THAT KATE

So far this week.

2012-02-08T22:00:00.008Z

The skin I live in was bizarre yet amazing, In a Better World was very good indeed, I preferred the second part of Melancholia, I am still undecided about 50/50, Vera Drake was rather grim and Cell 211 was like an episode of Oz.

His Master's Voice.

2012-02-05T08:00:00.001Z

A friend of mine recently inherited quite a few gramophones (I think it was 9 in total) and I went round for a listen and to marvel at how absolutely beautiful they all are. I thought the tins for the needles were also amazing.

So far this week.

2012-01-31T17:45:00.014Z

I loved The Artist, The salt of Life was a delight, L'avventura was a disappointment, The Hot Rock was predictable, Marley and Me was rather sweet and Transiberian was occasionally tense.

Baba ganoush and mountain dew.

2012-01-24T19:51:00.004Z

Over the summer we lived on watermelon straight from the freezer, trips to the Lido for the most amazing bread with humous and baba ganoush, the best custard tarts from Harts bakery and some Arabic mountain dew.

Our wonderful portrait.

2012-01-19T17:13:00.000Z

I was lucky enough to win a portrait drawn by Laura after she hosted a giveaway on her lovely blog. I sent her some snaps of myself and Thomas and she did the most amazing job. Thank you Laura!

So far this week.

2012-01-16T18:25:00.011Z

Beach huts and Sunrise cycles.

2012-01-11T21:38:00.011Z

I really do enjoy going for long walks by the seaside in Hove/Brighton. Along the way we encountered the most adorable beach huts, an engaged palmist, a local Pétanque club and a beautiful Rob Ryan exhibition.

So far this week.

2012-01-08T11:10:00.004Z

The Cotswolds.

2012-01-03T22:00:00.003Z

Thomas took me on a tour of The Cotswolds the other month and everywhere we drove through looked like a picture postcard. We visited the villages of Lockeridge, Avebury, West Kennett and the Marlborough downs. I absolutely loved it and I am looking forward to another visit very soon.

2 0 1 2.

2012-01-01T10:22:00.007Z

So far this week.

2011-12-27T10:35:00.002Z

2011-12-24T12:15:00.000Z

The Christmas Market.

2011-12-20T12:48:00.009Z

At the weekend Thomas and I had our very own stall at a Christmas market in Bristol. It was so much fun and definitely got us into the festive spirit. We had the most amazing tin till that made a wonderful *ting* sound every time it opened. We went on selling until 7pm and it was a freezing cold night but we are looking forward to the next one.

So far this week.

2011-12-12T20:09:00.005Z

Pumpkins and strawberries.

2011-12-07T07:47:00.007Z

I made two visits to the pick your own pumpkin fields last month. The first one with Pia (I was surprised to see that the strawberry fields were still open) and then I went with Thomas. Next year I am going to get a pumpkin and carve into it the face of either Edward Cullen or David from The Lost Boys.

So far this week.

2011-12-05T15:32:00.010Z

Welcome.

2011-11-29T21:18:00.006Z

There is always so much to see and do in Bristol. A walk down Nelson Street, the wonderful birds that appeared in Montpelier, Boston Tea party, the very beautiful Ashton Court and miniature boats at M shed.

Moomin, Little My and a Polaroid.

2011-11-25T20:50:00.008Z

I have been busy drawing and making some new bits for my shop on etsy. I have also now opened a Folksy shop (I'm still making more more stock to transfer over). I hope you like them.

University of Bristol Botanic Garden.

2011-11-18T07:00:00.002Z

Back in August on a boiling hot day Thomas and I visited the Botanic Gardens in Bristol and it was a rather amazing place. It has the most wonderful Chinese medicinal herb collection and I just read that they hosted the Bristol Honey Festival in September! You can also do a diploma for garden design there and lots of courses as well - I like the sound of Tonics and Elixirs: Herbal Harvesting for Autumn.

Paris. Part 4.

