Summertime Blues...

Himalayan Blue Poppy 

snapshot from my latest visit to Butchart Gardens.

These poppies are so pretty but are not all that easy to grow.

I had some about 10 years ago and they lasted for a few seasons and then they disappeared.

I have toyed with the idea of buying the seed packet from Butcharts and trying my hand at growing them again.

Old Navy Boyfriend Jean Jacket.

Very soft

distressed

and super comfy to wear.

Purchased in the store at 30% off the regular price.

It is very versatile and I love it with my white Tees and jeans.

(with pearls)

I added this scarf from France.

This scarf was in a subscription box from My Stylish French Country Home.

I think they sell them in their online store. 

There are a few rips which gives the denim character...

I wear this with my blue and white striped Talbots linen skirt.

My black UPP capris. and black lace top...

I popped it over a black dress

and can imagine that this will become a workhorse in my wardrobe.

We received our second vaccinations this morning and I am very pleased that we were able to get the second shot.

There is a sense of calm now as we move toward opening up things here in Victoria.

Dining inside is permitted, as are movie theatres and plays.

Looking forward to being more social.

Seeing our family and more friends.

How are things going where you live?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

My Stylish French Country Box...

My Stylish French Country Boxes are always

Beautifully wrapped...a joy to receive.

I look forward to opening them so much.

Satin ribbon and tissue paper.

The box is filled with pampering treats and the brochure

guide elaborates on each item in the box. 

Standard sized pillow slip in a cheery floral fabric.

Vintage Limoges flowered cup and saucer

Imai brooch from Paris

Mademoiselle Saint Germain Serum from Versailles

Kusmi tea blends

Madeleines by Marlette

Cozy alpaca socks from Bleuforet

Am eager to try this new serum.

Roses in gold

Love the socks so cozy and soft.

Time to brew a pot of tea and sip it out of the darling floral cup 

and indulge in a madeleine...or two!

If you would like to treat yourself to one of these exquisite boxes 

click on the link here to order one.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

OOTD, cocktails and Beautiful Blooms...

 

White rose on John Paul ll

Pure white blooms are very elegant...

they remind me of Coco Chanel's simple white gardenias.

I have been so distracted by Donna Leon's mystery books of late...

I am reserving them at the public library and are reading my way through 

her series with Guido Brunetti.

I highly recommend her books.

So this post will be a wee one and once I hit publish

I'll be back in my chair in the living room with my nose in her book.

OOTD

I wore a Cut Loose crinkly tunic top with black capri tights.

An artisan necklace

Josef Siebel red ballet flats

Vintage wicker Ann Taylor bag.

We met up with friends On Friday evening in the sunshine.

Cocktails on the patio at The Snug at The Oak Bay Beach Hotel.

So wonderful getting together with friends.

It has been many months since we were permitted to go out to eat with friends.

The vaccinations and our recent "circuit breaker" that was set by our provincial health officer has helped reduce the number of active Covid cases and the rules are once again eased...

This week while I was

walking in the Cook Street Village

 I popped into Mercedes Lane.

A large shop with oodles of fun clothes...many are beautiful Italian linens.

The skort is by UPP and The dress is made in Turkey by Sassy.

I had not planned to buy anything I went in merely to peruse their stock.

Slightly risky because you never know what you'll find.

Spanish Lavender

potted in an urn out front of The Humble Bungalow.

The bees just love this plant.

I like the feathery "hat" atop of the blooms.

Hope that you are enjoying your weekend.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Abkhazi a jewel of a garden...created by Prince and Princess Abkhazi.

 

Abkhazi Garden is an oasis of beauty.

It is full of rhododendrons and azaleas which are full of blooms in April and May.

This magical place was created by Prince and Princess Abkhazi.

It's a hidden gem here in Victoria.

The profusion of peachy pink blooms on this azalea are incredibly fragrant.

The shed was built when the royal couple were beginning the garden in 1946.

 It used for tool storage and picnics.

You can read more about the history in the book 

A Curious Life: The Biography of Princess Peggy Abkhazi by Catherine Gordon.

From here there is a fabulous view of the curving lawns under the vast Garry Oaks.

You can see the house that they built on the left

this is now a gift shop and tea room.

We sat on the patio in the sunshine.

The tea room has 3 teas on the menu, this is Elevenses.

It was the smallest of the three but it was plenty of food.

There are two resident turtles 

one was swimming and the other one was sunning itself on the rocks.

This driftwood cat is a newly installed art piece from a local Fairfield artist who specializes in creating woody creatures.

We enjoyed our walk, the tasty tea and the incredibly beautiful flowers.

I felt like I was transported away on a lovely holiday.

Parks, local gardens, and the seaside, are such a tonic in these unusual times.

Hope that you are staying safe and taking care of yourself.

~Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tulip mania courtesy of Butchart Gardens...

I've been busy here in The Humble Bungalow with little time spent on the computer.

So posting here on the blog has been rather spartan. 

Today 

I am sharing a lush group of tulips 

seen on my recent walk at Butchart Gardens.

I hope you will enjoy seeing the pictures.

Tulips are in full bloom at Butchart Gardens.

Pretty in pink...

Pink on Pink

Tulips and masses of pink forget-me-nots.

A striking combination of colour.

Frilly feathery fringed tulips.

Close up

A painterly mixture of tulips.

We wandered through the gardens and enjoyed the bold colourful planted beds.

Many others, like us, masked up and delighted in the beauty of the gardens.

We sat outside after our walk and had a cold drink and a wee bite of lunch.

It felt like we were on holiday.

Hope that you are enjoying your weekend.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~