Showing posts with label jewelry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jewelry. Show all posts

Friday, May 26, 2023

Cottage week...Retail and water therapy


I have been thinking about a lot of things this week.
Spending quiet time here at Quarterdeck Cottage is conducive to reflection.


The beautiful scenery fills me with immense gratitude.
Gratitude to be alive and be a witness to this natural majestic beauty.


Beach walks and Sea Glass Collecting go hand~in~hand.
My first marble found in a gorgeous turquoise blue!
I felt quite excited by this discovery...
 a small snippet of Joy.


It's the little things in my daily round that make the most difference.

I wonder if I appreciate these so much more now that I am older?
Years ago I never would have dreamed about the feeling of Joy 
that finding a marble would bring to me.


The pool has been a godsend this week.
I've been "taking to the waters."
My achy and painful joints are responding positively to water therapy.
Moving without stress on my joints while getting exercise is wonderful!

I know now that I need to find a pool at home.
I will probably return to the Athletic Club in the hotel
where I swam when I worked in James Bay.

They have a lovely pool and a hot tub...
offer daytime Aqua Fit Classes
which I can easily add to my schedule.


My 68 year old body is far from a svelte youthful form!
The bathing suit is called a Miracle Suit...
it is comfy and keeps the jiggly bits from flapping too much!

Did you see Martha Stewart on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition?
She's 81 and looks so amazing!

I bet she had lots of fun on the photo shoot.
She's looking better and better these days.
Her skin is radiant and she looks very vibrant and healthy.


Sunshine in the morning makes me feel so happy.
Mornings would not be the same for me without a couple of tasty cups of coffee.
I do love my coffee.
Funny thing is, years ago, I drank tea in the morning...

I make time to savour the mornings.
Starting slowly
Check my socials online, play a few words games, 
perhaps read a chapter or two in my current book.
Think a bit as I gaze around the room...

When I feel ready I
do a quick tidy up in the kitchen
maybe pop a load of laundry in the wash
then I shower and get dressed for the day.

Maybe that's boring for you to read but it was an interesting exercise for me to think about what it is that I do in the morning that takes so long!!


I've been wearing my bangles more...
I took them out and gave them a good old polish.
Most of these are gifts...
from
mom, my husband, and my darling daughter.
A couple I found at thrift shops.

I popped into the local boutique here on the island.
I usually check out their new stock when they are open.
Well dear reader, it proved fruitful when I was there this week!


Not only did I have a pedicure but I found some comfy sandals.
I do love bows...


I have another pair of shoes by Bueno
they are unbelievably comfortable to wear.
These new "slides" are soft and cozy on my feet.
I haven't had a pair of white shoes in any form for many many years!
I always think white shoes are for car salesmen...
why I think that I haven't the foggiest?


So this casual top caught my eye 
and it wasn't until I tried it on that I knew it had to come home with me!
I have a soft linen skirt in a blue shade that I can pair this with as well as my jeans.
The white jeans have not made their debut yet this season...
they hang waiting in the closet...
now that there are white sandals and this cute top I think it's time.

What are you wearing this season?
Have you found anything new and exciting?

Fashion is fun and I am enjoying shopping more these days.
I think that Covid curtailed a lot of my creativity
especially with views of expanding my basic wardrobe.
As a minimalist, I don't tend to go crazy at the shops
if money and space were no issue who knows what I might be like in a shop?

Would I be rather keen and amass a huge pile at the checkout?
( Have you ever done that?)

I watched movies as a young teen where women need a helper to carry all the boxes and bags after shopping.
Those stores would be situated on an elegant avenue in Paris or New York.
I cannot recall the names of those films but they were rather fun to watch!

Well I have rambled on a bit long
more tidbits and thoughts than I had originally planned...

Oh and just before I close 
Have you been watching the coverage of  The Chelsea Garden Show?
I am totally smitten with the plants and show gardens.
It would be fun to attend in person and wander in The Grand Hall.
Have you ever attended the show?


Thank for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~


Saturday, December 17, 2022

Hostess Gift ~ It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in The Humble Bungalow

 


Festive Season is upon us and I am keeping things very simple.
Am wearing some sparkly vintage pins.


