Click here to browse the sale online!
Model Wears: By Malene Birger T-shirt WAS £49 NOW £35
Scandinavian by name stylish by nature
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
Kakao Sale Now On!
Pop into Kakao and check out our Spring Summer Sale!
Click here to browse the sale online!
Click here to browse the sale online!
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
20% WEB OFFER
Kakao by K are excited to announce the launch of an exclusive online offer of 20% off all online sales to our Blog fans,before the 19th June.
Simply sign up to our newsletter by emailing girls@kakao.co.uk to get the 20% off code
or visit our website to sign up.
Monday, 6 June 2011
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
Nyhavn (New Harbour) in Copenhagen
Great photos of lovely Nyhavn (New Habour) in Copenhagen this easter Weekend. It is a great place relax and enjoy the sun.
Nyhavn is a 17th century waterfront, canal and entertainment district in Copenhagen, Denmark. Stretching from Kongens Nytorv to the harbour front just south of the Royal Playhouse, it is lined by brightly coloured 17th and early 18th century townhouses and bars, cafes and restaurants. Serving as a "heritage harbour", the canal has many historical wooden ships.
Danish author Hans Christian Andersen lived at Nyhavn 18 for some years.
Nyhavn is a 17th century waterfront, canal and entertainment district in Copenhagen, Denmark. Stretching from Kongens Nytorv to the harbour front just south of the Royal Playhouse, it is lined by brightly coloured 17th and early 18th century townhouses and bars, cafes and restaurants. Serving as a "heritage harbour", the canal has many historical wooden ships.
Danish author Hans Christian Andersen lived at Nyhavn 18 for some years.
A Little Mention for Kakao by K
We got a little mention on the Guardian Edinburgh blog yesterday here is the story
Why Scandinavians are setting up shop in Edinburgh
New Town based Danish shopkeeper Karina Baldorf looks at modern design in the city and discusses how Edinburgh's Scandinavian business owners support each other
The first time I came to Edinburgh was with a school trip. I was 18 – it was only the second time I had left Denmark. I remember noticing the difference in the architecture – it seemed like such a dark city, shrouded in fog and it felt Medieval compared to the light, bright buildings on Stroeget at home. I particularly love the hills here – Denmark is completely flat which is better for cycling but not so scenic.
I was already interested in clothes and vividly recall noticing the difference in the street fashion between Denmark and Scotland – and also the similarities in the modern, chic Bohemian style. If you like The White Company or even, Ghost, you're bound to like most of Denmark's top designers.
The two countries share many common bonds and lots of my friends who came on the trip said how at home they felt in the Scottish capital. Given the longstanding trading links between the countries, ever since the Vikings set sail for the east coast of Scotland, it's hardly surprising. Although the UK's greatest Scandinavian import is Sandi Toksvig, the advent of Ikea, Bang & Olufsen, and Nokia in the Scottish market shows how much the two cultures have in common.
I had no idea that I would end up living here but then, I transferred from Copenhagen University to the social policy course at Stirling University – I simply felt drawn to the place. Immediately, I loved living in Scotland but I wanted to do something creative.
Hosting local talent in my shop
As Scandinavian style became more acceptable in the UK I realised how easy it would be to translate the clean, Danish design lines favoured by clothes designers in Copenhagen for a Scottish audience. I am the first person to specialise in Scandinavian designers in Scotland and sometimes, in the UK. Of course, that affinity in design works the other way round – my countrymen love Christopher Kane and high end cashmere. But cutting-edge designers like By Malene Birger and Bruuns Bazaar have proved popular and easy to assimilate into the Scottish look.
I'm really committed to promoting young designers and make an effort to showcase jewellery designers and new faces in fashion from both sides of the North Sea. Having a shop now I can host private viewings for up and coming names who haven't yet launched their career.
This time of year is particularly exciting because of the output from the Edinburgh College of Art – both in the textile, fashion and jewellery departments. I think it's one of the best colleges in the world and it's really exciting to be so close and to be able to offer a real hand up to new names in the industry.
Community
Although I miss Copenhagen I embrace my life here – trying to merge the two cultures in everything I do. I have a few Scandinavian friends who have businesses in Edinburgh and we form a close group that offers support when we're trying to bridge cultural differences.
We all have British partners so sometimes those cultural differences are personal as well as professional. One thing that strikes us all is how friendly and outgoing Scots are compared to Danish people. I suppose that's one of the main reasons that we all like it here so much.
Edinburgh College of Art's Fashion Show takes place between 4 and 6 May. I will be in the front row!
Originally from Copenhagen, Karina Baldorf moved to Edinburgh in 2001. She runs fashion boutique Kakao by K on Thistle Street, which stocks the best of local fashion design talent and specialist imported labels from her Danish homeland.
