Fashion with a Vintage Vibe ~ French themed books

When I visited Paris in 2015 I met a savvy young stylist named Alois Guinut.

She led a workshop on French fashion and style 

for women on The Ooh La La Tour.

The tour was arranged and led by author Jamie Cat Callan.

You may have read some of her books...

( if you haven't already read her books you may want to!)

French Women Don't Sleep Alone: Pleasurable Secrets to Finding Love 

Bonjour Happiness: Secrets to Finding Your Joie de Vivre

Ooh La La!: French Women's Secrets to Feeling Beautiful Every Day

Parisian Charm School: French Secrets for Cultivating Love, Joy and That Certain Je Ne Sais Quoi

I took notes at the workshop as I was so inspired by this young woman.

When I returned home I decided to add some French flair to my daily outfits.

Not too long after I returned I learned that Alois had written a new book

"Dress Like a Parisian."

 I knew that I had to buy it and read more about this fascinating style.

I have just finished reading 

"Why French Women Wear Vintage and other secrets of sustainable style."

There are lots of great ideas here and as I am a passionate second hand, consignment, and thrift shopper so this fits right into my values of recycling and my current relaxed lifestyle.

My wardrobe is streamlined and minimalist with a colour palette based on black, white and greys that makes it easy to mix and match items.

I have denim jeans and chambray shirts too.

I add a pop of colour with accessories.

Alois shares some fun ways to add fun and flair to the classic basics.

I plan to look for more "unique accessories" when I venture out in the second hand consignment and charity shops

as well as

perusing

 ETSY and EBAY 

for more vintage finds.

Now I want to re-read her first book!

Hope that you are keeping well.

Are you cooking, baking, knitting, crafting or reading to stay safe during Covid?

 'French Exit ' a new fragrant candle from the company Cancelled Plans.

Scented candles add ambiance to our Humble Bungalow.

When the Fall and Winter weather gets gloomy I can't think of anything easier

 than lighting a candle to add a warm glow and a beautiful fragrance.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Hope that you are staying safe, wearing your mask and washing your hands!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

 

OOTD ~ Valentine's Day

What to wear for Valentines Day?
I opted for a pop of red...

Jeans ~ Vintage America

Shirt ~ Tommy Hilfiger

Shoes ~ Joesph Seibel

I love these jeans

they fit well and are super soft

the length is perfect for my short frame.

I have another pair of these, in a different style

they are getting really faded and worn in

I've worn them SO MUCH!

I felt like upping my game a bit and purchased a new pair.

The pearls that my husband gave me many years ago on Valentine's Day.

We walked to our local pub in the village for a date night dinner.

A lot of people had the same idea and it was incredibly LOUD.

Hard to hear above the laughter 

and

with what we considered shouting at the nearby tables...

(some had obviously imbibed a bit too much)

We watched as they made their way to the exit and hoped that they were not driving home impaired.

The food was delicious and we both enjoyed our meal.

It was a lovely treat not to cook dinner.

Ballet flats are comfy to walk in and look great with ankle length jeans.

I am going on Jamie Cat Callan's Paris Tour this coming September and I am so excited to see her again and meet all the other women on the tour.

We all had such fun last time in 2015.

She has a couple of spaces left if you are interested.

Rose Hip with a raindrop...

a pop of colour on a grey day.

I love good chocolate and Pender Island has a wonderful shop.

One can sit and have tea or coffee and a sweet treat.

I'm looking forward to Summer 

when I can use this vintage bag that I bought a few years ago on Ebay.

I must get some things accomplished today so I will close for now...

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Remember to use a Google Search Engine when leaving comments as Safari is not working.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Wearing red lipstick in my current favourite shade.

Luscious rose hips...

XO

Mother Nature's paintbrush...

Frosty morning at Quarter Deck Cottage.

The peace and quiet is restorative and so soothing.

Time to slow down, reflect and take stock of all our blessings.

Rainy morning

time to take a moment and be grateful.

Savouring the stillness and listening to what is in our heart...

taking notes and planning

perhaps trying something new.

Perfect time for hunkering down with a great book.

I was sad when I finished this book as I did not want my session at Parisian Charm School to end!

Jamie and I will be collaborating on a blog post about her newest book 

which BTW I totally LOVE!

Clouds lifting and the sun is starting to make an appearance...

hope to get out for a walk in the crisp air.

Time to go for a walk...

a gentle breeze

sunshine

the gulls are swooping and diving into the Salish Sea.

Serene and pristine Peter Cove.

A snug little bay with mooring buoys for the boats of the summer residents.

Kelp and driftwood wash up on the beaches after the storms.

The glorious beauty of Mother Nature at every turn...

so grateful to be alive and in this magical place.

