Retail therapy ~ a date with darling daughter, my favourite fashion advisor.

Life is handing us out some stressful days...
the kind of days where tension manifests itself in painful knots in the upper back and shoulders.

Pepper our elder cat is still not well despite the meds and it looks like surgery is imminent.
More tests, X-rays, blood work, urinalysis the list goes on...
There have been tears shed and sleep has become sporadic and restless.
And somehow a ray of sunshine appears on the horizon...and it's our darling daughter!
She knew I needed her support and so she accompanied me to the vet visit.
Daughters are so lovely...I am so very grateful to have her in my life.

After our appointment we went home and got Pepper settled and went out for a healthy lunch at Pure Vanilla in Oak Bay. The day was sunny and warm so we opted to sit outside on the patio.

I had mentioned to my daughter how I had been toying with the idea of a new pair of jeans so we popped over the the mall and checked out what the Gap had and I tried on a few pair but nothing had that Wow Factor.
As we were cruising the mall we detoured into Banana Republic where I spied a cute pair of petite sized jeans...
I tried them on, and well, the rest is history!

I want to tuck my cream silk blouse into the waist so I bought the 30 inch size in petite.

The jeans can be rolled up slightly or worn straight...depends on my mood and the footwear that I choose.

Thinking the red ballet flats will be a great pairing with these and the Breton striped Tee will be "Oh So French!"

Banana Republic "touch of cashmere" sweater

heavily reduced

 longer in the back

cozy like a warm hug.

I said Yes.

It looks much better on than it does hanging here.

Chester loves bags!

Pepper watched with amusement in her eyes...

Darling daughter shared some of her secret weapons with me...

thank you sweetheart!

The lip balm is AMAZING!

It smells like roses and moisturizes like none other...

The apricot cuticle cream is going to be a mainstay in my arsenal of tricks.

As a gardener I tend to have ragged cuticles despite wearing gloves the hands take a beating.

The pot of cream will be at my bedside and I plan to rub it into my nails every night before bedtime.

I replaced my brown leather watch strap with a new black one and it is like having a new watch.

Well I must get on with my day...I need to keep busy.

so more cleaning is in order

as we await news from the vet as to Pepper's fate.

Hope your week is ticking along nicely.

Shopping ~ Bling with Black...starring YOU!

The second installment in my series of wardrobe thoughts...

"Starring YOU."

Darling daughter and I went out for dinner at Rebar before embarking on a wee bit of retail therapy.

I recommend the fish tacos as they were so fresh and delicious,

 but the portions were too big for us.

We could only eat half...

next time we will order one order and split a small salad.

Darling daughter lives downtown so we took the leftovers to her condo and her boyfriend was happy to have a ready made dinner!

Then we hit the shops...

I have been shopping with an eye to Paris and the 3 weeks in a small Carry On.

Black is the core colour and there are going to be very few items so they ALL MUST work with each other.

Hose to wear with my LBD...and I did not want to go with nude or plain black.

I think hose can be a great accessory and make a statement without screaming too loud!

Target is closing here in Canada which makes me feel sad as I quite like their selection of lingerie...

I am told that Paris has lingerie shops on almost every corner...kind of like we have Starbucks.

Anne Klein silk and rayon lightweight cardigan in cream with black OOOO"S!

Brand new without tag ~ thrifted.

Will easily slip over a jersey tank or tee and can be worn over an LBD.

Striped lightweight jersey tunic top by Bianca Nygaard.

Great with skinny jeans or capri leggings which I am packing to wear in the south of France.

Super comfy black Clarks walking shoes to navigate the Parisian cobblestones...

I was on the hunt for a smallish cosmetic bag and looked high and low.

The Sportsacs were either too big or too small.

The leather Marc Jacobs was too small lengthwise and at $40 I thought a bit pricey...

as you may recall

I am saving Euros for Paris shopping!

The criteria was that it had to be long enough not to squish my Aveda blush brush.

Lilly Pulitzer for Estee Lauder cosmetic pouch ~ Thrifted.

Bright, cheap and cheerful.

Jane Iredale mascara...a luxe mascara.

I love the full brush and the formula PLUS it has a 12 month shelf life.

 I was wasting mascara having to throw partly used tubes away every 3 months.

The brush will fit inside easily with all my other cosmetics...

of which there are only a few pieces.

Mineral make up and a brush.

Eye shadow and a brush.

Eyelash curler.

Brow brush.

Eyeliner.

Lipstick.

I bought a pair of Compression socks to wear on the plane.

 Tish Jett wrote in a recent post that French doctors and pharmacists recommend them.

She's been blogging about packing for Paris and she knows what she is talking about as she lives in France.

Bring on the BLING...

I tried on this bracelet for fun.

