Silk scarves ~ a pop of colour and a wander about in several gardens...

 

~ Playfair Park ~

The native Camas is in bloom...

there are shooting stars, buttercups, and chocolate lilies.

Camas 

Prolific Pink Rhododendron 

There are many other azaleas and a perennial garden in the Park.

Many families were enjoying the idyllic space...

children were playing in the playground, a birthday party was underway 

and a family were having a picnic.

My friend Michelle and I had a picnic Friday in the Government House Garden.

The sun shone, the views were spectacular and the birds serenaded us...

The gardens are vast and many flowers are native to the site 

growing in the Garry Oak Meadow.

A large group of volunteers tend these gardens.

If you live in Victoria you most likely know of this gem,

 but if you are visiting our fair city try to include this on your visit.

It is a beautiful greenspace...

Humble Bungalow Front Porch 

our fresh new red geraniums are planted in pots and planters.

Tea break mid afternoon...

grabbed my new book We All Live Here

by acclaimed author JoJo Moyes.

Such an engaging story...

SO GOOD

I read it late into the night :-))

Auriculas are blooming...

These darling plants are so prolific...

I love the varieties and am keen to grow more.

Our garden is getting a big tidy up 

in readiness for the Hospice fundraising Teeny Tiny Garden Tour this June.

Wee corner of the laundry room...

I spend a lot of time doing laundry and love that I have a view 

out to The Humble Bungalow Garden.

I have been wearing silk scarves to add a pop of colour to my basic classic black and white wardrobe...

I gently washed this vintage Hermes silk scarf in my Aveda shampoo...

Vintage Hermes Scarf from my daughter Jennifer.

This scarf was purchased from the Hermes shop in Vancouver many years ago...

I chose the black and white H pattern 

as it was a good choice with my simple black and white wardrobe.

Do you wear scarves?

Many people think that the scarves are difficult to style...

they can be be a versatile and creative accessory.

I once owned a box of scarf tying cards from Hermes...

the clerk gave the cards to me when we bought one of my scarves...

Last August I thrifted a silk scarf in White Rock...

not all scarves are expensive.

They seem to be quite easy to find in second hand

and thrift shops.

Picture from the Archives...

Last August...

(Before the Fringe Trim)

A

Simple Scarf Tie

I've got to close now as I need to prepare dinner....

a stuffed pork tenderloin, lemon orzo and steamed carrots.

Hope that you are keeping well and are embracing Simple Joys.

With so much uncertainty we all must try to keep our spirits up...

Smile, listen to music, read a good book, get out for a walk in Nature

 keep in touch with friends and family.

Do something FUN everyday!

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

OOTD ~ Butterfly World

 

Pop of colour 

while wearing a cool grey sweater.

I use a gentle touch when it comes to cosmetics...

tinted CC cream, mascara and lipstick or lip gloss for daytime.

The lipstick is by Miss Pupa from Milan

Rossetto #503

New tweed knit pants in ankle length...

Hudson North

available at The Bay.

Versatile with my basic wardrobe in a grey black check.

The reason I went shopping for pants is because I recently culled my clothes.

Leaving only 3 pairs of pants...

Two pairs of jeans 

(Eileen Fisher and Nicole Miller)

and a dressy pair of black pants.

(Eileen Fisher)

Just happened upon a dreamy soft wool and cashmere blend Italian made sweater.

It fits like a Tee top 

perfect for layering under my black Eileen Fisher vest

or my Old Navy distressed denim jacket.

I added a felted woven grey and black scarf...

found at a thrift shop for an unbelievable price :-))

Warm and cozy and adds an interesting textural detail.

Adding interest with accessories when wearing basic neutral coloured garments 

is a good habit to get into.

I like adding accessories so I don't look "mumsy"

being mindful that I exercise a modicum of restraint.

I daren't invite a citation from those sneaky Fashion Police.

Dressing over 65 can be full of pitfalls!!!

Friday Field Trip with the granddaughters...

~ Beautiful Butterfly ~

We took our granddaughters to the attraction 

Butterfly World near Butchart Gardens.

There are some really interesting insect displays in cases...

ants, stick insects, spiders.

Through the double doors there is lush tropical open area 

with

exotic birds, colourful butterflies, carp, flamingoes, frogs, and tortoises. 

There was an open feeding tray with sliced citrus and banana skins.

We saw a few of these butterflies nibbling on the fruits when we entered

 when we were leaving 

each piece of fruits had one of these gorgeous butterflies feeding.

After our visit we drove to The White Spot for lunch...

it was quite busy and by the time our food arrived we were famished!

It doesn't feel like our usual October weather here in Victoria.

The weather has been dry and warmer than usual.

On the News tonight they mentioned that

this warm dry spell is about to change...

Cooler wetter weather is definitely on the horizon

the roses are still blooming but the rest of the garden is fading.

We need some serious rainfall and only a smattering of moisture has fallen so far.

