Turnabout Dressing room ~ The quest for a dress...in black.

 

Here I am 

not dressed for a try on

was not expecting to go to the shops.

Wearing my Bermuda shorts, white Tee and oversized Ralph Lauren shirt.

Turnabout is an upscale shop

lots of designer items

posh bags

and

there were a group of tourists

women

who were trying on all the LV bags.

There must have been a dozen LV bags in different style and sizes.

Quite the excited vibe when I entered the store.

I think there were several sales and some very happy customers.

I made the rounds of all the racks on the main floor set aside some clothes by the fitting room then went upstairs to see the markdowns and dedicated style racks.

7 items...

mostly black dresses

Silk loose style with interesting trim and the neck and cuffs.

Didn't feel like a good choice...too boxy.

Price was good but I couldn't see it as a "workhorse" dress.

Fitted too close to the Body...

too snug...not flattering.

Now this one felt better...

a bit longer than I had originally imagined 

but still...

it has side pockets.

Nice jersey knit, good weight, drapes well.

Swing skirt...

very packable.

Got to go out to the bigger mirror to get a better look.

Two women commented right away...

positive feedback

one was a staff member the other was a customer.

The dress set aside while finishing trying on the other garments.

Super soft "sweatshirt" top for cooler shore days.

So cozy, great neutral colour, layering piece.

Under the puffy vest or the jean jacket.

I purchased the top...

and the dress.

Both items were very reasonably priced...

I found a crinkle linen scarf/wrap in the thrift shop on Salt Spring

 when we were there a few weeks ago...

it is black, grey and white wide swatches of colour.

Is very large so I think it will be a warm wrap for evening meals in the dining room.

Have pretty much got my cruise wardrobe ready now.

Not packing a ton of clothes but everything will be versatile enough to mix and match with all the items.

I'll take a few scarves as they add colour, interest and texture.

I bought a pair of New Balance walking shoes, have my Taos black sandals

and the black casual Remonte shoes and I need to decide which dressy pair to pack.

The Ferragamos or the Amalfi's both black with low heels and classic.

Will pack: Lord and Taylor cashmere black turtleneck sweater, 

casual pair and dressy Eileen Fisher black pants.

Blue and white Tommy Bahamas dress

white linen short jacket

Uniqlo tees ~ black and white

white linen Sigrid Olsen shirt

white tank

grey Eileen Fisher linen vest

denim shirt

Betty Barclay navy puffer vest

new sweatshirt

new black dress

Columbia raincoat

denim Angels jean jacket

DKNY bathing suit

nightgown and lingerie

sox

warm hat, scarf and gloves for Glacier Day.

I've been under the weather with a summer cold and cough.

The cough is hanging on much longer than one might expect...

the nurse that listened to my lungs 

said she had the same virus in May and it lasted 3 weeks.

Hopefully it eases soon as I have some plans to visit Salt Spring Island for a few days and I would be very disappointed if I have to cancel my plans.

So I'm taking Zinc and vitamin C

hydrating like crazy and taking life easy.

Looks like Chester is taking life easy :-))

Chester loves to come outside on the deck.

He's an indoor cat so we only permit him out there when we are both out there.

I suppose he is getting his dose of vitamin D

Have you had a summer cold?

Hope you are enjoying a fun summer...

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Until next time 

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Sunday ~ Sunshine and Snow

 

This candle is not what I expected...

it is melting in a rather unusual fashion.

The shopkeeper where I purchased this candle

assured me that they were quality imports from Europe.

I think I will go back to buying beeswax candles.

They burn cleanly and look lovely and are fragrant while they burn.

Reading Mick Herron's book Slow Horses the first in the series.

Mr. HB is on book 5 London Rules...

he has the next one and will purchase the new one when it is published this April.

We do not usually read the same books but this series is an exception.

My reading corner at the cottage.

The weather is freezing cold and we had some snow overnight.

Just a dusting.

It is a beautiful sunny Sunday here at the cottage!

Another vintage sealer jar...almost full.

We managed to get out for two beach walks and gather sea glass.

Fashionable OOTD at the cottage are rather non existent!

I pack a Lands' End tote with cozy casual sportswear during the fall and winter.

What I pack for the week:

Nightgown and Ralph Lauren terry robe

thick alpaca socks (instead of slippers)

Lingerie:

bras, panties, camisoles

Two long sleeved Lands" End cotton tops 

Yoga pants and a pair of black lined leggings

32 Below black velour zip jacket

Black quilted Eileen Fisher vest

distressed and much worn Gap denim shirt

Jeans 

Long sleeve Eileen Fisher boiled wool sweater 

Boots:

Warm lined Reiker boots in a tobacco shade

Black waterproof Josef Seibel Chelsea Boots

Columbia blue puffer coat

Burberry plaid scarf

You might be curious, I do wear my Akoya pearls...

my vintage burgundy leather Due Fratelli bag

I also bring a small black leather Roots bag for hikes and walks.

Our cottage time is laid back and casual.

Hope that you are keeping warm and cozy if it is snowing where you live.

We'll be spending most of the week with our noses in our books and going for walks.

Meals will be simple and the weather sounds like it will warm up.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Many of you are frustrated that the email service Blogger offered is no longer working...

You can try Feedly or check in most Sundays for the post.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Keep Calm and Carry On...3 weeks of outfits!

Trying very hard to keep calm...to sleep and to breathe.

The excitement is building and there are not that many more sleeps before Julie and I depart on our adventure in Italy and France.

This week I kept busy with friends, reading and walking.

I enjoyed a relaxing pedicure at the Willow King Spa and chose a bright red shade of polish for my toes...I am packing sandals as the weather in Rome and Tuscany looks hotter than I expected.

