Sunday, September 12, 2010

Seeing things more clearly now...


my collection of hair clips



I feel that these might be 
a fashion faux pas
I wear them and care not a fig
if they are "in" or "out"
Do you remember the former hairband days of Hilary Clinton ?
she's at it again!


 Hairbands, or Alice Bands as they are known in the UK, are in fact, back "in fashion"
did they ever go "out"?
I think sweatbands did...
but what do I know?

I have heard little about clips...
maybe I am choosing not to see
or hear what might be said of them...
maybe they are unremarkable,
undesirable?
or tacky.

Tiffany's, Hermes or Cartier 
could sell lovely gem encrusted clips
that one could wear
as hair jewelry

I have not found any quality clips
in my city
not in the antique malls
 jewelry shops
or 
mainstream merchants
and I keep looking

I have been growing my hair 
for a few months
and now it falls into my eyes
this bothers me when gardening or bending forward
so I have employed the use of these
grips


as seen here

I am looking forward to when the length has reached my shoulders
my hairdresser says it will be probably be December or thereabouts
(I hope she refrains fom her scissor happy snipping)

I booked "colour only" for my next appointment

 I will be able to put it up in a pony tail
or wear an updo
a french roll
 quick and easy
with a few stray strands at the sides
the curls 
soften
the 
face




 two donuts that I bought from Finland
aka scrunchies




mette was instrumental in my purchase of these donuts...
it was the power of suggestion

perhaps even a mild case of blogger envy..
she has chic taste
designer clothing
and high end style
go visit and you'll see what I mean.




My lovely daughter came by the other day after her appointment at the salon
 her hair falling just to her shoulders
 much shorter now
she looks even prettier
 (if that's possible)
her hair has more body
and 
I love the loose soft waves 




Here I am a few months ago...



           and this month...

I do not feel very relaxed 
having my picture taken
even if it is a self portrait

I must get over this...
or remove my glasses
ah! 
a happy blur

fellow blogger materfamilias
is much braver than I
see for yourself!

and this recent post by mette 
beautiful

and while we are on the portrait topic
look at
leading the way
back when she was a youngster!


Beastly news...
I have damaged my glasses

(the scratch starts above the i in Fendi and goes to my finger)

I wear my glasses
to read or type or thread a needle
not to watch TV, garden, walk or drive...

 the coating somehow got scratched when I was cleaning them
so the eye on the side of the affected lens sees the line
annoying me immensely
more than the hair falling into my gaze...
incidentally the side of the hair falling forward is also the scratched lens side
I could just dispense with the clips and let the hair fall where it may
the lens would be obscured 
and all would be well
or 
would it?

I have swapped back to my former pair as seen in the last image
and I will need to go and have my lens repaired or have a new pair made
so much for not shopping.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

White tops and black bottoms...

Here they are!

My favourite all time uniform
white tops and black bottoms

these are timeless
just add your personal touch
and you're good to go
anywhere

brought to my attention 
courtesy of GAP

Donna Karan
love this!


Hugo Boss
another winner!



Guess
by Marciano

I would not choose this look for me
but the bra looks very well made and sturdy
It reminds me of the cotton bras
that I wore in the 60's!


Black and white = ladylike
I know this!


minimalism
black
+
white
simple 
this is the recipe
 for dressing
Hostess style


I could have written these words!

it seems so natural


luxe
soft wool
style



Dear Santa...
I lead a very pedestrian life
but one day 
I want to walk
tall
and carry
a Chanel bag...
I could start here and work my way up!




Bazaar magazine
$5.99
(plus HST)
$6.71 
a bargain
for such 
an
adventure
classic
chic
smart
simple
there's a lot packed into this issue

my weekend = R&R

a wee bit of weeding...
clothes 
and the garden

Carpe diem

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Hermes...and back to school duds...

I got an invitation in the mail today...



Oh la la...
quality paper
large envelope
one of my favourite retailers
and it's addressed to me!


pebbled
leather
Hermes 
H
a meet?
meet who?


From Paris 
a
Hermes craftsman
October 5-8th

I am busy those days
and cannot attend
oh well.


 any day now
I 'll be picking up 
my new scent
Voyage d'Hermes

If only I could scent my blog
I think you'd agree
it's soft and subtle
green and crisp
I think I can wear it to school


I enjoyed some retail therapy
I did not spend much
I picked up some washable work duds
kid proof
library friendly
easy peasy pieces


I bought a sturdy pair of black leggings
in a heavier knit from Cleo $50
they fit and flatter
hello
they make me look slim
(thank you Cleo that's no easy task!)
 a longer top
in a skinny knit with uneven striping
different details on both bottom pockets 
Kenzie Pretty
on sale @ $30
Black knit Gilmour vest already in my closet



oops... a bit blurry

this is better...

necklace made by my friend Louise
tumbled blue glass beads and fresh water pearls
silver clasp

can you see these two pockets?
one blue
one stripey

I also have a long black sweater
with an assymetrical bottom
longer in front
which I can wear when I do not want to wear the vest.

I think I need short black leather boots
I can always wear ballet flats
but I think this look might need boots
what do you think?

