Loot shoot ~ OOTE a fat moment ~ Resort getaway part 2

Mother was a passenger in my car as we were headed to the Resort.
We were on the road in good time and had an hour or so to spare so she directed me to turn into the mall.

An hour to peruse the new lines...
she likes to keep up with what's current and I think shopping is a habit or hobby of hers.
(she was the manager of a ladies boutique after her many years of nursing and she loved that job)

Mother said "I'm going to look around so off you go and good luck."

I said "Mother how will you find me later you don't have a cellphone?"

Mother "Oh I don't think I'll have any trouble!"

Hostess  "Well if you are having trouble make a "hoo hoo" sound and call my name!"

Mother "Oh I'd have you paged over the loud speaker before I'd resort to that nonsense."

So we parted our ways and I went foraging in the aisles.

Here's the Loot I scooped...

Andrew Geller

woven black and cream flats with rope/jute detail.

Merrell 

leather flats with cut out detail at the heel

raised textured insoles for foot stimulation

new health technology perhaps?

Jones New York 

black and white striped polo style shirt

I'll wear the collar open and maybe some pearls at the neck.

Vivienne Tam

lightweight tunic top in a BOLD shade of salmon 

I'll wear this with leggings.

Luii

Black lightweight jacket

material has a sheen and is rainproof.

I managed to find all of these in 45 minutes

 for just under $200.

Fast and Frugal

My sister snapped this photo of Mother and I

I snapped one of her with Mother as well.

OOTE

Outfit ~of~the~evening

Bianca Nygard dress

3 or 4 years old

I considered deleting this image

as I have mixed feelings about posting it.

I don't feel like a large woman but I am

especially when you factor in my height and my weight.

Body image is a funny thing

some women see themselves as fat when they are stick insect thin 

then there are those like myself who spend years avoiding mirrors 

(and cameras)

Mater mentioned a bit about our insecurities about revealing our true selves recently on her blog

go have a read...

On the morning of our departure we awoke to 

 a dusting of snow!

I had not packed for the cold and I wore my ballet flats sans hose

thank heavens for seat and car heaters!

these crocus look chilled...

There were flurries on the way home but we were warm and cozy

and arrived home safe and sound.

Mother was quite anxious about the weather 

 being snowbound is a concern

 it's melted and thankfully she's able to come and go as she pleases.

I'm going to go to the pool and swim some laps

I love swimming!

What is your fitness routine?

Resort: pajama's and more...Part 1.

Do you buy new pajama's when going away on a trip?
A new pair in fuchsia pink have been purchased...

Small travel sizes of Aveda Shampure and Phomollient and Avene products have also been sourced to fit inside my cosmetic bag. Packing light makes sense as the bag needs to have room for purchases and be easy to tote.

Mother and my Sister are my travel companions so I like to wear new pajama's.
We often stay up late and talk well into the night over a glass or two of bubbly.

a wee bit of lace

a V neck

 the back is sheer and gauzy

Pepper is on the job

she started attacking the lace!

 Every time I lay something new down on the bed for a photo shoot she turns into the Fashion Police!

Pepper's so lovely that I think I am dressing in her colours.

Mette hinted at the possibility and I think she's onto something.

I bought a new sweater...

and it reminds me of Pepper.

Style My Way 

goes with all my black, white and greys...

was reduced as an end of season clearance

  then further reduced by 50% off the last ticketed price.....

at under $20 how could I leave it?

Honestly I am turning into a bargain shopper

it could be those renovations.

I have a lot going on in this post and it seems to be rather discombobulated so apologies...

Our getaway was such a good tonic for Mother.

She spends a lot of time alone now

many of her friends have passed away and several of her women condo pals have sold and moved into care facilities.

Our suite at the resort was large and had all the amenities.

The rooms were vast and very quiet in the wing that we were settled in.

It didn't take us long to get into holiday mode

have a look.

living room

bedroom

kitchen

I didn't take pictures of the bathrooms or the dining area 

as we had strewn all our stuff by the time I got my camera out 

and I wanted it to look pristine!

Unfortunately it was not sunny...

but Sis and I swam in the outdoor pool just the same...

we had to get some exercise because we knew Mother would be taking us out for dinner.

Beef tenderloin, mashed potatoes, carrots, broccoli and wine demi~glace.

Melt in your mouth perfection...

Prosecco was our night cap in our room and we did sit around in our PJ's and robes!

(it pays to be prepared)

High spirits and excitement

laughter

reminiscing

chatting and sharing

pictures

fabulous family time.

Moments to save and hold tight to our hearts.

 Mother had her very first ever spa visit!

we had three side~by~side manicures...

in the lush facilities

so relaxing...

"Hearts and Tarts"

looks a bit like a French Manicure

When Mother's onboard 

"shopping happens"

and "happen" it did!

I'll post my "loot shoot" soon so stay tuned...

Pepper was happy to see me come home.

I got lots of pats and licks

she's now napping on my bed.

We've had snow flurries so the drive home was a winter wonderland...

