Category: Christmas
Christmas Spirit..
The lead up to Christmas is gathering momentum like a shaken, very expensive bottle of vintage champagne ready to explode everywhere, with no-one actually getting to taste a drop. So starts the month of spending, drinking and ironic hair extensions: There’s so much emphasis on the extravagance of Christmas – the more you spend does equal the more you love don’t you know? – that the real joy of Christmas is suffocated like a candle without oxygen. There have been years when I’ve literally sobbed into my mulled wine on Christmas Eve as I’m still working my way through the pile of effing presents that still need to be wrapped…and missing out on all the bits I truly love – the making, the baking and the creating…I’m not religious, but I find my peace in austerity and gentleness away from the whining notion of entitlement and endlessly wanting it all..
So this year I’ve kept it simple..Bella’s stocking is everything to do with sewing with vintage bits I’ve collected from Ebay. Charlie’s is an Art box equivalent with paints, plasticine and the odd robot. The kids broke up from school yesterday, and I’ve managed to get everything done and out the way – the proverbial decks have been cleared (well..almost..cards not quite in the post yet..) but it’s been a long, hard term: The kids are on their knees, so am I..but now we can shut the shutters, close the door and concentrate on lazy days with moments of madness and doing all the things that make Christmas special for us…These lights made from photocopies and ordinary glass tumblers are up there at the top of the list…
I can’t wait!
Laters, Kate x
Forever Party!
(All photos from tumblr)
It’s not what you wear…it’s the way that you wear it…
Laters, Kate x
Unrequited Love..
(Photo from Vogue, taken by Karim Sadil of Sasha Pivovarova)
How much do I love this jumper? Let me count the ways…impeccable diction, great bones, classic monochrome, exquisite texture…it grabs you with the first 1940’s-mashed-with-1980’s reference and refuses to let go: A stylish classic with a sea-change of direction.
Styled with white pleated trousers and the Celine inspired one-earing, it’s deadpan coolness with a wink.
My love is hard to hold back..and impossible to shake off..If only I knew who designed it..
Laters, Kate x
Trick or Treat?
(picture from pinterest)
The perfect party skirt has to be the jewel in the crown this party-hopping season, acting like a human Christmas tree, catching the sparkle and reflecting back the smiles and giddy moments. In the haute spot is Burberry with their mermaid inspired work of art – enough to make the most bah-humbug joy-squasher gimlet eyed with misty desire..
Also working in the skirt corner is the ability to mix the well-heeled refined with the everyday low: tactile jumpers or denim or even t-shirts on top….contrasting the glittering below..cocktail mixes of opposites that create a long drink of inherently cool pleasure..
Sequins just too eighties? How about the pared back elegance that is metallic leather? Easily teamed with white when the sun comes out again, this Maje skirt will even carry you on a silver ray of light all the way through to summer..
And don’t forget the high street – if red wine and dancing on the tables are your party tricks of choice, maybe fake is the way to go..
But faux or real, trick or treat..the choice is yours..
Laters, Kate x
I am Lucky..
Because I have fabulous neighbours, which is one seriously important cog in the life’s life-enhancing machinery. Take this Christmas card, drawn by the visually inspired Jane of her dog, Zsa zsa and all her wonderful puppies taking a leaf out of the Great British Bake Off..Talent, verve and festive giggles..
On Friday I spent the day with another neighbour, Doromy, an ex-actress who knows all there is to know about London and is a visceral, witty joy to be with..we headed to Radio Days on Lower Marsh Street, just by Waterloo to check out vintage dressing gowns for Charlie and to buy deco shot glasses as a present to go with the Sloe Gin I made at Creative Coffee…the place is an absolute treasure trove and well worth a visit if you’re ever in this part of town..
In fact the whole of Lower Marsh Street is a little gem: Vintage shops, food stalls, chi-chi pubs..the gnarly mixed with loftier intentions. Further down and just off to the right is this..the underground tunnel leading to The Vaults, a multi-use underground venue and a spray-painted canvas of guttural dipthongs..
