Giveaway...Ooh La La!

When I received Jamie Cat Callan's latest book "Ooh La La" I could not put it down.
I have read all of her books and think that the French Femme theme holds great interest for me.

With each new book I learn a little more about the chic and mystique that French women possess.
"French Women's Secrets to Feeling Beautiful Every Day."

Women of any nation can cultivate these habits...
you don't need to be a French Femme to feel beautiful.

Adopting a few tricks goes a long way...
delve into Jamie's book and you'll learn more.

Jamie has graciously offered to autograph and send one of her new books to one of my readers.

All I ask is that you follow my blog by email or by Bloglovin ~

google reader is phasing out their service very soon so in order to stay connected I've been advising readers to join  Bloglovin so they can keep bloggers posts coming.

Leave me a comment before May 29th telling me what makes you feel beautiful every day.

I will ask my daughter to help me choose the recipient on May 30th.

Good Luck!
Hostess

Weight loss and the weekly wrap up....

It's been a hectic and busy week at work
and there have been some euphoric highs and some challenging lows...

I'm so grateful that I live in such a beautiful neighbourhood...
grateful for friends who are just a phone call away
a wonderful life partner and husband
two crazy but affectionate cats and a wonderful family
who keep me grounded and whenever I feel that my mood might spiral downward
I ponder on all life's gifts and blessings.

I lost almost 6 pounds since my last week weigh in at Weight Watchers

it was so exciting you could have knocked me over wih a feather.

Tracking my food intake and walking really works!

I've been tired after the longer fast paced walks and have slept so soundly 

that I have not even stirred when Mr. HB gets out of bed 

and when he brings me my morning tea I am slow to respond and groggy.

Thanks Honey!

Leaving the house later than usual and feeling like I am in a bit of a stupor is not like me...

Thankfully the roofers have departed 

after finishing the noisy work and taking their immense bin away.

It looks calm...

but there is major construction just across the street

Our neighbourhood is changing...

new homes are being built

trucks

concrete mixers

tradesmen

trucks

are taking over!

Heavy equipment parking in "my spot" 

oh dear me 

OHM

breathe in deep Yogic breaths

I know

it's silly but it has been my spot to park for 30 years...

 I am not territorial at all :-)

If you want a brand new home in Fairfield 

there are two across the street which should be finished in a few months...

one is considered to be an Emily Carr replica

the other an arts and crafts style home

($865,000 asking price)

If I were to choose my new neighbours 

I would ask that you like:

to play bridge

enjoy gardening

be mindful of the noise bylaws

join in on the annual Block Party and be neighbourly

perhaps you'd like to walk with The Hostess a few times a week

and if you like to cook let's have a progressive dinner several times a year!

There is a lot of clean up required on the front porch...

fine shavings and dirt need to be swept away 

 the porch and chairs need to be washed. 

I am praying for a sunny weekend so I can remedy this quickly.

On Mother's Day in the Cook Street Village 

I found a funky distressed tool tote at a local shop and envisioned it filled with herbs or flowers.

(the singing green grocer sold me the herbs)

I decided that herbs would be the best bet as I can keep them on the porch or sundeck near the door and when I need them they are nearby and ready for snipping.

The great thing about this new planter is that it can easily be moved with it's sturdy handle.

We have a long weekend coming up and I hope to spend time catching up on my domestic chores

pottering about in the garden and cleaning up the front porch.

If the weather is mild 

I'll be taking my tea outside with the newest issue of Country Living UK...

after I clean the porch and plant the veggie seeds of course!

What have you got planned?

Lilacs and lily of the valley....sweet scent~sations.

Springtime is one of my favourite seasons.
Fresh air, milder days and longer daylight hours.

Blooms
intoxicating scents
blosssoms
lilacs and lily of the valley...

loving white blooms as I do I cannot resist picking a handful.

Fortunately I can open the door and venture a few feet along the gravel path and snip off some lilac blooms.
Picking the lily of the valley simply requires that you pull straight up and firmly and they come up clean.