Watching the ferries come and go...

the gentle ebb and flow of the tides

the rhythm that is humming just outside our door.

Our tray on the coffee table with a simple sea inspired collection

shells from the beaches

a few feathers gathered on our walks

the piece of coral a gift from a dear friend

a lavender soy candle made on the island.

The dining room table dressed in a similar fashion.

A book found in the used section of the Island Book Shop...

a new day dawns

there will be ferries to watch

ravens will be cawing

with a mug of hot coffee in hand

my thoughts stray 

as I watch the waves on The Salish Sea beyond our deck.

Views from the sofa...

change as the morning light moves across the Salish Sea

illuminating the trees and valleys 

of Vancouver Island...

Hope that you are safe and snug in your part of the world.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog today.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

What's happening here in the Humble Bungalow...saying thank you to Jamie Cat Callan

Cold weather has been hanging around here in Victoria for the past few weeks with no signs of warming up. Our zero and minus 4 degree days make for a chilly outing if one is not adequately dressed. This morning, for example, Victorians living on the west shore awoke to a burst water main that closed the Trans Canada Highway into town! The traffic was snarled for hours and now only one lane is open.

Hat, gloves, scarf, warm down coat over top of layers of tops and socks have been necessary when venturing out of the house...
imagine the "Michelin Man" puffy coat
worn with a woolly hat that covers my ears,
a scarf
with just my eyes peeking out
and you get the picture...
BRRR
the usual 60 minute walks are just not happening.
(I may need to resort to mall walking!)

I finally broke down and purchased a heavier pair of tights so that I could wear my skirts and dresses with my Chelsea boots.
I have not worn heavy tights since I retired from the school district and I was surprised when I looked for some...the prices are much higher than I remember.
As part of my job I was required to do outdoor supervision at recess and lunch and because I feel the cold I dressed like I was going to the North Pole...
Comfort wins.

OOTD...

Grey Boiled wool skirt

wool, rayon and spandex tights

Chelsea boots

grey top

(not visible)

It is a wee bit of a risk posting a picture

 I am such rubbish at taking selfies.

 BTW

still patiently waiting for my hair to turn completely grey...

in the meantime I have embraced grey clothing with a pop of colour.

This is what I think of now as

 "Grammy Style"

plus

I love knitting, cooking and taking care of the wee ones...

officially and unabashedly grandmotherly!

Sitting in The Humble Bungalow Living Room

gazing into the twinkle lights

sipping a cafe creme

is where I start my day.

Currently reading The Midwife of Hope River by Patricia Harman 

I loved her other novels.

Patricia is a very gifted writer..

 she has a new one coming out in January

"Runaway Midwife"

already reserved at the library.

I have read oodles and oodles of books over the years

and I have so much respect for writers 

and 

their discipline to their craft.

I regularly consider, and wonder, if I could ever write a book.

Recently on Facebook

Jamie Cat Callan 

hosted a writing contest 

the winner would receive

a copy of her

 "Writer's Tool Box" 

check this out!

Thank you Jamie

(I was fortunate in winning one of her Tool Kits)

After reading all of Jamie's books

I met her on her Ooh La La tour in Paris...

Jamie is energetic

enthusiastic

loves life

is fun to be around

she is

  a totally delightful woman

her 

"joie de vivre" is positively contagious.

Jamie is currently working on a new book...

which I am so looking forward to reading it when it comes out next year.

Chester demands my attention when I sit...

often he pushes my book away before settling into my lap for a cuddle.

OOTD

party version

Sitting in the peace and quiet

dreams are formed

hopes

wishes

destinations farther than my front garden

a leap of faith

who knows what the future will bring?

Thank you Jamie

You continue to inspire me everyday.

I will always remember my trip to Paris.

If it were not for Jamie

 I am not sure that I would have ever realized my dream.

So many thoughts bubble up 

so many of those feelings that lay dormant 

before I embarked on that amazing trans formative journey.

In gratitude...

Happy Holidays and Seasons Greetings!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thinking of Paris and I've bought a new hat...OOTD

The past few days our  weather has been stormy and grey.
Torrential rains, gale forced winds and while I sit inside in the comfort of The Humble Bungalow looking out the rain splattered panes....I've been pondering.
Remembering

Thinking about my Spring trip to Paris last year...
it feels like such a long time ago.
I have oodles of pictures to look at and the memories can be called up at will.
There is a teeny tiny feeling of sadness, not unlike that of melancholy...
I am so grateful to have travelled there and would be fooling myself if I said I did not want to go back...but I am a realist and I must acknowledge that this was the trip of a lifetime.
It was a wee bit selfish to steal away so soon after retiring and spend all that money.
I have a modest pension, yet I turned 60 and it was a gift to mark this milestone.
Mr. HB has no desire to go to France so I went on my own...met up with friends and joined an all woman tour and had the most fun ever!!
The Ooh La La Tour is led by author Jamie Cat Callan and Mimi Bleu.
Paris in Springtime is not yet full...spaces await should you be interested...
please email Jamie if you are keen to go and please tell her I sent you!
You will have a wonderful time!

