Fragrance from Paris France ~ Rose

I've recently been introduced to a French fragrance by Roger and Gallet...
The company has been in business since 1862 and is located on the chic Rue Saint-Honore in Paris.

Their Rose fragrance is light, subtle and soft and is based on the Gallica Rose with notes of Rose Damascena. I feel very feminine when I wear it and it is perfect for daytime or anytime for that matter!

The gift set that I purchased consists of 50 ml shower gel, 50 ml body lotion and 100 ml of Rose "Fragrant Well being Water" was surprisingly affordable...
under $50.

Pretty pink packaging...

Do you love roses?

I am absolutely passionate about fragrant roses. 

I'd rather have one bloom that is fragrant over dozens and dozens of non scented roses. 

What scent do you wear?

Do you have a signature scent that you have worn for many years

or

do you like to mix it up and try new ones?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Hope you have a lovely weekend and have time to stop and smell the roses!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

French themed goodies starting with My Stylish French Box...

Paris and the quaint villages of southern France have a powerful hold on me...
I have so many fabulous memories from my trip.

When life gets rocky I try to be proactive and balance the stress with some self care "tools" that I have practised over the years...
one of which is to reflect on better days,
focusing on the sweet snippets and highlights from happier days.

My travel photos instantly transport me back to those idyllic weeks in France.
Blogs also help to keep me connected...

Sharon Santoni's lovely blog French Country Home  has been one of my favourites for many years. When Sharon announced that she was writing a book I ordered mine before it had been printed...
Recently I learned that she was offering a box of carefully curated French items and I ordered my subscription as soon as I heard that she would deliver to Canada.

My Stylish French Box arrived this week and it was the highlight of my day.
The packaging is exquisite and each item is carefully wrapped...

I carefully and slowly unwrapped each item...and kept saying to my husband how excited I felt...

everything is so beautiful.

satin ribbon bow

tissue

hand printed tags

I love the extra touches that Sharon has put into the presentation of the box.

Fragonard soaps

(I went to the Fragonard museum when I was in Paris.)

a lovely hand made porcelain cup

which Mr. HB suggested that I could use for my morning espresso

Cire Trudon candle

There were other delightful treasures...

a journal, book, pencils, antique glasses and a small soap

These treats could not have come at a better time.

 I have been very busy

 helping Mother navigate her journey with terminal cancer.

Her diagnosis was recent and came as a shock to us all.

Mom had breast cancer 10 years ago in the same area where this lung cancer has presented itself and it has spread to her lymph system and she has pain.

I have cancelled all my commitments for the time being as I want to spend my time with her...

My sister and I received a bit of respite this weekend for the overnights which is a blessing as listening for her call and waking her for her pain meds every 4 hours does not make for a restful night.

Its such an emotional experience 

my heart goes out to those of you who have traveled this path before...

I have a whole new respect for caregivers

I will try and post again in a few days as I do love writing this blog.

Hellebore in a hand picked garden grown bouquet that my BFF brought to Mom.

Friends and Family have been super supportive 

I am so grateful...

THANK YOU ALL!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

It's a bookish post today...

Our lending library had it's official opening last night...
it was a team effort getting this project off the ground but one that is well worth the effort.

I was asked to cut the ribbon...

and when the doors opened we stuffed the shelves with books.

It's going to be a fun spot to browse for books.

(I think I'll bring my mug of tea over and regularly peruse the titles.)

We celebrated with some appetizers in The Common.

The Common is a spare lot on our street.

There are benches, a table and some swings for the children to play on.

Dinner was served in our Humble Bungalow for the planning group.

Hydrangeas were picked for the table.

We served dinner buffet style and people sat wherever they wanted...

~ The menu ~

Dolmades

Assorted Cheeses and grapes on a platter

Stuffed devilled eggs

Salad

Lasagna

Buns

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

Coconut and Chocolate Ice Cream

~ ~ ~

On my reading list are the following books...

I'm taking them on our boat when we go cruising later in the week.

I read Tigers in Red Weather and enjoyed it so I thought I'd take a chance and read her new book.

