Category: eco
Cabin Porn x
I think we all have a secret something we wish would or could happen. Mine would be a shack by the sea. But I’ve found myself recently dreaming of mountains, snow and vistas of unending wilderness. In my mind I’m seeing this as a conscious unconscious dream, a mixing of lockdown, the same four walls on repeat combined with winter, an acceptance of hibernation and the colder season of winter.
If pictures are not enough, there are two Youtube channels I’ve discovered (I’m sure there are plenty more) that open the door to another world, if only for a little while…
This is Hannah Lee Dugan, living in her cabin. If she’s not in her cabin, she lives in her converted van.
This is Tova and her family, living off grid in the Forrests of Jamtland, Sweden.
Enjoy!
Laters, Kate x
Feathered Friends x
I’m not sure if we’re in lockdown in London any more, maybe it’s a strange transition period, like wondering what to wear between seasons? Because, despite the rhetoric, nothing has really changed for us; we’re still spending the majority of time in the house or garden.
But it gives me the time to salute some of my heroes of the past couple of months: The birds…their activity – the magpies that make me laugh, their song – we have a particularly vocal blackbird, their curiosity – yes, I’m speaking to you, unafraid Robin who watches me just a foot away when I’m gardening, the stories they tell – I’m gazing at nearly arrived swallows from my desk heralding the start of summer, and just their continual zest for life: nothing fazes them.
This post celebrates the inventive, simple but attractive ways we can introduce more of their joy into our lives.
(All pics Pinterest)
Which will hopefully lay down strong foundations to repay their gift and help them through the colder winter months.
A circle of life I value.
Laters, Kate x
90%
Buy less but buy better is a mantra that both speaks volumes and resonates with my innards. Which is probably why the company Ninety Percent ticks so many boxes: Producing luxury basics for every day with classic, well cut pieces that are detail driven, made to last and respond to age. But even more impressive, Ninety Percent is a sustainable label, based in London that shares 90% of it’s distributed profits between charitable causes.
(All pics Ninety Percent and Pinterest)
High f****** five to a kinder, more caring fashion movement that really delivers.
Laters, Kate x
Totes amazing..
No metaphor represents the end of summer more than abandoned, once loved inflatables, lying discarded like an unwanted skins by over flowing bins, waiting to be hauled off to landfill. A couple of weeks pleasure in return for environmental chaos. But one man’s poison is another man’s pleasure – for Georgia Wyatt-Lovell and her husband, Steve Lovell this is the perfect raw material for their bags at Wyatt and Jack. From deckchairs in the big smoke, bouncy castles in the suburbs and lilos from the beaches, all are gathered together and given new life and new purpose.
(Particularly love this one, designed for bikers and doubles as a pannier. Genius.)
(All pics Wyatt and Jack, and Pinterest)
This is the sweet spot where design, practicality and awareness coincide.
And what a rich place that is.
Laters, Kate x
Design Hero x
A hero: Admired for their courage, their stance against the odds, outstanding achievements and noble qualities; victor, winner, conqueror and lion heart.
We now live in a disposable culture where things are cheaper to replace than mend. Except there are a few companies who still regard service as part of their service…
Meet Dualit, a company started in the 1940s in a factory in Camberwell, London. It’s ethos is no frills, no gimmicks, no compromise and with it’s roots in commercial restaurants and hotels means you can add reliability and integrity to its list of credentials.
And the sleek retro looks with shiny chrome means aesthetics are another easy box to tick.
(All pics Dualit and Pinterest)
But it’s the simple, practical fact that all the parts of a Dualit toaster can be replaced that is the real clincher and thrill of this praise party: Buy once, buy well.
Sometimes the old ones are the best.
Laters, Kate x
Christy Dawn x
Christy Dawn produces indie pin-up pieces beautifully crafted for easy living and barefoot dancing in the golden rays of the Californian sun.
Her clothes are made with deadsotck fabrics – the left over fabrics from other fashion houses who’ve over estimated their needs: smaller supplies means smaller production runs making these dresses eco friendly near-originals handmade in LA.
For the laid back beach babe bride, her bridal section is also well worth checking out for its simple lines, lightness of touch and sheer summer elegance.
(All pics Christy Dawn and Pinterest)
In fact Christy Dawn, with her prices of around $260 for a dress, $800 for a wedding dress is the perfect illustration of quality over quantity, buying less but buying better, her prices truly reflecting the costs involved for a genuine artisan label rather than an omnipotent big name brand with willy waving status issues.
Worth a thought.
Laters, Kate x
Soap.Co x
Just when you think capitalism and the need for profit at any cost has snaked it’s way into every aspect of our lives a company comes along that blows your handcrafted socks off: Soap Co. is one such beauty.
It goes without saying they only use natural botanicals, nourishing vitamins and pure-essential oils.
It’s also interesting that their eco credentials impressively stack up: Their bottles are made from old milk bottles, their plastic film is made from reusable wood pulp, their sticky labels can be composted, their paper is both recycled and recyclable and their glue is non-toxic and biodegradable.
But taking the social responsible crown by a storming majority: Their products are handcrafted in the UK by people who are blind (hence the braille), disabled or otherwise disadvantaged.
This is a social enterprise that proves there doesn’t need to be a trade-off between award winning design, product, eco awareness and social purpose – this really is the best of the best.
(All pics Soap Co.)
And I for one won’t be buying my rose oil from anywhere else.
Laters, Kate x
Tara x
Tara Button and her website Buymeonce are a blast of fresh, spring air.
Tara’s concept is simple – our lives have been stuffed full of things we’re told we need that lets us down so she has been on a mission to track down the best quality and investment pieces that every house actually needs.
This resonates so much it almost hurts: I too am tired of this modern life that believes it can tell me who I am through the purchase of a skin cream, what I need: permanent upgrades and who I should be: spending lots of money, constantly implying that the real me isn’t good enough.
Just open your eyes to the insistent message of the season: Spring clean your wardrobes/house/family/life – it’s time to refresh!…The underlying, insidious message being that we will make you insecure to make you buy more.
(All pics Buymeonce)
Is it norm corm in the extreme? I don’t know. But what I do know is that we can’t spend our way to happiness and something needs to change. This seems a very good place to start.
Laters, Kate x
What’s real?
I think I would like to live in a log cabin by water with honest furnishings and the simple things in life. But there’s always the nagging thought – does life just look greener on the other side? Are you taking for granted the bits of urban grime that really make your heart sing? Or is living in the big smoke an assumption we all buy into?
Money is an assumption. It now has no actual value other than the fact we all believe in it. Take this dress – except that’s an assumption too because it’s really a nightie. Are you prepared to accept that without questioning?
(All pics Toast)
These could all be multi-functional, year long investment buys – nightwear in the winter, day wear in the summer. The only barrier is what you’ve been told. Or not.
Laters, Kate x
Ashya x
The marmite of the bag world: The fanny pack, the bum bag, the bag that is awesomely functional but struggles to be beautiful. Until now.
Feast your peeks on these beauties: Made by Ashya, a Brooklyn based design label who wanted to produce an unconventional and reimagined look for a luxury bag.
Bumbags have always had a place in my heart – I possess two – but high on the lust list has been a leather utility styled version with a masculine edge: These tick that long sought for box.
The company takes it’s eco credentials seriously – the bags are produced locally in NYC’s garment district, as is the hardware used.
(All pics Ashya)
They’re not a cheap option, but that’s the incentive of buy less, buy better. This is an investment that will just get better with age.
Which has to be a good thing.
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 