Category: Christmas
Cover Story x
The beauty that is Steamcream seems to gobble up every modern influence going…
– It’s an eco-friendly cutting edge moisturiser, hand made in the UK and Japan with natural ingredients, in eye candy packaging (think vintage French cosmetics and old-style biscuit boxes given a modern day nudge) that can will be kept and re-used once the cream has gone. At £12.95 it’s easy on the purse and cleverly..it’s designed for both men and women…
You can literally hear the success grow – definitely one for the festive present cupboard..
Laters, Kate x
Book of Life..
We’ve just been to see the ‘Book of Life’ at the cinema..perfect for the run up to Halloween – a family friendly fiesta of Mexican culture bursting with vibrant colours and life where you can literally touch the heat of the Mexican sun..you don’t need to be a kid to enjoy this one – I absolutely loved it! If I could jump on a plane now and head to Mexico to see the Day of the Dead celebrations for myself, I would.. I’ve been utterly seduced by the folk art and magical artistry…
It’s inspired me to look at Mexican decorations for Christmas: We buy one special decoration for the tree each year – last year it was this one, but this year I think I’m rather spoilt for choice. Just one??!
So today we’re heading to Columbia Road (has a wonderful flower market at the weekend) to check out this Mexican shop..then we’re heading home via the poppies at the Tower of London..what’s more the sun is shining and the sky is blue my chilaquiles!
Adios! Kate x
Chutney and Oat Cakes..
The joy that is Creative Coffee – wholesome and happy with stunning aromas and rich rewards, like the incredible (honestly, some of the best I’ve tasted.Ever) mango chutney and melt in your mouth oat cakes (why haven’t I made these babies before??).
I took away two things from the session:
1. To invest in a pan like Sophy’s (she’s kindly sent me a link) which not only holds an extraordinary amount but also has delights such as a spout for pouring and an extra large handle. Genius.
2. To buy the book by Annie Rigg we often use at Creative Coffee.
The recipes make your mouth water just reading them and – just as good – always work.
I’m thinking jars of spiced cranberry with edible glitter as the perfect cupboard gift for unexpected gifts this Christmas….
Laters, Kate x
An Epiphany.. x
Yesterday, the 6th of January was Epiphany – the Christian feast celebrating the wise men meeting baby Jesus, but also informally recognised as the date by which (certainly in Europe) all Christmas decorations have to be down. Which really seems a far better date to make New Year Resolutions – far away from hangovers, chaos and tinsel – and when there’s a general sense of cleansing and moving on. There’s been time to think about what really matters and mull over plans. For instance, I’m taking on this idea..a thought jar..a place for one captivating thought or quote a day which can be put away for a rainy moment…it’s by my computer now.
Charlie and I have also started on our Epiphany Tablecloth..an idea adapted from the lovely Kerry from Love Those Hands at Home (who also sells vintage linen at her etsy shop)…she re-blogged a special story about a family Christmas cloth, with little messages embroidered on every year by members of the family, of love, of happiness, of major events. I recognise my limitations and before Christmas is too much..but now? I want to reminisce about Christmas and year gone by, and I so appreciate these treasures created out of nothing but time and love till they have a magical, talismanic quality created by and just for the family.
Each family member writes their name and something on the cloth with pencil (We want it to be special so we’re using a vintage irish linen tablecloth) then it’s simply embroidered. The original cloth was made with red and green embroidery thread for alternate odd and even years…we’ve gone for white and creams, just to be a bit different., to be able to use it at different times of the year…and keep people looking closer..
There was another post that hit a chord.. Rachel Olsen wrote on the Huffington post about not having a list of resolutions that will inevitably get broken, but rather have a single word that encapsulates the whole year. I’ve thought about what my word would be..fitter? tighter? creative?
But the one I’m going to go with is ‘Zone’. If I can zone my mind to all the things I really want to do…then they’ll all happen.
Well..that’s the plan!
Laters, Zoning already…Kate x
A walk in the Woods..
Did you have a lovely Christmas? I hope so!
Spot my new baby..yep..a Hipsters for Sisters leopard bag as drooled over here..and I LOVE it! Versatile, accommodating and a true thrill to wear..the belt option is GENIUS…but it’s so easy to wear cross body as well…love, love, LOVE!