(Sherman pin ~ close up)


 Sherman brooches are a favourite of mine.
The newest one seen here is from our darling daughter. 
I popped it on a black boiled wool Eileen Fisher tunic sweater.

Some women avoid black but I gravitate to it for several reasons...
it is easy to wear,
it can be casual, or dressy.
It transitions well to evening...

My basic minimalist wardrobe relies heavily on black basics.
Accessories are the stars in a basic black ensemble.
I prefer pieces with a history...
Vintage jewellery is found in thrift shops, antique malls and online.
The thrill of the hunt excites me.


I found a new Finnish modernist votive holder at the thrift shop...
now I have a pair!
The silver baubles are from my childhood home.
Mom used to put them in a tall vase, I popped them in this silver trophy.

We don't have a lot of decorations...
a simple tree with white fairy lights


I found a pair of Josef Seibel boots 
to replace my tired "almost 8 year old" Chelsea Boots.
I will wear these with tights and skirts as well as my jeans.


A classic vintage handmade wreath made by a friend of my MIL.
Made with baubles, pine cones, rhinestone brooches.
I consider us custodians of this wreath...
it is a family "heirloom!"


Mixed Nuts are one of my go to Hostess Gifts.

Here's the recipe...

Mixed Nuts 

2 egg whites (at room temperature)
4 cups mixed unsalted nuts:
cashews, almonds, pecans, hazelnuts
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cayenne pepper or hot paprika
1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 325 degrees
Place egg whites in a large bowl and whisk until frothy.
Stir in nuts ~ mix to coat.

Combine in a small bowl: sugar, and spices
Pour over nut mixture.
Mix well.

Place on a parchment lined sheet pan spread out so they are in a single layer.
Bake 20-25 minutes 
stir halfway during the cooking time.
Cool then store in sealed jars.
Wrap in tissue paper add ribbon and a tag.
Ready for gift giving

BTW
They are delicious!!


Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

It's a busy time of year, so remember to take some time to stop and breathe, 
sip a cuppa and rest.

Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas.


~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

Shiny Things....OOTD

 


Today I am wearing an all black OOTD.

Eileen Fisher Boiled Wool Tunic Sweater
(an investment piece that I wear a lot)
Black leggings 
Black leather Clark Chelsea Boots

I added a Canadian vintage Sherman sparkly rhinestone brooch.
(Outfits that are plain look so much more interesting with  accessories.)

I digress...
Mom had several parure Sherman sets which were gifts from my father.
He bought them from Birks a Canadian shop that rivalled Tiffany's.
My sister has a beautiful Aurora Borealis set of Mom's.
 She wears the long drop earrings and wide cuff bracelet on special occasions...
I don't need a special occasion to wear a sparkly brooch.

I worked at Birks one Christmas and had so much fun selling jewelry!
The store offered free wrapping and I loved adding bows and tags 
making the gifts look special.

That year I gave Mom a Sherman red bracelet and earring set.
(I got a store discount)
Our darling daughter has the set.


Continuing on with the black theme I photoshopped this image of Poppies.
The details look like they really "pop."


Vintage silver champagne buckets are used in the kitchen as utensil holders.
We don't use the buckets for bubbly as we haven't had a fancy party for ages.

Silver requires polishing and not everyone likes the upkeep...
in fact you can find silver in thrift shops for next to nothing prices.
I have quite a few silver trays, silver tea service, and other silverware
in The Humble Bungalow.

Several trays, candlesticks and dishes were wedding gifts.
Silver was a classic wedding gift when we were married in 1974.


Close up on the vintage silver trophy...
local North Saanich Garden Club 
Flower and Garden Show
aggregate trophy
awarded to 
A.J.Nunn in 1929

(I found this trophy in a local consignment shop.)
I am definitely drawn to silver and shiny sparkly things!

Do you like to wear shiny or sparkly jewelry?
Do you collect silverware?

It's a sunny day here and the birds are singing.

Looking forward to a quiet afternoon...
I plan to brew a pot of loose tea this afternoon and read my book.
Perhaps knit a few rows on the vest I currently have on the needles
before 
I prepare our dinner.

