Trip to the Mall...an unexpected find

 

The casual outfit I wore to "quickly" run an errand at the mall

would possibly have shocked the Fashion Police!

I went to buy some Nespresso coffee pods.

No, I didn't see George Clooney, (darn) but his picture was hanging in the store.

OOTD

I was wearing:

Eddie Bauer leggings

Lord and Taylor white tunic top 

my thrifted Banana Republic Trench Coat.

(no pearls)

As I was leaving

I passed by the Reitmans store and out of the corner of my eye I spied 

SALE 40% OFF

The store was BUSY!

Obviously others were lured in by that SALE sign.

Took a quick look around and saw this black tweed dress.

I grabbed two sizes and headed to the change room

Tried them on...

I like to try things on to see how they fit, especially "knit" fabric garments.

(probably why I am not a regular online shopper.)

I didn't even take off the leggings!

I wasn't even looking for a new dress but that 40% off persuaded me.

It will be cozy for fall and winter and go with my black tights and Chelsea Boots.

I could belt this dress for a bit more waist definition.

I also have an Eileen Fisher black vest which could work with it too.

I looked at the "rear" view mirror to see how it fit on the derriere.

The larger size was better as it skimmed the curves.

The artisan necklace works well paired with this dress.

This might just be my favourite dress for Fall.

Funny how the unexpected can pop up on my radar...

Suppose the message here is

Always keep your eyes open for opportunities.

You never know unless you try.

I've been to 3 aqua fit classes this week.

My suit has been washed and dried overnight in time for the next class.

As I was leaving the pool this week I saw two adorable teenage girls...

They were dressed in a style that I would call Goth.

Black mesh stockings (ripped) black short skirts, short tops layered over tank tops.

Pink streaks in their dark dyed black hair.

Funky jewelry, big earrings, pendants, bangles.

They were laughing as they ran down the stairs...

such vibrant style and oodles of energy.

(Oh to be Young again!)

I thought to myself that they were having fun with fashion.

They were dressed very similarly so I assumed they might be best friends.

Not exactly fashion twins but they shared the same clothing vibe.

Having fun with fashion is why we take the time to choose clothes that we love.

Wearing items that make us feel good as well as dressing for the season.

We need clothes, so why not wear what makes us feel good?

My blue Tencel tunic top is looking rather sad, 

our cat Chester has pulled quite a few threads in the fabric...

I look at these imperfections and I cringe.

So I am going to drop it in the donation bin.

It doesn't make me feel good.

So why wear it?

Have you visited the shops to see what is on offer?

Are you a minimalist or do you have a closet that doubles as a dressing room?

Have you gone to the thrift shops or the local consignment stores?

So many clothes are available and you can feel good about buying them 

"saving the planet" by buying used pre-worn garments.

There are real bargains to be had in the consignment shops.

We have quite a few great ones here in Victoria and there are fabulous finds just waiting...

Designer garments are often hidden between the many pieces of pedestrian wear.

I look in the mens wear section too...

for crisp striped shirts and cashmere V neck sweaters.

In our local Value Village there are loads and loads of handbags...

many are worn out "pleather" bags but there are real leather gems too.

I've seen stylish shoes too...

A friend found a strand of real cultured pearls for $3.99

I don't know how they passed by the staff pricing the stock

but one never knows what treasures await...

Have you had fun finding any treasures in the thrift shops?

What is your best bargain?

I'd love to hear from you.

The bounty of our tomato harvest continues...

Tomatoes are still being roasted to add to soups and pasta sauces.

(recipe is on the previous post)

Hope that you are enjoying your weekend.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

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 ~

Current Topics ~ What is on my radar and mindful walking.

Greetings from The Humble Bungalow Garden.

The Muguet des Bois are blooming...

SO FRAGRANT!!!!

I invited a couple of friends over to dig up some lily of the valley plants.

We have so many :-))

Gardeners like to share their plants with other like minded enthusiasts.

The Auriculas are blooming and they are so charming...

I have several plants and could repot some of them as they have multiplied over these past couple of years.

I see many new varieties in the UK which are so tempting...

not that many are here in the garden centres 

unless they are already in private gardens!

Haven't actually seen many of these auriculars locally at all this year.

I am not moaning here on the blog about my health but I am being proactive...

I've been online researching arthritis...

there is a lot of information to sift through.

Basically I know now that I need to keep moving...

take pain medication and get some physiotherapy.

I've got my appointment lined up and will see the specialist in June.

My walks are around 3 km and am getting 5,000-6,000 steps in during the day.

That number may not be totally accurate because the step total is from my IPhone

I don't have it on me the entire day.

