Showing posts with label shoes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shoes. Show all posts

Sunday, November 26, 2023

Dinners In and out ~ OOTD...


I bought this simple black Eileen Fisher dress a few years ago...
it has become a real workhorse in my wardrobe.

I have worn it with a white long sleeved top underneath
tights and black Chelsea Boots.

Last night I wore it as it is and added a soft wool Petrusse scarf as a shawl.



This is a surprisingly warm scarf despite it being rather sheer.

I received this in one of the My French Country Boxes from France.
It has had a few years of use and still looks new.


I thought about wearing my Ferragamo shoes 
but in the end I decided I should test drive the new Coach loafers.

I wore sheer black hose for the first time in ages...
fortunately I have a few new packages in my drawer.

I added the vintage rhinestone bracelet and wore my simple princess cut diamond necklace and studs.

It felt strange not wearing my pearls 
I thought that I should keep it simple when adding the BLING.


We had a delicious dinner at Zambri's our favourite Italian restaurant.


I forgot to capture our appetizers, main course but here is dessert!
Passionfruit Panna Cotta
so delicious!

We had a lovely evening out and it was such a treat.

On Friday evening we hosted a small dinner party here in The Humble Bungalow.


The table is set and ready for the guests.


Appetizers ~ cheese plate with Olives, pickles, antipasto and candied salmon with assorted crackers in the living room in front of the fireplace.

The main course ~ Beef Daube, mashed potatoes and green beans.
Dessert ~ large brownies topped with fresh raspberries.

I wanted to host a casual dinner before everyone got busy with the seasonal events.

Have you noticed that people are out in droves buying Christmas presents?
I too am trying to get my shopping done early.
I need time to bake some cookies and the annual Christmas Tourtieres.


Hope that you are all staying healthy...
I have heard that the viruses are making the rounds.
One of my friends has been hospitalized and she's been in for a week and only now starting to feel better.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Sunday, July 9, 2023

Summer Snippets...


Apricot blooms of Jude the Obscure
the fragrance is citrus.

This rose is a repeat bloomer and has had its first flush and we expect more flowers.

Most of our roses have had their first flush of blooms.
Dead heading is a daily job and very worthwhile as it encourages more flowers.


Did you know that sweet peas need to be picked regularly or they set seed and stop making flowers?
I love their unique fresh fragrance.

Mr. HB has been bringing in sweet peas almost daily.
I pop them into vases and place them in the kitchen by the farmhouse sink 
and in the main bathroom atop the sink.

They last a few days and then they drop their petals,
by that time we have another couple of bunches at the ready!


~ OOTD ~

White Lands' End tee ~ Italian Linen dress
White capri tights
White Bueno Sandals

Hong Kong Pearls



Garden Shows are so much fun!

Lots of tables, many entries, ribbons galore.

The plant sale table is SO POPULAR...
plants are reasonably priced and some are VERY EXOTIC!


I had a fun day volunteering at the Summer Scentsation Garden Show.

After perusing the displays and looking at the award winning entries 
I donned my apron and served tea to the masses!!

We had 4 large tea tables set with lovely china cups, saucers and plates.
  Tea, coffee, scones, jam and clotted cream were served...

Plates of assorted home baking were circulated after the scones.
No one left hungry!

There was a silent auction and I bid on many items but only won one of them...
a large black pot which I am looking forward to potting up.

I am considering a fancy Hosta or an assortment of flowers.
Geraniums, lobelia, and dusty miller.


Our north patio area resembles a jungle right now!
The Lady's Mantle has gone wild...
we will be cutting it down soon.

I love black accents in the garden...like these vintage tables and chairs.


I found this metal rooster in a thrift shop and my husband spray painted it.

Garden accent pieces are hard to find locally...
if I wanted to spend a LOT the possibilities might be better but I love a bargain.


I usually finish my second coffee in the bathroom as I put on my makeup...
the thrifted English China mug looks like it matches the sweet peas
so I had to snap an image to share.

In other news...
my infection is now classified as "complicated."
I have had 3 or 4 rounds of antibiotics and they haven't worked.
So I am now receiving IV antibiotics at the hospital outpatient clinic.
They were selected to specifically target the different bacteria strains that I have...
Who knows how long this will take?

I had my second CT scan, this one with dye.
Haven't got the report yet.
I cannot believe how High Tech all these machines are...

The staff have been amazing and the departments are regularly short staffed.

I am drinking lots of fluids...many many cups of tea.
Knitting and reading...
taking life easy.



I've been meaning to read this book for years!
When I spied it in the local Book Nook I grabbed it.

I hope that you are enjoying your summer so far...
or the winter if you are in NZ or Australia.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~




Saturday, April 22, 2023

Hoping for a Sun day...while waiting, I shop.


Greetings...
our weather has been really rather beastly.

This weather is for the birds!!!


Rain with high winds and all manner of things blowing away.
We are hanging onto our hats in hope
as we read the forecast for the start to the week 
which is promising (teasing) us warmer temperatures and some sunshine.


