Beautiful pops of colour on my radar...

 

~ Camas ~

My husband and I ventured out to Playfair Park 

to have a peek at the gorgeous Native Plants that are in full bloom.

Fawn lilies, Shooting Stars and Camas

absolutely stunning!

A meadow of blue Camas under the canopy of The Garry Oaks.

My ankle injury is slowly improving...

I think it is what Google says is a grade 2 sprain.

Torn ligaments on the outer side of the ankle.

Estimated Recovery Time 

3-6 weeks

Wearing the compression brace which really helps and not going for long walks.

Having said that...I am slowly increasing the number of steps that I do in a day.

Yesterday it was almost 6,000.

Met with friends for Tea at the Union Club.

We spent a few blissful hours sipping bubbly, tea and treats.

Such a beautiful spot, views over the Inner Harbour...

great food and superb service.

In other news... I have been replacing lipsticks...

nothing like a fresh pop of colour to lift the spirit.

~ Rouge de Germain ~

Red is my go to colour for lipstick...

when I was in Paris the first time in 2015 I stayed in the Saint Germain area.

The chic Parisian women walking in the neighbourhood all wore red lipstick.

Not wasting any time, despite being jet lagged, I high tailed it to

the nearest Monoprix!

There I discovered a fabulous selection of red lipsticks...

 so dear reader I bought one!

Paris holds a very special place in my heart.

I went back again in 2019 and who knows...perhaps I will return :-))

My make-up bag was falling apart so I purchased a new one...

instead of a vinyl one, like my old bag, I chose fabric which I much prefer.

While at the Pharmasave in Oak Bay I bought 2 new lipsticks.

I am test driving a pink shade...

Softsilver Rose

These Revlon lippies are very creamy and go on easily and last!

They were also on sale, which was rather fortunate timing.

I finished knitting The Easy Goes It scarf...

worn here with my old red lipstick...

will be much better with the new rose pink shade.

New fragrance...Honey Tobacco

locally made here in Victoria.

I am enjoying this new scent very much...

body wash, cologne and other honey tobacco are available on their website.

I took a bag of clothes to the Salvation Army and then had a quick browse.

Oh my goodness...I couldn't believe my luck!

I have a Burberry scarf that my husband gave me, maybe 15 years ago. that I love.

It is the traditional beige and wine plaid colourway...

it goes with my quilted Burberry jacket.

The new to me scarf will pair well with my black coats!

New silk skirt from House Of Savoy on Oak Bay Avenue.

Made by San Tropez

This will be a fun skirt for summertime.

Love the texture...

I am thinking of outfits based on the skirt...

 a simple white top, my distressed vintage jean jacket and white sneakers

Dressy black tank top, white shawl and my white bow toed Bueno sandals.

Oh and my BIG pearls!

I love a versatile garment!

Do you like thrift shopping?

Consignment?

What is new with you?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

~ In The Pink ~ trying new things

 

Greetings from The Humble Bungalow!

I've made a conscious decision to try new things...

get out of my "comfort zone"

take a wee risk

do something different...

Walk a different route

try a new cafe

read a book in a genre that I usually dismiss as "not my style"

wear a new shade of nail polish

shop in a new food store

try a new tea

explore an area of town that is "new to me"

visit a beach off the beaten track

try a new lipstick

a flavour of ice cream

OR

chocolate?

~ so many options to consider when trying new things ~

~ Refreshing ~

Drinking lots of water (fluids) help to keep your skin supple.

Aim for 6-8 glasses a day.

(Partake in a Pear flavour.)

If you aren't a fan of plain water 

try slicing fruits or lemons in a big jug of water and letting the flavours steep.

Add lots of ice and enjoy.

Have you ever heard the saying...

Pink Skies at Night

Sailors Delight

Pink Skies in the Morning

 Sailors Take Warning

We used to heed this advice when we were cruising on our boat.

Trying to keep my hands in better shape...

starting with a manicure

using

hand lotion and nail polish.

Cruelty Free Polish

~ Pink Cloud ~

My current favourite shade for a home manicure.

Extended Summer weather...

holding its own with warm sunshine and sunny skies.

Wearing sunglasses and a hat to minimize the risk of sun damage...

skin cancer and macular degeneration are risks from too much sun.

I enjoyed a much needed pedicure 

and chose a bold shade Snow White.

I usually opt for a rich jewel tone but I am trying new things

just because...

 

The facial that I had in August at The Boathouse Spa at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel was amazing...my skin looked dewy and smooth for weeks after the service.

Babor European products are new to me.

So in the spirit of trying new things

 I popped by the Spa to buy a couple of their products cleansing line.

Enzyme Cleanser and Rose Toner.

Hopefully they will live up to the numerous positive ratings by clients.

Pinky red Skies over Salt Spring Island as seen from our cottage on Pender.

There is a feeling of Fall in the air... 

a cool fresh crispness that is hard to describe

you need to feel it!

Lovely Fall beach walk on Bricky Bay

My gentle walks along the seashore soothe and calm.

Searching for sea glass is a very meditative habit.

Trying to mix up my walks to get me more motivated.

When the weather cools I tend to want to cocoon inside and stay cozy...

I recently purchased a pre-worn soft velour jacket by the company 32 Degrees.

It is so warm and because it is black, it is dressier and more versatile.

Trying to buy fewer garments to be more mindful of waste 

when I need something in my wardrobe 

I will try to seek out second hand and vintage options.

My Sea Glass collection now fills about 7 large sealer jars.

I'll need to find some more vintage jars to take to the cottage

 as I brought home yet another jarful.

What do YOU collect?

~ Pink Grapefruit Cleaner ~

works like a charm in the kitchen and has a delicious fruity fragrance.

