Thursday, October 29, 2020

OOTD...a focus on the classics

 

 ~ OOTD ~

Shirts with Jeans

My current uniform 
on rotation here in The Humble Bungalow.


New white shirt from Old Navy
worn here with classic pearls.

When I was working 
White shirts were worn a lot and I owned several in different styles.
Worn tucked into black pants and simple skirts.

On Fridays we wore jeans.
I paired my white shirt with a soft wool blazer, jeans and loafers.
Accessorized with faux pearls...

One Christmas several decades ago, my parents gave me a lovely pair of genuine pearl studs.
( I still have them and wear them often)
One Valentine's Day, a few years later, my husband gave me a strand of Akoya pearls.

I love pearls
My Mom loved pearls too.

When I wear my pearls I always think of Mom.

Mom wore her baroque long opera length pearls almost everyday.
The necklace was a gift to her one Christmas from my father.

Do you wear pearls?

Have you a classic white shirt in your wardrobe?

I also love denim and chambray shirts.
I have two...

I am wearing one right now with my pearls.


This shirt has all the details that make it a classic and yet it is budget friendly.

Keeping a white shirt white is tricky.

If I get a mark on it
 I spray it with my pink grapefruit Method brand cleaner 
gently scrub with a soft brush before popping it into the wash.

I hang my shirts to dry and smoothe out the edges when they are damp.
Ironing carefully after they are dry.


I wear an apron when I am cooking and cleaning.
It saves my clothes from stains.

I love this linen one from Rough Linen.

It was an early Covid purchase.


Pope John Paull II white rose
blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

White is such an elegant shade...

(White shirt quotes)

"You can wear them with anything. 
It's the person and the way that they wear it 
that makes it different. 
I have been designing white shirts forever, 
but I don't get tired of it." 

~ Carolina Herrera ~



"The white blouse can be light and floating, impeccable and austere, sumptuous and all-enveloping, tight and close-fitting. 

It rises up to frame the face. 

It sculpts the body by transforming itself into a second skin. 

Imputed with glamour and poetry, freedom and impetuousness, the prim white shirt turns out to have a thousand identities." 

                                 ~ Gianfranco Ferre ~


How will you style your shirt?
The important thing is having fun with your creative accessories.

A scarf
necklace
brooch
collar up? or buttoned up?
maybe opened up?
 as a layering piece over a camisole or top.

The White Shirt is a versatile classic
a worthy workhorse in every wardrobe.


Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Friday, October 23, 2020

Thrift shop inspiration...cottage decor

 


Dried foliage foraged from the wilds of Pender Island
at
Quarterdeck Cottage.


Freshly rinsed antique crystal vessel...


A pleasant mix of materials...
rustic and rough juxtaposed with fine quality antique crystal.


A modernist votive holder...
looks like Ittala Glass by Tapio Wirkkala.

These two glass pieces were found at the thrift shop on Pender Island.
I have found some real gems in this shop.

If I lived on Pender full time I would be an active volunteer.

Since we only come over once a month I cannot commit to helping.
So I shop instead...

Do you like shopping for vintage items at thrift shops?
Do you shop online at Etsy or Ebay?

What are your favourite finds?

I'd love to hear from you...

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Our Covid numbers here in BC are increasing...
the second wave predicted by the health authorities is here now.

Stay Safe, wear your masks, wash your hands and keep your bubbles small.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Saturday, October 17, 2020

OOTD...

 


OOTD

Lord and Taylor Cashmere 
It is officially 
"sweater weather"


Stormy
Rain and gusty winds
power outages across the Island and The Gulf Islands
Tress and branches are down...
rain is hitting the windows sideways!


Timberland Boots
Vintage America Jeans

Dressing casually for comfort and warmth during the stormy weather.

I ran a bunch of errands...
had my annual mammogram.

Grocery shopping


Refill for our Method dish soap pump bottle
Joie silicone soft gentle scrubber
Bamboo brush scrubber for tough jobs

I use a vintage porcelain pudding bowl for these items beside our farmhouse sink.
Water drains away from the brushes as the bottom of the bowl has a raised pattern.

Super sponge cloths they last and last 
washable 
up to 300 times!
One towel replaces 15 rolls of paper towels
absorbs 20 times its weight in water
compostable

It surprises me how much better I feel when I get some new cleaning supplies.

