Monday, July 30, 2012

Hunter boots and Bensimons the "French Girl's Converse"

I had a wonderful time at the park with my DIL and grand daughter Isla!
We played on the swings and the slides for about an hour before going to the Village for a bite of lunch.
Afterwards we stopped in at Rainbird to peruse their rainy weather gear.
Fortunately we have been enjoying the sunny skies and warm days but we do know and fully expect  that rain will be in the forecast sometime soon...


Don't you think that red is about as cheerful a colour that one can wear?
 Aren't these just the bee's knee's?
These wee Hunters are modeled by our darling Miss Isla.
She will need some thick socks to keep her sweet toes warm in the winter but her feet will be dry!

"Grammy" got herself some colourful shoes.



I've heard a lot about this brand of shoe but never tried them on before...
as Joanna Goddard from A Cup of Jo says 
they are a French girl's Converse.

Introducing the Bensimon sneakers
Tennis Lacet Femme Basique


I'm going to wear these with my white capri's
a white tank and my Hermes scarf
the very first one that Mr. HB purchased for me in San Francisco.
I like to think of it as the best souvenir this girl could ever receive while on holiday.


Colour has been creeping into my comfort zone
I still love black and white clothing
I've been embracing bright pops of colour 
they bring with them an energy that is uplifting and fresh.

I particularly appreciate this when I have had a night with broken sleep...
choosing uplifting shades is a kick start to my morning.

I need a good night's sleep
8 hours is my preference
I am currently sleep deprived 
Chester our kitten is an early riser!

His wee tummy must be grumbling and he wants his food.
He jumps up on the bed and gently nuzzles me and starts his"motor boat purring" which is impossible to ignore.
So it's food for him and coffee for me
he can then curl up and go back to sleep 
but not me...
I am up for the day.


Chester is a lovely kitten
so affectionate and a great companion for Pepper.

BTW 
I have been wearing the arty bangle with the usual suspects...
at first I thought it was too much and now I feel they are very friendly...
what do you think?


Love it or Hate it?
Speak up and be heard!
(this post is causing quite a stir!)


P.S. Here is Angelica Huston and her bangles...
from The French Style 
 book

50 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well, if those bangles make a jangly sound, I'd make you take them off when I'm around - you did ask! I find smells and jangles really distracting which is probably why I rarely wear jewellery or perfume.
I love any kind of sandshoe/plimsioll/ked/bensimon but loathe converse, I think they are ugly.

Annie ~ Red Roses and Crystal said...

I empathize regarding early mornings to feed a pet. My dogs tummy is rumbling earllier than usual because of the colder weather.
Loving the shoe purchases and the bangles are fab. I wear two constantly and the jangling annoys hubs lol.
xx

My Four Pretty Girls said...

I Love your bangles Leslie, and as a matter of fact I have hinted to my girls that I would like a Tiffany twisted bangle for my birthday. I want to start a collection. Fingers crossed !

Anonymous said...

I love your runners - did you buy them here? They will look great with your scarf, such pretty colours!

Lynne said...

A visit to you . . .
I find things new . . .

Bensimon's . . .

I like the look oh bangles, the sound too, but . . . wearing them in a quiet room, not so mch.

Anonymous said...

Like Tabitha, I think Converse are so ugly and uncomfortable too. The Bensimons are nice, and I like Superga as well for sneakers. The bangles look great on you, but again, I can't stand the jangling noise. Red Hunter's are so adorable on Isla.

Susan B said...

I like the stack of bangles. Very Ines de la Fressange. Isla is so cute in the red Hunters!

Sarah said...

aaaw, I do love those red wellies!

Kristien62 said...

OOH- love the bangles! And the shoes are terrific. Would love to find a pair here. I know I can always go on-line, but I like to try things on. Do you think they would be appropriate to wear in the countryside in Ireland or too casual?

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

They do jangle and I wouldn't mind taking them off if we got together as I'd love to meet you!

Anonymous said...

Colour - it is almost scary to introduce if black and white are your stock colours, but I find summer the perfect time to inject some and I know we should do it in winter when we need colour! Need to work on that one with you, Leslie.
I have a few 'cheap' bangles, but the 'noise' is my complaint - does it bother you after a bit? Peg

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

There are a few people who mind the sound, but I have never had a complaint yet...
maybe everyone is used to it by now, or just being too polite.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Good luck with the bangle collection.
Two of mine are from Tiffany's the rest are from antique, thrift shops and galleries.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I got them in a consignment shop, they are brand new so someone must have bought them and then changed their mind about the colour or the fit.

Pondside said...

I never wear more than two bangles, but perhaps I'm being a bit stingy. This is probably a situation in which 'more is better'.
The red boots, the colourful shoes - I'm loving summer colour too!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I am so used to the sound it's just like the constant birdsong outside my window or the Westminster chiming of the clock.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I've never worn Converse but they are so popular I see them on many chic femmes.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

She's adorable :-)

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

They come in many shades and I think they are great for walking about. I would not wear them in damp grass though as they would be wet in no time!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I will try for some winter colour Peg!
No the sound of my bangles never bother's me...
I love the cacophony of bird song, the sounds of children playing, the chiming of our clock, and I like wind chimes too.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I have a great book "French Style" and inside is a picture of Angelica Huston wearing a massive stack of bangles.
This image inspire me to wear more than one...
I'll add it to this post so you can see it too.

