Sleep Quality ~ a quick report.

In an earlier post I pondered if the double bed in the guest room, although very comfy, was responsible for the lack of restful sleep.

I found myself yawning in the mid afternoon and craving a strong cup of coffee.

Caffeine is a sleep disruptor so I didn't want to try a cup and opted for decaf tea instead but I still felt weary...

We had been sleeping in a double bed while renovations were being made in our master bedroom so I considered that it may have been the size of the bed but now I am not sure that's true.

I have been quite busy researching sleep, what constitutes a good night sleep, the amount of sleep we need, things that contribute to a poor nights sleep, over the counter sleep aids and their effectiveness and side effects.

What started out as a simple question in my mind turned into hours of online study...it was as if I had fallen down a rabbit hole!

Several readers commented on the use of magnesium supplements to help with sleep, so I looked into that on The Mayo Clinic site. It turns out that I may have a magnesium deficiency...many of the issues associated with a deficiency are things that I have been recently experiencing...
numbness, dizziness, poor sleep, heartburn, irregular heartbeats, muscle spasms, and fatigue.

Magnesium is found in avocados, leafy greens, beans and legumes, whole grains, bananas, almonds, cashew, hazelnuts, popcorn, peanuts, oats, cocoa, dark chocolate seeds - pumpkin, chia, sunflower.

I do not regularly eat nuts, avocados, or chocolate...as they are high in WW points.
Leafy greens of all sorts in salads, various beans, and bananas are consumed frequently.

I have oats in the fall and winter for breakfast but not every morning...
this is a habit I may need to change!

According to one site I checked out approximately 75% of people are deficient in magnesium!

Will follow up with my doctor and have an appointment booked.

I have started taking a pill with my dinner and my FitBit has already registered the imrpovements.
REM is twice what it has been previously and the DEEP sleep is much longer.

I woke up fewer times and feel much better when I wake up in the mornings.

The pharmacist mentioned that many people are experiencing better sleep when they take this supplement. She handed me a pamphlet with a lot of information about magnesium which she encouraged me to read.

After I finished reading about the benefits of the supplement,

I decided to give it a try

she suggested this gentle 200mg dose.

The cost was under $30 for a 4 month supply.

My husband is trying it out too.

I found a new body lotion at the pharmacy...

it absorbs into my skin quickly after my shower.

I have shared this information as it is helping me sleep better...

 I suggest that you check with your physician before trying this supplement.

If you are deficient, a simple blood test can test for the level.

Wishing you a lovely week.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Sleep Patterns...

I've been wearing several loose tunic tops with black capri length leggings

to keep cool these past few weeks.

The leggings provide a wee bit of coverage for my legs.

My legs are muscular and strong from walking.

I feel self conscious about the various scars

veins 

and

blotchy marks

that I have accumulated over 64 years of being on this Earth.

Living in an aging body

 is

something that I have not accepted...

I think of myself as a much younger person

with ample energy to perform many tasks each day.

So when I do feel tired...

I am kind of surprised and taken aback.

Limiting my "To do list" might be of some help.

Lowering my expectations of what I am reasonably capable of accomplishing on any given day might be something to work on.

Perhaps my level of energy has waned 

because my sleep has not been that restful since we moved into the guest room double bed?

I've started going to bed before 10 usually around 9:30

and I wake around 6 something in the morning.

I wear my FITBIT to bed so I can check on my sleep patterns.

 I wake several times each night.

My sleep is mostly "light" with limited REM and Deep sleep.

We will soon be back in our Queen bed as the renovations are almost finished...

This is something I am so looking forward to!

It's taken quite a while to get this project completed...

due to our holidays and a long delay getting started.

The trades here in Victoria are so busy!

There is a building boom on and there are not enough people to do all the jobs.

We are so fortunate to have a reliable contractor and skilled trades people.

I will be posting a few photos as soon as the furniture is back in place.

What are your sleep patterns like?

Do you feel that your sleep could be improved?

Have you any sleep tricks up your sleeve that you care to share?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Wednesday thoughts January. 2018....

I finally purchased a new IPhone case...

my other one was chipped and the coating was peeling off

 every time I looked at it it made me cringe so why it took me so long to find a new one is beyond me.

I'm experiencing disrupted sleep

it is most likely stress

but

like many women of my age 

who frequently find that our sleep wake rhythms change

the nights feel rather long when one lies awake 

listening to the ticking of the clock

I am trying to come to terms with these new sleep patterns

but it is not easy.

