Showing posts with label scents. Show all posts
Showing posts with label scents. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

French luxury items ~ My Stylish French Box

Oh be still my beating heart...
the anticipation and opening of this luxurious box is to be savoured...


I love the satin ribbon tied in a bow
the contents are hidden beneath whisper soft tissue paper


There is a folder with descriptions of the items.
Details about the makers and companies behind the products.


a beautiful leather case for my sunglasses
Paves Sonores
(I need a new one too!)


Look at this beautiful box!
Rose et Marius


inside is an enamel case with a scented pot of fig perfume
refillable too which is very handy


a story from the perfumer


it's a refreshing summery scent
one I will enjoy wearing



Hand made woven lavender wand
La Maison Franc
I plan to pop this in my lingerie drawer


a small chalk board for memos and messages
Un Esprit En Plus


a botanical print from an antique book
suitable for framing


a notebook
Les Editions Du Paon

 extra virgin olive oil spray
Nicolas Alziari

two gorgeous cushion covers from 
Charvet Editions



Thank you to Sharon and her team.
Thes boxes sell out quite quickly and you can see why they are so popular.

You can order the next box which will be delivered in November.
Simply click on the link below


Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Monday, January 15, 2018

Renewal: refreshed, recharged, re-energized and "retail-ed!"

The past weekend was full to the brim with simple joys and bright moments which have left me feeling energized.
I have come out of a dark mood and into the light...

My morning cafe creme routine starts with counting my blessings,
I sit quietly reflecting on all the good things in life embracing and adopting the attitude of gratitude to set the tone for the day. I have found this to be very powerful and it changes the way that I see and interpret life events.

Mr HB and I walked in Chinatown...through Fan Tan Alley.


Victoria's Fan Tan Alley


My husband took me out for lunch at The Fan Tan Cafe, a popular Chinese food restaurant in our city's historic chinatown. It was busy, the service was great and we sipped our tea and chatted while we waited for our food. The food was not "totally WW friendly" (noodles were involved!) but the seafood chow mien was chock full of veggies which were so lightly cooked that they were still rich in colour, crisp and delicious.


Here's my fortune cookie and the fortune inside...

I did a wee bit of shopping at the Fan Tan Home Decor and Style shop.


A black dress by Angela Mara made in Italy.
Soft, cozy and the fabric is heavy enough that it does not cling but skims the body which is just the way I like a dress to fit.
It feels like a warm hug.

It was 50% off so I pounced on it and I said YES to the dress!
I plan to keep my eye on this shop as they have quite a few styles that I like.

I wore it out to dinner on Saturday evening when we dined with friends.


This lovely bouquet was a thoughtful gift from my nearest and dearest friend.
She bought it from those darling gals who run Thorn and Thistle Flowers.
They carry such pretty flowers and their plants are amazing...
our Christmas Amaryllis is an indication of their high quality plants.
They sell other things too and now offer coffee and treats
and they now located are in my old neighbourhood.

Sunday I cleaned house and went for my walk.
I opened a new bar of fragrant Verbena soap 
 it is currently scenting our main bathroom.


This soap was from my Mom's condo...
she loved the Verbena scent but she never used it as she loved her Pears soap.

While on the topic of fragrance and scents...


It was time to open a new scented candle.
This one was in the box from 
My Stylish French Box.

I am busy trying to finish my latest knitting project so that I can start my new one!

Have you got a project on the go?

Hope that your week ahead is positive
and filled with 
 lightness and cheer.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thursday, August 17, 2017

Roses and the quest for the perfect scent...remembering Mom.


Humble Bungalow Garden Roses


Pepper seems to enjoy their fragrance.


Samples of rose fragrances sent from the Vancouver Nordstrom store.


The list of rose scented samples that I am testing and there are more suggested by readers of the blog.


Chester enjoying the box that held the samples.


William Shakespeare and Jude the Obscure 
David Austin roses from the Humble Bungalow Garden.

If I could bottle these scents I would.


I had a weepy day yesterday.
It was a combination of things...
the noise from the construction next door.
Power tools and the jack hammering of the road out in front of our bungalow 
I was thinking a lot about MOM and how much I miss having her around.

I have been frequenting some of our favourite spots:
The Willows tea room
W&J Wilson
The Esplanade
Nar bistro
Matticks Farm
Adrienne's Tea Garden
Barbara's Boutique in Sidney

This just brings it closer to home that she's gone and so I had a wee bit of a meltdown.

Fortunately my husband understood and he listened while I talked and wept.
There will be more days like this of that I am sure...
 I'll let the feelings flow along with the tears.

