Category: Holiday
And the livin’ is easy x
The beautiful wrought-iron gates of summer, with their warm, lilting voice are slowing swinging open. I can no longer bear to wear socks, but I’m still shocked my feet can blister each year.
MiH Jeans have captured that mysterious, lazy time where clouds disappear, clocks stand still and insects quietly buzz.
Where clothes are worn for nostalgia, comfort and love. And yet you look your best.
Loose, casual layers, ready to be peeled away as the heat rises. Or returned, when the sun sinks slowly away. Cosying up to glowing fires and the rich smell of smoke whilst holding a glass of something wonderful.
Do I want to be there?
The answer, my friend, is Blowin’ in the wind…It’s gently blowin’ in the warm, sultry wind.
Dreaming, Kate x
Yo! Beach…
Last summer I was seduced by retro swimwear..the high wasted bottoms and halter necks. 
It was my first toe in the water of vintage styles for the beach and I didn’t want to trip up so kept it simple and stuck to black accessorised with cats eye sunnies and a slash of red lipstick.
It was one of my best buys of the summer and this year I want to expand into colour and print – it’s hard to explain the physics of how more can be less. The nearest thing I can say is that it’s like the wonders of a mini skirt – with a normal bikini you’re basically standing in your pants and nothing is left to the imagination. Wearing a mini, not much more is added..except you want to see the pants! 
These beauties are truly designed for women with curves and effortlessly turn you into that nostalgic siren of the screen, oozing feminine charm..
(All the above swimsuits are from Esther Williams, and can be bought through Luna for those in the UK.)
(And this lovely number is from Pour Moi at Fig Leaves.)
It’s a no-brainer – we need to step away from the sticks of this world and embrace the decades that embraced us back!
Laters, Kate x
Happy New Year!! xxx
Happy New Year!!!
Laters, Kate x
Merry Christmas!!!! xxx
My Maison, Mia Casa..
On this special day when our friends across the pond are celebrating Thanksgiving, others are celebrating Hanukkah (and some are even celebrating the unique Thanukkah (not to be seen again for another 79,000 years)) I thought I’d welcome you all into my house for a few festive nibbles and a couple of glass of something cold and classy to raise a toast to everlasting joy, happiness and all that’s good with the world!
(Yep. The laundry room makes it. Just because I love organised laundry..)
With love,
Kate xxx
Le Weekend..
I made the huge decision to not touch the internet for the time we were away in Brighton so this gives me the first chance to say a very BIG thank you for all my birthday wishes! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
It was an amazing birthday..but I did take rather too many photos which has meant a massive editing session. The weather was falling into autumn with storms, strong winds and outrageous clouds..far too much temptation for a mere mortal.
Rain, sun, blue, black all jumbled together.
Within five minutes it would change again.
With reflecting water everywhere.
Was the vintage jeans shop successful?
I’ll tell you next post!
But the weekend was a true atmospheric delight!
Laters, Kate x
Wednesdays Child..
And so the day starts…
Right everyone – have you all been for a wee? Shoes on? As there are 3 of you and only 2 large scooters and one smaller one, I’d be really grateful if you Charlie, as the smallest child, would use the smaller scooter today.
No. I don’t want to.
It would really help me if you could be a gentleman and help your Mummy.
No. I don’t want to.
I realise that, but I’d really appreciate it if you could help me.
I don’t want to.
Well, I don’t want to take 3 children to the playground, but I’m still going.
I don’t want the small scooter, I want the big one.
I’d like you to help me, can you do that?
No.
OK. Well, no Harry Potter Land on Friday.
But I want to go to Harry Potter Land.
So go on the scooter.
I don’t want to go on the scooter.
So then no Harry Potter Land.
But I want to go to Harry Potter Land.
Charlie, I’m going to count to 3..after that no Harry potter Land, 1,2..
(moves to scooter, we leave the relative safety of the house)
But I want the big scooter.
(Ignore, shut door)
I want the big scooter, I want the big scooter, I WANT THE BIG SCOOTER
Charlie, LOOK at me, do you want to go to Harry Potter Land? Yes? So tell me what you have to do..
But I want the big scooter.
JUST THERE! – did you spot that purple spotted fairy just hiding behind the car? Not there now?..I’m sure it was..look again..Maybe you’ll see it next time..Why don’t you just go and play with the girls?
Go away Charlie.
Bella please be nice, you have a friend.
But Mummy, Mummy, Charlie is being really horrible.
Charlie – why do you need to ride in the middle of the girls?..just ride to the side of them ..and don’t touch their wheels..
But I want to ride in the middle of them.
I’ve told you not to. It’s dangerous.
Does it again.
CHARLIE you are going to cause an accident.
Does it again.
(Sit him on kerb to talk to at eye level) Charlie, if you can’t act properly I will take your scooter away. Do you understand? What did I just say – repeat it back to me…
You’ll take my scooter away.
Do you understand? Right, let’s go..
Mummy – he’s done it again!
Charlie – WHY did you do that??
(Take scooter to add to dog, poo bags, picnic, picnic rug, kite, football, cricket bat, cricket ball, stumps. skipping rope…)
I WANT MY SCOOTER!
I WANT MY SCOOTER!
I wANT MY SCOOTER!
Not until you can learn to behave.
I will behave.
So prove it to me.
Goes up to Bella, hits her.
