Slow days ~ domestic chores, a new dress and a garden harvest.

 

Dahlia season is upon us!

 I am enjoying the many varieties that we added to the garden.

Mom had a dedicated dahlia bed when we were growing up in South Oak Bay.

She grew many dahlias and quite a few were the "dinner plate" dahlias...

aptly named because of their size!

She filled vases and we had many bouquets in the various rooms at home.

I'm taking a wee break from my jobs this morning...

the window washing with my new squeegee.

The bedding is in the wash too and I've put fresh sheets on the beds.

There is always something to do here in The Humble Bungalow.

My silver tea service needs polishing as do several of the silver trays...

I'll probably leave that job for a rainy day.

I spent 4 days on Salt Spring Island staying at the SSI Inn.

A very cozy spot located in the centre of town.

Treated myself to a buttery flaky croissant...SO GOOD!

Felt a bit like a Paris moment :-))

I had a good look around Ganges...

Walked with Brian's cousin Terry in the Fernwood area, 

met up with my friend Ali and visited her amazing garden...

sipped a limonata and grazed on a charcuterie board of nibblies.

Thank you Ali!

A basket was purchased!!

(at the thrift shop)

Looked in all the thrift shops, explored several galleries and browsed Mouats.

I also went to a fabulous consignment shop called Bohemia.

This dress is cool loose and flowing with pockets (!) and fun details.

Is this what they call a balloon hem?

Puffy pocket detail.

I will wear this dress a LOT!

Annabelle Hydrangeas are in full bloom.

So big and beautiful.

Our limelights are in full bloom too...they are truly stunning.

I have almost worn this old Gap denim shirt out!

It is SO soft from all the washing and wearing...feels like a warm hug.

Do you gravitate to old favourites in your closet?

I have another denim shirt in a darker wash from Old Navy.

It too is faded and worn...I absolutely LOVE it.

Rewearing clothes does have it's benefits...they feel softer and are so cozy.

Climbing Royal Sunset Rose

popped into an old thrifted vase that was a find about 20 years ago for 35 cents.

I love this wee black elephant with the vessel beside him.

His trunk is pointing up which apparently means "good luck" 

Wild rugosa rose...fragrant and frilly.

Book from the thrift shop which is surprisingly good!

I've not heard of this author but am loving the story.

I read every day so always like to have a few books waiting...

Reading is a luxury and one that I discovered fully when I retired.

Our annual tomato harvest has started...

Simple salad...

salt pepper and St. Agur cheese.

Another tomato salad...

this one made with vegan feta for a family gathering.

So flavourful and savoured slowly on these warm summer evenings.

Slow living agrees with me...more important than I ever realized.

I'm aging so my body needs to work and rest, work and rest.

My other theory is because our world is full of chaos.

It's spinning out of control...

but I am not "losing control" as having control of everything is an illusion.

We can only control how we react to any given situation.

I am focusing on small joys, simple living and doing things that "feel good."

I'm going to wrap up this post as I have a few more jobs that need doing here in The Humble Bungalow.

Hope you are keeping well and enjoying life.

Perhaps like me in the slow lane.

~ Bouquet of chive flowers ~

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Turnabout Dressing room ~ The quest for a dress...in black.

 

Here I am 

not dressed for a try on

was not expecting to go to the shops.

Wearing my Bermuda shorts, white Tee and oversized Ralph Lauren shirt.

Turnabout is an upscale shop

lots of designer items

posh bags

and

there were a group of tourists

women

who were trying on all the LV bags.

There must have been a dozen LV bags in different style and sizes.

Quite the excited vibe when I entered the store.

I think there were several sales and some very happy customers.

I made the rounds of all the racks on the main floor set aside some clothes by the fitting room then went upstairs to see the markdowns and dedicated style racks.

7 items...

mostly black dresses

Silk loose style with interesting trim and the neck and cuffs.

Didn't feel like a good choice...too boxy.

Price was good but I couldn't see it as a "workhorse" dress.

Fitted too close to the Body...

too snug...not flattering.

Now this one felt better...

a bit longer than I had originally imagined 

but still...

it has side pockets.

Nice jersey knit, good weight, drapes well.

Swing skirt...

very packable.

