Suprise. Chanel. Denim.

Sunglasses- Chanel, earrings- Chanel, dress- Blanco, Shirt- Topshop, Sandals Zara special edition ( I love the tread!)
Wow I received a belated Easter gift the other weekend. I was so thrilled to open these! Who would believe the sun has been shining ever since? They fit perfectly, and are such a treat to wear! I love the contrast of the black frames against the denim blue arms, and have noticed this trend for pre-fall and fall 2010.


Some of my favourite denim on denim looks seen on the catwalks for s/s 2010.

Images sourced from- style.com all Spring/Summer ready to wear
(top L-R- Twenty8twelve,Chloe, D&G bottom- L-R Limi Feu, Louis Vuitton, Kenzo)


The other suprise = I have recieved awards from two lovely bloggers and am very happy- a million thanks to Haleigh at Bardot in Blue for the 'your blog is Bardot  beautiful' award, and Gisele at style of a fashionista for the 'sunshine' award.
I am pleased to announce I will be passing the 'bardot beautiful award' to Zanah at monmodeblog and the 'Sunshine award' to Iris at fashion zen- two awesome blogs full of style and inspiration! xx

just keep spinning.

If ever there was a perfect twirling coat this would be it. The voluminous fabric and exaggerated pleating lend themselves perfectly to endless spinning. 

There seem to be a whole variety of twists on the classic trench coat this season. (I sense more than usual after Christopher Bailey's Burberry Prorsum S/S 10 collection reworked the trench, and put it right back on the must have radar!I sourced my top picks from style.com). 

I fell in love with this Elizabethan number while in Barcelona, and hope this warmer weather stays so i can enjoy it some more! The hair up-do is how my hair ends up from day to day- i hoped the braid would add some fun. Skinny jeans can often be too short despite the tall/long selections available, however i'm working with this, and think it serves a purpose of showcasing any shoes!

If you are wondering this is my amazing cat Saffron.

(coat- H&M, blouse not seen- ZARA, Jeans 'Kate' ASOS, wedges- Red Herring, bag- Alexander Wang Diego, glass necklace worn as bracelet- family treasure,ring- gift)

MAKING miu miu magic. D.I.Y

MIU MIU MANIA 

Miu Miu Spring/Summer has been filling my dreams of late.  The playful qualities of  Miuccia Prada’s latest collection add a sense of fun, and appeal to everyones inner child, while the crystals, and beautiful tailoring add sophistication.

Along with many others, I am crazy about the prints, the plaits, the 1960’s styling.

I loved Chloe Sevingy on the cover of Elle, Karen Gillan featured in Grazia,Lindsay Wixon working the adverising, and every editorial that features pieces. I have been raiding the internet for as many pictures I can find to drool over, and share with you- enjoy and i hope it gives you some inspiration!                           

(sources- style.com, Elle, various internet, vogue)

HOW TO MIU MIU SWALLOW SHOES.

Photographed against the sky- it really is this blue right now!

1. Raid wardrobe for unworn shoes- simple styles = easiest choice.

2. use miu miu magic post for inspiration ( I made a pattern sheet copied from the swallow clutch freehand- the swallows are pretty abstract anyway!)

3.Using a PERMANENT marker pen- start drawing swallow outlines- 

(I started with the heel) and colour in- referring to the photos or pattern sheet you have created for spacing and shape.

4.Continue over shoe- make sure birds are varied.

5.The magic should be complete!

I hope these are easy to follow, inexpensive and leave you feeling you could have a go yourself! 

I must add PATIENCE and TIME are key to a good result, although hope my steps help.

LOOK OUT FOR ANOTHER D.I.Y MIU MIU post coming soon.(This one is even easier!)   katie.x

hanging around with Christopher Kane.

My afternoon spent walking in the woods and grounds of an old hall. It was so peaceful, we had the place entirely to ourselves- and realised it would be perfect for a magical photo shoot.

 I had my camera just in case, but these attempts at swinging on a branch were filled with raucous laughter, and too funny not to share. ( I am gaining some strength back- though the swinging didn't last long!) I took my purse in case the tearooms were open- I never pass on the chance of tea!

JUST realised- this post is made up of circles- oversized buttons, eyelets and the lifebelt ring... strangely matchy and unintentional...

OUTFIT- bag- Christopher Kane for Topshop, swing coat- Marks and Spencer, pin badge- Marc Jacobs- gift, bodycon skirt- H&M, T-shirt- topshop (not seen) glasses- ASOS- see previous round glasses post, earings- vivienne Westwood.

