January 3, 2014

Room Service x

How so very very. Sigh. The fundamental beauty of vintage linen will always have a special place in my heart (particularly anything with a monogram)..skill, design, crisp cotton and stunning needlework all wrapped up in the bliss of sleep…

But some modern bedlinen also has a touch of magic –

and because of it’s expense, it’s something I try and buy in the sales.

One of my favourite shops is Cologne and Cotton, where all these delights came from, they produce the type of quality that make them the heritage items of the future.

(They also managed to persuade me that white is not the only colour)

However, I do have a gripe about bedlinen in general…

Why is it so user unfriendly?

Wouldn’t life be so much simpler if there was a perfect run of say, beige stitches, that marked the top of an eiderdown, duvet cover or fitted sheet? Even a style of stitches..or a ribbon?

So easy then to line up eiderdown and duvet, particularly on doubles..and imagine never having to re-do a fitted sheet again because you put it on wrong the first time?…

So simple, so never done…time for a revolution?!

Laters, Kate x

January 2, 2014

Secrets..

Do you know postsecret.com? It’s an online community art project where anyone can anonymously send in a postcard with a secret written on one side…which is then uploaded in all it’s gory glory. From the confessions of a disco queen to the thwarted angst of true love, each one reminds me of the Ernest Hemingway six-word novel:

For sale: Baby shoes, never worn.

The perfect illustration of how small things can have a big impact: These are subtly crafted, often poignant bubbles of true and honest humanity released onto the cyber-ether and I love them..

3underthetree1

Laters, Kate x

January 1, 2014

Happy New Year!! xxx

Happy New Year!!!

Laters, Kate x

December 31, 2013

The Sales..

m-31-167417-4-daGSmqdJwxXK After the gluttony of Christmas the January Sales have to put on their best bib and tucker to draw us out again by dangling tempting morsels of true fashion aristocracy…like the chance to clutch an iconic Charlotte Olympia creation reduced from $1556 to $785..tempted?

Or fall asleep knowing these Sleeping Beauty suede pumps are yours: Magically reduced from $995 to $500…almost a steal..

All the rage and quality guaranteed: Balmain skinny leather pants – were an eye-watering $4560 now $1370..a deposit on a car..but these are Balmain!

Made for elegant entrances: MSGM wide leg side stripe pant..dress up, dress down..and down from $400 to a cool $120..

Subtle yet uber sexy, 10 Crosby Derek Lam pyjama shirt. Once $375 now a reachable $190..

Easy on the eye, easier on the wallet: 10 Crosby Derek Lam faux belted leather shorts reduced from $295 to $180..

Add a splash of provocative colour: MSGM floral printed Gazar top, was $905 now $545. You’ll certainly get noticed..

Carven has the best jumpers and this one sings on multiple levels: Colour, texture and the perfect length. Was $390 now $235. (And check out The Outnet for more woolly bargains)

Vamp style: Sergio Rossi Optikala high heeled striped sandal, were $835 now $420…temptation has a name.

An undisputed stalwart of any wardrobe: The biker jacket. This quilted version by Carven was $1995, now $1000…just think, it could be your new best friend..

True fashion will always have a price but I’ve always thought if it takes a bit of pain to gain then it rises above normality and takes on special powers that naturally envelope the wearer. On that basis I think I’d better learn the lesson…and get saving for next year…

(However, if you want to start with a simpler challenge and some group motivation for support then check out Kat the designers Blog..She’s leading the charge for spotlighted New Years resolutions and aims to keep you on the straight and narrow! Good luck!)

Laters, Kate x

December 30, 2013

A walk in the Woods..

Did you have a lovely Christmas? I hope so!

Spot my new baby..yep..a Hipsters for Sisters leopard bag as drooled over here..and I LOVE it! Versatile, accommodating and a true thrill to wear..the belt option is GENIUS…but it’s so easy to wear cross body as well…love, love, LOVE!

One happy bunny!

