French Vanilla...a wee bit of French chic.

French Vanilla is a wonderful shop filled with French vintage and French inspired wares, I stop in and browse regularly. I find most of my French linen tea towels here.

The shops is full of French soaps, linens, dishes, glasses, furniture and home decor items.
Sheila is now stocking some clothing in addition to her jewelry and scarves.
There is something for everyone here...it's a great spot to buy a gift for a friend or indulge in a little something for yourself...perhaps a lavender sachet for your lingerie drawer or an emollient hand cream or maybe you'd enjoy a scented candle.

I popped in a few minutes before the Blogger Tea earlier this month and found some wee gifts for the ladies.

My OOTD snapped before asking if I could take some photos of the shop.
I would buy this mirror in a heartbeat but sadly it is not for sale. I must see if I can find one like it.

French Vanilla, located on Oak Bay Avenue, with plenty of free street parking to allow you ample time to browse.

That looks like a red Valentine heart and some cheery red hyacinths on the table.

Love the Bella Notte bedding.

If you pop in please let me know what you think.

Say hi to Sheila, she's always got a big smile because her shop is a reflection of what makes her happy.

She followed her bliss and opened French Vanilla after a career in government.

I so admire women who are not afraid to take risks.

Coming to a crossroads later in life, listening to one's head and heart and acting on those messages takes courage.

Now if I could only convince her to sell me that mirror....

Hope you've been making the best of your week...

it's been a busy one here so far in The Humble Bungalow.

White Wednesday...on the hunt for an elusive cookbook.

I have been on the hunt for a cookbook from the 1980's by Vancouverite Susan Mendelson called "Mama Never Cooked Like This." I found a few copies online at used book vender's for $90.00 and up...this is much too steep a price for me to pay for a used cookbook that might be splattered with spots so I have been searching through the used book section of every thrift shop that I visit.
Perhaps you have a copy lounging about gathering dust among your cookbook collection...just thought it might widen my search if I harnessed the networking power of the blogosphere.

My fingers are crossed in hope that we might collectively find a copy.
If you know of a reasonably priced copy or find one in your travels I would be most grateful if you gave me the opportunity to buy it from you.

Salvation Army has oodles of books but not one of Susan's sat waiting for me on the shelf....
however I did not leave empty handed.

Do you know what these are?

Ironstone pudding molds.

Do you remember having a tomato aspic or a jellied salad ?

My granny and aunts used to whip these up with regularity when we had family gatherings.

I loved watching the way that they wiggled on our plates.

The women in my family came from strong stock.

Cooking was in their genes.

I wonder looking back if anything much would have happened in the kitchen if it were not for the women.

The men did a great job chopping wood and pouring drinks but honestly the women cooked the food, set the table and put it out for all to enjoy.

They got dressed up and invited us to dine.

Does anyone still make these dishes?

Loving white and vintage ironstone the way I do I will find a use for these molds.

Are you planning anything exciting for your sweetheart on Valentine's Day?

If you could envision the perfect date what would it look like?

I'd fancy some french fries and a few glasses of champagne...

I have a bottle of Tattinger waiting... 

 our son is having a birthday and we plan to celebrate this weekend.

Grand kiddies and all perhaps we'll pop the cork....

"Love is the poetry of the senses."

  ~ Honoré de Balzac ~

Skincare Tonics ~ Caudalie

Perhaps I have been living under a rock but until Christmas day I had never heard of the fabulous French skin care line Caudalie. My son and his gorgeous wife gave me a Caudalie gift package that was made up of make up remover cleansing water, Beauty Elixir, hand and nail cream, anti-oxidant lip conditioner and divine oil.
I am over the moon with these exquisite potions.

Caudalie products are made without the use of harsh chemicals.

Sephora carry their line of products and you can read the reviews online.

They are very popular and come highly recommended by skin care guru's.

I've been test driving these new products and am very happy with the results.

I am particularly excited about the Divine oil.

(you can see the telltale signs of rosacea on my cheeks)

I went to my Yoga class without any foundation just a quick swipe of mascara and some pink lip butter.

Feeding one's face is as much about nutrition and hydration as it is about product.

Janet at The Gardener's Cottage swears by Olive oil and she is an esthetician.

I love her blog, she eats vegan and posts many wonderful recipes as well as her thrifty thoughts on shopping.

I'd love to meet up with her someday.

Here's my power packed Kale Salad.

It is my go to lunch these days.

Full of anti-oxidants and vitamins.

~ ~ ~

Humble Bungalow Kale Salad

Wash and spin kale dry in a salad spinner.

Cut out the big inner rib and tear into bite size pieces.

Put into a large salad bowl with sliced peppers, shaved carrots, cucumber cubes, a handful of dried cranberries, 

1/3 cup chopped pecans and 1/2 cup goat feta cheese.

Toss with healthy dressing.

~ ~ ~

Healthy Dressing

In a blender mix

1/4 cup each sesame seeds, tahini

1/2 cup olive oil

2/3 cup lemon juice and grated rind of 1 lemon

1 cup water

1 large garlic clove

pinch of sea salt

sliver of fresh ginger grated

1/4 cup of honey

Process until smooth store in fridge and dress serving size portions of Kale salad.

Keeps for several weeks in the fridge.

Shake well or stir before serving.

I make this ahead and keep on hand for quick lunches.

(My sister uses this dressing as a marinade for chicken)

Good nutrition, plenty of water, a good night's sleep, exercise, and reduced stress all play a role in health.