How's your week going?

Thanks for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Friday, May 5, 2017

Beach walks...scenery snippets


The vibrant blue native camas is in full bloom.
This plant grows in and around the Gary Oak Meadows here in Victoria.


The First Nations Peoples used the root for food.


My walking partner and I went out for lunch at Lure
then we sauntered along the ocean front near Victoria's Inner Harbour.
It was a beautiful sunny afternoon and there were lots of people out and about enjoying the fine weather.

The scenery is aways changing on the waterfront...
boats, sea planes, kayaks, the Coho Ferry,
seals, otters, gulls, blue herons

Along the wide walks
we jostle for position
 baby carriages, joggers, walkers, and runners all share the space.
People sit on park benches and admire the view.
Picnic blankets are spread with snacks.
Tourists take photos.

The snow covered peaks of the Olympic Mountain range look so close
their stunning beauty frames the vista.

We chatter as we walk and gather speed...

I made the mistake of wearing my new periwinkle blue shoes without socks and today I have blisters on my heels.

(I should have worn my Merrell walking shoes with socks.)



I wore the same shoes to the beach on the previous day outing with the grandchildren.
They were fine on the sand and easy to transition back to the gravel lined playground where we played on the swings.
Mount Baker, which usually is in full view, was shrouded by low lying clouds.
The afternoon was chilly and the sky was grey.


The Willows Tea Room reopened for the season on April 29th.
This was where I would take mom.
Often we would sit with a pot of tea 
watch the passers by and sail and power boats on the sea...

Mom would smile
she was happy here.

Mom always loved an outing to Willows Beach.
 The Esplanade was a picturesque and gentle walk...

on a windy day she'd laugh at us braving the walk

in the rain with our brollies
she'd say how silly of us to try and walk 
in this beastly weather

Yet we would finish the walk and somehow feel energized.

When I revisit places that Mom and I regularly frequented
I feel a sadness creep in...
it is
not anything too overwhelming 
but my throat gets tight
and then I breathe as I picture her there beside me.


Our summertime picnics at Willows were always an adventure.
My basket with silverware and fine bone china
made passers by stop and comment.


My sister and I will be spreading Mom's ashes this coming week.
We have finished most of what we need to do for her estate and are ready to toast to Mom and dine in her favourite spot.


First we will swim in the pool
followed by a massage
and relax...


perhaps we'll even hop in the hot tub after dinner.


Mom and Dad in the early 1950's.

Dad died in 2007 and Mom in 2017
I'd like to think that they have been reunited and are watching over us as we remember, honour and celebrate their lives.

~ Love and Family ~
 the greatest gifts that I will cherish forever.


Hope that you have a lovely weekend.
Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.
XO

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

OOTD and some new bits and bobs.


Selfie of my OOTD

Cut Loose top
 Zella skinny pants
Jessica Simpson flats

I've been wearing comfy clothes more frequently since Mother passed away.
I crave comfort in all the areas where I have control.
Clothing is one area where I abhor discomfort...


I could not resist this classic Saint James raincoat.
It is lightweight and a very comfortable and sensible choice for our April showers.


I am smitten with this line of garments designed in France.
Their Breton striped tops are wonderful and they make some fabulous sweaters and coats...
You may remember that I bought their navy and white striped brolly 
a few weeks ago.


I spy a new gadget in the Humble Bungalow...


this wee machine makes quick work of pills 
found on cashmere and wool sweaters
it is fast and easy to use.
I give it two thumbs up!


a soft scented candle recently found its way into my shopping basket
I love roses and our garden roses are still at least a month away from blooming
so I found a way to imbue the home with the scent of roses...
cheating a bit, I know,  but that's fine by me!


The spiky ball that we use at Yoga is now working overtime to help me at home.
It is amazing how this wee thing can loosen up hips and rid shoulders of tension.

It works really well on the balls of the feet too...
just go easy until you get used to the sensations!

In other news...
the view from here is dramatic.
The driveway has shrunk and our fence has too. 


We consider ourselves kind and decent neighbours...
so we have allowed a portion of our fence to be removed 
some of the driveway has been "loaned" 
to the developers 
to allow them to excavate with ease at the property line.


Deep holes have been fenced off so that no one falls into the pit!


Looking out the window you can see the site which is ready for construction to commence.

Which we have been told will be any day now...


On the past post I asked for books suggestions 
I was most surprised as you went above and beyond my expectations.
Thank you!

Hope that your week is ticking along nicely.
Cheerio from The Humble Bungalow.
XO


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 ~