OOTD or blushing pink and black

OOTD or what I wore to brunch at a luxury waterfront hotel with my family.
Casual, comfortable and a little hint of pink to mimic the cherry and plum blossom trees that are putting on a lovely show for Spring.

Spring Blossoms

Blush pink tank and sweater by Joe

(Superstore and a steal of a deal)

Black pants by Ralph Lauren

ballet flats by Roberto Vianni

Quartz necklace made on the lower mainland by a designer

purchased in Duncan BC years ago while on holiday

at Fabrications.

(a yummy shop chock full of fun fashions)

I can't wait to go back!

The length of the sweater is longer and so soft and cozy.

Arm candy

Kate Spade and a variety of bangles...

Two Tiffanys and the rest handmade by artisans or vintage.

I think with bangles more is better.

Subtle scent for a soft day...

speaking of soft...

Grammy's in love with a special Little Miss.

Isla's skin is sheer perfection

DIL, Lovely daughter and Isla

(her colour blocking did not escape my notice)

A lovely morning spent with beloved family for breakfast and then a sunny stroll along the waterfront.

My heart feels very full.

Share some love with your family this weekend.

Daughter love...and shopping!

I defer to my daughter for advice and her expertise on fashion and make up.
She is younger and very savvy and is on the pulse of what is current.

I was looking for a new eyeliner as the Kohl pencil I had been using was dragging...
when one applies eyeliner without progressive glasses it needs to be simple...

Revlon to the Rescue!

goes on smoothly

with a light hand and can be thick or thin...

Thank you J this is a winner!

Arugula tomato cucumber salad with homemade vinaigrette.

Oven roasted baby red potatoes

tenderloin wrapped in bacon...

quick and easy

it needs to be as 

I was at the salon

for a cut and colour....

until dinnertime

and it's hard to believe

it's been 6 weeks!

Bubbly!

I feel so energized with a fresh cut...

and it's not just the bubbles

my grey locks are in hiding....

J said "smile and don't look so serious"...

I tried...

and tried....

and tried!

Some gals are so photogenic

 not me.

J snapped a dozen or more and we whittled it down to these three!

I am on the hunt for a new handbag 

Macy's sale flyer came a' calling...

I love this Cole Haan number...

look

here

so tempting...

Mr. HB wants to take me away on holiday for my birthday.

I am thinking 

save the money for the getaway

buy in person

Hermes

Tiffany's 

Holt Renfrew

get the whole wrapping experience...

I love the personal touch :)

stay tuned.....

a gal with a fresh cut and a new colour could be a serious shopping diva!

Say Cheese

"Say cheese"...

Cheese is one of the basics I keep on hand in the fridge,
it's a quick and easy snack.
Cut it up and serve it with an apple, pop it on a cracker, melt it on bread, grate it on top of a fresh salad...
it's very versatile.

It's full of fat and that may explain my current shape
I also know it has calcium which is good for aging bones...
combined with daily walks I hope that I am warding off brittle bones.

I was not a regular Costco shopper until a friend showed me the great cheeses that she purchased at even better prices. I now go to Costco every 3 months mostly for cheese.

Behold the latest cheeses...

Large blocks with lots of time before the "best before" dates.

Perfect to have on hand for unexpected guests

I always stock olives, crackers and dried apricots 

which make up a quick and tasty platter

served with a glass of bubbly or white wine.

As I sit at my laptop and type...

I am currently doing laundry and cleaning the oven.

The oven is self cleaning so I can relax with a cup of tea

while sitting in the sunny Bungalow kitchen.

rays of spring sunshine

Modern Family

my current favorite TV comedy.

Mr. HB gave me the second season 

we have the first one

we regularly laugh out loud when viewing the episodes.

"Laughter is great medicine"

Laughter is good for your health

Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.

Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.

Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.

Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

This information was found here.

American Bungalow

we have every issue ever printed

we visited their office when we went to California.

Those were the days when they were a smaller company and worked out of an arts and crafts bungalow in Pasadena.

Our Humble Bungalow was featured in the Family Album section many years ago

we are a Canadian Bungalow and they graciously extended their hospitality to us.

MOO!

Are you in need of a hard working hand lotion?

This one is fabulous.

I wash my hands often working in a school

 so I know what dry chapped hands are all about

this one works miracles.

