Kirsty Nicoll

Kirsty is the owner at Vivacious Cakes and spends her days creating an array of gorgeous cakes for weddings, birthdays and every special occasion in-between!  She handmakes all her sweet creations in her kitchen at home and her favourite part is all the fancy fondant decorating that sets her stunning masterpieces apart from any shop bought colin the caterpillar!

When she's not busy with a rolling pin, she's enjoying family time with her young son and husband, scoffing a curry at Tabla or planning her next adventurous getaway...

1. Tell us the weirdest / funniest thing that has ever happened to you at work?
I had a call from a friend asking if I could make a cake for her colleagues brother – told me the theme, flavours, etc – turns out the brother was the Scottish Actor Dougray Scott! My claim to fame!

Life’s too short – go on that holiday, spend time with people who make you smile – eat the cake! 

2. What signals the start of your days off?

The start is usual early with Jack (13 month old son) babbling away to himself – he’s a real giggle and possibly the happiest person I’ve ever met, always smiling. I love food so a lot of leisure time revolves around eating – I love an afternoon tea, ice cream from Marinis or anything with cheese!

A takeaway always comes from China China, a next day essential if I’ve managed to get a night out with the girls! We take Jack for walks regularly to quarry mill, the hermitage or round the North Inch with a pit stop at the swings. I'm a Leo so love the summer and being outdoors in the sunshine!

We recently had a kitchen extension and re-did the garden so we love a BBQ and spending time out there – I’m not very green fingered but I'm learning with encouragement from my mum and mother in law!

I have a great relationship with my family and Jack sees all his grandparents regularly, it’s amazing he has a great bond with them all. My husband Iain also has a 15 year old son and he stays with us every second weekend so we go out with him often for walks or bike rides – although being a teenager he wants to hang out with the ‘oldies’ less and less.

3. What might people be surprised to know about you?

I have a degree in Psychology that I studied for in Cambridge (not Cambridge University unfortunately though!) and whilst I was there I was Social Captain for the Womens Rugby team. I can’t say I played very well but I ensured we always had a good time organising fancy dress parties and events. Lots of great memories as well as many nights I can’t remember…

4. What is at the top of your bucket list?

I had a hard time a few years ago but what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger as they say – I came through that period with a renewed outlook and a view to grab life by the preverbials! I’ve ticked off a lot since – going to Vegas, Jamaica, Berlin, Isle of Wight Festival to see Fleetwood Mac, and seeing Prince live was phenomenal. Next on my list is visiting the Majorelle Gardens in Marrakesh, it looks stunning in photos and I’ve even tried to emulate it painting my garden fence bright blue. It’s my 40th Birthday next summer so hopefully that’s a big enough hint for the hubbie!

5. What is the worst job you’ve ever had?

Working in a bed shop as sales assistant – I hated it. I’m not a pushy person so wasn’t very good at it, and I was young and partied a lot so weekend working wasn’t great. I once offered to have a nap to show the customers how good the beds were – unsurprisingly my boss didn’t go for it.

6. Who or what inspires you?

People who live for the day, life’s too short – go on that holiday, spend time with people who make you smile – eat the cake! I find my dad very inspiring, we are very similar and are always looking for the next thing to do. He is extremely kind and always teaches the values of acceptance and tolerance, live and let live. As long as you’re not hurting anyone else – go out and get what you want.

7. Tell us about the day you’d love to live again?

Bar the obvious wedding day and finding out I was pregnant following IVF and the day Jack was born, I’d have to say when I went to Uganda to visit a friend from University. She’d studied Animal Behaviour and was working at a safari park so we had a backstage pass for the day. We went in a cage with young lions, in with the chimpanzees for lots of cuddles and I fed a giraffe a banana from my mouth – it was a phenomenal experience.

8. What’s the best part about your job?

Creating something personal and seeing customer’s faces when they get the dream cake and then getting such wonderful feedback. I just love it all.

9. Complete this sentence; the best things in life are….

Wonderful people – I love my son, husband, family and friends. I feel very lucky indeed.

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Kirsty is the owner at Vivacious Cakes.  See more on her Facebook Page here >>>