You' ve got mail....

Look what came in the post today.

I love receiving letters and parcels and today there were two surprises!

Both from ladies who have connected with me through The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Blogging has offered many opportunities to "meet" up with other women.

I have met up with two local bloggers.

I got the chance to shop with the savvy fashion blogger Sheila at Value Village and had coffee with Pondside another local blogger after randomly being spotted and identified at my favourite houseware consignment shop.

Emails, cards, letters and gifts both locally and internationally have been such an umexpected bonus.

Friendships fostered through the internet reminds me how we all share a commonality.

Expanding our horizons offers opportunities for better understanding of customs, cultures and personal tastes.

Tea 

a generous and thoughtful gift from a follower

these are her favourite teas.

I am keen to brew a pot and savour the flavour.

Thank you Peg!

A postcard from Jeanne

Collage of Life.

The caption says

"Mars and Venus mow the lawn"

I received a postcard from Jeanne from the UK about a year ago.

This wire heart rack holds very special cards

it sits on the plate rail in the family room which is just off the Humble Bungalow kitchen...

Thank you so much for sharing yourselves with me

I appreciate getting to know you all better.

I love to hear your "voices" as they join me in my daily round.

I'm off to put the kettle on...

please join me for a cup of tea.

About face: amping up the arsenal in skin care.

Recently I have noticed more lines and deeper wrinkles and some slackening of the skin on my face.
Fear not it is normal for a woman of my age.
By 57 I have earned the right to have a few signs of age and as a mature woman I am not distressed or overly concerned about it.
Having said that I am not about to "give up" and do nothing.

I have always loved what Fiona has to say about her skin regime...wise words that make sense.

Sadly, the lovely and gracious Fiona from How to Be Chic is closing her blog.
Hers was a blog that I always delighted in reading....
pop on over and read what she has written in her posts and wish her well in her new endeavours.

Laying about this weekend meant that I could do some online research...
I refreshed my memory of what is important and what new weapons I could add to my daily routine and those products available that I could afford to employ.

Believe it or not there were serums and potions that were priced at over $300 for a month's supply.

Let's be realistic too,
we need to first eat healthy colourful foods to nourish the skin from within.

These veggies are so simple to make

wash and chop any desired veggies into sizes that when roasted will not be wilted

for example the carrots take longer than the zucchini to cook

so I leave the zucchini thicker.

Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with Herbs de Provence

heat the oven to 400 degrees and bake for 35 minutes.

Eat warm

or use as a salad and sprinkle with feta cheese.

Remember that water is vital for our organs, digestion and to keep our skin soft and supple.

I bought a stainless water bottle which I take to work, leave beside my bed at night 

and use in the kitchen when I am cooking.

If it's nearby and handy I drink water often.

I need to add flavour so I pop in a wedge of lemon or lime and I am a happy sipper!

I read a startling article on ditching the sugar for younger looking skin

you can read that here.

If you are over 40 there is information online 

that says you need to choose between your body weight and your face.

Being over weight most of my life this for once is "good news."

Everything else I have read makes me feel miserable about my weight.

(That's why I was swimming laps)

and as a result I am injured.

I have signed up for a less invasive Yoga class at the studio nearby

and will revisit the pool when I am pain free.

Reduce stress

yes stress can show up on your face.

Walk 

meditate

practice Yoga

be creative

get a pet

rest 

Invite and embrace JOY...

happiness looks great on everyone.

Remember to SMILE!

(consider whitening and brightening your teeth if they are stained) 

Research also indicated and suggested that adding a cream or serum with potent ingredients 

like Vitamin C or fruit acids would help.

There are so many websites on skin care it's enough to make your head spin

you have to filter what you read.

Hyaluronic acid seems to be a trusted reliable and well researched ingredient.

Cautiously I explored more on this as I need to be mindful of the Rosacea.

The next step was a walk to the local pharmacy where I buy my Avene line of skin care products.

I needed to chat with the Avene cosmetician whom I trust and respect and get her advice.

Avene

Eulage anti ~ wrinkle cream

Hypo ~ allergenic

I like how my skin feels after using this cream, it feel soft and tighter.

The cosmetician suggested that I start using it every other day for the first week to avoid any reaction.

So far so good...

Cold Cream lotion for my body

which after the winter has been quite dry.

It's soft gentle scent lingers long after you've put it on.

Gift ~ with ~ Purchase

a cute travel pouch

full of freebies.

Full size eye make up remover

and smaller travel sizes of product.

New Revlon with Shea Butter 

perfect for dry lips

glossy and available in a variety of fabulous shades

I grabbed two...

Don't forget to wear sunscreen 

and 

get a good night's sleep every night.

Wear your signature smile in style

in a bright and possibly daring new shade!

Now go out and have some FUN!

XO

TGIF and my newest scarf trick

Gosh I am so happy that it's Friday.
Nasty pain has been an unwelcome issue plaguing my upper back and neck.
OUCH!
I have had one massage and am scheduled for another one later today.
My masseuse has magic hands you'll have to trust me, she really is worth her weight in gold.

