Fashionable Selby x

There’s a new book out by the Photographer Todd Selby – Fashionable Selby –  opening the door to the sort of voyeurism that really tickles my fancy: Designers at work..

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Dries Van Noten quietly arranging beautiful flowers.

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A highly organised bohemian Isabel Marant.

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A Marant mood board with a lust-worthy bracelet.

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Olivier Rousteing, Creative Director of Balmain at work on a stunning parquet floor.

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Inspiration from every corner: Carla Sozzani, Italian gallerist and founder of Galleria Carla Sozzani and the creator of 10 Corso Como in Milan.

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Surrounded by colour: Pascale Mussard, Artistic Director of Hermes Petit H.

It’s thinking you have that little bit of knowledge to know what they’re really like and what makes them tick..the reality behind the curtain.  Even though you know in your mind, you’re still seeing what they want you to see….but it helps that each profile is accompanied by Selby’s watercolour portraits and illustrated questionnaires, revealing answers to personal questions.

It sounds delicious non?

Laters, Kate x

Ugly Shoes?

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Travellers with backpacks for wardrobes have been some of the best dressed people I’ve ever seen.  What little they have has to be chosen with care – practical and loved, worn-in with just that touch of flair and imagination.  And Birkenstocks make the ideal travelling shoe – invincible, hardwearing – slide them on and off – or leave them on – for dodgy showers and floors. So I can understand their growing popularity: over the years they’ve earnt their fashion stripes the hard way (although Birks with fur aka Celine will never have my heart) But sadly the molded Birk sole never fitted my feet rendering them painful, heavy, clunky and useless – it’s not a look I’ll be signing up to any time soon.  But these shoes by Tods? Ignore the price-tag and I’d be there like a shot..

Laters, Kate x

A Day in The Life..

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6.30 am alarm goes off. Children have been up for sometime like very large dancing elephant mice.  Manage to put the inevitable off, listening to Radio 4 till 7.00, but I know it’s a busy day.  Shower.  Dress. Need to get a post up – thankfully written the day before – I’m out all morning. Re-check notes, address, battery in camera, put a wash in the machine, find oyster card, mediate a fight, oversee teeth cleaning, hair brushing, shoes on, school bags, ready to go…

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8.00 Head out the door on the school run..there’s a fight over who shuts the door.  I suggest that if I shut the door first they might not be able to get out..Charlie not happy with this logic.

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8.50 Head to the train station.  Notice my Vans have two nice holes in them.  Damn Vans.

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10.00 Meeting in Clerkenwell (Great part of London – history oozing from every corner) with the inspirational Matt Cooper, the driving force behind The Fableists – a seriously cool children’s clothing label, built to last and save the planet.  What’s not to love? – but more in a future post.

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11.00 Checking out the clothes and loving the fact I can buy stuff for Bella..and hand it on to Charlie.

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11.30 Grab a quick coffee and phone a friend who’s recovering from an op.  Do a quick email catch up. It’s a beautiful day in London.  Head back on the tube via a supermarket shop for supper.

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Makes me laugh.

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1.00 Home.  Realise I should’ve grabbed something for lunch as well.  Have to make do with a hot cross bun, some cheese and blueberries..but at least the hot cross bun was made by my fair hands at Creative Coffee yesterday.  Run round the house and do a quick tidy up.

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1.30 Start to write.  Always have to put pen to paper once a day otherwise it feels wrong.  Set alarms on my phone so I don’t lose track of precious time.  Check the blog but no time to reply to comments.  Slack.

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3.00 Head off to collect the kids from school.  Remember to take snacks otherwise I’ll have my arm eaten off.  In the whole scheme of things this is only a little patch of green, but it’s one of my great joys walking through it every day.

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4.00 Homework.  A relatively quick affair today as I’ve promised them we’ll make use of the gorgeous weather (could be snowing next week knowing the UK) and head out to the Common again.  We may live in a City, but we make use of what we have.

