Mellow Yellow...OOTD

Italian Linen Dress 

Loose and cool 

an easy way to dress for summer.

Added interest...near the hem.

Ready for a wee gathering at a friend's home.

Appetizers and bubbly!

Amanda Blu flip flops

Keeping hydrated in the intense heat wave that we had is important.

Lots of fluids and ice...

I made several jugs of homemade lemonade which we sipped throughout the days.

It is slightly cooler now and for that I am grateful.

So are the parched roses and plants in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Julia Child Rose

David Austin Variety

We purchased this buttery yellow beauty this Spring and planted it it a pot.

Love the bold shade and the fragrance is delightful.

I had a reader send me an email that she could no longer comment on my blog and I am not at all sure why that is happening?

Feedburner has expired on Blogger so subscribers will no longer receive automatic emails when new posts are published. 

Please use Bloglovin as it still offers this service.

Please send me an email if you are having difficulty leaving a note.

I have moderation turned on 

so I need to approve the comments before they are published.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Summertime Blues...

Himalayan Blue Poppy 

snapshot from my latest visit to Butchart Gardens.

These poppies are so pretty but are not all that easy to grow.

I had some about 10 years ago and they lasted for a few seasons and then they disappeared.

I have toyed with the idea of buying the seed packet from Butcharts and trying my hand at growing them again.

Old Navy Boyfriend Jean Jacket.

Very soft

distressed

and super comfy to wear.

Purchased in the store at 30% off the regular price.

It is very versatile and I love it with my white Tees and jeans.

(with pearls)

I added this scarf from France.

This scarf was in a subscription box from My Stylish French Country Home.

I think they sell them in their online store. 

There are a few rips which gives the denim character...

I wear this with my blue and white striped Talbots linen skirt.

My black UPP capris. and black lace top...

I popped it over a black dress

and can imagine that this will become a workhorse in my wardrobe.

We received our second vaccinations this morning and I am very pleased that we were able to get the second shot.

There is a sense of calm now as we move toward opening up things here in Victoria.

Dining inside is permitted, as are movie theatres and plays.

Looking forward to being more social.

Seeing our family and more friends.

How are things going where you live?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

OOTD, cocktails and Beautiful Blooms...

 

White rose on John Paul ll

Pure white blooms are very elegant...

they remind me of Coco Chanel's simple white gardenias.

I have been so distracted by Donna Leon's mystery books of late...

I am reserving them at the public library and are reading my way through 

her series with Guido Brunetti.

I highly recommend her books.

So this post will be a wee one and once I hit publish

I'll be back in my chair in the living room with my nose in her book.

OOTD

I wore a Cut Loose crinkly tunic top with black capri tights.

An artisan necklace

Josef Siebel red ballet flats

Vintage wicker Ann Taylor bag.

We met up with friends On Friday evening in the sunshine.

Cocktails on the patio at The Snug at The Oak Bay Beach Hotel.

So wonderful getting together with friends.

It has been many months since we were permitted to go out to eat with friends.

The vaccinations and our recent "circuit breaker" that was set by our provincial health officer has helped reduce the number of active Covid cases and the rules are once again eased...

This week while I was

walking in the Cook Street Village

 I popped into Mercedes Lane.

A large shop with oodles of fun clothes...many are beautiful Italian linens.

The skort is by UPP and The dress is made in Turkey by Sassy.

I had not planned to buy anything I went in merely to peruse their stock.

Slightly risky because you never know what you'll find.

Spanish Lavender

potted in an urn out front of The Humble Bungalow.

The bees just love this plant.

I like the feathery "hat" atop of the blooms.

Hope that you are enjoying your weekend.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

OOTD ~ New sweater

New Lands' End cashmere cardigan

I own 6 sweaters; 3 of which are cashmere.

 This is my 4th and what I love about cashmere 

is the warmth without the bulk!

I chose this grey shade with black flecks.

I have a lot of black and a few pieces of grey in my minimal basic wardrobe.

I can see this as an all season sweater...

imagine this paired with white jeans in the summer time.

I put on jeans, a white linen Tee 

my pearls and some Chanel Lipstick with this new cardigan.

A super casual and comfy OOTD...

this is my basic Covid uniform for at home and my walks.

My hair is held back with a grey velvet scrunchie in a simple ponytail.

I am planning to get my hair trimmed an inch or so with longer layers next week.

I have been avoiding the salon but can do so no longer...

it has been months since I had a trim.

I know they have safety protocols in place and we will all be wearing masks.

