introducing Qtique

(Qtique mugs)

i've been working on a little project for long while now and i finally launched this week - i couldn't be any more excited. my company is called Qtique and it all started from writing this blog all those years ago. i have made a pottery collection of mugs, all made in England, for anyone who enjoys a proper good brew. the first collection available is the alphabetty range, which features hand drawn monogram letter illustrations of the alphabet (and a couple of other characters). you can read all about it here. i hope you enjoy them as much as i have making them.

K x

bolster

(missoni home via occa-home)

ok so this i feel is going to be a bit of a ramble, so brace yourselves (or you have permission to click the inviting x and close down this page). you may have noticed i've been pretty awful at consistent updates with my poor little blog, and it is not because i am lazy or anything of those sorts, it is simply because i haven't been finding much stuff i genuinely wanted to post up. i only post stuff i love, and it is becoming apparent to me that i am a tad obsessed with homeware and not fashion. spesh these cushions, aren't they just wonderful? you see chaps, i've become a bit of a fashion hermit again. i only really wear my gym clothes or my leggings and some god awful t-shirt. i don't even think i wan't a boston bag anymore. i know. wtf. it's scary for me too. i went and enjoyed london's glorious short-lived sun yesterday afternoon with my manfriend and i wore all black/grey (appaz the gold rims on my aviators do not count as colour). i genuinely dress like an emo boy. and the manfriend has begged for me to get a haircut (i haven't had it cut by a hairdresser since, shite, literally about 12 months ago. oh gawd that really is awful). anyway, fear not my friends, this is not some sort of downward spiral, in fact i really couldn't be much happier, i just feel that i'm getting older and more boring and shopping for clothes is something i really don't enjoy all that much anymore. i've been working on something quite exciting (for me, possibly not for you) and looking forward to lots of stuff. 

moving on, i will continue to post beauts things when i come across them and i'm far more at one with instagram so you can catch my thrilling daily life stuff on there if you really want it. ramble over. over and out. 

K x

flower girl

(miss selfridge)

oh i want to wear this. all the time. spesh round my flat.

K x

bundle

(iosselliani)

beauts mismatched ring stacks.

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

rip

(asos)

so the chap bought me the (what should have been) lovely mulberry teddy gloves, but all has turned a little sour with them. after the delivery, i found a stitching problem so poodled along to the store and got a brand shiny new pair last saturday. and then yesterday, young salz popped over for a sleepover and some chicken and she slipped her normal sized hand in to one of the gloves and it just fell apart. a proper tear and a proper sound to accompany it. not impressed. gloves should not fall apart that easily, especially a pair from mulberry. anyway, i have completely fallen out of love with them and it is getting mighty chilly outside and my poor, poor hands need-a-warming. asos have come to the rescue with these yetti styled beauts, they look pretty much exactly the same, yes maybs a bit more on the puffy side, but far cheaper and they still have a leather cuff. boom. mulberry, you can fool me once but i shall not be fooled twice.

K x

zoological

(emma cook for topshop)

guys, it's official, i'm feeling christmassy. finished work yesterday, shopped with mama bear, wore my furry hat (which who knew, boys seemed to like - instead of coming up and insulting me, i actually got told i was cute! yes, cute - i was shocked too. and by more than one of the man species! holla!), bought some presents and drank champagne on a roof with the coolest santa. going to finish my shopping tomorrow and monday (i like to be prepared) and if i had remembered, i would have bought these christmas cards for my teeny list of christmas card receive-ees. starting up the ives gingerbread factory tomorrow with jessie and going to listen to my banging christmas playlist. hope you all have a lovely pre-christmas weekend <3

K x

chamber

(zara)

love this leather purse - super cool christmas present idea. in other news, the last week has probably not been the shining week of my health. on top of the most unnecessary cold i've been sporting, i managed to get some silly chest infection and then managed to give young salz a little scare with a delightful post-scone coughing fit yesterday where both of us were pretty sure that was the end of me. but alas, i'm alive and kicking and think i should probs go get some antibiotics (the advice i give you all is listen to your mama, she is normally/always right). but other than my tale of woe, i actually had quite a cool weekend. went shopping in selfridges with my ma, ate lunch at busaba earthai, went to my favourite exhibition at the natural history museum, had the most amazing dinner at zuma, poodled to the roof gardens, trekked and nattered around hyde park and ate a bag of maltesers. so all in all, apart from the non-breathing moment, i've had another lovely weekend. bring on this week! and average health! yippee!

