Shopping that started out so innocently with a French triple milled bar of Verbena soap and then the floodgates opened...and so here's the loot shoot.
You don't need to rub your eyes, this is colour!
It's the pattern of my new dress.
I think Dani the MOP Philosopher blog author might approve as she loves a pretty pattern.
Simple wrap jersey dress by Jones of NY
It is the first dress to make the cut for the carry on for next May's Paris tour.
It will roll and unroll out of the case without a crease...
This top is navy but looks like black in this light.
I plan to wear this with a pair of skinny jeans.
In a packable forgiving jersey knit by Precis.
If it is hot this will be a cool option as it has a slight dolman sleeve and is loose fitting without being too baggy.
Everyone agrees that when one visits Paris one walks miles and miles each and every day.
Sturdy walking shoes were the one thing that most women mentioned when I posed the question of what to pack for my Paris trip.
I didn't want to wear my Lands' End trail shoes so I had to look for a comfortable option.
These baby blue Josef Seibel's ooze comfort and are a sensible walking shoe.
So you might be thinking that I have gone off my rocker 'cuz they are not black.
I admit it...
they are a departure from the usual standard shade but after all I will be walking in Paris, the city of light.
I wanted a sandal to wear with dresses and skirts so I tried on the Ecco Babette.
Very comfy and will not flip and flap about with these straps.
In a neutral shade of mettalic gold.
The bonus of sandals is that I'll get to show off my painted toes...
now I wonder what colour I will wear?
I've got lots of time to plan my minimal travel wardrobe.
So there will be more shopping...
The hydrangeas in the garden are fading as Fall shrouds us in fog and damp.
Perfect weather to spend the day in the kitchen preparing a roast dinner.
Fruit salad was on the menu when Mother came for dinner.
Savouring light fresh fruit for dessert is so refreshing.
Say yes to these power packed Sprouts.
I remember when I was young that they looked like baby cabbages.
Cranberry sauce goes well with a free range organic chicken.
Oh and the standard issue mashed spuds...
so loverly with a nob of butter or a drizzle of gravy...
Green peas and stuffing rounded out the menu.
I love spending a day in the Humble Bungalow kitchen cooking for the family when it's chilly outside.
I snapped this shot despite the fact that tea towels are hanging on the sink, dishes are drying on the mat and the counters are littered with the remnants of my cooking spree.
You can see the cat toy on the floor by the door...it is not a snake!
These limelight hydrangeas are turning red as they wilt...
just waiting to be dead headed
I will wait until they turn brown as they offer a bright splash of colour at the entrance to out home.
Lovely daughter and I went out for lunch today and a bit of shopping.
We found a great coat ~ a beige zippered trench type coat by Tahari...
I am going to take it to the seamstress and have the sleeves shortened this week.
Thank goodness for people who are good with a needle and thread.
Well the supper is not going to be cooked by itself so I must get busy.
See you again soon.
Hostess
40 comments:
I'll bet Dani will love that dress; it's fab! Hostess, I see you're going native with those JS Euro walking shoes for Paris..actually quite stylish for a walking shoe.
Love that pic with tea towels in sink....soooo delightfully Bungalowy!
I love all your loot - great stuff, and the shoes are the best looking walking shoes I've ever seen. May can still be cold though in Paris, so prepare for that too.
YES I do love that dress! Thanks for thinking of me, you knew I'd love it. Actually everything you are planning for Paris is looking great, those are beautiful shoes, that brand does very European styling, you're going to be walking in style that's for sure.
All of that delicious food has made me starving but it's the picture of your kitchen... gorgeous polished woods and beautiful rugs, your bungalow is a very special place.
I just completed a second summer of the Ecco Babette sandal in the same colour. One of the most comfortable pieces of foot wear I have owned. Worked, played and walked in them...still going!! A great addition to your trip...your other pieces are fabulous too!!
I absolutely LOVE the photo of your kitchen. So perfect in every way.
Our Texas hydrangeas are beginning to fade as well But, they are putting forth full effort as the warmth fades. I'll have to take photos and send them to you.
