Monday, August 14, 2017

A new colour for my Fall and Winter Wardrobe...and shopping for a new perfume.

Last week after the stonemason finished his work I decided I needed to get out of the bungalow for a bit of fresh air and sunshine and clear my head of cobwebs.

The list of errands for the week had multiplied and filled an entire page on my notepad so it was a great opportunity to get some things accomplished and then go for a walk.

First stop, the pharmacy on Oak Bay Avenue...
I was running low on my Avenue products and my lipstick.
The friendly staff and great stock keep me coming back and I love chatting with the two gals at the cosmetics counter. They have so much experience between them and their knowledge when it comes to skincare is the best!

On our boat holiday I tripped going up the dock and scraped my knee quite badly on the metal grate that helps boaters from slipping in wet weather. It was a nasty abrasion that required diligent cleaning, antibiotic cream and band aids.
My excuse is that I was wearing flip flops and somehow took a misstep...
it occurred in front of a patio full of evening diners...so not only was I hurt
but my ego was bruised and I was embarrassed. I scurried away quickly blood dripping down my shin.

The antibiotic cream helped but I could see that once the scabs came off that there would probably be some scarring. I was advised by one of the gals that Avene make a product specifically for healing called Cicalfate and she advised me to apply it three times every day and it should minimize, if not prevent, scarring...so I bought a tube and will see how it works.


I also needed to buy some birthday cards...

Picked up the latest Country Living UK from Ivy's books and there I got to chat with Heidi who shares the same taste in books and she suggested a few new titles for me...one which I purchased right away as she was so excited that she is on the 3rd book by the author.


I went for a walk a little farther along the Avenue to Newport by Windsor Park and popped some cheques in the mail...
here's where things went a little sideways!


I hadn't actually planned on buying any clothes...
but there was a 50% off rack out front and a SALE sign in the window
 that's what initially lured me inside.


I tried on a few things and then I spied this Betty Barclay blush pink down vest for Fall.
It's reversible.

It will be super cozy when the temperature dips and I love a vest for layering over tees.

My favourite L'Oreal lipstick Pink Peony and Bobbi Brown's pink blush in Antigua 
will help pull this all together this fall when I wear this vest.


New fragrance samples arrived from Holt Renfrew.
With my love of roses I decided that I might like to wear the scent 
So I am on the hunt for a rose perfume...

First contenders are by Jo Malone
Red Roses
Rose and Oud

Next to try are Le Labo's Rose 31
Frederick Malle Une Rose
Diptyque eau rose
Acqua di Parma Rose Nobile

surely there will be a rose fragrance out there that I can wear.

It will be fun to try something completely different.

What fragrance are you wearing?
Do you stick to one scent or do you dabble in others?


Hope your week is off to a great start.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow.

48 comments:

materfamilias said...

Plainsong is a lovely novel -- I've never seen the Hallmark TV movie that was made of it, but it's easy to imagine as a film.
Curious to see what you think of the various rose perfumes. I do like my Le Labo...

Anna of Mutton Style and Years said...

I'm a bit lazy about scent. As the jacket is reversible does that make it 75% off? A nail varnish that may go with it is OPI hands off my kielbasa if you were looking for varnish aswell. I think it was Adele who wore it to an Awards show.

Madame Là-bas said...

What good information about cicalfate! Maman clipped her leg with the car door and made a deep cut four weeks ago. I persuaded her to go to emergency since her Celtic skin is fine and her circulation not great. She could use the Avène product to help with the healing now. I'm careful with flip-flops because I'm a bit clumsy. I'm still wearing a quilted vest that I bought in Victoria several years ago. You have such good shops for women of a certain age. That soft rose colour is beautiful.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Loved your latest post of Ali's garden on SSI and I know that I am going to enjoy your new series on gardens! I will post more on the rose scents after I try them all.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

No the vest was not 75% off...I wish!
OPI creates the craziest names for their nail colours...thank you for that tip.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I hope your mom's injury is healing...and do try the Avene cream. It is not too expensive either and I purchased it in a bonus kit with two other products at a great price.
We have a few good shops here and Sidney has quite a few more so if you decide to hop on the ferry and come shopping let me know and we can meet up.

