Category: Classic

Trends x

Natural or not is the big question. Along with fad versus longevity. Both comments a reflection on a turn in the tide, a smell in the air heralding a new desire strong colour. The clash, the crash, the sheer excitement of the wrong made right – except, bright colours are natural and have already stood the test of time as the animal kingdom proves. What’s fascinating for me is when life is often at it’s bleakest – I’m writing this questioning how the whole infrastructure of the UK seems to be crumbling with panic buying, shortages and empty shelves (and all the time asking myself, how many years has this current government been in power?) fashion responds by becoming it’s brightest…

(All pics pinterest)

Now to find myself a pair of emerald green culottes and a pair of pink pointy kitten heels…

Laters, Kate x

Hitting the tiles x

I remember one autumn writing about unconformity and the pull of the unexpected when symmetry is taken away. Maybe that explains the appeal of zellige tiles? – the subtle variations of each tile, the changes of light playing across the glaze, the feeling of something artisan and handmade. Their origin is Moroccan, crafted from the clay found in the city of Fez. First formed in a mould, craftsmen use a shaping block and hammer to smooth and shape the tiles; an imperfect, perfect art. The second appeal is their infinite variety of colours and shapes, from pale, misty sea-kissed aquas to freshly just churned creams and barely there pinks to dark stormy greys and forrest greens, from skinny rectangles to chunky squares, hexagons or stars. The variations are endless.

(All pics Pinterest)

Versatile, beautiful yet subtle, these tiles quietly scream their presence.

And I love ’em.

Laters,

Kate x

Bling x

I love words.

I love Jewellery.

Jewellery plus words equals a match made in heaven.

Especially if they’re rude words. Or rather the words that hit the sweet spot of irony.

(All pics Pinterest and Hoopsandchains.com)

Hell yeah.

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

Layers

It’s almost got to that time of year, well, not quite, but nearly there – it could be just around the corner – and then again, maybe it isn’t. So really it is – transition clothing here we come. And what seems to be singling it more than anything else is layers – new layers, old layers, re-found layers, vintage layers, whether it be retro blouses, snug fitting polo necks or Uniqlo quilted jackets, the shape, the change, the experimentation is where it’s all at.

(All pics Pinterest)

Bring it on!

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 Locatelli 

An Ysaye Solo Sonata

a Contemporary work- Kriesler 

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: 
Concert on February 14th at 8pm.  
Underneath this is  
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 is 
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

Baubles x

Not one bauble this year, but a whole eco-friendly-shop of them! Suffice to say, Nkuku’s offerings quite simply rock!

(All pics from Pinterest and Nkuku)

Tidings of comfort and joy!

Laters, Kate x

Close up x


This has to one of my favourite outfit combinations. Of all time: The shrugged nonchalance of everyday pieces thrown together, the intention comfort rather than impression, the impression just a byproduct meaning the zeitgeist it creates is pure enigma. As delicious as cedar woodsmoke on a crisp autumn evening. The brilliance behind this look is the Argentinian model, Mica Arganaraz. Look and weep.

(All pics Pinterest)

So chic, it makes my heart ache.

 

Laters, Kate x

Hands up x

I’ve mixed up the pics of mens and women gloves, mainly because I don’t like segregation of any form; I think it leads to the worst kind of fomo. And because it generally leads to the men getting the cleaner, stronger designs. Which is not to say these gloves by Mabel Shepherd aren’t fab and certainly deserve a place on both ‘presents to give’ and the lust list. Can you tell which one is which?

(All pics Pinterest and Mabel Shepherd)

Except the computer had other dividing ideas – still, do you mind your designs conforming?

Laters, Kate x

Padded x

Are layers the transition between seasons or are they the season, only the number being the decider? After being convinced for years over the importance of the big coat and the big jumper, I’m beginning to think it’s the later that’s more useful – that subtle transformation to come with fluctuating temperatures both outside and in, from t-shirt to adding thin jumper and maybe a shirt, to a blazer or denim jacket to a padded gilet before the final layer and herald of true winter – the thick coat. Once reconsidered as both a coat and a layer, the padded coat’s star quality starts rising exponentially, especially now they’re so lightweight, yet thin and warm.

(All pics Pinterest)

It also helps they hold structural shape. Another point of happy difference. Who knew the anorak would become a vital wardrobe staple?

Laters, Kate x