I've been busy knitting the Rowan Toasty Slipover Vest...

a group of us met at a friends' home for a cuppa, chat and to knit.

Our hostess served a delicious Victoria Sponge Cake...

with a pot of incredibly tasty Mariage Freres Rose Royal Tea.

I am craving Rose Tea for my afternoon cuppa here in The Humble Bungalow!

All I need to do now is fly off to Paris and buy some...

A gal can dream...

Laundry needs to be done.

Dust bunnies need to be mopped.

Dinner needs to be prepped...

Until next time...

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

A few things ~ French style.

A whisper soft scarf to wear that adds a wee bit of french style.

I have paired it with an Eileen Fisher top

Lands' End cashmere cardigan

Royalty jeans.

Silk square scarf by Pertrusse with exquisite hand rolled edges 

"Cha Cha Cha"

from

 My Stylish French Country Box.

Scarves are such an easy way to amp up a simple outfit.

I own maybe a dozen silk scarves...

Pertrusse, Hermes, Ralph Lauren

My first Hermes scarf was a souvenir from San Francisco.

The second and third were from the Hermes shop in Vancouver.

The others were purchased in Paris.

A friend Ali who lives on Salt Spring Island gave me a Le Fermiere pot

she brought some home from her trip to France.

I brought several more home from my last trip to Provence and the SW of France.

The French yogurt is so rich and creamy that we indulged with a pot each morning for breakfast with fruit before going out to explore the villages.

These sweet peas are the last for the season...

it was an amazing season for these scented gems.

A bountiful harvest of apples await to be picked in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

One of our favourite apple recipes is from Ina Garten

French Apple Tarte.

Serve it warm with ice cream.

A gift arrived in the post...

fresh grown and dried lavender sachets!

I love the detailed embroidery...

thank you Lorrie.

Do you follow Vivi et Margot on Instagram?

Charlotte Reiss has a shop Vivi et Margot that sells all things French...

baskets, linens, aprons, copper pots, candles, soaps etc.

I purchased this kitchen candle.

 It will be lit on the cool days of Fall and Winter when I am cooking in the kitchen.

Today it is raining and I am in the kitchen making a tomato and potato bisque.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Hope that you are staying safe.

 ~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Summertime Blues...

Himalayan Blue Poppy 

snapshot from my latest visit to Butchart Gardens.

These poppies are so pretty but are not all that easy to grow.

I had some about 10 years ago and they lasted for a few seasons and then they disappeared.

I have toyed with the idea of buying the seed packet from Butcharts and trying my hand at growing them again.

Old Navy Boyfriend Jean Jacket.

Very soft

distressed

and super comfy to wear.

Purchased in the store at 30% off the regular price.

It is very versatile and I love it with my white Tees and jeans.

(with pearls)

I added this scarf from France.

This scarf was in a subscription box from My Stylish French Country Home.

I think they sell them in their online store. 

There are a few rips which gives the denim character...

I wear this with my blue and white striped Talbots linen skirt.

My black UPP capris. and black lace top...

I popped it over a black dress

and can imagine that this will become a workhorse in my wardrobe.

We received our second vaccinations this morning and I am very pleased that we were able to get the second shot.

There is a sense of calm now as we move toward opening up things here in Victoria.

Dining inside is permitted, as are movie theatres and plays.

Looking forward to being more social.

Seeing our family and more friends.

How are things going where you live?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Archival images...a study in black and white

Snowman from the Archives

Snow Shell

Pussy Willows

A gift of Jo Malone

(rose diffuser)

years ago...

lovely scent!

"Wanna Be" 

Chanel-esque jacket that I no longer own...

loved the details

Hang in there Flopsy!

Magnolia bloom in The Humble Bungalow Garden

Hydrangeas 

Vintage brooch

Eiffel Tower

Paris inspiration...

Waves in The Salish Sea

Emma Bridgewater

Black Toast

LBD ~ Elie Tahari

Silk scarf ~ Hermes

Shoes!

I always Re-Use the Dyptique candle holders.

On the look out...

Vintage Collectibles

Seen on one of my walks ages ago!!

Legislative Buildings

Downstairs bathroom storage shelf

Climbing Royal Sunset Roas in the snow.

Tire swing in the common on our block.

Snowy day!

Sweet Peas

Sun breaking through the clouds

Pattern mixing...

Gingham and dots...

Pearls and Dior

Paris 2015

Musee D'Orsay

Jamie Cat Callan Tour

Butchart Gardens Festive Lights

Vintage Ironstone Jug

Storage Tins

Vintage Sherman Pin

Ooh La La 

Chanel

Yes I do coil the boat ropes at the dock!

My 

Rose-y

Loose-y Goose-y 

Painting

An early OOTD on the blog!

Scarf tying tutorial...

I am now on the lookout for a crisp white shirt...

this one is no longer in my wardrobe.

(Quote from the Chanel Book)

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

 The archival images are a trip down memory lane...

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~ Be Well and Be Kind ~