French Fashion Fancies and a French Apple Cake

Prepare yourself as there's a distinctive French theme running through this post.
My passion for all things French seeps into my everyday living.
It's a curious perseveration...
being so enamored with France.
I do not truly understand it's origin all I know is it's one that I savour and embrace...
and dream about....

This gem of a book is never far from my bedside

I love to re-read the French Fashion Style Guide as it inspires me.

I love this book!

I read it again this afternoon and then spent some time online looking at scenes of Paris.

This comment speaks volumes to me.

"Less Is more"

and one should not overlook the simplest accessory.

They are the humble workhorses in our wardrobes.

 Be they 

expensive and luxe

 unusual and thrifted

better yet 

a gift or inherited!

It's up to you how you add flair

go shopping with an eye for detail

open up to your passionate side and find something that thrills you.

Dare to be different and carry yourself with good posture and confidence.

Keep your skin in tip top condition

and wear a minimum of make up for that French girl "no make up look."

Take time to incorporate some relaxation

channel a sense of calm

 soak in the tub with some scented salts

it's so much more chic than a quick shower.

Don't you feel more feminine just thinking about this?

I bought this French Market Basket several years ago.

I love the idea of walking to the Market and taking this along.

It sounds so romantic and chic...

I've yet to put this into practice!

I'd also love to be able to wear a beret with French cache

but no matter which way I put it on it looks silly.

It's a pity I know but hats generally do not suit me...

Scarves on the other hand 

are multiplying like rabbits here in The Humble Bungalow!

There's something so sensuous about draping a silk scarf around ones neck....

they are so easy to wear

and they always fit!

Hermes booklets illustrate how to wear their scarves

with images of pretty French Femmes on each page.

I keep them with my scarf collection so I can try a new tie when I am in the mood.

J'adore Hermes!

There is no shortage of great books on French Style.

Reading about Paris and Fashion is definitely a guilty pleasure.

Ines de la Fressange is a fashion icon

she has the look that embodies French Chic Style.

Pearls are the perfect accessory...

Coco Chanel loved to wear hers en masse

I have watched several films about her life

 and have read every Chanel book that I could get my hands on.

Wearing a French scent is part of the equation.

Voyage d' Hermes

(my sister wears it too)

Ballet flats 

are the penultimate shoe for The Hostess.

It's been boot weather this winter and I am looking forward to the Spring 

I will be able to wear flats again.

I have Converse sneakers on my list for Spring

and I am looking for some red ballet flats

so far they have eluded me.

French cuisine is all about using the freshest food available 

that one buys locally and in season.

The French love their food and wine.

 They take time to set the table and eat slowly savouring the tastes.

My French friend Cheryl who lives in the South of France part of the year

is a perfect example of a woman who supports the small farmer and the local market.

It is a pleasure to share a meal in her company as she speaks so fondly about the food...

where it came from

who she purchased it from

how it was grown.

Food preparation, the serving and the dining seen through the eyes of a talented artist like Cheryl 

is an enriching and illuminating experience.

Channeling my Inner French Girl is such fun.

My wardrobe has been pared down to a few basics in grey and black bottoms

with white tank tops and shirts.

I am very prudent with my spending and shop carefully.

No impulse buying any more!

There are numerous LBD's some casual and some dressy.

Finding that French wardrobe continues to be a work in progress.

I have learned many lessons and am still attending to that Parisian voice

in hopes that one day I will find myself in France..

or caught between the pages of a new and fabulous French Style book.

           Last but not least...

                                                       Donna kindly sent me the link to her
                                                                    French Apple Cake.

                                                                          Bon appetit!

Do you have a passion for fashion?

Who are your fashion icons and muses?

      I got a comment from the Fashion Police that went into my spam box 

 I tried to get it to publish and sadly Blogger deleted it

I am shattered....

please try sending it again.

Renovation update...

Many bloggers are participating in Frugal February. 

 I am unable to join in due to the renovations in The Humble Bungalow.

It's so exciting to see the changes as they transform this space.
There is a new back door and window to brighten up what once was a dark and dingy laundry room.

Mr. HB is the main man on the job.
There are dry wallers, plumbers and electricians and soon there will be a tile expert on the job.
What is my role you might ask?

