Out and About...OOTD

Today the sun shone and I felt a lightness in my step.
The ground was still wet and muddy from all the precipitation but that seemed like a minor inconvenience when there was such a clear blue sky overhead. The weather was perfect for a stroll around the neighbourhood.

Walking feels very like a form of meditation
my thoughts flow and I let them percolate at their own rate
they bubble up and ebb
I see things in nature that give me cause to pause
details that are visible only because I am not rushing
I am open to what might cross my path
and I pay particular attention to what I see
looking clearly at what is before me
what is now
what is here
in this very moment in time
which will be changed a few minutes from now

it might be something as subtle as they way the light falls
or the breeze as it has rearranged the clouds
or leaves as they swirl about

walking gives me perspective
often gives me inspiration
it brings me solutions to problems
and answers to questions

I read an article recently that said 30 minutes of walking a day was a prescription for wellness...
I'd have to agree.

I looked up and studied the trees
their form
the branches
glorious in their beauty.

  a few blocks from The Humble Bungalow

Garry Oaks in a meadow

towering overhead

rocky outcroppings

carpeted with moss

OOTD

Charcoal tights ~ Secret

tan tunic top ~ Alfred Sung

boots ~ Hush Puppies

down puffer coat ~ Land's End

grey cashmere scarf ~ Club Monaco

Hostess hiding/lurking in the shadows...

I met my "besties" for coffee at the local coffee shop

we celebrated because BFF has had a birthday!

Happy Happy BFF!

gifts

 cards 

girly time

grand baby pictures

book talk

kid talk

sibling talk

mom talk

talk talk talk

there is not often a lull....

did I mention that I am getting my hair cut?

My girlfriends all look so amazing and young

and I am feeling rather old and somewhat tatty

I think it is because of my current hairstyle 

too long and lanky

no bounce

it needs a major tweak...

I would love to try something chic and French...

any thoughts?

What will I do...

any thoughts before I get snipped?

Here's a snippet of snaps...

I have a few ideas and fear not I am the boss of my own hair!

Just thought I 'd get some feedback by posing the question.

Mall therapy...

After spending a few days in bed staring at the same four walls and reading books I decided an outing was in order.
Gosh it feels good to be back in action!

I went to the mall and checked out the post Christmas sales. It was really busy so I am guessing that there were a lot of other shoppers who had the same idea.

I tried on dozens of jeans until I found just the right fit.
I got some cheap skinny denim jeans to wear with boots.
I really like a bargain and I am not a brand snob
these are by Jules and James.

Pepper

a.k.a. "the fashion police"

 is on the job!

Paws down she gave them her approval.

I love a crisp white shirt with jeans

and I'll roll up the cuffs when I wear ballet flats.

Pearls and sterling bangles and I am good to go...

Hermes scarf casual with a simple loop

or tied tight at the neck

the tips asymmetrically hanging loose.

I found some new boots to wear with the skinny jeans!

"Gelding"

by

Hush Puppies

who knew the Hush Puppies Company was still around?

Not me

I was really surprised.

They are super comfy and they are not too tall for my short legs

and they are supple leather...

can you say "giddy up?"

I found this timepiece at a consignment shop

it's sparkly crystals and blue leather strap

won me over

 I am happily checking out the time

and often!

Downton Abbey is back!

I will be recording the new season

watching and re-watching.

Julian Fellowes is such a clever writer

and the cast is far and away one of the best

the sets and the costumes are enchanting

I have read his books

"Snobs" and "Past Imperfect"

I highly recommend them if you are looking for a good read 

they are about the upper crust British Society

filled with tidbits and insights into how the upper class lives...

Please let me know what you think.

Hope that your week is off to a great start.

From France, gifts that I will cherish...

Our dear friends John and Cheryl have been in France for a few months and they have returned home.
(Cheryl is the hostess for the VCCA in Auvillar, France)
We were able to spend New Years Eve and New Years Day together.

Usually we have them stay here but the guest room is currently out of commission due to dust and mayhem with the renovations on the lower level so they stayed in a nearby hotel.

Cheryl who is a talented artist, has a keen eye for colour and a heart of gold.
 (her paintings from France are here.)

They never come empty handed...
John and Mr. HB enjoy their scotch and red wines
Cheryl and I prefer bubbly and chocolates.

John is a talented photographer and we were delighted to view some of the images that he took of their life and travels abroad. I think that he would do well to publish these in a book format, they are some of the most beautiful and evocative images I have seen anywhere.

Look at what they brought us.

The colours in this tea towel are so cheerful

It goes so well with the chartreuse Le Creuset 

Osso Bucco is simmering within

recipe here.

Cheryl saw the horse drawn wagon pull into Auvillar 

and set up shop 

she hastened to see what was being sold.

The locals were mumbling and shaking their heads

the "gypsies" have arrived!

Look what they were selling...

the family grows and harvests lavender

and presses it into oil

then travel village to village in a horse drawn caravan

setting up on market days and selling their wares

I hope you can read all these wonderful tips on what the oil can be used for...

