Turning up is underrated. Even for the commitment-averse or the tummy-ache contingent, sometimes you just have to choose yes, put on lipstick, and go. This was one of those times.

Believe it or not, I am not a natural attender. Getting dressed, hair, makeup, the faff—I resist. My mood is a moving target. I’m 50, I’m tired, and I’m a commitment-phobe (ask my “boyfriend” of 25 years). If you invite me to something a month ahead, there’s no telling how I’ll feel when it rolls around. Will I have the time, energy and motivation to show up properly? Because that matters. Half-hearted attendance doesn’t count. My usual pattern: fully intend to reply, forget, then see it on Instagram and feel left out—until I remember I was invited in the first place.

Also, I’m sometimes just busy. I’d love to show up for everyone, post a story, sprinkle support around like confetti, but Hood doesn’t make itself. Often there simply isn’t time.

So when Anthropologie got in touch about their new Glasgow store, I was genuinely pleased. I’ve loved the brand since my early twenties—first trip to New York, returned home with pretty frippery for everyone. The Edinburgh store is a regular haunt, and if I ever win EuroMillions, I’ll take one of everything. Literally.

The lovely PR, Joty, kept us posted throughout the build, which we happily shared with you. Opening morning arrived. Nic texted to say she had a poorly girl off school, it was raining, and honestly, I could not be bothered. But I’d done my hair the night before and woke before my alarm. I made porridge, had tea, and swithered. Might as well go.

I finished Maria on Netflix while doing my makeup (good for you, Ange), grabbed my bag and caught the train. Opposite me, a woman did full glam—eyelash curlers, blending, the lot. Ten-step Korean routines had nothing on her. She sipped a huge coffee, armoured up for the day, and I was mesmerised. Before I knew it, I was in Glasgow. It wasn’t raining.

I reached Princes Square just as the ribbon was cut. Perfect timing. The store was packed, the DJ was brilliant, the atmosphere properly buzzy. I ran into my old chum Gaby from The Scotsman in the queue, so we nipped to Delphine—very nice indeed—for an iced cinnamon matcha (who am I?) and a catch-up, even though we’d seen each other on Saturday. Gaby headed to COS; I went back to Anthropologie for a proper browse.

It’s smaller than the Edinburgh store and has a different energy—maybe a touch younger? The buy is sharp: Damson Madder, Phlur, Wonderskin, Iconic London—the brands I usually pick up online—sitting neatly alongside own label. I chatted to Jen Fisher from Toasty Type, talented, warm and funny, there personalising and engraving (a natural fit for a Hood event, methinks), then bumped into interior designer Louise Bramwell of Studio LBI, one of the most tasteful women in Scotland, with her radiant, week-overdue daughter. Both fully deserving of an Anthropologie spree.

I crossed paths with PR Vic Halliday on her way to Bloom for a blow-dry, plus Shauna McGregor, Ruby Rose with baby in tow, and Ellis Cochrane. A parade of familiar faces before 11am felt cheering.

What struck me most was the team. Yes, it was opening day—excitement high, head-office honchos on the floor—but you can tell when enthusiasm is real. These were people genuinely thrilled to bring something beautiful and wanted to Glasgow. Warm, helpful, sincerely lovely. They started dishing out compliments and, well, I could have stayed all day.

After a chat with Joty about future plans and her upcoming sabbatical to Asia, I left feeling unexpectedly buoyant.

I won’t bore you with the trials and tribulations of getting back home from Glasgow - because for once I didn’t actually mind.

Lesson learned: be bothered.

Now, about those invite emails I’ve ignored.