Category: Fashion
Today..
On Wednesday night we had a huge storm over London, well, I say a storm – it just kept on rolling in on waves of ear splitting thunder and torrential rain..locally we lost transport, various shops flooded and the internet…I’ve never known anything like it.
Except maybe this morning and the news of Brexit. Astounded, ashamed, depressed. It wasn’t that Europe didn’t have it’s problems, but we’ve now thrown the baby out with the bathwater because we asked people to vote on the EU…and they voted on something else entirely. As an act of rebellion my country has given a thumbs up to xenophobia, racism and bigotry. I thought the Americans had it bad with Trump..the laugh was on me.
Will the last person to leave the country please turn out the lights.
Laters, Kate x
A Girl Called Jack x
Jack Monroe is my latest hero. I discovered her whilst painting the hall..the joy of decorating is having an ipad close to hand listening to iplayer doing it’s thing. Radio 4 made a drama from her life, basing it around her love of cooking and her relationship with her Grandmother: Two things that float my boat – it inspired me to seek out her cook book.
Jack started by writing, in her own time, a local political commentary blog. Then she had to give up her career when she became a single mum and her wage couldn’t extend to childcare. The only solution was benefits and a mere £10 a week for food for the two of them. Her blog ‘Cooking on a Bootstrap’ was a consequence of that constraint, written to share the recipes she magically managed to produce…which then turned into her own cookbook.
Being a single parent meant lack of time as well as a lack of resources translates into recipes that are both speedy and simple. There’s no frills or extravagant ingredients, instead she’s re-connected the umbilical cord highlighting that fantastic, nutritious food doesn’t need an overflowing handmade Devol larder and a certificate in corden bleu cookery.
(The vegetarian meals are awesome)
Jack believes that in order to tackle food poverty and a culture of convenience/microwave meals with dubious ingredients then cooking at home needs to be present on a less glossy, less sexy, less intimidating and more accessible way, which then has the rollover benefit of both spending less and reducing waste. Win win.
She makes you think about how you cook, why you cook..and how careless we are. The bottom line is we all need to care more.
I love her and I love her book.
Laters, Kate x
The sitting Room x
The advantage of doing all the decorating from our building works myself is there’s been something in the pot to buy a few treats like this Hans Wegner wishbone chair.
A pair of them now sit in pride of places at either end of our dining room table. What love.
The extra bonus were the large boxes the chairs arrived in which were quickly commandeered by the children. Who needs toys?
But it hasn’t all been treats and joy. This was the sitting room on Sunday..
A much needed bookcase went up meaning the final boxes could be unpacked. These are original midcentury tomado shelves – the choice surprised me as well.
Probably a good thing as we have guests for the next two weeks and at last the spare room is liveable in.
The sitting room isn’t finished (check out the plastic storage tub by the yellow chair, part of our sad tv storage) – it still has some organic growth to go – but it’s a huge improvement.
And lots of pictures have finally gone up.
The footstool still doesn’t have it’s cover on – it’s meant to be white, but I’ve got some lavender coloured dye waiting in the wings…
Slowly. But surely.
Laters, Kate x
David Nott x
Just a petite post today as I nurse a self-inflicted sore head and run to the kids sports day with umbrella, galoshes and small inflatable boat at the ready…I love the radio, particularly radio 4 – but sometimes it surpasses itself to create solid gold in the air. The Desert Island Disc on June 5 was one such inspirational moment. If you get a quiet half hour, grab a cup of tea and a tissue and listen to it here….if you don’t have a quiet half hour – find one – you’ll thank me. Promise.
Laters, Kate x
Shibori..
Yesterday was spent teaching a group of friends (I’m a rep for Charlie’s class) how to shibori tie-dye. It’s something I love to do with its heady mixture of deep indigo, spontaneity, freedom and promise.
I’ve posted about it before (here) but this year was a little bit different/lessons learnt – the scarfs are longer (2m – possibly the perfect length) and the dye is a new one: If you’re making a large dye bath with the more commonly used Dylon, it’s hard to keep the solution warm so I went for a procion dye that works with cold water (it’s the dye they use for batik dying) and it produced excellent results. If you want more info on dyes and techniques, check out this website (makes me wish I lived in Bognor)..this is a brilliant craft for kids in the summer..and imagine on duvet covers, sheets..or even larger pieces of furniture! Bella spent her evening after school dying..socks!
Gloves are always useful..
This may be old school..but it’s still the best.
Laters, Kate x
Exteriors..
As the internal painting on the house starts coming to an end (just the downstairs toilet and some radiator cabinets to go) all thoughts are turning to the outside. It’s a big decision and needs time to mull.
There’s so many options..dramatic and black?
I like it..but I think it might be better on the back of the house…(I just love the way it contrasts with green..)
So at the front..I’m thinking putty coloured windows and woodwork..but the front door? A darker putty shade? or that classic pale blue…
Or even a mallow pink?
Hmmmmmm. There’s no rush – we like the front looking crap as a burglar deterrent over the summer…but the picture needs to come into focus..
Laters, Kate x
Bonkers Boho x
Boho chic for a bonkers past week..that’s not been helped by my mouse dying (of the computer variety) sigh. I’m still running today..this time to see the tennis at Queens. Running now to iron my silk dress..
Just wish I had one of these to layer up..
Laters, Kate x
Just because..
Plenty in the garden to experiment on..
Laters, Kate x
J’adore..
If I was a trust fund babe, this would be my luggage of choice.
Made in America by Steamline, they’re the perfect marriage of the elegance of yesteryear and the practicalities of modern performance: Handcrafted in leather and brass they swear to be lightweight and durable.
In the past, Louis Vuitton held the aspirational luggage high ground – but it’s now so tinged with the fake tans of tv reality star wannabees that to say your luggage is LV is like announcing to the world that your coat is fur and your knickers are missing.
After years of broken zips, plastic and making do, maybe it’s time for a change…these are certainly on the list of lust.
Laters, Kate x
Hot to trot x
Nostalgic and a bit sentimental: I’m after a pair of wedge espadrilles with ties this summer. I’d love them to be in a deep navy blue, but I suspect black is more realistic.
With just that little bit of extra height, they give an outfit the potential to carrying on strutting straight into a decadent night on the tiles.
As well as being highly adaptable (also great with culottes or skinnies) they’re supremely comfortable and, with a bit of shopping around, easy on the pocket.
If slides are your thing, check out Asos for the best selection..
(All pics from Pinterest)
With prices starting at a mere £12 i’ts winner, winner, chicken dinner.
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 