Shampoo Spa...a tonic.

A lazy start found me sipping tea in bed
the sun streaming in through the windows
with no definite plans...

What luxury!

It's been awhile since I have indulged in a professional facial and I thought my complexion looked liked it needed an intervention.
I got out my home spa potions and gave myself the royal treatment.

Microdermabrasion scrub which is gentle and safe enough to use on rosacea.

Moisten skin first

 portion out a small amount using a light hand

 move in small circular motions all over the face 

and don't forget the lips.

Rinse well and gently pat dry.

Mix Burt's Bees Mud Mask

with a little water and make a thick paste

sweep over face avoiding the eye area

let dry 5 -10 minutes and remove with warm water 

a dark coloured facecloth is needed for this job.

(as this has stained my white ones before!)

Mist face with water 

or use toner

then slather on moisturizer.

Do not apply make up 

let your skin breathe and glow in it's natural state.

The blood will have been flowing with this attention so you might be a wee bit pink.

Do not worry this is temporary and I have the same reaction when I go to the spa.

This scrub is divine!

(thank you DIL and son)

It sloughs off those unsightly bumps on elbows...

but I use it all over for a silky transformation.

Be careful to wipe out your tub or shower after 

as this product does make it slippery!

Now it's time to moisturize head to toe...

I love Shea body butter for it's luxe spa effect.

Wrap yourself up in a cozy robe...

The robe is not glamourous or chic

but it does have a soft plush feel and is so very cozy 

that I will wear it until it wears out!

It's a humble robe.

Hostess approved Aveda Shampure.

This wonderful shampoo washes my hair, all my cashmere and my brushes.

The middle brush is from Aveda 

the other two are so old I cannot remember where I got them...

I do know though that it pays to buy the best brushes that you can afford 

as they will last forever with the right care.

 (like great lingerie)

Clean

 free from product build up

now air drying in the sunshine.

Did you ever see that classic movie Shampoo?

I love it and will watch it anytime it's on TV.

Here's a montage of clips from the film...

there is some harsh language be warned before you go

  here!

Don't forget to keep hydrated throughout your in home spa day

pour sparkling water into a glass with a wedge or two of lemon for a refreshing drink.

Put it in a pretty glass, perhaps a champagne flute

your spa day should be a rich luxe experience 

one that soothes and rejuvenates

and restores.

During this busy festive season it makes sense to slow down.

Finding some time to pamper yourself 

which restores a sense of calm will go a long way toward

achieving a relaxed state of mind

which is much more attractive and chic than a tired and frazzled one!

Take care and be kind to yourself and to others.

Use gentle words and be mindful...

Hostess gifts, OOTD and a recipe for mette!

When it comes to choosing Hostess gifts my favourites are:
natural beeswax candles
French milled soaps
white potted orchids
floral arrangements
olive oil and balsamic vinegar wrapped in a pretty tea towel
chocolates
or occasionally a specific gift item that I know the hostess would love.
More often than not I give consumable gifts.

I love giving and receiving a thoughtful token of appreciation.

I was asked recently by mette, who writes the fabulous blog metscan if I could show her an easy recipe.
This one is for you mette, I hope that you'll enjoy it!

Chocolate Cranberry and Nut Bark

500 g good chocolate
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup nuts (I used almond slices)

Gently over medium heat melt chocolate in a double boiler, stirring as it melts.
(I used the microwave)
Mix in cranberries and nuts and pour onto a foil lined baking sheet.
Chill in fridge until firm.
Remove from foil and break into pieces.
Store in a tin that you keep in a cold cupboard or the fridge.

My family love this bark!

I hope that you will too.

I indulge in small portions of chocolate as a little goes a long way.

I prefer to let this melt slowly in my mouth savouring the flavour.

Pepper the Fashion Police is giving these new walking shoes the once over...

they look rather serious

and they are sublime when it comes to support and comfort.

Not the most fashionable but they serve a purpose.

Josef Siebel does make great shoes...

 in my humble opinion 

they are expensive.

Thankfully I balance out cost with thrift.

Here's the Saks Fifth Avenue cardigan that I found for a song.

I am wearing it with dark denim Vanderbilt jeans 

(purchased on sale for under $40)

and my new shoes.

($160)

I'm adding my Eddie Bauer down jacket 

my cashmere scarf from ClubMonaco

as there is frost on the ground

the skies are brilliant blue

and the sun is shining 

can't wait to get outside!

Christmas is just around the corner...

I have only one gift left to buy

I'm meeting up with some of my besties for lunch this week

and need to pick up the free range organic turkey from the butcher 

and get fresh veggies and then I am done.

If you celebrate Christmas as I do

what is your favourite part?

For me it's friends, family and food.

Happy Holidays to you and yours...

The Hostess is feathering the nest...

The Humble Bungalow gets a wee make over for the holidays.
Nothing drastic, just a few natural touches are brought in to play.

Paper Whites are blooming

sweetly scenting the kitchen.

An amaryllis stands tall on the Bungalow mantle in the living room.

Hosting the annual turkey feast for the family means a fancy dressed up table.

I like to change up the colour of the cloths and napkins.

This year I am using a black and silver theme.

The cloth and napkins are black,

the accents silver.

I needed some sparkle so I went shopping for some bits and bobs.

Reindeer votive holders will be placed in the centre of the table 

and I will find some fresh cut boughs to add a touch of green.

Some bling for the napkins!

Beaded rings will wrap the black napkins...

a touch of icy sparkles.

I'll take a photo when I have the table ready before the guests arrive and post it after Christmas.

