December 3, 2014

Just Because..

The Bentleys in a Bentley…

Laters, Kate x

December 2, 2014

Extra Ordinary x

Burberry Prorsum Pre-fall 2015 is a long way from scuttlebutt rumours and diva strops. It’s classy, simple, elegant dressing with just a whiff of urban street..

There’s a forensically clear silhouettes – skinny legs, ankle boots and big layers that we can all believe in..

The coats are particularly simple and absolutely lustworthy – but there are no surprises, no attempts to gnaw at anything primal..

( All pictures from Style.com)

Just effortlessly produced wardrobe staples you’d want to wear forever…the spice is up to you to add…

Laters, Kate x

December 1, 2014

Spotted! The Elf on the Shelf…

Who said American’s don’t understand irony? It’s thank’s to them we’ve bought our very first Elf on a Shelf to further promote the fantasies of Christmas..The idea is simple: During the day he’s Santa’s eyes and ears, then at night he disappears through his very own door, back to the North Pole…

(Yep..we got one of those too now stuck on our skirting board!) to report back on the children’s behaviour, before returning and reappearing somewhere else the next day..

As it’s the first of December, he made his first appearance today and was quickly spotted. Charlie is a believer and was in awe. Bella was more sceptical: ‘He’s plastic’ was her first comment, before sneaking off to find a long pole to poke him with. ‘Arrrrrrrrrrrr,’ says I, full of knowing..just remember that all toys are inanimate until you’ve gone to sleep..otherwise they’d be caught and put in laboratories and genetically bred to takeover the world’s workforce..and then where would we be?’

‘At Christmas?’ suggested Charlie..

Touche, my child, touche.

Now all the husband and I have to do is to make sure we move him every night ready for the morning, which with the number of festive nights out in the diary, could prove interesting…and we must, must, must resist the temptation of introducing him to Barbie..just think of the potential mess…

He may be little (and plastic) but we’re hoping he’s going to be greater than the sum of his parts…watch this space..

Laters, Kate x

November 28, 2014

Flying fur..

It’s a sign of the times when fur both becomes common place and mixed with casual fashion..camo trousers and casual fur jacket: an unexpected marriage made in heaven, worn here by the iconic Jenna Lyons.

But I’m curious: Why the turn fur acceptance turn-around? Is it because faux fur is so good we can’t spot the difference, giving free-reign to choosing the real stuff? Or maybe all these photos are of Jenna in fake. But I don’t think so…

Is it that fur has moved with the political times and is now a tightly controlled industry where cruelty has been banished? Or is there a leniency to vintage fur under the heading ‘eco-friendly’ in a wasteful planet? I just don’t know..

All I do know, is fabulous as Jenna looks, this outfit would’ve caused an outrage even ten years ago…so why not now?

Laters, Kate x

November 27, 2014

Dear Santa..

Please could I have a left-handed calligraphy pen…(and possibly the Dummies Guide to go with it) so I can finally learn to write with heart swooning swirls…I think it would improve my quality of life considerably..

(And then next year, you can ask me to write something beautiful for my very own lazer-cut bracelet from this incredible Shop..(I’m happy to ~~give you the chance to save up~~ to wait till then..)it’ll be worth it)

(Although, I might have to be very fussy and ask for the gold version..I know, high-high..but gold is my colour..)

But until then..eye’d love to see these beauties in my ~~ears~~ stocking…

And with all things nineties being the spice of the moment, these Doc Martens would remind me of penny loafers past..

And to make me smile? This ipad case complete with teeth..open it up and hear me roar..

P.S. I’ve been good. (I think)

Laters, Kate x

November 26, 2014

Does Size Matter?

Personally, I don’t think so…meet the new man in my life, the gorgeous 9 week old Wilf..

Gutted, I had to eventually hand him back as sadly he prefers his exceptionally glamourous mummy…although he did promise they’d be a party at his tonight..and to bring a bottle!

Laters, Kate x

November 25, 2014

Great Bones..

There’s something utterly majestic, breathtaking and impressive about a herringbone floor..

But the bullion cut? More expensive..but it’s still a temptation, particularly when you know you’re only laying a floor once..

In fact choosing a floor is like crossing all sorts of boundaries..width of wood, colour, type, durability..mix into to that the cost and it’s a potential minefield..

So excuse me if I feel a little bit chuffed in finding Edward Oak Floors (OK. My mother found them first) But you know you’re on to a good thing when the showroom in is a remote part of London, in the middle of an industrial estate, attached to it’s own factory.

And because it’s all made on site, they can smoke, wax, colour, distress the wood to any colour you want – and any size..and if they lay your floor, it’s guaranteed for 15 years..me likey.

The distressing machine..it’s riveting..

But they really do have the ability to transform the mundane..

So that’s one thing ticked off…now there’s just the rest of the building works to plan..ho hum

Laters, Kate

November 24, 2014

Collar Worker..

There’s something comforting about wrapping up in a scarf when the weather turns frosty. We’ve been lucky in London so far – today was only the second frost of the season, but I suspect things are on a downward slide colder..

J Crew have some good offerings – particularly their innovative take on fair Isle, but Paul Smith is the true king of the winter neck-tie..

Clever modern twists smoothly integrated into stylish classics..

It’s that subtle joy of being able to buy for the husband..and wear yourself..

Or buy for yourself..and expect to see the other half in it..beautiful and functional equals design at it’s very best..

Laters, Kate x

November 21, 2014

Aubusson Black..

Especially for French Sophie…is blue the new grey?

Laters, Kate x

November 20, 2014

Revolution..

The other night The Husband and I, breathless with anticipation, headed to the Olympic velodrome to watch some of the greats in cycling. I am a self-confessed cycle-head..every summer the Tour de France is always a must-watch..but I love the drama of the track as well. This arena, made up of 4,000 individual pieces of wood is like entering a gladiatorial games, a place where heroes still roam, oozing comradery and confidence, earnt through guts, guile and hard work – the joy about cycling is it’s not just about the individual or being the fastest..sometimes you have to be the most cunning. Laura Trott was the star of the night, winning every single one of her events, beating her great rival Marianne Vos into submission each time..Ben Swift won the men’s big event…how I love that magic touch of satisfaction..