Love the shot of the potatoes!
What a great print in that dress! Love it! And what a good start you're making for your Paris capsule wardrobe. Anticipation of the trip is so much fun, isn't it?!
I'm not sure you'd ever get me out of your kitchen once I entered it! What a beautiful room.
The dress looks very comfortable....I like the size of the print and the colors are just "right".
I too have spent some time in my kitchen today yours has a lovely warmth to it.
Love the top and your dress is a smart choice for travelling and a nice departure from black and white.
Now that I've retired I got back into sewing I've made myself a new dress and skirt this week. I've found in the last few years I've lost my way in the what to wear department but after following yours and other blogs I'm finding my style again.
Kind Regards
Karen
Your dress looks as though it will be perfect for sunny May in Paris. Joseph Seibel shoes are very comfortable and walking is such an important part of the experience. There's so much to see that you will probably walk for hours in addition to your group outings. You would especially enjoy visiting Le Jardin des Plantes, the Paris botanical garden that can be reached by strolling along the river or by Batobus. Reading and planning for Paris is such an uplifting activity.
That's a pretty walking shoe. I am terrible when I travel, wearing high heeled boots or support less ballet flats and my feet pay for it on the cobblestones. Smart to have good footwear. Jersey is the best for travel. I have a whole set of pieces in black from Jacob that I only wear to travel. It's cheap and cheerful and makes things so very easy. I pair them with good shoes and bags and always feel put together. You must be getting very excited about the trip!
Love the dress, I can picture it on you, perfect! Good thinking there about being able to roll it without creasing.
Those Ecco sandals look good too and from a previous comment comfortable too.
I am so glad you didn't tidy up the kitchen for the picture, it looks so much more homely. Usually in magazines we see ultra tidy, cold, clinical looking kitchens, yours is a refreshing change.
My dear, if you think that is cooking clutter, you should visit when I cook up a big meal. It looks like the Tasmanian Devil has paid a visit. If my kitchen looked like your picture on a regular day, I would be pleased.
How far down do you prune the limelights? We have a new house and I have to prune them, I haven't gotten a gardener yet.
The kitchen is beautiful.
Oh and they only turned a subtle blush colour here.
OOh, the only thing that looks better than your food is your SHOPPING! Excellent choices for Paris. You're on a roll these days....
hugs,
Janice
Love the dress, and the shoes will be both fashionable and comfortable for lots of walking.
Oh Leslie, I'm totally envious of your gorgeous dress ! The blue walking shoes are just stunners and they look so fashionably comfy!
Now, for your kitchen, if you ever need help, just call . . I'm only a plane ride away.!
'Course you realize we are all going with you to Paris in our minds !!
Your purchases will fit so well into your wardrobe (and your Paris suitcase). The blue walking shoes make my heart beat a little faster.
I have a gardener who does mine but i found you a link tht might help you...
http://www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com/pruning.html
Also congrats on the new house...hope you will show us some of the garden and perhaps the decor? You know me I love a sneaky peak..
Thanks GSL...Mr.HB did a spectacular job on the kitchen. He has given me a bunch of before and after shots of our Humble Bungalow restoration so I'll be working on some posts sometime soon.
I plan to bring a cashmere cardigan and a cashmere scarf which is the size of a pashmina as so many of my friends say they find the planes are cold.
I'll mention your comment to Mr. HB as he will appreciate it...as I mentioned to GSL he has given me a bunch of before and after restoration/renovation photos and I will be showing those soon.
Oh that's good to know...will be grateful if they last several years.
It seems like the planning is a bigger part than I imagined...I do want to be prepared as much as possible and Jamie remided me that I needed to leave some room for Paris purchases!
I spend hours in my kitchen and it functions well as it is situated off our family/TV area, if Mr. HB is watching the news or a program that I am interested in I can still see or at least hear it!
Will look forward to those pictures...and I am very fond of potatoes, a humble food from my Irish heritage!
