Category: Fashion
Trend 3
The fickle winds of fashion never stop blowing raspberries; Not long ago I was reading about the terminal death of the short-sleeved jacket and I remember thinking the very act of writing those words was probably like a summoning of the phoenix from the ashes, because the thing about hates is that they have a tendency to come around again….and just a little change can make a radical shift in emphasis.
(All pics Pinterest)
Never say never.
Laters, Kate x
Trend 2
Easy, gentle, coloured with summer, the satin skirt is an easy addition to any wardrobe. Dress up or dress down. T-shirt or baggy jumper, it’s the transitional bridge that shouts lazy lux and joyful delight.
(All pics Pinterest)
Time to lose the plot and find the fun.
Laters, Kate x
Trend 1 x
We spent a few days in the brilliant city of Bristol over Easter, enjoying the street food and vintage shops. I was truly surprised by what caught my wandering eye – an electric/purple blue Hawaiian shirt for fifteen squids. It stopped me in my tracks with visions of pairing it with a loose navy suit with sleeves rolled up eighties style and a loose but narrow pair of 3/4 length trousers. It was vivid and powerful and sadly not shared by my two children who dragged me away.
(All pics Pinterest)
But I think it has legs.
Laters, Kate x
This works x
I’m not a productaholic. But If I find something that works I’m in for the long game. Even better it it’s something that is kind to the pocket.
This Jasmine hair oil ticks all the boxes, under a fiver, lasts forever, and my hair has honestly never felt better and has recovered some of it’s shine and slippery texture. You massage it in pre-shampoo, leave as long as you can – over night if nec, then wash out using a strong shampoo, condition as before. The affect lasts 2 washes. Sold. Forever.
(All pics pinterest)
Laters, Kate x
Just Pose x
Need some fashion inspired binge watching mashed with 80s vibes and pure soul?
Something full of escapism that’s not only big – hearted but revelatory?
(All pics Pinterest)
Watch Pose on BBC2/BBC iplayer. Not only fabulous but utterly fabulous.
Laters, Kate x
Power seat x
Choice and too much often equals confusion: where once there was just coffee, we now have a list of decision, all meant to supposedly showboat progress and quality. The same is true for jeans: lots of noise and shouting, but most of them have a tang of the emperors new clothes. Except possibly one…
There’s a new jean strutting it’s stuff on the high street: The ribcage, and particularly Levis ribcage straight.
(All pics Pinterest)
Perfect with t-shirts, they manage to feel both transitional and just on the right side of different.
Slam dunk.
Laters, Kate x
Blue Soho x
Iridescent turquoise bricks and art-deco-style cornice are not descriptions you expect from an industrial building in the heart of London. But the fact that the building is going to be the headquarters for Damien Hirst might explain it further…
Until you realise that Stiff and Trevillion, the architects, designed the building not knowing who would occupy it. Maybe the address being 30 Beak Street in vibrant, creative Soho is the final piece of the puzzle.
At the base, the hand-dipped glazed bricks are a deep blue, transitioning to the lighter blue as the building reaches higher.
( All pics Pinterest)
It’s enough of a statement to be shortlisted for the 2019 RIBA London Awards. And yet another reason to pay a visit to Soho.
Just wish this grim London weather would buck up…
Laters, Kate x
575 Wandsworth Road
It won’t be this year I get to see this house – visits are limited in numbers and duration and this years slots are already full – but it’s on the bucket list.
The house is the work of Khdambi Asalache, a poet and writer of Kenyan descent who also worked for the BBC and the Treasury. He started making fretwork to cover up the damp coming from the next door launderette, beginning a project that would last another twenty years. He would use abandoned wood, doors and boxes first cut to size then carved using a single knife.
(More details from National Trust and pics from Pinterest)
An extraordinary testament to patience, human endeavour, love and creativity.
Laters, Kate x
Wiser x
It’s going to be some time before my fingers can instinctively do this, but I’m having my first ever crochet lesson today and my eyes can’t wait.
They’ve been checking out all the incredible designs a simple hook and a piece of yarn and a little bit of yearn can make.
I’m very lucky – I’m learning from a highly skilled older lady in my neighbourhood courtesy of The Wiser Collective, a group set up by local mums Claire Redway and Sarah Laffey which aims to link up the generations in my area and
- offer practical support for families living apart from their relatives
- build connections and provide purpose for potentially isolated older people
- offer a sense of neighbourly community and companionship for both groups.
It works on the idea that there is so much we can learn from a group that all too often find themselves isolated, and there are things that as busy families we can offer – large meals with laughter can be something we take for granted.
(All pics Pinterest)
I can’t wait
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 