Style statements...

Do experiment with bright colours and bold shapes when it comes to your clothes or accessories?

Or do you play it safe and steer clear of anything "off the beaten path?"

I see women in my city wearing "edgy" clothes...
in brilliant colours that really make a statement.

Some sport neon hair colours in bold stripes.

Often it's jewelry...large ethnic pieces that are museum worthy.

Vintage items are a fabulous way of adding interest...
I love searching for those pieces in the thrift shops and local antique mall.

Personal style choices can show off a creative and artistic nature.
I admire women confidently putting together unique looks and having fun with their clothes and accessories.

Maybe I am playing it too safe adhering to mostly conservative fashions...
but if I am to be honest, that style choice is what reflects my personality.

I want to stay on the fringes of fashion
blending in
rather than standing out or
pushing the style envelope.

Garments in sturdy fabrics that skim the body and flatter my curves work best.

I did buy something this week...
an accessory,
what do you think?

NO they are NOT bracelets!

They are velvet scrunchies.

Black, grey and purple.

I've been letting my hair grow...

and it's getting longer.

I plan to grow it even longer.

Keeping the stray strands out of my face has become an issue.

SO

I wear a scrunchie when walking, doing housework and gardening.

I've heard

Scrunchies divide the masses.

What would the Fashion Police say?

What do YOU say?

How do you approach style?

Do you go for bright bold and artsy clothes?

Or do you dress conservatively?

Please leave a comment below.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Have a fabulous weekend!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

A beautiful and Bountiful Harvest ~ Recipe included

Mr HB has a greenhouse where he grows tomatoes and cucumbers.

When there is a bountiful harvest

we eat many bunches of small cherry tomatoes fresh as "candy"

I roast a tray of sliced tomatoes seasoned with fresh ground salt and pepper

several chopped garlic cloves

a small sprinkling of red pepper flakes

drizzle with a glug of good quality olive oil 

Roast at 425 until they are soft and squishy.

The Bungalow smells wonderful

very "Italian" in my opinion.

Roasting brings out the intense sweet flavour of the tomatoes.

The pasta and cheese were gifts for Mr. HB 

on his recent birthday...

Pasta

with the roasted tomatoes

topped with a 

 grating of sharp Pecorino.

Served with a bowl of freshly sliced cucumbers 

seasoned with fresh ground pepper

 a little drizzle of olive oil.

Perhaps accompanied by a glass of Italian red wine.

Dinner is ready!

Bon Appetit

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Pretty in Pink ~ rosacea and skincare.

The Pink McCartney Rose

Long time readers will know that I suffer from a skin condition called rosacea...
there is no "cure" one needs to be proactive to manage the condition and deal with the occasional flare ups.

Some of the triggers for Rosacea are stress, sunshine, hot and cold temperatures, wind, red wine, spicy foods, and certain chemicals in skincare products.

One never knows when a bout of rosacea may occur.
I try my best to manage the condition.

I use the Avene line of products for sensitive skin.

My routine:

I wash my skin in the morning 

using Anti redness lotion

warm water

with a very a light touch 

then I gently pat my skin dry.

I apply 3 drops of IS Clinical serum 

followed by Avene Hydrance Intense.

I wait a few minutes to allow the products to be absorbed

before applying Bella Donna mineral powder.

It has an SPF of 50 which I use everyday all year long.

The powder covers most of the redness.

In the evening 

I remove all the powder with a cotton pad soaked in Micellar Water.

Then I wash my face with the Avene lotion, add the 3 drops of serum and apply  Fresh Rose Deep Hydration moisturizer.

( It smells wonderful!)

I occasionally go to a medical based Spa in Oak Bay Derma Spa 

 for laser treatments which target the broken capillaries and redness.

They are super knowledgable and provide many services 

to patients like myself who have skin conditions.

They also sell IS Clinical serums and Bella Donna mineral make up.

I have read a lot about Rocasea and there are many great sites online where you can find out more about the condition.

I hope that you have found this information helpful.

To those of you who have this condition I hope that you have found some ways to cope with the redness and the inevitable flare ups.

I welcome your thoughts and ideas on what works for you...

Jude the Obscure and McCartney roses.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

French luxury items ~ My Stylish French Box

Oh be still my beating heart...
the anticipation and opening of this luxurious box is to be savoured...

I love the satin ribbon tied in a bow

the contents are hidden beneath whisper soft tissue paper

There is a folder with descriptions of the items.

Details about the makers and companies behind the products.

a beautiful leather case for my sunglasses

Paves Sonores

(I need a new one too!)

Look at this beautiful box!

Rose et Marius

inside is an enamel case with a scented pot of fig perfume

refillable too which is very handy

a story from the perfumer

it's a refreshing summery scent

one I will enjoy wearing

Hand made woven lavender wand

La Maison Franc

I plan to pop this in my lingerie drawer

a small chalk board for memos and messages

Un Esprit En Plus

a botanical print from an antique book

suitable for framing

a notebook

Les Editions Du Paon

 extra virgin olive oil spray

Nicolas Alziari

two gorgeous cushion covers from 

Charvet Editions

Thank you to Sharon and her team.

Thes boxes sell out quite quickly and you can see why they are so popular.

You can order the next box which will be delivered in November.

Simply click on the link below

Order here

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Snippets from Quarter Deck Cottage

We've been enjoying our summer time stint here at Quarter Deck Cottage.

The first week our son and three grandchildren were here at the cottage so we slept on our boat at the marina...
we had full busy days with swimming, crafts and pool time.

Our grands made fast friends with the neighbour's grandchildren from the cottage across the street. They had oodles of fun together...made some great memories.