Why Scandinavians are setting up shop in Edinburgh
New Town based Danish shopkeeper Karina Baldorf looks at modern design in the city and discusses how Edinburgh's Scandinavian business owners support each otherThe first time I came to Edinburgh was with a school trip. I was 18 – it was only the second time I had left Denmark. I remember noticing the difference in the architecture – it seemed like such a dark city, shrouded in fog and it felt Medieval compared to the light, bright buildings on Stroeget at home. I particularly love the hills here – Denmark is completely flat which is better for cycling but not so scenic.
I was already interested in clothes and vividly recall noticing the difference in the street fashion between Denmark and Scotland – and also the similarities in the modern, chic Bohemian style. If you like The White Company or even, Ghost, you're bound to like most of Denmark's top designers.
The two countries share many common bonds and lots of my friends who came on the trip said how at home they felt in the Scottish capital. Given the longstanding trading links between the countries, ever since the Vikings set sail for the east coast of Scotland, it's hardly surprising. Although the UK's greatest Scandinavian import is Sandi Toksvig, the advent of Ikea, Bang & Olufsen, and Nokia in the Scottish market shows how much the two cultures have in common.
I had no idea that I would end up living here but then, I transferred from Copenhagen University to the social policy course at Stirling University – I simply felt drawn to the place. Immediately, I loved living in Scotland but I wanted to do something creative.
Hosting local talent in my shop
As Scandinavian style became more acceptable in the UK I realised how easy it would be to translate the clean, Danish design lines favoured by clothes designers in Copenhagen for a Scottish audience. I am the first person to specialise in Scandinavian designers in Scotland and sometimes, in the UK. Of course, that affinity in design works the other way round – my countrymen love Christopher Kane and high end cashmere. But cutting-edge designers like By Malene Birger and Bruuns Bazaar have proved popular and easy to assimilate into the Scottish look.
I'm really committed to promoting young designers and make an effort to showcase jewellery designers and new faces in fashion from both sides of the North Sea. Having a shop now I can host private viewings for up and coming names who haven't yet launched their career.
This time of year is particularly exciting because of the output from the Edinburgh College of Art – both in the textile, fashion and jewellery departments. I think it's one of the best colleges in the world and it's really exciting to be so close and to be able to offer a real hand up to new names in the industry.
Community
Although I miss Copenhagen I embrace my life here – trying to merge the two cultures in everything I do. I have a few Scandinavian friends who have businesses in Edinburgh and we form a close group that offers support when we're trying to bridge cultural differences.
We all have British partners so sometimes those cultural differences are personal as well as professional. One thing that strikes us all is how friendly and outgoing Scots are compared to Danish people. I suppose that's one of the main reasons that we all like it here so much.
Edinburgh College of Art's Fashion Show takes place between 4 and 6 May. I will be in the front row!
Originally from Copenhagen, Karina Baldorf moved to Edinburgh in 2001. She runs fashion boutique Kakao by K on Thistle Street, which stocks the best of local fashion design talent and specialist imported labels from her Danish homeland.
Monday, 25 April 2011
ROYAL WEDDING IN KAKAO BY K
In Kakao by K we will have wedding cake and bubbly on Friday the 29th to celebrate Kate and Will so pop in to celebrate with us.We will be opening at 2pm.
If you are in London on the day we recommend you booking a table at the Danish Restaurant Madsen for a Nodic twist to the day.
Here you will be served complimentary champagne and “kransekage"/marzipan biscuit for all diners AND the chance to win a traditional Danish wedding cake : a 22-ring high “Kransekage-tårn"/marzipan biscuit tower from their Danish Head chef, Esben.
All you have to do is reserve a table, have lunch or dinner at Madsen, enjoy your glass of champagne and “kransekage” and you’ll be participating in winning the tower of marzipan biscuit. They will draw the winner by the end of the day.
Here is a recepie for Kransekage from Trina Hahnemanns' cookbook "The Scandinavian Cookbook".
Kransekage - makes 24 biscuits
100g almonds
200g caster sugar
2 egg whites
500g homemade marzipan (see below)
200g dark chocolate
Homemade marzipan
500g blanched almonds
100g icing sugar, plus extra for kneading
50ml water
Whizz the almonds in a food processor and keep whizzing until they become a paste. Add the icing sugar, whizz again, then add the water and whizz again.
Take the marzipan out of the food processor and kneed it on a work surface dusted with icing sugar. The paste can be kept up to 2 weeks in he refrigerator.
Stir the almonds and sugar together in a food processor until finely mixed together. Add the egg and whizz until the mixture is smooth. Make sure the mixture does not get too.
Grate the marzipan and then blend it into the almond mixture. Put the mixture in a bowl when finished, cover it with and leave in the refrigerator until the next day.
Shape the mixture into 24 rectangular cakes about 2 cm wide an 6 cm.
Preheat the oven to 190°C. Place the cakes on a baking tray with baking paper and bake for 15-18 minutes. When done, leave to cool.
Melt the chocolate and then dip the bottom of each almond cake in the chocolate and leave to set on some baking paper.
Best enjoyed with a cup of coffee or tea!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
