Solo getaway to Salt Spring Island ~ books, scent, skirt, tee and a sparkly vintage brooch.

 

I took myself away for 4 days to Salt Spring Island before our week at Pender.

I opted to stay close in town and park the car and walk to the shops and galleries.

My room overlooked the harbour.

The Salt Spring Island Inn was a very pleasant surprise.

It was built in 1937 and has been updated over the years...it has 7 rooms.

Three of the rooms have ensuite bathrooms and are advertised as deluxe rooms.

The 4 others share 2 separate bathrooms with showers.

It is very cozy.

The room was quiet and clean and had a TV which I never turned on once!

I purchased the deVol Kitchen Book from a fabulous shop called Rhubarb.

They have the MOST beautiful things in the shop...

they also have a website with some of their items.

I could have spent a fortune in there.

I finished knitting my neck warmer while I was at the Inn.

There is a wonderful cafe on the main floor.

It is popular with the locals and with tourists.

The food was really delicious and even though it was busy, 

the service was wonderful. The staff were friendly and animated.

I ate at the cafe every evening and opted for healthy meals.

(No fries or burgers)

Rain did not stop me from getting out and about...

I was out for an early morning walk before the shops opened up

when I spied this bottle on the sidewalk.

There must be a story here...

Pod has some amazing things inside!

European brands, cashmere sweaters scarves and hats.

Beautiful coats, clothes and shawls.

Met up with my friend Ali and she and I perused the shops.

She loves the Rhubarb Shop too so I went back with her again...

I went to 2 of the 3 thrift shops on SSI.

Found a sparkly brooch stamped Butler.

Love the size of the brooch...it makes a statement.

Found a basic tee top by Mododoc at Mouats.

 They have a vast selection of clothing and were having a sale.

I found the Golden Amber scent at Mondo...

it is woodsy and I love the fragrance.

Denim skirt also from Mouats.

I haven't had a denim skirt in many many years.

This will be a serious work horse in my wardrobe.

I am already planning what I am going to wear with it...

My crisp white shirt and pearls, tights and Black Chelsea Boots for a start...

Tee tops with my hand knit sweaters and vests.

Met up with Terry, my husband's cousin, who has lived on SSI for many decades.

We had a fun day together!

Terry is an avid walker and has made many trips to walk the Camino and various walks in the UK and Scotland.

She took me on a 5km walk in the Channel Ridge area.

I held my breath when she showed me a road that was so steep it went straight up!

I was VERY intimidated...

Terry was patient with me and said I'll talk and when you need to stop I'll wait.

Well I stopped 3 times to catch my breath but I did make it to the top.

After our walk she showed me wonderful areas of the Island that I had never visited.

For example, I had never been to the Mercantile...

The Woodshed

Glorious colours and a wide variety of veggies.

Beeswax Candles...

Fruits and Funghi

Salt Spring Island Kitchen Co.

They make wonderful and unusual jams, sauces, and vinegars.

Also sell the Salt Spring Island Cheeses and have yummy crackers too.

Tempting tasty samples too :-))

I bought two jars of jam...

Hot Mango and Onion and Thyme

The uber popular Francis Bread Bakery...

Totally loved these lights! They remind me of jellyfish.

Lots of tempting treats...

We had a delicious bowl of chowder at The Oystercatcher in Ganges.

Thank you Terry :-))

Went into Louise Campbell's Gallery...

colourful paintings and silk scarves.

I purchased 3 packages of art cards.

On November 11th there was a parade and a ceremony in the town square.

Many people turned out to watch the horses and Canadian Navy Bands.

After the event was over I grabbed a coffee 

then

 I checked out of the Inn and went to the bookstore to buy another book to take with me to Pender.

I read this book in a couple of days and have the sequel waiting at home.

I had never been to Pender from SSI before. It was fun to see the different scenery.

Well that about wraps up my holiday away...

Pender Sunset on our last evening...

I must apologize for being so slow at responding to emails!

I don't use my computer much when I am away.

I have laundry to tackle, bread to make, food to buy, and 

YES many emails to answer...

Only then will I read some more of Ina's new book!

What a lovely story!

Thank you for staying in touch and reading my blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

November ~ New Haircut...lipstick, thrift shop finds, shoes, and a new bag.

 

New backpack bag...

Woven leather bag made by Vilenca Holland.

I love a hands free bag for shopping and my beach walks.

This one is such a beautiful shade of brown...

it has really sturdy adjustable straps.

Think it will hold up much better that my Margot Backpack.

The Margot backpack bag from last year 

is made of fine glove leather and the straps are thinner

so

with the constant wear 

some of the seams are looking stressed.

I've been out and about looking at clothes these past few weeks...

on the hunt for a dressy rayon velvet top.

I love velvet for the festive season.

I spied a gorgeous Cut Loose shirt available in several different colours 

at a rather high price point (higher than my usual budget allows) so I didn't buy it.

After chatting with our darling daughter at brunch

she convinced me to go to the thrift shops and have a browse.

Well thankfully I took her advice...

I found a lovely rayon velvet top in a bright jewel tone

and I think it might be an Eileen Fisher piece :-))

It is in perfect condition and was VERY affordable.

