Category: Fashion

December 2, 2013

Move Over Darling..

I’m hosting Christmas this year so I’m hands to the grindstone already planning ahead (all the veggies are going to be cooked this week and as a new, radical never-done-in-this-house-before decision – frozen in large throwaway aluminium tins – probably not ecologically sound but hey, I can assure you, mentally it’s a winner.)

But equally as important as the prospective banquet is preparing for the inevitable – that a large portion of Christmas will be spent in PJs in full view of visiting rellies.

(From Poplin)

And this is where the crux of the problem lies for me…I’m a big boobed girl and given the time I’ve been on the planet, I still haven’t found any chic nightwear that ticks both the elegant and the support boxes AND can ‘carry’ me through to loungewear/chats over the toaster with whoever happens to be in the kitchen/carol singers at the door/heading up a chimney..without having to wear a bra.

Despite the average UK size being 36D the sad fact is that Fashion (with a capital ‘F’) has ignored boobs for decades. From a ridiculous lack of anything over a cupsize D (how did women manage?) things have improved in the last ten years and more and more companies are appearing specifically catering for larger boobs in underwear and swimwear…and not surprisingly merchandise has been flying off the shelves.

Figleaves has a ridiculously great bra and swimwear DD+ section (although I’d still like to see them photographed on a truly wonderful, voluptuous model. Is it too much to ask?) And it’s refreshing to see they have a separate nightwear section BUT the majority of what is on offer is based on CLOTHES SIZE rather than BRA SIZE which is about as much use as a chocolate teapot when you’re large in front with a small back.

The closest to the holy grail: the Lepel Georgina satin Cami with matching pajamas from Figleaves..but why only red? I don’t like red nightwear..where’s the soft shell pink? baby blue? or buttermilk cream??

I thought Bravissimo would be my knight in shining armour with their specifically bra sized nightwear…

But cotton elastane? In floral purple? How’s that ever going to satisfy my inner Marilyn? So can we please get up to speed with sleepwear? Pretty please? (with emphasis on the pretty?) I don’t want to be the forgotten whale stranded on the beach of t-shirted non-elegance with my girls still getting lost under my armpits.

I want lush, sleek, lace, silk, soft muted pastel colours, satin, silk, ribbons, bows, frills, teddies, negligees, robes, frou frou and iconic boudoir beauty. It can be done….

Just like a capsule day wardrobe I want mix ‘n’ match options…

The foundation stone of everything would be a supportive camisole..and if it could do up at the front, all the better.

..teamed with a wanton pair of French knickers..

..Then loose, vintage style Matching Pj’s (preferably with monogram and piping)..

..and a short throw to balance things out and offer a bit of modesty when needed (I have no wish to to give the postman a heart attack)..

Surely this can’t be too much to lust for and should really be available on the High Street?…

The simple truth is if we want curves to be celebrated isn’t it about time we gave them a few more optimal eye-popping options in the bedroom?

Laters, Kate x

November 30, 2013

Tis the season…

You know it’s Christmas…

1. When a mince pie becomes an acceptable meal substitute..and egg nog equals a portion of protein.

2. When the inbox sends out it’s own SOS due to spam overload.

3. When you go out to buy a party dress and come back with a fire engine.

4. When you search for your heels and find them in the dressing up.

5 When you find yourself multi-ing the multi-tasking..writing the shopping list on the toilet whilst texting the plumber.

6. When the kids suddenly start acting nice.

7. And as a result they fool you into taking them Christmas shopping and just when your impression of an suppressed, repressed, depressed packing mule has reached it’s limits someone always needs a wee.

8. When the list of things to take to school is representative of an expedition to climb Everest..white plimsoles, black plimsoles, red trousers, red top with tinsel, baked bean tin, bottle of wine, raffle tickets, jar of sweets, tray of cupcakes, nativity dvd return form, another tray of cupcakes, cards for the entire class…winning lottery ticket?

9. When you get undressed at night and you find multiple smiling Father Christmas stickers attached to your bum.

10. When you point out a cloud that looks like a snowman with a funny hat. To a stranger.

11. When the dvd player stops working because there’s a snow globe inside it.

12. When sorting out the laundry is classed as ‘me time’.

13. When you realise sewing on tinsel to a red top is a nightmare and the red is actually your blood.

14. When you tell yourself that a hangover with children is just not worth it. Again.

15. When you realise a trip to the hairdressers is a spa day.

16. When you realise that amaretto with mulled wine should be classed as an A1 drug.

17. When you walk round the supermarket singing carols. Loudly. And out of tune.

Laters, Kate x

November 29, 2013

Party! Party!

Shrug and dress by Marc Jacobs

What I ~~want~~ need in my wardrobe tonight..turning the language of Christmas into glorious visual bauble of deliciousness. Perfect for a night on the tiles, Christmas day…quite frankly any day. Now…how much is left in the overdraft?!

Laters, Kate x

November 28, 2013

My Maison, Mia Casa..

On this special day when our friends across the pond are celebrating Thanksgiving, others are celebrating Hanukkah (and some are even celebrating the unique Thanukkah (not to be seen again for another 79,000 years)) I thought I’d welcome you all into my house for a few festive nibbles and a couple of glass of something cold and classy to raise a toast to everlasting joy, happiness and all that’s good with the world!

(Yep. The laundry room makes it. Just because I love organised laundry..)

With love,

Kate xxx

November 27, 2013

Toy dogs x

As a child I was literally obsessed by the small, the cute and the handmade. There was a shop in Highgate Village near where I lived called ‘Animus’ full of beautifully made mice and cats from Beatrix Potter that I drooled over..I still have the shop from there I got in my stocking one Christmas – it was a fruit shop and every individual piece of fruit was painted clay and each was a tiny parcel of tissue for me to open. Probably my best stocking present EVER. These micro delights from Suami on Etsy remind me of those days….the workmanship just takes my breath away.