We ordered in dinner last night from a local Thai restaurant 

I must admit it was a real treat not to cook.

The sun is shining here today and the temperatures are cold. 

There was ice on the roofs and cars when we woke up.

Snow is in the forecast 

 I doubt we will get much here.

My current book by Alice Hoffman 

The Probable Future.

A wonderful story of several generations of women...

Alice weaves a tapestry of magic and witchcraft into her stories.

This one has captured my attention and I am transported to another "world."

Escaping the tedium during the pandemic

through well crafted books

 is a gift that clever writers give to their devoted readers.

Talking about escape...

We are watching Bridgerton on Netflix...

The first episode did not excite me that much but after viewing the second and third I was hooked!

What are you reading?

Are you watching anything on Netflix that you can recommend?

Have you had your vaccination?

Stay safe and wear your mask.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Enjoy your weekend!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

OOTD...spa time and lunch out.

Welcome to The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Blogger has introduced a new interface which is proving to be quite quirky.
If it continues to be problematic I will give up and post only on Instagram.

Vintage Coach bag and Maui Jim prescription sunglasses

Summertime Basics

Chaus of New York Polka dot top.

I found this at Marshalls and it is a comfy loose longer length top that I can wear with my casual black Yoga pants or dressy Eileen Fisher skinny black pants.

I have done very little shopping since Covid arrived.
When I do shop I wear a mask.

Except for a new pair of black Yoga pants and a blue pair of linen trousers by Ellen Tracey both sourced at Marshalls. I have only ventured into Toys R Us to buy birthday gifts for the grandchildren.

Our cases of Covid are up a bit more here in BC and both my husband and I remain very vigilant in our efforts to stay safe. Our ages put us at a higher risk and I have had pneumonia 3 times, the last bout kept me bedridden for 6 weeks so I daren't take any chances.

                       Pepper, our elder cat,
                       loves to find a ray of sunshine and have a nap.

My sister and I went to the Spa last week at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel.

We were celebrating her 60th birthday.

It was a beautiful sunny day and we really enjoyed soaking in the mineral pool.

We enjoyed lunch at Faro the new pizza spot in the hotel.

Sized for sharing

I met a long time reader Rosemarie for lunch last week.

She and I exchanged gifts.

Rosemarie is a vivacious and kind woman who sends me cheery emails.

She sends me sunflower seeds at the anniversary of my Mom's passing...

she has also sent me tea, earrings, and more recently some polka dot socks!

My current book stack...

Just finished The Guest List by Lisa Foley, an Agatha Christie type of mystery.

I never guessed who the murderer was, with so many twists and turns.

Well that about wraps up this post...

I hope Blogger can give us a tutorial on the new format.

It is difficult trying to figure it out withour much help!

Stay Safe

and 

Please 

Wear your Mask

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Something new, a milestone birthday...and cheerful pops of colour.

Good news!

 We have daffodils blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

These cheerful yellow flowers elevate our flagging spirits 

as we crave colour on these dreary rainy days.

It may come as a surprise to you but until recently I did not own 

a totally waterproof coat...

I relied on water resistant coats and jackets and always carried an umbrella.

Perhaps a little bit strange

 as we live on the WET coast!

Years ago, 

when the children were young,

I wore a waterproof Gortex coat 

it was bright red and I loved the bright colour on the rainy days.

I discovered a wonderful wee shop on Government Street

and

found a 100% waterproof coat perfect for our rainy days.

A

Simple

Waterproof

 Breathable 

Coat

I plan to wear some of my bright coloured scarves with this coat.

This wee orchid was a gift from dear friends when mom passed away...

Tomorrow March 3rd will be the anniversary of my mom's demise.

(it will also be my 65th birthday)

For these past few years I find my emotions are mixed on March 3rd...

I don't feel like I am 65, although I know that I am no longer a "Spring Chicken"

I am Grateful to be alive.

I am 3/4 the way through this book and am really enjoying it.

Have you read it?

Did you read her previous book The Post Mistress?

Yellow Hellebore

Sunshine filtering through the door in our front hall...

love the warmth and sunlight so much.

Simple Joys.

Hope that your week is off to a great start and that you are finding pops of cheerful colour in your daily round.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Everyday clothes...

My basic wardrobe has gone through quite a transformation these past few years.
I've purchased a few basics from The Eileen Fisher store on South Granville in Vancouver.

This is my everyday Fall and Winter wardrobe.

Pants

Two pairs of black Eileen Fisher 

 one in rayon and the other a knit.

