Dressing casually with a French twist...and bloggers dressing lessons across the miles.

Skinny dark denim jeans, navy and white striped Tee a la Bretonne and a Navy Saint James sweater as worn with red flats.

 I have taken this photo on my waffle weaved duvet cover...

I love fellow blogger Metscan and her divinely chic garments...

she lays them on a sumptuous scalloped throw...go and see her quality gear!

She sizzles in her high end attire.

Feeling tres Francais...

Tish Jett has been showing us the French chic in the country.

Tish has a fun blog which keep us entertained and informs us on all things French.

I had a wonderful compliment today....

a co-worker asked me if I had lost weight!

(No I have not!)

She said buy more of those jeans then! 

LOL!

Lisa over at privilege is getting ready to go the New York and take a look!

She wears High Wasp well, she was born to it.

She has a firm grasp on class and decorum and peppers it with wit.

I am adoring materfamilias and her forays into fashion. 

She is an academic who lectures, knits, reads, travels, gardens....and 

she is as cute as a button and a very youthful grandmother with a lovely family.

She has been showing us how to dress with a twist.

Karen knows well what to wear.

Go and see what she is talking about!

And see how Deja Pseu has put together her classic ensemble and just look at those shoes!

Fashion should be fun...and personal.

Twist it to suit YOU!

I am challenging you to post your own version of dress up and show us what you are wearing!

Go on, don't be shy...it's fun.

Skin care update...the results are in!

I posted lamenting about my flaking dry post menopausal skin a few weeks ago.  I made an appointment and went to see the Dr. Hausckha rep and got the inside scoop on the latest and best products for my skin concerns. I was happy to meet a woman about my age with glowing skin. That does instill confidence for a start. I later found out to my surprise that she was not wearing foundation!

I explained my skin issues and related my current regime and was told that most of what I was doing was spot on that I just needed to replace 2 of my products for more intense products geared for skin of my age. I laid down my cash and walked away with the new products, serum and the moisturizer.
(plus a goodie bag chock full of freebies...which I am happy to report that I am using and loving! Yes samples work, I will be buying some of the select favourites especially the Lavender bath and Rose oil.)
I am delighted with the results from my new routine...my pores appear smaller and clearer, my skin is plumped and soft, and the flaking has disappeared. I am not at the stage where I will go without my foundation but I use a small amount and am evening out some visible capillaries beside my nose and on my cheeks.
I am indebted to the rep and delighted in the quality of the Dr. Hausckha line. There are so many products out there it is a dizzying array and one needs to zone in and focus on what works for them.
I have heard from many bloggers that the Clairisonic is a miracle tool, some swear by Hope in a Jar, or Creme de la Mer...
I try to balance cost with performance and what is gentle and safe that works for my skin.

What are you putting on your skin and are you happy with the results?

My thought for the day;
Honour yourself, walk with confidence and delight in the beauty that is uniquely you.

Easy peasy dinner, porch pics and garden gossip...

I am finally home after a very busy day in the library...took a fast trip to the Market and grabbed some easy peasy dinner....it is not gourmet, not even close, in fact you might be gobsmacked when you read this...the Hostess is cooking....Turkey hot dogs and sauteed onions...and condiments of course!
Always tastes good on the boat...rarely serve them at home...but tonight I am knackered. I know when to give up and give in...and relax!

I have some bubbly in my glass and Mr. HB is going to be late so I have time to blog a bit.

I took a couple of quick photos of the cushions that I found...went very conservative, some may even think boring but they were quiet and calming. I saw so many wild Hawaiian prints and really bold large details that I think I went into a frenzy. I prefer to be Zen, and the garden is a riot of colour and texture so it seems fitting that the cushions do not compete. I like the way they pick up the 2 tones of paint trim on the windows.

I need to get something else for the table.

 I have a metal vase (which should have some flowers in it!) and a shell...

I think I need a geranium in a pot for a punch of colour and add some interest...

I cannot put too much on there as we use it for our cups of coffee and cocktail glasses!

These are very cushy and soft and fit perfectly.

We frequently have a before dinner drink out here when the weather is conducive and debrief the days events with each other.

I love this time together, we relax and recharge while reconnecting.

Warm sunny weekend mornings we read the paper out here with our coffee.

Neighbours passing stop to chat and some come from across the street to discuss the garden and plants.

I have a habit of dividing up my perennials, and digging other large ones that I am not loving so much and rather than pop them on the compost pile I give them away.

People really like this!

I have heard it said that a gardener shows what she (he) grows and shares what she (he) knows.

Mr. HB made this for me in a minute one day when my paper signs blew away.

I have people asking me in advance of the day that new plants will be put out so they are prepared!

BYOB

Bring your own bag

(or Bring your own barrow)

 I garden out in front in the yard very close to the sidewalk as the front area is not too deep and it invites all manner of people and conversation flows freely.

It is such an easy way to keep informed about the goings on in the neighbourhood!

Garden gossip.

Do you know what your neighbours are up to?

We do!

It's officially called Neighbourhood Watch.

Does your front entry reflect your personality?

I am amused by this cheerful riot of colour and whimsy...

nautical in nature as this is the front of a float home.

Found objects add interest and charm.

An artist resides here. 

He is a welder of metals and uses recycled materials.

These are for sale!

A window box planted with cheery flowers against a blue wall.

This was my "homage to winter vignette" beside the front door a few months ago.

My new plantings

Table and chair are porch ready

The rocking chair on the right is antique and sturdy with a sprung seat as you can see it is missing some canes!

Welcome!

I need cushions for all the chairs so I will go searching for something new to perk up the black.

That I will tackle tomorrow.

What do you have at your front door?

Do you have a porch?

Do you favour a simple uncluttered approach?

Or does your taste run to the more is better eclectic style?

Saturday in the Bungalow garden and it's sunny!

I spent most of the day in the sunny Bungalow garden. It was lovely out there and I accomplished a lot. I did the edges and weeded, picked up some twigs and branches that had blown down in the recent strong winds. I looked quite disheveled in my black capris and hoodie! I do wear gloves so my manicure is still intact.
The company has finished building the fence and today Mr. HB put some copper fence post caps on and soon the fence will be done! The copper will patina over time and become a greenish tone.
We talked about our plans to put in 2 raised beds and grass in a section of the garden that was a veggie patch but now is too shaded by the huge acacia tree.
The birds were in full song and the hummingbirds were buzzing me as I worked. There was a flicker on the suet feeder at the same time as a house sparrow. The robins got busy in the recently cultivated soil digging for worms right beside me, they have no fear, they sing so loudly one almost thinks their chests will break! How can such a loud sound eminate from such a small body?

I zipped over to the hardware store and bought a gallon of black glossy exterior paint and some brushes and started transforming my wicker front porch furniture. I have 3 chairs and a table and so far I have done the small chair and the table...I am aching all over now!
I am very happy though as I feel very excited about the new porch decor...I will post some pictures when I have completed the job. I may also buy some new chair cushions and get a new black planter and pot up some great plants....see what comes my way in the shops. I  delight in embarking on new projects...there's a sense of energy and creativity that feeds my soul.

Tonight it's a BBQ burger night...cheeseburgers and potato salad.
I have a feeling I'll sleep well tonight!

I hope that you are enjoying your weekend....what are you doing?