Trip to the Mall...an unexpected find

 

The casual outfit I wore to "quickly" run an errand at the mall

would possibly have shocked the Fashion Police!

I went to buy some Nespresso coffee pods.

No, I didn't see George Clooney, (darn) but his picture was hanging in the store.

OOTD

I was wearing:

Eddie Bauer leggings

Lord and Taylor white tunic top 

my thrifted Banana Republic Trench Coat.

(no pearls)

As I was leaving

I passed by the Reitmans store and out of the corner of my eye I spied 

SALE 40% OFF

The store was BUSY!

Obviously others were lured in by that SALE sign.

Took a quick look around and saw this black tweed dress.

I grabbed two sizes and headed to the change room

Tried them on...

I like to try things on to see how they fit, especially "knit" fabric garments.

(probably why I am not a regular online shopper.)

I didn't even take off the leggings!

I wasn't even looking for a new dress but that 40% off persuaded me.

It will be cozy for fall and winter and go with my black tights and Chelsea Boots.

I could belt this dress for a bit more waist definition.

I also have an Eileen Fisher black vest which could work with it too.

I looked at the "rear" view mirror to see how it fit on the derriere.

The larger size was better as it skimmed the curves.

The artisan necklace works well paired with this dress.

This might just be my favourite dress for Fall.

Funny how the unexpected can pop up on my radar...

Suppose the message here is

Always keep your eyes open for opportunities.

You never know unless you try.

I've been to 3 aqua fit classes this week.

My suit has been washed and dried overnight in time for the next class.

As I was leaving the pool this week I saw two adorable teenage girls...

They were dressed in a style that I would call Goth.

Black mesh stockings (ripped) black short skirts, short tops layered over tank tops.

Pink streaks in their dark dyed black hair.

Funky jewelry, big earrings, pendants, bangles.

They were laughing as they ran down the stairs...

such vibrant style and oodles of energy.

(Oh to be Young again!)

I thought to myself that they were having fun with fashion.

They were dressed very similarly so I assumed they might be best friends.

Not exactly fashion twins but they shared the same clothing vibe.

Having fun with fashion is why we take the time to choose clothes that we love.

Wearing items that make us feel good as well as dressing for the season.

We need clothes, so why not wear what makes us feel good?

My blue Tencel tunic top is looking rather sad, 

our cat Chester has pulled quite a few threads in the fabric...

I look at these imperfections and I cringe.

So I am going to drop it in the donation bin.

It doesn't make me feel good.

So why wear it?

Have you visited the shops to see what is on offer?

Are you a minimalist or do you have a closet that doubles as a dressing room?

Have you gone to the thrift shops or the local consignment stores?

So many clothes are available and you can feel good about buying them 

"saving the planet" by buying used pre-worn garments.

There are real bargains to be had in the consignment shops.

We have quite a few great ones here in Victoria and there are fabulous finds just waiting...

Designer garments are often hidden between the many pieces of pedestrian wear.

I look in the mens wear section too...

for crisp striped shirts and cashmere V neck sweaters.

In our local Value Village there are loads and loads of handbags...

many are worn out "pleather" bags but there are real leather gems too.

I've seen stylish shoes too...

A friend found a strand of real cultured pearls for $3.99

I don't know how they passed by the staff pricing the stock

but one never knows what treasures await...

Have you had fun finding any treasures in the thrift shops?

What is your best bargain?

I'd love to hear from you.

The bounty of our tomato harvest continues...

Tomatoes are still being roasted to add to soups and pasta sauces.

(recipe is on the previous post)

Hope that you are enjoying your weekend.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

OOTD + Fall Harvest from The Humble Bungalow Garden

 

It's the first day of Fall Today 

So I am getting ready for cooler weather...

Ready to

Welcome Back

My

Black and White Fall and Winter Basics

I have tried wearing bold bright colours in the cooler months

 but I keep going back to black.

Here I am dressed in a super casual OOTD for lunch with my sister and cousins.

