Fashion, Maye Musk, and our lovely daughter's newest jewels...

Magazines are a great source of ideas and are easy to pick up and put down.
In the spirit of Thrift I have limited myself to two subscriptions...
Town and Country and Fashion magazine.

Country Living UK is purchased monthly at a local booksellers.

Magazines find their way to the table in the staff room at work so I can get my fill of In Style, Vogue and numerous other fashion magazines.

I am very impressed with Fashion Magazine...
"Canada's No. 1 Fashion and Beauty Mag"

I read the articles instead of just skimming through and checking out the pictures.
This was my last issue and I have just renewed for another year...
a great value too.

The classic style is what I aspire to...

here they showcase a few things that I love

a man size watch

white shirt

jeans

Hermes scarf

red flats

big sunglasses

a sturdy handbag/tote

striped Tee

a simple dress

and a bold piece of jewelry

and

isn't Audrey lovely?

There's a spread called "White Noise"

and the white fashions are modeled by stunning

femme d'un certain age

(62 going on 63)

Maye Musk 

She looks fabulous with her shiny silver hair and glossy red lips...

it's obvious that she takes care of herself

and after perusing her site I can see that she is an amazing gal.

Lovely daughter who celebrated her 32nd this week

spent some time shopping 

and her trained eye

picked out a couple of real bargains

It helps that she has great eyesight

I would have missed what she zeroed in on...

hallmarks

Victorian 

9 carat chain

and 

turquoise and seed pearl pendant

Such a sweet piece

under $10.00

Sterling silver

cultured pearl pin

 14 carat gold stamen tips 

$5.00

Lovely daughter is very lucky when it comes to finding treasures

her art history background helps

as does her knowledge of jewelry styles.

Years of watching The Antique Roadshow

perusing reference books

a keen eye 

 a desire to acquire

and 

the love of the hunt

all work together

in her favour

she takes great delight 

in wearing her treasured finds.

If you go to thrift or charity shops,  

garage sales

or 

car boot sales

what has been your best find?

Humble Bungalow China

We have everyday and entertaining china here in the Humble Bungalow.

I opened the glass fronted cupboard doors so that you might see the everyday basics

The white set is Maxwell Williams

The platter on left is vintage English Ironstone

the one on the right is Meissen

Vintage Franciscan Ware in "Sprout"

and a random collection of mugs

Emma Bridgewater, Dunoon, and some vintage Hornsea.

Sandwich and tea cake plate and cup

a gift from Mother when she downsized to her condo

Such a handy set for an afternoon tea

I have other bone china cups and saucers in the dining room cupboards

The entertaining china...

Royal Albert Lavender Rose

as chosen for us by Mr HB's mother and her cousin

back in 1974

Platters teapots and a punch bowl

hiding behind closed doors waiting...

 for a party

Family events, celebrations, buffets, pot lucks, and holidays

all see this china make an entrance

I have only ever broken one piece

unfortunately 

it was a large platter 

which to replace was over $200

White china is so versatile

styles can be mixed and matched

I am finding the white everyday pieces to be such a great basic

and they have made their way into the dining room more often than the entertaining china has recently!

Do you have a set for everyday and special occasions?

Or do you have one set for both?

What colour/pattern/style do you prefer?

Moet and Chandon, Sunshine and Pepper

The sun has come out after an afternoon hailstorm.
It's been a lazy day here in the Humble Bungalow...

Pepper is napping in the sun

she loves to find a sunny spot to curl up in...

It makes me want to climb back into my bed and have an afternoon nap myself!

She is enjoying a lazy day too.

Champagne anyone?

I found a new tote

it's so much 

better than using plastic or paper bags.

It is very sturdy and has nice leather detailing

I'm not one who likes a lots of logos on display but this label is very subtle.

My grocery bags are rather glaring as they have the store's name in bold large lettering

and I feel like I am advertising their business when I use them

and I suppose that I am in a way.

I must see what I can find that is more to my liking.

Pepper is checking it out...

I wonder if it meets with her approval.

Songbirds outside are keeping Pepper entertained as they flit about in the garden

she loves to sit up on her perch

 and look outside.

The Humble Bungalow is filled with light and the sound of birdsong

Pepper's kitty grass sitting on the windowsill

she loves her greenery.

The grass in the garden is really growing fast and needs to be mown every week now.

Many plants in the garden are sprouting forth

after the winter slumber

I hope to get out and tackle the jobs that need to be done

but not today.

I am giving myself a day off

a day of rest

and day to listen and look

 and just be.

What did you get up to this weekend?

A not-so-white Wednesday!

I knew it would come to this at some point...
I just never thought it would be so soon!

Colour is creeping into White Wednesday
and the other days of the week for that matter.

Mother and I are planning to go to Seattle for some cross border shopping soon.

