Cottage Time...

We have escaped to the cottage...

which is located on a Southern Gulf Island just a short ferry ride away from home.

We stayed inside our car on the ferry and brought all our provisions with us.

The Salish Eagle ferry runs several times each day and services three Gulf Islands.

I bought some cheery yellow tulips at the grocery store before we hopped on the ferry...

Not sure that we would have such sunny weather...

  thought they would bring the sunshine indoors!

Love the flotsam and jetsam on the driveway of this home.

One of our regular walks close to the cottage is about 3 km.

There is a beach at the end of the road...

we like to walk down and gather sea glass,

the tides were so high that there was no beach to be found!

We also gather feathers on our walks...

Some sea glass from the beach after the tide went out...

the vintage Ball Sealer jar is almost full.

We have two jars filled at home.

Time to buy another vintage jar for more sea glass.

Yesterday, we were ambitious and took a longer walk to Hope Bay.

It was almost 7 km return.

( I managed to clock over 10,000 steps)

Saw this festive gate at The Old Manse near the Bible Camp.

We saw very few people and even fewer cars...

so quiet, it was like we were all alone on the island.

Very peaceful and serene.

Life moves slowly here at the cottage...

Eat, walk, read, sleep

repeat.

Sipping Murchie's Paris Afternoon Tea 

gazing out at the view over The Salish Sea.

Relaxing

Thinking, pausing, feeling fortunate and grateful

while writing this blog post...

Lots to think about in these strange times.

How are you keeping? 

How are the Covid numbers where you live?

Are you managing to keep yourself busy and amused?

Hope that you are staying safe, wearing your mask and taking care.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Levi's Men's Jeans ~ Thrift Shopping

I bought a pair of Men's Levi's Jeans.

I've been looking for a vintage pair of Ladies Levi's for several months.

 The thrift shops have had none in my size...

but there seems to be oodles of men's Levi's.

Customers are not permitted to use the change rooms in most of the thrift shops 

so I used my sister's favourite technique to figure out if they would fit.

You take the waistband and wrap it around your neck...

if the ends meet in front of your neck and not choking you 

they will fit at the waist.

Hips might be a bit trickier 

 I took a chance and had the option of returning the Levi jeans if I kept the receipt which I did.

They fit!

Love the details on the Levi's

Grommets Galore

When I was a teen we wore boys jeans.

Wranglers, GWG and Levi's.

Women's jeans were not available in Victoria during the 1960's 

they were just coming on trend towards the end of the 60's.

Denim has been a wardrobe staple for many decades.

I had hoped to find a pair of iconic 501's 

these are 514's

Love the pocket details

so classic.

So now I need to style them in a more feminine way...

My first thoughts are:

I have a lovely satin black camisole with lace edging which I can wear under a cashmere sweater and 2 or 3 inches of lace peeks out at the bottom.

A classic crisp white shirt with pearls, red lipstick and red ballet flats.

A plain Tee tucked in to the jeans with a cashmere cardigan.

I own two lace tops

one in ecru and one black which could both work.

I can also do the "Canadian Tuxedo."

(AKA double denim)

 choosing from my two denim shirts and/or my denim jacket...

add a sparkly vintage Sherman rhinestone brooch to the jacket.

I think this look would be fun with some leopard or red cowboy booties.

(I do not own either but it will be fun to see if I can find some)

Maybe some Converse trainers?

Have you been shopping for something off your usual radar?

It might be a Covid thing?

Fashion should be fun so perhaps that is why I bought these.

Maybe someone will be calling The Fashion Police!

I love seeing what Linda V. Wright on Instagram wears in Paris.

She owns a very chic shop Crimson Cashmere

she sells luxurious cashmere and tres chic accessories.

Do you follow her feed?

Would you push the fashion envelope and dabble into the world of menswear?

I'd love to know more!

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tea time, a french chic book and a drug store purchase...

Afternoon Tea in The Humble Bungalow

Canterbury pattern cup and saucer 

one of several patterns of tea cups that I use for my afternoon tea ritual.

I am on the lookout for a spectacular ornately decorated floral cup and saucer.

Reading an inspirational French themed book by Tish Jett

I read and enjoyed her first book Forever Chic.

A lovely tea from our local Tea Merchant Murchies

Paris Afternoon is sweet and tastes like a decadent dessert.

My last mascara was gloppy and had not performed that well.

Frustrated, 

but on a mission

 off I went to the local pharmacy to buy a new mascara.

Always one to seek advice from the knowledgeable gals in the cosmetics department 

I asked the clerk what she uses and could recommend.

