Category: Bohemian
It Stole My Heart x
The moment I clapped eyes on this Dries Van Noten shirt it sang my song. I loved it’s bold stance that still seamlessly fitted with it’s gold baroque inspired partner.
Initially I thought the design was printed – but no, it’s all embroidered aka creole style, which in my view makes it a little slice of heaven. At £590 I can understand and appreciate it’s steep price and in my minds eye I can already see it walking through my wardrobe marrying all kinds of jeans, skirts and culottes with absolute aplomb, until I fear at the school gates instead of ‘Bella’s-Mum’ or Charlie’s-Mum’ I’d be known as ‘Shirt-Girl’. I cross my fingers tightly it’ll be in the Summer Sales with a wonderful, purse-happy reduction. Until then there’s another route and I’ve been compelled to try and make a patterned shirt of my own. I found an old cream number ripe and ready for the re-cycling bin to experiment on (it’s not cotton but a sort of modern chiffon) and with a bog standard black permanent marker pen and embroidery ring I set to work..
It’s incredibly therapeutic – there’s no right or wrong, you just do…and it organically grows..it’s not finished yet, but i’ll post a pic of it when it is.
I realise it seems as if I don’t stop – and the truth is I probably don’t. But a lot of the work I do as a mum is ‘invisible’ – expected and to a certain extent, taken for granted. By making time for my ‘projects’ I see something tangible created in front of my eyes…and the joy of that is worth it’s weight in gold – I sincerely believe it’s food for the soul. One of these days I’ll write a post about how I manage my time (I do have a system – I have to) …I just need to find the time to write it…!
Laters, Kate x
Happy Easter!! xxx
And what better way to celebrate Easter than with the coolest eggs ever?
These are by the celebrity Tattoo artist Scott Campbell who’s inked such illuminaries as Marc Jacobs, Helena Christensen and Penelope Cruz.
Louisiana born Scott abandoned a career as a biochemist to follow his calling (you can just imagine what his parents thought..)
I love that he doesn’t consider skin his only artistic canvas – the street aesthetic of the Tattoo style works so brilliantly against the fragility of the ostrich egg. The snakes and spiders feel like their about to hatch out and all the time there’s an on-going relationship between life and death.
A lady..or a skull?
Refreshing to see talent respected for talent no matter what the roots.
I find them utterly compelling.
Wishing you all a WONDERFUL Easter!
Laters, Kate x
Coachella 2014
Coachella: A place for people to unshowily declare themselves.
To turn up and have fun like a wild drive through the night whilst still standing in a circle of friends.
To sing, play, dance and listen and put a distance from the real world. Just for a little bit.
Personally, it’s the Coachella Art Studios that would have my name on them – the craft themes this year are: Paper, re-cycled materials, fashion, camp improvement (!) and a banter booth!
You can make a head wrap, get stuck into clay and even draw stranger portraits – love this: Sit down on opposite sides of an artists easel with a stranger and draw each other – get to know the other person through the process by using provided interview questions to break the ice..or just chat! The result is a portrait each and a new friend..result!
The Afterlife is a place to go to give birth to new objects from old…a broken inner bicycle tube? It becomes a wallet. Plastic bags? material! I’d never leave..
For the first time ever there’s even a Quiltchella..a communal quilt in the making..they need you Kerry and Nikki!
(All photos by Annie powers from Style.com)
The next Festival is 18-20 April…only in my dreams will I be there….But one day, when the kids have flown the nest and I’m in my dotage I’m going to dress up in flowing purple robes and a mighty turban and laugh and dance and do it all till the sun rises again…Promise.
Laters, Kate x
Summer Dresses..
The White romance embroidered maxi dress
Nothing quite beats the ease of a summer dress..it is the ultimate capsule wardrobe – throw it on and you’re out the door. I found these gorgeous wonders on the Free People website thanks to the Blog Katewears..Thank you Kate! I know I’ll be losing hours of my life sighing over all their offerings..how rather, very wonderful!