BuffaloGal said...

I love Kent Haruf and would highly recommend "Our Souls at Night". He is a "quiet" author as he makes his point without shouting it out. I do hope your leg is on the mend. I love Le Labo products and cannot recommend them enough!

Mrs LH said...

Jo Malone's Red Roses is exquisite! Smells just like ..... red roses! Beautiful.

Anonymous said...

I too love all of Kent Haruf's books and have read them several times. At first I was put off by the lack of quotation marks but it became very natural to read that way. So sad he's gone now. And your vest is beautiful!
Janie

Taste of France said...

My doctor has prescribed all kinds of Avène products over the years. The latest was when I had an allergic reaction on my eyelids. Now I use nothing but Avène, for cleansing, moisturizing, makeup, the works. Great stuff, at reasonable prices.

Marilyn said...

Loving the gilet. Such a soft colour.

Sandra said...

My favorite fragrance is fairly expensive but I absolutely LOVE it. I wear Spring Flower by Creed. It is wonderful. I would swear that the first time I tested it in Saks in New Orleans, after I took my shower later that night I could still smell it. Wonderful!!!

Ellie's friend from canada said...

I love the blush pink down jacket. Super colour for fall and it's a bonus that it's reversible. What colour is the opposite side?

I don't wear perfume due to my allergies and those of others. When I was not allergic to it, I wore Chanel No. 5.

Today the smoke was not good but we had rain last night and are getting more rain now. This is the first real rain in weeks. I'm hoping the farmers are getting it. I wish B.C would get a stretch of it to put out the forest fires.

I still have a "hole", "depressed area" where I slipped on a dock and hit my shin against the dock some 40 years ago. It was the first day of sailing lessons in May. An instructor on board capsized the boat, then sailed off without us, leaving the rescue boat to pick us up. She got in trouble for that. It was May and the mountain water was frigid. So don't feel badly bout the leg. I hope it heals soon. The information about Cicalfate is very useful! Ann

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Sounds like Le Labo is a wonderful company as they have won awards and The Fairmont Hotels use their line in their rooms.
My knee is much better the area where I scraped it is quite dark compared to the rest of my skin and I hope I do not have a huge unsightly scar...if this cream works I will be very happy!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I have a sample and it is true to its name!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

He sounds like a clever writer...I searched online and he has loads of comments and praise by readers.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Glad that it works well for you...I find it very gentle too and not too expensive which makes a difference when one is watching their money.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

It is a different shade for me but with my greying hair it works...the pinks would never have worked when my hair was it's natural auburn shade.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I have never heard of that fragrance but I have heard of other scents by Creed.
Love a long lasting perfume as so many evaporate and disappear all too soon which I think is a waste of time and money.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

If you look closely at the picture of the vest you can see inside at the top...it is the same shade of blush pink but with a tiny print on the background.
Oh thats a nasty accident you had while learning to sail...I would have expected the instructor to have been right there instead of taking off!

Unknown said...

I use some the Avène products, they are wonderful. I'm always glad to hear about a new to me author.
Ali

annette said...

Love the vest,Leslie! I have one that is similar that I wear with black and it is quite stunning. Kent Haruf is a longtime favorite. Sorry about your leg and as to your feelings,we have all been there! Love your chatty posts. I always feel that I have just visited with a friendly neighbor. xo

Suzanne Bruno said...

Good Morning,
Hhave you tried Paris by YSL? Roses with a little bit of pizazz.

dottoressa said...