Prada Cinderella.

(sources-photographs- me, Vogue April 2010, Style April 11th scanned, style.com)

Prada was certainly having a cinderella moment when it sent glistening crystal concoctions down it's S/S 2010 catwalks. The perspex shoes appeared an elaborate re-incarnation of the original 'glass slipper', while the crystal droplet dress hung from the model like an extravagant chandelier. 


When Kate Moss appeared on the cover of Vogue April 2010 she looked incredibly innocent, and delicate in the creation. Marloes Horst was also photographed for style magazine weekend 11th April in the dress where again it looks so exquisitely fresh. 


I love the way the crystal catches the light, and beams the colours of it's surroundings. Today's early morning sun was just what was needed to capture the antique crystal necklace I have inherited.                          katie.x


I am almost at 100 followers!! - millions of thanks- can i make it?!

tie dye butterfly.

(Scarf-Sfera, blouse-vintage, shorts-Zara, Shoes-Topshop, bag-Zara, ring-h&m gift)


Another gorgeous day, still a little chilly hence the black tights, but dare i say it is feeling a little more like Spring? 
I often feel a little unsure with new purchases- as the beauty vs wearability balance is often all wrong. Seeing the pics with these shoes and spending a day wearing them has reassured  me- I have them standing in the window as they are too gorgeous to hide away in a wardrobe for now! Do you do this with new items?


I picked up the scarf in Sfera Barcelona, and it is fast becoming a favourite... Im sure you will be seeing it many times! The colours of the tie-dye are heavenly, and work so well teamed with denim. 
The beautiful blouse I have had a long time, discovered in a vintage store in Leeds for just £15.00, and of course the heart shaped glasses are good fun.


I must add a HUGE thankyou for all the comments lately- so kind of you all.xx

delicious treats

I'm not about to blow you away with an out of this world recipe... but i am going to share with you the most simple, and deliciously light recipe of vanilla buns with lemon icing. They are quick to bake, and so much fun to decorate! I didn't get time to bake over Easter but saved these eggs specially!

I am also a secret fan of mixing the prettiest shades of icing... ( the fun part as I am unable to eat starch- no worries it's been years, and can eat almond substitutes = macaroons & meringues.

THE RECIPE

Makes 18! ( to make fewer adjust quantities)

110g sifted self raising flour

1 heaped teaspoon baking powder

110g soft margarine

110g caster sugar

2 large eggs

3-4 drops good vanilla essence

To finish- lots of icing (made entirely with squeezed lemon juice) food colouring, crispy shelled eggs or dolly mixtures.

1.Take a large mixing bowl, sift baking powder and flour from a height to give a good airing ( helps make buns extra light!)

2. Simply add ALL other ingredients and whisk ( electric works best) for approx 6 minutes- until pale and airy. 

3. spoon into bun cases- i made exactly 18 from this recipe standard size.

4. Bake for approx 9-10 mins at 160 degrees C in a PRE-HEATED FAN assisted oven.

( Gas mark 3, or 170 degrees c in a non fan oven)

5. Test buns with sharp knife- should be clean- no mixture then leave to cool.

6. The fun part- mix icing sugar entirely with freshly squeezed lemon juice, add 1 drop of red/pink dye decorate, keep adding 1 drop of red or blue to get a large variety of pinky blue subtle shades!!- add sweets- enjoy.

Springtime exploring in Chanel.

      

...Well not entirely but the look was certainly inspired by Chanel S/S 2010 collection.

What a difference the sunshine makes, it was such a welcome addition to the Easter happenings, involving lots of friends, food and laughter. For the first time this year I even went bare legged- a very brave choice but the jacket and skirt is boucle so fairly warm. I have been undecided about these boots since purchasing from Zara in 2008 and consequently remain almost unworn- any thoughts welcome...

The hat is certainly a favourite, succeeding in adding a degree of mystery or 1970's to any outfit. This seems to be the era I am coveting right now!

I spent the last part of Easter in the Lake District with my boy at his family's second home, enjoying much relaxing country walking and visit to a fabulous restaurant.

Hope you all had lots of fun and Easter treats!

(Hat- H&M, Jacket- Marks and Spencers Skirt- (matches EXACTLY but from River island- BONUS) Shoes- ZARA, Pearls- family treasure, ribbon- Chanel (saved from an earring box) real crocodile satchel Bag- family treasure, photos- me)