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They insist on wearing their new t-shirts from The Fableists.

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5.00 Picnic tea with hot chocolate.  A must.  It’s our second picnic of the week..a record this year. ANY year..in fact it’s the first year Charlie hasn’t been too knackered by this time of the day, after school, to do things like this.  It’s always a balance with kids..doing things..over doing things and then taking the kick-back…

6.00 – 8.00 No time for photos.  Just manic.  Getting baths done. Hair. Teeth.  Stories read.  Trying to get ready to go out at the same time.  Attempting to stop blood being spilt.  Trying to catch up on the Blog. Trying to get everything together – uniforms laid out, bags packed by the door as I don’t want to do it at midnight.  Sort the washing in the machine. Husband back at 8.00.  I’m already late..run!

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8.00 pm – Mums night out at a local Kareoke bar.  Always good for a laugh! A fun night setting the world to rights with some great gals.

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Get home close to midnight.  Up at 3.30 am to give Bella some medicine to stop the Chinese water torture coughing.

Alarm goes off at 6.30 am…and because I was out morning and evening, there’s no post written…it’s also Book Club tonight..and we’re out to dinner tomorrow…honest to God, there’s no rest for the wicked…just crack on…and no run managed yesterday..must remedy that today…and do an internet food shop..and Bella’s gym today and I have hundreds of emails..and…and…write a list and set alarms on phone…and start..

Laters, Kate x

Leg Bling..

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Ever heard of Tattoo Socks? Nor had I until a random search on Etsy threw them up (which some of you may be tempted to do..but bear with me).  Think about it..it’s like statement, throwaway fashion that makes more of a mark than any High Street rip-off could…your favourite outfit taken to new, giddy heights. Try it and love or try it and loath it, the choice is yours but at – considering the wow factor – a pocket pleasing price…

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(If I was an actress up for an Oscar about to walk the red carpet..I’d wear these..or as a bride going up the aisle??..or a first day at work under a pair of three quarter length trousers?? Hehe! )

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Ever wanted long hair??!

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Possibly better than nude ankle socks (Sorry Kerry!) I just feel these things have legs….I wonder when we’ll see them at a Fashion Week..or on a runway..

Laters, Kate x

The Girl with the Pearl Clothes…

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I will love you, Mother of Pearl AW14, but I will hate you at the same time..because I could never afford your prices…

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Your witty take on William Morris, courtesy of the collaboration on the Collection with Richard Saja, brought willingly to the twenty first century with neon embroidery has stolen my breaking heart.

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There’s the game changing take on tartan..

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And ingenious print..It’s not just about what you want to wear, but who you want to be.  If I wore this, I’d be myself – but a bit better:  I’d waft.  And wonderful phrases with many syllables would flow like liquid gold from my happy lips, making even Sparrows smile….

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 The little touches, the fabulous shoes..how could nude ankle socks ever look so chic?

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And this is actually a dress..a surprise..

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(Photos by Style,com and Kristabel Plummer)

One by one they follow the shape of my heart…and walk on by…

Laters, Kate x

 

Into the Night..

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Take a look behind the curtain…photos from AW14 after-show Paris party scene..

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A walk on the wild side from the safety of your computer screen..

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(I can only hope this photo has been photoshopped.  I don’t think my boobs were ever like that…let alone whilst dancing..)

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And then you start to think..there’s no colour, it’s not very chic…black and white dominates…It’s as if anti-fashion is the name of the game for fear of putting a foot wrong…which feels like the beast is eating itself from the inside out.

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There are the exceptions.  Little tasters.

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But they’re an oddity rather than the rule (Loving that handle!)

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(All photos by Maxime Ballesteros, Style.com)

Between you and me..I think it’s best to dream about what it’s like..I suspect we had more fun at the school quiz!!