Don't just take my word for it

 try it and see for yourself.

(no remuneration was offered by the company this is my personal rave review)

The Bungalow is scented with Verbena 

I open windows, run the fan and light a candle when the self clean oven is on

or we are reminded of the roast beef Sunday dinners...

Once Mr. HB came home after I had cleaned the oven 

and when he got in the door he thought we were having roast beef on a weeknight!

I wonder what he'll think when he is welcomed home with Verbena cooking!

I have no idea what we are going to have for dinner as the oven is still "locked" and it's nearly 6 o'clock.

It might be take out tonight!

Birthday Bling a weekend review....

So it's been my birthday weekend.
I am now officially 57 years "young"
sounds much better than saying 57 years "old."

The vintage rhinestone necklace I ordered from Ruby Lane Antiques arrived
I wore it out to dinner...
Sparkles + Twinkles = Bling.

To start the weekend celebrations we dined out Friday at a fabulous French Bistro.
The memory of that tasty meal is still ever so clear in my mind....

French 75 for the Hostess and a martini for Mr. HB...
we started with French Onion Soup,
followed by steak, mushrooms and pommes frites for the main course,
Creme Brulee with two spoons for dessert.
Coffee for Mr. HB and I sipped wine and water as I planned to enjoy a sleep in and caffeine affects my slumber.

French Red Wine

Sterling our waiter, 

recommended a Cotes du Rhone variety.

Fountain 

flooded in a fuchsia light

I snapped this image on my IPhone as we waited for the cab to arrive.

( Faux Fuchsia might like this)

I sent her a copy

 I sent her the Pho Fuchsia eatery from Seattle a few years ago 

and she posted the image on her sidebar.

If you've never been a visitor to her blog you'll be impressed...

she's a busy mom and a lawyer with incredible taste in home decor, food and fashion.

When we got home Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band were on Jimmy Fallon,
we watched our Boss work his magic. We are huge fans!

Saturday lunch with Mother...

I'd dare not show up wearing too much Bling...

I dressed sedately in a black knit skirt, boots, a cashmere sweater, Hermes scarf.

No reason to alarm her at her age.

Saturday evening and it's dinner with friends...
I wore the sparkly choker with
Gap wide legged jeans, black tank top, black long knit sweater and kitten heels.

Janet author of The Gardener's Cottage would have been glued to the TV as Jack White was on SNL.
How was it Janet?
We taped it and will watch it sometime this week.

If you haven't met Janet yet pop by for a visit and say Hi for me.
She embraces frugality and minimalism, gardens, practices Yoga and she's a drop dead gorgeous esthetician who looks far too young to be a grandmother!

Mr. HB designed the paper that he wrapped my gift in...

he's so clever!

Lovely delicate orchid blooms.

I am going to put my feet up and relax 

with In Style and a cup of tea...

It's been a busy weekend

filled with wonderful birthday celebrations

a I feel so Happy.

Thank you

from your 

Humble Hostess

XO

How are things going with you?

Tell me everything...

Say goodbye to that grumpy Hostess!

Gosh I feel like a new woman.
(Would that be something my husband might say?)

The skies were bright blue and there were puffy cotton white clouds as far as the eye could see.
The sun was shining and the birds were chirping, it was warmer and I felt a huge weight lifted off....
if only the scale would agree!

I bought flowers and went shopping and I didn't break the budget.
Exercising frugality has become a way of life.

Primulas are plentiful at this time of year

they are cheap and cheerful

"good for what ails you"

their sunny little faces remind me of pansies

the edges are delicate 

as if a water colour artist had painted them by hand...

the yellow variety have a scent

they are the only ones to have a fragrance

a trio for the front porch

can you see the sunshine in those wee flowers?

I can.

a rather nautical hooded top

with a blue tank underneath

(both pieces are from Joe and cost $22)

Joe Mimran of Pink Tartan designs this clothing line 

sold at Superstore 

the Weston family's retail giant.

a soft blush of pink

tank and sweater

both from Joe $26

I spent $5 on 5 primula plants

less than $50 for 4 pieces of clothing

and 

I'd have to say I feel like a new woman!

So say goodbye to that Grumpy Hostess and Hello to Happy!

I wonder what Mr. HB will say when he reads my blog opening sentence!

I'll be celebrating my birthday this weekend and dining with friends.

What will you be doing?