Category: vintage
Christmas Spirit..
The lead up to Christmas is gathering momentum like a shaken, very expensive bottle of vintage champagne ready to explode everywhere, with no-one actually getting to taste a drop. So starts the month of spending, drinking and ironic hair extensions: There’s so much emphasis on the extravagance of Christmas – the more you spend does equal the more you love don’t you know? – that the real joy of Christmas is suffocated like a candle without oxygen. There have been years when I’ve literally sobbed into my mulled wine on Christmas Eve as I’m still working my way through the pile of effing presents that still need to be wrapped…and missing out on all the bits I truly love – the making, the baking and the creating…I’m not religious, but I find my peace in austerity and gentleness away from the whining notion of entitlement and endlessly wanting it all..
So this year I’ve kept it simple..Bella’s stocking is everything to do with sewing with vintage bits I’ve collected from Ebay. Charlie’s is an Art box equivalent with paints, plasticine and the odd robot. The kids broke up from school yesterday, and I’ve managed to get everything done and out the way – the proverbial decks have been cleared (well..almost..cards not quite in the post yet..) but it’s been a long, hard term: The kids are on their knees, so am I..but now we can shut the shutters, close the door and concentrate on lazy days with moments of madness and doing all the things that make Christmas special for us…These lights made from photocopies and ordinary glass tumblers are up there at the top of the list…
I can’t wait!
Laters, Kate x
Forever Party!
(All photos from tumblr)
It’s not what you wear…it’s the way that you wear it…
Laters, Kate x
I am Lucky..
Because I have fabulous neighbours, which is one seriously important cog in the life’s life-enhancing machinery. Take this Christmas card, drawn by the visually inspired Jane of her dog, Zsa zsa and all her wonderful puppies taking a leaf out of the Great British Bake Off..Talent, verve and festive giggles..
On Friday I spent the day with another neighbour, Doromy, an ex-actress who knows all there is to know about London and is a visceral, witty joy to be with..we headed to Radio Days on Lower Marsh Street, just by Waterloo to check out vintage dressing gowns for Charlie and to buy deco shot glasses as a present to go with the Sloe Gin I made at Creative Coffee…the place is an absolute treasure trove and well worth a visit if you’re ever in this part of town..
In fact the whole of Lower Marsh Street is a little gem: Vintage shops, food stalls, chi-chi pubs..the gnarly mixed with loftier intentions. Further down and just off to the right is this..the underground tunnel leading to The Vaults, a multi-use underground venue and a spray-painted canvas of guttural dipthongs..
Including female graffiti artists..
And a female fire-eater to boot..
We ended our day, setting the world to rights, eating takeaway kedgeree from Konditor and cook, sitting in Waterloo Station and watching the world go by. There’s not many people you can do that with..simple, effortless and full of the unexpected. It was bliss.
Laters, Kate x
Flying fur..
It’s a sign of the times when fur both becomes common place and mixed with casual fashion..camo trousers and casual fur jacket: an unexpected marriage made in heaven, worn here by the iconic Jenna Lyons.
But I’m curious: Why the turn fur acceptance turn-around? Is it because faux fur is so good we can’t spot the difference, giving free-reign to choosing the real stuff? Or maybe all these photos are of Jenna in fake. But I don’t think so…
Is it that fur has moved with the political times and is now a tightly controlled industry where cruelty has been banished? Or is there a leniency to vintage fur under the heading ‘eco-friendly’ in a wasteful planet? I just don’t know..
All I do know, is fabulous as Jenna looks, this outfit would’ve caused an outrage even ten years ago…so why not now?
Laters, Kate x
Aubusson Black..
Especially for French Sophie…is blue the new grey?
Laters, Kate x
Streetwise x
It was a full day yesterday..picture travelled to the exhibition in Covent Garden ready to be hung for the 12..it’s in the Seven Dials area of Covent Garden..a rather whimsical collection of little streets beyond the main thoroughfare that holds some true hidden gems for any shopping aficianado..to be recommended..
Then onto to South Ken to meet the lovely Julie from Vintageattitude, stopping by to check out the swimming pool ice rink at the Natural History museum..it’s a fabulous situation – but I’ve never actually seen ice-skates create their own wakes before..
