Wanna Be Barbour...OOTD

I love the English gentry country style.
I can picture those hacking jackets, cashmere sweaters, tartan scarves and Hunter wellingtons.
But truth be told my lifestyle is about as far away from country as it could be.
I am a city gal living a modest life in a quiet neighbourhood with my husband and two cats.
Dressing honestly guides my purchases and dictates what I will keep and wear not what hangs in my closet waiting to be worn. I dont believe in keeping things that just take up valuable space and gather dust in our tiny home.
(with the exception of my wedding dress and my Aunt Tirzah's fur coat)
It's my sister who lives in the country on 3 acres which houses a riding ring, paddocks and a barn.
She rides, teaches and judges riding and owns several horses.
Hers is country style with an equestrian flair...the riding boots and quilted jackets that I admire so much.

Sis and I shopped at the VV Boutique last week before our lunch.
We found a few gems...

QED London wanna be Barbour jacket.

Under $20

Brand new Eddie Bauer down filled mitts at an astonishing price of 99 cents!

With our cold weather on our long walks my hands have been freezing in my leather gloves. 

Only last week I was remarking to my walking partner that I really needed to buy some mitts...

 lo and behold they were waiting for me.

I was wearing my walking summer weight capri's to the Yoga studio and I admit that I missed my grey Lulu Lemon's which were two sizes larger and donated months ago.

I cannot believe I found Lulu lemon Yoga pants at $9.99!

So much cheaper than buying them new and I only need one pair so black is the perfect choice.

These loose yoga pants will allow me to feel less constricted when doing the downward dog.

My sister had wanted to eat at Bliss for quite a few months so we decided to go after our thrift shopping.

It's vegan and delicious!

The cafe is not large and they do take away as well.

You can buy their cookbook and make these dishes at home.

We sat at the window table and enjoyed the warmth of the sun shining through the window.

Masala Burger made with seeded "bread" and a cashew nut curry burger.

It was served with a dollop of cashew cream.

I have never felt so much energy after eating a meal and I felt sated throughout the afternoon.

OOTD

QED London jacket

Gap boyfriend jeans

Amalfi shoes

Mother loves these shoes...

they were another great score at the Thrift Shop.

I've worn these a lot and will continue to do so because they make me happy when I put them on.

My wardrobe is pretty workable now that I have restocked the basics.

I cannot think of anything more that I need for Winter...

now Spring and Summer are another matter.

I may need a skirt, some tees and a pair of shorts but there is plenty of time to cruise the thrift shops before our weather warms up.

In the meantime I am cooking up a storm here in The Humble Bungalow.

We have a family gathering this weekend and I am pulling out all the stops making a roast beef with Yorkshire pudding, roasted vegetables with scalloped spuds and gravy.

To top it all off dessert of fruit salad and a rich dense fudge chocolate cake.

What are you doing this weekend?

Skincare Tonics ~ Caudalie

Perhaps I have been living under a rock but until Christmas day I had never heard of the fabulous French skin care line Caudalie. My son and his gorgeous wife gave me a Caudalie gift package that was made up of make up remover cleansing water, Beauty Elixir, hand and nail cream, anti-oxidant lip conditioner and divine oil.
I am over the moon with these exquisite potions.

Caudalie products are made without the use of harsh chemicals.

Sephora carry their line of products and you can read the reviews online.

They are very popular and come highly recommended by skin care guru's.

I've been test driving these new products and am very happy with the results.

I am particularly excited about the Divine oil.

(you can see the telltale signs of rosacea on my cheeks)

I went to my Yoga class without any foundation just a quick swipe of mascara and some pink lip butter.

Feeding one's face is as much about nutrition and hydration as it is about product.

Janet at The Gardener's Cottage swears by Olive oil and she is an esthetician.

I love her blog, she eats vegan and posts many wonderful recipes as well as her thrifty thoughts on shopping.

I'd love to meet up with her someday.

Here's my power packed Kale Salad.

It is my go to lunch these days.

Full of anti-oxidants and vitamins.

