Using what is on hand...

The garden is very dormant this month.

I don't have an opportunity to pick fresh flowers

to bring inside...

There are oodles of these dried limelight hydrangeas outside 

in a lovely faded sepia shade

just right for the arts and crafts hammered copper vase in the dining room.

The fairy lights stay up all year.

I've added some silver stars that I purchased about 10 years ago.

The wreath is from my husband's family.

It was made by a friend of his mom's around 1960

using rhinestone brooches

and 

Christmas tree decorations.

It's dim in the dining room 

so it might be difficult to see the wee Noel sign on the cabinet.

A flock of Ojibwa tamarack duck decoys 

sitting perched upon an arts and crafts copper tray.

The wee battery operated copper lights were purchased several years ago.

I've been toying with the idea of putting up a small tree in the kitchen 

but I think the cats would rip it to shreds !

As you may have gathered we don't over decorate.

It's mostly because of the mischievous felines that reside here with us!

I've still got some baking and shopping to get done for Christmas...

 I am pacing myself to avoid unnecessary stress.

Keeping things simple just feels right.

We received a call from a long time family friend tonight that there has been a death in our circle...

it's been an emotional evening to say the least.

We have spent the past few hours recalling all the memories...

life is to be cherished.

How are your holidays preparations coming along?

Try not to get stressed...

Take Care 

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

OOTD basic black for evening.

Recent purchase a Lace top by Dex

(on sale and heavily discounted!)

Black Eileen Fisher pants

Lace top by Dex

Sweater a vintage Susan Bristol that I have had for several decades!

Vintage Ferragamo shoes

Socks by French Company Berthe

(mismatched hose which are rather fun to wear!)

Putting my best foot forward...

I love the detail at the bottom of the top.

We put up the tree and I unpacked some festive accent pieces.

We like to keep our decorations simple as the cats think they are play toys!

Chester still climbs the tree :-((

Finally had my hair trimmed...

its been ages growing the short style out.

Planning to grow it a wee bit longer still and with any luck it should be where I want it to be by next Spring.

The stylist used a flat iron to smooth out the waves.

We enjoyed a sumptuous dinner at my husband's staff party last evening.

Julie, my friend and recent travel companion, made a 7 course dinner for us all.

It was amazing and there were wine pairings with each course!!!

Hope you are enjoying the festive season so far...

Have you been shopping your closet or buying new clothes?

What are your favourite things to wear for the holidays?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Festive sparklers...and a trip to Vancouver.

Tis the festive season and I like to add some sparkle to my outfits.

Vintage Rhinestone Pins

Most of my pins are by the Canadian designer Sherman.

Mom loved her Sherman jewelry.

My father used to buy Sherman for her at Christmas.

Beautiful velvet boxes from Birks.

They usually contained a necklace, bracelet and earrings.

She would wear them with a velvet dress that she made for the holidays.

My sister and I had dresses also made by Mom...

she used the leftover fabric from her dress to sew ours.

All three of us had the same colour of velvet for each Christmas season.

(I have pictures of the three of us all dressed up)

This pin is by the designer Boucher of Paris.

He went on to design for the House of Cartier.

Do you add sparkle to your festive outfits?

This tree is in the square behind The Art Gallery in Vancouver.

We were there to attend a meeting and see friends who just moved into their newly built penthouse condominium.

Painted entrance to their parking garage.

Shopping happens when we visit the city!

I love the Eileen Fisher shop on South Granville.

I met a delightful woman in the shop.

She reads my blog!

I loved her outfit...

black vest, sweater and pants.

Very chic black glasses that many women in Paris wore.

Hope she will email me.

It would be fun to meet up for a chat and a coffee next time I am in Vancouver either before or after I shop in Eileen Fisher or we could shop together!

Casual greyish beige top

Very cozy

I'm wearing it with the black Eileen Fisher pants from last season.

I've got to finish this post quickly as I have a dental appointment.

There is so much to get done in the next few weeks...

baking, shopping, wrapping,  decorating the house.

Hope that we can get some of these jobs done this coming weekend.