In the morning when I wake up and look in the mirror 

I see that my eyes are puffy 

and my skin has creases on the side of my face

from lying on my pillowcase.

I  googled "wrinkles on the face from sleeping" and to my surprise discovered that if one uses a satin or silk pillowcase that these wrinkles will be reduced.

I was really skeptical 

but with several leading dermatologists endorsing the product 

I thought that I better give it a try...

 after one night of sleep

I am thrilled to tell you they really do WORK!

I did not wake up "Feeling Glamorous like the box indicates 

but I woke up and was happy to see that the deep creases were not imprinted on my cheek!

I also have introduced a healthy product into my skincare regime

At bedtime after cleansing my skin

I apply a small amount of coconut oil on my face.

It is super emollient and feels so soft in the morning.

This large jar was under $10 and it will last a long time...

and you can use it all over the body.

I am taking life one day at a time...

seeking small comforts and snippets of beauty

where I can find it in my daily round...

it is a lot harder to find than it used to be

and 

if I had a magic wand I would wave it and erase all the bad stuff in our world.

I will continue...

to do my best.

Home keeping

cooking

taking care of my husband

offering support to our family

tending to our cats 

and 

walking.

sharing random acts of kindness

Cocooning and recharging....

behind closed doors.

Its also the time of year when I like to replace some of my lingerie

so this is on the top of my list of things to do 

perhaps I'll get around to it this week.

Have you got a long list of things to do this month?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

September is a great time to curate one's closet.

September is a time of change...

the summer season is slipping away
fall is in the air
fresh starts, new beginnings
and a burst of colour in the foliage of the trees.

A great time to start some projects,
take a class,
shop for accessories,
clean out the closet
declutter the pantry
get rid of expired medications
polish boots, shoes and handbags.

Take stock of what is hanging in the closet...
what clothes get worn, what clothes do not feel right when worn.
Time to "observe trends" that may be in the magazines, on blogs, in the shops.
Can you rework what you have in your closet?
How about pairing separates in a fresh new way?

Perhaps it is time for re-evaluating one's personal style
how our current lifestyle might affect the clothes that we keep
those that we may donate, consign or hand down...

What new things could thrill or inject energy to what we have and love?
Vintage pieces?
Classics?
Boho?
What "speaks" to your inner muse?

Can you kick it up a notch?
Is it a genuine representation of your personal style?
Does it feel real or do you feel like you are wearing a "costume."

Shop at the charity and consignment shops for a splash of colour,
find something a bit unusual...a scarf, a belt, a bag are great pieces that don't have to break the budget and are ways to add a punch of colour or texture or style.
Have fun!

The least expensive accessory that I purchased so far this season is a lipstick.

L'Oreal trio...

The new kid on the block is #315 True Red

It is the first red that I have purchased since I was in Paris.

It will be fun wearing this shade with my crisp white shirt and jeans.

I have a lot of black and grey garments and this pop of colour will brighten up my pale complexion.

I've received numerous compliments on the Rose 31 scent by Le Labo.

Layering products makes a fragrance last longer so I phoned Nordstrom and ordered the Rose 31 lotion yesterday.

Wearing a new scent and a red lipstick is giving me a psychological boost.

Have you found anything new and exciting for the new season?

Une Femme has some new lipstick shades 

coincidentally I was working on this post when I read her blog post!

Great minds think alike!

The WW regime is really paying off...

almost 10 pounds down.

I am not hungry and have been pleased with how my clothes are fitting.

More energy and better sleep patterns have been wonderful side effects.

My skin has started to glow...

I think it must be all the water that I am drinking 

plus the variety of colourful vegetables and fruits on the menu...

less red meat 

a bit of fish, lean free range chicken and organic eggs.

What are you reading right now?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Yoga and Grief...

I am not at all surprised, at my age,
that there are still many things that I can learn...
or perhaps relearn
what I had thought I already knew.

In the quiet moments of reflection
sitting still

open
to absorb

adopt
new and healthy habits.

I do not hesitate or tarry
the desire to act is strong.
The rewards great...

Yoga has re-entered my life...
it has been a wonderful tool to help work through the grief.

Several women from the over 50 Yoga class have recently lost their Mothers.
I over heard them mention that have been also dealing with estate duties and grieving...it is easy to strike up conversation and compare notes and share tips.

