Snowdrops and a Vintage Bag...

 

The Humble Bungalow Garden is coming alive 

bursting forth with beautiful blooms for Spring!

This Hellebore was purchased from Van Dusen Gardens in Vancouver.

At the time it was quite a rare plant...now Hellebores are available in many varieties.

I am absolutely smitten with Snowdrops...

it's becoming a wee bit of an addiction.

Gardeners can be fickle when it comes to plants.

We love so many things in our gardens...

Roses, Hostas, Daffodils, Tulips, Hellebores, Lady's Mantle and Black Mondo Grass.

We grow a wide range of plants...

our garden is so full it's really bursting at the edges.

However that doesn't seem to persuade me to stop acquiring more plants!

These new snowdrops are very pretty in their form, we bought several new varieties.

In The UK, where many of these snowdrops originate 

there are gardeners who are busy hybridizing unique new species of these plants.

I see many exciting snowdrops in the UK publications 

but unfortunately they are not yet available here.

The comments are working!

Thank you for testing them out...I am keen to welcome more dialogue from you.

Please know that I am unable to respond to each "individual" comment 

which would normally generate an alert 

so now will respond when I am able.

You'll have to check back.

I apologize for these glitches...

will continue to investigate.

Now that I have shared the "Blogger housekeeping issues"

let's move on to something more interesting shall we?

That BAG could be me :-))

Vintage Ann Taylor wicker bag with red leather details.

Vintage Coach Court Bag

Paired with my Josef Seibel ballet flats...

I want to buy another pair of flats.

Perhaps in that classic Chanel two tone style!

Vintage Coach Regina bag

Quilted leather vintage Canadian Due Fratelli bag.

(BTW~ The Mick Herron series of spy novels are fabulous!)

Do you ever get a "Bee In Your Bonnet?"

a shopping Bee?

An idea...

It hums along in the back of your mind percolating 

until it urges you to seriously look for that particular item.

So powerful that you start searching online and at thrift shops.

That urge to buy that imagined something that you cannot resist.

It happens to me quite a lot and I don't always act on the idea.

BUT

I have been quietly on the lookout for another vintage bag.

~ Not a NEED but a WANT ~

I see gorgeous iconic bags online...

most are designer bags with big ticket price tags

Chanel and Hermes.

Not exactly in sync with my budget or my lifestyle.

My handbag collection is rather small by comparison to some.

I love vintage leather bags...

2 Coach bags ~ Black Regina mini, Brown Court bag.

A wicker bag with red leather trim ~ Ann Taylor

Black leather Croc embossed "doctor" style ~ Banana Republic 

Wine quilted leather bag ~ Due Fratelli 

I saw this listing on Ebay.

Vintage Brown Croc bag by Canadian maker Due Fratelli

The price was higher than I really wanted to pay so I made an offer

which to my surprise, was accepted...

it arrived quickly but it smelled of smoke.

So disappointing...

I considered sending it back, even contacted the seller.

I really like the bag so instead did some research, 

for the past two weeks have been airing it out 

with a bag of baking soda in an open "Zip Loc" bag inside the bag.

The smell is definitely gone...

I will use a leather cleaner on the exterior this weekend.

Have you ever bought or inherited a vintage bag that has had a musty or smokey smell?

What did you do to "fix" it?

Many of the designer bag makers offer a service to restore their classic iconic bags.

No idea on the cost but thats peace of mind if you inherit a Chanel or Hermes bag.

Let's enjoy some more blooms shall we?

The Star Magnolia is in bloom out front in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

We have three magnolia trees all different varieties

they all bloom at different times of the year.

How is the weather where you live?

Our weather is slowly warming up 

I am keen to swap out my heavy coats for lighter jackets.

I will wash and store them away for next season.

Let's get serious bring on the warmth.

I would LOVE to start wearing my summer linen skirt and dresses!

Will have to pop into the shops, maybe this week, take a peek

see what they are showing for Spring and Summer.

Not that I will buy anything new but it is fun to browse...

besides it gives me ideas of what to do with my basic minimalist wardrobe.

Mix up the possibilities...add a scarf.

Well that's about all the news I have to share right now...

stay tuned for more blog posts.

I usually post on Sundays and often mention my blog posts on Instagram.

Thank you for stopping by...

I appreciate you taking the time to join me.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

OOTD and I may have solved the problem with comments...

