Wednesday, March 26, 2014

OOTD X 2

OOTD...

I snapped this before running out the door to go to French Class but more on that later in the post...
a selfie with some serious attitude!


Oak Bay is the area of Victoria in which I grew up and attended school.
When I was young people used to joke that we lived behind the "Tweed Curtain."
Old money, heritage homes and people wearing tweed, tweed and you guessed it, more tweed!

Those days are long gone and now you'll more likely see Barbour jackets and Hunter boots on the well heeled walking under the canopy of Garry Oak Trees.

Mother has been getting more confused over little details lately so we all met with the bank manager for clarification of her accounts and investments. She could ask questions and we could help interpret the answers.
She is feeling much more at ease after the meeting and we are better equipped to help her when she need us.

We did have some trouble parking and getting into the bank as the film crew using Oak Bay as the town of Grace Point had cordoned off several surrounding streets and the cameras, lights, trucks and cast were actively working.
The company had taken over various shops and the actors and extras were in the midst of a scene.
The shops were open for business despite masquerading as Grace Point merchants and there was a fresh outdoor market stand set up on the sidewalk. It was all very exciting to watch...I will be watching Grace Point when it airs.

After our meeting, which was about an hour, they had wrapped up their filming and were putting everything back to normal.


When I picked up my monthly copy of Country Living UK at Ivy's book shop the gals were chatting about the filming on The Avenue and meeting Nick Nolte when he came in to buy some books. 
I've seen the film crew in various parts of Fairfield on my walks as well but have not had the chance to sneak a peek at any of the leading actors. I'll be sure to let you know if our paths cross anytime soon!



Mink brooch on the Spenser Jeremy jacket that I found it in thrift shop a few weeks ago.


Still loving the details.


Simon Chang black ponte knit trousers
Coldwater Creek white tank
Mee Too black ballet flats



I spied these lovely sweet scented dianthus at the garden shop.


A little bit of cheer for a wee price.


I wore this vintage coin necklace again this week.
I usually don't wear faux jewelry but I like this one quite a bit.


I wore this sterling cuff to French class.


OOTD
Pure Knit black cotton sweater
over the same pants, top and belt.

Since rebuilding my wardrobe I have fewer items so I get more wear out of each piece.
It is so much easier getting dressed these days.
I wish I knew about a minimum basic workable wardrobe years ago.
I could have saved time, money and I think I would have been happier about my personal style.


I wore some old pants and a Tee shirt when I re grouted the bathroom floor.
It was a dirty job!
I didn't wear make up or do my hair until after I had finished.
You would not have recognized me...


The tiles look good from here but it is far from a professional job.
Hope it will stand up for a few years...
next time I'll hire a tiler.


One of the neighbourhood raccoons.
We have a family of them that regularly walk through our yard.
Generations of raccoons have been wandering through our garden for 30 years...
(that's how long we've been here)
I am sure that they have been coming here for many more years.
They play with the decorative silver globes that I have in the garden...
in the morning when I see them in various different locations,
 I know that the raccoons have been bowling at midnight.


A friend loaned me the third Louise Penny novel...
I am excited to read it.
I love it when you discover an author whose book you enjoy and has a series of books ahead just waiting... 


I found this beautiful magazine when I was at the pharmacy...
it's chock full of charming homes decorated in an easy breezy carefree cottage style.
 Which inspires me to look at The Humble Bungalow decor with fresh eyes.
Maybe I'll rearrange a few things or put some away until fall and invite some lighter pieces to take stage.
One thing's for sure...I'll be actioning a bit of Spring Cleaning!

I'll be back in a few days...
 after I tackle my French homework, 
then 
I plan to read some magazines and my novel.
Until next time...

Be Well and Be Kind.
Hostess


26 comments:

Sheila said...

Love the mink brooch and the raccoon bowling team! If you can find it, watch the original series, Broadchurch, that Gracepoint is based on. It's an amazing series!

Jennifer said...

That mink brooch is really fabulous. It looks so chic on your tweed jacket. Too funny about living behind the tweed curtain. I remember when we needed to make those sort of financial arrangements with first my Mom, then my Dad. It really helped a lot as things went along. Enjoy your day. Let us know about the book! xoJ

Patricia said...

Hi Leslie, have you seen the BBC show Broadchurch, on which Gracepoint is based? We loved it, and are looking forward to seeing this version.

I love a good detective book so I'll watch out for Louise Peny - I've seen a TV adaptation with Nathaniel Parker, I liked that too.

The photo of the flower box taken from your porch is stunning - we still have snow here!

Cathy said...

Exciting about Gracepoint. I am looking forward to watching it on TV because I liked the British series it is based on. And now I can look forward to your local scenery.

Susan B said...

I smiled imagining the raccoons bowling with your garden globes. The tweed jacket looks fabulous on you. Love the dianthus...someday I'll find some time to get out and work in my neglected garden.

Anonymous said...

