Showing posts with label polish. Show all posts
Showing posts with label polish. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Self care...rituals and comfort during the Pandemic.

 


Taking time for self care is not "selfish."
It is important for our mental well being.

My hands work hard
and
with all the hand washing and hand sanitizing my hands take a beating!

I recently discovered Derma E Rosehip and Almond Hand and Cuticle Cream.
The cream absorbs well into the skin and is not overly greasy.
It really helps my cuticles which have become quite dry.
Nothing ruins the look of a manicure like ragged or torn cuticles.


Pacifica
Crimson Kimono
Cruelty Free Formula
Long lasing polish.


Brew a pot of tea...

Enjoy
a relaxing soak in warm water mixed with a few spoonfuls of bath salts.
File nails with an emery board, push back cuticles and they are ready for polish.


Manicure done...
Pop on my red ballet flats and I feel a lightness of spirit.
Energized and hopeful...

I don't know about you but I find I NEED (crave) more TLC these days.

The pandemic has changed the way I look at my days.
My attitude often needs a gentle nudge...

Routines and Rituals are key players for me.

Each morning after my shower I put on my make up.
Dab on Perfume

Dressing in jeans and a Tee
 simple comfy basics
I add an accessory like my pearls, or a colourful scarf
to elevate my spirit.

I seem to have more time to "fill."
Do you feel that way too?

Frustrated that 
I am unable to resume the activities that I enjoyed before Covid.
Bridge games and weekly lessons, Mah Jong, French class, and Yoga.

Many of my friends are playing bridge online.
While others are doing Yoga and language lessons with ZOOM.

I've been keeping pretty busy here at home and in the garden.
Cooking most meals in The Humble Bungalow Kitchen since mid March.


Seeing our grandchildren always makes me feel happy.
We took them out for lunch at Fisherman"s Wharf.

We were able to eat at a picnic table outside which felt very "safe"
A totally wonderful tonic and a fun filled "outing."


Reading with a pot of tea in the afternoon has become a daily ritual.

Beware!
This book is quite provacative and deals with many sensitive subjects.


It doesn't take much effort to arrange afternoon tea on a tray.
It tastes so much better in a china cup.

I would like to open up a dialogue about self care and hear from you.

Are you finding time to elevate your daily routines?

How are you beautifying your day?

Do you practise self care?

I'm going to pop the kettle on now and brew a pot of hot tea...
I'll come back soon and read any comments that you have shared.

Thank you for taking the time to read my Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~


Tuesday, August 7, 2018

The Humble Bungalow ~ keeping cool in a heat wave...

We have just returned from our holidays to our beloved home and garden...
the greenhouse is full of fresh home grown tomatoes
ready to be harvested and eaten.


a bounty of tasty tomatoes



I will be making tomato salads, perhaps indulge in some tomato sandwiches,
will also plan to roast some for a pasta dish and may freeze some.


BC is immersed in a heat wave...
the temperatures are rising
and with that, my plans to work outside in the garden are shelved for a cooler day.

The blinds are closed and the windows have been opened a crack
(otherwise the cats escape!)
The overhanging eaves, a typical feature of an arts and crafts bungalow,
help to keep the sunshine out.

So I am staying inside attacking my long "to do list"...
it's only 10:30 and I have done 3 loads of laundry,
the last load of slip covers are spinning in the LG as I type.

The farmhouse sink has been bleached,
the mail opened, bills paid ready to be posted.

I plan a quick manicure
a beach walk
need to return something to the store
stop by a friends' home
start a new book.


My summertime favourites...
Eau Thermale mist by Avene to help refresh the skin
I also keep a cool bottle of water on the counter by the sink 
 take one outside with me when I garden...hydrating from the inside out!

Sunscreen
SPF 50 for my face and exposed arms and legs.
I try to wear a light Tencel long sleeved shirt for extra sun coverage.

Spritz of Roger and Gallet light rose scent to refresh throughout the day.