Got to go out to the bigger mirror to get a better look.

Two women commented right away...

positive feedback

one was a staff member the other was a customer.

The dress set aside while finishing trying on the other garments.

Super soft "sweatshirt" top for cooler shore days.

So cozy, great neutral colour, layering piece.

Under the puffy vest or the jean jacket.

I purchased the top...

and the dress.

Both items were very reasonably priced...

I found a crinkle linen scarf/wrap in the thrift shop on Salt Spring

 when we were there a few weeks ago...

it is black, grey and white wide swatches of colour.

Is very large so I think it will be a warm wrap for evening meals in the dining room.

Have pretty much got my cruise wardrobe ready now.

Not packing a ton of clothes but everything will be versatile enough to mix and match with all the items.

I'll take a few scarves as they add colour, interest and texture.

I bought a pair of New Balance walking shoes, have my Taos black sandals

and the black casual Remonte shoes and I need to decide which dressy pair to pack.

The Ferragamos or the Amalfi's both black with low heels and classic.

Will pack: Lord and Taylor cashmere black turtleneck sweater, 

casual pair and dressy Eileen Fisher black pants.

Blue and white Tommy Bahamas dress

white linen short jacket

Uniqlo tees ~ black and white

white linen Sigrid Olsen shirt

white tank

grey Eileen Fisher linen vest

denim shirt

Betty Barclay navy puffer vest

new sweatshirt

new black dress

Columbia raincoat

denim Angels jean jacket

DKNY bathing suit

nightgown and lingerie

sox

warm hat, scarf and gloves for Glacier Day.

I've been under the weather with a summer cold and cough.

The cough is hanging on much longer than one might expect...

the nurse that listened to my lungs 

said she had the same virus in May and it lasted 3 weeks.

Hopefully it eases soon as I have some plans to visit Salt Spring Island for a few days and I would be very disappointed if I have to cancel my plans.

So I'm taking Zinc and vitamin C

hydrating like crazy and taking life easy.

Looks like Chester is taking life easy :-))

Chester loves to come outside on the deck.

He's an indoor cat so we only permit him out there when we are both out there.

I suppose he is getting his dose of vitamin D

Have you had a summer cold?

Hope you are enjoying a fun summer...

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Until next time 

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

July ~ Holidaze and a few slow living snippets

 

~ Summertime ~

Two weeks at Quarterdeck Cottage flew by in a heartbeat.

Why do holidays seem to pass by so fast?

Is it that we are savouring the moments?

 Trying to pause the clock to cherish these precious memories?

Our weather was truly magnificent, we had glorious sunshine most days.

We ate well, I even had some wine.

While not totally prepared for the effects of alcohol after 10 months of sobriety...

I did enjoy a few gin and tonics and some wine.

I wore my Taos sandals most of the time...

super comfy and yet supportive.

My last minute pedicure was a bit of a timing miracle...

I'd forgotten to make the appointment and the spa fit me in.

So grateful that I had my toes tidied up and polished.

Speaking of the spa

I've switched up my skincare regime...

gentle products to protect my complexion.

SPF is a MUST.

These products are easy to use and so effective.

I don't wear much make up.

I am currently using the Jane Iredale foundation powder.

Need to get some of her mascara soon.

~ The pearls ~

Can you see how I could be tempted by these beautiful organic baubles?

Not perfect, but glowing.

Not unlike the baubles of the sea...

my quest to find sea glass continues and the jar gets fuller.

The quiet walks along the beach...looking for treasure.

Glancing up and looking far out to sea...

listening to the songs of the gulls.

~ Sandstone ~

While at this beach we saw a humpback whale very close to shore.

It was massive...maybe 60 feet long and its tale was HUGE!

My husband and I were excited to watch this gigantic whale...

it dove and surfaced several times as it passed by the small cove.

What a treat to witness this vast creature.

Speaking of creatures

Fawns were feeding below the deck at the cottage...

they seem to grow before our very eyes.

We'd hear the crunch of the arbutus leaves and look down to watch.

Our son, his girlfriend and the 3 grands joined us for our second week.