Lovely vest! I have a couple of Betty Barclay things and love them
Avene and La Roche Posay Anthelios are my choice for SPF products
Thank you for Kent Haruf-completely new for me
My spring/summer scents are Bvlgari Rose Essentielle,YSL Parisienne or Les Muguets by Annick Goutal.
I'm curious what would you choose-it is very personal and very wise to try a couple of samples before the decision
Dottoressa

Margie from Toronto said...

I've just started using some Avene products and so far I am very pleased, so thank you for the recommendation (from an earlier post). I have some serious allergies and some sensitivities so any new product can be a bit tricky.
I do love that vest - and I love the idea of them for Fall walking but I've always hesitated as I am quite "busty" and feel like a football player in them - probably just my hangup. I will keep my eyes open for something more lightweight and feminine looking like yours.
I also have some problems with perfumes - used to wear a variety all the time - but suddenly they became overwhelming and caused terrible headaches and it was as though I was tasting them not just smelling them - and no, I wasn't wearing a lot always just a light dab on the wrists. I don't think I could wear rose scented ones at all. While I love the scent of real roses I find rose based perfumes too strong. I will be in The Bay today so perhaps I'll stop by the perfume counter and try a new scent and just see how I do throughout the day. I miss not wearing it. Good luck with your search.

Kristien62 said...

I cannot tell you the number of times I have fallen in flip-flops. It has led me to moccasins and sandals that are secured to the foot. I reserve the offenders for pool side.

That is a beautiful shade for a vest and should look lovely with your coloring. I'm excited about the new Pantone shades. Some are my very favorites. Have you seen them?

And I am told that Louise Penny has a new book coming which I am waiting for patiently.

Anonymous said...

Your new vest is lovely. Although I like blush shades, they are too close to my own skin color and I just seem to fade away. I'm also a rose lover, and one of my favorite rose perfumes is Rose Ikebana, by Hermes. Diptyque Eau Rose is very nice too. Your rose perfume will suit your new vest beautifully.

Anonymous said...

Longtime reader, first time commenter, and rose fragrance fanatic here! I love many of the fragrances on your list and wanted to suggest two others - Aerin Rose de Grasse, which is just so lovely and perfect for every day, and the entire Parfums de Rosine line, which is wonderful. I have and absolutely love Un Zeste de Rose. The website Aedes.com carries the Rosine fragrances and I believe will send you samples. Their store in NYC, Aedes de Venustas, is a treasure trove for the fragrance enthusiast! Enjoy the search for your new rose fragrance!

Jennifer said...

Sorry about your tumble! That hurts in more ways than one. I love Rose fragrances. One of my favorites is by Dyptique. Elizabeth and James also makes one as does good ole Crabtree and Evelyn. That best will be fun when the skies turn gray.

Ellie's friend from canada said...

Fortunately, after the first day of lessons when I bashed my leg, was in cold pouring rain, and ended up in the frigid water, things improved and it never affected my love of sailing. Also fortunately, I had taken refresher swimming lessons and my instructor had taught me some safety tips for sailing. When we capsized, I got tangled in the stays but did not panic and temporarily dove, swam, deeper to get away from them. Those lessons saved my life that day and I was lucky my swimming instructor gave me extra tips.

You are so right about expecting the instructor to not take off. On the next day, the rescue boat people gave us what-for about having left our boat. Not only should the boat have stayed and the instructor have helped to get us back on board, but it is important so the rescue boat knows where to look for those overboard so they don't get run over. When I told the rescuers the instructor left us, I am sure she was in deep trouble.