Gretchen said...

I'm so pleased you added the arty bangle to your mix, and I think it looks terrific...as for the jangle of bangles, that's a sound that your children and friends will remember ages from now when they hear someone else with a similar set, and recall fond memories of you.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Thank you Gretchen, my BFF wears them too...
The "jangle of bangles" is a sound that not everyone appreciates and it's funny that no one has ever mentioned the sound as annoying until now. I did ask and I am glad that people are chiming in with their opinions.

LPC said...

I like the look of Bensimons. A young woman in my office wears them, she looks great. I think yours will suit you well. And Miss Isla, well, lovely boots!

Lisa said...

Your new Bensimons are gorgeous. The color is striking and I think it will be very versatile.

I do love your granddaughter's red Hunter boots....a happy color for cold or wet days.

JMW said...

Love the red Wellies! Wasnt' there an Olympic team at the opening ceremonies that other night that wore Wellies as part of their uniform? It was super-cute!

frugalscholar said...

I saw some Bensimon mary janes in France--maybe next time I'll try them on.

Your granddaugher is so big!

SewingLibrarian said...

Oh, my, you have the Jardins d"Andalousie scarf! I'd love to own that one. I've passed up several of them because of the colorway or the price, but one day I'll own one! Love that design.

Anonymous said...

You know I'd never ask that of a stranger - only someone who knows I'm not being rude just weird as usual!

mette said...

I´d say: Wear the bangles, but no other jewelry at the same time. The red boots are cuties. And so is Chester.
He reminds me of our cat, who also awoke very early in the mornings and made sure, that we woke too.
I slept poorly during the few years we had him, my husband too.
In the long run, not being able to sleep well might cause problems. Is there any way you could solve this problem before it comes a burden?

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

She is 2 years old now but truly she's no bigger than a minute!
Sweet and petite.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I watched the ceremonies but I didn't notice the wellies...

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Good luck finding your scarf it's a happy and cheerful scarf to wear.
"All things come to those who wait"

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I always wear my diamond studs whether I am bangled or not.
I have to get up early for work when school is in session and that is the time that Chester is waking me. I think I am staying up too late while on my summer vacation...if I went to bed earlier that would be the answer so really I am the one to blame!

Judith said...

Sorry,to say Hostess I have never worn any type of trainers/sneakers.Each to their own.

Now the red Hunters that is more me,but your darling Isla is the best sweet model I have seen,love to see her having fun in the puddles with them.Ida

Share my Garden said...

Glam Grammy, say I. Jangle those bangles! Converse are extremely popular here in England, my elder daughter has them in a range of colours and various male friends wear them with a suit and think themselves young and hip! There are a bit too chunky for me. I do love red and purple footwear, but in a nice, soft leather.

La Vie Quotidienne said...

I love all of your bangles, very chic. I know what you mean about kitten wake-up calls, Miss Twiggley wants to eat at 6:00am ~ I get up and feed her and then go back to bed for my own little cat nap.

Anonymous said...

Isn't it amazing how wrist jingle grows on you? I have gone from old, artsy colorful to standard silver, no matter which they continue to expand :)

Gretchen said...

It was the team from the Netherlands, if I remember correctly - and they carried umbrellas as well as a tribute to the UK!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Ida, I am hoping to be there when she jumps in the puddles!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Oh I love those two words together..."glam grammy" but honestly I am just an ordinary gal.
They actually get in the way of my garden gloves...a hazard indeed!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Oh Adrienne lucky you to be able to go back to sleep!
Once my feet hit the ground I am ready to seize the day.

Jennifer said...

I'm not a "sneaker" wearer outside of a gym, but they're really cute.
I'm ordering some for weekends on the island.
Bangles...I adore them and find them quieter on your non-dominant wrist/hand if the noise bothers you.
Me? I love to make a spectacle of myself.
Your little darling is precious in her bright red boots!!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Mags...
I think that you and I are "bangle sisters"

My sister wears only gold bangles, she is a serious Equestrian who teaches riding.
Sadly her horse recently threw her and she has broken her arm so no bangles adorn her arm and she just celebrated her birthday..
She did look very chic in a LBD and a pashmina sling

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Well styled Life they only adorn my left hand...
my right hand is the dominant one :-))

She truly is a gem, thank you for that!
Hostess
XO

Anonymous said...

I love the new sneakers and how well they'll look with the new scarf. Just lovely! I don't wear many bracelets in real life, but I know that if I were to make a practice of it that several slender metallic (gold or silver would be best) bangles would be my preference.

Anonymous said...

It was Czech Republic.

Sheree

Anonymous said...

I'm a single bracelet wearer, but then I have a more pare-downed look than you. I think you are a bangle-kind of person, being an artist and a sensitive observer of your surroundings.

Denise said...

Love the bangles, they would be too noisy for me on most days. Are the Bensimons really that comforatable? I have been thinking of getting a pair. I've heard a trick for the hunter boots, you have buy fleece insoles from Uggs and put them into the Hunnter for extra warmth.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Hunter sells thick sock type liners for added warmth...
I have worn the Bensimons for strolling and shopping more fashionable than my black patent sneakers, they are serious walking shoes by Joseph Siebel for extended walks and trekking but look a bit heavy to be feminine.