Hope that you have discovered The Vivienne Files, Janice has a firm grasp on fashion and her wardrobe ideas are fabulous. I like to read many fashion blogs and I think I have learned so much from other savvy bloggers.
Have fun and Good luck discovering your new style.
I'll make a note of that park Madame, merci beaucoup!
I have had a similar experience in Seattle with pretty red suede ballet flats when we walked all day and then got caught in a torrential rainstorm...sadly the shoes stained my feet and they fell apart which necessitated show shopping the next day!
Easily accomplished at Nordstroms though...
Oh I'll try to keep that in mind when I take photos as I usually have way more clutter when I cook! I know what you ean about magazines showing perfect rooms...
I had to laugh when a friend and blogger told me that she was having an open house and her husband had tidied up and yes he said everything was in place and when she scanned their master bedroom she saw a pair of her knickers on the bureau!
She said "at least they were clean!" but she put them away just in case!
Thank you Janice!
I look to you for more capsule wardrobe inspiration...
love your blog.
I have those days too when there is a huge mess on the counters...it is all part of the process. I find when I make lasagne the kitchen looks like a bomb went off.
Can you imagine what it would be like if we had kitchen helpers like the fine restaurant have on staff?
How kind of you to offer...I've just popped over to visit your blog and see that you are now on Instagram so I will meet you over there!
I have worn those Ecco sandals for 3 consecutive summers. They are so comfortable and I can walk for miles in them. It's now autumnal here in UK but I snatched a navy blue pair in the Ecco outlet shop in York yesterday for a bargain £38. They are packed away now to bring out next Spring. You'll find they are a great buy. Really enjoying your posts and the anticipation of your trip to Paris. The anticipation of any trip is at least half of its pleasure. Jill S
Love your hydrangeas, have never seen such gorgeous colours. They remind me of my childhood as the lady next door used to grow the beautiful blue ones. Love my Ecco sandals, have same colour, similar style. I wear them at work often as I do a lot of walking around the school. Can't wait to go to Paris one day, so am loving your Paris posts. Kim
Love those JS shoes--will check them out for myself. I have problematical feet and like to walk a lot. I find short boots more comfortable than shoes. Even though I began my trip in June, i wore the short boots a lot. Just a thought. (And wear shoes that can get wet)
Lovely choices Hostess. Don’t forget to pack some Bandaids in your handbag. The large ones that will cover a heel if need. Such a comfort if the shoes do turn out to rub a bit to start with as I have found just recently with a pair of loafers that looked comfortable and were comfortable until I spent a whole day in them! Those colour sandals will go with everything too. Love a jersey wrap dress - so fuss free and they look elegant and ladylike, yet so comfy. I have several for school. I actually have begun the culling process of the wardrobe yesterday and found so many impulse buys that I don’t wear. Three bags to the charity shop. I actually am meant to be writing reports - hence the procrastination. I always do it. I’m about to start on Mr. T’s. who is a hoarder where clothes are concerned. I will have to be sneaky. Such fun looking forward to your trip with you. We are also hoping to do a European holiday next year but have some health/surgery hurdles to jump first for Mr. T. Always enjoy your posts - Hydrangeas are looking lovely. Tonkath
Mr. HB did a lovely job renovating your kitchen, keeping true to the style of the building. I'm curious about what the little box type thing is over the doorway?
Do remember to leave room for purchases in Paris. I was glad I had a zippered extension on my suitcase for my latest return trip. I seem to lose my shopping inhibition when I'm on vacation!
Lovely post Hostess, as you, I also did cook up a storm for family this past Thanksgiving weekend. I found myself admiring the cranberry sauce bowl, the combination of the red versus the cream and black of the dish. By the way, may I ask what brand or pattern name is the beautiful bowl? Take care, Luciana from Edmonton.
Hi Luciana,
The bowl is made in the UK by Emma Bridgewater and it is her Black Toast pattern. It is my favourite pattern that she makes...check out her website as there are lots of pretty patterns and many tempting pieces for sale.
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