Wardrobing...my love affair with black.

I am not an expert on fashion nor am I the guru of the perfect wardrobe...
but have learned scads since I started reading blogs.

Jennifer L. Scott's Madame Chic book introduced me to the concept of a small chic wardrobe.
Her 10 item basic wardrobe guide has helped me to see the benefits of living with less.

Having a small wardrobe means that pieces need to work with each other so select a neutral colour for most of your clothes. I love black and I never tire of it.
It feels like a blank canvas waiting for a pop of colour, a backdrop for a pretty brooch or a colourful scarf.
You are the artist when putting your outfits together so have some fun and be creative with your accessories.

Janice is a creative and fashion savvy genius, she writes The Vivienne Files.
If you have not discovered her blog rush on over and prepare to be amazed.

I've read numerous books and umpteen blogs on how to cultivate a small but efficient wardrobe that functions optimally allowing for panic free dressing...
I have pared down my wardrobe so I can see it all at one glance and things are not crushing each other in the attempt to find their place in the closet.
Remember most of my clothes are BLACK!
You may be thinking how boring or dull, but once you've organized your wardrobe in black or your chosen neutral, I don't think you'll ever regret the loyalty you'll feel to those great clothes horses and their flexibility.

This is a great read if you are looking for some tips on dressing in the French Chic Style.

Dressing well needn't break the bank...

there are lots of thrift and consignment stores that offer quality clothing.

The secret is that you have so shop often and seriously hunt for those gems.

When you find one examine the garment carefully for rips, holes and stains.

A seamstress or tailor can usually alter the piece to fit if it is in good condition.

I love to shop this way but I know it is not for everyone.

I do enjoy purchasing quality basics on occasion but I seriously consider the CPW factor

(cost per wearing) 

before I plunk down the cash.

Most of you have heard me rave about the 10 item basic wardrobe that Jennifer L. Scott has written and blogged and V-logged about in her You Tube tutorials...

her book is a great introduction into living well with less.

This vintage book is a classic guide to French Chic dressing.

Coco Chanel loved black.

 Her contribution to fashion, with her launch of the LBD, is as popular and alive as it was when she took the fashion world by storm.

I have a lovely LBD in my wardobe by Elie Tahari.

It is THE MOST VERSATILE dress that I have ever had the pleasure of wearing!

Do you like how I have photographed it by the fridge?

What could be a simpler shape and line?

It fits as if it were tailored personally for me.

The fabric has body and a bit of weight to it and the dress is fully lined and top stitched by hand.

The zip is in the side which I like as I am not too good at doing up back zips.

(my husband helps out with back zips when he is at home!)

I wanted to show you a few ways that I style my favourite LBD.

If you have any doubts about buying one I hope that I have shown you the value of owning a great classic.

If you think you look dreadful in black try another neutral shade...navy, tan, white, or grey.

I made this necklace years ago when I took a course and wear it often.

Silver belt with an ethnic vibe at the waist can dress it down when it is worn with a jean jacket and boots.

A armload of bangles...

Gumball sized pearls are a bit more refined.

An interesting bangle worn solo is all you need to add a bit of interest and the silver is a nice shade with black.

Dressier shoes for afternoon and evening.

Flats work too as well as kitten heels.

A vintage small eel skin bag is just the right size for evening and I love that it has a chain strap so that my hands can be free to hold a drink or nibble on canapes.

"Mother approved" outfit for dinner out or an afternoon matinee at the local live theatre.

(maybe a bit Mumsy, I consider it a bit more modern version of a Castlebury Knit!)

If I haven't convinced you of the value of having a LBD perhaps I have not done my job!

Perhaps you prefer a skirt and sweater?

I have those items in my wardrobe too....

A longer skirt to wear with boots and a soft wool blend sweater.

Lisa Campione skirt is made of a firm fabric which gives it staying power and lots of body.

It is a very fun and feminine skirt to wear.

You could wear a white tee and a denim jacket to make this a super casual outfit...perfect for shopping or lunching out with your friends.

I just watched Jennifer L. Scott's Tedx Talk and thought you might like to see it too.

Watch and enjoy...

Now it's your turn to chime in with your thoughts about how you approach dressing.

Are you a minimalist or do you go for the maximum amount of garments?

Are your closets organized by colour, by type of clothing, or are they cluttered?

With a jumble of colours, styles and garments do you feel that you have "nothing to wear?"

I hope that you have a fabulous weekend!

Hostess

I've got Paris on my mind...and it is a lovely distraction.

Since hearing the news that I am one of the lucky ladies to accompany Jamie Cat Callan on her Paris Ooh La La Tour this coming May I have let my thoughts stray to all things Parisienne...
By the way, I think there are a couple of spots left on Jamie's Tour if you want to come along, but act fast if you want to join in!

I have been looking online at Paris blogs and websites and many kind readers have emailed me behind the scenes offering their thoughts on what to pack and what brand of carry on they prefer and several of my readers who live in Paris have suggested we meet for a drink while I am there...
more about Paris later in the post.

We recently went to a Scottish Celebration...
my husband's ancestors hail from Scotland...
The Campbell's and the MacDonald's.
Two clans that were constantly warring with each other!

Have you ever attended a Ceilidh?
Do you know what it is?
I had to look at this sign to spell it correctly as it is pronounced "Kay Lee."

An online source describes a Ceilidh ~
"a social event at which there is Scottish or Irish folk music and singing, traditional dancing and storytelling."

It was a fun evening filled with entertainment and a plethora of tartan kilted regimental musicians.

