Content (at last) with my grey hair...

My hair...has been an ongoing battle issue over the years.
It is thick, wavy...
many would say it is curly,
and it most certainly has a mind of its own.

I value my hairdresser as much as I do our family physician.
They both are very important people in my life, and both give me great advice.

Mother used to say that a woman's crowning glory was her hair. When we were children she cut our hair and we wore it in a short bobbed style that was popular with straight short bangs or "fringes" as they are called today.

Mother once gave me a Twiggy hair cut after I begged to go to the hairdresser for a professional one...just for the record I HAD to go to the hairdresser to have Mom's snippy mess "fixed"...
the hairdresser said "I can do little with this now but it will grow"...
(it took ages and I avoided looking in mirrors for months!)

Mom would collect rainwater to rinse her hair and once a month would give herself an oil treatment...
this involved olive oil, a plastic bag and a towel.
She spent an entire day "at home" during this procedure.

Mom's hairstyles metamorphosed over the years...
my sister and I observed many changes.

Mom had perms for a few years,
she also gave my sister and I "Tonette perms"
usually around Easter for the Sunday service at church.

Mom dyed her hair blonde for a year and we referred to this as her "Doris Day" phase...
later she sprayed a silver streak in the front...this was her "Virginia Graham" phase.

Mom loved fashion, style and was never one to be stuck in a rut...
she moved with the times and had fun...plus she had a great sense of humour.

The "signature hairstyle" that so many women adopt has always eluded me.

Hair has been a source of frustration over the years
flipping and flopping and changing my mind...
cutting it,
growing it,
colouring it.

Now that I have salt and pepper hair, it feels simple and easy ~ to just be natural.

My hair is cropped quite short, it is almost a pixie cut.
I wash it in the shower and towel dry it before I spritz it with curl enhancing spray and then let it air dry.

It feels good to accept things and be content.

Wishing for something illusive is really frustrating
 a complete waste of time and energy.

The style of my hair does not define me, nor take up too much  angst  space in my mind.
I have finally just let it go...

Salt and Pepper

like the highlights I formerly paid for and now they are free!

Mother had lovely silver hair and I expect it may be several years before I get to that all over shade but in the meantime I am embracing this "new natural phase."

I am curious...

Are you happy with your hair?

Have you found your signature style?

Do you colour your hair or have you let it go natural?

Summer reading has commenced... 

I've a long list of books and plan to buy a few more in the coming weeks.

I finished this book recently and wept at the end...

it is worth reading and I would ask you to please read the author's personals note at the end of the book.

What is on your summer reading list?

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow.

XO

Glorious colours in Humble Bungalow Garden

Orange poppies

with

paper thin petals

waving in the breeze.

Pure white lilacs against a clear blue sky.

Weigela 

a foamy pink and white flowering bush

below lies the stalwart pink ground cover "pride of London"

and below that the hardy Lady's Mantle which when in bloom is chartreuse green.

(succulents to the left in a planter)

The weaving path is lined with 

Creamy Smilacena racemosa

Hostas

Pinky Pride of London

Ferns

Purple Alliums

The pink Madame Gregoire Staechelin roses have started blooming...

The climbing Royal Sunset Rose has a few blooms.

You may see those small dots of orange colour at the top of the lattice.

This vigorous rose has the most amazing fragrance and is a reliable supply of cut roses throughout the season.

There are 4 new white David Austin Roses below just getting established...

we planted the boxwood to line the edge of the bed.

I am very eager to see them bloom.

Our red chairs look so tempting

but they will have to wait as

there is a lot of work to do in the Humble Bungalow Garden.

I have yet to open this book which is a recent purchase.

It was recommended on several of the blogs that I regularly read.

The community of dedicated bloggers that I follow

share loads of information with their readers.

They are most 

Kind

 generous

and giving.

I have been able to read and discover...

their favourite books

recipes

make up and skincare products

fashion

packing tips

travel pictures

cleaning tips

candles

style

home decor

crafts

Thankfully there are many many wonderful blogs...

do you have any that you love and care to share with our readers?

Thank you for taking the time to stop by mine.

XO

Cruising recap...The Long Weekend in May

The long weekend weather was given a favourable forecast so we took to the sea.

Snug and Cozy tied up at a little marina at Genoa Bay.

Mother's Day flowers made the trip.

Tasty Lime Margaritas on the deck of the cafe.

Floral lined lanes nearby made for some spectacular walks.

The bees were busy working in the hot sunshine.

Dinner plate sized tree peonies were in full bloom.

It was lovely to get away and relax in the peace and quiet.

Healthy meals, a comfy bunk, friends nearby, a good book.

Simple luxuries while aboard our small boat.

Feeling grateful and thankful as I write this post...

reflecting on all the good things in life.

