Back to school wardrobe....basics that might bore you and a lip dub that won't!

The rain today reminded me that summer is slowly turning to fall.

In just a few weeks we will be back to school.

I have been giving some serious thought about what clothes  I "need" and what I "want". Embracing minimalism and thrift without suffering.

In the Library of a Middle School, one needs to dress age appropriately, professionally, and look polished.
The clothing needs to be comfortable for the physical aspects of the job. Everyday bending and reaching for textbooks and shelving of books necessitates that clothes do not gape or are too low cut to expose too much flesh.


Think of the "dress code" which dictates what is acceptable for students and it does transfer to staff.

I have spent enough money over the years to know that washable is preferable to dry cleaning and sturdy fabrics are worth their weight in gold.
Many a cashmere cardigan has been lost to the wear and tear of the job.

Dressing in layers is necessary...
heavy lifting, air conditioning and floor to ceiling windows factor into this decision!

My back to school basic need list:
Black fitted denim jeans, unadorned for versatility.
Black shoes which might be loafers this season.
White tops in a jersey knit, one with long sleeves one short.
Grey cardigan professor/boyfriend style in a short petite length.
Black cable knit V neck cardigan in wool for warmth.

I already have dressy pointe skinny leggings
a crisp white shirt
black jersey short sleeved top
black knit A-line skirt
several work appropriate black knit jersey dresses
grey tunic top with zippers (NEW)
undergarments (NEW)
Several long waterfall sweaters in black, grey and tweedy knits
and flats in silver and leopard print

Pearls, bangles, brooches, colourful scarves, and a few belts are waiting to add some interest with what might sound like a very boring work wardrobe.

Vintage baubles make up most of my brooch collection.

This was a gift from Lovely daughter

Thanks J!

Vintage boots

I would like some red shoes and new boots...
but they are on my "want list" not my "need list."

Behold the Bungalow Romneya

blooming on a sunnier day.

Lovely contrast of texture in yellow against that frothy papery dress she's wearing.

Or maybe a mustard yellow cardigan might be fun!

What would you add?

Any thoughts or suggestions?

What are your impressions of how the staff at your children's / grandchildren's school dress?

P.S. If you want to see an energetic campus lip dub....check this out
and I hope that put a smile on your face...
our young people have so much energy...
I think we've got to love that.

PH level eating...who knew?

The Humble Bungalow Garden is providing us with some great produce this summer.
Zucchini, swiss chard, potatoes, and red and yellow beets to name a few.

I love yellow beets and not just for their sunny colour 

they taste delicious.

We use the beet greens too.

No waste here, 

just rinse well and gently steam them in a little water 

until slightly wilted.

Vitamin packed with goodness,

and one of Mr. HB's favourites.

I've been reading about inflammation in the body.

The kind that causes aches and pains.

If the body is too acidic it is inflammatory and can cause all manner of troubles...

who knew?

Apparently some problems can arise that are much more serious than just an occasional ache or twinge.

Reducing the consumption of meat, grains and dairy helps rectify this situation.

Greens and veggies are touted to be the body's best friend.

If you want to read more...

Town and Country published an article in the September 2011 issue.

Amy B. Thomas discusses going alkaline

and she mentions a book by Robert O. Young 

 "The PH Miracle: Balance Your Diet, Reclaim Your Health"

I am not prepared to give up all meat, grains and dairy.

My thoughts are to have a wide variety of all the food groups.

As Mother and Father used to say...

"everything in moderation"

Avocados are very alkalizing...

tomatoes too...

Here is an alkalizing tasty salad recipe...

(thank you BFF!)

If you have a mandoline slicer 

you might like to use it for the zucchini 

you'll save some time.

Fresh goodness in a bowl

which accompanied a BBQ Sockeye Salmon dinner.

I served the Whitewater Cooks recipe for Arugula Salad

Vegetable Rotini Pasta Salad 

Stuffed Devilled Eggs

with artisan bread

dessert: 

Cantaloupe melon slices with

 "homemade chocolate cookies."

(Thank you to lovely DIL!)

Whitewater Cooks Arugula Salad

Hope that you enjoy this interesting salad

it has a peppery flavor from the arugula 

and the sweet dressing is complimented 

by the Manchego cheese and toasted hazelnuts.

It really works well together.

YUM!

Dishes are loaded in the dishwasher

counters wiped

all is quiet

even Pepper has gone to bed.