We stay at our Home Away From Home 

The Mayflower Park Hotel

lovely suites

friendly staff

 award winning martini bar Oliver's

room service for a superb breakfast

and a great restaurant for dinner

I felt the need for a cross body bag

one that allows easy access 

and is hands free.

It is customary that I take Mother's arm

we link arms so she can walk unencumbered by a walking stick 

and I help her negotiate uneven pavement.

Red roses on a black leather background

made in Italy by Maurizio Taiuti

my friend L suggested this rose bag to add that "fun factor"

she knows me well

and accepts my conservative style

she who has a flair for fashion

 embraces arty bold and creative styles

 Be brave 

and buy the bag

after all she says 

it's only money!

I can be Brave

and I do like Fun!

Purchased at Winners 

for under $100

many sections = user friendly

hands free

Win WIn Win

Friend and house guest L 

and 

I went for a pedicure 

at a local esthetic school

it was a no frills experience

yet

 seriously professional 

OPI  Texas

"Houston we have a purple"

was chosen by both of us!

we enjoyed a complimentary hand wax

this treatment was very moisturizing

and warm

The young woman who gave me my pedicure was so sweet

she couldn't have been a day over 19 and she has already secured a job in a Spa in her hometown.

The cost of this experience was 1/3 of what I usually pay...

the atmosphere is very plain, it's a school 

there are no soft cozy terry cloth robes 

 mineral pools or saunas

 fresh bowls of fruit

 water or herbal teas

or 

Bento Box lunches

BUT

 the treatment is the same...

and the students are closely supervised

I might go back!

Houseguest L has now departed

the Bungalow is quite quiet

it's amazing how much two friends can talk about when they get together!

I find that spending time with friends who have a certain style

influences me

 I see myself in a clearer light

while appreciating the uniqueness that makes them who they are.

I cherish the time that I spend with my family and friends.

Wishing you a Rose-y Fun Filled White Wednesday!

Hostess

Wardrobe basics Hostess Style and a close encounter with Chanel!

Embracing thrift through the CPW ( cost-per-wearing ) factor makes sense.

Take for example the $100 pair of ponte knit black pants that I purchased in the fall of 2010.
I wear these pants at least 3 times each and every week.
They are so versatile and more to my liking they are comfortable, machine washable, hang to dry, retain their shape and so far, retain their crisp black hue.
(Proportion Petite by Conrad C)

All I need to do is to choose a variety of different tops to change up the look and keep it fresh.

Silky rayon cotton blend tunic top

Cleo

I do not feel that I need to have a huge wardrobe....in fact too many choices stress me out.
I find it difficult to decide what to wear when there are too many garments hanging in my closet.
My closet here in the Humble Bungalow is very tiny so it is best that I don't overstock.

Style and Co.

tunic top

which fits small so I had to go up 2 sizes...ugh!

grey and black striped waterfall sweater 

grossgrain ribbon bow in back

Gilmour

with

 black V neck long tee 

 Splendid

grey knit tunic 

INC

I've worn this top at least once a week since I purchased it

rayon scarf

charcoal ruffle front top

Press

Ballet flats

black and Platinum

Mee Too NY

Bold unusual ethnic

"Statement Jewelry" 

is being showcased 

 as a Spring fashion 

"trend"

while I do not ascribe to trends per say

I do admire and collect different pieces that speak to me.

Holidays are a great time to source out interesting and fun pieces. 

They are not too usually too bulky to pop into a suitcase or better yet wear them home!

I bought this necklace at a local Cancer fundraising silent auction many months ago.

Guy Vidal Canadian Designer

circa 1970

same piece reversed 

Decor here these days reflects the black and white theme....

House Dressing Hostess style!

Bungalow kitchen bench seat cushions

distressed country style bench 

with gingham cushion

Hostess Mitts

Hogweed tea towel

from the UK 

go here

Coco Chanel's influence 

affects me here today

in the Humble Bungalow.

I had the opportunity to try on a Chanel tweed jacket in local high end consignment store.

It would have been a perfect partner for my black pants or jeans

I was completely gob smacked by the quality of construction and the luxe fabric

details, details it's all in the detail

subtle Chanel buttons

ragged tweedy bits jutting out at the cuffs

 embossed with  "Chanel" on the champagne toned silk lining 

wearing it made me feel posh

Posh in a good way, not in a snobby way

the smile of knowing one has such a garment 

without screaming crass

just class

I did not get the jacket

it was too snug

pout pout...

Time to shop my closet...

 Chanel-esque

as interpreted and designed 

by 

Simon Chang

The CPW is higher

currently at around $10 

 it will be around for many years to come

so the CPW will decrease.

Marcel Boucher vintage brooch

which currently resides on the Simon Chang jacket.