Birthday Bling a weekend review....

So it's been my birthday weekend.
I am now officially 57 years "young"
sounds much better than saying 57 years "old."

The vintage rhinestone necklace I ordered from Ruby Lane Antiques arrived
I wore it out to dinner...
Sparkles + Twinkles = Bling.

To start the weekend celebrations we dined out Friday at a fabulous French Bistro.
The memory of that tasty meal is still ever so clear in my mind....

French 75 for the Hostess and a martini for Mr. HB...
we started with French Onion Soup,
followed by steak, mushrooms and pommes frites for the main course,
Creme Brulee with two spoons for dessert.
Coffee for Mr. HB and I sipped wine and water as I planned to enjoy a sleep in and caffeine affects my slumber.

French Red Wine

Sterling our waiter, 

recommended a Cotes du Rhone variety.

Fountain 

flooded in a fuchsia light

I snapped this image on my IPhone as we waited for the cab to arrive.

( Faux Fuchsia might like this)

I sent her a copy

 I sent her the Pho Fuchsia eatery from Seattle a few years ago 

and she posted the image on her sidebar.

If you've never been a visitor to her blog you'll be impressed...

she's a busy mom and a lawyer with incredible taste in home decor, food and fashion.

When we got home Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band were on Jimmy Fallon,
we watched our Boss work his magic. We are huge fans!

Saturday lunch with Mother...

I'd dare not show up wearing too much Bling...

I dressed sedately in a black knit skirt, boots, a cashmere sweater, Hermes scarf.

No reason to alarm her at her age.

Saturday evening and it's dinner with friends...
I wore the sparkly choker with
Gap wide legged jeans, black tank top, black long knit sweater and kitten heels.

Janet author of The Gardener's Cottage would have been glued to the TV as Jack White was on SNL.
How was it Janet?
We taped it and will watch it sometime this week.

If you haven't met Janet yet pop by for a visit and say Hi for me.
She embraces frugality and minimalism, gardens, practices Yoga and she's a drop dead gorgeous esthetician who looks far too young to be a grandmother!

Mr. HB designed the paper that he wrapped my gift in...

he's so clever!

Lovely delicate orchid blooms.

I am going to put my feet up and relax 

with In Style and a cup of tea...

It's been a busy weekend

filled with wonderful birthday celebrations

a I feel so Happy.

Thank you

from your 

Humble Hostess

XO

How are things going with you?

Tell me everything...

French Fashion Fancies and a French Apple Cake

Prepare yourself as there's a distinctive French theme running through this post.
My passion for all things French seeps into my everyday living.
It's a curious perseveration...
being so enamored with France.
I do not truly understand it's origin all I know is it's one that I savour and embrace...
and dream about....

This gem of a book is never far from my bedside

I love to re-read the French Fashion Style Guide as it inspires me.

I love this book!

I read it again this afternoon and then spent some time online looking at scenes of Paris.

This comment speaks volumes to me.

"Less Is more"

and one should not overlook the simplest accessory.

They are the humble workhorses in our wardrobes.

 Be they 

expensive and luxe

 unusual and thrifted

better yet 

a gift or inherited!

It's up to you how you add flair

go shopping with an eye for detail

open up to your passionate side and find something that thrills you.

Dare to be different and carry yourself with good posture and confidence.

Keep your skin in tip top condition

and wear a minimum of make up for that French girl "no make up look."

Take time to incorporate some relaxation

channel a sense of calm

 soak in the tub with some scented salts

it's so much more chic than a quick shower.

Don't you feel more feminine just thinking about this?

I bought this French Market Basket several years ago.

I love the idea of walking to the Market and taking this along.

It sounds so romantic and chic...

I've yet to put this into practice!

I'd also love to be able to wear a beret with French cache

but no matter which way I put it on it looks silly.

It's a pity I know but hats generally do not suit me...

Scarves on the other hand 

are multiplying like rabbits here in The Humble Bungalow!

There's something so sensuous about draping a silk scarf around ones neck....

they are so easy to wear

and they always fit!

Hermes booklets illustrate how to wear their scarves

with images of pretty French Femmes on each page.

I keep them with my scarf collection so I can try a new tie when I am in the mood.

J'adore Hermes!

There is no shortage of great books on French Style.

Reading about Paris and Fashion is definitely a guilty pleasure.

Ines de la Fressange is a fashion icon

she has the look that embodies French Chic Style.

Pearls are the perfect accessory...

Coco Chanel loved to wear hers en masse

I have watched several films about her life

 and have read every Chanel book that I could get my hands on.

Wearing a French scent is part of the equation.

Voyage d' Hermes

(my sister wears it too)

Ballet flats 

are the penultimate shoe for The Hostess.

It's been boot weather this winter and I am looking forward to the Spring 

I will be able to wear flats again.

I have Converse sneakers on my list for Spring

and I am looking for some red ballet flats

so far they have eluded me.

French cuisine is all about using the freshest food available 

that one buys locally and in season.

The French love their food and wine.

 They take time to set the table and eat slowly savouring the tastes.

My French friend Cheryl who lives in the South of France part of the year

is a perfect example of a woman who supports the small farmer and the local market.

It is a pleasure to share a meal in her company as she speaks so fondly about the food...

where it came from

who she purchased it from

how it was grown.

Food preparation, the serving and the dining seen through the eyes of a talented artist like Cheryl 

is an enriching and illuminating experience.

Channeling my Inner French Girl is such fun.

My wardrobe has been pared down to a few basics in grey and black bottoms

with white tank tops and shirts.

