Seeing the light....and a wee bit of sparkle.

Light in Our Humble Bungalow is low...

The design of arts and crafts bungalows have extended overhanging eaves which do minimize the natural light...that's why we have so many electric lamps and light fixtures.

The walls are papered with organic toned period arts and crafts wallpaper which compliment the 100 year old + Douglas fir  beams and wood wall treatments.

Here is a weekend morning image of our dining room...
it is a challenge to get enough light to read a book or knit.

I finished the blanket that I have been working on for grand baby number 3

(I have folded it in half to take the picture.)

It's the classic block pattern that I have used for all the baby blankets and this time I used a thick cotton yarn in an off white shade.

I usually sit in our living room to read in a Morris chair situated right under a large lamp and this book held me spell bound for several days...
It is a thriller in the style of Alfred Hitchcock and I can see this book easily being made into a film.
The characters are very dysfunctional and quirky...the story held my interest and it is worth reading.

The foyer of the Garnier Opera House in Paris was dimly lit...

it would have been originally illuminated with lamps and candles before electricity.

Can you imagine doing fine needlework, knitting or sewing by candle light or an oil lamp?

It would be hard on the eyes.

I purchased this cheerful towel in France.

I spend so much time in my kitchen that I thought it would be a wonderful reminder of my trip.

I've hung it on my stove.

The sponge is from La Cuisine where author and Ooh La La Paris tour leader  Jamie Cat Callan and I took our cooking class together.

I spied this wee key chain at the local Pharmacy on Oak Bay Avenue.

Which instantly reminded me of the Ooh La La Tour!

I forgot to mention in a previous post that I bought two linen Tees at the Monoprix in Paris.

This one is white with a wee bit of sparkle and the other is in a grey nubby linen.

Both are super comfy and very cool for summer.

The Monoprix has cute fashions...

they are basics and available at affordable price points.

Monoprix is like the American Target store...

(wish we still had Target here.)

I treated myself to a couple of new Hermes scents...

this one I have been wearing daily since I got home from France.

I've also indulged in a hot coffee with foamed milk each morning...

(sometimes two!)

I use espresso in my French Press and foam the milk in the Starbucks electric machine.

I like it much better than cream and an added bonus is that it is WW point friendly.

I miss those cute French glass jars that they store and sell yogurt in, in Paris and France.

A little bit of France has back home with me...

in my head and in my heart.

Memories are the best souvenirs.

Like that first kiss 

I think I'll always remember Paris!

It's a sunny day today and it's Mother's 88th birthday so we are taking her out to celebrate.

It's a surprise and my sister and I are in cahoots about where we are going!

Hope she likes what we have planned.

Cheerio

XO

French and English Roses...

If you have been reading my blog for awhile you'll know that roses are my all time favourite flower.
Roses are a passion and they are my muse when I dabble in paint.

There is no doubt in my mind that I tend to be a wee bit obsessive when it comes to roses...

David Austin Rose

Jude the Obscure

Boldly blooming today in our Humble Bungalow Garden.

David Austin Rose 

Gertrude Jekyll

Her intoxicating and heady fragrance scents the front border.

Reliable and stalwart Climbing Royal Sunset puts on a great show all summer long.

Her scent is very sweet and has a slight citrus fragrance.

A little luxury is growing roses and picking a few to bring inside our humble bungalow.

I notice roses wherever I go.

 Paris and the South of France did not disappoint me...

there were masses of roses that stopped me in my tracks.

"There is nothing more difficult for a truly creative painter than to paint a rose, because before he can do so he has first to forget all the roses that were ever painted."

~ Henri Matisse ~

I dabbled in the paint pot when I was in Auvillar.

Something about the clear blue skies and the bright yellow sunshine inspired me to use bold colours.

The France Holiday Series is drawing to a close soon and life is returning to "normal" here in The Humble Bungalow.

I have felt a definite shift inside me since going to Paris 

taking time and allowing my thoughts and feelings to slowly percolate...

I'm taking notes of the small changes within me.

I would not have expected to feel so refreshed and invigorated after 3 weeks away.

 Considering the scenic beauty of the landscape

the architecture and history

the rich culture

and idyllic setting it should not come as a surprise...

