Category: London
Coffee Time..
Sometime it’s the simple things in life that make the magic and one of those things for me are Creative Coffee Mornings. They were started by the lovely Sophy three years ago when she made the genius decision that chatting over coffee with young children was so much more fun when creating was involved. Originally we’d all take over our unfinished projects and use the time to give ourselves much needed permission to finish, but now Sophy and best friend Minta have developed it further and prepare, for a small fee, everything in advance with a termly timetable of weekly delights..If you live near SW London there is a website. Next week is festive nibbles..followed wreath making..with an extra mulled wine evening version for the men to join as well! (In half term I sent the Husband and Charlie to make jam..the perfect antidote to brain boil).
Sophy and Minta at work.
This week was Christmas Spirits (whooo hoooo!) with much tasting needed..
And homemade chocolates!
(Accompanied naturally by coffee and delicious nibbles. Lush)
The stewing blackberries for the Bramble Brandy..the smell was sublime.
I chose the Sloe gin option..for me it’s such a rarity to get hold of genuine sloes..and the Brucie Bonus..these came from Minta’s parents’ farm in Dorset. They were frozen because the best Gin comes from sloes picked after the first frost.
The skins are pricked and placed in a bottle.
Sugar and a couple of almonds are added, then it’s all topped off with the gin and shaken. Onto the chocolates…with orange peel, ginger, cranberries, dried strawberries, dried raspberries and almonds..
Sprayed with edible gold for that extra Christmassy feel.
This to me is living life to the full and I love it!
Laters, Kate x
Sub-life x
I love the older generation – I’m sure it’s a genetic trait passed down from my Grandmother who collected them like a matriarchal mother hen. In her eighties she’d regularly drive (rarely getting out of second gear) other people to their adult learning classes, ‘So-and-so is in their nineties’, she’d say, incredulously, ‘And still independent!’
I don’t even avoid them in supermarket queues..like the other day when in an attempt to squeeze a few extra, precious seconds of the day I tried to do a lightening supermarket run just before school pick-up. Except the magic elongating of time never happened so by the time I reached the check-out with my full basket of stuff I hadn’t realised I’d needed it was already the witching hour of 3.15 (pick-up)…and I was third in the queue….bad, very bad. The elderly lady at the front was finishing up her purchases, bags packed, money paid which was great..except just as I thought she was all done she produced, like something from the Hobbit, this enormous, bulging plastic bag of loose change..I literally felt a hand of horror clasp my now heaving throat. She did have the grace to turn to all of us..
‘Would you mind dreadfully if I got this changed here?’
I gulped, I never, ever, EVER make a fuss…but..it wasn’t just Charlie I was due to pick up..it was his friend as well..so even with the ghost of my Grandmother wagging her finger at me…
‘I’m so sorry’ I piped up..’I’m already late for school pick-up..and I’m sure there’s a change machine round the corner at the far end?’…
‘Oh no. I tried there. It’s out of order.’
‘I’m so sorry..it’s my son and his friend..they’re only four..and in reception..and I’m already late….’
‘Oh well..you see..it’s my husband. He’s just died and this is all the change from his pockets.’
The lino floor opened up and dragged me down to hell…
Laters, Kate x
Mr Who?
The lovely Afrow did a post on her brilliant Blog about Mr Hudson which I read/listened to with pleasure..I love both the song and the video
You can almost touch the subtly infused David Bowie influences…and I want need that car, sigh…but butterfly brain that I am..I couldn’t help but think..
Mr Hudson and Jamie Laing from Made in Chelsea?
(yes, my guilty weekly secret pleasure) (though not Jamie it has to be said)
(For the uninitiated..a little taster..(sort of..))
Surely separated at birth??
I’m getting confused..
I swear even the girl at the end of the Hudson video is Lucy Watson….
Laters, Kate x
Happy Haunting…..
MWaaaah-ha-ha-haaaaaa…..
xxx
The Circus..
I’ve been swimming around my goldfish bowl wondering what’s a girl to do? How’s it possible to write a follow on post to THAT party? From all the bubbling laughter and excess champagne I’m propelled into my first ever bout of poster’s block. Confessions of a disco queen..I’m writing in circles…it just doesn’t feel right to comment on the latest autumn trend…
It’s also half term…so how about a nostalgic trip to the circus? Which not only the kids loved..but I did too..
Laters, Kate x
Blog Paaardy!
Do we need a reason to celebrate? NOOOOO! But it has been a smooth transition to this effectively new Blog ‘Maison Bentley Style’..I had no idea you could change your url and still manage to hold everything together, but you can and I am very grateful!……So let’s get this disco ball rolling!!
The rules of the game:
1. You are ALL invited! to accept, please leave your Blog address in the comments below.
2. The party will take place on Sunday 27 October starting at 9.00am GMT but don’t worry if you’re on the other side of the world..because of all the time differences the last party went on for 2 days!
3. Write a welcoming post with ‘Welcome to the Maison Bentley Style Blog Party’ Somewhere on the page..think of it as the welcome mat to your Blog. It’ll make people feel connected and part of the fun, feel free to talk about your Blog and what people can expect to find – the last time we did this everyone experienced a huge surge in stats and followers so it’s really worth doing some house cleaning and tarting up the paintwork..have some nibbles handy and a glass of something special ready..music anyone? If you’re behind UK time, think about putting up your post Saturday night.
