Fancy pants and more ~ Inside the Hostess's closet...

Mother enjoys our outings and we usually find ourselves out for a brisk walk in Oak Bay or leisurely browsing the shops...
She still enjoys getting dressed up and does her best to look stylish and at the ripe old age of 86 I find her energy and devotion to fashion encouraging.

We recently picked up her new glasses at the optical store...
which by the way, are from Kate Spade and look fresh and modern, perhaps even a bit edgy in their design of tortoise shell with gold glitter details.

Mother appreciates that I drive her to areas of town where she is uncomfortable driving her BMW.
She prefers local jaunts along the seafront and to the nearby shopping plaza...
I think it is wise that she knows her limits and stays within them.

She encouraged me to find something new for myself AND she insisted on paying.

I found some "fancy pants."
A dressy fun option for the holidays...
I must have been inspired by materfamilias in her recent post showing us her new party pants.

Jones of NY "jeggings."

I've had these Amalfi shoes for years and still in great shape plus I like how happy I feel when I am wearing them.

Fragrant closet tassel which hangs in our tiny closet...

You can see the "fancy pants" pattern of the cut velvet.

Our closet is really tiny and in dire need of renovation.

 Both Mr. HB and I share the space.

Despite my efforts to keep my wardrobe small somehow it has grown quite large!

 This forces me to store the out of season garments in the guest room closet.

My fall and winter clothes.

Two basic coats...

a black evening coat ~ Giacca

 trench with an asymmetrical zip instead of the traditional buttons ~ Tahari

grey dressy long sweater coat with ruffle edging ~ Betty Barclay

Chanel style tweed jacket ~ Jeremy Spenser

black sweater in a boxy style with ruffle detail at neck and cuffs ~ Susan Bristol

V neck sheath LBD ~ Tahari

black faux wrap  LBD ~ Renuar

V neck tweedy dress ~ Banana Republic

faux wrap print dress ~ Jones of NY

black pants ~ Nygaard

black skirt ~ Reitmans

grey and black mid calf length skirt ~ Lisa Campione

black grey white print wrap top ~ Laura Petites

navy with pearl strand print top ~ Precis

black tank ~ Symplii

black tank with blue ribbon detail ~ Tribal

black sleeveless top with sparkle detail ~ St. John

mauve knit top ~ Sigrid Olsen

new black "fancy pants" ~ Jones of NY

white sleeveless top with ridged details ~ Calvin Klein

white long sleeved Tee ~ Segments

white short sleeved Tee ~ Jessica

vintage cream sweater with beading ~ Spanner

white and cream stripe 3/4 sleeved Tee ~ George

mocha goose down quilted vest ~ Eddie Bauer

black quilted vest ~ Bartbour

leather jacket ~ Banana Republic

striped long sleeve Breton style top ~ Gap

grey chunky knit sweater ~ Dex

grey 3/4 length sleeved Tee ~ Danskin

grey long cashmere cardigan ~ Lord and Taylor

vintage grey beaded cardigan ~ Pelican Cove

black loose knit sweater ~ Wooden Ships

 4 pairs of blue jeans ~ g21, Gap, Calvin Klein, Talbots

black denim ~ g21

Yoga zip lightweight jacket ~ Mondetta

Yoga pants ~ Tuff

denim jacket ~ Gap

black fleece jacket ~ Lands' End

grey zip front walking jacket ~ Mondetta

waterproof hoodie ~ Royal Robbins

fleece lined walking jacket ~ Lands' End

yellow puffy walking jacket ~ Gelco

quilted jacket ~ Burberry

Which by my calculation comes to 47 items...

far more that the project 333 that so many bloggers have chosen to live.

33 items only for 3 months those are the rules!

Shoes are stored in boxes as well as the bottom of the closet.

Most of my shoes are black.

I have a short pair of black boots by Timberland 

and a tall pair of boots by Hush Puppies which I could really stand to replace.

I'm rather surprised at how many garments that I own...

and I thought I was a minimalist when it came to dressing!

I have a couple of cashmere sweaters which I do not hang in the closet 

they are folded with some cedar cubes to keep them safe from moths in a drawer.

That about wraps up the bulk of my clothes...

and I thought when I sat down to type this post it would be all about the fancy pants...

Wow!

I hope you've not been bored to tears...

thank you for stopping by.

Oh and I think you'll want to check out Janet's blog

her son got married in her garden last week and they had 2 weeks to plan a wedding for 100 people.

It is such a wonderful example of how beautifully it all came together on such short notice

and is such an honest and genuine reflection of the bride and groom's tastes

I love the special touches that Janet added...

Pop over and see what I mean.

Be Well and Be Kind

XO

Slowing down ~ Weekend Style

Today we awoke to a beautiful cool crisp autumn day.
Mr. HB is outside repairing a defective door sill which has allowed rain to seep in onto our kitchen floor.