Including female graffiti artists..
And a female fire-eater to boot..
We ended our day, setting the world to rights, eating takeaway kedgeree from Konditor and cook, sitting in Waterloo Station and watching the world go by. There’s not many people you can do that with..simple, effortless and full of the unexpected. It was bliss.
Laters, Kate x
Marking Time..
Do you remember Clothkits? They’re a huge dollop of nostalgia for me as the first clothes I truly coveted and lusted over at school. They came in easy-sew kits to make up, including all sorts of wonderful, genius things like rag dolls as well..
There was always an extra touch..like her matching bag to add the final flourish and make them utterly desirable..
How cute?
The padded coats were particularly memorable…if this came in my size now, I would have it..
But there’s a light at the end of the tunnel..I googled them and Clothkits is still running, and many of these designs are still available plus a host more..
From old originals…
To their modern equivalents..
If you want to give something crafty for Christmas..so crafty you can put a tail on it and call it a fox?..check them out..their range is incredible..
Laters, kate x
Spotted! The Elf on the Shelf…
Who said American’s don’t understand irony? It’s thank’s to them we’ve bought our very first Elf on a Shelf to further promote the fantasies of Christmas..The idea is simple: During the day he’s Santa’s eyes and ears, then at night he disappears through his very own door, back to the North Pole…
(Yep..we got one of those too now stuck on our skirting board!) to report back on the children’s behaviour, before returning and reappearing somewhere else the next day..
As it’s the first of December, he made his first appearance today and was quickly spotted. Charlie is a believer and was in awe. Bella was more sceptical: ‘He’s plastic’ was her first comment, before sneaking off to find a long pole to poke him with. ‘Arrrrrrrrrrrr,’ says I, full of knowing..just remember that all toys are inanimate until you’ve gone to sleep..otherwise they’d be caught and put in laboratories and genetically bred to takeover the world’s workforce..and then where would we be?’
‘At Christmas?’ suggested Charlie..
Touche, my child, touche.
Now all the husband and I have to do is to make sure we move him every night ready for the morning, which with the number of festive nights out in the diary, could prove interesting…and we must, must, must resist the temptation of introducing him to Barbie..just think of the potential mess…
He may be little (and plastic) but we’re hoping he’s going to be greater than the sum of his parts…watch this space..
Laters, Kate x
Dear Santa..
Please could I have a left-handed calligraphy pen…(and possibly the Dummies Guide to go with it) so I can finally learn to write with heart swooning swirls…I think it would improve my quality of life considerably..
(And then next year, you can ask me to write something beautiful for my very own lazer-cut bracelet from this incredible Shop..(I’m happy to give you the chance to save up to wait till then..)it’ll be worth it)
(Although, I might have to be very fussy and ask for the gold version..I know, high-high..but gold is my colour..)
But until then..eye’d love to see these beauties in my ears stocking…
And with all things nineties being the spice of the moment, these Doc Martens would remind me of penny loafers past.. 
And to make me smile? This ipad case complete with teeth..open it up and hear me roar..
P.S. I’ve been good. (I think)
Laters, Kate x
Creative x
The aim of Creative Coffee last week was to create felt cushions in the style of Jan Constantine
Surprisingly easy and therapeutic..
Sophy’s sewing basket also provided some Christmas inspiration, but more on that later..
It’s a work in progress..but rather nice to finish on these dark evenings with a roaring fire and a glass of red wine..
Laters, Kate x
Rapture x
Once upon a time, a long time ago before the cult of celebrity was even a flash of a lightbulb, there were myths and fairy tales weaving complex ficitonalised versions of life with an extra sprinkle of magic.
Move forward hundreds of years to the Viktor and Rolf Fairy Tales, fresh from the minds of the avant garde fashion greats..
And beautifully illustrated by them as well..
It’s like a dew-drop turned into a telescope with the lens pointed at a whole new world..how very delicious..and the perfect stocking present for Bella…as I get to read it too…
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 