Showing posts with label musings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label musings. Show all posts

Sunday, February 19, 2023

OOTD ~ Fashion Police "look away" and some thoughts on hair...

 


It's Sunday again...
I am trying to continue with my weekly posts and it seems like Sunday is THE day.

You might be surprised if you saw me today :-))

Honestly...
The Fashion Police would definitely be citing me with an infraction.
most certainly it would be an enormous fine.

After showering I put on my body lotion, washed and moisturized my face...
added some mascara and tinted lip balm.
I am not going out.

OOTD
A pair of indigo sweatpants
black camisole
 dove grey hand knit Miriam wool sweater
 slippers
&
Akoya pearls

This morning I am baking bread, doing laundry and tonight I am making a roast beef.
There will be some reading and knitting...

I am giving myself permission to stay home and cocoon.

In other news...


I found a cute top at the Win Thrift Shop


I used to see a lot of garments made by Joseph Ribkoff.


I think this will come in handy for the summertime.
I can pair it with pants and that blue linen skirt that I purchased last year.


The neckline is perfect for the pearls :-))


The sun was shining a few days ago...
today there are moody clouds blanketing the sky.


Must be craving summer with my shopping habits...
purchased a new straw tote.
a great size for our Pender trips.
It can be loaded up with my laptop, books, and a few other bits.
It will come in handy at The Farmer's Market as well.

Hubby and I went to the Tapas on Oak for dinner.
Our son and the grands gave us a gift card so we wanted to try it out.
The food was good and the tapas portions were perfect for two.
It was busy and the wait staff were super friendly and efficient.


I wore a casual outfit...
tweed Hudson pants
this black crinkle top and my Chelsea boots.

I have no idea who made this top?
it has been in  my wardrobe for ages, it must have been a thrift shop find.
I took it travelling to France and Italy as when washed it dries overnight.
Great for layering !

I post on Instagram daily and several readers mentioned my hair style...
"straight and flat ironed"
the texture of the salt and pepper grey has changed and my hair is much thinner.

This would appear to be an aging issue...
many women complain of thinning hair 
my 69th birthday is a few weeks away
so I guess it is my turn...
but no complaints :-))

Do you colour your grey hair or have you gone au natural?
Was it a gradual process going grey or did you just stop dying it?
Has the texture changed like mine?

Have you changed your hairstyle?
I know many women keep their signature style over decades...
rather like a signature fragrance, many never ever stray.

I am not unhappy with my hair,  but I regularly change things up.
Covid happened and I grew my hair long.
Two years later I had it cropped in a short layered bob.
Now it appears that I am growing out the layers and wearing it straight.
I haven't been to my hairdresser for a few months.

Shall we chat about our hair?
Leave a comment to chime in...

Well I guess I better get on with my day...
lunch will not make itself
plus I want some tea...
then there is bread to bake and laundry to fold!

Hope that you are all well...there seems to be a lot of illness about.

Be Well and Be Kind 

Sunday, November 7, 2021

November vibes...


The autumnal light is fading slightly this month...
I've noticed more rainy days, breezy winds and fog.

Wearing layers to chase the chill...
a camisole underneath my cashmere sweater with warm wool socks and scarves.
The down puffer coat has made several appearances and I purchased a wool beret for my walks.


Made by The Canadian Hat Company.


I had my hairdresser chop off about 3 inches of my Covid Coiffure!
It feels so much healthier and the lightness has freed up some of the curls.

What a difference! 
A little pampering goes a LONG way to make one feel better.


There are a few geraniums still blooming on the front porch.
I crave a pop of colour in the Fall and Winter.


Calicarpia aka Beauty Berry


So delicate...


A fall flowering bush brightens up a corner of the Humble Bungalow Garden.

This weekend Mr. HB and I ventured out to the garden centre...
We were looking for a wreath for the front door.

We didn't find a wreath but we did find some Noble Fir boughs and Ilex red berries


A little festive cheer at the foot of the stairs.
A cheerful pop of colour!


I popped the cuttings in the tool box on the front porch table.
(waste not want not!)

We also purchased an Olive tree...
this purchase was inspired by our friend Julie who used some olive leaves to decorate her dining table when she hosted us for dinner.

Julie is a fabulous cook and she has a flair for home decor...
her home is an oasis of calm and she has recently redone it with soft greys and French style furnishings.



A feast for the eyes...


We brought some wine from The Pender Island Sea Star Winery.


Dungeness Crab Cake with Remoulade sauce...
succulent and so flavourful.


Goat cheese deep fried atop cherry tomatoes with pine nuts 
then drizzled with a balsamic reduction.


Salmon served with rice, asparagus and carrots
and a delicious
Beurre butter sauce


Dessert was from the Italian bakery...
fig and apple tarts.

Dinner was incredible...one for the memory book.
Thank you Julie!

We've got a busy couple of weeks planned with all kinds of events.
Looking forward to reclaiming our social life and activities in a safe way.

My knitting group is going to reconvene...
we are going out for dinner with our darling daughter and her husband.
Heading to the Art Gallery for an exhibit, meeting friends for a Happy Hour, coffee with the gals and a tea planned for next month at Butchart Gardens.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~
 

Friday, June 19, 2020

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 ~

Friday, August 9, 2019

My love affair....with roses

For many years I have loved and grown roses.
They are such beautiful flowers...
so many wonderful varieties
my favourite roses are those from David Austin.

Many of you who read and follow my Instagram page are inundated with photos of roses during the summer season.
I can't help myself from sharing the amazing blooms.

Growing and tending roses has become an all consuming addiction passion.

Today I am sharing my all time favourite rose Jude the Obscure...
I will let the pictures speak for themselves.


Look at those luscious frilly and frothy petals.


