yellow blooms, a hasty planting...

a little burry image of my pudding bowl 

I planted these in a hurry

lots of things happening here

we have

a house guest

family obligations

and

we are dealing with a dysfunctional relative

there's one in every family!

         I thought that these were pansies

I do know

     they are sunny yellow

    and they add light to the grey rainy days

and I love blooming things

cheap and cheerful

they'll have a spot on the porch

on the black wicker table

I have taken all the cushions off and stored them for the winter

Fall is upon us...

summer is over

I feel like

pulling the covers up 

sipping hot tea

look what my houseguest brought for me!

from England

reading a good book

and 

cocooning in my nightgown

I'm off to the serenity of my bedroom

sweet dreams to all...

Hugs

Closet clean out and Recipe cards!

My closet is now ready for Fall and my work wardrobe is easily visible.

I have hung things in basic colour groupings...black, white, grey, navy...

with a few prints and coloured garments to the side.

I had some items to donate to charity and a few that I felt might be candidates for the consignment shop.

The consignment shop is on a busy street and parking can be difficult but I found a spot with ease and while they looked over my garments I perused their stock. 

The staff are very well turned out and fashionably accessorized...the stock is neat, clean and attractively displayed. 

Most items are name brand designers and are in current styles...some are new with tags still attached...

I did not find anything to purchase and was not really engaged in looking, having just pared down and added a few new recently purchased pieces.

Nextdoor to the consignment shop is a vintage decor shop which has great stock.
I browse here often and need to steel myself from making purchases as there is ALWAYS at least one thing that calls my name...

It might be the artfully arranged groupings of items which are so sumptuous that I swoon!
The owner has a keen eye and she finds unique time worn pieces...some very country, others very fine.

I saw weathered oars, concrete garden urns, antique inlaid wood dressers, country jelly cupboards, painted French trays, silver bowls, ironstone crocks, biscuit tins, costume jewlery, hat stands, crystal chandeliers, floral printed china, rugs, mirrors of all shapes and sizes, oil paintings, and a large collection of garden gnomes!

I found these...and they spoke to me!

circa 1969

French Recipe Cards!

 a complete deck...

recipes in the French style of eating

circa 1969

not low fat

high flavour

French women don't get fat!

there is a book available

with that title...

after reading these cards

I would like to believe that

but

I have my doubts!

Duchesse at Passage des perles

recently commented on my blogpost 

referencing a book "French Women" by Marguerite 

where a 3 bite rule

is suggested

thank you

great advice Duchesse!

one dessert and forks for all diners at the table

equals French chic!

and now...

Bridge anyone?

Lights, camera, action....

New lights in the Bungalow

kitchen

I am so excited 

I will be able to see so much better!

Arts and crafts style fixture

custom crafted

by Waterglass Studios

 if you look closely

you'll see some holes...

ceiling patching and paint 

will be added onto the "honey do list"

my trusty camera

an oldie but a goodie

a Nordstrom's box

wait for it...

my boots arrived

they fit and 

they're super comfy

and the desired flat sole

for the sake of my feet

buckle up

giddy-up

the leather is pebbled like my Roots bag

soft and supple

we get buckets of rain here in the Pacific Northwest

 so boots are required

"Gum boots" or  Hunter's for gardening or beach walks

lined boots with traction for snow days

and these for

window shopping

work and play

marketing

errands

sightseeing

antiquing and thrifting

and so much more...

I was very apprehensive about the sizing, shipping and quality

I am pleased and content.

these

 "generic fashion boots"

have a new home.

Nordstrom's

your service agents are so helpful

especially to a rookie like the Hostess

I heard no laughing

just efficient polite responses

which I do so appreciate

Thank you!

Lanvin and Park Avenue...interlopers in the Humble Bungalow!

When it comes to scarves 

I am wooed by Hermes and luxe silk

handrolled edges

 I can be persuaded to purchase other designers scarves

and here's an example

a foray into orange

with the safety net of navy and white

Park Avenue shirt

softest cotton

and 

it is made for a man

but worn by a woman

because...

the quality

is Luxe

I feel very comfortable wearing a man's shirt

I can wear it with the collar and cuffs turned up

and tucked into jeans

or layer it over a white tank

open

or loosely belted

simple

yet 

dare I say

chic!

is there a certain look or style that makes you feel more confident ?

