Showing posts with label Eileen Fisher. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eileen Fisher. Show all posts

Sunday, November 26, 2023

Dinners In and out ~ OOTD...


I bought this simple black Eileen Fisher dress a few years ago...
it has become a real workhorse in my wardrobe.

I have worn it with a white long sleeved top underneath
tights and black Chelsea Boots.

Last night I wore it as it is and added a soft wool Petrusse scarf as a shawl.



This is a surprisingly warm scarf despite it being rather sheer.

I received this in one of the My French Country Boxes from France.
It has had a few years of use and still looks new.


I thought about wearing my Ferragamo shoes 
but in the end I decided I should test drive the new Coach loafers.

I wore sheer black hose for the first time in ages...
fortunately I have a few new packages in my drawer.

I added the vintage rhinestone bracelet and wore my simple princess cut diamond necklace and studs.

It felt strange not wearing my pearls 
I thought that I should keep it simple when adding the BLING.


We had a delicious dinner at Zambri's our favourite Italian restaurant.


I forgot to capture our appetizers, main course but here is dessert!
Passionfruit Panna Cotta
so delicious!

We had a lovely evening out and it was such a treat.

On Friday evening we hosted a small dinner party here in The Humble Bungalow.


The table is set and ready for the guests.


Appetizers ~ cheese plate with Olives, pickles, antipasto and candied salmon with assorted crackers in the living room in front of the fireplace.

The main course ~ Beef Daube, mashed potatoes and green beans.
Dessert ~ large brownies topped with fresh raspberries.

I wanted to host a casual dinner before everyone got busy with the seasonal events.

Have you noticed that people are out in droves buying Christmas presents?
I too am trying to get my shopping done early.
I need time to bake some cookies and the annual Christmas Tourtieres.


Hope that you are all staying healthy...
I have heard that the viruses are making the rounds.
One of my friends has been hospitalized and she's been in for a week and only now starting to feel better.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Saturday, December 17, 2022

Hostess Gift ~ It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in The Humble Bungalow

 


Festive Season is upon us and I am keeping things very simple.
Am wearing some sparkly vintage pins.


(Sherman pin ~ close up)


 Sherman brooches are a favourite of mine.
The newest one seen here is from our darling daughter. 
I popped it on a black boiled wool Eileen Fisher tunic sweater.

Some women avoid black but I gravitate to it for several reasons...
it is easy to wear,
it can be casual, or dressy.
It transitions well to evening...

My basic minimalist wardrobe relies heavily on black basics.
Accessories are the stars in a basic black ensemble.
I prefer pieces with a history...
Vintage jewellery is found in thrift shops, antique malls and online.
The thrill of the hunt excites me.


I found a new Finnish modernist votive holder at the thrift shop...
now I have a pair!
The silver baubles are from my childhood home.
Mom used to put them in a tall vase, I popped them in this silver trophy.

We don't have a lot of decorations...
a simple tree with white fairy lights


I found a pair of Josef Seibel boots 
to replace my tired "almost 8 year old" Chelsea Boots.
I will wear these with tights and skirts as well as my jeans.


A classic vintage handmade wreath made by a friend of my MIL.
Made with baubles, pine cones, rhinestone brooches.
I consider us custodians of this wreath...
it is a family "heirloom!"


Mixed Nuts are one of my go to Hostess Gifts.

Here's the recipe...

Mixed Nuts 

2 egg whites (at room temperature)
4 cups mixed unsalted nuts:
cashews, almonds, pecans, hazelnuts
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cayenne pepper or hot paprika
1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 325 degrees
Place egg whites in a large bowl and whisk until frothy.
Stir in nuts ~ mix to coat.

Combine in a small bowl: sugar, and spices
Pour over nut mixture.
Mix well.

Place on a parchment lined sheet pan spread out so they are in a single layer.
Bake 20-25 minutes 
stir halfway during the cooking time.
Cool then store in sealed jars.
Wrap in tissue paper add ribbon and a tag.
Ready for gift giving

BTW
They are delicious!!


Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

It's a busy time of year, so remember to take some time to stop and breathe, 
sip a cuppa and rest.

Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas.


~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

Shiny Things....OOTD

 


Today I am wearing an all black OOTD.

Eileen Fisher Boiled Wool Tunic Sweater
(an investment piece that I wear a lot)
Black leggings 
Black leather Clark Chelsea Boots

I added a Canadian vintage Sherman sparkly rhinestone brooch.
(Outfits that are plain look so much more interesting with  accessories.)

