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 ~

Linen Lust...

 

Luscious Linen

Wrapped in gross grain ribbon.

Linen is from the Orkneys

Original design apron made by Rough Linen in California.

I ordered the Bella apron in graphite grey at the beginning of Covid and I love it.

New linen towels from a charming shop in Sidney-by-the-Sea.

Hansell and Halkett

 sells 

vintage wares, locally made candles, jewelry,

soaps, linens, flowers and plants.

I decided that I needed a black iron hook to hang the aprons on...

why hide these lovely pieces in a cupboard?

They get worn every day for cleaning and cooking.

So beautiful and useful.

 

Ready for me when I enter the kitchen.

They protect my clothing from spills and splatters.

The aprons wash up really well and they get softer with each wash.

OOTD

White shirt and pearls with the Bella Apron.

Do you wear aprons?

Do you love linen?

I use a linen bath sheet and hand towel in our bathroom.

I love linen clothing too!

Think I have an obsession...maybe I need to attend a Linen's Anonymous meeting :-)

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Seen at Oak Bay Marina on my walk...

a whimsical mermaid made with wire and plastic bags.

Nice to see public art in our daily round.

Artists create so many beautiful things that enrich our days.

Take Care and Stay Safe.

XO

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Life's little luxuries...

Diamonds, pearls and cashmere are definitely luxuries.

Luxuries worth saving up for but they are not the only luxuries that I love.

Luxuries...

what do you think of when you hear the word luxury?

Online dictionary meanings as found...

noun

"the state of great comfort and extravagant living"

adjective

"luxurious or of the nature of a luxury"

Luxury List

Having time to persue the things in life that bring us Joy

time to savour the richness of everyday living.

Spending quality time with family and friends.

good books

scented soaps and candles

fresh air

flowers

treating yourself to a manicure and pedicure

enjoying a coffee at a cafe

lunch out with friends

a long soak in the bathtub

a picnic in the park or at the beach

watching a classic film

trying a new perfume

finding the perfect little black dress

a fresh bouquet of flowers

There are so many things that we can embrace which elevate our days.

My latest luxury item will be delivered today and I am quite excited!

An apron made from Orkney Linen from Rough Linen

Watch the video of Tricia's story here.

I wear aprons in the garden and when I am cooking.

I am a messy cook!

I ordered the petite apron in charcoal.

Here is the corner of The Humble Bungalow Garden where I sit and take tea.

It is a calm space...

where I listen to the sounds of the birds and bees as they flitter about the flowers.

How are you faring these days?

Are you embracing this quiet time or are you missing the busyness?

Time to fill?

What are you doing to fill up your days?

Homekeeping tasks

garden beds to weed

roses to deadhead

there are a variety of jobs around our home and garden that need attention.

 I never really get caught up

the list is long

I make time in between jobs to rest

take tea

arrange a bouquet of garden roses

read a book.

I am grateful for the many activities that present themselves each day.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

French luxury items ~ My Stylish French Box

Oh be still my beating heart...
the anticipation and opening of this luxurious box is to be savoured...

I love the satin ribbon tied in a bow

the contents are hidden beneath whisper soft tissue paper

There is a folder with descriptions of the items.

Details about the makers and companies behind the products.

a beautiful leather case for my sunglasses

Paves Sonores

(I need a new one too!)

Look at this beautiful box!

Rose et Marius

inside is an enamel case with a scented pot of fig perfume

refillable too which is very handy

a story from the perfumer

it's a refreshing summery scent

one I will enjoy wearing

Hand made woven lavender wand

La Maison Franc

I plan to pop this in my lingerie drawer

a small chalk board for memos and messages

Un Esprit En Plus

a botanical print from an antique book

suitable for framing

a notebook

Les Editions Du Paon

 extra virgin olive oil spray

Nicolas Alziari

two gorgeous cushion covers from 

Charvet Editions

Thank you to Sharon and her team.

Thes boxes sell out quite quickly and you can see why they are so popular.

You can order the next box which will be delivered in November.

Simply click on the link below

Order here

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Linen frock...rosacea update and flowers...

I bought a new frock this week...
it is linen, made in Italy.

Stripes of navy and white

The back detail

cool, loose and floaty.

The perfect kind of dress for the hot days we are currently experiencing.

Add flip flops and a sun hat and I am good to go.

Heat and cold are rosacea triggers so I am trying very hard to keep my temperature variations to a minimum.

Further update on the rosacea flare up...

It has been a month since I had the laser treatment.

The skin on my face is not quite so red 

but there are visible broken capillaries.

 I went back for a follow up visit yesterday and had another session with the YAG laser.

I was advised to start using a medical grade serum.

The serum targets inflammation, weak blood vessels and redness.

It is expensive but so are the laser treatments.

If the results are as good as the technician claims I will be satisfied.

Today my face is puffy and pink where the nurse/technician targeted the laser.

Nothing so severe that I would need to stay cocooned indoors.

I put on mineral sunscreen and headed out for a walk with my hat and sunglasses.

Enjoyed a long lunch with some girlfriends.

