Friday, February 20, 2015

The Ugly Truth ~ Embracing Imperfection

Are you living a "perfectly imperfect" life...
I wasn't quite sure what that meant and you too may well ask what is perfectly imperfect?

The Urban dictionary offers this definition ~ "when someone has strong feelings for you they may tell you that you're "perfectly imperfect" basically saying that they accept your flaws, they like you enough that they see past your insecurities, a way of saying that you're perfect to them."


Our front porch is looking cheerful, almost pretty...but do not look too close!
These touches are meant to be a distraction as our front stairs are falling apart and the house paint is peeling.
We have several projects on our do list...but for now we must embrace the imperfections.

Is your home orderly, perfectly maintained and tastefully decorated?
Is there a sense of order or do you prefer disorder?
Are you a minimalist or do you subscribe to the "more is better" way of living?

I read with great interest Ellie's recent post about decorating and I am in awe of people who live in homes that look like they have been staged for a magazine shoot...


Our 100+ year old arts and crafts bungalow is imperfect and has many flaws.
The flaws are obvious, some even glaring.
Not unlike the face of an older woman...there are spots, wrinkles and laugh lines ~ evidence of the aging process.

"Nature gives you the face you have at twenty; it is up to you to merit the face you have at fifty."
~ Coco Chanel ~



Our home is small and is steeped in the arts and crafts style.


We opted for small scaled mission oak furniture and have collected many pieces of original old hand hammered copper pieces and vintage arts and crafts pottery.




First Nations baskets and Ojibwa duck decoys round out our collection.


Most of the wool rugs are new as are the window treatments.
With the exception of our two linen slip covered love seats and our bed all of the pieces are originals from the period from 1912 -1918.
I suppose you might call it "museum style decorating" because the pieces have their original patina and are worn, marked and distressed from years of use.


Two lamps are new, the rest are originals from Water Glass Studios.


This vintage chair was a boulevard freebie...
I carried it home and painted it then distressed it for effect.
It's been on our front porch for several years.


This tool box was treated to a coat of paint and distressed...
It often holds pots of geraniums in the summer and pine cones in the winter.
Check out those muddy footprints..."someone" needs to wash the porch!


This chair was a freebie too...
if you look closely you can you see the imperfections.



"Optimism - the doctrine or belief that everything is beautiful, including what is ugly."

~ Ambrose Bierce ~



"I never saw an ugly thing in my life: for let the form of an object be what it may,
- light, shade, and perspective will always make it beautiful."

                                                             ~ John Constable ~


Monday, February 16, 2015

Books and crannies...

I've finally picked up this book after months of it sitting on my shelf...and I'm hooked.
Kate Atkinson weaves a great tale...


I've got a super busy week ahead of me 
so I am not too sure if I'll have much time to read, let alone sit at my computer.
Today in the wee crannies of space and time I was able to write this quick post...






The sunshine was streaming in through the windows and my goodness they are filthy!
Our Christmas cactus is re blooming...and it feels like Spring has Sprung.
Mr. HB mowed the lawn yesterday and it is only mid February.


The kitchen looks calm but don't be fooled 
I have been hard at it churning out soups and casseroles for my family and friends.

~ Food Is love ~
especially when you take it to those who are preoccupied with bigger and more important life events than cooking.


Mr. HB and I ripped up the disgusting wall to wall carpet in our bedroom and discovered a very distressed and paint splattered fir floor underneath...
I spent an afternoon on my hands and knees scraping the paint off and we bought three really inexpensive rugs from Home Depot until such time as we do the complete renovation...maybe next year?



Chester insists that bunny be upstairs instead of in the grand children's toy box downstairs!
The minute I put bunny back he drags him up so I gave in and have placed bunny on the bed.
Hope you are keeping warm and cozy particularly if you are reading this back east under the blanket of snow.


Speaking of cozy this is my newest scarf which does not have any tags so I don't know where it was made or what the fabric content might be...it feels like felted wool and I wore it out to dinner on Valentine's Eve.



I bought myself a new lipstick.
The shade is pinker than I usually wear.
The cosmetics clerk at the Pharmasave on The Avenue said it would add a splash of colour.
Who doesn't need a little perk up at this time of year?
(under $10)


My hair is in a growing out stage...
I've decided to let it grow a bit longer so it's not looking it's best right now.
I have an appointment in a few weeks.
 My hairdresser is so clever with her scissors 
that I am betting that she can style and shape it so I don't go crazy while it grows.

Oh and my "new glasses" had to be returned as the coating on them was not sealed properly and they were getting so scratched that it looked foggy day inside and out 24/7!
An inconvenience,
 but I won't complain too loudly 
as it is minor compared to what some people are dealing with...
and my heart goes out to them in sympathy.


Maybe this week you could do something nice for someone in need.

I'll try to check back later if I get a chance...
but as I mentioned it's going to be a busy week ahead.

Cheerio!

Friday, February 13, 2015

Snapshots of an emerging Spring....walking OOTD.

Today it's a sunny morning!
I'm smiling as it is such a gift after a dull week of weather.


The Spring flowers are blooming
the plum and cherry trees along the boulevards are budding forth in various shades of pink
  the petals are fluttering down like pink snow.


