July 19, 2015

Btich ‘n’Surf x

(All pics and info go to Pinterest)

I’m not at a beach yet..I’m dreaming of them. But when you read this…I will be!!

Laters, Kate x

July 17, 2015

Little Shack x

I think you’re either a big house gal, or not. Whilst I admire the space of large places, by heart lies in the quirky comfort a small place can offer..a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the world..

(all photos Pinterest)

A shack by the sea..my idea of heaven.

Laters, Kate x

July 16, 2015

Embroidered Earrings..

An innovative take on embroidery..turning it into earrings..

Such is the beauty of these from Lokal Wear.

It maybe plastic..but it’s plastic fantastic!

Laters, Kate x

July 15, 2015

Dusen Dusen..

I’m heading to Greece today..I can’t wait. The children have already been out for a week and I’ve missed them. I’m in need of a cuddle from my daughter and a cheeky word from my son. I wish I had one of these dresses from Dusen Dusen to travel in..

Fun, and just on the right side of flirty.

Laters, Kate x

July 14, 2015

Tickled Pink x

Rebecca Wilson is a young sculptor domiciled in Scotland with a cheeky sense of humour.

With her jewellery range she’s become the burlesque dancer of adornment.

Not that jewellery is the only thing she does..take this light, titled ‘Many hands make light work’

Beautifully cast in glow loving porcelain.

Or this one…inspired by jammy dodgers..

And temptingly called ‘Light snack’

Rebecca takes pleasure in looking at the humble objects of life – like these matches – and wants to see our reaction when she alters them either by material, situation or size..she wants to understand, why does our reaction then change?

It’s honesty and frivolity glued together with the luxury of porcelain and talent.

Just delicious.

Laters, Kate x

July 13, 2015

Mochi x

There are many kinds of happiness in the world..I’ve just spent an utterly lazy, child-free weekend with the husband that I refuse to regret as I look aghast at the weeks to-do list, slightly lower down that list of love is my passion for beautiful embroidery and textiles..which is all the more ring-starred when it can be married to intelligent, bridging the distance fashion.

Mochi is a brand whose identity lies deep in the love of ancient embroidery and needle craft. It was set up by Palestinian Mochi Ayah Tabai to produce visually stunning, wearable clothes that celebrate world-wide stitching communities.

Handcrafted by local artisans in their own countries, Mochi isn’t a melting pot of ideas but an acknowledgement of what each culture has to offer, from Jaipur, Palestine, Thailand, Uzbekistan to Hungary, all items produced are claimed under their own makers.

A top from Palestine, so easy with a pair of denim shorts.

A summer dress from Jaipur, ideal to dress up or dress down.

Shorts from Uzbekistan.

A crop top and skirt from Thailand.

They appeal to my love of the past, of inherent quality and the deep vein of romanticism I have running though my middle.

It’s a refreshing change from the polyester re-runs of the high street…we can have more, pay less and think we’re clever…or we can just put up our hands and say what we really love.

Laters, Kate x

July 10, 2015

True Love x

It’s the season of the couture shows when material transforms into an artist’s palette and cost becomes no object to imagination.

Valentino showcased their collection last night at the sort of event us mere mortals can only drool at – it started with a magical treasure hunt tour of the places in Rome where Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli found inspiration, from the Bibblioteca Casanatense, a public library lined with books with it’s deep aroma of learning to a marble bath from 1840 sited in a private palazzo, ending with a majestic open air catwalk show at dusk.

Their muse was Rome, a monster of an idea, held together across time by the golden thread of fairytale…

Because Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli have that singular ability to take the concept of inspiration and find the person deep inside.

Their designs represent the model of languid self-possession.

(All pics from Style.com)

Always with that romantic touch of magic, intriguingly bathed in clouds.

I covet.

Laters, Kate x

July 9, 2015

Bummer Bag x

Bumbags got a bad rep in the eighties. I can’t think why.

The nineties weren’t much better..

But away from the neon and laughter, there’s a functional aesthetic desperate to get out. I have the bag in this picture – it’s by Hipstersforsisters – and it’s a true, top totty wonder. With it’s chain, it can be unclipped and turned into a crossbody, or removed entirely to transform into a clutch. A slam-dunk three-in-one-no-brainer.

Now I’m after something a bit bigger, in brown leather with more pockets to carry passport, phone…and cash..to take to Greece. I’ve left it a bit late in the day, but I’m hoping I’ll still find something…

without having to raid the last penny of the piggy bank for this Row bag sadly costing more than the holiday!

Laters, Kate x

July 8, 2015

Kids Inc. 2

Feather Down Farm Part 2: Where you only have to love, run fast and be impressed by chickens..

A time away from modern life, where nothing is more important than building dens, climbing trees….and shooting your best friend.

It was the perfect spot for giant bubbles..

But, damn it…it’s a hard activity to perform secretly…and the kids soon discovered us..

We did a fabulous walk to the Lamb at Buckland for a delicious Sunday lunch…before running back home again in a thunderstorm to be ready for a felt making class..

The results: I’m thinking squared off and blanket stitched onto cushions with a pom pom trim round the edge?

And then the final night closed in…all in all, it was the stuff of dreams..

Laters, Kate x

July 7, 2015

Kids Inc..

Every now and then it’s good to let the music stop..which is what we’ve done for the last 4 days. Miles away from the whirling, high energy, high pressure of London we escaped with the kids and three other families to a Feather Down farm just outside Oxford to cook on wood burning stoves, chase errant chickens and drink copious amounts of wine….

Each family had their own tent on the side of a forested hill (or ‘mountain’ according to the kids) looking out over the lush, green fields of England..

The tents were fabulous – (this really was glamping with a capital ‘G)’..all rustic with purpose, without being plastic-basic..and apart from food, everything was provided..although even food could be bought or ordered in advance from the on-site honesty shop.

I’m still in love with this candlestick chandelier hung from a piece of wood..

And this coffee grinder, complete with beans..

We thought the kids would fight over who slept on the top bunk..

But they were more interested in the cupboard bed!

(Probably a wise choice – on our very first night, there was an almighty thunderstorm which even managed to blow the ash pan off our internal wood burner’s chimney..those in the cupboard with it’s wooden roof never so much as stirred..)

The view out…

Next to each tent we all had our very own chickens that the children had to keep fed and watered and could check for eggs for our own consumption..

There was no electricity..making the morning brekkie..

Not having to cater for every element of camping meant there was room in the car for extras..like my basil plant – how London can you get?!

The time just flew – between teaching the girls to make Makrame and friendship bracelets..

To checking the chickens for eggs at the main paddock…and being sure to keep the goats and sheep in…not that we always managed it..and then it was a drama trying to catch them and herd them back in!..