Showing posts with label accessories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label accessories. Show all posts

Saturday, September 30, 2023

Trip to the Mall...an unexpected find

 


The casual outfit I wore to "quickly" run an errand at the mall
would possibly have shocked the Fashion Police!

I went to buy some Nespresso coffee pods.
No, I didn't see George Clooney, (darn) but his picture was hanging in the store.

OOTD
I was wearing:
Eddie Bauer leggings
Lord and Taylor white tunic top 
my thrifted Banana Republic Trench Coat.
(no pearls)

As I was leaving
I passed by the Reitmans store and out of the corner of my eye I spied 
SALE 40% OFF


The store was BUSY!
Obviously others were lured in by that SALE sign.

Took a quick look around and saw this black tweed dress.

I grabbed two sizes and headed to the change room
Tried them on...
I like to try things on to see how they fit, especially "knit" fabric garments.
(probably why I am not a regular online shopper.)

I didn't even take off the leggings!

I wasn't even looking for a new dress but that 40% off persuaded me.

It will be cozy for fall and winter and go with my black tights and Chelsea Boots.


I could belt this dress for a bit more waist definition.
I also have an Eileen Fisher black vest which could work with it too.


I looked at the "rear" view mirror to see how it fit on the derriere.
The larger size was better as it skimmed the curves.


The artisan necklace works well paired with this dress.
This might just be my favourite dress for Fall.


Funny how the unexpected can pop up on my radar...

Suppose the message here is
Always keep your eyes open for opportunities.
You never know unless you try.

I've been to 3 aqua fit classes this week.
My suit has been washed and dried overnight in time for the next class.

As I was leaving the pool this week I saw two adorable teenage girls...
They were dressed in a style that I would call Goth.
Black mesh stockings (ripped) black short skirts, short tops layered over tank tops.
Pink streaks in their dark dyed black hair.
Funky jewelry, big earrings, pendants, bangles.

They were laughing as they ran down the stairs...
such vibrant style and oodles of energy.
(Oh to be Young again!)
I thought to myself that they were having fun with fashion.
They were dressed very similarly so I assumed they might be best friends.
Not exactly fashion twins but they shared the same clothing vibe.

Having fun with fashion is why we take the time to choose clothes that we love.
Wearing items that make us feel good as well as dressing for the season.

We need clothes, so why not wear what makes us feel good?

My blue Tencel tunic top is looking rather sad, 
our cat Chester has pulled quite a few threads in the fabric...
I look at these imperfections and I cringe.
So I am going to drop it in the donation bin.
It doesn't make me feel good.
So why wear it?

Have you visited the shops to see what is on offer?
Are you a minimalist or do you have a closet that doubles as a dressing room?

Have you gone to the thrift shops or the local consignment stores?
So many clothes are available and you can feel good about buying them 
"saving the planet" by buying used pre-worn garments.

There are real bargains to be had in the consignment shops.
We have quite a few great ones here in Victoria and there are fabulous finds just waiting...
Designer garments are often hidden between the many pieces of pedestrian wear.

I look in the mens wear section too...
for crisp striped shirts and cashmere V neck sweaters.

In our local Value Village there are loads and loads of handbags...
many are worn out "pleather" bags but there are real leather gems too.

I've seen stylish shoes too...

A friend found a strand of real cultured pearls for $3.99
I don't know how they passed by the staff pricing the stock
but one never knows what treasures await...

Have you had fun finding any treasures in the thrift shops?
What is your best bargain?
I'd love to hear from you.


The bounty of our tomato harvest continues...
Tomatoes are still being roasted to add to soups and pasta sauces.
(recipe is on the previous post)

Hope that you are enjoying your weekend.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Sunday, April 2, 2023

Snowdrops and a Vintage Bag...

 


The Humble Bungalow Garden is coming alive 
bursting forth with beautiful blooms for Spring!

This Hellebore was purchased from Van Dusen Gardens in Vancouver.
At the time it was quite a rare plant...now Hellebores are available in many varieties.


I am absolutely smitten with Snowdrops...
it's becoming a wee bit of an addiction.


Gardeners can be fickle when it comes to plants.
We love so many things in our gardens...

Roses, Hostas, Daffodils, Tulips, Hellebores, Lady's Mantle and Black Mondo Grass.


We grow a wide range of plants...
our garden is so full it's really bursting at the edges.
However that doesn't seem to persuade me to stop acquiring more plants!

These new snowdrops are very pretty in their form, we bought several new varieties.
In The UK, where many of these snowdrops originate 
there are gardeners who are busy hybridizing unique new species of these plants.

I see many exciting snowdrops in the UK publications 
but unfortunately they are not yet available here.


The comments are working!

Thank you for testing them out...I am keen to welcome more dialogue from you.
Please know that I am unable to respond to each "individual" comment 
which would normally generate an alert 
so now will respond when I am able.
You'll have to check back.

I apologize for these glitches...
will continue to investigate.

Now that I have shared the "Blogger housekeeping issues"
let's move on to something more interesting shall we?