CHARLIE BENTLEY. COME HERE NOW…
I want a cuddle.
Not until you’ve said sorry Bella and sorry to me and YOU STOP THIS HORRIBLE BEHAVIOUR. THERE WILL BE NO HARRY POTTER LAND ON FRIDAY WHICH WAS GOING TO KILL US ANYWAY AS YOUR FATHER’S FLIGHT FROM HONG KONG DOESN’T GET IN TILL FIVE IN THE MORNING AND THE DOG HAS TO GO TO THE POSH VET FOR ANOTHER APPOINTMENT (long story) SO QUITE FRANKLY I’LL BE MIGHTY PLEASED NOT TO GO BECAUSE IT’S NOT EXACTLY MY IDEA OF A FUN DAY OUT..
I want a cuddle, I want a cuddle.
WHAT DO YOU SAY CHARLIE?
I want a cuddle.
WWWHHHAAAATTTT DDDDOOO YYYOOOUUUU SSSSAAAAYYYY?????
Sorry Bella…Sorry Mummy…
Gives kisses, has cuddle.
But I want the big scooter…
Find brick wall. Hit head.
Moral of this tale: When you see a mother tearing her hair out..
a. Honest to God..give her some sympathy..she’s been doing this for weeks now..schools in the UK broke up in July and don’t go back till September.
b. It’s probably me…………………………
Laters, Kate x
Summer Style x
A classy customer catching the last rays of the summer in the beige Bergman from our Summer Collection.
Enjoy the Bank Holiday weekend!
Laters, Kate x
Oh the joys of packing…
When the kids were babies I soon realised that to avoid the crying of souls (mine) I needed to be excruciatingly anal about packing, particularly as it’s not and never will be an art form that comes naturally to my psyche. The truth be told:
1. I hate it.
2. Even the impending thought of it gives me brain-swell.
3. I AM a self-proclaimed light-packer. Until I pack.
4. I could just take cut off shorts, a white t-shirt and flip-flops..but why suffer clothes envy if you can avoid it?
5. How DO you take the minimum clothes for the maximum occasions?
6. I’m continually haunted by the idea it’s all wrong anyway.
7. There’s a profound anguish that the weather is undoubtably going to go through an unprecedented solar flux and be the opposite of what I’m reasonably expecting. Even though it never happens.
8. Will it really be hot/cold at the equator/in the mountains because it’s not hot/cold here (delete as appropriate).
9. How can I pack the stuff I’m wearing now?
10. What do people mean when they ‘throw a few things in’?
11. How do I know I won’t be invited to tea with the Queen or Beyonce or Karl Lagerfeld?
12. Why do I always have the most cases? I packed light..
13. And why do they never shut?
Burnt too many times, I learnt to make furtive lists on the computer in the hope that nothing vital in my then sleep-deprived-likely-to-find-hairbrush-in-fridge-state like nappies, nappy sacks, first aid kit, tranquillisers..would be disastrously and time/happiness sappingnly forgotten and there could be hope yet for my marriage.
Those days are (almost) gone, but the discipline has proved invaluable and certain rules still stand:
1. Start packing 5 days in advance and wear tea towels if necessary.
2. For a week or more pack 5 sets of underwear plus 3 of each for the rest (t-shirts, shorts etc)
3. Summer holiday for me…just dresses, the ultimate capsule wardrobe…beach dresses..other dresses..end of.
Until this year..
When my two vintage jumpsuits leapt into the suitcase..they were easy, different, could be dressed up with a pair of gold gladiators or worn with flip-flops and radiated just enough visual flair for a laid-back edge.
Minimalistic packing is over-rated..Long live the jumpsuit!
Laters, Kate xxx
Sigh..
The ultimate in bikinis, non?
We are slowly getting back to the rhythm that is normal life with the holiday now a retreating paradise rapidly disappearing into the horizon…but it was a brilliant break.
Holidays are tough with kids: No matter how exotic the place, the beauty is sometimes the only positive of being away..which actually isn’t enough. Expectations are so high, the relaxation so needed..but the chores still remain the same: Planning, shopping, cleaning, cooking, sick wiping, world war 3 crisis talks, bottom wiping, parenting..but with none of the normal safety nets like toys, dvds, sound proof rooms, play dates, drugs...added to which you don’t know where anything is, it’s stinking hot and no-one is sleeping at night…
Spotted at Faro Airport. An unfortunate name…
Generally I embrace the grot that makes the foundation of home life, but sometimes, just sometimes….I want someone else to take over so I can step off the continual conveyor belt of care and re-charge my own batteries..
In Portugal we had meals provided, a kiddies club from 9-12.30 in the morning for both children, then again at 2.30-5.30 for Bella if she wanted it. Kids tea at 5.30 or they could eat with us later. More games (rounders etc) with her friends for Bella at 7.30 pm if she wanted (she did!) followed by a film and bed till we picked her up at 11.00. And a film club and a bed for Charlie from 7.30 – 11 pm. It was utter and absolute bliss..I read books!!..with never a worry a child could be drowning, I swam for myself..I went to the toilet – BY MYSELF..The Husband played tennis, mountain biked..we had romantic meals together..we drank, we ate, we talked..we became human beings again..
Which lasted..until we got through our front door and found the washing machine was broken..Oh life. With one hand it gives..and with the other it taketh away..
Laters, Kate xxx
Maison Bentley Style 
