Starting 2023 slowly, thoughtfully and with intention...

 

 ~ New Year ~

Thoughts of change and the steps required to take the necessary actions

easing slowly...

mulling over the multitude of possibilities.

What to do?

Stay the same or move ahead in a fresh new direction?

Take a risk or keep it safe?

Current read...

I heard so many lovely things about this book that I bought a copy.

Numerous friends told me that it was the BEST book that they had read last year.

That says a LOT!

I am not yet finished it...

reading slowly to absorb and digest the thoughts 

and 

significance of the words.

It is very beautifully written, full of emotion and poignant life experiences.

Very Sad...

the attention to detail is divine, the author writes like an artist paints.

In the spirit of not rushing...

I've signed up for a 30 day online Yoga challenge.

On day 4, I realized how much I have missed my Yoga practice.

Watching the instructor,

  (who looks effortless) 

while she moves through the poses

was quite discouraging for me.

 I was struggling on my mat!

I signed up at my former Yoga Studio 

for in person classes with the instructor whose teaching style I love.

Her calming voice, slow movements and gentle spirit are absolute BLISS!

Classes start in 2 weeks and I am very excited.

Our naughty cats were guilty of shredding my old Yoga mat...

it was time to replace it.

I bought a new one today which is 6mm thick to cushion my 67 year old achy joints.

While I was shopping I found a small bolster and a lavender scented cleaning spray.

Do you practice Yoga?

Sunday morning post on Instagram today...

Sand and Fog Candle

in a lovely soothing fragrance

~ Roses and Sandalwood ~

This scent would make a great perfume.

The painted rock above was designed and painted by my former neighbour.

It reminds me of a mandala...

I'm going to keep this post short and sweet.

 We are immersed in a Netflix series called The Stranger...

oh my goodness it is so complicated!

We've watched a few good ones lately...

Treason and another one called The Bodyguard

coincidentally

 they are all British.

The Stranger is British too with an all star cast.

You might enjoy them too...

let me know.

What are you watching?

Thank you for stopping by...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

OOTD ~ New sweater

New Lands' End cashmere cardigan

I own 6 sweaters; 3 of which are cashmere.

 This is my 4th and what I love about cashmere 

is the warmth without the bulk!

I chose this grey shade with black flecks.

I have a lot of black and a few pieces of grey in my minimal basic wardrobe.

I can see this as an all season sweater...

imagine this paired with white jeans in the summer time.

I put on jeans, a white linen Tee 

my pearls and some Chanel Lipstick with this new cardigan.

A super casual and comfy OOTD...

this is my basic Covid uniform for at home and my walks.

My hair is held back with a grey velvet scrunchie in a simple ponytail.

I am planning to get my hair trimmed an inch or so with longer layers next week.

I have been avoiding the salon but can do so no longer...

it has been months since I had a trim.

I know they have safety protocols in place and we will all be wearing masks.

We ordered in dinner last night from a local Thai restaurant 

I must admit it was a real treat not to cook.

The sun is shining here today and the temperatures are cold. 

There was ice on the roofs and cars when we woke up.

Snow is in the forecast 

 I doubt we will get much here.

My current book by Alice Hoffman 

The Probable Future.

A wonderful story of several generations of women...

Alice weaves a tapestry of magic and witchcraft into her stories.

This one has captured my attention and I am transported to another "world."

Escaping the tedium during the pandemic

through well crafted books

 is a gift that clever writers give to their devoted readers.

Talking about escape...

We are watching Bridgerton on Netflix...

The first episode did not excite me that much but after viewing the second and third I was hooked!

What are you reading?

Are you watching anything on Netflix that you can recommend?

Have you had your vaccination?

Stay safe and wear your mask.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Enjoy your weekend!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

There's a thing about the Sea...

I was in grade 5 or 6 when I was asked by my teacher to memorize and recite a poem in front of the class...I think it was Mr. Miller...at Monterey School.
We called him "Killer Miller" I have no idea why!

The pressure was on as there was a short timeline, but Father had a book of poetry and he helped me choose a few and we whittled it down to this one...
because it "spoke to me."

Sea Fever

by John Masefield,

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;

And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,

And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.

 

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied; 

And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,

And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

 

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,

To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;

And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,

And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.

How was I to know at that age that the sea would play such a large part in my life?

I spent much of my teen years cruising on the sea and met my husband as a result of boating...

We married young and raised two children and bought a boat as soon as we could...we sailed the Gulf Islands and had many adventures.

The kids are grown up and we now have a smaller boat, 

a 27 foot Sea Ray Sun Dancer that I like to refer to as "the Go Fast"...

her real name is "Waterlust" named so as we have a lust for the sea.

I wonder if the call to the sea was meant to be?
Did my early yearnings lead me to this chapter in my life

or was it destiny?

Do you believe in destiny?

