Food and Fashion ~ Forgotten Post Cruise Post !!

 

~ Vancouver Cruise Ship Terminal ~

We opted to stay one night in Vancouver when our cruise was over...

we haven't been to Vancouver for many years.

We chose not to rush back home...

The city is busy and vibrant...

with lots of people walking around downtown

many of them (like us) are tourists.

We think of Vancouver as the "big city."

Lots of shops that Victoria doesn't have...so it's rather fun to browse.

I visited my favourite shop...

Eileen Fisher on South Granville.

When my husband and I were working we used to go to Vancouver regularly...

for weekend getaways.

We'd go to wonderful restaurants and I would usually buy a few things at this location.

I haven't set foot inside EF since before Covid...

so it was a total JOY to actually be inside.

There is something so wonderful 

seeing the clothes in person..feel the fabrics and try on the garments.

The staff are incredibly helpful and very personable.

I tried on (and purchased) this olive green striped top.

Olive Green jacket...also purchased.

On sale at 50% off :-))

I was delighted to see a familiar sign on Robson Street.

BTW their coffee is fabulous!

The last time I was in a Paul Cafe and Bakery was in Paris in 2019.

I don't usually have a treat but the buttery and flaky croissant was too hard to resist!

Later after a walk and a shop

Hubby and I sat out on a patio and had a drink in the sunshine.

We were still technically "on holiday" 

so a glass of beer in the mid-afternoon did not feel amiss.

 

My husband LOVES ramen...

this restaurant was very busy!

We could see it across the street from our hotel.

Obviously quite popular with a long line up,

always a good sign.

We jumped at the chance when there was no line and had a late lunch.

I opted for the "original" small bowl of ramen with mild spice.

Hubby likes his ramen HOTTER so he had the extra spicy version.

SO GOOD!

After a quiet night and a good sleep we packed up the car and headed out.

We drove out to Tsawwassen Mills Mega Mall

located a short distance from The B.C. Ferry Terminal.

Lunch at Milestones was a high protein chicken dish.

(Very tasty)

I'm thinking that my red vintage Coach bag will be a fun pop of colour with the Olive green jacket and striped top.

I might even buy some red socks to wear with the thrifted Sandro loafers.

I'll take my cue from a stuffed Olive :-))

Olives often have red pimentos inside them...

I've been busy decluttering the medicine drawer...

getting rid of outdated over-the-counter medications.

Organizing the contents.

Updating our emergency/Earthquake kit.

Sorting out a few drawers and relocating all my handbags...

they were spilling out of the bedside cupboard.

I have a few (4) vintage Coach bags...

a couple of no name leather bags and a Longchamps Tote.

The black leather Cole Haan backpack is in my bedroom bedside cupboard

 as I swap out my regular handbag for the hands free option 

when we go to Pender and when I go for longer walks.

I need to devote a day to polish all my Coach bags.

They get scuffed with use and they respond very well to Saddle Soap.

I massage the cream into the leather and then let that soak in 

before buffing them with a soft cloth.

Something to add to my rainy day To-Do-List.

The rainy days will be here soon...

those days where I like to stay indoors and cocoon...

make homemade soup, knit and read.

Polish the silver, do some decluttering. 

I have recently discovered Homeworthy England and I love watching the episodes.

What are you up to?

I've got a lot of fresh home grown tomatoes and apples to use. 

I am making applesauce and roasting tomatoes...

I'm going to sign off for now...

until next time.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

New Years ~ Three resolutions for 2025

 

~ Mount Baker ~ 

My view this week on my walk.

A crisp fresh topping of snow atop this grand mountain.

~ The new walking poles are so helpful ~ 

I can take longer strides, 

walk faster, 

feel so much more stable

~ Confident ~

If you have ever fallen, or felt a wee bit wobbly on your feet.

 these poles are a wonderful tool, I think they are a real Game Changer.

(they work the arms too)

With the last few quiet days

I've been culling stuff here in The Humble Bungalow...

tidying drawers, cupboards and closets.

Taking donations to the charity shops and having a wee peek at what is for sale!

I spied these new (with tags) waterproof gloves at the local WIN Thrift Shop.

They are lined and are SO much warmer than my old thin leather gloves.

I also scored a soft charcoal grey long cardigan.

It has two pockets and is really cozy.

It also feels brand new...

Do you shop at thrift stores?

Buying second hand is so easy on the budget.

As a retiree with a pension,

 I really appreciate the price points on the merchandise.

Prices have gone up a bit

 most shops charge at least 1/4 off regular retail prices.

Some smaller shops are at giveaway prices!

I decided to buy a second pair of jeans...

I donated the low rise Eileen Fisher jeans as they emphasized my muffin top.

The brand I prefer and fit well are MNG or MANGO.

Mom jeans with an ankle length.

The local BAY store did not have any in stock so I ordered some from Nordstroms.

Rarely do I shop online but it was absolutely necessary this time.

Good News...

they were on sale...I got the last pair in my size :-))

Faded wash...

my current jeans are a dark wash.

Am going to love wearing these...I love denim.

They will pair well with the soft pale blue flannel Frank and Eileen shirt.

White Old Navy shirt, new-to-me grey sweater, white T shirt, black long sleeve T

almost ALL my tops will work with these jeans.

(silver sequin top)

Summer time they will be great with flip flops too!

Fortunately the jeans arrived on time and more importantly they fit!

Are you making any New Year's Resolutions?

#1

Focusing on getting as much information as I can 

on the management of osteoarthritis

and reducing the pain in 

 my arthritic hip.

#2

Getting back to Yoga

After my recent fall and concussion,

 I decided that I needed to work on balance.

Have been following a You Tube balance routine and need MORE.

My local Yoga Studio "Ajna" in Oak Bay offers fabulous classes.

