petworth house

(national trust petworth house, "rhubarb" catering) 

on wednesday night i was invited to the magnificent petworth house for a private viewing of turner's sussex exhibition. just the house itself was so wonderful. the walls were encased with original paintings and carvings (there were some extra turner's dotted about) and there was a little chap playing the saxophone. "rhubarb" held the party in the dining room (which is still used as a dining room for actual eating by the family that still live in part of the house - lucky lucky chaps) and they did an excellent job, there was an abundance of fizz and the canapés were presented beautifully on the most delightful platters. my fave nibbles were the beetroot and goats cheese macaroons ("rhubarb" partner with heston blumenthal so it is all most extraordinary). we were treated to a private tour of part of the house and the exhibition (which itself is very teeny, but absolutely worth a visit as you are able to see his sketches and his other artwork that lives at the house). the chap and i got most merry and skipped away with our goody bags with a handy on-the-train-home-snack-bag. cannot wait to return in the spring/summer to explore the grounds and house in a little more light and pretend that i live there. 

K x

cub

(vogue paris)

i'd really like a baby tiger. i would settle for a puppy.

K x

basic

(john lewis)

i love drop shoulder tops. i normally get them in the form of boys t-shirts or from topshop jersey basics, but the problem with topshop jersey basics is that they don't last all too long. they tend to be an unwanted short-term fling (i fall in love for the long-term). i've bought a couple of m&s ones (their quality wins) but they were really quite ugly. alas, i'd super like this stripy chap (and i have a feeling that from jl, it is going to last yippee) - a couple sizes bigger than normal (i need bagginess on top, i'd literally squirm if i had jersey clinging on to me) with black skinnies and converse/wedge hi tops. excellent caszh wear.

K x

pu

(miss selfridge)

perfect parka + nearly leather sleeves = boom.

K x

up

(love magazine)

the gorgeous ginta lapina.

K x

stuff girls like

so v-day is less than three weeks away, and, unfortunately for me, my present and evening have all been planned and it's all one big sodding surprise (anxiety has already set in). in case the chap is trying to double bluff me and he hasn't done anything, i have accumulated a pretty banging list of perfect valentine's day presents. i've recently started to like the idea of jewellery again (i know! who knew!) and because i can't afford it, i'm hoping the chap uses this post as a reference for all upcoming occasions (i joke) (i don't). if you are a boyf and completely forgot that the special v-day is arriving, have a snoop through my guide of wonderful gifts that would make girls happy and not be in a strop with you (all links and deets are below the images because i'm helpful like that, and i've tried to put them in to some sort of order so it doesn't overwhelm you and blow your mind).

/ pretty sure i'll have to buy this for myself.

(batya kebudi heart ring via wolf & badger)

/ these ring are super cute. you can stack them up and have the initials of whoever you think is sexy, kim k style. or you could spell out love. cos that is nice.

(catbird alphabet rings)

/ these nugget bracelets are yummy, i want one (again, i'm sure i'll just have to buy it for myself). personally i like the labradorite stone, but you can get a green onyx or moonstone if that is what you're into. 

(monica vinader labradorite nugget bracelet)

/ i love dogeared stuff. their red string bracelets are yummy, but i think for v-day you'd probs want something that lasts a little longer (the bracelets are intended to fall off naturally and your wish comes true. it's all very sweet). the red string 'make a wish' bracelets would make a good 'i am very sorry for being utterly useless' kind of present. the first one is more romantic, the second one is just one that i would like. 

(dogeared bracelets - infinite love & karma)

/ i mean if you want to say you like someone, love even, what better way to say than with leather goods. obviously first choice would be the celiné boston, but seeing as that is virtually impossible to get hold of, let alone even look at, givenchy's antigona bag is a good runner up. personally i'd get the black grainy leather as it is less likely to scratch and get damaged, but if she's like an actual proper lady then you should probs get the smooth leather. i'm going to put it out there - you get this, i guarantee she won't be mean to you for a while (timing dependant on meanness of gf).  

(givenchy antigona bag via selfridges)

/ the beauty of these animal onesies, is that they're fun and sexy at the same time. and what is even more beautiful, is that you can get one too and when you're having a good old snuggle, you can snuggle in these together (for more of a selection, click here. i think the dinosaur or the giraffe make good boy ones). these two are my personal faves. i'm genuinely not taking the piss, girls love this shiz. for me, the weirder/funner the present is, the happier i am (the chap bought me a plastic toy hippo - i was more overwhelmed with gratitude towards that hippo than i was when i got taken to zuma for dinner). me and my chums would have a party wearing these and would think it is the best day of our lives. 

(kangaroo & koala kigu's via urban outfitters)

/ lastly, bake her some cookies. not as the main present, as a starter. make sure they're super gooey and yummy then bam this stamp into them and you look like you're loving and thoughtful. boom. 

(i love you cookie stamper via suck uk. don't worry, there's a recipe on there before you start hyperventilating.)

ok chaps, get back to work and earn some moola to buy her something amaze.

K x

last days in paris

(daniella rech)

simple candid shots of models are to me the most beautiful. spesh in black and white, i almost forgot how much i love black and white photography. magdalena is flawless. 

K x

jane

(saint laurent jane sandals)

oh my, i'm going to have such foot envy once these beauts start to get worn by beautiful footed people (once the snow has gone away. seriously snow, go away, you didn't snow enough in london for me to get any snow days but enough for me to ski into work without skis on the horribly slippy paths). i have unfortunately been cursed with hobbit feet, something fellow fenland girls have also, and are subjected to a life of foot-shame (probs something to do with the water). if i had beautiful feet, i would wear these. they're so wonderful and simple and 90's-carrie. they would go with everything and my life would be 100x better, but alas, i must stick to toe covering (i am partial to a bit of peep toe, can't scare many away with such little toe action). i genuinely hate feet, but i will be an absolute foot pervert if i see them delicately encased in these. 

K x