hilkat

Since changing the blog, I’ve decided it’s now fine to be much more personal with my posts, and to write about a whole variation of things, which is why today’s post is about…. our upcoming nuptuals.

I’ve got very definite ideas about what I do and don’t want (DO: a relaxed and fun day, vintage country style decoration and dress, minimal fuss, candles, flowers in jam jars, nothing too matchy-matchy, and above all, cost effective. DON’T: ‘Bridezilla’ moments, bows, frills, anything too ‘done’, one theme colour, anything avant-guarde or modern, anything ridiculously overpriced) and have decided to share some inspiration pictures with you. The idea is to keep expenditure down to an absolute minimum, and while food is one cost that is always going to be fairly large, I’ve got no intention of paying £200 per table for them to be decorated, so I’m intending on doing all that myself (with the help of my Mum and Maid of Honour!). Here’s how!

I decided rather than paying for expensive vases, we would be thrifty (and eco-friendly!) and use jam jars to hold the flowers and candles. I love the effect this has, and although it sounds cheap and tacky, it looks marvelous!

After researching table centre-pieces, and almost fainting at the price of them, we’ve decided to do as much with candles and flowers (probably bought from a supermarket and trimmed accordingly the day before!) as we can. I’m a big candle person anyway, so its not going to be a problem, and once lit they look absolutely gorgeous. Tea lights, church candles, votive candles…. they’ll all be in there!

We’re also considering the idea of using bird cages or lanterns on the tables, either with candles or flowers arranged inside - I just love the vintage country feel they add. Plus, then I’d get to take them home and adorn our house with them!

For the place settings, I’m almost a hundred per cent sure that we’re going to incorporate vintage china (picked up from charity shops between now and then!), simply because it’s so colourful and in keeping with the rest of the look.

Obviously the flowers are pretty important, and the main idea is to keep them looking as relaxed and un-arranged as possible. I love the mix of tea-roses and carnations, in delicate shades of pink, yellow and green, and want the same sort of things in my bouquet. My worst nightmare is anything that looks like it’s been strapped in place with florist wire - let the flowers be free!

I’m like a magpie when it comes to shopping - anything coloured, patterned or slightly eclectic draws me in and usually ends up coming home with me. My latest purchases are no different - and I love that since I’ve expanded the content rules for the blog, I can now post wonderful pictures of them as well, hurrah! - and have absolutely nothing to link them all together, apart from the fact that I just had to have them…

I was browsing through Whittard during my lunch break last week, searching through for any mugs or plates that caught my eye for our new flat, when I stumbled across this tea towel. The teapots featured in the design are the exact style of china I love, and am aiming to start collecting, so of course it ended up in the basket (along with some tea bags and two bags of chocolate coins!).

Another lunch break (maybe I should just stay in the staffroom and read?!) led to the finding of (and this was actually written on the label, it’s not one of my awful jokes…) Lorraine Deer in Paperchase. She’s made up of such a lovely fabric, that I thought it would be something nice to keep with the Christmas decorations. The owl tissue paper was collected on the same shopping trip, and the intention is to wrap my Mums birthday presents in it in January, as she loves owls and I thought it would make a nice change from the usual ‘Happy Birthday’ rolls from Asda.

Lastly, and by no means least, a trip to Hobbycraft resulted in the gorgeous wool pictured below (on the ironing board - what a great cover!) and a French knitting dolly. The fingerless mittens are from Asda, and are to keep my hands warm while I labour over my own pair - although keen, I’m pretty new to crocheting and knitting, and projects tend to be slow and rather laborious.

I haven’t done French knitting for a while, and had to do a search on Google Images to see what could actually come out of it, and I was quite pleasantly surprised. Although the only thing you end up with is a long piece of knitted cord (which could obviously be used as a…cord…), there are plenty of things it can be transformed into, and I have an overload of ideas of using it for words and phrases, as well as weaving several together into a scarf. And not forgetting the rather obvious rug option, of course.

What further evidence could you possibly need that knitting is officially cool? If it’s an acceptable hobby for two of the most iconic women in the entertainment business, it’s certainly good enough for me….

Come winter the trees and bushes may be bare, but that doesn’t mean life has to be free of blooms. I’ve had a trawl through the websites of my favourite shops and gathered together the best pick of floral clothes and accessories to brighten up the colder months. I’m imagining the dresses paired with richly coloured or patterned tights, and the tops with skinny jeans and my delectable new tan riding boots… perfect!

