The Olsen twins. Couldn’t tell you who was who, but combined they’re a force to be reckoned with: Effortless layering, unafraid of volume, an eye for proportion and natural insouciance.
(All pics Pinterest)
A million miles away from the Kardashians, this is my tribe of cool.
Laters, Kate x
The first snow drops, hints of blue, lighter mornings, the subtle suggestions of a season on the turn. I was reading yesterday that I would not be able to claim the emerging spring as a fact because there is no such thing as proof, no matter how much we look for it. Because proof can only exist when there is no doubt, and there is always doubt. Which I rather love, because it means the world is a chaotic, insane place, no matter how much we try to control it. It also means there’s no proof for my claim that there’s a zeitgeist on the air for summer clothes, but I can still put a finger up to the wind and feel it: Unstructured, loose, layered with soft, softened cotton and colours that carry age, a step away from dynamic and full blooded. A nod to ancient cultures, simplicity of form but attention to proportion and complimentary dimension.
(All pics Pinterest)
Bring it on.
Laters, Kate x
Long hair. Don’t care.
(All pics Pinterest)
The magic of re-invention plus the mastery of pushing boundaries equals joy personified.
Laters, Kate x
(A pic of my fantasy music room in Paris)
The only time I play the piano now is at Christmas. I have a battered old carol book that gets pulled out every year and the fingers get dusted off. The violin does come out of it’s case occasionally – we got together with friends on the 4 Jan (should’ve been the 6, except that was a Monday) to celebrate an Armenian Christmas (none of us are Armenian) with gifts of traditional dress, food, music and dance. I was on the fiddle, the husband was singing, Charlie on the drums and Bella on the Tamborine: As is every parents right,The video will be used to mortify them on their eighteenth birthdays. Needless to say, it was a fabulous evening, of the type we need more of. For me, it was interesting in that it has always been the spontaneous music making that I have loved, not restricted by notes, rules and history. Neither of my children play instruments, they’ve been offered them, Bella even played the flute for a while, but it takes a lot of discipline to play an instrument well. And the truth is, much of that discipline comes via parents who can see the end game. Which does work to a certain extent. But the real heart is when a child will sit down and play just because they want to.
This is something, particularly as an ex-professional musician, I have thought a lot about; I would like Bella and Charlie to be able to create music themselves – it is one of life’s great joys – but maybe in a less formal way. And I think I’ve found the answer: I’ve come across Piano Note on Youtube. A series of piano lessons designed by song writer and recording artist Lisa Witt, where the manuscript is thrown out with the rule book, instead everything is taught through chords and chord progression. This means you progress much faster, develop your ears and learn to accompany yourself to your favourite songs. Who needs more?
Bella and I are playing for 15 minutes a day. We’re hoping to persuade Charlie to join us. And who knows, maybe it’ll lead to more amazing evenings like this one.
I hope so.
Laters, Kate x
I never like this time of year; the glitter and sparkle of Christmas has been packed away, the weather is cold, grey, rain, the garden is sleeping, the shops are full of unwanted crap, and Netflix has been over eaten to the point of explosion. But there is a little silver lining, a sliver of what’s to come, the turning of the tide: Indoor bulbs. Now is the time to raid charity shops, find big bowls and fill with your hearts delight.
(All pics Pinterest)
The second wave of wonder is, once they’re over, they can be planted in the garden. And the bowls are ready for giant summer salads…
Laters, Kate x
I love this; a functional marriage between the fragility of these crocheted leaves and the darning of these jumpers. The message being that old things can be treasured, worn things aren’t bad and that imagination is precious. These are all examples of Sashiko, a form of decorative reinforcement stitching from Japan, (though it also reminds me of Indian Kantha quilts). Every piece has been given some much needed love, transformed and given new life.
(All pics Pinterest)
It’s the sort of message I like for the start of a decade.
Laters, Kate x
I often wonder, do people like Champagne because of the taste, or the associations? It raises that question of how much of life do we see through filters of branding and subliminal messages? Step away from what you’re supposed to want and a whole other world can open up. For instance, this lighting is from Homeof, a relatively new brand formed by Helen White and Michael Jones, ex-BHS lighting designers who decided to go it alone. Remember BHS lighting? How brilliant it was? A high street wonder…the ethos here is very similar, but oh so much slicker…
(All pics Homeof and Pinterest)
This is designer looks, because they’re designed by exceptional designers, with the experience to know what the high street wants, and the eye to push boundaries for the perfect product, at a price point that’s genuinely affordable.
I, for one, am sold.
Laters, Kate x
Oh. The Joy! It’s award season again – and it appears the uncertainty in the world is translating itself into unusual dress choices, pushing the boundaries and the return of colour. Thank you Jodie Comer for these sleeves, this colour, that face. Not sure quite what happened on the boob line, but I’ll forgive you for proving flashing flesh isn’t a necessity.
Not a miss in the classic sense, but a darker red would’ve been so much more flattering Nicole. But the reason this is in the naughty list is Keith’s shoes. You know what they say about big feet…unless this is the armour for a Napoleon complex…
All that money, that body and Salma looks like she stepped out of a C&A advert Circa 1982.
Sacha Baron Cohen. Designed so his wife could find him in the crowds? Just. No!!
Saoirse Ronan. Don’t be blinded by the label – it’s a sack.
Dear Michelle, Your large blue bra strap is showing.
What????? I wonder if there’s a recognised Hollywood affliction that’s the opposite to body dysmorphia where top level actresses think they can pull off any dress, including slime and a bin liner. Charlize Theron in Dior Haute Couture. Heads should roll.
Quentin Tarrantino looks like a scary man so I’ll only say this in brackets (Did he dye his hair and eyebrows to match his tux?)
This year, it’s my proud pleasure to give the Tara Curtain Award to Taylor Swift.
Kate Blanchett, normally impeccable, gets the Canape Award, sponsored by crinkle chips.
It’s not quite in Bjork Swan category, but I’m impressed JLo decided to wear her Christmas wreath down the red carpet.
I am, and will always remain a Phoebe fan……………………………………………………
(but……..the hair. Who decided that the way to go was to give her a bald man’s combover???)
But drum roll please…….for consistently trying, but generally failing…and even having the chutzpah to repeat horrific mistakes…the lifetime achievement award goes to Gwyneth Paltrow!
We know, with the right help, she can do it.
But nine times out of ten, something else happens.
The Golden Oldie award goes to Zhao Shuzhen. Loved the film. Love her elegance. A beautiful choice.
Closely followed by Lucy Lu. I want to be these women when I grow up.
(They both put Helen Mirren and Glenn Close in the shade: Old fashioned, uninspiring.)
Toni Collette gets a pat on the back. A difficult choice, pulled off.
This is beautiful: Cut and colour. Zoey Deutch in Fendi.
Another winner, in both sense of the word, from The Farewell, Awkwafina. Loved this fun, understated, fashion forward look.
( All pics Elle and Pinterest)
This is how you do it. Gugu Mbatha-Raw in Gucci.
Roll on the Oscars.
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 