Category: 2016
David Nott x
Just a petite post today as I nurse a self-inflicted sore head and run to the kids sports day with umbrella, galoshes and small inflatable boat at the ready…I love the radio, particularly radio 4 – but sometimes it surpasses itself to create solid gold in the air. The Desert Island Disc on June 5 was one such inspirational moment. If you get a quiet half hour, grab a cup of tea and a tissue and listen to it here….if you don’t have a quiet half hour – find one – you’ll thank me. Promise.
Laters, Kate x
Shibori..
Yesterday was spent teaching a group of friends (I’m a rep for Charlie’s class) how to shibori tie-dye. It’s something I love to do with its heady mixture of deep indigo, spontaneity, freedom and promise.
I’ve posted about it before (here) but this year was a little bit different/lessons learnt – the scarfs are longer (2m – possibly the perfect length) and the dye is a new one: If you’re making a large dye bath with the more commonly used Dylon, it’s hard to keep the solution warm so I went for a procion dye that works with cold water (it’s the dye they use for batik dying) and it produced excellent results. If you want more info on dyes and techniques, check out this website (makes me wish I lived in Bognor)..this is a brilliant craft for kids in the summer..and imagine on duvet covers, sheets..or even larger pieces of furniture! Bella spent her evening after school dying..socks!
Gloves are always useful..
This may be old school..but it’s still the best.
Laters, Kate x
Exteriors..
As the internal painting on the house starts coming to an end (just the downstairs toilet and some radiator cabinets to go) all thoughts are turning to the outside. It’s a big decision and needs time to mull.
There’s so many options..dramatic and black?
I like it..but I think it might be better on the back of the house…(I just love the way it contrasts with green..)
So at the front..I’m thinking putty coloured windows and woodwork..but the front door? A darker putty shade? or that classic pale blue…
Or even a mallow pink?
Hmmmmmm. There’s no rush – we like the front looking crap as a burglar deterrent over the summer…but the picture needs to come into focus..
Laters, Kate x
Bonkers Boho x
Boho chic for a bonkers past week..that’s not been helped by my mouse dying (of the computer variety) sigh. I’m still running today..this time to see the tennis at Queens. Running now to iron my silk dress..
Just wish I had one of these to layer up..
Laters, Kate x
Just because..
Plenty in the garden to experiment on..
Laters, Kate x
J’adore..
If I was a trust fund babe, this would be my luggage of choice.
Made in America by Steamline, they’re the perfect marriage of the elegance of yesteryear and the practicalities of modern performance: Handcrafted in leather and brass they swear to be lightweight and durable.
In the past, Louis Vuitton held the aspirational luggage high ground – but it’s now so tinged with the fake tans of tv reality star wannabees that to say your luggage is LV is like announcing to the world that your coat is fur and your knickers are missing.
After years of broken zips, plastic and making do, maybe it’s time for a change…these are certainly on the list of lust.
Laters, Kate x
Hot to trot x
Nostalgic and a bit sentimental: I’m after a pair of wedge espadrilles with ties this summer. I’d love them to be in a deep navy blue, but I suspect black is more realistic.
With just that little bit of extra height, they give an outfit the potential to carrying on strutting straight into a decadent night on the tiles.
As well as being highly adaptable (also great with culottes or skinnies) they’re supremely comfortable and, with a bit of shopping around, easy on the pocket.
If slides are your thing, check out Asos for the best selection..
(All pics from Pinterest)
With prices starting at a mere £12 i’ts winner, winner, chicken dinner.
Laters, Kate x
Summertime x
We’ve been away in Hampshire for the last days of half term, chewing the cud, smelling the new summer air and enjoying the freedom.
Simple pleasures.
Laters, Kate x
The Sitting Room x
Charlie, The Husband and I went to Twickenham on Sunday to see England v Wales (cr*p kicking but a great match). Before we left there was a huge discussion about the weather..hot? Cold? Rain? Snow? The general consensus was if the sun was shining it would be hot…but it wasn’t…so we dressed for winter. We got there…the sun came out…and we all fried like sirloin steaks on a barbie. Today, in contrast the heavens have opened and we’re probably getting the months rain in one day which means we’re all stuck inside as it’s half term. I’ve declared it a creative day, with my creative project being to paint the sitting room.
(I’ve been desperate to paint these velux windows white since they first went in)
The walls also need a lot of work where we had a leak (all fixed by the builders) and general 10 years of wear and tear.
I’ve surprised myself by sticking to brilliant white but it works on multiple levels: The ceiling with all it’s variation in height is blended together with the eye drawn to the highest point, the skirting board radiator that runs round the edge of the room disappears, and finally..there’s a fairly eclectic mix of furniture in this room that the white pulls together (spot the latest edition..my seventies table light..probably deserves a separate post).
I did all the prep work for half the room yesterday..I’m hoping I can get it all finished by tomorrow.
Not easy when the kids are off school for half term..for instance, I couldn’t find my phone yesterday – not a huge hardship as we’re not biologically linked. But it eventually turned up in Bella’s room, tuned to You Tube and a video about ‘Women making graffitti for the first time’ …if you’re mentally away..the mice play..
Laters, Kate x
Thank you Dievca x
In response to my post about Mark Champkin’s flower lights, the lovely Dievca sent me a link to Studio Drift’s Shylights at the Rijks Museum in Holland. I’m so grateful because they are a wonder to behold…
I thoroughly recommend watching the film they made during the making process: The attention to detail, the care…the joy.
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 