2011-11-14T16:38:00.002Z

Here is the final post of my Paris snaps. So much gingham, passing La Tour Eiffel on our boat trip down the Seine, the amazing view from the top of Centre Georges Pompidou, the bandstand in Jardin du Luxembourg, the most wonderful bookshops, Thomas with all his newly acquired Ye-ye records, Rue du Chat-qui-Pêche, a bronze Statue of Liberty, the most beautiful haberdashery in La Droguerie and a picnic on the last morning in Parc des Buttes Chaumont where I demolished the most delicious slice of flan from the bakery next door to our apartment. Paris was very kind to us and I can't wait to return.

So far this week.

2011-11-12T08:12:00.005Z

Drink Shop & Do.

2011-11-07T07:00:00.001Z

I finally paid a visit to Drink Shop & Do with Thomas for a coca cola and it was definitely all I had hoped for and more. It was so crafty, inspiring and each one of the cakes looked absolutely delicious (and so did the Scotch eggs). I'd love to go back for one of their Knit Nights or an evening of Fanzine fun & typewriter mania! If I lived closer I think I'd be in there every day.

Paris. Part 3.

2011-11-03T07:00:00.001Z

Amazing signs everywhere you look, the most beautiful photobooth in Forum des images, a bookshop in the Latin quarter, Thomas photographing in Jardin du Luxembourg and a bit of the Centre Georges Pompidou.

So far this week.

2011-10-31T07:23:00.000Z

My record player.

2011-10-27T15:45:00.007+01:00

My Fidelity suitcase record player was a present from Thomas along with lots of wonderful records and it is absolutely amazing. It meant that we could go record shopping together when we were in Paris and I found myself a copy of My Sharona by The Knack for €1 which was very exciting.

Paris. Part 2.

2011-10-25T14:20:00.012+01:00

Everyday we walked for hours around the streets of Paris which meant we got to see so much in only a few days. I loved our daily wanders along Canal Saint-Martin, the quick peek we had inside Shakespeare and Co, capturing the early autumn in Jardin du Luxembourg, the amazing view from the top of Centre Georges Pompidou after riding the escalators up there and exploring the beautiful Parc des Buttes Chaumont.

Paris. Part 1.

2011-10-19T18:04:00.012+01:00

I had the most wonderful time with Thomas when we visited Paris back in September. We stayed in an amazing apartment in the 10th arrondissement which was the perfect base for all our adventures. During our trip we enjoyed the most delicious breakfasts every single morning, some vintage stationary delights in Au petit bonheur la chance (it was also full of fabrics, chalkboards, labels, old school supplies, bowls and tins), peeking in the window of the rather marvellous looking Sweat shop (a sewing cafe), Thomas expertly planning our every move with his insiders knowledge of the city, exploring the magnificent Jardin du Luxembourg very early in the morning before all the crowds (with all its chairs) and lots of French record shopping.

So far this week.

2011-10-17T16:00:00.002+01:00

Cosplay and portraits.

2011-10-13T19:35:00.004+01:00

My favourite part of Hyper Japan was getting a manga portrait done with Thomas but it was still lots of fun looking at all the cosplay costumes walking past.

So far this week.

2011-10-11T15:59:00.005+01:00

Eton mess and a silent pool.

2011-10-07T23:28:00.008+01:00

A country pub with Kaori, mini Eton mess desserts, penguins on the wall, a stroll by the canal, then past an organic vineyard and finally a quick visit to the mesmerizing Silent Pool.

Sunflowers and cherry picking.

2011-10-04T21:23:00.010+01:00

Cherry picking for the first time, weaving in and out of the sunflowers, a quick visit to the strawberry field and then having to get a closer look at the most perfect looking apples on our drive out of Garsons farm. Thomas and I enjoyed the most delicious fruit salad that night.

A photo booth and an origami heart.

2011-09-30T16:18:00.006+01:00

Thomas and I spent the most wonderful 4 days in Paris last week. We managed to locate 2 photo booths from our long list (in Bonton and forum des images) and then proceeded to go photo booth crazy! I have just got my negatives back from all my snaps but Thomas has already started posting some of his amazing photographs on his blog.

The festival of Britain 2011.