4. We live in a virtual world..so this is YOUR chance to wear/interior design/gourmet your food/dream the dream to WHATEVER LEVEL YOU FANCY..that little Chanel number you’ve always lusted? It’s in your wardrobe..in your taylored-to-fit size too..those Valentino shoes? On your feet! You live in in a CASTLE? REALLY? The sky is the limit..put up pictures and let us know because all you need to do is tell us in your post! And quite frankly, the more outrageous..the more outrageous! To give you an idea, this was last partie’s post.
5. This post will stay up till Saturday evening, then I will list all the participants in a new post for Sunday..and then it’s super simple..we fly around on our magic cyber carpets and visit all the names on the list…and try not to get too drunk!
Can’t wait!!
Laters, Kate x
So Good x
THE MANIFESTO AS WRITTEN BY TOOGOOD
WHEREAS for too long we have witnessed the honest clothing of working people being stolen and arrogated in the name of so-called utility wear and industrial chic;
WHEREAS in an age of digital reproduction the individual is beset on all sides by the bastions of mercantilism and commerce, those false profiteers who prescribe with one hand and proscribe with the other, while forcing allcomers into constrictive sartorial templates;
WHEREAS the entrenched power bases of couture houses and multinationals mete and dole grotesque sumptuary laws to a compliant populace in the form of biannual ‘seasons’, weaving obsolescence into the very fabric of their garments;
WE HEREBY reject and reprehend the cruel diktats of the discredited fashionista treadmill: the voracious cycle in which spring/summer is devoured by autumn/winter, and autumn/winter is in turn devoured by spring/summer. Let them be rendered obsolete by the very inconstancy they thrive upon — we want it to happen! We will create only when we choose to create. Never again shall free thinkers be in thrall to the caprices of chainstore buyers or of marketing consultants!
OUR AIMS are simple, our methods straightforward. We shall sweep aside the crumbling detritus of plutocrat designers and clear the way for a new aesthetic rooted in individuality and honesty, a liberating mode that is available to all, male and female, old and young. We celebrate the craft and the toil of the workers — not faceless serfs running up disposable fads in farflung sweatshops, but named artisans with pride in their labour.
WE SHALL harness the techniques and forms of this mechanised age and return them to the people. The inherent worth of any object lies not in the pronouncements of the self-appointed arbiters of collective taste, but in provenance and the craftsmanship of manufacture.
The Beekeeper
The Road sweeper
The Oilrigger.
The Courier
The Chemist
The Mechanic
Each coat is groundly based in the the workwear of a specific trade – authentic and pactical. There is no gender bias instead they are available in 6 sizes to enhance or disguise individual frames.
Unique labels inside each garment celebrate the workmanship and craft of each process and layer of creativity: The buyer, the seller, the manufacturer right back to the designer and pattern cutter. A simple, clear badge of pride.
Integrity, style, class and…excitement.
Laters, Kate x
The Weekend x
I often think what a strange beast Blogging is, even when people ask me what I do I rarely say ‘I Blog’ because it seems so nebulous and unexplainable. But I still love the feeling that there is this hidden river of energy surging on a creative current running between all of us, between all countries that all our posts filter into. I wonder if I dipped my finger into it would I see sparks?
On Saturday I was so lucky that, by pure fluke, I actually managed to ride the cyber-wave and meet up unexpectedly at the South Bank’s Vintage Car Boot Fair with two fellow bloggers that are close to my heart.
The lovely Kaori at Twist and Turn (click here for her post on the day). An artisan knitter who, if you can believe it, knits with her fingers. How cool is that? – this I HAVE to see.
And the wonderfully creative Vintage Attitude who up-cycles and re-invents everything to do with material – I’ve already given her a commission to find a new life for a beautiful embroidered tea cosy that just sits in my drawer. I Hope we get longer to talk next time.
It was such a lovely day..a shopping event without the obviousness of a mainstream megahit.
Where red London buses were converted to bars. I’ll catch the new number 6 any day of the week..
And where even a Rolls joined the car booty fun..
The spirit of the day was totally embraced.
There were little Caravans converted into dainty cake stalls.
And larger vans converted to cook pizzas on open stoves – check that fire. Some even sold lobster!
Out of that weird power of the internet we made a connection. The intangible became real.
And now I have new friends. How special is that?
Laters, Kate x
Blue Day x
This is where vintage shines..finding the different, the now-unique, knowing it can be yours forever and best of all, no-one else will have it..which is why I am heading to the South Bank today for their Vintage Classic Car Boot Fair..and hopefully a cream cake with a large latte by the Thames. Fingers crossed I’ll meet a friend or two (Vintage Attitude!).
Autumn had hit with a vengeance yesterday – lashing rain, driving winds to blow off hats and turn umbrellas inside-out. Today? Cobalt skies and the odd friendly fluffy cloud..the Gods are truly smiling..but it’s no wonder we Brits are obsessed with the weather..
Laters, Kate x
That video! x
A big thank you to the hugely professional Alex Willis-Bray – enjoy!
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 