Physical flexibility is slowly returning
stamina
stalled by recent events
is coming back.

Sleep has been deeper and more restorative.

Yoga practice
"with intention"
spills over and permeates the daily round.

The benefits are well worth the time spent at the studio.

Feeling more energy with fewer aches and pains has been a welcome change.
One that has pleasantly surprised me.

Looking at life with positivity and Joy...

fewer tears
renewed faith
comfort...

Letting go...

Maintaining peace and perspective in times of turmoil...
staying calm when all around you
life is noisy and speeding by at a rapid frenzy.

Breathing deeply and being totally aware 

living in the moment.

Being mindful of how stress can rob the body of its resilience.

You are at risk of getting sick in body, mind and spirit.

The regular practice of Yoga  

has re-energized and restored a sense of balance

in life

refreshed my lagging spirit.

Yoga

is helping me through this journey of grieving.

While grief is not predictable

when it does show up 

I am better equipped to ride the emotional waves

and 

allowing myself to feel the moments 

deeply

then move on...

The Humble Bungalow Blog

has been taking a back seat to real life.

Writing and publishing posts has been sporadic...

not much excitement to report

while life here has been routine...

some may even say dull

but that is exactly what I crave and need right now.

I hope you'll stay tuned...

 Spring is unfolding its beautiful wings

our humble bungalow garden is awakening

flowers are blooming

scents are wafting in the yard

birds are singing and building nests

the sun is shining

we sit and wait

for something to capture our attention 

something worthy of sharing.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

XO

Getting My Happy On continues ~ Grandchildren, a kind gesture, a gift in the mail and a win ~

Our darling Henry enjoyed exploring the "spare lot" on our street.

On this site we have some driftwood benches and a table,

a tire swing, rope swing and a wee lending library.

There are trees and a grassy meadow where children love to run.

Play is serious business...

first you need a plan

then you need to execute the plan

then organize all the pieces

sit back and discuss what will happen next.

Isla and Henry played together collaborating on the building of the tower

they decided on the roles of the players

and then they worked out the scenario...

meanwhile as I looked on

Mira sat on my lap and we played with the shape sorter.

The fellow who owns and operates the excavator that is working on the site next door

noticed that Grammy and three wee ones were at the window watching the action and the steady stream of trucks.

When we all went for a walk past the site he suggested that the grandchildren might like to sit in the cab of the machine...

he didn't have to wait long before he got an enthusiastic response!

My goodness that was a kind gesture and a wonderful highlight for our wee ones.

Smiles all round!

I received a thoughtful gift in the mail this week.

Earplugs!

These will help muffle the noise...

love the shade of green too!

Thank you R!

In other "green news"...

I purchased this organic Physician's Formula mascara awhile back.

I love the formula but cannot get used to using the spiky plastic brush.

It has been a messy and frustrating experience 

so I decided that I would give up and move on...

 Dr. Hauschka mascara is back on the job 

with a bristle style brush for an easier application.

I made a yummy prime rib dinner with Yorkshire pudding on Sunday 

we ate the leftovers on Monday

 Mr. HB made some beef sandwiches to take to work.

Probably the last roast for the season.

My back has been stiff and sore since Mom passed away.

(I will book a massage when the bulk of mom's estate is settled)

 Yoga is really helping limber up the muscles and the back seems to be on the mend.

Plus I am sleeping better since going back to the Yoga Studio.

(I love a decent night of sleep)

My Yoga mat is falling apart...

wee bits of the mat are left behind after my practise so I must find another one asap!

This is the mat that the cat scratched a few years ago

Swimming fish amid the lily pads...

I wonder if any of you have had a similar experience with your cats...

any thoughts on a thick good quality replacement mat?

We won a strawberry planter from the Garden Centre!

These planters are quite expensive so I have never bought one but when one gets the call that one is waiting to be picked up you waste no time and start the car!

Our neighbour across the street put this plant pot on the boulevard...

free for the taking so I grabbed it and planted a white hydrangea in it.

How is your week going so far?

Energy ~ Sleep and OOTD

A decent night of restful and restorative slumber is bliss.
It gives one an energetic start to the day...
often times we wake after a fitful night of tossing and turning...
this is more common for me.
When these nights occur I try to be gentle with myself and start the day slowly...
I have not tried sleeping pills and asked the nurse at Hospice if I should try some after Mom passed away and she suggested that I try Gravol.
I purchased a small package and have tried them on several occasions...
they do work, but I wake feeling groggy so I am not planning to use them often.

