Shopping ~ a mix of items....some surprisingly good quality and much more economical than expected.

 

Crisp George brand Cotton Shirt 

White Athletic Works Tee

(Walmart)

Baroque Pearls from Hong Kong

(a mix of high and low)

Athletic Works Black Shorts

(Walmart)

First pair of shorts in at least a decade.

Will be worn on hot days at the cottage...

Comfy Vessi Sneakers

waterproof

(Nicholas Randall)

~ Casual Chic ~

Shirt is longer so will be a good pairing with the shorts and the Tee.

Canadian Marcelle Mascara

My favourite kind of mascara wand...

basic black and the formula is free of clumps.

~ Little Black Dress ~

I spied this dress on the sale rack at our local Marshall's Shop.

It looked loose fitting, easy to wear and cool for this heat wave that we are having...

I wore it twice this past week and it was a winner!

The Debra K handmade necklace has been in my jewellry collection for about 17 or 18 years...it is a black plastic "FIMO" type base with vintage clear crystals.

Very versatile and a fun piece that makes a statement.

It was an "investment" piece at the time of purchase but if you factor in the CPW

(Cost per wearing) 

it has been a real bargain.

Cupid's Dart 

happily blooming on the patio

growing and thriving in a big terra cotta pot.

I love the colour.

More lavender sachets...

these ones are smaller as the Dollar Store had sold all the larger gauzy bags.

Great for gifts and perfect to pop into a lingerie or sweater drawer.

Our lavender is having a fabulous year!

The bees are abuzz and so busy collecting pollen.

At any given time there are about 3 different types of bees hard at work.

I tried to get pictures of all the different bees but they were too fast!!

New backpack bag...

great for picnics, beach combing, walks, shopping and holiday time at the cottage.

Lots of compartments, zippered sections.

 Ample room for all my basics, a book, water, snack, and some treasures...

hands free shopping!

As I was leaving to go to my Yoga Class....

I spied some hungry visitors.

Twins that were busy munching the Alstromeria and some Hostas!

Too cute to scare away...

as soon as they get bigger they won't fit through the openings in the front gate.

Went to my hairdresser today for a CHOP!

I haven't seen her for several months and my hair was a MESS!

She cut the back up shorter in a wedge (as per my request)

then left the sides a bit shorter 

but long enough for the hair to fall in waves and curls.

I look so much like MOM.

( I miss her so much)

Would love to walk along the Esplanade, then go to the Willows Tea Room with her.

We used to do that so often on a sunny afternoon.

XO

Hope that your summer is ticking along nicely...

what are you up to?

Travel, picnics, garden parties, teas, lunches out with friends and family?

Cottage time, boating, camping, day trips, adventures, staycations?

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

Until next time...

~ BE WELL AND BE KIND ~

~ Sweet Peas ~

Matucana Heritage Sweet Peas 

(1680's UK variety)

from Westcoast Seeds.

Mr. HB is so clever...he keeps me supplied with these fragrant flowers.

Thank you darling..

XO

Food shopping, a new local business, books and a striped top that popped onto my radar!!!

 

Welcome to my Teeny Tiny Closet that I share with my Hubby!!

I definitely have a minimal wardrobe...

small closets make it necessary to be restrained.

The black, white, grey and denim basics are all getting lots of wear.

I've had fun finding more denim options...faded Mom Jeans from Mango.

A fleecy denim coloured shirt from Jane Delancey.

The dressy after 5 outfits are small but stored in the closet downstairs.

They co-mingle with the summer linens...

I peeked at the selection today and think I can cull a few more items.

New striped Breton style top...made in Portugal.

Company is Mus & Bombon from Barcelona.

LOVE the texture...

Love the texture YUP I said it again!!

 Very cozy.

Have been reading library books every afternoon with a cup of tea...

read the Nina Stibbe book in a couple of days..I liked her other books.

 I have started on The Queen of Dirt Island by Donal Ryan...

his books are new to me.

Have you read his books?

World news is TOO much right now...

Am taking a break from it and exploring (escaping) in the fun shops of our fair city!