(Virginia/Holzfeder – Close to your ideal?..was thinking of you..)
I’m thinking if I bought just one tiny little itty bitty dress….I could justify it by spending my whole holiday wafting in it?? Would make packing very easy…
Laters, Kate x
I spy…
(Penelope Chilvers)
Espadrilles! Perfect to wear with the new trouser length, their artisanal chic shouts style-without-even-trying.
(Dolce and Gabbana)
In the Season of ugly shoes, the espadrille walks in the shadow of the Birk, never quite leading the way…but always there.
(Fendi)
But from it’s humble position on sea-side kiosks and dusty holiday shops, it’s now been elevated to celestial heights and given the full make-over.
(Stella McCartney)
I can’t help but think – if what’s special about them is they’re colours and added bits….surely they make the ideal canvas for a DIY project?
(Tory Burch)
Cheap as chips to buy, easy to accessorise – no great financial risk if it all goes tits up – the only real limit is your daring and imagination with the end result equalling a stunning, original piece of your summer wardrobe…
(Missioni Mare)
Makes me think – shall we have a DIY Espadrille Competition????
Laters, Kate x
Agnes and Lola x
This is one of my secrets. The website Agnes & Lola, originally born of a love of two things: independent fashion and the diverse cultures across the African continent.
It’s the perfect browse if you need a bit of spice.
Re-defined classics that offer a ready-to-wear alternative to the cloning of the High Street. And sensible prices too..I’ve just ordered these, reduced from £55 to £25…
I look at these, and all I can think of, even though I have never met her is my blogging friend Fashion Mayann! They just have her name on them!
Let colourful be your personality. Why should the men have all the fun? I want these trousers..
Just accessories with a smile!
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
There’s Something about Denim..
If there was one item that caught my eye in Fashion Week last September it was this picture from Valentino SS14..so available now. It seemed to encapsulate everything slightly different, slightly loose and rather wonderful. The dropped waist is heaven and it’s the first time I’ve considered the maxi length in a long, long time. I really thought they could be my designer purchase of the summer..
So imagine my shock when I discovered they were in fact flared trousers. I love they are probably the only item of clothing I have ever seen that discourages thigh gap…it just looks so ugly on this style (the above pic just confirms). But…would they be the ultimate sartorial choice? or would they lie forgotten in the wardrobe, too reminiscent of bad 70’s and something a clown might wear? I’m struggling..
I’m off to the South Bank now to see Alexa Chung’s talk at the Vogue Festival and feel the buzz..anyone else going??
Laters, Kate x
Ticked off the List..
Who am I to preach impulse control? Three skirts for summer hey…that’ll be 2 bought then…Not from conventional shops so I’ll see how they arrive before giving a shout out…but I’m in lust. (And just in case you’re worried..the one above will be shorter…)
Not exactly conventional skirts either – so much character, colour and heart. I’ve always had a thing about African material and I’ve wanted to find a way to incorporate it into my wardrobe. The contrast between the traditional-midi-Audrey-Hepburn-style-skirt and the fabric makes me laugh with joy. Perfect for transeasonal dressing with a denim or white shirt – or with tees in the summer..Can you tell I’m excited?!
Except my shirts are not in a good place….hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..
Laters, Kate x
Etro-vert… x
I was at the Country Home and Living Fair last week where I fell in love with a stand selling loose, square pocketed coats made of that incredible paisley silk/wool blanket material – like the shawls you see in all the Jane Austen films that just sing warmth and wealth. The feelings of desire caught me by surprise so I resisted (particularly as I have a coat fetish) but there was something about their bohemian utilitarian ease that majorly pulled at my heart strings.
Etro cultivates that same vibe, where the smell of old Europe meets the heat of the exotic.
Not for the faint hearted there’s statement in their presence.
But the power of expression is a freedom and joy that should be shouted from the roof-tops..and anywhere else..
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 