A fog bank hugs the Washington shoreline on Juan de Fuca Strait.


Walking the 5K route I weave through the picturesque Gonzales area of town.


it's a scenic spot to perambulate.

OOTD
My walking gear is pretty standard, keeping warm is very important.


I wear a warm scarf to chase the chill and keep cozy.


Chillax coat which is waterproof, lined in fleece and is not too heavy.


I carry my keys, some money and my IPhone in this small cross body bag by Roots...
it's a hands free option which allows me the freedom to swing my arms.


Lands' End trail shoes...

I love the word perambulate...

per·am·bu·late/pəˈrambyəˌlāt/
verb
"walk or travel through or around a place or area, especially for pleasure and in a leisurely way."


I also love an English pram...
Mr. HB and I are over the moon that our son and his wife are expecting their 3rd baby!
I'll be getting my knitting needles out soon.
I knit blankets for Isla and Henry and so I will continue the tradition with the new one.
When I had my Grammy Day this week Isla was so excited about the new baby...
she wants a sister...


Sunny clumps of yellow daffodils.


Earlier in the week the weather was rather bleak
and I had to force myself to go out.


The weather was dreary...positively beastly.
(not as cold or snowy as those in the east are enduring)


Mission style arts and crafts house on Hollywood Crescent.


Bald Eagle looking out to the sea...





Carrot Ginger Soup


Gordon Ramsay's recipe for lamb breast was very tasty.
I'd never cooked a breast of lamb before and it is a very inexpensive cut so it's a budget friendly way of enjoying our fresh local lamb.



A couple of light reads from the library.
Toss the Gloss had some great tips.
I specifically liked that she mentioned various brands of inexpensive products that deliver as well as the higher priced lines.


Oak Bay Street art...near the library.


The weather forecast is favourable for a Happy Valentine's Weekend.

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Jeans...OOTD

If we are talking about our favourite clothes
and we are today
I have a confession...

My all time favourite OOTD to wear is a white Tee or shirt and pair of great fitting jeans.
They can be worn with diamonds, gold or pearls...
a Hermes silk scarf, a pashmina, a thrifted woolen wrap,
they can be worn with heels, ballet flats, boots or flip flops...
a Chanel tweed, a leather Moto jacket or a soft well worn hoodie.

If I only could choose one outfit for the rest of my days.....
jeans would figure prominently in the equation.

It might sound silly coming from a grown woman who is just a few weeks away from 60
I am here to confess that  "I DO LOVE JEANS!"

I've worn jeans for decades and think I always will...
they are on my "desert island list"
after sunscreen, moisturizer, mascara and lip balm.

My tatty 2 year old g21 skinny jeans have worn out their welcome,
but it's not surprising with so many wearings and washings....
so they have been donated to the charity shop.
At $10, the cost per wearing must be less than 5 cents by now.

I've seen and heard of NYDJ jeans but have never actually tried a pair on until recently...
they are available in Petite which is wonderful because I really hate shortening jeans.
I didn't go looking for them, they rather fell off the hanger as I was perusing the racks at The Hudson's Bay store.
A woman of a certain age mentioned that she had several pairs of NYDJ and thought they made the best of a "woman's assets" Hmmm...
I thought I'd give them a try...


I'm not sure if I should be raving publicly about these jeans
(they may fall into that shadowy category referred to as "Mom jeans!")
Are the Fashion Police on duty?

I do like how they fit...
(I am a Mother and a Grand Mother)


A great fitting pair of jeans can take you most places...
not the red carpet, a funeral or a wedding
not in my crowd
BUT
they are on my "desert island list." 
I have worn jeans since I was a teenager
plan to wear them forever
they have no expiration date...
and are so versatile in how you can style them.

I have put together a few jean OOTD options.


Vintage beaded wool sweater ~ Pelican Cove
jeans ~ NYDJ


gumball pearls which IMO
compliment and elevate a simple Tee and jeans


Tank top ~ Lands' End
beaded cardigan ~ Spanner
pearls
jeans ~ NYDJ


tank top ~ Lands' End
cashmere cardigan ~ Lands' End
jeans ~ NYDJ


remember to have fun and be creative with accessories
think of yourself as a painter and take risks
put you own personal stamp on things
Why Not?


black top ~ Jeanne Beker
jeans ~ NYDJ
shoes ~ Amalfi


I love these shoes...they make me feel so happy when I wear them.


Tweed jacket ~ Jeremy Spenser
jeans ~ NYDJ
shoes ~ Stuart Weitzman


love the bows on the toes...


this vintage baroque pearl pin is a perfect pairing with the jacket
(thank you darling daughter I adore this gift and wear it often)


I'm feeling the Paris vibe with this OOTD
striped top ~ Gap
jeans ~ NYDJ
ballet flats ~ Lands' End


sterling stack of bangles...
Tiffany and Co.
mingle with artisan designed silver bracelets

I've had fun putting these together and I have oodles more options in my closet...

Do you wear jeans?
What brand of jeans are your favourite?

BTW 
if you like to watch British dramas...
Mr. HB and I have just finished watching Last Tango in Halifax 
 and now are binge watching Happy Valley on Netflix...
Sally Wainright writes entertaining and engaging TV.
Downton Abbey is not the only show in town.

Take care
XO