Showing posts with label style. Show all posts
Showing posts with label style. Show all posts

Sunday, March 17, 2024

Wardrobe Basics ~ A symphony in Black and White, a recipe and our Star Magnolia

 


Our Star Magnolia
is
blooming out front of The Humble Bungalow.

I love the elegant waxy white flowers.
They emerge from fuzzy cocoons...
if you look closely you can see one as it is about to pop.


The tree was planted many years ago and has grown quite slowly.
It is in the middle of a bed and makes a bold statement.


My linen skirt has an asymmetrical detail that makes it more interesting...
I like a flounce and it sways as I walk.

I can dress it up or wear it simply 
with a casual white top and my distressed denim jacket.
I actually wear it with my white "trainers" or tennis shoes and lacy white socks.

The length is longer on me so I don't feel I NEED to wear capri tights.
My legs are not at their best...they have scars and marks which I try to hide.
One cannot live to 69 and still have pristine unblemished skin.


This white blouse is a favourite of mine.
I love the texture and the fabric is pure white.
The shape is forgiving especially for my mid section 
which is where I now carry most of my weight.


Nice detail on the cuffs.


I wear this with black Eileen Fisher pants, and often with casual denim jeans.



The Big Baroque Pearls add an interesting touch.
I feel so much more "dressed up" with pearls.

Black and white wardrobe basics are so easy...
I can get dressed for almost any occasion and have a lot of mix and match options.

Recently I found a lovely Saint James black sweater which has a good structure.
I purchased it second hand for a fraction of the original price.
It is almost like a sweater jacket...
Saint James make lovely clothing...I visited one of their stores in Aix en Provence.


I have my sourdough boule baking in the oven as I write this blogpost.
The kitchen smells wonderful...

I just finished making Hamburger Soup.
It is a recipe that I have been making for many decades...
I used to make a big batch and freeze it in containers for my lunches when I worked in the schools.


We had a bowl for our lunch today with a couple of small pieces of sourdough toast.

I try to make soups once a week...
the soups is quick to heat up and works well on my aqua fit days.
I arrive home hungry and my husband has soup and toast ready when I get home.

Do you like to make soup?

Have you tried making sourdough bread?
I got my starter from a good friend and I have given batches of it to many people...
she has shared hers with many others as well!

We both use the recipes on Alexandra Bakes.

I have recently discovered Farmhouse on Boone and am enjoying Lisa Bass's site.
She lives on a large farm and has 8 children!


I wear a vintage rhinestone brooch on my wool beret and other hats.

Wearing vintage pins are a bit of a habit of mine. 
I don't seem to find many but I always look!!

Do you enjoy thrifting?

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.
I appreciate your comments and invite you to share your thoughts.

Take care and until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Monday, March 4, 2024

March ~ Birthday and some other tidbits....

 


Tulip Mania has begun with a bold red and yellow bunch!

Such great mood lifters on a grey winter's day.
I love to buy these cheerful blooms...
deciding which colours to choose is always a challenge!

I had my birthday yesterday March 3rd.
I turned 69 and don't feel OLD.


My new glasses are Face a Face from Paris.
I had my former pair for 6 years and when my prescription changed I decided it was time for a new pair of glasses and sunglasses.


Vintage rhinestone brooch pinned on my wool beret.


My beret is made by The Canadian Hat Company.
Decades old Burberry scarf
Eileen Fisher Coat

Still having FUN and playing around with clothes and my personal take on style.

Been very lucky at the Thrift Shops lately...


Gold bracelet


I don't have anything like this in my jewel box and thought it might be fun.


Heavy crystal etched vase, possibly Swedish.

Perfect for wee flowers.
Snowdrops are what come to mind.


I love to hunt for sea glass on my beach walks.
On my birthday beach walk 
I found a lovely piece of aqua glass just as I stepped on the beach!

Aquamarine is the March birthstone 
so I thought it an appropriate find.


The sunset was quite remarkable the other evening...
looks like The Danish Flag hanging over Salt Spring Island.

Perhaps my ancestors waving hello?

Our family tree goes way back...
to a former Queen and King of Denmark.
So many interesting names along with that incredible detailed history.


Sabine Be sunglasses...
Mom had macular degeneration so my eye doctor advised me to wear sunglasses.
I need to remember to wear them regularly.


Treated myself to a new candle and some dark chocolate bars.

I recently read that dark chocolate is full of good polyphenols
which help with inflammation, digestion, cognitive function, and protect cardiovascular health.

Adding a couple of squares with my afternoon tea seems pretty easy!
Been eating more avocados on sourdough toast...
they are nutrient rich and high in fibre.

