Category: Fashion

July 5, 2014

I Dyed.. x

Like the lifespan of a butterfly, the summer term is flying to it’s end. For Bella’s class it’s quite a poignant time as her year get re-mixed into different classes for September so after three years together it’s a real time of change. As a little hurrah for the mums of her 2B class I held a Shibori tie-dye day..with all the essentials….

Joy of joys..the sun shone!

Is that a stick I see before me?

Our patriotic dye bath..previously used for mixing concrete for the patio. The union jacks come from cut up passport covers from the 99p shop – they were perfect for holding the material in place to create the square shaped tie-dye pattern.

The magic starts when you unwrap..it’s a bit like Christmas..you have no idea what they’re going to be like..

But the results were pretty spectacular!

Each one different and unique! My washing line has never looked so cool!

OMG – It actually looks like the tutorial photo!

This beauty was the result of ‘stick’..it’s like looking up at the sea whilst diving..

Now I have the kids home and dying everything in sight! But honestly, I can’t blame them..it’s addictive..for a wonderful day with friends, it’s surprisingly easy, wonderfully effective and thoroughly recommended!

Laters, kate x

July 4, 2014

Mightier than the Sword..

I so need to up my penmanship skills…but my tie-dying skills might improve today: Have 6 friends round to to transform everything white into beach-ready Shibori..pictures sure to follow…

Laters, Kate x

July 3, 2014

Cool Running..

I look at this kitchen and my heart lights up. Then I think: Where’s the fridge?

Arrrr ok. Pure Love. But how big actually is it? Not that I’ve developed a thing about fridges, except I have. It’s one of the reasons we’re re-doing our kitchen..the fridge is too small. So now I’m obsessed by them…

And it really doesn’t help when I find Companies like this – The Vintage Fridge Company, dedicated to unearthing relics of the past and smoothly integrating them into a modern-day antique heirloom, proud to take their place in any room. I remember my Grandparent’s house in Greece having an ‘icebox’ at the back – and it worked, even in those high temperatures though milk was still a luxury and tinned carnation milk was always the order of the day – it gave the tea a unique, memorable flavour. But that old icebox would be the sort of thing these guys would take on, except after their magic, milk wouldn’t be a problem.

Spot the fridge..

Or this one..part of the perfect island unit..

If you have to have something functional, why not make it count for something?

The perfect trade-off between practicality and beauty..

They also offer the option of taking a modern fridge and cladding it in old..

Or if utterly modern is your thing check out he Formula one beauties that are the Meneghini beasts..

This is the version Nigella Lawson has. Sigh.

Sadly all these options – the reconditioned vintage and the new – cost from £7000 upwards to £16400 plus…So whilst it’s good to know the humble fridge can be more than defiantly average, I will just have to dream I have the budget to indulge..until then, I’l start doing the Lottery. Again. And put on my thinking cap…

Laters, Kate x

(Photos of top kitchen from remodilista.com)

July 2, 2014

Serving strawberries and cream..

Dressed up to the nines and on a bike, heading to somewhere in South West London..

Where everything is very English and rather civilised..

Including the lunch..

A little clue..

Getting warmer…(in fact it was a scorcher..)

Yay! No.1 Court at Wimbledon to watch athletic Federer gracefully ease his way to victory..

Wimbledon has always had a special place in my heart and it has been particularly thrilling as an ‘adult’ to watch from the best courts….every year, with my best friends, we used to bunk a day off school to go and queue at the crack of dawn for tickets. The cheaper Court 2 tickets were our favourites: you got a guaranteed seat plus in the first week when the timetable was chocca you were guaranteed to see one of our idols fighting their early gladiatorial battles: Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg, Jimmy Connors, Martina Navratilova, John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert..we were in seventh heaven..

Happy memories.

A StarWars like camera man..

The finish of the day was probably my highlight..a game of veterans doubles: Patrick McEnroe and Peter Fleming against the effervescent Mansour Brahimi and the unforgettable Henri Leconte..my youth re-lived, they had us crying with laughter..crawling on their knees to the line judges, nicking all the balls, taunting the opposition – and the ball boys and girls, spinning around before hitting shots, catching tennis balls in their pockets…it was pure class and showmanship..and for all their tricks..they still won!

The perfect way to end a perfect day..before we cycled off into the sunset..

Laters, Kate x

July 1, 2014

Two Into One x

Two New York is a treasure trove of beautiful things.

Monica Patel-Cohn, the driving force behind the label, believes that the chic boho vibe stems from her combined Indian and Italian background.

All her clothes are made locally in New York using handmade textiles and saris from India: It’s about quality, it’s about details, it’s about the purity of things.

