October 16, 2013

The Cut x

It’s that time again when a visit to the hairdresser can be put off no longer. Not quite the same as a trip to the dentist on drill noise alone – or the of humiliation of an eye test: ‘Read what?’ – Thank God for lazering is all I can say hashtag BEST money EVER spent, hashtag why did it take me so long? (even if you do smell your eyeballs burn..)

But the hairdressers?..it’s meant to rank as a pampering treat, except every time I go the mirror clouds up with a thick layer of emotion. The first thing they do is release my hair from whatever grips and slides are currently holding it in place slash up. Then they brush, talk, wash, cut, snip, roll and bouffant. And by the end, I do my best to grin it up..but I’m always waiting for those elusive, unicorn words..

‘Would you like me to – or would you like to put your hair grips back in/hair up again?’

Any combination of the above would be great..but in all my years of trips to salons, large and small..not one person has said it..instead I scrabble around to find the shrapnel of my previous existence and wait till I’m out the door..is it weird to want just a trim and leave as me rather than a full blown transformation each visit?

Laters, Kate x

October 14, 2013

The Weekend x

I often think what a strange beast Blogging is, even when people ask me what I do I rarely say ‘I Blog’ because it seems so nebulous and unexplainable. But I still love the feeling that there is this hidden river of energy surging on a creative current running between all of us, between all countries that all our posts filter into. I wonder if I dipped my finger into it would I see sparks?

On Saturday I was so lucky that, by pure fluke, I actually managed to ride the cyber-wave and meet up unexpectedly at the South Bank’s Vintage Car Boot Fair with two fellow bloggers that are close to my heart.

The lovely Kaori at Twist and Turn (click here for her post on the day). An artisan knitter who, if you can believe it, knits with her fingers. How cool is that? – this I HAVE to see.

And the wonderfully creative Vintage Attitude who up-cycles and re-invents everything to do with material – I’ve already given her a commission to find a new life for a beautiful embroidered tea cosy that just sits in my drawer. I Hope we get longer to talk next time.

It was such a lovely day..a shopping event without the obviousness of a mainstream megahit.

Where red London buses were converted to bars. I’ll catch the new number 6 any day of the week..

And where even a Rolls joined the car booty fun..

The spirit of the day was totally embraced.

There were little Caravans converted into dainty cake stalls.

And larger vans converted to cook pizzas on open stoves – check that fire. Some even sold lobster!

Out of that weird power of the internet we made a connection. The intangible became real.

And now I have new friends. How special is that?

Laters, Kate x

October 12, 2013

Blue Day x

This is where vintage shines..finding the different, the now-unique, knowing it can be yours forever and best of all, no-one else will have it..which is why I am heading to the South Bank today for their Vintage Classic Car Boot Fair..and hopefully a cream cake with a large latte by the Thames. Fingers crossed I’ll meet a friend or two (Vintage Attitude!).

Autumn had hit with a vengeance yesterday – lashing rain, driving winds to blow off hats and turn umbrellas inside-out. Today? Cobalt skies and the odd friendly fluffy cloud..the Gods are truly smiling..but it’s no wonder we Brits are obsessed with the weather..

Laters, Kate x

October 10, 2013

Quaker Style..

Notice the new style it bags lining the pavements of fashion week?

Petite, cross body, slung under jackets? Casual nonchalance at it’s best. But to copy? Hmmm..Just feels too sheeple…and besides, I think there’s a step beyond…

The pictures made me think about the ugliest, most useful bag I have..an old black bumbag that’s proved it’s weight in gold when the kids were tiny and I was in the land of buggies..easy to slip on and off the handles or, when the buggy was parked, clip round waist and have vital use of arms to stop World War Three and wandering toddlers. And the brucie bonus? I never lost my keys. Or purse. Or baby wipes. Or children..damn it.

But it didn’t exactly have a street edge. So I’ve re-discovered my paints (which I’ve been meaning to do for a long time) and drawn the bag of my dreams..the one I could multitask with everyday life but also take on holiday safe in the knowledge everything was unlosable.

Except I didn’t need to – This site: www.hipstersforsisters (the gorgeous picture above and those below are theirs) is dedicated to stylish belt bags. A far better name don’t you think? They are based in the States but thankfully do International shipping.

Which means it’s now on the top of my Christmas list. Sigh. Particularly as they masquerade as a crossbody and clutch as well.

Form and function? Utter joy!

Laters, Kate x

October 8, 2013

Be my Valentino x

The dinner gong has sounded with Valentino’s succulent SS14 Collection.

It’s captivating thoughts turned into visual chocolate.

The details are like the feathers of a humming bird.

But…

And there is a but…

Would you wear this on a hot summers day?…Or even a spring one?

Do the colours sing beach, sunshine and easy living?

No? So who is the Emperor in his new clothes?

The punters? The magazines?..or the out of date fashion industry?

Laters, Kate x

October 6, 2013

That video! x

A big thank you to the hugely professional Alex Willis-Bray – enjoy!

Laters, Kate x

October 4, 2013

Every little bit..

A photo taken by Man Repeller’s Leandra Medine to demonstrate the chaos that is Fashion Week. But what catches your eye? The shoes? The placky bags? Or that Isabel Marant invitation dripping in fairy dust?

Sometimes it’s the little things that maketh the magic..the bits we mortals don’t ever see like the Fashion Week invitations we’d love to prop up on our heaving mantlepieces…so I tracked a few down..

Check out the name in lights..

Just waiting to see WHAT will arrive seems to be half the joy. And do you think people keep them?…One day Rodders, one day..

Laters, Kate x

October 2, 2013

Come to me Celine

Intuition and imagination: Celine SS14: Inventively combining shape, texture and colour.

With aesthetic control.

I’m getting refrences back to the eighties: Graffiti, large shoulders and baggy jumpers.

But in a clever move, that was then. This is now.

It’s all in the balance.

Vibrant and mischievous.

The details are absorbingly laid out. Where to look?

Peeling back the details. Adding the eyebrows.

And a clutch to die for.

It couldn’t go wrong.

Laters, Kate x

September 30, 2013

I wish..

As a child I had a fascination with everything in miniature from the smallest tea-set to knives and forks for fairies. Maybe that’s why this piece of jewellery appeals so much.

Sheherazade Goldsmith and Laura Bailey have combined forces to create Loquet, a delicate, ingenious take on the charm bracelet. Their lockets, either heart-shaped or circular and made of crystal, open to store your own choice of keepsake charms.

I love jewellery with meaning, especially when it makes simple objects obtain talismanic status..the gem of a birthstone, an initial of a loved one, a golden ring all worn together next to your heart. This is not a cheap option..but then somethings in life should be special: Treasures to be treasured…and a girl’s gotta dream..

Laters, Kate x

September 27, 2013

A Fash..

A fashion mash..who woulda thought it? But South African Blogger Diana Moss has the bangers. Inspired by Madrid-based Delposo’s SS14 collection – which was originally inspired by a painting by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot – Diana, in turn has grasped each creative thought like a huge crayon and created these wonderful pictures with a spirit of their own.

J’adore.