2011-09-27T10:00:00.001+01:00

Over the summer I visited Southbank a couple of times and enjoyed a bottle of thumbs up cola with my friend Sarah and then got all excited by the striped beach huts when I went with Thomas. I watched a documentary on BBC about the 1951 festival of Britain yesterday that was extremely interesting. I wish they still had dances outside the Royal festival hall at night.

So far this week.

2011-09-25T17:00:00.000+01:00

Weston-super-Mare. Part 2.

2011-09-22T18:49:00.008+01:00

Weston's very own love boat, writing in the sand, one amazing walkway, some beautiful looking houses off the beaten track, a seafood hut versus the new pier, so many beach-side cafes to choose from and simply admiring the view. We will definitely be heading back to Weston-super-Mare next summer.

Watermelon smiles and Hawaiian shirts.

2011-09-14T20:30:00.010+01:00

A very happy breakfast, a matching door and flowers, the most delicious strawberry juice with bits in, so much bunting, gazing up at the cranes after a visit to M Shed, tea and cake at St Paul's carnival and then escaping the crowds with Thomas to St Werburghs.

Weston-super-Mare. Part 1.

2011-09-09T08:00:00.003+01:00

The first time we visited Weston it was out of season and a very cold and windy day, but on a sunny Sunday the other month we discovered the most wonderful seaside town! We made sandcastles, ate home-made chocolate croissants, drank bottled coca cola and went for a walk to see Birnbeck Pier.

So far this week.

2011-09-05T19:41:00.000+01:00

Brighton. Another Part 3.

2011-09-01T08:51:00.006+01:00

This is my last installment of Brighton for now. I love the house numbers, all the great cafes, the most amazing shops and walking back to the car along the beach. Next up will be some photographs of another wonderful seaside spot, Weston-super-mare.

Our manga portrait.

2011-08-27T16:51:00.012+01:00

A few weeks ago Thomas and I headed over to Hyper Japan at Olympia in London where we queued up and got our portrait done by the very talented Inko. I really do love it! (I took a few snaps during the day as there was a cosplay contest going on but they are still waiting to get developed).

Brighton. Another Part 2.

2011-08-22T08:00:00.004+01:00

Fish and chips on the beach, converse and record players, a beautiful pink door and walks along the pier.

So far this week.

2011-08-16T20:35:00.008+01:00

Brighton. Another Part 1.

2011-08-11T00:01:00.011+01:00

The pebbled beach, so much colour, markets everywhere, Kemptown bookshop and a ride on Volk's electric railway. I do love a good day trip to Brighton.

Don't feed them after midnight.

2011-08-08T12:56:00.008+01:00

I was drawing lots of little Polaroids this weekend which will eventually become rings. These are for a big order I have had from Peek! in Singapore but they are always available in my etsy shop.

So far this week.

2011-08-06T08:00:00.004+01:00

The under the pier show and a wish.

2011-07-28T11:23:00.008+01:00

I can't get enough of the festival of Britain down at Southbank. There's so much bunting and colour everywhere. They also have the most wonderful food market there every weekend. I hope it remains like this forever.

Picking our own.

2011-07-25T10:14:00.004+01:00

I do love the strawberry picking season and my friend Pia is a real pro at it!

Polkadots and marzipan strawberries.

2011-07-21T16:19:00.010+01:00

The most amazing cameras in the markets along Portobello road, a magnificent polkadot building, a picnic accompanied by a game of pétanque, sharing a pot of Lychee red at the Tea Box, an overwhelming amount of baking supplies in Kooks unlimited and the kawaii bill that followed the most delicious yasai tempura bento box.

The city farm fair.

2011-07-16T10:36:00.005+01:00

A few weekends ago we visited the wonderful St Werburghs farm fair on a glorious sunny day. It was full of food, craft stalls, music and of course the animals. Afterwards we went on a little wander around a nature trail and found some perfect picnic spots.

So far this week.

2011-07-12T17:58:00.006+01:00

The Vulcan nerve pinch.

2011-07-10T23:00:00.001+01:00

I love my red 1950s Vulcan toy sewing machine.

Hot chocolate and headphones.

