Frugality ~ How do you keep your wardrobe looking new and fresh?

I've been very frugal lately...
you may have noticed that I have not been posting lots of "look at what I bought" shots!
It's all the high tech laundry work horses and the renovations that have kept me out of the shops.

There may be a new stove in our future too as ours is misbehaving...
and that is another large purchase.
Better get this all done before my income is reduced when I retire!
We have a new roof scheduled for this spring and the sun deck needs to be rebuilt.
Heritage homes must be maintained or they fall into disrepair so quickly...I suppose that is true of any home.

I bought this Betty Barclay sweater coat on sale

it was $140 off the original price!

In grey and it elongates my stature and skims my wobbly bits in my mid section

what's not to love?

To make my clothing seem newer and fresher I have been changing the way that I wear my pearls...

I've added the JCrew necklace that I got for Christmas to add a modern touch.

Ancient Liz Claiborne shirt

still crisp and serviceable

What about you?

How do you mix up your wardrobe when you crave something new and fresh 

but don't want to spend the money?

Do you sneak off to the thrift or consignment shops with your grocery money?

Do you buy anyways and put it on a credit card?

Have you stashed some money aside  for a rainy day splurge?

How does it make you feel when you know that you shouldn't spend and that you should save?

Are you a compulsive shopper, a recreational shopper or a reluctant shopper?

I've found staying out of the shops has been easier than I thought it would be...

browsing online has been an outlet which satisfies my urge to shop

and with only a minor slip up at the Gap Online Sale I am having a lot of success!

The fact that I want to lose a few more pounds before I buy anything else is a great motivator.

Tell me dear reader how do you do it?

~ ~ ~

~ Victoria Sponge ~ The Humble Bungalow Tea Cake..

Don't you love having a few tried and true recipes that you can make when the occasion arises?
Teas are a lovely way to entertain when the weather gets warm and sunny and a great excuse to get some of your friends together for an afternoon in the garden.

This Victoria Sponge is a classic tea confection.
All you need to add is a fresh fruit platter and some good quality tea
and you've got the makings of a pleasant, yet easy gathering.
Use your prettiest china and silver tea service...
if you do not own any of these try haunting the local charity shops and thrift stores as they are plentiful where I live and can be bought for very little coin.

Mother's Day might be just the occasion to serve this cake, our Mother's do love a tea party!

simple ingredients

this recipe goes together quite quickly

I cook mine for 25 minutes and use the confection setting in my oven

 a spring form pan make this easy work

when cool cut in half

I use a serrated bread knife

spread the bottom layer with jam

any flavour that you desire

I used raspberry

sieve some confectioner's sugar on top and the cake is ready to serve

Tested and approved by Mr. HB and The Hostess!

Now all you need to do is choose a date and make up a list of friends to invite and you've got a lovely event to look forward to...

Hope that your week is off to a great start!

Hostess

Pottering with paint...

It was a glorious day yesterday!
Looking out the windows from The Humble Bungalow
I felt energized.

The sun was out and the shadows danced across the garden throughout the day.
Warmer than it has been and just that hint that Spring might not be too far off.
Days like this beckon me to go out and potter about in the garden...
there are so many bulbs up that they look as if they will bloom early this year.

Keeping cozy and cocooning indoors I felt antsy...
it's a difficult task for me not being able to go out and about as I am so accustomed.

I started a knitting project and read a few chapters in my book, drank several cups of tea and yet I felt the need to do something more.

I wandered downstairs and found myself in my hobby room browsing through my favourite decor magazines.
It was lovely sitting with the cats playing at my feet...

My easel beckoned
it's been awhile since I have picked up a brush and one cannot force artistic expression.
It needs to flow from deep within, and when the time is right things seem to come together.

Roses!

Thank you all for your lovely and encouraging comments.

I feel snug and spoiled by your get well wishes.

Wishing you a weekend full of delight.

Treat yourself and indulge in something nice...

Be well

Hostess

XO

Taking it easy...doctor's orders!

A few posts back I was lamenting about having the flu and feeling rather sorry for myself.
Fever, chills, aches and a wracking cough.
Dearest reader I went to the clinic last Sunday evening
only to discover that what I actually had was bacterial pneumonia.

I have been taking life easy and following doctor's orders.
As one might expect I am on antibiotics as this is something the medical profession don't mess around with.
I can report that I am improving each day.
Work has taken a back burner and I am going to be off until I get the all clear from my GP.

This is my 3rd bout with this illness although it has been over 10 years since my last episode.
We all seem to have an area of weakness and it would appear that mine are my lungs.

this fragrant bouquet was delivered by my lovely DIL and our bonny red headed grand daughter 

Little Miss Isla

who while bouncing up and down with excitement said

 "Flowers ~ Happy ~ Flowers ~ Happy!"

A more welcome delivery I cannot imagine.

I have discovered something that many of you may or may not not know

 You Tube has movies 

 all one needs to do is click on them to open them and they are there in their entirety!

Some films that I would have liked to view were only available in the US.

Object of Beauty is one such film and I remember enjoying it so much when it first came out that I saw it twice.

I have watched some of my favourites;

Sense and Sensibility

Enchanted April

A Room with a View

I do adore a period drama.

I suppose that is why Downton Abbey has such appeal.

Mr. HB has been making the rounds to the market to keep us stocked in food.

Homemade soups have been such a comfort and so very easy to heat up and serve.

My appetite has been minimal

which has resulted in some immediate weight loss

which I must confess has given me a jump start ~ encouragement on my goal to shed a few pounds.

Reading in between movies I got into Tatler and devoured it cover to cover.

Thanks again to Natalie!

Mother popped over ever so briefly and dropped off this novel

It's Maeve's last book as it was finished just weeks prior to her death in July 2012.

I have done some shopping and online browsing.

Nordstroms have an amazing selection of SHOES....

so tempting

~ ~ ~

New fresh cotton towels from Lands End

should be on their way.

White towels are The Humble Bungalow standard issue.

White towels never stay snow white for me as I refuse to use chlorine bleach.

The fish and environment may thank me and so might the towel makers!

I am getting a bit antsy and would dearly love to bundle up and go for a walk around the block.

Instead I have opened my bedroom windows to let some fresh air inside and closed to door to usher out the germs.

I hope that you are keeping well and in good spirits.

Do me a favour and go for a walk for me!

 ~ Thanks so much for popping by ~

Have a fabulous weekend!

Hostess

All in a days work...

It's a home day today.
The weather is grey and gloomy and there is a chill in the air.
The kettle has been whistling merrily several times and tea is plentiful and soothing.

I gave my boots a lick and a polish to keep them looking good.

These have served me well for the past few years and I hope they will continue to do so.

I am a firm believer of maintaining things.

Even if you have but one pair of boots they should always look their best.

Is it just me or do your oven mitts get grubby?

I cannot abide a gooey glove.

Cashmere needs to be kept clean or the moths will go to town and feast on the yarn.

The new LG machine has a delicate wool setting and I tried it out.

The sweater was placed in a mesh bag and laundered.

It came out wonderfully!

It's not a dark and dingy space anymore.

I have a view out to the garden and the heated floors make it a cozy place.

Things are looking rather mossy and damp

typical for our January weather.

Chester is eager to get in on the action.

He is more of an onlooker than a doer.

He very nearly ended up at the vets this morning when he climbed into the dryer when my back was turned and I started the dryer only to hear some large banging sounds...

in a load of towels I thought that's weird and immediately investigated

 am I ever glad I stopped it to check.

He seemed totally un-phased by the experience 

I do hope that this has taught him a lesson.

9 lives

1 down

8 to go.

How is the weather where you live?

Hostess