I ‘met’ Kirsty Herriot through my adult children when they discovered what is probably the perfect present for me. They enrolled me in the Boozy Book Club, a club which promotes female writers (yes!) and sends out a box each month to subscribers complete with treats and a drink that somehow links back to the book. Such a brilliant idea. The first book I got was The Funny Thing About Norman by Julietta Henderson and tuned in (with my cocktail and cheese) to listen to Kirsty interviewing her. Then I became intrigued by Kirsty herself who was so full of enthusiasm and a joy to listen to.
Kirsty Herriot
Kirsty, you are about to end quite an exciting year. At a time when a lot of people have been having a career dip you have been creating something new. I want to hear all about the excellent Boozy Book Club, but first, can we go back in time a bit? What was your very first job?
My very first job was as a Mum, I had my oldest daughter, Hazel (now 30) when I was only 19 and just out of school. I should have been going to University, and did eventually when I was 32, but my surprise having a baby was the making of me. There are pro’s and cons to being a young mum, the same with being an older Mum ( I had my youngest son, age 40) but being a Mum is the best job I have ever had. Which is just as well because I have been a Mum for well over half my life.
You’ve had some very interesting jobs. There does seem to be an entrepreneurial theme emerging but also a desire to do something to make people happy. I’m thinking fairies and Christmas elves here… Can you tell our readers about those roles and why you invented them?
I did a teaching degree at University but didn’t teach for very long. When I had my youngest son, Laurie at 40, I wanted to enjoy as much of him as possible, something I was lucky to be able to do with my first 3 kids too. I maybe didn’t always have a lot of money or was driven by a career, and I know for some people getting back to work after a baby is important. I didn’t want to be sending my kids to childminders. I wanted to be the one who raised them, had time for them and instilled my values in them when they were growing up. Something they do fast, so I am very grateful for the time I’ve had with all of them.
Creativity
I have always been creative and used to go extremely over the top imagining new worlds when playing and organising birthday parties for my kids, part of me thinks all the other parents must have hated me, but it was never a show offy thing, I just love the wonder and joy and excitement of children, their smiles and imaginations, their hopes and dreams.
As I said before, they grow up too quick and possibly because I was practically a child myself when I had them, and because my lovely Dad always said, “Don’t be in a rush to grow up and always hold onto a sense of fun” I’ve always held on to my inner child. Children are far less judgy than adults and I’ve always felt drawn to this.
None of my friends had kids, when I had my first three and never saw any of the crazy, themed parties I threw for them. After a 16 year gap between my 3 rd & 4th, they had all caught up with me and had kids too, when I relished in the joy of throwing birthday parties again. When they started seeing what I was creating they were very encouraging and told me, “Why are you not doing this as a job, your parties are amazing”. So with their encouragement I decided that I should try.
Parties
It started with any theme but after being asked to create something for a local walled garden and fairy trails relaunch at Easter, Fairy Training with the Fairy Godmother was born. After making potions, casting spells
and enchantments with over 300 kids in one weekend, I felt like I was a real fairy godmother as it seemed I had enchanted every single child. Not one misbehaved or was cheeky, they really believed in my make-believe story telling play. I knew this was something I could repeat over and over again and not get sick of it. Their wee faces, oohs and aahs and general excitement at meeting their own fairy godmother never gets old.
I’m passing the business onto daughter number 2, but can still be caught doing the odd one as it brings me so much joy. Elf Adoptions was an extremely popular Christmas add-on to this. When Laurie was a baby I had a vague idea of what an Elf on the Shelf was but really had created my own story of it in my head. When I bought one, read the book and knew the story behind it, I knew I could create a very personal and magical event with it. So for 5 years (and I still get emails from families asking me to start doing them again) I was Mrs Claus.
I loved welcoming kids into Santa’s sitting room, teaching them about Scout Elves, decorating gingerbread biscuits and Santa’s Christmas tree with them, before Santa came in to adopt out his elves and have a very personal chat with them. I collated lots of info from the parents so it really felt like Father Christmas knew everything about them.
