Wednesday, April 26, 2017

OOTD and some new bits and bobs.


Selfie of my OOTD

Cut Loose top
 Zella skinny pants
Jessica Simpson flats

I've been wearing comfy clothes more frequently since Mother passed away.
I crave comfort in all the areas where I have control.
Clothing is one area where I abhor discomfort...


I could not resist this classic Saint James raincoat.
It is lightweight and a very comfortable and sensible choice for our April showers.


I am smitten with this line of garments designed in France.
Their Breton striped tops are wonderful and they make some fabulous sweaters and coats...
You may remember that I bought their navy and white striped brolly 
a few weeks ago.


I spy a new gadget in the Humble Bungalow...


this wee machine makes quick work of pills 
found on cashmere and wool sweaters
it is fast and easy to use.
I give it two thumbs up!


a soft scented candle recently found its way into my shopping basket
I love roses and our garden roses are still at least a month away from blooming
so I found a way to imbue the home with the scent of roses...
cheating a bit, I know,  but that's fine by me!


The spiky ball that we use at Yoga is now working overtime to help me at home.
It is amazing how this wee thing can loosen up hips and rid shoulders of tension.

It works really well on the balls of the feet too...
just go easy until you get used to the sensations!

In other news...
the view from here is dramatic.
The driveway has shrunk and our fence has too. 


We consider ourselves kind and decent neighbours...
so we have allowed a portion of our fence to be removed 
some of the driveway has been "loaned" 
to the developers 
to allow them to excavate with ease at the property line.


Deep holes have been fenced off so that no one falls into the pit!


Looking out the window you can see the site which is ready for construction to commence.

Which we have been told will be any day now...


On the past post I asked for books suggestions 
I was most surprised as you went above and beyond my expectations.
Thank you!

Hope that your week is ticking along nicely.
Cheerio from The Humble Bungalow.
XO


33 comments:

materfamilias said...

Do you anticipate much change to the sun-and-shade conditions in your garden because of the new construction? (We're waiting with some trepidation to see what difference the very big condo project across our back lane will make to our terrace garden.)
I 've been using those spiky balls for a while now, having had problems with (so far just incipient) plantar fascitis and with Achilles stuff over the past few years -- they're fabulous (along with my foam roller -- do you use one of those as well?).
Thanks so much for the review of that pill remover -- I'll keep an eye out for it. I've used others before and found them of limited value, but I need to try again -- have some sweaters that need freshening up.

Anonymous said...

What store in Victoria carries the St. James brand?

SAS

Anonymous said...

Your outfit of the day looks great and so do you!
Thanks for sharing the odds and sods of your day.
If you remember, please give us a thumbs up/down on the candle. Sometimes candle scents are too strong or non existent. I haven't seen that brand before so your verdict will be greatly appreciated!
Have a lovely week, Suz from Vancouver

Lorrie said...

That first top is so cute on you, L. Where did you find it? You are kind neighbours to allow that construction to infringe on your property. I'm sure they will be most careful about putting things to rights when they are done. The rose candle will be a lovely addition to your cozy home.

Anonymous said...

I didn't realize until now,how close is the building site to your bungalow. You are a wonderful neighbour indeed and I'm only hoping that the building would be fast and as painless as possible.
Your raincoat is lovely,it suits you beautifully.
The little device is very useful indeed.
Take care
Dottoressa

Anonymous said...

I've noticed your precarious driveway ! I so wanted to save the giant rosemary plant in that vacant lot -but one day it was all gone..... I hope the construction crew is as congenial as the ones next door to me.

Taste of France said...

Your outfit suits you well. Comfortable, classic, chic. Ticks all the boxes.
Sweater shavers do get rid of pills but eventually the sweater wears away into nothing. I guess it would wear away anyhow, and it might as well be pill-free in the meantime.

Patricia said...

You look very trim in your top, it is a great style, and I love that raincoat which sounds perfect for your climate. Oh my, I am surprised at how close to you the machines have been working, and you are kind to allow them some extra space. I hope the building is not too close and does not spoil the ambience of your lovely bungalow. I am very intrigued by the spiky ball!

Madame Là-bas said...

I should try the sweater shaver as I find that wool sweaters do get pilled. We have a shop in Steveston that carries Cut Loose and I really find it a comfortable brand to wear. Your construction is very close indeed. We've got a looming renovation where our apartment siding and enclosed balcony will be replaced. I love scented candles and miss them here in Oaxaca but I am mostly outside. I am in week 8 of 10 weeks. This is my longest stay in Oaxaca. Although I have lots of jobs to do in the library, I am starting to miss my home and family.

The Vivenne Files said...

You are indeed the kindest of neighbors - I don't know many people who would be so very accommodating to that level of incursion!

The raincoat is perfection... sigh...

And of course comfort is paramount for you right now (well, maybe for always!). Take good care of yourself and be very patient with yourself too. Healing takes much more time than we realize.

lots of hugs,
Janice

KSL said...

