Category: summer

Shibori..

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Yesterday was spent teaching a group of friends (I’m a rep for Charlie’s class) how to shibori tie-dye. It’s something I love to do with its heady mixture of deep indigo, spontaneity, freedom and promise.

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I’ve posted about it before (here) but this year was a little bit different/lessons learnt – the scarfs are longer (2m – possibly the perfect length) and the dye is a new one: If you’re making a large dye bath with the more commonly used Dylon, it’s hard to keep the solution warm so I went for a procion dye that works with cold water (it’s the dye they use for batik dying) and it produced excellent results.  If you want more info on dyes and techniques, check out this website  (makes me wish I lived in Bognor)..this is a brilliant craft for kids in the summer..and imagine on duvet covers, sheets..or even larger pieces of furniture! Bella spent her evening after school dying..socks!

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Gloves are always useful..

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This may be old school..but it’s still the best.

Laters, Kate x

Hot to trot x

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Nostalgic and a bit sentimental: I’m after a pair of wedge espadrilles with ties this summer.  I’d love them to be in a deep navy blue, but I suspect black is more realistic.

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With just that little bit of extra height, they give an outfit the potential to carrying on strutting straight into a decadent night on the tiles.

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As well as being highly adaptable (also great with culottes or skinnies) they’re supremely comfortable and, with a bit of shopping around, easy on the pocket.
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If slides are your thing, check out Asos for the best selection..

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(All pics from Pinterest)

With prices starting at a mere £12 i’ts winner, winner, chicken dinner.

Laters, Kate x

Summertime x

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We’ve been away in Hampshire for the last days of half term, chewing the cud, smelling the new summer air and enjoying the freedom.

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Simple pleasures.

Laters, Kate x

Roses are red..

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This post is to remind me to plant the white rambling rose that’s been languishing in it’s pot for the last two weeks…because if it’s all constrained, there’s no hope it will ever look like a half of one of these..and with Chelsea round the corner..there really is no excuse..

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Sigh.

Laters, Kate x

Deja Vu..

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I’m in need of distraction: It’s the return day of the crittall door fit and there’s lots of sweaty men and heavy drilling in my house.  At least the doors have made it inside this time (she writes as something loud and metallic crashes to the newly fitted parquet floor). There seems to be an emotional kickback for days like this..You want to pretend that everything is totally normal…but you get to the evening and realise you’ve actually achieved nothing..yet desperately need a large vat of gin – because these days are in fact, the black hole of time suck.

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Time to mentally check out..and what better way than to surf through Pinterest..it was the summer dress above that first caught my roving eye..a simple flowing line, easy to wear but with a modern silhouette and pockets.  So I followed the bread crumbs and discovered Canadian designer Kaelen Haworth.

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Deceptively simple with thoughtful cutting.

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They’re edgy classics with a twist.

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(All pictures from Kaelen Howarth and Pinterest)

And always a joy to see they’re not designed by a man who’s a stick.  Maybe that explains their appeal.

Laters, Kate x

 

 

Posh Toast x

Life’s a Beach..

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Remember this post? All about Kiini crochet bikinis and dormant lustings for the life of a beach babe.  It was hot on the money for a summer trend..

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For those with the bodies but without the bank balance Chiclookcloset are now selling  bargain $24.99 versions..b0957ec1b9a43baaa18587cb44652fb0
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Tempted?

Laters, Kate x

It’s Mabes babes..

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And so the yearly hunt for towelling beachwear starts..

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(Personally I now blame Sean Connery, not lycra for it’s demise.)

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But I know it’s just waiting to have it’s cool moment again.

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There is a light at the end of the tunnel..new on the block is Mabes, a British label purely obsessed with towelling shirts.

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To retro prints with an edge.

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For guys, girls and even little ones…and the prices are sensible (£35 for kids to £74 for adults).  So that’s Charlie and The Husband sorted.

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(All pictures Mabes and Pinterest)

Now I just need this dress in a white, light towelling please..

Laters, Kate x

Sensi x

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Poor kids.  Summer uniform became compulsory on Monday, all light cotton and ankle socks…and it actually snowed here last night.  Not like an alpine blizzard but it actually settled…cars were covered. It’s an issue: Within one day we can experience a years weather: Spring, summer, autumn and winter…it certainly makes for interesting times.

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An ideal outfit would be this dress from Sensi Studio for the summer sun, teamed with a pair of wide legged trousers for the autumn drop (replace or remove as required)..and a duvet for the cold.

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Sensi Studio is a new label for me…I like the fact it utilises Ecuadorian artisans and their many skills with simple lines and interesting additions.

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They also make mean raffia bags and panamas.

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(All pictures Sensi Studio and Net-a-porter)

One to watch.

Laters, Kate x

I spy..