OOTD ~ I met up with the fashion savvy blogger Jennifer, who writes A Well Styled Life

OOTD 

Jeans ~ Eileen Fisher

Top ~ Saint James

Ballet Flats ~ Josef Seibel

A messy updo

diamond studs and necklace

pearl earrings

a fresh manicure

Kimono Crimson by Pacifica

Meet

Jennifer Connolly

We had tea and a chat at Murchies.

She is on vacation and was in Victoria for a few days.

You probably already know

Jennifer who writes the blog A Well Styled Life.

We have known each other since 2007.

 This is the first time that we have met in person.

Jennifer is a gracious and fashion savvy woman with a winning smile.

We had a lovely time sipping our tea and chatting.

It felt fabulous to finally meet her in person.

Her series "Dressing room Diaries" is one of my favourites on her blog.

I told her how she has influenced me over the years.

For example...

 I recently purchased a new crisp white shirt 

after reading her post on classic white shirts!

Meeting Jennifer was truly wonderful.

I hope to meet up with her again...

Making connections with other like minded women 

unites, empowers and inspires us.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Simply white...Home, garden and clothing.

Fluffy White Hydrangeas

Romneya coulteri

Thick white towels

Marigold the Mouse appreciates their softness.

White vintage ironstone platter

homemade rose scented bath salts

Avene thermal water

 (hot flash relief!)

Customize your bath salts with essential oils.

 I usually opt for lavender or rose.

Eileen Fisher 

I admire her philosophy and thinking when it comes to a minimal wardrobe.

Fresh out of the package.

I purchased a pair of jeans and a black cotton gauzy top at the EF shop on South Granville in Vancouver and I really wanted a white one too.

They didn't have one in stock but they could order one from the Toronto store 

with free delivery too!

 I jumped at the chance and it just arrived on the doorstep.

I'll need to give it a quick iron before wearing it 

but then it will be ready for the "mix and match ups"

as

it gets rotated in my basic black and white wardrobe.

Lands' End Towels

They are plush cotton and last a long time.

Great value and when on sale very affordable.

Natural accents

like this piece of coral 

add a touch of texture and they feel serene and calm.

The light from the window illuminates the pairing.

Beautiful white roses juxtaposed against this old rock wall.

A bar of soap set upon in a simple white soap dish.

White is a calm colour but it can make a BOLD statement.

Do you follow Janet at The Gardener's Cottage Blog?

One of my favourite bloggers

please pop by and check out her beautiful posts

she's so beautiful and her posts are inspiring.

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Hard workers...

There's a real hard working cleaning spray in The Humble Bungalow.

I use this dandy spray for everything 

from the kitchen sink to getting stains out of clothes.

Did you notice that we have a new faucet?

Our previous Franke faucet from 1988 was replaced when we had a leaky pipe.

The plumber who came to the house was punctual, prompt and polite 

AND he cleaned up all the mess too!

Janet's recent post on How to Wash Slip Covers reminded me of how much I use and love this cleaner.

We have white slip covered love seats in our family room 

they require regular laundering...

if there is a stain or a spot I pre-treat ours with this Method cleaner.

Another product that I use a lot is Bon Ami...

I have written about it before and it works really well without harming the environment.

Do you have any favourite cleaning products?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Inspired by Janet at The Gardener's Cottage

Janet writes the beautiful blog The Gardener's Cottage from Redlands California.
I've been an avid reader and follower for many years and every time I see her new post pop up I get excited! I know that I am in for a treat!

There are many reasons that her blog is a favourite of mine...
from the charming cottage that she and her husband Larry have lovingly restored, to her exquisitely curated furnishings and home decor,
the tasty recipes,
her beautiful garden and oasis of calm,
and of course her refined and honest personal style...
Janet's is a "must read blog" in my humble opinion!

Janet has recently redesigned her blog...
and she has been posting more frequently which thrills me no end!

Janet posted about an outfit that we probably already own here..
I do own jeans...but did not have the shirt.

It's been on my radar ever since I read this post and I must admit that I have been obsessing about finding the right shirt...

I discovered after trying on several styles that I need an extra large size.
The buttons and snaps were gaping at the chest and everywhere else
the shirts would fit, so finding "The One" proved to be a challenge...
but I do love a challenge!!

