Mother Daughter getaway...new clothes for Spring and summer.

Last weekend our darling daughter accompanied me on a trip to Vancouver.
The focus of the trip was to shop.
And shop we did!

The first day we walked and shopped for 5 hours and the second for 6...a marathon of walking and shopping yielded quite a few bags full.

I love these shoes.

Ferragamo Varina flats...

IF I were to plunk down the cash I would insist on a pair in red.

They are quite pricey at $625 but they are beautifully made and so classic, perhaps iconic.

A gal can dream....

Aritzia is a favourite shop of darling daughter...

we have one here in Victoria

the Robson shop has three storefronts and loads of stock.

We perused the shop both days as it was on the same street as our Hotel.

Milestones restaurant was the perfect casual spot to stop for dinner.

Lots of variety and healthy options for dinner.

OOTD

Calvin Klein ponte knit pants

Style & Co. black top

Clarks boots

Burberry print infinity scarf

(My hair is a mess as we got caught in a torrential downpour!)

H&M navy and white striped top

London Fog navy and white polka dot trench coat.

White NYDJ jeans

Black flats by Pegabo with gold accents on the heels

H&M striped top

We sipped Perrier and munched on popcorn while we watched the award winning movie Brooklyn.

(I highly recommend it)

We also watched the English film Man Up.

(funny and entertaining ~ cute)

There was a gale force windstorm Sunday 

when we left the dock at the ferry terminal the wind was really intense

The crossing across Georgia Strait was lumpy but we made it to the island without incident.

Later that same day there were some ferries that had mishaps...

one bumped into a concrete dock and some sailings were also cancelled.

Are you old enough to remember Lamb Chop and Shari Lewis?

These little lamb chops were for sale in the onboard shop.

Like lamb chop I am embracing a bright paw.

Dior Adventure will do the trick.

Hope that your week is ticking along nicely.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

My search is over...for now.

It has taken me weeks to find a great pair of black knit pants...
who would have thought that this would have been so challenging?

Black pants are such a great basic and one that I wear several times a week...
that's why I was so desperate to replace my favourite pair.

Mine were 2 years old, a wee bit faded and they were looking less than best.

Calvin Klein makes these and they were found at Marshall's at a very good price point.
The fabric has lots of Spandex so I expect that will help retain the shape of the pants.

These knit pants are ankle length so they work great with my short legs!

They are a pull on pant...which sounds frumpy...

they are so comfy and without a zipper and pockets there is a wonderful slimming effect.

Great style to wear with a longer top.

With any luck I'll be wearing these for a few years to come.

Oh and while I was there...

I spent the money that Mother gave me for my birthday.

Linen top white with grey stripes.

Going to love this for summer 

will layer it over a tank top and wear it with my white skinny jeans.

I can see it as a bathing suit "cover up" too.

Bring on the sunshine!

I am already wearing a lighter shade on my paws.

Formula X polish 

"Thrilling"

I have been away for the weekend with lovely daughter on a shopping spree in Vancouver. 

The gale forced winds are hammering our coast and we just made it home across the strait

before the winds really picked up.

Will post soon.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Monday Jewels...

Welcome to my blog...
I hope that you will continue to pop by and catch up.

Life has been busy and full and I am feeling immense gratitude these days...

The latest posts have been smaller and while I do apologize, my inability to sit and type for very long due to the shoulder issue have necessitated that I keep my time at the computer short.

But let's get on with it and put aside any whining and complaining!
The Spring flowers are working their magic...

This is one stunning Hellebore!

I love the colour and those stamens are like little jewels.

Henry, our grandson, came over last week to spend a morning with Grammy.

We had a fun building with blocks, we coloured in our book, shaped things with Play Doh, ate a healthy snack and read books. 

Next time it will be Isla's turn and I plan to make cookies or cupcakes and we can decorate them together and she can take them with her when she goes home.

One on one time is a lovely way to connect with the grandchildren.

