merchants on long have come to town, y’all

Posted on 4 May 2012 by Kate

A couple of days ago, legendary Cape Town emporium Merchants on Long sprouted a pop-up shop in legendary Chelsea emporium the Shop at Bluebird. As you can probably conjure, I was all abuzz and aflutter. And the razzle dazzle only got worse as I poked around in the lusciousness at the opening party. Sourced from all over the Continent, the pieces on display in this perfectly curated space are simply to-wobble-for.

I had Africa-shaped sequin eyes, which is why I probably didn’t notice the Royals, aristocrats and one or two (or sixteen) of Brit fashion’s elite. There I was (in Clarks, M&S knickers I’ve had since 1996 and a head full of frizz), hoping that one of the spiky neon cuffs by Leather Rose would accidentally fall into my bag or a stunning Guidemore necklace would magically choke me until I promised to bring it home.

Alas, there was none of this shenanigans, but at least I get to share my favourites with you.

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1. Necklace, Guidemore. 2. Wallet, Near Far. 3. Kaftan, 4MaCoHa.
4. Cuff, Leather Rose. 5. Basket, Design Afrika.

More info and pics here.

And here are all the people I didn’t notice at the party.

***

More fashion here and here.

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hey, rose sanderson, your bugs and butterflies on books are ace

Posted on 3 May 2012 by Kate

A friend the other day asked me why I don’t write about books on the blog. Well, I said… While I was writing the novel and studying for my MA, I lost my lifelong love of reading. At the time it was quite distressing. And though Sensai told me I’d get it back, I didn’t believe him. For more than a year, I would pick up a book, read the first few lines and feel, well, nothing. No excitement. No joy. There was certainly no possibility of escapism. I mourned.

Skip to another recent conversation. This one by email. I’m being interviewed. The question that sticks? My current favourite read is… Hmmmm… Dial me back to 2006 and I would’ve had a list as long as a Joycean paragraph, but up until recently all I could do is look at the fifty or so books on my shelves that remain unread (yes, I kept on buying…) and sweat.

Sensai, however, has turned out to be right. I’m tortoise-ing my way back between the pages. Which is great because I can’t paint (poet. knew it.) like Rose Sanderson. Aren’t these pieces both an ingenious reuse of old books and very, very beautiful?

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vogue china: arizona muse in the desert by josh olins

Posted on 3 May 2012 by Kate

This is my favourite editorial since this one. I’m high for the hot life. Sand burning your feet. Sun burning your skin. Eyes cracking beneath shards of light. And the camel pants and brogues that Arizona Muse is donning in one of these pics by Josh Olins for Vogue China below.

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daily style inspiration: arm party

Posted on 2 May 2012 by Kate

My arms were 20 years sober. It’s all The Man Repeller‘s fault. Leandra’s bleedin‘ arm soirees have me decorating my once happily naked wrists with all sorts of paraphernalia. Bangles, bracelets, cuffs, beads, leather straps and friendship bands like the ones my sister and I used to make during our school holidays. Now all I want are these macrame numbers. I spotted them on Honestly WTF with DIY instructions and everything. I can’t help it. My fingers are itching to get a-knotting.

i am not a celebrity, kate mcauley, daily style inspiration, honestly wtf, man repeller, bracelet, macrame

They’re pretty though, right? Off the wagon I fall.

More style inspiration here and here.

Image courtesy of  Honestly WTF. 

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triptych: the we are handsome project

Posted on 2 May 2012 by Kate

I was a late to kneel before the We Are Handsome alter, but my devotion since has been unwavering (not least because of its Antipodean roots). And, while it’s still coldish and tres rainy in London (allowing me plenty of time to mull over which cossie I’ll choose for my upcoming Tuscan break), I’ve been enjoying the brand’s stellar blog. I’m particularly smitten with A Handsome Project – a photographer/model/swimsuit love-in that is featured each month.

And, silly me, I thought it was a new initative. Wrong again. It’s been on the pass for ages. So instead of showing off the three photographers I had planned of this post, I’ve GIF-ed up a whole bevy of my favourites. What else could I do with such a surfeit of talent?

Cameron Hammond

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she raw: photographer lilli waters and her forty-one women

Posted on 1 May 2012 by Kate

Lilli Waters‘ photography project She Raw is brimming with inner and outer pulchritude. For a little while now, she’s been snapping women in the crevices and crannies between reality and fantasy. And this week she’s exhibiting her work in Melbourne with fifty per cent of her profits ending up with the White Ribbon Foundation (a charity that’s dedicated to preventing violence against women). Beautiful in every sense.

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hey, funny face: abbey lee kershaw for numéro 133

Posted on 1 May 2012 by Kate

Here’s some quirk love for Abbey Lee Kershaw. Get it while it’s tres caliente.

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pinterest picks: feathers, ferns and f scott fitzgerald…

Posted on 1 May 2012 by Kate

… and a few other beautiful, inspiring and wonderful bobs and bits
I’ve right-clicked on this week.

Erin Wasson, Zadig & Voltaire, The Electric, The Pursuit Aesthetic, Mr Harris Tweed, Johuan Davy, Fashion Me Now, Trendland, Remodelista, Pani Jurek, Charlie May, Girl A La Mode, Design Sponge, F Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby Continue reading →

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diy inspiration: erin consadine’s alluvium necklace

Posted on 30 April 2012 by Kate

I’m perpetually magpie-ing pieces and bits that I reckon I could make myself. This beautiful necklace by Erin Consadine is the latest addition to my list of things to try out if time decides to give me a breather (piglets standby for lift-off).

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nicola woods’ beautiful soul

Posted on 30 April 2012 by Kate

I’m an unwavering fan of designer Nicola Woods and her label Beautiful Soul. For AW12, she was inspired by the love letters her grandmothers (Olivia and Rose) sent their sweethearts (AKA her grandfathers) during the Second World War. The poppy print is delicious and the entire collection was made in England using sustainable silks, wool and cotton. What’s not to adore?

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