After the family left it was very quiet but we manage to keep ourselves entertained with the usual routine...

lazy mornings with our mugs of coffee
gazing out at The Salish Sea watching for sea life and birds

our habit of looking for 5 ferries at once...we call it Ferry Yachtzee!

I finished this fabulous book last night before dinner 

will be starting the next one sometime today!

reading our books


walks along the beaches

beach combing for sea glass

going to the Farmer's Market

swimming in the pool

eating tasty simple meals

Cottage Fruit Crumble 

4-5 cups fruit

I used blueberries and Gravenstein apples

place in a buttered deep ovenproof pie pan

add a few tablespoons of fresh lemon juice

a sprinkle of cinnamon

Topping 

1 cup flour 

1/2 cup room temperature butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

Cut the butter into the flour

when blended add the brown sugar 

Cover the fruit mixture

Bake at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes

Serve with ice cream, whipped cream or yogurt.

Enjoy!

going to bed early
waking soon after the sun rises

a simple routine

We saw 2 humpback whales swimming past the cottage last night!
Big excitement!
We shared the binoculars...saw their water spouts and they were breaching!

This morning the sun is shining and the seas are calm...
we will let the day unfold slowly while we quietly sip our coffee.

I will hit publish before I have my second cup of coffee on the deck...

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.
Enjoy your weekend!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

My love affair....with roses

For many years I have loved and grown roses.
They are such beautiful flowers...
so many wonderful varieties
my favourite roses are those from David Austin.

Many of you who read and follow my Instagram page are inundated with photos of roses during the summer season.
I can't help myself from sharing the amazing blooms.

Growing and tending roses has become an all consuming addiction passion.

Today I am sharing my all time favourite rose Jude the Obscure...
I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

Look at those luscious frilly and frothy petals.

So many blooms!

In bud, bloom and overblown.

The three phases of Jude.

A veritable bouquet growing on the bush.

I can completely "lose myself" in the garden.

 Troubles wash over me when I am in the garden tending to these beauties.

Hand watering is so soothing...

with

 hummingbirds and butterflies 

flying in the mist at the edge of the spray.

Dead heading spent roses is a simple yet rewarding job.

Listening to the birdsong ~ a natural symphony.

 Bees buzz as they collect pollen 

 a steady drone of deep reverberations.

At ease

 the gentle rhythm of repeated movement

a mindful meditation 

 tending to these jobs

when 

working in the garden.

Gardening is a tonic to the soul.

Many gardens are created by people just like me.

We have a vision for natural beauty 

enjoy the respite 

that working in the dirt provides.

Do you have an all consuming passion?

Do you grow roses?

What is your favourite rose?

Until next time...

Thank you for popping by to visit The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

I am 64...

Wearing all black...

a bamboo tunic top

with black capri leggings.

Longer hair which is straighter than before

the silver is now more than just tinsel...

It surprises me when I walk past a mirror

I see my mother, 

the resemblance is uncanny.

A few pounds have crept on this past year and am trying to come to terms with it.

Do I accept it and move on or return to the disciplined point counting regime of WW?

The battle of the bulge is a real challenge.

The desire or the energy to go to the gym is not there.

Sweating reminds me of those uncomfortable hot flashes and is so annoying...

Walking is enjoyable and the Fit Bit is a great motivator.

But enough about me already...

How are you doing?

What is new?

This ceramic Buddha head was in a garden basket 

we won at the grand children's year end school fundraiser.

I don't think its meant for the garden.

Too fragile and thin...

I'm considering putting it out on the boulevard for free.

I can't quite find the right spot for it here in The Humble Bungalow.

Perhaps someone else will love it and give it a special place in their home.

The book I am currently reading is quite interesting.

It was in the wee little free library across the street.

I'll be passing it on to a friend after I finish it.

How is your summer going?

What are you reading?

~ Be Kind and Be Well ~

Slow start to Sunday morning...

Romneya Coulteri

the paper like petals are so thin and wispy

almost like butterfly wings

they flutter in the gentle breeze

The renovations are still underway...

I am staying at home while the crews are on site.

I am missing my walks and the freedom to come and go as I please.

The painters have finished priming the woodwork.

 The drywall crew will be here on Tuesday.

When we are finished and I have purchased the bedding and we have set it all up I will share the pictures with you but it may be toward the end of August before that happens.

In the meantime,

I am keeping busy by reading, gardening, knitting and cooking.

Cleaning out a drawer here and there, doing laundry, and blogging.

We helped our son move this weekend.

His new house is an older home in good condition with a beautiful garden.

It is on a dead end street with a park at the end.

Families with young children as neighbours.

Hope that our grandchildren will meet some playmates on the street.

The back yard is fenced and very private.

Trees line the perimeter and there are some roses, hostas and day lilies.

A lovely patio is right off the kitchen.

William Shakespeare Rose

by

David Austin

Soft velvety petals set in deep frilly cups.

Fragrant and a hardy repeat bloomer.

One bloom can float in a clear glass bowl and make a bold statement.

I finished reading

Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout.

She has a genuine gift

a keen eye for detail

like a talented artist she paints her story and characters with incredible depth.

This is a haunting novel, about a family who grew up in poverty

in a small rural town in America.

The children who

endured a childhood filled with fear and disappointment

due partly because of their dysfunctional parents 

are adults now and looking back.

 This book follows the characters from 

My Name is Lucy Barton. 

I am almost finished it and am having difficulty putting it down!

Knitted cotton dish cloths are a quick project.

I can easily make one in a day...

if I wanted to sit more 

I could make two.

Its a beautiful sunny morning here and quite warm.

Think I will go out and hand water the garden before it gets too hot.

Until next time,

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~