It was pretty but I don't think I'd wear it very often...

it is not a reflection of my "authentic self."

I would feel a bit like I was "dressing up for a costume party."

I am not suggesting that this bracelet is in bad taste...it is just not "my style."

But every so often I do like to dress up in something sparkly...

New Years Eve or at Christmas.

There are a few pieces in my closet that are kept specifically for this reason.

Darling daughter gave me a gift.

It's the sequined top which I am wearing with my black skinny jeans.

I had to stretch my arms way out to take this picture because we have no large mirror in our Humble Bungalow that is well lit enough to take decent pictures.

(I must try and rectify that sometime)

She found it at a thrift shop and it is vintage beaded wool top.

Woodwards label is intact and the piece is in pristine condition.

Look at the exquisite floral detail.

(Faux Fuchsia would approve...she luffs her sequins!)

It is surprisingly heavy and I plan to fold it carefully in tissue and store it in a drawer.

I am already thinking about what I'll wear it with...besides jeans.

It might be fun to pair it with my black skirt or dressy black pants and wear it out to dinner.

I'm wearing a stack of bangles too...

having fun blogging in a party worthy outfit while sipping tea as the washer and dryer are going through their paces on a very busy domestic day.

I must get changed and get on with my day.

I have a bazillion things on my do list and they won't get done by themselves.

I think "Fashion should be fun."

If it isn't why bother?

 I took Mother to see The Next Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and she loved it...

an all star cast and the acting is marvelous.

If you have any thoughts on sequins or bling or basic black wardrobes please leave a comment.

I am not the only one who thinks about what the clothes we wear say to the world.

Check out blogs online and you'll find thousands of women are talking...

Many of the fashion and style blogs that I have read are young women.

So IS anyone bothering to look at us older gals now that we are "Invisible Women?"

Should we care?

I don't mind being invisible at all.

I find it a quite comfortable prospect...

how about you?

Books and crannies...

I've finally picked up this book after months of it sitting on my shelf...and I'm hooked.
Kate Atkinson weaves a great tale...

I've got a super busy week ahead of me 

so I am not too sure if I'll have much time to read, let alone sit at my computer.

Today in the wee crannies of space and time I was able to write this quick post...

The sunshine was streaming in through the windows and my goodness they are filthy!

Our Christmas cactus is re blooming...and it feels like Spring has Sprung.

Mr. HB mowed the lawn yesterday and it is only mid February.

The kitchen looks calm but don't be fooled 

I have been hard at it churning out soups and casseroles for my family and friends.

~ Food Is love ~

especially when you take it to those who are preoccupied with bigger and more important life events than cooking.

Mr. HB and I ripped up the disgusting wall to wall carpet in our bedroom and discovered a very distressed and paint splattered fir floor underneath...

I spent an afternoon on my hands and knees scraping the paint off and we bought three really inexpensive rugs from Home Depot until such time as we do the complete renovation...maybe next year?

Chester insists that bunny be upstairs instead of in the grand children's toy box downstairs!

The minute I put bunny back he drags him up so I gave in and have placed bunny on the bed.

Hope you are keeping warm and cozy particularly if you are reading this back east under the blanket of snow.

Speaking of cozy this is my newest scarf which does not have any tags so I don't know where it was made or what the fabric content might be...it feels like felted wool and I wore it out to dinner on Valentine's Eve.

I bought myself a new lipstick.

The shade is pinker than I usually wear.

The cosmetics clerk at the Pharmasave on The Avenue said it would add a splash of colour.

Who doesn't need a little perk up at this time of year?

(under $10)

My hair is in a growing out stage...

I've decided to let it grow a bit longer so it's not looking it's best right now.

I have an appointment in a few weeks.

 My hairdresser is so clever with her scissors 

that I am betting that she can style and shape it so I don't go crazy while it grows.

Oh and my "new glasses" had to be returned as the coating on them was not sealed properly and they were getting so scratched that it looked foggy day inside and out 24/7!

An inconvenience,

 but I won't complain too loudly 

as it is minor compared to what some people are dealing with...

and my heart goes out to them in sympathy.

Maybe this week you could do something nice for someone in need.

I'll try to check back later if I get a chance...

but as I mentioned it's going to be a busy week ahead.

Cheerio!

The Great Cover Up...

Today I'm sharing some things I have learned...and think are worth sharing...
skincare maintenance is way up on my list of personal priorities.
I want to put my "best face forward."
Mother told me early on when I was in my teens..."make the best of what you've been given."

Establishing a daily routine of cleansing, moisturizing and never going to bed with make up on should go a long way to help your skin look and feel great. 

I learned this lesson in charm school at The Hudson's Bay when I was 13 years old. Our instructor Irene Warren, took it very seriously and passed on her knowledge to a room full of impressionable young women.

