Flea Market Finds...

I've been spending quite a bit of time "fluffing" the house.

Getting rid of extra stuff that clutters up the tiny space

and rearranging a few pieces.

Our bungalow decor is simple which lends itself towards natural items.

 Opting for colours that look pleasant in a woody arts and crafts heritage home...

almost organic.

"A tisket a tasket"

I spy a vintage basket...

and

some old silver.

An old oar

(before)

painted and cleaned up a wee bit 

then slightly distressed

(after)

Something for the cottage.

Old ironstone compote

Enamel ware

A large vintage Tea tin...

Roses in the small silver jug.

I purchased this Imari jug awhile back

I use it for pens and pencils in the kitchen near the phone.

It's fun to peruse home decor magazines for inspiration.

 Our clever daughter reminded me that I could find many lovely home decor things to "pin" off of the boards on Pinterest.

I started one for the cottage and am having fun getting ideas online.

I sit with my tea and before you know it an hour has evaporated!

It's also fun looking through the shelves of a vintage shop...

I like to think of it as an adventure because you never know what you are going to find.

~ Take care as you go about your day 

and 

Please Be Kind ~

Brunch, Boots, and a Beret...the Paris Planning continues.

Last Sunday Mr. HB and I were up early and the weather was sunny and warm so we decided to go for a long walk. We left our bungalow early in the morning and wandered downtown and before too long we had worked up appetite and we needed to eat...

The interior of The Atrium building on Yates and Blanshard Streets 

this picture was taken from our table inside the restaurant.

We decided to brunch at Zambri's, as it is one of our favourite spots to dine.

Poached free range farm fresh eggs on a bed of spinach atop a sliver of in house made bread lightly toasted

 served with a creamy bechamel sauce....

Oh my this was so delicious.

Looking at these daffodils blooming sunny yellow, they cannot help but cheer one's spirit.

The flowering trees that line Meares Street are a riot of blossoms...

their petals are falling like snowflakes...a westcoast version of snow!

Mother was under the weather and phoned me bright and early to cancel our weekly 

Mother and Two Daughters Shopping and Dining Date...

Mom thankfully is feeling better now, 

I checked on her... (so did my sister!)

It turns out she had a sleepless night.

Didn't I just write a post on this very subject?

 I took advantage of the time and got some domestics done around here...

laundry, sorting, cooking and a wee bit of Paris Planning.

 At Vanity Fair Antiques last week I mentioned that I was going to Paris...

I was thrilled to find out that one of the women who works there is going too.

She and her husband are renting an apartment for 6 weeks and it is conveniently located quite near my hotel. 

 We are planning a few outings and I hope one will be to go to the Antique Markets in Paris.

Uber comfy boots ~ Clarks Artisan line

for walking many kilometers along the cobblestone rues, avenues and boulevards of Paris...

a wooly beret just in case the days are chilly or damp

a feather in my cap..."ahem beret"...just because

The French lessons are helping but I have a LONG way to go...

it is a much steeper learning curve than I could have imagined...

Alors! I continue to press on.

I decided that I would take two cashmere cardigans...

the orange one and this one in a soft grey...they are light and offer cozy warmth.

Will need to decide which strand of pearls to take...

Want to take my perfume but this bottle exceeds Air France's limit for my carry on...

So much planning

details ~ details

it's hard to imagine how I will feel when I am in Paris.

Friends who have been to Paris say that the streets in Paris are alive with people.

The architecture, culture, and fashion are fabulous.

 They have been advising me to wander the avenues and soak in all the beauty.

Then stop for a bit and sit watching the people stroll by from an outdoor cafe.

"Paris is a place where, for me, just walking down a street that I've never been down before is like going to a movie or something. Just wandering the city is entertainment."

~ Wes Anderson ~

It's still weeks away so I have lots of time to dream.

The Paris obsession is becoming a daily routine on Pinterest.

What is your most memorable moment in Paris?

Indulging...OOTD

Almond Joy!
I'd like to think of this as a WW point friendly way to enjoy almonds.

I love the scent of almond as well as the taste.
Having a weakness for the nut I try to keep my almond eating habit in check...

Enjoying the scent is one way to satisfy the craving...

L'Occitane makes a great almond products and the jar of almond milk concentrate is a Humble Bungalow staple.

The shower gel is heavenly and they have just launched a body oil which I recently purchased.

The wee package of travel sized almond products were added to my order for a fraction of the cost,

an indulgence if you will.

"Orange is the New Black"

 was hot a few seasons ago...

then Panetone Green was on center stage and now it's Radiant Orchid!

Have you seen designer and blogger Tamera Beardsley in her radiant orchid kimono?

 She is featured in the fashion section of this month's Skimbaco Lifestyle magazine!

I discovered Skimbaco Lifestyle magazine when Adrienne Shubin started writing for them...

you might know her from her blog The Rich Life on a Budget.

These gals are having so much fun with fashion that I was energized by their enthusiasm...

Dressing in colour has never been so exciting!

A soft infinity scarf with a smattering of radiant orchid...

a birthday gift from my BFF.

I wore this scarf with a black tunic top with black leggings and black ballet flats.

The colour made the entire outfit pop!

I chose Revlon 070 Cherry Tart to wear with the scarf...the richer colour looked better than 001 pink truffle

 which I thought was a wee bit pale.

I wear these rich shea butter glosses often and alternate it with the Chanel Orchidee.

I do love a great stripe as patterns never feel like they suit me.

I have tried and tried but they always hang in my closet sad and lonely...

scarves are my go to accessory for pattern.

Colour won't take center stage in the same way black does in my basic wardrobe

but it will pop up this summer on the boat paired with my white jeans.

I may look for a fun orange coral necklace to wear with this shirt.

I plan to use this as a"jacket" layering it over a plain white tank top.

Ralph Lauren shirt

It has a nautical edge so it will be a fun summer boat basic.

The 3/4 sleeve length won't get tangled up in the ropes...

I found my first pair of what I might call high end or luxury jeans.

Seven For All Mankind slim fit boot cut Kaylie's.

When I tried them on I wondered what exactly makes a luxury jean worth the money.

I'd have to say it is in the fit and the details.

The weight of the denim feels good and it has more body that the less expensive jeans that I regularly wear.

The shape seems to stay true after several wearings so I am not tempted to wash them as often.

Jeans play an important part of my wardrobe and since retiring I wear them much more often than dress pants.

I currently own two pairs of black ponte knit dress pants and now I have 4 pairs of jeans!

So where do you stand on luxury goods?

What would you indulge in if money were no object?

Are you on Pinterest?

I'm finding it is a bit like eating almonds...

 once I start I cannot stop!

Until next time,

Be Well and Be Kind.