I need to shorten the sleeves but that will be a quick fix.

While shopping at WIN...

I found a vintage Ann Klein leather make-up bag and coin purse.

Will come in handy in the backpack bag 

as it doesn't have commodious pockets inside the bag.

After much waffling...I decided to change my hair style.

I went to an Aveda salon and had the stylist cut it into a short bob with a fringe.

It is super simple too...

Just a bit of Aveda gel and a wee bit of scrunching and then I let it air dry.

~ Saint Germain Red ~

I like a pop of colour and lipstick is a quick and easy way to add that brightness.

New Shoes...

Vessi 

Slip ons that are waterproof for the Win :-))

Walking on wet sidewalks is what I do Fall through to the end of Winter.

These will be a game changer!

Bought the black because they will go with everything in my closet!!

I am a sensible gal and keep the colour palette pretty classic.

Black and white bowl in the downstairs loo...

Soaps are at the ready for dirty hands and the walk in shower!

I buy the Goats Milk soap with shea butter added as it is so moisturizing.

You might think all I have been doing is shopping but that's not true.

I've been attending aqua fit classes at the Rec centre, reading loads of books, 

baking a weekly sourdough boule, drinking lots of green tea, making a batch of soup every week for our lunches and continuing on the drawer by drawer, closet by closet cull of unwanted, unused and old stuff!

Maybe being busier is why I have stopped my weekly blogging habit?

I am very focused and "present" when I am writing the blog.

It seems to take me longer to get to the computer too...

so many other distractions :-))

My husband and I are always watching a british crime drama or mystery on Acorn.

We like the ease of entertainment without leaving the house.

 

What's new with you?

Have you read any good books? Seen any great films?

Well I must close for now as I have a book to finish and dinner to prepare...

Am using Pappardelle instead of the Fusilli...

meatless sauce using anchovies, capers, garlic, black olives, spices and San Marzano tomatoes with Grana Padano cheese.

Are you watching The Pasta Queen on TV?
She's amazing and makes me want to cook pasta 24/7

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Oh My Goodness!! it is already September...

 

Summer is slowly slipping away...

Feet up...

Sipping Green Tea on the porch most afternoons...

My old sneakers fell apart so I purchased a new pair.

These are GBG from Los Angeles 

I have never heard of this brand before?

Snapped a dressing room selfie...

This Lands' End denim dress has been a wonderful weekday workhorse

in my wardrobe.

I will be wearing it this Fall too :-))

The custom sea glass pendant by Charlene Hall of Pender Island 

has been getting oodles of compliments.

Thrifted measuring scoop...

  a new jar for flour are taking up valuable space on my counter.

Weekly sourdough bread making...

Much easier using the flour from the jar 

than grabbing and opening the big heavy and awkward bag from the cupboard.

Cucumbers are growing like weeds!

I am inundated with fresh produce from The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Daily pickings are so rewarding and the flavours are so amazing.

Made fried green tomatoes when a branch broke off...

sauteed in a bit of olive oil

sea salt and topped with Worchestershire Sauce.

Limelight Hydrangeas

are

putting on a spectacular show.

I am going to dry some for the house for the Fall and Winter.

Mr HB planted the vintage garden cart with yellow Dahlias.

I love the whimsy and the pop of colours.

Julia Child Rose

Sunflowers 

grown from seed.

My Friend Rosemarie, from Vancouver, sent me the seeds last Spring.

She sends me unexpected random surprise gifts in the mail!

Thank you dear friend.

XO

August was a VERY busy month with the family.

Birthdays and Cottage time.

On the long weekend I went to White Rock with our son and the three grands...

for the annual back to school shopping trip.

Read a lovely article about Pamela Anderson in BH and G.

She has totally come back to her roots and completely reinvented herself.

Renovated her family home

(which was made into a series)

Produced a documentary

wrote a book "Love Pamela"

Planted a rose garden

is

 growing masses of vegetables.

She bakes sourdough breads, pickles veggies, and makes jam.

She also has a new cookbook coming out in October.

Talk about BUSY!

I am keen to get my hands on it when it comes out!

We explored some of the thrift shops in the White Rock area...

I found some nice things.

A soft wool turtleneck Vera Moda poncho which will be cozy for Fall.

A handmade leather belt made in America.

Silk scarf with hand rolled edges.

All three items cost about $20

We went to IKEA 

Our son bought a few storage boxes and baskets, sheets and duvet covers.

I found basic paper napkins, a dish drying mat and some tea towels.

The highlight was lunch!

Only my second time enjoying their Swedish Meatballs.

Busy place to eat and it is obviously because the food is good!

(and the prices are low)

~ Home Sweet Home ~

Back home...

Quiet day today catching up on laundry and rest.

Made soup for our lunch with the food left in the fridge.

Slim Pickins though...

Have to pop out and get some groceries.

Need to answer some emails...

My first priority was to write and publish a post here 

as it has been a couple of weeks.

Life is Full to the Brim.

~ Jude The Obscure Rose ~

How has your summer been?

Are you ready for Fall?

What is new?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~  Be Well and Be Kind ~