Partners in grime

                                               You asked to see more of the glove...

it's back

some are more easily amused than others...

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                                              I'd like to introduce you to The Scrub

It's a superb workhorse here in The Humble Bungalow

Bon Ami is an American made product

it translates from French and means "Good Friend"

first made in 1886

and it is a "green product"

which makes me feel good using it

plus there has never been a better friend in the Bungalow Kitchen

it's especially great at keeping the porcelain country farmhouse sink looking

 spic and span.

Tea stains and scratches are common enemies of the sink

Bon ami removes then in an instant with very little effort.

It's a good friend in the bathroom too!

~ I copied the following information right off the website ~

But kitchens and bathrooms have changed, and need an updated cleaner. Bon Ami Powder Cleanser is the answer. This formula starts with vegan, plant-based cleaning agents made from coconut and corn oils, then adds feldspar and the even softer abrasive, limestone. We add a little bit of soda ash and a touch of baking soda. The result is a natural, effective cleaner for modern surfaces.

Bon Ami Powder Cleanser is our most popular, general use powder.  It sports an updated yellow label, and can be found in most grocery stores, as well as online at BonAmi.net and EcoMom.com.

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It costs a bit more than a chemical laden version cleaner

but it makes cleaning safer and greener for all of us who share the planet.

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The arsenal of tools that sit by the sink at the ready.

Don't thank me for this tip

thank the glove.

Hard working domestic help is hard to find!

I'm hanging up my gloves for the weekend

as all here is chaos 

with our renovation in the last stages of readiness

there is very little that I can do but get dressed and head to the mall and do some Christmas shopping

and I'll leave the Humble Bungalow in the hands (paws) of the experts!

Be Well, Be Kind and Be Lovely!

Generous and thoughtful...my BFF

My BFF is a generous and thoughtful woman.
She has a family, works part time outside her lovely home and attends most events that her grand children are involved in.
She regularly visits and grocery shops for her 95 year old Mother who lives on her own.
My BFF also helps her husband in his business, does payroll and book keeping for another friend and yet she always makes time for her friends.

You know what they say...
if you want something done ask a busy person well this is so true of Suzanne.

She popped over the other day with a card and a gift.

Her generous and giving spirit radiates from within and adds to her beauty.

So Suzanne I wanted to take a moment, a small tribute to you and all that you have done for those around you...
be it the fresh flowers that you bring into the office and make the reception a more welcoming place
or the timely phone calls when someone is having troubles, you are a great listener
a trusted friend who can keep secrets who has her feet firmly planted on the ground and can offer sage advice.

I've known you since we were about 8 years old which makes our friendship about half a century young!
Can you believe it?
Yet we do not NEED to see each other all the time to keep our friendship healthy and strong.
Mr HB knows when we get on the phone it might be 15 minutes or more like an hour!
We often share the same thoughts, have similar taste and have purchased identical garments unbeknownst to each other and have had to say are you going to wear that top (dress/ pants/ jacket/sweater) tonight 'cuz if you are I'll wear something different!

Our husbands get along too which is great!

Suzanne, I feel so blessed to have you in my life.

Thank you for the years of friendship and I hope that we get to grow into old age together!

Cheers!

In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. 

For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed. 

Khalil Gibran 

~ ~ ~ 

Hostess

XO

I've got a crush....

It's a season of discovery in so many areas...
thoughts of retirement, changes afloat and listening to my heart.

I have been faithful to the Avene line of creams and potions for quite sometime and have been satisfied by their performance until recently when my skin had some dry scaly patches appear. I am alarmed when my skin reacts to the weather or the indoor heat and when the products that I have come to rely on fail to perform.
I feel self conscious and my self esteem falters.
Most people notice your skin when they are looking at you.

So with this in mind when I shopped L'Occitane en Provence for some Christmas gifts I took advantage of their free samples. Introducing a new cream can be problematic when one has sensitive skin so I do not rush out and buy full size portions until I have tested them first.

Here's the new kid on the block and I have to admit I have a crush!

