I've got the blues...OOTD

Today I'm wearing a BOHO OOTD...
an asymmetrical tunic top in indigo and cobalt blues.

The top is a bit of a departure from my usual conservative classics but it's such a bright and energetic piece that when I put it on I feel instantly happy!
I love the power of colour.

There is black mesh at the neck and the bottom with a section of the hem gathered up on one side...

made by Papillon.

Yes my hair is wet but it is too hot to blow dry it this morning.

I snapped this photo to show a new CC cream that the gals at the Pharmasave told me about...

It's specifically made for those of us with rosacea.

I am so in love with my new Mulberry back pack bag. 

Shopping and walking is so much easier and it's fashionable too...

it's smaller than my usual bags which makes my shoulders happy!

The Paris inspired red lipstick is getting lots of wear.

It's inexpensive, made by Maybelline, and the shade is called Pleasure Me Red!

I pulled out my sapphire ring when we took Mother out last Sunday for her birthday and I have been wearing it ever since...

Mother celebrated her birthday in style at The Empress Hotel's Bengal Lounge.

My sister and our spouses surprised her with a dinner in her honour...

it's not everyday that one turns 88.

I wore my Jones of NY wrap dress to dinner.

The jingle jangle of the bangles...

It's been a fairly quiet week so far.

The weather has been hot and I have been keeping the blinds closed to maintain the cool here in our Humble Bungalow.

 I've been outdoors dead heading the roses like mad...they LOVE this hot weather!

I picked a bouquet of white Iceberg roses and placed them in the Vintage French pottery jug that I bought on my recent trip. They look lovely in our wee bathroom on the main floor.

So that about wraps it up for now...

our darling grand daughter turns 5 this weekend and I am wondering where the time has gone...

how can she be 5 already?

Hope your week is ticking along nicely...

Shopping in Vancouver...

Mr. HB had a conference in Vancouver last week and asked me if I would like to tag along...
I said 'Yes!"
He said "Will you be able to amuse yourself while I am at the Conference Centre?"
Smiling broadly...I say "Absolutely!"

We boarded the BC Ferry and enjoyed a relaxing scenic cruise under sunny skies.

I met up with my friend Cheryl Fortier, the talented artist who lives part time in False Creek on a boat with her husband John and part time in Auvilar France.

We met up for coffee at Cafe Artigiano (tea for the Hostess) and caught up on the news from France.
Thankfully Cheryl is over the worst of the jet lag.

We shopped along Robson before enjoying a delicious and healthy lunch at the Vancouver Art Gallery.

I spied a Lamborghini in my favourite colour.

an environmentally friendly Tesla which I would love to own...

West Elm on South Granville had some great merchandise...

this cheery red Smeg fridge and toaster are gorgeous.

A trip to South Granville would not be complete without a browse in Eileen Fisher or Anthropologie...

I loved the clothes in EF especially the soft black leather jacket which retails for $1200.00

(approximately the cost of a return flight to Paris!)

How cute are these?

Boboli had some high end clobber...

(Faux Fuchsia would love their sequins and sparkly frocks)

The weather was rainy but it did not dampen our spirits.

Mr. HB and I met up for dinners and walks with our friends over the course of the weekend.

 I did get into some mischief...

She reminds me a little of Dame Edna...

this image is the "speak no evil" in one of the three elevators in the hotel.

A wee bit embarrassing...

"conspicuous consumption."

Mr. HB and my sister both needed their scents...

I am always happy to oblige.

I needed a new case for my new IPhone.

  Holt Renfrew had a Kate Spade case with my name on it.

I couldn't decide between these two candles so Mr. HB said buy them both...

Jamie Cat Callan mentioned that I might want to pack an expandable bag for the return trip from Paris next spring.

Being a rookie at international travel I am happy to get expert advice so I found this travel bag La Pliage by Longchamp that is light but strong and expands to a large sturdy tote.

It comes in many shades but Mr. HB and I agreed that I should opt for black...as it is my go to colour for bags!

I love this bag from the Vancouver Art Gallery

it fits into a small pouch...

an eco friendly light weight shopping tote. 

Sephora on Robson opened and they were giving away umbrellas with a $25 purchase...

we needed one and I love Fresh Sugar lippy and our lovely DIL introduced me to Caudalie Divine Oil and I have never looked back!

That's it for now...my book is calling my name...

I'll be back....

Hope you've had a fun weekend.

Gearing Up for Fall....OOTD

The temperature has taken a bit of a dip and the leaves on the trees are starting to turn
which gets me in the mood to switch up my wardrobe.
Time to take the cashmere sweaters out of storage and put the sleeveless tops and summer dresses away.

Club Monaco jeans

Franco Sarto sandals

Tribal ribbon top

I'm stretching out the last of the summer wearing white after Labour Day!

It does feel a tad chilly here in our Humble Bungalow and I am thinking of putting on the heat.

It's definitely sweater and vest weather this morning...

but I am bucking the tide...

latent rebel that I am!

I made a comforting rotini casserole...

I love pasta for the ultimate in comfort food.

Watch out for the WW high point count though...

portion control is achieved by serving a big salad with this meal.

I can never eat with gay abandon and not expect that the scale will tell me the truth...

if only it could, I would eat fries and chips until "kingdom come!"

Eddie Bauer Down vest

Roots Tribe Pocketbook bag

A few weeks ago I bought the Roots Vicky Tote bag and decided it was too big so I returned it.

