Category: Art
Outrageously Wonderful! x
I can’t help think that sometimes – let’s say often – the red carpet misses a trick; the urge to conform to stereotypical beauty too strong, the risk of stepping outside of prescribed boxes too big. And then, when those sitting at the top of the social triangle are fearful, the emotion gets passed down and what should actually be celebrated, gets missed. I will never be an Oscar winning actress, but I hope that if I was, I would wear one of Rasa Vilcinskaite’s incredible creations with pride and honour and quite frankly, wow the world.
(All pics Rasa Vilcinskaite and Pinterest)
With no hope of a red carpet, maybe I could swing one for Sunday lunch?
Just saying.
Laters, Kate x
What did you do at the weekend? x
It’s been a while coming, but I’ve finally hit the time when I am (virtually) redundant from hand to hand trench child care. Quite a revelation. Suddenly free time is mine again – like really mine. And weekends seem to be the place where the change is most obvious – one day is spent going for long cycle rides (to keep up with husband, a self-confessed mamil, I have an electric bike – like shut the door fabulous) and the other? Well, inspired by Sewing Bee – I’m sewing. This is the pattern I’m currently working on. In this print:
Because it was cheap to make mistakes on and the print made me smile. But if it works, I’m upgrading to this:
Bright canary yellow! And the main print is like 83 cm large! Watch this space…
My new porn is searching for future patterns and ideas – which leads me to what was going to be the main thrust of this post – Folkwear patterns – based in the US, but a treasure trove of historical and international patterns from a Hungarian Szur worn by Magyar herdsman as far back as the middle ages to a ladies chemise from the mid to late 1800s.
(All pics Folkwear. com – and if you want to check out my collection of sewing thoughts and ideas check out Material on Pinterest)
I’m in heaven!
Laters, Kate x
By All the Planets! x
What a treat the Sunday Times Home supplement had this week – and whole article on this amazing story – Club Jupiter – the tale of three talented friends pulling together to create something special over lockdown that will change the way you think of static caravans forever. So much of this spoke to my heart – taking something forgotten and breathing new life, stripping away the plastic and replacing it with everything natural and considered, three women with a special bond, three women with fantastic eyes for colour and pattern; it’s a dream made in heaven – or rather Margate, because this little beauty is now up for renting – so not only brilliant but financially brilliant as well – I doff my feathered cap you incredible girls.
For more details and to book, click here – Club Jupiter
A little slice of heaven.
Laters, Kate x
Monday, Funday.. x
So this post was going to be a homage to my Best Buy of the summer – a black, trench length pac a Mac from Muji that has been worth every penny of the £9.95 I paid for it, particularly given the strange weather we’re back to in London – rain, rain and more rain. But there are no pictures or mentions on Muji’s website, so you’ll have to take it from me – I’m having to buy another one because everyone in the house keeps nicking it; small, lightweight and does exactly what it says on the tin. Ding dong.
And now, a selection of pictures that sit on the more unusual spectrum of life, because if you can’t have basics, then reach for the stars…
Laters, Kate x
Green is great x
So different from last year when the season changed at the flick of a switch. This year, the weather also seems to have been infected by all things associated with the pandemic. In London it’s cold, like turn the heating back on, winter socks and thermal undies cold. Outside the green is appearing – but it’s being battered by high winds and driving rain; my garden hasn’t had it’s summer make over yet, there’s been no incentive. I’m thinking maybe an offering to forgotten earth spirits is required – it’s what these green chandeliers make me think of, there’s a joy in their simplicity and a celebration in their construction. Who couldn’t fail to be impressed?
(All pics Pinterest)
And if nothing else, I can watch them bobbing in the wind.
Laters, Kate x
A Gem x
So here’s the thing – I did a post about brooches a while back. But my love of them shows no signs of abating, instead the need to embellish is growing and multiplying like a sparkling, cabochon mold.
But there’s something else that’s caught my eye, away from the traditional magpie pull of vintage costume jewellery; beautiful handmade and handcrafted brooches, little masterpieces of creation, witty takes and outrageous pieces of inventiveness.
(All pics Pinterest)
I love.
Laters, Kate x
Craft x
Saw this. And a part of me, deep inside, roared – why hadn’t I thought of this? So simple, so satisfying. How many times have I passed piles of pictures and postcards at jumbles and car boot sales and felt the pang of loss for their former glory, the lure of their nostalgia and potential ignored? No longer my friends – this ship is primed and ready to sale; the perfect combination of new and old, structure and imagination and Netflix plus mindful.
(All pics Pinterest)
Laters, Kate x
Nepotism x
The work of a musician revolves around people and communication, which means Covid has crippled the industry. However, nothing can stop the communication – for those missing their culture, my sister – Harriet Mackenzie, internationally renowned concerto soloist who has performed across five continents – is giving a special, hands on concert –
‘Thanks to all the wonderful people who supported my concert in November, I’m doing another concert online from here on 14th February! To thank my audience, it’s Audience Choice! Here are the options:
Another Solo Bach work- Another Baroque work such as Telemann or LocatelliÂ
An Ysaye Solo Sonata
a Contemporary work-Â KrieslerÂ
Recitative Scherzo Caprice
A solo Piazzolla Tango-
A Paganini Caprice
Another romantic work like the Paganini I played in November, which has accompaniment, but works well without it.
Massenet – Meditation, Ponce – Estrellita could work well?
a composition of my own- an improvisation
– my own solo arrangement of a jazz standard.- my own arrangement of a folk/world music melody, Kosmos style, but for solo violin.
Please do let me know if you have any preferences! – harriemack@gmail.com
Love from Spetses,
Harriet x ‘
For further details – click here – the info starts of with a bio of Harriet – you need to move further down this page to find:Â
Concert on February 14th at 8pm. Â
Underneath this is Â
Tickets – click on this to buy.
Once you have purchased your ticket you will receive an acknowledgement, a booking confirmation, with a code (booking reference) which you will need to use. You can download this.
1 hour before your concert, you will receive an email through the address provided at time of purchase with a bespoke link and code to connect you to your concert experience. When it is time for your concert, all you need to do isÂ
click on the link sent to your email, enter your code, and enjoy!
The concert will be available to view for 48 hours following the performance, so you can even watch it twice if you wish or if you are unable to watch at the time you can watch later!!
Enjoy!
Laters, Kate x
Amanda x
When all around has grown dark, the grey clouds constantly rolling in, it’s always a thrill to spot the first ray of light. Which, in a little way, explains my intense emotions hearing Amanda Gorman’s poem for the first time, that feeling of finally, a new chapter, finally, a voice speaking words I want to hear.
After hearing her, seeing her, I did a google dive to find out more, and came across this video, which also touched my heart, though for different reasons.
Some say she is a person of a future. Surely she’s a person of now?
Laters, Kate x
Mouse House x
The idea of little shops for mice was first started by Anonymouse – a Swedish Artists collective whose first piece of mouse street art was a restaurant in Malmo. The idea has since been taken up by others across the world. Built with dedication, skill, time and humour they exist for the pure wonder and escapism their existence produces; a little bit of imagination made real.
(All pics Pinterest and Anonymouse)
It’s enough to make you smile.
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 