Thoughts on Personal Taste....Questions to Ask Yourself ~ Starring You.

In this series "Starring You" let's take a look at accessories...
they offer the best and most affordable option to add that authentic and personal touch.

Consider for example that you and another person are both wearing the same outfits...
Let's use a white top and a pair of black trousers as an example.

You are both unique.
Unless you are identical twins, of course you'll look different.
So right off the bat ~ you are "YOU."
YOU may want to further personalize your individual look by adding accessories....
YOU may not...
and the good news is that it's up to YOU.

Tilda Swinton is a prime example of someone who is a minimalist when it comes to accessorizing and yet she makes a very bold impression...
she gets noticed for her personal style even when she is modeling designer clothing.
We "see" Tilda, not just the clothes.

So how do YOU add flair that is honest and authentic?
Are YOU in tune to what YOU want to add to make the outfit "YOURS?"
If not...you might be asking yourself why not.
Where to start?

What do I need to know about myself and how do I go about excavating my personal taste and unique look?

Something to think about before you embark on the journey of exploration.

 Consider your lifestyle and personality and how they impact they way that you dress?

Do you want to make a BOLD style statement or are you comfortable BLENDING in?

"Elegance is not standing out, but being remembered." 

~ Giorgio Armani ~

The "Real You" is in there...you just need to explore and investigate.

This part should be fun.

It took me quite some time to go through the discovery process...

I visited thrift shops, galleries, markets, read magazines, blogs and books before feeling confident about my choices.

I love Hermes silk scarves, vintage jewelry and pearls.

Your choices will be completely different from mine but that is the whole point of the exercise.

There are so many wonderful ways to put your personal touch on an outfit.

Ebay and Etsy offer a huge range of items...

Carve out a day just for yourself

take time to savour and wander through the shops.

Ethnic, thrift, and antique shops are a great source of unique and beautiful pieces.

Don't rush or you might miss something...

it takes time to discover what makes your heart beat a little faster.

You may already have an inherited stash of family jewels and if so, lucky you!

There may be a paste brooch from the 1930's or a stunningly beautiful necklace that you can adopt as your signature piece...

Sherman brooches are popular here, are of good quality, and beautifully designed.

 Sherman jewelry has increased in value and is highly sought after by collectors.

The local antique mall Vanity Fair has quite a few Sherman pieces for sale.

If you are passionate about designer goods you'll definitely need a larger budget.

If your budget is smaller your work will take longer.

Think of the process as an adventure.

 You may never snag that coveted piece but you might be surprised at what you discover along the way.

Consignment shops, estate sales and ebay will most likely be your best bet.

I tried on a gorgeous tweed wool Chanel jacket with champagne hued silk lining

 in a consignment shop several years ago

the price was a bit high but within my budget 

but sadly it was too snug...

(it would fit me now)

It might sound silly but I have regretted not purchasing it.

I can imagine myself wearing it with a simple white tee and dark wash jeans!

You may want to start your journey of personal discovery with a signature scent.

Meander through the department stores and try on some perfume.

Ask for samples to take home and wear them awhile to see how they react with your chemistry.

It's a great money saver testing them out before investing in the full sized bottle.

"A little bad taste is like a nice splash of paprika. 

We all need a splash of bad taste—it's hearty, it's healthy, it's physical. 

I think we could use more of it. 

No taste is what I'm against." 

~ Diana Vreeland ~

It's all about YOU!

Excavating your personal style should be fun...

it will evolve over the years as you age and your lifestyle changes.

It's important to remember to have fun on the journey...

and getting to know yourself better can be a real eye opener.

  "Simple Abundance" by Sarah Ban Breathnach.

Is a great read and a wonderful resource on the road to self awareness.

“The way you reach that awareness is through an inner journey that brings about an emotional, psychological, and spiritual transformation. A deep inner shift in your reality occurs, aligning you with the creative energy of the Universe. Such change is possible when you invite Spirit to open up the eyes of your awareness to the abundance that is already yours.”

~ Sarah Ban Breathnach ~

Dressing authentically...thoughts on personal style...starring YOU!

Jennifer at A Well Styled Life is writing a series about the "Invisible" or rather "The Vanishing Older Woman"
you can read her second installment in the series right here.
Her eloquent posts have started me thinking deeper about what I choose to wear and why I make the choices that I do...it is not an easy thing for me to explain, but bear with me please as I attempt to muddle through...

What we wear says a lot about who we are...
it gives hints as to what economic and social classes that we fall into and how we feel about ourselves...
are we shy, bold, confident, artistic, conservative, are we in touch with our authentic self or
do we even care what others think of us?

