Category: 2017
Make it x
Remember these beauties? For me a hark back to the eighties but the concept must actually be a lot older. I was looking for something to naturally moth proof wardrobes and drawers when inspiration dawned. A quick check on Ebay proved invaluable..they still existed and this little lot were bought in a bulk buy. The relative quiet of half term was the perfect time to renovate their little interiors..
Some of them had beautiful vintage labels that we managed to gently peal away.
Lots of the pomanders had a blingy gold loop so grosgrain ribbon has to be an upgrade. We found the easiest way to replace this was to feed both ends of the ribbon in through the top and pull them through with a pair of tweezers.
You need to pull the two ends through leaving as little ribbon as possible on the top. We found the tweezers used as a brace was a wise thing to do. Then just knot ends together and pull the loop back out again.
After attempts with funnels, the best way to fill the pomanders was with a little jug. We used lavender and essential oils.
For those pomanders missing their bottoms we cut out discs from vintage material and simply glued them on.
Strangely satisfying with a definite whiff of pure nostalgia. To be recommended.
Laters, Kate x
The 2017 Oscars..
Well the 2017 Oscar night was a one to remember. Maybe not for all the best reasons….But Emma Stone, resplendent but slightly safe in gold Givenchy obviously didn’t let it ruin her evening.
Always a treat for the eyes, The Oscars is like watching a living shooting range: Ruth Negga in Valentino…miss..
Nicole Kidman in Armani Prive: Boring colour..but hit.
Janelle Monae: Wrong era…miss.
Dakota Johnson in Gucci: What IS that thing at the front? Miss.
Jessica Biel in Kaufmanfranco: For some this was a winner..maybe you needed to see it in the flesh. For me, moth eaten and mangy. Miss.
Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton. Why?
Emma Roberts proving that black and cream is never the way to go.
Scarlett Johansson gets the grannies curtain prize.
Whilst the sack prize(As in looks like rather than would be good in…) goes to Felicity Jones in Dior.
The doing-something-different-and-succeeding award goes to Sofia Boutella.
Proving that simplicity works: Sting and Trudie Styler.
And best dressed award of the night goes to Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford..
I’m sorry, that was a mistake. Best dressed award goes to Karlie Kloss in Stella McCartney?
Damn it. Best dressed award goes to Halle Berry in Versace for being sassy, hot and totally in the zone.
Laters, Kate x
Wood Craft x
It’s half term so we’ve been busy doing very little. One thing we have achieved is a bit of stick weaving…a strangely satisfying art form…first you need to find a good selection on Y-shaped sticks = outside jaunt.
Then wrap each side of the Y.
To do this you tie the string on, then create a loop at the back.
Then bring the other end through the loop and pull tight.
Continue till both sides are done.
We measured two arm lengths of string for the next bit. (This is Bella doing her Christ the Redeemer impression)
Using a large darning needle (new it would come in useful) weave between the two sides to create the horizontal lines.
Ta-dah!
Finally weave wool in V shapes vertically from one side to the next. This is Bella’s finished creation.
Being an adult, I wanted mine tighter…therefore it’s still a work in progress…
Surprisingly satisfying.
Laters, Kate x
Home Truths x
I suspect there’s a scientific correlation between the life cycle of say, the lower house mouse and renovation works. A year after the kitchen was finished thoughts have turned to the family bathroom and an office pod in the garden. But bathrooms first.
Unlike this pic, our main problem is the floor which is tiled. The tiles haven’t stood the test of time – after 10 years they’re cracked and ragged. It could be that they were badly laid, or it might be that tiles are never great in old houses that move on wooden joists.
So the plan now is to replace the tiles with wood. We’ve got wood in both our laundry room and kitchen, and they’ve been the best floors ever – warm, characterful and flexible. I’m not sure why we didn’t use it as a first choice in the bathroom – I suspect it’s a gremlin in our minds that whispers wood plus water equals problems. Now stop…and think of boats…
This is the inspiration for the floor: Dark, herringbone parquet. Just the right side of decadent.
