Welcome to Paradise Palms, Edinburgh’s own amazingly ambient dive bar and my new favourite place to be! Filled with vintage trinkets and treasures, an Elvis pin ball machine (he called me good looking when I went to play, I want one for my house!!) and the greatest cocktail and Asian street food menu I’ve clapped eyes on this year, it is without doubt that I would move in and make this place my home in a flash if I could…
Situated across from Edinburgh University at Bristol Place, you don’t have to go far from Princes Street to feel like you’re away on holiday. There’s outdoor seating for the summer, booths for double dates, a cabaret style lounge and even a hidden back room to get cozied up in. You won’t be surprised to hear that wherever you end up sitting you’ll be blown away by the kitsch decor, which as you can see is incredibly photogenic!
With a killer menu full of of Ninja buns, you’ve got to try their teriyaki tofu steam bun with thai slaw and seasoned fries should you not know where to start. (My mouth is watering while I type that, which just goes to show how tasty it was!!) It’s here I discovered my love of sriracha sauce which is the ultimate condiment on this order! With a cracking lunch deal of all that for only £7.50 you’re not going to break the bank whilst stuffing your face with this tasty treat. Topped off with a heady mix of Edinburgh Raspberry gin, hazelnut syrup, peach liqueur & lemon, all shaken up & topped with prosecco you’ll find yourself in a Higher Place. Which incidentally, is the name of that delicious cocktail 😀
Obviously a retro outfit was going to happen for this perfect day out, and this one is particularly special – because I made it myself! That’s right, I went to John Lewis and bought some beautiful fabric and patterns, took a few evenings aside and stitched my heart out with my trusty sewing machine. This is the first ever top and circle skirt I’ve ever made and I am SO SUPER PROUD of them!
The stitching may be a little wonky here and there, but there’s zips and buttons, pleats and darts and I’m happy as a clam to share that this is the first of many. I’ve actually already made a few more skirts and I’ve got matching tops on the way – but more on that shortly. I don’t know if you’ve ever tried sewing your own outfits before but it is crazy satisfying, especially when it fits! Circle skirts are a really easy place to start, and they can be made really quickly too once you get the hang of ’em. The top is much more complicated, but certainly worth the effort and perseverance should you fancy a challenge!
I’ll be sharing more of the outfits I make as soon as they’re ready… I’d love to hear what you think of them! Once I’ve nailed these tops I’ve got a feeling swing dresses are going to be next on my agenda. A girl can never have too many pretty dresses when there’s places like this to visit near home, right?!
With the palm tree swizzle sticks and bunting over the bar, I’d like to say a big Mahalo to Paradise Palms for making me feel so at home.
Long live dive bars!
Vicky xox
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