Jeans

Eileen Fisher 

Ralph Lauren

Vintage America

Sleeveless tops

Eileen Fisher white

Eileen Fisher black

Sympli wine

Tees

Tahari Linen white 

H and M linen white

Wilfred Free grey knit

Karl Lagerfeld printed Paris graphic 

Long sleeved tops

Cable and Guage Black with white polka dots 

Tilley black wrap style 

Sympli black knit

Saint James striped black and white V neck

David Cline grey black white print

Bailey 22 blue Tencel shirt

Holland America souvenir navy and white striped top 

with sequined cruise ship detail on front

Puffy vests

black Eileen Fisher

blue Calvin Klein

Sweaters

Black Goat camel cashmere swing coat cardigan

Black Goat black cashmere V neck tunic 

Multi coloured grey with accents rib knit long vest 

Navy cashmere cardigan

Grey hooded cardigan / jacket style

Skirt

Black textured knit A line skirt

Active wear

Black capri length Yoga pants

Black and grey long Yoga pants

Columbia active wear black jacket

Columbia active wear black rain jacket

Jackets and Coats

Eileen Fisher olive green khaki jacket

Bryn Walker charcoal grey knit 

Saint James beige rain coat

Eddie Bauer down charcoal puffy coat 

Lands' End black down puffy jacket

Vintage denim jacket

I have a few pieces of dressier clothes for special occasions 

which are stored in our guest room closet.

Most items I have had for a long time and many are vintage from thrift shops. 

Saint James striped top and Eileen Fisher vest.

I love how easy it is to get dressed with a small wardrobe.

The key is to have a few basic pieces that mix and match

accessories to add that little extra oomph.

It's been a gradual shift and I have learned a LOT from other bloggers.

Buying fewer pieces, investing in quality long lasting garments just makes sense.

I recently read that the "Fast Fashion" industry 

is the top contributor to climate change.

Eileen Fisher offers clothing recycling 

where EF garments are redesigned and made into new pieces of clothing.

The company also sources organic materials.

Her ethical approach to the fashion industry is one of the reasons that I am willing to pay a little more for a garment.

Feeling better wearing something that is not harming our planet.

Everlane is a company the Janet at The Gardener's Cottage is passionate about.

She received a lovely cashmere sweater from them made using recycled cashmere...recycling fashion is just such great news.

Comfortable too, showing up in the same or similar outfits.

No more feeling pressured to continually

spend money.

Instead the extra money I can use for...

Experiences, travel, date nights with my husband,

home improvements

lessons and clothes for the grandchildren.

Rainy day today...

perfect for getting some things done inside The Humble Bungalow.

Laundry has been accomplished...

A Fall pot roast dinner has been prepped.

I've repainted the hobby room floor as it was getting chipped by years of wear.

After I publish this post

 I plan to pop the kettle on and enjoy a few chapters in my current book

Miss You by Kim Eberlen

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Alaska Cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam ~ What I packed and arriving in Vancouver

Relaxing on a Sea Day in comfortable surroundings.

The views are spectacular, the weather is warm and the seas are calm.

I packed carefully for the trip.

My wardrobe is basically black with white and grey accents.

What I packed:

Eileen Fisher :

black pants

tank top

linen jacket

black vest

black bamboo dress and long knit jacket

black textured skirt

St. John black knit top with silver sparkles

Gilmour white dress with black polka dots

Jeans

2 white linen tops

Saint James white and black striped V neck top

white scarf /shawl 

David Cline grey print shirt 

 I wore it under my vest and again open as a layering piece with a tank and pants

Nanette Lepore white linen knit sweater

bathing suit and cover up

( I never used them as the pools were full of kids splashing and having fun!)

Hat gloves umbrella

Lands' End down jacket

Saint James raincoat

Columbia light rain jacket

underwear and bras

nightie

A souvenir purchase

I'll wear this on our boat!

We brought the grandchildren some colour changing Tee shirts

with Alaska animals on the front.

Views to the North Shore of Vancouver.

The Port of Vancouver

A beautiful day to walk around the seafront in Vancouver.

Salvador Dali sculpture 

We met up with Brian's sister and her granddaughter and walked about before going out for lunch and dinner.

They had an early flight Sunday...

we slept in 

on our way to the ferries 

I popped into the South Granville Eileen Fisher 

I purchased a black sleeveless top and some new jeans.

It's back to reality now...

We have many wonderful memories of this cruise and I would recommend this particular trip to anyone interested in experiencing 

the natural beauty of BC and Alaska.

Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam was a particularly luxurious ship.

I hope that you have enjoyed this series of posts on the trip.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~