Tuesday, January 1, 2013

OOTD New Years Eve...

For those of you who like to see OOTD posts
I apologize because I have been remiss.
Perhaps because my mirror has been out of commission due to construction below decks.
Rather more likely that I have ballooned in girth and am feeling more than a tad bit stodgy!

Personal feelings aside I'll share with you...


Club Monaco earrings


Chanel Rouge Allure 
#517 Triomphal
 OPI 
Peru~B~Ruby


vintage 
eel skin bag


dress by Nygaard
in it's 4th or 5th season of wear



we enjoyed a lovely evening

a martini before dinner
then off to a seafood restaurant for some delicious fare
a glass of Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc from NZ
~ ~ ~
Oysters Rockefeller to start
crab stuffed Sooke trout with potatoes dauphinoise
beets with kale
followed by decaf coffee


Mr.HB had Oysters Rockefeller
followed by a large lobster thermidor 
~ ~ ~
home before midnight

New Years Resolutions are very much on my mind
 organizing the Bungalow linens
walking more
reducing stress
are 
very much on my radar

~ ~ ~
How about you dear reader
have you made any resolutions?

It's going to be a quiet New Years day here in The Humble Bungalow
 Mr.HB and I have come down with colds...


I wonder how long this nail varnish will last...
I rarely paint my nails as my hands take such a beating in the garden and doing dishes.


The Glove can only do so much!

"Every man should be born again on the first day of January.  
Start with a fresh page.  
Take up one hole more in the buckle if necessary, 
or let down one, according to circumstances; but on the first of January let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take no interest in the things that were and are past."
~  
~Henry Ward Beecher~



Sunday, December 30, 2012

THe Humble Bungalow makeover...

It's been about a year since we embarked on a major restoration and renovation
of the lower level of The Humble Bungalow.
It's been a labour of love and a long and arduous undertaking.
Time, energy, sub-trades and money...not necessarily in that order.

Mr. HB has the design sense and vision, I had a desire for a more finished space, something that was not a basement as such. A bright light place where I could be comfortable while accomplishing domestic chores like washing and ironing.

There are two other rooms already finished that are functioning as a guest room and a hobby room. (where I dabble in paints)

Please understand that we have not put all the finishing touches on the space just yet.
There will be some more "decorating" or "feathering the nest"items as we find things and are in no rush.
At the moment I am considering painting a few more rose paintings and hanging them
above the washer and dryer.


back entrance
laundry area


washer and dryer set
I am contemplating a shelf or future paintings
for the wall above the LG workhorses.


view at bottom of the stairs
in laundry area

zinc bucket for flowers cut from the garden
basket for leafy greens
colander for rinsing beets and potatoes from the veggie patch
bowl for rinsed produce

all handy waiting for next summer's bounty


hallway to guest room at the end
hobby room on the left at the end
storage area on the right at the end
bathroom on the right


storage area
awaiting organization


I am so delighted with the full length mirror


bathroom


bathroom 


Theme:
black and white
keeping things simple and understated
employing the rough edges
the imperfect 
and 
not trying to be anything but honest.

I hope you've enjoyed our wee tour...
this small home shelters and helps to keep us happy and cozy.

Have a great New Year!
Hugs from The Hostess
XO

Friday, December 28, 2012

OOTD...dressing up for domestics!

This Christmas I received a fabulous JCrew necklace from my son and his lovely wife...
thank you my sweets.

You might remember that when I went shopping to the mall before Christmas I found a GAP tee top that was sprinkled with sequins. My DIL encouraged me to splurge and buy it, she also suggested that I could wear it watching TV. I wore it Christmas Eve to an open house where I was with close friends and family.

It's a whimsical foray into FUN.
One that pushes that proverbial fashion envelope a bit when one takes into account my age.
I never want to look dowdy or frumpy, it's a bit of a concern and one that I hope I'll always have the good sense to "know" what is too "Mummsie."

On the opposite side of the scale...
I hope that I do not look like I am dressing "too young."
I wonder what The Fashion Police would have to say on this number.
They may chime in and report if they are not on holidays...

 JCrew and GAP paired together to make my domestic duties more of an event.


worn with basic LuLuLemon black yoga pants


they go with the graphite grey LG machines


my feet are cold though 
as the in floor heat needs to have the electrician install the thermostat
soon I'll have warm toes!

I'll check in with you later as I am working on a renovation post.
All is not yet complete but we are nearly finished.
It's been a long haul and we have worked very hard.
It's such a wonderful space now.

I am like a dizzy little school girl
wanting to do laundry at every opportunity
I washed and ironed my husbands work shirts!
( we've been sending them out for ages )

Are you keeping well?
There are some nasty bugs out there and many family and friends are bed ridden.
Take care.

What fashion styles give you energy?
The kind of energy that one needs to perk you up when "down in the dumps"
 sick or tired.

I'd love to know.
~ ~ ~
Hostess

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Domestic Bliss!

Hope that you have been enjoying an idyllic festive season.
It's been very busy busy busy here in The Humble Bungalow and I needed a "slow-mo day" today.

That meant staying in my robe until just before noon...
the second load of Christmas china in the dishwasher, washing and ironing the table cloth and napkins.
I know it's all the glamour around here 24/7...
seriously, our lives are so very ordinary it's absurd.

I am having such fun with the new Steam Turbo series LG workhorses...
they work very well unsupervised.

Look away if you are expecting a fashion post,
I am wearing my cooking uniform, a black apron
with my holiday bling Club Monaco earrings!



I am on the IPAD learning curve
an IPAD mini was in the bottom of my stocking
and my IMAC needs to get with the program
Mountain Lion or Snow Leopard...
HELP!

I am able to play games, search the internet but not able to sync my new device...
soon
"ALL IN GOOD TIME HOSTESS!"
(don't fret)

Did I ever mention that I am tech challenged?
(impatient)
I want it and I want it now!

Clever son,
darling daughter, 
and 
Mr. HB 
are my tech supports.

Thanks guys, 
I love you lots :-)

~ ~ ~

Mr. HB and I went for an invigorating and refreshing post turkey trot
on the waterfront for an hour today,
it was loverly.

More of those brisk promenades in my future as I am going to be getting fitter
retirement plans are scheduled for this June...
I desperately need to get back into shape as I have let my team down.
I know
 I had the best intentions but I have been remiss.

~ ~ ~


Chester had an appetite for the tulips.
He was banished to my hobby room for the better part of Christmas Day.
Tulips might be poisonous for kittens.

Will be back when my technical challenges can be rectified.

Happy Days my lovelies.

Be Kind
and
SMILE!

See you as soon as we can get the technical stuff sorted,
XO

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

It's the festive season!
I am nearly ready to host the family for our annual holiday feast.
I've got a few things left to get done...
so I am going to walk away from my laptop for a bit and put on my apron, roll up my sleeves and get busy in the kitchen.
Christmas music playing on the radio and all is calm...


I want to let you know how much I appreciate your comments and emails.
They connect me to you in a warm and fuzzy way and honestly they often are the highlight of my days.


The Bungalow is decorated in a simple green fashion...


The wee Charlie Brown tree
white lights and vintage ornaments.


Vintage wee pine cone baubles 
and glass garlands.
~ ~ ~


Wishing you a Merry Christmas
Happy Holidays
from
The Hostess of The Humble Bungalow
XO