 Are you a star when it comes to putting together your wardrobe?

Is it easy or do you find it a challenge?

 Are you sending the right messages with your choice of garments?

Or perhaps you are confused about the image that you want to present to the world.

Money, work, age and lifestyle factor in when deciding what to choose.

Do you opt for designer clothes from head to toe?

Has the clerk in your favourite boutique sold you complete ensembles with accessories to go with them?

Do the clothes that you wear reflect your personal taste?

Are you bold with your colours and accessories or do you play it safe?

With so many possibilities and questions it is a challenge...

maybe a consultation with a professional is in order!

Mother has taught me a lot over the years.

 Observing her fashion sense has helped me to absorb a lot about fashion and style.

Reading magazines, books and blogs have rounded out my education in this area.

~ ~ ~

Mother and I were driving in the car the other day 

and we passed by a woman "of a certain age" with bright day glo pink hair.

Mother said "My goodness she's asking for attention wearing her hair like that!"

I said something to the effect of well anyone who makes a bold statement like that with their hair is not shy!

Mother would NEVER consider making an overture as bold as that statement 

with her hair or her clothing.

(although in the 1960's she went through what I like to think of as a  "Doris Day" phase when she was a blond!)

She would not suggest that we HIDE from our authentic selves

 but rather that we would choose to dress appropriately for each and EVERY social situation.

"Fitting in within our peer groups and blending" have been her words on fashion for as long as I can remember.

Mother is a conservative dresser and she encouraged us to dress well and take care to maintain our clothes.

 Mending, making sure buttons were sewn on right and shoes were kept polished and heels replaced regularly were high on her priority list.

Your Personal Image speaks volumes...

it says a lot about you...more than you might think.

It takes a lot of time to put together an entire wardrobe, not to mention the money that you need to invest.

It also takes a lot of thought...

What is the message that you want to project to the world?

Are you happy wearing the same thing over and over or do you want to put on a different outfit every day?

Do you like a lot of variety in accessories or do you prefer to wear the same few statement and signature pieces?

(I have owned this Burberry quilted jacket for about 8 years and the scarf, which was a gift from my husband is worn daily during the Fall and Winter.

Who are you dressing for? 

Do you represent a large corporation or a small company?

Are you a young mom, a professional in the business world or are you retired?

When dressing for your work life you may choose one style of clothing than for your personal life.

Which undoubtedly would be much more casual.

It took me many years to understand the image that I wanted to project.

It still is evolving but I figured out the basics.

I like to fit in as Mother would say...blending is more important to me than standing out in a crowd.

I do not like to draw unnecessary attention to myself.

Having a wardrobe with options for most events 

(other than a red carpet event or a gala)

 are already in my closet.

AND

they are all black!

A basic black jersey tank top is paired here with a vintage Susan Bristol sweater jacket.

Basic black Eileen Fisher trousers and my "very old" black patent leather Stuart Weitzman bow toed flats.

There are several pairs of black pants one in velvet as well as a casual pair of skinny black jeans...

various black tops and tanks

 sweaters

a black Barbour vest

 a tweedy Chanel-esque jacket

3 or 4 LBD's

a black shawl

a black dressy coat

black casual walking coat

black handbags

black kittens heels and pumps

these what I call the workhorses or the core pieces

~ ALL BLACK ~

A few colourful options have found their way into the closet, but not many.

Several bright silk twill Hermes scarves help to elevate and add some colour and interest.

Now this might not suit you at all but it works for me.

I am a no nonsense kind of gal who likes to keep things simple.

It might seem boring to you to wear the same clothes in different combinations 

only varying the looks by using different accessories.

We have to listen to our "inner voice", be true to ourselves, and project honestly our taste and style.

I do not like to waste money buying fads or trends.

Also shopping my closet just makes more sense.

 To me rushing out in a panic at the eleventh hour before an event is far too stressful...

I'd rather spend the time having a leisurely bath or doing my nails than speeding off on the mall.

Mother would encourage and suggest that we dress in an understated fashion.

(I went through a period of rebellion in my teenage years and opted for "hippie style clothing!")

Naturally she disapproved...

I grew out of it.

She counselled that good manners were as important as what we wore.

(I write and send thank you notes as she taught us.)

Comportment is the ultimate accessory and our demeanor speaks volumes.

So with that in mind...

I will continue to dress in basic black with an occasional pop of colour

opt for the ultimate in polite conversation

practise kindness and let The Golden Rule be my guide.

This post has rambled on and I apologize as it is very discombobulated...

My newest accessory is a rhinestone Panther pin in the Cartier style...

I love the beady red eyes.

