Drugstore ~ Skincare and Make Up

 

When I was in Paris I made a pilgrimage to the "Pharmacie."

(easily identifiable by the large neon Green Cross)

Many seasoned travellers suggested the local Paris Pharmacies as a must see.

I was surprised by the popularity of these local shops.

Some actually had a line up out front !

I visited several Pharmacies in different arrondissements.

Some were larger and had more skincare products.

Citypharma at 26 rue du Four in the heart of Saint Germain des Pres has the reputation of being the BEST.

I stayed in the 6th arrondissement so this was closest.

(It did not disappoint)

The pharmacy is often crowded as it is very popular with locals and tourists.

Shelves are loaded with jars and bottles of serious skincare products.

Staff are happy to consult with patrons and are readily available to give advice.

The Pharmasave on Oak Bay Avenue 

has a wide variety of reasonably priced products with trained staff on hand to help.

One needn't spend a fortune to get good quality skincare products...

For example

Andalou Natural Products...

the company make product lines to suit most skin care needs.

I have enjoyed using the Andalou Rose products in the past.

Recently I have switched up to the Age Defying series.

I like the rich formulas...my skin soaks up the moisture.

I like to keep my skincare regime very simple.

Wash, tone and moisturize.

An intensive moisturizing enzyme facial mask is used once a week.

I have added a serum which helps particularly in the winter.

Derma-E Vitamin enriched serum is my favourite.

Rosehips and Grape Seed Oils 

Vitamin A and E

(4 drops morning and night ~ this bottle lasts a few months)

I wait 10 minutes before doing my make up 

to allow the oil to sink in and be absorbed.

My make-up routine is minimal 

5 minutes tops.

Minimal coverage and a light touch work best for my older skin.

Drugstore Make up products...

Andalou Age Defying BB cream

Burts Bees Aglow blush

Physicians Formula eyebrow tint

Annabelle eye shadow

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara

Eucerin Aquaphor Lip Repair

Miss Pupa Lip Gloss

While writing this post I have been sipping tea and nibbling some dark chocolate.

Afternoon Tea and dark chocolate

my afternoon ritual.

One of life's little luxuries!

Found a pretty vintage silver cake server this afternoon.

I met up with a friend who came over from the mainland for a visit.

We walked along The Avenue popped into the shops and had a lovely long lunch.

Joanne surprised me with a blue tote bag and a book AND she treated me to lunch.

We always have a lovely time chatting.

Thank you Joanne!

“Joy is the best makeup. 

But a little lipstick is a close runner-up.” 

~ Anne Lamott ~

Well I must close for now and get dinner started.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Wednesday late night post...

~ Antique Porcelain Bowl ~

I have had this antique bowl for many years.

I purchased it from a thrift shop.

I was drawn to its' "staples"

obviously an early repair.

I often wonder where this bowl came from?

Who owned it?

Why was it repaired and not just thrown away when it cracked?

If this bowl could tell its' history...

what might it be?

Looking at this bowl got me thinking...

so

I wrote this post on Instagram...

I've been busy this week...

dinner for the family, aqua fit classes, writing lists of things to do before Christmas.

Writing Christmas gift lists, buying cards and stamps.

I started polishing all the silverware.

Trays, candle sticks, the tea service, pedestals, bowls.

I still have a few pieces to do...

the champagne ice buckets, a baby rattle, some trophies.

I use Hagerty silver polish and Twinkle polish.

They both work well.

It is a time consuming job but is immediately rewarding.

The shine is like a smile.

I've been knitting and reading too...

I started this book Run by Anne Patchett.

I really enjoy her books, and after just one chapter I am already hooked!

I'll be sending Christmas cards out soon...

baking some shortbread cookies 

making my favourite spiced nuts which make nice hostess gifts, 

and of course the pork tourtieres.

~ Spiced Nuts ~

2 cups almonds

2 cups walnuts

2 cups pecans

1 1/3 cups sugar

2 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp allspice

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp coriander

2 tsp ginger

2 egg  whites

3 tbsp water

Sprinkle nuts with sugar and spices.

Beat egg whites and water.

Mix into nuts and spice mixture and spread on a buttered baking sheet.

Bake at 275 degrees for 1 hour stir occasionally.

Cool

Place into glass containers for gifts.

Add a ribbon and some greenery and a dried orange slice.

Hope that you enjoy these nuts!

Well I'll close for now as it is past my bedtime...

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

November update...Autumnal colour, halloween, books and more...

 

~ Fall Colour ~

The limelight hydrangeas are turning pink.

I picked a big armful to dry on the porch and placed them in a jardinere on the buffet.

~ Trick or Treat ~

We had a VERY BUSY Halloween night answering the door and giving out treats!

Fortunately I purchased 250 treats...

we started the evening out by handing out 3 each,

then quickly realized the street was abuzz with children!

We had well over 100 children pop by and we ran out by 7:30

so we turned out the lights

coincidentally, our neighbours did the same at that exact time!

Fall colours are putting on a lovely show here at the cottage.

As we walk and drive the rural roads we are very aware of the different foliage on display.

I found this book in a free library on my walk.

I had not heard of Bobbi French or the title but was interested after reading the cover.

I read the book in a couple of days and am giving it to a friend.

It dealt with a difficult subject but was done so with such sensitivity and grace.

I recommend it.

BC Ferries sail by the cottage many times each day...

this one looked like a Cruise Ship all it up.

Our neighbours here refer to them as "birthday cakes!"

We also play a Yachtzee game...

if you see 5 ferries all at once on the sea you call Yachtzee.

I am so thrilled with the vintage ironstone transferware platter.

I found it at Kay's Korner in the Cook Street Village.

We don't have a Blue themed decor in The Humble Bungalow but the cottage does!

I think this tray elevates the casual beachy vibe.

Found another great book in the wee free library.

I have read several of Gill Paul's other books and really enjoyed them...

this one has hooked me already and I am enjoying the story.

I found this distressed and tarnished jug at the thrift shop.

I think it was 35 cents...

it has come in handy for casual flower displays.

I bought a silver tea strainer at the thrift shop for $1

I plan to polish it up but need to buy some silver cleaner...

it will be lovely not having to use those gauzy paper slips 

 for my loose teas here at the cottage.

I am drinking a lot of loose teas these days and most of it comes from Murchies.

The Princess blend is a lovely floral rose tea which I drink most afternoons when i sit and read my book or knit.

A scarf knit on the bias.

This will go with lots of my blue denim and my blue down puffer coat.

The yarn is Japanese Noro blend of alpaca, wool and silk.

I found the pattern and yarn at my favourite local wool shop The Beehive.

The "feel of a yarn" while knitting is very important to me...

I spend a long time making a project so I like to enjoy the process.

This lovely wash cloth was knit by my friend Michelle.

It is whisper soft and such an interesting pattern.

I purchased two new soaps when I was at Marshall's the other week.

Love the packaging...

Orange and Cinnamon

Asquith and Somerset

English 

(a generous bath size bar)

Will be savouring this for awhile!

I better close for now and put the kettle on and do some knitting.

It is a grey rainy day here at the cottage and I have soup simmering on the stove.

Feeling Very cozy and the views are wonderful.

Hope that you are enjoying the start of your week.

Have you got anything exciting planned?

Are you reading a good book that you care to share?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~