It’s funny though as by nature I love beauty and practicality rather than ‘stuff’..but there’s an invisible line that still gets crossed and suddenly I want to own and covet special things and have them live in a beautifully crafted wooden Victorian treasure chest with hundreds of tiny drawers and hidden secrets and spend hours sorting out which treasure goes where…and then re-arranging them all over again..

il_570xN.314905858 The miniature Molly dog has to be a favourite..

Laters, Kate x

November 26, 2013

Rebel with a cause x

The modern beanie: A heavenly mix of humour and swagger.

(Photo by Tommy Ton)

Modern and retro.

That all sort of started with the Jil Sanders 2012 show.

And has been taken up by the likes of Riri..Anna Dello Russo..and anyone else really.

(photo from Bella Bridal Flower at Not on the High Street website)

But I was thinking..wouldn’t it be nice to do a DIY version..but take it up another level? – Add removable corsages on the side similar to the one above- a further play on the vintage cloche hat?

It could be a flower..or a collection of them..love the shape of these from Amica felt.

But imagine it all in Black..

Or even an animal..

Now..she da fox!

Laters, Kate x

November 25, 2013

A Family Wonder Event x

On Saturday we had an early Christmas present..a family day out at the Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park courtesy of ‘Fairy’, Bella and Charlie’s wonderful Godmother. Such a brilliant idea…memories are so much better than bits…honestly, she is the best!

We all went ice skating on the Wonderland ice rink and watched Charlie demonstrate his natural kamikaze skills..

And Bella showed her elegance. They both have regular lessons so they left us for dust.

We couldn’t have picked a better day.

Spot the extrovert.

We’d been before – 2 years ago..but this year was different. The traditional was everywhere, like this fire pit..specially designed for roasting marshmallows..how special?!

Charlie and Bella with Fairy doing just that!

Which meant there was always a sweet smell of smoke on the air mixed with mulled wine and chocolate….

Who needs to go to Germany when Germany’s in London?

Too much information..

There were also playthings for the adults..depending on how many bratwurst sausages you’d eaten..and how much you minded them repeating..

We also had a very funny trip into the freezing Magical Ice Kingdom to see the ice sculptures (NB There’s also an ice bar..cheaper than a trip to the infamous Ice Hotel)….but apologies..all my pics are blurred as I was laughing too much….at the end is an ice slide….suffice to say unless you had the right coat on (Fairy) it was more of a bottom shuffle (Husband)…

It was a delicious, delightful, delectable day to savour for a long, long time..

Kisses to our amazing Fairy! – memories are made of this.

Laters, Kate x

November 23, 2013

After a hard night..

The joy that is Banksy…turning the mindless into witty treasures.

Laters, Kate x

November 22, 2013

What is Beauty?

Originally taken up by wayward adolescent youth as a symbol of rebellion Doc Martens are firmly on the list of lust.

Solid, indestructible and defiantly special things have definitely moved on from the basic bomber boot of yesteryear. Now there’s an intriguing elegance and a characterful charm to their no-nonsense appearance.

I want.

If these weren’t embossed with paisley I would buy them for The Husband for Christmas…with the paisley?..just a bit too feminine? (Never, in a million years thought I’d ever say that about DMs..).

A possible compromise..but once you’ve seen that beige leather edging in the pair above..they look almost..boring! quell horreur!!

13762310 I saw this green pair walking down the street and my eyes followed, instinctively.

And my heart turned the same colour.

Would you ever think these were a pair of Docs?

So lush..

J’adore..

These would be treated with the same care I would give a small, cute, furry animal…

Laters, Kate x

November 21, 2013

R.I.P Packhorse..

My beloved buggy is no more. Held together by cellotape for the last few months, it has finally given it’s last hurrah and collapsed in a little metallic heap.

Not surprising given the extensive tours of duty it’s performed over the years. And truth be told, for much of this year it hasn’t even been used as a buggy really except for the odd sneaky sleepy…

Instead I’ve been that mad woman walking the streets of South West London pushing my vacant buggy like an unaccepting empty-nester. We got attached Buggy and me..he became my ever-faithful ever-there friend getting me and my clobber from a to b in relative safety..picnic stuff/blankets/cricket bits/footballs/school bags/swimming/gym kits/shopping..buggy did the lot with never so much as a word of complaint, saving my sanity, shoulders and let’s be honest..multiple trips to the chiropractor.

So what am I to do now? I can’t carry this lot..I swear most people drive to the school because of the amount stuff required on a day to day basis. I don’t want to drive to the shops or order on the internet either, I get little enough time to exercise as it is..and I’m rather proud that in the urban sprawl that is London we actually do more walking than the majority of our country friends.

So is it wrong to be thinking of getting a trolley? (she whispers very quietly) Can I break the old woman stereotype? Is there a fresh, modern perspective on the art of lugging?

shopping_trolley_front There is this option I’ve found that looks pretty/traditional (picture with plaid picnic rug and warm baguette peaking out..she urges in hope..) ..even if it would take up half the hall…and is’t waterproof.

Or this ..ugly..but cheap and sort-of practical?

Or these, playing the trump card of up-cycling, they’re made from old cement bags and not bad at £39.99 a pop. Bit more street cred? Or am I sadly kidding myself?

I found this one made from an old sail…at bit more expensive at £85.00..but?…. still granny?

Or this one made in Spain by Rolser where they have cobbled streets (it has to last and they swear it does)..it’s £66 and folds up as a shoulder bag till you need the wheels..then ‘ping’ …trolley!..an acceptable-face-saving-vaguely-trendy-compromise?