Denim basics...and some new splurges.

Some serious work horses in my wardrobe are denim.

From left to right...

Cailey 22 shirt, no name thrifted denim jacket, Ralph Lauren denim shirt.

Soft tencel Levi's denim dress

I have been wearing this dress a lot this summer.

In the winter I pair it with capri length tights and my Chelsea boots.

Comfy boyfriend jeans by NYDJ

worn here with a striped top

Clark sandals.

I have been aware that my outfit choices have become quite repetitive...

perhaps because I have fewer items and I feel comfortable in the pieces that I keep.

It makes dressing so much easier with fewer things hanging in the closet.

Surprisingly 

I do not tire of the same clothes...

some are getting worn so much that the fabrics are softening!

I splurged on two new bras...

by

Prima Donna and Wacoal.

My "go to" black pants that I wear many times each week 

were looking rather tired...

I purchased a new pair of black Eileen Fisher pants which are really quite lovely.

They are what I consider an "investment" item 

but the cost per wearing will even out that expenditure

 over the next couple of years.

How do you feel about your wardrobe?

Are you a minimalist or do you like to have a full closet with many pieces?

Have you purchased anything for the Fall season?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

This Hostess has been shopping ...and a few festive touches in The Humble Bungalow

I've been naughty!

Guilty YES!

I bought something for myself...

I went into the store "just to browse" 

I tried on a few cozy sweaters and perused the racks of the Saint James section, Royal Robbins and then the Eileen Fisher group of garments.

 A tunic top for tall gals but a dress for short me.

The hem sits slightly above the knee and it drapes so well 

the fabric is super soft and it flatters without clinging.

The WIN thrift shop did not disappoint either...

French Dressing shirt in black and white...

great for white pants or black skinny ponte knit pants.

Also the black and white Hermes scarf, probably my favourite will look great tied at the neck.

There are a few festive touches here in The Humble Bungalow.

We don't do a lot of decorating but we have a tree lit with white lights

 a peachy pink poinsettia

candles

wee trees on the mantle with the Ojibwa duck decoys.

Sadly we are unable to put our vintage glass baubles on the tree because the cats undress the tree and bat the ornaments around and they break...

Please excuse our messy fireplace 

Some silver baubles from my childhood home with two vintage silver pieces.

White fairy lights and the silver balls on the front rose arbour.

Our wee tree with white fairy lights on the front porch.

Reindeer votive holders

glitter cones

sit atop

our silver tray

which was a wedding gift.

The seniors turkey luncheon at the club was a lot of work but such fun.

Those of us who volunteered were treated to lunch and a glass of wine 

which we ate while the choir performed 

then we served the desserts and tea and coffee 

before washing up all the dishes.

This year there were 80 seniors in attendance...it is one of the many fundraisers that we have at the club.

We were thrilled to go to our darling granddaughter Isla's school 

where we watched the annual winter concert. 

How are your holiday plans shaping up?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow

Merry Christmas!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Fresh from Seattle...

My previous post generated an amazing number of comments and responses.
Thank You!

I had no idea that it would create such a flurry of emails and comments.

Thank you for taking the time to write and for sharing your thoughts...
Just knowing that google was responsible for the sudden drop in followers makes me feel better.

I write the blog as a hobby, not as a job and post only when I feel the desire.

Readers are important...I'd be kidding you if I said it didn't matter.
It is not for the "approval" as one commenter mentioned...
there is comfort knowing that there is an audience of readers out there.

So without further adieu...

Mr. HB and I have been away on a little jaunt to Seattle and we returned last night to our cozy Bungalow, which was well taken care of by our house sitter...who also took great care of our cats.

View from the BC Ferry crossing the Strait of Georgia.

The Clarks are super comfy and we walked a lot!

The new leather cross body bag by Maggie turned out to be a winner.

Not too big and the area at the front has a pocket for my IPhone which is handy for taking pictures!

My carry on bag had plenty of room as I packed light.

I wore my Barbour jacket

NYDJ skinny version

took various Eileen Fisher tops

a dressy pair of ponte knit pants 

my new coral top and sweater.

a warm grey knit pullover

Burberry cashmere scarf

walking shoes by Clarks Artisan 

It was chilly walking around downtown in Seattle and there were rain showers.

