Pretty in pink...OOTD.

With a deluge of rain and grey October skies I am seeking solace in pink.
Pink looks so cheerful against the grey gloom.

I could not find my umbrella...or as some call it a bumbershoot.
In order to keep walking I needed one desperately!
So I walked briskly down to RainBird in the Village and purchased a new one.

They were filming a TV segment when I arrived and so I tiptoed in and asked if they were open for business...yes!
I didn't dilly dally but made a hasty choice and one that I hoped that I would not regret.

Walking is so much more pleasant in the rain under this lovely brolly!

Looks like a brolly with a pedigree...

let's hope it lives up to its' reputation.

The streets are littered with leaves and the dry grass of summer has greened up nicely.

Our district water reservoirs must be full by now.

The Humble Bungalow rain barrels are full and the soaker hoses attached are weeping water into the garden beds.

For those of you who have lost weight are the last 5 pounds always so hard to shed?

I am at a plateau and have upped my walks and yet I am wavering at WW weigh ins...

up half a pound ~ down half a pound ~ and so it goes.

I must keep the faith.

The handle did sway me just a tad...

My OOTD

drab as all get out...

(Perhaps some pink boots are needed!)

Sperry boots

dg 21 skinny jeans

Chillox coat

puddles, puddles everywhere...

raindrops in puddles

autumn leaves in puddles

Nerines a welcome vision in pink.

Pink flowers on my desk last spring.

The get well bouquet the staff sent me when pneumonia side lined me for a month last spring.

The Humble Bungalow Porch roses spilling forth with their frothy beauty in June.

Our sweet little Miss Isla in her pink gown...

a finer princess there could never be.

Pretty in Pink = Grammy love!

Think Pink as it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Have that mammogram and do your monthly checks.

Be mindful and do take care of your health.

Enjoy your walking rain or shine.

Hostess

Domestics...and a rant!

Domestics are not always fun, but they are rewarding.
Domestic Divas want us to believe that there is such Glamour in Cleaning.
I agree to a point.

Glovely...
she's a cheery yellow "helping hand" in The Humble Bungalow!

Have you tried the Method line of products?

My favourite "partner in grime" is this grapefruit cleanser.

It really makes light work of dirty jobs.

I use more of this all purpose cleaner than any other product.

It smells wonderful too.

I have discovered that the scrub I have been using for years is no longer available in Canada.

I am stumped as to why they would not import it anymore.

It's called Bon Ami and I wrote about it here, 

the one with the little yellow bird on it.

Not wanting a toxic overload I scrubbed my kitchen sink with baking soda.

I really had to work at the stains and I wore my Glovely of course.

It required a LOT of elbow grease.

 I made a paste of it first and let it do some of the work before I scrubbed.

The sink looks much better now.

I contacted the company and they told me I would need to order a minimum of 36 cans and then they would ship to me!

That sounds like a lifetime supply.

I will wait until I go to the US.

That sounds like a great excuse for a holiday...

"Honey I NEED to go to Seattle to buy Bon Ami."

The Bobbi Brown foundation I use is not available in Canada either.

The Bobbi Brown and Nordstrom sites will not ship to Canada so I had to send it to our nephew and he's bringing it up next time he comes for a visit.

Lands' End cashmere cardigans are not shipped to international addresses this Fall!

I am so disappointed because I love their cashmere cardigans.

According to the person I spoke with it is because they have shell buttons.

I thought that we had negotiated free trade...

silly me, I am so naive.

(grumble grumble)

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my pedestrian life here in The Humble Bungalow.

Hostess.

Signs of Fall....

Ruby Red Rose Hips signal that Fall has arrived...
the birds feed upon these juicy tidbits all winter long.

I've never made rose hip jelly myself but have tasted it and can highly recommend it for it's unique flavour.

I made 6 dozen chocolate cookies...

and honest I only ate one bite.

Mr. HB and family will be the recipients of these.

I don't have a sweet tooth.

(I have NEVER met a potato that I didn't fall hard for!)

~ ~ ~

The weekend weather is cold and damp.

It's positively WET outside!

After a drenching walk Saturday morning where we got soaked through to the skin, 

we changed out of our wet gear and Mr. HB built a fire in the fireplace.

   I picked up my knitting...

the cats snoozed close by ~ snug and safe and dry.

Baby Blanket in progress...

suitable for a boy or a girl.

There is a pot of salmon chowder simmering on the stove...

Fall is serious soup weather.

What have you been up to this weekend?

Keep Warm and Dry!

OOTD ~ The Barbour Vest ~ a wardrobe staple.

With minimalism and frugality in mind and a new lifestyle wardobe to hone I have found another great contender.
The Barbour vest...
it is a great layering piece as it is not too bulky and has great lines.
The price point is not too dear and the quality is superior.
The fit divine.
It will be one of the new "workhorses" in my casual retirement wardrobe.

