Spring blooms - garden ideas!!

Our garden has been looking a bit sad recently - we lost a lot of plants a couple of winters ago and we didn't do much with it. Then with the strong winds this winter our fences blew away so we got rather cosy with our next door neighbours but now they are back up again so this Sunday we headed out to the garden centre to buy a few plants to brighten it up a bit.

Lots of digging, pruning and re-discovering the water feature under an over grown olive tree we - well I say we most of the hard graft was done by my lovely hubby while I sat around giving instructions!!

It is still work in progress so I won't post any pictures yet but here are some of the ideas I have been collecting.....................

 

My initial plans were for a Mediterranean style garden as I love the lush green foliage but as with the house the collector in me takes over and I end up with an eclectic mix of vintage pieces that I find on my travels. I also like the idea of picking flowers to put into the house so now I am investigating lots of colourful blooms that I can brighten up the rooms with.

 

 

I love the idea of making the garden into an outdoor room - I am not much of a gardener but potter and like to have a glass of bubbly in the sunshine

Photos to follow when it is how I want it - need to find some fabric for the LLoyd Loom chairs, a couple more chairs and a new table - so watch this space.

How does your garden grow? Do you have an outdoor space or window box - I would love see how you plan yours??

Home Office Style

I was planning a post about our adventures over the Easter break but due to rather typical miserable bank holiday weather we didn't get to do all the things I had wanted to do - cue drinks in the garden, picnics in the sun - scuppered!!

So instead I had a bit of a spring clean in the house and managed to sort out my home office - something I have been meaning to do since leaving Fabulous Miss K HQ in November. (Long story as to why we moved out - too expensive and a burglary!!)

Sitting on the sofa watching crap daytime TV does not make you productive so an alternative space was desperately needed. Trying to find even a small corner in a two up to down terrace is difficult but my ever practical hubby came up with the perfect solution - I knew there was a reason why I married him!!

Many hours looking on pintrest and home styling sites lead to a mood board for inspiration -

 

 

I found the perfect spot in the corner of the bedroom next to the window so when the sun shines I can look out over the garden. It is a small space but just big enough to fit the cabinet that was in my previous office, I already had a book shelf so I filled it with all my fashion and styling books, added a few accessories and hey presto the finished result.

 

 

Just need to get the chair covered in the most fabulous fabric I found in Anglia Fashion Fabrics.

Some of my favourite styling pictures on display.

Just a few of my many fashion books!!

 

I love my new office space small but perfectly formed I am very much looking forward to working here.

 

 

Have you got a workspace if you work from home or is it the dining room table or are you lucky enough to have your own office - would love to know how you get your work done??



In your Easter bonnet

One of my favourite films is Easter Parade - the classic story of girl meets boy, girl looses boy all set around a song and a dance from Fred Astaire and Judy Garland.

The end scene sees Fred and Judy - taking part in the Easter Parade along Fifth Avenue in the most fabulous hats.

New Yorkers still do this today although it is more of a carnival in fancy dress rather than the glamorous affair in the film.

 

 

You know me any excuse to wear a fabulous hat so wherever you are this weekend get out your favourite titfer and step out in style on your on Easter Parade.



Going red - new hair colour

I have always loved red hair!! A few years ago I was a red head but due to a job with a well know cosmetic company I had to change it - not natural enough???

But now that I am self employed I can be any colour I want so I am red again.

Some of my favourite ladies are red heads ........

 

 

With a change in colour comes a whole new problem - will the current wardrobe work and if not what a fabulous opportunity to buy a new one!!

 

Fortunately I have a lot of colours that go with flaming red so I don't have to finance new clothes so these are the shades that you will me wearing more of from now on - they are very similar to the tones that I wore before but I love red hair with - green, red and one of my favourites - teal and blue.

 

 

One very striking combination is red and purple so I think that I will have to make a little purchase in that colour - a dress or maybe a hat??

 

 

So here are a few little colour combinations that I may have to try out ...................

 

 

 

And just so you can see here is my new red look - I hope you like it as much as I do???

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





Vote for new frocks.

When I first launched the collection I had grand plans to bring new pieces each season creating a perfect capsule wardrobe that could be mixed and matched together.

It took a while longer to find the right manufacture and my insistence on having them produced in the UK makes it harder to finance new designs.

Inspiration for new designs comes from everywhere - my own wardrobe, movies, out and about at vintage events, old magazines - I collect fabric samples, buttons and trims where ever I go.

So it is a little frustrating that I can't quite put all my ideas into production yet so image my excitement when this competition pop into my news feed.

 

 

The prize is £10,000 to invest in the business so I would love you all for ever if you could take a few seconds to vote for me by following this link   https://campaign.triumph.com/uk/profiles/karen-james-welton

 

 

 

Just think of all the fabulous new styles I could make for you if I were lucky enough to win - so just give you a little hint at what I am planning

 

 

Loving these 30's styles.

 

A 40's suit and evening dress would be a fabulous addition to the collection.

 

 

So what do you think would you love to have one of these in your wardrobe??? Yes then follow the link and get voting so I can start production.  THANK YOU!!

 



 

 

 

 

 



Spring clean your wardrobe.

The sun keeps popping it's head up through the clouds promising the start of Spring so now is the time to get your wardrobe prepared for the warmer months to come.

First things first - get your winter coat dry cleaned, make any repairs that need to be done - don't pack it away if the hem or pocket needs mending then cover it (never in plastic and on a proper sturdy hanger to keep the shape) and put it in a separate wardrobe if you are lucky enough to be able to store your winter and summer clothes in different places or put it at the back out of the way.

Do the same for your heavier weight knits, jackets, woollen skirts and trousers. If you haven't got much space to store in the wardrobe - vintage suitcases or boxes look great, wrap in acid free tissue with a few lavender bags or cedar blocks to prevent moths.

Next step is take all you spring/summer pieces out and give your wardrobe a good clean - I know it is tiresome but you never know what you find lurking in the back, last time I did this for a client we found two pairs of shoes and a to die for 1930's dress that she had forgotten she had!!

Put back all the items that you love but make sure that none of them need cleaning, washing or mending - put all these in a pile - there is no point in putting them back in the wardrobe as you will forget and go to wear it when you are in a rush and find that the hem is coming down and you have to re-think your whole outfit for the day.

Be ruthless if there are any items that don't work, are too small then put them to one side to send to the charity shop, sell on ebay or store out of the way so it gives you space in your wardrobe for things that you wear all the time.


Move onto to your accessories, hats and shoes - clear away the heavy felt hats that don't fit in with your lighter weight suits and dresses, store away winter boots and thick tights ready for Spring sandals.

 

Taking time to sort out your wardrobe makes it much easier to get dressed in the morning, plan your outfits and keeps your clothes in good condition.

 

I recommend that you make a few investments to keep your vintage buys in tip top condition:-

• Proper hangers - wooden ones for suits and coats. Padded ones for dresses and blouses - they will help to keep the shape.
• A mending kit - buy a small vintage tin and keep a few needles, cotton in basic colours, a small pair of scissors - store it in the wardrobe so you can go to it if you need to make a repair.
• Shoe cleaning kit - regularly polishing your vintage shoes and bags will help to keep the leather soft and stop it from cracking and splitting.
• Hat boxes and vintage suitcases for storage.

 

 

Quite a daunting task so if you do find it all a little overwhelming you can always book me to come along to do it for you - check out my website - www.fabulousmissk.co.uk for all the details of how I can get your wardrobe Spring Ready??