How are your festive plans coming along?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

My Stylish French Box...

I am a couple of weeks late posting the reveal of the November My Stylish French box.

French lessons, bridge, Christmas shopping and baking have kept me busy.

With such beautiful light filtering in through the blinds

I think this will be a great spot to share the contents with you all.

Ready?

A beautiful linen pouchette by Liligne

(I plan to use mine as an evening bag)

Scented candles from L'Artisan Parfumeur

( I love scented candles and use them everyday)

Gold Olive Branch from Au Bain Marie

(perfect for the festive season!)

Luxurious liquid soap from the Versaille company La Savonnerie Royale

Gorgeous pearl necklace designed and crafted by Gisel B

(it is my favourite!)

An elegant custom designed silk scarf by Maracadabou

Two antique silver spoons

an extra gift for annual subscribers

a box of Decadent rich Chocolates from Boissier of Paris

I have worn this necklace everyday since receiving it!

I absolutely LOVE the design.

( I have always loved pearls!)

The great news is Sharon and Her Team are re-issuing the November box!

Click here to order yours!

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

J'adore Paris...

What can I say about Paris?
It is a city that holds a very special place in my heart.

I dreamt about going to Paris ever since I was a young girl.

One Christmas I was given
a set of blue bottled fragrances ~ Evening in Paris.

Mom and I watched and loved all of Audrey Hepburn's movies.
(many were set in Paris)

My favourite film was Sabrina...
Let's go to Paris...shall we?

The view from our room.

The Welcome Hotel is a small family run hotel

 situated in a fabulous location on Rue Seine in the 6th arrondissment.

Out in front of the hotel you can sit and enjoy a coffee or just people watch!

The Seine River is full of boats.

We took an amazing dinner cruise aboard this vintage boat.

The food was excellent and the views were breath taking

The Eiffel Tower twinkled as we passed...

The skies were overcast in Paris and rain sprinkled

 our spirits were not dampened at all!

We are in Paris after all.

There is lots to see and do!

Wandering around the Louvre...

We explored The Tuilerise Gardens and listened to the street musicians.

Lots of people were out and about doing the very same things.

We ventured into the iconic Dehillerin Kitchen Shop...

we did not leave empty handed!

We ate lunch at one of Julia Child's favourite spots in Paris.

Au Pied De Cochon.

I enjoyed the delicious French Onion Soup...

Did you know that this restaurant is open 24 hours each day?

We perused Shakespeare and Co.

We had to sit for a bit and rest our wearly legs

savour a coffee and watch the parade of chic styles.

We walked 17 km one day!

(That should allow us to indulge in French butter and cheese.)

Rodin Museum and Gardens 

The Gardens were not busy so we were able to wander at our leisure.

Roses are blooming!

Fountains, lush greenery and statues dot the grounds.

A long stand of trees...

With all our walking we worked up an appetite for lunch.

Bread from Poilane Bakery 

Love the colourful door details in Paris.

Lovely courtyard garden at Ralph Lauren.

The Ralph Lauren Shop 

also has a restaurant...it is very popular.

Sterling Silver in an antique shop.

I think these look like they are made in The Secessionist Era. 

Lots of mustard yellow clothing shown in the windows of the shops.

Lots of beautiful Ittala glass in the BHV department store.

On a mission for darling daughter...

her favourite shop Rouje where she orders clothes online is situated within easy walking distance...

Jean Damas is the owner of the shop.

She has recently opened a restaurant beside the store.

I purchased the scrunchie on the right for Jennifer.

Also a pair of really cute sunglasses.

I bought myself some lipsticks.

Bonpoint 

for stylish kids

Macarons

Louis Vuitton

Sumptuous scarves

Eye catching displays

Le Bon Marche Department Store

and 

The Food Emporium

Julie called this the egg wall.

Exotic Fruit

I hope you have enjoyed the pictures of our travels to Italy and France.

Au revoir Paris...

memories and photos will keep you in my heart

(until next time)

This is the past post from the trip.

Happy Thanksgiving to those of you in the USA who are celebrating today.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~