December 22, 2014

The Magic starts here..

The Elf-on-the-shelf has been a stroke of genius to the spirit of Christmas in this house – so much so we had to find him a female companion (mind out of the gutter please….) so Bella had her own elf too (At eight she’s on the cusp of not believing) – their presence has been totally embraced with homemade presents and letters regularly being left for them (generally saying the other has been up to no good!). The other tradition that underlines the children’s belief is their annual message from PNP Santa..it’s a beautiful dose of pure nostalgia – there’s a choice of a free message – which really works if you have young children or only one so you don’t get a repeat..or pay £2.99 for a longer message, more photos and a choice of story..this year, for the first time, I upgraded..it was so worth it, particularly as there was an option for the Elf to get a special mention..how perfectly magical? There’s no denying their power now!

The basic concept is that Santa speaks individually to your child and looks at photos of them through the year in their special book..then they find out whether they’re on the good list…or the naughty list..with the option of behaving better before the big day…it’s very, very, clever and utterly seductive. And it’s not just limited to children..there’s an adults version too with true mirth in hearing this Santa mutter ‘I hear you regularly fart in bed’ and other such gems..

I’ve uploaded Bella and Charlie’s messages to Facebook if you want to see the quality of the messages for yourself, and just for posterity, I videoed their reactions this year:

…Once you have laughed and once you have loved this Christmas..the rest is just background noise..

Laters, Kate x

December 19, 2014

Twinkle Tinsel x

How did it happen? Christmas is a traditional time of green, ivy, berries and candy sticks….yet when I look at this tinsel monstrosity from the 70’s..and my heart sings!

Oh fickle fashion..when will I understand?

Laters, Kate x

December 18, 2014

Christmas Spirit..

The lead up to Christmas is gathering momentum like a shaken, very expensive bottle of vintage champagne ready to explode everywhere, with no-one actually getting to taste a drop. So starts the month of spending, drinking and ironic hair extensions: There’s so much emphasis on the extravagance of Christmas – the more you spend does equal the more you love don’t you know? – that the real joy of Christmas is suffocated like a candle without oxygen. There have been years when I’ve literally sobbed into my mulled wine on Christmas Eve as I’m still working my way through the pile of effing presents that still need to be wrapped…and missing out on all the bits I truly love – the making, the baking and the creating…I’m not religious, but I find my peace in austerity and gentleness away from the whining notion of entitlement and endlessly wanting it all..

So this year I’ve kept it simple..Bella’s stocking is everything to do with sewing with vintage bits I’ve collected from Ebay. Charlie’s is an Art box equivalent with paints, plasticine and the odd robot. The kids broke up from school yesterday, and I’ve managed to get everything done and out the way – the proverbial decks have been cleared (well..almost..cards not quite in the post yet..) but it’s been a long, hard term: The kids are on their knees, so am I..but now we can shut the shutters, close the door and concentrate on lazy days with moments of madness and doing all the things that make Christmas special for us…These lights made from photocopies and ordinary glass tumblers are up there at the top of the list…

I can’t wait!

Laters, Kate x

December 16, 2014

Forever Party!

(All photos from tumblr)

It’s not what you wear…it’s the way that you wear it…

Laters, Kate x

December 12, 2014

Unrequited Love..

(Photo from Vogue, taken by Karim Sadil of Sasha Pivovarova)

How much do I love this jumper? Let me count the ways…impeccable diction, great bones, classic monochrome, exquisite texture…it grabs you with the first 1940’s-mashed-with-1980’s reference and refuses to let go: A stylish classic with a sea-change of direction.

Styled with white pleated trousers and the Celine inspired one-earing, it’s deadpan coolness with a wink.

My love is hard to hold back..and impossible to shake off..If only I knew who designed it..

Laters, Kate x

December 11, 2014

Trick or Treat?

(picture from pinterest)

The perfect party skirt has to be the jewel in the crown this party-hopping season, acting like a human Christmas tree, catching the sparkle and reflecting back the smiles and giddy moments. In the haute spot is Burberry with their mermaid inspired work of art – enough to make the most bah-humbug joy-squasher gimlet eyed with misty desire..

Also working in the skirt corner is the ability to mix the well-heeled refined with the everyday low: tactile jumpers or denim or even t-shirts on top….contrasting the glittering below..cocktail mixes of opposites that create a long drink of inherently cool pleasure..

Sequins just too eighties? How about the pared back elegance that is metallic leather? Easily teamed with white when the sun comes out again, this Maje skirt will even carry you on a silver ray of light all the way through to summer..

(River island skirt)

And don’t forget the high street – if red wine and dancing on the tables are your party tricks of choice, maybe fake is the way to go..

But faux or real, trick or treat..the choice is yours..

Laters, Kate x

December 9, 2014

It came upon the midnight clear..

That glorious jumpsuit so bold..

Like an angel dancing on the earth,

With tempting touches of gold..

Laters, Kate x

December 8, 2014

I am Lucky..

Because I have fabulous neighbours, which is one seriously important cog in the life’s life-enhancing machinery. Take this Christmas card, drawn by the visually inspired Jane of her dog, Zsa zsa and all her wonderful puppies taking a leaf out of the Great British Bake Off..Talent, verve and festive giggles..

On Friday I spent the day with another neighbour, Doromy, an ex-actress who knows all there is to know about London and is a visceral, witty joy to be with..we headed to Radio Days on Lower Marsh Street, just by Waterloo to check out vintage dressing gowns for Charlie and to buy deco shot glasses as a present to go with the Sloe Gin I made at Creative Coffee…the place is an absolute treasure trove and well worth a visit if you’re ever in this part of town..

In fact the whole of Lower Marsh Street is a little gem: Vintage shops, food stalls, chi-chi pubs..the gnarly mixed with loftier intentions. Further down and just off to the right is this..the underground tunnel leading to The Vaults, a multi-use underground venue and a spray-painted canvas of guttural dipthongs..

Including female graffiti artists..

And a female fire-eater to boot..

We ended our day, setting the world to rights, eating takeaway kedgeree from Konditor and cook, sitting in Waterloo Station and watching the world go by. There’s not many people you can do that with..simple, effortless and full of the unexpected. It was bliss.

Laters, Kate x

December 5, 2014

Cheeky Charlie..

Laters, kate x

December 4, 2014

Marking Time..

Do you remember Clothkits? They’re a huge dollop of nostalgia for me as the first clothes I truly coveted and lusted over at school. They came in easy-sew kits to make up, including all sorts of wonderful, genius things like rag dolls as well..

There was always an extra touch..like her matching bag to add the final flourish and make them utterly desirable..

How cute?

The padded coats were particularly memorable…if this came in my size now, I would have it..

But there’s a light at the end of the tunnel..I googled them and Clothkits is still running, and many of these designs are still available plus a host more..

From old originals…

To their modern equivalents..

If you want to give something crafty for Christmas..so crafty you can put a tail on it and call it a fox?..check them out..their range is incredible..

Laters, kate x