Merrell sandals super comfy for long walks

Clark Chelsea Boots and New Balance trainers.

Rain jacket and yoga pants for the bike ride to the vineyard in Tuscany

They may come in handy for the fishing trip on the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Eileen Fisher top and jeans.

Cashmere sweater

I plan to wear this on the plane with the Clark Chelsea boots.

Eileen Fisher jacket 

"Sunken Garden"scarf from Butchart Gardens gift shop here in Victoria.

Hedgren lightweight Cross body bag.

Nyan crinkle dress

Eileen Fisher top and black rayon pants

Tencel chambray shirt which I can layer over the tees and tops.

Camisole and crinkly top which can be worn together with black pants or jeans.

Lingerie, capri leggings, socks, nightie, and a swimsuit.

It all fits in the carry on and there is a bit of room to spare!

I am taking the Longchamp bag as my accessory item.

I packed a similar amount of clothing in 2015 when I went to Paris and France.

Minimalistic carry on wardrobes are easier to pack than you might think.

If we encounter snow I will need to do some shopping!

Hope that the weather will be as forecast and I will purchase something fun in Paris...

It's a beautiful sunny Autumn day here in The Humble Bungalow.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

BTW

Have you seen the Downton Abbey film yet?

It's wonderful, a fabulous story line and the return of the original characters makes it a pure delight.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Travel carry on list making...roasted tomatoes and a new book!

Travel planning is part of the fun when embarking on a getaway.

A friend and I will be flying off to Italy and France in the next few weeks...

so

I want to be prepared for a variety of events and weather.

 I am relying heavily on layers to do the job.

This is the list of things that I am mulling over.

Colour theme of basic black, grey and white.

All will fit into my Air France carry on.

I did not add all the scarves to my list 

as I am trying to decide if I can be happy with one or two 

which ones they may be are still to be decided.

This navy cashmere cardigan will go with all my clothes.

The silk scarf is a triangular shape and adds a bit of oomph to the basic items.

The coat I am packing is from Eileen Fisher 

 an olive green khaki shade...

there is some olive green in this scarf 

as well as mustard yellow, blue, white, black and many more shades.

I can tie it to focus on the colours that I want to emphasize.

This long charcoal grey jacket is in a sturdy knit fabric 

which can be also be worn as a coat.

It's from Bryn Walker 

I am leaning to taking it as its very versatile and has two large pockets.

I've been busy roasting the tomatoes that my husband grew in his greenhouse.

The sweet and richness of roasted tomatoes is such a treat.

Very versatile over fish or pasta.

Can be served as a side dish...or on top of a sliced baguette.

I added these to a jar of quality Italian pomodoro sauce

simmered for about an hour before I

served it over pasta.

An absolute gastronomic delight!

Autumnal colourful flowers for the cottage...

I've discovered a new author 

Kate Eberlen.

Am immersed in this lovely story...

it's a romantic story of two young people 

who have a chance meeting in Florence while on holiday 

and it moves back to London where their lives cross paths...

I am starting Part Two and am enjoying the story and writing immensely.

It's so refreshing when you discover a new author and I found out her next book "If Only" is due to come out in April of 2020.

What are you reading?

Have you discovered any new authors?

Do any of you seasoned travellers have advice you care to share when it comes to packing light for 3 weeks using only a carry on?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Alaska Cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam ~ What I packed and arriving in Vancouver

Relaxing on a Sea Day in comfortable surroundings.

The views are spectacular, the weather is warm and the seas are calm.

I packed carefully for the trip.

My wardrobe is basically black with white and grey accents.

What I packed:

Eileen Fisher :

black pants

tank top

linen jacket

black vest

black bamboo dress and long knit jacket

black textured skirt

St. John black knit top with silver sparkles

Gilmour white dress with black polka dots

Jeans

2 white linen tops

Saint James white and black striped V neck top

white scarf /shawl 

David Cline grey print shirt 

 I wore it under my vest and again open as a layering piece with a tank and pants

Nanette Lepore white linen knit sweater

bathing suit and cover up

( I never used them as the pools were full of kids splashing and having fun!)

Hat gloves umbrella

Lands' End down jacket

Saint James raincoat

Columbia light rain jacket

underwear and bras

nightie

A souvenir purchase

I'll wear this on our boat!

We brought the grandchildren some colour changing Tee shirts

with Alaska animals on the front.

Views to the North Shore of Vancouver.

The Port of Vancouver

A beautiful day to walk around the seafront in Vancouver.

Salvador Dali sculpture 

We met up with Brian's sister and her granddaughter and walked about before going out for lunch and dinner.

They had an early flight Sunday...

we slept in 

on our way to the ferries 

I popped into the South Granville Eileen Fisher 

I purchased a black sleeveless top and some new jeans.

It's back to reality now...

We have many wonderful memories of this cruise and I would recommend this particular trip to anyone interested in experiencing 

the natural beauty of BC and Alaska.

Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam was a particularly luxurious ship.

I hope that you have enjoyed this series of posts on the trip.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Cruise ship shopping...

The cruise to Alaska is approaching so fast and I have not even written out my packing list! I must get busy and do something about that or I will forget something important.

I did find some time for a quick trip to the shops to find a knit top that would look nice over my dresses and would be an extra layer over my Eileen Fisher tank tops and black pants.

When I spied this Nanette Lapore knit I knew immediately that it filled the required style idea that I had in my head.

I also found a simple linen Tahari Tee top which I will pair with my linen capris.

It will go well with jeans, my black knit skirt, and all my pants.

I plan to wear my pearls on the cruise ship as they go with everything...
"keep it simple"
 is my motto for a minimal travel wardrobe.

This is our first time on a cruise ship...
Do any of you have any advice on what I should pack?

                    Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~