If you are reading this post you know that I have decided to continue to blog
using the free Blogger platform.
My research revealed that it would cost me about $2,000 to transfer all my posts
and migrate to a new host. The host would then be charging me an annual fee for the posts and GB that I would be using to keep my blog live.
I am retired and this is a hobby so that was not going to be reasonable.

Thank you again for following.
It is great to read all your comments, I really appreciate them.

I have been forced indoors during the inclement weather
so I have had a few shopping trips to 
 the local shops and malls.

I found a comfy and fun pair of Converse sneakers.


I chose the blue ones but they were also available in red 
which was SO tempting...I really didn't NEED two pairs.


I think they will look great with all my denim pieces and my white jeans.
I have a faded blue linen skirt that I purchased last year which might be fun to
wear white ankle socks and these together.

Oh and I also found a new backpack...
to replace the thrifted one that I repaired .


Hands free for hiking, walking, shopping and beach combing.


Soft leather, attractive details and wonderfully made.


Big enough to pop in a book and my usual wallet, keys, sunglasses and lipstick.
It looks smart too...
I am pleasantly surprised by the quality for the price.


I've been having an espresso on these cold windy afternoons.
I made coffee this way when I was in Roccatederighi, Italy

The Lavazza brand Crema coffee is smooth and needs no cream.

The new to me espresso /demitasse cups are vintage by Susie Cooper.
Made in England.
I found them at Kay's Korner in the Cook Street Village.
I love Karin's shop...
I regularly walk in our Fairfield neighbourhood and will pop in on my route.
If you haven't been to Kay's Korner yet...you have a treat in store.

 Spook Street is a book in the popular British spy series by Mick Herron...
my husband has read the entire series and purchased all the books so I am reading them now.
Interestingly, he has picked up the Louise Penny series which I love and is reading the first one now!

I have a few more things to share with you but will leave those for the next post.

For those of you who were enquiring about my back...

I had some X Rays of my back and hands, 
both have been very surprisingly stiff, uncomfortable and very painful.
 The doctor also ordered blood work.
I haven't seen my doctor since before Covid.
He is very busy and it takes a long time to get an appointment to see him.

He's thinking it may be arthritis 
 I won't know more until my follow up appointment in early May.

In the meantime I am taking Tylenol at night which is helping me sleep a bit better.
We'll see...

Hope that your week has some sunshine and fun packed into it.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Sunday, June 12, 2022

Loving Linen ~ OOTD ~ a new skirt

 


Naif
linen skirt
made in Canada

a whisper weight that will be very swishy
worn with a variety of tops and shoes

thinking of a white top with casual flip flops for a walk on the beach


OOTD
kicked it up a notch with my pearls
an Eileen Fisher tank top with Nanette Lapore cropped sweater
blue leather Rieker flats


smocked elastic waist with drawstring ties

So comfy and great for warm summer weather...
just waiting for it to warm up a few degrees!


Read this page turner in 2 days


Am already into this new book!
Such great writing and another riveting story set in Paris.


Hope that you are enjoying your weekend.

A gentle mist has just rolled in here bringing light rain...
an opportunity to stay indoors and read.
One of life's little luxuries.

What are you reading ?

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Shopping and a surprise!

 


Lilies are blooming in the parks.

Like many women I've been wearing black Yoga pants for most of the past year.
They work well for cleaning house and my daily walks...

They are not as dressy as I would like for running errands or patio dining.
So, I went shopping at Tulipe Noire, a small boutique on Oak Bay Avenue.


Canadian made Lisette capris


After buying the capris I decided shoes would be a good idea.
(Aren't they always a good idea?)

I popped up to Walk in Comfort where I always can find a great pair of shoes.
Black leather loafers made in Spain by Bueno...
 Oh so comfy!

Imagine my surprise yesterday 
when a parcel arrived in the post!

The brown envelope was from a wonderful woman who lives in Vancouver 
She sends me gifts from time to time...

cute polka dot sox
sunflower seeds 
(in memory of my mother)
tea
earrings

Inside the package was a sumptuous silk scarf
by Ralph Lauren!!!

This scarf goes perfectly with my new capris
and
most of my core wardrobe which is black.

I use scarves as my go to accessory.


Thank you Rosemarie!
You are such a kind and thoughtful woman.


Lunaria 
also known as "money plant"
blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Our garden is bursting forth with flowers.
May is such a lovely month in our garden...
bright pops of colour in the perennial borders.

Hope that you are staying well and enjoying the first days of May.

We are feeling so encouraged since getting our first vaccinations.
The Covid cases here on Vancouver Island are slowly moving down.
Many people are in hospital with many in ICU.

We hope that all who want the vaccination will be able to get it.
Community Immunity is imperative for our future safety.

Good Luck.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

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 ~


Wednesday, February 26, 2020

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...

In order to leave a comment 
you need to use a Google search engine like Chrome 
as Safari is not longer working.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~