You DO look like you have attitude and I love it! You look great. I too am a fan of your jacket and mink brooch. So cool about the series being filmed in your neighbourhood. And I love your flowers and magazines and spring time inspirations. Cheers, Violet. (PS, well done with the tile work. We just had our bathtub surround gutted and re-tiled and did not dare attempt it ourselves. The young fellow ~ and they all look young to me ~ did a gorgeous job and he commented that the result reminded him of Arts-and-Crafts. At one point during the process, I thought to myself: there is a boy in my bathtub. Albeit, fully dressed.)

Lorrie said...

I love the mink brooch. It goes well on your "new" jacket. I have the same book sitting in front of me on my coffee table - I've been reading other books and am waiting for a good chunk of time to get started on The Cruellest Month.
I've not heard of Grace Point. But last weekend while driving out to the ferry, we noticed film crews at the Saanich Historical Society so something is going on there, too. Enjoy the magazine - I picked up my copy over the weekend.

ming said...

Zipped through the first 3 of Louise Penny's books - then started on the fourth. Put it down - don't seem to like it. Will try again in a while. Does that ever happen to others? Start a series, don't like the turn it takes.

Duchesse said...

My, you are busy! A raccoon got into our house while we were away one weekend and ripped all the drywall off the basement walls, among other damage. We never found where he got in. I find them adorable till they decide to flex their little raccoon muscles!

Anonymous said...

Ming, I started with the latest one, How the Light Gets In, and tried to go backwards and couldn't. I adore Inspector Gamache, though. Violet.

Deborah Montgomery said...

Also love that mink brooch. Good for you for regrouting. That's some serious work! Raccoons are cute, but sure can be destructive. Still trying to find time to read the first Louise Penny book. I've already renewed it once.

Susan said...

What a fun post! You do have attitude! I once regrouted a tile kitchen countertop. What a job! Of course I was young and didn't wear gloves--and we coined the term "grouter's hands."

LPC said...

You do seem to be having so much fun!

La Vie Quotidienne said...

Such a busy and interesting day. I love that jacket! Good for you in regrouting the tile, I have never tried doing that, I bet it makes a big difference. I am currently reading Louise Penny's second book, I recently discovered her and I really am enjoying the books, she reminds me of P D James.

Jen Lawrence said...

I have that spring cottage issue too. The peonies on the cover made it impossible to pass by. Love that you do your own grout. I'm fairly handy but not like that. Kudos!

You live in such a pretty place - ideal for filming.

Jim & Sonya Guthrie said...

Good for you for regrouting your bathroom floor!! Bet that was a messy job doing it on the floor...and your poor back? Did hubby help? We just finished tiling our back splash in our kitchen too! It wasn't too bad, and I think we did a pretty good job :) It's so rewarding when it is all done. Love looking through decorating books and magazines to get inspired to make a change. Your magazines look inviting :)

kristieinbc said...

My son and his family live just a few blocks from where they are filming. They send me the occasional text message with a picture of the latest scenes being shot. Have you watched the original show from the UK - Broadchurch? It is a great show, and will leave you wondering whodunnit right up until the last episode. Enjoy your book - Louise Penny is one of my favourite authors.

frugalscholar said...

Like others, love the brooch/jacket combination. And UGH to raccoons. They are not that cute in person, especially when they glare at you in annoyance as they chow down on your compost pile.

Sheree said...

We are xeriscaping now. It is working out well.

Madame Là-bas said...

Inspector Gamache is such a loveable character. How are your French classes coming? Your black and white jacket looks so French. Les ratons-laveurs sont partout maintenant. We had to pause by La Rue de la Bûcherie yesterday because they were making a movie. At home, Steveston, where I live becomes Storybrooke most Wednesdays. I am going to look for Grace Point on iTunes.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I have not seen the BBC production of Broadchurch and I would very much like to see the series.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Violet...you had me laughing as I was reading your comment about the young man :-))

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Oh that sounds disappointing...I am enjoying the third book and plan to pick up the fourth just as soon as I am finished.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I regrouted the floor all by myself...my body was achy after for a bit but I am totally fine now. Yes the floor was a mess and so was I...nice that we have a second bathroom so I could clean myself up as we were not supposed to walk on the floor for 16 hours after grouting it.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

French classes are fun but I have a rather steep learning curve ahead of me...I had an email form a delightful reader who would like to meet for coffee and speak French...she taught French for many years so when I get a bit better we will meet up.
Inspector Gamache is a great character!

No Sacrifice Bags said...

Holy Cow, I commend you on your ambition to re grout your floor. I have much experience with grout, and I highly recommend Laticrete Spectralock when re-do your floor.

I love the racoon photo. I had a pet racoon named Ringo, when I was ten. I brought him home after some boys at school found him in the ravine. He was a newborn, and his eyes were barely open. My mother fed him with an eye dropper. He had a broken tail, so he had a permanent kink to it. He thought he was a dog, and played with all the neighbourhood dogs.