Victoria Gourmet Food Market on Broughton is FABULOUS!!!

The owner is friendly and so knowledgeable...the food is above and beyond!!

All the charcuterie board basics are available and

with an extra punch of unique and exotic items to make it an incredibly special experience.

I like to think of this as "The Wall of Pasta!"

Please go in and introduce yourself to Cherilee and tell her I sent you!!

I am going to go back and get my charcuterie board and pasta favourites soon...

We are so fortunate to have so many energetic women entrepreneurs here in Victoria!

Wherever you live please support your local businesses.

Buy Local...chat with the owners

 like they do in France and become regular shoppers it is a wonderful experience...

knowing who sells you the goods that you use and need on a weekly basis.

It feels real and genuine to have a dialogue with the people who supply our foods.

We are planning some changes in The Humble Bungalow Garden...

busy getting ahead of the season with our wonderful local garden crew

from

Susanne Osmond Garden Design.

We are going to be on the Victoria Hospice Fundraising Teeny Tiny Garden Tour this June.

It is finally "pay back" for the care they gave Mom in her final days.

I hope to auction off a painting too for garden visitors...proceeds go to Hospice.

Well I haven't much more news to report...

BUT

perhaps I should mention that My Instagram is now Private.

I had a deluge of "MEN"...all claiming to be doctors 

who were wanting to follow me!

REALLY?

I think they were JUST BOTS...

so I am now hoping to stay under the radar...

Hope you are staying sane with all the crazy stuff going on in our world...

What are you doing these days?

Any exciting news to share...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Canadian Tuxedo, Makeup, and a "Perfect" white tee

 

~ Snow ~

We don't get a lot of snow here in Victoria but when we do...

many things come to a halt.

The Yoga Studio closed, 

the rec centre annex Yoga classes were cancelled, 

schools were closed.

I have been busy here in The Humble Bungalow keeping the home fires burning.

Vacuuming, dusting, reading, knitting, making soup.

Baking ~ Banana bread and a Sourdough Boule.

Watching the birds outside, sipping tea, thinking deep thoughts.

Silently praying for Peace.

The amaryllis bloomed!

I planted it on Boxing Day.

It is sitting on the shelf above the farmhouse sink where I do the dishes.

The kitchen is my favourite place to work.

I spend many hours at the counters 

sharp knives in hand chopping, 

slicing, and dicing...

creating meals to feed us.

Last week I went to the mall in search of the "perfect" white Tee shirt.

I don't know why it is so difficult to find one that fits well

looks good, is not see through, and has some style.

I want a decent quality, a smooth washable fabric that doesn't cling.

I've spent ages looking for a white tee in the thrift shops, no Joy.

After trying many tees in shops 

most were thin, see through tops, much too clingy.

This is one that I found at The Gap...

it ticked all the boxes I bought 2 of them.

($54.95 each yikes!)

Will be a layering workhorse...

when they go on sale I am going to buy a couple more!

DENIM got me again...

pale blue softness.

Thank you GAP

I know this has become a problem...

Hanging in my closet now are 3 denim style shirts.

The newer fleecy one...

(see previous post)

a thrifted Gap one from 5 or 6 years ago

now a pale one for spring and summer.

(Charter and founding member of Denim Shirts Anonymous)

Actually, come to think of it...

the pale one will go well with those pale denim Mango jeans I bought.

Think Canadian Tuxedo :-))

Very good book!

I read Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano a while back and really enjoyed her writing.

Several friends have recommended this book so I borrowed it.

Glad that I did.

Replaced my former CC cream with this one from Marcelle.

Canadian Company in Quebec that has been in business since 1949.

The gals at The Oak Bay Pharmasave suggested the opthamologist recommended mascara and eye shadow...

 I was asking their advice after two eye infections

 which I attributed to my sensitivity to mascara.

Been using this for about 6 months and have had no problems whatsoever!

The lipstick is a sheer red perfect for everyday.

(Loving Red)

My "go to products" for a simple minimal 5 minute make-up routine.

For a woman who is on the cusp of 70 

I find that less is more when it comes to make-up.