Laters, Kate x

Dame Viv…

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(Photo by Heather Blockey/Demotix)

Dame Vivienne Westwood is a high ceiling where thoughts and dreams drift upwards and average or ordinary would be a rude word.  So is it surprising that at the age of 72 she’s shorn off her trademark titian hair?

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(Photo by AFP/Getty Images)

‘Vivienne cut her hair as we all must wake up to climate change’ a spokesperson said, adding ‘And secondly, she wanted to cut the red out for a while and have it white to show she’s proud of her age.’  Westwood is known as an active climate campaigner – indeed, last month she said she wouldn’t be expanding her empire in order to concentrate on backing Greenpeace’s work to protect the Arctic – but somehow, the age bit has greater resonance recognising that the way you look is a hyper-potent source of expression.  More than visual bravado it says it’s not beauty in the classical sense that matters, but talent, integrity, intelligence and style.
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(photo AFP/Getty Images)

Unique in a sea of sheep, she will always present the stuff that makes people feel uncomfortable..and she’ll do it smiling with mischievous pleasure.  Just like those boots she’s wearing.

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Of course, those of us in the know recognise the Laura Lynn effect..expect short hair to be BIG this summer!

Laters, Kate x

Pretty Bling…

I was initially trawling for an ear cuff I’d squirrelled away a picture of..just a simple band with the words ‘I CAN’T HEAR YOU’  pressed in – why should teenagers have all the fun? Surely these are a must for any frazzled mum?? I tracked them down..they’re by the designer Ryan Storer, but their not made any more..gutted.  My only hope will be Ebay…

Then got the urge to find some more ear cuffs with words..but I’ve been side-tracked by these..thought they were a) Stunning and b) the best price I’ve seen..so I’m sharing..

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Love rocks articulated flower hair clip £38.00 from ASOS.

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Love Rocks multiple stone articulated hair clip £40.00 ASOS.

Enjoy your sunday – blue, blue skies here and rumours of 18 degrees! Surely some mistake?!

Laters, Kate x

I Dig Kate!

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Call me ignorant, but I had no idea that Kate Spade did stationery..possibly because it’s only just come to the UK –  Quilllondon.com have started selling them (just so you know – they haven’t asked me to write this! I just love it!) It’s fab…utterly charming, witty..and I want some! The prices are not silly for a bit of designer magic – from £20 – £28 – which makes them the ideal gift..now it’s just a matter of choosing.  And that is NOT easy!

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This box sorts out all your cards so they’re no longer lying cluttered in a drawer…heaven!

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There’s a similar box with ‘enclosure’ cards inside to add the personal touch to presents…j’adore!

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Designer drawing pins or paper clips anyone?!

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And the notebooks…divine! This one..Eat cake for breakfast..

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When’s Christmas??

Laters, Kate x

Lay on the Lippy! x

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How much love is involved in the beauty of a vintage lipstick case? They exude the allure of times gone past with fleeting glimpses of decadent Hollywood glamour.  Let alone that evocative smell that is like no other.

310712-mixedbox76-2827AacThey speak of a time when the packaging on the outside was as precious as what went on inside.

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I don’t have one – partly because I’m wary of investing in something that can’t be used, which would be heartbreaking.

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But I’ve spotted these by Paul and Joe (also available at  ASOS) – refillable lipstick cases – the cases are about £7 and the refills £14 and, whilst I applaud the concept, and as much as these are fun (great little present) it’s a bit like comparing cheap fizz with Veuve Cliquot.

Does anyone know – CAN vintage lipstick cases still be used? Does lipstick come in a universal size?? If so, I’d be one happy bunny!

Or maybe one of the big Cosmetic companies are still making proper, metal, swanky lipstick cases that can be refilled it’s just we rarely hear about them?

If they’re not – why aren’t they? They’d be little bits of every day heaven to treasure, with the joy of upgrading and swapping colours – or buying new cases! I’d buy in like a shot! –  I really can’t think of anything chicer to have in my bag…

Laters, Kate x