Mrs Claus Paves the Way
In the 5 years of doing it, I never had a single kid who got frightened by Santa as Mrs Claus had spent 45 minutes with them first, making them feel safe, excited and at home. I always got my kill at the fact that I did all the work, warmed them up to Santa coming for 45 minutes, then he would walk in for the last 15 minutes and take all the glory. It was magical, not mass produced, but a very personal experience and again all the lovely messages from happy parents filled me with so much Christmas joy. It literally made my Christmas every year, seeing so many happy faces coming through the door. I do miss it.
I think I’m beginning to see how the Boozy Book club is a natural follow on from fairy godmothers as it brings lots of joy and magic. I love it. Tell us how it came into being? How did you get the very first author to come on board? You’ve had some very famous names.
It’s been a dream of a year and I often have to pinch myself. The Boozy Book Club started as just a normal Book Group for me and 6 pals in North Berwick, Scotland. I hosted the very first one in January 2020, had planned it for over a month, and then the date it was booked in for ended up being 4 days after I lost my Dad. My friends suggested postponing but in the end I decided I would much rather carry on, my Dad would have loved my book group, and it was the right decision as I felt so wrapped in their love that night and had so much fun even though I was also sad.
The only rule I put in place for the book group was that whoever was hosting had to theme a cocktail to the book and as we had decided on choosing a book together at the first meet, I had carte blanche with the cocktail and decided on the very apt and delicious Tequila Mockingbird.
The night was a great success, just what I needed and the following month we met at my friend Katy’s house. After only two get togethers, our 3 rd meet was cancelled due to Covid but after one month and learning like everyone else about zoom, we decided in April to continue that way and my friend Jen, who should have been hosting dropped off little care packages to everyone’s doorstep with a drink and nibbles that we could all share together remotely, online.
Tequilla Mockingbird Wins The Day
That, and the fact they all kept asking me to make them more Tequila Mockingbirds and because I had practically gone a whole year without working as a Fairy Godmother during 2020, sparked a wee idea just before Christmas. I thought maybe I could make a little gift set of a classic book and tasty cocktail as a Christmas present, people could buy and maybe then earn a bit of money so I could buy some Christmas presents, too. That quickly grew arms and legs and The Boozy Book Club was born.
After the Christmas gift set (To kill a mockingbird) it was clear that quite a few people liked the idea and that it could become a bigger extension of our book group, with a new book, cocktail and little gifts that tie in with it all too as a one-off gift or subscription box. My friends were so pivotal in making this become a reality and I really couldn’t have done it without them. Their encouragement and support has been second to none.
There is a group of us who were daily dipping in the sea and my friend Kylie had read and recommended Salt on my Skin by Sarah Kennedy Norquoy. It seemed like an obvious choice. Sarah’s style of writing makes you feel like she is an old friend, sea dipping was growing in popularity and she was self published so it felt like she would be up for a bit of help promoting her books to others.
Kylie runs an amazing community Facebook page called EGG and is a real supporter of women and small businesses and is one of the kindest, nicest people you could ever meet. She is much more gutsy than me too so she emailed Sarah and asked her if she would like to join our book group discussion and Sarah agreed.
Sarah Kennedy Norquoy & Matt Haig
Sarah was a joy to chat to although a little bit shocked that our book group zoom had 75 people in it. I think she was expecting about 12 at the most. We had so much fun chatting to her online, with all the boozys adding their questions and all drinking cocktails together, that it seemed this was the way forward; to choose a book and get the author involved, too.
The second book in the box was Matt Haig‘s The Midnight Library. It was just a book I had loved, I had no idea until I read that book who he was or how big a deal he was either. Getting him to join in our second ever author meet up was the most exciting thing to happen to me in 2021 and then he came back for a second time. I think a little bit of me loves him now, he is so lovely to talk to too.
How do you take care of your own happiness? Giving out all the time can be draining. How do you put something back? What helps you to relax and unwind?
I’m currently feeling quite stressed and frazzled. Starting a business that has grown so quickly and been so popular is exciting and exhausting too. I need to get some help with it and it’s first on my to do list for January, I just need to hang on tight and manage what I’m doing and get through Christmas (can’t believe Mrs Claus is wishing Christmas away). I used to go for a daily dip in the sea and it has a wonderful way of resetting your brain, calming you and is so beneficial to my mental well-being and happiness. I’m currently rushing about saying I don’t have time, but really I should be making time as I know I feel less frantic when I do.
