Stormy weather...

Last week we experienced a positively "Beastly Day"...

~ most of the day ~

the 

wind howled

tree limbs cracked

branches fell

the rain pelted sideways at the windows 

and 

water seeped in and pooled on the sills

the buds on our climbing Royal Sunset Rose were shaken about ferociously 

but somehow they managed to cling on 

for dear life

BC Ferries were cancelled

power outages were reported

trees blew down

waves lashed the shore and spilled over the onto the streets

floods followed

While the storm raged I prepared a simple curry...

"sweating" the seasonings

chopping vegetables

sauteing 

aromas waft up 

and 

fill the kitchen with a heavenly scent

~ Vegetarian curry ~

garbanzo beans

cabbage

carrots

onions

cilantro

tomatoes

spices

simmering on the stove

and then

the sun came out and there was the most vivid of rainbows arching across the sky

a snapshot taken in summertime of our Royal Sunset Rose

What a difference a few hours make...

the forceful wind blew the clouds 

and

inclement weather 

east of Victoria

and thankfully

we were bathed in warm golden sunshine.

AND

NOW

The forecast locally is for snow flurries from Tuesday through Thursday...

I will be bundled up for my walks.

I have a Lands' End Down coat 

that Mother refers to as "the walking quilt!"

Hope your week is off to a great start.

"Weather is a great metaphor for life...

sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, 

and 

there's nothing much you can do about it 

but carry an umbrella or choose to dance in the rain!"

~ Terri Guillemets ~

One new thing...

I've been very frugal lately...
"shopping my closet"
instead of running out and buying new clothes,
wearing the basics that I already own
adding a scarf or some jewelry to create a bit of interest
so that I do not get bored.

I purchased this scarf before I went to Paris last Spring.

 I had planned to take it with me but found that it was too bulky.

It is perfect for the Fall and Winter weather here.

I love the colours in this scarf as they mesh and meld with all my black and grey staples.

The texture is soft and feels a bit like it has been "felted."

I picked this up at our local Pharmasave store in Oak Bay for about $25.00

I've worn in with this striped Lands' End tunic top and black leggings and ankle boots.

When we were in Vancouver recently 

I popped into Eileen Fisher shop on South Granville.

I love Eileen Fishers designs

she sells such great basics

 in the tones that I love to wear 

and 

the fabrics and textures of her garments are splendid.

However 

I consider her prices to be a wee bit expensive now that I am retired.

But wait...

 I spied a lovely viscose charcoal top on the sale rack

in my size

the last one!

I had a $25.00 off coupon too so the price was even better.

I snapped a quick shot of the top in our hotel room.

The wool is cozy and warm and the fabric itself is soft.

The hem dips down at either side on the bottom.

The neck is a U shape so I can showcase some of my necklaces when I am not wearing a scarf.

It will get LOTS of wear...that is how I am justifying this "one new thing."

Have you been shopping your closet

Or 

shopping the shops?

Vancouver getaway...

Last weekend we hopped on a BC Ferry and visited friends in Vancouver.

Blue Horizon Hotel on Robson Street

The Marina on False Creek is where our friends moor their boat.

They served us a delicious dinner and we sat looking out facing this beautiful view.

The next morning the weather was cool and breezy, a typical Fall day.

Wind, rain and a wee bit chilly...leaves at our feet.

Perfect weather to visit The Vancouver Art Gallery

Exhibits by the Canadian Group of Seven and Lee Bul were highlights.

I was very impressed by the art installations of Lee Bul.

She worked with mirrors in Via Negativa and the effects were really interesting.

Walking through this mirrored installation I felt dizzy and slightly disoriented...

there were twists and turns before arriving at the lights.

It seemed quite popular with the people who were viewing this exhibit.

I ventured through the maze of mirrors several times!

We stopped for lunch in the cafe before going upstairs to explore more exhibits.

"Between Object and Action:

Transforming Media in the 1960's and 70's."

artists

Kate Craig, Eric Metcalfe, Gathie Falk, Carole Itter and Evelyn Roth.

We shopped a bit along South Granville...I found something on sale at Eileen Fisher!

                                        Later we met up at La Quercia for a fabulous meal.

