A quickie with a few tidbits and snippets of our trip.

I've been busy getting back in action here in The Humble Bungalow and late getting to my blog.

Weekend wrap up
highlights...
we wined and dined and visited friends aboard their boat in False Creek
we walked in Stanley Park
meandering
leisurely
poking in shops
window shopping
serious shopping
reading
sleeping late in the most comfortable beds...
PURE BLISS!

19th floor

digs for the weekend

Wetizman "party shoes"

snapped just 

before we tripped the light fantastic...

Black Symplii dress

 jersey knit

rolled in a ball in my suitcase

unrolled and crinkle free

travel friendly

Debra Kay necklace

OOTE

 Italian dinner 

 before sipping a nightcap high above the clouds

42nd floor

(if memory serves)

looking at the city lights

and there were fireworks below!

When we got together with our friends

I wore a LBD sheath style with little room to lift a leg

and getting into the minivan model taxi was less than lady like!

Boarding the boat was virtually the same 

thank heavens no one was following behind me!

We had bubbly and some nibbles before we went to the

French bistro

The food was amazing and the atmosphere subtle

every table was in use

and most people were enjoying themselves...

except for one unfortunate couple who were engaged in a very heated discussion within earshot 

my friend Cheryl and I were treated to a list of expletives that made us turn around.

A couple in their late 50's to mid 60's were having a full on domestic dispute!

I've never been in a situation quite like this one.

The waiter came over and told them to take it outside!

They left promptly leaving us wondering what could have gone wrong in such a romantic establishment.

New handbag

made in Canada

by ROOTS

cross body saddle leather

in black

the tangerine cellphone case was a gift with purchase

now in the hands of lovely daughter

an everyday basic

simple

hands free

with pockets and compartments inside

easy peasy 

I'd call this bag a work horse.

Next stop was Hermes...

busy place on the day we chose to pop in

Birkins on the wrists of most of the well heeled customers

(Mr. HB whispers "what recession!")

Terre d'Hermes for Mr. HB

Voyage d'Hermes for my sister

(we wear the same scent!)

It took about 30 minutes to choose my new scarf

this was my first choice and I kept trying others with more splash and colour

but I kept coming back to this painterly pattern.

Hermes scarf

Peinture Fraiche

by Dimitri Rybaltchenko

White background

grey design

conservative

Hostess style

(it looks great with pearls!)

Belated Happy Birthday Hostess!

There's more shopping adventures to follow when I have more time

so please stay tuned...

In the meantime we have to eat so

 I made a curry for our lovely daughter and her friend in appreciation

as they house and cat sat.

We lunched at Rangoli in the Tony South Granville neighbourhood.

it's Vij's casual eatery.

The food is amazing Indian fusion

the food and flavours are complex 

my taste buds did a happy dance!

I made the chicken curry

served it over rice...

Prosecco for the ladies

beer for the gents.

I'll close with this image of a lone native plant 

which is bravely blooming in the rocky area of the school grounds.

It reminds me of my favourite Mary Engelbreit quote

"Bloom where you are planted"

Don't forget to stop and smell the flowers!

Hostess

Classic vs. Bling

Conservative Classic or Bold Bohemian?
Do you go for the most outrageous baubles or stick with the classics?

My jewelry collection is rather spartan.
I attribute this to the fact that I wear "fine" jewels more often than "faux" jewels.
But not always...

"Basic classic earring collection"

I am always wearing my 30th anniversary diamond studs. 

I can wear two pairs of earrings at a time and often do.

In my opinion these are bolder

a bit more arty

yet still within my comfort zone.

A mix of vintage pins

a MOP scarf ring that Ines de la Fressange says is a fashion "no no!"

I have worn the alien ET style pin on a black cashmere sweater

it certainly got attention.

Vintage Bling 

rhinestones by Canadian maker Gustave Sherman

considered to be fashion jewelry at the time it was designed.

Sold by Birks for a modest price point in the 50's and 60's

(Father gave Mother many parure sets for Christmas and birthdays)

Now the prices are crazy!

They are great fun to wear on a denim jacket or a black dress.

Check this great look on Pinterest.

I was looking online for a Sherman necklace in clear rhinestones 

sadly they are priced around $350 for a simple one.

I found a similar necklace on Ruby Lane Antiques and am waiting for it to arrive.

Hope it comes soon!

So where do you fit in with your taste in jewels?

Are you a minimalist or a maximalist?

The Art of Thrifting, "Scores" and Accounting for taste, or not!

I am an avid thrift shopper and can be found frequenting the local Value Village, which in our circle, we refer to as the VV Boutique! I have found all kinds of treasures there. I have found things for friends, family and our bungalow home. My best score by far, was a pair of arts and crafts bookends, bronze with sterling birds, made by the Heinz Art Metal Company. My heart accelerated when I saw the makers mark as I knew this was a valuable find. I purchased these and quickly left the store, raced home and confirmed that indeed these were valuable and collectible so I promptly sold them to an antique dealer and within a few minutes had walked across the street to an antique mall and purchased a lovely string of baroque pearls!
I have passed this thrift shopping onto my daughter who is very successful and lucky when it comes to sourcing out treasures, she has an art history background which helps her to spot a gem when others have passed it by. She has furnished her apartment in mid century modern teak and art glass and has a  collection that would easily be representative in a gallery or museum, of the Mid Century Modern Era.

Not all my treasures are to Mr. L's liking! I have stashed some of my whimsical items away and some I display in my hobby room. I admit they are not "quality art" simply vintage finds, and they do not represent "us as a couple" they speak only to me!

As you can see, I have shelf space waiting for the next arrival. There has been a bit of a drought here for American Art Pottery figurines in matte white, which of course they must be...and whimsical too!

I go hunting for treasures with an open mind, that seems to help me achieve clarity and not discard or ignore the possibilities that are there if one just "looks"...you really never know what you're looking for until it presents itself!

Happy Thrifting!