Pale and interesting with a modern sensibility.

You can indulge your personal sense of style, away from the grunge of Glasonbury with featherlight clothes readymade for the summer urban burn.

A blue to match the colour of your mind, sky and sea..

Sun-meets-fun-eats-chic..

Perfect for a cocktail and a pollution fix on a deck over hanging the main strip peppered with neon lights. and mellow laughs..

…Or on a far-away beach under the stars..

Laters, Kate x

June 30, 2014

Slides for a Reason x

Slides/sandals with socks were objects of such disdain in my youth: Only worn by tourists from lands that fashion forgot. But now they’re the sheep-shoe of the moment…and why not? They’re the model of languid self-possession with sleepy, knowing eyes. It’s that edgy, loose type of cool..a button casually left undone rather than a mini skirt and teetering heels…Birks are the reigning royalty. The ones with white soles have particular appeal..shame my feet don’t like them, but there’re plenty of other options..

(From here)

Some with that extra element of something to elevate them from the ordinary..

(From here)

I like the way they mix with tailored suits – poise, power, grace. And the ability to run..

(The Adidas originals JS Wing slides in black and white – from 2011, but you might find on Ebay..)

It’s what makes fashion so fascinating: That visceral force and ever changing skyline where something can be so rejected one decade makes a complete turn around the next..

But comfort and style needs embracing: I dare someone to sit next to me and tell me it isn’t true….

Laters, Kate x

June 28, 2014

The Runs..and an update x

I’m running the GSK Orange United Run 5k today at Dorney Lake where the Olympic rowing events were held. They don’t know it yet but the Husband, Bella and Charlie are running the 2.5k..hehe. This is the acknowledgement of keeping the fitness training up since January…except I’m not on my best form..had a migraine yesterday, all much better today but the halos of the remains are sill hovering around the edges and it’s a hot day with mucho sunshine…lots of water and dark glasses me thinks. To top it off we have a big party tonight I’ve been so looking forward too..no rest for the wicked hey so fingers crossed..and thank God this run’s sponsored by a drugs company…

Update

The beautiful setting at Dorney Lake where Eton have their rowing club..the view from the club house. The clouds were starting to roll in..

Pre-start nerves..

Slightly disconcerting to see this on the floor of the portaloos….I suppose it could’ve been worse…

Are we ready?

Go! The husband being beaten by a sleeping child..

Damn! Pipped to the post by a Dame! Although I got the style points for running in a denim jacket (didn’t have time to take it off..but don’t tell anyone) (and the truth is I even got beaten by a labrador) But despite the heavens opening on us about halfway round, it was a fab family day for which Fairy (in photo above) get full points for organising… it’s not often you can say you ran in a Race with a double olympic gold medalist!

Now where’s the Doctor before I hobble to my party??

Laters, Kate x

June 27, 2014

Sweet Life..

(Ear cuff by Ryan Storer, now sold out – Boo!)

Walked into the utility room this morning and found the sock box all over the floor. Again. How many times have I said to the kids if you go for a rummage – leave the room as you find it – if you disturb anything PUT IT BACK? I start moaning to the Husband who’s trying to get dressed. ‘It’s not a big thing, but it’s representative of a larger issue,’ I say. No response. I tell myself don’t linger on the negatives but everyone needs a rant at some point..in the evenings he gets to offload work on me so a voice says, why can’t I moan about my work? I’m the first to say mines not the job that brings in the money, but sometimes it’s the hidden work that holds a family together: It’s the monotonous, grunge, brain numbing stuff that’s like groundhog day every day except it largely remains invisible as if fairies have been at work. So I say, ‘it’s the invisible work I do that needs a bit of respect’. Still no response. I can feel the emotional plates shift like a red rag to a bull…’That’s just perfect, I’m so invisible (read taken for granted) no-one even hears me..I don’t want practical solutions, I don’t want a conference call or a European Summit but just an acknowledgement or a grunt will do’…nadah…I continue, climbing upon my very high horse..’I consider the work of a mother one of the most vital on the planet. It’s the foundations stone that builds future lives, holding them together, keeping them moving forward in a (generally) clean and (hopefully) happy manner..it’s seven days a week, 365 days a year and for all this I get..nothing..zip..zilch..I live off your income and get not one iota of recognition from the government, not a tax break, not nothing..and as for society…well if this is indicative of society’s attitude..'(voice rising in crescendo..)

He pulls out his headphones..’Did you say something, Darling’?

Men. I really just give up.

And from now on I’ll be charging the kids 10p off their pocket money every time they mess up my utility room. A girls gotta earn her money somehow….

Laters, Kate x