Sunday, December 19, 2010

Pass the Pepper please!


 Harumi Ota bowl
porcelain
and hand painted
sitting atop the dining room table in the Humble Bungalow


Pepper decided to curl up here
 she wasn't the center of attention
we were focused on decorating 
our Charlie Brown tree
and
playing peek a boo and blowing kisses at Isla
major adoration from Grammy
I will do anything for a laugh or a smile from her!

Our traditional annual pizza tree decorating
now includes Thai food
(accommodating all the taste buds)

Lovely Miss Isla
is 6 months old
and she's got red hair!

Mr. HB's family are Scottish and he had red hair when I met him
his cousins and their offspring have the most beautiful red locks
nothing from a bottle of dye can compare
it's divine.


Lovely daughter spotted her curled up and ran for the camera
 Pepper anyone?


Charlie Brown tree
Pepper friendly
no vintage mercury glass garland
no tinsel
set up higher up on a table


 vintage German pines cones


vintage balls and bells



The Humble Bungalow 
embraces lights
of white
and the more the merrier!


Potted paperwhites
and faux candles


garden bouquet of rosemary
scenting the kitchen
I think I'll add some white roses...
but my garden is bare

I have ordered a floral centrepiece for the Bungalow Christmas table
I usually do one myself but I have discovered the most fabulous
floral gallery which has captured my attention
I have been in several times of late 
and their creative mixing of twigs and all things flowery 
the marrying of pots and tureens
with orchids
pine cones and mossyness
woven with twinkly wires
has me lusting
and dreaming...

Wishing you sweet dreams...

Saturday, December 18, 2010

dreaming in cream....

I was woken up early by the sounds of the trees swishing and swirling about in the blustery wind.
It is cold but not snowing...
I have cocooned myself for a bit of extra time lazing in bed snuggled under the down duvet.
There's a mug of coffee on the bedside table, Pepper is asleep in her bed and the house is quiet
except for the furnace which seems to be labouring to keep the temperature steady.


Time spent doing nothing allows me to recharge and visit my thoughts.
It is a chance to stop multi tasking and managing the demands of everyday life...
a chance to breathe deep Yoga breaths
to sigh
to listen
to thoughts that bubble forth
in the stillness
not to solve
not judging
letting them wash over me
in the moments...


my thoughts wander
as I look at the waffle weave of my creamy duvet...

matte creamy white figurines...
I have not found a new one in ages...
I'm not really looking
but if one were to pop into the corner of my eye
I'd be tempted...

speaking of temptation...
creamy winter white is such a calming shade for me...
it reminds me
why I adore pearls
I gravitate towards their luxurious lustrous shade...




Baroque beauties...
creamy dreamy
pearls with imperfections
in shape and size....




Wishing you a delicious and dreamy weekend...

pause every now and then
take time to notice details
reflect
honour and nurture your spirit
invite gratitude

and please
consider performing at least one random act of kindness

Friday, December 17, 2010

a tisket a tasket....a bountiful basket

Look what Mr. HB received from a client!
I am very impressed and delighted with this...


If you look closely you can see Pepper at the top right 
she snuck into the picture 
that will give you and idea of the size of this gift basket 



 happy faced gingerbread man!


The vastness of this gift necessitated that we open it 
 our  Bungalow has storage issues
I have all the contents on the dining room table for now.




The basket was created by...


with a flair for detail


two delicate morsels of decadent chocolate await tasting...


Look at all these wonderful goodies...
very useful
ladyfingers for my Xmas trifle
pastas, sauces, flavoured olive oil, 
marinated eggplant,
figs, chocolates, pannetonne,
marmalade, balsamic vinegar...

Christmas has come early to the Humble Bungalow!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

A foray into fashion-ology from the Humble Hostess

Wearing too much BLING can be distracting...
it's nice to own and fun to wear but it does need to be worn in good taste
and to my mind that means using restraint.


Can you spell sumptuous?
Diamond rings in
pink, white and yellow gold
Oh Santa Baby...


iconic...
these rings are from Cartier
bracelets are available that match the rings.