I went to 2 malls hunting for boots
and have not yet found a pair that
suit my purpose
I want 
black
leather
flattish heels
shorter
with minimal detail

lovely daughter was my advisor
we came home late
ordered in Chinese food
had a few glasses of wine
I sent her home in a cab!

ZZZZ 
6 am comes early
it's late
I'm off to bed-for-sure
sweet dreams



Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Some simple things that make and keep me happy...

Let me start by stating that I am not a Pollyanna...
I am by nature an optimist
I lean towards sappy
I am very much a family gal
 I befriend for life
my ties are strong
 I defend my beliefs...
(I can be stubborn)

I have not always been in a happy place
I went through a patch of poutiness and darkness in early menopause
I felt profound sadness
and didn't know why

I spent many years tending to the needs of others
my family
my job
working here to keep the home fires burning 
 working at school
my life was fast paced
demanding
and I was in constant
fight or flight
mode.

I put my own needs aside in a corner  
I would ignore them 
I felt that all the other things required of me were of a high priority

until...
one day I felt very blue
and weary
laden with a heavy burden

WHY?

I had questions and no answers...
I went through the motions of work
home keeping
mothering
entertaining
volunteering
attending meetings
balancing the cheque book
grocery shopping
cooking
weeding the garden
and I felt
something was amiss

What?

I read self help books
ate chocolate
and settled upon the book
Simple Abundance 
by Sarah Ban Breathnach 
which was instrumental in my healing.


I found myself 
savouring
noticing
taking time to get to know what I liked and enjoyed
time to
honour and nurture
myself

Hello Me!

That was quite a few years ago and I have never looked back.

I have grieved the death of both of our fathers
supported 2 family members with cancers
and
have had to find my own way
and not get bogged down with negativity.

Some simple things that make and keep me happy are:

My
love of the ocean
 the fresh salt air
the sound of the lapping waves

The waterfront walk
not far from The Bungalow
it
calms
refreshes 
recharges



I can sit and ponder
reflect
and de-stress
and look at the view 
beyond
breathing in beauty

The ocean changes with the tides and weather
the colours can be bright or grey and dull
it can be warm and calm or stormy and cold.
as long as I am dressed for the weather
I am happy to be walking


There are so many simple things that contribute to my well being
and most of them are free



Hunting and gathering
from nature

"found items"
things that I do not set out to look for...
seem to find their way into my gaze
and I am pleased
and often surprised

shells
feathers
driftwood
foliage
flowers
stones




Gifts...
unexpected
out of the blue
significant when made by the giver

Arts and Crafts candlesticks designed and crafted by darling son
in shop class at school
made of oak
with copper tops
and only pure beeswax candles can live here!

I adore and honour beeswax
the scent
the warm and gentle light
and that all those wonderful industrious bees co-operated to make the wax.
I use these often
and when I light the flame
I take a moment to reflect and give thanks.


I love a  phone conversation
with my BFF
it can be a short or long call
sharing life and events
checking in to see how she is doing
what's new
what might be troubling her
what her family is up to...
 the sound of her voice
checking in and connecting
we laugh
we cry
it's pure
and honest
it's what we do....



My Family...
my children
my husband...
and Isla
 grand daughter 
of 12 weeks
whose smile can light up a room
she is such a sweet little girl
who has entered my world 
and given me such immense joy
that it is hard to describe...
I would love to see her everyday
just thinking about her puts a smile on my face
my brag book is full!

I know that life has many twists and turns and I have no idea what is around the next corner for me...
but I do know that how I react to these events
and the tools that I employ to get me through the rough bits
are key for me.




More another day.....are your thoughts of gratitude?
So much greatness....in unexpected places.

Hugs from the Hostess


Monday, September 6, 2010

Bounty in the Humble Bungalow

Our raised vegetable beds have been a huge improvement in the way that we grow our food.
It has been a delicious and rewarding success.
I have been so pleased that I am asking Mr. HB to put in a third one next spring.
We had a fine feast using our home grown vegetables...
Cherry tomatoes
drizzled with olive oil 
sea salt 


and fresh ground pepper


ready for the grill.


Onions at the left, zucchini top right and cherry tomatoes bottom right.


Baby new potatoes boiled and then topped with butter and dill.
(I prefer to use fresh mint as it has a sweet tang that goes so well with potatoes)


Rhubarb pie, 
second crop of rhubarb
the crust was a bit cracked 
but gladly the taste was not affected!


I have had a bumper crop of Sweet Peas...their scent is so divine.
I have decided that what keeps me happy is to have fresh flowers in my home.

I can have dust bunnies, and my floors in need of sweeping
the dishes may be dirty and the laundry hamper overfull
and yet...
if I have some blooms in a vase
I am able to put things in perspective.

I also love
a freshly brewed cup of tea


 it's a ritual that soothes
time to sit for a bit and sip
slowly
savouring
the fragrance of the blend
the heat
as it warms
and restores.


I do treat myself to a proper cup and saucer
when I feel that I need some TLC
a simple cup of tea when served in a beautiful cup
tastes better.

Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves - slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future.  ~Thich Nat Hahn


I plan to write more on the simple things in life 
of which I partake 
and the joy that they bring to me in my daily round.

Hope that you enjoyed Labour Day
it's pouring rain here
and cold so we have put the furnace on!