Showing posts with label bangles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bangles. Show all posts

Friday, May 26, 2023

Cottage week...Retail and water therapy


I have been thinking about a lot of things this week.
Spending quiet time here at Quarterdeck Cottage is conducive to reflection.


The beautiful scenery fills me with immense gratitude.
Gratitude to be alive and be a witness to this natural majestic beauty.


Beach walks and Sea Glass Collecting go hand~in~hand.
My first marble found in a gorgeous turquoise blue!
I felt quite excited by this discovery...
 a small snippet of Joy.


It's the little things in my daily round that make the most difference.

I wonder if I appreciate these so much more now that I am older?
Years ago I never would have dreamed about the feeling of Joy 
that finding a marble would bring to me.


The pool has been a godsend this week.
I've been "taking to the waters."
My achy and painful joints are responding positively to water therapy.
Moving without stress on my joints while getting exercise is wonderful!

I know now that I need to find a pool at home.
I will probably return to the Athletic Club in the hotel
where I swam when I worked in James Bay.

They have a lovely pool and a hot tub...
offer daytime Aqua Fit Classes
which I can easily add to my schedule.


My 68 year old body is far from a svelte youthful form!
The bathing suit is called a Miracle Suit...
it is comfy and keeps the jiggly bits from flapping too much!

Did you see Martha Stewart on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition?
She's 81 and looks so amazing!

I bet she had lots of fun on the photo shoot.
She's looking better and better these days.
Her skin is radiant and she looks very vibrant and healthy.


Sunshine in the morning makes me feel so happy.
Mornings would not be the same for me without a couple of tasty cups of coffee.
I do love my coffee.
Funny thing is, years ago, I drank tea in the morning...

I make time to savour the mornings.
Starting slowly
Check my socials online, play a few words games, 
perhaps read a chapter or two in my current book.
Think a bit as I gaze around the room...

When I feel ready I
do a quick tidy up in the kitchen
maybe pop a load of laundry in the wash
then I shower and get dressed for the day.

Maybe that's boring for you to read but it was an interesting exercise for me to think about what it is that I do in the morning that takes so long!!


I've been wearing my bangles more...
I took them out and gave them a good old polish.
Most of these are gifts...
from
mom, my husband, and my darling daughter.
A couple I found at thrift shops.

I popped into the local boutique here on the island.
I usually check out their new stock when they are open.
Well dear reader, it proved fruitful when I was there this week!


Not only did I have a pedicure but I found some comfy sandals.
I do love bows...


I have another pair of shoes by Bueno
they are unbelievably comfortable to wear.
These new "slides" are soft and cozy on my feet.
I haven't had a pair of white shoes in any form for many many years!
I always think white shoes are for car salesmen...
why I think that I haven't the foggiest?


So this casual top caught my eye 
and it wasn't until I tried it on that I knew it had to come home with me!
I have a soft linen skirt in a blue shade that I can pair this with as well as my jeans.
The white jeans have not made their debut yet this season...
they hang waiting in the closet...
now that there are white sandals and this cute top I think it's time.

What are you wearing this season?
Have you found anything new and exciting?

Fashion is fun and I am enjoying shopping more these days.
I think that Covid curtailed a lot of my creativity
especially with views of expanding my basic wardrobe.
As a minimalist, I don't tend to go crazy at the shops
if money and space were no issue who knows what I might be like in a shop?

Would I be rather keen and amass a huge pile at the checkout?
( Have you ever done that?)

I watched movies as a young teen where women need a helper to carry all the boxes and bags after shopping.
Those stores would be situated on an elegant avenue in Paris or New York.
I cannot recall the names of those films but they were rather fun to watch!

Well I have rambled on a bit long
more tidbits and thoughts than I had originally planned...

Oh and just before I close 
Have you been watching the coverage of  The Chelsea Garden Show?
I am totally smitten with the plants and show gardens.
It would be fun to attend in person and wander in The Grand Hall.
Have you ever attended the show?


Thank for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~


Saturday, February 6, 2016

Flowers and the occasional treats...

The beautiful colours of this exquisite fuchsia stand out against the grey gloom of a February day.


After a delightful trip away in Seattle I am trying to get back on track and eat more modestly.
Focusing on lean protein, fruits, vegetables and salads.

