Showing posts with label red. Show all posts
Showing posts with label red. Show all posts

Thursday, January 24, 2019

A POP of colour and my favourite IPhone APP.


New in The Humble Bungalow.



Le Creuset Dutch Oven


A friend shared her secret to keeping her Le Creuset pots and pans
looking like new.

(it's Bar Keepers friend!)

I made a paste of this cleanser 
soaked our stained white enamel pot for a few minutes
then rubbed it with a scratch free scrubber and voila
clean as new! 


My current read...


Hooray the hellebores are blooming!


One bloom can make a big statement in a small vase.


Rain or shine 
I'm out every day for a walk.

My goal is to walk 7,000 steps.
The IHealth App on my IPhone makes it easy to keep track.


This Saint James raincoat helps keep me dry.


(a picture from the archives)

Purchased several years ago and still going strong.
I can wear a vest or sweater underneath if the temperatures are dipping.




Another walk would be needed to reach my daily goal...
  it is already 4:00 and I have to start preparing dinner after I publish this post.

Some days are easier to fit in more activities...

Are you motivated by a fitness app?
Do you go to the gym?
Have you worked with a personal trainer?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

OOTD....flowers, friends and a fabulous book!


OOTD 

Ralph Lauren skinny knit tweedy pants
Black Symplii tunic top
Red Joesph Seibel ballet flats

(vintage carpet)


I like having a few colourful accessories 
they elevate the basic black and grey garments that I regularly wear.


Juicy red rose hips...

I have heard that when the hips form early in the season 
 it means we will have a cold harsh winter...

The sun is shining today and there are blue skies.
Yesterday I helped a new friend move into her new condo.
She is a lovely woman, a recent widow who is relocating from Vancouver to Victoria where she has family.

I admire her in so many ways...
she has left behind many friends but is embracing this move.
Her energy and enthusiasm is contagious!


This past month she has been discovering the amenities that Victoria offers
exploring new groups
cycling club, bridge, yoga, french lessons and a french conversational group.

We have met up for walks and coffee and there will be future lunches 
bridge games and perhaps we will go to the theatre.

I also discovered that she is a painter and has sold many paintings...
she is very modest about her work.
She plans to take a class or two this winter and I am considering joining her.

She will be unpacking for the next week or two 
fluffing and arranging her furniture and hanging her art in her light filled condo.


This pretty tea cup and saucer was a gift...
I love the gold polka dots.


This book is quite the page turner...
I am almost finished it and can recommend it
it is very intense and so well written.

I will finish it this afternoon while the white Ektorp slipcovers are in the wash!

Hope your week is off to a great start.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Friday, April 6, 2018

Shopping with a nod to Mom...

The damp cold rainy weather has kept me indoors more than usual...

I have gone for shorter walks and took a page out of Mother's book!
Going shopping when inclement weather prevails...
Mom was a super shopper...she could have taught lessons on how to shop!
Mother absolutely loved fashion and clothing , she found such joy wearing and accessorizing her beautiful clothes. She was well turned out until the last couple of weeks before she passed away...and then she only wore her PJ's and bathrobe.

Mom had 4 full closets when she died... many classics and some quite trendy pieces...unfortunately we were not the same size...
I have kept her grey cashmere waterfall sweater and a black wool wrap...
they are so cozy and remind me of her when I wear them.


I've brewed up numerous pots of tea
layered on the extra warm cashmere and wool sweaters and shawls.
(thanks to mom I have two of her coziest)

My hands feel the chill so its nice to warm them with a cup of something hot.
Something soothing and tasty with zero calories!
I am mindful of my WW points and the slimming is slower than last time.


My Chelsea boots are away at the cobbler getting some new heels
so I have been wearing my favourite red shoes...
the pop of red makes me feel happy.


A few red things in the Humble Bungalow kitchen...


"Walking in the shops" has been productive...
(of course mom knew this!)
AND
I found a new coat.


I'd gone into Aritzia to look at their Wilfred Free tops 
as they make a nice basic which fits and has a great shape...
with a silhouette that skims and in a knit fabric that can be casual or dressy
a U hem detail which looks good un-tucked.
I already have one in black.
They were out of my size so I ordered one in a neutral soft light grey shade that I will layer with my white jeans and pants.

While I was in the shop I noticed the Babaton line of lightweight coats...
in a light soft fabric, with almost a Tencel feel.
They were far too long on me and I did not want to pay extra to take one to the seamstress to have it drastically shortened.

I found a similar coat at The Bay by Vero Moda
a deconstructed trench coat in a very light and soft fabric.
It was marked down and I got it for a great price.

Have you noticed how many straw and wicker bags are showing up in the magazines this Spring?
I've got a straw tote bag but it is too large for everyday use...
it's more of a market tote 
one that I use when going to the farmers market or to the beach.

Never fear...
Etsy has oodles of vintage straw and wicker bags...
I spent about an hour looking online and then this one popped up 
I could not resist!

The bag is by Ann Taylor
look at that pop of red!

It will work with my denim skirt and jeans
my red ballet flats
 it has just that little extra oomph which I think will perk up my basics quite nicely.


I am eager to see this and hope that the delivery is speedy.


I found this distressed looking Tee at The Bay this week too...
it looks like nothing (well maybe like a dish rag) on the hanger
 it is much better on!

I will wear this with my white jeans
 layered with my denim shirt
underneath a long white and grey linen top
Maybe even pair it with my black ponte knit pants.

Its going to get a LOT of wear.

Last evening we met up with darling daughter and her husband 
to see their new place.
I found a vintage mint orange Catherine Holm kettle and an icy modernist piece of art glass as their housewarming gifts which were well received!