~ ~ ~

Humble Bungalow Kale Salad

Wash and spin kale dry in a salad spinner.

Cut out the big inner rib and tear into bite size pieces.

Put into a large salad bowl with sliced peppers, shaved carrots, cucumber cubes, a handful of dried cranberries, 

1/3 cup chopped pecans and 1/2 cup goat feta cheese.

Toss with healthy dressing.

~ ~ ~

Healthy Dressing

In a blender mix

1/4 cup each sesame seeds, tahini

1/2 cup olive oil

2/3 cup lemon juice and grated rind of 1 lemon

1 cup water

1 large garlic clove

pinch of sea salt

sliver of fresh ginger grated

1/4 cup of honey

Process until smooth store in fridge and dress serving size portions of Kale salad.

Keeps for several weeks in the fridge.

Shake well or stir before serving.

I make this ahead and keep on hand for quick lunches.

(My sister uses this dressing as a marinade for chicken)

Good nutrition, plenty of water, a good night's sleep, exercise, and reduced stress all play a role in health.

  Our skin seems to reflect some of our bad habits or negligence.

Think of it as your calling card.

We have all met women who radiate beauty and good health.

 Their devotion to exercise and nutrition seem to be the ticket.

This has been very evident with quite a few women I have met at The Hemma Yoga Studio.

Most are well into their 70's and the instructors who radiate calm and peace tell me they are vegan or vegetarians.

I've gone back to Yoga because I had noticed some stiffness in my neck and joints.

Flexibility is something that we lose as we age if we don't keep stretching we lose it.

Walking is great but not enough.

After 75 minutes of Hatha Yoga at the studio I feel so much calmer and surprisingly rested.

On the days that I go to Yoga I sleep much deeper and longer than the days that I don't go.

Better than any medicine, Yoga has far reaching benefits.

You don't need to go to the studio to practise Yoga.

You can cocoon and go through the poses on your Yoga mat in the comfort and privacy of your own home.

I have tried to practise at home but my cats will not leave me alone.

Something is rather fishy... it's my Yoga mat.

I lay my mat out in the hobby room on the shag carpet.

Someone has been trying to catch a fish!

Whoever it was had very sharp claws...

and it happened so fast.

I was in the Warrior pose and obviously not doing a very good job defending my territory.

I suppose I'll need to find another mat at some point.

 The gals at the studio are still laughing about my cats trying to catch the fish.

They smirk everytime I unfurl it and I do smile when I catch them looking.

It might just be another connection...so be it.

~ ~ ~

"It's been my experience that the longer I do yoga, the more I want to know, the more I am able to understand and the less judgmental I am."

~ Ali MacGraw ~

Let's hope the week ahead will unfold like a beautiful butterfly...

who knows what we might uncover.

More thoughts on building my wardrobe and meet my new white jeans!

Do you like to get a bargain or intentionally buy things that you need on sale?
If you are on a budget like I am you may search for many weeks to find the right item at a price that you can justify.
Recently I found some new pieces at Value Village or as we commonly refer to it here as "The "VV Boutique."

If you have been following my weight loss journey for awhile you'll recall that I have had to rebuild my wardrobe almost entirely from scratch.
I have pretty much finished replacing the basics for fall and winter and am thinking ahead now to spring and summer.

I have rebuilt my wardrobe for under $1,000.00 which is no small sum when one considers that I am retired but
this includes dressy evening and special occasion wear, everyday casuals, tops, sweaters, lingerie and outerwear.
I opted for quality cashmere's and name brand basics that would mix and match with each other so that I could get the most bang for my buck.

It took me over an hour to scour the racks at VV and like Sheila taught me I looked at all the size ranges.
Sunday is a great day to explore VV at your leisure because there is free parking on the street.

Two new sweaters were found and at such a budget friendly price they were great value for the money...
the first one retails for $100-120 in our local shops.

It is made of cotton in black and has a lovely shawl collar detail.

I'll wear this as a light layer over a tank top or tee.

