For the ilovecf readers, how would you describe yourself?
Well, I'm 23, originally from Glasgow, Scotland but moved down to Cardiff last June with my now fiance Ross as he signed for Cardiff FC. I am a very confident, happy and bubbly girl. I absolutely love being around other people who, like me, just love to go out and have a good time. In 2008 I was crowned Miss Earth Scotland. I am a university graduate with a degree in Business Marketing, studied musical theatre and am also a qualified nail technician. Currently I am focusing on pursuing a career in the modeling industry. How are you liking Cardiff and its people?
I absolutely love Cardiff, I think the place is great. Wales, in general, reminds me a lot of Scotland so it doesn't actually feel like I am away from my home in Glasgow. The people are lovely, especially everyone in at Cardiff FC - They are fantastic, they made both Ross and I feel so welcome when we moved down here last June. How does Cardiff compare to Glasgow?
Cardiff and Glasgow are very alike in some aspects but also have their differences. You are spoilt for choice in Glasgow for a good night out, but there are brilliant places also in Cardiff. I LOVE the nightclub Oceana. The shopping in both cities is great - I love finding boutiques that do different one-off pieces and both Cardiff & Glasgow have quite a few hidden away :) Eating out in Cardiff is fantastic, I can't rave enough about the Dim Sum restaurant Ba Orient which is located at the Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay. The food is actually amazing and the atmosphere is always good, especially at the weekend. As far as I'm aware, Glasgow doesn't have a restaurant like Ba Orient (if there is, I'll definitely be on the hunt for it when I go home for visits, haha) Oh, and Cardiff, well Barry, has a BEACH!!! That's something Glasgow certainly doesn't have, so I'm already excited for the sun to start shining as I'll be straight there to try and get a cheeky tan, haha. How did 2008 treat you, what were your highlights?
2008 was a brilliant year but like every year becoming, it passed by too quickly. My highlights of 2008 was definitely leaving my parents home and moving down here to Cardiff to live with Ross. I was so excited moving, especially since I have always lived with my parents, so I was officially growing up and adjusting to living with a BOY :) Another main highlight of 2008 was not only being crowned the first ever Miss Earth Glasgow in May but also Miss Earth Scotland in August which took me to the Philippines in October for just under 1 month - A fantastic year all round! Describe a typical night out in Cardiff?
A typical night out for me in Cardiff is; If it involves dinner and if I get my way, then the night starts in Ba Orient. Their cocktails are delicious (My favourite is Kir Royale - not extravagant or unusual but it does the job). Ba Orient is a great place to go if you just want to go to start your night off, with or without dinner. We tend to stay down at Cardiff Bay for drinks until it's time to head to a club, which for me, is Oceana. Then to finish off the night, you'll always find me down in "Chippy Lane", haha, I can't not have chips & cheese after dancing the night away - It's like a rule!! Do you enjoy football, do you go to all of Cardiff's matches?
I love football. I've always enjoyed football even before Ross and I got together. In Glasgow, when I was younger, most Saturdays I would go to see Rangers play with my brother and uncle who are huge supporters, so i've always followed the game since growing up. Yes, I do go to pretty much all of Cardiff's home games. I've only been to one away game so far and that was at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal for the FA Cup...Unfortunately they lost 4-0, their worst defeat all season, so maybe I'll avoid going to the away games in future just in case. haha. Tell us about your experiences in the Miss Earth competition.
Unlike other pageants, Miss Earth is a beauty pageant that is designed to promote environmental awareness through beauty. Winning Miss Earth Scotland was a fantastic experience, I was over the moon and my crown is gorgeous :) Along with the three other UK winners, Miss Earth Wales, England and Northern Ireland, I travelled to the Philippines for 4weeks to compete against over 80 other girls for the Miss Earth World title (Miss Earth Philippines won). During our time there, we travelled the country, raising environmental awareness and issues to people of all ages. We had numerous interviews and television appearances, which were great fun. We worked with the children in their schools, planted trees with them and helped them to understand the consequences of environmental negligence. One of the best things to come from winning Miss Earth Scotland though has to have been the friendship I now have with Miss Earth Wales, Jamie-Lee Williams. We were room mates in the Philippines for near enough the whole month so we got to know each other really well - I absolutely love her, she is such a fantastic sweet girl. Jamie now lives in London but we are constantly in touch and visit each other as much as we can - We loooove a night out together. What would be your ideal career, what do you love doing the most?
Just now, my ideal career is to be an established fashion and commercial model. I am quite the poser whenever I'm out and there's a camera about, so being in front of a professional camera in a studio or on location is always so much fun. Realistically there will come a time when I know that I can't continue modelling, therefore, I would still like to be involved with the industry and work behind the scenes within a modelling agency. What are your plans for the future?
My immediate plans for the future is to start planning Ross's and my wedding. We are planning on getting married in the summer of 2011, so I am really excited to start organising things. This year I hope to establish myself as a successful model and also focus on making sure that Ross is happy and settled in Cardiff with the football. What is your favourite restaurant in Cardiff?
Haha, I think my declaration of love for Ba Orient in above questions answers this one. What is your favourite bar in Cardiff?
Laguna Bar and Revolution are great even if you're not wanting to stay out all night drinking and clubbing but they are opened until late. What is your favourite club in Cardiff?
Most definitely Oceana. This club has a number of different rooms and a complete variety of music, RnB, dance, cheesy 80s etc so there really is something for everyone. It's a great place to go Monday, Wednesday and Saturday nights - Always busy :) Where would you take someone on their first visit here, to show them Cardiff at its best?
Ross and I have pretty much got a tour mapped out for when we have friends and family to stay for the first time. It usually consists of going into Cardiff's city centre which includes shopping, going into the castle and doing a tour of the Millennium Stadium. I also encourage taking the walk over the barrage from Penarth Marina to Cardiff Bay - On a sunny day it is a fantastic walk...especially when there's a little glass of Rose wine waiting for you at a bar in the Bay at the end! haha. In the evening I'd recommend the Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay for dinner and drinks, even though I go on about Ba Orient so much, you really are spoilt for choice with the other restaurants and bars here. Numerous Italians, Chinese, American and Dim Sum etc. Afterwards, we'd go to Greyfriars road, which is home to my favourite nightclub Oceana and also Glam, Laguna Bar and Tiger Tiger. Thank you for your time Courtney and good luck for the future.
Once again, big thanks to Jason Aspinall for taking the photos. Visit his chilledatthebottom photography website to see more of his work.