I'm going to get that Evercare appliance - much needed here...thanks. Love the St. James raincoat (and all of there clothing.)

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I would expect so as there will be a basement, main and an upper floor on both the houses beside our property...not too sure if it will have much of an impact as it is the northern exposure. They have foam rollers at the Yoga studio as well as a mitra board and slo mo balls which half are inflated fully and half semi inflated...there are quite a few more props in Yoga these days!
The pill remover really works fast too and protects the sweater...I bought mine at the local Pharmasave.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Two stores that I know of carry the Saint James line...Wilsons in Oak Bay and downtown and Baden Baden in Sidney which has a HUGE selection! Happy Shopping!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

We have had the candle burning for a few hours and the scent is subtle...not too sweet or overpowering. I like a candle to really permeate the room so I put Diptyque and Cire Trudon as my two favourites.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I found the Cut Loose top at a consignment store in Oak Bay...
it is called a la mode and is located right around the corner from Nicholas Randall on Wilmot place. New Cut Loose can be found at Mercedes Lane Too on Cook Street and Something More at Matticks Farm

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Well the building process will take awhile so I plan to go to my Yoga studio and I have a pair of earplugs that a reader from Vancouver sent me!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I think the crew will be friendly and who knows I may be baking them cookies and banana bread to have with their coffee breaks! I saw that huge rosemary plant...it had over wintered for many years and thrived...Mrs. Prescott was a gifted and talented gardener...she spent most of her days in the garden until she had to go into care.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

The shaver takes only the pills away...the instructions say not to press down just skim the sweater and it worked like a charm. I hope it does not wear away the cashmere as it was my mothers sweater!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Ah! Trim is a word that I very much like right now Patricia! I have gained a few pounds since Mother passed away and am feeling a tad flabby...XO
I will share pictures of the building process and from all accounts the style will be modern and very boxy which will have some wood details and so I think like many homes that are being constructed in our neighbourhood it will be the new normal!

La Vie Quotidienne said...

Love your new top in the first photo - looks so good on you.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Cut Loose has been around for quite a few years here in town and I have several pieces and find that they suit our mature figures!
I thought that you were away longer this trip! 2 weeks will pass quickly and you will return in time for some late Spring sunshine...and I do not envy your deck and siding replacement but they are necessary to keep your building structure secure.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I don't know what the developer would have done if we had said no...but we chose to help facilitate their work...I hope that everyone on the crew is as friendly as the ones that we have met so far!
Comfy clothing doesn't have to be sloppy either...
anything that is too small or restrictive with scratchy fabrics or bulky seams do irritate...quality construction trumps cheap fast fashion any day!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I plan an excursion to the Sidney shop and plan to look for some more Saint James...I would love a striped top but so many of the ones that I have seen have necks that are too high...I prefer a V or a U neck. Will report back after I go shopping...could be dangerous...but Mother would approve!
XO

Marilyn said...

You may find when you try them on that the necklines are OK. I prefer a lower neckline but have a couple of Saint James top and they are fine. Have you tried the Seasalt range? I think you would many of their tops. Casual but well made.

Unknown said...

I love your new raincoat....very stylish. Sometimes retail therapy is just what is needed. Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Ali

Jeannine said...

That raincoat looks like it was made for you - you look great in it. I have one of those gadgets for pills on sweaters as well - works great. That candle looks wonderful and I imagine it smells that way, too. Where did you find the spiky ball? I use tennis balls for the same type of thing. I have two together in an old sock and use them up and down my back. Really helps.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I have tried a couple on but they were boat necks...will have to go out and try some more on now! Will check out the Seasalt line...thank you.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Thank you Adrienne...it is a good mid section camouflage top!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

We will have to email and set up a date!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

The spiky ball was sold at my Yoga studio...I think they are also sold at Winners and Marshalls here in Victoria...maybe a TJ Maxx in the US or a sports store may carry them?

Ellie's friend from canada said...

thanks for introducing me to the Saint James line. – your rain coat is splendid. I myself just got a great Calvin Klein raincoat at Winners. The sleeves had to be shortened but it is rainproof, waterproof, windproof, with a detachable hood and best of all machine washable. Winners had beautiful linen blouses made in Italy last week. I went online to see about Saint James. there is a website Jourdain.com that carries Saint James and quite a bit is on sale at the moment. There are coats (Embrun) that I would give my eye teeth for. There was an article on that site about norwegian yarn. I have Aran Isle yarn – enough for a sweater and knee high socks (it was bought years ago for wearing with my cross country skiing knickers. I'm going to advertise in a seniors newspaper here and see if a senior who likes to knit could be hired to knit for me. In the meantime, I enjoy your blog!

Duchesse said...

re pill remover, found the storage section fills up quickly and I was worried about taking too much of the surrounding non-pilled fibre into the shaver head, so I now use a "cashmere comb", which is manual, but I have more control. The perfect solution is probably somewhere between the two! I am glad you are taking good care of yourself.

La Contessa said...

IT ALL LOOKS LOVELY ON YOU................