Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Thoughts on stress and relaxation...

Getting into and staying in "The Zone"...
is a constant challenge.


Do you struggle to keep stress under control?
Do you suffer from tension headaches?
Are you aware of how stress can affect your body
or do you ignore it until it manifests itself in the form of illness or injury?

It seems to come in waves
and catches me by surprise...
an accumulation of emotions that have been ignored
or shoved aside because I am "too busy" tending to other things or people in my life.

I need to "get on top of it" before it settles into my back and neck.
Those areas are where I tend to hold stress...my neck seems to rise up to meet my ears
and then it's time for a visit to the massage therapist.
Knotted tight muscles that are painful when manipulated are the price I pay for not being mindful.


No amount of quality chocolates can appease this beast.
Believe me I have tried!
It's not comfort food that heals
it's a mindset shift 
self talk and conscious efforts
 are needed to be proactive and preventative.


Washing dishes by hand is very soothing
I love the feel of the warm suds in the sink.

Simple routines
done with care and attention seem to help.


"The Humble Bungalow Glove"
is sharing thoughts on stress relievers.

Hostess approved
 a well needed reminder for all
myself included.

De cluttering and sorting of drawers and closets
dusting
rearranging 
writing in a journal
listening to music
practicing Yoga
dabbling in a creative hobby
growing something
trying out a new recipe
playing in the dirt
dancing in your pajamas
writing a letter to a loved one
chatting on the phone to a good friend
booking an appointment at the spa
singing in the shower
taking a walk
reading poetry
browsing in an art gallery or museum
brewing a pot of tea and drinking it out of a bone china cup
visiting the local library and finding a new author
perusing the local charity shops with an open mind
planning a date with your partner or spouse
counting your blessings
hugging someone you love
being gentle with yourself
letting go of "shoulds"
taking a day off to nurture and honour your inner self
asking for help
and
delegating onerous tasks
not trying to do it all
being human
allowing for imperfections
embracing joy

taking deep full breaths instead of the shallow "fight or flight" gasps
a soak in the tub
lavender oil or other aromatherapy oils have relaxing properties
watching a funny movie or TV show
if you need to cry 
do so with passion and dab your tears with a linen hanky
feel the ups as well as the downs

then move forward
by placing one foot in front of the other 
on the path that is life


crystal votive
a thrift shop bargain
Oleg Cassini for Rosenthal
~ ~ ~

“Who are you to judge the life I live?
I know I'm not perfect
-and I don't live to be-
but before you start pointing fingers...
make sure you hands are clean!” 
― Bob Marley


Sunday, January 13, 2013

Blues....

Slim Paley has a beautiful blog and she recently published a post on Delft blues...
she entitled it Feeling Very Delftish!

She reminded me of my small collection of Harumi Ota hand painted porcelain pieces.


I use them for serving up salads and vegetables and when they are not full of food they are in plain sight for my amusement and admiration.


I love blue and white china and porcelain.


The makers of fine porcelain have used this colour combination for hundreds of years.


This is the newest piece which I purchased with money that Mother gave me for Christmas.
I am a firm believer that when one is given money for a gift that it should be spent on something 
that one desires rather than something one needs.


Imagine if you will these bowls filled 


with oranges, lemons or limes...



These tomatoes looks so plump and juicy
I love how they look redder by comparison to the cobalt blues and snowy whites.


Turned upside down
the base is commodious
I could stand a large bees wax candle on top and use it in a centre piece!
Think of the honey scent as it slowly burns and illuminates the area.


This older image is one of Pepper as a kitten.

It's cold and icy here 
 the heated floors in the basement are turning out to be my favourite place to walk barefoot!
It would not surprise me if the cats take to napping on them.

I hope that your week is filled with colour and good times.
Hostess

Friday, January 11, 2013

T.G.I.F.!

This week has been long and tedious and I am so looking forward to the weekend.


I am going to indulge in some good old fashioned bread
maybe buy some flowers and go for a massage.


I may even tackle reorganizing my wardrobe.

A stop at the Thrift store might be in order
to donate and to browse and see what might fill the void created by the purge!

Oh and The Golden Globes are on TV on Sunday...
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are the hosts
I love to see the red carpet fashions.

What plans have you got on your agenda?

Take care

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Restocking...yawn my life is in the slow lane!

Restocking a few staples.
YAWN! I know, life is not full of drama or excitement it's slowly ebbing.
I actually like it!

Keeping clutter to a minimum means that I do not stock pile much any more.
I used to keep extra supplies on hand but found that the space needed to store them was a complete shamble...
so now I replace only when needed and several of my regular products ran out at the same time.

Microdermabrasion scrub


I've had several spa microdermabrasion facials where they use a machine to polish and refine the skin and I find this is a great option to spending hundreds of dollars and I use it at least once a week...a little goes a long way.
Use it sparingly and do not rub vigorously, the little particles do all the work.
This lasts me about a year and currently retails for $33.00



In winter I cannot be without a lotion after bathing...
do I sound like I am too high maintenance?
( I hope not)
the forced air furnace and the chilly temperature outside can be so drying.
My skin flakes and looks scaly unless I use something emollient and soothing.
This formula is easy to use and the French Almond milk scent is delicate.
An esthetician friend of mine mentioned that one of the trade secrets was to apply on slightly damp skin.
She can be trusted as this keeps my skin moisturized and hydrated.


I've used up all but a wee bit of both of these Revlon Shea Butter Balms.
They are quite soft in the tube and start to wilt and disappoint when one gets to the bottom of the tube.
They are so great on lips as they truly deliver a surge of moisture and the colours stay on far longer than many I have tried in the past.

Red Velvet and Sugar Plum
at just under $10 each when not on sale they are budget friendly options.


some escape reading has found it's way into my hands....
I need an escape and will be transported 
very soon...


I've been wearing my pearls....

Have you been practicing Random Acts of Kindness?
It seems that is very much the theme of the month.



What have you been up to?
Please tell me everything....

Wednesday...a day to celebrate.

It's Wednesday...
and my BFF's birthday.

Happy Birthday Suzanne!


there's a January rose blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden 
it brightened my day and I hope it will do the same for you my dear friend

surprises and unexpected pleasures
are worth sharing
 having shared so many milestones and memories with you
I feel very honored to have you in my life
~ ~ ~
I hope you know just how special you are to me
more than a sister
a lifelong friend 
who is beside me in spirit when distance and time separate us
~ ~ ~
shares thoughts and tastes
picks me up when I am down
takes me along with her 
as she navigates the rocky road that rises up
~ ~ ~ 
laughter
tears
joys
sorrow
grief
euphoria
we've felt them all
together
~ ~ ~
looking back
looking forward
you have always been there
and I hope you always will be.


Love and Hugs
Happy Birthday my friend!
Hostess