Coffee helps wake me up 

 a good book

 transports us away 

it helps to gain perspective

put our troubles aside for awhile.

Once I hit the shower I am wide awake...

ready to seize the day.

Dressing for more energy means wearing some of my favourites...

OOTD

Moto leather jacket ~ Danier

Hermes scarf

NYDJ boyfriend jeans

simple white Tee ~ Joe Fresh

my birthday shoes...

Ferragamo from darling daughter.

These shoes make me feel happy!

I wore this outfit to run errands and I had so much energy that I very nearly forgot to stop and eat lunch.

Parrot tulips from the grocery store...

spreading a beautiful energy 

into The Humble Bungalow Kitchen.

Home style meat loaf, mashed potatoes and carrots...

the ultimate comfort food.

Refuelling with tasty food provides me with more energy.

I made a double batch of this meat loaf so that tomorrow evening all I need to do is reheat the spuds and the meat loaf and boil some peas.

The recipe is from Best of Bridge...

here.

I broke the chipped Emma Bridgewater bowl I used for soap

when I was washing it the other week...

it just slipped out of my hands and smashed into a bazillion fragments.

Fortunately it did not damage our farmhouse sink.

Hooray the Hellebores are blooming!

Hope that your week is ticking along nicely.

What have you been doing?

Anything exciting to share?

Please don't be shy!

Hostess

XO

Holiday dressing ~ Hostess Style

Today I want to chat about my thoughts on dressing for the holiday season.
Views are strictly my own and I am not professing to be an expert on fashion...

Hostess Style aka Grammy Style,
is an honest, comfortable, and affordable way of dressing.
I have new, vintage, and thrift shop finds in my closet.

Essentially, I dress to camouflage my figure flaws,
drawing focus on the better bits and minimizing the mid section!

My wardrobe is small, curated, and bordering on spartan,
and it leans decidedly toward conservative...
The colours tend to be mostly black and grey.

Black is so versatile that I keep getting drawn back to it time and again.
It looks dressy in daylight and elegant at night. You get a lot of mileage out of black clothes as they go with everything...that's the "practical" coming out in my personality!

Black is rather like a backdrop,
a black canvas perhaps, just waiting for accessories.

The iconic LBD is still as popular today
as it was when it was first introduced many decades ago...

I own several little black dresses and they are so easy and effortless to wear.

I recently purchased a simple black skirt that sits slightly above the knee.
It will get worn quite a bit over the holidays and can be dressed up or dressed down. I already own several pairs of black shoes; flats, kitten heels and pumps as well as Chelsea boots.
This budget friendly addition is a welcome garment for the festive season.

At this time of year I like to add a bit of sparkle...

St. John black knit top with beads...

great with my new skirt or pants.

Can you imagine this top worn with my boyfriend jeans

black leather "moto jacket" and Chelsea boots?

Vintage wool and sequin top from Woodwards,

It's party time!

Sparkly jewels

J Crew necklace and two vintage Sherman brooches.

Festive dressing can involve a few bling-y pieces and at this time of year I like to play at bit more with accessories when dressing up.

I also like to take some extra time with my skin care regime.

A morning spent quietly sipping tea and giving myself a facial 

is my idea of luxury.

Sleep has been hit and miss for me for the past few months 

I go to sleep but wake in the night and I do not fall back asleep easily.

Unfortunately this pattern of waking seems to show up on my face...

it is actually bugging me as I used to be such a great sleeper.

As a result 

I have been focusing more on healthy eating 

making sure that I stay hydrated

taking time to set aside a few minutes to meditate

and focus on my breathing

I also think that I need to get back to practising Yoga in the New Year.

Bone broth with turmeric

Nourish, just as its name suggests, serves healthy nutritious food. 

Many of the options are dairy and gluten free.

Poached eggs on a bed of kale, mushrooms and sweet potatoes 

topped with a cashew cream hollandaise.

Nom Nom!

So how do you like to dress for the holidays?

Are you drawn to bright colours or do you prefer neutrals?

What, if anything, are you planning to add to your wardrobe?

I like to add a splash of scent everyday

and two of my favourites are

Mitsouko by Guerlain and Jour d' Hermes

Hope your week is off to a great start...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~