Ivy's Books on Oak Bay Avenue have a French themed book display...

Heidi was responsible for me buying these two books!

This book was suggested by Madame La-Bas.

My walking partner recommended this book.

Sharon Santoni's new book.

You may know her blog My French Country Home.

I brewed a pot of tea and spent an entire afternoon savouring and reading.

Sharon's friends are a wonderful and very accomplished group of women.

I felt like I was transported back to France...

The pictures are amazing...

and the French chateaus and apartments are enchanting and lavishly decorated.

So much style and creativity is found within this lush book...

If you like to read about French Chic Femmes and their lifestyles

 I think you'd love it.

Anyways that's about it for now...

I'm off for a big walk in the rain now.

I hope this moisture will douse some of the wildfires burning in our province.

A Comforting Cottage Pie, Luxurious French Linen...and thoughts about happiness.

It's BC Day today and the weekend has flown by...

Mr. HB has been working hard at his office and I have been pottering about in the garden.
I took advantage of a sunny Saturday afternoon and decided I deserved a wee break .
My excuse was to do a bit of browsing and shopping.

There are several of my favourite shops located in the Oak Bay area of our city so I took off in the car and leisurely strolled along the Avenue. Poking into shops and saying hello to the merchants...
when you shop at the same stores on a regular basis you get to know the owners and they become more than just "shopkeepers."
I do not always buy things from them, I go in to see how they are doing and I ask after their families.

The French Touch carries a variety of vintage and antique pieces.

They have classes every month on painting using Anne Sloan Paints.

I adore their stock of lovely vintage linens imported from France.

A dozen of these pretty tea towels were priced separately so I purchased one.

Often the linens are sold as a set... tablecloths and matching sets of napkins or sheets.

Many are embroidered with monogrammed initials.

This one is interesting but I have no idea what it signifies or where in France it came from...

Lovely liquid soap in fragrant "Figue" from Marseilles...

which takes me back to my trip this past Spring to Paris and the South of France.

After I got home I spent some time browsing Bunny Williams' Garden Book while sipping a restorative cup of Mariage Freres Paris Tea.

Bunny's book is a wonderful guide for gardeners...and I LOVE perusing garden books.

There is so much inspiration to be found within the book.

I have her other books and am thinking that this one might need to be added to my bookshelf.

A little while later I got busy in the kitchen.

I donned my well worn soft linen apron (of course!) and made a comforting Cottage Pie.

Recipe for Cottage Pie

Saute 

1 large diced onion and 1 pound mushrooms sliced

2 peeled and chopped carrots

4 stalks of celery diced

gently cook until vegetables are no longer crisp.

Brown 1 pound of ground chicken until cooked.

add 1 cup chicken stock

(I use a tablespoon of "Better than Bouillon" chicken dissolved in boiling water.)

add in 1 cup of frozen peas

Salt and pepper ~ to taste

Place in ovenproof dish.

Boil peeled potatoes until soft 

drain and mash adding a bit of butter and milk.

Cover the cottage pie with soft mashed potatoes and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 45 minutes.

Simple and tasty.

While the cottage pie was baking in the oven 

I picked some alliums and popped them in a vase 

and placed them on the front porch...

I love a day when some domestic work is accomplished in The Humble Bungalow 

and then some time remains for creative pursuits.

It's the truly "the little things"

not the acquisition of luxury goods

that put a smile on my face.

I drive an old Volvo

 wear the same clothes many times.

There's really nothing fancy going on here...

Since returning from France

I've rediscovered the Joy of gardening 

working quietly

next to

the buzzing bees 

the butterflies

amid

the birdsong.

I travelled to Paris last Spring on a trip that I'd dreamed about for years.

It was so exciting and everything was fresh and new.

I felt truly alive...

like I'd been revitalized and injected with a new energy and spirit.

Upon my return ~ and after a period of contemplation 

I've come to the realization 

that what I really "need" to be content and satisfied

is all here in the city where I live with my family and friends

inside these walls 

and outside 

in the garden 

of my own home...