After my colonoscopy the doctor told me that he removed 3 polyps.
(I watched the entire procedure on the screen) 
He also mentioned to keep my diet rich in fibre as it has many benefits.

Staying on top of one's health is a priority.
Healthy habits and being mindful of stress and toxins in the environment are so important.


What is new with you?
How are you managing the aging process?


Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Saturday, September 23, 2023

OOTD + Fall Harvest from The Humble Bungalow Garden

 

It's the first day of Fall Today 
So I am getting ready for cooler weather...

Ready to
Welcome Back
My
Black and White Fall and Winter Basics


I have tried wearing bold bright colours in the cooler months
 but I keep going back to black.


Here I am dressed in a super casual OOTD for lunch with my sister and cousins.

I wore things that I have had in my closet for years
Black Yoga pants
Old Navy White Shirt
Eileen Fisher black quilted vest
with
(new this summer)
Tommy Hilfiger Shoes

Black and white is so easy to accessorize...
jewelry, colourful scarves, sweaters.

Think the accessories give this casual OOTD a bit of a lift. 

BIG pearls from Hong Kong and Bold Red Miss Pupa Lipgloss #305

I added my Black Eileen Fisher vest as we were sitting outdoors for our lunch.

We had a yummy lunch at pure Vanilla in Oak Bay.
Food choices are always fresh and there are many healthy options.

There was SO MUCH catching up and chattering 
that it was really HARD to get a word in edgewise!
I hate talking over people so I was rather quiet
I prefer to listen anyways...

My simple style is not fancy, it could not be easier or more basic.
It is honest and works for me.

I own and am attracted to blue denim, chambray and Tencel shirts, dresses and jeans.
Denim played a major role in my teenage wardrobe.
Did it factor into your younger wardrobe too?

If you had told me at 13 that I would still be wearing jeans at 68 
I probably would have laughed, but it is true.
Do you still wear jeans and denim?

I have 3 pairs of jeans, a denim jumper, shirts, a top and a distressed denim jacket.

Keeping a small and simple basic wardrobe makes getting dressed easy.
Too many choices make me dizzy and indecisive.

There are also several LBD's in my closet...
a black and grey tweed skirt 
some black and white tops
sweaters
black dress pants.

Retirement dressing is very casual...
I wear things for comfort and those that are purpose driven.

When I go to the pool for aquafit classes I wear these same Yoga pants.
A cozy warm top and a jacket or sweater depending on the weather.


Marshalls change room!
I seem to gravitate to this store...
SO MANY CHOICES.
Such good value, I like that, as I am on a pension.

I keep track of ALL my wardrobe purchases...new and thrifted.

This quilted barn coat is something that I have wanted for several years.
When I spied it hanging on the rack I grabbed it!
Ralph Lauren is known for their detail on their garments.


I like the snaps and the ability to open the hem.
Might come in handy if I plan to leap any tall buildings :-))


The collar is done in a classic corduroy...
the coat is roomy which I wanted especially for layering in the cold weather.

In case you are wondering...
underneath the coat I am wearing a soft faded light blue Tencel dress and capri tights.

I have just swapped out my summer clothes and put them in the guest room closet.
It is raining here today and boy do we ever need the rain!
This past summer has been riddled with drought conditions and forest fires.

Welcome Fall Weather!


Humble Bungalow Front Porch Fall Decor
dried hydrangeas and mini pumpkins.


The swimsuit that I wear to aqua fit class is starting to stretch out and the seams are looking dodgy.
I have ordered this one from Lands" End and hope that it will fit.

The newer one by Alfred Sung that I purchased early in the season 
is a wrap style with a lower neckline 
so not really suitable for the "bouncing" cardio portion of the class!

It is harvest time here...


Liberty Apples 
first harvest shared with the grandchildren.
Sweet, tasty and small enough for school lunches.


Chehalis green apples
I prefer to cook with these.
(I have an apple pie baking in the oven right now!)


I roasted some of these heirloom Italian Mikado tomatoes for sauces in the Winter.

Roasted Tomatoes

Line a baking tray with parchment paper
Cut Tomatoes into smaller chunks
add pepper and garlic
drizzle with olive oil
bake at 375 for about 40 minutes
Cool

Spoon into Ziploc bags or plastic containers for the freezer.


Hermes scarf and Saint James striped top
worn here under a casual zip jacket.

What clothes are on your radar for Fall? 
(Or Spring depending where you live)

Do you plan to purchase anything new?


I am in the process of cutting and drying some of the hydrangea blooms.
I've been soaking the flower heads in a bucket of cold water for several hours before tying them into bunches for drying.

