Cruise ship shopping...

The cruise to Alaska is approaching so fast and I have not even written out my packing list! I must get busy and do something about that or I will forget something important.

I did find some time for a quick trip to the shops to find a knit top that would look nice over my dresses and would be an extra layer over my Eileen Fisher tank tops and black pants.

When I spied this Nanette Lapore knit I knew immediately that it filled the required style idea that I had in my head.

I also found a simple linen Tahari Tee top which I will pair with my linen capris.

It will go well with jeans, my black knit skirt, and all my pants.

I plan to wear my pearls on the cruise ship as they go with everything...
"keep it simple"
 is my motto for a minimal travel wardrobe.

This is our first time on a cruise ship...
Do any of you have any advice on what I should pack?

                    Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Linen frock...rosacea update and flowers...

I bought a new frock this week...
it is linen, made in Italy.

Stripes of navy and white

The back detail

cool, loose and floaty.

The perfect kind of dress for the hot days we are currently experiencing.

Add flip flops and a sun hat and I am good to go.

Heat and cold are rosacea triggers so I am trying very hard to keep my temperature variations to a minimum.

Further update on the rosacea flare up...

It has been a month since I had the laser treatment.

The skin on my face is not quite so red 

but there are visible broken capillaries.

 I went back for a follow up visit yesterday and had another session with the YAG laser.

I was advised to start using a medical grade serum.

The serum targets inflammation, weak blood vessels and redness.

It is expensive but so are the laser treatments.

If the results are as good as the technician claims I will be satisfied.

Today my face is puffy and pink where the nurse/technician targeted the laser.

Nothing so severe that I would need to stay cocooned indoors.

I put on mineral sunscreen and headed out for a walk with my hat and sunglasses.

Enjoyed a long lunch with some girlfriends.

Later this afternoon

 I hand watered the garden and took some pictures to share with you.

Purple Honesty 

creamy smillacena racemosa

one of our rain barrels

Clematis Montana reubens and hostas

Hostas, variegated iris, black mondo grass, Spanish bluebells.

Flowers for a friend...

lily of the valley.

Hope you have a lovely weekend and to all the Moms

Happy Mothers Day!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Guo Pei Exhibit at Vancouver Art Gallery

We ventured across the pond to Vancouver for a few days.
To shop, attend a workshop and enjoy the sights and sounds of a big city!

One of the highlights was to see the Guo Pei Couture Beyond exhibit.

We were in line up at 10:00 am when the doors to the Vancouver Art Gallery opened and were able to take it all in on the very last day of the exhibit.

I will share a few pictures of the magnificent gowns...
IF you ever get the opportunity to see this show I highly recommend it.

Guo Pei is China's "preeminent couturiere."
There were over 40 of her haute couture designed gowns on display from the period 2006 to 2017.

Most of us will never wear a hand made gown such as the ones that were on display.

It was amazing to see the intricate bead work, the embroidery, details that would have taken many many hours if not months to create.

I'll share the photos next and hope that you will enjoy seeing them.

After seeing all the gowns and shoes we explored the rest of the gallery and then ventured out for a long walk in the sunshine.

A friend mentioned that she uses the IHealth app on her IPhone.

She showed me how it works and I am so excited as it tracks walking stats!

I am so grateful as it is going to be a new motivator in my goal to better fitness.

This was an exceptional day for walking...

I plan to aim for between 8,000 and 10,000 steps each day.

Hope that your week is off to a fabulous start...

thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

 ~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Salt and Pepper...a new sweater!

The Hudson's Bay had a big sale last week.

I went downtown on a mission to buy a new watch strap which I found in a chestnut brown leather...I was hoping to find a red one but there were none that fit my watch.

While in the store I perused the petite section
and spied a soft cozy sweater
in a simple style that works with my wardrobe basic colours
 at a super low price...
what's not to love about that?

Style and Co.

(I think Macy's carry that line in the US)

tweedy knit

the colour of salt and pepper

in a basic style 

that I have already worn with my black swingy short skirt

jeans

black ponte knit dress pants

it is warm and cozy

with bell sleeves

which I thought I might find bothersome but they are quite lovely

I can roll them up if need be...

like when I was making pizza dough 

and dealing cards at bridge.

I wore it under my down jacket beach combing...

We found another heart shaped rock!

I am knitting the Bateaux Mouches scarf that I purchased from Churchmouse Yarns on Bainbridge Island.

The fingering weight of yarn is very fine and is super soft...

 by Drops and is a blend of alpaca and silk.

I have started on the second skein and hope that I will be able to finish it before next Spring!

I bring my knitting to the cottage.

I knit while waiting for the ferry and on the ride over...

then if I feel so inclined I will knit for about an hour each day at the cottage.

It is a basic garter stitch but looks very different on the larger needles.

Are you working on any projects?

It's pouring rain this morning and I will have to put on my wellies when I get out for my walk.

My down jacket and this cozy sweater will keep me warm.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Hope you have a fabulous weekend!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

OOTD and a few books...

The ultimate in comfort food...

cabbage roll casserole 

from 

The Best of Best of Bridge Cookbook.

So soothing on a rainy cold Autumn evening.

I made this after recuperating from 3 days of flu like symptoms after getting the Shingrix vaccine.

It was my second shot, the first one left e feeling flu-ish for one day 

so I was not expecting to be sidelined for 3 days 

but it's over and I am feeling more like myself.

It is worth a few days of malaise 

the effectiveness rating is 97% which is good.

Our GP told us that he had a rash of older patients recently who suffered permanent neurological damage after a bout of shingles...

one patient went blind 

so he is advising all his older patients to get the vaccine.

Have you had yours?

I had lots of good cuddles from Chester who lay beside me most of the days.

The cats were quite perplexed, perhaps confused

as I am usually very active here in the Humble Bungalow...

I read Joanna Goodman's novel The Finishing School

I really enjoyed it...

Before I had my shingles shot I went shopping and purchased a cozy new vest...

Of course it is in the grey and black basic wardrobe theme colours!

Whats up with all the wrinkles in those pants?

(ha ha)

worn here with my new Timberland boots

Verve Ami vest from Marshalls

super cozy for our cool autumn weather.

Today I am wearing my striped Saint James top with a black skirt, tights and black Chelsea boots.

I've started this book by JoJo Moyes...

its grabbed me right from the first page and I can tell its going to be a great read.

What are you reading?

Are you in a book club?

Well I must get some stuff done here so I will close for now.

Thank you for stopping by...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~