June 25, 2012

The Graduate

As you know, I've been in St Andrews helping my little brother celebrate his graduation. 
After four long years it was time for him to say goodbye to the little town that had changed him so much. 
When Harry left for university he was still a kid in so many ways. 
The guy I came home with is a bright, talented & handsome young man who's got the world at his feet. 
I left a sunny Kings Cross station behind and boarded my train. 


After the long journey north, I was greeted at the boys house with cheers and a big red cup was thrust into my hands.


Now, St Andrews isn't just any university.
While most students sip on larger & lambrini, the St A boys know how to party.
Champagne, whisky & cigars all round.
In the early hours I left them singing country songs and reminiscing about old times to make my way to bed.

The next morning we slipped into Mitchell's Deli for full Scottish breakfasts, complete with haggis and big pots of tea.



I hate the rain & I loathe getting my feet wet.
This does not make me an ideal candidate for life in St Andrews.
The second I arrive I pull on my mac & my hunters and refuse to take them off for anyone.
But... seeing as this was Harry's big day, I conceded and swapped ma waders fo' pumps.



We watched from the balcony and whooped and cheered when H's name was finally called.


Then it was time to party.


Yes, that is a mortar board cupcake.
We certainly know how to party.


For supper we went to The Adamson.
A new, family owned restaurant on South Street.






The food was exceptional and they serve great cocktails, if you're in the area I highly recommend a trip. 
Later that night we took ourselves dancing but tumbled home, exhausted just a few hours later. 
Guess where I dragged everyone for breakfast the next day...




You got it, back to Mitchell's for boiled eggs, soldiers & a side of haggis (my new obsession).
After a long, blustery walk on the beach we went home to get ready for the ball.
I was given a total of four minutes, but you should never underestimate a girl who can apply eyeliner with one hand and no mirror!


I wriggled into my Von Furstenberg gown and we headed to dinner at the Balgove Steak Barn.
Yes, Barn.


It's a huge, open sided shed with long trestle tables and blankets for your knees. 




From a menu of local steaks, sausages and burgers we plumped for a round of côtes de bœuf to share.
We weren't disappointed, look at the size of those beasts!




Having eaten our weight in steak, onion rings and fries, we jumped in our carriage to the ball.





I blame this vodka luge for the fact that I have so few pictures of the evening!


Needless to say we had an incredible time and we were both very sorry to leave at the end of the weekend.
I adore Harry and his friends and wish everyone graduating this summer all the luck and success in the world!
I know leaving university can be a seriously scary time, so listen up...


You'll do just fine!




.



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78 comments:

  1. This looks so incredible! Wish my university was as classy s this!

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  2. Anonymous11:04

    Hey Rosie,
    I go to high school in the US (accross the pond as you always say) and I live in New York.
    I was thinking about choosing St. Andrews instead of American college.
    Would you reccomend it? Your photos are awesome!!
    Jenna K
    xxx
    Ps. Big fan of your blog!!

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    Replies
    1. Hey Jenna,
      I would absolutely recommend it!
      I know lots of Americans who came over for uni and they love/loved it.
      In fact Harry's girlfriend is an American who flies home every holiday, and she thinks it's great.
      R xx

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  3. Seems like you and your brother have a beautiful relationship! http://besillybehonestbekindbebeautiful.blogspot.com

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  4. I am going to save those wise words at the end and keep them with me. Well done Harry!! Love to you all xxx

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  5. Anonymous11:07

    You guys have some good fuckin genes!

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  6. Anonymous11:07

    Looks a bit tame, don't you have photos of them all wasted and acting crazy?

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    Replies
    1. Oh, of course!
      But I'm saving them until they go into Politics. ;)

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    2. Brilliant haha!

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  7. Andrea11:50

    Rosie I've been following your Anti Diet for a month and a half, I only weighed myself today and I've lost 11.5 lbs!!!
    Thankyou thankyou thankyou for your brilliant advice! I just ordered that Agent Provocatur bikini you wear as a celebration.
    Ps. Your bros a hottiiiiiiie!
    Andrea xxxx

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    Replies
    1. That's excellent news Andrea, congratulations! x

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  8. Anonymous11:57

    glad you enjoyed visitng our little st andrews town and uni and your dress is beautiful. congrautlations to harry
    becky

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  9. Anonymous12:11

    Scottish fooooooddd poooorrrnnnnn

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  10. It looks like you had a splendid time! And congrats on your little brother's graduation!
    And I think I'm the only American I know who wants to try haggis.

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    Replies
    1. Caity, I really don't blame you.. I l o v e it!
      I'd never tried it before this weekend and I'm hooked! x

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  11. This looks incredible! I had my grad ball last month, was such a lovely evening, I loved getting all glammed up! Hope your brother gets a great result.