2011-07-06T21:00:00.002+01:00

A wonderful Polish cafe hidden inside an antiques market, homemade matcha cupcakes, the thickest hot chocolate from Clifton cakes, bread and jam for breakfast by the harbourside and a bowl of the most delicious humous made by Thomas.

So far this week.

2011-07-03T15:49:00.000+01:00

Sharks and chess.

2011-06-30T08:00:00.001+01:00

The newly extended Cox and Baloney tea room, two shark sightings and the most perfect homemade iced soy coffee.

My house.

2011-06-27T17:12:00.003+01:00

I found this house at a local charity shop and made it mine for only £2. It was originally a lighter wood so I stained it and then started to rent out the rooms.

Parks and a Pentax.

2011-06-24T08:00:00.002+01:00

Some examples of wonderful metal signage around Bristol, drinking San Pellegrino from a glass bottle and glorious picnic weather.

So far this week.

2011-06-22T18:10:00.002+01:00

April the twenty ninth.

2011-06-15T23:56:00.015+01:00

A delightful birthday breakfast back in April with the most wonderful paper-cut card and an amazing Kodak bag from Thomas. A wander around Clifton investigating the street parties and getting excited by all the bunting, tortilla at the Lido, a walk to the Suspension bridge and my delicious lemon and polenta birthday cake.

Lucky Seven.

2011-06-13T08:00:00.004+01:00

The diner hunt continues. This time we headed west towards Portobello market and on the way stopped off for lunch here. I really enjoyed our beer-battered onion rings and chips and hope to come back one morning for pancakes!

So far this week.

2011-06-09T19:30:00.006+01:00

The Rose Lounge.

2011-06-06T09:08:00.010+01:00

As a joint birthday celebration I went for the most delicious afternoon tea with Kaori. We made our reservation and headed off to the Sofitel in St James in London and we had a lovely afternoon. Rose bud tea, scones with lemon curd, rose jam and clotted cream, finger sandwiches and lastly some Parisienne pastries. It was absolutely delicious and so filling! There was even a lady playing a harp in there so it really was perfect.

A picnic.

2011-06-02T08:00:00.004+01:00

We headed off one beautiful afternoon for a picnic in the park and it was such a colourful walk there. We bumped into the lady outside her house who had done the piece of knitting (in the 1st pic) around the lamp-post and she told us she had made it for her husband on valentine's day, which I thought was just lovely). Sun-dried tomato bread, humous, homemade flapjack, apple juice, gingham fabric, radio and of course the cameras.

So far this week.

2011-05-30T23:42:00.005+01:00

The blossom.

2011-05-28T09:11:00.008+01:00

It seemed to come so quickly this year and before I knew it all the blossom had fallen. It was still extremely beautiful for a few weeks. Thomas photo-taking and Pia with her wonderful shoes.

The bureau.

2011-05-25T08:00:00.002+01:00

I was very excited to add this beautiful teapot (that I got for my birthday from Thomas) to my collection. It fits in so well between my camera teapot and the sewing table one (yes my collection is only 3 at the moment).

So far this week.

2011-05-23T08:00:00.000+01:00

Soapylove.

2011-05-20T08:00:00.003+01:00

I was lucky enough to win a giveaway over at tiger in a jar recently. I received a box of bath time goodies from Soapylove, shown in this amazing little video made by Matt and Julie! Can't wait to try them all out.

Front page.

2011-05-18T09:00:00.007+01:00

I was very excited this morning to see one of my snaps of Thomas and his cameras (taken on Clevedon pier) on the new Flickr home page.

Bristol continued.

2011-05-13T18:55:00.003+01:00

My obsession with door knockers continues, free coffee at Ikea, wonderful jar labels, a beautiful looking Chinese restaurant I would like to visit for dim sum, Thomas' listening booth and an amusing Vicky Pollard pub sign.

Restocked.

2011-05-10T20:34:00.007+01:00

I've just replenished my frosted Polaroid necklaces in my etsy shop. I must get out in this glorious weather with some of my Polas and start snapping again!

So far this week.

2011-05-08T20:01:00.014+01:00

The tour.

