Tuesday, September 25, 2018

OOTD....flowers, friends and a fabulous book!


OOTD 

Ralph Lauren skinny knit tweedy pants
Black Symplii tunic top
Red Joesph Seibel ballet flats

(vintage carpet)


I like having a few colourful accessories 
they elevate the basic black and grey garments that I regularly wear.


Juicy red rose hips...

I have heard that when the hips form early in the season 
 it means we will have a cold harsh winter...

The sun is shining today and there are blue skies.
Yesterday I helped a new friend move into her new condo.
She is a lovely woman, a recent widow who is relocating from Vancouver to Victoria where she has family.

I admire her in so many ways...
she has left behind many friends but is embracing this move.
Her energy and enthusiasm is contagious!


This past month she has been discovering the amenities that Victoria offers
exploring new groups
cycling club, bridge, yoga, french lessons and a french conversational group.

We have met up for walks and coffee and there will be future lunches 
bridge games and perhaps we will go to the theatre.

I also discovered that she is a painter and has sold many paintings...
she is very modest about her work.
She plans to take a class or two this winter and I am considering joining her.

She will be unpacking for the next week or two 
fluffing and arranging her furniture and hanging her art in her light filled condo.


This pretty tea cup and saucer was a gift...
I love the gold polka dots.


This book is quite the page turner...
I am almost finished it and can recommend it
it is very intense and so well written.

I will finish it this afternoon while the white Ektorp slipcovers are in the wash!

Hope your week is off to a great start.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thursday, September 20, 2018

Purple pops of colour...


Look at this luscious artichoke flower!
It's growing beside the sidewalk in the garden of one of our neighbours...


We spend time looking for pops of colour as we walk.
Walking is such a great way to explore our city.

It was one of the highlights from my Paris trip...
walking and taking in the sights...
Women who walk and explore have been given the term "Flaneuse."

The feminine form of flaneur...
which means 
"a man who saunters around observing society."



This book caught my attention when I was at the local library...
I had read Eleanor's first book Weird Sisters 
the title sealed the deal!

I am halfway through it and am enjoying it...
I am trying not to rush the chapters so that I can savour the story.

How is your week going?

What are you reading right now?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Monday, September 17, 2018

September routines...

September in The Humble Bungalow Garden
loudly and clearly signals the end of summer...

the days are shorter
the flowers fade

Cooler temperatures
salty ocean breezes
foggy mists shroud the garden
petals fall
plants change colour
leaves begin to fall from the trees



Jude The Obscure has put on such an amazing show this summer!
I cannot remember a year when our roses have performed so well.

There have been many hours invested in dead heading 
which encourages repeat flushes of flowers 
the effort has definitely paid off...

We may even enjoy blooms well into the fall.

I've noticed many spider webs in the garden 
which also signal that Fall is coming soon.

My energy and enthusiasm in the garden is waning...

the
new
season 
changes our focus 
moving hobbies indoors 
instead of outside.

A general tidy up is happening...
in the garden and soon the closet!

The wardrobe swap out was accomplished this weekend.

It didn't take long
(there are not many clothes)

the bed gets covered with spring and summer clothes
 waiting to go downstairs to the guest room closet.

Many garments are worn all year long...
denim, jeans, dresses
 quite a few tops span the seasons 
with the addition of a vest or cardigan. 

The fall and winter wear is brought upstairs 
then I scrutinize the condition of the items 
donating the pieces are tired or lack lustre.

(I filled a bag!)

Noting items that I need to replace...

I've already purchased Eileen Fisher black pants
a pair of Ralph Lauren tweedy skinny pants.

Last month new lingerie was purchased.

I like to put my sandals away 
bring out my boots and loafers.

I always give them a polish before wearing them
and 
clean and polish the summer shoes 
ready for storage until another season.


The handbags get a treatment too...

This neutral polish works with all of my leather accessories.


The strap on my watch is looking quite worn so I may have to replace it soon.
It is going on 4 or 5 years old so that is not a surprise.