(All pics Pinterest)
It’s going to be fun…
Laters, Kate x
Light Fever x
So which one should it be? Blow a bundle on the iconic Regina from Skyfall..a piece of cinematic history mine for a chunky seven and a half mill..
Tempting……very tempting…
Or go for class and opt for Soufriere, Daniel Craig’s mode of transport in Casino Royale, a mere snip at £600,000?
Then I wake up. And the lottery win fades in the morning light.
Damn.
Laters, Kate x
Holy holes x
This post makes me think of gentle waves lapping on sandy shore complete with bucket, spade and cricket bat. It’s old fashioned, timeless and harks back to simpler times in an eat it now sort of way.
Celia Pym is a knitting/embroidery artist and much of her work centres around visible mending – taking something worn, discarded and unloved…
..and adding a new, contrasting layer to marry the piece together.
The finished work takes on a whole new personality – the ghost of the past with the mend of the future. The work is seamless but showy, in the best unshouty kind of way.
It makes me think I would love to do something like this to a much loved cashmere cardigan that’s seen better days. 
Or mend the knees in my jeans like this. Maybe it’s the integrity of the craft that’s so appealing? But I looked up on You Tube to see how to do it..
(All pics Celia Pym)
Even watching this was meditative.
Now where’s my darning mushroom?
Laters, Kate x
Alice Cicolini x
Alice Cicolini’s jewellery fluidly mixes a rich tapestry of eastern traditions with cool modern sensibilities.
It’s a keen eye, passion and superbly talented craftsmen that bring her jewellery together.
Together with a total love of colour.
Each piece proudly nods to its heritage roots whilst still being totally unique.
Not an easy gulf to cross.
(All pictures Alice Cicolini)
But Cicolini’s work is a third retro 80s, a third Indian, a third British…and totally fabulous.
Laters, Kate x
Flashbulb x
Is it too late for New Years resolutions? The dust has finally settled and now I know what I’d like to do…keep a sketch book. I have a words/ideas book (which apparently is the classic sign of an introvert – who knew?) to keep treasures like assonance and sibilance that otherwise would float away. But a book of dabblings and drawings? If this Blog is a collection of thoughts and sources of inspiration, then a sketchbook would be those thoughts made physical. I think it’s a calling….
(All pictures not mine but from Pinterest)
Laters, after an arty online shop for supplies, Kate x
Best of the Baftas..
Top prize: Emily Blunt in McQueen. Does everything a great dress should – of particular note are those clever shoulders and beautiful embroidery – not too much, but just enough.
Close second: Hannah Bagshaw with husband, also in McQueen…could there be a theme?
Taylor Hill scores points for vintage Hollywood glamour.
Daisy Ridley: A winner for not taking it too seriously.
Isabelle Huppert in Chloe: Those sleeves and sheer elegance.
Penelope Cruz: For shaking it up.
(All pictures Pinterest)
Anya Taylor Joy in Gucci: Because it shouldn’t work, but it does.
Roll on the Oscars hey. And the odd dead swan.
Laters, Kate x
I swear, My Swear..
The price of these babies will no doubt induce an apocalypse of weepiness and hair tearing…and also make them ‘highly desirable’ such is the strange world we live in because the basic price starts at £300 – plus postage. And then this goes skyward depending on how much customisation you fancy. Yep – these walking mortgages from My Swear are labelled the first ever customisable trainers…and are sure to be a wallet slapping cosmos flying hit.
Where the joy comes in is even if you can’t buy, you can play: The power of the internet/websites are so good now, you can literally watch and plan every step – colour – not just all over, but for each section, type of leather, soles, toes, eyelets, laces – it’s a long list of decisions meaning you can end up with a totally unique object.
Ta-daaah!
(All pics from My Swear)
Expect to see them strutting their stuff at the AW17 fashion shows.
You’ve been warned.
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 