2011-05-05T19:38:00.007+01:00

Last month Thomas and I headed over to Bath for a tour of what used to be the Theatre Royal, it then became a Catholic chapel and is now a Masonic Lodge (no photographs allowed inside darn it). It was facinating indeed and a wonderful building to explore. Any excuse to go and potter around Bath really!

Thirst.

2011-05-04T08:00:00.000+01:00

We do love our drinks with bits in them:
1. Lychee bubble jelly drink.
2. Homemade jasmine bubble tea (by Thomas).
3. Lychee Juice With Nata De Coco.

Hampton Court.

2011-05-01T15:26:00.003+01:00

I enjoyed a scone with clotted cream and jam at Hampton Court the other week. It's such a pleasure strolling through the gardens there. The weather really has been glorious recently!

A Birthday and a Royal Wedding.

2011-04-29T08:00:00.011+01:00

The last street party I attended was to celebrate the Royal Wedding of Charles and Diana on 29th July 1981. I was only one. Today I hope to attend some more street parties along with celebrating my birthday (a few more years on).

I have heard that anyone who shares the same name as William or Kate can celebrate the royal wedding with free entry to London zoo (another option).

I just love those rounded corners on old photographs!

So far this week.

2011-04-27T07:50:00.000+01:00

Yé-yé.

2011-04-24T16:00:00.005+01:00

I decided to give cross stitch another ago after been inspired by the wonderful badges I saw over at Owls go hoot. I made this one for Thomas because he has a passion for the sounds of Yé-yé. He is always introducing me to so many wonderful songs.

The SuperSampler.

2011-04-19T08:00:00.001+01:00

I received a wonderful blue Supersampler camera from my friend Pia and these are some of the photographs from my first film. My attempt at a star jump, an amazing wave painted on the side of a house in Bristol, Thomas doing some expert map reading, a picnic with Sarah, Bushy park and a day trip to Brighton with Zoe. I can't wait to experiment some more!

Fatboy's Diner.

2011-04-15T08:00:00.003+01:00

Thomas and I went on a hunt for an authentic American diner in London. First on the list was Fatboys Diner which is in the most bizarre location (we had to get the DLR to East India and then follow the signs on the pavement and the fences that led us across a roundabout, to its home by the river in Trinity buoy wharf). We enjoyed some chips and onion rings once settled in our booth. Next on the list is Starvin Marvins!

Coconut and jam cookies.

2011-04-12T08:00:00.001+01:00

I got a wonderful book called 1001 cupcakes, cookies & other tempting treats for Christmas and I'm slowly making my way through it. Everything so far has been amazing. These are loaded with butter and taste just like short bread. So darn good!

225g butter, softened
140g caster sugar
1 egg yolk, lightly beaten
280g plain flour
pinch of salt
100g desiccated coconut
4 tbsp strawberry jam

1. Preheat oven to 190c/gas mark 5. Beat together butter and sugar, then add egg yolk. Sift together flour and salt, then stir in coconut.
2. Scoop up tablespoons of mixture and roll into balls. Make a hollow in the centre (using handle of wooden spoon) and fill with strawberry jam.
3. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

The Emporiums of Bath.

2011-04-10T08:00:00.000+01:00

Two of my favourite stops on a recent day trip to Bath with Thomas included Mr B's Emporium of Reading Delights and the Tea House Emporium. The bookshop was so amazing and it all just felt so inviting with lots of comfy chairs dotted around! When you buy a book there you can get it packaged in brown paper, string and a red wax B seal - so beautiful. In the tea house they stock hundreds of loose and flowering teas upstairs and in the basement there is a huge menu to choose from and have a sit down. We both ordered a mate tea which you drink through a metal straw. I had never tried it before but I really enjoyed it!

Birthdays and brownies.

2011-04-07T08:00:00.002+01:00

A few catch up snaps from February. Thomas had a birthday so i decided some peanut butter cupcakes were in order. I followed a wonderful recipe from Siobhan and they were absolutely delicious. I will definitely be making them again. I also made some heart shaped brownies and we popped in to an exhibition at the delightful Here gallery.