Party season...calls for dressing up a bit more...at least it does for me.
I used to have the tendency to wear all my sparkly bling at once...
(I absorbed this through my Mother who wears many rings on her fingers)

I approach festive dressing with some trepidation....

Do I have enough after 5 clothes to carry me through without going out and doing some last minute frenzy of panic shopping?
And why do I feel pressure about getting dressed, I do it everyday with relative ease...

While I realize that I am not required to wear a new outfit for every event...there is a sense that I do not want to be repetitive and boring or worse, dressed badly.
So I have considered my options, The French minimalist approach is what I adhere to.

As I see it this translates to owning at least one LBD that you love, is flattering, and fits well and it will outlast any fashion fad. (I have several)

A black top and black bottom be it a skirt or dress pants are superior workhorses...
do not underestimate their value. Consider them as a blank slate on which you choose where to add emphasis...highlight and accentuate the positive. Consider your figure and add accents where you want people to focus. (camoflague the areas that you wish to hide)

Conversely a crisp white shirt with "collar points up" a black trouser or skirt looks striking and can be dressed up with ropes of pearls clustered at the neck...maybe some small studs and you're done.

I like to mix things up and wear my basics with a different attitude...
I add lipstick that is darker/richer for evening and focus on my eyes which I line with kohl and dust with a bit of shadow.

A simple and elegant pashmina shawl...
ethnic or dazzling drop earrings with hair pulled away from the ears
or worn in an updo so they really take center stage.
Bling works well here!
If the earrings are large I skip the necklace and add one bracelet.
I feel more comfortable when the pieces are worn farther apart so they don't compete with each other.
I do not want to look like a Christmas tree.

One striking statement piece of jewelry packs a punch when worn solo...or if you are a woman of some serious restraint do not wear any gems, maybe just a killer pair of shoes in a colour that compliments your painted toes.

Go easy with the scent...so many people are allergic these days...I apply it with a very light touch.
People don't want to smell you before they see you.


"Put your best face forward" was what Mother would advise.
I recently went to a spa and treated myself to a microdermabrasion facial
which left my skin feeling dewy and soft...
Thanks Mom!


Wear everything with a smile...and don't be afraid to laugh and enjoy yourself.

Isn't it more about attitude and zest than it is about the clothes...
aren't they just icing on the cake?



I adore pearls with a smile...
let's face it, I've yet to meet a pearl that I didn't like.



I am not a fashionologist, I defer to the experts...

I get inspiration from a variety of sources but ultimately what I choose must look decent, feel comfortable and appropriate for the event.

What are you going to be wearing this season?
I look forward to your comments/critiques.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Candle light...

Candlelight adds warmth and ambiance...
and I love beeswax candles but I have found a worry free and safe alternative for some situations.


Tiffany crystal votive

I find that lighting candles in the dining room makes the food taste better and the simple act of eating a meal is elevated to something a bit more special. There is a possibility of romance in the soft glow.

Entertaining and candlelight seem to go hand in hand.
The buffet table comes alive when the candleabras are aglow.



I found some battery operated votives this year and I can leave them on even when I am not in the room.
They work well in my precious antique finger bowls and there is no danger of them melting down and overheating the delicate crystal. I arranged these atop of the arts and crafts cabinet in the dining room with my crystal art deco ballerina.


Daytime image


I've considered draping her with a sparkly rhinestone necklace...


 details of the finger bowls are more visable when they are lit from within







I plan to light large candles in my bathroom during the holidays.



I made a stuffed free range roast chicken dinner with mashed potatoes, green beans and carrots.
It was delicious and the best part is that I have leftovers for a few meals.
No worry dinners for a couple of days while I am focusing on getting Christmas ready.
 I have boiled the carcass and made soup stock
my daughter has a terrible cold
and I plan to make her some chicken soup which is my prescription for healing
all that ails.

The torrential rain has stopped which is fortunate 
as there has been some flooding in our area
 some neighbours have had to pump out their basements.

There's a patch of blue sky and a ray of sun shining down
the birds are chirping and singing
you can almost feel their happiness.
hope that you have a great week!