I've always been drawn to the sea.

Especially in times of joy and many times of despair...

weeping salty tears.

I love to walk along the seafront and to go beach combing

hopefully seeking 

while

searching for shells and beach glass.

Sea shells, white vintage ironstone, mirrors and candles...

a vignette that calms

and 

satisfies...

Candles are such a simple thing 

yet

I would not be happy if I did not have some in the house.

They add such ambiance...

not unlike 

 staring into the beach fire

or the Guy Fawkes bonfire

it stirs something deep within...

dare I say primordial?

Walking along the seafront offers up so many different views...

 light

 weather

colour

my mood can be altered in a matter of minutes...

Mother Natures's paintbrush is ever changing...

she can be moody

dark

stormy

uplifting

we are mere observers...

speaking of observing

and watching....

I have been watching The Crown on Netflix...

such a grand production with a stellar cast

I am savouring each and every episode.

Are you watching too?

I have been knitting...

and it just so happens that I have been knitting Crowns...

Yes dear reader, 

crowns for the grand children!

 Ravelry pattern in the royal spirit and free...

fun might be in the household of the children as they play Queen and King.

I received an email from a reader in the UK saying that she cannot leave any blog comments and I have checked all my settings and can find nothing amiss...

if you have had trouble commenting on my blog please send me an email.

I hope that all will be well.

Hope you have a great week...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Jeans...OOTD

If we are talking about our favourite clothes
and we are today
I have a confession...

My all time favourite OOTD to wear is a white Tee or shirt and pair of great fitting jeans.
They can be worn with diamonds, gold or pearls...
a Hermes silk scarf, a pashmina, a thrifted woolen wrap,
they can be worn with heels, ballet flats, boots or flip flops...
a Chanel tweed, a leather Moto jacket or a soft well worn hoodie.

If I only could choose one outfit for the rest of my days.....
jeans would figure prominently in the equation.

It might sound silly coming from a grown woman who is just a few weeks away from 60
I am here to confess that  "I DO LOVE JEANS!"

I've worn jeans for decades and think I always will...
they are on my "desert island list"
after sunscreen, moisturizer, mascara and lip balm.

My tatty 2 year old g21 skinny jeans have worn out their welcome,
but it's not surprising with so many wearings and washings....
so they have been donated to the charity shop.
At $10, the cost per wearing must be less than 5 cents by now.

I've seen and heard of NYDJ jeans but have never actually tried a pair on until recently...
they are available in Petite which is wonderful because I really hate shortening jeans.
I didn't go looking for them, they rather fell off the hanger as I was perusing the racks at The Hudson's Bay store.
A woman of a certain age mentioned that she had several pairs of NYDJ and thought they made the best of a "woman's assets" Hmmm...
I thought I'd give them a try...

I'm not sure if I should be raving publicly about these jeans

(they may fall into that shadowy category referred to as "Mom jeans!")

Are the Fashion Police on duty?

I do like how they fit...

(I am a Mother and a Grand Mother)

A great fitting pair of jeans can take you most places...

not the red carpet, a funeral or a wedding

not in my crowd

BUT

they are on my "desert island list." 

I have worn jeans since I was a teenager

plan to wear them forever

they have no expiration date...

and are so versatile in how you can style them.

I have put together a few jean OOTD options.

Vintage beaded wool sweater ~ Pelican Cove

jeans ~ NYDJ

gumball pearls which IMO

compliment and elevate a simple Tee and jeans

Tank top ~ Lands' End

beaded cardigan ~ Spanner

pearls

jeans ~ NYDJ

tank top ~ Lands' End

cashmere cardigan ~ Lands' End

jeans ~ NYDJ

remember to have fun and be creative with accessories

think of yourself as a painter and take risks

put you own personal stamp on things

Why Not?

black top ~ Jeanne Beker

jeans ~ NYDJ

shoes ~ Amalfi

I love these shoes...they make me feel so happy when I wear them.

Tweed jacket ~ Jeremy Spenser

jeans ~ NYDJ

shoes ~ Stuart Weitzman

love the bows on the toes...

this vintage baroque pearl pin is a perfect pairing with the jacket

(thank you darling daughter I adore this gift and wear it often)

I'm feeling the Paris vibe with this OOTD

striped top ~ Gap

jeans ~ NYDJ

ballet flats ~ Lands' End

sterling stack of bangles...

Tiffany and Co.

mingle with artisan designed silver bracelets

I've had fun putting these together and I have oodles more options in my closet...

Do you wear jeans?

What brand of jeans are your favourite?

BTW 

if you like to watch British dramas...

Mr. HB and I have just finished watching Last Tango in Halifax 

 and now are binge watching Happy Valley on Netflix...

Sally Wainright writes entertaining and engaging TV.

Downton Abbey is not the only show in town.

Take care

XO