Salt Spring Island Day Trip...

On a rainy weekday morning last week we got up at the crack of dawn and headed out to the ferry to spend the day on one of the Gulf Islands.

Salt Spring Island is a short scenic 35 minute ferry ride from The Swartz Bay terminal.

The island is the largest of our Gulf Islands and it is very lush and green.
A popular spot for many who are fortunate enough to call it home...
and a lovely place to go for a visit.

Many of the homes along the waterfront have low bank beach access with private docks while others with expansive water views, are built high up on the cliffs that plunge sharply to the sea.

SSI is home to a diverse mix of locals... from affluent celebrities, talented writers, gifted artists, wealthy retirees, farmers, vintners, potters, quilters, organic produce growers, "back to the earth" hippies, professionals, chefs, gardeners, families, teachers and the list goes on...
definitely an eclectic group... which makes for a very "colourful" community.

Mr. HB had business on the island so I tagged along for the ride...
While he worked, I walked and explored the galleries and shops in Ganges which is the retail hub of the island.
It was a quiet day as not that many people were out and about.
Perhaps it was the rain...
but then I am comparing it to the busy summer season
when tourists are on their holidays and the marinas are full of boats.

There are some lovely women's shops with sumptuous imported linen garments in fashionable styles.
Shoes, scarves, hats, and stylish accessories.
Many of which are beyond my budget...but it is fun to browse.

There are two thrift shops...
well worth perusing
as you never know what you are going to find.

There was an adorable bright pink and lime green classic Lily Pulitzer sheath dress,
alas it was too small.
Lots of designer labels and most in good condition, some of the pieces I recognized from last season.

I did find an Eileen Fisher "jacket"....
very simple and in a versatile navy for under $20.

Mr. HB and I met for lunch at Auntie Pesto's on the waterfront overlooking the marina.
The food was tasty and the half portion of pasta that I opted for was more than adequate.
Judging by the crowd that were dining there it must be a favourite with the locals.

After lunch we walked the docks and looked at boats before heading back to Fulford Harbour to catch the ferry.

Fulford Harbour is quite small and features a couple of funky shops,
a mercantile store, book shop, restaurant and a cafe.

After we parked the car in the line up, we poked our heads into all the wee shops and had a good look around.
There was a surprise in one of the shops... a yellow silk scarf!
The one that I have been hunting for to wear with my navy coat and yellow walking shoes.

Who would have thought that I would find it on a Gulf Island?

If you get the opportunity to visit Salt Spring Island try to make time to drive around the entire island.

Perhaps you'll find a charming B and B in which to stay for a few days

or if you have "deep pockets" you can stay at Hastings House

 a luxurious spot that has beautiful gardens and a Spa.

Mr. HB and I stayed there one long weekend in May many years ago and we both felt so pampered...

our suite was in The Post House

the grounds are beautiful

the food was delicious and the service impeccable.

 The Farmer's Market is held on Saturdays from April until October.

You will find jewelry, paintings, jams, crafts, clothing, collectibles, food, spices, soaps and more...

it is held on Saturdays in Ganges.

It is a "must see" if you are on the island.

If you need any more information on SSI go here.

 you will find places to stay and things to do.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble  Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Scarf tying tutorial...

I love the versatility of scarves.
They add so much colour to a simple outfit...
they can be worn with jeans and a tee shirt or an elegant basic black dress.

You can buy a designer scarf or opt for a vintage scarf.

They come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

One that I keep coming back to is the square scarf.

Hermes scarves are luxurious and their patterns are so beautiful.

 Their reputation and quality of workmanship is hard to beat.

In the previous post I showed you my newest thrift shop find...a bright preppy pink and green Echo silk square scarf...
I wore it several different ways and several readers asked how for a tutorial.

The best source that I have found is from The Mai Tai blog.
I have learned a lot from watching her videos and she has a lovely blog!

The Mai Tai Collection tutorial

I hope you have a great week and I will be back with some posts on our recent trip to Vancouver.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Enter the Preppy scarf...

The shades of Pink and Green in Nature have been popping up on my radar...
Spring time is such a beautiful season here in Victoria.
Flowering cherry and plum trees line the boulevards and gardens are bursting forth with blooms.

I walked with no particular route in mind 

the sun was shining

so I leisurely meandered along the streets 

weaving my way through town

until I found myself at the thrift shop.

I do not "need" anything right now so I just perused the racks...

until I spied this scarf, in new condition, with tags still attached.
You may know that I have a weakness for scarves!

They are small and do not take up much space and can be used to add a punch of colour to even the most basic of outfits...

Pink and Green Vintage Echo Silk Scarf

Here are a few of the scarf ties that I regularly wear.

I think it will go quite nicely with my new navy and white polka dot trench coat.

I'll know that I will be wearing it with my jeans and tees and black pants and crisp white shirt.

The pop of "preppy" colour makes me feel energized and happy.

I spied this wee bunny in a garden on my walk home...

it was munching the grass and seemed quite relaxed while I snapped a few photos.

Thank you for all the lovely comments and encouraging get well wishes that you have left on my blog. I really appreciate them and they have helped me immensely.

I have been catching up on some much needed sleep.

Three months of fitful sleep due to discomfort and pain have taken their toll.

The muscle relaxant that the specialist prescribed for me at bedtime has been amazing.

Two nights of restful slumber has helped me get my happy face back on!

