Space challenge 2010

I wonder how many women have homes with space and storage challenges.
I know gals who have walk in closets with built in drawers and shelving...some are bigger than my bedroom!
I live in a bungalow built in 1913 when I imagine women had maybe 2 or 3 "house dresses" and a Sunday Best outfit for church, weddings, and funerals.

I have more clothing than the imagined woman of 1913 who might have lived here, a woman who like myself would reside in a Humble Bungalow.
Humble in size, hence cost and living on a relatively humble income.

I have quickly and not very artfully snapped a few pictures to give you a visual here.

Behind the curtain....

The left hand side, my longer clothing, including coats and jackets.

Right hand side shorter clothing.

In the middle 2 shelves for sweaters

Baskets of shoes

Wardrobe clothes storage downstairs

Out of season and dressy clothes.

As you can see my space for garments is very small. 

I find it a challenge but really it is a great exercise in minimalist wardrobing.

I have the new Stickley cabinet which holds my lingerie, some jewelry, tank tops and scarves. 

I blogged about this awhile ago, see earlier post.

I keep my colour palette to neutrals and of course black, white and greys for the basics.

and with a few exceptions I add colours and textures through accessories.

When I shop I ask myself; 

Do I need this? 

Does it work with most of my current clothing?

Does it look like it will date or is it a classic?

Do I love it?

Is it well made?

Does it fit me and is it flattering?

and 

Do I have room for it?

I almost forgot...I have a plastic bin under my bed for my cashmere sweaters...once the moths ate an entire Banana Republic cable knit scarf in only 2 months....

and it was my favourite chartreuse green :(

I hope that you can see these photos as my Blogger has been incredibly persnickety today.

Sweet Sunday and the multi-tasking Hostess

Lovely sunny day here in the Bungalow garden, the fence crew have a day off to rest.
I wandered about on a zigzag weed patrol...lots of things are popping up, hints of hostas and peony's, and a lovely surprise...my yellow lily is in flower!

Fence construction zone

Look how close the lily is to the post and hole that the crew had to dig...my goodness they must be so careful where they set their feet!

Dainty violets

Euphorbia in a pot

Chartreuse euphorbia

What I am reading now...

"mental snack food" an easy peasy romp into the ridiculous!

The washing machine is spinning, the self clean oven is smoking me out as I am well into the first hour of the 2 hour clean...I have candles burning and will need to bring in the bug guns after it has finished...Mr. Lamp Berger.

I have chopped the ingredients for Osso Bucco...dinner is not roast beef tonight.

I am adding mushrooms to this recipe as I have several pounds to use up and Mr. HB loves mushrooms.

Trusty garlic gadget works like a charm

Beef shanks, a very frugal choice, 4 for under $10.

 Mr. HB orders Osso Bucco frequently when we got out to dine... usually costs $24...experimenting here in the Humble Bungalow tonight and he will be able to do an honest taste test.

He has requested mashed potatoes also and peas.

My fave Le Creuset pot sees action so often here in the Bungalow, I'd be lost without it!

Have a great Sunday!

Pondering beauty and aging...and looking for direction!

Nature gives you the face you have at twenty. Life shapes the face you have at thirty. But at fifty you get the face you deserve. Coco Chanel

Images of youth and beauty have been weaving in and out of my consciousness of late.
I recently celebrated my 55th birthday, and I have been reading blogs on skincare, fashion and beauty in all it's forms. I call this research!
I have really never spent much time pondering beauty or aging, but now I am alert to these two concepts...these may be fleeting thoughts...they may linger, they might flee...time will tell.


What is beauty? 
One definition I found : The quality that gives pleasure to the mind or senses and is associated with such properties as harmony of form or color, excellence of artistry, truthfulness, and originality.


Aging is defined as The organic process of growing older and showing the effects of increasing age.


How does one age gracefully and with style?
What does age appropriate translate to with regard to fashion and make up?
Are there rules, guidelines, or secrets?


I feel that I will need to work harder, longer and spend more time and money on my fitness and beauty routines as I navigate this new territory...I am hoping that I find my way....I get "lost" so easily!

What is your sense of direction like?

Wearable art....Debra Chambers and Linda Lundstrom Canadian designers.

Debra Chambers necklace

Each piece that Debra designs is one of a kind, you'll have the pleasure of wearing something that no one else will be wearing.

The pieces are beautifully crafted to add texture, colour and interest.

They speak to me and I feel arty and bohemian wearing them!

Her more delicate creations are very sophisticated and feminine.

I have a great jacket that I am planning to wear with this necklace.

Another well known Canadian designer.

Deconstruction zone!

A riot of textural detail.

Back detail.

Front accents.

Same tonal palette, shredded accents, texture and whimsy...I do love this Chanel!

Don't you just love wearing artistically designed items?

Maybe you design your own?

Do you have a favourite designer?

Blues, Tea, and a yard full of cedar...

Grape Hyacinths from the Bungalow garden.

I am bringing beauty inside as the outside is a disaster!

The garden is a mess right now...it is a construction zone...we are getting a new fence.

The old fence is grey and rotting...

This is where Mr. HB usually parks his Beamer.

This is the front yard, my small patch of lawn is dwarfed by the cedar panels.

The crew are great, they are working 9-4 and making great progress.

When the fence has been erected I will go out and tidy up anything that might be amiss.

I am ever so grateful that they are working now before all my plants grow huge and bloom.

The crew has departed and it's tea time for the Hostess.

I find a cup of tea incredibly restorative. Just the simple act of boiling the kettle, warming the pot, steeping the tea leaves and then the best part...sitting for a few minutes, reflecting on the events of the day, a time for a quiet moment, giving thanks in appreciation and gratitude.

Classic Lady Grey Tea, I am sipping some as I blog this afternoon.

Look there are bits of blue in the tea!

They are cornflowers.

The ingredients are black tea, orange peel, lemon peel citrus flavour and cornflowers.

You really cannot go wrong with tea from Twinings, they are a British institution, and they have the honour of being appointed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11.

A good English brew needs a proper cup and saucer...the bone china holds the heat longer and the tea does taste better.

Some prefer a squeeze of lemon, some like honey, some like milk, and others it's simply black.

I do MIF...for those of you not familiar with that expression....it translates to milk in first.

Builder's tea is also popular, see for yourself...Builder's Tea

When you need some quiet or restoration what do you do?

Where do you find solace?

I find that rituals, offer comfort.

A hot bath, a sweet chocolate, a phone call from a good friend.

Just as donning certain "comfy garments" like cashmere, silk, or a soft worn tee...it's a gift indeed.