Mary, of Mary’s Milk Bar in the Grassmarket, Edinburgh, graduated from ice-cream university. Naturally, Italy tops the University league tables when it comes to making ice-cream and Mary Hillard, originally from Yorkshire, studied at the prestigious Carpigiani Gelato University in Bologna. However, childhood visits to milk bars in Scarborough and Whitby – both of which are still open today – provided the inspiration for the Edinburgh store. Mary has introduced
Home Sweet Home is a series of domestic scenes, all captured within sardine tins, by artist Natalica. Tiny details such as the Bob Marley picture in the scene above give the scenes immense charm. The artist, who lives in Mantova in Italy describes the scenes as ‘All these different lives, different stories and …different futures, all that intimacy condensed within four walls…in little boxes that each of us calls home’.
On Wednesday 11 June at 6.30pm Man Booker Prize nominee James Robertson and one of Scotland’s best known illustrators Jill Calder will entertain audiences in Dunfermline Abbey with a stunning re-telling of the Robert the Bruce story. James Robertson, who wrote the hugely successful Testament of Gideon Mack and Jill Calder will talk about their book, Robert the Bruce: King of Scots in the historic Abbey, also the site of the King’s
Win a copy of Robert the Bruce! Recently we featured the publication of a stunning new book about Robert the Bruce as told by award winning author James Robertson and illustrated by the brilliant Jill Calder. We are delighted that the publishers Birlinn Books have offered us a copy of the 64 page hardback book as a prize in our competition. All you need to do is answer a simple question
They say that golf spoils a good walk. At Jupiter Artland a beautiful walk is enhanced tenfold by the artworks that now seem integral to the landscape. The surprising thing about this sculpture park, which is just outside Edinburgh, is that it was one individual who came up with the grand idea, Nicky Wilson. Not only that, but she and her husband, Robert funded it from their own income. When
In 2012 Chris Hardwick sent a beautiful 1934 Smith Corona to noted typewriter collector Tom Hanks as in ingenious way of asking him to give an interview on Nerdist Podcast. Within days, Hanks responded with the charming letter seen below, typed on the Corona. Via Letters of Note, published by Shaun Usher.
It’s hard to believe that illustration can look so different from one decade to the next but here are some great examples from the 1960s. There are a few illustrators names who were obviously the favourites with the editors of the women’s magazines who commissioned them; Jac Mars, Eric Earnshaw, Frank Haseler, Whittlesea and Coby Whitmore amongst others. Via Voices of East Anglia.
Just when you thought it was impossible to improve on Tunnock’s teacakes along comes these bad boys. Space teacakes are from Zukr Boutique, who also produce an enticing range of marshmallows including the whisky and orange confection (pictured below). Harvey Nichols ex-pastry chef David and designer/photographer wife, Maggie whip up these ‘edible clouds of joy’ from their premises in the Pentland Hills. Luckily the space teacakes will be coming in
With the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn being commemorated this year, a stunning new telling of the Robert the Bruce story has been produced by Edinburgh based publishers Birlinn Books. With text by award winning author James Robertson the book has been illustrated by Scotland’s finest Jill Calder. Jill spent a year working on the illustrations for this book, producing over 174 large sheets of ink drawings and lettering
Drambuie and Filmhouse Edinburgh are offering 2 lucky Avocado Sweet readers the chance to win tickets to a screening of Tunes of Glory starring Alec Guinness. The screening is on the 30th of April. Drambuie is supporting a series of film seasons over 2014 to bring ‘A Taste of the Extraordinary’ to Edinburgh cinema audiences. Winners will be entitled to a free Drambuie cocktail at the Filmhouse Bar. Tweet ‘Tunes