Reading and Adventures
Reading is obviously another joy and I feel like I have no time for that just now either (currently having to listen on audible to new books whilst driving or walking the dog). My friends, kids and family are amazing and always there if I start to have a panic or wobble. They ground me and I am so grateful for all of them. I’m a sociable person so I love being in company.
I love having adventures, in the last two years I’ve tried coasteering, yoga, and bagged a munro. My 2022 resolution will be to get a better work/life balance. I will get there, I know that so I’m fine with everything being super busy and stressful just now. It will all be worth it. Plus, for all the stress, it’s exciting, too.
I think you are quite an inspiration to a lot of people, but who has most inspired you in your life? You can choose more than one person if you wish.
I never met a more friendly and honest person than my Dad. He had a knack of making everyone feel like they were the most important person in the room. My sisters and I still joke about who his favourite was. He told us all that and told us not to tell our sisters; he made it so believable that he we all believed we were his favourite. That’s a lovely
thing to make people feel. I miss him a lot. He was patient, wise sincere, genuine, kind and caring, I have never met anyone with a bad word to say about him.
My youngest son Laurie is an inspiration to me too. He has a rare genetic disorder and has the kindest soul. I am very proud of all 4 of my kids, they are lovely people who you would want to be in the company of. Their friends take the time to tell me what lovely people I have raised and that makes me feel very proud.
Going Back in Time
If you could live at any time in history, in any place, where would you choose?
I would like to spend some time in the Gatsby era. I love the glamour, clothes and I so love a good party, but really I think it would only be fun back then if you were one of the entitled. Plus, it’s taken women a long time to have the freedoms I take for granted. I’m happy with where I am, I’d only like to be a fly on the wall in different
countries and eras.
I have an idea that you might be quite good at present giving. What has been the best gift you have ever received or given?
Buying presents is my absolute favourite thing. So,The Boozy Book Club ticks a lot of boxes for me. I love spending a whole year planning the perfect present for someone – if it makes them cry a little then I know I’ve done my job well. Now every month I get to think up little thoughtful gifts that will surprise and delight people and I love that. It’s always definitely about the thought not the expense, and it’s rubbed off well on my kids too.
All my kids give such thoughtful gifts to me and to everyone else they buy for. But absolutely, and probably never to be topped, was my birthday after my dad died. All of my kids chipped in together but it was Abbie’s idea and they all were happy to give her full credit for it, because it was just so perfect. The day after my dad died, all my kids came back to North Berwick to walk on the beach and be with me. We started collecting red bricks, pebbles and stones and then made a giant red heart on the sand with shells spelling out Papa. It felt like a lovely tribute and it eventually washed away with the tide.
A few months before I had tried to win a digital print by a local artist of the same stretch of beach in North Berwick and Abbie had obviously seen it. She got her brothers and sister to chip in with her to buy it for me. When I opened it, I instantly recognised it as the beautiful picture I had tried to win. But Abbie being an artist herself had the foresight to realise that if it was digital art, things could be added to what was there already and had asked the artist to also add a red pebble heart on the beach. I just thought it was the original picture and she kept saying “Look Closer” and then I saw the heart. It’s the most precious and beautiful and thoughtful gift I’ve ever been given, I don’t think even I can top it.
What are your ambitions for the Boozy Book Club? If we did this interview again at the end of 2022 (and we might if you haven’t got too busy and famous) what would you hope to have achieved?
I really hope The Boozy Book Club keeps bringing joy to people connecting with each other over a good book. That we become a supportive community of women, who feel comfortable enough to share our own hopes, dreams and worries, that we can chat about how a book made us feel in an open and non-judgy way.
I hope we get to travel and do more live events too, maybe a party! Maybe an app or podcast, who knows where this could take me? One day my own book too. I hope The Boozy Book Club brings a welcome escape or enlightenment to many. I love a story but I also love hearing other peoples stories, too. I obviously want it to keep growing; I hope I keep managing to get the authors to join us, too. I’m excited to see what happens and I really hope I’m up to
the job!
Thank you so much, Kirstie. I’m pretty sure that you’re up to it and I can’t wait to hear what Kirsty Does Next. Lang may yer lum reek!
If you want to join Kirstie on Facebook here’s a link. You can also find her on Instagram.
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Posted on January 6th, 2022 by Jane
