Chilly February OOTD ~ make up and a great book.

OOTD
I dressed simply to accompany Mother our for a brisk walk
before joining her for a warm bowl of soup at a local bistro.
Soup is the perfect lunch for us on a chilly February day...
it warms me to the core and chases all those cold thoughts away.

Lands End black ponte knit trousers

Lands End cashmere sweater

Gelco

faux fur vest 

Jones of NY pewter rain coat 

(not shown)

layered for warmth

pink lipstick looked better than red with this marigold yellow sweater

I'm trying some new make up

and it's very kind to my aging skin

it goes on smoothly and imparts a slight glow

(which I think looks healthy)

it is light and does not offer a lot of coverage but I do not feel good in a heavy make up

you might like to try it

Jane Iredale

Dream Tint

 it is a tinted moisturizer

  I use my regular moisturizer first 

then let it set and apply this product evenly with a sponge.

My skin seems to absorb all the moisture and then some...

your skin may not be so parched and you may find that this product is enough to satiate your complexion.

The reason I am wearing flip flops in February should be obvious...

it's a post pedicure spa requirement!

I am sporting 

Danke Shiny Red

OPI

from their 

German Collection

I'm immersed in The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton

my goodness she weaves a great storyline

 she is so young 

we may have another prolific writer like Maeve Binchy was to keep us entertained for years to come.

What are you currently reading?

Would you recommend it?

My bookshelf is thinning and I am looking for some great new titles.

~ ~ ~

Boyfriend Jeans???

It's been slow going but I have lost enough weight to go down a size in jeans.
So I was able to pull out my formerly "too tight" jeans and pack away the baggy ones!

On a recent thrift shopping expedition with my lovely daughter I stumbled upon a pair of "boyfriend jeans" by Vera Wang. Simply by Vera Wang.
Why do they call them boyfriend jeans?
Are we supposed to have borrowed them from our "boyfriend?"
Well Mr. HB just let me state now and for all to hear that I do not have a boyfriend, just the boyfriend jeans!

they are distressed

 soft and so very comfy

there are two areas of wear at the top below the pockets 

which will be covered up by a cashmere cardigan or one of my tweedy jackets

I plan on wearing these with my red ballet flats 

a simple tank top and as I mentioned either a cashmere cardigan and pearls 

or a tweedy jacket and a vintage brooch

I will choose very carefully where I wear these jeans

(certainly not when I am out with Mother!)

some of you might be holding your breath and saying NOOO hostess these are far too young a look for you

well they are and they aren't

I plan to classic them up like Ines does with her jeans

it's just attitude

and 

I like the way they fit and can see myself running errands in them with a bounce in my step!

Who knew Vera Wang made things other than wedding gowns?

I must be living under a rock!

Ralph Lauren denim shirt

(also thrifted)

which I plan to wear like a jacket in the warmer weather with a white tank

a Hermes scarf knotted at the neck or pearls

sleeves rolled up

simple

(it would look great with a pair of white jeans if I ever mustered up the courage)

~ ~ ~

While taking tea I pulled out this book

I used to buy Victoria magazine every month and saved the copies for years

the photos and detailed vignettes were pure art

they also published a few hard cover books over the years and this is a keeper.

I've tried to wear my Hermes scarves like this chic french femme 

but on me it looks laughable

I do not want to accept defeat and keep trying it just in case I look a bit more Grace Kelly than HRH!

Hermes an iconic classic firm when it comes to leather and design

if they make great boots and saddles for the consummate equestrian why not for those who can afford it?

Love those buttery caramel colours.

The last two pictures are from the France book by Victoria magazine

you may be able to find a copy of this 2000 edition in your local library or at a used book sellers

My latest knitting project

a cowl

which I plan to give away...

now I am onto knitting up cotton dish cloths

they make great Hostess gifts.

~ until next time ~

 Hope that you are having a fabulous week!

OOTD and a new bag!

Sporting my new do I went out and about nosing around in the charity shops.
An open mind and leisure time are all one needs
to get "into the zone"
it is a treasure hunt after all and you never know what you'll discover and it cannot be rushed

OOTD ~ Casual attire
I imagine that this or a variation of this will be my retirement uniform.

Gap 1969 skinny jeans

white tank "generic no name brand"

grey cashmere cardigan from Lands End

fave belt from Olsen

pearls from Rennaissance Studio, Pender Island BC

Mee Too flats 

with an equestrian nod ~ via the snaffles

There's nothing like a little potter about in vintage clothing and accessories.
Often you'll strike it rich and find a gem...
I'd been looking online on etsy and ebay for a smaller classic hand bag for the past few weeks and nothing struck my fancy until I spied this one today....

Chester likes it!

I love the details and the quality of craftsmanship.

It's large enough to hold my wallet, keys, glasses, a lipstick and IPhone.

It's not too heavy and the size would work for evening.

I know I know

I can hear you murmuring

it's ANOTHER BLACK BAG 

but it's seriously difficult for a leopard to change her spots.

I instantly recognized the logo inside the bag...

Banana Republic

after a quick tootle around google 

I discovered this bag is circa 2008 and is called The Robson,

sold for just under $200 when new.

Chester in the background

not a bad size for a bag for the Hostess

and the price was right!

I am getting used to the new cut...

it dries in a flash and just needs some mousse to help the curls stay in place.

