Bungalow snapshots and details...

My writing desk

Alliums grown in the backyard dried, on display.

Note the bottom left corner of Jane Powell's book!

I have moved  the alliums to the dining room and placed the Van Briggle Bunny and bowl on the ledge...Mrs. Plant's photo can be seen through the pillars.

                                  
Jane Powell came to our humble bungalow and photographed some details of the interior several years ago. She lives in Oakland California and is restoring her arts and crafts home. Her restoration philosophy is pure, honest, and true to the historic details of the period.

San Francisco artistic license article.

The heritage movement has many supporters and they are a group of diverse personalities that are passionate about their cause. In my experience, they are creative and flamboyant with academic art history roots.

A small portion of our arts and crafts book collection on the Stickley bookcase.

Have you restored or renovated a home?

Have you overseen the process as a contractor or are you hands on?

Do you have any advice or hints when living in a home during the construction?

What were the biggest challenges and would you do it again?

Interested in opinions as I am contemplating a bedroom redecorating project in the next few months....

Skincare, what works for me...what works for you?

While I was standing in line at the market I noticed that almost every magazine had an article on skincare. Skincare is big business...many many millions, I really do not know, it is dizzying for me to even consider!
There are so many products out there that it gets very confusing. There are potions and creams for day and for night, and they come with promises for everything from smoother, younger, more radiant, firmer, less pigmented, less wrinkled....and so on....you've heard it, seen the advertisements, possibly comtemplated even trying them.  But do they live up to their promises?
I wonder how many steps the average woman takes in caring for her skin...how many products does she use before she gets out the door? I am not suggesting to ignore the skin, nothing could be farther than the truth. I am a fan of taking care and pampering the skin, as it is right out there for all to see.
My skincare routine involves getting professional facials every 2 or 3 months and the rest of the time I do it myself here at home.
I have delicate skin and have a tendency to flush. I also am concerned about the toxins the manufacturers add to products and have come to the conclusion that there is an element of risk with just about any product on the market. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has a large database if you care to research what you are currently using. If you are like me, it was an eye opener!

I try to keep my routine fairly simple and the products to a minimum as I like to be able to do my morning face in 10 minutes or less.

I use VIVA face wash from the Health food store, Thayers alcohol free toner which has witch hazel, rose petals and aloe vera gently all over with a cotton pad (my slpurge are Shiseido cosmetic pads) followed by Dr. Hauschka's rose cream.  I need the heavier rose cream, they make a light version. (Did I mention my aging skin is VERY dry?)

I then sweep a small amount of Badger sunscreen on top (which I have been advised to do for anti-aging purposes) before applying my Dr. Hauschka foundation which is light and adds a hint of tint blending easily to even out some of my redness.

I use Dr. Hauschka eye shadow #4, curl my lashes, apply Lancome Definicils mascara.

I use Burts Bees lip balm follwed by Dr. Hauschka lipstick #7.

My favourite products are not the lowest on the website safety ratings, neither are they the highest.

For removing my eye makeup I use Neutrogena eye make up remover and every other day I use Physiodermie Bio-Gommage which is a gentle exfoliator that keeps my skin looking fresh and feeling soft. Scrubs are too harsh for me and glycolic peels have resulted in a nasty rash.

I have tried the rhythmic Dr. H ampoules which are pricey and I am not convinced of their effectiveness...but I am willing to try again and reassess.

What products work for you?

What can you not live without....mascara, lip balm, moisturizer...?

Do you splurge, or are you frugal?

Reflections, thoughts and musings...on a sunny Monday morning.

Arbutus tree outside the living room window.

Looking back, I do not feel that much older than when we moved into our bungalow, yet here it is nearly 28 years later.

Time does seem to go faster as we get older.

A friend suggested it is like a roll of toilet paper, the closer it gets to the end the faster it unrolls.

Our darling children spent their childhood growing up here.

Our home is much quieter since they moved out, Mr. L., the cat and I are not noisy. Except of course on hockey nights when shouts arise when goals are scored.

Bronzed Baby shoes.

Does anyone still do this with their babies first shoes? We were recently in Birks and I noticed that they still provide this service, how comforting to know that some things never change!

We have 2 children, a boy and a girl, they are adults now, and have created lives of their own. JAL our daughter has a great job and a lovely character apartment filled with mid century teak and art glass. She has a trained eye when it comes to antiques and collectibles, the art history university background has helped her recognize quality pieces.

 SBL our son has a lovely wife, they live in a large home with a view which is full of mid century teak and art glass as well. They are expecting a baby in early June and are decorating the babies room at present.

I love my family and want to spend time with them. I do not want to smother them or appear desperate or needy. It is a fine line and I do not want to cross it.

 I am eager to invite them back for Roast Beef Sundays and enjoy the friendly banter and chatter that accompanies their visit.