My wee Eiffel Tower is a reminder of my trip and I keep it to remind me of the magic that was Paris.

This wool hat made by The Canadian Hat Company nearly fell off the mannequin...

and into my hands.

I was browsing a local shop on Oak Bay Avenue when I bumped into a mannequin and the hat that was perched on top fell down and I caught it.

I would have never noticed it as it was above my line of sight.

Being height challenged I not always look UP!

I tried it on and it covered my ears and felt so warm and cozy...

and it did not look too bad on.

I am not really a gifted savvy hat shopper, that honour goes to my friend Cheryl.

She is the best hat shopper I know.

She wears her many hats with such flair that I am almost green with envy.

The sales clerk mentioned that with my hair longer than the base of the hat

and the side fringe swept lower in front that this was actually a flattering style for me.

(I did not dislike the look in the mirror.)

The price was reasonable and I have not bought anything for ages.

I wore it to Goward House for bridge and had half a dozen compliments within 15 minutes.

It works so all I need is a bit more confidence when it comes to choosing hats.

I am wearing my hat it with

 a white long sleeved tee top  ~ Style and Co.

dark denim skinny jeans ~ Banana Republic

Black shawl sweater ~ Zara

vintage bag ~ Valentina

I've been thinking of buying a new handbag...

I love the look and feel of leather bags

but it is hard to justify the expense.

So I polished up this old stalwart vintage bag and it will serve me for the time being.

Decent leather bags are difficult to source at our local second hand and charity shops.

I am not much of an Internet shopper but if I was there are so many choices online.

I am an "old school shopper" 

I like to touch and feel, try things on and see if they are exactly what I need.

It goes with all my blacks and greys...

has interesting details

nice textures 

comfort

warmth

and

functional

made in Canada

what's not to love?

Hope that you have a lovely weekend!

Seeing the light....and a wee bit of sparkle.

Light in Our Humble Bungalow is low...

The design of arts and crafts bungalows have extended overhanging eaves which do minimize the natural light...that's why we have so many electric lamps and light fixtures.

The walls are papered with organic toned period arts and crafts wallpaper which compliment the 100 year old + Douglas fir  beams and wood wall treatments.

Here is a weekend morning image of our dining room...
it is a challenge to get enough light to read a book or knit.

I finished the blanket that I have been working on for grand baby number 3

(I have folded it in half to take the picture.)

It's the classic block pattern that I have used for all the baby blankets and this time I used a thick cotton yarn in an off white shade.

I usually sit in our living room to read in a Morris chair situated right under a large lamp and this book held me spell bound for several days...
It is a thriller in the style of Alfred Hitchcock and I can see this book easily being made into a film.
The characters are very dysfunctional and quirky...the story held my interest and it is worth reading.

The foyer of the Garnier Opera House in Paris was dimly lit...

it would have been originally illuminated with lamps and candles before electricity.

Can you imagine doing fine needlework, knitting or sewing by candle light or an oil lamp?

It would be hard on the eyes.

I purchased this cheerful towel in France.

I spend so much time in my kitchen that I thought it would be a wonderful reminder of my trip.

I've hung it on my stove.

The sponge is from La Cuisine where author and Ooh La La Paris tour leader  Jamie Cat Callan and I took our cooking class together.

I spied this wee key chain at the local Pharmacy on Oak Bay Avenue.

Which instantly reminded me of the Ooh La La Tour!

I forgot to mention in a previous post that I bought two linen Tees at the Monoprix in Paris.

This one is white with a wee bit of sparkle and the other is in a grey nubby linen.

Both are super comfy and very cool for summer.

The Monoprix has cute fashions...

they are basics and available at affordable price points.

Monoprix is like the American Target store...

(wish we still had Target here.)

I treated myself to a couple of new Hermes scents...

this one I have been wearing daily since I got home from France.

I've also indulged in a hot coffee with foamed milk each morning...

(sometimes two!)

I use espresso in my French Press and foam the milk in the Starbucks electric machine.

I like it much better than cream and an added bonus is that it is WW point friendly.

I miss those cute French glass jars that they store and sell yogurt in, in Paris and France.

A little bit of France has back home with me...

in my head and in my heart.

Memories are the best souvenirs.

Like that first kiss 

I think I'll always remember Paris!

It's a sunny day today and it's Mother's 88th birthday so we are taking her out to celebrate.

It's a surprise and my sister and I are in cahoots about where we are going!

Hope she likes what we have planned.

Cheerio

XO