"a change is as good as a rest."

There is plenty to keep me busy here at home... 

I've been taking time to savour the memories of my trip.

 I learned one thing about myself while I was away.

I need to slow down like the people I met in the south of France.

I have a "do list" and try to do it all in one day!

So the lesson ~ test will be to slow down my pace...

(if I can)

and take time to stop and linger over a coffee

read an extra chapter in my book

So taking time to stop and smell the roses is a good place to start.

Oh and I forgot a few of my Paris purchases...

so there will be more in a future post.

Paris purchases...

Paris was full of wonderful galleries, churches, museums, cafes, bistros, gardens and parks.
It goes without saying that Paris has wonderful shops and boutiques and I ventured into many of them...
One of the gals on the tour and I took a leisurely stroll through the Chanel boutique and had a browse at the clothing...which was lovely but exceeded my budget and the garments do not suit my retired lifestyle.

We popped into the fabulous boutique ~ Didier Ludot.

They sell vintage and gently used designer goods.

If you want to purchase a Hermes Kelly bag this is a great place to look!

Didier Ludot stock luxury goods and there are lots of tempting treasures inside the store!

The white cocktail dress would be fun for a summer party.

 And how about lunch with the ladies in the red Chanel suit?

There were so many shops with gorgeous clothes...

I just did not devote time for much shopping.

I wasn't on a mission for clothes...

I wanted to experience the art, history and culture of Paris.

I bought this vintage Jeanne Lanvin silk scarf at a pop up vintage shop in BHV.

I bought this striped top in COS in the Marais.

The Hermes scarf which I showed in a previous post was my big purchase.

(a wearable souvenir!)

I bought this fun grey mesh sweater and silver necklace

in the Marais at a shop whose name I have forgotten.

Since I have been home I have been lusting after a black leather jacket like those I saw women wearing in Paris...

and my lovely daughter saw this one on sale and the rest is history.

I bought this rustic vintage jug in the south of France.

I wanted to have something to remind me of the countryside and this will be perfect for my roses.

Shepherd hut

seen on the drive from the Pech Merle Caves to the enchanting Village of Saint Cirq-Lapopie.

Signage adjacent to the hut.

Very basic shelter...and at this altitude it would make for a very cold night.

The stone buildings are so quaint and picturesque.

For gifts 

I bought French soaps, chocolates, magnets with the Eiffel Tower depicted on them...

 hand made semi precious beaded bracelets, a pottery necklace, a book for the grandchildren, scents from Hermes for my sister and husband.

(This post was in response to Jill's question ~ and thank for posing the question Jill!)

Paris ~ The Palais Garnier

Opulent and ornate are the two words that spring to mind when I think of the Palais Garnier,
the Beaux Arts architecturally designed building in Paris. Formerly The Paris Opera House which is now home to the Paris Ballet Company.

When we were there on tour we were treated to a little rehearsal...

I would love to be in the audience for a full performance.

Can you imagine the beautiful and luxurious gowns that women would have worn to the Opera?

I can visualize arriving by carriage with a lady's maid at my side...

a modern day Cinderella!

So many marble stairs to navigate with a commodious gown and delicate footwear...

one would definitely want to be accompanied by a smart well heeled gentleman.

The intricate designs are utterly breath taking.

from

the radiant lighting 

the colourful fresco's

the scale of the space

the marble carved pillars

the inlaid mosaic flooring...

it's amazing.

We'd convene here for a glass of bubbly during the intermission!

Looking up at the gold and crystal... 

could be a dizzying distraction from the performance.

I'd want opera glasses!

It would be convenient to have one's own box to sit in...

Paris Opera House is a beautiful place to visit...

read more about it here.

I've settled back into my daily round.

The pedestrian life that I lead now has a touch of Parisian glamour.

I've got a bundle of photos and a heart full of delightful memories that are with me as I weave my way through the rooms of our humble home and slowly and mindfully meander along the streets of our charming neighbourhood by the sea.

It's not Paris,

 but there's a wee bit of Paris that has come back with me to my home here in Victoria.

I'll cherish this trip for years to come.

Je t'aime Paris.