Monday evenings, JAL comes over to do her laundry, we drink some bubbly, make dinner and watch The Batchelor. I do so love the regular Monday night visit.

 I am grateful for so many things; children who live in the same town, who are connected and share with us, much of what is new in their lives.

I am kitting out the pram and have a knitting project on the needles at present.

Grammy's knitting project #1 box blanket in off white yarn.

Knitting in a quiet room, the sun streaming through the windows, does lend itself to reflection.

The soft sound of the bamboo needles as the stitches slip over top to the other side...counting, concentrating, feels a bit like Yoga for the hands!

Tie one on.....another Hermes scarf, and a cheery red the colour that makes me happy.

Bright and cheerful, this vintage, late 60's Hermes scarf is red, white and blue with a touch of gold....equestrian theme.

Hermes have cards and booklets which are full of photos showing various ways to tie and wear their scarves, maybe too many ways!

I stood in front of the mirror trying various knots but with this one I like to loosely toss it casually around my neck so that all the colours show.

I wore this scarf to an orchid show and a fellow volunteer commented on how she had stood in front of her mirror that very morning fussing and repositioning and tying and untying her scarf only to rip it off in disgust. (sound familiar!)

She was admiring the way I had done mine. I was embarrased by all the fuss but explained that it was easy,  just one loose simple crossover and I left the V at the back...et voila.

I believe the secret to wearing scarves is just to wear them with an attitude of confidence. It is not perfection, it is colorful silk draped simply encircling the neck or tied on a handbag.

Don't take it too seriously, it's meant to be FUN!

Accessories are the workhorses of my wardrobe, and generally they are affordable items.

I shop thrift shops for vintage pieces. There is a thrill in thrifting something of detail and beauty.

I have been thinking about red boots recently.

I swooned over a wonderful pair that  mater blogged about at Christmas.

Ah, the power of suggestion!

I have admired Hunter boots and have seen them in English Country Living magazine which I read every month.

 These boots would walk along the waterfront, on the beach, to the market, and trudge around the garden look cheerful, and keep my feet dry. I think I am convnced!

Those red Hunters are sold out in my size and will not stock more until March.

I'll be dodging puddles until then....

P.S.  The sun made it's debut today after many days of rain and Mr. L and I went for a walk along the waterfront. (as did most of the neighbourhood!)

The skies were clear, the water calm, the air fresh.

People were smiling.

Clumps of pure white snowdrops are popping up in the garden.

Bulbs have started to grow.

The flower venders have bunches of yellow daffodils in their buckets.

I have a sneaky feeling that Spring is coming early this year.

Water, water everywhere...some are tears...snapping out of it I hope!

Torrential downpour here...gutters working overtime, spluttering, gurgling...and I am hunkered down inside with my cozy PJ's on and a warm beverage in hand.
I drove through some very deep puddles, small ponds rather, in the car on the way home from work tonight. Hydroplane averted thanks to DSTC on Volvo.
Worried about flooding...nothing serious compared to Haiti how devastating, Reality Check...self talk..."stop whimpering and buck up."
Met at the door by a very hungry cat, meowing at a very high decibal level....ouch, food in bowl before removing new lovely coat, recent purchase, and still in love! Cat still ill, high blood pressure meds once in the morning, mixed in cream cheese smeared on cat lips while bleary eyed owner stumbles around kitchen, oblesse oblige....is the coffee ready yet?
Cat eating 2 cans of food a day after dodging the "bullet" which might have been a few days before Xmas...family meeting, tears and all home excused from work, dire health of cat...who rallied and thrived with all the attention, sorry I am mistaken...bad cat mommy!
I wonder how much longer sick cat has to live...9 lives, how many are left? Stickley...name of cat, weird I know but A&C bungalow, so it fits...cat cannot jump up on sofa or queen size bed of owners anymore, beds of choice, now sleeping under Limbert oak quarter sawn rocker...too much info I know...abbreviate, note to self...almost 17 years of purring, shedding, love and company...do not depart please can you not live forever?
Golden retriever, Rufus, lived to 13...still we mourn...we are a very sappy animal loving family. Will get another when I retire.

On another topic, mother still suffering from a bad cold...several visits bearing lunch and dinners later...she is looking better, get well soon PLEASE! Ordered more Anne Morrow Lindbergh books online as requested....and yes your RIFFs have come due so spend without guilt. Sister still in Rancho Mirage supervising contractor paint and redecorate new townhouse, her partner golfing 24/7...come home soon please, you are too young to be a SNOWBIRD!
Low moment here...like LPC says at Privilege
Ferris wheel should be on the upswing about now....this is not characteristic of me, complaining is bad form...must be all this rain, must go to bed and emerge from the bed chamber re-invented, re-energized, restored, revitalized, renewed, reminted, restyled, rewired, refreshed from zzzz's...the bed is calling my name!
Pardon me for venting....a shameful post I acknowledge that, forgiveness requested if you please.
Humbly,
The Hostess