OOTD ~ Home Style

Domestics seem to require an enormous amount of energy and endless planning to stay on top of the dust bunnies and the tarnish. I often wonder if it is this aging heritage 100 year old Bungalow that conjures up all the dust on it's own.
Do modern homes have this problem? Please let me know as I have never lived in a new home!

The dark wood does show that thick film of gossamer when it has not been polished away.
You can see it so much more too when the sun shines in through the windows.
Cat paw marks are visible...
I love the scent of lemon oil and lavender beeswax polish on the furniture after a foray with the cloth.
That is satisfaction worth the trouble right there.

Music from the radio cheers me on and I do dress for the occasion, under neath my black and white striped apron I wear decent cleaning clothes. Nothing fancy, comfortable and tidy are the OOTD.

Gap 1969 jeans

Liz Claiborne shirt

leather belt

(thrift shop find for $10)

Sterling bangles worn en masse

two strands of pearls

one wrapped twice

 pretty flowers perk up the bathroom

I brew a pot of tea and have a reading break part way through the morning.

I love to sit and look outside watch the birds and the squirrels as they scamper about in the sunshine.

Not everyone is busy working here today...

some are happy just snoozing in a chair in the dappled sunlight!

Ah the weather is too nice to just look at from inside The Humble Bungalow

I am going out for a wee bit of Vitamin D!

I hope that your week is off to a great start...

Valentine's Day is one sleep away!

~ ~ ~

Hostess

Bangles to the MAX!

Never thought I'd be a bangle collector and it all started so innocently...
one simple Tiffany sterling bangle and the rest they say is history!

love the variety of designs that one can find

keeping them shiny and polished is quick with some Twinkle silver polish

sometimes I wear a few but most of the time I lay them all on!

many were gifts

 found in the antique malls

 in thrift shops

others in Tiffany and Co. with Mr. HB 

variety is the spice of life!

deeply carved

Anjelica Huston from inside the pages of French Style a book by Veronica Vienne

I don't think that stacking bangles is exclusively a "French Style"

to me it feels rather Bohemian and somewhat ethnic.

Having recently watched Enchanted April 

I have been inspired by Polly Walker

and think I will go shopping for some kohl for my eyes...

Don't you think Anjelica looks great with her smokey eyes?

~ Change is a foot I can feel it in the air ~

Are you feeling the winds of change blowing through your life?

What are you contemplating?

a new look

a trip

a different job

do tell I'd like to hear from you.

Hostess

Roses, Hermes and a negligee...

I do love a surprise and that is exactly what I found when I came home from my walk.
On the table by the front door was a lovely wrapped bouquet of flowers and a card from the staff at work.

pretty in pink

a lovely combination of Roses and Gerbera daisies

creating cheer and bringing with them a feeling of complete and utter joy

flowers are always a welcome gift

I think they are a perfect way to say all kinds of things

~ ~ ~

congratulations

in sympathy

romance

festive occasions

weddings

thank you

get well soon

cheer you up posies

you name it there is a flower to mark the event

~ ~ ~

always a welcome Hostess gift !

I wore my newest Hermes scarf tied simply with a white tank and a grey cashmere sweater.

I feel very feminine when I take the time to wear a scarf

it's just like wearing a light spritz of my signature scent

or knowing that I have on some pretty lingerie.

Not everyone will notice but they make a difference to me and how I feel about myself.

Just a wee message that says you're worth it.

I love the weight of the Hermes silk twill

it has body and can be draped and tied in so many wonderful ways.

Did you know that Hermes does not recommend that you wear your scarf in the rain?

So be careful.

something a little silky to wear to bed...

a hint of lace

soft shades of aqua and grey

What makes you feel feminine?

Do you have daily rituals that contribute to your well being?

Are they things that were passed down from your Mother

learned from your girlfriends or discovered all by yourself?

I'd love to hear from you...

 Dr. Andrew Weil's Book 

8 Weeks to Optimum Health

has some interesting tips on living a balanced life

there is great advice on healthy eating

 habits that can reduce your weight

lower your stress and blood pressure

and generally improve the quality of life.

SO...

with that in mind

I am taking a few days off from blogging

going to unplug my tech toys for a bit...

I plan to read, knit, walk, sleep, eat healthy, recharge, refocus and relax.

Have a wonderful weekend!

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!