Shopping and de-cluttering

 

Fan Tan Alley in Victoria's historic Chinatown.

A place of interest for locals and visitors.

I enjoy going to chinatown and perusing the shops.

There are also some fabulous restaurants for Asian cuisine.

One of my favourite shops is Fan Tan Gallery.

They stock housewares, home decor items, cards, candles, soaps, gifts.

Baby clothes, books and toys.

An assortment of clothing...

many natural fabrics ~ linen and bamboo and wool.

An array of beautiful accessories and scarves.

On my last visit I left without purchasing a thing 

 I came away with some inspiration for our home decor.

On my neighbourhood walks I try to mix up the routes so that I don't get bored.

My usual walks are along the waterfront where I enjoy the changing views.

When I wander through the streets and gaze at other gardens 

I come home and look at The Humble Bungalow Garden with fresh eyes...

I really savour these meandering wanders.

Cook Street Village is a few blocks long and it has a lot of small shops.

 Coffee, grocery stores, cafes, pharmacy, hair salons, butcher shop, 

health food store, clothing retailer, two antique and collectible shops, 

a garden centre and more...

When I saunter down to the village I am usually on a "mission." 

Frequently I need an ingredient for a recipe that I am making.

 

Sometimes I just want to peruse the antique and collectible shops.

That was my plan the other day...

As I was walking my eye wandered to a store display 

hanging in the window was a cute top.

I masked up and walked in to find my size, tried it on, it fit, and that was it!

This black and white striped top skims my wobbly bits, has 3/4 length sleeves 

in a longer tunic length great for skinny pants or yoga pants.

The V neck works best for me as I am really quite short and rather busty.

The fabric is heavy enough that it doesn't cling and drapes beautifully.

I'll wear this top a lot

Fall through Winter and into Spring.

I culled many of my cook books...

placing them in the wee library across the street and they were snapped up.

My Covid goal is to tidy every cupboard, shelf, drawer and room 

in The Humble Bungalow.

One a day...

in no time I will be finished this task.

I just took 4 large bags to the local charity shop.

Boy it feels so good to pare down.

Hope that you are doing well, staying safe, and being mindful of the Covid Protocols.

Have you taken up any new hobbies or cultivated any new habits?

Are you cooking up a storm?

Baking bread?

What is keeping you sane during these isolating times?

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Halloween during Covid...

 

Spooky Halloween Eve

Choosing pumpkins for Halloween with the grandchildren at a local farm.

We wandered about the pumpkin patch for about 45 minutes searching for the perfect specimens for our Jack O' Lanterns.

So many choices!

Difficult to opt for just one, so we ended up choosing two each.

Our wee pumpkins on the front porch table.

Packages of assorted treats in zip loc bags.

50 packs

Ready for the trick or treaters!

Large PVC tube on the left, for the safe delivery of the packages of treats.

We bundled up in out down coats.

I wore my scarf, gloves and a hat.

It was fun to see the costumes and hear the excitement of the children as they made their way up and down our block.

We turned the lights out when we ran out of treats at around 7:30.

Did you celebrate Halloween?

How did you do things differently so it was Safe?

Time is flying by and it is already November.

Take care.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

OOTD...a focus on the classics

 

 ~ OOTD ~

Shirts with Jeans

My current uniform 

on rotation here in The Humble Bungalow.

New white shirt from Old Navy

worn here with classic pearls.

When I was working 

White shirts were worn a lot and I owned several in different styles.

Worn tucked into black pants and simple skirts.

On Fridays we wore jeans.

I paired my white shirt with a soft wool blazer, jeans and loafers.

Accessorized with faux pearls...

One Christmas several decades ago, my parents gave me a lovely pair of genuine pearl studs.

( I still have them and wear them often)

One Valentine's Day, a few years later, my husband gave me a strand of Akoya pearls.

I love pearls

My Mom loved pearls too.

When I wear my pearls I always think of Mom.

Mom wore her baroque long opera length pearls almost everyday.

The necklace was a gift to her one Christmas from my father.

Do you wear pearls?

Have you a classic white shirt in your wardrobe?

I also love denim and chambray shirts.

I have two...

I am wearing one right now with my pearls.

This shirt has all the details that make it a classic and yet it is budget friendly.

Keeping a white shirt white is tricky.

If I get a mark on it

 I spray it with my pink grapefruit Method brand cleaner 

gently scrub with a soft brush before popping it into the wash.

I hang my shirts to dry and smoothe out the edges when they are damp.

Ironing carefully after they are dry.

I wear an apron when I am cooking and cleaning.

It saves my clothes from stains.

I love this linen one from Rough Linen.

It was an early Covid purchase.

Pope John Paull II white rose

blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

White is such an elegant shade...

(White shirt quotes)

"You can wear them with anything. 

It's the person and the way that they wear it 

that makes it different. 

I have been designing white shirts forever, 

but I don't get tired of it." 

~ Carolina Herrera ~

"The white blouse can be light and floating, impeccable and austere, sumptuous and all-enveloping, tight and close-fitting. 

