Thursday, November 1, 2012

Wooly Ramblings...a bookish post.

I found something orange to wear with my Lanvin scarf for black and orange day.
Very sedate and classic, a bright punch of marmalade ~ mitts
gloves really,
 I've never had fingerless ones before.

Don't you love something new and different?
At 57 going on 58 it's refreshing to know that there are surprises still to be experienced.


soft wool fingerless gloves
I'll still be able to work while I wear them
plus they are not gaudy and I will be able to use them in my daily life this winter
so it is not money wasted buying something for a one time use.


While searching for my orange accent 
I found two pairs of cashmere blend socks.
I love cashmere and these socks are wonderful
soft and cozy
~
warm
I could cocoon all day in these.


I picked up a new novel
this has come with a high recommendation
from the bookseller on the Avenue.

Have you read any of his other novels?

He lives in Cornwall and had his degrees from Oxford.
I am hoping that this novel will be a treat.
If so I'll be getting my mitts on all of his books.

I'm wondering too if Julian Fellowes is going to write a new book
of if he is too busy with Downton Abbey.
If you have never read his book Snobs run don't walk 
book off a weekend and get lost in the world of the aristocratic English lives of the privileged.

What books are you reading now and what would you recommend ?

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Wispy wool by Tilo

Do you like to keep your neck warm?
GRRR  I feel positively beastly when I am cold.
I admit that I am miserable and grumpy when my feet, hands and neck are chilled.

If you've been following my blog for awhile you'll know I do love Hermes silk twill scarves but they do not keep me cozy when the temperature dips.
Wool or cashmere needs to be on the job.

Recently I purchased a whisper soft 100% wool scarf which is made on a loom, and is colour and wash dyed.
Each scarf is slightly different and the patterns and fabrics are stunning
made by the company Tilo.


you can wrap this twice for sumptuous comfort
or leave it long and loose

grey



grey and black 
a great combo

~ ~ ~



Probably the best hostess recipe book that I own
 reliable and delicious 
it makes "entertaining"easy.



Printed here for 

The dip got rave reviews!
(and it's a cinch to make)

Hope that your week is off to a great start.
Stay Warm and Be well.
 ~ ~ ~
Hostess

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Shower snaps...

The baby shower was last weekend and I have been so busy with out of town family visiting that I've had very little time to sit down at the computer and blog.



Darling daughter and I blew up some dotty balloons 
then she tied them to the railing out front of the Humble Bungalow.
Maps had been given to all those invited but this was a quick clue as to which house they were coming to.



I raided Miss Isla's toy basket and spelled Baby in blue and green blocks.


I bought some paper plates for the appetizers
(diaper pins for the table!)
I rarely use paper but this wee pram pattern caught my eye.
I love prams, especially vintage ones.

We had mimosa's in champagne flutes to start.
Equal amounts of fresh orange juice and bubbly.
I used Cooks for economy
because
when mixing these cocktails it's more about the fizz and bubbles 
 the juice is the big pop of flavour here.


Tea and coffee served on the built in buffet.
(I pushed the family photos to the back to make room!)

(photo by J)

I love all white china
it makes mixing patterns a breeze.

(photo by J)



Assorted cheeses, dried apricots and dates.
3 kinds of crackers
sundried tomato basil dip from The Best of Best of Bridge cookbook
vegetables and dilly dip
deviled eggs
pickles

(photo by J)

I like to use cheeses that are different and label them accordingly.


home made chocolate torte with strawberries

(photo by J)

(photo by J)



(photo by J)

Lovely daughter has a friend Emily who is a talented graphic designer 
 the two of them made a banner for the shower.
You can see more of Em's work here.
Emmett's Mom will be able to keep this for his room or it may come out for future birthday celebrations.

I wish I had had one of these for my children when they were young.
I love the idea.


We did play a few shower games...
a Baby word scramble 
and 
a necklace game
each guest upon arrival was given a gaudy plastic dollar store string of beads
whenever you said the word baby you have to give up your necklace to who ever heard you say it.
There were two winners in the end and fortunately I had wrapped three gifts.

