Category: retro
Lace it up..
When one treasured item can make all the difference: That mercurial mix of old and new.
There’s genuine.
And there’s inspired. Each has their place.
(All pics from Pinterest)
The choice is yours.
Laters, Kate x
Hattention x
Laters, Kate x
Retrospective Future x
Possibly lazy, perhaps ingenious but this post has been resurrected from the archives, mainly because it had a snifter of a future zeitgeist that is getting ever stronger. A firm favourite in the eighties, oversized cardigans are definitely claiming the spotlight this autumn..
Summer is close now and the time has come to pack away wintery things and embrace everything light and airy. But I always think it’s interesting to see what worked this season..and what things are appealing for next. My gut feeling for next autumn is a distinct urge to hang out with bad taste. High on my fall wishlist is a 80’s style mohair cardigan coat..
I want blouson sleeves, big shoulders..
And colour, lots of colour…
Laters, Kate x
Time x
And so it starts..from fancy free summer to rigour and routine with no transition, like an open door has been slammed. Maybe that’s why this coat is so appealing – it shouts attitude, purpose and no nonsense.
Or maybe it’s that I love coats and autumn is the time when the craving is at it’s strongest?
All these are designed by Barbara Bui who combines a Parisian’s eye with a rock chick’s sass.
(All pics from Barbara Bui)
If you can’t escape, embrace.
Laters, Kate x
Write out x
If approaching September means anything it means stocking up on stationary. Which underlines the enigma…why do we need to buy it every September? There’s the normal losses down the back of the sofa, chewed by the children, eaten by the dog. But the real reason is usually simply the lack of quality and that stationary belongs to the class of products blighted by the modern disease of built in obsolescence. They just want you to buy it again. So why not think outside the pencil box?
Tools to Liveby is a dreamy online shop that has done the hardwork upfront, sourcing beautiful stationary products from around the world that have stood the test of time.
The emphasis is on quality and the joy is in the detail, from products like these – brass pencil protectors from Germany.
To memorable packaging.
(All pics Tools to Liveby)
It puts the quality back into quantity.
Laters, Kate x
Switched on x
We still have no starting date for the construction of the garden office pod. But that hasn’t stopped the dreaming. I’ve found this company – Loomlight Design– based in Leicester, that specialise in creating unusual reclaimed and salvaged lighting plus a little bit more…
Like industrial cast aluminium light switches made from recycled alloy wheels.
(Which can even be personalised with dimmers and text of your choice.)
And check these out..no-nonsense door handles.
(All info LoomlightDesign)
Roll on start date..
Laters, Kate x
Floored x
I’ve lost the plot but found the fun.
Vinyl, in all senses is having a revival.
For those times when only saturated, easy clean colours will do.
(All pics Harvey Maria)
It almost feels like rebellion.
Laters, Kate x
Just do it x
There are so many things in life that we accept without questioning. Like swimwear.
Since the days of Bridget Bardot the bikini has represented power to women in a media hyped objectified way that has ultimately resulted in the cult of Kim Kardashian. Aren’t we lucky.
But maybe there’s a different path. I spotted one of these at my local pool last week and thought wow!
Not worn for the beach but worn for purpose because it works and makes life easier.
Can’t go swimming because you’re concerned about your bikini line? Problem sorted. Just swim.
Laters, Kate x
Miss L Fire x
If I need a charismatic pair of shoes to wear all day, Miss L Fire is the first port of call.
Sit up on a coffee stool watching the world go by, curl up like a cat under a tree or paint the town red, these are the shoes that dance on the inside.
Because they’re time honoured show girls.
Laters, Kate x
Labour And Wait x
God the eighties were fun…the smoking, the staying up partying all night then going into work then fishbowls of Chardonnay at 5. No gym, no clean food, just living life to the full and never worrying about the consequences. People behaved badly but oh how we laugh, we laughed every single day. Until recently I thought rather than marking an era this was just a rite of youthful passage. Now I’m not so sure. There’s a modern contagion that’s spreading through all walks of life to constantly do as much as possible..and do it fast. Life is serious, focused and controlled, it’s either join the ranks or be left behind. Walk into an office and there’s no frantically ringing phones or waft of cigarette smoke, it’s all green algae juices and mindfulness. Which is maybe why the pull of any type of nostalgia is still strong for me and why shops such as Labour and Wait will always float my traditional wooden sailing boat.
Labour and Wait sell the sort of things you’ve always needed but didn’t know where to find, unless it was an Enid Blyton book or an Agatha Christie mystery.
I’m slowly replacing all my pound shop plastic for their built-to-last-wholesome-simplicity.
This is sourcing the best in life. But learning not to take it too seriously.
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 