"The Humble Bungalow"

I look forward to future trips but have come to the realization that I am happy leading a quiet life.

It need not be anything remarkable

nothing worthy of the news.

Living a Simple Life suits me just fine.

Thank you for stopping by...

Au revoir...

The Hostess of The Humble Bungalow Blog is on vacation!

The adventure starts here...

I think I'm ready...

I'm taking the plunge to boldly go beyond my usual comfort zone...

I'm taking off...

I've sipped many cups of tea sitting here in the peace and quiet of the Humble Bungalow contemplating

 this "once in a lifetime" adventure.

The Gardens here in Victoria are at their best in the Spring.

I'll miss visiting the glorious beauty of The Abkhazi Gardens...

but there will be The Tuileries...The Luxembourg Gardens and Versailles!

I hope to see The Rodin and Giverny and many more parks in Paris...

PARIS! 

I cannot believe I will actually be in Paris.

I'll be nibbling on pastries...cheeses and sipping wine.

I'll be walking many many kilometers each day exploring and seeing the sights.

Springtime in Paris....

There will be beauty at every turn...

I will make it my goal to take note and capture these moments.

Being in the moment...present to receive nature's gifts.

Paying attention...

focusing.

It will be wonderful to be in the City of Light...

they say that there is a glow about Paris.

So dear readers and friends...

I'll say au revoir for now.

If all goes according to plan I'll be back in a few weeks.

They say that Paris changes you...

I cannot even imagine it.

But soon

I'll know.

White Wednesday ~ 4 more sleeps.

It's almost Wednesday and I thought I'd put together a White Wednesday post from Our Humble Bungalow...
something to distract me from watching the clock and counting the days as I prepare / wait for my departure.
I haven't flown in years so I might be a White Knuckle flier...

Antique knife set with silver and Mother of Pearl handles snug in their velvet lined box.

I love the intricate carved details of these pretty knives.

They are perfect for an afternoon tea party when serving scones and jam or a Victoria Sponge cake.

Cuisinart enamelled Dutch oven ~ inside simmering Lidia Bastianich's recipe for meatballs and spaghetti sauce.

I love Jane Cumberbatch's book, her simple approach to home decor is so fresh.

It's so different from how we live here in our bungalow with dark wood walls, beams and floors.

Pepper is back to her usual tricks and is gobbling her food.

She's been super social with us and has been keeping Chester in line.

So grateful to our veterinary team who gave her all the diagnostics she needed and the extra TLC.

The phone has been ringing every couple of days checking in to inquire about her well being.

Primulas are a reliable and hardy perennial in the garden borders.

They are putting on a great showing right now.

Hellebores are another stalwart...and they self seed so you can share them with friends and neighbours.

The Victoria Horticultural Society's motto is Show What You Grow and Share What You Know.

Green thumbs like to mingle together in groups with like minded growers.

Hence the popularity of Garden Clubs.

If you love to garden you will enjoy the club atmosphere with speakers, slides, the lending library, discounts at the local garden centres, the bus trips and the plant sale table.

(with almost free plants)

The lily of the valley is blooming...

the fragrance is heady and intoxicating.

Not sure which scarf / scarves to take with me...

 if I only take one I might have room in may case for a few new ones.

The weather forecast says it will be cooler and rainy next week so I might need to pack a cashmere sweater and swap it for the light mesh one.

I might pack my Barbour jacket instead of the vest and layer it under my rain coat.

Will be fun to observe Chic French Femmes...

I've read so much about how well dressed the women are and that the cut and style of their clothes is perfection.

Over the years I've read hundreds of books on Paris and France

history, fashion, love stories, relocation journals, fiction...

and many wonderful and informative French lifestyle bloggers.

Here are a few for you to enjoy...

Tish Jett

Vicki Archer

Fabulously French

French Word a Day

David Lebovitz

My French Country Home

manger

I'm not sure that I will be "prepared"

for the emotional feeling that will experience by actually "being there."

(Ready or not here I come!)

"Paris is always a good idea."

~ Audrey Hepburn ~

Au revoir!