I'll be wearing this...

you might have guessed...

on a black background!

It might be on an LBD, a sweater, top or coat.

~ ~ ~

."One is never over-dressed or under dressed with a Little Black Dress."

~  Karl Lagerfeld ~

"Don’t be into trends. 

Don’t make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way you live."

~ Gianni Versace ~

My OOTD

NYDJ jeans...flared

Symplii black tank top

Lord and Taylor dove grey cashmere cardigan

Clark black leather short boots

opera length pearls wrapped twice around my neck

Oh and there is some great news...the Gardener's Cottage is back!

 Janet's blog

check out what she's up to in her cottage.

Have a great week!

Hostess

I've got Paris on my mind...and it is a lovely distraction.

Since hearing the news that I am one of the lucky ladies to accompany Jamie Cat Callan on her Paris Ooh La La Tour this coming May I have let my thoughts stray to all things Parisienne...
By the way, I think there are a couple of spots left on Jamie's Tour if you want to come along, but act fast if you want to join in!

I have been looking online at Paris blogs and websites and many kind readers have emailed me behind the scenes offering their thoughts on what to pack and what brand of carry on they prefer and several of my readers who live in Paris have suggested we meet for a drink while I am there...
more about Paris later in the post.

We recently went to a Scottish Celebration...
my husband's ancestors hail from Scotland...
The Campbell's and the MacDonald's.
Two clans that were constantly warring with each other!

Have you ever attended a Ceilidh?
Do you know what it is?
I had to look at this sign to spell it correctly as it is pronounced "Kay Lee."

An online source describes a Ceilidh ~
"a social event at which there is Scottish or Irish folk music and singing, traditional dancing and storytelling."

It was a fun evening filled with entertainment and a plethora of tartan kilted regimental musicians.

We were happy to be invited as it was a fund raising event for the local band's upcoming tour to Europe.

Isn't this a beautiful pin?

I love the acorn and the oak leaf.

I do love to see a man in a kilt and kitted out smartly to play in the band with those bagpipes and drums...

My Irish background can appreciate those who hail from the Highlands, after all we were practically neighbours! 

I made a Freekeh grain salad last week and it was delicious.

How does one pronounce Freekeh?

I have been saying Freak Ah!

I used the recipe on the back of the box.

Spinach, roasted red peppers, Greek olives, feta cheese, and I added some red onions.

It called for a dressing of lemon juice with a pinch of nutmeg and a bit of cinnamon but it really tasted delicious without it.

It made a large bowl full and I served it to Mother and my sister at our weekly dinner.

The verdict was that it was a keeper.

There was some leftover so it made for easy lunches for me for the next few days.

I made our favourite prawn bisque.

The recipe is in the Whitewater Cooks  cookbook as shrimp bisque but I use prawns for more flavour.

I posted about this shrimp bisque way back in the day...

This recipe has big flavours and is loaded in WW points so make sure that you proceed with caution!

The roses in The Humble Bungalow Garden are laden with rose hips... 

perhaps a sign of a harsh winter to come?

The cushions have been removed from the front porch chairs as the colder wet weather is almost upon us...

the pockets of sunshine continue teasing us into believing that summer is still here.

Stews will be back on the menu as the temperatures dip.

I'm thinking about what I will pack when I go to Paris!

I always love reading posts on packing by un femme d'un certain age.

I've been reading quite a bit...

New Year New Dreams blog author Madame La Bas suggested these mysteries set in Paris.

The stories are well written, engaging, and I am enjoying reading about the different areas of Paris.

So much is happening here in and around The Humble Bungalow.

We are living in busy times.

I really must run and get some things done.

Thank you for visiting!

I am planning a wardrobe post next...so please come back soon.

Walkabout....Victoria's Chinatown.

Your sensitive and thoughtful comments and emails continue to surprise and amaze me...

I am grateful and truly humbled.

Now moving forward after that anonymous rant and getting back to the business of blogging.
Blogging in the manner to which I am accustomed.

My Volvo was in being serviced at the dealership and so I had a few hours in town to do some exploring.
My first stop was Value Village as I do love to peruse the books and china tea cups...I found myself looking at handbags and found a vintage Furla leather bag in chestnut brown leather.

It's a bit of a monster in size but I do like a bag with lots of room for a book and a bottle of water.

I like the tied handle details...

I've been looking for a bargain bag in brown to go with my watch strap for several years.

Our local Value Village is a vast warehouse full to the brim with all kinds of goods.

I find it an amazing place to find everyday basics and clothing.

You'd be surprised at the quality of some of the items...

I think a lot of people, myself included, declutter and are too lazy to have garage sales!