I am the sweeper/cleaner/cook.
I have been catering to Mr. HB's culinary desires to keep him happy and motivated!
(so far it's working)

So looking forward to the painting and decorating stage...
when I will weald a brush and go shopping for towels and trinkets to fluff up the space and add my personal touch.

back door

laundry area

Mr. HB's tool and The Hostess's tool

(a lowly broom)

bathroom

wall detail

hallway wall

looking from the guest room down the hall to the laundry area

left is the door to the bathroom

Mr. HB is working very hard on these improvements.

Thanks honey!

We are using Benjamin Moore "Simply White" on the ceiling and walls.

Flooring in the bathroom will be white subway tile with a black accent,

 charcoal grey tile will be laid in the hall and laundry areas

in floor heating throughout the space.

We have ordered a quartz slab for the laundry room counter top.

(quite a splurge)

Mr. HB is going to construct a cabinet under the window in the laundry room for storage.

In our Bungalow storage is rare as hen's teeth.

There will be a new washer and dryer 

I am thinking of the new steam Maytag series in white.

Anyone care to share their thoughts or experiences with the newer washer and dryers on the market these days?

My current set were the first HE series by Frigidaire and they have performed well and given us great service.

My goodness the weekend's almost here...

we'll be busy here on the homefront

tell me all of your lovely plans.

Hostess

XO

Oceanviews and cauliflower bisque

Mr. HB and I took a lovely walk along the seafront recently.
The sun was shining and many people had the same idea...
Navigating the crowded paths found us single file in many spots.

We were met by
joggers and walkers
and strollers
in all sizes and ages
frolicking and fraternizing canines
dog owners mingling and chatting
smiling faces...

with a lively bounce in our steps
a crisp invigorating breeze
job stress and troubles melt and wash away...

glorious sun shining before setting into the salty sea

benches dot the paths

long shadows and scrubby trees

split rail fencing keeps people from venturing too close to the cliff

it's quite a steep drop

plus there's  an ongoing problem with erosion

views of the point where we turn around and come back

I love a warm bowl of soup after a chilly walk.

Creamy Cauliflower Bisque

made by the Hostess

This recipe is so easy and quick to make.

I had a huge cauliflower in the fridge just waiting to be cooked...

 I tried to find a recipe for soup that looked interesting and would taste delicious.

I managed to find a few and then I embellished and augmented the recipes I perused online.

Hostess's Cauliflower Bisque

Wash, chop and cook a large cauliflower in a small amount of water until it is soft.

Puree, set aside.

In a large pot

Cube 4 pieces of bacon and a diced medium onion 

saute together until bacon is cooked and onion is golden and slightly caramelized.

add 1 litre of vegetable stock 

pureed cauliflower, stir well to blend

1 -2 Tbsp. Herbs de Provence

salt and pepper to taste

simmer for 45 minutes

gently whisk in 1/2 c. sour cream

serve with grated Asiago cheese and croutons

Enjoy!

It makes enough for several meals and can be frozen.

I am taking it for my lunches this week

Easy Peasy and so tasty!

Have you any exciting plans for the week? 

I'd love to hear what you are getting up to...

Bungalow maintenance and domestics are on my agenda which

will be interspersed with a trip to the market and a few walks.

"Live with intention. 

Walk to the edge. 

Listen hard. 

Practice wellness. 

Play with abandon. 

Laugh. 

Choose with no regret. 

Appreciate your friends. 

Continue to learn. 

Do what you love. 

Live as if this is all there is."

~ 

 Mary Anne Radmacher

Giveaway Winners and The Fashion Police.

Thank you to everyone for participating in the giveaway!
We were very impressed with the great responses to the qualifying giveaway question
"What makes you feel Chic?'...
it was a difficult decision choosing just one so we have chosen two!
With such great answers we could have given out many copies!

One winner will receive the unread copy of Madame Chic and the other, the Hostess's gently read copy.
Both books are autographed by the author Jennifer Scott.

Congratulations to Rebekah and Laura Gail !
Please email your mailing information and I will pop your books in the post pronto!


 I am not guilty...

Stick 'em up!

2 ply cashmere cardigan by A. Giannetti of Italy

chestnut brown

thrifted

for a song.

I think I got a bargain

I didn't steal it

I paid cash

and yet

I 

I rushed out of the shop

feeling a bit like a criminal!

Like that IKEA commercial...

the one where the woman runs out of the store screaming 

"Start the car, start the car!"

I found a wool duffle coat...

under $10.00

by

MAC N' JAC

way too large

 so I

 took it to my seamstress

who altered it to fit

still boxy but much better on the shoulders and the sleeve length.

