TEA TIME...

One day last week I got a bee in my bonnet and decided that I was going to head downtown for a day of shopping.
I bounded out of bed bright and early and hopped in the shower.
Pulled on my jeans, sandals, a top and sweater...
I was ready to go early so I hitched a ride into town with Mr. HB on his way to work.

Ten minutes after driving to town I was breakfasting on hot oatmeal and sipping a decaf Americano at Starbucks.
Located near our historic Chinatown I sat at a table by the window, a great location for some "people watching" observing the fashionable folk as they passed by the window.

I was on a shopping mission to find two mugs.
I've been on a bit of a breaking spree and thought I might find some beautiful replacements for those that were beyond repair.
One of the drawbacks of having hard granite counter tops is that crockery rarely bounces off, it fractures instantly.

Black Toast Pattern designed and made by Emma Bridgewater

I found the mugs and bowl at The Knightsbridge Shops.

Have you tried Lapsang Souchong Tea?

It's a bit of an acquired taste and quite a change from mainstream orange pekoe tea.

I purchased this wee box at Murchie's on Government Street.

The label describes the tea as "pan fired" from China with an intriguing smoky flavour...

Murchie's Teas has a great website if you like tea.

They carry a wide assortment of teapots, cups, and coffee paraphernalia.

You can enjoy elevenses, afternoon tea or lunch at Murchie's

 at peak times be prepared to wait and stand in line 

as this is a popular spot with the locals and when tourists are in town the crowd swells.

I grabbed this Tee shirt as it is awash with colour...

I plan to pair it with jeans and my lightwash denim Gap jacket.

Red white and blue, a classic combo...

The Union Jack is undeniably bold and recognizable.

You'll be seeing double Jacks if I carry my straw tote!

more red white and blue...

I retire the straw tote after summer is over and store it for next year.

Pristine navy blue vintage leather handbag circa 1980.

Lined in leather, beautifully crafted, lovely detail with long gold chain handles and a tassel.

Can be worn as a cross body bag for hands free shopping.

 L. J. Simone of New York.

I've never owned a navy bag before and thought that maybe I should leave it on the shelf.

All my bags are black so why not shake it up a bit?

"Push the envelope Hostess and dip your toes into a tiny well of inky blue..."

So with that in mind this bag is mine and I will now be consigning a few of my other bags.

My rule is that when "something new" comes into The Humble Bungalow "something old" needs to go...

Hope you have a fabulous weekend.

Thanks for stopping by...

I feel so much more connected when you take the time to leave a comment and if you are too shy consider sending me an email at bungalowhostess@gmail.com

"Do one thing every day that scares you."

~ Eleanor Roosevelt ~

Fall Wardrobe basics, after the heart rocks...

I started out thinking about rocks when I sat down to write today's post but I segued into my thoughts about my wardrobe quite quickly...so bear with me as I take you on a bit of a romp from rocks to clothes!


Collecting heart shaped rocks has proved ot be quite a challenge.
They are rather illusive on the beach and searching requires a lot of concentration and patience.

Thoughts flutter through my mind as I am in a meditative mood when sorting and seeking rocks.

I sit on a log and scan the area at my feet...

I am the first to admit that it is an odd activity. 

I wonder why I am preoccupied with only the heart shapes

 as there are so many beautiful stones in a variety of colours, shapes and sizes.

The collection is small enough to fit into a vintage silver compote.

These few hearts represent a few hours of beach combing in a calm and focused state.

Peace

Tranquility

Alone with my thoughts

 in a natural setting

of beauty.

Shaped by the tides

they feel smooth in my palm.

Each one is different...

This was the first one I found

while walking along the beach off of Dallas Road waterfront 

I did a double take when I saw it and knew I had to take it home.

Places by the ocean offer up opportunities

 for thoughts to bubble up 

which in a peaceful place 

help me sort out things that might be preying on my mind.

The days are getting shorter as the seasons are in flux.

Soon we will be cocooning indoors by the warmth of the fire with mugs of hot tea to chase the chill away.

Speaking of chill chasers...

sweater and vest weather is coming...

Last year's investment piece, a Barbour vest,

 I wore it often.

Hermes scarf in shades of white and grey...

a great accent piece to add to my basic casual tee and jeans.

These reliable and machine washable Merino tee sweaters will be back on the beat.

They were purchased at Costco last year and look as new and fresh as the day I brought them home.

Shoes will replace sandals...

The quilted Burberry will carry me through the Fall in style.

This Breton striped top layered with the Barbour vest and worn with a Hermes scarf and jeans is an easy look to put together for a day of errands.

It is comfortable to wear to the grocery store.

I'll be wearing boots a lot...

My cashmere cardigans get worn most fall and winter days during the week...

they are my "go to basics" for they offer warmth without the weight and bulk of most wools.

I have a few dressier items in the closet for dinners out and parties.

Peter Nygaard skirt.

A basic black dress can take me almost anywhere.

A vintage beaded cardigan is incredibly versatile and it's a fun and whimsical piece to add some interest to a basic black and grey wardrobe.

A little black skirt can take you most places...

A sweater like this can do double duty as a jacket.

A pair of basic dressy shoes like these will go with everything.

Jeans 

I love my jeans and I practically live in them now that I lead a casual lifestyle...

retirement dressing is so much simpler than when one is working.

It doesn't mean sloppy dressing for me...even my walking gear is pretty.

You'd be surprised how few clothes I have left hanging in my closet.

Since I started blogging I have become so much more aware of my tastes 

 what clothes suit my shape and what I feel good wearing.

Not all my clothes are purchased new.

