Category: accessories
Simply Made x
Made was born from a desire to create beautiful products using traditional time-honoured skills and fashion led design: Made believe that people really matter, that if you look after the employees it translates through into what they make. It’s a meeting of beautiful thinking and beautiful doing where object and intention come together to create something truly special and unique whilst embracing cultures, personalities and genuine gorgeousness..
They are also dedicated to using the most environmentally friendly products possible: Their signature style comes from an extensive use of reclaimed brass which has a warmth and a softness unlike any other metal. 
But what makes them standout is the balance between tradition/friend of the earth and cutting edge fashion: Their sharp design skills come from a willingness to collaborate with some of the best the fashion and design world has to offer – Edun, Lois Vuitton, Whistles, Asos, TopShop to name just a few, all adding to a sense of continual growth and exploration of ideas. 
I particularly love these pieces by Imogen Belfield, already touted by Vogue as an up and coming designer, her designs have a sense of presence and tactileness that make them exceptionally appealing: They’re a little bit of sunshine… 
Mi piace..
Time to stand outside the circle.
Laters, Kate x
Just Corking! x
These are my beloved two year old most comfortable summer shoes the world has ever known babies. They’re really on their last hurrah, but I couldn’t resist giving them a summer re-vamp to squeeze that last bit of life out of them..
Studs! Except they’re not..
They’re bog standard drawing pins (tacks to others) pushed into the cork..no glue, nothing..just a bit of thumb grease..
And I absolutely love ’em! Now they’re smiling again for another year on the tiles…
Laters, Kate x
Eddie Borgo x
There’s nothing better than a flowing boho dress with strong, studded jewellery..
The sort of jewellery that designer Eddie Borgo revels in.
It has my heart…
Solid, timeless statement pieces..
But he can do elegant too..
Is it too early to start a Christmas list??
Laters, Kate x
Bill Skinner x
What’s a girl to do when faced with such gorgeousness? Possibly write a very large wish list and place it somewhere purposeful and prominent. With a begging money box on the side. Classic with a giggle, Bill Skinner has a way of capturing the essence of vintage for the modern wardrobe – this enchanting Butterfly pendant is hand carved and enamelled with even the glass dome hand blown in Kent. Makes the £90 price tag seem a bargain…
Or how about a Kingfisher? (They remind me of all things delicious – dollshouses, Victorian taxidermy..and do you remember those tiny glass bottles filled with beads that passed as fairy dust??)
Bill Skinner learnt his trade with the best: Asprey, Arpels, Garrards and Van Cleef. Followed by a polishing of Street from Butler & Wilson and the wonderful Vivienne Westwood.
Influenced by heritage but not stuck in the past his designs always have that touch of fun.
Any Shrek fans?!
Adore!
Designs of delight and a price point that works..what’s not to love? Now… where’s that credit card hiding…
Laters, Kate x
Funky and Fanciful x
There’s a serendipity when things that aren’t perfect just are.
Like an unexpected marriage of colour, nostalgia and manipulation.
But then would you expect any more from Karen Walker?
(I want this bow necklace. Like now…)
The Queen of witchy powers, always willing to throw magic into the mix. And cackle with glee at the results..
Laters, Kate x
La Vita e Bella..
Spring has really sprung in London..you can almost leave the house without a coat… it means all I want to do is pour myself into summer…
It doesn’t help that the Dolce & Gabbana Spring Summer advertising campaign has cherry picked everything my heart is yearning for…
The effervescence of the simple life – the joy of cooking with fresh ingredients, the passion of creating, the aroma of flowers and fruit ripening in the sun, blue skies and al fresco suppers in the garden…the extra long brown legs don’t help either (where I can find them and how much do they cost?!) all sharpened up with a hint of Mafia.
There’s a haunting beauty that’s still grounded in the past, capturing a time when there was time to roam and relax into natural rhythms..
There’s still laughter and fun..the fluidity of life rushing on the slow side with everything in broad strokes.
I want to hold it like a snow globe and treasure it forever..
Laters, Kate x
Just a Little Obsessed..
The light is underway. I took a punt on the size of lanterns without seeing them in the flesh..and as a prototype I don’t think I did too badly. Still not sure how I’m going to finally link them all together – on the one hand, when they’re loosely linked they catch the breeze and spin gently – I can imagine them above candles, moving on the warm air. But then I think the shape is better when they’re tighter together. Going to see what they look like with their scales before I made a decision.
The bottom ball is already covered..the temptation was just too great! It’s incredibly therapeutic work…
Laters, Kate x
Silken Favours x
Victoria Murdoch is the independent, free-thinking spirit and designer behind the label Silken Favours, creating her own silk pieces from traditional pen & ink techniques.
Based in London and originally working everything by hand, she’s managed to combined her nostalgic sense of magic with fast, modern digital printing techniques to produce commercially priced work with that personal touch.
Humour with a delicateness to make you smile and lust.
Clever designs that speak to the heart with a shift in every mood and a requisite fair and lightness.
Sort of cute but still sly making it all so appealing..and endearing.
Silk is her canvas, but this is just the start – there’s more to come like insanely printed silk shirts. Imagine!
I can’t wait.
Laters, Kate x
Brain Storming..
I think it’s something in the air, but there’s an itch I need to scratch..three projects are calling my name and it’s got to the point when every time I close my eyes, I see them..
Let me run the first one past you…it involves lights: I’ve got the bug to re-do our kitchen, which would be a fairly mammoth job and isn’t going to happen anytime soon, but it would mean our dining room table would move to a place where it could have two (sigh) chandeliers above it. Just designing the chandeliers would be a great starting point don’t you think?..My heart loves the Abigail Ahern light above, but unfortunately The Bank doesn’t (a mere £11.000 a pop)..but then the brain thinks could I make one myself? I’ve made a light before..
…So I’m running with the conundrum..I was thinking maybe the really cheap and cheerful Japanese lanterns would be the perfect base?..have three together, a large round one on top and attach smaller ones below, then cover them all in rectangles of tissue paper like fishes scales…if it goes tits up, the initial outlay is pretty low…
The second option is this more expensive light from John Lewis and use the same technique…at £120 for the shade it’s a bit more of a risk cost-wise if it goes wrong.. I suspect the cylindrical shape is better? But I do rather miss the drama of the three levels..
Or – just to throw something extra into the mix..what about something with the japanese lanterns based on this idea?..
Cunning eh?
The Easter holidays are fast approaching..if I can do the ground work now and make a decision it would be the perfect project to do with the kids…what are your thoughts? Any of them grab you? all suggestions are very welcome as I’m at the point when I’m going round in creative circles!…
Laters, Kate x
Jimmy’s Shoes..
The gorgeous Kit Harington, who plays Jon Snow in Game of Thrones (with the new series coming out it’s the first time I’m gutted we don’t have Sky..) has been named as the male face of Jimmy Choo. Rumour and intrigue has it he’ll be fronting a new fragrance…Blood, sweat and tears with base notes of wolf?
I’ll be there..
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 