Shiny Things....OOTD

 

Today I am wearing an all black OOTD.

Eileen Fisher Boiled Wool Tunic Sweater

(an investment piece that I wear a lot)

Black leggings 

Black leather Clark Chelsea Boots

I added a Canadian vintage Sherman sparkly rhinestone brooch.

(Outfits that are plain look so much more interesting with  accessories.)

I digress...

Mom had several parure Sherman sets which were gifts from my father.

He bought them from Birks a Canadian shop that rivalled Tiffany's.

My sister has a beautiful Aurora Borealis set of Mom's.

 She wears the long drop earrings and wide cuff bracelet on special occasions...

I don't need a special occasion to wear a sparkly brooch.

I worked at Birks one Christmas and had so much fun selling jewelry!

The store offered free wrapping and I loved adding bows and tags 

making the gifts look special.

That year I gave Mom a Sherman red bracelet and earring set.

(I got a store discount)

Our darling daughter has the set.

Continuing on with the black theme I photoshopped this image of Poppies.

The details look like they really "pop."

Vintage silver champagne buckets are used in the kitchen as utensil holders.

We don't use the buckets for bubbly as we haven't had a fancy party for ages.

Silver requires polishing and not everyone likes the upkeep...

in fact you can find silver in thrift shops for next to nothing prices.

I have quite a few silver trays, silver tea service, and other silverware

in The Humble Bungalow.

Several trays, candlesticks and dishes were wedding gifts.

Silver was a classic wedding gift when we were married in 1974.

Close up on the vintage silver trophy...

local North Saanich Garden Club 

Flower and Garden Show

aggregate trophy

awarded to 

A.J.Nunn in 1929

(I found this trophy in a local consignment shop.)

I am definitely drawn to silver and shiny sparkly things!

Do you like to wear shiny or sparkly jewelry?

Do you collect silverware?

It's a sunny day here and the birds are singing.

Looking forward to a quiet afternoon...

I plan to brew a pot of loose tea this afternoon and read my book.

Perhaps knit a few rows on the vest I currently have on the needles

before 

I prepare our dinner.

I honestly love quiet afternoons

they feel like a gift!

I try to get all my chores and laundry done early in the morning.

Since retiring, the luxury of time and slowing down is priceless.

Take care and thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

My Stylish French Country Box...

My Stylish French Country Boxes are always

Beautifully wrapped...a joy to receive.

I look forward to opening them so much.

Satin ribbon and tissue paper.

The box is filled with pampering treats and the brochure

guide elaborates on each item in the box. 

Standard sized pillow slip in a cheery floral fabric.

Vintage Limoges flowered cup and saucer

Imai brooch from Paris

Mademoiselle Saint Germain Serum from Versailles

Kusmi tea blends

Madeleines by Marlette

Cozy alpaca socks from Bleuforet

Am eager to try this new serum.

Roses in gold

Love the socks so cozy and soft.

Time to brew a pot of tea and sip it out of the darling floral cup 

and indulge in a madeleine...or two!

If you would like to treat yourself to one of these exquisite boxes 

click on the link here to order one.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Festive sparklers...and a trip to Vancouver.

Tis the festive season and I like to add some sparkle to my outfits.

Vintage Rhinestone Pins

Most of my pins are by the Canadian designer Sherman.

Mom loved her Sherman jewelry.

My father used to buy Sherman for her at Christmas.

Beautiful velvet boxes from Birks.

They usually contained a necklace, bracelet and earrings.

She would wear them with a velvet dress that she made for the holidays.

My sister and I had dresses also made by Mom...

she used the leftover fabric from her dress to sew ours.

All three of us had the same colour of velvet for each Christmas season.

(I have pictures of the three of us all dressed up)

This pin is by the designer Boucher of Paris.

He went on to design for the House of Cartier.

Do you add sparkle to your festive outfits?

This tree is in the square behind The Art Gallery in Vancouver.

We were there to attend a meeting and see friends who just moved into their newly built penthouse condominium.

Painted entrance to their parking garage.

Shopping happens when we visit the city!

I love the Eileen Fisher shop on South Granville.

I met a delightful woman in the shop.

She reads my blog!

I loved her outfit...

black vest, sweater and pants.

Very chic black glasses that many women in Paris wore.

Hope she will email me.

It would be fun to meet up for a chat and a coffee next time I am in Vancouver either before or after I shop in Eileen Fisher or we could shop together!

Casual greyish beige top

Very cozy

I'm wearing it with the black Eileen Fisher pants from last season.

I've got to finish this post quickly as I have a dental appointment.

There is so much to get done in the next few weeks...

baking, shopping, wrapping,  decorating the house.

Hope that we can get some of these jobs done this coming weekend.

How are your festive plans coming along?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~