Sunday, May 12, 2013

OOTD ~ May 12

My OOTD has been seen here recently and I like the pairing so I have worn it again.
Like that French girl I am accessorizing it differently but the core garments are the same.


Jones NY top
RW ponte knit leggings
Adriana lace camisole


Pepper is not camera shy!


 lacy details that say "peek a boo!"


salt and pepper 
tinsel
the grey is here to stay
this is my natural colour now
all the dyed locks have been shorn


I find this charm a bit funny
if lost return to Tiffany and Co.
(as if!)

The closest Tiffany is in Vancouver 
 if someone found me lost ~ suffering with amnesia 
I doubt very much they would take me there!

My wardrobe is very small which is good in so many ways
I can get dressed very quickly and most things work together.
Mix and Match makes it look like more than it really is
and 
WHEN I lose some of this weight 
(note the positive slant)
replacing a few staples will not be an onerous task.

~ ~ ~

My sister, Mother, and I enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea at darling daughter's new loft.

We visited The Silk Road Tea Company sampled some teas
then ventured down the street to The Fantan Gallery in Chinatown 
we patted the two sleepy resident cats...
peered into the postage stamp sized garden in back 

Mother bought a house warming gift for darling daughter and I picked up some new placemats and napkins.


Chester checked them out...


Pepper was not too interested...


I went for my walk even though it was foggy and rainy...
plus I cooked a WW points friendly dinner.

I did indulge in a glass of white wine
after all it's Mother's Day.

How was your Mother's Day?

Friday, May 10, 2013

OOTD ~ Walking ~ Weight Watchers...

The Weight Watcher's meeting was informative and fun.
The Wednesday evening group are all women and quite funny and at times it bordered on hysterical.
Having a sense of humour is so imortant. Wouldn't you agree?
particularly when facing a new challenge...

There was a lot of information to assimilate and there is still a lot I need to learn about the program.
Day One found me tracking everything that have eaten and am wearing a pedometer to count my steps.

This is all so new (foreign) to me but a gal can change...
and it feel like the right time to embark on something new.

Some of you suggested that I wait for retirement to start this regime but I feel keen so why wait?


Vera Wang boyfriend jeans
Born shoes
Royal Robbins fleece jacket


My route is along the seafront
the views are never dull.
It's a brisk walk which takes me about 50 minutes.


Falling into bed after a brisk walk and sleeping soundly is a bonus 
and one that I approve and appreciate.

 While on WW 
exercise is encouraged if not expected
to maximize one's success.
So it's great that I love to walk.

I am eating mostly fruits and vegetables with portions of lean protein.
Modest snacks between meals and lots of water.

My tummy has been rumbling today but I have not felt like I am starving or that I am being deprived.

Not a lot of fats are encouraged but there are no real restrictions 
except one is to meant to keep within a set number of points each day.
Points that are established by your age, height and current weight 
with an eye to losing 10% of your current weight to start.

Each week we meet and weigh in...
there is a lecture and dialogue is encouraged
support comes from the participants as well as the leader.

So enough about WW...


our vintage wicker chair just got more comfortable
it's a chair that gives me pins and needles in my legs if I sit in it for more than a few minutes


IKEA chair cushion
a perfect pairing
comfort at last!

Have you had a good week?
What is on the calendar for your upcomng weekend?
Are you celebrating Mother's Day or are you being celebrated?

Best wishes to all you Moms out there!
Have a fabulous weekend.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Out and about among the plants...

The Humble Bungalow Garden is coming to life again after it's winter slumber...
glancing around at the blooms in the Spring sunshine is such an uplifting experience.

Growing things feeds my soul...
there's something so cheerful about a window box filled with colour
or a smattering of colour in an otherwise plain bed.


