Harumi Ota bowl

I found this wonderful example of Harumi Ota's work in a gallery. It was summertime and I was hosting a dinner party the following evening.
 I knew this bowl would elevate the simple salad that I planned to serve.

Humble Bungalow Tomato Salad
yellow and red fresh organic cherry tomatoes
fresh basil leaves
crumbled feta cheese
Greek olives
several tablespoons of aged balsamic vinegar
small sprinkling of sea salt

Harumi Ota porcelain artist

Local artist Harumi Ota is well known for his work in  porcelain. I found this bowl in a local gallery and use it for salads.
I buy organic greens at our local farmer's market and add a simple homemade French vinaigrette.

Humble Bungalow Vinaigrette
In a small deep bowl whisk 1 teaspoon French mustard, 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon wine vinegar (I use 12 year aged balsamic vinegar) add sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.

Ojibwa duck decoys

I discovered my first Ojibwa duck decoy in the mid 80's and the collection has grown. I arrange and group these loons on the humble bungalow mantle according to my mood. They are made from Tamarack and if you'd like to make your own, there is a how to site on google!

Basic black

What to buy and wear for the holidays? So many choices!
I have been perusing magazines, looking for inspiration and at 50 something with a rather curvy shape I have been working overtime!
I am a minimalist and fundamentally a frugalist, and I have discovered that I gravitate to basic black. I have several LBD's, and feel I can accessorize them to suit my mood. An Hermes scarf, a velvet jacket, pashmina shawl, shoes, boots, pearls, or a stunning artsy necklace that will elevate and transport the simple and unadorned.
I recently purchased a pair of black jeans, a little bit longer to wear with heels or boots...and I have found a fun sequined top which I plan to wear under a black jacket for a more dressy event or under denim for a relaxed hipper event.
I'll add some scent, some red lippy, and modicum of attitude. At 50 plus I am not overly concerned about opinions from others, I am who I am, take it or leave it.
Enter and sign in please!

Orange and blue boxes

What is it about packaging?
It is quite possible that I am impressed by packaging. Last year I purchased a gift for my lovely daughter in law from Tiffany's. It took me at least 30 minutes to choose the gift and nearly as long for the clerk to wrap and package said item! I was very impressed by the deft hand that the clerk exhibited when she so elegantly and precisely folded and tucked the tissue and slipped it into that blue envelope before placing it into the blue box and then tying, with out help, the ribbon into a bow! (I did offer to place my thumb on the ribbon to assist her in bow tying but she did not need it!)
One holds their breath opening a gift from Tiffany's. The multi wrapped and beribboned blue box cannot be rushed. Hermes orange, Cartier red, Tiffany blue they hold us captive for a few seconds or minutes, like the icing on the cake.
It reminds me of pass the present at a children's birthday party. The game where there are many layers of wrap and various boxes within boxes that are passed child to child and each one opens a layer until at last there is one layer left and whomever unwraps the last layer gets what is inside.
In the movie Love Actually, there is a shopping scene where Alan Rickman is purchasing a necklace and it is lavishly packaged, flowers, (they look like dried roses) are added with a flourish, lavender is sprinkled on top and before the process is complete, Alan mentions something to the clerk, played by Rowan Atkinson, "and I suppose you want to sprinkle it with chocolate buttons"!
Are we mad about the process of packaging?
I bought a gift at a local shop which specializes in Burberry items and quality garments. The price tags were removed, it was double wrapped in fine tissue, a gold seal bearing the name of the shop was affixed to the tissue, and was then gently placed inside a glossy black box and more seals were affixed to the bottom of the box, which was then tied up in gross grain ribbon and placed into a thick shiny, crest emblazoned carrier bag!
Is it all about the packaging?