The new favourite Sally Hansen diamond tough polish which lasted an entire week before showing signs of wear...
the shade is called Love Bug.


I'd better get back to work...
my break is over! 

Thank you for stopping by the Humble Bungalow Blog.

What are you reading and how is your summer going?
Is it hot where you are right now?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thursday, August 2, 2018

Pender Island Snippets...

We have been relaxing here at Quarter Deck Cottage and our days are moving very slow...
We have a simple routine, slow walking, swimming in the pools, beach combing reading and we try to eat healthy meals.


We spend a lot of our day and early evenings on the deck 
 the weather has been marvelous
even HOT!


I posted a picture of these pretty periwinkle blue flowers on my Instagram page
and a reader mentioned that they were called wild chicory.


They grow tall and line the roadsides here on Pender Island.
So delicate and I love the colour...
they remind me of the South of France 
where the doors and shutters are painted a similar shade of blue-y mauve.


Queen Anne's Lace grows wild
 it is frequently growing right next to the wild chicory.


Another plant that thrives here is Yarrow.
I love the mustard shade and the bees like it too.


This bush is found dotting the landscape...
I must find out its name...
if you know its name please leave me a comment.


I have been enjoying fresh fruit and yogurt for breakfast.
It is so quick to prepare and the juicy nectarines are full of flavour.


Dahlias and fresh strawberries from the Farmers Market


I read both of these books and I highly recommend The Lost Vintage...
if you enjoyed The Nightingale I think you will love Ann Mah's book.

The Three Things about Elsie is about the elderly...
  it delves into dementia but it is actually a fun read.
The characters are interesting 
plus a mystery is woven into the text with an unexpected outcome.

I really liked Joanna Cannon's first novel The Trouble With Goats and Sheep 
which I also recommend.

I have started reading Kristin Hannah's Home Front...
will share more on that when I have finished it.


We discovered a sandy beach at the bottom of a steep trail...
I found more sea glass here than on any other beach so far!
I love the aqua glass chunks as they are not as common as the brown and whites.


I am test driving a new nail polish...
this one claims to be chip free and I am tough on my nails as I garden so much and my hands are rarely idle.

I indulged in a wee bit of pampering yesterday afternoon.
A lovely pedicure by a delightful young woman who lives on the island and runs a small business.
 The shade that I chose is a vibrant pinky OPI polish called California Raspberry.

It's a breezy day here...
the laundry is whizzing around in the machine.
I've tidied up, watered the outdoor garden by hand and am about to put my nose back in my book.

Hope that you are enjoying some restorative lazy days of summer.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Rewards...spa pedicure, a purchase and a patio meal.

How is your week going?
Are you having a good one?
Mine is ticking along nicely...
lots of walks
a good book on the go
the sun has been shining
BUT wouldn't you know it...
the scale is stuck at 141


Pink McCartney roses
and my latest OPI painted toes...

"A Rose at Dawn, Broke by Noon"

Spring and summer pedicures are a must for me during sandal season.
They are a wonderful experience and I feel very pampered when I have one.
~ Pure luxury ~
  

This shade of pink is so pretty and fresh.
 I am tempted to buy a bottle and do my fingernails too.


While staying within my WW daily point count I try to find some non food rewards that help me stay on track.
Little things (rewards) that keep me on the straight and narrow.

Meeting up with my daughter for a day of fun.

I bought this wee engraved silver jug at the thrift shop 
when darling daughter and I went to Sidney earlier in the week.
It is tarnished but I plan to keep it in this state as I like how it looks.
Most of my silver gets regular polishing but this little antique jug just looks so pretty with this patina.


We opted to have lunch at The Brentwood Bay Pub on the sun filled patio.
Kale, quinoa and chicken salad with orange segments 
with orange juice dressing.
Beautiful presentation
tasty
satisfying
 it kept me fuelled until dinnertime.


We purchased an arts and crafts quarter sawn oak table to sit between two of our chairs in The Humble Bungalow living room.
We never seem to have enough space for our guests to put their drinks.
"Someone" is giving it a once over...
Chester looks like he approves!