It's a day to cocoon and keep warm...so I am making soup.
Easy Peasy Salmon Chowder to be exact.

Salmon Chowder

Saute several strips of cubed bacon until crisp.

Add in diced onions, celery and carrots and cook until soft.

Add about 2 cups of water and a large peeled diced potato.

2 cups of leftover salmon ~ you can substitute 2 cans of sockeye salmon

Simmer until potato is soft and add in a bottle of V8 juice.

(You can use a tin of tomato paste instead if you prefer.)

Season with pepper and about a tablespoon of dill weed.

 Simmer on low for about 45 minutes and serve.

I use low sodium V8...

OOPS! 

(the maid needs to clean that ring off the silver tray)

"The Maid" has been busy elsewhere in The Humble Bungalow...

I've been de-cluttering and reorganizing the bench seats in the dining room...

these seats have a habit to be a catch all and it was time for me to get on with the job.

I took everything out, vacuumed inside and then went to Target, "the Red Store" as Isla likes to call it, and purchased some bins.

Not very glamorous but they do the trick.

Life is ticking along here, nothing out of the ordinary...

I'm feeling content as I watch Mr. HB work his magic

 wearing a cozy wool sweater while the door is off it's hinges.

Mr. HB  will have worked up an appetite for lunch.

I've got a mug of hot tea and a copy of my favourite magazine...

I'm planning on a quiet afternoon.

How about you?

What's new in your neck of the woods?

There are new fall plants in the planter boxes that line the sidewalks.

 Love this frothy frilly plant

I hope you find some beautiful moments in your day.

Soup of the Gods and French Lessons...

It's been a busy few days here in The Humble Bungalow.
Janet from The Gardener's Cottage inspired me with her recent post.
She lives in the most beautiful cottage and her eye for detail in decor is sheer perfection.

Spring Cleaning has commenced and I have started with some really messy spaces...
kitchen drawers and the pantry cupboard.

The dry goods shelf of the pantry cupboard.

I washed the shelves and wiped the jars before rearranging the supplies.

I was surprised how many packages of half full pasta were lurking in the back of the cupboard.

It's good to have a regular clean out so you can keep on top of what you have on hand.

No need to buy what you already have!

I switched over my "junk" drawer and turned it into my spice drawer.

I got rid of most of the junk and so now it looks more like an office supply spot.

You can see why the spices were crowded as this drawer is tiny compared to the one that house the spices.

I cleaned out my make up tin and wiped all the containers and washed and air dried the brushes.

I am a minimalist when it comes to make up...

rather a maximalist when it comes to skin care but that is another post altogether!

I made the BEST mushroom soup that I have ever tasted!

It is so delicious that I used the word "orgasmic" when describing it to the girlfriend that gave me the book.

Soup Sisters Easy and Delish mushroom soup recipe can be viewed here.

Saute the onions, garlic and mushrooms.

Make the roux.

Simmer the soup a few minutes.

Serve.

Enjoy!

I have started taking French Lessons from Alliance Francaise.

I've 5 years of French under my belt but that was years ago, so I need to bring my skills up to speed in preparation for the trip to Paris next year.

There is a lot of homework in addition to the weekly lessons, so my blog posting will be taking a back seat for awhile until I catch up and feel more confident in class.

I would like to ask readers who have been to Paris for a favour.

I wonder if you might share some of the best things to see and do and also if any of you have apartment rental agencies or accommodation information.

 I would be most grateful.

Amities,

Hostess

XO

OOTD ~ a leaner wardrobe and some holiday sparkle.

Still rebuilding my wardrobe...
It is taking a long time because I am being very discriminating when I buy something new.
It needs to tick all the boxes...fit well, be versatile and classic, and at a price that I can feel comfortable spending.

Our local thrift shops have lots of stock so it takes time to carefully sift through the racks.
Keeping my wardrobe on the leaner size I pass up a lot of clothes that would "do."

In the new year I have an appointment with a consignment shop to sell off the garments that are just too big to wear. I thought I could make them work but they do not flatter me anymore...much too much volume!

OOTD

Ann Taylor top which feels like silk but is obviously a high quality polyester.

Gemstone earrings made by lovely daughter.

They pick up the amber shade in the top.

I like a drop earring for evening.

They catch the light and I feel more feminine.

The basic black Bellissima ponte knit pants were a thrift shop bargain

worn here with my new Calvin Klein kitten heels which are so comfy.

I wore this OOTD when we had some friends over for a casual meal.

The basic garments (the ones I refer to as workhorses) are getting lots of wear.

CPW (cost per wearing) is hovering at about 50 cents for these pants.

Our Humble Bungalow "Closet" has no doors!

The last room on our renovation list is the master bedroom.

It needs a complete makeover.

I have empty hangers in the closet for the first time in many years.

Each garment is hung in its' colour group and has lots of breathing room!

Our wee Humble Bungalow closet has never seemed as large as it does right now.

