A great day out, though be sure to bring your pennies, I mean pounds, with you as there is LOTS to…read morespend them on. I love getting to talk to all the producers in the producers village and most are keen for you to sample their goods before you buy. There is a huge range of food and drink on sale and also kitchen tools and appliances. Today we booked seats at the Supertheatre to see a cookery demo from Michel Roux Jr. So glad we did, as he was excellent and comes across as a sincerely lovely person. Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood regularly demo at the Good Food Show and always draw a big crowd, though not a Hollywood fan myself! I would definitely recommend getting there earlier as it gets busier and busier as the day goes on! Also bring shopping bags with you as it is impossible to go home empty handed with so much on offer!

Meet all chefs. Wines. Books. Equipment. foods Master chef. Scottish cook schools…read more Amazing show

I'm a fan of the Botanics, and when I saw Electric Gardens announced I knew I just had to grab some…read moretickets. The early bird price was really reasonable too, at £8 per adult (full price is £10 per adult). First point to note is that you need to enter from Queen Margaret Drive, opposite the old BBC Building. There could be better signage about this around the top of Byres Road as we really didn't know where to enter from (the info is on the website but I hadn't looked as I assumed the entrance was at the Byres Rd junction). We were booked for 7pm but it didn't actually seem to matter about a start time as it's a walk-at-your-own-pace kind of thing rather than it including performances (like Electric Glen at Rouken Glen). You can wander through Kibble Palace as well as follow the path through the Botanics. It was mostly well sign-posted so you didn't need to worry too much about the fact it was really dark, and spotted around were staff members in case you had any questions. The toilets are also open, and you can pop to Java at the Police Box to grab a coffee/hot drink or something to eat beforehand. The actual display itself was really lovely and quite tranquil - gorgeous lighting on different parts of the Botanics that maybe you'd never noticed before. There was accompanying music and in parts it was perfectly matched to the lights. Part-way through there was performers with fire which was interesting and loads of people stopped to watch (partly because you couldn't actually get past them). I enjoyed this part but thought it took a little way from the actual electric gardens themselves. We'd gone as a really large group (I think there was nearly 20 of us) and while we lost each other along the way, it made for a really fun outing. I'd actually consider going back again as it runs to the 15th of Feb, and I found it a really enjoyable Friday night.

On Friday evening I got to hang out in the park in the dark with some of the lovely Yelp Glasgow…read moreHotties. Don't be confused we we're regressing back to our youth and hanging around the park in the dark drinking Hooch & 20/20, I realise you will only get this reference if you were in School in the 1990's in Scotland...anyway I digress. We were not hanging about for no reason, we were in fact on a night out to the Botanic Gardens to enjoy the Electric Gardens which is part of the West End Festival program of activities in the city. When we arrived we were greeted with atmospheric music and found the gardens was awash with colour and twinkly lights....anyone who knows me knows I am a complete sucker for some fairy lights so I was a bit like a kid in a candy shop. As we wandered round the gardens we found some lovely areas including a giant disco ball, a little fairy light walk way (my personal favourite), a giant ice lolly, some seriously freaky floating dresses and the old subway station which you look down into was full of dry ice and 'scare the bejesus out of you' music...not my favourite bit...eeek! While the rest of the Yelp crew headed off the to pub for a warming beverage Mr G and myself headed to Pommes Frites for some post wander chips and then home. I had a lovely time and felt it was good value for money.

The West End Festival is one of my favourite events of the year in Glasgow. The parade is a mix of…read morecolour and music as the people in it dance down the streets of the West End. Mouths won't go hungry as local businesses set up stalls and seats outside. Burgers, pizza, chips, cakes and pastries: there's lots to fill you up whilst you're entertained by the parade. Outside Hillhead Bookclub is the over 18s area which is a good escape from the pushy prams. You just need to make sure you get a good spot or you might not get to see a lot!

Did anyone make their way to Glasgow Mela last weekend? Cause I thought it was FAB! Lucky enough…read morethat the weather was on our side last weekend too. The festival had so many things and I'm glad that it was free too seeing as it was in Kelvingrove Park! The atmosphere of family, children and friends of different cultures (many Indian folk, locals and a bunch of other random nationalities including myself :D) came by to chill out at the park. Whether it was to play with outdoor installations or at the fun fair, or listen to music with a pint under the sun, or watch silly performances by street artists (and magicians) or even dance along with the amazing traditional performers (and also Irish line dancers) the day was just great! My partner and I explored everything! We were down at the smaller stage listening to Indian music with toddlers dancing everywhere. And then we watched as a parade of what seemed to be circus performers walked by. We slept on the grass while having Pimm's cocktails and listening to some dj sets. And then watched the amazing performers by so many tradition local clubs! If you haven't been before, you should really consider going in the next years to come :) Update: also, went to Chop Pop's exhibition of her Love Letters to Glasgow in the Hillhead Library and it was wonderful! Her artwork is amazing and meticulous! She's also a friendly wee lady and I love her. Check out her facebook if you didn't manage to catch her!

