Thank you to Eileen Fisher for creating timeless fashion choices...

Eileen Fisher designs and makes lovely clothes...
her ethical practises of reusing fabrics and recycling ring true.

In addition to her seasonal pieces she offers a "basic group of clothing" in a couple of key colours and styles...
they are mix and match classics that make getting dressed so simple.

Recently I purchased a couple of her pieces...
with my fall travel wardrobe in mind.

I bought slim ponte knit black pants...so smart and comfy.

You may remember that I already own a basic pair in black rayon which are quite dressy. I also have the black tank top which is perfect for layering.

(For summer I have the white linen tank and linen V neck sweater)

Before I found this jacket

I was really frustrated...

For several hours I tried on numerous trench coats

various jackets 

 not one hit it out of the park for me.

I am a curvy short woman 

so I need to be careful of extra details 

and the shape of a coat or jacket must be slimming.

Here's the new EF jacket...

this looked good on 

the colour is a nice change.

This jacket has room for a vest or sweater underneath

which will make it a great choice for travel.

While we are on the subject of layering...

I found a great vest.

Eileen Fisher cozy vest in black.

So my carry on is taking shape...

I have a bamboo dress and a knit skirt.

Will add a couple of tops

a sweater

 one or two scarves

which should round out my minimal travel wardrobe.

Do you like Eileen Fisher clothes?

Perhaps you have a favourite designer?

 Or do you have a company who makes clothes that you love to wear?

The closet is looking much more organized too...

I have sorted and hung things in colour groupings;

blues

blacks

greys

whites

Before 

they were in sections;

pants

skirts

tops

dresses

The colour idea helps me reach for things that pair well together.

Plus with a really small wardrobe i

fewer choices to distract my focus

it simplifies getting dresssed.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Beauty in Gardens and My Stylish French Box...a treat from France

I walked in one of my favourite spots last week...

Abkhazi Gardens.

The temperatures were mild, the skies blue, and the sun was shining.

It felt like a gift after a few days of rain.

A lovely display of naturalized Crocus flowers popping up from the soil...

or is it croci ?

Love the way that the light illuminated their petals.

Gnarly trunk and twisted branches above a bed of snowdrops and cyclamen.

This is such a sweet structure on the site...

it was a place where the original owners would take tea and eat their picnic lunches when they were first designing the gardens.

I've been dreaming a lot about garden design

  the beautiful spaces that people have been able over the years to cultivate.

A well designed garden, once established, is a living legacy.

I try to visit many of the local gardens and join in on the various garden tours.

Some of my favourite things to do are to peruse the garden centres

 leaf through gardening books

and

watch TV shows on gardens.

Are you familiar with Sharon Santoni?

Her garden in France is stunning.

She is the founder of My Stylish French Box...

I have subscribed to these boxes and they are a real treat to receive...

the current box theme is focused on a Parisianne woman.

One of the partners is the renowned perfume company of Annick Goutal!

The February Box is almost sold out 

you might be able to order one if you are quick!

Go here to get more information and good luck!

I am excited as Sharon has just launched a new digital magazine.

She has a giveaway on her Instagram page.

As I sit here at the table in my Humble Bungalow Kitchen 

I can hear birds outside singing

the clock chiming

the fridge humming

the keys on my lap top 

tap tapping

a rumbling motorcycle speeds by

the neighbours dog barks

taking time to stop and notice the little things

those moments each day that can easily slip by if one is not present

Hope that your week is ticking along nicely!

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Recipe for fabulous pork and beans....

My long time friend Leslie, who grew up and attended the same schools as I did in Oak Bay, shared her classic recipe for pork and beans. Leslie is a wonderful hostess and invites many friends over to her heritage home for dinner and cocktail parties. The food is always delicious, the home that she shares with her husband is warm and inviting, the guests always feel welcome and she is relaxed and makes these events look effortless.

I tried to make her recipe for pork and beans once before but with no success. Now I know why...
I rushed the cooking of the beans and put them in the slow cooker
before they were soft.

This past Christmas my BFF served the bean dish at her Christmas Eve Event where they were a huge hit!
Her brother went back 3 times for more! He raved about them to me.
(I can say this as he doesn't even know that I write a blog!)

One of my New Year goals was to master this recipe.

You'll need a crock pot.

Leslie's Beans

3 cups of dried Navy beans soaked overnight in 6 cups of water

Rinse then drain them and place in a pot with 6 cups of water 

Bring to a boil and then simmer until tender

soft, but not falling apart.

Drain the beans and place them in a slow cooker 

1 1/2 cups ketchup

1 1/2 cups water

1/4 cup molasses

1 large onion chopped

1 Tbsp. dry mustard

1 Tbsp salt

1 cup brown sugar

12 slices uncooked bacon diced

(or sliced salt pork)

Cook on low for 8 -10 hours.

Enjoy!

Bon Appetit!

Hope you enjoy this classic that is a favourite in our circle of friends.

The men in our group absolutely LOVE this dish!

My husband is happy too.

Thank you to Leslie A., 

"a Hostess with the Mostess!"

We are enjoying the leftovers tonight...

they make a lot and can be frozen.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

A POP of colour and my favourite IPhone APP.

New in The Humble Bungalow.

Le Creuset Dutch Oven

A friend shared her secret to keeping her Le Creuset pots and pans

looking like new.

(it's Bar Keepers friend!)

I made a paste of this cleanser 

soaked our stained white enamel pot for a few minutes

then rubbed it with a scratch free scrubber and voila

clean as new! 

My current read...

Hooray the hellebores are blooming!

One bloom can make a big statement in a small vase.

Rain or shine 

I'm out every day for a walk.

My goal is to walk 7,000 steps.

The IHealth App on my IPhone makes it easy to keep track.

This Saint James raincoat helps keep me dry.

(a picture from the archives)

Purchased several years ago and still going strong.

I can wear a vest or sweater underneath if the temperatures are dipping.

Another walk would be needed to reach my daily goal...

  it is already 4:00 and I have to start preparing dinner after I publish this post.

Some days are easier to fit in more activities...

Are you motivated by a fitness app?

Do you go to the gym?

Have you worked with a personal trainer?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Guo Pei Exhibit at Vancouver Art Gallery

We ventured across the pond to Vancouver for a few days.
To shop, attend a workshop and enjoy the sights and sounds of a big city!

One of the highlights was to see the Guo Pei Couture Beyond exhibit.

We were in line up at 10:00 am when the doors to the Vancouver Art Gallery opened and were able to take it all in on the very last day of the exhibit.

I will share a few pictures of the magnificent gowns...
IF you ever get the opportunity to see this show I highly recommend it.

Guo Pei is China's "preeminent couturiere."
There were over 40 of her haute couture designed gowns on display from the period 2006 to 2017.

Most of us will never wear a hand made gown such as the ones that were on display.

It was amazing to see the intricate bead work, the embroidery, details that would have taken many many hours if not months to create.

I'll share the photos next and hope that you will enjoy seeing them.

After seeing all the gowns and shoes we explored the rest of the gallery and then ventured out for a long walk in the sunshine.

A friend mentioned that she uses the IHealth app on her IPhone.

She showed me how it works and I am so excited as it tracks walking stats!

I am so grateful as it is going to be a new motivator in my goal to better fitness.

This was an exceptional day for walking...

I plan to aim for between 8,000 and 10,000 steps each day.

Hope that your week is off to a fabulous start...

thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

 ~ Be Well and Be Kind ~