Category: Family life

April 1, 2015

Joseph’s Coat x

This is not an April fool, but one of my purchases from the South Bank Classic Carboot…a rather vibrant 80’s number picked up for a pleasing £10. Some would say there’s a reason it was so cheap..

But I think it has potential for a bit of alteration and a re-dye..I love the collar, the padding, and the shape of the arms..

At the moment I’m thinking dyeing it a midnight navy blue to knock back the yellows to a dark green and the pinks to a purple…here’s hoping..I’ll post the result tomorrow..

Laters, Kate x

March 31, 2015

Do you Dream?

And then when you do, can you select your thoughts with silver tongs?

I thought this was the way that everybody dreamt – it was only speaking to a friend last week that I realised what I took for escapism and wishful thinking was in fact a unique state of mind and has a name: Lucid dreaming.

(All pictures from pinterest)

It’s that moment when you become conscious in a dream – sometimes it’s that time just as you’re waking up and you’re reaching out for a mood that’s disappearing fast over the horizon and you’re trying to catch it’s tail, because you know if it goes, you’re going to sense it’s loss, but you don’t know why. But you know if you can catch it..it’s a magical, mythical beast…

And then there’s the dreaming you do with your eyes open..for me it’s a similar state and The Husband can spot it a mile off…I can run a list through my head and see all the actions so clearly, I can convince myself I’ve already completed the tasks. Or falling asleep when you’re the architect, director and star of all you see, softly slipping into a timeless world of controlled infinity where anything is possible…I think I’m going to have to explore this some more…in a quiet corner, somewhere..

Laters, Kate x

March 30, 2015

Against Captain’s Orders..

On Sunday we took a family trip down the Thames to Greenwich. Growing up in London the kids have no idea how lucky they are..we live 30 minutes from Waterloo, which is a short stroll from the London Eye, which sits over the pier where you catch the boat..

Just opposite the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben..

Charlie opted for a outfit of utility chic. Honestly, he looked like a road sweeper.

The boat journey down the Thames is magical, from the drama of Shakespeare’s Globe and Tower Bridge, to the violence of the Tower of London and the old warship, HMS Belfast. It’s a spectacle. Unfortunately for us, it was all seen behind rain splattered glass as the heavens well and truly opened. Although by the time we reached our destination, the World Heritage Site of Greenwich, the sun popped out, if only for a minute..

Greenwich is a remarkable place to visit: There’s the Royal Observatory and the Meridian Line to hop over, The Cutty Sark, the Old Royal Naval College all seeped in romantic, baroque architecture..but we were there for a reason..

To see Against Captain’s orders at the National Maritime Museum, a groundbreaking theatre experience bridging the gap between museums and drama, thought up by the one and only Punchdrunk Enrichment, stars of immersive, interactive theatre.

The golden laws of interactive theatre mean I’m sworn to secrecy and therefore can’t tell you very much…except this is how it starts – and it’s not a stage set – you sit in the boats wearing life-jackets…before you are led away into a fantasy world where you are very much part of the fast-paced action in a behind the scenes experience in the deep, dark bowels of the museum. It’s brilliant, innovative..and an experience I know the kids will remember for a long, long time. It’s designed for children aged 6-12..and you don’t want to take any younger – it’s pretty heart racing…you’ll find little hands reaching out to find yours! Performances continue till the 31 of August..but take note: they do an adults version as well in an after-hours exclusive…if you can..GO!

Then it was off for lunch and wandering through Greenwich Market..yet another reason to visit…

Passing the Cutty Sark..

Before stopping at the nostalgic Hardy’s sweet shop to spend pocket money. I made Charlie buy popping candy..

Neither he nor Bella had tried it before..

I think it was a success..

Then it was time to run for the return boat home, before the storm clouds caught us..

Laters, Kate x

March 19, 2015

Because..

This is the way I’m feeling today. It’s only a cold. But it stinks.

Laters, Kate x

March 16, 2015

Vintage Classic Car Boot x

If at heart you’re an emotional scientist when it comes to clothes, you’ll find it harder than the coating of Apollo 13 to resist the temptation of a vintage car boot..