I must get back to reality and rustle up some dinner for Mr. HB.

Cheerio,

Hostess

XO

OOTD or blushing pink and black

OOTD or what I wore to brunch at a luxury waterfront hotel with my family.
Casual, comfortable and a little hint of pink to mimic the cherry and plum blossom trees that are putting on a lovely show for Spring.

Spring Blossoms

Blush pink tank and sweater by Joe

(Superstore and a steal of a deal)

Black pants by Ralph Lauren

ballet flats by Roberto Vianni

Quartz necklace made on the lower mainland by a designer

purchased in Duncan BC years ago while on holiday

at Fabrications.

(a yummy shop chock full of fun fashions)

I can't wait to go back!

The length of the sweater is longer and so soft and cozy.

Arm candy

Kate Spade and a variety of bangles...

Two Tiffanys and the rest handmade by artisans or vintage.

I think with bangles more is better.

Subtle scent for a soft day...

speaking of soft...

Grammy's in love with a special Little Miss.

Isla's skin is sheer perfection

DIL, Lovely daughter and Isla

(her colour blocking did not escape my notice)

A lovely morning spent with beloved family for breakfast and then a sunny stroll along the waterfront.

My heart feels very full.

Share some love with your family this weekend.

Daughter love...and shopping!

I defer to my daughter for advice and her expertise on fashion and make up.
She is younger and very savvy and is on the pulse of what is current.

I was looking for a new eyeliner as the Kohl pencil I had been using was dragging...
when one applies eyeliner without progressive glasses it needs to be simple...

Revlon to the Rescue!

goes on smoothly

with a light hand and can be thick or thin...

Thank you J this is a winner!

Arugula tomato cucumber salad with homemade vinaigrette.

Oven roasted baby red potatoes

tenderloin wrapped in bacon...

quick and easy

it needs to be as 

I was at the salon

for a cut and colour....

until dinnertime

and it's hard to believe

it's been 6 weeks!

Bubbly!

I feel so energized with a fresh cut...

and it's not just the bubbles

my grey locks are in hiding....

J said "smile and don't look so serious"...

I tried...

and tried....

and tried!

Some gals are so photogenic

 not me.

J snapped a dozen or more and we whittled it down to these three!

I am on the hunt for a new handbag 

Macy's sale flyer came a' calling...

I love this Cole Haan number...

look

here

so tempting...

Mr. HB wants to take me away on holiday for my birthday.

I am thinking 

save the money for the getaway

buy in person

Hermes

Tiffany's 

Holt Renfrew

get the whole wrapping experience...

I love the personal touch :)

stay tuned.....

a gal with a fresh cut and a new colour could be a serious shopping diva!

Say Cheese

"Say cheese"...

Cheese is one of the basics I keep on hand in the fridge,
it's a quick and easy snack.
Cut it up and serve it with an apple, pop it on a cracker, melt it on bread, grate it on top of a fresh salad...
it's very versatile.

It's full of fat and that may explain my current shape
I also know it has calcium which is good for aging bones...
combined with daily walks I hope that I am warding off brittle bones.

I was not a regular Costco shopper until a friend showed me the great cheeses that she purchased at even better prices. I now go to Costco every 3 months mostly for cheese.

Behold the latest cheeses...

Large blocks with lots of time before the "best before" dates.

Perfect to have on hand for unexpected guests

I always stock olives, crackers and dried apricots 

which make up a quick and tasty platter

served with a glass of bubbly or white wine.

As I sit at my laptop and type...

I am currently doing laundry and cleaning the oven.

The oven is self cleaning so I can relax with a cup of tea

while sitting in the sunny Bungalow kitchen.

rays of spring sunshine

Modern Family

my current favorite TV comedy.

Mr. HB gave me the second season 

we have the first one

we regularly laugh out loud when viewing the episodes.

"Laughter is great medicine"

Laughter is good for your health

Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.

Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.

Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.

Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

This information was found here.

American Bungalow

we have every issue ever printed

we visited their office when we went to California.

Those were the days when they were a smaller company and worked out of an arts and crafts bungalow in Pasadena.

Our Humble Bungalow was featured in the Family Album section many years ago

we are a Canadian Bungalow and they graciously extended their hospitality to us.

MOO!

Are you in need of a hard working hand lotion?

This one is fabulous.

I wash my hands often working in a school

 so I know what dry chapped hands are all about

this one works miracles.

Don't just take my word for it

 try it and see for yourself.

(no remuneration was offered by the company this is my personal rave review)

The Bungalow is scented with Verbena 

I open windows, run the fan and light a candle when the self clean oven is on

or we are reminded of the roast beef Sunday dinners...

Once Mr. HB came home after I had cleaned the oven 

and when he got in the door he thought we were having roast beef on a weeknight!

I wonder what he'll think when he is welcomed home with Verbena cooking!

I have no idea what we are going to have for dinner as the oven is still "locked" and it's nearly 6 o'clock.

It might be take out tonight!