Simon Chang and Chanel, may I introduce you to the Hostess!

Oh don't you love going shopping when you find something wonderful?
I HAD to buy this Chanel-esque jacket by Simon Chang. I mean, it gave me a thrill when I put it on, it felt elegant and could stand on it's own. The loose threads at the collar soften and flatter, the fabric is soft and does not cling to my ample bosum and it skims my curves without looking baggy. It does all this and yet does not look too "Mumsy" (translate DOWDY, for those who may not be familiar with that terminology!) It  will go with everything from jeans, black pencil skirt, black trousers, and some of my black LBD's.

I like the neutral golds and creams, I can dress this up or down. I am thinking pearls, of course!

Maybe my newer mocha tank by ca va de soi, or my standard white T and black denim jeans.

My Furla Carmen leather bag will be a great partner with this jacket.

I am planning on wearing this to the theatre with my Mother. We have seasons tickets and I find dressing up essential when accompanying Mom. (command peformance, if you get my drift!) She dresses up even to stay home, and at 82, has an amazing fashion sense. I fear that this gene was not passed down to me, but rather skipped a generation and my lovely daughter was the recipient of said gene. My fashion genetics lean more to casual, simple, white and lots of black, Hermes scarves (color!)  and my fave JEANS!
I wear diamonds and pearls with jeans and white T's; they are not jeans for gardening or painting nor are they $$$ Jeans. DKNY, GAP, LIZ and a few other generic jeans.

Looking at this image don't you think Simon deserves a better hanger?

The Art of Thrifting, "Scores" and Accounting for taste, or not!

I am an avid thrift shopper and can be found frequenting the local Value Village, which in our circle, we refer to as the VV Boutique! I have found all kinds of treasures there. I have found things for friends, family and our bungalow home. My best score by far, was a pair of arts and crafts bookends, bronze with sterling birds, made by the Heinz Art Metal Company. My heart accelerated when I saw the makers mark as I knew this was a valuable find. I purchased these and quickly left the store, raced home and confirmed that indeed these were valuable and collectible so I promptly sold them to an antique dealer and within a few minutes had walked across the street to an antique mall and purchased a lovely string of baroque pearls!
I have passed this thrift shopping onto my daughter who is very successful and lucky when it comes to sourcing out treasures, she has an art history background which helps her to spot a gem when others have passed it by. She has furnished her apartment in mid century modern teak and art glass and has a  collection that would easily be representative in a gallery or museum, of the Mid Century Modern Era.

Not all my treasures are to Mr. L's liking! I have stashed some of my whimsical items away and some I display in my hobby room. I admit they are not "quality art" simply vintage finds, and they do not represent "us as a couple" they speak only to me!

As you can see, I have shelf space waiting for the next arrival. There has been a bit of a drought here for American Art Pottery figurines in matte white, which of course they must be...and whimsical too!

I go hunting for treasures with an open mind, that seems to help me achieve clarity and not discard or ignore the possibilities that are there if one just "looks"...you really never know what you're looking for until it presents itself!

Happy Thrifting!

Rainy Sunday morning and which Hermes should I wear to the grocers?

I read Wild Mary late last night in bed, it was close to midnight before I turned out the light and this morning when I got up I realized that I slept in my pearls!

I have a busy day ahead as I am cooking a Traditional Sunday Roast Beef dinner.

Here in the Humble Bungalow that translates to Yorkshire Pudding, Prime Rib of Beef Roast, Potatoes; usually scalloped, Peas, Carrots, and gravy of course. There are two condiments necessary, Colman's hot mustard and Woodman's Extra Hot Horseradish.

I need to go to the grocers to pick up some fresh vegs and buy more potatoes and it is raining out. I will wear jeans, a long sleeved T shirt and add a bit of color via my Hermes scarf. Today I will toss on my "Lumieres de Paris". I purchased this one to wear with denim mostly but it looks very nice with grey, and beige as well.

I am opting for this scarf as it suggests light and will illuminate and elevate the grey skies and raindrops.

I love grey in clothing as in sweaters, scarves, and tops.

I do not LOVE grey skies!

I have vivid red gloves for these days.

I have a bounce in my step when I consider adding that swish of color.

When the skies are grey do you dress in a mindful way? Do you add color or have a favorite outfit or garment that you put on?

I see lots of yellow slickers, yellow boots and yellow brollies.

The power of color does affect my mood, does it affect yours?

Meow, I won!

I just discovered that I have helped name Jamie Cat Callan's kitten. She invited readers to suggest possible names for her orange tabby rescue kitten and being a cat lover I leapt at the chance!
He is now affectionately known as Mr. Pickles! Jamie will be sending me a copy of her book and I am eager to read it. She is currently working on another one which should be out sometime in 2010.
In case you are not familiar with Jamie, she is an author and has a blog called

Bonjour Happiness!

I will be reading her book as soon as it arrives and I am looking forward to finding out more about "Why French Women Don't Sleep Alone"

Our resident bungalow cat is nearly 17 and is showing her age. We have her on medications and visits to the vet have become all too regular. She is a lovely cat and we know that her days are numbered, we are lavishing love and fancy food on her as she has given us so much.

Stickley, Humble Bungalow Cat

New Years Dinner, New Years Day, birds, rainbows and de-decorating the tree, before reading my novel!

To ring in the New Year we enjoyed a delicious dinner and evening with very dear friends.

On the menu:
Cocktails - Gin and tonic for the ladies and single malt Scotch for the gentlemen
French Brie, English carmelized onion cheddar cheese, Rustic crackers, pickled onions, dried apricots, and tapenaude.
Feta cubes, basil leaves, grape tomatoes stacked on a toothpick with balsamic reduction dip.

Sandhill Sauvignon Blanc
Lobster bisque
Whole Dungeness Crab drawn butter
Caesar Salad with artisan bread

Frozen Lemon Mousse with blueberry coulis

This morning I awoke to rain pitter pattering on the roof and by the time I got out of bed to put on the coffee there was a beautiful rainbow!
The hummingbirds and the bush tits are jockeying for position at the hummingbird feeder and the house sparrows are chattering noisily on the arbor. The suet feeder is getting attacked by the starlings and there is quite the roar outside. No sign of the resident Great Blue Heron, he comes and goes and I am never sure when I'll catch a glimpse of him.

I am snug and cozy in my bungalow kitchen wrapped in my robe, coffee in hand, slowly starting to greet the day. I plan to de-decorate the Christmas tree and put away the festive bits and bobs. I am thinking of taking a walk later and making time to read my new book Wild Mary, the biography of Mary Wesley's life.
 Mon Avis, Mes Amis. wrote about Mary Wesley on her blog and it sparked my interest.
What are you reading? Any book recommendations?