This was an event that was a little out of the ordinary. The launch of Pabst Blue Ribbon (or PBR)…read morein Scotland was not what I expected it to be but it was really cool. Apparently they're quite a well known brand in the US but, although I'd heard of PBR, I hadn't had the opportunity to try it before now. So, we were welcomed in, snapped looking happy holding complimentary beers and sent into the huge warehouse space that is SWG3 to go and have some fun. At one end of the space they had a DJ booth set up with the DJ playing club-ish but not obtrusive music. There was a great long bar along most of the length of the space, where you could grab another PBR whenever you were ready (only bottles and cans seem to be available right now, my guess is that draft would be prohibitively expensive). Opposite this and near the doors they had a board set up for people to sign and doodle with sharpies. The rest of space was dotted with tables to prop ourselves up on and at the far end a half-pipe had been set up which a group of skateboarders were doing tricks on to entertain us. The place was filled with lots of blue light and there were a few screens for projecting stuff on. The guys from BRGR kept us well fed too which was a massive bonus (I was starving!) It was clear that PBR had gone to a huger amount of effort to pull this launch off and to make it a fun and unique night. We had a good time trying their beers, watching skateboarders and chatting with a few other Yelpers. The only downside was that the space got surprisingly warm surprisingly quickly but I guess that's to be expected with a big crowd. When we left we were given goodie bags with a couple more beers in. I have to confess that they didn't last long in our fridge. Ooops. So, a great introduction to Pabst, I'll have to keep an eye out to which bars will be stocking it.

I love this guy! I mean, at most times of the year I'm not the biggest fan of Argyle St but when…read morethis guy arrives, it totally makes the street. Not sure what it is? He's a giant reindeer who stands outside St Enoch shopping centre and is nice and bright and sparkly. He'll totally make your day so definitely pass by while he's here this year. (I believe there's another one inside the centre!)

One of my favourite times of year in Glasgow is winter…read more And as the song goes... Reindeers are better than people.... And this is the one that proves the rule for me. I love the Argyle Street Reindeer. Like way more than I should given that he's basically a 20 foot high light and bauble constructed Xmas decoration. But love it I do. Every year when I discover he's out, taking up his station opposite Debenhams at WH Smith, it makes me smile and I know it's time to start getting my Christmas groove on. If you like him, visit his brothers inside the St Enoch Centre.

Mansfield Park is the name of the small recreational area on Hyndland Road/Dumbarton Road…read more It's made up of a stretch of grass, a paved area, benches and a sports court. It's a nice way to break up the bustle of the main road - but then again I'm not sure that I'd like to actually spend any recreational time there. The sports court, though, is a great amenity. It's not a full size football pitch, but it's encased by a high fence and has basket ball nets and football goals. This part actually quite impressed me - as they're joined together! Despite the fact that it's not hugely well maintained and you won't find any such things as trees or flowers; it is great to have some recreational space for the community. On Bonfire Night there were fireworks here - although I think it may have been more of an "unofficial" display!

At the bottom of Hyndland Street and along Dumbarton Road, you'll find a refreshing grassy knoll to…read moresit and relax. The courts are normally teeming with kiddos playing sports, while pups are roaming around on the grass greeting those lazing about. It's definitely no Victoria Park or Kelvingrove Park, but it's a nice wee green spot to chillax when the weather is nice and you're already in the area. I often find myself sitting with Lumberjack with our bellies full of Cafezique goodness, as we do some people watching, and I squeal when pups run past me. However, beware of topless drunk guys with Celtic tattoos on their hearts during summer days! Of note: as other reviewers have mentioned, there is a great fortnightly Farmers' Market that happens on Saturday mornings. It's the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month, from 10am to 2pm. There I've found some fantastic fresh (and sweet!) punnets of strawberries and raspberries. We've also picked up some tasty meats and breads as well. Although they're not super cheap, the quality is definitely well worth the extra pennies. Nom!

Shake off your January blues by checking out the always excellent line-up of comedians coming to…read moreGlasgow in March, which this year runs from the 11th to 28th. It's not only a good way to see your favourite comedians, but to find new venues you might not know about with some of the lesser known acts playing small venues at a modest price. It comes on the back of the Glasgow Film Festival in February and helps me laugh my way out of the winter and into the spring. So far this year I am going to Jim Jeffries, Jerry Sadowitz and Stewart Lee, all across different venues, and will no doubt go to some other gigs on a random prowl around town. A great opportunity to discover new venues in Glasgow, and of course, to have a good laugh!

The Glasgow Comedy Festival features a range of comedians from the unknown to the superstars, like…read moreFrankie Boyle. There are performances in venues all over the city, from the arenas to the tiny pubs. Anything that puts Glasgow on the map and gets people out and enjoying the city gets a thumbs up from me.

Winterfest is by far the most fun time of year to be at George Square. I can't believe I haven't…read morereviewed it already! Beginning at the tail end of November, and running until January, George Square becomes a winter wonderland. The lights, the helter-skelter, the nativity scene, the huge Christmas tree, and all the on-stage festivites that accompany it make it a lovely place to visit. Add to that the recent bout of snow, and you've got a good couple of hours to spend merry-making. There are a few rides, including the helter-skelter, carousel, and swings. If you fancy an Angus burger, the bans will see you right, and there's a covered area where you can escape the rain and windchill and enjoy a wee drink and a sit down. There are also a host of musical offerings. The other day I passed through and caught part of the set by a Beatles tribute band, "Them Beatles", who sent us off on our journey to the Merchant City singing nananana, hey Jude. You cannae argue with that! It certainly brightens the place up, and I for one welcome its annual visit. The city Chambers looks lovely lit up behind it, too.

Ah. I took myself on a wander round here as a respite from retail therapy (which, given that it's…read moreChristmas time and the shops are sooo busy, wasn't therapeutic at all) and it certainly gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. The lights are so over the top and cheesy but everywhere needs a bit of that at Christmas time and the kiddies staring wide-eyed at them is a sure sign they have a place. Although much smaller than I remember it from previous years (though that could be rose-tinted glasses) every section here was busy. The helter skelter (I want a shot!!! Are adults allowed?!), the food stalls, the bar and, of course, the ice rink. Despite being half outside, the fairy lights of the bar made it somehow appealing. I found myself pausing at the ice rink and smiling. No, really, I did. It's not New York...or dare I say it...Edinburgh...but it's cutely Glasgow. I'm going to go all out & have a go next week. If you can't at Christmas, when can you?