I love Roots as they make their bags in Canada and they stand behind their products.

I have several Roots bags and they last forever.

Years of use have meant that a few repairs were required which Roots is happy to perform.

 They send the bag back to their leather factory, fix anything and it is usually done for free.

But I digress...

The Vicky tote went back and the new one is The Pocketbook from their Tribe line...

smaller and more compact but offers lots of compartments and is much more in the scale and style that I prefer.

In a classic neutral shade which is a bit of a departure from my usual black bags.

The front flap is a great place for keys

inside there is a cellphone pouch

 a zippered compartment 

where I put my lipstick, nail file, hand cream and gum.

On the back there is a small zippered spot which is handy...

might be a good spot for parking meter coins.

I love a company that offers stylish products, great customer service and their leather bags just get better with age.

What companies do you regularly buy from?

Are you happy with their merchandise and does their customer service and return policies live up to your expectations?

Fall is just around the corner and Jennifer L. Scott, author of The Madame Chic books and writer of The Daily Connoisseur is switching up her wardrobe and I love her style.

Check out what she has to say here.

Hope you have a fabulous week and I will be back soon.

Hostess

TEA TIME...

One day last week I got a bee in my bonnet and decided that I was going to head downtown for a day of shopping.
I bounded out of bed bright and early and hopped in the shower.
Pulled on my jeans, sandals, a top and sweater...
I was ready to go early so I hitched a ride into town with Mr. HB on his way to work.

Ten minutes after driving to town I was breakfasting on hot oatmeal and sipping a decaf Americano at Starbucks.
Located near our historic Chinatown I sat at a table by the window, a great location for some "people watching" observing the fashionable folk as they passed by the window.

I was on a shopping mission to find two mugs.
I've been on a bit of a breaking spree and thought I might find some beautiful replacements for those that were beyond repair.
One of the drawbacks of having hard granite counter tops is that crockery rarely bounces off, it fractures instantly.

Black Toast Pattern designed and made by Emma Bridgewater

I found the mugs and bowl at The Knightsbridge Shops.

Have you tried Lapsang Souchong Tea?

It's a bit of an acquired taste and quite a change from mainstream orange pekoe tea.

I purchased this wee box at Murchie's on Government Street.

The label describes the tea as "pan fired" from China with an intriguing smoky flavour...

Murchie's Teas has a great website if you like tea.

They carry a wide assortment of teapots, cups, and coffee paraphernalia.

You can enjoy elevenses, afternoon tea or lunch at Murchie's

 at peak times be prepared to wait and stand in line 

as this is a popular spot with the locals and when tourists are in town the crowd swells.

I grabbed this Tee shirt as it is awash with colour...

I plan to pair it with jeans and my lightwash denim Gap jacket.

Red white and blue, a classic combo...

The Union Jack is undeniably bold and recognizable.

You'll be seeing double Jacks if I carry my straw tote!

more red white and blue...

I retire the straw tote after summer is over and store it for next year.

Pristine navy blue vintage leather handbag circa 1980.

Lined in leather, beautifully crafted, lovely detail with long gold chain handles and a tassel.

Can be worn as a cross body bag for hands free shopping.

 L. J. Simone of New York.

I've never owned a navy bag before and thought that maybe I should leave it on the shelf.

All my bags are black so why not shake it up a bit?

"Push the envelope Hostess and dip your toes into a tiny well of inky blue..."

So with that in mind this bag is mine and I will now be consigning a few of my other bags.

My rule is that when "something new" comes into The Humble Bungalow "something old" needs to go...

Hope you have a fabulous weekend.

Thanks for stopping by...

I feel so much more connected when you take the time to leave a comment and if you are too shy consider sending me an email at bungalowhostess@gmail.com

"Do one thing every day that scares you."

~ Eleanor Roosevelt ~

Baskets are weaving their way into my heart.

There is something about a basket that sends me all aflutter...
baskets speak to me and I have quite a few that I am passionate about.
I didn't think I needed another basket but two new ones have entered The Humble Bungalow.

Mother gave me a new basket and it reminds me of some that I have seen from Nantucket.
She is Spring cleaning her condo and getting rid of stuff.
I think that my de-cluttering binge has influenced her...
she has way too much stuff so I am really encouraged that she is paring down.

Strong sturdy and well crafted.

So pretty just on it's own

a perfect size for toting to the market.

My friend Cheryl and I did some shopping when she was here visiting and we ventured into a consignment shop in the Village and she found a lovely vintage framed picture and I found a basket!

Nut brown

 well woven and seriously commodious.

Pepper hopped inside and promptly curled up and went to sleep.

I've left it on the floor in the kitchen for now as she is enjoying it so much!

These baskets are in the front hallway

the hinged basket holds gloves scarves and hats.

The one on the left holds shopping bags

it's easy to grab a couple on my way out the door.

I try to always bring a bag or basket when I go shopping

it's one easy thing that I can do to help reduce reuse and recycle.

Earth Week has been full of "green" themed events.

We got involved in a community clean up project at school.

Our class filled 6 garbage bags with litter that we found scattered in and around the park.

It surprises me no end that people litter so much...

no excuse really as there are numerous garbage cans available

back in the day we'd call these folks litterbugs!

Take a tote, basket or some canvas bags when you go shopping

it's the right thing to do.

I don't know about you but I feel chic carrying something other than plastic.

Check this out!

 Be well

and many thanks for popping by and visiting.

It's a sun shiny day out there so I am off to weed the garden....

XO