Anyone on Blogger having issues with their posts being delayed getting to the blog feed?
I have not figured out what is happening to my blog and it has been going on for over a month.
I hit publish it in the morning but it does not appear on the feed until late afternoon.
I am tech challenged and wondering if I need to hire someone to help me sort out the glitches.
Also the blogger spell check is not working either...

If anyone knows what i need to do I would appreciate you letting me know.

Thank you!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Friday, April 29, 2016

Seeing Red...

Red is a "high intensity colour"...
it grabs our attention and arouses the senses.



Wearing red lipstick or red polish always makes a bold statement.


Juicy ripe red tomatoes...tasty right out of the bowl.


One of my favourites...Red Shoes.


Saint James striped top with white pants
I think a pair of red shoes would complete this outfit.


Perhaps you prefer a red frock?


Paris vintage fashions in Didier Ludot  at Le Palais Royale.


Red door in Paris


Street sign Auvillar, France


Red is high up on my radar these days...yes I am seeing lots and lots of RED!


Finished reading a red covered novel...

Stop lights, post boxes,
alarms, telephone boxes,
fire trucks, brake lights,
lipsticks, shoes,
radishes, roses...


Tea tins...


luscious red frothy petals of a David Austin Rose


freshly picked radishes from The Humble Bungalow Garden


A few of my French books...which incidentally, all have red accents on the covers.


We chose red chairs for our new patio area...
now I am on the hunt for a large red pot to fill with red geraniums.

I am dreaming of full bright red accents
everywhere I go...

Are you partial to a certain colour?


Thank you for stopping by My Humble Bungalow Blog today.


~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Saturday, March 19, 2016

Colour me Coral for Spring...

Coral seems to be "the shade" for Spring.
It keeps popping up on my radar...

Coral, coral and more coral!
Shops showcasing the new season Spring fashion collections and at the cosmetics counters.

Fortunately I can wear coral...
if you cannot there are lots of other ways to add a smidgeon of coral.
Think of all the coral accessories you could wear.

Belts, necklaces, bangles, shoes, hand bags, scarves, and nail polish.


My "colours" are those of Cool Winter. 


"Bittersweet" is the shade of coral suggested for my colouring.


My new London Fog Trench coat in navy with white polka dots.
New Lipstick by L'Oreal in the shade called "Everbloom."


The Dior coral polish is lovely.
The shade is Adventure #551.
The formula is easy to apply and my nails shine with a bright pop of colour.

The young receptionist at my RMT's office complimented on how pretty my nails looked,
 as did the middle aged sales clerk at the pharmacy, 
the lovely woman who owns the consignment shop
and 
the cute teenage clerk at the grocery store Peppers in the Cadboro Bay Village!

It seems to appeal to women of all ages.

Our lovely DIL chose this shade for me 
she packaged up a thoughtful gift pack of nail products for my birthday
which I am enjoying immensely!


There is something so uplifting about buying a new shade of lipstick.
My grandmother said she would do without hose, or new clothes in favour of a new red lipstick.
I now understand what she meant when she told me that many years ago.
~ Cheap and cheerful ~


I wore this to the bridge luncheon and fundraiser at my club.
It was an interesting group of players.
80 keen players mostly women gathered together for a tasty lunch and an afternoon of cards.
I looked around the room and noticed that there were many well turned out ladies.
Most had grey hair, were dressed very smartly and wore statement jewelry.
Bold ethnic and artisan earrings and necklaces that were on the larger scale.
Many women opted for silk scarves tied casually around their necks.

OOTD
Calvin Klein ponte knit pants and a black and white tunic top 
new Pegabo flats
white scarf 
arm full of my silver bangles
dangly quartz earrings that my daughter made for my birthday
London Fog trench coat


Hellebore


Hope that your weekend is full of fun and laughter.
Don't forget to stop and smell the flowers!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~