Keep Calm and Carry On...3 weeks of outfits!

Trying very hard to keep calm...to sleep and to breathe.

The excitement is building and there are not that many more sleeps before Julie and I depart on our adventure in Italy and France.

This week I kept busy with friends, reading and walking.

I enjoyed a relaxing pedicure at the Willow King Spa and chose a bright red shade of polish for my toes...I am packing sandals as the weather in Rome and Tuscany looks hotter than I expected.

Merrell sandals super comfy for long walks

Clark Chelsea Boots and New Balance trainers.

Rain jacket and yoga pants for the bike ride to the vineyard in Tuscany

They may come in handy for the fishing trip on the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Eileen Fisher top and jeans.

Cashmere sweater

I plan to wear this on the plane with the Clark Chelsea boots.

Eileen Fisher jacket 

"Sunken Garden"scarf from Butchart Gardens gift shop here in Victoria.

Hedgren lightweight Cross body bag.

Nyan crinkle dress

Eileen Fisher top and black rayon pants

Tencel chambray shirt which I can layer over the tees and tops.

Camisole and crinkly top which can be worn together with black pants or jeans.

Lingerie, capri leggings, socks, nightie, and a swimsuit.

It all fits in the carry on and there is a bit of room to spare!

I am taking the Longchamp bag as my accessory item.

I packed a similar amount of clothing in 2015 when I went to Paris and France.

Minimalistic carry on wardrobes are easier to pack than you might think.

If we encounter snow I will need to do some shopping!

Hope that the weather will be as forecast and I will purchase something fun in Paris...

It's a beautiful sunny Autumn day here in The Humble Bungalow.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

BTW

Have you seen the Downton Abbey film yet?

It's wonderful, a fabulous story line and the return of the original characters makes it a pure delight.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Surprises! Flowers and an unexpected Frock...

An unexpected bloom from one of our Calla Lilies...

they were in flower during the summer and most have become dormant.

Not this one!

This beautiful blue hydrangea bloom is outshining the rest on the plant.

Most of the other flowers have faded and are dry and crispy.

If you read my Instagram you'll know that this hydrangea was a gift from my husband's firm when my father passed away in 2007.

It was a small potted plant when it arrived.

Now, years later, it stands about 6 feet tall and 5 feet in diameter!

Am immersed in Where The Crawdads Sing and loving the story so much!

Replenished my supply of serum from IS Clinical.

This serum works hard and delivers on its promise for better skin.

A luggage strap for my carry on.

The book I plan to take on the plane.

I ran errands on Oak Bay Avenue on a sunny breezy Fall day...

to get in more steps and walking I popped into a few of the shops and browsed.

This black Nyan dress caught my eye in the Maresa Boutique

It looked interesting and has some fabulous textural details.

I had not planned to purchase anything 

BUT it spoke to me!!!

It will replace the black textured skirt I planned to take in my carry on.

It will be an easy dress to wear...with hose or capri leggings.

Perfect for the trip to Italy and France.

The garden is still quite colourful...

My desire to get out there and work and weed has completely vanished...

Busy elsewhere in The Humble Bungalow this week.

Packing lists, errands and painting.

We had to rip up the carpets and underlay as we had some rainwater seep in during the last torrential rainstorm.

My husband discovered that the rain barrel

which usually stores then distributes the precipitation to the garden

 via a soaker hose 

(which unfortunately was plugged) 

 so 

it saturated the soil right beside the floor and seeped inside.

He's installed and overflow gauge with a wider solid hose. 

(in case the soaker hose malfunctions again)

Spent several days painting the concrete floor in the guest room.

We have purchased a couple of runners for now and will monitor the situation.

I pass by a garden on my way to the wee lending library and often stop to admire the unusual plants that grow in it.

This pretty pink plant is in the garden across the street.

I have no idea what kind of plant it is but will make sure that I ask 

next time I see our neighbours out in their garden.

Hope you have a lovely weekend!

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Travel carry on list making...roasted tomatoes and a new book!

Travel planning is part of the fun when embarking on a getaway.

A friend and I will be flying off to Italy and France in the next few weeks...

so

I want to be prepared for a variety of events and weather.

 I am relying heavily on layers to do the job.

This is the list of things that I am mulling over.

Colour theme of basic black, grey and white.

All will fit into my Air France carry on.

I did not add all the scarves to my list 

as I am trying to decide if I can be happy with one or two 

which ones they may be are still to be decided.

This navy cashmere cardigan will go with all my clothes.

The silk scarf is a triangular shape and adds a bit of oomph to the basic items.

The coat I am packing is from Eileen Fisher 

 an olive green khaki shade...

there is some olive green in this scarf 

as well as mustard yellow, blue, white, black and many more shades.

I can tie it to focus on the colours that I want to emphasize.

This long charcoal grey jacket is in a sturdy knit fabric 

which can be also be worn as a coat.

It's from Bryn Walker 

I am leaning to taking it as its very versatile and has two large pockets.

I've been busy roasting the tomatoes that my husband grew in his greenhouse.

The sweet and richness of roasted tomatoes is such a treat.

Very versatile over fish or pasta.

Can be served as a side dish...or on top of a sliced baguette.

I added these to a jar of quality Italian pomodoro sauce

simmered for about an hour before I

served it over pasta.

An absolute gastronomic delight!

Autumnal colourful flowers for the cottage...

I've discovered a new author 

Kate Eberlen.

Am immersed in this lovely story...

it's a romantic story of two young people 

who have a chance meeting in Florence while on holiday 

and it moves back to London where their lives cross paths...

I am starting Part Two and am enjoying the story and writing immensely.

It's so refreshing when you discover a new author and I found out her next book "If Only" is due to come out in April of 2020.

What are you reading?

Have you discovered any new authors?

Do any of you seasoned travellers have advice you care to share when it comes to packing light for 3 weeks using only a carry on?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~