We spent yesterday taking the Blanket Coat for a walk, enjoying the blue skies (after all our storms) and blowing some cobwebs at Richmond Park..

You’d never guess we were still in London..

We played poo sticks (I lost).

Saw a woodpecker..

And stood under a parrot tree! (Not for too long..)

Till the dusk came down and it was time to head home..

To a roaring fire and left-over Christmas pudding…heaven!

Laters, Kate x

December 24, 2013

Merry Christmas!!!! xxx

Wishing all of you a very happy, wine filled Christmas! May your chestnuts roast, your geese cook and the Champagne never stop flowing!

Much love,

Kate xxx

December 23, 2013

It’s the final countdown…

I hope we all have our essential winter accessory on for these last crucial hours?..if not, find one quick..share if necessary..they can make the difference between life and laughter…

(Bella can rest assured)

11777 Laters – and may the force be with you – Kate x

December 22, 2013

The Jewels of Christmas..

The truth be told, Christmas is MY time of year and all I really want to do is indulge in every bit of glitter and tinsel going. What stresses me is being separated from that by all the mundane crap that requires wading through with super strength Hunter wellies – the everyday AND the present buying/the wrapping/the sending/the cards – it never stops. I alway say I need my bah-humbug rant in November when I’m out of synch with everyone else, running round like a headless chicken trying to get ahead of the game so I can truly enjoy the magical time in calmness and serenity (well, that’s the plan). I will admit this year has been a bit mixed..I left the Great Furniture Move a bit late in the day which put the squeezers on, but I’ve learnt from previous years to knuckle down and keep moving so no matter what most of the main bits are in place with a few days to spare..a few more decs to hang, a few more pressies to wrap (those that need batteries), a few more cards to drop at neighbours (it’s like dinner parties..the closer you are, the later you turn up) but there has been time to sit down and smell the cinnamon..

We’ve painted our four 99p reindeer for the Christmas table..the idea was to go all scandi/red n white n gold..so we lost the silver glitter…

(Charlie likes them kissing)

To be teamed with elegant gold Christmas trees from Ikea…but then something started happening..

We did a trip to our local haberdashery shop and there were these wonderful hot pink fluffy pom poms..how nice on the trees?..and dare I say..on the reindeer??

Then the flood gates opened to an avalanche of colour and fun..the upshot? We’re going back to the shops tomorrow to get piles of pink, red and orange tissue to make HUGE pompoms to hang from the ceiling!

I feel the doors of heaven starting to open….

Laters, Kate x

December 21, 2013

Eyeing London x

We headed to the South Bank on the afternoon of the big storm (the one that brought down a theatre ceiling. Allegedly. It was certainly dramatic) It was only 3.15 pm when I took these but it felt so much later…there was a distinct line between light and dark with a foreboding air.

We were there to meet up with a very dear friend and her two children..they’d come round to ours the previous day but had left a much beloved chetah behind, and as they lived in Devon it was the perfect excuse to see them again.

Y’see, we went through infertility together, holding each others hand..in fact we were a group of three strugglers….Heidi (who we were meeting) eventually had two – twins, a girl and a boy via IVF, I had my two (IVF and otherwise)..and superwoman Karen?..she adopted 4 siblings to keep them together! We will forever remain in awe of Karen.

Christmas will always be a poignant time, now and then..at the carol service I still light a special candle for those walking that horrible path. If you know someone or think you might suspect a problem – be kind to them, especially at this time of year – don’t ask..just give them an extra large glass of something and a cuddle. And if they need to escape..let them.

The heavens never opened on us..we just had the light show,

but I’ve rarely seen skies like it.

There’s also a Christmas Market at the South Bank, full of a different kind of atmosphere.

And if you haven’t sorted your centre piece for the Christmas table? How about a very large, edible gingerbread house!

Laters, Kate x

December 20, 2013

O Christmas Tree!

At least the tree is up! (And looking rather splendid in it’s new position in the bay window. Was it worth it? Give me another 48 hours and I’ll let you know…)