We were going to the Horst Exhibition at the V&A…I love the V&A but they miss a trick by banning photography – and to outlaw sketching seems somewhat narrow-minded and draconian. Having said that, it’s a wonderful exhibition, highly evocative of a by-gone era, leaving you wanting to for-go champagne flutes forever in favour of silver cocktail shakers and crystal rounded coupes…but you’ll have to take my word for it.
Time for a pit-stop at the magnificent cafe..
Julie’s fabulous bag..she is a true original..and that’s just Julie..
Then it was home for fireworks..
Charlie tried to tell me it was to celebrate Guy Fawkes night..
But I knew it was the warm-up for my birthday today. Cue the rude cards..
Another year older, another year gone..I was talking to a lovely mum in the playground the other day when her daughter came rushing up and said ‘My Mum’s 43 now’. ‘I told her’, she sighed. ‘My Mum’s 30 on Saturday’ piped up Bella..’I didn’t’ said I….
Laters, Kate x
Delicious.. x
(Scot Mills on Strictly on Sat)
Who would’ve thought that a TV take on Fester could produce such fertile fashion soil? But then this is Strictly..and I am a fan..
That scarf and the way it’s pinned? it highlights an unexpected similarity to 1920s opera coats, reverencing past angles and structure. I so want to find a faux fur scarf now and add it to my winter coat…and how refreshing to see the perfect vehicle for decadent, vintage broaches…my jewellery box is smiling just at the thought..
The perfect example of the way something unexpected influences the way you process things and sparks the imagination: Looking, liking….lusting. Now the hunt starts…
Laters, Kate x
Bags of Style x
My lovely old battered Mulberry bag holds a very special corner of my heart……quality, practicality and just gets better and better with age, like the best things should. Inspired, I now have my eye on the Messenger bag……a decidedly cool classic……
Laters, Kate x
Oddities..
As a child I loved to collect small ceramic animals..the sort of thing I’d scream in horror at now with their suggestion of forgotten, dusty shelves in a down-trodden garage somewhere far away and remote. Which is one reason I find Debra Broz’s Oddities so fascinating..
A rural girl, Debra found her love of all things small and sweet whilst growing up in central Missouri.
Using restoration skills she combines various parts of vintage and commercially produced animals to create her own breed of beguiling art.
They’re fun, they’re witty…they say don’t take life too seriously..and yet look below the surface and there’s something else going on..
With their pastel colours and cutesy looks they deftly question the line between high bow and low brow..when is a piece the last thing to be sold at a jumble sale? And when is it on a pedestal in a feted Exhibition?
They gently flutter their long lashes and weave their magic, concentrating the power of sentiment…and suggest we are all prey to nostalgia..even when something is rather amiss..
In our modern world, the authentic and the virtual have grown almost indistinguishable just like the smooth, smiling lines of Debra’s creations.
The truth is, it takes verve to be so ‘every day’..but she has grabbed it with both hands and transformed kitsch into poignancy, with a little walk back into reality.
Maybe I need to start collecting again…
Laters, Kate x
Packing..
I hate packing with a passion..but at least in summer the clothes are the easy bit…all I take are vintage cotton dresses..
As a change this year – yep, I always wear the same ones..I’ve added an edge of neon pink pom poms..
I have all sorts from all different countries..this is one of my mexican numbers..and yes, if didn’t escape the pom poms either..they’re breeding and rather addictive..
My white broiderie anglais kaftan..excellent for wafting in with a trilby and a cocktail..
This is an African number – comes with a full length wrap skirt in the same material. A girl has to have a bit of bling..
My cheesecloth peasant dress with embroidered butterflies..guaranteed never to meet someone wearing the same..
Another Mexican..they’re rather fab and very easy to wear..
The only two exceptions to the rule are my vintage jumpsuits..dress up, dress down they can take me to any occasion..
This one was originally 80’s purple, but it got a dose of brown dye and now it’s a wonderful burnt aubergine colour. It’s silk so does crease, but it’s worth it with a pair of gold sandals..
But I still hate packing..
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 