Yesterday I found a shirt that fits and flatters.

It's by Ralph Lauren and in a Petite size

and it was on sale!

It has pearl snap details.

Which made me think of my bubble gum pearl necklace.

Pearls and denim 

perfect paired

with my skinny NYDJ jeans.

A new look for this Hostess thanks to Janet at The Gardener's Cottage.

How's your week going?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

September is a great time to curate one's closet.

September is a time of change...

the summer season is slipping away
fall is in the air
fresh starts, new beginnings
and a burst of colour in the foliage of the trees.

A great time to start some projects,
take a class,
shop for accessories,
clean out the closet
declutter the pantry
get rid of expired medications
polish boots, shoes and handbags.

Take stock of what is hanging in the closet...
what clothes get worn, what clothes do not feel right when worn.
Time to "observe trends" that may be in the magazines, on blogs, in the shops.
Can you rework what you have in your closet?
How about pairing separates in a fresh new way?

Perhaps it is time for re-evaluating one's personal style
how our current lifestyle might affect the clothes that we keep
those that we may donate, consign or hand down...

What new things could thrill or inject energy to what we have and love?
Vintage pieces?
Classics?
Boho?
What "speaks" to your inner muse?

Can you kick it up a notch?
Is it a genuine representation of your personal style?
Does it feel real or do you feel like you are wearing a "costume."

Shop at the charity and consignment shops for a splash of colour,
find something a bit unusual...a scarf, a belt, a bag are great pieces that don't have to break the budget and are ways to add a punch of colour or texture or style.
Have fun!

The least expensive accessory that I purchased so far this season is a lipstick.

L'Oreal trio...

The new kid on the block is #315 True Red

It is the first red that I have purchased since I was in Paris.

It will be fun wearing this shade with my crisp white shirt and jeans.

I have a lot of black and grey garments and this pop of colour will brighten up my pale complexion.

I've received numerous compliments on the Rose 31 scent by Le Labo.

Layering products makes a fragrance last longer so I phoned Nordstrom and ordered the Rose 31 lotion yesterday.

Wearing a new scent and a red lipstick is giving me a psychological boost.

Have you found anything new and exciting for the new season?

Une Femme has some new lipstick shades 

coincidentally I was working on this post when I read her blog post!

Great minds think alike!

The WW regime is really paying off...

almost 10 pounds down.

I am not hungry and have been pleased with how my clothes are fitting.

More energy and better sleep patterns have been wonderful side effects.

My skin has started to glow...

I think it must be all the water that I am drinking 

plus the variety of colourful vegetables and fruits on the menu...

less red meat 

a bit of fish, lean free range chicken and organic eggs.

What are you reading right now?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Sunday flowers...giving up alcohol on the blog today.

Remember these pink foxgloves?

The geraniums are still going strong but many of the garden flowers have faded away...summer is slowly but surely on its way out 

surprisingly the sunshine and warmth have not yet waned.

When we have finished working in the garden we are able to sit on the deck in our comfy chairs and survey all our hard work.

The garden has many plants that love the heat and perform well over the entire summer season...

others fade as soon as their blooms have wilted.

The lady's mantle is looking very straggly and needs to be drastically cut back.

Inside The Humble Bungalow the orchids have taken a beating...

something has crept in...

an unwelcome insect or pest

that has affected several of the older plants...

I had to throw them into the compost.

Fear not, 

I will be on the look out for a sale and find a few replacements.

They do add loads of cheer to the windowsill above the Humble Bungalow farmhouse kitchen sink.

The rose scent hunt for "the one" is still ongoing...

I have eliminated quite a few on the quest to find one or two that I love.

I will report back when I have completed my testing.

Love a pop of colour in the garden...

these chairs are perched on the railing of a porch on Denman Island

placed next to a jumble of blue flowers.

Delphiniums and bees.

Clematis

gardening is a green thumbs' way of painting!

After trying and failing to lose 10 pounds several times

I am back counting my points and have quit drinking all alcohol 

in an effort to get back to my goal weight.

The liver plays a significant role in burning fat so cutting out anything that impedes this progress is worth it.

I've been sipping non-alcoholic wines 

which are 1 or 2 WW points per 8 oz. glass.

After sampling several varieties ~ red, white and bubbly...

I have found a couple that taste great, and I have opted for the 1 point wines.