Drought tolerant grasses have their place in the garden too.
They add variations of colours and texture
many smaller grasses are very reasonably priced.
My favourite is the Black Mondo grass which is still quite expensive...
frugal gardener's love a free snip here or there.
When it comes to something new and rather unusual we keep these plants until they are well established before dividing them and popping them into other areas in our own garden...
and then we can share them.
Mondo grass is one of these plants
 as is the newest black hellebore!


I love the shade of this euphorbia
 I put up with it's habit to procreate willy nilly
 because it is so pretty.
The sap can burn your skin so do be cautious when you are cutting the stalks.
It makes a lovely filler in a bouquet but the water can be milky from the sap so you may want to use a coloured vase instead of a vase of clear crystal.


Lady's Mantle is another great plant to grow as a filler for bouquets.
It is hardy and re-seeds everywhere so beware...
don't say that I did not warn you!
if you are diligent you can pull the babies up and give them away or toss them on the compost pile.

The flowers are frothy and a heavenly shade of chartreuse green!


a variegated euphorbia 
this was a gallon size only two years ago and it is thriving
I am pulling up lots of seedlings and have given lots to my sister
who has a home in the Highlands area.

I don't think the deer like these plants.
For her sake I hope that's true as she has a regular crew of deer cruising through her acreage!



A beast of a euphorbia
bulky and vast
fills in nicely...

The Humble Bungalow is under seige.
A roofing crew are on site and there's a vast bin in the drive almost full of cedar shakes...
the house was shaking and it felt like the men were walking on the ceiling
then at 4 o'clock when they quit for the day 
I sighed and put the kettle on.

 I do love peace and quiet.
(and so do the cats)

How is your week going so far?

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

OOTD a black and white Wednesday....

My OOTD is cool and relaxed, perfect for working in a hot classroom.
Our weather has been fabulous!
Who cannot appreciate the sunshine and warmth after our long grey winter?

The birds are chirping happily outside the window and the flowers are abloom.
a bounce in my step
joy and gratitude in my heart.


Black unconstructed skirt
Clark sandals (new)
OPI toes from the Minnie collection


H and M tank top
I added a third layer to go to work
a black thin knit cardigan


was smitten when I spied this trio of tins on the weekend at IKEA
great for tea and lots of other things too...
(bought some for lovely daughter)


I like the artsy patterns.


we finally found a coffee maker that we like
our old one was giving us grief every time we tried to pour from the carafe it would spill all over the counter 
strangely we put up with this issue for over a year!

This one is made by Krups.

After our visit with friends this past weekend
hours of walking
lots of talking
I've decided to join Weight Watchers.

Our hostess and her husband have been on it and they look amazing.
They both admit it's easy and to get started it's good to go to the meetings and listen to the success stories and be in a room with a group of like minded people...

so 
I am putting My Fitness Pal on hold while I explore this plan.


Won't you join me and make time to stop and smell the flowers today?
Be Well.


Monday, May 6, 2013

Lovely daughter ~ mid century modern ~ heritage urban loft.

Our lovely daughter is moving into a heritage urban loft!
It's right smack dab in the middle of our downtown core.

She is still packing and unpacking but I was so excited to share this that I could not wait a day longer.


Teak
Art Pottery
Metal Art
look at home with the 

Bamboo floors 
Exposed Brick walls
12 foot high ceilings


I found the vintage Kaj Bojesen monkey at a local consignment shop
a few years ago.



Hans Olsen table
the chairs fit right undernreath the top for a slim line and easy storage.


Timo Sarpaneva candle holders


I love how she has arranged her collection.


She has an outdoor deck too!

This is just the first instalment of her new place.
She needs to unpack and set up her kitchen
so stay tuned.

The weather has been gorgeous, hot and sunny
 it feels so good to feel the warmth of the sun...

Darling daughter has been enjoying her outdoor space...

The deck is going to open up an opportunity for her to BBQ and entertain under the blue skies or on a starry night.

Did you have a great weekend?
We were busy and had a fabulous time while away.
More on that to come...

Share some kindness today won't you?