I have registered for a workshop on Hips.

Which will identify moves and exercises that strengthen

the muscles that support the hip.

Signed up for 8 sessions of Yoga for Osteoporosis 

at a local Rec Centre taught by one of the Yoga instructors from my studio.

#3

Continue to attend Aqua Fit Classes at the Oak Bay Pool.

My doctor highly recommends these classes and prefers them to my long walks

with my "bad" hip.

He's going to refer me to a surgeon...

(our wait list for new hips is several years long)

I mentioned to him that I did 8,000 steps last week and for the next 2 days I was in terrible pain...

he thinks that is way too many steps considering my hip issue.

Do you have arthritis?

Are you able to modify your activities so you do not feel as much pain?

Well enough about my health related resolutions...

In exciting news...

We went out for New Year's Eve!

First time in many years...

A Dinner Date :-))

~ OOTD ~

My LBD (5 years old) Eileen Fisher

Baroque Pearls from Hong Kong

Coach Loafers

(2 or 3 years old)

Aritzia Wool and Cashmere Coat

(new bought on sale)

Vintage Coach black leather bag

Vintage rhinestone bracelet

BLING...

(After All it is New Year's Eve!)

Dinner at Zambri's

The Mocktail was delicious...

(tasted like an Aperol Spritz)

I've been off alcohol for awhile

(trying to lose some weight)

slowly 

Only a few pounds down but in December I have been nibbling shortbread cookies

and eating this fabulous dinner!!!

Caesar Salad

Halibut and shoestring fries...so yummy!

Panna Cotta with lemon...

Oh my goodness!

Our dinner was so lovely...great food wonderful service.

A very nice way to start the new Year.

Thank you Honey :-))

Before I forget...

 I found a real Antique at Value Village last week...

French Porcelain

by

Clain and Perrier

Look at those pretty pink roses and gold gilt!

So sweet and feminine...

just darling.

The Company was located at 238 Boulevard St. Germain in Paris.

It was in business from 1879 - 1914

I am quite smitten with this wee treasure...

a compote for the top of my bureau.

For the record, I didn't NEED this, but I couldn't resist...

besides

 it feels like a French Souvenir.

It is an item that makes me smile every time I see it...

and I keep looking at it.

Hope that you are enjoying the start to the New Year...

There are many new adventures waiting to unfold

so many possibilities

dreams to be dreamt

people to meet

books to read

teas to sip

music to hear

meals to be made

new recipes to try

interesting courses to enroll in

new skills to learn

SO MANY

opportunities for discovery.

What new things will you try this year?

Will you travel?

Will you stay at home and feather your nest?

Will you keep a journal?

Write a Book?

Paint a picture?

Sew or Knit?

Or will you sit still in the moment 

breathe in the energy that will keep you grounded and sane?

Namaste

~ 2025 ~

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thank you for popping by to read my little blog...

Grateful for you choosing to be here.

Art, Entertaining and my recent successful thrifting adventures...

 

We attended the art exhibit "Building Bridges" at Cedar Hill Recreation Centre.

Victoria Artist Tanya Bub

Paper Mache Rooster

~ Grace ~

Tanya Bub created this "chair" using a variety of reclaimed and recycled pieces.

Walmart carry bags, cardboard, and papers among them.

Can you see the boots hanging underneath the chair?

A documentary "Sitting With Grace" has been screened locally.

Tanya has such a great eye for detail...

the face is exquisite.

Tanya is well known locally for her amazing driftwood sculptures.

~ OOTD ~

Thrifted Black Kirkland Tee

Artisan necklace

Thrifted ankle length pants black with small white dots.

(label missing but I think they are by INC)

Coach Loafers that I bought new last Spring.

We shared dinner with friends...

on the menu:

Appies ~ Olives, Dried Apricots, Dates, Smoked cheese and Blue Cheese

Salad ~ Arugula, sweet red pepper mini pearls, chopped pecans, thinly sliced white radishes and a French Vinaigrette.

Main course ~ Chicken Breasts stuffed with feta and topped with red pepper pesto

Spinach Gnocchi with cheese sauce, garnished with snipped fresh basil

Dessert ~ Olive Oil Citrus Cake with fresh blackberries and whipped cream

Our guests brought a lovely Maidenhair Fern.

(Thank you!)

I popped it into our Vintage Arts and Crafts Weller Jardiniere.

Chester, our smaller cat, was quite taken with the fern!

It is a pet friendly plant so if he nibbles a wee bit no harm done.

I absolutely LOVE Vintage Sherman Rhinestones.

I have a small collection of brooches.

If you have been reading my Blog awhile you know I wear these pieces often...

If you are REALLY lucky you might find some in a thrift shop.

Most of the ones that I see are now sold in The Antique Malls.

Denim shirtdress...was purchased on sale, not thrifted.

(Lands' End)

The Baroque strand of Pearls add some interest.

Dress by H&M

Second Hand Hope Thrift Store.

I went thrift shopping with Annie, a woman I have connected with on Instagram.

She is starting up a business where she plans to take people to the thrift shops and consignment stores here in Victoria.

Her instagram page is Victoria Thrifting Tours.

If you pop over to check out her site, please say I sent you :-))

Ralph Lauren reversible leather belt from WIN Thrift Shop.

Small Patterns work better for me as I am a curvy gal...

I like the small metal button details at the neck and on the cuffs.

The fabric is a jersey knit so this will be a great Spring and Summer Dress.

Found one of my favourite author's books in a wee Book Nook.

It just so happens that the Book Nook is in the front yard of my childhood home.

I keep finding the BEST books there...

if I ever see the owners I am going to introduce myself.

Tell them that I grew up in the house.

Well that about wraps up my news...

until next time.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~