Thursday, December 6, 2018

Vancouver weekend

We recently spent a weekend in Vancouver...
attended the AGM for the cottage strata, shopped, walked, enjoyed lunches and dinners out.
We also met up with friends we knew when my husband attended school over there...
we have kept in touch...over 40 years!


The view from our hotel.


A wee bit of snow on Grouse Mountain.


We did not stop for tea...


We opted for a Chinese dinner at a small restaurant on Robson Street 
after our afternoon walk and shopping.
The food was delicious and obviously a popular spot with the locals 
as there was a steady line up outside the door.


A fresh new candle...
and a few goodies in the bags.


Some loose tea...


A refill for my Hermes fragrance.
Mr. HB bought his Hermes scent as well.

We dined at an Italian restaurant called Cin Cin and the food was amazing!


Grilled lettuce with pancetta...
a WOW moment for this Hostess!
It was actually more like a "Meg Ryan" moment.
(the scene from When Harry Met Sally!)


Mr. HB enjoyed Osso Bucco
and I opted for the lamb chops with lentils.
NOM NOM NOM


A single bloom in the bathroom packed a powerful pop of colour.

We enjoyed our weekend getaway in the big city!


We will be busy getting ready for Christmas here in The Humble Bungalow.
The wreath has been hung on the front door 
inspired by the Country Living Christmas issue there will be more festive touches coming soon.

Hope that you are enjoying your week.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Monday, December 3, 2018

My Stylish French Box...unveiling the elegance

My favourite luxurious splurge is my annual subscription to
My Stylish French Box

The November box arrived a couple of weeks ago and I was so thrilled by the contents...
Sharon Santoni and her team do such a fabulous job of finding special items
all are sure to please.


Vintage silver sugar tongs


attention to detail
 the shipping box is beautiful


Chester enjoyed the box too!



I keep the inner boxes and use them for storage.


The booklet that accompanies all the boxes gives us the information and details of the products and the companies and artists that are behind the luxury wares.


Beaded votive sconces...
the beads will reflect all the light from the candles
by Merci Louis


Candle by Secret D'Apothecaire 
ornaments from Merci Louis


a whisper soft wool scarf by Petrusse
( I have been wearing mine everyday!)
Love the soft feel of the wool and its so cozy
in the perfect colours for my basic wardrobe too!


Festive linens...
tea cloths by Serie Limitee Louise


Lovely necklace from Belle Mais Pas Que
set with a stone of Labradorite



If you want to treat yourself or give one as a gift 
here is the link to order.

The next box will be sent out in February 2019...

I read that Sharon is currently adding a few extra boxes from the November 
issue if you are quick you might be able to snap one up!

I would have posted this last week but our Internet was not working and my IPhone was getting used so much that I went over my data and incurred substantial fees so I had to curb my usage!

Hope you have a wonderful week.

 ~Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thursday, November 29, 2018

Blooms, books and sprinkles...


One of the many sunflowers that have bloomed...

A thoughtful reader sent me some seeds in memory of my mom.
I sprinkled the seed packet on a walk last spring
 on a street adjacent to where my moms condo was located.
It was a daring guerrilla gardener moment!
Don't think anyone saw me...


a whale tail
created from pieces of driftwood
on the beach where I walk


These books are waiting to be read...


I have been busy 
volunteering, cooking, walking, shopping, polishing the tarnished silver...


A few stalwart roses are still blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden.


When you forget to buy caramel sauce for the ice cream dessert you are serving after the Sunday family roast beef dinner ...
you need to be creative.

Cookie sprinkles
 in festive Christmas colours 
are hastily used to amp up the plain vanilla ice cream!

NEEDS MUST!


A cheery yellow rose in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

If I had to choose just one colour that I associated with cheer, positivity and joy
it would be yellow.

Hands down it is my favourite colour for a rain slicker or boots...
we get so much precipitation here in the PNW that it can become tedious 
 people (myself included) often feel gloomy.