I hope this works as I tried a bunch without the soaking 
and they shrivelled right up
(see the porch picture)
far too crispy.

Hope you are keeping well and staying safe.
Covid is making a comeback here.

Think I will start wearing my mask again when I go to the grocery store.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.
Until next time...

~ 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 ~




Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Thank you so much!

 


I am overwhelmed by the comments and emails that I have recently received since publishing my last post on blogging.

The information that I discovered to switch to a new platform and bring all my posts with me was quite beyond my tech ability and to hire an expert to help with the migration was more expensive than I ever imagined.

This wee blog is and has been a fun outlet and a hobby not a business or a job.

So I am going to stay with Blogger as it continues to be free...
there are limitations and tech issues but I suppose I will have to live with them if I want to have a blog and an audience without cost.


Researching style with this fun book by two authors from Refinery 29...
I am heading to the shops to scout out some edgy fashion options.

 At 68, I am no spring chicken but I am not giving up on having fun with fashion.

Recalling former conversations with girlfriends over coffee...
the crux of the dialogue revolved around what we might be wearing when we got OLD.
Well we are OLD now and I remember a particular friend saying
 "Shoot me if I ever wear pull on pants and old lady tops."

Pull on pants are very comfy...
Yoga pants and some dressy pants with smooth waistbands.

I have returned to regular denim jeans 
the spandex stretchy fabric loses shape "stretches and pouches out" at the tummy.
Makes me look bigger than I am...
not a good look and I feel bad about my tummy.

No one wants to feel bad about their body...
it supports and carries us around.
The only one we have,
 so we better appreciate, honour, and accept it.
 Making peace with the reality of our forms at an advanced age takes time.
At least it has taken me awhile...
looking at younger fitter women on social media sets up unrealistic expectations.

Dress the body that you have been given...
 fitness is a great goal at our age
Walking Yoga, swimming, aqua fit classes
and a healthy eating regime should be a focus.

Fad diets and exhausting exercise can be hard on our systems and our joints.
Moderation is my preferred method.


Have you heard of MNG?
Love "MOM" jeans...
but hey did you notice they are "NEW MOM" jeans :-))
Gosh the last time I was a new mom was in 1981.
I love the fit of these jeans...size 12 


These are ankle length which I love because I am 5'1
no hemming required.
I bought them at our local Bay store for $70

Now I am thinking I need a fun pair of sneakers...
Converse perhaps?
Something comfy and a wee bit edgy...

Women in Paris are wearing sneakers.

That's it for now...
I thought I would just check in and say thank you for your lovely messages.
Stay tuned for more posts...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~


Friday, March 24, 2023

OOTD and I may have solved the problem with comments...

 


 ~ Walking ~
I love walking along the waterfront.
Fortunately we live close to the seafront but I frequently walk in Oak Bay.
The Esplanade near Willows Beach is a scenic spot for a stroll.


I spied this beaded bracelet on the arm of the blue Adirondack chair...


I stopped to take a closer look and noticed the card inside.
Oak Bay Trinket Fairy

I now follow this Instagram account and have learned 
that this bead artist makes and leaves them for people to find!
What a lovely idea...
similar to those painted rocks that were once popping up in our neighbourhood.

Friday ~ post published today 
as I am going to busy this Sunday...
I have been trying to keep the posts regular but a wee bit of a BLIP is fine.

On the heels of my denim jumper purchase I found a coat!


New Eileen Fisher blue coat...
a simple and classic choice for Spring and Summer.
Turns out that I really like Eileen Fisher coats as I now have 3 of them.


~ OOTD ~

Wore my big pearls from Hong Kong to tea at a friends home.
We sip tea ~ chat and knit together.
I paired it with a crisp white Old Navy shirt and a wool Lord and Taylor skirt.
Layered over Hue capri tights and my Josef Seibel Chelsea Boots.


Rather an "edgy" look but very comfortable :-))

Do you wear "edgy" fashion choices?
It is a wee bit of a stretch for me but after wearing this combo several times 
it feels honest and natural.

Let's have a quick chat about hair...
it is supposed to be our crowning glory.

Sadly
my hair has been thinning this past year...
which has been a worry but I do have a thyroid condition and that is one of the issues.
I take medication for my thyroid but hair loss is a concern.
My hair used to be SO THICK!

Has your hair thinned?

On my last visit to my stylist I mentioned this to her she cut in more layers 
now it looks fuller and has more body
so I am happy with the results.

In other news...

I have been researching the blogger problem with comments.
Your emails have not gone unnoticed...
May have found an answer...
fingers crossed 
so please try now and see if it works.

Leave a comment and we'll see if it works.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~