We were happy to be invited as it was a fund raising event for the local band's upcoming tour to Europe.

Isn't this a beautiful pin?

I love the acorn and the oak leaf.

I do love to see a man in a kilt and kitted out smartly to play in the band with those bagpipes and drums...

My Irish background can appreciate those who hail from the Highlands, after all we were practically neighbours! 

I made a Freekeh grain salad last week and it was delicious.

How does one pronounce Freekeh?

I have been saying Freak Ah!

I used the recipe on the back of the box.

Spinach, roasted red peppers, Greek olives, feta cheese, and I added some red onions.

It called for a dressing of lemon juice with a pinch of nutmeg and a bit of cinnamon but it really tasted delicious without it.

It made a large bowl full and I served it to Mother and my sister at our weekly dinner.

The verdict was that it was a keeper.

There was some leftover so it made for easy lunches for me for the next few days.

I made our favourite prawn bisque.

The recipe is in the Whitewater Cooks  cookbook as shrimp bisque but I use prawns for more flavour.

I posted about this shrimp bisque way back in the day...

This recipe has big flavours and is loaded in WW points so make sure that you proceed with caution!

The roses in The Humble Bungalow Garden are laden with rose hips... 

perhaps a sign of a harsh winter to come?

The cushions have been removed from the front porch chairs as the colder wet weather is almost upon us...

the pockets of sunshine continue teasing us into believing that summer is still here.

Stews will be back on the menu as the temperatures dip.

I'm thinking about what I will pack when I go to Paris!

I always love reading posts on packing by un femme d'un certain age.

I've been reading quite a bit...

New Year New Dreams blog author Madame La Bas suggested these mysteries set in Paris.

The stories are well written, engaging, and I am enjoying reading about the different areas of Paris.

So much is happening here in and around The Humble Bungalow.

We are living in busy times.

I really must run and get some things done.

Thank you for visiting!

I am planning a wardrobe post next...so please come back soon.

Rosacea...a post in repsonse to a reader's question.

Please forgive me as I have been remiss in not posting a timely response from a reader.
Her question asked me to discuss in a blog post how I manage my rosacea.
Other than the crucial habits of eating healthy food, drinking lots of Perrier, avoiding red wine, reducing stress I rely on a line of gentle products by Avene that are specifically created for sensitive skin.

My skincare regime is simple.

Morning and evening cleansing with a foaming cleanser

 sunscreen

moisturizer

followed by a moisturizing tinted cream

(my mature skin is dry and the extra moisture is absorbed like a sponge!)

In the evening I remove all my make up spritz with thermal water and gently pat on serum.

Weekly or bi-weekly I'll have a spa morning treatment.

I use Bio-Gommage an exfoliating product by Methode Physiodermie

and then slather on L'Occitane Divine Cream and go about my domestics.

My favourite sunscreen by La Roche Posay

 Sea Buckthorn Salve which I use if I have a flare up of redness.

I use this at night as it is rather greasy and not suitable for wearing under tinted moisturizer or make up.

I am not a dermatologist and would never suggest that I am an expert on rosacea so if you do have this condition I would strongly advise you to seek medical attention.

I saw a specialist years ago and have learned that my skin reacts to strong chemicals in skin care products so I avoid using them on my face.

Changing my diet made a big difference in how my skin looks.

When I worked I would have a facial every few months at The Willowstream Spa in the Victoria Fairmont Empress and they customize a facial after consulting with you about your skin.

I loved how my skin felt after having a spa facial.

 Now that I am on a pension, and saving for my trip to Paris I do my own facials...

My favourite tinted moisturizing cream by Sweet Lei Lani

created by a woman in Langley BC

for a friend who was undergoing chemotherapy 

and still wanted to look lovely during her treatment.

It is gentle and light and adds a dewy finish and comes in a variety of colours.

In addition to these skincare thoughts...

 I try to get lots of fresh air by walking outdoors by the ocean everyday.

Rest and relaxation is vital, as is sleep.

It is high on my list of healthy priorities but can often be a challenge at my age

it seems to be broken up

 not as long

and as a result is not as restful as I would like.

If I have a restless night I will try to take a longer walk.

The sights and sounds out and about in nature are so soothing.

So with those thoughts in mind I am off for my walk and will be back soon.

Enjoy your week!

Hostess

Introducing Mr. HB...

Mr. HB likes to remain behind the scenes here on The Humble Bungalow Blog.
As well as being my husband, father of our two wonderful children, he works hard at his craft.
Mr. HB is clever, he's scientific, mathematical, detail oriented and his artistic creativity knows no bounds...
put all those talents together and you'll arrive at architecture.

I have decided to put this post together as he recently took me to see his newly opened UVIC University Centre Food Services project and I got to view first hand what he has been up to for the last four years of planning and this past year overseeing the construction. He's a busy fellow!
(all the while working on other projects)

A picture is worth a thousand words so I'll let the pictures do most of the talking...

a living wall feature

lush greenery

"the boardwalk" 

flooring snakes through the various food kiosks

We visited very early Saturday morning before the masses decended...

This is a bit different from my usual post topics but one that is very near and dear to my heart.

It is hard to me to imagine just how much work goes on behind the scenes of a successful project...

I only know many hours (years) are put into making a project of this scope happen.

When friends ask to go for a walk I might suggest we wander along the campus nature trails and then stop for a coffee or a bite to eat at the Food Services venue at The University Centre... 

Thank you Mr. HB for another exciting venue!