Thinking of Paris...

The Friday the 13th events in Paris have been shocking...
(and I humbly apologize for the unfortunate timing of my previous post.)

I published a post on Paris several hours before hearing the news and many readers wanted me to pull it down.

Mr. HB and I were stunned as we stared at the large TV screen aboard a BC Ferry.
We were going to visit friends who had just returned from France.

While we were stuck in gridlock traffic we listened in silence to the CBC and learned more details of the violence as more information emerged from Paris.

Grieving for those who lost their lives and those who have been injured...
listening to the news of people lining up for hours to donate blood and attending candle light vigils...singing...
Parisians are showing such dignity and courage.

I hope that people will not be afraid and continue to visit Paris.

It is a beautiful city with so much culture, charming cafes, galleries, museums, parks, monuments, churches, shops, restaurants, wide boulevards, bridges and the Seine running right though it.

J'adore Paris.

Thinking of Paris and I've bought a new hat...OOTD

The past few days our  weather has been stormy and grey.
Torrential rains, gale forced winds and while I sit inside in the comfort of The Humble Bungalow looking out the rain splattered panes....I've been pondering.
Remembering

Thinking about my Spring trip to Paris last year...
it feels like such a long time ago.
I have oodles of pictures to look at and the memories can be called up at will.
There is a teeny tiny feeling of sadness, not unlike that of melancholy...
I am so grateful to have travelled there and would be fooling myself if I said I did not want to go back...but I am a realist and I must acknowledge that this was the trip of a lifetime.
It was a wee bit selfish to steal away so soon after retiring and spend all that money.
I have a modest pension, yet I turned 60 and it was a gift to mark this milestone.
Mr. HB has no desire to go to France so I went on my own...met up with friends and joined an all woman tour and had the most fun ever!!
The Ooh La La Tour is led by author Jamie Cat Callan and Mimi Bleu.
Paris in Springtime is not yet full...spaces await should you be interested...
please email Jamie if you are keen to go and please tell her I sent you!
You will have a wonderful time!

My wee Eiffel Tower is a reminder of my trip and I keep it to remind me of the magic that was Paris.

This wool hat made by The Canadian Hat Company nearly fell off the mannequin...

and into my hands.

I was browsing a local shop on Oak Bay Avenue when I bumped into a mannequin and the hat that was perched on top fell down and I caught it.

I would have never noticed it as it was above my line of sight.

Being height challenged I not always look UP!

I tried it on and it covered my ears and felt so warm and cozy...

and it did not look too bad on.

I am not really a gifted savvy hat shopper, that honour goes to my friend Cheryl.

She is the best hat shopper I know.

She wears her many hats with such flair that I am almost green with envy.

The sales clerk mentioned that with my hair longer than the base of the hat

and the side fringe swept lower in front that this was actually a flattering style for me.

(I did not dislike the look in the mirror.)

The price was reasonable and I have not bought anything for ages.

I wore it to Goward House for bridge and had half a dozen compliments within 15 minutes.

It works so all I need is a bit more confidence when it comes to choosing hats.

I am wearing my hat it with

 a white long sleeved tee top  ~ Style and Co.

dark denim skinny jeans ~ Banana Republic

Black shawl sweater ~ Zara

vintage bag ~ Valentina

I've been thinking of buying a new handbag...

I love the look and feel of leather bags

but it is hard to justify the expense.

So I polished up this old stalwart vintage bag and it will serve me for the time being.

Decent leather bags are difficult to source at our local second hand and charity shops.

I am not much of an Internet shopper but if I was there are so many choices online.

I am an "old school shopper" 

I like to touch and feel, try things on and see if they are exactly what I need.

It goes with all my blacks and greys...

has interesting details

nice textures 

comfort

warmth

and

functional

made in Canada

what's not to love?

Hope that you have a lovely weekend!

Poppies and Remembrance Day...

To mark Remembrance Day and honour the veterans we visited the cemetery.
We slowly walked along the rows of graves in silence and read the stones...

