Partners in grime

                                               You asked to see more of the glove...

it's back

some are more easily amused than others...

~ ~ ~

                                              I'd like to introduce you to The Scrub

It's a superb workhorse here in The Humble Bungalow

Bon Ami is an American made product

it translates from French and means "Good Friend"

first made in 1886

and it is a "green product"

which makes me feel good using it

plus there has never been a better friend in the Bungalow Kitchen

it's especially great at keeping the porcelain country farmhouse sink looking

 spic and span.

Tea stains and scratches are common enemies of the sink

Bon ami removes then in an instant with very little effort.

It's a good friend in the bathroom too!

~ I copied the following information right off the website ~

But kitchens and bathrooms have changed, and need an updated cleaner. Bon Ami Powder Cleanser is the answer. This formula starts with vegan, plant-based cleaning agents made from coconut and corn oils, then adds feldspar and the even softer abrasive, limestone. We add a little bit of soda ash and a touch of baking soda. The result is a natural, effective cleaner for modern surfaces.

Bon Ami Powder Cleanser is our most popular, general use powder.  It sports an updated yellow label, and can be found in most grocery stores, as well as online at BonAmi.net and EcoMom.com.

~ ~ ~

It costs a bit more than a chemical laden version cleaner

but it makes cleaning safer and greener for all of us who share the planet.

~ ~ ~

The arsenal of tools that sit by the sink at the ready.

Don't thank me for this tip

thank the glove.

Hard working domestic help is hard to find!

I'm hanging up my gloves for the weekend

as all here is chaos 

with our renovation in the last stages of readiness

there is very little that I can do but get dressed and head to the mall and do some Christmas shopping

and I'll leave the Humble Bungalow in the hands (paws) of the experts!

Be Well, Be Kind and Be Lovely!

Generous and thoughtful...my BFF

My BFF is a generous and thoughtful woman.
She has a family, works part time outside her lovely home and attends most events that her grand children are involved in.
She regularly visits and grocery shops for her 95 year old Mother who lives on her own.
My BFF also helps her husband in his business, does payroll and book keeping for another friend and yet she always makes time for her friends.

You know what they say...
if you want something done ask a busy person well this is so true of Suzanne.

She popped over the other day with a card and a gift.

Her generous and giving spirit radiates from within and adds to her beauty.

So Suzanne I wanted to take a moment, a small tribute to you and all that you have done for those around you...
be it the fresh flowers that you bring into the office and make the reception a more welcoming place
or the timely phone calls when someone is having troubles, you are a great listener
a trusted friend who can keep secrets who has her feet firmly planted on the ground and can offer sage advice.

I've known you since we were about 8 years old which makes our friendship about half a century young!
Can you believe it?
Yet we do not NEED to see each other all the time to keep our friendship healthy and strong.
Mr HB knows when we get on the phone it might be 15 minutes or more like an hour!
We often share the same thoughts, have similar taste and have purchased identical garments unbeknownst to each other and have had to say are you going to wear that top (dress/ pants/ jacket/sweater) tonight 'cuz if you are I'll wear something different!

Our husbands get along too which is great!

Suzanne, I feel so blessed to have you in my life.

Thank you for the years of friendship and I hope that we get to grow into old age together!

Cheers!

In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. 

For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed. 

Khalil Gibran 

~ ~ ~ 

Hostess

XO

I've got a crush....

It's a season of discovery in so many areas...
thoughts of retirement, changes afloat and listening to my heart.

I have been faithful to the Avene line of creams and potions for quite sometime and have been satisfied by their performance until recently when my skin had some dry scaly patches appear. I am alarmed when my skin reacts to the weather or the indoor heat and when the products that I have come to rely on fail to perform.
I feel self conscious and my self esteem falters.
Most people notice your skin when they are looking at you.

So with this in mind when I shopped L'Occitane en Provence for some Christmas gifts I took advantage of their free samples. Introducing a new cream can be problematic when one has sensitive skin so I do not rush out and buy full size portions until I have tested them first.

Here's the new kid on the block and I have to admit I have a crush!

It's the new star in my arsenal of skin care products.

Immortelle

Divine Cream

interestingly there are 3 patents pending and the buzz about this cream

is positive

women my age cannot get enough of this stuff 

and they are not shy when raving about it

it would appear that L'Occitane en Provence has lassoed some youth inducing plant based serums

added vitamins and blended them together to create this divine cream.

Just reading the box is illuminating!

"Proven anti wrinkle efficiency"

Anti age spots effectiveness evaluated by clinical scoring on 32 women over 8 weeks."