The South Bank Vintage Classic Car Boot took place this weekend in London and was the bright, sunlit intermission on a rather cold, grey, damp couple of days. It’s a wicked combination of vintage cars..and everything else besides..go for a wander..go for a rummage..you never know what delights you’ll find..

One of which was Julie from Vintageattitude with her own stall! She always has such inventive, creative offerings..dog coats on the table (check out that tablecloth!), pom pom lampshades..and my personal favourite..hanging at the back..summer jackets made from vintage tableclothes..genius.

(A close up of her rather fabulous skirt. So true…I love her style.)

I want this fridge..

This is the poshest buggy I have ever seen..it converts into a tricycle when the baby converts to a toddler..and then hopefully a little hatchback..and then maybe a small maisonette??

This guys coat was made from a GI bag..Buster’s pretty cool too..

Such joy…I often feel that modern offerings are just the plastic parody of the past – it’s so much better to liberate the originals and I came away with bulging bags..but more on that in another post..

Laters, Kate x

March 11, 2015

Tall Tale x

I had a funny with Charlie last week. Nothing to do with wearing my glasses..or having a chocolate face..It was actually at his school..they were having an indepth class discussion about World War 1 and Charlie proudly announced that we have two of the ceramic poppies from the Tower of London, Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red exhibition at home. His teacher wanted to know if he could bring them in to show the class so the very next day, he eagerly went in with them for his very own, personal show-and-tell. He stood up in front of the class and spoke eloquently about the poppies being the first flower to grow on the battle fields of Flanders, he explained how each poppy represented the death of a soldier..then he was asked ‘And where do these poppies come from Charlie?’ He thoughtfully considered the question..and replied: ‘Tesco’s!’

…Naturally I’m gutted he didn’t say Waitrose..

Laters, Kate x

March 3, 2015

Charlie x

This is hearsay…so I can’t tell you if it’s actually true…but according to The Husband (who’s birthday it is today – happy Birthday hubby! – which also managed to coincide with the final break down of the boiler. Should I be worried?) Charlie had a rather enlightening conversation with him at the weekend whilst watching Bella ice skate. Apparently he’s desperate for some younger siblings and thinks two more would be ideal. Sadly (wrong word, but he’s got a lot to learn…A lot.) there’s not a snowballs chance in hell of his wishes ever coming true: The wish for younger brother’s and sisters is rather like counting to infinity – it can never be satisfied as someone (In this case, Charlie) always has to be the youngest. But more importantly, that was ten years of my life I gave up and I have no wish to return to. Except Charlie thinks he has a cunning plan which he’s prepared to put into action…according to him, if he pushes my boobies (his words, not mine) five times, it makes a baby!…he knows this is true because he saw it on television! (also worrying. On a different level..) I asked The Husband whether he put him straight and grasped with two hands the perfect opportunity for a manly bird et bees conversation….he said he’s been far too amused watching me run away every time Charlie comes close…

Laters, Kate x

February 28, 2015

The Ride of Our Life!

The Top Secret Project?…

Started like this..as made by Mandy and Philip.

Went on to this..

Transformed to this..

Then multiplied..by eight..

We added legs.

Lots of legs..

(It was a shock every time we walked in the room!)

And then the top halves! And all for the School Quiz!!!!….

Go to Facebook for the vid!

It was a top, top night..such tables as ‘fifty shades of Farrow and Ball’..’Teachers Pets’ – dressed as animals with school ties and complete with squeakers..and a fabulous ‘my big fat gypsy wedding’ with dresses, cake, tent and fairy lights!

But we won!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was really rather fabulous!

Laters, Kate x

February 24, 2015

The Edit x

Charlie wearing Bella’s skinny jeans..

And odd socks..

Laters, Kate x

February 19, 2015

General Mayhem..

This is what I normally do on a Thursday..an engrossing, soul-enhancing, spirit-lifting art class in the sanctuary of a wooden hut on the green, leafy, quiet Common..

Today, this is my reality…it’s half term…so I’m at home..with the kids..and we’re working (??)(*&^%^%$£@!..hindering??) on a Top Secret project..which always seems like such a good idea in the abstract…