Poppies are the symbol that we associate with Remembrance Day.

Listen to Leonard Cohen recite the Poem by John McCrae 

In Flanders Fields 

These poppies were painted by students at Central Middle School.

The students laid the stones on the graves joined by the sounds of bagpipes and drums played by 

The Royal Canadian Scottish Regiment Pipe and Drum Band.

Lest We Forget.

Beauty...in the eye of the beholder.

I've been so fortunate to find such beauty in my daily round.

These pretty leaves hugging a concrete wall near Oak Bay Avenue.

The blue coloured berries stood out against the grey concrete.

How could I just walk by and not capture this image?

They are sumptuous and stunning...almost sensual.

A sweetly scented and frothy yellow rose blooms in Our Humble Bungalow Garden.

I love those wee dewdrops on the petals...

Mother Nature paints such a beautiful picture on our planet.

I've been enjoying the silver arm party bangles this past week.

Always the crow...drawn to shiny things...

I'd buy more bangles if I found some that "spoke to me."

The grand children and I had "lunch" together!

Nom Nom!

I've been wearing this Burberry print scarf most days.

I love the simple infinity style.

This Chanel Orchidee lipstick picks up the colour in the pattern of the scarf

It's an easy tie...

place over head, twist front twice around and then loop the open circle around your head.

Voila!

I've been spritzing on my "winter scent."

I just read that this is Ines de la Fressange's signature fragrance!

For daily pictures please follow me on Instagram...

click the picture of the Hydrangea on my side bar and you can view my IG page.

There's not a lot happening to report...thank you for popping by.

Hope that your week is ticking along nicely.

When a bad "SAD" patch seems endless...overheard in a cafe.

If you live in the Pacific Northwest you will know first hand about the frequent grey and rainy days we experience during Fall and Winter.
While the weather is not all "gloom and doom" mood can be affected by the grey days.

Many are affected by what is known as SAD.
Seasonal Affective Disorder ~ depression associated with late autumn and winter and thought to be caused by a lack of light.
Try to "boost your mood" so that you can retain a positive outlook.
"Fake it until you can make it."

Being proactive, keeping active and adopting some strategies can help...

wear a well put together outfit ~ if you are down in the dumps try to dress upbeat
(something that is cozy and warm)
add a bright coloured pair of shoes
tie on a pretty scarf

put on some pretty jewelry (possibly something with sparkle)
go for a walk with a brolly and boots and perhaps stop at a cafe for a coffee

wash your make up brushes in shampoo and let them air dry
make a big pot of soup or bake cookies
brew a pot of your favourite tea and serve it in a beautiful bone china cup and saucer
peruse home decor books and magazines
chat with a friend
read a good book
work on a craft project
do the crossword
enjoy an in home Spa Day...manicure, pedicure, facial and a soak in the tub

slather on hand cream
buy some flowers and arrange them in a pretty vase
clean out the clutter ~ junk drawers are a good place to start
mend clothes, polish boots, handbags and shoes
catch up on the ironing while watching TV
plan a dinner party and look through your cookbooks to find some new recipes
go and visit an elderly person or a relative
explore a gallery or museum ~ visit their gift shop and look for treasures you need not buy anything
do some "deep" cleaning (perhaps the oven!)

polish the silver
go off to a thrift shop and browse...keep an open mind and treat yourself to an inexpensive small gift
buy a few really good chocolates...eat them slowly and mindfully
venture into an area of shops that you do not usually frequent...wander and keep your eyes open
light a scented candle and close your eyes and meditate...
sit quietly, count your blessings or write them down in a journal.

 If you suffer from SAD try to get out and about and meet people.

Volunteer somewhere, become more active and social.

If things still look bleak...seek professional help.

I've been moved to write this post after watching and listening to a woman who was speaking to a friend while weeping.

Forgive me 

 I was eavesdropping.

Please reach out to others in need of help.

If this post helps one person it will be worth it.