T.G.I.F.!

This week has been long and tedious and I am so looking forward to the weekend.

I am going to indulge in some good old fashioned bread

maybe buy some flowers and go for a massage.

I may even tackle reorganizing my wardrobe.

A stop at the Thrift store might be in order

to donate and to browse and see what might fill the void created by the purge!

Oh and The Golden Globes are on TV on Sunday...

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are the hosts

I love to see the red carpet fashions.

What plans have you got on your agenda?

Take care

Restocking...yawn my life is in the slow lane!

Restocking a few staples.
YAWN! I know, life is not full of drama or excitement it's slowly ebbing.
I actually like it!

Keeping clutter to a minimum means that I do not stock pile much any more.
I used to keep extra supplies on hand but found that the space needed to store them was a complete shamble...
so now I replace only when needed and several of my regular products ran out at the same time.

Microdermabrasion scrub

I've had several spa microdermabrasion facials where they use a machine to polish and refine the skin and I find this is a great option to spending hundreds of dollars and I use it at least once a week...a little goes a long way.
Use it sparingly and do not rub vigorously, the little particles do all the work.
This lasts me about a year and currently retails for $33.00

In winter I cannot be without a lotion after bathing...
do I sound like I am too high maintenance?
( I hope not)
the forced air furnace and the chilly temperature outside can be so drying.
My skin flakes and looks scaly unless I use something emollient and soothing.
This formula is easy to use and the French Almond milk scent is delicate.
An esthetician friend of mine mentioned that one of the trade secrets was to apply on slightly damp skin.
She can be trusted as this keeps my skin moisturized and hydrated.

I've used up all but a wee bit of both of these Revlon Shea Butter Balms.

They are quite soft in the tube and start to wilt and disappoint when one gets to the bottom of the tube.

They are so great on lips as they truly deliver a surge of moisture and the colours stay on far longer than many I have tried in the past.

Red Velvet and Sugar Plum

at just under $10 each when not on sale they are budget friendly options.

some escape reading has found it's way into my hands....

I need an escape and will be transported 

very soon...

I've been wearing my pearls....

Have you been practicing Random Acts of Kindness?

It seems that is very much the theme of the month.

What have you been up to?

Please tell me everything....

Wednesday...a day to celebrate.

It's Wednesday...
and my BFF's birthday.

Happy Birthday Suzanne!

there's a January rose blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden 

it brightened my day and I hope it will do the same for you my dear friend

surprises and unexpected pleasures

are worth sharing

 having shared so many milestones and memories with you

I feel very honored to have you in my life

~ ~ ~

I hope you know just how special you are to me

more than a sister

a lifelong friend 

who is beside me in spirit when distance and time separate us

~ ~ ~

shares thoughts and tastes

picks me up when I am down

takes me along with her 

as she navigates the rocky road that rises up

~ ~ ~ 

laughter

tears

joys

sorrow

grief

euphoria

we've felt them all

together

~ ~ ~

looking back

looking forward

you have always been there

and I hope you always will be.

Love and Hugs

Happy Birthday my friend!

Hostess

H is for Health...

I need to boost my immune system....
it's been a fall full of ills and I am tired of feeling tired.
Tired of hearing myself complain...
tired of listening to myself cough or sneeze
it's not like ME...
at least the ME I used to be.
I want the old ME back!

Health

Happiness

Hope

~

Happy Hostess

Bring on colour
bring on the organic veggies....
it's a 911 call for wellness
ban the sugar
binge on water
meditate
reduce stress
invite joy
slow down
walk more
take notes...

carrots

vitamins

sweet tasting

please tickle my taste buds

I need to boost my immune system

eat my way to wellness and health

spuds and squash

a sprinkling of pepper

a gentle caress of virgin olive oil

a roasting pan

and some heat

give me some time and there's a roasty toasty tasty meal

after these veggies have softened a bit

toss with some feta cheese and balsamic vinegar

grab a fork or spoon and dinner is done...

chew slowly

 savour the flavours

be mindful

think happy thoughts

invite positivity and wellness to be a part of every day...

I'm on a journey to wellness

will you join me?

"Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity."

~ ~ ~ 

Hippocrates 

What do you do to stay healthy?

Monday morning...post 754

We've been under the weather since Christmas with the flu...
coughing and sneezing and here I thought it was the "common cold."
The evening news reported that there has been a flu outbreak here in our fair city.
I have never had a flu shot although many of my colleagues swear by them.
It's a scary thought to think we might be having an epidemic.
I am wondering if Mother will manage to keep it at bay. So far she's been staying close to home and I have been unable to visit her for fear of spreading and sharing my germs.
Mr. HB has not been able to see his Mother since Christmas Day as she is in an extended care facility and the residents are elderly and frail. She is 95!

I've been sleeping in the guest room so Mr. HB and I can cough at our own pace without the fear of waking each other. It's very cozy and warm downstairs and there have been quite a lot of lazy lie in's when I have not surfaced until after 9am. What luxury!

When I sat down to type this blog post I did not think it would be on this topic. My plan was to focus on the cats this morning...

The cats have been up to their usual tricks and are very much enjoying the new laundry area.

Pepper is the elder of the two cats and she has the upper hand

and does not take any nonsense from Chester despite his best efforts

she keeps him in line.

He's laying at her feet

rather subservient

waiting for the opportunity to play

she calls the shots so when she wants to play they play.

If he tries to get her to do something that she doesn't want to do he gets a swift and mighty swat with her paw.

Both cats sleep on our bed at night

on my side!

We discussed installing a rod or rack for hanging delicates

and I spied these iron hooks at a local gift and card shop and thought they'd work.

I don't know about you but I have quite a few items of clothing that I like to hang to dry.

They seem to last longer and there is less pilling of the fabric.

I hand wash all my cashmere sweaters.

If you've been reading for awhile you already know that I use Aveda Shampure Shampoo 

to launder all my cashmere.

Look at the spring shades that I have chosen!

These are two new sweaters that I picked up online when Lands End had a sale

free delivery and 40% off.

I've worn them both and to my mind there is nothing more cozy than cashmere next to one's skin...

there's always silk but I do not find it very warm.

I've been on a mending mission

sewing buttons, repairing seams

hemming pants...

nothing like being house bound to make you realize that there are some jobs needing attention

and what better time to get on with the task as there's not much point making yet another lame excuse!

Procrastination is the name of the game when it comes to plying a needle and thread.

I don't know why I have an aversion to mending but I do.

Ironing used to be another chore that I'd avoid but since the laundry room is so lovely

it's not such an onerous task.

~ ~ ~

Are there domestic jobs that you put off?

Has the flu invaded your home?

Take care and have a great week.