  Our skin seems to reflect some of our bad habits or negligence.

Think of it as your calling card.

We have all met women who radiate beauty and good health.

 Their devotion to exercise and nutrition seem to be the ticket.

This has been very evident with quite a few women I have met at The Hemma Yoga Studio.

Most are well into their 70's and the instructors who radiate calm and peace tell me they are vegan or vegetarians.

I've gone back to Yoga because I had noticed some stiffness in my neck and joints.

Flexibility is something that we lose as we age if we don't keep stretching we lose it.

Walking is great but not enough.

After 75 minutes of Hatha Yoga at the studio I feel so much calmer and surprisingly rested.

On the days that I go to Yoga I sleep much deeper and longer than the days that I don't go.

Better than any medicine, Yoga has far reaching benefits.

You don't need to go to the studio to practise Yoga.

You can cocoon and go through the poses on your Yoga mat in the comfort and privacy of your own home.

I have tried to practise at home but my cats will not leave me alone.

Something is rather fishy... it's my Yoga mat.

I lay my mat out in the hobby room on the shag carpet.

Someone has been trying to catch a fish!

Whoever it was had very sharp claws...

and it happened so fast.

I was in the Warrior pose and obviously not doing a very good job defending my territory.

I suppose I'll need to find another mat at some point.

 The gals at the studio are still laughing about my cats trying to catch the fish.

They smirk everytime I unfurl it and I do smile when I catch them looking.

It might just be another connection...so be it.

~ ~ ~

"It's been my experience that the longer I do yoga, the more I want to know, the more I am able to understand and the less judgmental I am."

~ Ali MacGraw ~

Let's hope the week ahead will unfold like a beautiful butterfly...

who knows what we might uncover.

Sunlit Sunday... a peek inside The Humble Bungalow.

Do you find the grey days of January and February a wee bit long and tedious?
I know it is my attitude that affects how I view these days and one that I can alter by adopting a grateful approach but some days I just don't have the energy. Weak in spirit and ebbing low on energy make for some moodiness.

To get happy I stop focusing on the negative...
I get busy, take action.
Apart from putting on cheery red shoes which are an instant mood lifter I use a few of the following strategies:

Like going for a walk outside,
cooking or baking for my husband and family.
Spending a few quiet minutes in the tub soaking in scented bath salts.
A mini facial seems to wake me up and helps my skin I skip make up for the rest of the day
leafing through the saved issues of Country Living magazine with a hot mug of tea.
Calling a friend, reading blogs, reading Simple Abundance a Day Book of Comfort and Joy.
Reaching out and helping others.
Watching a favourite film.
Reading a great novel.
Writing down things that I am grateful for or posting them on the blog.

What do you do to get your happy on?

Mother Nature had her own idea of perking up the day.
Bright sunshine shone through the dirty salt speckled windows and filled The Humble Bungalow with a radiant warmth that transported me from my funk to a place of joy and beauty.

Raw silk scarf in turquoise and sienna brown.

Black quilted Barbour vest.

Grey Segments Merino tee.

Gap Boyfriend jeans

(cozy and worn grey slippers perfect for schlepping around the Bungalow)

This Silk Road blend is divine so I brewed a pot and took my cup to the bedroom

and lay upon our duvet for some quiet meditation.

I indulged in a little reading on the bed in the sunshine...

the cats snuggled up and cozied beside me.

Still Life is the first book by Louise Penny.

It's a grand read and she has 4 more!

Here are some images of our Arts and Crafts Bungalow

bathed in sunshine.

can you see where the cat was snoozing?

it would be fun to saunter through the piazza

Our furniture is made up of years of collecting vintage arts and crafts era pieces.

Mr. HB and I love to sit and read beside the fireplace.

OOPS! "someone" needs to clean out the fireplace.

I feel rejuvinated!

"Keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you."

~ Walt Whitman ~

Frisky business...

Life here in The Humble Bungalow is so much richer because of the resident felines.
They are great company and follow me around as I action domestic jobs.
Sometimes I think that they are more like dogs than cats.
One of their favourite places to play is downstairs in the laundry room.
I spend a lot of time doing laundry and ironing the linen napkins and tea towels.
It's always fun to see their enthusiasm at work.

What time is it?

Morning recess otherwise known as playtime.

Chester  - You can't see me I'm in the bucket.

Pepper - Why yes I can!

What do you take me for?

I might be old but my eyesight is keen.

Chester - What is she doing in there behind closed doors?

Chester - Sounds to me like she's rolling up the TP.

Drat!

Pepper - I told you she wouldn't approve.

You really unrolled far too much.

Chester - Hah! and she thought that she was so clever squishing the tube to make it harder to unroll.

She really underestimates us doesn't she?

Pepper - Don't try to hide and make me take the blame!

Pepper - Do I look like a guilty cat?

I'm trying to look disgusted.

Chester - I like claw foot tubs.

Chester - What are these curtains doing in here?

Chester - They make it hard to see.

Chester - Were you thinking of turning on the tap by any chance?

Chester - I'm glad the seat is down...I hate getting my paws wet.

Chester - Oh wow you really are taking a lot of photos of me today.

I must have done something right.

You haven't forgotten about those teeth marks on your IPad and IPhone chargers have you?

I really am cute. 

I might be a trouble maker but you really do love me.

I can tell by the way you look at me.

OK I'm tired now and in dire need of a nap.

Playtime's over.

Enjoy your day!