Silver and porcelain...a happy coupling.

Harumi Ota is the clever artist that created this divine bowl.
His work in porcelain makes me swoon.
His use of the traditional blue and white touch on perfection.

This bowl has been used for many salads and pasta dishes.

It sits in the middle of the Humble Bungalow dining room table.

Inside sit a pair of silver salad servers made in Vancouver, BC

by the Acme Company.

They look very simplistic in form and design

but there was something that caught my fancy when I purchased these a few years ago.

 Harumi Ota bowl

this one is shallow and a great vessel for fruit.

It looks lovely with a colourful tomato basil and goat cheese salad too.

Pepper was a kitten about a year ago when she came 

to take up residence in The Humble Bungalow

I remember she could curl up in the larger bowl and have a snooze!

Using lovely things adds so much richness to everyday life.

Do you have something that you love to use everyday?

Does it make you happy each time that you set eyes on it?

(that's why I do not hide the Harumi Ota bowls in a cupboard)

Cashmere sweater research and my OOTD.

Thank you to all those who took the time to share their thoughts about where I might find a new cashmere sweater.

I went to all the sites suggested and was very impressed with what I saw.
I methodically went through and perused the options....
considered the styles, sizing, cost, value, quality and return policies.

One site in particular that was very informative was Pure Cashmere, if you have a few moments you might like to see their great site.
 Pure Cashmere UK

I prefer to buy Petite sizes when I can because they fit better. I am short and I do not like rolling up the cuffs several times and if the length of the garment is too long it looks oddly sloppy on my frame.
Land's End offers a Petite size in cashmere and as was  pointed out by frugal scholar they had a 30% off and free shipping offer on their site.
I took the plunge and ordered a cardigan in....
you might have guessed...

BLACK!
you can see the classic style here.

I am not a fashionista, simply a grown woman who likes to dress in an understated manner. One that suits my no nonsense personality, a look that has taken me years to figure out. Mother nailed her look back in her mid 20's, she has a serious fashion gene, which BTW my lovely daughter inherited.
I, on the other hand, have blundered through life trying to figure this out and in the past few years I can say that I have finally found it!
I am more content with fewer clothes, opting for classics in a basic palette that revolves around black.

Grey has wormed it's way into the closet, and in a big way.
It works so well with my pared down wardrobe and seems to have added a touch of elegance.

I already have one of Land's End's crew neck sweaters
the cashmere is sturdy, warm, and I am happy with the quality.

Mind you, it is a few years old and Land's End may have changed the mill or the source of their cashmere so I am hoping for the best.

Made in Madagascar!

I never noticed that until now.

It has a few pills...

I'll need to find my sweater comb and de pill this one.

Here's what I am wearing on this grey day...

Mee Too silver flats

Joe jeans

Joe white tank top

Land's End grey cardigan

 necklace made by me

pearls

silver

labradorite

It's a chilly Fall day and I have finally given in and put the furnace on...

how's the weather where you live?

Quinoa a grain of distinction....

Quinoa is an ancient grain that the Inca's used and it packs a powerful nutritional punch.
It has the highest protein content of all grains and is a great source of calcium, iron, phosphorus, vitamins B and E.

It cooks up quickly and can be made into many different and delicious recipes.

One that I particularly enjoy is this southwestern style salad.

Southwestern Quinoa Salad

Rinse 1 cup of quinoa in a fine meshed sieve, drain.
Put 1 1/2 cups of water to boil in a medium sized pot.
When the water is boiling add 1/2 tsp. salt and then the rinsed quinoa, return to boiling then lower the heat and cover the pot. Let simmer for 15 minutes, turn off the heat and keep the lid on for another 5 minutes.
Remove lid and stir then set aside to cool.

Saute 2 cups of frozen or fresh corn until just cooked, set aside to cool.

Dice 1 small red onion, 1 red pepper and 1/4 cup cilantro.

Put the cooled quinoa and corn into a large bowl and stir in the onion, red pepper and then add 3 tbsp. lime juice, 3 tbsp. lemon juice, salt and pepper. Stir well and put in the fridge for the flavours to meld.

I like it with fresh salmon or on it's own for a quick and healthy lunch on workdays.

I added some grated carrot to this one and I think this recipe is open for experimentation so have some fun with this one.

Speaking of cooking Sue over at The View from the Great Island is always cooking up something fabulous in her kitchen and she takes such lovely photographs of her culinary creations. I hope that you'll pop over and pay her a visit.

Bon appetit!

Hope that your week is off to a great start.

OOTD and a retirement soiree....

One of my former colleagues retired after 30 years of service and a surprise party was planned after work.
We gathered at a local pub listened to a local jazz band where we shared some stories and had a few drinks.
It was such fun meeting up with people that I worked with for 17 years at a former school.
We shared a lot of history working in an inner city school...challenges with the students made us bond together tightly.
Most are now retired leading full and active lives...
Retirement looks good on them, in fact I think they looked younger.
Maybe it's because they are doing what they feel passionate about and the fact that volunteering has become a regular commitment in their weekly round.
No frown lines creased their brows just happy laugh lines and lots of animated faces as they related all their news.
Topics ranged from travel to books and grandchildren, photos were shared.
I have not seen some of these gals for years but it felt like it was just yesterday the way we picked up where we had left off.
Ease, comfort, long lost friendships...
rekindled.

I wore my Moebius shawl 

with an all black ensemble.

black leggings

black long tunic V neck T- shirt 

Me Too snaffle animal print flats 

loose garter stitch 

made this knitting project a breeze

the alpaca yarn is soft and light

but warm and cozy.

I wore my hair up in a half up do

letting a few curly strands fall as they may

pearls seemed appropriate 

and of course my everyday bangles 

I wore some eye liner and wore a taupe eye shadow.

Evening events and smokey eyes seem to go together.

A quick lick of peachy lip gloss and I was good to go.

Dressed up for after 5 at work is not my usual look

because my principal commented on my attire!

Perhaps I should wear eye make up and pearls more often

and pretend there's a party every day!

Have a Wonderful Weekend!

What I wore to school...OOTD

Working in a school library requires lots of reaching and bending, it is more active than a desk job.
I dress for comfort and ease of movement.
Work appropriate clothing means washable and dressing in layers helps when I get hot...
which has been happening a lot more often lately...
and I thought I was so over that!

Roberto Vianni ballet flats

Gloria Vanderbilt dark wash denim jeans

Symplii black tank top in a jersey knit

Eddie Bauer jacket

An inexpensive ensemble, perfect for my pedestrian life.

Detailing here means no neck adornments.

everyday diamond studs

(a gift from Mr. HB)

wedding rings

a wavy do for the day

and

I am ready for school.

Sadly my brown cashmere sweater which has given me 6 years of cozy service

emerged from the sealed plastic storage container  

with two small holes 

(which I will mend)

I might need to seek out a suitable replacement,

after 6 years I suppose it's time...

Can anyone recommend a good line of cashmere sweaters?

I have looked at Eric Bompard so far...