I think it must have been swimming laps at the pool that made these muscle seize and go into spasm.

I have been avoiding the computer and so there has been a lack on my part of commenting on the comments that you have so kindly left...
my shoulders seem to be up at my ears when I type so please accept my humble apologies...

In a magazine I was perusing I saw a new scarf trick which I liked very much because it felt less structured than my usual ties.
So I grabbed one of my Hermes scarves and simply tied in once and then on the second knot I didn't pull the end all the way through...

I'll pop a jacket over this and the scarf will add just a dash of colour

it will certainly say "rain rain go away"

and I hope it does!

The garden flowers are enjoying the moisture...

Last week when I went to the Spa 

(salt scrub, massage and wrap)

they offered me fresh fruit and yogurt 

tea and sparkling water.

Nibbling in the posh atmosphere wearing a plush white terry robe made me feel like royalty.

I did feel spoiled...

(thank you Santa!)

So

I have been indulging in French Vanilla Activia here in The Humble Bungalow

ever since...

I try to seize these snippets and savour them.

I wish you all a weekend with many moments of happiness and JOY!

Be Well.

Google format is changing...OOTD

I got a notice that Google was changing it's format in April and my style of learning is the experiential type so I have been practicing with this new layout and find that I prefer the former one.
It's not up to me what Blogger does I am just expressing my humble opinion for what it's worth.
Will anyone at Blogger care?
I doubt it!

Meanwhile things are ticking right along here in The Humble Bungalow.
The rain seems to be endless this week...

the view from my kitchen table this morning

I have hired a strong fellow to help me whip the garden into shape.

He has uncovered the patio which was overgrown with creeping thyme.

I must say that I like having help as he has cleaned up a big mess in two days.

The deer have been feasting on the tulips out in front of the Bungalow and I am not amused.

I know they need to dine but I am not providing a salad bar for them.

Short of digging up and moving all my bulbs I will just have to grin and bear it.

More of the garden views will follow on a sunny day.

OOTD

Remember that shopping day at Superstore?

I purchased the blush pink tank top for $2.97 and this soft sweater for about $20.

I spoke with my BFF and she went shopping and bought lots of Joe Fresh stuff too.

For my job it makes so much sense to wear clothes that look good, are washable and do not cost the earth.

It's been eons since I have worn any pink but I am loving this combination.

The pearls are soft and glow...

that's about all that's happening here

I'll be back soon

XO

 One of my readers is having some health issues and I 'd like for us to collectively send her some positive thoughts.

She and I were going to meet for tea and some thrift shopping this week but something showed up on an x-ray and her doctor is fast tracking her for a Cat Scan...

Be strong

be positive 

 entertain optimistic thoughts.

Thinking of you and please take care.

XO

Let there be light....

The weekend was sunny and there was a feeling of lightness in the air.
Lawn mowers, people laughing, children playing, sounds heard while I got outside and busied myself in the garden.
The birds were singing non stop and I saw a pretty little yellow bird which I believe is a Common Yellowthroat.
The sunshine went a long way to perking up the spirit...

My muscles are sore and I am weary.
It's a good feeling that one earns and owns
knowing it's the reminder of a hard days work.

The light inside the bungalow was simply too bright to ignore.

the cross and olive crystal cake stand

came to life

 sparkled

and 

reflected it's rays on the walls

it's the little things that make our daily round worthwhile

if I get too busy I often forget to pay attention

slowing down does have it's benefits

simple white vessel

a newly found vintage piece

light and shadow

play upon it's sleek finish

Pepper slept most of the day on our bed 

a south exposure means it's one of the sunniest rooms in the Bungalow.

It was a busy weekend and the time flew by...

Friday we dined at our favourite Italian restaurant with my sister and her husband and our daughter J

Saturday saw us hosting a BBQ 

with our lovely DIL, son and that super special little Miss Isla

grand daughter extraordinaire

Sunday was an at home day of domestics 

and gardening for me.

I laundered some winter woolens

the Lands End cashmere sweater really washes well and holds it shape...

 the gross grain ribbon on the inside of the buttons and button holes is brilliant

no wavy edges 

I used the zippered mesh delicates washing bag in my washer 

with cold wash and cold rinse

my sweater is as new.

Mr. HB was working hard "down under"

painting the newly renovated bathroom, hall and laundry room!

Sometime soon I'll post some more images of the reno

just in case you are curious we are using Benjamin Moore's

 "Simply White"

Are you watching Julian Fellowes Titanic series?

Life above deck ~ below deck...

IMO it's not as good as Downton Abbey but we are watching just the same.

Good news...

Mad Men is back!

We do not sit glued to the tube 24/7 we PVR and watch when it's convenient.

Thank you all for those positive and encouraging comments about my friend's husband and his recent diagnosis

I've been online doing some research and so has she.

I sent her a floral garden planter and I think it perked up her spirits.

Take care

and

Be Well.

XO