August Snippets...keeping cool, culling, a favourite scarf, hydrangeas and a fabulous book

Culling is happening here in The Humble Bungalow...

no closet, cupboard, or cranny is safe!

I've given away a LOT of things that we never use and have been donating

various items of clothing and this week I attacked the scarf drawer with gusto!

The Hermes scarves are safely tucked away in their iconic orange boxes.

There are a few scarves left to do the work of many...

one of the scarves that was never in jeopardy

is this linen multi toned scarf.

~ long whisper soft lightweight linen ~

a lovely scarf to wear as a wrap

or wrapped several times around my neck.

~ great drape with an interesting texture ~

The scarves that were culled made their way to the local WIN shop

a charity that assists Women In Need (WIN)

~ OOTD ~

My Uniform

Rough Linen Apron

Akoya Pearls

black Yoga pants

white Eileen Fisher linen top

I've been busy trying to get on top of the cleaning here...

the windows ended up being streaky and I reached out on Instagram for tips.

Several great tips and ideas were forthcoming...

I headed out for a microfibre window cleaning cloth (bought 3) and a squeegee...

windows are now sparkling clean!

Annabelle Hydrangeas

big frothy blooms.

Hope that you are doing well and enjoying the last few weeks of summer.

We are finding the heat a wee bit too HOT!

Every afternoon I find a cool spot to sit and sip some tea or lemonade

inevitably a book finds it way into my hands!

Am enjoying this book SO MUCH!

I read his first book The Rules of Civility many years ago and loved it.

His newest, The Lincoln Highway, is on my TBR stack.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Linen Lust...

 

Luscious Linen

Wrapped in gross grain ribbon.

Linen is from the Orkneys

Original design apron made by Rough Linen in California.

I ordered the Bella apron in graphite grey at the beginning of Covid and I love it.

New linen towels from a charming shop in Sidney-by-the-Sea.

Hansell and Halkett

 sells 

vintage wares, locally made candles, jewelry,

soaps, linens, flowers and plants.

I decided that I needed a black iron hook to hang the aprons on...

why hide these lovely pieces in a cupboard?

They get worn every day for cleaning and cooking.

So beautiful and useful.

 

Ready for me when I enter the kitchen.

They protect my clothing from spills and splatters.

The aprons wash up really well and they get softer with each wash.

OOTD

White shirt and pearls with the Bella Apron.

Do you wear aprons?

Do you love linen?

I use a linen bath sheet and hand towel in our bathroom.

I love linen clothing too!

Think I have an obsession...maybe I need to attend a Linen's Anonymous meeting :-)

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Seen at Oak Bay Marina on my walk...

a whimsical mermaid made with wire and plastic bags.

Nice to see public art in our daily round.

Artists create so many beautiful things that enrich our days.

Take Care and Stay Safe.

XO

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Life's little luxuries...

Diamonds, pearls and cashmere are definitely luxuries.

Luxuries worth saving up for but they are not the only luxuries that I love.

Luxuries...

what do you think of when you hear the word luxury?

Online dictionary meanings as found...

noun

"the state of great comfort and extravagant living"

adjective

"luxurious or of the nature of a luxury"

Luxury List

Having time to persue the things in life that bring us Joy

time to savour the richness of everyday living.

Spending quality time with family and friends.

good books

scented soaps and candles

fresh air

flowers

treating yourself to a manicure and pedicure

enjoying a coffee at a cafe

lunch out with friends

a long soak in the bathtub

a picnic in the park or at the beach

watching a classic film

trying a new perfume

finding the perfect little black dress

a fresh bouquet of flowers

There are so many things that we can embrace which elevate our days.

My latest luxury item will be delivered today and I am quite excited!

An apron made from Orkney Linen from Rough Linen

Watch the video of Tricia's story here.

I wear aprons in the garden and when I am cooking.

I am a messy cook!

I ordered the petite apron in charcoal.

Here is the corner of The Humble Bungalow Garden where I sit and take tea.

It is a calm space...

where I listen to the sounds of the birds and bees as they flitter about the flowers.

How are you faring these days?

Are you embracing this quiet time or are you missing the busyness?

Time to fill?

What are you doing to fill up your days?

Homekeeping tasks

garden beds to weed

roses to deadhead

there are a variety of jobs around our home and garden that need attention.

 I never really get caught up

the list is long

I make time in between jobs to rest

take tea

arrange a bouquet of garden roses

read a book.

I am grateful for the many activities that present themselves each day.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Pretty Pinks...

May is such a beautiful month here in Victoria.

Our garden is putting on a lovely show...
The roses are not yet in flower but we have lily of the valley, clematis, hellebores, geraniums, white anemones, irises, tulips, and many more.

I captured this rhododendron on my walk.

A fly photo bombed my shot!

Its iridescent wings look quite like a jewel.

A pale pink soft rhododendron...

we don't have enough room for rhodos

roses take priority.

We worked in the garden on Saturday and some of Sunday.

Mr. HB planted tomatoes and cucumbers in the greenhouse.

Radish seeds will be sown soon.

Russell Nursery

was hosting a

a pop up Vintage Fair.

I did not find any "rusty vintage items" for the garden 

but I did find a new apron!

Made locally 

I can use it both in the garden and kitchen.

The pockets are handy too!

Love the fuchsia fish !

My hands take such a beating working in the home and garden

despite rich creams and cuticle balms

mine rarely look cared for...

GRRRRR!

I've been experiencing a breakout of rosacea.

this condition surfaced in my early 30's.

The dermatologist started me on a round of antibiotics and a topical cream.

 We got it under control but since then over several decades 

more outbreaks crop up.

There is no "cure" for rosacea.

Redness control skincare products 

(Avene)

using a gentle

 touch 

avoiding the sun 

and 

temperature extremes are also essential.

A cycle of IPL laser treatments 

help to manage the condition.

I have had one IPL treatment and will need a few more...

the flushing, redness and bumps are difficult to camouflage.

It is frustrating and I do try to keep calm.

It's sunny outside this morning and the birds are chirping.

My to do list today:

 ~ wash the slipcovers ~

~ hand water pots and plants in the garden ~

~ write and publish a blog post ~

~ deep clean the sink ~

~ wash the sheets ~

~ walk ~

Love this soft almond scented milk concentrate...

I use this after my shower every morning.

Well I must stop procrastinating and get busy with my to do list...

(you may have noticed that I started the "do list" with my favourite activity)

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Hope your week is off to a fabulous start...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~