It was a busy time for this Grammy :-))

Cooking, playing cards, games, stocking up on groceries (daily)

chatting, sidewalk chalk, bubble blowing, 

crazy gift exchange and all the antics that ensued...thrift shopping.

Thrift shop find on the day we departed...

a vintage hippy dippy necklace.

What can I say?

It spoke to me and reminded me of my teen years.

Love the juicy garnet coloured beads.

I can see this worn with a black top or black dress.

I need a LBD as I consigned my favourite LBD by Eileen Fisher.

So I am on the hunt for "the one."

Ultimately I'd like to find it before we go on our cruise...

I would wear it to dinner in the dining room.

So I am on a mission...

for

"THE ONE AND ONLY"

Little Black Dress.

Wish me Luck.

Tall ship...

one of many gorgeous sailboats we saw sailing past the cottage.

~ Gorgeous Sky ~

Next week coming up...

appointments, wash the car, a coffee morning, spa day, and the garden clean up.

Will be slowly tackling these various jobs.

Dead Heading the roses and the red geraniums on the porch.

I'm tempted to go out there in my robe with my coffee and secateurs.

But as soon as I publish this post I am going to light the candle

 and focus on a few words

of gratitude.

Thank you for stopping by

The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Slow Living ~ Rebuilding my wardrobe one piece at a time

Where to start once the culling, donating, and consigning has commenced?

What are the wardrobe workhorses?

What to buy first?

How many garments does one  actually "need"?

I've purchased several pairs of pants as they were the most needed...

the bagginess of a pair of jeans or pants cannot be camouflaged like a dress.

First purchases = JEANS!

(are you surprised?)

Spanx dark wash high waisted pull on wide leg

Mos Mosh basic jean medium wash cuffs fold up 

Off white "jean style" pants

Black slim pull on ankle length pants

Linen mocha wide leg pants

Slim ankle length cotton cream with a blue stripe

I am happy with all these pants...they fit and look decent.

I've kept several of my X large shirts...

pale and regular wash Gap denim shirts

blue and white oversized striped Ralph Lauren shirt

Most of my Tees still work.

Next order of business is a white linen shirt.

One that is closer to the body but can be used as a layering piece as well.

How long do you think it would take to find the best white linen shirt?

I looked for weeks at the thrift and consignment stores but no luck.

Off to Marshall's...

I took 5 shirts to the change room and tried them all on and critiqued each one.

Two made the cut but I planned to only buy one.

In the end I chose the Sigrid Olsen shirt.

The fit and the details nailed it...also at $39.99 it was a winner!

Shell buttons

cleanly finished

pockets that sit flat

Even stitching

goes with pearls :-))

Pale denim jacket goes with the striped pants

assorted white tops for layering

one striped Saint James cotton tee

black casual waffle dress 

 did not make the cull...

Linen thrifted Habitat black and grey print skirt 

which sits lower on my hips but still works

shown here with a new locally made black linen top.

Black large Fig half zip polo sweatshirt.

I've kept a few dressy dresses in the guest room closet...

so stay tuned for more updates.

Fall and winter will require some warmer layers...

I have 4 sweaters at the ready:

Grey cashmere V neck pullover

Periwinkle cashmere cardigan by Saint James

Black cashmere turtleneck by Lord and Taylor

thick wool vintage grey cable sweater pullover by Gap (menswear) thrifted

Rebuilding a wardrobe is going to be a challenge.

 I am feeling very positive as I know that I don't need to rush.

I'm fussy and frugal and enjoy the hunt and willing to wait for the right piece.

(at the right price)

In the meantime I am leaning heavily on accessories.

A pair of black pants and a white linen shirt.

Add these fun pieces and I'm good to go.

Soft pink linen Italian Scarf/Shawl

Pearls

Chloe fragrance

Thank you for the positive feedback on my last post.

Posting might be sporadic...I feel encouraged to keep my blog going.

Will post on Instagram when I have a new blog post published...

If you enjoy slow living, simple life and easy stress free tidbits

 you are in the right place.

It might be DULL to some 

(you know who you are )

unapologetically 

it's my lifestyle vibe...

I've nothing to prove, no timeline of when to post,

no agenda per say

just random snippets of my simple life. 

Thank you for being here :-))

Take Care

XO

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~