    Hayley
    www.abritishcocktail.wordpress.com

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    Replies
    1. Congrats on Graduating Hayley! x

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  12. love the look of sheer delight on your face as you eye up the food!

    You are a good sister. And you are a good looking family.

    thanks for this post, really made me smile.

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    Replies
    1. haha always excited when food arrives!
      Thanks Sadie xx

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  13. yikes, forgot to send congrats to Harry! Well done that man!

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  14. Congrats to Harry! I know you must be so proud of him. My brother just graduated himself and is going into the military.

    -Chelsea
    http://thequantumview.blogspot.com/

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Chelsea and congrats to yours too!
      Wish him luck from me x

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  15. Anonymous13:35

    It looks like you and your brother had a fab time in St. Andrews and it's probably not a bad thing the vodka luge was there, I tend to find photos can go drastically downhill by the end of the night! Hope you will be visiting Scotland again soon :) karen xxx

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  16. mmm a weekend full of delicious food so it seems! You must be so proud of your brother now. Wish him all the best!
    x,
    Natalie

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  17. p.s. My group of best friends and I recently agreed we are going on the same yacht holiday as you and Valentina when we reach our ten year friend anniversary, we all heard about it independently on your blog. Very excited to read about it here after your holiday!

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    Replies
    1. Oh that's awesome! Maybe we'll see you there? x

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    2. Ah sadly one girl in the group is getting married in a few months and then the other four of us are travelling for a bit so sadly we'll be too late! We are definitely going to do it though, it looks AMAZING and it's so reasonable too!

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  18. ROSE! What a conscience. I have just moved up to Scotland from London for uni and am really loving it. I had haggis in Harrods on Burns Night this year and was not too keen too be honest.
    I tried a traditional Scottish breakfast on my first day here and now looooove black pudding. Have you tried it? :)
    Congrats to you brother!
    Joelle
    xox

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    Replies
    1. Haggis in Harrods?! This is fantastic news!
      I actually loathe black pudding! I always make someone else eat mine. x

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  19. that vodka luge is something else!

    ♥ ThankFifi

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  20. Congrats to your brother Rose! I have to attend at least two graduations a year (not as a student, hehe, for work!) and I always feel a bit a) old (nice to see all the graduates at the start of their career journey), b) nostalgic (I graduated about 6 years ago) and c) wishing (for a brief moment) that I could turn back time and go back to uni (but then I remember about exams and praise the lord I don't have to pull all nighters anymore! ;)
    I just ate lunch but Scottish food porn made me salivate.
    You looked great (as usual). Your hair is amazeballs (but I guess you already know it!)
    greetings from a fellow Londoner :)
    x,
    Maria

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    Replies
    1. I'm pretty sure I went through the exact same emotions Maria! x

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  21. Really enjoyed these photos, looks like a great time. You are so beautiful x

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  22. Such great advice! We all could be reminded of that more often!

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  23. Congratulations to your brother! My brother is graduating on Thursday from Glasgow university- I'm sad that I wont be joining particularly after reading this Scottish post!

    xx

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  24. Anonymous16:27

    Aww, the grad ball looks like it was so much fun! I just graduated, and my university didn't have anything like that. Should've gone to school in the UK! You all know how to keep it classy :)

    Congrats to your lil bro! x

    Jess

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    Replies
    1. Do you have a blog Jess? I'd love to see an American (I'm assuming?) Graduation! x

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  25. Anonymous16:31

    I have graduated this year from st andrews as well and wish i had spotted you at the ball, mainly as i cooked your avocado spaghetti for a pre-ball dinner party! It went down a treat so thank you very much! All the best to you and your brother and I am glad to see Mitchell's got a mention-it's a GREAT place :-) X Steff

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    Replies
    1. Oh that's great news! I'm glad you liked it!
      Congratulations on graduating! x

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  26. Anonymous17:46

    St.Andrews must be very very grateful to you! Brilliant story and beautiful outfit ;) ! Congrats to your brother !

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  27. i love that teapot cosie! all the food looks divine especially the onion rings, they look particularly delicious! looks like you had fun and congratulations to your brother as well!

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    Replies
    1. I am ALL about onion rings Emily! x

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  28. I have to say... That tea cosy is sheer amazing, I love it!!! Congrats to your brother, that looked like a wild weekend celebration!

    Lize x

    www.lizemilson.com

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  29. Congrats to your brother! That teapot is so cute. And you really look gorgeous!

    http://www.tamarasblend.com/

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  30. Wow, I thought I recognised you at Grad Ball! Should have said hi but I was negotiating the muddy queue outside the loos at the time and you'd passed before it registered! Congratulations to Harry and hope you and your family had a lovely time. I graduated from St Andrews last Tuesday and have had a lovely week celebrating - sad it's all over now!
    Rosie xxx

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    Replies
    1. Ah what a shame we didn't bump into each other!