I'll be turning in very soon myself

It's been a busy day.

I love having the family come by for visits

the house feels more like a home when my kids come by

the sounds of young voices

the laughter...

The lovely Miss Isla's visit was a highlight!

I have to admit I am totally under her spell.

I could sit and watch her every movement for hours

she is perfection.

The Westminster clock has chimed 10 bells

so I am off to slumber.

Sweet dreams to all.

Happy Birthday Mr. HB

Mr. HB is celebrating his birthday.
Last evening we dined with friends and lovely daughter at a waterfront restaurant outdoors.
I should have snapped a few images on my new IPhone but I was engaged in the conversation and enjoying the view.

Mr. HB comes from a Scottish background 

and he does love single malt scotch.

 Lagavulin is his tot of choice.

I thought this card was suitable for this occasion.

I am having the family come by for an afternoon and dinner.

I am immersed in food preparations so without further ado I must run.

I've got to harvest some beets, make a few salads, stuff a few eggs, and go buy a salmon for the BBQ.

Cheers!

Have a lovely weekend

and stop and smell the flowers.

That 70's Show...

If you have been around as long as I have you probably have some relics from your past.
I cannot part with certain oldies because they are truly goodies.

Happily the avocado appliances have long worn out and been replaced with stainless steel!
There are a few reminders of days gone by that I unearth every so often when I go foraging in the dark recesses of the cupboards.
I have a twinge that stops me in my tracks a startling reminder of my youth when I spy these pieces.  I marvel at how much water has gone under the bridge!
Older, wiser, and a wee bit wizened...

Lavender freshly picked and popped into this circa 1970's pottery vase.

Mr. HB and I were married in 1974 and this teak salad bowl was our first wedding gift.

It has a few bumps and scratches 

but considering how many salads we have served in it since '74

it is remarkable that it exists today at all!

Crisp romaine lettuce washed, spun and torn...

the beginning of a great easy peasy meal.

Caesar Salad 

a Humble Bungalow staple.

I use a Braun whisk to blend this in a tall container.

I have one by Baumix called ZauberStab

 it is like many that come with the Braun whisk.

Whatever you use it must be taller and slimmer or you'll end up 

spattered with olive oil

trust me on this!

I dress the salad just before serving and often omit the croutons.

Remember potpourri?

I had bowls of the stuff and kept it until it got truly dusty and musty.

Today I throw a few rose petals in a bowl after the current rose bouquet starts to droop

and leave the scent to waft about the room.

What relics from your past do you have in your possession 

that you cannot bring yourself 

to part with?

Calling, texting, and cruising the net just got so much easier...

I have had a cellphone since 2003.
It was never a snazzy jazzy swanky phone...
just a simple dial and talk model in basic black.

My adult children are way ahead of me and so is Mr. HB...they all have IPhones.
Most people that I know have Smartphones, Blackberry's or IPhones and I was feeling left out as my kids text instead of talking,
it's free with most plans so that's a no brainer.

My dear Husband has been encouraging me to get one for the past few months and I was resisting.
Why? I really don't know.
So we went together and bought one.

The Humble Bungalow Roses

are carried with me as are thousand of my photos

especially my "brag book" with sweet Isla's images.

I sent my first texts to my children letting them know I was now "available to chat" (text)
The second text was to my BFF which said...

"Hi! I just got an O"...

I inadvertently hit send instead of backspace.
We were sitting on a bench in the mall laughing so much my eyes teared up and I could not see clearly for a few moments to resend the correct text message.

So I am on a learning curve...
I feel that I have entered the 20th Century...or rather the 21st Century...
(those grey haired moments have been happening a lot more frequently!)

I keep this vintage landline as it works during a power failure

and I love the sound that it makes when dialing.

When I was young we were on a party line which meant that another family shared the same line.

My sister and I would listen in and eavesdrop if Mother was busy elsewhere.

(she would have grounded us if she caught us)

Sometimes our breathing or snickers would be audible by the other party and they would say

"if you don't get off this phone right now I am going to tell your Mother"

Those were the days when Father had an egg timer by the phone and 3 minutes was the extent of our conversations.

I remember turning the sand filled vessel over before time had elapsed to see if I could talk for longer.

Often if Mother and Father were enjoying a pre dinner cocktail I'd get away with it.

Most of the time though my sister would come by and say in a very loud voice...

"I'M TELLING!"

Things have really changed.

Have you resisted embracing change

or are you the first on the bandwagon?