Essie Jag-u-are lasts about a week 

I wear my gloves when doing the house work and washing the dishes.

I bought French's ketchup and learned that Heinz pulled out of Canada and laid off all the employees.

French's stepped up and has started making ketchup as well as their classic mustard.

I like the idea of keeping Canadians working and buying local.

(you can read the story here)

My car was in the shop again...

this time not as a result of vandalism but wear and tear.

My 2001 Volvo Estate is a high maintenance gal.

I have to keep her running as I cannot afford a new car right now.

The comfort that this car offers suits me and I do love Volvo's for their safety features.

I have owned 2 Volvo's prior to this one and I would opt for another one in the future.

While the car was being serviced I went shopping...

I bought this beautiful rhinestone brooch for resale at Vanity Fair Antiques.

Darling daughter and I rent a shelf in a case where we sell a few things.

Mostly jewelry and a few other bits and bobs.

Scottish citrine Hallmarked silver pin

Glasgow 1956

If I can figure out how to launch an Etsy shop I might try my hand at selling online.

It is fun to go browsing for treasures and beautiful things.

These Mexican silver earrings are for my personal use.

Since I got my hair cropped I am wearing bigger earrings.

You can see the reflection of me taking this photograph!

I stopped for a healthy lunch at The Grindstone Cafe.

Their salads are tasty and they make a great tortilla soup.

So that's about all for now...

Hope your week is off to a great start.

Be Well and Be Kind.

Flowers and the occasional treats...

The beautiful colours of this exquisite fuchsia stand out against the grey gloom of a February day.

After a delightful trip away in Seattle I am trying to get back on track and eat more modestly.
Focusing on lean protein, fruits, vegetables and salads.

Recently my daily dose of Thyroid medication has been reduced substantially.
It is interesting to me that our thyroid glands can fluctuate so much and I am curious as to why it has changed so radically in the past 6 months, I have done some research but have not discovered any answers.
The Thyroid affects many systems in the body and losing and gaining weight can be affected by an malfunctioning Thyroid gland.
If you have not had yours checked in awhile it might be a good idea,
all that is involved is a simple blood test.

While staying the course I have been rewarding myself with non edible treats...

floral bouquets.

Cafe au lait's 

which have helped keep me satisfied...

the skim milk foams up far lighter than regular milk and it is easy opting for skim over full fat cream.

One needs a few treats now and then so a bowl of coffee with frothy milk is something I enjoy.

I have paid extra attention to my hands and have started painting my nails

 it is fun trying out new and different shades.

I am getting better with the application of the polish.

Practise makes perfect!

Paying attention to details 

Wearing a variety of accessories with my basic classic outfits

scarves, jewelry, shoes, boots and interesting tights and socks.

The bangle collection has recently grown thanks to darling daughter...

she found me the new one 

(on the far right)

Thank you @thingfinder.

I've been walking and getting plenty of fresh air and exercise.

Chronic pain is fairly new to me...

my right arm and shoulder are giving me grief.

The doctor has diagnosed me with Supraspinatus tendonitis and has suggested physiotherapy.

There will be exercises and a course of treatments and if they fail to provide relief there is talk of a cortisone shot.

No more heavy handbags for me!

Mr. HB and I have been savouring the last season of Downton Abbey.

Julien Fellowes has been writing such wonderful episodes for the past few years that we have come to expect that the Sunday evening PBS series will always be there...

sadly 

we are a few episodes away from the finale.

We finished watching the English murder mystery River 

we started watching Lie To Me.

(both on Netflix)

Grand Designs is a BBC production that we are loving...

 behind the scenes stories and details during the construction of the architecturally designed homes.

We have enjoyed each episode and highly recommend the series.

What are you watching these days?

Have you tried these candies?

The "bad news" is that they are very tasty

the "good news" is...

They are just 1 Weight Watcher Point.

Guilt free pleasure that I am happy to indulge.

in moderation of course!

