Lighten up and beat the heat...keep your cool!

Hooray it's sunny!
A fond farewell to wooly layers of cashmere sweaters, socks and scarves!
Welcome to sundresses, tank tops and flip flops!

OOTD

James Perse pants

black V neck top Sympli

Print linen jacket Opus 204 Seattle

silver sandals Bandolino

In summer when the temperature climbs I wilt if I am not dressed in natural fabrics like cotton and linen.
Those fabrics breathe and allow air flow,
I opt for styles that are loose...
I bought some fabulous James Perse linen pants last year in black that are the coolest pants in my wardrobe.
They have a drawstring waist and wider legs...
maybe not the most flattering for my short frame but they keep me cool.
Comfort is imperative...
(I am not a slave to fashion)

Eddie Bauer Linen top

(last year's purchase)

a bit baggy

but a lifesaver when the mercury rises.

Water water water

when I feel a flush

it's water to the rescue.

If I am hydrated I avoid that feeling of "fuzzy brain"

Air conditioned spaces are few and far between here

so we open windows

have cold showers 

and 

sit in the shade!

Salads are on the menu for the season.

Crisp lettuce, fresh herbs and veggies.

a simple homemade dressing

eating light seems right.

Accessorizing has taken on a lighter note

a little arty

a little BOHO

lots of fun!

cooler than a scarf

easy to wear

adds a little something 

 not too serious

 beads like these are easily found

thrift shops here are full of beads and baubles

I like to cruise through import and ethnic themed shops

and survey the wares

cheerful

 pick-me-ups 

await

and summertime is a great time to try something a little different

give yourself permission to take a risk

be a little more of that "artsy cousin"

rather than that sensible "sturdy girl"

to understand these types you must hasten over to Lisa's blog

she is the High Wasp who has a firm grasp on Fashions for the Privileged!

say hello

who knows you might become a follower like me.

I owe a lot to Lisa

hers was the first blog that I followed 

and a few months later I became a blogger myself

Thanks Lisa!

Green Science...OOTD and a new book

Choosing the correct skin care products seems like a daunting task.
There are so many different formulations for every skin type.
Products are targeted to address a variety of concerns...
everything from wrinkles to luminescence.
I just want to keep things simple...

Over the past year and a bit I have been greatly influenced by the lovely
Janet from the gardener's cottage...
(go visit and you'll see for yourself!)
She is an Aveda esthetician living in sunny California and her skin radiates great health.
She practices Yoga, goes for daily walks and is a devoted and enthusiastic vegan.
She has a green thumb and grows the most amazing roses...

She uses and recommends The Green Science Line from Aveda.
So...with that in mind I have bought some sample sizes of the cleanser and toner.
I had hoped to buy the cream but it is back ordered and will be at least two months before it is restocked.
The tourmaline cream is very popular and was suggested as another option.

My skin feels hydrated and smooth

no irritation or redness

and 

after 1 week

I am very impressed.

OOTD

Eileen Fisher capris

white tank JOE

Eileen Fisher shrug/sweater

MeeToo NY shoes

and what's life without a wee bit of sparkle?

so I am going over the top and it's daytime here...

maybe Sophia Kinsella has had an effect on my attire!

I call this type of book...

"mental snack food"

pure escapism and entertainment...

one cannot read Proust 24/7

wishing you a little light in your daily round...

Hugs from the Hostess!

Grammy Talk!

I am feeling content...
our calender is full,
and work is winding down for the summer.
I have waged war on the weeds in the garden...
and I think I just might have the upper hand
(quite possibly an illusion!)

I have moaned and I have cocooned
and I have soaked in the lavender scented soapy suds of the claw foot tub.
Indulged in sleeping long and late...
and have generally given in to the "old bones"

There is a frenzy of activity in the Library, days pass in a blur.
I wonder where the year has gone...
prepare and be ready!

June is full of activity both at home, at work and on the boat.

Our darling granddaughter, Isla is celebrating her first birthday!
(12 days later her mom will celebrate as well)
Mother turned 84 last week...
June is a busy birthday month in our clan.