Daily domestic chores are a big part of my routine.
Spending so much more time at home 
means that I cannot avoid seeing what needs to be done!


 ~ New Book ~
by Gill Paul 
She wrote a book that I recently read The Secret Wife
which I really enjoyed and highly recommend.


What are you reading?

Have you been watching any good shows on Netflix ?

We discovered The Duchess, a quirky British series which we are enjoying.

Also an older series, After Life written, directed and starring Ricky Gervais.
(Dark subject matter but quite brilliant and funny.) 

Doing it Ourselves, a French castle renovation by a British family is on You Tube.

I welcome your suggestions...


~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Self care...rituals and comfort during the Pandemic.

 


Taking time for self care is not "selfish."
It is important for our mental well being.

My hands work hard
and
with all the hand washing and hand sanitizing my hands take a beating!

I recently discovered Derma E Rosehip and Almond Hand and Cuticle Cream.
The cream absorbs well into the skin and is not overly greasy.
It really helps my cuticles which have become quite dry.
Nothing ruins the look of a manicure like ragged or torn cuticles.


Pacifica
Crimson Kimono
Cruelty Free Formula
Long lasing polish.


Brew a pot of tea...

Enjoy
a relaxing soak in warm water mixed with a few spoonfuls of bath salts.
File nails with an emery board, push back cuticles and they are ready for polish.


Manicure done...
Pop on my red ballet flats and I feel a lightness of spirit.
Energized and hopeful...

I don't know about you but I find I NEED (crave) more TLC these days.

The pandemic has changed the way I look at my days.
My attitude often needs a gentle nudge...

Routines and Rituals are key players for me.

Each morning after my shower I put on my make up.
Dab on Perfume

Dressing in jeans and a Tee
 simple comfy basics
I add an accessory like my pearls, or a colourful scarf
to elevate my spirit.

I seem to have more time to "fill."
Do you feel that way too?

Frustrated that 
I am unable to resume the activities that I enjoyed before Covid.
Bridge games and weekly lessons, Mah Jong, French class, and Yoga.

Many of my friends are playing bridge online.
While others are doing Yoga and language lessons with ZOOM.

I've been keeping pretty busy here at home and in the garden.
Cooking most meals in The Humble Bungalow Kitchen since mid March.


Seeing our grandchildren always makes me feel happy.
We took them out for lunch at Fisherman"s Wharf.

We were able to eat at a picnic table outside which felt very "safe"
A totally wonderful tonic and a fun filled "outing."


Reading with a pot of tea in the afternoon has become a daily ritual.

Beware!
This book is quite provacative and deals with many sensitive subjects.


It doesn't take much effort to arrange afternoon tea on a tray.
It tastes so much better in a china cup.

I would like to open up a dialogue about self care and hear from you.

Are you finding time to elevate your daily routines?

How are you beautifying your day?

Do you practise self care?

I'm going to pop the kettle on now and brew a pot of hot tea...
I'll come back soon and read any comments that you have shared.

Thank you for taking the time to read my Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~


Wednesday, October 7, 2020

OOTD ~ I met up with the fashion savvy blogger Jennifer, who writes A Well Styled Life



OOTD 

Jeans ~ Eileen Fisher
Top ~ Saint James
Ballet Flats ~ Josef Seibel


A messy updo
diamond studs and necklace
pearl earrings


a fresh manicure
Kimono Crimson by Pacifica


Meet
Jennifer Connolly

We had tea and a chat at Murchies.
She is on vacation and was in Victoria for a few days.

You probably already know
Jennifer who writes the blog A Well Styled Life.

We have known each other since 2007.
 This is the first time that we have met in person.

Jennifer is a gracious and fashion savvy woman with a winning smile.

We had a lovely time sipping our tea and chatting.
It felt fabulous to finally meet her in person.

Her series "Dressing room Diaries" is one of my favourites on her blog.

I told her how she has influenced me over the years.

For example...
 I recently purchased a new crisp white shirt 
after reading her post on classic white shirts!

Meeting Jennifer was truly wonderful.
I hope to meet up with her again...

Making connections with other like minded women 
unites, empowers and inspires us.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.


~ Be Well and Be Kind ~