The plan is to return to weight watchers in September...

in the meantime 

I am back counting my points, making sensible food choices

and walking briskly every day.

Putting my "best foot forward" 

as I did it before

 I CAN do it again.

I have lusted after the red Ferragamo Varina's for many years 

IF I can find a pair this Fall 

providing I get back to my WW goal weight 

that is going to be my reward.

Nothing like a red shoe to make one feel cheerful.

There's a lot to do in the garden so I must hasten away and get busy.

Have you seen The Gardener's Cottage newly designed blog?

Janet has been one of the first bloggers that I discovered and I think she's just delightful and her new blog is wonderful.

Pop over and take a look.

Until next time...

Be well and Be Kind.

XO

Saving money, lingerie, quinoa salad and my poor sister.

I love lingerie and seem to be drawn to the boutiques that sell French lines like Chantelle and La Perla, but my goodness, I find them to be quite expensive.

Saving money,
while still buying decent fitting and pretty undergarments
has been a bit of a tedious job.

Fortunately I found some great basics at Sears and Marshall's
and they were purchased at budget friendly prices.

My all time favourite rose

Jude the Obscure is in full bloom out front in the garden.

I would love a soft peach blush bra and pantie set.

This Bali bra was found at Marshall's for just under $20.

It is a serious workhorse in the undergarment world!

Thank goodness for the architects of bras!

The "granny panties" are by Jessica from Sears.

The lace is pretty and the stitched panels help keep the wobbly bits in check!

I purchased 6 of these and I usually hand wash and hang to dry all my lingerie as it lasts much longer that way.

These were very reasonably priced...I cannot remember exactly what I paid for them but I think all 6 were about $35.

I feel very feminine when I am wearing nice lingerie.

Do you read Jennifer's blog "A Well Styled Life?"

She recently wrote a post about granny panties.

You can read it here.

The Eres panties she used in her post cost a LOT of money!

Can you guess how much they cost?

$255 a pair!

Would you pay that for a pair of granny panties?

I suppose if money grew on trees I might but alas it does not and I am very mindful of expenditures since retiring.

My poor sister was thrown off her horse when they rode through a wasp nest on The Galloping Goose trail near Metchosin.

She sustained complex fractures in her arm that requited plates and pins and she is now recovering at home.

I made a tasty quinoa bean salad from the Whitewater Cookbook for her...

and I'll bring a rose bouquet, chocolates and magazines.

We plan to go out for lunch and I will be the driver as she has her arm in a cast and will be wearing that cast for about 8 weeks.

She is already going squirrelly at home...

it must be so frustrating

I totally empathize.

I'll do my best to cheer her up.

My morning espresso was wearing a Happy Face today!

Hope that you have a great weekend.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

XO

Glorious colours in Humble Bungalow Garden

Orange poppies

with

paper thin petals

waving in the breeze.

Pure white lilacs against a clear blue sky.

Weigela 

a foamy pink and white flowering bush

below lies the stalwart pink ground cover "pride of London"

and below that the hardy Lady's Mantle which when in bloom is chartreuse green.

(succulents to the left in a planter)

The weaving path is lined with 

Creamy Smilacena racemosa

Hostas

Pinky Pride of London

Ferns

Purple Alliums

The pink Madame Gregoire Staechelin roses have started blooming...

The climbing Royal Sunset Rose has a few blooms.

You may see those small dots of orange colour at the top of the lattice.

This vigorous rose has the most amazing fragrance and is a reliable supply of cut roses throughout the season.

There are 4 new white David Austin Roses below just getting established...

we planted the boxwood to line the edge of the bed.

I am very eager to see them bloom.

Our red chairs look so tempting

but they will have to wait as

there is a lot of work to do in the Humble Bungalow Garden.

I have yet to open this book which is a recent purchase.

It was recommended on several of the blogs that I regularly read.

The community of dedicated bloggers that I follow

share loads of information with their readers.

They are most 

Kind

 generous

and giving.

I have been able to read and discover...

their favourite books

recipes

make up and skincare products

fashion

packing tips

travel pictures

cleaning tips

candles

style

home decor

crafts

Thankfully there are many many wonderful blogs...

do you have any that you love and care to share with our readers?

Thank you for taking the time to stop by mine.

XO