Garden tour highlights...

I recently went on a garden tour...
I love gardening and all things garden-y...

I find such beauty in flowers and greenery,
it feeds my soul.
Ideas and inspiration flow...
after one has been on a tour of gardens.

Outdoor "rooms" were created by the talented green thumbs...
not only did I glimpse fabulous plantings, I saw cozy seating areas and dining spaces...

These chairs just beg to be sat in...

 I can place myself there...

with a mug of tea...

sitting...

for a few minutes...

before spying a rogue weed that needs to be pulled!

"A weed is a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered"

Emerson

Happy Father's Day

Father's Day...

A day to celebrate and remember, honour and thank.
There are so many things that fathers do and have done over the years.
I was fortunate to have a hard working father with firm family values.
He was not given to showing of affection in a grandiose manner, more reserved, gentle and kind.

A deep thinker, an avid reader, a fixer of things...

he grew the best tomatoes in his greenhouse and we ate them well into the winter!

he influenced me in so many ways...
I miss him.

My father and Mr. HB's father passed away several years ago only a few months apart...
my BFF's  father died that year too...
it's known in our circle as "The Year of the Dads"

Happy Father's Day...
and thank you...

Our son is a father and that totally moves me...
to tears...
...of joy.

Stand alone tops....inspired by LPC

LPC posted recently on her blog about Stand Alone Tops...
I love love love the Laundry by Shelli Segal white top that Lisa owns and I commented that I would buy it in a heartbeat...

I do have 2 tops which I consider to be "stand ins" for stand alone tops!
Both are by Eddie Bauer...
a store which is based in the Pacific Northwest.
The clothing is reasonably priced, comfortable, basic, and casual.

See what you think...

Loose Linen for hot weather

I will wear this with leggings or a pair of white capris that I forgot I had.

details...

I do not like to wear tight tops as they do not flatter my expanding middle.

I have tried those shapers that are meant to smooth... 

and minimize 

(they don't work for me and they inhibit my ability to take a breath)

and when the weather is hot they are positively stifling.

I prefer fabric with some weight to it...

those thin Tee's are for the fittest of women

with the tautest of tummies.

(not me anymore)

What camouflage tricks do you employ when dressing to flatter?

"Some women keep their youthful figures; others not only keep them, but double them!"

 from the book 20,000 Quips and Quotes by Evan Esar

After a ridiculously long time we have a winner!

When I posted the giftaway May 9th I made a typo and meant to write May 17th instead of June 17th as the closing date...and I felt that I should stick with what was in black and white so after this ridiculously long time we have a winner.

These are the goodies...

Entries...hand printed...Ultra Low Tech 

Recycled Tiffany's Blue Bag from last purchase

(sterling bangle)

I love the packaging...and the presentation...

The newest bangle is on the top!

The one below is an older Tiffany, the rest are vintage.

Drumroll please...

Congratulations!

Please email me with your mailing address and I'll pop this in the mail pronto.

bungalowhostess@gmail.com

I am a Grammy!

I am a Grammy!

Isla Ellen arrived yesterday morning and she is lovely.

I am so proud of my Lovely DIL and son, they are wonderful.

I am in a state of BLISS...

Look at the lovely roses that my BFF sent...

must run, have lots to do...

definitely on the agenda...shopping for Isla.

Smiling broadly from here.