It is very pedestrian

but in such a soft wool and cashmere blend

I could not resist!

I wore Gloverall Duffle coats in high school

so it's a bit like walking down memory lane...

Mr. HB wore duffle coats.

Many of my classmates wore them. 

There was a uniform of sorts...

an unwritten code of dress.

Speaking of a code of dress...

There is a witty writer who comments on my blog

when I mention The Fashion Police

                                                          he or she is very entertaining....

                                             I'd like to share their latest comment with you.

Dear HHB,

Lt. Blk. Slashacrosstheeyes of the Fashion Police (5th Precinct), here. The Precinct has been snowed under. Mostly due the immense number of infractions and resultant arraignments made at a recently held award function that shall remain nameless for security reasons. (Oh, Sarah Michelle. Really?) Regarding your recent inquiry on the possible correctness, political or otherwise, of the donning of fur outerwear, the short answer is: You wear leather shoes don’t you?
But let’s see what the Code Book says:
Article II of Sec. 56(ii), tells us “Oftentimes an individual is the recipient of a vintage style of outerwear constructed of one or more animal pelts. This windfall can be considered fortuitus and no citations issued if:
a) it fits;
b) it keeps the wearer warm when exterior temperatures have dropped to the point of Freeze Your Patookus Off; and
c) you could never afford anything so luxurius even with your second income as a Street Harpie.
The wearing of the hide is also allowable under any one or a combination of the following circumstance(s):
a) when worn, the wearer is both holding the collar up and close to the cheek whilst making an entrance through any portal [i.e., the Ritz, a corner dive bar, a bedroom] of any room as it is not WHAT you wear but HOW you wear it – this is key;
b) a sultry stride of entitlement is utilized whilst making said entrance; or in the occurance of a bedroom portal, a casual lean against the door jam, one foot in a slightly raised position behind the other in a kittenish manner and sipping a bourbon;
c) you are Elizabeth Taylor.
However, what must be noted here is the additional importance of what the wearer is wearing underneath, or more specifically, not. If the wearer is: 
a) nude or
b) a little Wacoal (very little); or
c) a satin and lace slip; then not only are there no infractions but kudos are awarded. Extra bankable points can be issued as well if perfume is to be found behind ones knees, one’s pearls match her slip and/or You Can Leave Your Hat On (Tom Jones version), or perhaps a little of Bronislau Kaper’s Butterfield 8 sound track is playing mistily in the background on the hi fi.”

So again, it looks like you’re in the clear on any possible infraction. Thanks to your Great Aunt Tirzah. And you know SHE liked her Tom Jones, even if she never said.
Yours,
Lt. B.S.A.
5th Precinct
Universal Fashion Police


I think this is brilliant and witty...
hope that your week is off to a great start!


Thanks again to the Fashion Police.

What's this?

Do you know what this might be ?

It looks like a bottle cap

but it's not.

any ideas?

Georg Jensen Designed this gadget

Do you give up yet?

It's a bottle opener...

you use the ridge on the underside of this "bottle cap"

to de-cap-itate the bottle!

How about this gadget...

do you know what it's used for?

I love this one and use it regularly.

Looks like something from a Star Wars movie.

Do you want me to tell you?

It's a cap for champagne or bubbly and keeps the effervescence inside until you want another glass

works for many days.

Honestly!

Last one...

an instrument of torture

or

a strong pair of hands?

This brawny gadget will open any jar...

it's a life saver.

Vintage,

 a wee bit rusty

appearances pale compared to the fact 

that it's so trusty.

I ordered some comfy casuals

to wear while doing domestics around the Bungalow.

Why you might ask?

My cleaning gal is off for 6 weeks as she is resting up after surgery.

When she comes here she wears stretchy exercise gear and "works out" while cleaning.

(The Lessons Learned From Madame Chic mentions this too!)

I bought a French terry tunic in grey

which I layered over a black tank top.

Bought some new capri's in black

with a slight scallop at the hem...

see Land's End for more great casuals.

Look here's a late bloomer...

this bulb was sitting in the planter with the Xmas paper whites and never bloomed

until now.

Better late than never!

Is there something that you really want to do in your life?

Well...

what are you waiting for?

Mr. HB and I have narrowed it down to a few candidates for the giveaway

but there is still time to enter if you want to tell us what makes you feel Chic.