What fun things have you been up to?

My daughter has been scoring some great mid century pieces in her travels.

I'm looking forward to spending some time with that darling of all grand daughters 

the lovely Miss Isla and her fabulous parents.

 Be Kind

and mind your manners

they speak volumes about the kind of person you are.

~ ~ ~

Going grey and a new coif...

Planning for retirement means that a few changes are wise and prudent...
at least for a Humble Hostess as money does not grow on trees.

Thoughts on what is important, priorities and the lifestyle changes I need to make
have been occupying my mind.

One of which is my hair...
I have been going to the hairdresser every 5 -6 weeks for all over colour and a cut.
The cost of which is rather dear.
I adore my hairdresser and hope that as long as she continues to work that we will enjoy our visits but they will be less often starting now.
In consultation with my hairdresser I am not going to have all over colour anymore.
Instead there will be a few highlights added at the root line every couple of months to allow for the gradual growing in and transition of the greys!

She agreed with me that we chop a bunch off and have a new look while we embark on this new path.
I'm excited about the change!
It really pays to have someone onboard who knows your hair texture and knows what will suit your face shape.
I haven't a clue!

you can see how much shorter it is...

the weight of the length gone and now the curls spring loose

the tinsel is there at the root line

and as time goes by there will be more tress bling!

There will be a few more lifestyle changes in the works

I'll keep you posted as they surface on  the radar!

Hope that you have a wonderful weekend...

~ French Style ~ a book and thoughts after reading...

Are you a fan of all things French?
There is something about France and Paris that speaks to me...
it's a mystery as to why I am drawn to it like a moth to a flame.

Perhaps it is all the books that I have read over the years that paint a lovely picture of French country life.
It could be the movies... the romantic images of Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina
the chauffeur's daughter who runs off to Paris and is transformed by cooking school and a new hairstyle.
Or perhaps it's French Vogue, or the iconic and enduring styles created by Coco Chanel.

In any case I am as far from a French femme as possible and have no illusions of being one.
But having said that it does not stop me from exploring all things French and reading books on French life and style.

One of my favourite books is a classic by Veronique Vienne.

she has a quality about her

feminine

 very comfortable in her own skin

"bien dans sa peau"

her skin glows and her hairstyle is casual 

she looks like she has not fussed too much

she is not wearing too much make up

my impression is that she looks natural and healthy

and quintessentially chic.

What about Canadian Chic?

Is there such a thing and if there is what would it look like?

Our country is such a melting pot of ethnic groups that it would be difficult to define!

Style is personal and the clothes you wear are a reflection of who you are.

They should be honest, comfortable, a little bit creative, and above all be fun.

So if like myself you dress for comfort...

it might be flats instead of high heels

for honesty

not wearing designer duds head to toe 

 (a no no in my books even for the rich)

and especially if you are on a beer budget

creative 

can be found in accessories and they do not need to cost the earth

they can be inherited, thrift shop finds or vintage

fun

might be wearing a bright pair of ballet flats with your jeans and a white shirt

"Dressing your age" is a phrase that bothers me

dressing appropriately for your figure and lifestyle might be more to my liking.

I cannot imagine "giving up" on fashionable clothes just because one reaches a certain age.

We see many older women here in baggy polyester 2 piece outfits and they are not very exciting.

I am referring to the pastel shades of pants and wildly flowered patterned tops that can be found in many shops.

Please don't!

I'll give you an example of a well dressed woman 

(who must have been 80 if she were a day) 

at the Market and she looked lovely.

Navy dress pants, a short tan car coat, a bright silk square scarf with red accents on a navy background

navy kitten heels, an understated leather bag and small gold hoops in her ears and a smile!

I think her clothes were many years old but the cuts were good as were the fabrics and she looked fabulous.

whatever you choose to wear it should say something about who you are...

you clothes should be clean

and appropriate for whatever it is that you are doing

whether you are at work or at play

meeting the gals for coffee or lunch

or out on a date night with your sweetheart

Plan ahead so that you are relaxed and comfortable.

Buy sizes that fit your body

not the body that you want when you lose that extra 20 pounds.

Have a few key pieces for a variety of occasions

my go to bare basics are :

well fitting black pants

white shirt

silky tank style top for layering

a dress that fits and flatters that is simple and can be dressed up or down

cashmere cardigan

tweedy style (Chanel) jacket

scarves 

a few fabulous brooches and several strands of pearls

a pair of kitten heel shoes

some flats

an evening bag

and a pashmina wrap

a great coat

Make sure that buttons are not dangling and threads are not hanging loosely.

Iron out creases and pay attention to details

are your shoes polished or worn down at the heels?

Look in the mirror before you leave the house so you are confident.

Don't do what I did that day I ran out to the bakery just before it closed only to see my reflection in the glass that showed a messy wind swept hair do and a pale face with no lipstick on!

( invariably you meet someone you'll know and the moment to make an impression is upon you!)

If you can get your hands on this book it is well worth a read.

Classics are never out of style

nor are manners.

Have fun getting dressed and exploring some new shops in your city.

Buying accessories can give a new lease on life to a wardrobe and you can dress creatively while you are saving for some new clothes or dieting and working out to shed those extra unwanted pounds.

Above all Have Fun!

Hostess