 

 ~ Walking ~

I love walking along the waterfront.

Fortunately we live close to the seafront but I frequently walk in Oak Bay.

The Esplanade near Willows Beach is a scenic spot for a stroll.

I spied this beaded bracelet on the arm of the blue Adirondack chair...

I stopped to take a closer look and noticed the card inside.

Oak Bay Trinket Fairy

I now follow this Instagram account and have learned 

that this bead artist makes and leaves them for people to find!

What a lovely idea...

similar to those painted rocks that were once popping up in our neighbourhood.

Friday ~ post published today 

as I am going to busy this Sunday...

I have been trying to keep the posts regular but a wee bit of a BLIP is fine.

On the heels of my denim jumper purchase I found a coat!

New Eileen Fisher blue coat...

a simple and classic choice for Spring and Summer.

Turns out that I really like Eileen Fisher coats as I now have 3 of them.

~ OOTD ~

Wore my big pearls from Hong Kong to tea at a friends home.

We sip tea ~ chat and knit together.

I paired it with a crisp white Old Navy shirt and a wool Lord and Taylor skirt.

Layered over Hue capri tights and my Josef Seibel Chelsea Boots.

Rather an "edgy" look but very comfortable :-))

Do you wear "edgy" fashion choices?

It is a wee bit of a stretch for me but after wearing this combo several times 

it feels honest and natural.

Let's have a quick chat about hair...

it is supposed to be our crowning glory.

Sadly

my hair has been thinning this past year...

which has been a worry but I do have a thyroid condition and that is one of the issues.

I take medication for my thyroid but hair loss is a concern.

My hair used to be SO THICK!

Has your hair thinned?

On my last visit to my stylist I mentioned this to her she cut in more layers 

now it looks fuller and has more body

so I am happy with the results.

In other news...

I have been researching the blogger problem with comments.

Your emails have not gone unnoticed...

May have found an answer...

fingers crossed 

so please try now and see if it works.

Leave a comment and we'll see if it works.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

One of the BEST BOOKS, baking, shopping and wabi sabi.

 

Good morning from The Humble Bungalow...

it is Sunday and I am baking a loaf of sourdough bread.

The bread has become part of my weekly routine...

my husband seems to be enjoying the bread.

I loved it toasted with Bonne Maman raspberry confiture.

Life here has been quite quiet...

Having hurt my back, so for the past few weeks, I have been in a lot of pain.

Am dealing with it by attending therapeutic Yoga classes for the back.

Going for slower, shorter walks and taking Aleve to help me sleep.

I have a huge amount of empathy for people who live with chronic pain.

I am new to pain.

Shorter Walks mean fewer steps...

averaging about 5500

so have gained a few pounds in these past few weeks.

Salads to the rescue...

simple to make and very satisfying.

Lots of chewing and low in WW points.

Here are the tete a tetes planted out front in The Humble Bungalow garden.

Thank goodness that the deer don't eat them.

We filled in some gaps recently when the plants were on sale at the garden centre.

They are so sweet...cheap and cheerful!

Lucy By The Sea by Elizabeth Strout is a powerful book...

set in Maine during Covid Lucy Barton shares her everyday experiences.

The emotions and insights are very real...

Perhaps one of Strout's best books.

The story has stayed with me.

I highly recommend it.

Very casual Papillon denim jumper...

found at the shop Suzanne's in the mall.

Seen here in the change room with my jeans on underneath!

Not the way I will wear it when I get home :-))

~ Summer wardrobe staple ~

 White tee and white capri leggings

blue suede sandals

wicker bag.

Great for running errands or a beach walk.

With warmer weather in the forecast 

we should all have a basket or bag to carry market staples and finds.
Which is the perfect segue...

speaking of finds

Or speaking of Papillons...

can you see one here on this antique transferware plate?

The crazing and cracks add to the "charm" of this plate.

It has History...

Am I the only one who is attracted to the imperfections?

Do you embrace the "wabi sabi" in old things?...

Suppose that could stretched to include people too :-))

None of us are perfect...

(now there's a profound thought to contemplate)

Call it homework..

Go forth and look for the imperfect in your week and report back.

On that note I shall close this post...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

The beauty is in the crazing...

can we extend that idea a wee bit and include wrinkles on faces?

Thank you for stopping by...

I appreciate you taking the time to read my wee blog.

March ~ ing onward into Spring.