It's the new star in my arsenal of skin care products.

Immortelle

Divine Cream

interestingly there are 3 patents pending and the buzz about this cream

is positive

women my age cannot get enough of this stuff 

and they are not shy when raving about it

it would appear that L'Occitane en Provence has lassoed some youth inducing plant based serums

added vitamins and blended them together to create this divine cream.

Just reading the box is illuminating!

"Proven anti wrinkle efficiency"

Anti age spots effectiveness evaluated by clinical scoring on 32 women over 8 weeks."

~  reduction of intensity of dark spots 32% ~

Satisfaction tested on 50 women over 4 weeks:

~ the skin is revitalized (90%) ~

~ the skin is smoother  (94%) ~

~ the skin slackening is reduced (84%) ~

My skin feels plumper softer and more radiant.

If you are in the market for a new cream stop by the L'Occitane store or go online and read about the testimonials of women and get your hands on some free sample and see for yourself.

While it won't give you back your youth

it might just give your skin the boost it needs to reflect the beauty that is within.

For me it's an indulgence but one worth scrimping and saving for...

Hope that you are having a great week!

Hostess

XO

The Gospel According to Coco Chanel ~ a great read.

I powered through this book about Coco Chanel in one day.
Her life was quite different than I had imagined it would be...

She was a  powerful woman, a force to be reckoned with.
Strong, determined, driven,
She had a dynamic personality.
She was a master of her craft and had perfectionist tendencies and had high expectations from those that she employed.
This book is well written, informative and worth reading.

Did you know that Chanel No. 5 is the largest selling perfume?

 A bottle is sold almost every 55 seconds!

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The 2.55 Chanel classic quilted handbag was introduced to the world in February of 1955

(named after the launch date!)

a bag that is still in production and coveted by many.

Things Coco loved...

Pearls

camellias

tweedy jackets

simplicity

minimalist wardrobes

impeccable fit and tailoring

luxe fabrics

the LBD

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"Elegance is refusal."

Coco Chanel

Sloane Teas ~ a gift from Donna, aka the duchess

After my recent blog post on making the perfect cup of tea I received an email from Donna from Ontario who blogged as The duchess of H for awhile.
Her blog chronicled the construction of their vast home which took several years to build...
it looked like a mansion when I last saw her blog.
Donna suggested that I might like to sample the exquisite Sloane Teas that are artfully blended by the talented sommelier Hoda Paripoush.
The Sloane Tea company is a Canadian company and has a wonderful website. Check it out it's very friendly.
You can read more about Hoda here.

Imagine my surprise when a day or two later the doorbell rang and the Fed Ex man handed me this package!
It was the day I lay in bed with the flu so it was a wonderful treat to brew a pot of restorative tea,
a tonic for my soul.

Thank you Donna I am really enjoying the Sloane Teas!

Look for a card and a little something for you in the mail soon,
I'll try to get the package in the post tomorrow,
you are so thoughtful.

I have the perfect pink tea cup to go with the tea tins.

Silver Mist

Orchid Oolong

Heavenly Cream

Persian Palace

I've sampled and savoured the Persian Palace

brewed 4-6 minutes

and served it without milk to maximize the flavour and aroma

in a bone china cup and saucer of course!

The Orchid Oolong is much milder and very refreshing

I'd be tempted to serve it iced in the summertime.

 Heavenly Cream is luxe and smooth, very balanced.

I'm looking forward to brewing Silver Mist next.

The Persian Palace is my favourite so far...

Donna thought I'd like it because it's blended with rose petals!

The packaging is lovely

such pretty tins

embossed ribbon 

adorns and ties up the assortment 

 this would make an exceptional Holiday Hostess gift.

Please let Hoda know that you heard about the teas from The Humble Bungalow Hostess.

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The duchess takes her tea with Laduree macarons 

which she keeps fresh in the freezer.

How do you take your tea?

I hope that you have a wonderful week and remember to take some time to rest

sip a cup of tea perhaps

and reflect on all that is good in your life.

Be well.

Hostess

XO