Above: Boden, left and French Connection, right.

Above: Cath Kidston

Above: Matalan

Above: Monsoon

Above: Next

Above: Topshop

Since getting the new camera, I’ve been rather more taken with photographing the landscapes than my outfits (that and the fact that I haven’t bought anything new in absolutely aaaaages - if that’s not an excuse to go shopping, I don’t know what is….), particularly since Autumn is now well underway, and has covered the outdoors in a multitude of colours and hues. I enjoyed making the Autumn mosaics so much last time that I’ve decided this is a rather effective way to show all of my own images, and so I give you my latest attempts…

As well as photography, I’ve been pondering on the true reason for the existence of this blog. While I love, adore and will always be preoccupied with clothes and fashion, my tastes have changed somewhat over the last few months, and I find as I grow older I’m drawn more to well cut, made-to-last, quality garments, rather than the disposable fashion of Primark and suchlike (I suppose this could have something to do with working for Paul Smith…). I’ve also been spending rather a lot of time on Etsy and Folksy, and have been really inspired to get out the paints and canvas, fabric and sewing machine, and attempt to bring to life the designs that I had intended would make up the Hilkat label. I’ve even learned to crochet over the last few days….

This blog was intended to be a platform to sell well-made, home-crafted and designed products such as paintings, knick-knacks and homewares, and somehow they’ve never appeared…. until now. Rather than spending all my blogging time posting the latest offerings from Topshop (although I am still looking, let it be known), I’ll be showing photographs and my latest crafty achievements, and general tit-bits from everyday life. (We’re moving house in January, so expect lots of interiors and homewares posts!) And I’m sure the odd dress will pop up here and there as well…

When the colder weather begins to appear, my thoughts automatically turn to knitwear. I can’t help it. As soon as I can see my breath in the mornings, I’m scouring the shops for the most deliciously snuggly woolens I can find. Scarves, jumpers, gloves (or my latest obsession - fingerless mittens), homewares…. a bit like this little lot really:

I’m also a sucker for a good crafty project, and despite being one of those people with half-finished garments all over the house, I’m knitting myself a chunky scarf for this winter.

The wool is a gorgeous fair-isle effect, and leaves a wonderful stripey pattern running through it. I’m particularly pleased with this as it makes me look like I’m a far more proficient knitter than I actually am. Although to be fair, I have done two purl panels at the end, and I’m planning on adding some tassel-y bits once it’s finished. I also want to learn to crochet after discovering the amazing creations by Lucy over at Attic 24, and am looking into getting an allotment since it looks very much like we’ll be in a flat for the foreseeable future. Ooohh, projects!

Yesterday started out with one of those wonderful clear and cold Autumn mornings that I adore, so I took advantage of the cloudless skies and piercing sunlight, the golden colours and windless trees and took a couple of photos out of the bedroom window….

I love Autumn. I love the way the weather gets colder gradually, teasing you with thoughts of winter boots and chunky knits, luscious layering and coloured woolly tights. I love the crispness of the mornings, the crunchiness of the leaves and the freshness of things after the sticky summer weather. So todays post is a little homage to Autumn and all it brings with it.

Something about the winter makes me want to snuggle up in a hoodie and pyjama bottoms, thick fair isle socks and big slippers, read books on the sofa, and not leave the house. Ever. But another, larger part of me, wants to go shopping and enjoy all that the new seasons have to offer. Gorgeous riding boots, thick coloured tights, woolen dresses and skirts, and mostly, the fabric du-jour, velvet.

Every winter, I feel like donning as much velvet as I can find, in sumptuous colours and various styles, and wandering through the streets with a big fluffy hat, a la Julie Christie in Doctor Zhivago. I want to pretend to be a Russian Princess, or a wealthy woman from the Victorian era, walking through the park or the cobbled lanes in my pointy lace up boots and thick velvet gown. Or, more realistically, I want to wear a nice jewel coloured velvet blazer over my skinny jeans and chunky boots and go for a nice relaxing pub lunch, way out in the country with only the sunday papers and a roaring fire (and a few toys for the baby) to keep us company.

Above: Blazer, left, and jacket, right, both from Topshop.

Above: Boden coat, left, and ASOS dress, right.

Above: Capelet, left, and dress, right, both from Nasty Gal Vintage.

Above: Toast gown, left, and Littlewoods dress, right.