I got a chill and so I kept sipping hot beverages.

Turns out the chill was a warning of a cold coming on.

It is the first cold that I have had in over a year!

Pike Place Market is always on our list of spots to visit when we go to Seattle.

The flowers are really beautiful and so reasonably priced...

Love white bouquets with simple greenery.

We had lunch at a French cafe...

the menu was much like those I visited in Paris.

Ham, baguettes and cornichons.

Olives, salads, oysters, terrines, sausages.

We enjoyed a steaming hot bowl of French onion soup.

When we visit Seattle we always stay at The Mayflower Park Hotel.

It is comfortable, the location is close to shopping and situated close to many fabulous restaurants.

Valet parking, an award winning bar ~ Oliver's 

a restaurant  ~ Andaluca 

wonderful ambiance 

comfy beds

lovely decor

prompt room service

fresh flowers

The staff are efficient, polite and friendly.

Old world charm built in 1927...the same year that my Mother was born!

I'll be keeping close to home until I shake this cold.

Will work on a few more snippets from our trip and post them when I get time.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog!

One new thing...

I've been very frugal lately...
"shopping my closet"
instead of running out and buying new clothes,
wearing the basics that I already own
adding a scarf or some jewelry to create a bit of interest
so that I do not get bored.

I purchased this scarf before I went to Paris last Spring.

 I had planned to take it with me but found that it was too bulky.

It is perfect for the Fall and Winter weather here.

I love the colours in this scarf as they mesh and meld with all my black and grey staples.

The texture is soft and feels a bit like it has been "felted."

I picked this up at our local Pharmasave store in Oak Bay for about $25.00

I've worn in with this striped Lands' End tunic top and black leggings and ankle boots.

When we were in Vancouver recently 

I popped into Eileen Fisher shop on South Granville.

I love Eileen Fishers designs

she sells such great basics

 in the tones that I love to wear 

and 

the fabrics and textures of her garments are splendid.

However 

I consider her prices to be a wee bit expensive now that I am retired.

But wait...

 I spied a lovely viscose charcoal top on the sale rack

in my size

the last one!

I had a $25.00 off coupon too so the price was even better.

I snapped a quick shot of the top in our hotel room.

The wool is cozy and warm and the fabric itself is soft.

The hem dips down at either side on the bottom.

The neck is a U shape so I can showcase some of my necklaces when I am not wearing a scarf.

It will get LOTS of wear...that is how I am justifying this "one new thing."

Have you been shopping your closet

Or 

shopping the shops?

Vancouver getaway...

Last weekend we hopped on a BC Ferry and visited friends in Vancouver.

Blue Horizon Hotel on Robson Street

The Marina on False Creek is where our friends moor their boat.

They served us a delicious dinner and we sat looking out facing this beautiful view.

The next morning the weather was cool and breezy, a typical Fall day.

Wind, rain and a wee bit chilly...leaves at our feet.

Perfect weather to visit The Vancouver Art Gallery

Exhibits by the Canadian Group of Seven and Lee Bul were highlights.

I was very impressed by the art installations of Lee Bul.

She worked with mirrors in Via Negativa and the effects were really interesting.

Walking through this mirrored installation I felt dizzy and slightly disoriented...

there were twists and turns before arriving at the lights.

It seemed quite popular with the people who were viewing this exhibit.

I ventured through the maze of mirrors several times!

We stopped for lunch in the cafe before going upstairs to explore more exhibits.

"Between Object and Action:

Transforming Media in the 1960's and 70's."

artists

Kate Craig, Eric Metcalfe, Gathie Falk, Carole Itter and Evelyn Roth.

We shopped a bit along South Granville...I found something on sale at Eileen Fisher!

                                        Later we met up at La Quercia for a fabulous meal.

Sunday morning Mr. HB and I went to check out the new Nordstroms and popped into Holt Renfrew before heading to the ferry.

We took our books up to the on board buffet and sat at a window table for the duration of the trip.

A beautiful setting sun

 appeared just as we were about to disembark the ferry.

All in all it was a fun weekend and the cats were happy to see us when we got home.

Hope your week is ticking along nicely.