Category: Fashion
Socked x
Happy New Year! We undressed the Christmas tree yesterday – a mark of understanding that this day, Monday 4 Jan, would be the official start of normality and the end of the lull, even before twelfth night. Can I say how much I love the lull? Every excuse to rein in, relax and restore; I know it can’t go on forever – that things ending mean they don’t lose their power to happen again. But I will miss it.
I think it was helped that we’ve hit a cold patch in London, encouraging layers and fires and general huddling and cuddling. Although, of course, only in our family unit. There’s also been lots of walking – which has meant a realisation that 3/4 length trousers, of which I seem to wear a lot, have an obvious design fault – but where there’s a will, there’s a way – and an investment in socks – notably long, knee high socks to lessen draft – striped socks, bright socks, argyle socks – has solved the problem in a most norm corm but satisfying way.
(All pics Pinterest)
Viva la sock!
Laters, Kate x
Sparkle!
Gorgeous, no? And (I say this in a whisper) High street….£35 well spent from &OtherStories: Hitting the mark in pocket friendly presents that capture the jewellery zeitgeist with their power to elevate and add that Christmas luminosity.
(All pics Pinterest and &OtherStories)
And of course….there’s always the sales………
Laters, Kate x
Rejoice!
This shop has a piece of my heart and remains open for Christmas orders until 21 December. Ethically aware – everyone in the supply chain is respected and paid a fair wage – and beautifully produced, East End Press offers a unique line of paper garlands, wooden decorations and so much more.
(All pics Pinterest and East End Press)
The colours, the care, the backstory? This is what really sings Christmas!
Laters, Kate x
Christmas ug!
Which effectively stands for ugly – because, be still this beating heart – Swedish Hasbeens have come up with a winner: The perfect hybrid of never mixed with genius, a Frankensteins child where all the stars lined up and bowed down, a glorious fug of Dorothy meets nerd whilst waltzing to Lala Land.
(All pics Pinterest and Swedish Hasbeens)
Come to Mama.
Laters, Kate x
Baubles x
Boxing Day Plans x
Let’s be honest. This year Christmas is going to be different – so I think the only way is to go whole hog and make it more so. Partly due to the amount of box sets we’ve managed to inhale, but also just because I fancy it, it’s been decreed that in this hovel, Boxing Day will be a day of reading and minimal electricity (think candles and open fires. maybe the odd sheepskin. I read somewhere that a Scandi country (couldn’t tell you which one) gives books as presents on Christmas Eve, to be read on Christmas Day. This, for me, is a bit of an infringement on Christmas Day, a bit too holy on the national day of greed and gluttony. But the day after? Absolutely bloody perfect.
So each person has to buy one book for another person at the Christmas table. What joy!
(All pics and links Pinterest and Bookshop.org)
Which is not to say Christmas lunch will have this many people, more – how do you choose? This is quite frankly, a little slice of opt out heaven.
Laters, Kate x
Escape x
Call it the call of lockdown fever, the curse of cabin fever, but after a few weeks of containment – and despite this lockdown being different – my eyes start longing for far horizons and a glimpse of the sea. I saw this house in Architectural Digest and physically felt the pull.
(All pics Pinterest and Architectural Digest)
Maybe it’s time to get the Christmas lights out early…
Laters, Kate x
Pressies 2
I spoke to my gut the other day and asked it what the theme for Christmas would be this year, it said cottagecore all the way: home made, simple, unfussy, thoughtful. I said thank you very much and felt our bond. The above is from a great little independent shop called Midgley Green – what could be more hands on and satisfying than artisan soap and a thrown soap dish? Maybe the price point – £5 for the soap, £15 for the dish. £20 all in? Bargain.
Midgley Green also have these beautiful tea towels – which are fab just as that – but….wouldn’t they make the most beautiful pair of cushions stitched onto an enveloped piece of linen? Guaranteed washable.
(All pics Midgley Green and Pinterest)
On my personal Wishlist this year is this Welsh throw. I’m thinking sofa, candles, fire. And a large glass of egg snog. Sigh.
Laters,
Kate x
Green is Go!
That time is fast approaching. The one where we all have to make big decisions about who to buy who what, knowing that both our personalities will be forever enshrined and defined by our choice. A veritable minefield. First best in show offering – the winter version of spring bulbs, in preferably a slightly rough, stood the test of time pot filled with lacey ferns, dark green moss and something sculptural. I can’t think of anything – apart from maybe candles (can always add) – I would like more at the centre of my dining room table as the nights draw in and food and conversation become a priority.
You can even make your own planters like these ones – go here for more details.
(All pics Pinterest and Artsyprettyplants)
My tip? For the larger bases, hot glue gun on some felt to protect vulnerable table tops. Delicious.
Laters, Kate x
Mini Morris! x
So William Morris – who will always and forever had a piece of my heart – has teamed up with Swedish brand DockATot to produce some of the most edible nursery soft furnishings I’ve ever seen. Which is mind bending on several levels – 1. why has no-one thought of this before? and 2. No-one has because we compartmentalise everything away, with Morris floating under Victorian in big letters, and masculine in little. Which means should we throw all conditioned thinking under the nearest bus? And 3. If you’re thinking pah! I have no need for nursery whimsy – I would further highlight the perils of conditioned thinking, because their floor cushions are any-excuse-for-any-room-to-die-for.
(All pics Pinterest and DockAtot)
Dog bed. Anyone?
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 