So far this week.

2011-04-05T08:55:00.011+01:00

Frost.

2011-04-03T13:44:00.006+01:00

I finally got around to making my Marimekko cushion this morning! I have loved this design for so long and couldn't believe my luck when i saw the fabric (called Pakkanen and designed by Maija Louekar) was half price in an amazing Scandinavian shop in Bath. The shop also stocked the most wonderful selection of Moomin fabrics and merchandise I have seen since visiting Finland. I am now going on a cushion making binge!

Radio Days.

2011-03-31T22:53:00.004+01:00

Stumbled upon this wonderful shop a few weeks ago when looking for the ScooterCaffè down Lower Marsh street in London. Lots of lovely vintage goodness inside!

So far this week.

2011-03-27T18:00:00.000+01:00

Bath Bookshops. Part 1.

2011-03-24T21:34:00.006Z

Bath really does have some of the best bookshops I have ever been in. This amazing one is called George Bayntun and it's rather spectacular. My favourite part is the basement (George Gregory booksellers) which is full of second hand wonders. It is such a great place to browse and photograph.

Hart's bakery.

2011-03-21T14:06:00.007Z

As soon as I was told about this bakery in Bristol we couldn't wait to pop in. Laura Hart was so friendly when we stopped by the other week at closing time and she let us have a browse and take some snaps while she made preparations for her stall that she runs on a Saturday morning. We took home a french stick and it was absolutely delicious. This place was amazing and I can't wait to sample some of her famous custard tarts next time we visit.

So far this week.

2011-03-19T09:42:00.003Z

Breakfast, again.

2011-03-17T14:05:00.002Z

My favourite meal of the day! Thomas made some wonderful vegan creations using the croissant pastry out of a can (pain au chocolat/pain au raisin/chocolate twist). Absolutely delicious!

Bristol oh Bristol.

2011-03-14T09:34:00.009Z

The Bristol adventures continue. A stroll by the harbourside, a drink at Bocabar, lunch in Arnos Vale cemetery, a strawberry juice in Cosies cellar bar and a second visit to St Werburghs farm.

My bicycle.

2011-03-12T16:47:00.003Z

I have not had a bicycle since I was about 8 years old so this is very exciting. It's a folding Austrian Puch Picnic and I love it. Thomas made it all nice and shiny for me so now I look forward to lots of summer bicycling adventures!

My new business card stamp.

2011-03-09T15:42:00.008Z

I got the most amazing parcel in the post the other morning from my pen-friend Margaret of Paper Pastries. She created a wonderful new business card stamp for me in schoolhouse font which I absolutely love (I spent this morning stamping away). The box was also packed full of beautiful notebooks, ribbon, postcards, a polkadot brooch, a typewriter magnet, luggage tags, camera note-cards, my own Kate bunting and even a dinosaur! Thank you so much Marvellous Margaret.

ScooterCaffè.

2011-03-06T23:08:00.007Z

Thomas alerted me to this amazing cafe on Lower Marsh street near Waterloo station a while back and we finally popped in a few weeks ago. I had the most delicious hot chocolate which had to be demolished with a spoon (I was informed the coffee was extremely good too)! There also seemed to be 3 friendly cats living in there. It was absolutely amazing and I can't wait to go back.

So far this week.

2011-03-05T17:12:00.005Z

Cox and Baloney (continued).

2011-02-28T22:37:00.007Z

It really does have it all in the enchanting Cox and Baloney and I notice new little things in there every time we visit. I just love their attention to detail around every corner. We stopped by for a cup of tea the other week and it just confirmed that it is the bookshop of my dreams.

(I adore this capture by Thomas during our tea break).

Cafe Kino.

2011-02-25T22:59:00.005Z

Time for some chocolate cake and van cocoa island tea at the recently refurbished, very spacious Cafe Kino on Stokes Croft.

So far this week.

2011-02-21T16:51:00.005Z

Bristol. Part 11.

2011-02-18T17:38:00.003Z

A few weeks ago we spent an afternoon in Clifton. It mainly involved snacking and photographing - Chai lattes with brownies and then chips for the walk home.