Smitten by a scarf...and a spring cleanse.

Have you ever seen something beautiful in a shop that caught your fancy?

Something that was a tad expensive so you left it behind...

Yet something so pretty that you started dreaming about it?

I had this exact thing happen to me.

My friend H and I walk at Butchart Gardens as we have annual memberships. We plan a walk once a month and have tea or lunch when we are there.

One benefit of having an annual membership are the discounts available in the gift, coffee shop and restaurants.

The item that I had been lusting after was a scarf
this beauty might possibly be going home with me...

I just had to make sure that I still felt the same passion
upon seeing it a second time.

Whisper soft bamboo

watercolour effects

wearable art

Beautiful colours

Design 

 "The Sunken Gardens"

exclusive to Butchart Gardens

I plan to wear this a lot this Spring and it will come to Europe with me.

I have a khaki Eileen Fisher jacket that it will pair well with and because it is so soft it will be cozy on the plane.

Our weather has been amazing this past weekend 

it continues to be warm and sunny.

Perfect weather for walking and beach combing.

Plans are in the works for eating more mindfully after the winter.

A Spring cleanse...

more fresh veggies and fruits.

Weight watching has been a battle that I have not won this past year.

Interrupted sleep patterns,

Emotional eating and stress have all been factors.

My goal is to start back slowly

by setting attainable goals of 5 pounds at a time.

With the sunshine and light,

warmer weather 

walking longer will be easier.

Cutting out "comfort foods" 

(those dishes that I crave during the winter!)

Fresh veggies are starting to become available at the local Farmer's Markets.

It's salad season again!

Opting for meals with fish and lean protein and drinking lots of water...

will write down my point count as that really helps me be more mindful 

of what and how much I am eating.

Must close for now and get outside for my walk!

Until next time...

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

A symphony in blue and white and the May box from My Stylish French Country Box!

Do you love the classic combination of blue and white?

I particularly love blue and white porcelain and dishes...

The bowls are made by a local potter by the name of Harumi Ota.

The wee whimsical footed vessel is by local artist Robert Amos.

Sweet tumbling bunnies 

The writing on the pot says...

"Flick as flowflakes, litters from aloft."

I have a few other pieces with blue and white...

a transfer ware patterned tray and a vase.

Sharon Santoni's Intsagram post popped up 

and

 My Stylish French Country Box

telling followers that the May delivery box theme is blue and white!

It should be a very elegant box...

now I am dreaming of a symphony of blue and white! 

To order a box click this link...

you'll be glad that you did!

Cheerio for now...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Springtime ~ Flowers and a fresh natural facial exfoliator...

Spring is almost upon us

  the weather has been blissfully sunny and mild.

Bright yellow tulips are adding some radiant colour 

in The Humble Bungalow Bathroom.

The Frilly and Frothy petals are so pretty.

Two bunches for under $10

a cheerful purchase from the market.

Looking deeply inside for a close up shot.

I'm test driving a new facial product... 

it is getting rave reviews from the ladies who have tried it.

Wyld

Konjac facial cleansing sponge.

100% natural

Infused with French Pink clay.

PH Balanced

Fragrance and chemical Free.

Cleans and exfoliates 

buffing away flaky skin 

leaving a freshly cleaned dewy complexion.

Just add water to the sponge to soften and use gentle circular movements 

with or without cleanser

taking care in the T zone area and any flaky patches.

Rinse sponge in warm water and hang to dry.

Can be used on normal, dry or sensitive skin.

(do not use on sunburned skin)

Purchased at Thorn and Thistle Flower Merchants.

I am not receiving any monitary benefit or bonus from this post.

The sponge is hard until you immerse it in warm water.

It comes with a string to hang it to dry in between each use.

Exfoliating the winter and freshening up for Spring!

Have you found any fabulous new skin care products?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Flower Power...and Prints Charming!

The sun is shining brightly

 the snow has melted

the crocus are in full bloom.

Intricate details inside the flowers...

so pretty.

My wardrobe is quite neutral and prints do not play a big role in garments

mostly they appear in scarves.

Many women at the club where I play bridge are wearing bright printed tops.

Seeing these colourful tops is rather uplifting

especially after all the cold ice and snow.

These pretty tops are like a breath of fresh air.

Perusing the shops for some inspiration

and perhaps a colourful new scarf

I decided that I could break out of my comfort zone and buy a printed top.

