Branding Up

Photo:  Copyright: Sharknose / 123RF Stock Photo Strawberries and cream make me dream, of that time of year that I hold so dear. The sweat, the tears, the standing-ovation, becoming the champion with sheer determination. Being presented with a trophy to hold up high, so everyone sees it gleam against a summer sky. – Rhona Hartley, June 2017 The Wimbledon Tennis Championship will soon be upon us. I remember, as a child, being glued to the television. Chris Evertt, Martina Navratilova, Bjorn Borg and Jimmy Connors would whack and thwack tennis balls at each other. Through the air they'd fly back and forth. “New balls please!”, the umpire would shout. I'd then watch with envy, as the ball boys and girls would spring into action across the tennis court, all dressed in their smart uniforms. This event has come a long way since its humble beginnings back in 1877, when it was originally a men's tennis tournament held at the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club, i...

The summer sun was high in the sky. A blazing ball of warmth. The sky so blue, the sand a shimmering white. The little girl screamed and whooped with delight, as she ran from the waves on the Scottish shore. “Mummy! Mummy! Look at me!” she called, as she raced in and out of the water. Her mother smiled and beckoned the little girl to come, as she pulled a cooler bag towards her. Unzipping its lid, a feast of sandwiches, fruit and juice were revealed. Placing a selection of treats on a plate, also contained within the bag, she handed them to the little girl. As she watched her daughter satisfy her appetite, the mother secretly thanked the ‘Bag God’ for creating such a handy vessel to easily carry everything to the beach. – Rhona Hartley, May 2017 BAGS! You have got to love a bag! Give me bags! Beach bags, bum bags, handbags, golf bags! But how much do we know about bags? When, for example, was the humble ‘plastic bag’ created? Not knowing the answer myself, I decided to do a little ...

Green, green where have you been? For six whole months you haven't been seen. Now you appear like a long lost friend, with us again until Summer must end. – Rhona Hartley, April 2017 I am reminded today with the sun beating through the window that spring has arrived. Looking out onto the little garden, that I can see from Branding Up’s HQ, I see suddenly how green the grass is looking. All the leaves on the various trees are starting to spring into action too, stippling the otherwise dull brown branches with green, glorious green!   Now why am I banging on about green? Well, last December, the Pantone Color Institute revealed that it's colour of the year for 2017 was Greenery.  For the past seventeen years the Pantone Color Institute has chosen a colour that encapsulates the current cultural climate. Historically this specific colour has influenced trends in all areas of design over the next 12 months – from architecture and interior decor, to fashion, graphi...

“Who are you?” asked the child, eyes as big as saucers. The Easter Bunny stood there, before him, dressed in a little suit and carrying a wicker basket laden with chocolates.  He plucked a little mug with a picture of himself branded on it. It contained colourful foil wrapped eggs and was wrapped in cellophane tied with a beautiful ribbon.  “I am The Easter Bunny” he said softly.  Then like a fine mist, on a March morning, he disappeared. – Rhona Hartley 2017 Do you remember the anticipation of what lay in store the night before The Easter Bunny hunt?? The fear of finding a giant White Bunny wearing a Beatrix Potter Victorian Style suit?? Surely it couldn't be true??? But who planted all those eggs all around the garden??  The excitement would build as you were handed a little decorated basket and set free along with cousins, brothers and sisters… What a racket!! Great fun though! But where did The Easter Bunny originate from??  ...

No sooner are the Christmas decs packed away and back in the attic, and it's time to start thinking about Burns Night on 25 January. After Hogmanay, this is Scotland's first major celebration of the year, and is an event that's commemorated by Scots around the world. Robert "Rabbie" Burns is regarded to be Scotland's national poet. Writing in the Scots language, a light Scots dialect and in English, his poems, writings, commentaries and songs became accessible to a wide audience. After his death his influence continued to inspire liberals and socialists. It wasn't long before he was considered to be a cultural icon of Scotland. Out here in East Lothian, Redside neighbours usually gather together for an informal Burns Night Supper when, like everyone, we celebrate the Bard of Ayrshire’s life and works. With this event in mind, I did a few clickerty-clicks online and found some gift ideas that may help your Burns Night go Scots Wha Hae! Rabbie Burns Mu...

I don't know about you, but things are starting to feel very festive down here at Redside. Advent calendar doors are being opened, the "Sleeps 'til Santa" list has several nights crossed off of it, and preparations around the steading for the big day are well underway. At this time of year my artistic temperament really comes to its fore. I just can't contain it! The abundance of natural materials from the surrounding woodlands, combined with found objects during walks with my pooches along the shoreline, are perfect for creating homemade Yuletide decorations. Something else that I like to hand make are Christmas crackers. These are relatively easy to put together, especially if you download and print out one of hundreds of templates that can be found online! The fab thing about making Christmas Crackers yourself is that you can stuff them full of your own festive goodies. I think it’s much nicer to put in bespoke gifts, rather than receive cheap offerings whi...

Forget Black Friday and Cyber Monday, - both of which are US imports - there’s only one date between now and Christmas that really matters to us here in Scotland. That’s St Andrew’s Day, our national day on the 30th of November. Many people are unaware that in 2006 the Scottish Parliament passed the St Andrew’s Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Act 2007. This designated the day as an official public holiday. If the 30th of November falls at the weekend, then the following Monday is a bank holiday instead. Although most of us seem to go to work on St Andrew’s Day - Boo-Hoo! - there are still plenty of events taking place to entertain folk. Out here in East Lothian we’re home to The Saltire Festival from 24–30 November, which features a great selection of activities across the region. Do visit their webby for more info, and pop out if you can! All this chat about St Andrew’s Day got me thinking about gifts that incorporated a hint of Scotland. Here’s what I found: Tartan Hi-Tops ...