Thank you for stopping by...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Fabulous Finds

Darling daughter has an incredible gift for finding things...
she recently found me a couple of fabulous finds.

On Instagram she is known as thingfinder and she has an Etsy shop thethingfinders.

She works hard at finding things...
regularly frequenting the shops and antique dealers in town.
Her knowledge of jewelry, antiques and collectibles is vast...
I am in awe of her skills.

She knows a bargain and here are two of her latest finds
which she sold to me for a song.

Vintage leather Fossil bag in mint condition.

Cross Body bags are the only bags for me now

as I am not supposed to carry heavy handbags anymore.

"Doctor's orders"

A leather wallet, also in mint condition,

please look closer...

Kate Spade

gold lettering

immaculate even stitching

soft supple leather

polka dots

luxurious 

a quality piece in every way

lots of compartments 

plenty of room for money and cards

looks great with pearls

 a classic watch

or a silk scarf...

These two leather pieces will be so useful.

There is ample room in my closet now as I recently consigned all my big bags.

I took a bag of clothes that "I fell out of love with" to the charity shop.

There's a piece of vintage Navajo turquoise en route to my house from a dealer in the States.

I plan to wear it with my thrifted crisp white shirt and faded blue jean jacket 

for Spring and Summer.

Can hardly wait for it to arrive!

Garance has a list of her favourite things in this gem of a book.

I hope you plan to read it if you have not yet done so...

she is a breath of fresh air.

Have you happened upon any Fabulous Finds?

From Here to Infinity...scarf tie and a "frozen" shoulder.

I have received a few emails asking about how I wear my scarves...
it sounds like some of you are feeling like you want to embrace the habit and others are just plain frustrated.
All scarves are not created equal...there are stiff ones, soft silky ones, woolly bulky ones and then there are those easy infinity scarves.

Infinity scarves put simply are the easiest scarves to wear.
They require very little fuss are a quick way to add a splash of colour to your basic outfit.

They also make great gifts, and as a scarf lover I welcome them into my wardrobe.

Here is a quick and easy way to tie a longer infinity scarf...it is the way that I wear mine.

Place the scarf around your neck.

I am using the bed as it is easier to show the technique.

Pull at the ends so the bulk of the scarf drapes a bit.

Cross over in front of neck

Cross over again

loop the lower circular opening back over the head 

shift the scarf around 

(until you have achieved the desired effect)

the feature twist could be off to one side

or centre it in the middle

You may even prefer it to rest atop the shoulder...

it is a simple tie that you can adapt to other scarves too.

If you have a large silk square you can tie two ends together to form an infinity scarf and proceed as above.

I hope that this answers your questions and that you'll have fun wearing your Infinity scarves and perhaps you'll have fun wearing some of the other options and learning new techniques on how to tie them.

Hermes has scarf tying cards and there are many many great tutorials on You Tube.

You can spend hours learning new ways to tie this simple accessory.

The important thing is to have fun.

Throw one on and forget it.

Be confident...

Before you know it

you will be giving lessons to your friends!

The view of Cedar Hill Golf Course yesterday afternoon...

so blue and no filter was used...just my IPhone camera!

I have been sidelined with a shoulder issue.

"Frozen shoulder" is the diagnosis and I am in a lot of pain and my range of motion is not great.

Physiotherapy, massage therapy and a series of X-Ray guided cortisone shots sound like they are in my future.

I am waiting for referrals to go between the medical specialists and am trying to be "patient!"

I am not good with pain and am not used to being "a patient."

So if my posts are sporadic you will know why...

You can see snippets of my days on my Instagram page...

click on the hydrangeas on the sidebar for the link.

I am currently reading The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton.

It is an engaging story...full of layers and lots of detail.

Many people had difficulty trying to get through the book and from what I gather it is not to every one's taste.

I am on page 150 and so far have not felt like it is a slog.

Will let you know what I think when I finish the book...it is 822 pages so it might take me awhile!

Be Well and Be Kind.

One new thing...

I've been very frugal lately...
"shopping my closet"
instead of running out and buying new clothes,
wearing the basics that I already own
adding a scarf or some jewelry to create a bit of interest
so that I do not get bored.

I purchased this scarf before I went to Paris last Spring.

 I had planned to take it with me but found that it was too bulky.

It is perfect for the Fall and Winter weather here.

I love the colours in this scarf as they mesh and meld with all my black and grey staples.

The texture is soft and feels a bit like it has been "felted."

I picked this up at our local Pharmasave store in Oak Bay for about $25.00

I've worn in with this striped Lands' End tunic top and black leggings and ankle boots.

When we were in Vancouver recently 

I popped into Eileen Fisher shop on South Granville.

I love Eileen Fishers designs

she sells such great basics

 in the tones that I love to wear 

and 

the fabrics and textures of her garments are splendid.

However 

I consider her prices to be a wee bit expensive now that I am retired.

But wait...

 I spied a lovely viscose charcoal top on the sale rack

in my size

the last one!

I had a $25.00 off coupon too so the price was even better.

I snapped a quick shot of the top in our hotel room.

The wool is cozy and warm and the fabric itself is soft.

The hem dips down at either side on the bottom.

The neck is a U shape so I can showcase some of my necklaces when I am not wearing a scarf.

It will get LOTS of wear...that is how I am justifying this "one new thing."

Have you been shopping your closet

Or 

shopping the shops?