Or a jacket in the warmer weather.

Are you familiar with the Pure Hand Knit brand?

They make fun sweaters in a variety of styles and bright colours in 100% cotton.

The sweaters are hand knit by women in Thailand...4500 women are behind this company busy knitting.

I can almost hear the collective click of their needles....it is music to my ears.

Lands' End deep V neck cardigan in an angora and wool blend.

Soft and cozy.

I can wear this with my dressy black pants or skirt for evening.

Pop it on with a tank top or tee and my favourite jeans.

I have a white pair of Club Monaco pants (also thrifted for $6.00) which when paired with this cardigan and several strands of pearls like Coco Chanel will be on the dressy side of casual.

White Jeans are a new and exciting discovery!

I love them.

I know many women love bright coloured and pastel jeans but I have never hopped on that bandwagon.

Club Monaco garments are well made and neatly finished.

I blanch a wee bit at the regular price of their garments but I do love to go into their stores and browse.

I get some great ideas of how to mix and match simple pieces and accessorize them to create a polished outfit.

Never underestimate the power of an accessory.

They are easy to find at reasonable prices and it is the best way to personalize your signature look.

If you are loathe to go into thrift or consignment shops try art gallery gift shops, local ethnic stores or antique markets...ebay and Etsy have thousands of great pieces just waiting for the right buyer.

Pearls are wonderful and these days I think the larger gum ball sizes are more fun than the smaller ones...

a little bit of whimsy can make me feel younger!

Massed in a grouping of several strands like Coco Chanel I get more mileage out of them.

I wear fragrance most days now that I am not at school.

(the cats don't seem to mind)

Mitsouko makes me feel very grown up and sophisticated.

NEVER spray it on your pearls or the nacre will dissolve and your pearls will be ruined.

I wish that I had a large mirror with great lighting here in The Humble Bungalow so that I wouldn't need to sneak around taking pictures in the fitting rooms!

It is freezing cold here in Victoria.

I am bundled up wearing cashmere sox and several cashmere sweaters hunkered down indoors.

I walked to the Yoga Studio this morning for a gentle Hatha class instead of walking 5K in minus 4 degree temperatures.

Thank goodness that we have heat and power so that we can keep the freeze at bay and make pots of tea.

The resident hummingbirds are sipping iced sugar water today and they are not straying too far from the feeder.

I think they must be storing up their energy for the cold night ahead.

Snow flurries are in the forecast!

Walking and work out wear....part 1 of the wardrobe series.

It seems odd that I now have a section of my wardrobe devoted to garments that inspire me to get up off the couch and get moving. Yoga and walking wear takes up more space than ever before.

Purple Segments fleece jacket

Blue and lime green hoodies from Lands' End

2 pairs of black legging style pants Athletic Works

Grey Lulu Lemon hoodie

walking shoes Lands' End 

My OOTD

the Mondetta jacket is on the large size now but still one of my favourites.

If I see another one in a smaller size I'll snap it up!

Two Joe Fresh stay dri tees...drying in the laundry room.

I'm wearing a sleeveless Champion white top under the Mondetta jacket.

This is my big workout/walking wardrobe

I'll show you other areas of my whittled down wardrobe in a future post.

This week I took 21 pieces of name brand clothing to the consignment shop in Oak Bay.

If they all sell I should get a few hundred dollars to reinvest in some new pieces.

Fingers crossed that someone will like them enough to purchase them.

Recycling with benefits!

Hope that your weekend is full to the brim with JOY.

Hostess

The French Bunny's Gospel...

Ahhh! It's Wednesday...

after a bit of an uncharacteristic negative rant
and a stress themed post recently
of which I am guilty of posting...

I wanted to post something that might be a bit more upbeat.
Meet our resident floppy eared bunny
 (French bunny)...DouDou et Compagnie
in a soft shade of banana yellow
who, it would appear, likes to do Yoga!

OM!

Bunny Rabbit Pose!

Top Priority

RELAX!

KICK BACK

(absolutely nothing in the IN basket so no worries!)