I have some garden photos to share with you soon.

Until next time...

XO

Bringing France Home...My Stylish French Box

It has been 2 years since I travelled to Paris and the SW of France...
my love for the French countryside and the sights and sounds are still very vivid.

For the time being, I incorporate as many French habits and French products into my daily routines.

French Soaps, candles, hand lotion, recipes, and books set in France and Paris keep the memories alive and I feel content.

Do you follow Sharon Santoni's blog My French Country Home?

Sharon is a busy lady...
besides keeping a lovely home and garden she has written a lovely book My Stylish French Girlfriends and another book will be available in August...
My French Country Home.
I love her first book and have preordered her second...

BUT this is not all that Sharon does...
she has created the sumptuous My Stylish French Box...

I splurged and subscribed...these French themed boxes arrive every few months and are filled with wonderful French gifts. Each box is wrapped in ribbon and the contents are carefully curated and packed with care.

The May box has a rose theme...

I unwrapped these items and took a photo...

a vintage spool with new blush pink velvet ribbon and a pair of scissors

soap

hand lotion and balm

a rose diffuser

slate tiles to use as labels for roses or cheeses 

(or whatever you desire)

a hand made linen tote with a rose print on the front

perfect for shopping

I particularly like the hand "gelee" and I am keeping it handy beside the kitchen sink.

I look forward to trying the balm.

It's so nice to have a box delivered from France that is full of surprises.

 I love how these special delivery boxes transport me back to the French country.

I remember those poppy filled fields near Auvillar

and the roses that clung to the stone buildings.

One day I hope to visit the lush lavender fields of Provence...

but until then I'll dream 

and look forward to another one of Sharon's gift boxes.

BTW all opinions are mine...

I have received no benefits from this post other than to be happy with the contents of the box that I fully paid for!

Most of the readers here are polite and some are rather discourteous and rude...

So there you have it...

I must be

disgraceful

with no ethics

alas

this humble hostess is honest.

I am not ashamed...

The Humble Bungalow Garden is filled 

with the scent of lilacs and muguet des bois.

Our garden roses have started blooming...

and if you did not already know, roses are my favourite flower.

Hope that you are having a great week.

XO

More OOTD...shopping and polish

I have been living in Yoga wear lately as I am going to Yoga 3-4 days a week. It seems silly for me to change clothes when I get home just to action domestic chores, read and prepare dinner. Besides, my Yoga pants are comfy and the tops I wear are Tees topped with a grey cashmere sweater...one that Mother owned...
and the cats do not complain!

My mid section has expanded and I am finding the zippers on my pants do not lay flat anymore and that bugs me so I purchased a pair of Ralph Lauren pull on jeans that are a slimming and flat at the waist...very comfy.
I hope to whittle down my midsection a bit given time...
but I am taking "baby steps"
giving myself permission to lose slowly to avoid added stress.

The top seen below is navy and white stripes with a white under layer showing through...it fits loose but not baggy so it should be cool in the summer.
I can wear this with my white NYDJ jeans too.

This bright and cheerful Columbia raincoat apparently "breathes" 

Do you see how the colour caught my eye?

(its not black!)

This happened innocently 

while I was looking for new deck shoes to wear on the boat. 

The jacket was marked down almost by half and it fits and flatters so I bought it. 

It will be great for walks and with the boating season almost upon us I could not resist.

I own several pieces of Columbia gear for walking and cruising.

I appreciate the quality of these garments.

Whats not to like about active wear with a bit of style?

Here are the deck shoes...also by Columbia.

Not on sale but oh so comfy and I needed them...

somehow last season my deck shoes were lost

I rarely lose things and when I do it drives me a wee bit crazy trying to figure out what happened...

it is a mystery and one that I cannot waste any more time thinking 

obsessing about!

Lisa at a mid life of privilege showed us her freshly painted toes today.

and I got to thinking that I should have a pedicure.

Most of the women at the Yoga studio have their toes painted and I usually indulge in a pedicure from May to September during sandal season.

It is too late to get an appointment at the Spa this afternoon but not to late to try my hand at an at home pedicure. 

The main reason that I get pedicures is because I am not that flexible and my eyesight is dodgy...

well I surprised myself 

Yoga must be helping me with flexibility as I did not find it at all difficult bending over and applying the polish.

I am quite pleased with the results

 not as professional as I would get from the Spa but they are OK.

So Lisa, I must thank you for sharing your toes...

I used Formula X "Thrilling" 

The next time I am in the "downward dog" position I'll enjoy looking at my toes!

It is a long weekend here in BC and we have the Victoria Day parade this Sunday.

I'll be taking a few days off and will catch up with you all next week.
Hope you have a great weekend.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

XO