It's been years since I've hosted a shower
 I don't think I could have pulled it off without help from my clever daughter.
Thanks darling!
~ ~ ~
Some of the photos used here are the property of darling daughter 
I have indicated those by adding her initial "J".

Friday, October 26, 2012

Orange and black...OOTD

 BRR...
It's a cold blustery October afternoon.


Halloween is on the horizon
and with no wee ones in the house I do not fuss much with the decor.
It's a shameful lack of energy that is behind my lack luster efforts.
Look at this
lazy nod to the season 
a lonely orange pumpkin sits
waiting by the door of The Humble Bungalow.

Janet has spruced up a pumpkin with paint and sparkles
she got the idea from another blog.

We have a set of pumpkin lights that we will string in the window
and yellow danger do not cross tapes.
That's about it.


BOO!
looking rather witchy
 black garments abound...


OOTD
Ralph Lauren pants
Stuart Weitzman black patent leather shoes with velvet bows 
black with white spidery patterned top ?
(it had an irritating tag that chafed my neck so it was cut out immediately)

How about an orange feather boa 
or a scarf?
I need a punch of orange for our school black and orange day.

Some staff members go all out and dress up
with holiday themed earrings, necklaces, 
ties that light up
hats
orange nail polish
fangs
over the top make up
and while it works for them it just doesn't feel like me.

I do not want to be seen as a poor sport but I have never really taken to dressing up
my style is much more sedate
(yawn)
boring perhaps, conservative definitely!

Yet I do need something and I am on the hunt for just the right orange accent...
any ideas?

Tish Jett has a fabulous orange tote on her blog today which is quite tempting.

I'm not sure that I have ever owned any orange garment
unless one counts that smattering of orange on my Lanvin scarf
(you can see it on the sidebar of my blog)

I am planning to hit the stores this weekend
what would you suggest?

~ ~ ~

Have a delicious weekend...
I think there will be some chocolate on the menu here.
Hostess
XO

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Post 714 or another abstract tangental post.

We have been super busy here in The Humble Bungalow, between listening to the rain gushing through the down spouts we have hosted a baby shower and have been enjoying the visit from Mr. HB's family from up in the Kootenay area of BC.

There has been a minimum of opportunity to blog!
It's funny how I got into a regular routine of blogging. It happened quite seamlessly once I caught the blogging bug...and it has still not waned.
I've noticed quite a few of the blogs that started up when I did have gone the way of the dodo.
Many are blogging less and I wonder if we all get to the point where we have said it all or have very little else to say...
I feel a bit like a proverbial blabber mouth!
I can see by my stats that there are many people out there who read my babble....
and I am curious just what it is that brings people back.

If you have an opinion on this perhaps you'll feel comfortable enough to leave me a comment.


My recent "running errands OOTD"
I know I know
you may be shaking your head right now.
I am wearing LuLulemon Yoga pants
they are so very comfortable and I felt if I wore them with my ballet flats that they might look a bit dressier.

The Fashion Police will certainly cite me for this infraction.
I also wore red Chanel lipstick and donned my scarf....
does that count?
Do I sound like I am pleading my case?
Maybe I am just trying to justify this choice to myself!


This scarf is so simple to tie
if you've never worn a scarf 
cut your teeth on one like this.


Do you like these Simple books?
I have a few of them and they are fun to peruse.
I do see more inspiring details each time I flip through the pages.
One thing I have learned is that accessories are the best way to add a personal touch.

In these fluctuating and uncertain economic times 
I think it's prudent to have a basic lean functional wardrobe.
One that makes you feel great, looks good and flatters, one that does not completely deplete your bank account, and one that is classic enough to withstand a personal economic downturn.
(heaven forbid that should happen but we do need to be mindful and not stick our heads in the sand)



Look the sun made a brief encouraging appearance
and it was as if the sun had been shining all day long.

It takes very little to brighten my day.

What bright spots have made a showing in your day?

Be Well
~ ~ ~ 
Hostess