Category: Fashion

November 20, 2013

P.S. I love this..

The time of present hunting is nigh and if there is one thing I love with a vengeance it’s searching for the perfect gift – even better if they’re made by artisans and not from the high street.

Which is my first port of call: ‘Not on the High Street‘ is a UK based website (they do do international shipping) that hunts down the most original items from the best creative small businesses and brings them together in one place.
I was originally looking for adult crochet hats as a modern/retro twist (you know what I mean) on the beanie (I wanted a cloche type flower or something on the side)..but I think that’s a whole other post now because these delicious offerings stole my heart. Click here for direct details.

Totally and utterly edible!

Laters, Kate x

November 19, 2013

Autumn..

November 18, 2013

Coffee Time..

Sometime it’s the simple things in life that make the magic and one of those things for me are Creative Coffee Mornings. They were started by the lovely Sophy three years ago when she made the genius decision that chatting over coffee with young children was so much more fun when creating was involved. Originally we’d all take over our unfinished projects and use the time to give ourselves much needed permission to finish, but now Sophy and best friend Minta have developed it further and prepare, for a small fee, everything in advance with a termly timetable of weekly delights..If you live near SW London there is a website. Next week is festive nibbles..followed wreath making..with an extra mulled wine evening version for the men to join as well! (In half term I sent the Husband and Charlie to make jam..the perfect antidote to brain boil).

Sophy and Minta at work.

This week was Christmas Spirits (whooo hoooo!) with much tasting needed..

And homemade chocolates!

(Accompanied naturally by coffee and delicious nibbles. Lush)

The stewing blackberries for the Bramble Brandy..the smell was sublime.

I chose the Sloe gin option..for me it’s such a rarity to get hold of genuine sloes..and the Brucie Bonus..these came from Minta’s parents’ farm in Dorset. They were frozen because the best Gin comes from sloes picked after the first frost.

The skins are pricked and placed in a bottle.

Sugar and a couple of almonds are added, then it’s all topped off with the gin and shaken. Onto the chocolates…with orange peel, ginger, cranberries, dried strawberries, dried raspberries and almonds..

Sprayed with edible gold for that extra Christmassy feel.

This to me is living life to the full and I love it!

Laters, Kate x

November 16, 2013

Soul Searching..

There are times when you need to stop the day-dreaming and get down to the real knitty gritty of life… I think it might catch on..

Laters, Kate x

November 15, 2013

Sub-life x

I love the older generation – I’m sure it’s a genetic trait passed down from my Grandmother who collected them like a matriarchal mother hen. In her eighties she’d regularly drive (rarely getting out of second gear) other people to their adult learning classes, ‘So-and-so is in their nineties’, she’d say, incredulously, ‘And still independent!’

I don’t even avoid them in supermarket queues..like the other day when in an attempt to squeeze a few extra, precious seconds of the day I tried to do a lightening supermarket run just before school pick-up. Except the magic elongating of time never happened so by the time I reached the check-out with my full basket of stuff I hadn’t realised I’d needed it was already the witching hour of 3.15 (pick-up)…and I was third in the queue….bad, very bad. The elderly lady at the front was finishing up her purchases, bags packed, money paid which was great..except just as I thought she was all done she produced, like something from the Hobbit, this enormous, bulging plastic bag of loose change..I literally felt a hand of horror clasp my now heaving throat. She did have the grace to turn to all of us..

‘Would you mind dreadfully if I got this changed here?’

I gulped, I never, ever, EVER make a fuss…but..it wasn’t just Charlie I was due to pick up..it was his friend as well..so even with the ghost of my Grandmother wagging her finger at me…

‘I’m so sorry’ I piped up..’I’m already late for school pick-up..and I’m sure there’s a change machine round the corner at the far end?’…

‘Oh no. I tried there. It’s out of order.’

‘I’m so sorry..it’s my son and his friend..they’re only four..and in reception..and I’m already late….’

‘Oh well..you see..it’s my husband. He’s just died and this is all the change from his pockets.’

The lino floor opened up and dragged me down to hell…

Laters, Kate x

November 14, 2013

Confident & Lethal x

The new freshly revitalised curiously exotic cropped trouser (is it a culotte? is it a crop?) is a subtle study in seductive volume and intriguing silhouette.

Worn with a pair of killer kicks.

Or battered sneakers..

They appear totally relevant, wearable and somehow..romantic.

Hand-clappingly ravishing with full throttle satisfaction..I fall.

Laters, Kate x

(Photo acknowledgements: London-Boutique.com, Walsh Tippetts and Pintrest)

November 12, 2013

Le Shopping..

Shopping in Brighton is a smorgasbord of instant gratification.

With Delicacies round every corner.

I found my Vintage 501’s at Dirty Harrys on Sydney Road..great selection, impeccable service..and all 3 pairs (!) (one shorter to roll, one in dark navy *rather lush* and one long pair)..came to the grand sum of £35!

So I added in a pair of battered cowboy boots..

And a beautiful vintage silk kimono from Wolf and Gypsy (well worth a visit).

much cake and tea was had in celebration.

After which The Husband wanted to buy me this.

I wanted to buy him this…

My favourite place for lunch or High Tea..not posh, just warm, genuine and eccentric.

With doughnuts the size of cannonballs. Who could resist?

And these catseye sunnies somehow just purred their way into my possession..

Just the perfect place, with the perfect company to gently put the world to rights.

Can I go again?

Laters, Kate x

November 11, 2013

Le Weekend..

I made the huge decision to not touch the internet for the time we were away in Brighton so this gives me the first chance to say a very BIG thank you for all my birthday wishes! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
It was an amazing birthday..but I did take rather too many photos which has meant a massive editing session. The weather was falling into autumn with storms, strong winds and outrageous clouds..far too much temptation for a mere mortal.

Rain, sun, blue, black all jumbled together.

Within five minutes it would change again.

With reflecting water everywhere.

Was the vintage jeans shop successful?

I’ll tell you next post!

But the weekend was a true atmospheric delight!

Laters, Kate x

November 8, 2013

It’s my birthday today..

Another year gone..an extra minute on the naughty step..

And it was decided that the ideal present from hubbie would be a pair of knock-out jeans..boyfriend style..but even after heading to the Denim Factory at Selfridges yesterday..I don’t seem to be able to find the perfect pair.. Except perhaps in the dark recess of my memories…these jeans were the uniform of my school years – well-worn, ripped, loose, belted, rolled legged, soft, easy, faded MENS (very important) 501 Levi’s, teamed with ballet pumps, fishnets (!), a white t-shirt and either a battered leather jacket or a blazer…

So all the jeans I tried on..the Hudson’s, the Rag and Bone’s, the Paige’s?..the truth is they were all really just trying to mimic that original, iconic, laconic style…so…why not go straight to the source..?