I honestly love quiet afternoons
they feel like a gift!
I try to get all my chores and laundry done early in the morning.
Since retiring, the luxury of time and slowing down is priceless.

Take care and thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

OOTD ~ SNOW DAY and Baby it's cold outside!


~ Snow Day Selfie ~

I am getting ready to head out in the snow...
Snow does not usually make an appearance until after Christmas
so I was caught scrambling for my woolen accessories.
I popped on my boiled wool Eileen Fisher sweater overtop of a black camisole.
Layering is the warmest way to dress in this chilly weather.


~ OOTD ~
The cashmere Burberry scarf is ages old...maybe 10 years or more.
My hat is one I wore in Paris in 2015...Andre Diffusion with a feather pin.
The bag is vintage Due Fratelli.
My down Puffer coat is by Columbia and has a thermal foil-like lining in the body.
Super warm but bulky!
My dear departed Mom used to say...
"Darling Why don't you just wrap yourself in a Down Duvet?"

(I wear them simply because they are warm.)


Early morning routines...
candles, coffee, and my book.

I enjoyed this book...
set in Ontario Canada, in an Italian community.
I read Anne Giardini's The Sad Truth About Happiness and enjoyed it.
 When I spied this novel at the bookstore on Pender Island I grabbed it.


Chester and Pepper are snuggling...
a rare sight!
Perhaps it is the cold weather that encouraged them to sleep side by side?


Staying indoors has inspired me to bake.
I found this recipe online.

Cream Cheese Pound Cake
a heavy cake but oh so delicious!
Blackberries and whipped cream elevated it to a divine dessert.


You can see that the snow is melting on the porch.
The sun is warming us up...


I added a vintage Sherman Pin.
The rhinestones sparkle brightly set on a black background.
I love adding Vintage accessories...
they are unique, 
often found at thrift shops and can add a personal touch.

Do you wear Vintage pieces?
I'd love to know more about your vintage pieces.

I must close for now as I am heading out to the knitting group
we meet in a friends home, knit, chat and sip tea.
It's a fabulous way to be social and share our projects.
CHEERIO

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~
 

Sunday, May 8, 2022

Continuing with more Vintage vibes...


Did you have a wall phone when you were growing up?
We had a very heavy bakelite phone that actually gave the arm muscles a workout 
if we chatted for too long.

My father was quite strict about the telephone
 we had an egg timer with sand in it to let us know when our chat time was up.
I used to flip the timer over before all the sand ran out to extend my calls...
the main reason for limiting conversations were because we had a "party line."
A party line was a shared connection with someone else in our neighbourhood...
if they picked up their phone they could listen into our conversation and visa versa! 

Can you imagine?
There were no secrets unless we spoke in code!


~ Recently sourced ~

Vintage black patent leather Pourchet Paris handbag.
Quality leather and classic details.


Cross body bag


The company Maison Pourchet, has been in business in Paris since the early 1900's.
It is still in business today and you can find many of their classic vintage bags online.


Black and white skirt picked up at the thrift shop.

I have a small basic wardrobe that has a lot of black and white pieces 
so this will be a very versatile skirt.

White or black tops
casual or dressy.

Paired it with my distressed denim jacket 
or 
black vintage Susan Bristol dressy knit sweater...
I have numerous options.


Sparkly Vintage Canadian designed Sherman rhinestone brooch.

I have several of these brooches and add them when I feel I need a dash of bling.
Mom received several Sherman sets for Christmas from Dad.
They would usually be earrings, a bracelet and necklace...
set in a velvet box from Birks.

The sparkle was perfect with her bright and festive velvet dresses.

Vintage pieces add an extra zing to my classic neutral wardrobe.

When I am in a thrift shop I gravitate to the vintage section...
I keep an open mind
you never know what you'll find!

Good Luck and Happy Shopping.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~ 

Thursday, June 10, 2021

My Stylish French Country Box...


My Stylish French Country Boxes are always
Beautifully wrapped...a joy to receive.

I look forward to opening them so much.


Satin ribbon and tissue paper.