I digress...
Mom had several parure Sherman sets which were gifts from my father.
He bought them from Birks a Canadian shop that rivalled Tiffany's.
My sister has a beautiful Aurora Borealis set of Mom's.
 She wears the long drop earrings and wide cuff bracelet on special occasions...
I don't need a special occasion to wear a sparkly brooch.

I worked at Birks one Christmas and had so much fun selling jewelry!
The store offered free wrapping and I loved adding bows and tags 
making the gifts look special.

That year I gave Mom a Sherman red bracelet and earring set.
(I got a store discount)
Our darling daughter has the set.


Continuing on with the black theme I photoshopped this image of Poppies.
The details look like they really "pop."


Vintage silver champagne buckets are used in the kitchen as utensil holders.
We don't use the buckets for bubbly as we haven't had a fancy party for ages.

Silver requires polishing and not everyone likes the upkeep...
in fact you can find silver in thrift shops for next to nothing prices.
I have quite a few silver trays, silver tea service, and other silverware
in The Humble Bungalow.

Several trays, candlesticks and dishes were wedding gifts.
Silver was a classic wedding gift when we were married in 1974.


Close up on the vintage silver trophy...
local North Saanich Garden Club 
Flower and Garden Show
aggregate trophy
awarded to 
A.J.Nunn in 1929

(I found this trophy in a local consignment shop.)
I am definitely drawn to silver and shiny sparkly things!

Do you like to wear shiny or sparkly jewelry?
Do you collect silverware?

It's a sunny day here and the birds are singing.

Looking forward to a quiet afternoon...
I plan to brew a pot of loose tea this afternoon and read my book.
Perhaps knit a few rows on the vest I currently have on the needles
before 
I prepare our dinner.

I honestly love quiet afternoons
they feel like a gift!
I try to get all my chores and laundry done early in the morning.
Since retiring, the luxury of time and slowing down is priceless.

Take care and thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Monday, September 5, 2022

September ~ School daze and memories


We are staying at the cottage for a few days.

I picked a handful of Annabelle and Limelight Hydrangeas...
a little reminder of our Humble Bungalow Garden.

There are flowers here on the property at the cottage 
part of the communal "complex" 
owned by various owners 
so it doesn't feel right picking any flowers.


This morning the sun was shining brightly and the Salish Sea was calm.
There was the refreshing scent of sea salt in the air...
(which I love) 
I sat quietly sipping my coffee and soaking in the view.

Since retirement in 2014, I make time to savour two cups of coffee each morning.
I LOVE a good cup of coffee.

After I visited France in 2015, I made a bowl of espresso with foamed milk,
(cafe creme)
then after I returned from Italy 
I purchased an Italian espresso maker for the stove
using the popular Lavazza Italian coffee.

Mr. HB makes drip coffee and I admit I like to wake up and just pour a cup...
it is such a treat having someone make it :-))


Just finished this entertaining story by S J Bennett.
I read her other book, The Windsor Knot 
which is about HRH working on a mystery set in Buckingham Palace.

This is another mystery in which Elizabeth gets involved in solving a mystery.
It is an easy read ~ lots of fun...
if you are looking for something light you might enjoy it.


Warm nights 
the sun slipping behind the trees
crickets serenading us 
watching the boats as they pass by 
Quarterdeck Cottage.


The grandchildren are all heading back to school tomorrow...
summer is fading and fall is on its way.

Fall weather will be here before we know it...
warm sweaters and coats will be on our radar.

My new Eileen Fisher black fleece lined walking coat arrived last week...

The size fits perfectly, (the clerk was right) is lovely, cozy, great for everyday walks, yet stylish.
Will be able to wear it for errands, walking, and evenings out.

 

We will be busy putting the Humble Bungalow Garden to bed soon...
it has been a lovely summer in the garden.

We are currently enjoying oodles of fresh tomatoes, zucchini, yellow beans, cucumbers and several varieties of lettuce.
Salads have been a mainstay on the table for dinner for almost every meal.

It will be strange to go to the shops and purchase veggies 
when the harvest has finished.

Do you look forward to the new season and the change in the weather?
The opportunity to sort out your closet and bring the warmer or cooler clothes as needed?

I will be laundering the linen dresses, tops and skirts and swapping them out for the fall dresses and sweaters.

I need to buy some tall rubber rain and snow boots as my ancient pair fell apart!
It might be fun to look for a colourful pair this year.

Do you have plans to buy any new clothes?
What is on your list?

I must close for now and get some dinner organized...
thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~




Monday, August 15, 2022

Wardrobe ~ Classic and Funky


Last weekend I accompanied our son and the grandchildren on a getaway.

We stayed at The Ocean Promenade Hotel in White Rock across from the beach.
Our suite was large with panoramic views
and
 had a kitchen which was handy for our morning coffee and breakfasts.