I am on maintenance at WW and went to their new location in Royal Oak for my monthly weigh in and was down half a pound...so far I have not fallen off the wagon!

Salads are so satisfying especially when they have some protein added like the blue cheese and nuts here.

This combination was delicious...apples, blue cheese and nuts atop of baby romaine lettuce.

A simple vinaigrette which I sparingly drizzled over top.

I ordered a decaf Americano coffee to go with the salad from The Grindstone across the street from Value Village.

Lunch out is a treat and I don't mind dining alone.

After lunch I decided to take a walk in Chinatown.

There are guided tours of chinatown which are really interesting.

 On the tours you visit the Mah Jong parlour and go inside the temples and some of the buildings and the shops.

I highly recommend going on a tour if you are visiting Victoria.

The Gate of Harmonious Interest

the entrance to Victoria's Historic Chinatown.

Fisgard Street is chock full of shops, cafes, markets, temples and buildings.

One of my favourite spots to browse...

there is a resident cat that frequently snoozes in the window but he was not there this afternoon or I would have taken a picture of him as he is quite a handsome and very large feline.

There is a sweet little garden out through those french doors...

if they had been open I would have stepped out and taken a picture.

I popped into Silk Road Tea Company on Government Street which is around the corner from Fisgard.

They were serving Lullaby Tea a new blend which is a sleep tea.

The roller ball of aromatherapy oils is reported to induce sleep as well.

It smells lovely!

It seems that many women suffer from sleep issues.

I do not want to rely on any pharmaceuticals so I am experimenting with these.

I also picked up a tin of Japanese Sour Cherry tea...it is a particularly refreshing tea served over ice in the hot weather.

It's another glorious day here and I must close for now as I am going to take a walk.

I'll see what I can find to share with you as I wander about in the neighbourhood.

Do something nice for someone today...

you'll feel better for it.

Trompe l'oeil...

Since changing my eating habits I have been very aware of how food is served and the relation of it's visual beauty and it's effect on pleasure and taste. Plating and presentation are what good chefs and cooks do best.
Garnishes are so pretty and I rarely take the time to add them to a plate.
I think that garnishes are like a gorgeous colourful Hermes silk scarf tied at the neck.
I doubt that anyone would disagree that they impart colour to perk up a basic outfit.

Spa food always looks so appetizing, and there's a reason. Spa food is incredibly lean and low on calories so to trick the eye and brain, the chef must make it look like a work of art, a worthy gift to a high paying customer.
You feel fuller after savouring a beautifully presented plate of food. Besides the added garnishes are edible, and even though they may be sliced thinly, they are artfully fanned out to make you think that you are getting more...
Trompe l'oeil !

While I've never spent more than a few hours each time I visit a spa, I have read numerous articles while dreaming what it might be like to spend a restorative week as a guest in a luxury spa somewhere exotic.

So I am trying to serve beautifully arranged dishes as I think they make a difference in how we feel about food.
If it is haphazardly cobbled together it's rather boring and why would you take time to savour the flavour if it is a mess?

Bland and basic,

a humble breakfast of banana slices on slices of Silver Hill's Little Big Bread.

Weight Watchers Friendly!

Imagine this with a few fresh red strawberries slices or a green kiwi.

Wouldn't that be lovely?

When making salads which I do with regularity, I now look for the brightest vegetables.

Mixing textures and shapes makes for a more interesting effect.

Food can be beautiful to look at as well as fueling and nourishing the body.

We eat a lot of salads and vegetables in The Humble Bungalow.

Roasted veggies with whole garlic cloves and onion quarters.

This makes a delicious side dish if you are serving meat or poultry for dinner.

Imagine this as a main course sprinkled with feta cheese and balsamic vinegar.

Yum Yum.

A pretty fruit salad, 

great as dessert or served with plain yogurt for breakfast.

Can you "taste the flavours" just looking at this colourful fruit salad?

It looks so appetizing all mixed together...colour, shapes, and texture.

 Humble Homemade buns...

bland to look at but imagine them with a wee drizzle of butter served with a robust soup or stew.

Friend and local caterer Jule makes food look so appetizing.

Perhaps you'll consider inviting her into your home to add some of her magic to your next event.

Primulas are blooming!

Look how they cheer us just by being here on a grayish day in the Pacific Northwest.

I bid you adieu as it's time for a tea break...

and some casual reading.

Make the most of your weekend.

Throw on a bright scarf and seize the day.

Carpe Diem

"You don't get to choose how you're going to die.  

Or when.  

You can only decide how you're going to live.  

Now."  

~ Joan Baez ~