Window dressing... adventures of the "sew-sew" hostess.

I love this arts and crafts print.

  The rich vibrant earthy colours and the organic elements drawn from nature.

When we were decorating our dining room we had to decide on the window treatment for a large window which takes up the better part of the north wall.

We needed something to give us privacy and add a barrier from the drafts that single paned windows are notorious for letting in.

I love luxurious draperies and had an idea in my mind of what I would like.

Unfortunately, my dream drapes did not fit into my modest budget pre- year 2000

I had related my frustration to a friend and she suggested that I make them!

(I am not handy with needle and thread.I took sewing in school, made a few dresses but they had, what my teacher referred to, "bubble darts." LOL)

My sew savvy friend mentioned that she had made ALL (10 pairs) of her drapes for her heritage arts and crafts home. (I swoon here)

She has the most incredibly beautiful arts and crafts printed fabrics this side of William Morris's homeland!

 I went fabric shopping, starting out at the bargain store and other than some Sanderson bolts I was very disappointed.

Next, off to the better quality fabric store....nothing but frustration.

 I tentatively tip toed into the upscale boutique where the local decorators and monied folk shop.

Voila...reams and reams of heaven-on-earth quality weaves, hundreds of choices, and thousands of swatches!

I have arrived...

Interior decorators are swarming.

My heart is beating fast.

I saw this bolt of cloth and fell instantly in love and HAD to have it. 

Nothing else I saw even came close.

The cost of the fabric alone was at the very outside of my budget.

Surprised? 

That's normal for me!

I waited for a sale and got 15% off.

I was buying many meters so the savings were substantial.

The bolts were so heavy that I needed help to the Volvo...

BTW that's another reason I love my car it always accommodates my finds.

I purchased all the necessary supplies as directed by my sew savvy friend and I went over to her house as she suggested to embark on the journey that would be life altering.

 Over the next 2 weeks we worked side by side for many hours.

She was patient and her expertise was essential to the success of this project.

(Our husbands suffered through late dinners and take aways but in the end it was definitely worth it.)

 We laid out the fabric, cut and matched the prints so they would flow according to the pattern repeat.

 Installed pleater tape at the top, pulled the threads of the tape until the 2 times the window formula size was evenly distributed.

 We sewed the panels, and added the insulating liner.

Ironing was done after every step to insure a crisp and professional job.

We pinned up the bottom hems and I brought them home to hang in place.

Large wooden rings were used as the rod was a thick wooden one.

Mr. HB had this job as he has the "architectural eye."

The pinned hems were in place for a few months before I got around to hand stitching them!

It was a major undertaking but the results were worth it.

I am happy today with my decision to sew my own as opposed to "settling" for something inferior which no doubt would have gone the way of the DODO!

"Where there's a will, there's a way."

I made it happen.

(with the help of a great friend!)

Sometimes I surprise myself.

What have you done that you thought impossible?

Have you surprised yourself?

Pushed the comfort envelope?

I do not pump my own gas so I have something else to tackle when I muster up the courage!

Spring-ing from the pages of Elle...and reality check....make that dots!

I was struck by this image from the recent Elle magazine.

I do like the dress, love the colour, texture and the bohemian chic vibe here.

 The dress looks very forgiving with all the seaming and I would be happy wearing this to a wedding, tea, or dinner out.

It would be a versatile classic that would fit well into my wardrobe.

Chanel!

Look closely at the

muted tones, beading and dramatic textural features that combine to make this jacket exceptional. 

 The Chanel quilted classic bag.

Interesting that the model is sitting on a distressed bentwood chair in a pile of sand.

Does the earthy elevate the couture or visa versa?

Feminine and soft

Spring Romance...Boudoir Pastels and Nudes...
Pure Escape

Bungalow Reality Check...

Featuring Kitchen Warrior Mitts in Kiwi

 stained lightly with accents of gravy and drippings.

Random Smatterings on the Classic Quilted Mitts 

Kiwi Green Twill Apron

in dots and stripes 

showcasing the single pocket detail at the front.

Paderno!

The Chanel for Cooks who demand the very best in fashion and function.

Reality here in the Bungalow is not Chanel, it's Paderno!

I cooked free range organic chicken stuffed and roasted with spring vegetables and country gravy.

I ate the broccoflower before I snapped the picture!

Baby new potatoes, carrots, parsnips, chicken and homemade stuffing.

The stuffing involves the Cuisinart food processor

pulse day old bread, onions, celery salt, pepper, and sage.

Add 1/4-1/2 c. melted butter, blend.

Stuff chicken and close securely with skewers.

Bake stuffed chicken at 350 degrees in shallow roasting pan which has been coated with a glug of olive oil,

cut an onion in half and toss in pan.

Bake 30 minutes and then remove and add veggies and drizzle with a little oil, pop back in oven and bake for another hour...or until done. 

(Check on a meat thermometer if in doubt, we don't mess with poultry EVER!.)

Put chicken on the carving board and tent with foil for 10 minutes to rest before carving.

Place vegetables in an ovenproof dish and keep warm in oven.

Deglaze roasting pan with flour mixed with water and some bouillon.