So many blooms!


In bud, bloom and overblown.
The three phases of Jude.


A veritable bouquet growing on the bush.

I can completely "lose myself" in the garden.

 Troubles wash over me when I am in the garden tending to these beauties.

Hand watering is so soothing...
with
 hummingbirds and butterflies 
flying in the mist at the edge of the spray.

Dead heading spent roses is a simple yet rewarding job.

Listening to the birdsong ~ a natural symphony.

 Bees buzz as they collect pollen 
 a steady drone of deep reverberations.

At ease
 the gentle rhythm of repeated movement
a mindful meditation 
 tending to these jobs
when 
working in the garden.

Gardening is a tonic to the soul.

Many gardens are created by people just like me.
We have a vision for natural beauty 
enjoy the respite 
that working in the dirt provides.

Do you have an all consuming passion?

Do you grow roses?

What is your favourite rose?

Until next time...
Thank you for popping by to visit The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Mother Nature's paintbrush...


Frosty morning at Quarter Deck Cottage.
The peace and quiet is restorative and so soothing.
Time to slow down, reflect and take stock of all our blessings.


Rainy morning
time to take a moment and be grateful.
Savouring the stillness and listening to what is in our heart...
taking notes and planning
perhaps trying something new.


Perfect time for hunkering down with a great book.
I was sad when I finished this book as I did not want my session at Parisian Charm School to end!

Jamie and I will be collaborating on a blog post about her newest book 
which BTW I totally LOVE!


Clouds lifting and the sun is starting to make an appearance...
hope to get out for a walk in the crisp air.


Time to go for a walk...
a gentle breeze
sunshine
the gulls are swooping and diving into the Salish Sea.


Serene and pristine Peter Cove.


A snug little bay with mooring buoys for the boats of the summer residents.


Kelp and driftwood wash up on the beaches after the storms.


The glorious beauty of Mother Nature at every turn...
so grateful to be alive and in this magical place.


Watching the ferries come and go...
the gentle ebb and flow of the tides
the rhythm that is humming just outside our door.


Our tray on the coffee table with a simple sea inspired collection
shells from the beaches
a few feathers gathered on our walks
the piece of coral a gift from a dear friend
a lavender soy candle made on the island.


The dining room table dressed in a similar fashion.


A book found in the used section of the Island Book Shop...

a new day dawns
there will be ferries to watch
ravens will be cawing
with a mug of hot coffee in hand
my thoughts stray 
as I watch the waves on The Salish Sea beyond our deck.


Views from the sofa...
change as the morning light moves across the Salish Sea
illuminating the trees and valleys 
of Vancouver Island...

Hope that you are safe and snug in your part of the world.
Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog today.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Friday, May 12, 2017

Tulip mania...and some "happy" habits.

The local markets are overflowing with buckets and buckets of colourful Tulips.
Priced so low, that they practically hop into my shopping basket...


Even after Tulips have fully blown open they are quite lovely.

One can buys masses of these or settle for a bunch as I have done here.
It depends on your budget, how big your vases may be and how many bouquets you want to display in your home.


Flowers in the home have always been a prominent accent in our home decor.

Personally I feel it essential that one has something of natural beauty in the home
 it helps keep ones spirits up...

it can be a single stem
some woody branches
a fern frond
plants or orchids
a bowl of lemons
pine cones
seashells
stones

These natural adornments are particularly helpful for our long rainy winter season.
The season here where sunshine is rationed and the gloom can be oppressing...
for some it is debilitating and depressing.


I look for "guaranteed mood lifters"
 like flowers that add elegance and ambiance.
Scented Candles are another one of my essentials for the home.
They do not need to be the posh Diptyque or Cire Trudon brands
many scented candles are affordable and readily available.

I find that it is the "little things" make our everyday life richer.

Tea
flowers
linen tea towels
triple milled soaps
quality chocolate
perfume
soft cashmere sweaters and wraps
cozy socks
plush robes
a hot cup of coffee
a great fitting pair of jeans
lingerie
framed family photos
pretty china cups and saucers
emollient hand lotion
bath salts
fluffy white towels
pearls

Those are a few of my favourite things...

I also like to keep our home tidy
free of clutter
pleasing to the eye.

I am also a big fan of lists. 
Which help to motivate me and keep me up to date on things that need to get done.

I love using "rolling ball" ink pens 
better still, but more expensive, a beautiful fountain pen.
Writing feels effortless using these inky writing implements.
Great for cards, grocery lists and letters.

I keep stocked in our writing desk a variety of pretty cards and stamps.
I buy them in bulk when they are on sale.
I look for the most attractive stamps from the post office.
Lately they have had floral stamps which are simply lovely.
Why opt for boring when one can have beautiful for the same price?


Friends gave us an arts and crafts copper letter opener one year for Christmas. 
I use it for every bill and letter that we receive...
it slices envelopes open swiftly and evenly
a bit of affordable luxury that I enjoy.

Surrounding oneself with little affordable luxuries
things that make one feel good
are well worth the time and effort it takes.

Getting in tune to what "small things" that you can cultivate...
things that may add to your daily round. 
Those that augment and beautify your environment 
it is an exercise worth the time...
listen to your heart
make notes.

You'll soon discover which things make your heart soar 
household habits that make you smile...
perhaps they will change the way you feel about a chore...
like ironing.

Buying some lavender linen spray
use a pretty floral ironing board pad.

It is so much more satisfying
drinking sparkling water out of a vintage etched goblet.

Imagine how pretty it would be
storing your cosmetics or perfumes on a silver tray.

What do you like?
Do you have any tips for cultivating beauty in your home?



Wishing you a wonderful, rich and bountiful weekend.

Hostess
XO