 

This Andalou cream has been my "go to" night cream for the past few months...

a little goes a long way. You may be able to see that the jar is still half full.

Can you see the grey pearl stud beside the diamond stud that I wear most days?

My husband gave me a pair for my birthday the year Mom passed away. 

I haven't worn these pearls as often since Covid hit

(need to wear masks)

I almost lost an earring taking my mask off.

I already had a pearl fiasco losing that strand at the beach...

must take more care not to lose things!!

My new FUN skirt from a thrift shop.

Knife pleats in a black grey print.

I will dress this up with a black rayon sweater and a camisole.

Dress it down very casual with a tee and my denim jacket.

I am already thinking of fun things to pair it with...

it is made by Zara, the only thing I own from the company.

Finally got a copy from the library...it had been on the Holds for a LONG time.

I read it in two days...another stunning mystery from Louise Penny.

Birthday flowers and vase from a friend.

I have such lovely friends...

so thoughtful 

the range of unexpected gifts was amazing.

Soaps, tea, a beautiful hand knit dishcloth, books, an apron, 

flowers, and some sourdough starter!

Thank you for ALL those kind email messages and birthday greetings 

from the Blog and Instagram... feeling very grateful.

My first attempt at a sourdough boule.

Was delicious with the homemade chicken soup!

Dinner out at Zambri's

Dessert

Brunch and dinner out with the family rounded out the weeklong celebrations.

They spoiled me too :-))

Thank you ALL 

Murchies teas and a gift card at a favourite restaurant.

Vintage silk hand rolled scarf and a Wedgewood clam shaped white porcelain plate.

We zipped off to the garden centre to buy two flats of these cheerful tete a tete's.

On sale half price.

We planted them out in front of the deer fence 

to fill in the gaps from the ones we planted last year.

Such a pretty pop of colour and they bloom earlier than our daffodils.

The Oscars are on TV tonight...are you going to watch them?

I like to see the fashions...and the jewels.

Making a pot roast, potatoes, carrots and a lemon torte for dessert.

Comfort Food for a cold rainy Sunday.

Hope that you are keeping healthy and staying sane with all the crazy stuff that is happening in our world.

Vintage Bread tray

might come in handy?

Crocuses blooming out front in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

March 3rd ~ 68 years and thoughts on being OLD, clothes and such.

 

Well I guess this is what 68 looks like...

I still remember how excited I was when I turned 13.

I don't FEEL 68, 

but that sounds strange 

as how WOULD a 68 year old feel?

My idea of 68 (when I was younger) was that at the age of 68 one was OLD.

OLD 

crotchety...

wrinkly and worn out.

Well I can attest to having grey hair, wrinkles and feeling weary on occasion.

But my idea of an OLD woman has changed :-))

Perhaps because I am here and at the age of 68 years OLD young.

I do have aches and pains and cannot do all the things that I used to do in a day.

My flexibility is not what it once was...

 but I am working to regain some of what has been lost.

My eyesight has weakened and I wear glasses to see properly.

I've given up wearing high heels, and only own two pairs of "kitten heels."

I opt to dress for comfort most days...

(apologies to MOM)

I am very much like her in looks and demeanor 

but I don't have that "dress up everyday" gene.

I am wearing a warm and cozy "new-to-me" wool vest with cap sleeves.

I found it at the thrift shop on Pender on my birthday.

What you cannot see are the Hudson knit tweed pants and black Chelsea boots.

You'll have to use your imagination :-))

~ OOTD ~

Snow day at the cottage.

This very old Gap denim shirt gets worn a LOT.

It is soft and comfy, a desert island garment.

Layered over a black lace camisole, black lined leggings.

Akoya Pearls just because...

I am enjoying watching fashion reels from style savvy gals on Instagram.

The Street Style snippets are fun and the tips are great.

Some days I want to rush out and buy a bunch of new clothes!

But seriously, I have to consider my retired lifestyle...

where would I wear a sequin skirt?

I did buy a rhinestone bracelet before Christmas that I must start wearing for fun.

On days perhaps when I meet friends for coffee...

A mystery...

love the description of the book.

Three retired primary school teachers who meet every Thursday for coffee

solve the mystery of a friend...

Yes this is something I need to wear more often...

it has a bit of bling to elevate these cold and blustery days.

My new book is calling my name and I am going to pop the kettle on for a cuppa..

hope you are feeling good and making time for fun.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~