Secret Garden Catwalk
My niece Laura Fisher has attended St. Andrews University in Scotland and will graduate this year. The past 3 years she has been involved with the St. Andrews Charity Fashion Show. You know … the one where Duchess Kate was wearing the see thru dress and Prince William took notice. Yes, THAT fashion show.
This year Laura was selected as the FIRST female Director of FS2012. So her mother Melea (my sister) and I decided we would trek to Scotland to be part of the festivities. I can tell you that was a fabulous decision.
Edinburgh Castle
I arrived in Edinburgh early Thursday morning after flying all night. Headed to The Balmoral Hotel to check in and drop off luggage since my room was not ready yet. I grabbed my camera and headed out to walk to Edinburgh Castle. It was a drizzly, cloudy morning with lots of wind. I share that with you because I thought when I got back to the hotel I thought that my hair would be wet … nope it was like I had a blow dry the entire time! Too funny!
The Castle was great … steeped in history. My favorite part was the War Memorial. I deliberately didn’t tour it in depth because I knew I would be coming back with Vic someday and do it again. I headed back to the Hotel and had lunch there.
Bath Ritual
Once in my room I saw a Bath Ritual Menu and decided that was exactly what I needed for about $25. I called and 20 minutes later I had a silver tray full of goodies. Hot tea, oil for the tub, Sachet and lotion for after the bath. The young lady who delivered the Bath Ritual drew the water added the bath oil and tied the sachet over the faucet so that the water was infused as the tub filled. Once filled she placed rose petals on the water. Ahhhhh!
Lisa, Laura & Melea
Next was a nap for me until Laura arrive around 7pm. Melea wasn’t due to arrive until 8pm at the hotel. We decided to have dinner at the hotel that night so there was no travel need. We enjoyed an amazing dinner at Number One, and chose to have the tasting menu. ”Best. Meal. Ever.” was Laura’s post was on Facebook. It was very good and would do it again.
The next day Laura left us to do all of her Director duties as “Team Zhuzh” leapt into action. Team Zhuzh being Melea and me. We found out that Laura was wearing her gown with NO accessories. That would never do. So off we went and found earrings, bracelets and evening clutch to complete her ensemble. Turns out they all worked with her After Party dress too.
Afternoon Tea
The only way to travel in ‘style’ to Holyrood would be in a “super nanny” taxi. So that’s just what we ordered. Yes, we could walk to the Queens Palace but we decided to taxi over and walk back. The palace and the grounds were an interesting tour back in time.
We headed back in time for Afternoon Tea at The Balmoral Hotel. I would say there were good and not so good elements of that service. But Melea and I did agree that their Goat Cheese Spread, arugula and balsamic tea sandwiches were awesome. We actually asked for more. Look for it on our next tea service.
Laura and Ann Maxwell
Next on our agenda was the Muir Maxwell Trust and St. Andrews Charity Fashion Show Black Tie Gala: The Secret Garden Gala. The MMT was the designated charity for FH2012. The MMT has a major fund raiser in February so they joined forces. MMT provided an event planner who did an amazing job and FH2012 provided the models, sound, and all media. Not only were we dazzled with fashion, we had amazing singing from The Other Guys (men’s acapella group from St. Andrews) and three tenors that were randomly positioned around the room that sang too. We also had a live auction and a silent auction of designer handbags filled with goodies. I will be “borrowing” that idea in the future!
Lisa, Adrienne and The Pippa
One of the silent auction items was a hand bag that was renamed “The Pippa” because the day after the Royal Wedding she was photographed with this handbag. It is sold out and on backorder in the UK until Spring. So guess who bid and WON! Little ole me! I will say I do like it with one exception… I want a shoulder strap on it for when I travel. Otherwise I could have one in every color! Adrienne (Laura’s friend) was swooning over The Pippa! Maybe I should start a rental program!
The Gala was located at the Mansfield Traquair. Which was first a church, then a night club and now an event center. Beautiful frescos on the walls were used as part of the program art. Laura and her student team along with the Muir Maxwell Trust did an exceptional job. Prior to the gala and the fashion show FS2012 raised 37,000 pounds for MMT.
Adrienne, Lisa, Laura, Melea
Ann Maxwell who is Muir’s mother and founder of the Muir Maxwell Trust just made this Facebook post:
“And the total is £150,000 – not a bad result for a small student team! Well done FS 2012 and thank you!”
The student lead Fashion Show is celebrating 20 years and has raised a total of £190,000, the majority of that in the past 8 years. This year they almost matched what has been raised in the past 20 years. (150,000 pounds =$239,190)
Can you say our family is very proud of Laura and her team’s efforts?
Absolutely!