Some are investment pieces and others are bargains...

this jacket is a wonderful example of a thrift shop find.

This soft cashmere Burberry scarf was a gift from my sweet husband.

It kept me warm and cozy last year and I can hardly wait to wear it again when the temperature dips.

A nod to colour...a bright walking jacket.

Cheerful for our rainy days to come.

A Chanel inspired jacket can elevate a pair of jeans and take me out to lunch.

I like to use accessories to make the most of my basic minimal wardrobe.

They change the mood and feeling and add interest.

They needn't be expensive and can be readily found in stores.

Don't overlook gallery and museum gift shops, ethnic import shops and thrift shops.

Have fun hunting for the pieces that you like and you don't have to settle for the mass produced plastics...

look for the unique, vintage, designer pieces or if you are creative make your own! 

Tune into your inner voice and wear something that expresses a little bit of your personality.

I dare you to push the envelope with accessories.

Fashion should be fun.

My take on dressing is to keep my wardrobe small and manageable.

The basic palette is black, white and grey.

I like to have something hanging in my closet for any occasion so there is no panic shopping required.

I take stock each season of the garments and their condition before storing them.

If they need repair or if they need to be replaced.

At the start of a new season I look at what I already own before embarking on a shopping spree.

I make and use a list so that I do not fall prey to impulse buying...

Too many dollars have been wasted when I shopped as a hobby.

I record all my purchases in a book since retiring and it gives me an idea of how much I spend on clothes.

I am enjoying dressing on a budget and find that I am much more selective and creative with less.

Are you happy with your wardrobe?

Do you have a few choice garments or a closet crammed full of clothes?

“Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance.”

~ Coco Chanel ~

Picnic memories...a tonic on a stormy Tuesday in September.

Blast!
When I awoke on Tuesday morning I was so hoping for a sunny day so that I could get out in the garden and tackle the weeds and mow the lawn...the garden has gotten away from me in the time while we were away.
It was chilly and there was torrential rain...and the not so usual thunder and lightning!
A day to cocoon for some perhaps,
but I have decided to get busy inside and do some tidying and cleaning before, fingers crossed, a 10K walk.

When I feel a bit unsettled or disappointed I need to be active and be attending to some job or task that requires concentration. Distraction is a great mood changer.

On a cold stormy day like Tuesday after months of hot weather I was drawn to thoughts of sunshine...
those lazy days of summer, walking, pottering in the garden, summertime picnics...

Willows Beach has lovely white sandy shore and a long Esplanade to walk along.

The picnic tables in the park are a perfect spot to enjoy an al fresco dinner.

Tea is transported in several stainless steel thermoses and the food in simple plastic containers and zip loc bags.

Mother, my sister and I had several dinner picnics over the course of the season and Mother was especially keen. Our Father never cared for dining outdoors or eating off a TV table, he liked to be seated comfortably at the dining table with a proper place setting with linens so Mother deferred to his wishes...

Mom always respected Father's preferences and put her own on the back burner.

I think many women did in those days.

(you have to pick your battles)

I often wonder how different things might have been if she had insisted that they compromise on things.

Perhaps they would have parted their ways...who knows?

My sister and I were allowed to dine on Swanson TV dinners on the nights when Mom and Dad went out!

(we loved sitting in front of the TV eating)

Mom often packed us up wee hampers of sandwiches and juice so that we could toddle off to the local park and sit at a table and have a picnic of our own...

such an adventure and excitement for two sisters on their own a block away from home!

(Mom could go upstairs and look out the window and see us if she so desired!)

 When Mother took us to the lake to swim while Father was at work we always enjoyed a picnic lunch on our towels amid the sun and sand...

(I recall gritty sandy sandwiches on occasion!)

she would remind us, like all the Mothers would, 

that we needed to wait an hour before going back in the lake to swim.

That hour was the longest hour EVER.

Nothing in my picnic set matches...

I actually prefer to use a variety of patterns and pieces.

Call it whimsy or bad taste, whatever it is, I subscribe to it.

Cheap and cheerful silver plated flatware.

Lately I've been digging deep into the cupboards and storage areas of our basement

I've been busy stocking our shelf at Vanity Fair Antique Mall...

Darling daughter and I are selling some of our modernist pieces.

Modernist Teak, Jewelry, Danish and Finnish Glass, a variety of bits and bobs await.

The Robert Larin Cubist Smash brutalist bracelet in it's original box was the first item to sell...

perhaps the matching necklace will be next!

Guy Vidal a Canadian modernist jewelery designer crafted this pewter double shadow box pendant.

It's a statement piece that would look fabulous on a simple black dress or top.

The Tennesmed modernist pewter "alien" pin is for sale in the case.

 I am keeping the baroque pearl and ebony one as I love it so very much.

If you visit Victoria and like antiques and collectibles, Vanity Fair is the largest Mall in town and is situated on Fort Street near Cook and they open at 10:00.

My messy make up tin has been wiped out and organized.

I do love order.

I keep my make up hidden from view.

I plan to slough on this polish...

then I'll wrap myself up in my cozy robe..

after a sugary scrub and a hot shower...

I've even shampooed my brushes...

It turned out to be a very productive day.

The post arrived while we were away...and in it was a parcel!

Jennifer L. Scott author of Lessons from Madame Chic and blogger at The Daily Connoisseur has sent me her advanced reading copy of her newest book and I am so honoured to be able to read it and tell you all about it in an upcoming post.

Thank you Jennifer.

What a lovely surprise!

 Now it's time to put the kettle on for a delicious cup of tea and get my nose in a new book!

Thank you for stopping by our Humble Bungalow.

Be Well and Be Kind.

XO