Fortnum and Mason Teas...

Taking tea is an everyday ritual here in The Humble Bungalow.
It might be a restorative mug sipped while doing domestic chores or it might be served in an elegant cup and saucer and savored with a magazine or a good book. Often I sit and look out the window at the garden beyond and take s few deep breaths and ponder.

Emma Bridgewater's tea tray

Good tea is essential.
Testing and seeking out blends and flavours that please your palate is worth the effort.

On our trip to Vancouver I found two such teas which I think are delicious and I am happy to share with you.

Making great tea is simple.

You must boil the kettle to a full rolling boil

put some of the boiling water in your tea pot to warm it and let it sit for a few minutes

Pour out that water then add your tea

if it is loose tea leaves you'll need

one teaspoon for each cup brewed and "one extra for the pot."

Let it steep at least 5 minutes

then using a tea strainer pour into your cup

drink plain 

or

add milk

a squeeze of lemon

and possibly a bit of sugar

it's a matter of personal taste.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the moments

taking tea is a ritual worth cultivating.

It is of of life's simple luxuries.

Like linen tea towels...

they are the towels of choice here in The Humble Bungalow

many of mine are soft and worn with regular use

I have trouble parting with them when they do get holes from years of wear.

Irish linen is wonderful

My family hails from Ireland

they fled when the potato famine struck and emigrated to the US and found their way to Canada

and settled on the west coast.

I love potatoes and can eat them every day served any way.

If I could eat nothing else for the rest of my days I would be blissfully happy 

passionate even if potatoes were on my plate 3 times a day.

One of my favourite Hostess gifts are a pair of beeswax candles wrapped in an Irish linen tea towel.

Dani Mop Philosopher has been sewing tea towels to give as gifts this Christmas

she's been busy making Scotch marmalade too.

I love to receive home made gifts

they mean so much more.

What are your most coveted Hostess gifts?

To give or to receive?

~ ~ ~

~ Online shopping ~

Do you regularly shop online?
Amazon, Net a Porter, J Crew, Land's End, Ebay?

When our children were young I'd order clothing for them from the UK store Mothercare and the denim overall powerhouse Osh Gosh B' Gosh in Wisconsin, mind you it was done slowly via "snail mail."

In the late 70's and early 80's we did not have personal computers...
we had land lines with long cords and digital photography was just on it's way.

Now we have IPhones, IPads and MAC laptops.

I have dipped my toes in the waters of online shopping...
(ever so slightly and with a safety net of convenient return policies offered by Lands End.)

Many bloggers shop online and I feel their influence has nudged me into this territory.
Being mindful of consuming and a green footprint I have culled my clothing and purchase far less than I used to buy.
Frankly it's much easier this way....
fewer mistakes, easier to see what is in the closet and getting dressed is a breeze.
Accessories are the reason I can be content with less...
adding a splash of colour, a bangle, brooch or shoes can change the way a simple outfit or garment looks.

A new coat and a dress were ordered...
you might recall that dress I so loved that Chester "attacked and shredded" while it was hanging in the closet.
I had to relocate all my longer garments to the higher rod and only leave the rugged denims and sturdy things in harms way.

The new coat is a down one for our winter chill.
It is a slimmer line and has a cold rating 600 power which is lighter and warmer.
The older I get the more I want to be warm and cozy...

Lands End

Long Parka

it does look puffy

I bought it in a large size.

Zipper closure as well as snaps

and a peek at the lining

it's purple

built in hand warmers!

they were a surprise

use them or not it's up to you

interior zippered pocket 

perfect for keys and a cellphone

Now for the dress...

it's not black like the former one

it's charcoal grey.

It has very little hanger appeal

(it does look like a sack)

but trust me it's a keeper.

Ponte knit in a weight that skims and doesn't cling.

( Spanx are not necessary!)

I am not nor never will be a fashionista

( you are not surprised are you?)

and I do not follow the latest trends

I wear garments that fit and flatter my curvy frame.

Garments MUST be workhorses that can be accessorized and worn in a variety of ways 

This simple basic dress ticks all the boxes.

add a scarf

 a vest or a sweater

pearls

(or not)

a brooch perhaps

wear it with boots

flats or heels

There is a "self belt" included which I will probably never use.

I own some interesting belts which I feel will personalize it.

side seam pockets

which are virtually invisible

and do not any bulk

The dress has a shaped waist and top stitching on the V neck.

I've been thinking of all the things in my closet that I can wear this with 

now feeling very positive about the colour choice

where I normally choose black I think this departure is a prudent one.

