Sunday, August 20, 2017

Shopping ~ a wee bit of Retail Therapy!

When one has a closet that is curated and has the basics there is no real "need" to go shopping...I have not inherited Mother's lifelong passion for fashion
and the urge to be continually purchasing and filling up more closets with beautiful things has not been my top priority.
(roses on the other hand, can one have too many?)

Mom was wearing current and up to date outfits until a few weeks before she died...always taking care of her shoes, handbags and beautiful jewelry.
She dressed up everyday as if she was going to the theatre and her neighbours would always ask her in the elevator where she was going as she looked so well turned out...her response was "I am going downstairs to get my mail!"

Since Mom passed I have been in a bit of a rut...
I would not go so far as to say depressed, but definitely content to wear my walking and Yoga gear all day...I suppose I am seeking solace and comfort in cozy comfy clothes...perhaps being a tad lazy in the process.

So with these thoughts in the back of my mind I took myself out for a shopping expedition to Sidney where Mom and I loved to look for clothes.


So I took myself to the shops...
(Emma Bridgewater tote bag)

The French company Saint James makes a variety of striped tees.


I like a V neck as I am so short and this particular top has side vents at the bottom which is helpful when one is not at their slimmest!


They make lovely sweaters, coats, tops and shirts.
I purchased this top and am very happy with it...the fabric is weighty enough to skim the body and it is smooth and soft.
Amazingly comfortable which is a priority for me.

I bought a striped Saint James umbrella last winter and a lovey raincoat.
I am tempted to buy a sweater for winter...



I consider this to be an investment purchase as it is a tad under $200.
But it fulfills my desire to have a new striped top...
the one that I bought in Paris at the COS store 2 years ago 
finally wore out from frequent wearings.
My hairdresser told me that the COS store has opened in Vancouver's Gastown district.
 I plan to make a pilgrimage to peruse their stock sometime this Fall.


The weather has been glorious for my daily walks.


The scenery is so beautiful that it encourages me to walk 
and the ocean calms at the same time.


I read this fascinating book
The Primates of Park Avenue by Wednesday Martin PHD
a memoir.
It was a peek into the lives of the privileged mommies who live in the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
A world unlike anything I have ever known!

I would recommend you read it if you are at all interested in how the uber wealthy young moms dress, eat and exercise...
and the lengths they go to to be the best that they can be.


A day in the garden spent in peace and quiet 
dead heading the roses and then taking some time to sit with a glass of lemonade on the front porch of The Humble Bungalow...

Feeling grateful.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

30 comments:

Susan said...

You look adorable in your new striped t-shirt. I have a Saint James striped shirt (bought at J Crew last year) which is more boat necked--would love to have a v-neck.

Becky said...

I'm glad you are treating yourself to a few special things. I regret not buying a striped top in Normandy last summer. They were so plentiful and the July "solders" made them quite reasonable. C'est la vie!

Jeannine said...

I love a striped top and have quite a few. Yours looks very nice on you. I am a cheapskate, though, and could never invest so much. I'm sure if I was willing, I would find that I have much better quality in my clothing! I always appreciate your book recommendations. I have piles of books from my sister, waiting to be read, not to mention the long lists of books which have been recommended to me. Oh, if I could only smell that beautiful rose.

Madame Là-bas said...

Lovely top! I love the look. I bought a striped top at Mont-St-Michel three years ago and it is a favourite. I walked the Stanley Park seawall yesterday to get my steps in. Our weather is lovely with a nice breeze. It's wonderful that your mother maintained her standards of dress
throughout her life. It is an inspiration.

Margie from Toronto said...