Not sure that i want to invest a lot of money on what I think is a trend...

So, 

I went thrift shopping.

The price is just a wee bit more than the cost of a vente latte at Starbucks!

Tunic top

black background

soft pink and blue floral print.

Feminine Bell sleeves

I plan to wear it with some bangles and bracelets.

Brass accents on the ties.

I plan to wear this tunic top with the black Eileen Fisher skinny ponte knit pants 

or the black Hue leggings.

Have you embraced prints in your wardrobe?

Are you looking for anything new for your wardrobe?

Have you been able to access your Instagram account today?

I cannot use mine and I realize just how much time I spend looking at it!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Dreams and Women...

Have you travelled to France?

If not, are you dreaming of a trip?

Can you visualize yourself walking along the Seine,
or sitting outside a cafe sipping a cafe creme?

Wandering along the cobblestones streets...
lighting a candle in a church
perusing the shops.

Travelling was personal dream of mine for years.

I read numerous books on Paris and France...
they whet my appetite and I thought it may be possible
"where there is a will there is a way"
so I took French language classes,
saved money
then the year I turned 60 I went...
It was the trip of a lifetime.

Keeping the feeling of France alive...
I continue reading books set in France,
saving money and am dreaming again of French countryside and Paris.

Today on International Women's Day...we honour women.

Sharon Santoni is a great example of an industrious, creative, and energetic woman.
Sharon continues to reinvent and challenge herself,
she is an inspiration for those of us who have yet to fulfill all their dreams.

My Stylish French Box was created by Sharon...
You may be familiar with her beautiful books or the lovely blog she writes
about her life in the countryside surrounding her gorgeous home in Normandy.

Recently she also launched her online magazine...

The February box theme was The Parisian woman...

The velvet pouchette features a photo taken in Paris by Sharon.

The beret is made of soft thick wool...

the red lip gloss is ultra moisturizing and perfect for everyday wear.

I love the wee pop of red atop the beret.

Some quotes to ponder and inspire on International Women's Day. 

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

~ Eleanor Roosevelt ~

        "The education and empowerment of women throughout the world 
                      cannot fail to result in a more caring, tolerant, 
                                    just and peaceful life for all."    

                                             ~ Aung San Suu Kyi ~

              "There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish."

                                              ~ Michelle Obama ~

"I think the best role models for women are people who are fruitfully and                 confidently themselves, who bring light into the world."

                                                  ~ Meryl Streep ~

             “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” 
                                         ~ Eleanor Roosevelt ~

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Greetings from Quarter Deck Cottage!

We spent a few idyllic days here at the cottage.

 The temperature was cold, hovering around 5 degrees in the daytime,

 in the minuses at night.

Thankfully the sun has shone brightly every day!

We bundled up and took advantage of the sunny afternoons.

Someone had a birthday...

We had a tipple and a nibble on the day to celebrate the event.

We drove to Gowland Point and walked along the beach in a blustery wind.

The waves were SO BIG you could have surfed on them!

These icy branches looked so pretty juxtaposed with the red rosehips.

There is still snow on the ground where the sun has not melted it.

It is quite pretty but I have to admit that I am ready for warmer weather and Spring flowers!

We always visit the flower shop and buy a bouquet when we arrive at the cottage.

I choose yellow flowers to add a punch of colour in the winter months.

I made a batch of Lidia Bastianich's meatballs...

we serve them over noodles.

Very comforting on a cold evening.

We've read a lot and walked along the beaches in search of sea glass...

a bounty of sea glass was collected on someone's birthday!

a rare piece of cobalt blue glass

a heart shaped rock was also found on the beach.

Pretty soon we will need to find another vintage sealer jar 

for the collection is growing quite quickly.

A delightful memoir...

a lovely story of a woman of a certain age who meets an Italian man

and moves to Venice to get married.

 I am thrilled to hear that there is a sequel.

A Thousand Days in Tuscany.

Marlena and her husband live in a village quite close to the Tuscan village that  our week long Italian cooking school and vacation is situated...

Lots of plans are underway for the various stages of our holiday to Italy and Provence then the Midi Pyrenees and to top it off a couple of days in Paris.

So much fun searching online and dreaming about the trip.

It will be here before we know it!

Hope that your week is off to a great start...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~