This ESQ watch is so old I cannot remember what year I purchased it...
I do know that my parents gave me some money one Christmas when the children were small.
 I shopped the sales after the holidays and bought it for half price.
It has kept good time all these years...
the style is classic 
which makes it so versatile.


The limelight hydrangeas are the current stars of the Humble Bungalow Garden.
They have been so happy in the warm summer sunshine...
I must remember to pick some to bring inside to dry.
Soon they will crisp up, fade and dry to the colour of straw.

Their shape will hold up through most of the fall and winter 
giving the garden some interest
until they will be cut down in the early Spring.

How is your garden shaping up?

Have you swapped out your clothes for a new season yet?
Have you perused the September issues of Vogue,  Elle or Bazaar?

Do you want to buy some new pieces for Fall?
Have you seen anything in the shops that might tempt you?
I'd love to hear from you!

Well I must close for now and get some chores done around here.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Garden.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Colourful tidbits...flowers, a book and a recipe for a comforting meal.

The rain and fog have set in and there is a definite chill in the air...
a perfect time to cozy up in a chair and read a wonderful book.


Frances Mayes latest novel "Women in Sunlight" is set in Tuscany
it revolves around a group of women who are renting a Villa 
 exploring new possibilities...

I am enjoying the descriptions of the food, wines and the countryside
if you liked Frances Mayes previous books this one will not disappoint!

The dahlias are providing us with some bright colour on this misty morning.

When the weather changes and the skies turn to grey 
I opt for pops of colour to infuse energy and positivity.




I do not grow dahlias in our garden.

The road side stands and local farmers markets 
are a great place to find these colourful gems...
many varieties all so different and some the size of a dinner plate!


We went beach combing on Pender Island last weekend 
look what we found!


A HUGE amount of beach glass
a few pieces of porcelain


The aqua vintage Mason jar on the left
was empty
waiting 
for a few pieces and now its almost half full!



We invited dear friends to share the cottage with us this past weekend...
we had oodles of fun 
both my husband and I remarked that we had not laughed so much in a very long time.

"A good laugh heals a lot of hurts."
~ Madeleine L’Engle ~

Last night I roasted a chicken in the oven
it was so tasty that I want to share the recipe...

Roast chicken

 Wash a roasting chicken inside and out then dry with paper towel.
Cut a whole lemon in half and stick inside the cavity add a few cloves of garlic
lightly baste the outside of the chicken with olive oil
sprinkle with a generous amount of fresh pepper
then lay a few sprigs of fresh rosemary on top

Roast in a moderate oven (325) for about and hour and a half.

Make a simple gravy with the drippings 
whisk in some flour and stock.

I served our chicken with roasty potatoes and fresh green beans.

It was a wonderfully comforting meal...
I am planning on making some soup with the leftovers.

Hope that your week is off to a great start.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~ 

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Rebelling in white...OOTD

Do you follow rules?

How about the rule about wearing white after Labour Day?

I am NOT obeying that rule!
The fashion police might ticket me...but really I don't mind.


White NYDJ 


Saint James striped Top


 Growing out a pixie cut is not for the faint of heart!
Some days I can coax it into a curly state and others it just will not cooperate!
I love the Bumble and Bumble Don't Blow It and also the Aveda Brilliant gel...
they both help immensely.

After washing my hair I use the Bumble and Bumble
 then next day 
(when my hair does not get washed) 
I use the Aveda gel.

The children are back to school today and summer feels like its about to come to a close.


Climbing Royal Sunset Rose


A fresh flush of flowers are blooming.
  I so love this rose for its heady fragrance...
impossible not to pick a few blooms 
to bring inside The Humble Bungalow.

September is a hopeful month
one that brings with it possibilities...

I am pondering many options...
 taking a class
Yoga
aqua fit
rejoining WW
trying something new
looking for a volunteer placement
going back to the club for bridge after the summer holidays

Lots of things to pursue and many new books out to read
a knitting project that has been put on the back burner will be revived.

Are you looking for new possibilities this month?
What things are you considering?

Take care
 thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~