Marcelle was her hands down winning performer.

 She handed me the gift pack that included a Kohl eye pencil.

This pencil is SO soft and easily lines the eye without tugging or pulling.

It is rather like Velvet Gel.

So now I am regularly defining my eyes with Kohl 

and they are the focus when wearing my mask.

New Year Goal

walk a minimum of 4 km each and every day

I've downloaded the Walk Meter App which is free and helps me track my distance.

The IPhone tracking is not that accurate but it does record the individual steps.

So I am using both to keep tabs on my progress.

Do you have any New Year resolutions or goals?

My winter accessories

consist of 

a cashmere scarf and a vintage Coach bag.

Do you switch out your handbag often?

I am a creature of habit and frequently use one for years...

I  have other bags.

A straw bag for summer

a vintage wine coloured quilted bag

a travel bag

a small vintage black Coach bag for evening.

Hope that you are staying safe.

Our provincial doctor has just extended our Covid restrictions until February.

Our numbers of new cases continue to go up...

hundreds are in hospital with many in critical care.

I'm going to have to get creative to help pass the time.

Another month of not seeing my grandchildren and family is going to be difficult.

I walk with a friend each week but we stay a safe distance from each other.

How are you coping?

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~ 

Pop of colour ~ Rouje Lip Compact from Paris

 

Rouje

Lip Compact from Paris

01- Signature

New lipsticks for 2021

Beautiful Rouje gold case and a gold lip brush by Jane Iredale.

Some women might like to use their fingers to apply the lipstick. 

I prefer a lip brush.

We are all wearing masks these days for safety

but when I am at home or out for my walks I want to add a pop of colour.

This compact feels luxurious and with the variety of lip colours I can vary the shade depending on what I am wearing that day.

The lipsticks run true to colour.

 Are very emollient and last a long time.

This is the bold red lip.

The plum shade.

I wear very little make up so I focus on my lips.

A couple of readers emailed me asking about my skincare regime...

I use Avene 3 in 1 cleanser

Mad Hippie daily facial oil and at night Mad Hippie Vitamin A serum

I wait 10 minutes then follow up with rosehip night cream by Sukin.

I avoid the sun and use Avene BB cream with an SPF.

I hope that answers some of your questions.

If you have any more queries please leave me a comment.

Winter bloom on Jude the Obscure a David Austin Rose.

Wishing you a wonderful week.

Take time to nurture yourself...we are living in a strange time and it is easy to forget to make time for those rituals which are soothing and relaxing.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Welcoming the New Year...thoughts

A bright and shiny New Year is on the horizon.

Feeling very encouraged that we will see some significant improvements...

 the vaccines are here and are being doled out to the health care workers and the residents of long term care first and then they make their way down the ladder to those of us who wish to get the vaccine. 

Our Covid cases in BC are moving slowly downward.

I cannot help but feel optimistic...

Every year, for decades, I write in a day timer.

The Moleskine day timer for 2021 has been updated with birthdays.

I chose a new gel pen with a pretty peacock blue shade of ink.

The little things that can be mood shifters and change they way we see life

are so worth embracing...

Ideas for small Joys:

a new shade of lipstick

wearing a vintage piece of jewelry

mixing up your outfits, pairing different items

wearing a bright coloured pair of socks or tights

fresh flowers and foliage in a jug

a new blend of tea

experimenting with a new hairstyle

sampling a new fragrance

painting your nails

rearranging an area of your home

hanging your clothes in a different order, by colour or grouped by item

polish your leather shoes, boots and purses

buy a vintage accessory or piece of clothing that makes you smile

get rid of any clothes that are "ho-hum" ~ keep only what makes you feel great

invest in a new teacup and saucer or mug

read a new magazine, perhaps one from another country

sample an exotic variety of fruit

make a vinaigrette with a different type of oil and vinegar than you usually use

walk in a different area and explore

take a thermos of coffee or tea and sip it in a park or on a beach

The list of ideas could go on and on...

Maybe it is time to start a new collection?

I know people who collect smooth rocks from the beach...

some only collect pure white and others opt for dark black.

Put them in a bowl or a jar and enjoy looking at them.

“Always keep your eyes open. 

Keep watching. 

Because whatever you see can inspire you.”

~ Grace Coddington ~

 

How are you approaching 2021?

Are you feeling positive or negative?

Have you got goals or are you making New Year resolutions?

I'd love to hear your ideas of things that you do to lift your spirits.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Wishing you peace and joy in the New Year.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~