There were train tracks along the seafront and the trains passed by several times to the delight of our youngest granddaughter...

We took the kids to the Splash Water Park in Tsawwassen.
It was fun filled hours of water play, slipping and sliding, screams and splashes.

I hung out with our youngest who was too short to go on the really scary slides.
We had fun in the pools and she ran up and down to the junior slides...
I cannot believe how MUCH energy these kiddos had!

By the time almost 3 hours in the pool had passed I was knackered...
we went off to Milestones for dinner and then headed back to White Rock to get in our PJ's and get cozy.
I was in bed asleep by 10:00!

We did some back to school shopping at Tsawwassen Mills Mall.

On Sunday, we drove to the shopping mecca on South Granville. 
At Indigo, the girls perused The American Girl Doll collections...
Grammy shopped at Eileen Fisher...
(pure bliss)

I haven't been since Covid.

What a treat!
I found a LBD for Fall and winter.


LBD
Nice weight jersey, pockets, zipper detail.


Zip can be adjusted to your taste...
I added the classic Hermes scarf.

I could wear the big pearl necklace for a bigger WOW impact.


I also have a white top with 3/4 sleeves which will be great underneath.

The black lined walking coat was on sale but my size wasn't in stock at the shop 
so the clerk found one in a Toronto Eileen Fisher Store.
The service at this location is unbeatable!

I recently found a funky Tee...
at Marshalls in Hillside Mall.


Karl Lagerfeld


I wore this with some Eileen Fisher jeans.
I have red ballet flats and a fabulous red lipstick from Milan...
when I am feeling a wee bit daring I will wear them together!


William Shakespeare Rose 
a David Austin stalwart in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

In other news...
Blogger no longer sends alerts to readers 
when a new post is published...
I will mention new posts on my Instagram page.

Please bookmark the link to my blog and check back every week.
I usually write a post each week.

It is frustrating that the service from Blogger is disappearing...
I suppose there is no monetary incentive for them to maintain the service.
Blogging may be going the way of the dodo bird!

Instagram You Tube and Tik Tok definitely are the current faves.

Thank you for popping by...
I appreciate your comments and newsy emails.
Please stay in touch.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

OOTD ~ vintage classics


~ OOTD ~

Burberry quilted jacket
Dex lace top
Eileen Fisher rayon pants
Ferragamo flats


Vintage eel skin bag
a mix of textures...
shiny, quilted, lacy, smooth
neutral shades


I shopped my closet...
for a celebratory birthday dinner out with our daughter and her husband.

I haven't forgotten "how" to dress up 
I am just "out of the habit!"

Gosh it felt wonderful going out for a delicious meal prepared by someone else 
and 
I didn't have to do the washing up!


Our garden is looking quite lovely.
Flowers are blooming, the grass is green and the roses are in bud.

There is so much to be grateful for in my daily round...

Chester our cat had surgery last week to remove a stone from his bladder.
He was very wobbly the first day and has continued to improve.
His appetite has come back and he has already gained weight.

I had been so very stressed with his failing health and am so relieved that we finally got a diagnosis and that surgery would fix the problem.

His early renal failure is going to be monitored closely,
we will continue to feed him the special food.
Hopefully he will be with us for a few more years.

He's such an affectionate little guy and has a very "big" personality.

In other news, 
I had my third IPL treatment for rosacea,
 my skin is looking much better.
The treatments are not too painful but they are expensive.

I purchased a skin repair cream by Skin Medica.
It is a rich thick cream that I apply before bedtime.
It soaks in and I have noticed my skin is much softer and hydrated.


Herbs are planted in pots by the basement door for easy picking.

I ordered a new Pasta cookbook and plan to try some new recipes.
My husband loves pasta and I make it once a week.

The book is an older publication, I found it at Thrift Books.

Healthy Pasta: The Sexy, Skinny, and Smart Way To Eat Your Favourite Food
It is written by Joseph Bastianich and Tanya Bastianich Manuali

Going to try a bunch of new recipes when it arrives.

How are things going with you?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

December Snowfall...and some snippets from the past few weeks.


We have snow!
It's pretty to look at but it is very cold.

I've been wearing my cozy cashmere sweaters and thick wool socks.
Bundling up in my puffy down coat 
(think Michelin man style)
hat
scarf
gloves


Fancy popping by to sit on the front porch with a hot cuppa?
The hummingbird feeders are freezing so we are rotating the two feeders 
in the cold snap of winter
the wee local Anna's hummingbirds rely on us to keep them fed.


Snowy scenes here in The Humble Bungalow Garden.


Abraham Darby a David Austin Rose
blooming 
while wearing a snow hat!