~ ~ ~

I'd like to steer you all over to The Beauty Boomer today where Poppy is showing off her latest Worth dress

and she's working hard at the gym with her trainer

whittling and honing her shape.

She's an inspiration.

I hope you'll agree that we need to dress and accessorize well regardless of our size.

~ ~ ~

It's a sunny day here today and the leaves are looking spectacular.

There's a mug of hot tea on the table and Chester and Pepper are snoozing on the bed in the sun.

I implore you to adopt an 

"Attitude of gratitude"

Enjoy your weekend

~Be Well~ 

Hostess

Vancouver weekend highlights part 2.

Vancouver is a great place to walk.
There are so many scenic spots in which one can exercise...

Kits Beach in Kitsilano is one such place.
On the Sunday we were meeting friends for brunch and were early enough to enjoy a refreshing walk in the rain.

Autumnal shades 

a carpet of leaves

wet puddly paths littered with fallen leaves

variations of colour 

Nature is a talented artist 

painting scenes with a dapple hand.

a different artist had a hand in creating these fish

when we lived in Vancouver in the mid 70's 

there were only a smattering of houses at Kits Beach

now there are million dollar properties dotting the seafront

We enjoyed a healthy and delicious brunch at The Boathouse.

With the rain and fog outdoors

 we were snug and cozy inside

and able to view the beach and boats beyond.

~ ~ ~

 this restaurant has walls that open and a vast deck for outdoor seating.

We plan to go back in the summer and sit in the sun.

For the time being we are preparing for winter

the mushrooms have sprouted

the rain has set in

and I have been shopping online for some weather friendly clothing.

I'm only buying what I actually need to replace.

What about you?

Are you prepared for winter's arrival?

Take care,

Hostess

XO

Vancouver weekend highlights part 1.

It was a wild and wet weekend that we found when we took the ferry over to Vancouver.
We had arranged to meet friends for dinner one night and do brunch with some other friends on the Sunday.
In between we were on a mission to buy a few things that are not available locally
I had written a list so I would not forget anything.
Lists are necessary these days as I seem to suffer from sporadic memory recall.
(especially when I go grocery shopping!)

Here's how our hotel looked upon arrival.

Robson Street was under a deluge of rain and puddles were deep and unforgiving.

(I did not bring boots)

New oven mitts from Williams Sonoma

Diptyque candle from Holt Renfrew

~ ~ ~

 Hostess signature style in black and white.

Nine West red ballet flats!

My heart beat a bit faster and I was all aflutter when I spied these shoes.

They have been on my wish list for over 2 years!

(I'll wear them with red lipstick)

if you see me wearing these you can be assured there will be joy in my heart and I'll be stepping lightly.

Leather flats

(a tad under $100)

I surveyed the red flats at Holt Renfrew and they were lovely...

Prada, Lanvin, Ferragamo's 

 I cannot justify spending $500 on one pair of shoes.

Our scents were getting low so we stocked up on those too.

Hermes

Mr. HB's Terre d'Hermes

Chester is checking out the goods.

Hostess's choice

 Voyage d"Hermes

I've worn this one for several years now.

Crisp clean with top notes of citrus.

Chester employing his "nose" 

he sniffs anything new that comes into The Humble Bungalow.

He was a naughty boy last night.

He knocked over a can of pop that was on the counter top

it exploded and completely saturated the rug

covered the floor

the fridge, stove and dishwasher with a sticky icky mess.

I nearly lost it...

(I sort of did) 

as it was after 8 and the kitchen had been cleaned 

we were weary after working all day

and were ready for a relaxing hour or so of PVR'd programming.

It took many cloths and lots of water and cleansers to clean this up.

Chester was banished to the hobby room while I grumbled and fumed

 rolled up my sleeves and got down on my knees

and worked up a sweat tackling this job.

 Mr. HB saw a side of me that I am not proud of...

sorry honey.

As soon as we let Chester back upstairs

he cuddled up beside me on the couch and gave me lots of kitten cuddles.

Soothing ~ calm.

Oh I almost forgot 

we also went to IKEA and found some new slip covered love seats,

 Xmas wrap, candles, and some kitchen gadgets.

I'll post a picture of the new love seats when they are delivered and in place.

In the meantime I've got to get organized in the kitchen and both cats are on the prowl for their dinner.

Stay tuned for more weekend highlights

until next time...

Be well

~ ~ ~ 

Hostess

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.