I do not own a yellow rain slicker or boots...
my Saint James rain coat is beige
and
my boots are rather pedestrian 
as they are black!


The winner of the coveted Scotiabank Giller Prize was recently announced 
 it went to a talented writer who lives here in Victoria!
She won in 2011 for her book Half Blood Blues.

You can read more here.

This book is now on my must read list and I have not read her previous book either so I will look forward to both of those novels.

One of the many perks of retirement 
is being able to make and take time to read.

Hope you are having a great week.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Monday, November 19, 2018

Autumn splendour...last cottage visit.


Autumn is such a glorious time of year 

the vibrant colours elevate my energy 
making the time outdoors richer
with
walks that have become saturated in beauty.


a few raindrops do not dampen my spirits

they look like tiny jewels
embellishing the fallen leaves


 Isla and I were exploring at the cottage when we were last there...
we spied some interesting seed pods on this tree.


 Natural "treasures" from our nature walk
perfect "souvenirs" to take home.

Have you read The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady?
It is an illustrated journal and quite lovely.

This vignette reminds me of that book.


I love seeing life through the eyes of an energetic and enthusiastic child.

Those moments of excited spontaniety...

sharing many magical moments at school 
during the course of my career
 in the classroom and the library

with our own children 
and now our delightful grandchildren.


The moss on these rocks proved to be VERY slippery
Grammy had to say that it was "an unsafe place to play."

I didn't want to have an injury "on my watch!"


Peeking outside 
we spied raindrops on the leaves

"liquid sunshine"

inside we were cozy and content.

We were engaged in creative pursuits...
 felts, crayons, paper, 
colouring and activity books
Lego, games and toys.


"Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence."

~ Henry David Thoreau ~

"Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue." 

~ Buddha ~


Wishing all American readers a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Hope that your week is off to a grand start!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Changing things up while stretching the budget...

I have been a wee bit naughty...spending money!

But I need to explain that I deliberated long and hard about this most recent splurge...it was not an impulse buy.


Autumn blooms in The Humble Bungalow Garden
White hydrangeas wearing their fall colours.


I have been a fan of L'Occitane for many years.
Soaps, lotions, scents...

Their Immortelle Divine Anti-Aging Collection is wonderful.
I've used many jars over the years...

The sales clerk gave me a few samples of the newer line 
"Cream Harmony Divine"
 to try and I was amazed at the difference in just a few weeks.

I started with the Immortelle overnight reset oil in serum...
my skin looks more evenly toned
and it has a healthy glow.


So I have just "invested" in the Divine Harmony Serum and the Cream.
(both products are refillable)


There are patents pending on both these products.
15 years of research has gone into the development of these products.
The two key ingredients are 
the Immortelle Millesimee flower and Jania Rubens, a red sea algae. 
Both are harvested from the island and seas around Corsica.

I share this information 
as I feel that a glowing healthy complexion is important.

In my opinion
it is worth working diligently 
to help keep us feeling good about ourselves as we age.

Heavy make up is not the way to achieve a "youthful look"
especially when we are over 60...
less make up 
applied with a lighter hand is much more flattering.

With a focus on what works and what doesn't work
ways that we can improve the look of our skin.

Starts with 
finding a skincare regime that delivers results 
drinking lots of water to keep us hydrated
maintaining healthy eating habits
and 
getting some fresh air and exercise daily.

I am not an expert nor have I received any remuneration for my post...
the opinions stated here are all mine!
They are simply "Hostess Approved!"

Hope that you are enjoying your week.
Have you been busy?


I took myself out for a quiet bite of lunch and a pot of Earl Grey tea
then I met a friend for a chat 
before we met up for our monthly knitting group.

My days have been particularly busy and seem to be for the forseeable future.
Life does seem to get busier the closer we get to Christmas!
Not too sure if I will be able to post regularly with my calendar so full
but I will try!

Thank you for stopping by...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~