Category: Fashion
I am Lucky..
Because I have fabulous neighbours, which is one seriously important cog in the life’s life-enhancing machinery. Take this Christmas card, drawn by the visually inspired Jane of her dog, Zsa zsa and all her wonderful puppies taking a leaf out of the Great British Bake Off..Talent, verve and festive giggles..
On Friday I spent the day with another neighbour, Doromy, an ex-actress who knows all there is to know about London and is a visceral, witty joy to be with..we headed to Radio Days on Lower Marsh Street, just by Waterloo to check out vintage dressing gowns for Charlie and to buy deco shot glasses as a present to go with the Sloe Gin I made at Creative Coffee…the place is an absolute treasure trove and well worth a visit if you’re ever in this part of town..
In fact the whole of Lower Marsh Street is a little gem: Vintage shops, food stalls, chi-chi pubs..the gnarly mixed with loftier intentions. Further down and just off to the right is this..the underground tunnel leading to The Vaults, a multi-use underground venue and a spray-painted canvas of guttural dipthongs..
Including female graffiti artists..
And a female fire-eater to boot..
We ended our day, setting the world to rights, eating takeaway kedgeree from Konditor and cook, sitting in Waterloo Station and watching the world go by. There’s not many people you can do that with..simple, effortless and full of the unexpected. It was bliss.
Laters, Kate x
Cheeky Charlie..
Laters, kate x
Marking Time..
Do you remember Clothkits? They’re a huge dollop of nostalgia for me as the first clothes I truly coveted and lusted over at school. They came in easy-sew kits to make up, including all sorts of wonderful, genius things like rag dolls as well..
There was always an extra touch..like her matching bag to add the final flourish and make them utterly desirable..
How cute?
The padded coats were particularly memorable…if this came in my size now, I would have it..
But there’s a light at the end of the tunnel..I googled them and Clothkits is still running, and many of these designs are still available plus a host more..
From old originals…
To their modern equivalents..
If you want to give something crafty for Christmas..so crafty you can put a tail on it and call it a fox?..check them out..their range is incredible..
Laters, kate x
Just Because..
The Bentleys in a Bentley…
Laters, Kate x
Extra Ordinary x
Burberry Prorsum Pre-fall 2015 is a long way from scuttlebutt rumours and diva strops. It’s classy, simple, elegant dressing with just a whiff of urban street..
There’s a forensically clear silhouettes – skinny legs, ankle boots and big layers that we can all believe in..
The coats are particularly simple and absolutely lustworthy – but there are no surprises, no attempts to gnaw at anything primal..
( All pictures from Style.com)
Just effortlessly produced wardrobe staples you’d want to wear forever…the spice is up to you to add…
Laters, Kate x
Spotted! The Elf on the Shelf…
Who said American’s don’t understand irony? It’s thank’s to them we’ve bought our very first Elf on a Shelf to further promote the fantasies of Christmas..The idea is simple: During the day he’s Santa’s eyes and ears, then at night he disappears through his very own door, back to the North Pole…
(Yep..we got one of those too now stuck on our skirting board!) to report back on the children’s behaviour, before returning and reappearing somewhere else the next day..
As it’s the first of December, he made his first appearance today and was quickly spotted. Charlie is a believer and was in awe. Bella was more sceptical: ‘He’s plastic’ was her first comment, before sneaking off to find a long pole to poke him with. ‘Arrrrrrrrrrrr,’ says I, full of knowing..just remember that all toys are inanimate until you’ve gone to sleep..otherwise they’d be caught and put in laboratories and genetically bred to takeover the world’s workforce..and then where would we be?’
‘At Christmas?’ suggested Charlie..
Touche, my child, touche.
Now all the husband and I have to do is to make sure we move him every night ready for the morning, which with the number of festive nights out in the diary, could prove interesting…and we must, must, must resist the temptation of introducing him to Barbie..just think of the potential mess…
He may be little (and plastic) but we’re hoping he’s going to be greater than the sum of his parts…watch this space..
Laters, Kate x
Flying fur..
It’s a sign of the times when fur both becomes common place and mixed with casual fashion..camo trousers and casual fur jacket: an unexpected marriage made in heaven, worn here by the iconic Jenna Lyons.
But I’m curious: Why the turn fur acceptance turn-around? Is it because faux fur is so good we can’t spot the difference, giving free-reign to choosing the real stuff? Or maybe all these photos are of Jenna in fake. But I don’t think so…
Is it that fur has moved with the political times and is now a tightly controlled industry where cruelty has been banished? Or is there a leniency to vintage fur under the heading ‘eco-friendly’ in a wasteful planet? I just don’t know..
All I do know, is fabulous as Jenna looks, this outfit would’ve caused an outrage even ten years ago…so why not now?
Laters, Kate x
Dear Santa..
Please could I have a left-handed calligraphy pen…(and possibly the Dummies Guide to go with it) so I can finally learn to write with heart swooning swirls…I think it would improve my quality of life considerably..
(And then next year, you can ask me to write something beautiful for my very own lazer-cut bracelet from this incredible Shop..(I’m happy to give you the chance to save up to wait till then..)it’ll be worth it)
(Although, I might have to be very fussy and ask for the gold version..I know, high-high..but gold is my colour..)
But until then..eye’d love to see these beauties in my ears stocking…
And with all things nineties being the spice of the moment, these Doc Martens would remind me of penny loafers past.. 
And to make me smile? This ipad case complete with teeth..open it up and hear me roar..
P.S. I’ve been good. (I think)
Laters, Kate x
Does Size Matter?
Personally, I don’t think so…meet the new man in my life, the gorgeous 9 week old Wilf..
Gutted, I had to eventually hand him back as sadly he prefers his exceptionally glamourous mummy…although he did promise they’d be a party at his tonight..and to bring a bottle!
Laters, Kate x
Great Bones..
There’s something utterly majestic, breathtaking and impressive about a herringbone floor..
But the bullion cut? More expensive..but it’s still a temptation, particularly when you know you’re only laying a floor once..
In fact choosing a floor is like crossing all sorts of boundaries..width of wood, colour, type, durability..mix into to that the cost and it’s a potential minefield..
So excuse me if I feel a little bit chuffed in finding Edward Oak Floors (OK. My mother found them first) But you know you’re on to a good thing when the showroom in is a remote part of London, in the middle of an industrial estate, attached to it’s own factory.
And because it’s all made on site, they can smoke, wax, colour, distress the wood to any colour you want – and any size..and if they lay your floor, it’s guaranteed for 15 years..me likey.
The distressing machine..it’s riveting..
But they really do have the ability to transform the mundane..
So that’s one thing ticked off…now there’s just the rest of the building works to plan..ho hum
Laters, Kate
Maison Bentley Style 