That about wraps up this snow day...

need to make dinner.

~ Spaghetti Bolognese ~

I don't usually post as often so I guess this a "bonus" post.

Many of you have popped by The Humble Bungalow Blog

 through the years...many friendships have been forged.

A few of us get together from other areas of the globe.

There are wonderful spin offs to blogging.

Kind of surprising that after all these years

I still feel like writing.

I might be

Am I repeating myself!

Well I'll sign off for now...

What's new with you these days?

Leave me a comment and tell me how you are doing.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Hostess Hasty Notes...

 

Bateaux Mouches Scarf knit in a grey yarn by Drops.

Alpaca and Silk

It is super soft with a nice drape...

very cozy and warm for these colder days.

Mornings this week have been very icy...

A delightful week of Yoga

Yoga for Osteoporosis

Yoga for Balance

Yoga For Hips

Scraping the ice off the car before heading off to Yoga Class. 

I am focused on the new classes 

which are improving my hip alignment and strengthening the muscles that support the hip.

Training me to be in balance 

with a goal of stability and the ability to avoid future falls.

All of this is taking up time and energy and are an investment in my health.

My flexibility is not what it was prior to COVID.

My goal is to

get back as much flexibility as possible.

My instructor says it takes time.

Do you practice Yoga?

\

Marshalls dressing room selfie...

I LOVE denim!

 So when I spied this soft cozy fleecy knit denim blue shirt...

I pounced and have been wearing it on rotation these past few weeks.

I am loving this new Sonsie skincare.

The redness from my rosacea has completely calmed down.

If you want to try it please use the 15% discount code...

https://www.sonsieskin.com/LESLIE65651

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to shoot me an email.

Joanne from Steveston came to Victoria for a few days.

We got together for an afternoon of fun.

Shopped thrift and consignment shops 

visited the Vic West Market on Catherine Street

before we had lunch at The Snug in The Oak Bay Beach Hotel.

The Market has a very European Vibe...

lots of interesting food items and the displays are works of art!

Am knitting another Bateaux Mouches Scarf/Shawl

Using Bamboo Yarn in white for Summer.

Feels lovely in the hand...soft and light.

Soup for lunch at Pure Vanilla...

red lentil with a spicy tang.

New LG Washer and Dryer Set

Our former set were 

15 years old and the washer ground to a halt on Saturday.

I had to rinse the entire load in the bathtub 

before wringing the clothes by hand to dry!

Our laundry room is bright and cheerful...

I can look out onto the Humble Bungalow Garden while working downstairs.

There are some rustic touches in the minimalist decor.

Simple

but so important!

There are Joys in clean clothes and freshly ironed cottons.

I spend a LOT of time doing laundry!

Another sourdough Boule has baked...

"Alexandra Cooks" basic sourdough recipe is my favourite.

After making bread for several years now I can do it with my eyes closed :-))

The flavour is amazing and the bread is easy to make.

Do you bake your own bread?

White Orchid

Do you shop local?

Think we need to help these shops stay open and keep their business thriving.

So many small businesses are struggling to survive and many are already shut down.

Buying Power is in our hands

(and wallets)

we have choices

 through our decisions of 

who we buy from...

where we spend our money

If we

consciously

 support companies run and owned by women.

We are empowering them to continue...

Just like the

Cordova Candle Company who are local and make lovely scented soy candles.

I light mine every morning while I sip my coffee and read my socials.

What are your favourite local shops?

Are you a repeat customer?

Do you know the women behind the business?

Speaking of Socials...

several friends have quit Facebook

others are taking a 3 week break from all online platforms.

Are you considering leaving any of your social memberships?

We have the power to make changes...

it is up to each of us to decide what is right.

What is new with you?

Are you worried about the state of the world?

Have you, like me, had to limit your exposure to the news?

I do not go down rabbit holes...

I act locally...making changes where I can see the results of those efforts.

I bake, I knit, I drink tea, I read, I walk, I go to Yoga, I live an honest and simple life.

~ STAY SAFE ~

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog

Hostess

XO