(we also learned how to walk, sit properly, and get in and out of a car wearing a mini skirt!)

It felt like we were "ladies-in-training" ....my BFF and I went for several sessions and we did have fun!

Establishing a daily routine of cleansing, moisturizing and never going to bed with make up on should go a long way to help your skin look and feel great.
Gentle weekly exfoliation and the occasional facial mask will help keep your skin look healthy.
(don't forget to eat fresh fruits and vegetables and drink plenty of water...nature's moisturizer)
Keep it simple...
it's my mantra, keep it simple.

If you have been reading my blog for awhile you may remember that I have a skin condition called rosacea...
facial flushing with red patches on the cheeks indicate a flare up.
Many factors can affect the skin and cause a reaction.

I avoid the sun whenever possible by wearing sunglasses and a hat.
Rosacea can affect the eyes and they become quite irritated and bloodshot.

Red wine and spicy foods may also exacerbate the skin..
products with harsh chemicals like alcohol are too strong.
I use gentle products from the Avene line and wear sunscreen everyday.

Let me introduce you to a fabulous mineral make up by La Bella Donna which offers great coverage.
I've been using this daily and it has an SPF of 20, it offers great coverage without looking too powdery.
I use the shade Crema as I am quite fair...it comes in a variety of shades so you should find one that suits your colouring.

You don't need a lot of powder as it blends effortlessly and it can be layered on several times if you need extra coverage. You will need to invest in a good quality brush and wash the brush every so often to keep it clean.

I love this pur mineral eye make up.

It goes on smoothly and stays on from morning until I take it off at night.

This shade is Lavender Mourite.

I use an eyelash curler and Maybelline mascara and if I go out in the evening I'll line my eyes with kohl.

Lipstick for daytime is a quick sweep with Revlon's Lip Butter in Pink Truffle 

and for evening Red Velvet.

L'Occitane's Almond Milk is a light emollient body lotion.

Soft scent and super moisturizing after my morning shower.

I love to wear scent and wear a slightly musky fragrance in the winter...

Mitsouko.

In the spring and summer I wear Voyage d' Hermes.

Speaking of Spring...

"Springtime in Paris"

three little words.

Wishing, Hoping, Dreaming...

Spring feels like it is just around the corner...

Are you loyal to a product?

Care to share or rave about it's performance?

Do you have any skincare tips to share?

I'm off to meet with the travel agent tomorrow...

!!!!!

Rosacea...a post in repsonse to a reader's question.

Please forgive me as I have been remiss in not posting a timely response from a reader.
Her question asked me to discuss in a blog post how I manage my rosacea.
Other than the crucial habits of eating healthy food, drinking lots of Perrier, avoiding red wine, reducing stress I rely on a line of gentle products by Avene that are specifically created for sensitive skin.

My skincare regime is simple.

Morning and evening cleansing with a foaming cleanser

 sunscreen

moisturizer

followed by a moisturizing tinted cream

(my mature skin is dry and the extra moisture is absorbed like a sponge!)

In the evening I remove all my make up spritz with thermal water and gently pat on serum.

Weekly or bi-weekly I'll have a spa morning treatment.

I use Bio-Gommage an exfoliating product by Methode Physiodermie

and then slather on L'Occitane Divine Cream and go about my domestics.

My favourite sunscreen by La Roche Posay

 Sea Buckthorn Salve which I use if I have a flare up of redness.

I use this at night as it is rather greasy and not suitable for wearing under tinted moisturizer or make up.

I am not a dermatologist and would never suggest that I am an expert on rosacea so if you do have this condition I would strongly advise you to seek medical attention.

I saw a specialist years ago and have learned that my skin reacts to strong chemicals in skin care products so I avoid using them on my face.

Changing my diet made a big difference in how my skin looks.

When I worked I would have a facial every few months at The Willowstream Spa in the Victoria Fairmont Empress and they customize a facial after consulting with you about your skin.

I loved how my skin felt after having a spa facial.

 Now that I am on a pension, and saving for my trip to Paris I do my own facials...

My favourite tinted moisturizing cream by Sweet Lei Lani

created by a woman in Langley BC

for a friend who was undergoing chemotherapy 

and still wanted to look lovely during her treatment.

It is gentle and light and adds a dewy finish and comes in a variety of colours.

In addition to these skincare thoughts...

 I try to get lots of fresh air by walking outdoors by the ocean everyday.

Rest and relaxation is vital, as is sleep.

It is high on my list of healthy priorities but can often be a challenge at my age

it seems to be broken up

 not as long

and as a result is not as restful as I would like.

If I have a restless night I will try to take a longer walk.

The sights and sounds out and about in nature are so soothing.

So with those thoughts in mind I am off for my walk and will be back soon.

Enjoy your week!

Hostess