Later this afternoon

 I hand watered the garden and took some pictures to share with you.

Purple Honesty 

creamy smillacena racemosa

one of our rain barrels

Clematis Montana reubens and hostas

Hostas, variegated iris, black mondo grass, Spanish bluebells.

Flowers for a friend...

lily of the valley.

Hope you have a lovely weekend and to all the Moms

Happy Mothers Day!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Lovely linens...a luxurious purchase.

I am particularly fond of linen tea towels.

 We have quite a few that I keep ironed and neatly stacked in the drawer beside our farmhouse sink.

Lavender linen water is lovely spritzed on the towels before ironing...

I received a bottle as a gift on a birthday and I am hooked.

I had never thought of buying a linen towel for the bathroom. 

A few days ago, I was chatting with my friend Suzanne, 

she uses a large thick linen towel 

instead of the fluffy white cotton towels 

that we have been using for as long as I can remember...

my thoughts were the fluffier the towel

the better that they would dry 

but I have decided now that linen is far superior!

I was informed by the shop keeper that the linen dries fast 

 they never smell musty.

They soften gently over time...

I purchased a hand towel and a bath towel and have used it for a few days

it dries quite quickly 

plus I love the loofah effect of the linen on my skin.

One cap full of this fragrant linen wash is all it takes to wash a load in our machine.

The towels are sold by a Canadian Company called Linen Way.

I purchased my towels locally at a shop called Madison and Muse.

I am not sure if my husband will be as keen to switch to linen...

I am very happy with my recent purchase.

Have you tried linen bath towels?

What do you think of them?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

My new dress...

It's been super hot here these past few days and more hot weather is forecast.
I am in dire need of a cool frock...
something loose and in linen, my fabric of choice...

I recently culled my faded black Bamboo Gilmour dress after 5 years of service...
it had faded and was looking rather sad. It was difficult saying goodbye to such a fabulous dress...I wore it to my retirement party and for many other occasions after...

I popped into the shops on the hunt for something cool and I came home with a new Italian made linen frock.

I think it has a BOHO vibe.

Champagne shade which is as neutral as a black could be...

Nice details

Loose and bordering on baggy but HELLO COOL!

It works for me...

and at under $100 how can one complain?

In other news...

I went for my annual mammogram

I hope that all you ladies out there do your exams.

I have a breast lump that I have had for several years and am always a wee bit nervous thinking maybe something has changed...that it might be a cancerous lump.

Last year my GP said "its nothing to worry about" but I can feel it and it is larger.

I know my body and hope that it is just a cyst...but I do wonder.

So when the report comes in I hope the verdict will be the same...

Mom had breast cancer and I would like to avoid that diagnosis if at all possible.

That is always in the back of my mind...

So how are you staying cool in this heat?

Are you sipping a tall cool lemonade...

swimming in a pool

or sitting in the shade of a tall tree?

Have you bought anything new to wear this season?

Was it an impulse buy or one to replace a recently discarded garment?

Take care and stay hydrated my friends!

XO

OOTD, flowers, "serviettes vs. napkins"...

Surprise delivery of flowers from a friend...

a lovely and thoughtful gesture of kindness.

beautiful blooming buds 

such beauty 

soft delicate blush pink roses

sunlight on the floor

reflections

of the blinds

OOTD:

Northern Reflections crisp white shirt

NYDJ skinny jeans

Ferragamo flats

 Mr. HB took the photo...

it's a silly one

Delete?

Publish?

I am not a professional model and do not take myself too seriously...

so the pictures stay.

What is so funny you may ask?

Mr. HB was snapping photos so fast I could not keep up with him.

Stop now, please...

Crisp Fresh linen from Belgium

an extra large tea towel

that may be used as a tablecloth 

on our small arts and crafts 

kitchen table.

I noticed the pretty native lilies are blooming in the park.

Today I've been busy washing the bedding and catching up on the ironing. 

It is pouring rain outside and there is a chill in the air.

In the previous post 

several comments were made about the inappropriate use of the words 

"serviettes" and "napkins."

I use both...

We use paper "serviettes" as well as linen "napkins."

What about you?

ser·vi·ette

ˌsərvēˈet/Submit

nounBRITISHCANADIAN

plural noun: serviettes

a table napkin

nap·kin

ˈnapkən/

noun

1.

a square piece of cloth or paper used at a meal to wipe the fingers or lips and to protect garments, or to serve food on.

synonyms: table napkin, dinner napkin, cocktail napkin, serviette; More

2.

NORTH AMERICAN

another term for sanitary napkin.

What are your thoughts?

Tea is served in a variety of vessels here in The Humble Bungalow...

Emma Bridgewater mugs...

Fine bone china cups and saucers...

this one is my favourite as it is a wide deep bowl with a bright bold pattern. 

Speaking of favourite things...

My "go to casual fave" outfit.

Jeans, a white shirt or Tee

sterling bangles and pearls.

Chester found the one sunny spot for his nap.

Must close for now as I am making a new recipe for a comforting soup.

It is a curried sweet potato carrot and red lentil soup.

Vegetarian and perfect for a cold day like today.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow.

XO