K x

bugs

(rabito via boxytech)

was most excited yesterday that my new iPhone 5 case arrived. slightly annoyed i left my darn camera back in cambridge so all i've got is this beaut taken from my instagram. anyway, i hate phone covers but not when they make me look as grown-up as this one. i've already had one threat of "please don't get it out in public, i'll pretend i don't know you" but luckily for the threat-ee the tail can pop off so all embarrassing situations are avoided. i got it in smoke grey - i tend to mention that i hate colour, but i did contemplate the red/pink version, but i wasn't sure how much it would have damaged my street cred. as i said on my instagram, i'm hoping to be taken most seriously at the office today. i'm sure my fellow google campus-ers will be most jealous. 

K x

unbearable

(yokoo on etsy)

one of the absolute joys of living in the kensington & chelsea area is that you meet an array of the most unjustifiably arrogant men. i had the pleasure of coming across one recently who told me he hated my sacred bobble hat. and that i should consider not wearing it. and so, from this day forward, i am on a mission for the biggest bobble hat that i shall wear on my head everywhere and anywhere. these would do for starters. 

K x

web

(dorothy perkins)

yummy knitted goodies. love the colours of the oversized ombre baba. and mittens in a scarf? handy.

K x

super spike

(topshop)

i'd actually consider wearing jewellery for these. and they're a tenner - wonderful.

K x

le pom

(asos)

gosh, i haven't posted in so long that blogger has gone and changed the dashboard format. yikes. it's all shiny and new. i'm so very sorry for not posting, i started a new job that has zero to do with fashion and a lot to do with technology, and so fashion has not entered my brain. today is the first day i checked the new-in's at topshop and asos in weeks, i'm not sure who i've turned into. i did however get the iPhone 5 which is my new child. ah nein, i'm officially a geek. anyway, i found this oversized beast of a scarf on asos with four random pom pom balls on the corners and i would very like it very much. it could be a blanket, it's seriously huge, big enough for me to swamp into. 

K x

heidi

(maison michel via net a porter)

luxe dress up.

K x

rigid

(h&m)

perfect bulk-your-wrist-up wear, an obvious alternative to olympic medals for the common folk. been catching up on the olympic hype, feeling so very patriotic with all the great british medals being deservedly earned. never thought i could be so into sport, the bbc coverage has been very very addictive. really inspired to take up a sport up properly now and work hard towards something for myself.

K x

heads

(warehouse)

would most enjoy using one of these belts to bling up any of my summer dresses/playsuits.

K x

bat

(via wildfox)

saw batman (dark night rises) with the bros and it is totes good. go and see it. it's pretty darn epic.

K x

five

(chan luu via net-a-porter)

have commenced the prep for marbs next saturday, am lugging back any decent summer clothing that has been gathering dust in london back to cambridge. wardrobe wise i am mostly done but accessories wise, i am lusting after these friendship bracelets. with holiday jewellery, i think there is noting nicer than a large stacking of luxe friendship bracelets making their way up my arm.

K x

beats

(beats by dr.dre)

this week i have been proudly sporting these beasts. the little bro lent me his headphones when i was home needing something to cover my ears for a jog (my ears + wind = tragedy), and i did not realise 1. how well they keep the wind out of ears (no ear ache for me, no no no) and 2. how much better music sounds with giant headphones. anyway, i then was on a mission to get me some beats by dr.dre. i chose the solo hd ones in red because i am a misery and never wear any colour and now i wear red headphones. every day. they are amazing, honestly, my music sounds so much better, the bass is banging. other pro's include - they are comfy, they do not fall off my head when i attempt to do interval training at the gym and you can't hear anything outside of them. totes recommend to anyone.

K x

tarnish

(river island via asos)

i had an anklet similar to this years ago, i found it earlier this week looking all rusty and gross and actually squealed slightly with excitement when i saw that asos had this one for just £5. it's the small things hey.

K x