative and creative businesses popping up all over the city where people have thrown the towel in and decided to chase their passions and dreams. If you'd like to hear more about Hayley and HJC Styling be sure to visit her website at HJC Styling  or email the lady herself on hayley@hjcstyling.com 

As usual you can catch me on all of the social medias, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Bloglovin.

Until next time folks, getting my fashion on (trying to at least!)

H.Elizabeth x
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