April 29, 2015

Banjooli x

There are three things that caught my roving eye with this remarkable collection of garden furniture designed by Sebastian Herkner for Moroso..

1. They’re brilliantly inspired by the mating dance of male ostriches – (or ‘banjooli’ in Wolof tongue) – who stretch out their wings to show off to the ladies.

2. They’re produced by African craft weavers using fishing net yarn.

3. They make me smile.

Herkner says, they may be based on birds, but they are human in their perfections and flaws. Mi piace.

Laters, Kate x

April 28, 2015

Trans Shoes.. x

An arctic bloom has descended on the UK; a wave of cold has reached out it’s icy fingers once more. The result in some ways is quite pleasing – deep blue skies and crystal clear air making all around bright and focused (I fear I’m the exception proving the rule..) but it means the weather isn’t honest – it’s horribly deceptive with a chilly, biting wind. Then the wind drops and there’s power in the sun…just enough to make you resent your layers. Basically, it’s complicated – which means thought into transitional clothing is probably essential, so much so I can see the appeal of these sheepskin sandals from Celtic & Co…that warmth..but still cool.

And less Big Bird than Celines infamous slides..

Plus, at £50 they’re a bit of a bargain combined with the extra joy of being a slipper crossover..

I’m seduced..

Laters, Kate x

April 27, 2015

Kent, Part 3 x

Sunshine in the UK never lasts long – it’s the human reality inside any fantastical tale as was proven in the last part of our sojourn to Kent – the day after our seaside adventure the temperature dropped like a stone (a bit like today) from the low twenties..to low. It was still emotionally sun-kissed with blue in the sky and fluffy clouds but the wind was as raw as a saw blade and straight off the frozen Norwegian fjords.

We were at Sandwich (we’d cycled here with the kids previously in the week – I’m not sure they’ve forgiven us yet as we got lost and ended up cycling at least 18 miles…) which is an historic town full of old, quaint buildings and was once the major port in the area and a centre for weaving.

We were there to take a boat ride with the Harbour Master along the 2 miles of river to the coast to see seals..

The trip out is strange – you pass all sorts of industrial sites mixed with wild flowers and Oyster Catchers.

And it was absolutely freezing! Seriously cold enough to whip the balls off any brass monkeys stupid enough to be out. We raided our bags and pockets for anything that could keep us warm..a tissue anyone??

Charlie on look-out..

Spotted!

Coming to say hello..

And then it was time to head for home, hot drinks and a spell under a duvet to warm up (that was me)…the kids wanted to go swimming! it takes all sorts…

Laters, Kate x

April 23, 2015

Kent, Part 2

This is Warmer Castle, firmly re-named Windy Castle by the kids and you can see why. They get dragged here every time we’re in the area as it’s one of my favourite places ever.

There’s the faded elegance inside (it’s also where the Duke of Wellington died).

And the gardens are glorious – typically formal English – but manage to be so natural you’re convinced the plants just wanted to grow this way anyway. And the view..sigh..there’s an uninterrupted vista all the way down to the sea..

We found a large dead frog in the pond..true excitement! I didn’t take a picture..

It’s also really good for hide and seek..

Then we hit the hottest day of the year so far…time for a sandy beach..so to Camber Sands we went..

We weren’t the only people with this ingenious idea..

But this is a beach that soaks up people..the view the other side..

It also has one of the biggest tides I’ve ever seen..

You have to run..

And run!

But it’s worth it!

Then you have to run back again!

We found baby flat fish in the shallows..if you prodded them they spun away at great speed like disturbed underwater birds.

And a dead dog fish with impressive spines.

But just to show it’s not all happy families…this is Bella at the end of the day giving Charlie the evil eye for daring to enter her newly designed ferry without buying a ticket first..go on guys..just one smile for Mummy! Please?!

Laters, Kate x

April 22, 2015

Hellfire!

Wearing a pair of knock-out shoes is like delivering an ironic joke with perfect rumpled nonchalance; If you’ve gone out in a sack, they’ll still make your outfit.

So it’s been a bit of a joy to discover Miss L Fire (with bases in both the UK and US) and it’s heady mixture of new and found..

Bright and compelling, silly but sharp they’re a pop pickers party bag.

Designed with retro in mind, they’re not slavish reproductions but vintage with a twist.

And very happy to burn rubber with a pink tongue to poke out at unbelievers.

I think I’m in love. I just want to dance down the summer streets to the mellow sounds of the slapped strings of a double bass accompanied by low husky vocals to carry me home.

Laters, Kate x

April 21, 2015

Badge of Honour..

When something is highlighted as a major trend is it already too late to embrace it as true fashion condemned a follower rather than an adventurer?..

Does the fact something is popular reduce it currency, making it smaller, grubbier..repetitive?

Can it become overused..or liberated?

With stripes there’s a reason it nags away at you, an appeal, an intrinsic quality passed down through nature and the centuries..

Like it?

Then take it and turn it into a world a possibilities with courageous style.

(All photos from Pinterest)

Because there’s always room to negotiate a different way…

Laters, Kate x

April 20, 2015

Kent, Part 1 x

The biggest downer about the UK is the weather – it’s why we’re so obsessed with it. Head out for a holiday by the sea and rather than a cheery parasol, it’s highly likely you’ll be hiding under a large umbrella. So seeing the sun on our first day, we clapped our hands with merry glee!

And sank a large glass of cold white to celebrate the whole damn great joy of it..

Whilst watching the kids chase seagulls on the beach..

We weren’t far from Dover; So often a passing point, so rarely for stopping. But overlooking the harbour is Dover castle, an imposing building with a cornucopia of history dating back to the Romans.

But we were there to see the underground tunnels…

Originally dug out as a prison in the Napoleonic wars, they were resurrected in WW2 to provide a secret headquarters and a hospital.

This is where all the planning took place for Operation Dynamo and the evacuation of Dunkirk.

Over 30 metres down there’s something like 3.8 km of tunnels, including deep, deep down, a nuclear bunker called Dumpy.

During the War Dover was hit by over 2000 bombs, making it one of the worst hit towns in the UK. But none fell within the castle walls – apparently Hitler rather fancied the castle for himself and banned it from being bombed…if only he knew…

It’s a brilliant exhibition – real thought and atmosphere has gone into the presentation with clever projections onto the walls and newsreel footage. On the hospital tour, you follow the story of a wounded spitfire pilot accompanied by the sounds of a bombing raid and flickering lights. Not for the claustrophobic!

A spot of light relief was then needed..

Even a star fish still has fascination..

Until Daddy chases you with it..

My kids are such urbanites..

We looked for sea diamonds..

And pushed Daddy in..

Before heading back home to be ready for another day..

Laters, Kate x

April 18, 2015

Still Thinking Ahead x

One of the surprise pieces I bought this year was a vintage 1940’s coat. A surprise because of the shape..it’s dark brown sheepskin with pure american football style shoulders. And my, those shoulders make you feel gooooooooood…I call it my bitch coat…