Fashion

Behind the Scenes with Peony and Kit

Articles

I can’t believe it’s been a year since I started working with Kit as my photographer. We met before I even had a blogspot, Frances introduced us outside Somerset House during Fashion Week. Kit was so colourful and fun, both in the way she dressed and expressed herself, so I remembered her even though we barely knew each other. Years later I was looking for a new photographer to create a new look with me for the launch of peonylim.com and she was my first choice. I love how work has brought us together but now I’m so thrilled to call her a friend.  We get ourselves into the strangest situations shooting. Often hilarious, always unexpected and sometimes down right bazaar.  There are certain reoccurring themes in the outakes of my shoots, so I thought I would share them with you.  I hope they make you laugh!

  1. The shoe change.  Often we have to walk quite far to get the right location for a shoot. So I wear whatever shoes are by the door until we get to the location and change.
  2.  The near death experience.  You couldn’t really tell from the photos but in real life I had to scale a cliff edge to get the shot. That’s partly why I went barefoot, better grip! We get all over the place to get the right location, so I’m often found coming out on my hands and knees from behind a bush!
  3.  When the rain comes.  Sometimes we have to drive, walk or even take a train to locations. So when you get there, if it rains there is no choice but to laugh and carry on!
  4. What did you say?!  Nearly all my outtakes have this ear cup pose included. It’s my ‘shout over the traffic/sea/city loader so I can hear you Kit” gesture. It comes free with a comedy face.
  5.  Hair arrangement.  As you know I have a lot of hair so lots of finger combing goes on behind the scenes.
  6.  When dogs attack!  We have three miniature dachshunds, (two are my parents and one is mine). They tend to be around when I shoot and often that results in a dachshund attack!
  7.  I’m a little freak.  Kit likes to capture me at my most odd. Looking like a bean.
  8.  Precision.  Getting the styling of things right can take some time. This is me with a ruler for the beauty bag post. Yup a ruler. I’m that cool.

 

Anyway really I just wanted to say a big Thank You to Kit for all her hard work and friendship.

Photos by Kit Lee
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Fashion

True Blue

London • Outfits
As you know I'm a passionate lover of skinny jeans.  I think that Zara, and H&M (super skinny super low) make the best highstreet versions, if you have a bit more cash to flash I love J Brand and Goldsign for a luxe version. Getting a great skinny jean for me is all about the fit and last. Often you get a pair jeans that look great in the morning when you put them on, but by 5pm your knees look like they are falling off.  I have found these brands are the best at not loosing shape and having great washes. We all have to exist of different budgets, and even if you have the largest fashion fund imaginable there is nothing better than finding a fantastic bargain. I used to love The Outnet, ebay, TK Maxx and sample sales for my bargains but not I have added Vestiaire Collective to that list.  I got this coat from there. If you haven't had a look definitely do.

Shoes Pura Lopez (from TK Maxx)

Jeans Zara

Shirt Thomas Pink

Coat Isabel Marant (from Vestiaire Collective)

Bag and Belt Hermes.

Nail rings Wanderlust and Co, Infinty Ring Alex Mika, Necklaces Maria Black.

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Photos by Kit Lee
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Food

Carrot Cake Mini Loaves

Baking • Sweet
When I was growing up this was my favourite cake. I used to beg my mother to make it. Cream Cheese frosting has since been acknowledged as the greatest of the butter creams (with the advent of the Red Velvet Cupcake) but when I was a child, you only got it with Carrot Cake. Fortunately my mother never scripted on the frosting so I was always satisfied. I think it's only as I have got older that I have realised how amazing this Carrot Cake recipe is, for the cake as well. So I wanted to share it with you. This recipe is very moist, flavourful and rich, there isn't a whiff of nasty dry raisins that we all associate with bad Carrot Cake. I promise you will love this version.
1

For the Cake

  1. Beat together the Eggs, Sunflower Oil, Vanilla and Sour Cream until fully blended and lighter.
  2. Now add the Sugars and beat well. The mix should get lighter like a normal creaming process.
  3. Sift the Flour, Spices, Salt and Bicarb and fold into the mix.
  4. Finally fold in the Carrot and Coconut.
  5. Pour into your cake tin and bake for an hour and a half to two hours at 150ºC.
  6. The cake is down when a skewer comes out clean (but don’t over bake!). While the cake is cooling on a rack make the frosting.
2

For the Frosting

  1. Make sure the Butter and Cream Cheese is all at room temperature (if it isn’t they will never mx completely together and you will end up with lumps of butter in the frosting).
  2. Beat the Butter, when it has got a bit paler and lighter, add the Cream Cheese and blend together.
  3. Then add the Icing Sugar. I wrap a tea towel around the mixer to stop the storm of sugar exploding all over my kitchen!
  4. When blended add the Lemon Juice, mix throughout and refrigerate until ready to ice the cakes.
  5. Load the cakes up with plenty of frosting (it’s everyone’s favourite bit!).
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Photos by Peony Lim
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