I have also been considering an additional striped top - this time in black & white as I have a navy on white, and a white on navy one already - but I'm still looking. Your's looks lovely but a wee bit pricy for me. I did do a bit of shopping myself today - at the Bay. I went to take something back and then of course decided to check out the 70% off rack. They had a white Lord & Taylor shirt that I've been looking at all summer (but couldn't justify the price) - but at 70% off I bought 2. They will be a bit dressier under my cardigans than just a t-shirt & one can always use new white shirts. Then I had a wander down to have a look at the Fall/Winter coats & jackets that have just arrived - there was very little to choose from in the Plus size section but I lucked out with an XL in the regular Novelti brand - bought a navy jacket with hood & it's roomy enough to be able to add an extra sweater and use it right up to December. It's waterproof and that was very important given all the rain we've had since the Spring. I should also confess to buying yet another Lord & Taylor cashmere sweater - this one is in a Navy/Royal blue and it's a V-neck. I own a lot of sweaters so the past couple of years I have only allowed myself one when the new choices arrive. It's such a difficult decision trying to choose which of the new colours will tempt me the most. The only items left on my list are a couple of new bras and some new black Oxford type shoes or ankle boots - haven't quite decided as yet. I always love checking out your purchases - you have wonderful taste.

Anonymous said...

I think you look quite stylish-in a casual sort of way! I also loved to see pictures of your mum in her stylish- more formal sort of way! Bridget

dottoressa said...

A little retail therapy is good-your Saint James tee is lovely and it suits you excellent. I've read about this (iconic ) company but could buy it only (if,at all?) online-and I love to try new brands in person,for the first time (like Eric Bompard,f.e.-,after the first purchase ,I buy everything online)
Uniqlo even doesn't ship here in Croatia (I love their simple white supima cotton tees under v-neck cashmere sweaters and scarves,but have bought them in London)
And your roses.......
Dottoressa

Veronica Roth said...

That's a lovely top. Those crisp stripes always remind me of lovely summers. Chloe tells me the weather's been lovely in Vancouver and I can see that's true for Victoria too. How very lucky. Here in Oxfordshire it's been pretty cool and rainy. Typical actually. But I'm back off to Vancouver in a couple weeks so please hold the nice weather for me...lol. Hey, wanted to tell you that my massive marathon walks around Prague trying to sort out my citizenship papers have resulted in about 10lbs off and a lot of trimming up! Bit of proof and method on my blog, but walking really is the best, isn't it? I've finished reading practically everything I've planned on reading so far, so will go back thru your posts for some ideas and have a look at the Oxfam book thrift for one or two of your recommendations. :D

Kristien62 said...

Your book reminds me of "The Nanny Diaries" which I read a number of years ago. I came away from the experience with no desire to walk in their Jimmy Choo's. I must read your book, too.

Love your new "mariniere" (think I spelled it correctly). I have one which I brought out last week on a slightly cooler day. It's my favorite and I was sad to see that it was showing its age. But on the happy side, that gives me license to look for another! Life is good.

KSL said...

I've worn St. James since I was in my 20's (the prices were way lower then) - but they last forever and just get better and better. Well worth the investment. I love their coats too and the sweaters are great, but I've found them a bit itchy in the past. Looks great on you.

Stephen Andrew said...

I love that your mother dressed for the occasion of life. I'm sorry you are missing her, I think that is so totally understandable. Good for you in recognizing your down feelings and looking to remedy it with a little self care.

DaniBP said...

Your mother was truly a special person with charm and spirit! I can understand that you must miss her so much. She would have liked that you went out shopping as a little pick-me-up.
As you know I am a huge fan of Saint James clothing. They are not inexpensive items but everything is made in France with the highest quality materials. On our recent trip to Newfoundland I wore Saint James the entire time, I have two striped shirts, a striped wool dress, a long navy boiled wool coat and a raincoat (the same as yours I believe!)
I didn't need anything else except my one pair of jeans and my boat shoes. Of course I brought a fancier outfit but didn't wear it once.
Your new striped tops will give you years of wear, I really like it, the v-neckline is perfection. Take care dear Hostess, xx.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Most of the Saint James Breton style tops are made with the higher neckline. This one is a new version and the company has made it for two seasons now. Saint James have a wonderful website if you care to browse.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Well if you are in Victoria sometime soon there is a sale at W&J Wilson on some of their Saint James stock...I could not find my size so I went to Sidney where Barbaras' and Baden Baden carry the Saint James line...at full price but a fabulous selection! Or you could just fly to France!!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I know its a pricy top but I don't have a huge wardrobe so its not too difficult to justify when you consider how many times I will wear it!
I'd love to know the titles of your favourite books...