Living with less, has surprised me so much, I should have done this years ago.

I've discovered that it's never too late to make a change...

I just needed to be in the right frame of mind to commit and embrace it wholeheartedly,

My recent weight loss journey is a prime example.

I needed to be "ready" before embarking on the program.

It only took me 6 years!

The festive season is a good excuse to wear some sparkly jewels.

JCrew necklace a gift from son and lovely daughter in law.

Sherman brooch

Sequins

Club Monaco earrings from last season.

These are fabulous to wear for candle lit dinners!

Thoughts and changes are afoot...

In the New Year I plan to explore the opportunities to get more involved.

With so many agencies needing volunteers in our community I'll have a few options.

The difficulty lies in deciding where to put my time and energy.

If you volunteer in your community how did you decide which job to take on?

Hostess

OOTD for a day with Mother.

Mother and I are heading out for some retail therapy...
she has chosen where we are going and I am happy to chauffeur her to our destination. It's a pleasant 30 minute drive along a scenic ocean route.

I'm looking for a great pair of black pants, Mother is looking for a black skirt. Both basic classics that are very much in demand and the sizes get picked over quite fast so we are shopping early rather than later to avoid disappointment.

I have ample room in my Burberry jacket.

Which is great 

I can add a cashmere sweater underneath for warmth this season.

It was rather tight the past few years and I had trouble doing it up

and I do love this jacket.

Franco Sarto loafers

purchased on sale at Nordstroms last spring.

I bought these a few years ago

when I was lusting after Hunter boots.

These are going to get some serious wear this Fall and Winter...

after all we live in the Pacific Northwest and get buckets of rain.

They are not too tall for my short legs!

Hunter now make several heights and they come in such delicious colours...

but do I really NEED a pair?

No!

Shopping with a list of what one NEEDS helps to keep focused.

I find it is so easly to get distracted with all the new clothes that are filling up the shops.

Sumptuous soft wool coats caught my eye and I was tempted to buy a new coat today.

Love the simple styles that we saw in camel, navy and black....

however they were "investment prices!" 

($600)

The black pants eluded me...

I really want to get a petite line as hemming the regular ones means you lose some of the features of the silhouette.

I saw a fun faux fur vest and tried it on...Mother loved it on me.

Then it occured to me that I have a perfectly good vest in my winter wardrobe storage at home.

 I should have perused what I own that fits me from last season before even leaving the house.

I put on my two cashmere cardigans to find that they look quite acceptable.

The two cashmere 'tees" from Lands' End look good too.

I'm trying to hold onto summer by wearing lighter clothes but the weather is dictating change

which will require some action on my part soon!

I plan to switch over my summer clothes to winter in the next few weeks.

Do you go shopping with a list?

Are you swayed and tempted by garments that you have no real need for?

I did buy something and I will tell you more about that purchase in an upcoming post...

until then...

Be Well.

Hostess

OOTD on laundry day....and bloggers.

Our house guests have left and I am spending the morning doing laundry and generally tidying up.
It is a slow mo kind of day here in The Humble Bungalow.

I've had the kettle on several times to make tea.
Played with the cats as they got into the act of "helping" me change the bedding in the guest room.
I have a scratch on my ankle from Chester when he pounced out from under the bed to attack me.
It required antiseptic and a bandaid so as not to bleed all over the carpet.

The downstairs storage area is a catch all for donations and out of season items so I gave it a lick and a promise...
packed up 2 bags for the charity shops in the Volvo ready for the next time I am close to their donation bins.

Adrienne inspired me to pick some hydrangeas today after reading her blog post.

limelights 

whites

dabs of blue

looks like a flower within a flower

"The Secret Life of Flowers" 

sounds like a book title...

I'm wearing the white Talbots shirt that I saved from the donation bag at the last minute

I think it was a good decision because when Mr. HB came home he said

"you look nice."

these are fun freshwater pearls

 perfect for a home day when one wants to feel great 

while tending to the daily

"domestics"

 Keeping house is hard work and I think it's worth taking pride in...

materfamilias had some thoughts on "women of a certain age" showing what they wear 

and it got me thinking...

why do I do it when I have hardly any clothes that fit me now...

at WW today I weighed in and the scale showed I was down another 1.2 pounds

less than 4 pounds to go to reach my goal.

~ ~ ~

Pinched myself when I saw the recent post wedding image on Privilege

So delighted to see Lisa's wedding dress...

if it were not for her I would not be blogging.

Thank you again...

Congratulations!

 Best wishes for a lifetime of happiness.

~ ~ ~

Back to reality here in The Humble Bungalow.

Floors need to be swept, dishes need to be washed and life ticks on as the Westminster clock chimes.

"I make no secret of the fact that I would rather lie on a sofa than sweep beneath it. 

But you have to be efficient if you're going to be lazy."

 ~ Shirley Conran ~