Category: Fashion
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
Counting Down…
These are the photos of what I should look like, instead I’ve reached that peak of frenzied chaos where I’m no longer waving but drowning. It’s completely my own fault – I made the slightly bonkers decision to re-arrange all our furniture under the pretext that we have to fit 16 in for Christmas day but the truth of it?…I just wanted a nice spot for the Christmas tree. The resulting domino effect has been apocalyptic with all my ancient secret stashes of mess exposed in all their glory..the piano? moved to the dining area where the large wardrobe/hide everything cupboard was…the cupboard? It’s contents exploded throughout the entire house and has been moved to the top floor and is now sitting in a pool of debris waiting to be re-stocked. The large carpet in the sitting room on which life sat? (the ‘things’ under the coffee table? the bits down sides? the paper monsters that breed on their own?) moved to our bedroom.. to go under bedside cabinets/ the chaise/little tables all full of hibernating stuff – and do you know what lies beneath our bed? I do now and it’s not a pretty…and has been filling our bathroom for the last 2 days…
Somewhere under the layers of boxes, bags, files and papers I have presents waiting to be wrapped, cards to be sent, decorations to be put up…the children broke up from school yesterday..and for the last 4 days? Playdates every single day…my parents are living with us whilst their house is re-built….the cupboards are bare, the supermarkets are heaving and I just want to find a nice black hole to climb into…
Say a little prayer for me to the God of sanity..it’s either that or alcohol..and any more and I’ll be permanently pickled…
Laters, Kate x
Oooops I did it again…
Such a beautiful jacket non? Vintage 70’s, never been worn – was left over stock from a shop that when it closed down got packed away in an attic..light weight wool with that gorgeous navy edging…it was crying out for a new home and a bit of love…it would’ve quite frankly been cruel to walk on by…and the best bit? A mere £15……..sigh. Gotta seize these opportunities when they presents themselves hashtag you always see the best stuff a) When you’re not meant too or b) When you’re broke.
I bought it at a Christmas vintage fair in Belsize Park last weekend where I was very lucky to meet up with the lovely blogger Gabrielle from Wee Story Book.
Who can resist a cup a tea in a proper china and a good gossip surrounded by delights?
There were little secrets in every corner waiting to be explored.
And live music.
This was a fantastic stall selling everything from Pucci to Gucci..Crystal the stall holder really knew her stuff.
Just a lovely day to pretend to Christmas shop and buy more stuff for me and dip into power of the Blogging Community. I hope we do it again in the New Year Gabrielle!
Laters, Kate x
Soul Voiced Shirts x
What to get a man for Christmas? Traditional cardigan and slippers? A dressing gown?
Or something a bit more memorable?
I had a conversation with a friend last week about African shirts..she wasn’t sure about their appeal..but I think they’re incredible..
(You’ll certainly never worry about clashing patterns again!)
They’re beyond a natty ensemble, brimmed thick with amusement and verbosity. A joy trigger and a visual conversation with an unpredictability that sits seamlessly next to regular classics.
All the pictures in this post came from the same Company..the African Shirt Company who not only offer shirts at fair prices, they’re set up to help the community that makes them in Kenya.
The aim of the African Shirt Company is to improve the lives of locals living in Kasigau, Kenya by providing them with an alternative way to earn an income.
The Company also supports a reforestation project to promote environmental education and sustainable land management in the area.
Each shirt sold also means money given back to the community to buy small seedlings for the local children which are cared for and eventually planted to maintain and restore the degraded land.
An absolute win win!
..and surely that’s what a Christmas present should really be about?
Laters, Kate x
Feeling the Love x
How I love these sandals by Valentino! Let me count the ways..the studs are perfection, the colour sublime and the advert? So cool! – the manly hand resplendent with tattoos wearing the straps like a macho bracelet. I’ve always had a thing about Greek sandals and I’ve been lusting after a gladiator style pair since the summer. Happily I was lucky enough to receive a pair for my birthday in November, all the way from Athens from the very shop recommended by our lovely blogger Lia.
My father, looking rather Greek (he’s not, he’s Scottish (although he was born in Athens)) standing outside said shop.
Pantelis Melissonos third generation sandal-maker and designer holding my very shoe.
The ‘Mycenean’.
I’m not the only one that has loved/loves the classic, timelessness of these shoes that just get better and better with age..
So I’m now the proud owner of a pair of ancient shoes, bought in Greece through the power of the blogging world, walking in the same footsteps as many of my icons and sharing the love with one of my favourite brands. Could it get much better??
(Now all I need is the maxi-denim skirt (dropped waist Valentino style) and white-rolled Palazzo pants I can see in my head to wear with them…and of course..the sun!!)
Laters, Kate x
A slice of Heaven..
Think of this as a beautiful, decadent present from me to you, waiting to be unwrapped layer by mesmeric layer…it’s not a new clip, but remains one of the most stunning demonstrations of ballet I’ve ever seen..every time I watch it, I have tears from sheer amazement…The Guandong Acrobatic Dance Troupe dancing Swan Lake, starring Wu Zhengdan and Wei Bashua…watch and fly to heaven.
(Can I add that my head today is in utter sympathy with his head courtesy of an amazing night at Chez Galliana Dov’e and Jo’s, you wicked, wicked people…you’ll know it when you see it, but yes, there is a ballerina doing pirouettes on my forehead as well..you just can’t see her…so remember – it maybe Tchaikovsky…but make sure the volumes down, pretty please??!)
Laters, Kate x
Just a little something pour moi…
One for them, one for me..wasn’t that what we’d agreed??
Which is how this little vintage beauty slipped into my clutches (What was it Oscar Wilde said?..I can resist everything..except temptation? Wise man)..Perfect for Christmas morning and generally wafting about in. Tied at the waist the volume still hides a multitude of sins till I can find my perfect sleep-wear..
(I think I may now have to decorously retire to my velvet chaise complete with satin eye mask and marabou sippers to contemplate whether Christmas Martinis should be shaken or stirred…)
(Yep. Hungover…Please explain to my kids what a ‘Do not disturb’ sign is as they don’t seem to notice it…(Darlings, the lights are on..but no-ones at home..))
Laters, muuuuch laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 