It rises up to frame the face. 

It sculpts the body by transforming itself into a second skin. 

Imputed with glamour and poetry, freedom and impetuousness, the prim white shirt turns out to have a thousand identities." 

                                 ~ Gianfranco Ferre ~

How will you style your shirt?

The important thing is having fun with your creative accessories.

A scarf

necklace

brooch

collar up? or buttoned up?

maybe opened up?

 as a layering piece over a camisole or top.

The White Shirt is a versatile classic

a worthy workhorse in every wardrobe.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thrift shop inspiration...cottage decor

 

Dried foliage foraged from the wilds of Pender Island

at

Quarterdeck Cottage.

Freshly rinsed antique crystal vessel...

A pleasant mix of materials...

rustic and rough juxtaposed with fine quality antique crystal.

A modernist votive holder...

looks like Ittala Glass by Tapio Wirkkala.

These two glass pieces were found at the thrift shop on Pender Island.

I have found some real gems in this shop.

If I lived on Pender full time I would be an active volunteer.

Since we only come over once a month I cannot commit to helping.

So I shop instead...

Do you like shopping for vintage items at thrift shops?

Do you shop online at Etsy or Ebay?

What are your favourite finds?

I'd love to hear from you...

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Our Covid numbers here in BC are increasing...

the second wave predicted by the health authorities is here now.

Stay Safe, wear your masks, wash your hands and keep your bubbles small.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

OOTD...

 

OOTD

Lord and Taylor Cashmere 

It is officially 

"sweater weather"

Stormy

Rain and gusty winds

power outages across the Island and The Gulf Islands

Tress and branches are down...

rain is hitting the windows sideways!

Timberland Boots

Vintage America Jeans

Dressing casually for comfort and warmth during the stormy weather.

I ran a bunch of errands...

had my annual mammogram.

Grocery shopping

Refill for our Method dish soap pump bottle

Joie silicone soft gentle scrubber

Bamboo brush scrubber for tough jobs

I use a vintage porcelain pudding bowl for these items beside our farmhouse sink.

Water drains away from the brushes as the bottom of the bowl has a raised pattern.

Super sponge cloths they last and last 

washable 

up to 300 times!

One towel replaces 15 rolls of paper towels

absorbs 20 times its weight in water

compostable

It surprises me how much better I feel when I get some new cleaning supplies.

Daily domestic chores are a big part of my routine.

Spending so much more time at home 

means that I cannot avoid seeing what needs to be done!

 ~ New Book ~

by Gill Paul 

She wrote a book that I recently read The Secret Wife

which I really enjoyed and highly recommend.

What are you reading?

Have you been watching any good shows on Netflix ?

We discovered The Duchess, a quirky British series which we are enjoying.

Also an older series, After Life written, directed and starring Ricky Gervais.

(Dark subject matter but quite brilliant and funny.) 

Doing it Ourselves, a French castle renovation by a British family is on You Tube.

I welcome your suggestions...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Self care...rituals and comfort during the Pandemic.

 

Taking time for self care is not "selfish."

It is important for our mental well being.

My hands work hard

and

with all the hand washing and hand sanitizing my hands take a beating!

I recently discovered Derma E Rosehip and Almond Hand and Cuticle Cream.

The cream absorbs well into the skin and is not overly greasy.

It really helps my cuticles which have become quite dry.

Nothing ruins the look of a manicure like ragged or torn cuticles.

Pacifica

Crimson Kimono

Cruelty Free Formula

Long lasing polish.

Brew a pot of tea...

Enjoy

a relaxing soak in warm water mixed with a few spoonfuls of bath salts.

File nails with an emery board, push back cuticles and they are ready for polish.

Manicure done...

Pop on my red ballet flats and I feel a lightness of spirit.

Energized and hopeful...

I don't know about you but I find I NEED (crave) more TLC these days.

The pandemic has changed the way I look at my days.

My attitude often needs a gentle nudge...

Routines and Rituals are key players for me.

Each morning after my shower I put on my make up.

Dab on Perfume

Dressing in jeans and a Tee

 simple comfy basics

I add an accessory like my pearls, or a colourful scarf

to elevate my spirit.

I seem to have more time to "fill."

Do you feel that way too?

Frustrated that 

I am unable to resume the activities that I enjoyed before Covid.

Bridge games and weekly lessons, Mah Jong, French class, and Yoga.

Many of my friends are playing bridge online.

While others are doing Yoga and language lessons with ZOOM.

I've been keeping pretty busy here at home and in the garden.

Cooking most meals in The Humble Bungalow Kitchen since mid March.

Seeing our grandchildren always makes me feel happy.

We took them out for lunch at Fisherman"s Wharf.

We were able to eat at a picnic table outside which felt very "safe"

A totally wonderful tonic and a fun filled "outing."

Reading with a pot of tea in the afternoon has become a daily ritual.

Beware!

This book is quite provacative and deals with many sensitive subjects.

It doesn't take much effort to arrange afternoon tea on a tray.