~  reduction of intensity of dark spots 32% ~

Satisfaction tested on 50 women over 4 weeks:

~ the skin is revitalized (90%) ~

~ the skin is smoother  (94%) ~

~ the skin slackening is reduced (84%) ~

My skin feels plumper softer and more radiant.

If you are in the market for a new cream stop by the L'Occitane store or go online and read about the testimonials of women and get your hands on some free sample and see for yourself.

While it won't give you back your youth

it might just give your skin the boost it needs to reflect the beauty that is within.

For me it's an indulgence but one worth scrimping and saving for...

Hope that you are having a great week!

Hostess

XO

The Gospel According to Coco Chanel ~ a great read.

I powered through this book about Coco Chanel in one day.
Her life was quite different than I had imagined it would be...

She was a  powerful woman, a force to be reckoned with.
Strong, determined, driven,
She had a dynamic personality.
She was a master of her craft and had perfectionist tendencies and had high expectations from those that she employed.
This book is well written, informative and worth reading.

Did you know that Chanel No. 5 is the largest selling perfume?

 A bottle is sold almost every 55 seconds!

~ ~ ~

The 2.55 Chanel classic quilted handbag was introduced to the world in February of 1955

(named after the launch date!)

a bag that is still in production and coveted by many.

Things Coco loved...

Pearls

camellias

tweedy jackets

simplicity

minimalist wardrobes

impeccable fit and tailoring

luxe fabrics

the LBD

~ ~ ~

"Elegance is refusal."

Coco Chanel

Sloane Teas ~ a gift from Donna, aka the duchess

After my recent blog post on making the perfect cup of tea I received an email from Donna from Ontario who blogged as The duchess of H for awhile.
Her blog chronicled the construction of their vast home which took several years to build...
it looked like a mansion when I last saw her blog.
Donna suggested that I might like to sample the exquisite Sloane Teas that are artfully blended by the talented sommelier Hoda Paripoush.
The Sloane Tea company is a Canadian company and has a wonderful website. Check it out it's very friendly.
You can read more about Hoda here.

Imagine my surprise when a day or two later the doorbell rang and the Fed Ex man handed me this package!
It was the day I lay in bed with the flu so it was a wonderful treat to brew a pot of restorative tea,
a tonic for my soul.

Thank you Donna I am really enjoying the Sloane Teas!

Look for a card and a little something for you in the mail soon,
I'll try to get the package in the post tomorrow,
you are so thoughtful.

I have the perfect pink tea cup to go with the tea tins.

Silver Mist

Orchid Oolong

Heavenly Cream

Persian Palace

I've sampled and savoured the Persian Palace

brewed 4-6 minutes

and served it without milk to maximize the flavour and aroma

in a bone china cup and saucer of course!

The Orchid Oolong is much milder and very refreshing

I'd be tempted to serve it iced in the summertime.

 Heavenly Cream is luxe and smooth, very balanced.

I'm looking forward to brewing Silver Mist next.

The Persian Palace is my favourite so far...

Donna thought I'd like it because it's blended with rose petals!

The packaging is lovely

such pretty tins

embossed ribbon 

adorns and ties up the assortment 

 this would make an exceptional Holiday Hostess gift.

Please let Hoda know that you heard about the teas from The Humble Bungalow Hostess.

~ ~ ~

The duchess takes her tea with Laduree macarons 

which she keeps fresh in the freezer.

How do you take your tea?

I hope that you have a wonderful week and remember to take some time to rest

sip a cup of tea perhaps

and reflect on all that is good in your life.

Be well.

Hostess

XO

Musings and the winds of change are blowing through The Humble Bungalow

Thank you all for your warm wishes and wonderful comments on my blog yesterday.
You made my blog anniversary something special.
I am very grateful.

Random thoughts are zigging and zagging while I sit calmly sipping my tea.
"Be still my mind" I mutter aloud,
 and yet there's no silencing the voice within...

Retirement has been very much on my brain of late.
I think that there is a change blowing in the wind.
Beckoning...

I've been working for the same school district for almost 25 years!
Mother's health is gradually deteriorating, her mind is getting muddled and she is confused about her banking, investments, and worries more often about simple daily routines.

Plus I have been getting almost every cold and flu bug going around in our vast school.
I am home sick today with the stomach flu.

So I'm pondering a change...thinking out loud today here on my blog.
I could work part time doing something completely different that feeds my creative soul...

What might be available for an older woman like myself?
Or do I simply retire and take care of my family, home and garden at a slow pace?
I love to potter about in the kitchen and would love to join a fitness class and get back into Yoga.

There is a sense of reinvention brewing...
I can feel the vibration of change in the air.

I'd need to be much more frugal
 but in the end would it not all balance out?