I have not posted pictures of Isla on the blog out of respect for her privacy.
So you'll have to take it from me that she is lovely beyond measure.
She is petite with fair skin, eyes of blue, and her hair is red!

She is standing on her own,
exploring her surroundings
she says MOM MOM
and DAD DAD
keeps herself entertained with toys and loves books!

When she giggles I feel that all is right in the world!

I had a fun afternoon with her this week

we sat on the deck and played in the sun.

Watching her play

is such a gift.

She loves my bangles!

she loves to put things into and out of containers

math and spatial experiences

simplified

I sense that she is very bright as she picks up on new things so fast.

I am her Grammy so I might be a wee bit biased!

She has weekly play dates...

social skills learned at a young age are of major importance

as children learn so much in such a short time

this year has flown by

and she has gone from a small swaddled bundle

to an active mobile toddler 

with a unique personality

that is developing before our very eyes.

I have the gifts wrapped and ready

there will be cupcakes and cuddles

with family and friends

Can life be richer or more appreciated?

I feel like a sponge

and 

I am savoring all the goodness

Namaste

Hostess approved...

I am thrilled to bits when Mr. HB cooks a meal.
There is nothing that says love like having your sweetheart plan and prepare dinner...
it is tops in my world.

I highly approve of his skill on the grill.
You might be shocked and surprised to learn that I have never ever ignited our BBQ.
It's true...
The BBQ is exclusively "HIS"

On a recent sunny evening we shared this meal together.

These Reidel glasses have large bowls 

 so perfect for the red wine

which we opened ahead of time to allow it to breathe

Kenwood 

produces a bold and smooth Merlot

it has great "legs"

which you can see 

when you swirl the wine in the commodious bowls

on the menu

steaks wrapped in bacon

(Vegetarians look away!)

Steaks need mushrooms

like bread needs butter!

The Hostess loves...

when Mr. HB cooks

 he is King 

of the BBQ!

Grilled steak

 baked potato dotted with butter and sprinkled with parmesan cheese

asparagus

mushrooms

and 

dinner is served.

Cheers!

Thank you darling.

XO

Enjoy your weekend!

Soap Opera...a collection and a question...

I want to sing the praises of Soap...
lather up and get clean
a simple routine that we take for granted...

I am so grateful for indoor plumbing and hot water
my great grandmother had to haul and heat water so she could bathe by the stove
a porcelain jug and a basin filled with hot water were used...

Can you imagine what that would be like?

Just thinking about the work involved boggles the mind!

I love soaps...
and recently discovered this gem of a bar in a local Garden Shop.

Bliss

rapture

aromatherapy

are 

words that popped into my mind

when 

bar extraordinaire...

gave off wafting scents of lavender

almost too pretty to open 

I found myself sniffing the paper

 several times in anticipation

before the purchase

I happily extend my seal of approval 

if you have the opportunity to purchase a bar 

run don't walk

you'll be glad that you did.

Why not add some scent and sensibility to your daily round...

Triple milled

guarantees this bar is going to be around for a long time

provided you have a soap dish for it to rest in.

I am an avid collector

here's the cupboard where they lie in wait for their chance to serve!

Goats milk soap by Camus 

is the soap for every day use 

in The Humble Bungalow shower

I buy it in bulk from Costco

I live about a 45 minute drive from the local big box stores

so I do not go often

I did, however, go this week

oh and the line ups are long 

and people have their carts piled so high 

with all manner of merchandise...

my head spins at the thought!

I found some polished cotton Buffalo cargo pants in grey

and they fit perfectly!

my sister shared a tip with me when there are no change rooms...

take the waistband and wrap it around your neck and if it meets without being too tight

they will fit

I know it sounds odd

but so far it has worked for me!

Cargo's

great for casual outings 

grocery shopping 

to wear while doing heavy lifting required by the inventory in the library

and 

stacking hundreds of textbooks in the book room

My question is...

what do you put in the pockets of cargo pants?

there are pockets front, back, and center!

For now they will remain empty...

any thoughts?