I cut into the woody lilac stems to help them soak up water...

longer lasting ~ less wilting

heady fragrance.

Pretty too, do you agree?

sweet little blooms

"lily of the valley" 

sounds like a humble country plant 

"muguet de bois"

 feels ever so much more elegant!

What's a name 

when they are such a perfect posy...

I think that white always makes a statement 

subtle yet stunning

~ ~ ~

simply elegant.

If pearls were flowers 

they might be muguet de bois...

Pearls are sublime...

I love the creamy lustre that they radiate.

and they go with everything...

jeans 

a LBD 

cashmere sweaters

silk nightgowns

linen

wool

cotton

fur

Take care not to let them come in contact with perfume or cologne

which strips the nacre of the pearls 

and to my knowledge nothing can be done to repair them after that.

Have your pearls hand knotted between each bead and have them restrung them every few years.

Do you know how to tell if pearls are real?

  you gently rub a pearl on your tooth and if it is natural it will feel gritty

Chester tried testing this strand...

rather a cheeky little move don't you think?

When our children were babies Mother wore her baroque strand of opera length pearls

and she let them chew on them.

She did draw the line when they tried to tug at them though!

Are you wearing pearls with what you have on today?

Do drop me a comment if you have time I'd love to hear from you.

Mother's Day Tea...snapshots.

Darling daughter hosted a delightful Mother's Day Tea for my Mother, myself and sister L.
It would be remiss of me not to share the photos...
J went to a lot of trouble to make our afternoon a special one.

Considering how busy she has been with her job and all the packing and unpacking it was quite the feat, very endearing, and most appreciated.

Hans Olsen table

Finnish glassware

Rice Pattern Arabia china

vintage Mod linens

Danish cutlery

Vintage Modernist table setting

Lily of the Valley

in a gorgeous white porcelain vase

I cannot remember if this is Thomas or a Rosenthal.

Silk Road Tea was served...

Abkhazi Garden blend which is delicious!

Assorted tea sandwiches and fruit salad.

Mother's house warming gift...

bendy "branches" that have wee lights.

Rather a departure from her usual floral offerings.

Definitely a popular choice judging by lovely daughter's reaction!

It's so exciting watching J set up her new home

and sitting outside on her deck was surprisingly quiet when you consider that she is smack dab in the middle of the downtown hustle and bustle.

Hope that your week is off to a great start!

OOTD ~ May 12

My OOTD has been seen here recently and I like the pairing so I have worn it again.
Like that French girl I am accessorizing it differently but the core garments are the same.

Jones NY top

RW ponte knit leggings

Adriana lace camisole

Pepper is not camera shy!

 lacy details that say "peek a boo!"

salt and pepper 

tinsel

the grey is here to stay

this is my natural colour now

all the dyed locks have been shorn

I find this charm a bit funny

if lost return to Tiffany and Co.

(as if!)

The closest Tiffany is in Vancouver 

 if someone found me lost ~ suffering with amnesia 

I doubt very much they would take me there!

My wardrobe is very small which is good in so many ways

I can get dressed very quickly and most things work together.

Mix and Match makes it look like more than it really is

and 

WHEN I lose some of this weight 

(note the positive slant)

replacing a few staples will not be an onerous task.

~ ~ ~

My sister, Mother, and I enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea at darling daughter's new loft.

We visited The Silk Road Tea Company sampled some teas

then ventured down the street to The Fantan Gallery in Chinatown 

we patted the two sleepy resident cats...

peered into the postage stamp sized garden in back 

Mother bought a house warming gift for darling daughter and I picked up some new placemats and napkins.

Chester checked them out...

Pepper was not too interested...

I went for my walk even though it was foggy and rainy...

plus I cooked a WW points friendly dinner.

I did indulge in a glass of white wine

after all it's Mother's Day.

How was your Mother's Day?