....like my happy red shoes

Summer's over but not according to Nelly!

A pleasant surprise greeted me when I popped out on the sundeck to take some images of the garden...

Nelly Moser clematis divine!

obviously she's happy here

as she's putting on another show

the raised veggie beds are still producing beets and swiss chard

the patio tomatoes have more to offer

here's the area we reclaimed as grass

for future familygames

we bought sod

 Kentucky Bluegrass

rolled it out 

instant lawn

a bit of a colour difference

 Mr. HB assures me this will eventually blend 

the rose and other plants were relocated

and some were put on the boulevard with the free plants sign

my neighbour across the street has Muscovey ducks

 besides eating sowbugs and slugs they have been eating her hostas 

she took all the hostas that I could supply

I suggested that she skip a step

instead of planting them....

give them straight to the ducks

oops!

(she raised her eye but did not look amused)

I needed mascara

I do not like my lashes naked and pale

so I purchased

Mosscara

infused with sap moss

a greener choice

a gardener can appreciate this product

I love the formulation

easy to apply

separates lashes 

and they look thick without globby hitch-hikers

my salon's esthetician informed me that the new rose based mascara will be the penultimate mascara

 available Spring 2011

I've already marked my calendar.

Bungalow indoor kitchen sill garden

phalaenopsis orchid

and 

 Lamp Berger

my favourite way to scent the home

I've completely forgotten this hardy plants name

It blooms forever...

dinner is simmering on the stove

tonight a simple supper

clam chowder

a one pot wonder

perfect for Fall

what did you do this weekend?

what are you planning to do this coming week?

Hunting, gathering, and Mother's influence...

I have been hunting for flat boots to wear with my skinny jeans and newer leggings, the heavier knit ones in black.

I am happy to say that I found them!

and new to me I am taking a risk and shopping online

not something that I normally do.

I like to try things on, look them over, and check the craftmanship...

well these were given 5 stars by customers and they are leather so...

I have ordered them

fingers crossed they will not disappoint.

They are on their way...

I'll let you know what the verdict is when I put them on.

Mother, my sister and I went for lunch this week

something that we are doing more often

it's such a lovely relaxed way to get to visit mother.

We choose somewhere quiet

with a view.

The resaturant had an ocean view

and we managed to sit at a window 

we watched the boats at moorage 

and people dock walking.

I ate the most delightful portobello mushroom stuffed with artichoke and crab and served with a tossed green salad and a light vinagrette.

After lunch my sister wanted to check out a new store and we ended up shopping!

We three are drawn to shopping when we are together...

Mother encourages us to buy a treat whenever she is around.

I think it harkens back to the days when she chose our clothes

she still gives us the nod if she likes how we look when we emerge from the fitting room.

I have been a rebel on occasion and bought something on which she gave the thumbs down

but usually she is right.

She knows fashion

has a keen eye

and dresses herself in classic clothing always with a current edge.

She never fails to charm the salesclerks and holds court in the shop!

This tunic top got the the nod

and a smile.

Camel coloured knit top which I plan to wear with my leggings and skinny jeans

It is a great weight skims the body and is cozy and warm.

soyaconcepts...

they are a newer line

being carried by the boutique

priced at under $100

Zipper detail

which I quite like!

I've seen a lot of zippers on LBD's

and tops this season

sewn on the outside

My home ec teacher would not have tolerated this back in the late 60's!

I do not sew clothing

I can do curtains, pillows and duvet covers...

all straight lines.

I had to rip out so many of my projects in school

uneven stitching, 

bubble darts

 zips that were askew

crooked buttonholes

it's odd 

 Mother was a fabulous seamstress

she made my sister and I matching dresses 

with the remnants from the dresses that she created for herself

I remember one year she made a long velvet skirt 

and purchased a silver sequinned sleeveless shell 

to wear with it for the Christmas holidays

such "Glam" our family had never seen!

I recall thinking how fabulous she looked

well I am delighted to say

I give her the nod

she still looks great!

Domestics and a Luxe Park Avenue Diet...

Humble Bungalow was shrouded in fog this morning
the sound of foghorns is truly eerie and haunting.