I suppose I could buy a watch that counts the steps...

but does it really matter?

Two 3km walks might be the way to walk now...

a rest in between seems sensible and will help with the pain.

I'm taking Advil and it helps.

In other news I have switched up my skincare routine a wee bit...

I don't tend to spend a LOT on products.

Skin care basics need not break the budget.

Andalou make a sensitive line which works well for my everyday skin regime.

These lotions and potions are very affordable and free of nasty ingredients.

I love using the CC cream as it goes on easily and has SPF

it evens out skin tone and adds a dewy healthy glow.

The Great Lash is an iconic mascara and is often on sale...

The Burts Bees glow stick is a creamy blusher that I use on my cheeks and lips.

It takes me about 5 minutes to do my daytime make-up.

I tried an organic glow stick

 which developed a rough grainy texture

which I did not like at ALL :-((

(I returned it)

Burt's Bees All Aglow is lovely...

it is creamy and very easy to apply.

The shade gives me a soft natural looking blush.

~ Simple make up ~

My favourite red lippy from Miss Pupa of Milan.

Fresh haircut...

(in a bob style)

My thinning hair needed a makeover so my hairdresser gave it a blunt cut.

I can wear it wavy or flat iron it...I like the versatility of the style.

It will be easy to maintain.

Saw this gorgeous iris at Government House on one of my walks this week.

I love to wander about in the local gardens here...

so many great flowers and plantings that inspire.

The weather forecast is for hotter temperatures...

unseasonably hot, or so we are told.

I have swapped out my winter clothes for the spring and summer cottons and linens.

I found a few things that were no longer useful.

Dropped a bag off to the local charity shop, 

had a good browse and came home empty handed.

I replaced a white linen top that I donated with a fresh new one from Marshalls.

It is a simple basic...

Under $30...

will wear it a LOT.

I DO love a bargain.

Well I must close for now and get some stuff done here...

hope that you are enjoying your weekend so far.

Happy Mother's Day!

I will think of my dear MOM...she was one of a kind.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Hostess OOTD ~ "Edgy Biker Style"

 

Butchart Gardens was one of the highlights that I enjoyed last week.

Walking slowly taking note of the gorgeous flowers on a sunny day was such a tonic.

We munched on a healthy salad sitting in the shade in the main courtyard.

Watching people come and go and listening to their delighted comments.

Butchart Gardens is a JOY to behold.

Moving on to an edgier OOTD...

~ Dressing Room Selfie ~

I went shopping for a new denim dress.

I love the denim jumper that I bought so much, I decided a dress would be handy.

It was a petite and on sale so what's not to love?

~ OOTD ~ 

The faux leather biker "Moto" style jacket is getting lots of wear.

I paired it with a simple white tee ~ Lands' End

Jeans  ~ MNG 

Chelsea boots ~ Josef Seibel

Faux Leather

Moto Style 

oodles of "edgy biker" details

great fit and very comfy to wear.

~ Reitman's ~  

a Canadian brand that hearkens back many decades.

I have just rediscovered the store...

reasonable prices

a wide range of sizes

(petites ~ plus size)

cute styles

My test results are in and I have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis.

My hands, back and hips are affected.

 I won't be moaning about my health, I am taking the news in my stride.

After all, I am 68, so some aches and pains are to be expected.

An appointment is booked to see a physiotherapist who specializes in osteoarthritis.

She will give me advice on exercises and administer IMS treatments.

I've been reading up on the condition and will be going to the pool for aquafit

there will be shorter walks, 

perhaps twice a day instead of one longer walk.

My Doctor has ordered a new bone density test as I have osteopenia.

He's asked me to take a higher dose of Vitamin D

and

take anti inflammatory pain medication as needed.

I've baked the sourdough, have a load of laundry in the wash.

This weekend The King was crowned...

Did you watch the ceremony?

The highlights I saw looked incredible.

It's the dawn of a new era for the Royals.

I do miss Her Majesty the Queen.

So what are your plans for the coming week?

Anything exciting?

Things might be kind of quiet here after such a busy week...

Will try out the pool and see what the Aquafit classes are like.

My responses to your comments are at the end of the comment section...

I am unable to respond to each comment automatically through Blogger

so if you comment as anonymous 

please put your name somewhere so I can respond at the end.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

OOTD ~ Fashion Police "look away" and some thoughts on hair...

 

It's Sunday again...

I am trying to continue with my weekly posts and it seems like Sunday is THE day.

You might be surprised if you saw me today :-))

Honestly...

The Fashion Police would definitely be citing me with an infraction.

most certainly it would be an enormous fine.