Recently my daily dose of Thyroid medication has been reduced substantially.
It is interesting to me that our thyroid glands can fluctuate so much and I am curious as to why it has changed so radically in the past 6 months, I have done some research but have not discovered any answers.
The Thyroid affects many systems in the body and losing and gaining weight can be affected by an malfunctioning Thyroid gland.
If you have not had yours checked in awhile it might be a good idea,
all that is involved is a simple blood test.


While staying the course I have been rewarding myself with non edible treats...
floral bouquets.


Cafe au lait's 
which have helped keep me satisfied...
the skim milk foams up far lighter than regular milk and it is easy opting for skim over full fat cream.
One needs a few treats now and then so a bowl of coffee with frothy milk is something I enjoy.

I have paid extra attention to my hands and have started painting my nails
 it is fun trying out new and different shades.
I am getting better with the application of the polish.
Practise makes perfect!


Paying attention to details 
Wearing a variety of accessories with my basic classic outfits
scarves, jewelry, shoes, boots and interesting tights and socks.

The bangle collection has recently grown thanks to darling daughter...
she found me the new one 
(on the far right)
Thank you @thingfinder.


I've been walking and getting plenty of fresh air and exercise.

Chronic pain is fairly new to me...
my right arm and shoulder are giving me grief.
The doctor has diagnosed me with Supraspinatus tendonitis and has suggested physiotherapy.
There will be exercises and a course of treatments and if they fail to provide relief there is talk of a cortisone shot.

No more heavy handbags for me!


Mr. HB and I have been savouring the last season of Downton Abbey.
Julien Fellowes has been writing such wonderful episodes for the past few years that we have come to expect that the Sunday evening PBS series will always be there...
sadly 
we are a few episodes away from the finale.

We finished watching the English murder mystery River 
we started watching Lie To Me.
(both on Netflix)

Grand Designs is a BBC production that we are loving...
 behind the scenes stories and details during the construction of the architecturally designed homes.
We have enjoyed each episode and highly recommend the series.

What are you watching these days?


Have you tried these candies?
The "bad news" is that they are very tasty
the "good news" is...


They are just 1 Weight Watcher Point.
Guilt free pleasure that I am happy to indulge.


in moderation of course!

Pop over and read her post and the comments left by readers.

Lisa is happy with her 5 pound gain which still has her in a healthy normal BMI range.
I am working to shed 5 pounds as I am in the overweight category at 25.4 
My goal is to be at a BMI of 25 which is considered at the higher end of the"normal " range.
The Weight Watcher goal of 132 pounds for a 5'1 woman
 is not an unreasonable goal 
nor am I in any way going to look "skinny!"
I feel better at that weight...
less stress on my hips and knees
my clothes fit better
and
 in the end feeling good on your own skin is what it is all about
"bien dans sa peau"

Perhaps you will care to share your thoughts on weight gain and weight loss.
Does it matter to you?
Do you put your health as a priority?
Has weight gain or loss affected your confidence?
Has your doctor ever suggested that you make changes in your lifestyle to protect your heart health?

If you have been reading my blog awhile you might remember when my blood pressure went through the roof and I was on medication...my doctor mentioned that IF I could lose 10% of my weight that I would substantially reduce my blood pressure.
I lost 20% of my weight...and fortunately I no longer require the medication.

February is HEART month...


Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like."

~ Lao Tzu ~

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Beauty...in the eye of the beholder.

I've been so fortunate to find such beauty in my daily round.


These pretty leaves hugging a concrete wall near Oak Bay Avenue.


The blue coloured berries stood out against the grey concrete.
How could I just walk by and not capture this image?
They are sumptuous and stunning...almost sensual.


A sweetly scented and frothy yellow rose blooms in Our Humble Bungalow Garden.
I love those wee dewdrops on the petals...
Mother Nature paints such a beautiful picture on our planet.


I've been enjoying the silver arm party bangles this past week.
Always the crow...drawn to shiny things...
I'd buy more bangles if I found some that "spoke to me."


The grand children and I had "lunch" together!


Nom Nom!


I've been wearing this Burberry print scarf most days.
I love the simple infinity style.
This Chanel Orchidee lipstick picks up the colour in the pattern of the scarf


It's an easy tie...
place over head, twist front twice around and then loop the open circle around your head.
Voila!


I've been spritzing on my "winter scent."
I just read that this is Ines de la Fressange's signature fragrance!

For daily pictures please follow me on Instagram...
click the picture of the Hydrangea on my side bar and you can view my IG page.

There's not a lot happening to report...thank you for popping by.
Hope that your week is ticking along nicely.