Monday, April 5, 2010

Flattery...will get you everywhere!


FCUK leather ballet flats, I swoon! 
(and my feet are very happy too.)

                      Made in India


I am back from the getaway with feet planted back on terra firma.

What a whirlwind weekend!
There was a slight delay due to the extreme winds but we arrived safe.
(Mr. HB is in the Bungalow garden replacing the roof on our shed as it blew off while I was away!)

Is it legal to enjoy one's self as much as I did?
Just the simplicity of getting away...so refreshing as new views are like new eyes.
There is an energy and excitement that accompany travel.
 You need not go far and it doesn't need to cost the earth.

We shopped and explored and dined.
I am so fortunate that lovely daughter shares the same taste in food. 
We shared starters and salads and then each had an entree.
She is very portion conscious, and I am striving to adopt that tactic.
It is interesting to me that I am learning from her as she once learned from me.

 The goal of the getaway was to relax and buy some fun things for her.
She cat sat for us several times and we feel indebted to her and wanted to show our appreciation.
She will also be celebrating her birthday in a couple of weeks and will be starting a new job in 6 months as she will be transferred.
She got a great assortment of wonderful clothes at a remarkably low cost.
A trench coat, a green safari type jacket, several tanks, some trendy tops, a buttery soft leather pair of what I would call spectator or oxford shoes, sox, and a mocha Marc Jacobs cross body bag as seen here
I admire and am in awe of how she chooses and wears the artful combinations of clothes.
(She is the lucky one who inherited the fashion gene from my mother.)
Lovely daughter in law is also gifted with the fashion gene.

I did see lots of sumptuous shoes...Loubouton, Tod's, Vivier, Ferragamo, Chloe, and so on....
I am hard on my shoes so for me to invest $600 on a pair of flats just goes against my grain.
I did follow LD into FCUK...doesn't that remind you of a curse word?
They have the cutest garb...LD loves their line....I browsed too but the cuts are too lean for my body...but not for my feet....what's this? shoes!
Oh my, and aren't they just as buttery and soft and ooh la la, they are like a soft bed for my toes!
Did I mention that we walked about 8 hours both days?
Great exercise and a lot of fun!

I have caught up on my blog reading and I am off to stock up on food and am flaunting my new flats... content and grateful to be back home in the Bungalow.
Hope that you all had a Happy Easter Weekend.




Thursday, April 1, 2010

I am going to be absent for a few days.....

I am going to be incommunicado for a few days.....taking my lovely daughter away...she has a new job, and her birthday is in a couple of weeks, we enjoy spending time together, (I pray this will always be this way) we are going to shop for her, see some new sights, drink some bubbly, (she who is not afraid of corks!) dine at some fine bistros, and who knows what mischief we might get up to?
I am not taking my Laptop...I am travelling light

Janet would be pleased....
and Metscan I am trying to pare down my "baggage" as you have suggested!

Hugs from the Hostess of the Humble Bungalow
XOXO

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Tweaking skin with help from the DR.

I have been using the Dr. Hauschka line for several years now and have been happy with the products until recently. My skin has been getting much drier (which is to be expected post menopause) and has started to flake in spots. I have professional facials every 3 months, not maybe as often as suggested but money does not grow on trees in the Humble Bungalow garden.

I had an appointment with the representative from Dr. Hauschka, and got some new information on caring for mature skin. In fact, they have recently launched some new products to address the aging population. Hooray!
I am going to replace my current intensive treatment 05 and rose cream daytime and use the regenerating serum under the regenerating day cream.
At night I am going to use the serum after cleansing.
I timed this very well as the 2 products that I normally use and are replacing were within drops of being finished.
I received 20% off today and some freebies for scheduling a consultation.
Check out these great samples.



I should also mention that I am taking BioSil Skin and Bones by Lorna Vanderhaeghe. I take this internally to boost the production of collagen and help with my osteopinia. 
Warning...it tastes bad but I mix it with a small amount of water and drink fast!



I will try the new products for a few weeks before commenting on the results.
In the meantime I am drinking more water...taking my vitamins and evening primrose oil.

I went for a brisk walk in the sunshine today and it energized me.
Flowers blooming, bees buzzing, blue skies and white puffy clouds.

Blue and white hyacinths for the bathroom... 
their fragrance is sweet and intoxicating...
 I breathe!








Homework for the Hostess


Post 55, pondering aging and beauty...continued.
 Questions have arisen, answers are being seeked.

The illuminating comments from lovely followers, (of which I am ever so grateful!) have been read and reread.
 I have decided to further explore areas and topics of which I know very little.

I have been so busy being a wife, mom, gardener, domestic engineer, librarian, friend, hostess that I have not spent much time on my grooming or wardrobe.
(It has been a simple routine with simple safe garments.)
In fact, I am coming late to this party!
I am discovering that this area interests me more than I would have imagined.
I do wonder why...I am not "full of myself", do not go out with the sole purpose of getting noticed, that would be uncomfortable for me.

I ran errands the other day and I got noticed, or maybe my clothing did!
....it was a revelation to me...
I didn't mind the attention!

I wore my Simon Chang, Boucher pin, pearl chocker, dark denim jeans, new antiqued gold loafers, a simple tank, bag; Tory Burch. (Tory and Simon are made for each other!)
I felt good in what I was wearing...I even glimpsed my reflection in a store window and it made me smile!
What's up with that?




I have been perusing these books and drinking copious amounts of tea. 
Dayle Haddon has a site which is worth a visit, see for yourself.

I have an appointment with a skin care representative for a consultation this afternoon.
I want to hear from the expert what aging skin requires...besides a good diet, sleep and lots of water.

I am very casual today...I am in my fave DKNY worn denim jeans rolled up, black ballerina flats, a crisp white Talbots shirt sleeves and collar rolled up, shirt tales out, pearl choker and the requisite diamonds.
Not seeking attention, seeking comfort.

Seeking answers...the study continues...
will report back on progress.




Monday, March 29, 2010

I almost forgot, pardon me ...pictures were requested.

Debra K and Linda Lundstrom


Self portrait, sort of...


I need a longer mirror!

A couple of quick pics...the jacket as requested.

It is a small Bungalow...and Mr.HB is at the Firm.
It's just me and my camera...
I even put on my glasses.

No worries.
Use your imagination

I watched a film that made me weep....The Blind Side.
Sandra Bullock was amazing...
Humour me here...please.

I think that there are more amazing women whose stories could and should be told.
Maybe you know one of them?
Maybe you are one of them?