Steiff horse down, a cat chat and studs.

Grand daughter Isla might be surprised to hear that Chester has been into her toy basket.
He's been digging deep and has found his new favourite toy.

It's the Steiff horse.
I am finding this wee fellow underfoot on the floor all over the Humble Bungalow.

He is cuddly and cute

 and is small enough to be carried by Chester.

Down for the count

I surrender...

My Steiff Teddy

Thankfully too large to become a cat toy!

Pepper on our bed

her favourite spot to snooze.

Chester is Trouble with a capital "T"

But what's not to love?

I have to resist rubbing this soft belly.

OOTD

The Saks Fifth Ave sweater

Black dark denim jeans

Gloria Vanderbilt

these have kept their dark wash despite numerous washings

(I turn them inside out and wash in cold water)

I so love the gnarly bark of this Garry Oak Tree.

Signature style = Diamond studs

always wear mine

if I add a hoop or another dangle I move the studs up...

as seen here a year ago

Relax a bit...

I think the cats have the right idea

naps help to improve their disposition

as do some fun toys 

regular feedings and oodles of TLC.

I still want to rub that furry belly!

I've got a post in the works

we were out of town and have just returned....

stay tuned while I get my case unpacked, 

laundry washed and purchases sorted.

Wooly Ramblings...a bookish post.

I found something orange to wear with my Lanvin scarf for black and orange day.
Very sedate and classic, a bright punch of marmalade ~ mitts
gloves really,
 I've never had fingerless ones before.

Don't you love something new and different?
At 57 going on 58 it's refreshing to know that there are surprises still to be experienced.

soft wool fingerless gloves

I'll still be able to work while I wear them

plus they are not gaudy and I will be able to use them in my daily life this winter

so it is not money wasted buying something for a one time use.

While searching for my orange accent 

I found two pairs of cashmere blend socks.

I love cashmere and these socks are wonderful

soft and cozy

~

warm

I could cocoon all day in these.

I picked up a new novel

this has come with a high recommendation

from the bookseller on the Avenue.

Have you read any of his other novels?

listed here

He lives in Cornwall and had his degrees from Oxford.

I am hoping that this novel will be a treat.

If so I'll be getting my mitts on all of his books.

I'm wondering too if Julian Fellowes is going to write a new book

of if he is too busy with Downton Abbey.

If you have never read his book Snobs run don't walk 

book off a weekend and get lost in the world of the aristocratic English lives of the privileged.

What books are you reading now and what would you recommend ?

Wispy wool by Tilo

Do you like to keep your neck warm?
GRRR  I feel positively beastly when I am cold.
I admit that I am miserable and grumpy when my feet, hands and neck are chilled.

If you've been following my blog for awhile you'll know I do love Hermes silk twill scarves but they do not keep me cozy when the temperature dips.
Wool or cashmere needs to be on the job.

Recently I purchased a whisper soft 100% wool scarf which is made on a loom, and is colour and wash dyed.
Each scarf is slightly different and the patterns and fabrics are stunning
made by the company Tilo.

you can wrap this twice for sumptuous comfort

or leave it long and loose

grey

grey and black 

a great combo

~ ~ ~

Probably the best hostess recipe book that I own

 reliable and delicious 

it makes "entertaining"easy.

Printed here for 

 A Well Styled Life.

The dip got rave reviews!

(and it's a cinch to make)

Hope that your week is off to a great start.

Stay Warm and Be well.

 ~ ~ ~

Hostess

Shower snaps...

The baby shower was last weekend and I have been so busy with out of town family visiting that I've had very little time to sit down at the computer and blog.

Darling daughter and I blew up some dotty balloons 

then she tied them to the railing out front of the Humble Bungalow.

Maps had been given to all those invited but this was a quick clue as to which house they were coming to.

I raided Miss Isla's toy basket and spelled Baby in blue and green blocks.

I bought some paper plates for the appetizers

(diaper pins for the table!)

I rarely use paper but this wee pram pattern caught my eye.

I love prams, especially vintage ones.

We had mimosa's in champagne flutes to start.

Equal amounts of fresh orange juice and bubbly.

I used Cooks for economy

because

when mixing these cocktails it's more about the fizz and bubbles 

 the juice is the big pop of flavour here.

Tea and coffee served on the built in buffet.

(I pushed the family photos to the back to make room!)

(photo by J)

I love all white china

it makes mixing patterns a breeze.

(photo by J)

Assorted cheeses, dried apricots and dates.

3 kinds of crackers

sundried tomato basil dip from The Best of Best of Bridge cookbook

vegetables and dilly dip

deviled eggs

pickles

(photo by J)

I like to use cheeses that are different and label them accordingly.

home made chocolate torte with strawberries

(photo by J)

(photo by J)

(photo by J)

Lovely daughter has a friend Emily who is a talented graphic designer 

 the two of them made a banner for the shower.

You can see more of Em's work here.

Emmett's Mom will be able to keep this for his room or it may come out for future birthday celebrations.

I wish I had had one of these for my children when they were young.

I love the idea.

We did play a few shower games...

a Baby word scramble 

and 

a necklace game

each guest upon arrival was given a gaudy plastic dollar store string of beads

whenever you said the word baby you have to give up your necklace to who ever heard you say it.

There were two winners in the end and fortunately I had wrapped three gifts.

It's been years since I've hosted a shower

 I don't think I could have pulled it off without help from my clever daughter.

Thanks darling!

~ ~ ~

Some of the photos used here are the property of darling daughter 

I have indicated those by adding her initial "J".

Orange and black...OOTD

 BRR...
It's a cold blustery October afternoon.

Halloween is on the horizon

and with no wee ones in the house I do not fuss much with the decor.

It's a shameful lack of energy that is behind my lack luster efforts.

Look at this

lazy nod to the season 

a lonely orange pumpkin sits

waiting by the door of The Humble Bungalow.

Janet has spruced up a pumpkin with paint and sparkles

she got the idea from another blog.

We have a set of pumpkin lights that we will string in the window

and yellow danger do not cross tapes.

That's about it.

BOO!

looking rather witchy

 black garments abound...

OOTD

Ralph Lauren pants

Stuart Weitzman black patent leather shoes with velvet bows 

black with white spidery patterned top ?

(it had an irritating tag that chafed my neck so it was cut out immediately)

How about an orange feather boa 

or a scarf?

I need a punch of orange for our school black and orange day.

Some staff members go all out and dress up

with holiday themed earrings, necklaces, 

ties that light up

hats

orange nail polish

fangs

over the top make up

and while it works for them it just doesn't feel like me.

I do not want to be seen as a poor sport but I have never really taken to dressing up

my style is much more sedate

(yawn)

boring perhaps, conservative definitely!

Yet I do need something and I am on the hunt for just the right orange accent...

any ideas?

Tish Jett has a fabulous orange tote on her blog today which is quite tempting.

I'm not sure that I have ever owned any orange garment

unless one counts that smattering of orange on my Lanvin scarf

(you can see it on the sidebar of my blog)

I am planning to hit the stores this weekend

what would you suggest?

~ ~ ~

Have a delicious weekend...

I think there will be some chocolate on the menu here.

Hostess

XO