Category: Fashion
Chutney and Oat Cakes..
The joy that is Creative Coffee – wholesome and happy with stunning aromas and rich rewards, like the incredible (honestly, some of the best I’ve tasted.Ever) mango chutney and melt in your mouth oat cakes (why haven’t I made these babies before??).
I took away two things from the session:
1. To invest in a pan like Sophy’s (she’s kindly sent me a link) which not only holds an extraordinary amount but also has delights such as a spout for pouring and an extra large handle. Genius.
2. To buy the book by Annie Rigg we often use at Creative Coffee.
The recipes make your mouth water just reading them and – just as good – always work.
I’m thinking jars of spiced cranberry with edible glitter as the perfect cupboard gift for unexpected gifts this Christmas….
Laters, Kate x
M for Masterful.. x
Wish I had one of these delicious jumpers by M Missioni in my wardrobe today – particularly that blue/green boxy slouch on the right. Sigh. It’s a double-whammy day – I’m co-hosting a coffee morning for all the residents of our road (writing it down makes it sound like something out of an urban episode of the Archers..) so there’s a pressure to find something half decent to wear..and the weather has literally turned over night – wet, cold and blustery – which is unfortunate as the wardrobe planning has yet to catch up – Birks just don’t cut it through the puddles..
London has a reputation of not being friendly, but I’ve never found it to be the case..I’ve always loved where I’ve lived. Lately we’ve had huge movement on the street with friends moving out and new people moving in..which doesn’t make it easy..you miss those that have gone and it almost feels traitorous to welcome their ‘replacements’ with open arms…but life must go on… 
So I need to go to sit on the end of my bed to ponder a bit more and hope for a flash of divine inspiration..preferably before 8 o’clock when we leave for school..I was hoping to squeeze in a swim before it all kicks off..up to 32 lengths now…but somehow that feels unlikely…
Laters, Kate x
Bohemian Rhapsody x
(Isabel Marrant – Shannon jacquard knit wool blend poncho)
Think boho and immediately summer and freedom spring to mind. But there’s a seasonal boho too that captures the warmth of open fires, fallen leaves and crisp mornings..
(Emilio Pucci – fringe jacquard knit turtleneck cape)
Poise, power and grace..the colours and textures inform the story: an inspired heritage of folk songs, earthy cowboys and fantasy indians all creatively mixed up with a little bit of Mexico and South America..
(Emilio Pucci – embellished flocked twill jacket)
(Burberry Porsum – Intarsia knitted blanket coat)
(Isabel Marrant – Adil hooded striped blanket coat)
(Burberry Porsum – Wool blend tapestry boots)
Twinkle toes for the closing in nights..
(Nicholas Kirkwood & Peter Pilotto leather and suede pumps)
There’s a whispered joy in watching the leaves dance whilst being snuggled up and letting the world walk on by..
Laters, Kate x
Different Eyes..
Laters, Kate x
Oh What a Beautiful Morning..
How do you get dressed in the morning?
I have to listen to the ten o’clock news the night before to hear what the weather will be otherwise my wardrobe obligingly falls apart.
It didn’t happen last night. I was on the phone to a friend till gone midnight..
And today is a tough sartorial challenge: School drop off, run back home – write this (failed: Internet crashed. Typical,) out on bike to Art class (new venture: love it), back on bike to pilates class (another new venture: Finding muscles I never knew existed…at least I think they’re muscles..), school pick-up and a mum’s night out mashed with Book Club (yep. double booked..) The evening can wait, but now? first thought: Lycra running leggings with birks plus loose tee plus open denim shirt with rolled sleeves, possibly a large scarf depending on weather (damn 10 o’clock news). Except I can’t find the leggings in the mountainous piles of washing and time ‘n’ school gates wait for no man. Even the kids are dressed before me. Nearest equivalent? A pair of drawstring brushed cotton navy pyjama trousers…roll the legs up, roll down the waist and I’m sure they’ll look boho something…accessorise neatly with all the inner reserves of chutzpah available on a thursday morning, add a pair of dark sunnies ‘n’ walk the walk ..
Do you think it matters they’re actually the husband’s pjs??
Laters, Kate x
Creative Magic x
After the long summer break, it’s the much anticipated start of Creative Coffee (click for details) this morning – chutneys and oat cakes today, but above are pictures from a previous session of sausage making rather than a demonstration of what happens to unfortunate attendees..
We made them right through from mincing the meat, adding bread crumbs and spices (for three different kinds of sausage no less) to the requisite comedy moment, complete with lubricating oil..
There was much tittering!
A plate of very special bangers!
It’s hard to explain, but when I go to Creative Coffee – which essentially means making something from scratch that would be easier to buy in a shop – I realise what a privileged life I lead..
Laters, Kate x
Food for Thought..
Much of the work of Marques’Almeida nibbles on an old drumstick: Denim – which doesn’t stop it being the sartorial rage of the moment..
It plays to that thrilling duality of grunge and deconstruction meeting designer brand.
But this denim is smarter, sharper… fruitier..
Straight talking boxy shapes that still hold a seductive allure.
And if you didn’t know already, they’re doing a collab with Top Shop on the 10 November..one for the diary..
(All photos from Style.com)
Check out those sleeves – It may be a drumstick – but it’s a top of the range organic one cooked sublimely in a heavenly sauce by a caring Michelin starred chef..
Laters, Kate x
Making a Point..
Vans. Fail safe, classic and easy…but could there be room for change?
What about pointy Vans like these by Nicholas Kirkwood now viewed from above??
Sneakers with a heel and now sneakers with a point..who would’ve thought it. But this actually feels like a rather nostalgic nod to the once must-wear pointed flats of the eighties..and it’s always nice to find a forward moving mash…
Laters, Kate x
Ace of Spades x
The new twenties inspired arrivals from Kate Spade have warmed the cockles of my magpie heart..
The rings isn’t bad either..
She’s a witty gal, Kate Spade…check out the rest of her range from some pretty cool present ideas…wish I’d thought of her site earlier…hehe!
Laters, Kate x
Tripping the Light Fantastic x
Sitting here with a hangover from hell..I blame you Miss Fairy! It was her birthday last night…and there was a moment, a sliding doors moment when we were in a lift heading in the right direction away from the roof top bar till she turned to me with a cheeky grin and said, go on..let’s just have one more…personally I think it was less my scintillating company and more the rather handsome gentlemen she’d eyed. It’s always so much easier to break the ice when you have a married wingman at your side..and my, we work well as a team! Poor man didn’t stand a chance. Which brings back memories in itself as it was at a birthday party of Fairies all those years ago that I met my husband-to-be – he didn’t stand a chance either…and that’s probably the start of the slippery slope..instead of learning from experience, you revert to youth and all it’s antics. Until the next day when you feel considerably older than your considerable years…it’ll probably take me a week to recover!
But the good news is he’s asked her out for dinner! Yay!
The bad news is I’ve run out of asprin..
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 