The gash in my leg is a reminder of that day but you should not feel embarrassed about yours. And I love the inside of your new jacket!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I am currently finishing another book and am eager to start the new one that Heidi recommended...it was fun seeing your garden on materfamilias' blog! Your garden is an oasis of beauty!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I have mother's double strand of pink keshi pearls which I think may pair nicely with this vest...I have yet to wear them but now I have something that will go with them.
I am looking forward to reading Kent's books...and am waiting for Louise Penny's new mystery which is due out very soon!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I wore Paris for awhile years ago...I will reacquaint myself with that scent...I also wore Rive Gauche in the mid 1970's. I have worn many scents over the years...some are no longer available and have been replaced with lighter or different formulations. It seems that many perfume houses keep reinventing themselves and it is a challenge when there are so many to choose from!!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

La Roche Posay is a great sunscreen...we bought a bottle before going on our holidays. I have not tried BVlgari Rose or the Parisienne fragrances. I have on order some more samples and am trying them out...so far the ones that I have tested do not last very long but they are cologne and I do think I want something that wears for at least 6 hours.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I am "top heavy" and I usually keep the zipper open or if it is really chilly will zip it halfway...I have a Barbour black vest that is quite fitted and its a favourite of mine...you might like to try that brand.
My search os to find a soft rose scent that is as close to the roses that I grow here in our garden...something that is subtle and does not overpower the nose!
I do not like heavy scents at all.
It's proving to be a challenge but I have embarked on a mission and I am sure that there will be at least one scent that works.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Louise does have a new book due out soon.! I think it is out at the end of this month! I have reserved a copy at the local library and will probably be #200 in the queue! I have not even seen the Pantone fall shades...will google them asap.
Maybe flip flops are named appropriately as people are flipping and flopping when they wear them!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I have worn several Hermes scents over the years but am not sure that I have ever tried their Rose Ikebana...the new vest will be a pop of colour for fall and I have mother's double strand of pink pearls to wear with this new vest!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Thank you for those suggestions....my list is getting longer by the minute!
Will see if I can order some samples.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Thank you for those fragrance suggestions Jennifer...I am looking forward to trying them out...will see if I can find them here in town...the Crabtree will not be difficult tracking down as we have a store here but the other ones may require a bit more detective work!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Oh goodness that sounds even scarier than I first had imagined...quick reactions and a dive down out of harms way was a wise choice...it probably saved your life.
Even better that you do continue to enjoy sailing..an event like that may have totally scared you off of ever learning to sail.

La Contessa said...

HOSTESS!
I HAVE YOUR FRAGRANCE!Purchased at ANTHROPOLOGIE a few years ago called ENGLISH ROSE by Royal Apothic.It did not break the BANK AND I ADORE IT!!!!!!!!!
The bottle is SUBLIME........a chalk TOPPER in a shape of a rose!!!GO TAKE A LOOK ON LINE..and let me know your feelings!XX

Anonymous said...

My favorite rose scented perfume is Joy by Jeanne Pateau. Very old perfume. I've been using it for many years. Fall is starting to make a bit of an appearance, nights are cooler and acorns are starting to fall. Your vest purchase is very timely. Lovely with dark pants/jeans.

Margie from Toronto said...

I will check out Barbour - thank you for the tip.
Today I tried Chanel's Chance Tendre - the pink version. I wasn't sure at first but I wore it today and I've decided that I quite like it. Did not like the green version. Tendre is going on the possible list but I'm going to make sure that I try out a few different ones before making my final choice.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Oh now if only there was an Anthropologie here in town...
I clearly NEED to hop on the ferry and go to Vancouver!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Joy is a classic...the scent changes when I tried it...not every scent remains true with our individual chemistry...but fabulous that it suits you!

Maude Ciardi said...

I am looking for a new perfume would love Jo Malone. We do not have it here in my part of Ohio so I would have to order it. Can you get samples anywhere. I would like to try the Peony

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I ordered samples from the Vancouver Nordstrom store as Jo Malone does not have an outlet here in our city. They do have a website but I was unable to get any samples directly from the site.
Good luck!

Unknown said...

I'm late to the party, but must declare my love for both Kent Haruf and Louise Penny. Two of my favorite writers, so very different in style. Please, before you make a decision on your fragrance, try Miss Dior Absolutely Blooming. It's light and fresh, smells of berries and roses and peonies, never fails to garner compliments. It might be just the thing you're looking for.