The box is filled with pampering treats and the brochure
guide elaborates on each item in the box. 


Standard sized pillow slip in a cheery floral fabric.


Vintage Limoges flowered cup and saucer
Imai brooch from Paris
Mademoiselle Saint Germain Serum from Versailles
Kusmi tea blends
Madeleines by Marlette
Cozy alpaca socks from Bleuforet



Am eager to try this new serum.




Roses in gold


Love the socks so cozy and soft.
Time to brew a pot of tea and sip it out of the darling floral cup 
and indulge in a madeleine...or two!

If you would like to treat yourself to one of these exquisite boxes 
click on the link here to order one.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Saturday, February 6, 2021

My new Vintage bag...

 


Vintage Gently Used Coach Regina bag.

Compact size, supple soft leather

with a zippered small inner compartment 
 an open space for my wallet and keys
&
featuring an exterior pouch for my phone.

Several years ago I had a frozen shoulder.
 which was incredibly painful.
It came on suddenly and scared me with the intensity of the pain.

The specialist that I saw told me to get rid of my big heavy handbags as they may have contributed to the problem.
I immediately bought a smaller bag.
Once my shoulder recovered, the other one froze!

I now carry a minimal amount of things
 just what I need.
Wallet, keys, nail file, lipstick and a mask.
My IPhone is stored in the outer pouch.

Darling daughter happens to have been the influencer on this Coach Bag.


She dropped off that lovely pearl pin that I purchased from her
at my front porch and I spied the bag...
well what can I say.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!


Jennifer was wearing an embroidered mask when she stopped by...

After several disposable masks fell apart after one wearing last week
I decided it was time to get serious and purchase a few decent non disposable masks.

These are from a dressmaker in Halifax Nova Scotia.
Her ETSY shop is Janice's Tailoring
her site has quite a few lovely patterns to choose from 
 hop on over and check them out!

Hope that you are doing well, staying safe and wearing your masks.
Have you had your vaccination yet?

Our supply of vaccines arriving here in Canada has slowed down...
we hope to get the shots as soon as they are available for our age group.
Maybe by Late Spring or Early Summer?

How is your area doing regarding Covid?
Have you seen a recent spike with the new strains?
 Are your numbers of active cases relatively low?
We are all in this together.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Friday, January 29, 2021

OOTD ~ It's all about pearls...


Cashmere V neck sweater by Black Goat overtop a simple denim shirt and jeans.
My "go to" OOTD for cooler winter days.

It has been given a wee bit more "oomph" 
with the acquisition of a vintage baroque pearl pin.

Darling daughter @thingfinder on Instagram 
had this pin ready to list in her ETSY shop 
when I spied it and saw just how exquisite it is
I knew that I wanted it!


The pearl looks like a juicy pear...

The jeweller must have seen it too 
an opportunity to create leaves and accentuate the pear shape.
A work of art.


Lovely nachre...
just a tip to those of you who may not be familiar with genuine pearls
do not spray them with perfume or scent as it destroys the natural lustre.


OOTD
black camisole fringed with lacy edges
Lands' End new cashmere cardigan

Gisel B pearl necklace from a previous My Stylish French Box delivery from France.



Layers in my hair thanks to my recent visit to my hairdresser...
my last visit was in September.
It felt wonderful seeing her and I enjoyed the "pampering."


Camellias are in bloom!


January bud on our Gertrude Jekyll rose 
out in the front garden of The Humble Bungalow.

Have you purchased any new clothes to wear during Covid?
Are you wearing athletic wear and casual cozy clothes?

I mix it up.

Some days I will wear my Yoga pants and go for longer walks.
The problem for me is that they are so forgiving...
so I think they have given me a sense of comfort despite gaining a few pounds...
my jeans tell me to stop eating so much, move more and get in shape!

So jeans are my guide to wellness.

Current Goals:

Walking more, counting my WW points and drinking less alcohol.

Have you embraced new healthy habits?
Wishing you good luck on your fitness journey.

As a small "non food reward" for my efforts...
I've ordered a vintage classic handbag and when it arrives I will share it with you all.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.
Have some fun in your weekend whatever you do.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~