Hang loose!

PLAY!

Downward Dog meets Bunny in Limbo...

parlez vous francais?

Watch your posture

look up

BREATHE!

(juste respirer)

Back~ on ~ Top

(lapin haute)

I hope you've enjoyed this lighter (silly) post!

Collective sigh...

Hostess

'It's been my experience that the longer I do yoga, the more I want to know, the more I am able to understand and the less judgmental I am. 

Ali MacGraw 

Keep calm and carry on and The Humble Bungalow roses

Mother's illness has brought stress into the forefront and try as I might I cannot shake this feeling.
With no time for Yoga I am trying to concentrate on my breathing.
Short shallow breaths have made me feel anxious...
closing my eyes and focusing on my breath offers some relief.

Fortunately we live close to each other so I can be at Mom's in minutes
it's a pleasant walk and one that allows me to clear my head a bit.
I've been waking earlier than usual and feeling like I haven't really had a restorative sleep.
Spending more time talking on the phone with my sister keeping her in the loop.

I'll be spending most of my day with Mother keeping watch.
She has colour in her face and has been able to keep food down
so I am guardedly optimistic that she is on the mend.

 I made lunch at 2 o'clock after I had tended to Mother and walked back home.

Part of me wanted to have something comforting like a grilled cheese sandwich

but my inner voice said don't go down that road...

bread has not passed these lips in many weeks.

The little fry pan is one of the newer additions to The Humble Bungalow kitchen.

Chartreuse green in sturdy cast iron.

I think of this dish as a hot salad...

I think it was Lisa from a mid life of privilege who suggested hot salads

thanks Lisa.

Add a free range egg for the protein portion of the meal.

Protein has been instrumental in my improved eating regime.

Colourful vegetables elevate my mood and excite my taste buds.

Aren't these cheery cherry tomatoes?

Roses can take me to a happy place...

I am nothing if not passionate about growing roses.

the glorious fragrant climbing Royal Sunset

Joseph's Coat

Abraham Darby

heavily scented

the name of this rose escapes me at the moment

Constance Spry

a hardy climber and a reliable repeat bloomer

Graham Thomas

 There are many more roses growing in our soil

tended lovingly by The Hostess.

"Hostess Rose Tips"

If you want to grow roses you must be willing to put in the time.

Dead head spent blooms

when you cut a rose make certain that you cut above the 5 leaves on the stem

feed them a handful of epsom salts once a month during flowering and water well

water during the day to avoid getting black spot

prune hard in March

buy roses that are fragrant and preferably from a reputable grower like David Austin 

opt for repeat bloomers

choose an array of colours

don't be afraid of cutting some and bringing them indoors to enjoy

and always bring a bouquet with you when visiting friends

sharing your passion with others just feels right.

Kenneth Cole Reaction

cheap sandals from Macy's

superior comfort

for easy walking

and I will close and be off to see Mother.

Hope you enjoyed the brief foray on The Humble Bungalow roses...

Thank you wonderful readers for your kind, thoughtful and supportive comments 

they have really been helping me put on my brave face and go forward with what I need to do.

~ ~ ~ 

Keep Calm and Carry On

is the mantra of the moment.

About face: amping up the arsenal in skin care.

Recently I have noticed more lines and deeper wrinkles and some slackening of the skin on my face.
Fear not it is normal for a woman of my age.
By 57 I have earned the right to have a few signs of age and as a mature woman I am not distressed or overly concerned about it.
Having said that I am not about to "give up" and do nothing.

I have always loved what Fiona has to say about her skin regime...wise words that make sense.

Sadly, the lovely and gracious Fiona from How to Be Chic is closing her blog.
Hers was a blog that I always delighted in reading....
pop on over and read what she has written in her posts and wish her well in her new endeavours.

Laying about this weekend meant that I could do some online research...
I refreshed my memory of what is important and what new weapons I could add to my daily routine and those products available that I could afford to employ.

Believe it or not there were serums and potions that were priced at over $300 for a month's supply.

