Monday, August 27, 2018

Denim basics...and some new splurges.


Some serious work horses in my wardrobe are denim.
From left to right...
Cailey 22 shirt, no name thrifted denim jacket, Ralph Lauren denim shirt.


Soft tencel Levi's denim dress
I have been wearing this dress a lot this summer.
In the winter I pair it with capri length tights and my Chelsea boots.


Comfy boyfriend jeans by NYDJ
worn here with a striped top
Clark sandals.

I have been aware that my outfit choices have become quite repetitive...
perhaps because I have fewer items and I feel comfortable in the pieces that I keep.

It makes dressing so much easier with fewer things hanging in the closet.
Surprisingly 
I do not tire of the same clothes...
some are getting worn so much that the fabrics are softening!

I splurged on two new bras...
by
Prima Donna and Wacoal.

My "go to" black pants that I wear many times each week 
were looking rather tired...

I purchased a new pair of black Eileen Fisher pants which are really quite lovely.
They are what I consider an "investment" item 
but the cost per wearing will even out that expenditure
 over the next couple of years.

How do you feel about your wardrobe?
Are you a minimalist or do you like to have a full closet with many pieces?
Have you purchased anything for the Fall season?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Thanks to the bees...

We would be in serious trouble if it were not for the many hard working bees.
They work tirelessly pollinating flowers and crops.
I applaud their work and am grateful that they visit our garden every day.


Agapanthus
I grow these in the garden beds out front and in pots on the patio in the back of the Humble Bungalow Garden.
We grow white as well as the blue variety.


A multi coloured hydrangea
pink blue and mauve.


Busy bees


Purple hydrangea


Artichoke flower close up...


Bee on the Wild Chicory


Alliums


French Bee glasses


These are our everyday glasses
we also have a pitcher and two flutes for bubbly.


Bee close up on our Allium 


Deep inside the digitalis aka Foxglove


Bee on an allium


The bees in our garden buzz in large groups on the lavenders and the sea holly.

We have the local mason bees as well as the honey and bumble bees
in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Hope you have enjoyed this post...
thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.


~ Bee Well and Bee Kind ~


Sunday, August 19, 2018

Lovely linens...a luxurious purchase.


I am particularly fond of linen tea towels.
 We have quite a few that I keep ironed and neatly stacked in the drawer beside our farmhouse sink.
Lavender linen water is lovely spritzed on the towels before ironing...
I received a bottle as a gift on a birthday and I am hooked.

I had never thought of buying a linen towel for the bathroom. 

A few days ago, I was chatting with my friend Suzanne, 
she uses a large thick linen towel 
instead of the fluffy white cotton towels 
that we have been using for as long as I can remember...

my thoughts were the fluffier the towel
the better that they would dry 
but I have decided now that linen is far superior!

I was informed by the shop keeper that the linen dries fast 
 they never smell musty.

They soften gently over time...

I purchased a hand towel and a bath towel and have used it for a few days
it dries quite quickly 
plus I love the loofah effect of the linen on my skin.


One cap full of this fragrant linen wash is all it takes to wash a load in our machine.


The towels are sold by a Canadian Company called Linen Way.

I purchased my towels locally at a shop called Madison and Muse.

I am not sure if my husband will be as keen to switch to linen...
I am very happy with my recent purchase.

Have you tried linen bath towels?
What do you think of them?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Growing in a greenhouse...

Mr. HB
enjoys pottering about in the greenhouse.
He loves to grow tomatoes
cucumbers and radishes.

He tends the plants daily...


Halls English Greenhouse 
shade cloth is installed to protect the plants from the strong rays of the sun.


Tomatoes
beefsteak and cherry varieties.


Cucumbers growing in a pot.



Fresh tomatoes are SO MUCH tastier than those found in the shops.

We have been eating them in salads, in sandwiches,
 I am roasting some in the oven as I type...


I rinsed the tomatoes before slicing 
popped in a few cloves of garlic
seasoned with salt and pepper
and drizzled with olive oil.
Roast slow at 275 degrees for several hours.
Pop into a container and freeze for future use 
in soups, stews and pasta sauces.


The house smells divine...

Thank you Mr. HB for your bountiful crop of tomatoes
and I look forward to the next harvest!

Do you grow any food crops?
What are your favourite things to grow?
Do you can or preserve or make jam?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Friday, August 10, 2018

Hydrangeas and hair...the view from here.



Hooray the limelights are blooming!


The hydrangeas are taller this year 
which is good news 
as the deer love to munch on the tasty leaves.
Sadly the deer have eaten most of the hosta leaves 
out front in The Humble Bungalow Garden.


Frothy creamy blooms act as a backdrop to the side patio
providing privacy
 a place to sit and sip a cup of tea while reading a book.


I loved this book and read it in two sittings!
They are making it into a movie.
Suzanne Rindell is a screenwriter...
she has two other books and I plan to read them.

In other news
the "growing pains" continue...


My hair is growing...
slowly 
the wavy curls are coming back.


I have been on Pinterest looking at hair styles...
there are so many lovely women with salt and pepper and grey hair.

just wondering how long I should let it grow
what style will work with my hair type and face shape.

A conundrum 
 I have weeks or possibly a few more months to wait.
Patience has never been my strength...

I'd like to be able to grow hair as fast as that Tressy doll!
She was the doll that had a long pony tail with emerged from a hole in her head...
a screw attached to her back controlled the length of her hair!
Do you remember the doll?

The TV ad...

"Short or long or in between
Tressy's hair makes her a Queen!"


Happy Weekend!
Do you have any special plans?

We will be celebrating the 3rd birthday of our darling granddaughter Mira.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~