Blue and white...My Stylish French Box

When I read a few months ago that the theme of the May delivery of My Stylish French Box was going to be blue and white I did a little happy dance!

I posted pictures of our collection of blue and white porcelain before on the blog.
Our collection is small and carefully curated...will share them later in this post.

Look at how beautifully the contents are packed!

A feast for the eyes and the fragrance from the Fragonard candle is divine.

Letol scarf

Gien porcelain mug

La Pompon linen bags

Fragonard candle in a decorative reusable porcelain lidded container.

Notebooks and a lovely blue Swarovski crystal pendant.

I love receiving this elegant treat every few months.

If you are interested in ordering the August box or an annual subscription 

please click the link here 

You can also read the reviews from recipients.

Porcelain Bowls by Harumi Ota

Wee Vessel with bunnies by Robert Amos

both are local Victoria artists.

My newest dress is also in blue and white.

a cool loose linen frock

Have you read this book?

Its a classic!

one that I re-read every so often 

especially when I want some French Chic style inspiration.

What are you reading?

Where do you find inspiration for fashion and home decor?

Pinterest? Instagram? Magazines? Blogs? HGTV? You Tube?

I've just made a pot of Mariage Freres Earl Grey Tea.

 I am heading out to the front porch with my book .

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

A Humble Bungalow Garden Tour featuring Marigold The Mouse

If you follow me on Instagram you will have already met the charming and charismatic Marigold the Mouse...
If you are meeting her here for the first time you are going to be smitten by this wee little gal.
She is made by the talented artist Robyn who creates a myriad of wonderful creatures and features them on her Instagram page @williewoolly.
Here is the link to her website

Welcome to The Humble Bungalow Garden.

David Austin rose Gertrude Jekyll

A throne!

 Hosta Sum and Substance a HUGE specimen.

Sunbathing with a Calla Lily

Foxgloves

Solomon's Seal

Hanging out with the roses.

The Russell Lupines

faded a bit now but still standing...

Stop and smell the roses

this one is Iceberg a very vigorous climber.

The blooms are almost a big as Marigold!

Marigold looks like she's enjoying being the star of this tour.

Abraham Darby 

a stalwart David Austin rose

very fragrant and a repeat bloomer.

I think she's having a fun morning!

Jacob's Coat 

a superb rosebush 

whose colour varies from bright yellow to a deep orange.

Abraham Darby and foxgloves

Smilacena Racemosa

an unusual plant whose flowers are softly scented.

Jude the Obscure

my favourite David Austin Rose.

Just in bud with the promise of many flowers soon to flush.

Fragrant Showy Pavement series rose...

the stems are very prickly 

a vigorous drought tolerant rose with a habit of spreading.

Hosta leaves with droplets of water from the sprinkler last evening.

I spy a wee tear from Marigold 

saying goodbyes are often difficult...

until next time

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Hope that you all have some fun this weekend.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Swimsuit shopping...

My need for a new swimsuit came as a wee bit of a shock to me...

I was in the change room at the local pool and was putting on my old swimsuit and working up a sweat trying to pull it up! I had to wriggle and ease the spandex up inch by inch and when I was finished I realized that I could hardly breathe!

What happened?

It must have shrunk!
(Wrong)

So I HAD to go swimsuit shopping...
not my favourite thing to do, but we are off to the cottage,
and they have two lovely pools and I like to swim laps,
so needs must!

Do you believe in miracles?

This is what a size 14 swimsuit looks like on the hanger...

I am not proud of the fact that I have gone up a size.

The weight gain is all in my midsection where I once had a waist!

Simon Chang swimsuit.

This one is also a size 14 but it looks smaller because it is black.

I like the mesh detail at the top and at the leg holes.

I purchased two swimsuits because I don't like putting a wet bathing suit on and I may be swimming a couple of times each day.

I walk everyday and some days I walk farther than others...

I do watch what I eat but I could always cut down on the carbs.

My husband loves pasta so I make it once a week and I adore potatoes.

My thyroid is sluggish 

(but that's no excuse)

 I have taken medication for hypothyroidism since I gave birth 

to our daughter 40 years ago.

Loving life and feeling gratitude is part of my daily routine.

Every day is a gift and it never fails to offer up something of beauty. 

So in the whole scheme of things 

is a size larger worth getting all bent out of shape over?

I am doing what I can to stay active and healthy.

Thank you for popping by and reading The Humble Bungalow Blog today.

It's sunny here at the cottage and we plan to go swimming today.

With two suits to choose from I have to make a decision which one to wear...

I hope you are having a great weekend.

Until next time

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Love the "little things" ~ a recipe for contentment.

Reading home decor books, Instagram and magazines inspire me.

I often get frustrated and wonder how I can make our little bungalow look better.

  I actioned a quick and inexpensive DIY fix.

I purchased 3 black metal hooks 

(Mr. HB installed them for me)

I hung up my French Market basket

 gardening hat 

and

  watering can. 

As conscientious stewards 

of a Heritage home

we are required to honour the historic significance 

we do not stray too far from their original architectural design.

With one exception...

The laundry area is painted white 

the basement is dark with very little light 

with only a few small windows.

The bright white walls 

make it much more enjoyable to work in and it feels far less oppressive!

I like to do my ironing while gazing out to the garden.

Looking out and beyond at the foliage and flowers 

while ironing 

feels like a form of meditation.

A handy rolling cart in the space is used for towels.

I fold the laundry on the top of the counter

and

I have a small ironing board that I use for small jobs 

like our linen tea towels and napkins.

Domestic jobs are a necessity.

To make them a wee bit more enjoyable

I have "fluffed" my downstairs "workplace" adding a few accent pieces.

Vintage enamel tins, ceramics, bird sculptures, and trophies...

Work and chores need not be looked upon as "drudgery."

Attitude is key to making these everyday tasks pleasant.

Taking joy in the results of one's labour and effort is so important.

The feeling of accomplishment is felt...

as I stand back

admiring a stack of freshly laundered 

(scented with lavender soap)

neat and tidy crisply ironed tea towels.

It's the "little things" that make our days richer.

How do you add Joy in your daily duties?

Do you have a secret to share that you use to make your daily round feel richer?

On that note, 

I will close this post...

Thank you for taking the time to stop and visit The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~