We took them out to dinner after at our favourite local eatery...Zambri's.


I ordered this succulent fish feature and I had a "Julia Child moment!"
Do you remember the movie Julie and Julia?

It is the scene where Julia is in Paris 
dining in a small cafe 
and tastes 
for the first time 
fish cooked in beurre blanc...

Oh my this dish was a little slice of heaven on earth.
I must try to make it at home.


I have kept this vintage avocado green Catherine Holm bowl in our kitchen cupboard for quite some time and I casually mentioned it to darling daughter and it seems that she would use it so it is off to a good home soon...

Before I close 
I want to share some of our very tall snowdrops...


Drenched with precipitation...
things are definitely greening up in the Humble Bungalow Garden!

Hope you are having a fabulous week...
and hey its already Friday!

I've got to get in some groceries and stock up on some cleaning supplies.
Maybe I will do some research on the beurre blanc recipe too.

Whats on your agenda for the weekend?
Have you been shopping for some Spring things?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Sunday, December 3, 2017

The Power of Colour....

With so much turmoil in our world one doesn't like to add to the load by being a "cranky" so I gave myself a talking to...

Mother would be the first to point this out
her "voice" a gentle reminder which I have taken to heart...

Thanks Mom.

Attitude of Gratitude.


Jude the Obscure is STILL BLOOMING!


Love the tinges of red on the petals...
they are usually all yellow so this is new and I wonder why?
Is it morphing into its former root stock?


Amazing that there are so many buds and blooms and in December!
Another thing to be grateful for...roses.

Can you see the silver Christmas balls hanging from the pergola?
Mr. HB strung up our Christmas lights and hung the baubles.
In the next image you can see the lights on the back deck strung with the climbing Royal Sunset rose.


Jamie sent me her new book...it is an advanced reading copy.
Her books are such fun to read...she is a lovely person too.
I went on her Ooh La La Paris tour a few years ago.
Jamie has that "joie de vive" and she is an inspiration...
I love her positive energy.

Will be posting on this book after reading the book.
I may decide to post an interview with Jamie on the blog.
I think that would be fun!


The weather has been moody and grey this past week.


Dallas Road looks across Juan de Fuca Strait
where we are able observe lots of interesting cloud patterns.


This view is from The Esplanade where Mom and I walked regularly...
SO
 my resolve for not buying anything new was tested
 when I spied these RED 
Josef Seibel flats at 50% off
BUT
a great way to add some much needed energy and cheer into these gloomy days.


An icy modernist Tapio Wirkkala vase from the second hand shop
smaller than the vintage Wirkkala Tree of Life vase
that I received for Christmas
a gift from Mr. HB at 17
meant for long stemmed red roses...

Mom did not have a vase tall enough to place the dozen long stemmed roses 
that he gave me on Valentines Day
so
 we had to cut them down!!

Can you imagine his shock when he saw them cut in half?
Wise move that he gifted a taller vase which I have kept and cherish and am reminded of that snippet from the past whenever I use it!

 This shorter vase will be perfect for tulips.
Perhaps even some red flowers?


Adding some festive touches to our front porch.
Simple green boughs and red Ilex berries make a cheery display.

Red seems to be the colour of the moment here in The Humble Bungalow.
It has certainly perked me up and been a much needed mood shifter.

Thank you for stopping by...

A dear reader sent me an email asking about the sugar cookies that I baked, 
she wanted the recipe.

Here is my friend Bryce's recipe...


I use butter instead of the margarine 
 I dip the cookies into red or green sugar sprinkles gently flattening them just a wee bit before pacing them on the cookie sheet.
My oven is not as hot so I bake the cookies for about 13-15 minutes
but keep an eye on them as they are not meant to brown.

This recipe doubles well too.

Enjoy!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Monday, October 23, 2017

Pops of colour...



Autumn is a lovely time of year for enjoying the colours.

I wear mostly blacks and greys 
so I can see here with this example of contrast 
that a spot of colour
may be in order!


The pumpkin patch was full of families this Sunday.
Many local farmers grow pumpkins and they also offer hayrides, hot chocolate and some even have corn mazes.
I just love the field of orange pumpkins!
A sea of orange...


It is lovely when one discovers a magazine that has well written and informative articles.
one that has a balance of 
fashion
style
travel 
people 
homes
gardens


Today I am cozying up in my newest linen scarf...
no pop of orange today 
instead
I am wearing a red lipstick 
which is helping to liven up my OOTD.


L'Oreal on the far left # 315 True Red
followed by
a spritz of Le Labo Rose 31 and I am ready.

Hope you have a great week!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Friday, November 18, 2016

Painting the town red...

I am seeing red everywhere I go...


from the innocent shelf in the pharmacy


to the red cup...


 Essie Jag-U-Are red nails


the red stripe in my Burberry scarf


The red fire engine that was called to our hotel when we had to evacuate
(it was a false alarm)


dinner out at our favourite Indian fusion restaurant


curried lamb popsicles served on a bed of potatoes
beef curry and kale
naan bread


I had an entire day to spend in Vancouver while Mr. HB was on course.


I walked for hours browsing and exploring the shops.
One blue top...on sale.


a pair of NYDJ boyfriend style jeans
(I LOVE THESE)


a wee bit of a splurge


I needed to stop for a break after 4 hours...


lettuce wrap
shrimp, crab, coleslaw and a few crunchy noodles


I bought this Hermes fragrance after discovering it in Paris when I was there...
it is a soft feminine scent that I quite love.
(the bottle is refillable)


I love a getaway where I can browse and shop...
and we came home 
to a date night at the theatre



A Fabulous production
in the meantime...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~