Tuesday's Tees - Chicwish

Six of the best from Chicwish.

the illustrated packing list: perugia

Only 4 days to go until Italy! Obviously that means I am beyond excited and am struggling to concentrate at work. It also means that I need to start thinking about what I'm going to pack. Now that you're aware of my bizarre packing ritual, this will come as no surprise.

I deliberately used a small piece of paper because, in my logic, this will help me to keep items to a minimum as there's not that much space in hand luggage, especially RyanAir hand luggage. Wish me luck!

a life in colour

picture source 

Yesterday I ventured to the Fashion and Textile Museum to catch the soon-to-be-over Kaffe Fasset exhibition, A Life in Colour. In case you've not come across him before, he's an American artist and designer specialising in textiles. Before the exhibition I'd only really heard of Kaffe through all his fabric designs but it turns out that the man has his fingers in lots of craft related pies!

He originally started out as a painter but then, after visiting the UK and Scotland, he got very into knitting and then needlepoint and eventually designing fabrics and making quilts. Personally I didn't think much of his paintings and that branching into textiles was the right move. He's big on colour - all aspects of his textile work are super bright and, if I'm on honest, a bit clashing but in (mostly) a good way.

mosaics and needlepoint work

jazzy quilt and insane needlepoint chair

There was a hell of a lot of stuff on show from all his crafty disciplines including a chair completely cover in needlepoint - god know how long that would've taken! My favourite pieces were actually his knitted work, especially the jumpers - I would definitely wear the crosses one.

knitted tumbling blocks blanket and shirting quilt (rather muted for Kaffe but this was probably my fave quilt there)

the 'feeling wall' and the amazing knitted jumper

Although the exhibition really was a feast for the eyes, a glutenous colourful feast, there wasn't that much to read. All the info printed next to the quilts was already written in the exhibition leaflet and so nothing new was given away. There was a film playing on loop featuring Kaffe (15 years earlier) talking about his love of colour and sitting in, what I presume was, his house, but even this wasn't particularly informative. We came away with the conclusion that perhaps if you wanted to find out more you'd have to buy the book which accompanied the exhibition.

some of the design sketches for Kaffe's fabric range

a small preview of the next exhibition to take place at the FTM - Sindy!

If you're a Kaffe fan it's a great opportunity to see so much of his work in one place - there's certainly a lot of variety! But you haven't got long, the exhibition is only on for another week.

dream house

This will be brief. The house we used for yesterday's location shoot was the most amazing place. It was: my dream house. Now I know I've been to a lot of houses for the quilting magazine but everything about yesterday's location was perfect, from both a photographer's and an eager-to-start-nesting 26 year old's point of view. White walls with pops of colour was the overall theme but it wasn't just the decor that I coveted. There were so many odd little bits and pieces dotted throughout the house which, despite it being a film and photography property, made it feel like a lived in home.

This was my favourite room. I absolutely love the wallpaper backed boxes on the wall. When we move into our own place I really want something similar. And just look at the crochet blanket!

The garden not only had outdoor seating, a trampoline, tonnes of v.colourful flowers but also a swing seat! When I was little I always wanted a swing seat that hung from a tree.

Perhaps the most enviable room in the house (for me) was the dedicated sewing room - stuffed full of all the crafting paraphanaelia you could possible want - thread, fabric, wool, countless old jamjars of beads, buttons and trims. *sigh* One day, one day I will have a house big enough that there will be a spare room with no purpose so that I can turn it into my 'making room'.

And on to the kitchen, the big spacious kitchen with tonnes of surface space and an entire wall covered in these little cubby holes - practical but also like a piece of art.

The corner of the first flight of stairs featured a bendy tube light and the walls were full of mirrors of all shapes and sizes. I tried a number of times to get a decent pic but to no avail, so I settled for this.

Some of those odd bits and pieces I mentioned. A collection of globes in the second living room. Just because.

A day of serious house envy but also rather inspiring.

father's day weekend

It was one of those weekends where I barely had 5 mins to myself, which is totally cool - I love socialising - but dear god I'm knackered!

Saturday was spent in little old Surbiton. I'd not been back since Mitch and I moved to Brixton nearly two years ago so it was good to return and meet up with some of my friends who still live in the area. I had a nosey around the charity shops - the ones on surbiton highstreet always had a few gems and I was happy to see that that hadn't changed - before heading to The Grove, the local pub just a minute walk from our old flat. It has a massive beer garden but sadly the weather wasn't great so we ate inside in their newly refurbished restaurant. I had the best tart I've ever eaten. It was huge. Wild garlic and mushroom filling inside shortcrust pastry to die for, plus a side of truffle mash. Heaven. Food was followed by loads of catching up with everyone, much drinking and a rather late taxi ride home (I could not face a 2hr night bus ride).

Charity shop haul - a childhood fave and an amusing purchase originally published in 1945.

The beast of a tart.

Getting in at 3:30 was not a smart move as I had to be up at 7:30 to join the rest of my family for father's day and my nan's 89th birthday celebrations in the New Forest. Needless to say I was a little worse for wear but nothing that some sausage, bacon and homemade oat cakes on arrival at my auntie and uncle's house couldn't sort out! Bellies full we spent the afternoon at one of my favourite places, Milford on Sea. It's not a fancy coastal spot, just a small pebbly beach (with an cafe that sells good icecream) but I love it. We all enjoyed some afternoon tea (including salmon and cream cheese sandwiches, flapjacks and muffins) and some birthday cake back at my auntie's house before driving back to London.

Milford on sea and homemade coffee cake

A lovely weekend but I feel like I need another weekend to recover from it!

holiday wish list

Less than two weeks to go until we fly to Perugia and I'm pretty excited to say the least. Although my friend assures me that I won't need nice new things for this holiday - we'll be basically lounging by the pool all week wearing the bare minimum as it gets unbelievably hot - I still wanted to make a wish list, because if I did have the money I would buy this stuff anyway.

These floral sunglasses from OASAP - nothing has really filled the void that was left by my favourite sunglasses which broke last summer but I think these would come pretty close.

This sundress  from ASOS - a dress with pockets. Need I say more?

This straw hat from Accessorize - I don't own a summer hat (as a rule, I don't look great in hats) but I'm definitely going to need one in 40 degree heat!

The Hunger Games - I loved the first film and several people whom I trust (as well as tonnes of bloggers, critics) have said this is an awesome trilogy. When better to start than basking in the Italian sun!

This stripy tee from Pull&Bear - gotta love a neon stripe and this tee looks super soft and comfy.

This summery number also from Pull&Bear - I love the colours, the pattern, the shape and basically everything from Pull&Bear.

These coral sandals (orange non?) from Topshop - don't get me wrong I LOVE my office sandals (which have keep me going for the last two summers) but these are v.pretty and it'd be good to have a colourful pair of footwear.
This woven bag from urban outfitters - liking the pattern a lot.
This swimsuit from anthropologie usa - is this not the most fabulous one piece you've ever seen?!
Another pair of sunglasses? Well yes actually, sunglasses are one of my favourite accessories and I would have about 20 pairs if I could.
These shorts from Topshop - loungewear is v.important on hols and these babies only a tenner!