Lisa from A Mid Life of Privilege blog has posted on an interesting topic this morning.

Pop over and read her post and the comments left by readers.

Lisa is happy with her 5 pound gain which still has her in a healthy normal BMI range.

I am working to shed 5 pounds as I am in the overweight category at 25.4 

My goal is to be at a BMI of 25 which is considered at the higher end of the"normal " range.

The Weight Watcher goal of 132 pounds for a 5'1 woman

 is not an unreasonable goal 

nor am I in any way going to look "skinny!"

I feel better at that weight...

less stress on my hips and knees

my clothes fit better

and

 in the end feeling good on your own skin is what it is all about

"bien dans sa peau"

Perhaps you will care to share your thoughts on weight gain and weight loss.

Does it matter to you?

Do you put your health as a priority?

Has weight gain or loss affected your confidence?

Has your doctor ever suggested that you make changes in your lifestyle to protect your heart health?

If you have been reading my blog awhile you might remember when my blood pressure went through the roof and I was on medication...my doctor mentioned that IF I could lose 10% of my weight that I would substantially reduce my blood pressure.

I lost 20% of my weight...and fortunately I no longer require the medication.

February is HEART month...

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like."

~ Lao Tzu ~

Inviting colour in small doses...

The dark days of January here in the Pacific Northwest are making me crave colour...

My minimal wardrobe could use a dose of energy... as could I!

The basic clothes that hang in my closet are functional and everything works together.
Planning and shopping with the basic shades makes it simple but with the dark days of January here in the Pacific Northwest I find that I crave an injection of colour.

Eileen Fisher would be the designer whose clothes I could exclusively wear and own...
and she works mostly in shades of grey, black and navy in winter.

I saw a sweater from her new spring and summer line made out of a loose linen weave in a soft grey and I absolutely loved it...but the price tag was almost $400. Yikes!

Oh but it would look fabulous with my white jeans...
perhaps...time will tell...I have a birthday coming up in March.

After shopping I came home I brewed a cup of hot tea and painted my nails...in living colour!
I am getting better at this.
The health and look of my cuticles are improving with the use of gloves and hand cream.

Here is that punch of colour that I am craving and at a price that I can afford!

I met darling daughter for a healthy lunch earlier in the week and tried on her newest cocktail ring.

If you are on Instagram please check out her site.

@thingfinder

She has the most stunning collection of jewels and she has an etsy shop where she sells some of her gems.

(etsy shop link on her IG page)

I am going to a celebration of life which is coming up soon 

and I have been trying to decide what to wear.

I will be volunteering at this function.

I went to school with the woman who passed away at 61.

She was a successful lawyer, a court judge, wife and mother.

The volunteers are planning on wearing mostly black.

Vintage Leather vest Pamela McCoy which can be layered over any number of tops

paired with the versatile Lisa Campione skirt.

Lord and Taylor waffle knit sweater.

Pair this with tights and short boots.

Jeanne Beker poly sleeveless top adds some sheen.

Susan Bristol (ages old) knit sweater jacket.

(Ladylike)

Tweedy jacket

(Mother approved)

Assorted Pearl necklaces...to layer or wear alone.

Vintage bakelite clamper bracelet.

I may wear a LBD as I have several contenders in the closet.

What do you wear to funerals or celebrations of life?

New brighter lipstick by L'Oreal number 590 Blushing Berry.

The colour is actually darker and richer than it looks in this light.

I bought a new address book to replace the one that I had that was falling apart.

It took me over an hour this past weekend but I managed to update and  transfer all the addresses.

New fitness/workout wear from Costco.

Inexpensive and the fabrics are super cozy.

I just heard that Alan Rickman died...I loved his acting and enjoyed his films.

His passing came right on the heels of David Bowie's death, 

both 69 and both died of cancer.

So sad.

I must get out of my colourful Ralph Lauren PJ's...

I've been at the computer far too long but oh my

the coffee tastes good this morning...

Time to seize the day!

Hostess