A fabulous book...
by author Alka Joshi.
The good news is she has published a sequel
 and is working on a third!


Lady Gaga was amazing in the film!
We saw it in the theatre...a matinee 
safely viewed with only two other people in attendance!

Lady Gaga is wearing the same pearls that I bought from a local shop.
Mary from Skanda sourced them from Hong Kong!



We discovered a new cocktail...

"Jingle Buck"

1 ounce Vodka
3/4 ounce pure cranberry juice
3/4 ounce lime juice
2 ounces ginger ale
ice
garnish with fresh cranberries

CHEERS!


I've felt at a loss for words on the blog lately...
perhaps it is writer's block?

Covid has worn so many of us down.
I want to rise up in positivity and rejoice 
but the new Omicron variant has us all in a tizzy.

Our numbers are surging and the hospitals are slammed.

We get our booster shots next week and for that I am very grateful.

I have been working on
The Doocot Sweater
I knit the body of the sweater and now I am working on the sleeves.
You'd think I would have this finished by now...
I started it before the pandemic hit!

When I attended the knitting club meeting I discovered that I am not alone in procrastinating with my knitting project.
Some of the women have taken up painting and several others bought bikes and have been meeting up to explore the scenic roads and trails.

I have made a conscious decision to focus on and embrace Simple Joys.

I feel happiest in my kitchen 
whether I am cutting veggies for a soup or baking cookies
or planning a menu to serve to my family
the contentment is hugely rewarding and comforting.

Two items that I purchased during Covid that have been most useful 
are linen aprons.

We have not purchased many things in the past two years...
we don't "need" much other than food.

Clothes shopping has been put on the back burner for the time being...
except for that "wee foray" at Eileen Fisher on South Granville in Vancouver!

I found a cute grey top and a sumptuous boiled wool sweater in a tunic length.
I bought the black one (of course!)

The sweater was, what I consider, an "investment piece."
It has been worn multiple times since I bought it!

I wore it Christmas Day with skinny Eileen Fisher pants.
I added a sparkly Sherman rhinestone pin.

Vintage rhinestone Brooches are such a fun way to add sparkle.

Hope that 2022 has some bright spots and highlights...
Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Weekend~ A getaway...and now a state of emergency.

 


Last weekend we hopped across the pond...
 it is a rather BIG POND 
so not being frogs we actually took the ferry!

The first time we have travelled off island other than the short trip to our cottage in over 2 years.


We wanted to see the Yoko exhibit at The Vancouver Art Gallery.


It was a very nostalgic foray into the past...




The Bed In for Peace took place in 1969 in Canada.


Yoko's art includes some interactive areas 
where people are encouraged 
to mend china, hammer a nail, leave a comment and build with stones.

We shopped South Granville Street and found quite a few Christmas gifts.
I ventured into Eileen Fisher (Gosh I have missed this store!) 
I found a few pieces...
will share them in a future post!


We were hungry by the time we were finished shopping
so we headed to The Cactus Club for a cold drink and some sushi.

Dinner was at our favourite Indian Fusion restaurant Vij's.
Vikram walked over to chat with us and we were happy to renew his acquaintance.
We have been going to his restaurant for decades.
He mentioned my pearls and said how elegant they were!!

My OOTD




Wool beret by Canadian Hat Company.

The food was amazing.
For starters we had the beef and lamb meatballs with tamarind chutney.
Our main course:
Coconut curried chicken with rice, naan bread and lamb popsicles.

We were too full to have any dessert but what a wonderful evening it was.


We were hoping to meet up with long time friends but they were stuck at their cottage on the lake just outside Merritt 
where devastating floods and mudslides damaged the local highways.

Abbotsford and areas nearby have completely flooded!

A state of emergency has been declared.
Livestock have been lost and many had to be evacuated to higher ground...
homes have been lost and people have perished.

Travel and the transport of goods and gas have been impacted.

The major highway, The Coquihalla, will not be repaired for months.
A few smaller routes have reopened and one of our friends was able to drive through the US in Washington State to get back home and the other flew out to Vancouver.

Food is being rationed at the local grocery stores and gas is limited to 30 litres per visit.

More intense rain has been predicted and they are calling these events 
"atmospheric rivers."

Finger crossed our basement stays dry...
but the back yard is saturated 
so we are on high alert.


I found a new book and read it in 2 days...
we had lots of time to read 
as we were in the ferry line up, 
then we stayed in our car on the open air deck
for the journey home.

I can recommend this book.
 It is set in Paris during war time and is based on a true story.

We are decorating the house this afternoon as the rains here are torrential 
so we cannot work in the garden and we got pretty wet on our walk.

Stay safe...

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~