What Katie Did!

I shall do too! Kate Hepburn that is.......

Miu Miu dresses aside - yes I am still obsessed - and given I have a good collection of forties dresses already, I am thinking that taking my inspiration from Kate Hepburn for Autumn/Winter will address both the forties trend and the boyish tailoring in one fell swoop!

A great pair of mannish tailored trousers in a herringbone check or a subtle tweed, a relaxed shirt and a comfy brogue or penny loafer will fit the bill - I have never been one for a crisp White shirt - great on other people but I shall go with a drapey silk style or a tie neck blouse instead.

I have always loved a boyish shoe though - practical and stylish - these penny loafers from Lands' End will work perfectly!

Lands' End also have some fabulous trousers coming in for September which I must keep an eye out for!

I think that little grey jacket will come into play here as well!

A true exponant of relaxed dressing and champion of the trouser - Kate was a truly original woman with her own uncompromising style - one which is well worth working for the new season!

With all the talk of Kates - Middleton and Moss in particular I know which Kate is my style icon and it is surely the inimitable Ms Hepburn!

Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner

That I love London so.............as the song says!

Our city may be overpopulated, dusty in the heat and depressing in the rain BUT it is still one of the most vibrant, diverse and exciting cities in the world, and like any Londoner worth their salt I  have been horrified at the events of the past week. It doesn't seem possible that this could be happening in my city - the city I love and which is home!

I feel driven to post images of some of the places I treasure most in our capital - these along with the cheering sight of all those volunteers wielding their brooms in defiance of the mindless greed and violence of the minority lift my spirits!

Little Venice - close to my flat!

The glorious sight which is Sir Christopher Wren's St Pauls!

The elegance of a Nash terrace!

The tranquility of Regents Park!

 


 

A Mitford Moment

All that talk of Nancy Mitford heriones has me wanting to re-read ( for the umpteenth time) one of my all time favourite novels - The Pursuit of Love - always enchanting and uplifting! The book that is adored by Linda - the central character - is The Making of a Marchioness by Frances Hodgsen Burnett which I recently read again when confined to bed due to a horrid summer bug. I have now been on a book misson with Amazon as a result of my musings and find that there is a follow up - The Methods of Lady Walderhurst - ordered it at once!

It is always a wonderful surprise to discover a book one hasn't read by a much loved author - on the same mission I have seen that 2 of Nancy Mitford's early novels - Christmas Pudding and Pigeon Pie are to be re-issued in October - can't wait!

Christmas Pudding

Pigeon Pie

Sweater Girls

Although we have been basking in hot sunshine this week ( hard to believe it looking at today's driving rain) I have been thinking about my Autumn wardrobe of late. I have already mentioned my obsession with the new season's Miu Miu dresses - I had my nose pressed firmly against the glass of the Bond Street store yesterday ( much like an urchin gazing at cakes in a bakery - and with the same longing!) looking at one of them, the embroidery is absolutely exquisite - maybe I could take an extension on the mortgage? Back in the land of reality I am thinking a tweed pencil skirt with fitted sweater or elegant blouse will be a more accessible look - there are some fabulous inspirations I can draw on from the original 'sweater girl' Lana Turner to the neat cashmere and pearls of a Nancy Mitford heroine...........

Lana looking fab!

One of our Lands' End classic short sleeved fitted sweaters was used by Grazia recently - worn with flamboyant pineapple print fitted trousers - this same sweater comes in an array of colours and will translate very well to an elegant retro look - it also has a matching cardigan to create a twinset worthy of any Mitford character! Grey Frost Heather and Wild Cherry are my favourite shades and I will be wearing mine with an Agnes b tweed skirt from a couple of seasons ago!

love her twinset!