 My fave is Better than Bouillon

(available in chicken or beef)

Whisk until smooth and cook for 10 minutes....

 while carver...Mr. HB here in the Bungalow, shows his deft flourishing the steel.

Serve all together and savour.

            

Dressing casually with a French twist...and bloggers dressing lessons across the miles.

Skinny dark denim jeans, navy and white striped Tee a la Bretonne and a Navy Saint James sweater as worn with red flats.

 I have taken this photo on my waffle weaved duvet cover...

I love fellow blogger Metscan and her divinely chic garments...

she lays them on a sumptuous scalloped throw...go and see her quality gear!

She sizzles in her high end attire.

Feeling tres Francais...

Tish Jett has been showing us the French chic in the country.

Tish has a fun blog which keep us entertained and informs us on all things French.

I had a wonderful compliment today....

a co-worker asked me if I had lost weight!

(No I have not!)

She said buy more of those jeans then! 

LOL!

Lisa over at privilege is getting ready to go the New York and take a look!

She wears High Wasp well, she was born to it.

She has a firm grasp on class and decorum and peppers it with wit.

I am adoring materfamilias and her forays into fashion. 

She is an academic who lectures, knits, reads, travels, gardens....and 

she is as cute as a button and a very youthful grandmother with a lovely family.

She has been showing us how to dress with a twist.

Karen knows well what to wear.

Go and see what she is talking about!

And see how Deja Pseu has put together her classic ensemble and just look at those shoes!

Fashion should be fun...and personal.

Twist it to suit YOU!

I am challenging you to post your own version of dress up and show us what you are wearing!

Go on, don't be shy...it's fun.

Skin care update...the results are in!

I posted lamenting about my flaking dry post menopausal skin a few weeks ago.  I made an appointment and went to see the Dr. Hausckha rep and got the inside scoop on the latest and best products for my skin concerns. I was happy to meet a woman about my age with glowing skin. That does instill confidence for a start. I later found out to my surprise that she was not wearing foundation!

I explained my skin issues and related my current regime and was told that most of what I was doing was spot on that I just needed to replace 2 of my products for more intense products geared for skin of my age. I laid down my cash and walked away with the new products, serum and the moisturizer.
(plus a goodie bag chock full of freebies...which I am happy to report that I am using and loving! Yes samples work, I will be buying some of the select favourites especially the Lavender bath and Rose oil.)
I am delighted with the results from my new routine...my pores appear smaller and clearer, my skin is plumped and soft, and the flaking has disappeared. I am not at the stage where I will go without my foundation but I use a small amount and am evening out some visible capillaries beside my nose and on my cheeks.
I am indebted to the rep and delighted in the quality of the Dr. Hausckha line. There are so many products out there it is a dizzying array and one needs to zone in and focus on what works for them.
I have heard from many bloggers that the Clairisonic is a miracle tool, some swear by Hope in a Jar, or Creme de la Mer...
I try to balance cost with performance and what is gentle and safe that works for my skin.

What are you putting on your skin and are you happy with the results?

My thought for the day;
Honour yourself, walk with confidence and delight in the beauty that is uniquely you.

Easy peasy dinner, porch pics and garden gossip...

I am finally home after a very busy day in the library...took a fast trip to the Market and grabbed some easy peasy dinner....it is not gourmet, not even close, in fact you might be gobsmacked when you read this...the Hostess is cooking....Turkey hot dogs and sauteed onions...and condiments of course!
Always tastes good on the boat...rarely serve them at home...but tonight I am knackered. I know when to give up and give in...and relax!

I have some bubbly in my glass and Mr. HB is going to be late so I have time to blog a bit.

I took a couple of quick photos of the cushions that I found...went very conservative, some may even think boring but they were quiet and calming. I saw so many wild Hawaiian prints and really bold large details that I think I went into a frenzy. I prefer to be Zen, and the garden is a riot of colour and texture so it seems fitting that the cushions do not compete. I like the way they pick up the 2 tones of paint trim on the windows.

I need to get something else for the table.

 I have a metal vase (which should have some flowers in it!) and a shell...

I think I need a geranium in a pot for a punch of colour and add some interest...

I cannot put too much on there as we use it for our cups of coffee and cocktail glasses!

These are very cushy and soft and fit perfectly.

We frequently have a before dinner drink out here when the weather is conducive and debrief the days events with each other.

I love this time together, we relax and recharge while reconnecting.

Warm sunny weekend mornings we read the paper out here with our coffee.

Neighbours passing stop to chat and some come from across the street to discuss the garden and plants.

I have a habit of dividing up my perennials, and digging other large ones that I am not loving so much and rather than pop them on the compost pile I give them away.

People really like this!

I have heard it said that a gardener shows what she (he) grows and shares what she (he) knows.

Mr. HB made this for me in a minute one day when my paper signs blew away.

I have people asking me in advance of the day that new plants will be put out so they are prepared!

BYOB

Bring your own bag

(or Bring your own barrow)

 I garden out in front in the yard very close to the sidewalk as the front area is not too deep and it invites all manner of people and conversation flows freely.

It is such an easy way to keep informed about the goings on in the neighbourhood!

Garden gossip.

Do you know what your neighbours are up to?

We do!

It's officially called Neighbourhood Watch.