The only give away that this is a Barbour vest is the logo shown here on the pocket.

One could certainly buy a less expensive brand.

Lands' End for example.

They have a few vests online this season which I had considered.

 I did not find one that I liked as much as this one.

It's lines are quite shapely and very feminine.

Great to pop over a long sleeved Tee shirt or a merino sweater.

I purchased a wonderful basic grey Merino Tee at Costco.

It's a thinner layering weight and so very cozy.

It will be another staple for Fall and Winter and it was under $20!

So far I have purchased 3 things...

the walking coat by Chillox, 

the Barbour vest and the Merino Tee.

I'm keeping track of my clothing purchases for the first time in many years.

Today I am wearing my cheap skinny dark wash dg21 denim jeans - Walmart

Grey merino wool Tee - Costco

Black vest ~ Barbour

Loafers ~ Franco Sarto

The hunt is over for the black pants! 

Mother and I were out trolling the consignment shops when I found a fabulous pair 

which are in near new condition by Bellissima.

They are a heavy weight pointe knit and in a 10 petite so no hemming is involved!

I think you'll be as surprised as I was when I found out what they cost...

($6.00)

Talk about a frugal and fortuitous find!

~ ~ ~

Accessories are going to be my best friends from now on.

The scarves that I have been collecting are going to get a lot of wear.

What have you bought for Fall and Winter?

Are you keeping your wardrobe to a minimum or do you like to stuff your closet chock full?

I share a teeny tiny closet with Mr. HB,

 so I do not have the luxury nor the inclination to buy scads of clothes.

Now I have more time to shop ~ I am embracing thrift.

I saw a cute tote bag on my travels...

"Keep Calm and Shop On"

so opposite from

 "Make Do and Mend"

Hope that you are having a Joy filled week.

Hostess

Skincare and some beautiful bloomers!

It's been ages since I have thought of writing a skincare post.
Healthy looking skin is something that I do not take for granted.

Naturally I have wrinkles and some slackness at the jawline but I am embracing aging in a positive way.
I don't want to lament about having a face that has some life and laugh lines.
Personally I would feel odd  if I looked the same  as I did when I was 30, especially now that I am nudging 60!
But don't think for a minute that I have given up!

I use a few tricks...mascara, eye liner, creamy peach blush, bronzer and lipstick.
Bobby Brown's line works for me...her foundation seems to even out my skintone and goes on like silk.
It gives me a bit of a healthy glow which I like.
Make up works a treat but the skin beneath is where one needs to get serious.

I have had some nasty flare ups with rosacea over the years.
Rosacea is exacerbated by certain harsh additives and chemicals, spicy food, stress and wine.
My family ancestors hail from Denmark, Sweden, and Ireland. I am told that it is the genetic background that have given us the tendency to flushing and rosacea.

After avoiding the obvious triggers one needs to find a gentle regime that works with sensitive skin.

I appreciate the custom of French Femmes focusing on skincare.

Young girls learn early how to take care of their skin.

Your face is the first thing most people notice... 

so before investing a fortune on designer clothes and bags

consider taking time to make your skin the best it can be.

Eat healthy nutritious food.

Drink plenty of water...I like to think of it as Nature's Moisturizer.

Get fresh air, exercise and a good night's sleep.

Try to avoid stress...

 Try Yoga or meditation if you do feel anxious.

I am not an expert nor do I represent or receive any money from the L'Occitane company...

I just want to tell you what works for me.

~ ~ ~

Using a light hand and a gentle cleanser pay special attention to removing all your make up.
I use the Immortelle foaming cleanser by L'Occitane and a soft bamboo wash cloth.
When my face is clean I spritz with the Immortelle water and then while it is still damp I apply an emollient cream, L'Occitane Divine Cream...it works and it's an award winner.
A little goes a long way which is good because I think it's rather expensive.
It delivers on all it's promises and my skin seems to stay calm and rosacea has been kept under control
so naturally I have become a loyal customer.

I love a gift with purchase...

especially when it contains items that I already use.

Perfect for travel.

Every couple of days I use a gentle scrub to exfoliate and once a week I apply a clay mask for deep cleaning.
I have not indulged in a spa facial for many months and although I love the pampering I'd much prefer to spend the money on quality products that I can use everyday.

The Humble Bungalow Garden is still very much in bloom.
Our roses are putting on a wonderful flush of floral fabulous~ness.
Their beauty is not lost on me.

Soft pretty petals.

an intoxicating and sweet fragrance.

No wonder they continue to be my favourite flowers.

Did you read Lisa's post where she shares her tips on looking youthful and gorgeous?

She might have influenced this post today.

Thank you Lisa!

Hostess

XO