I wore things that I have had in my closet for years

Black Yoga pants

Old Navy White Shirt

Eileen Fisher black quilted vest

with

(new this summer)

Tommy Hilfiger Shoes

Black and white is so easy to accessorize...

jewelry, colourful scarves, sweaters.

Think the accessories give this casual OOTD a bit of a lift. 

BIG pearls from Hong Kong and Bold Red Miss Pupa Lipgloss #305

I added my Black Eileen Fisher vest as we were sitting outdoors for our lunch.

We had a yummy lunch at pure Vanilla in Oak Bay.

Food choices are always fresh and there are many healthy options.

There was SO MUCH catching up and chattering 

that it was really HARD to get a word in edgewise!

I hate talking over people so I was rather quiet

I prefer to listen anyways...

My simple style is not fancy, it could not be easier or more basic.

It is honest and works for me.

I own and am attracted to blue denim, chambray and Tencel shirts, dresses and jeans.

Denim played a major role in my teenage wardrobe.

Did it factor into your younger wardrobe too?

If you had told me at 13 that I would still be wearing jeans at 68 

I probably would have laughed, but it is true.

Do you still wear jeans and denim?

I have 3 pairs of jeans, a denim jumper, shirts, a top and a distressed denim jacket.

Keeping a small and simple basic wardrobe makes getting dressed easy.

Too many choices make me dizzy and indecisive.

There are also several LBD's in my closet...

a black and grey tweed skirt 

some black and white tops

sweaters

black dress pants.

Retirement dressing is very casual...

I wear things for comfort and those that are purpose driven.

When I go to the pool for aquafit classes I wear these same Yoga pants.

A cozy warm top and a jacket or sweater depending on the weather.

Marshalls change room!

I seem to gravitate to this store...

SO MANY CHOICES.

Such good value, I like that, as I am on a pension.

I keep track of ALL my wardrobe purchases...new and thrifted.

This quilted barn coat is something that I have wanted for several years.

When I spied it hanging on the rack I grabbed it!

Ralph Lauren is known for their detail on their garments.

I like the snaps and the ability to open the hem.

Might come in handy if I plan to leap any tall buildings :-))

The collar is done in a classic corduroy...

the coat is roomy which I wanted especially for layering in the cold weather.

In case you are wondering...

underneath the coat I am wearing a soft faded light blue Tencel dress and capri tights.

I have just swapped out my summer clothes and put them in the guest room closet.

It is raining here today and boy do we ever need the rain!

This past summer has been riddled with drought conditions and forest fires.

Welcome Fall Weather!

Humble Bungalow Front Porch Fall Decor

dried hydrangeas and mini pumpkins.

The swimsuit that I wear to aqua fit class is starting to stretch out and the seams are looking dodgy.

I have ordered this one from Lands" End and hope that it will fit.

The newer one by Alfred Sung that I purchased early in the season 

is a wrap style with a lower neckline 

so not really suitable for the "bouncing" cardio portion of the class!

It is harvest time here...

Liberty Apples 

first harvest shared with the grandchildren.

Sweet, tasty and small enough for school lunches.

Chehalis green apples

I prefer to cook with these.

(I have an apple pie baking in the oven right now!)

I roasted some of these heirloom Italian Mikado tomatoes for sauces in the Winter.

Roasted Tomatoes

Line a baking tray with parchment paper

Cut Tomatoes into smaller chunks

add pepper and garlic

drizzle with olive oil

bake at 375 for about 40 minutes

Cool

Spoon into Ziploc bags or plastic containers for the freezer.

Hermes scarf and Saint James striped top

worn here under a casual zip jacket.

What clothes are on your radar for Fall? 

(Or Spring depending where you live)

Do you plan to purchase anything new?

I am in the process of cutting and drying some of the hydrangea blooms.

I've been soaking the flower heads in a bucket of cold water for several hours before tying them into bunches for drying.

I hope this works as I tried a bunch without the soaking 

and they shrivelled right up

(see the porch picture)

far too crispy.

Hope you are keeping well and staying safe.

Covid is making a comeback here.

Think I will start wearing my mask again when I go to the grocery store.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~