I am very prudent with my spending and shop carefully.

No impulse buying any more!

There are numerous LBD's some casual and some dressy.

Finding that French wardrobe continues to be a work in progress.

I have learned many lessons and am still attending to that Parisian voice

in hopes that one day I will find myself in France..

or caught between the pages of a new and fabulous French Style book.

           Last but not least...

                                                       Donna kindly sent me the link to her
                                                                    French Apple Cake.

                                                                          Bon appetit!

Do you have a passion for fashion?

Who are your fashion icons and muses?

      I got a comment from the Fashion Police that went into my spam box 

 I tried to get it to publish and sadly Blogger deleted it

I am shattered....

please try sending it again.

Shall we Dansk to a Symphony in Blue?

I found this vintage Dansk Paella pan in a local shop.

The shape and form were so attractive that even though I have never made Paella I decided that I could use it for a baking and serving dish.

I can visualize it filled with pasta and sauce, wine steamed clams, a hearty stew or a curry.

The shape is smooth 

and the enamel is in perfect condition.

In 1974 Avocado Green and Harvest Gold were the popular colors 

for appliances and kitchen decor.

Our wedding gifts were in Avocado Green

none of them exist today 

almost 37 years later!

We had a Blue themed kitchen for many years

with a whistling Copco kettle and baking dishes

and

Wedgewood Midwinter Stonehenge crockery in Blue.

In a recent post 

I showcased the current white Maxwell Williams 

white goes with everything!

Some Blue is creeping back into 

The Humble Bungalow

"what comes around goes around"

Grape Hyacinths

Seattle Music Experience

Frank Gehry designed structure

a symphony in blue

(too big for the Bungalow!)

Salt from Guernsey

hand scooped by salters

French sea salt is a Humble Bungalow staple

Blue sealer jars

 Suburban Princess

this display is for you!

Hydrangea

Postcard from Jeanne

Thank you

lovely blues...sent from across the sea

Harumi Ota 

a very talented porcelain artist created two bowls that caught my fancy a few years ago which I purchased and admire

here

and 

here

While I am embracing blues...

I cannot conceive of reintroducing Avocado Greens

except in the form of tasty and heathy avocados!

Does anyone have a Paella recipe that I must try?

Thank you for stopping by...

Paris...maybe one day...

I dream of going to Paris....

In the meantime I aspire to the French way of cooking...simple fresh and using what is in season.
There are many wondeful books on French cooking and I have my favourites...

Ina Garten and her husband love Paris and have an apartment there,
she has such a passion for food and I adore her enthusiasm for life itself.
I watched her cooking show religiously when it was on the Food Network
her home in the Hamptons was "to die for!"

This book gives insight into the philosophy of French life and cooking

there are a few recipes

but it is more of a how to book.

Aspiring to be stylish here...

A colourful romp through French Markets and Fishmongers

by the creative and talented author Joanne Harris

richly illustrated

with easy to follow directions

some of the ingredients are not found locally

so substitutions are required.

I follow and read many books and blogs on France and the French way of life.

I am adopting some French habits

and dreaming of Paris.

This pursuit has lead to some changes...

I have focused more on my skincare, 

I am indulging in facials more frequently

I do a spa facial every few months and an at home one every month.

I use the exfoliating Bio Gommage by Physiodermie followed by the Burt's Bees Clay Pore Refining Masque and then finish by dabbing on Dr. Hauschka's lavender oil.

This takes about 30 minutes 

 I relax with a cup of herbal tea

when I have finished.

I have rethought the use of makeup too

I now use lightly tinted Dr. H foundation, 

eye liner to draw attention to my eyes

 mascara and 

lipstick or gloss in a berry shade

as I am keeping things on the light side I felt I could add a bit of colour on my lips.

I am dressing simply and as a result acquiring less.

I am paring down the wardrobe 

the local Hospice Thrift shop has been receiving my cast offs!

I am using accessories to add interest and colour;

Hermes scarves

sterling bangles

 layers of pearls

vintage brooches and pins

(but not all at once!)

I now choose garments with a critical eye

I study the construction

the seaming, 

the details

the cut

the fabric

the weight of the cloth

does it flatter?

will it last?

do I love it?

does it reflect the image that I want to convey?

I am by no means "there" yet

I am so enjoying the foray into the French Way...

if you have any fabulous French bloggers or books to assist me in my quest please let me know.

 (The French themed blogs that I follow can be seen on my sidebar at the bottom.)

Merci beaucoup!

Cooking French avec mes amis....

Winemakers Soup

from the French Market Cookbook

This could be a meal on it's own but we served it as a first course.

We used all the kitchen counters in our 5 course meal preparations.

Gin and tonic to keep the galley slaves happy!

Our appetizers were olives, asparagus tapenaude, bread, and 3 cheeses.

Red Leistershire, aged goat cheese from Quebec, and La Sauvagine by Portneuf.

On the menu

Appetizers as above

Winemakers Soup

Grilled Tuna Steaks on white beans

Caesar Salad

Pumpkin flans

Chocolates

Our weekend guests have left and I am sipping tea, have caught up on my blog reading and am comtemplating a nap!

There was fun and laughter, good food, and much (too much!) wine.

We nibbled Bernard Calibeau chocolates and saw our friends amazing photos from Paris and Auvilar.

I received the autographed copy of French Women Don't Sleep Alone, a mustard yellow French shopping mesh bag from Paris, and some French food delicacies.

I must away as Jamie Cat Callan's book is calling....