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Mom set the bar pretty high in that area! I know that I would dress up much more for her than for myself when we got together to go out...if I dropped in on my walks that was different but she would always make a fuss and use her best china to serve me tea...I kept several of her pretty teacups...will be using them soon!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

A sweater is on my list for Fall and winter and I do LOVE cashmere! Will go to the Bay ad check out their stock. 70% off does make shopping affordable and tempting to buy more than one item! The new shirts will be lovely with your cardigans...and I have seen some very stylish Novelti coats...you have done very well at the shops!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Mom did have a "certain" style...she knew what worked for her figure and she loved fashion. She dressed in a much more "classic" and elegant style of clothing and I prefer a more casual approach that offers comfort and yet still looks decent.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Many bloggers that I read like the Eric Bompard cashmere line...Uniqlo has opened a store in Burnaby which is an area of Vancouver where mater lives...I hope to pop in and check it out when I go over in the Fall.
It is frustrating when a company does not deliver to the country that we live in...
I wanted to buy some french Bastide candles and scents but they do not ship to Canada...fortunately a candle was included in the August mailing of My Stylish French Box that Sharon Santoni sends out.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Our weather has been excellent...hope that it holds for your return to Vancouver!
Congratulations on your 10 pounds down...walking does work! You must feel wonderful!
Will pop over and read your latest as I see that you have a new post today.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I read The Nanny Diaries a few years ago...this book is a bit more in depth but along the same lines.
Happy shopping on your quest for the new striped top! Breton or mariniere!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I love their clothes too...so well made and the designs are wonderful.
The sweaters are very "sturdy" which might be why you have felt that they are scratchy...I feel that they will hold their shape well but I will take your advice and make certain that they do not itch before I purchase one.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Unfortunately my "self care" has meant that I have gained a few pounds! My goal now is to whittle away the weight gain...your cookies look so good today on IG...I will live vicariously through your baking and cooking snapshots...calorie free!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Thank you Dani,
your holidays sounded and looked wonderful...such beautiful scenery in Newfoundland!
I love "our" Saint James raincoats!!! Perfect for your trip too as they pack well.
Do you have a store that carries them in Ontario or do you shop online?
The Sidney shop that I go to has oodles of their clothes and they are so popular that half the boutique is now devoted to Saint James. Its like being in a very exclusive candy shop...dangerous and so tempting!!

Lorrie said...

Grief lingers in the corners of our lives. I know that I've had a struggle this summer, too, with my MIL's passing. A little retail therapy can be a great pick-me-up. I'm on the lookout for a white blouse; I've been looking at Carolina Herrera's fashions and really like what she does with them. A striped shirt is a classic that you'll get a lot of wear from. Sidney has some great shops.

Rosie said...

Beautiful new top Leslie. I too, like stripes. My mum sounds very much like yours. Always immaculately dressed and coordinated even if she was just doing the housework or gardening.Quite a hard act to follow. I've got to say a big thank you to you as I'm in the process of packing to go to France for my daughters wedding and I'd completely forgotten that I meant to take a navy and white stripe silk tunic/dress that I have from Cos! Your post has been a timely reminder .. ...So thank you Leslie! ...as we scatter the rose petal confetti i"ll think of you :)
Rosie

Anonymous said...

Your roses are lovely. I read that book- it was so fascinating to read about their culture and I am so thankful to not be a part of it. Imagine all the stress to get "the bag" so one could fit in.

Deborah Montgomery said...

Nothing like a beautifully cut striped top! Love how you honored your mom's memory by getting out and treating yourself to a beautiful top. Clothes are great, but roses . . . even better. Or books.

Marilyn said...

Just a little hint re buying Saint James on line check first as to whether or not they charge an extra 20% to ship to your region. The quality is very good but extra is not good.

Marilyn said...

I have a navy sweater and wear a white shirt or navy camisole under it. So restricts any itching.