Sunday morning Mr. HB and I went to check out the new Nordstroms and popped into Holt Renfrew before heading to the ferry.

We took our books up to the on board buffet and sat at a window table for the duration of the trip.

A beautiful setting sun

 appeared just as we were about to disembark the ferry.

All in all it was a fun weekend and the cats were happy to see us when we got home.

Hope your week is ticking along nicely.

Thinking of Paris...

The Friday the 13th events in Paris have been shocking...
(and I humbly apologize for the unfortunate timing of my previous post.)

I published a post on Paris several hours before hearing the news and many readers wanted me to pull it down.

Mr. HB and I were stunned as we stared at the large TV screen aboard a BC Ferry.
We were going to visit friends who had just returned from France.

While we were stuck in gridlock traffic we listened in silence to the CBC and learned more details of the violence as more information emerged from Paris.

Grieving for those who lost their lives and those who have been injured...
listening to the news of people lining up for hours to donate blood and attending candle light vigils...singing...
Parisians are showing such dignity and courage.

I hope that people will not be afraid and continue to visit Paris.

It is a beautiful city with so much culture, charming cafes, galleries, museums, parks, monuments, churches, shops, restaurants, wide boulevards, bridges and the Seine running right though it.

J'adore Paris.

Thinking of Paris and I've bought a new hat...OOTD

The past few days our  weather has been stormy and grey.
Torrential rains, gale forced winds and while I sit inside in the comfort of The Humble Bungalow looking out the rain splattered panes....I've been pondering.
Remembering

Thinking about my Spring trip to Paris last year...
it feels like such a long time ago.
I have oodles of pictures to look at and the memories can be called up at will.
There is a teeny tiny feeling of sadness, not unlike that of melancholy...
I am so grateful to have travelled there and would be fooling myself if I said I did not want to go back...but I am a realist and I must acknowledge that this was the trip of a lifetime.
It was a wee bit selfish to steal away so soon after retiring and spend all that money.
I have a modest pension, yet I turned 60 and it was a gift to mark this milestone.
Mr. HB has no desire to go to France so I went on my own...met up with friends and joined an all woman tour and had the most fun ever!!
The Ooh La La Tour is led by author Jamie Cat Callan and Mimi Bleu.
Paris in Springtime is not yet full...spaces await should you be interested...
please email Jamie if you are keen to go and please tell her I sent you!
You will have a wonderful time!

My wee Eiffel Tower is a reminder of my trip and I keep it to remind me of the magic that was Paris.

This wool hat made by The Canadian Hat Company nearly fell off the mannequin...

and into my hands.

I was browsing a local shop on Oak Bay Avenue when I bumped into a mannequin and the hat that was perched on top fell down and I caught it.

I would have never noticed it as it was above my line of sight.

Being height challenged I not always look UP!

I tried it on and it covered my ears and felt so warm and cozy...

and it did not look too bad on.

I am not really a gifted savvy hat shopper, that honour goes to my friend Cheryl.

She is the best hat shopper I know.

She wears her many hats with such flair that I am almost green with envy.

The sales clerk mentioned that with my hair longer than the base of the hat

and the side fringe swept lower in front that this was actually a flattering style for me.

(I did not dislike the look in the mirror.)

The price was reasonable and I have not bought anything for ages.

I wore it to Goward House for bridge and had half a dozen compliments within 15 minutes.

It works so all I need is a bit more confidence when it comes to choosing hats.

I am wearing my hat it with

 a white long sleeved tee top  ~ Style and Co.

dark denim skinny jeans ~ Banana Republic

Black shawl sweater ~ Zara

vintage bag ~ Valentina

I've been thinking of buying a new handbag...

I love the look and feel of leather bags

but it is hard to justify the expense.

So I polished up this old stalwart vintage bag and it will serve me for the time being.

Decent leather bags are difficult to source at our local second hand and charity shops.

I am not much of an Internet shopper but if I was there are so many choices online.

I am an "old school shopper" 

I like to touch and feel, try things on and see if they are exactly what I need.

It goes with all my blacks and greys...

has interesting details

nice textures 

comfort

warmth

and

functional

made in Canada

what's not to love?

Hope that you have a lovely weekend!