Summer : The Gallery

Today the summer officially ended when the kids went back to school. I have to say that I'm gutted. I've had a lovely summer. We've had some amazing adventures that have been interspersed with late nights and lazy days camped out in our awesome SoulPad den in the garden.

We've giggled, we've laughed and we've sung along to Sia, Iggy Azalea and Beyoncé till we've been banned from paying music with our men folk in the car.

We've cooked, we've camped, we've paddled in the sea, we've seen Johnny (fucking) Marr and we've spent late nights and damp tent moments with real friends. Real, honest friends.

The summer has been so epic that I couldn't cut it down to a single pic. There's simply been too many memories that needed acknowledging.

Top: Norfolk  Centre: The SoulPad  Bottom: Betty at Camp Bestival, Biba goes geek

Top: Johnny Marr at Camp Bestival  Centre: Camp Bestival, Betty and Me  Bottom: Camp Bestival, Biba

Top: Biba and Betty at Whitby Abbey  Centre: New hair, shy cats and a thinker on the beach  Bottom: The Deep and leaving Camp Bestival

I don't think I've ever been so sad that the summer is over. This year I am truly grateful that I am able to work from home whilst enjoying time with my family. 

Camp Bestival, was without a doubt a major highlight for the girls and for me. Biba had an amazing opportunity as an official teen blogger and totally rose to the occasion, snapping some truly awesome pics of Johnny Marr for me (I may have told her that I wasn't taking her home if she didn't). 

At the weekend our summer den is closing for the season as we'll be packing our beloved bell tent up for the winter..... Or maybe we can squeeze just one more weekend of fun in, what do you think?

For The Gallery - Summer

Northern Line at Home Barn

I spotted this on my recent trip to Home Barn. I didn't buy it there and then and as soon as I got home I was regretting it. 

Luckily when I called them it was still for sale and so I snapped it up. It arrived yesterday, I'm in LOVE!

Loving Home Barn Antiques

I get a bit twitchy over the winter months when I can't get my regular Sunday morning vintage fix. Around here the boot sales shut up shop in October and don't reappear until Easter so any passing opportunity is too good for me to miss.

I was on my way to a meeting when I spotted a sign for Home Barn in Little Marlow.

Packed with the stuff that sets my heart racing. Drawers, plan chests, picture frames, carved letters, Ladybird books, London Underground signage.... yes, London Underground signage.

I seriously NEED those drawers in my life and the Transport for London poster and the school cloakroom bench - obvs.

You can find Home Barn just off junction 4 of the M40, in Little Marlow. If you're a lover of vintage / antiques, you really do NEED to make a visit. You'll love it.

Home Barn have an online store so you can feed your need from the comfort of your own sofa, www.homebarnshop.co.uk and you can find them on Twitter and Facebook.

I'm trying to reign myself in here but Home Barn is my new fave store!

See website for address and opening hours.

Katie Bunny and Cool Kitty iPad and iPhone cases

I've developed a bit of an iPhone case problem - to go with my iPad case and satchel problems. It seems that one single addiction is never enough for me.

In the last week I've been tagged twice on Pinterest by friends who came across this awesome iPad case.

I quite simply love it. After a quick search I tracked it down to the Marc Jacobs Winter Cruise collection. Alas, it's not available for the iPad mini (sad face). After a bit more digging I found it as an iPhone case :) and then I found this.... exclusive to Shopbob.com a kitty version. 

But which one do I choose?!

To soothe my addiction, I've started a new iPhone / iPad case board on Pinterest. You can follow it at pinterest.com/sianto/iphone-ipad-cases/

Silent Sunday : 13th January

For Silent Sunday

13 Years Today

Happy Anniversary Yan To.

Chanel Lego Clutch : Geek IS Chic

It's been years since I developed an absolute 'must have' fixation with a bag but last week it happened. It hit me like an absolute bolt out of the blue.  I'm besotted, I'm in love and I can't stop thinking about how THAT BAG would honestly and truly make my life complete.

Of course I felt that way last time, the time before that and the time before that. But this really is out of my control.

The Chanel Lego Clutch Bag from the SS13 collection is officially the bag of my dreams.

I know that it's impractical and in no way able to carry even half of what I need in order to leave the house without going into meltdown but I don't care. I can be organised, I can charge my iPhone before I leave the house, I can stash my Mifi in a pocket and I can preserve my battery by making every Tweet count. I can. I really can because THIS bag is the ULTIMATE Geek Chic. 

Kitten Countdown : 1 Week Today

I'm now officially on kitten countdown because next Saturday I'll be heading over to the Supreme Cat Championships at the NEC to pick up my new Cornish Rex kitten.

So excited...

Loving : FabUK London Tube Cuff

I'm a London Underground Lover and proud. I even have a whole blog dedicated to my secret anorak activity, so imagine my delight when this fell into my inbox this morning?

LOVING this London Tube Cuff from FabUK.

No, it's not a hint - I already ordered one!

Chanel : For The First Time

LOVE this amazing new short film from Chanel. It's simply the best brand ad that I have EVER seen.  If I didn't already own a bottle I'd be straight out to get one. Sit back and enjoy Chanel No5 For the first time.

Loving the Polaroid Z2300 Camera

I've just fallen head over heels with this new Polaroid Z2300 camera. It's a good job it's my birthday soon. Nudge, hint...

Iconic Polaroid styling but packed with all the features you would expect from a modern 10MP digital camera but with the added awesomeness that it prints smudge-proof photos onto sticky back paper. 

Love, Love, Love it.

Dear Santa - The Chanel Edition

Yesterday I was strolling through the ever expanding shoe department in Selfridges Oxford Street when I chanced upon these Chanel trainers....

At the chance of sounding repetitive....

Dear Santa,
I heart these Chanel trainers - and they are under £500 which makes them a bargain compared to my Rick Owens boots.
Thats all.