I like to sprinkle some on my pillow for a sleep aid

it is so conducive to slumber

if I wake in the night I breathe deeply and am lulled back to sleep.

Sleep is so precious

and I need at least 8 hours or I am force to be reckoned with!

a hand bound note book

they picked this up on one of their trips to Rome

I've yet to put pen to paper

I am considering using this for a gratitude journal.

It's so beautiful

that it should be kept for special thoughts...

I am certainly blessed with wonderful friends

thank you John and Cheryl.

Hugs to you both in love and gratitude.

Hostess

XO

I'd like to welcome new followers of The Humble Bungalow blog

It's wonderful knowing that I have an audience and that I am not here alone!

Please feel free to leave me comments.

The view from here...OOTD, music and more

I have been temporarily sidelined...

My bed has been unmade for several days

as I have spent the better part of the past week hunkered down.

Pepper has been my companion and she seems to like napping with me.

I cannot decide if I have a bug or am over tired or have something else unknown going on...

I've made an appointment with my doctor just to be on the safe side

but he's a busy GP so I will not see him for another few days.

Many of my co workers have been sick too 

so I know something is worming it's way through the ranks.

I make a very bad patient on all fronts.

I get frustrated laying about

and feel so unproductive.

I'd never be the kind of woman who likes to eat bon bon's in bed!

I have finished The Distant Hours and it was a great read.

I read her other book The House at Riverton

and I also have The Forgotten Garden on my book stack waiting.

I did get myself up and dressed to attend the memorial service for my BFF's husband's father.

I found it challenging trying to decide on my OOTD

with a foggy brain...

Black ponte knit skirt, Joe

nightshade hose, Secret

black leather boots, Naturalizer

grey V neck jersey top, Talbots

grey vest, Orange

a light spritz of eau de toilette

The service was held at the Yacht Club

and many familiar boaters were in attendance.

It felt good to connect with all the family 

and to take a few moments to look at the board of photos taken throughout the years

and see his deck chair, burgee and boaters cap on display.

Driving home I felt a melancholy rise up in my chest...

Michael Buble's Crazy Love CD was playing in the car and I cranked it up on Whatever it Takes My Love

and had a good weep.

Music moves me

it always has and continues to do so...

I hope you'll take a few minutes and have a listen 

to Michael and Ron Sexsmith 

as they weave their melodic magic on this early Saturday morning...

What are your weekend plans?

I'll bet they are much more exciting than mine!

I plan to sink my teeth into a new novel

and keep hydrated 

while keeping warm in bed.

You'll find me wearing LuLulemon Yoga pants in grey

and an oversized grey sweatshirt (eons old) by Tommy Bahamas

warm cashmere socks

my hair will be piled atop my head 

and crudely fastened with a black plastic claw clip

no make up, 

but plenty of Avene deep conditioning moisturizer

and a swash of Burt's Bee's lip gloss in pink

It's me at my least glamourous...

but it's the real me.

Your Humble Hostess

reporting from the Bungalow Bed.

Detox and a fresh start....

New Years brings with it a fresh start,
a clean slate and anything feels possible.

Holiday chocolates, cheeses and cocktails are over for awhile...

I embrace change at this time of year when a healthy optimism prevails.
It seems like a good time to get serious about ridding one of those bad habits...
a detox is one of the first things I like to do at this time.

I am going green

with Green Apple Greens+

1 1/2 cups water and a scoop of this powder

shake and sip

a healthy detox in a jar

what could be easier?

I am eating lighter 

making and sipping Miso soup

 drinking lots of water 

 a wedge of fresh lemon squeezed into each glass

and I am resting up

going to bed early with my latest novel

"The Distant Hours"

by Kate Morton

Enzymes

for the face

a gentle pick-me-up in a jar

dishes get cleaned the green way too

I am wishing now that my yellow gloves were green.

Hand cream goes on before the gloves

for a mini spa treatment

who says domestics can't be fun?

I picked this magazine up at the market

it looks like I am not the only one thinking about detoxing and refreshing one's life.

Perusing the pages I noticed that there are great ideas for getting healthy by employing common sense ideas...

eating better

exercising

 reducing stress

relaxing

kicking the caffeine habit

going to bed early enough to get a full 8 hours of sleep

spending quality time with people that you love and admire

those you hold dear, those who inspire

letting go of guilt

all great thoughts

I have a few things on my to do list...

make an appointment with my optometrist and have my eyes examined

book a hair appointment for some layers to slightly alter my current style

get my teeth cleaned

schedule a time for a massage

buy some new foundation garments

(translation = lacy lingerie!)

and

go through my junk drawer and toss what's not necessary and tidy up the mess

add all the birthdays that I need to remember and put them in my daybook

toss out and recycle anything in my wardrobe that makes me feel fat or frumpy

polish shoes 

and give handbags a wax and a polish

tend to any garments with loose buttons 

wash wool sweaters

take the non washables to the cleaners

Phew!

 and I make sure to schedule in some "down time"

I do love to cross off these tasks after I complete them

and there is a satisfaction watching the list shrinking as the days go by...

What's on your do list?