One happy bunny!
We spent yesterday taking the Blanket Coat for a walk, enjoying the blue skies (after all our storms) and blowing some cobwebs at Richmond Park..
You’d never guess we were still in London..
We played poo sticks (I lost).
Saw a woodpecker..
And stood under a parrot tree! (Not for too long..)
Till the dusk came down and it was time to head home..
To a roaring fire and left-over Christmas pudding…heaven!
Laters, Kate x
Merry Christmas!!!! xxx
It’s the final countdown…
I hope we all have our essential winter accessory on for these last crucial hours?..if not, find one quick..share if necessary..they can make the difference between life and laughter…
(Bella can rest assured)
Laters – and may the force be with you – Kate x
The Jewels of Christmas..
The truth be told, Christmas is MY time of year and all I really want to do is indulge in every bit of glitter and tinsel going. What stresses me is being separated from that by all the mundane crap that requires wading through with super strength Hunter wellies – the everyday AND the present buying/the wrapping/the sending/the cards – it never stops. I alway say I need my bah-humbug rant in November when I’m out of synch with everyone else, running round like a headless chicken trying to get ahead of the game so I can truly enjoy the magical time in calmness and serenity (well, that’s the plan). I will admit this year has been a bit mixed..I left the Great Furniture Move a bit late in the day which put the squeezers on, but I’ve learnt from previous years to knuckle down and keep moving so no matter what most of the main bits are in place with a few days to spare..a few more decs to hang, a few more pressies to wrap (those that need batteries), a few more cards to drop at neighbours (it’s like dinner parties..the closer you are, the later you turn up) but there has been time to sit down and smell the cinnamon..
We’ve painted our four 99p reindeer for the Christmas table..the idea was to go all scandi/red n white n gold..so we lost the silver glitter…
(Charlie likes them kissing)
To be teamed with elegant gold Christmas trees from Ikea…but then something started happening..
We did a trip to our local haberdashery shop and there were these wonderful hot pink fluffy pom poms..how nice on the trees?..and dare I say..on the reindeer??
Then the flood gates opened to an avalanche of colour and fun..the upshot? We’re going back to the shops tomorrow to get piles of pink, red and orange tissue to make HUGE pompoms to hang from the ceiling!
I feel the doors of heaven starting to open….
Laters, Kate x
Eyeing London x
We headed to the South Bank on the afternoon of the big storm (the one that brought down a theatre ceiling. Allegedly. It was certainly dramatic) It was only 3.15 pm when I took these but it felt so much later…there was a distinct line between light and dark with a foreboding air.
We were there to meet up with a very dear friend and her two children..they’d come round to ours the previous day but had left a much beloved chetah behind, and as they lived in Devon it was the perfect excuse to see them again.
Y’see, we went through infertility together, holding each others hand..in fact we were a group of three strugglers….Heidi (who we were meeting) eventually had two – twins, a girl and a boy via IVF, I had my two (IVF and otherwise)..and superwoman Karen?..she adopted 4 siblings to keep them together! We will forever remain in awe of Karen.
Christmas will always be a poignant time, now and then..at the carol service I still light a special candle for those walking that horrible path. If you know someone or think you might suspect a problem – be kind to them, especially at this time of year – don’t ask..just give them an extra large glass of something and a cuddle. And if they need to escape..let them.
The heavens never opened on us..we just had the light show,
but I’ve rarely seen skies like it.
There’s also a Christmas Market at the South Bank, full of a different kind of atmosphere.
And if you haven’t sorted your centre piece for the Christmas table? How about a very large, edible gingerbread house!
Laters, Kate x
O Christmas Tree!
At least the tree is up! (And looking rather splendid in it’s new position in the bay window. Was it worth it? Give me another 48 hours and I’ll let you know…)
With it’s assortment of memories..this one bought when Bella was born.
This from our life in Italy.
This was lovingly made at nursery by Charlie.
My Bella.
Our homemade pasta and cranberry garlands are still going strong after YEARS!
Heading out now to buy cellotape..and lots of candles..lots and lots…
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 