It tastes so much better in a china cup.

I would like to open up a dialogue about self care and hear from you.

Are you finding time to elevate your daily routines?

How are you beautifying your day?

Do you practise self care?

I'm going to pop the kettle on now and brew a pot of hot tea...

I'll come back soon and read any comments that you have shared.

Thank you for taking the time to read my Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

OOTD ~ I met up with the fashion savvy blogger Jennifer, who writes A Well Styled Life

OOTD 

Jeans ~ Eileen Fisher

Top ~ Saint James

Ballet Flats ~ Josef Seibel

A messy updo

diamond studs and necklace

pearl earrings

a fresh manicure

Kimono Crimson by Pacifica

Meet

Jennifer Connolly

We had tea and a chat at Murchies.

She is on vacation and was in Victoria for a few days.

You probably already know

Jennifer who writes the blog A Well Styled Life.

We have known each other since 2007.

 This is the first time that we have met in person.

Jennifer is a gracious and fashion savvy woman with a winning smile.

We had a lovely time sipping our tea and chatting.

It felt fabulous to finally meet her in person.

Her series "Dressing room Diaries" is one of my favourites on her blog.

I told her how she has influenced me over the years.

For example...

 I recently purchased a new crisp white shirt 

after reading her post on classic white shirts!

Meeting Jennifer was truly wonderful.

I hope to meet up with her again...

Making connections with other like minded women 

unites, empowers and inspires us.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Falling...for Fall

Sitting on the front porch of The Humble Bungalow

gazing at the garden with a mug of freshly brewed coffee on a cool morning.

Noticing the changes...

Spiders in webs hanging 

woven in between the plants

 flowers  fading

sea salty cool air

birdsong.

Gently gently moving toward Fall.

Hydrangeas will fade to a sepia shade 

will not be dead headed as they will be homes to pollinators

until next Spring.

Dewdrops decorate and cling to Jude the Obscure.

This stalwart David Austin Rose will continue to bloom well into winter.

Petals falling like snowflakes...

Fall cooking has commenced...

English Style 

Roasted Potatoes

Peel and quarter potatoes

Boil for 5-6 minutes 

drain in a colander and shake to roughen up the edges.

Cool

Heat oil to coat the bottom of a roasting pan at 400 degrees.

Add potatoes and coat in oil

Bake for an hour turning halfway.

Enjoy!

Dinner 

breaded pork cutlets, roasty spuds and carrots, garden fresh yellow beans.

Bouillion based "faux" gravy.

Nom Nom Nom

Fall food.

Fall Porch Decor

White pumpkins, hydrangeas and pine cones.

Are you embracing the change of season?

Do you add autumnal touches inside or outside your home?

Have you bought any cozy clothes to cocoon in this Fall and Winter?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Changing Seasons...

Fall is in the Air

A close up of a bloom from Joesph's Coat Rose.

I love the curled petals and the vibrant colours.

Peeking out from deep inside are the frilly stamens.

Such a beauty.

The Arbutus Tree 

illuminated by the early morning sunshine.

You can see the heavy dew on the glass of the deck.

Fall is in the air.

Cooler mornings and early sunsets.

Time to stay in and read...

Louise Penny has done it again!

A fabulous mystery for Armand Gamache to solve.

Set in Paris 

it starts out in the Musee Rodin Garden

(I was there this past October)

Familiar shops, cafes and avenues in Paris.

The Marais and the 6th and 7th arrondissements are featured in the story.

I love the Gamache series mysteries.

I highly recommend this one.

Foggy morning at the Cottage.

Sunny afternoons.

Sitting on the deck in the fresh air watching the boats go by...

the seas twinkling in the warm sunshine.

This feels "normal" even though we are in the midst of a pandemic.

Being outdoors is such a tonic...

  I am rather concerned about the change in season.

We will be inside more often.

 I know that I will need to get outside regularly to feel healthy.

My well being and positivity depends on fresh air and nature.

It will take more effort to stay motivated and get out and about in the inclement weather.

Bundling up in a soft scarf to help keep the chill away will help.

This beautiful scarf is by the French Company Letol.

I'll be swapping out my summer clothes for fall and winter soon.

Long sleeves and cozy cashmere sweaters...

woolly socks and layers.

Gorgeous 

Dahlias in brilliant shades from the Pender Island Farmer's Market.

Flowers and foliage in autumnal colours are harbingers of Fall.

I spied a wee tree frog in the planter by the grocery store.

They have a deep croak ( ribbet ribbet) which sounds like it would come from a huge toad.

This wee little fellow was making quite the cacaphony of sound!

It entertained many of us as we waited patiently in line up outside the store.

Masked up and ready to shop in the safety of fewer numbers.

Our "new normal" continues...

It is not as if we rise each day expecting it to change.

We CAN hope and dream...

"Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness."

~ Desmond Tutu ~

I will close for now and embrace the message of this quote.

Reflecting on all that is posititve and for the many things that I have been blessed with in gratitude.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~