Welcome

Doing our bit to save the planet is no longer a luxury.

STJ magazine this month has scaled down to 25% of its normal size in a bid to save paper. Moreover it is printed on recycled paper so a double plus.

Although we may have cut it down in size a little, it is still jam packed full of fashion tips, gift ideas and fab stocking fillers to make your Christmas extra special.

We wish you a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Siobhan McConnell
St John’s Shopping Centre Manager
info@stjshopping.co.uk

The Season is the Reason

Give something back this year with a Green Christmas at St John’s Shopping Centre. This year, Santa and his team will be going back to basics with the ancient art of story-telling, hand delivered Santa Letters and a complimentary recycled gift wrap service among the many events taking place in the Shopping Centre.

Santa commented, “We can all make a difference to the future of the planet just by changing the way we live. I’ve recently started separating and recycling my household waste, as have a lot of people in Perth & Kinross, and this year I wanted to arrive at the shopping centre in a form of transport that doesn’t cause pollution.”

“I really hope that all the children who come to visit me this year will help me spread the Christmas message: that it really is time to give something back.” He said.

Glam Up!

The weather may be colder, but get temperatures rising with the latest glam rock look for day wear.

Think Thomas Crown Affair meets The Devil Wears Prada and you’ll be strutting your stuff confidently down Perth High Street in no time.

Go all out Gothic with head to toe black, throw in a bit of leather for effect or just add a few accessories to create that glam urban edge.

Whether its leather or diamonds, we’ve got it all at St John’s Shopping Centre in Perth.

Main Image (Right):
Marianne Biker Jacket £110
Annie Gathered Skirt £38
Monsoon

Wrap Up!

Winter time. Hats, scarves, woolly jumpers and all things cosy!

Imagine yourself sipping a steaming cut of hot coffee, all wrapped up in quality cashmere and feeling at one with the world.

Better still, don a red beret and matching scarf and head off into the outdoors for some winter recreation.

Whether you are looking to make a bold statement with your knits this winter or are simply looking for the latest accessories to jazz up your outfit, St John’s Shopping Centre retailers have it covered.

Main Image (Left):
Cable Bardot Knitted Dress £40
Oversize Pocket Front Bag £35
Jane Norman

Dress Up!

It will take no time at all to have you looking like your inner princess.

Mix satin, sequins, silk and feathers. Add in a touch of gold or silver. Frost with diamonds and you will go to the ball.

Here are our best picks from the shops around St John’s Shopping Centre for the party season.

Main Image (Left):
Boudicea Dress £180
Monsoon

Grow Up!

Everyone grows up so quickly and Christmas is a time for the children, so keep your little ones happy with some fabulous clothes, presents and knick knacks.

It needn’t break the bank either. Poundland recently opened in St John’s Shopping Centre and has a fantastic range of chocolate selection boxes to choose from in store, not to mention those all important stocking fillers!

So make your way in to town and get those little cherubs smiling!

Main Image (Right):
Vicki Cardigan £20
Freda Cord Dress £28
Monsoon

Eat Up!

Marvellous Mince Pies!

Makes 18 - 24
Ingredients available from Julian Graves:

2 x 500g fresh shortcrust pastry
450g (1 lb) mincemeat

Method
Pre-heat oven to 190C/375F/gas mark 5 and grease two 12-hole bun tins. On a lightly floured work surface/board, roll out 500g pastry thinly and cut out between 18 and 24 8cm / 3¼ discs. Line the bun tins with the pastry discs and place a small quantity of mincemeat in each disc.

Roll out the other 500g pastry and stamp into stars. Dampen stars lightly with water and press firmly on top of mincemeat. Glaze the lids using a pastry brush – the beaten egg gives a shiny finish, the milk a matt finish. Cook for around 20 minutes until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack, store in airtight container or freeze.

Sprinkle with icing sugar and served cold or warm, with a heart dollop of brandy butter. Well, it is Christmas!

Lighten Up!

Think “Christmas” and undoubtedly it conjures up images of block buster films on DVD watched by the entire family around a crackling fire. Or maybe its the latest chart hits blasting out from a stereo while your aunty dances in the corner at your annual Christmas party!

Whatever it may be, no-one gets you closer to the stuff you love at Christmas than HMV in St John’s Shopping Centre.

Mamma Mia (DVD)
It was the blockbuster hit of this summer and it’s set to be the DVD release of the winter. Meryl Streep leads an all-star cast in the feature-film adaptation of the feel good musical . On a quest to find the identity of her father to walk her down the aisle, Sophie brings back three men from her mother’s past. Over 24 chaotic, magical hours, new love will bloom, old romances will be rekindled and you’ll be grinning like a maniac for days! Don’t miss it.

Take That: Circus
After one of the greatest pop comebacks in history, Take That release Circus. Led by the prolific songwriting talents of Gary Barlow, this release is similarly epic and romantic to its predecessor.

Doctor Who: Complete Series 4
David Tennant, back for a fourth series and award-winning comedienne Catherine Tate are on hand to stop the New Dalek Empire from taking over! You’ll be on the edge of your seats with suspense.

Kanye West: 808's & Heartbreaks
Claiming it is his first 'pop' album, it features high profile guests such as rappers Young Jeezy and Lil' Wayne, as well as additional production from Herbie Hancock. It’s feel good pop tracks to get the party started.

Read Up!

Winter is the perfect time to curl up at home with a book and a cup of hot cocoa and settle in for the evening.

Waterstones in St John’s Shopping Centre have picked four books which they expect to be this winter’s top reads.

Whether it’s a good biography you’re looking for, the next big business book, a brilliant kids book or just a little light hearted fun, Waterstones have it all.

Fern: My Story by Fern Britton, £12.99 (RRP £18.99)
For years now, Fern Britton has been widely loved as the presenter of Ready Steady Cook, and, more recently, co-presenter of This Morning with Philip Schofield. Her warmth and humour, empathy and compassion, have made her feel like a best friend to millions on a daily basis, but no one knows the woman behind the sparkling smile. Now, for the first time, she is going to tell her story. And it is one that will strike a chord with women everywhere. So put your feet up and get ready for a great read.

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Stars by Gervase Phinn, £10
A heart warming book of stories and poems based on the funny things children say, from the much-loved Gervase Phinn.

Outliers - The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell, £13.99 (RRP £16.99)
A unique and entertaining look at what makes a successful person, overturning many of our conventional notions and creating an entirely new model for seeing the world.

The QI Annual, Various Authors, £12.99
A festive feast of fun all based around the letter 'F' - filled with fascinating facts about frogs, flags, flamingos, floods and fossils...