Let's be realistic too,
we need to first eat healthy colourful foods to nourish the skin from within.

These veggies are so simple to make

wash and chop any desired veggies into sizes that when roasted will not be wilted

for example the carrots take longer than the zucchini to cook

so I leave the zucchini thicker.

Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with Herbs de Provence

heat the oven to 400 degrees and bake for 35 minutes.

Eat warm

or use as a salad and sprinkle with feta cheese.

Remember that water is vital for our organs, digestion and to keep our skin soft and supple.

I bought a stainless water bottle which I take to work, leave beside my bed at night 

and use in the kitchen when I am cooking.

If it's nearby and handy I drink water often.

I need to add flavour so I pop in a wedge of lemon or lime and I am a happy sipper!

I read a startling article on ditching the sugar for younger looking skin

you can read that here.

If you are over 40 there is information online 

that says you need to choose between your body weight and your face.

Being over weight most of my life this for once is "good news."

Everything else I have read makes me feel miserable about my weight.

(That's why I was swimming laps)

and as a result I am injured.

I have signed up for a less invasive Yoga class at the studio nearby

and will revisit the pool when I am pain free.

Reduce stress

yes stress can show up on your face.

Walk 

meditate

practice Yoga

be creative

get a pet

rest 

Invite and embrace JOY...

happiness looks great on everyone.

Remember to SMILE!

(consider whitening and brightening your teeth if they are stained) 

Research also indicated and suggested that adding a cream or serum with potent ingredients 

like Vitamin C or fruit acids would help.

There are so many websites on skin care it's enough to make your head spin

you have to filter what you read.

Hyaluronic acid seems to be a trusted reliable and well researched ingredient.

Cautiously I explored more on this as I need to be mindful of the Rosacea.

The next step was a walk to the local pharmacy where I buy my Avene line of skin care products.

I needed to chat with the Avene cosmetician whom I trust and respect and get her advice.

Avene

Eulage anti ~ wrinkle cream

Hypo ~ allergenic

I like how my skin feels after using this cream, it feel soft and tighter.

The cosmetician suggested that I start using it every other day for the first week to avoid any reaction.

So far so good...

Cold Cream lotion for my body

which after the winter has been quite dry.

It's soft gentle scent lingers long after you've put it on.

Gift ~ with ~ Purchase

a cute travel pouch

full of freebies.

Full size eye make up remover

and smaller travel sizes of product.

New Revlon with Shea Butter 

perfect for dry lips

glossy and available in a variety of fabulous shades

I grabbed two...

Don't forget to wear sunscreen 

and 

get a good night's sleep every night.

Wear your signature smile in style

in a bright and possibly daring new shade!

Now go out and have some FUN!

XO

dreaming in cream....

I was woken up early by the sounds of the trees swishing and swirling about in the blustery wind.
It is cold but not snowing...
I have cocooned myself for a bit of extra time lazing in bed snuggled under the down duvet.
There's a mug of coffee on the bedside table, Pepper is asleep in her bed and the house is quiet
except for the furnace which seems to be labouring to keep the temperature steady.

Time spent doing nothing allows me to recharge and visit my thoughts.
It is a chance to stop multi tasking and managing the demands of everyday life...
a chance to breathe deep Yoga breaths
to sigh
to listen
to thoughts that bubble forth
in the stillness
not to solve
not judging
letting them wash over me
in the moments...

my thoughts wander
as I look at the waffle weave of my creamy duvet...

matte creamy white figurines...
I have not found a new one in ages...
I'm not really looking
but if one were to pop into the corner of my eye
I'd be tempted...

speaking of temptation...
creamy winter white is such a calming shade for me...
it reminds me
why I adore pearls
I gravitate towards their luxurious lustrous shade...

Baroque beauties...
creamy dreamy
pearls with imperfections
in shape and size....

Wishing you a delicious and dreamy weekend...

pause every now and then
take time to notice details
reflect
honour and nurture your spirit
invite gratitude

and please
consider performing at least one random act of kindness