Monday, September 10, 2012

Tory Burch ~ Thrift Find of the Summer!

On our summer boating holiday we visited a Gulf Island that had a Thrift Shop
"Nu~to~U" which was only open 2 days a week.
My BFF and I went early before the 10am scheduled opening and stood behind a few locals in a line that snaked it's way out the door and down the steps. I thought to myself as we waited that this must be one fabulous shop if the locals were queuing well before the doors were open.


She's made with recycled finds
love that aluminum teapot cover
can you spot it?

This female form certainly was a conversation starter!


On my first visit I found a wee watercolour of roses
which I plan to hang on the wall of our guest room.


 a brooch with two scottie dogs made out of bakelite

On Labour Day Weekend 
lovely daughter and I paid this wee shop another visit.
This time we found ourselves way at the very bottom of the stairs with probably 20 people ahead of us.
Listening in to the local gossip was incredibly entertaining
I suppose living on a small island means that everyone knows what everyone else is doing!
(there was some pretty interesting chatter with some very personal details going public)

When they opened the doors there was quite a surge 
as people entered the shop and scouted out the tables and shelves
it was rather difficult negotiating the tiny aisles
and I spied a black handbag
that no one else seemed to be interested in...


I bought it!


supple leather
a simple style 
do you recognize the logo?

Tory Burch design
Dena Glazed Hobo Bag.


subtle details
well constructed


a mirror inside
zippered section
with pockets for keys and a cellphone

(the mirror still had the protective film on it)
I think this bag is brand new.

You can see it here  at Saks for much more than I paid.

After we shopped the Thrift Store we went grocery shopping and my Roots cross body bag's strap broke!
It must have been meant for me.
I have taken the Roots bag in for repair and in the meantime I am enjoying this Tory Burch Bag
and I am feeling a little smug about the fact that I did not have to pay the regular retail price of this bag.
It's a guilt free pleasure!

What have you been fortunate enough to find at a thrift shop?
What is your best score ever?

Hope your week is off to a great start!

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Soothing sights just steps away.

Life has been anything but routine here in The Humble Bungalow and I have needed to seek solace.
Things beyond our control that have upset the balance of calm and thrown us off kilter.
These events can only make us stronger and bind us tighter together as a family.

Looking for something to soothe my spirit I did what I usually do when life gets me down and I went outside and slowly meandered in the garden.


a cheery bunch of colchiums
tucked beneath a ginger plant
(also known as the Autumn Crocus)


here's the bloom on the ginger plant
looks very much like a lily
pretty ~ in ~ pink


speaking of lilies
here is a lovely orange day lily
sadly their blooms wilt after a day 
I have a mass planting of these against the north foundation of the Humble Bungalow
they've multiplied like mad


a flush of roses
this lovely rose whose name escapes me is a happy specimen
and never fails to please


Alliums which attract the bees like nobody's business
I like to use them as fillers for my arrangements.


a nod to blue
with this hydrangea
I have several blue hydrangeas in bloom

Recently I have fallen in love with hydrangeas
and have at 5 limelights in the front garden 
several blues in the back yard
 a few weeks ago I purchased an oak leaf hydrangea with a creamy lace-like pom pom flower.

It's comforting to know that they will grow and thrive in our clay soil.
They can be pruned and shaped which is convenient 
so that they do not take over the space where they have been planted.


Our reliable Jacob's Coat Rose
has been blooming all summer long
it is located just outside the back door
within easy reach
for picking and the necessary dead heading.

I feel the gloom has lifted ever so slightly
in just taking the time to look around outside 
getting some fresh air and sunshine.

I count on my garden to help me as I negotiate the often precarious journey of life.

What gives you strength in times of distress?
Where do you go to be alone with your thoughts and regain perspective when things go sideways?


Thursday, September 6, 2012

Purr ~ affection, a catty post.

The news on the feline front is that a bond of friendship is being forged.
There are cat chases around the house when the rugs go flying and the cats are a blurry flash.

They regularly eat out of each other's food bowls.
Concerned about this habit I mentioned this to the vet she nodded and smiled and said there's very little you can do about it and she knows because she has two cats herself.


Pepper and Chester having an afternoon nap
(someone disturbed their slumber by taking a photo!)


Chester looking very chic in a feather boa


looking very wild attacking the feather boa


Chester has doubled his weight since arriving here from California
where he was rescued.
He had been malnourished and was a very skinny kitten.

I hope that he will continue to thrive and be as affectionate...
he purrs like a motor boat
and loves to snuggle and cuddle.



Our pets are family
they give us so much love and joy.

I can't imagine The Humble Bungalow 
without a pet or pets about...


He's a sweet little fellow.


Speaking of cats...
Have any of you been watching the Real Housewives of Vancouver?
They are the cattiest women I have ever seen.
One woman is mean to the core and doesn't care who she hurts...
they had 2 episodes of the Housewives Tell All and it was a full on cat fight.

I do not know any catty women
have had very few experiences that border on catty 
and wonder if I am just lucky.

How about you
have you got some cat tales to share?

~  ~  ~  

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

White Wednesday and The Verbena scent goes to....

I've been terribly lazy posting on the Humble Bungalow Blog.

One reason may be that my cleaning lady is on leave as her daughter got married and she has been hosting all the relatives from far and wide on this vast planet.
I cannot believe how much help she is around our dusty little home.
I am seriously missing her expertise.

I really don't do well living in chaos or watching the dust bunnies multiply like rabbits.
So I am "on the job."
It's a great way to get some exercise too.


JOY!
The Iceberg rose is having her second flush of blooms!

speaking of lovely ~ just look at that crisp clear blue sky

Thank you to all of you for stopping by...
your comments mean the world to me
honestly.

You must want to know whose name we drew out of the bowl.



Congratulations to Awakening My Wardrobe
please send me an email with your mailing address 
 I'll pop over to the Post Office later on in the week.

I hope that you'll enjoy this scent.

~ ~ ~

Hostess

Monday, September 3, 2012

Playing with light...

Summer is coming to an end,
slowly fading light comes early into the nights.

Fall is closing in on summer's heels...
which leaves me with a sense of sadness
longing for more sunny days ahead and time to kick back and relax.

It's bittersweet...
pretty soon we'll be deep in winter's embrace and slumbering soundly.
We'll be putting the Humble Bungalow Garden to bed for another season over the next few weeks...


Chester's relaxing in the sunshine.

I took my camera on a walkabout in The Humble Bungalow Garden.










I've had my nose firmly planted in this book and am enjoying it very much.
Too much as my cuisine has taken a back seat to the book!
It's been a few days of a free range organic chicken
cooked and served in different ways...


Chicken Pot Pie
homemade pastry which I whipped up in the food processor.


it was tasty and no complaints were uttered by Mr. HB
so I think I got away with it!

Now I am going to have to come up with something else...
(not chicken!)


I'll close for now and put on my apron and spring into action.

If you haven't entered the giveaway there's still time...
two posts back is where you'll find the particulars.
Good Luck!