After showering I put on my body lotion, washed and moisturized my face...

added some mascara and tinted lip balm.

I am not going out.

OOTD

A pair of indigo sweatpants

black camisole

 dove grey hand knit Miriam wool sweater

 slippers

&

Akoya pearls

This morning I am baking bread, doing laundry and tonight I am making a roast beef.

There will be some reading and knitting...

I am giving myself permission to stay home and cocoon.

In other news...

I found a cute top at the Win Thrift Shop

I used to see a lot of garments made by Joseph Ribkoff.

I think this will come in handy for the summertime.

I can pair it with pants and that blue linen skirt that I purchased last year.

The neckline is perfect for the pearls :-))

The sun was shining a few days ago...

today there are moody clouds blanketing the sky.

Must be craving summer with my shopping habits...

purchased a new straw tote.

a great size for our Pender trips.

It can be loaded up with my laptop, books, and a few other bits.

It will come in handy at The Farmer's Market as well.

Hubby and I went to the Tapas on Oak for dinner.

Our son and the grands gave us a gift card so we wanted to try it out.

The food was good and the tapas portions were perfect for two.

It was busy and the wait staff were super friendly and efficient.

I wore a casual outfit...

tweed Hudson pants

this black crinkle top and my Chelsea boots.

I have no idea who made this top?

it has been in  my wardrobe for ages, it must have been a thrift shop find.

I took it travelling to France and Italy as when washed it dries overnight.

Great for layering !

I post on Instagram daily and several readers mentioned my hair style...

"straight and flat ironed"

the texture of the salt and pepper grey has changed and my hair is much thinner.

This would appear to be an aging issue...

many women complain of thinning hair 

my 69th birthday is a few weeks away
so I guess it is my turn...

but no complaints :-))

Do you colour your grey hair or have you gone au natural?

Was it a gradual process going grey or did you just stop dying it?

Has the texture changed like mine?

Have you changed your hairstyle?

I know many women keep their signature style over decades...

rather like a signature fragrance, many never ever stray.

I am not unhappy with my hair,  but I regularly change things up.

Covid happened and I grew my hair long.

Two years later I had it cropped in a short layered bob.

Now it appears that I am growing out the layers and wearing it straight.

I haven't been to my hairdresser for a few months.

Shall we chat about our hair?

Leave a comment to chime in...

Well I guess I better get on with my day...

lunch will not make itself

plus I want some tea...

then there is bread to bake and laundry to fold!

Hope that you are all well...there seems to be a lot of illness about.

Be Well and Be Kind 

Seeking Snowdrops ~ Shopping ~ and other things happening in The Humble Bungalow this week.

Snowdrops are poking up through the soil here in The Humble Bungalow Garden!

I am in search of some new varieties...

Those that I particularly seek are the Double Snowdrops and Everest.

My husband and I are planning a trip soon to Salt Spring Island 

where we will visit a nursery that sells rare and unusual plants.

I have heard that they may have some snowdrops in pots.

Tencel has been the softest way to add a denim look to my wardrobe.

I love the feel of it next to my skin and the way it drapes is so effortless.

This top has a "BoHo" vibe

the pintucks and woven accents remind me of tops that I wore in the 1970's

we called them peasant tops...

Love the elastic detail at the wrists...

very easy to push up the sleeves when cooking!

Really like the frayed hem on the bottom...

many of you wear ripped jeans but I cannot bring myself to buy or wear them.

(Mom's fashion advice and voice is still loud and clear in my head!)

this ragged edging is a vibe that I can abide.

I found this top at Marshalls for $40

I also bought a pair of black capri Yoga pants as my older ones were faded.

My exercise regime includes Yoga and now some Pilates and weights.

The weights were at the thrift shop on Pender.

I will be working up to heavier ones as I get stronger.

I am going to keep my eyes open for heavier ones at the local thrift shops.

One of the reasons that I decided to add weights is that Mom had osteoporosis...

when she passed away at almost 90, she had 4 fractured vertebrae in her back.

They were very very painful and she suffered quite a bit.

I have osteopenia, which usually progresses to osteoporosis.

Weights can build bone mass as well as toning arms.

I have been working out watching weight training pilates videos on You Tube.

There are so many free sites which makes it easy to add them to my routine.

Do you use weights?

These dark mornings will be replaced by lighter ones very soon.

Spring is not that far off...

snowdrops, hellebores, crocus are blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Daffodils are not far off!

Well I must close for now and get some dinner started...

am making a new recipe that I saw on Instagram

 ~ Mezzeta ~

One Pan Spaghetti and Meatballs

I have never tried to make a one pan dish like this so I am hoping it works out!

until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~