Luxury is not buying the latest Hermes scarf or the most popular designer hand bag.
Luxury is a gift, a gift of time that money cannot buy.


 Merriam Webster defines luxury as:

a condition of abundance or great ease and comfort : sumptuous environment

something adding to pleasure or comfort but not absolutely necessary

an indulgence in something that provides pleasure, satisfaction, or ease

Devoting time to an elderly parent, tending to a wonderful husband, reading more books, painting and perhaps taking a writing course or volunteering with The Art Gallery or in a soup kitchen.

My wardrobe is small and consists of mostly neutral shades.
I think it would transfer very well into a casual lifestyle....
Lunching, volunteering, taking Mother out and fitness/Yoga classes I'd certainly have plenty of options in my closet.

OOTD

It was mid week when I snapped this shot and my outfit is very casual.

My days are very busy and active at work so I don't opt for dry clean only garments

plus anything that rides up or shows off too much flesh is not going to make the cut.

Gilmour mushroom toned tunic top

black ponte knit leggings

black boots

(very affordable and pedestrian ~ Hush Puppies)

Burberry wool scarf

Sherman pin

(Gift from MIL eons ago)

The old washer and dryer are going to be vacating any day now as the tiler will be back on the job

The new LG's will arrive after the tile has been completed.

This brooch always gets comments.

Chester likes to get in on the action!

Change is inevitable

life does not stand still.

“Stepping onto a brand-new path is difficult, but not more difficult than remaining in a situation, which is not nurturing to the whole woman.”
― Maya Angelou

My thoughts today...

embracing honest feelings and listening to my heart.

Be Well.

Hostess

XO

The Humble Bungalow celebrates a milestone...

The Hostess of the Humble Bungalow Blog is celebrating a birthday!

I really don't know where the 3 years have gone...
November 29th began an adventure.

It's been quite a journey since I ventured down this road
lots has happened and I have published a rather staggering amount of writing...
as of today 734 posts and counting...

You met "the glove"

my partner in domestic crime against grime.

We are constantly armed and engaged in a battle. 

You learned that my favourite flowers are roses

that I grow David Austin Roses in the garden

love to arrange bouquets

cooking, reading 

being a wife, friend, mother and grammy are the very core of my being and they bring me immense JOY!

I have a passion for pearls that borders on an addiction.

I've shared so much of my personal life

chattered on about everything and then nothing

some of you have been with me all the way 

and I love receiving all your emails and comments.

My OOTD for this event is something so unremarkable you'd never look twice

I'll put on a bit of bling...

did I mention how much I love and appreciate MR. HB?

He and I have been together forever

and married for 38 years

we honor each other and indulge in date nights

I may pour a glass of something fizzy

It's been a gamble...

let the chips fall where they may

I took a leap 3 years ago and had no idea that I would make such warm connections

that I would actually meet people

through blogging

it's been quite a ride

and I am so grateful that I dipped my toes into this vast pool.

Thank you for coming along on this journey with me

I've enjoyed meeting you in the comment section.

I've discovered many fabulous blogs in cyber space 

 I devote time every day to keeping up with all that is going on in your space

Blogging is great fun!

I think I've still got lots of work to do 

here in The Humble Bungalow and I hope you'll tag along.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Hostess

XO

Pillow talk ~ Hostess Tips for Stress Free Holiday Shopping

Do you remember the film Pillow Talk?
The vintage rom com starring Doris Day and Rock Hudson.

Mother and I spent many happy hours watching films with Doris Day and Rock Hudson when I lived at home.
Father wasn't a big fan of this genre, he preferred James Bond or espionage films.

Mother and I went for a drive this past weekend and did some shopping at Mattick's Farm.
Homebody has sumptuous imported linens and Danish porcelain pieces. It's my new favourite spot to shop for gifts and home decor items.

I managed to find a pillow for our new love seats.
My back aches if I do not support it with a cushion,
it's because I am short and my feet cannot touch the ground without the extra padding!

Belgian Linen 

in an off white shade

the cover is removable for laundering

Chester is giving it the sniff test.

checking the construction

I think he approves.

Over a cup of freshly brewed tea I made out my annual Christmas Do List.

Things to make and bake and take.

Scottish Shortbread

Rum Balls

Bark

List of hostess gifts and ideas...

candles

soaps

linen tea towels and napkins

jams and jellies

fancy vinegars

olive oils

teas

List of people that we buy gifts for, mostly family and friends

 ideas jotted down beside their names.

Things I need to do...

buy, write and mail the Christmas cards

order the turkey

buy the Christmas crackers

get the tree

buy a wreath for the front door

buy some poinsettias

plan the menu for Xmas dinner

Decide on the table cloth and napkins for the turkey feast.

