Category: beachwear

July 21, 2015

Jane Birkin and her bag x

Iconic, ironic and rather wonderful…..

Laters, Kate x

July 1, 2015

Cooking..

Damn it’s hot. Feverishly hot enough to melt a bottle..or poach an egg in an unsuspecting armpit..really unpleasant.

It’s hard to find anything to wear that doesn’t stick or itch. The best thing would be a large,cool lake or natural swimming pool but unfortunately my wardrobe’s not large enough, neither is my wallet.

I have found these kimono’s ..

They might not cut it on the school run..

(All kimonos from South Beach Official)

But will be perfect with a large hat for wafting on holiday.

And at only £18, they’re a bargain..

Laters, Kate x

June 30, 2015

Elina Linardaki x

I didn’t go to Glastonbury this year..but if I had, I would’ve worn a pair of these beauties by Elina Linardaki. (Until it rained of course, and then they’d transform into a pair of hunter wellies, because that’s just how magical they are).

I could do with a pair today..last week it was tights and scarves..this week temperatures are set to hit 36 degrees. London in this kind of heat is not good, we seem to specialise in the really heavy, oppressive variety that saps the very life from your bones where 36 on the thermometer feels more like 46. It’s partly because we’re just not equipped to cope..lots of glass, no shutters, no air con, no swimming pools, just a sprinkler in the garden. We have Prize Day at the kids school today and thank God it’s no blazers, but no doubt we will all gently boil.

I’ll be sitting their, quietly sweating away…dreaming of leather gladiators and a beach….

Laters, Kate x

June 26, 2015

Babe-li-cious x

Time..the beast that no man can stop. It’s almost the end of summer term, which has nearly the same madness of Christmas with it’s particular frenzy of Sports Days, concerts, exhibitions, class parties and Prize Days. The children finally break up on Thursday, we leave for three days glamping on Friday (yay!), arrive back on Monday..kids leave with their Grandparents for Greece on the Tuesday…(we leave the following week). It feels a bit like being in a tumble dryer. Or a piece of bread dough being pulled and pushed.

And I still need to get my swimwear sorted…I don’t think I’ll ever move away from the retro look..

It was designed for curves..

Best I’ve found so far are from Bettylicious..Great shapes, fab prints.

(Pictures from Bettylicious and Pinterest)

Now it’s just a matter of committing to one quickly as Sports Day starts at 9.30…

Laters, Kate x

June 23, 2015

Summer Lovin’ x

The weather in the UK has yet to settle down. The majority of the hurrying figures I saw this morning on my way to school were wearing thick tights and scarfs, held tight against the wind. Give it two hours, the sun could be shining and all those layers will peel off in the time it takes for a corn kernel to pop in a hot pan. It’s confusing and disappointing and makes me dream of consistent kingfisher blue skies, warm, heavy air and the compelling rasp of cicadas.

If I won the lottery tomorrow, I’d head straight to Christophe Sauvat and fill my battered leather backpack with all his summer wonders…summer dresses to float in..

Summer tops to laugh in (a glass of rose in one hand, a good book in another…)

And shoes to die for.

We’d pile into the car, fill the petrol tank to brimming and head for the coast…

And keep driving to the sun..through France, stopping wherever to indulge in gastronomic delights to tantalise the tastebuds..or just to admire the view.

Then on to Italy, to visit friends and wrap them up with us in our hedonistic cloud..nostalgic for the past..loving the present.

Before heading to Greece, to pitch a tent and live a completely free few months, brown, barefoot and under the stars, knowing that the best things in life are the simplest.

A girl can dream…

Laters, Kate

June 17, 2015

Sun Rocking..

If you’re wanting to uncover your inner Bond girl this summer, Australian label Duskii – designed for swimmers, surfers, divers, sailors and beautiful beach babes – maybe just the one for you..

(This style plus others are on sale NOW at Net-a-porter..)

(Unfortunately the perfectly pert buttocks aren’t included)

If you’re liking the neoprene look but not the designer price tag, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel with southbeachofficial.com and their range of bikinis.

They’re not in the same league, but at £28 for a set…it’s hard to go wrong.

If you’ve got it. Flaunt it.

Laters, Kate x

June 4, 2015

Summer DIY

The rollercoaster ride of summer is gathering speed..today will be the first day of wearing a summer dress all day long without a coat. Bliss. I would happily wear summer dresses all summer long – they are without doubt the ultimate capsule wardrobe. I did my Atlantique Ascoli check and I have 5 cotton ones…so I’m on the hunt for 2 more to make 7 outfits for the sun ticked off. They’re all I take on holiday now – simply blinged and pimped with jewellery and different shoes for the evening.

I’m also collecting together my summer craft box – a tupperware container with enough bits to while away the magic hours that only appear on holidays, when time seems to get stretched by the sun. Last year we made macrame and friendship bracelets (even Charlie can rustle up a mean macrame)..and I’m sure we’ll make more this year..we got pretty proficient at sewing in chains and all sorts..

This year I’ve found this to add in..all we’ll need to add are a crochet hook, some buttons….

Maybe we’ll finally do a take on this…all I need is time..(and that little bit of child labour)……….

Laters, Kate x

June 3, 2015

Decisions, decisions…

~~Bitch~~ beach shoes……when holiday sings it’s siren song, space is limited and choices are painful…

Hunter slides? because the writing across the front has me in it’s grasp, as does the sheer brilliant simplicity..and the joys of easy access are always appreciated: Sea and sand don’t always make happy bed fellows..

Or Ancient Greek jellies? Witty, fun…but a buckle?? (But what a buckle it is…)

Laters, Kate x

May 20, 2015

Me & Em..

I know I have friends for a reason! This site – Me & Em – with it’s tantalising array of lustful towelling, was pointed out to me by the wonderful Galliana D’ovey, High Priestess of Retail Therapy..

The navy one!..hides the stains..and a snip at £58!

The pockets are top banana..

For those with legs like a supple silver birch, they also have retro-inspired shorts and hoody sets..

And most nostalgic of all..a towelling playsuit!

Spoilt..

Laters, Kate x

May 15, 2015

So Far..

The plan this sumer is to find the perfect beach dress within a reasonable budget, made with the ravishing timbre of towelling. Apart from the lux offering of Lisa Marie (sigh), this picture above represents the biggest research success so far – it’s called a surf dress – which makes total sense: practical and for a purpose. The downside is that it’s not symmetrical (sadly I’m a sucker for 2 patch pockets or one large, central kangaroo pouch), it’s from Australia and personally, I’d like a longer version. But the price is good: £47.43 plus postage, so if anyone’s interested it comes from here. Now I know these dresses are a genre I’ve looked at other surf dresses, but infuriatingly, they’re either made from fleece, covered in logos or they don’t have the v-neck..and that v-neck is crucial…it’s what stops it from being a sack.

Then I thought: just concentrate on the utilitarian shape – what’s appealing is the boxy shape with the neck-line and the pockets..which is just like a painters or fisherman’s smock…then elongate for a dress.
And they’re pretty totes-amaze just as a summer top..imagine with a pair of cut off denim shorts?..this one is from..wait for it..Amazon! at £27.48..bargain..! The lacing is divine..as is the pocket.