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    2. I know! I'm moving to London to start my new job a week on Monday, maybe I'll bump into you at another event soon! x

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  31. Anonymous21:38

    Looks fantastic! We recently had our uni Summer Ball and I can safely say that the ice luge was the ruin of me too! I would love to see a full length shot of your DVF dress!

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  32. All the food you eat always makes me so jealous! amazing as always.

    style-chain.blogspot.com

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  33. Aw congrats to your bro! Looks like you had an awesome weekend, you look incred as always x

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  34. Loved this post, Rosie! It makes me miss university.
    Just wanted to tell you that I've moved to London and I plan to try some of the restaurants that you have recomended on here. I can't wait to try Spuntino and the Lucky chip stall! Oh also I guessed from your foodie nature that you have visited the wonderful La Fromagerie in London before... Well guess what I'm lucky enough to work there :D If you ever pop in I'd love if you'd say hello.
    Bye, sweetness.

    Hannah Alehandra

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    Replies
    1. I'm not sure I've been there but will have to track it down and come say hi! x

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  35. so i spent pretty much every summer of my childhood in st andrews & have never been to mitchells...correcting this when i'm back in 2 weeks :) x

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    Replies
    1. You will love it Christy!

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  36. p.s - have you tried Luvian's irn bru sorbet? AMAZING :) x

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  37. Anonymous00:20

    hey, well done to your brother, looks amazing.. as all graduations always do:) what subject area did your brother decide to specialise in? would be interesting to know what sort of stuff does the brother of THE londonder get up to workwise;)

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  38. Anonymous00:29

    your skin is amazing! whats your cleansing routine?/ What products do you use?

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  39. Needed to see that last picture. I'm just graduating, and struggling with lots of feelings about what to do and how to get there. I get low self esteem but I guess deep down I know I'm capable! Thanks x

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    Replies
    1. You will be just fine Rachel. Congratulations! xx

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  40. Quin04:09

    Dear Rosie, I loved this post! I've just graduated and am petrified of what life will throw at me so I had a mini-swoon at that last note. Congrats to your brother! I hope that you're having a lovely week dear!

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    Replies
    1. Congratulations Quin (what a fabulous name!) I'm sure you'll do great. If I can do it, you can! x

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  41. Florence10:24

    Congratulation to your brother !
    We don't have graduation ceremony in France and I think it's sad. Hopefully I had the chance to study 1 year in the US and I had the whole American graduation and I loved it!
    Have a wonderful week! x

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  42. Congratulations to your brother! St. Andrews looks so beautiful, I would love to do my study abroad there...The atmosphere seems much different than American university.

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  43. Congratulations to your bro! I loved this post, you seem so proud of him, it's lovely.
    I've just finished university here in London and graduating soon... so scary but the ending of this post was very comforting to read, so thank you :)
    love your blog xx

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  44. Anonymous08:50

    Picture of the spotty dress?! Pleaseee :)

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  45. You're a very sweet sister :-)

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  46. I never knew that St. Andrews was culinary heaven. My brother graduated there last year but told me not to bother coming to the ceremony. If I had known about the fantastic food up there I would have totally come though.

    It's so sweet that you and your brother have a such a good relationship. That doesn't happen very often!!!!

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  47. Virginia13:06

    Lovely party... And may he have a bright future ahead! Also, I always ask myself how you manage to keep such a model-like figure with all that delicious food at hand. I put on weight just looking at the photos!!! ;0)

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  48. Kcb823:51

    How funny, I've been reading your blog for the past couple of months, and had no idea your brother was at St Andrews! I just graduated from there too, on the Thursday (it poured with rain, hope Harry was luckier), and I was at the ball on Friday night - wish I'd seen you! I've had tutorials with half the guys from your photos (though not your brother), so that was a bit of a surprise to see them on here! Hope you had a lovely time, I know I did.
    Katie xx

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  49. Kcb823:53

    Oh actually, I just saw on the invitation, we had the same graduation ceremony, so you must have seen me graduate! How funny :)
    Katie xx

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  50. congratulations harry :)

    looks like you all had a wonderful weekend.
    i love a good family celebration!

    wish my university experience came even half as close as this!

    lovely post rose xx

    hannahhindmarsh.blogspot.com

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  51. Another wonderful post! Congrats to your brother from Canada :)
    I needed to see that quote again, one of my favourites that I'd forgotten about... I'll be graduating from UWO this spring and am planning on grad school in Scotland! Lots of scary grown-up things happening, but like you said, we'll all do just fine.
    Thanks for the reminder!

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