If a new colour is in order buy the cloth and napkins ahead so there is no last minute panic shopping.

 I try to shop ahead close to home 

in smaller shops nearby 

to avoid stress of parking lots and crowded stores.

Walking to the shops is a bonus and I'll frequently indulge in a seasonal treat ~

an egg nog latte from Starbucks.

When I bake, write cards, or do the wrapping I put on my favourite Christmas CD's.

I'll light an aromatic candle and sip a cup of tea or perhaps a wee sherry.

It's so much more pleasant and helps me get into the spirit of the festive season.

I'll keep my shopping list in my purse and make notes as I shop

that way I can keep track of who I have bought for and therefore do not over buy.

I could use my IPhone too but old habits die hard!

Make and plan ahead some meals for nights when energy is waning.

Aim to get to bed earlier to avoid falling ill.

Hydrate with plenty of water

and 

breath deeply and mindfully.

Try to give yourself ample time to accomplish your tasks

rushing just makes one frantic and nerves can get frazzled so quickly.

Be kind to others and don't let the rudeness of others get you down.

Try to schedule in some pampering at the Spa 

or set some time aside 

a few hours at home for a restorative facial 

and a relaxing soak in the tub.

I savour and enjoy getting ready for the holidays

making it easy and enjoyable is how I manage to make the most of the pre-season busy~ness.

Oh!

 I almost forgot

Remember to smile!

Best wishes

Hostess

XO

Love ~ Seats...

Our tatty leather love seats were well beyond their best before date,
the leather had split and cracked and they were looking shabby ~
unfortunately not in an English country cottage way or we would have kept them.
In hindsight I think we paid way too much for them when we purchased them a dozen years or so ago
and their quality was lacking.

Happily they were snapped up by a family we know with young children,
we are overjoyed to see them go to a good home rather than the landfill.
(one thing I can't stand is waste and I try very hard to recycle)

I wanted to have some lighter slip covered pieces like Janet at The Gardener's Cottage has in her living room.
I'd love to have her decorate my room like she did for one of her friends a while back, and if she lived closer I'd invite her over for tea and ask her advice!
Go over and take a look at Janet's living room and see what I mean.

We have dark wood wainscoting and our room is teeny tiny so it's a challenge and my thoughts are to keep things simple and on a small scale.
I wanted to have something plush and comfy and something that was within our budget.
So we took a look at what IKEA had to offer and found two affordable love seats with washable covers.
They have been shipped over from the store in Richmond and have been installed...
I need to find some extra cushions and perhaps add a few choice items...

I've got a scented candle for ambience

so far...

the family room opens right off the Humble Bungalow kitchen

the wooly cushion is one I hooked when I took a course with my girlfriends

we are known in our circle as "the hookers"

(I think I'll put this one downstairs in my hobby room when I find some new ones)

The love seats are Ektorp

and the covers are in the natural linen shade.

They look a bit darker in the catalogue

We've ordered a new LG steam washer and dryer set

which will be delivered after the in floor heat and tiles have been finished. 

They are large and sturdy so the slip covers will be able to be laundered at home.

I have been paying to have our duvet and cover laundered over the years so we'll save time and money.

Which is great because the new LG set is more expensive than I thought it would be!

Our old washer and dryer are over 20 years old

and we will be giving those away as they still work.

I'm pleased with the love seats and hope to enjoy many years of comfort sitting on them.

We do not change up our furniture or appliances very often 

when we buy it's with an eye for longevity.

~ ~ ~

 Slim Paley's home in Santa Barbara showed us her home dressed up for American Thanksgiving!

It's absolutely gorgeous!

Pop around and see for yourself.

What home keeping projects are you up to?

Are you adding your personal touch for the autumnal season?

Take care and have a great weekend.

~ ~ ~

Hostess

XO

Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our neighbours to the south in the USA will be celebrating and giving thanks today.
It's a reminder for us to count our blessings.

Being thankful is something that I try to do each and every day.
Gratitude is a powerful tool...
it's especially important as it brings perspective and humility.

We have much to be thankful for and one does not need to go far to see that.

It might be the homeless person on the street whose hands are out
the young child who comes to school hungry
or the confused elderly woman in the grocery store who is having trouble figuring out what to put back as she does not have enough money to pay for all the groceries.

Take a moment 

and pause...

I'm remembering my father today

as families gather to share a meal

there are many loved ones who will be missed...

reflect and give thanks

not just today

but everyday

for the rest of your life 

for as long as you live

it's very humbling

 (I'll get down from my soap box now and stop pontificating!)

Happy Thanksgiving.

Hostess

XO