Used as a pre wash stain remover it rarely fails...

saving garments by laundering clothing one stain at a time.

Before I discovered the powerful stain removing properties of this Method cleaner

I threw out stained clothes.

I also wear protective linen aprons when cooking 

to protect my clothes from food splatters.

These are beautifully made and are available from Trica's shop Rough Linen.

I have bought 3 aprons and use them every day.

~ David Austin Roses ~

Almost finished blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

The Andalou CC cream that I swear by...

Must be on my 6th tube by now, is not expensive and it lasts a long time.

Evens out my complexion and is hydrating.

(I give it 5 stars out of 5)

Will not be trying a new CC cream as this one is a winner!

These pretty Colchiums are harbingers of Fall...

these are bent over trying to seek more light.

Perhaps we need to relocate this clump

 buy 

more bulbs as they bloom a long time?

Are you open to trying New Things?

I look forward to hearing from you.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Lightening up...

Have you noticed how the days are getting lighter?
The sun is setting later and we have been fortunate with our weather lately...
as the sun has been out several days this week which lightens up my mood enormously and energizes me...making me more efficent in the home department.

Love the sliver of light shining through the front door 

illuminating the orchids and making shadows dance on the wallpaper.

Bradbury and Bradbury heritage wallpaper in the arts and crafts style

hangs in our entry hall.

Looking towards the hall from the living room of The Humble Bungalow.

You may be able to see the wallpaper border at the top from this angle.

When the sun shines I like to get outdoors for my walks.

Emma Bridgewater has such an imagination...

I bought several of her shopping bags.

One I gave to a friend for a birthday...

it said Take Me To The Shops.

I'd never give this bag to a friend...this one is mine all mine!

I've culled some of my clothes...

again...

when one has a small wardrobe and closet the clothes get worn a LOT 

the fabric of my frequently worn tops tends to pill and look yucky after a couple of seasons.

I wash then inside out and hang them to dry 

but despite the gentle care 

they still develop these nubby bits which I find unsightly...

I've switched up my red lipstick for a pinker shade.

L'Oreal # 580 Pink Peony

It feels lighter on these sunny days.

OOTD

 a long lighter weight shirt by French Dressing

worn with my ponte knit skinny Calvin Klein pants and Chelsea boots.

Has the weather lightened up in your patch of the woods?

Have you been curating your closet?

Whats new with you?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

In the Pink...

These pretty pink Gerbera Daisies were under $5 at the market 

at that price it took very little convincing

 so I brought them home.

They last about a week in our bungalow and they add so much cheer.

Flowers really do elevate my spirits and are a wonderful way to add an element of beauty to our home.

Speaking of cheer we celebrated Easter with a wee gathering.

Brunch with the 3 littles and their parents.

Easter bags filled with stickers, chocolate bunnies, eggs and a small toy.

On the menu:

Strawberry and spinach salad

fruit salad

bacon

scrambled eggs

yogurt

cottage cheese

smoked salmon cream cheese spread

cheese scones

orange juice 

coffee

Then it was off to the park and the spare lot for some running around

 time to ride on the merry go round  

(we all got dizzy)

slide and swings.

I had to empty my shoes of all the sand when I got home!

I purchased some new walking shoes recently...

Jungla and Merrell Vibram

Two different styles...

one casual and one slightly dressier.

Both were half price and my old walking shoes were in a sad and sorry state.

The Magnolias are blooming in our neighbourhood.

We have a white one but many of the neighbours have Magnolias in pink.

Ours is young and only a few feet tall but is putting on a lovely display.

I do so love a pure white flower...

Pink is the colour that has been standing out for me this Easter weekend.

Pink Lewisia plant new from the garden centre.

Mr. HB purchased tomato plants and cucumbers and they were planted.

We enjoyed our first harvest of asparagus from the Humble Bungalow Garden and it was tasty and oh so tender.

Love these pretty sweet blooms.

Started this fabulous book on the weekend...

almost 600 pages and I have read about 200 pages so far.

It is calling my name and the tea has steeped so I will close for now.

Thank you for stopping by the Humble Bungalow.

Hope your week is off to a great start...

XO

Getting My Happy On

Oh my the overcast rainy days are getting tiresome...
almost everyone I encounter seems to be focusing on our wet Spring.
We are craving some sunshine and warmer weather
but until that happens, I believe in being proactive by making my own sunshine...

A pretty new brolly...

from France

a tasty latte sipped in a local cafe

Warm thoughts sunshine and yellow sunflowers...

a dear reader from Vancouver

sent me a card and a packet of seeds for sunflowers 

which we plan to plant 

in The Humble Bungalow Garden

that put a smile on my face!

Thank you R

you are a kind and thoughtful friend.

XO

With a passion for  French interiors and homes... 

 no plane ticket or holiday accommodations arranged

I'll be transported as I peruse these beautiful magazines.

The hunt for the illusive pink lipstick is over...

it is a bit darker pink than I thought would suit me but with help from the savvy gals at the pharmacy I bagged a winner!

L'Oreal Colour Riche #580 Peony Pink

It's frequently the little things that can help keep up our spirits.

a cheerful mug

(Emma Bridgewater)

a warm hug

a smile

perhaps an afternoon to relax and read

indulge in a pot of tea

nibble a square of good chocolate

maybe even have a nap

If things are not going your way

I do hope that they will get better...

This blend is divine...

what are your favourite teas?

Raindrops like wee diamonds sparkle on the stems of the snowdrops.

Your turn now to chime in and share with us 

what do you do to keep your spirits up?

The sun is out as I put the finishing touches on this post.

Wishing you a lovely week.