Fall is definitely in the air...
and it's rather dull looking outside.
To perk up my daily round
and energize
I put the furnace on,
layered a sweater over my Tee shirt,
a Lands End cozy cashmere cheery red,
dark denim skinny jeans rolled up,
red Miz Mooz flats.
(I haven't found the elusive boots yet)

Domestic days are routine in the Humble Bungalow...
water wooshing through the pipes...
the sounds of the washer and the dryer as they go through their cycles
the contented hum of domesticity.

I've tackled, purged, and arranged the spices,
I've sorted the junk drawer...
(I allow myself to have just one!)
and this drawer is big enough to satisfy my needs.

Domestics day is a great day to make soup
the ritual of chopping is calming
something chock full of veggies simmering on the stove and scenting the kitchen
and while the soup is bubbling there's time to sit and savour a cup of tea.

I recently pulled this book off my bookshelf and am re-reading snippets of it to refresh my memory

 of the mainpoints

and to re-commit to the key strategies.

What attracted me to this book was it's title...

and something I remember hearing... 

"You can never be too rich or too thin"

a quote by The Duchess of Windsor

( I think one can be too thin...but rich? )

The author, Jana Klauer, M.D., writes in her introduction...

"Park Avenue. These two words conjure up images of wealth, privilege, and ease. 

Park Avenue is New York's grandest boulevard"

She shares with the reader a lot of information which is savvy, sensible and smart.

She is an advocate of daily exercise, eating protein, getting enough calcium, conquering food cravings, ridding the diet of ALL processed foods, and drinking 2 -3 quarts of water every day.

It is easy to follow

and

the recipes in the book are luxe, 

I imagine a spa

might serve these tasty dishes!

What books inspire you to lead a healthier lifestyle?

Hope that you are keeping warm, snug and cozy.

Seeing things more clearly now...

my collection of hair clips

I feel that these might be 

a fashion faux pas

I wear them and care not a fig

if they are "in" or "out"

Do you remember the former hairband days of Hilary Clinton ?

she's at it again!

 Hairbands, or Alice Bands as they are known in the UK, are in fact, back "in fashion"

did they ever go "out"?

I think sweatbands did...

but what do I know?

I have heard little about clips...

maybe I am choosing not to see

or hear what might be said of them...

maybe they are unremarkable,

undesirable?

or tacky.

Tiffany's, Hermes or Cartier 

could sell lovely gem encrusted clips

that one could wear

as hair jewelry

I have not found any quality clips

in my city

not in the antique malls

 jewelry shops

or 

mainstream merchants

and I keep looking

I have been growing my hair 

for a few months

and now it falls into my eyes

this bothers me when gardening or bending forward

so I have employed the use of these

grips

as seen here

I am looking forward to when the length has reached my shoulders

my hairdresser says it will be probably be December or thereabouts

(I hope she refrains fom her scissor happy snipping)

I booked "colour only" for my next appointment

 I will be able to put it up in a pony tail

or wear an updo

a french roll

 quick and easy

with a few stray strands at the sides

the curls 

soften

the 

face

 two donuts that I bought from Finland

aka scrunchies

mette was instrumental in my purchase of these donuts...
it was the power of suggestion

perhaps even a mild case of blogger envy..
she has chic taste
designer clothing
and high end style
go visit and you'll see what I mean.

My lovely daughter came by the other day after her appointment at the salon

 her hair falling just to her shoulders

 much shorter now

she looks even prettier

 (if that's possible)

her hair has more body

and 

I love the loose soft waves 

Here I am a few months ago...

           and this month...

I do not feel very relaxed 

having my picture taken

even if it is a self portrait

I must get over this...

or remove my glasses

ah! 

a happy blur

fellow blogger materfamilias

is much braver than I

see for yourself!

and this recent post by mette 

beautiful

and while we are on the portrait topic

look at

Lisa from a mid life of privilege

leading the way

back when she was a youngster!

Beastly news...

I have damaged my glasses

(the scratch starts above the i in Fendi and goes to my finger)

I wear my glasses

to read or type or thread a needle

not to watch TV, garden, walk or drive...

 the coating somehow got scratched when I was cleaning them

so the eye on the side of the affected lens sees the line

annoying me immensely

more than the hair falling into my gaze...

incidentally the side of the hair falling forward is also the scratched lens side

I could just dispense with the clips and let the hair fall where it may

the lens would be obscured 

and all would be well

or 

would it?

I have swapped back to my former pair as seen in the last image

and I will need to go and have my lens repaired or have a new pair made

so much for not shopping.