OOTD

(Sunday)

I wore black leggings over a long black tunic top and the grey and black striped sweater

bow toed patent leather party flats

we were off to a brunch with friends

our hostess makes entertaining look effortless

she put on a sumptuous feast for 20 or more

(I didn't count)

We were greeted at the door by her husband 

who had Caesar's mixed up and ready to pour

we had one in our hands 

almost before he shut the door!

After mingling and chatting as everyone arrived our hostess laid the table with a colourful array of tasty food.

Quiches, fritttata's, ham, cheeses, bagels, greek yogurt, fruit salad, beans, artisan sausages

juice, coffee and tea.

It was a wonderful chance to socialize and a great way to jump start the holidays.

Thank you L!

Here's Pepper taking a break.

She is one of those cats that doesn't like to drink out of a bowl.

I might have mentioned this quirky habit of hers before on the blog.

She has been a bit naughty with the Christmas tree as she likes to sit underneath and bat at the baubles.

I am making rum balls today

here's the recipe if you want to try them.

Hope that your week is off to a great start.

Family matters

Our annual traditional tree decorating Pizza Party was on Friday.

Our tiny  Charlie Brown Christmas tree was draped with vintage ornaments and glass garlands.

Vintage birds

German pine cones...

and 

small glass baubles.

The littlest angel helped keep our spirits bright

her smiles and charms worked their magic.

She is the shiniest star in our lives.

We are so blessed.

Mr. HB's Mother had a fall and her caregiver thought that she needed to have an X-ray.

One phone call and
everything changes.....

Mr. HB spent the better part of his day sitting in the Emergency Ward waiting...

trying to keep his Mother calm and reassure her.

It's good that they went to the hospital because the X-ray showed a broken elbow.

We are getting advice from the orthopedic surgeon,
and await a consultation with her GP.
Surgery can be risky and  hospitalization will be somewhat unsettling for her as she is almost 94, likes familiar surroundings and a predicted routine.

I was at home preparing for our annual Family Tree Decorating Night while Mr. HB was with his MOM at the ER.
We had no inkling that her fall had been so serious.
I am so grateful that I could be kept updated by texting...
because my first reaction was to postpone the pizza party and rush up to help out...
it is so hard not knowing what's going on in a situation such as this one
and the waiting just escalates worry and fear.

The kids arrived and we ordered pizza and munched on appetizers until Mr. HB made it home.
The darling Miss Isla kept us entertained!
She had fun opening and closing the kitchen cupboards and taking out the contents and putting them back.
She repeated this many times and what a twinkle she had in her eyes...
she also left me a wee tomato lipped kiss mark on the glass at the front door
a sweet reminder that I will leave up for a few days because it brings me joy.

It's times like this that remind me of how grateful I am for our family and dear friends.

Friends and family really do matter.
hold tight
stay close
and hug often.

Hostess,
XO

Wishing you a Happy and Joyful Weekend.

Domestic helpers and Rosacea Salve

We recently broke a very large Reidel wine goblet,
it snapped with very little force and I was concerned that Mr. HB had sliced his hand.
He was fine but the goblet was a goner.

I have a thing about thick walled wine glasses.
I really truly hate them!
I've tried to like them but I cannot abide the width when sipping from them.
We have owned some for years and I have finally donated those that have been taking up space in the cupboard.
I feel so much better now because they annoyed me every time I opened the door.
De-cluttering is so wonderful...

We have some thin crystal glasses which feel great in the hand and are very light to hold.
They are very fragile and so I hand wash them very carefully.

I use foamy cleaners that we bought from Williams Sonoma in Vancouver.

Use lots of soap and hot water

gently wipe

place on a tea towel and let air dry. 

Luigi Bormioli 

makes titanium reinforced stemware which is much more durable

and they are whisper thin.

These gloves have a ridges which grip so the glasses do not slip out of my hot soapy hands.

Our farmhouse porcelain sink is not very glass friendly

many a chip has happened by accident

and I do not use any chipped china or glassware.

It repels me.

Chips in crystal and china are to me 

what Faux Fuchsia feels about chipped nail polish.

The weather has turned very cold, there was ice in the birdbath this morning.

The grass is frozen and the front stairs were treacherous.

I hung on tight to the handrail on the way down.

The skies are a beautiful clear blue and the trees silhouetted against that backdrop look amazing.

Outdoor lights twinkling in the icy and frosty nightlight

in the Humble Bungalow front yard.

I am so happy that I purchased the down puffer coat this fall

I am toasty and warm on my walks.

My face is the coldest part of me when I walk.

I have rosacea

and cold air exacerbates the skin condition.

It is troublesome,

 as the skin becomes quite pink and stays that way.

Products that have alcohol or with hazel are to be avoided as they irritate and inflame the skin.

Gentle natural ingredients are the way to go.

I spoke with the esthetician at the local Pharmasave 

who coincidentally suffers from Rosacea.

She has taken many workshops and has spoken to the skin care representatives about their products

 with the hope of finding a line that helps her skin look it's best.

She suggested that I try the Sea Buckthorn Salve 

 it was 1/3 rd. the price of any other product for Rosacea on the shelf.

I am testing it out and will be returning to report back to her in a few weeks.

It is rich in natural oils

goes on smoothly

imparts a glow

and has no scent to speak of...

Rebekah over at Cupcake Caramel

is having a similar problem.

I wonder if this salve would help settle her skin...

I think I'll let her know about this product

maybe it'll help her rash.

Hope that your week is off to a good start.