That BAG could be me :-))


Vintage Ann Taylor wicker bag with red leather details.


Vintage Coach Court Bag


Paired with my Josef Seibel ballet flats...
I want to buy another pair of flats.
Perhaps in that classic Chanel two tone style!


Vintage Coach Regina bag


Quilted leather vintage Canadian Due Fratelli bag.
(BTW~ The Mick Herron series of spy novels are fabulous!)

Do you ever get a "Bee In Your Bonnet?"
a shopping Bee?
An idea...
It hums along in the back of your mind percolating 
until it urges you to seriously look for that particular item.
So powerful that you start searching online and at thrift shops.

That urge to buy that imagined something that you cannot resist.

It happens to me quite a lot and I don't always act on the idea.

BUT
I have been quietly on the lookout for another vintage bag.

~ Not a NEED but a WANT ~

I see gorgeous iconic bags online...
most are designer bags with big ticket price tags
Chanel and Hermes.

Not exactly in sync with my budget or my lifestyle.

My handbag collection is rather small by comparison to some.
I love vintage leather bags...

2 Coach bags ~ Black Regina mini, Brown Court bag.
A wicker bag with red leather trim ~ Ann Taylor
Black leather Croc embossed "doctor" style ~ Banana Republic 
Wine quilted leather bag ~ Due Fratelli 


I saw this listing on Ebay.
Vintage Brown Croc bag by Canadian maker Due Fratelli
The price was higher than I really wanted to pay so I made an offer
which to my surprise, was accepted...
it arrived quickly but it smelled of smoke.
So disappointing...

I considered sending it back, even contacted the seller.
I really like the bag so instead did some research, 
for the past two weeks have been airing it out 
with a bag of baking soda in an open "Zip Loc" bag inside the bag.

The smell is definitely gone...
I will use a leather cleaner on the exterior this weekend.

Have you ever bought or inherited a vintage bag that has had a musty or smokey smell?
What did you do to "fix" it?

Many of the designer bag makers offer a service to restore their classic iconic bags.
No idea on the cost but thats peace of mind if you inherit a Chanel or Hermes bag.

Let's enjoy some more blooms shall we?


The Star Magnolia is in bloom out front in The Humble Bungalow Garden.
We have three magnolia trees all different varieties
they all bloom at different times of the year.

How is the weather where you live?

Our weather is slowly warming up 
I am keen to swap out my heavy coats for lighter jackets.
I will wash and store them away for next season.

Let's get serious bring on the warmth.
I would LOVE to start wearing my summer linen skirt and dresses!

Will have to pop into the shops, maybe this week, take a peek
see what they are showing for Spring and Summer.
Not that I will buy anything new but it is fun to browse...
besides it gives me ideas of what to do with my basic minimalist wardrobe.
Mix up the possibilities...add a scarf.

Well that's about all the news I have to share right now...
stay tuned for more blog posts.
I usually post on Sundays and often mention my blog posts on Instagram.

Thank you for stopping by...
I appreciate you taking the time to join me.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Saturday, December 17, 2022

Hostess Gift ~ It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in The Humble Bungalow

 


Festive Season is upon us and I am keeping things very simple.
Am wearing some sparkly vintage pins.


(Sherman pin ~ close up)


 Sherman brooches are a favourite of mine.
The newest one seen here is from our darling daughter. 
I popped it on a black boiled wool Eileen Fisher tunic sweater.

Some women avoid black but I gravitate to it for several reasons...
it is easy to wear,
it can be casual, or dressy.
It transitions well to evening...

My basic minimalist wardrobe relies heavily on black basics.
Accessories are the stars in a basic black ensemble.
I prefer pieces with a history...
Vintage jewellery is found in thrift shops, antique malls and online.
The thrill of the hunt excites me.


I found a new Finnish modernist votive holder at the thrift shop...
now I have a pair!
The silver baubles are from my childhood home.
Mom used to put them in a tall vase, I popped them in this silver trophy.

We don't have a lot of decorations...
a simple tree with white fairy lights


I found a pair of Josef Seibel boots 
to replace my tired "almost 8 year old" Chelsea Boots.
I will wear these with tights and skirts as well as my jeans.


A classic vintage handmade wreath made by a friend of my MIL.
Made with baubles, pine cones, rhinestone brooches.
I consider us custodians of this wreath...
it is a family "heirloom!"


Mixed Nuts are one of my go to Hostess Gifts.

Here's the recipe...

Mixed Nuts 

2 egg whites (at room temperature)
4 cups mixed unsalted nuts:
cashews, almonds, pecans, hazelnuts
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cayenne pepper or hot paprika
1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 325 degrees
Place egg whites in a large bowl and whisk until frothy.
Stir in nuts ~ mix to coat.

Combine in a small bowl: sugar, and spices
Pour over nut mixture.
Mix well.

Place on a parchment lined sheet pan spread out so they are in a single layer.
Bake 20-25 minutes 
stir halfway during the cooking time.
Cool then store in sealed jars.
Wrap in tissue paper add ribbon and a tag.
Ready for gift giving

BTW
They are delicious!!


Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

It's a busy time of year, so remember to take some time to stop and breathe, 
sip a cuppa and rest.

Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas.


~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

Shiny Things....OOTD

 


Today I am wearing an all black OOTD.

Eileen Fisher Boiled Wool Tunic Sweater
(an investment piece that I wear a lot)
Black leggings 
Black leather Clark Chelsea Boots

I added a Canadian vintage Sherman sparkly rhinestone brooch.
(Outfits that are plain look so much more interesting with  accessories.)

I digress...
Mom had several parure Sherman sets which were gifts from my father.
He bought them from Birks a Canadian shop that rivalled Tiffany's.
My sister has a beautiful Aurora Borealis set of Mom's.
 She wears the long drop earrings and wide cuff bracelet on special occasions...
I don't need a special occasion to wear a sparkly brooch.

I worked at Birks one Christmas and had so much fun selling jewelry!
The store offered free wrapping and I loved adding bows and tags 
making the gifts look special.

That year I gave Mom a Sherman red bracelet and earring set.
(I got a store discount)
Our darling daughter has the set.


Continuing on with the black theme I photoshopped this image of Poppies.
The details look like they really "pop."


Vintage silver champagne buckets are used in the kitchen as utensil holders.
We don't use the buckets for bubbly as we haven't had a fancy party for ages.

Silver requires polishing and not everyone likes the upkeep...
in fact you can find silver in thrift shops for next to nothing prices.
I have quite a few silver trays, silver tea service, and other silverware
in The Humble Bungalow.

Several trays, candlesticks and dishes were wedding gifts.
Silver was a classic wedding gift when we were married in 1974.


Close up on the vintage silver trophy...
local North Saanich Garden Club 
Flower and Garden Show
aggregate trophy
awarded to 
A.J.Nunn in 1929

(I found this trophy in a local consignment shop.)
I am definitely drawn to silver and shiny sparkly things!

Do you like to wear shiny or sparkly jewelry?
Do you collect silverware?

It's a sunny day here and the birds are singing.

Looking forward to a quiet afternoon...
I plan to brew a pot of loose tea this afternoon and read my book.
Perhaps knit a few rows on the vest I currently have on the needles
before 
I prepare our dinner.

I honestly love quiet afternoons
they feel like a gift!
I try to get all my chores and laundry done early in the morning.
Since retiring, the luxury of time and slowing down is priceless.

Take care and thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

OOTD ~ SNOW DAY and Baby it's cold outside!


~ Snow Day Selfie ~

I am getting ready to head out in the snow...
Snow does not usually make an appearance until after Christmas
so I was caught scrambling for my woolen accessories.
I popped on my boiled wool Eileen Fisher sweater overtop of a black camisole.
Layering is the warmest way to dress in this chilly weather.


~ OOTD ~
The cashmere Burberry scarf is ages old...maybe 10 years or more.
My hat is one I wore in Paris in 2015...Andre Diffusion with a feather pin.
The bag is vintage Due Fratelli.
My down Puffer coat is by Columbia and has a thermal foil-like lining in the body.
Super warm but bulky!
My dear departed Mom used to say...
"Darling Why don't you just wrap yourself in a Down Duvet?"

(I wear them simply because they are warm.)


Early morning routines...
candles, coffee, and my book.

I enjoyed this book...
set in Ontario Canada, in an Italian community.
I read Anne Giardini's The Sad Truth About Happiness and enjoyed it.
 When I spied this novel at the bookstore on Pender Island I grabbed it.


Chester and Pepper are snuggling...
a rare sight!
Perhaps it is the cold weather that encouraged them to sleep side by side?


Staying indoors has inspired me to bake.
I found this recipe online.

Cream Cheese Pound Cake
a heavy cake but oh so delicious!
Blackberries and whipped cream elevated it to a divine dessert.


You can see that the snow is melting on the porch.
The sun is warming us up...


I added a vintage Sherman Pin.
The rhinestones sparkle brightly set on a black background.
I love adding Vintage accessories...
they are unique, 
often found at thrift shops and can add a personal touch.

Do you wear Vintage pieces?
I'd love to know more about your vintage pieces.

I must close for now as I am heading out to the knitting group
we meet in a friends home, knit, chat and sip tea.
It's a fabulous way to be social and share our projects.
CHEERIO

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~
 

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

OOTD ~ It is possible to "Dress Up" Yoga Pants

 


~ OOTD ~
I am wearing Yoga pants today...
they are comfy and they stretch when I move.

~ Jobs Today ~

Grocery Shopping
Laundry
Tidying up The Humble Bungalow 
Hair Appointment
Cleaning Out cupboards

The day ahead also has a few opportunities to put myself "out there"...

I don't want to look uber casual yet I don't feel like changing my clothes to go out.


Popped on my big pearl necklace
will add my black leather loafers...
put on bright red lippy.


Grab my Black Coach Bag and head out to the shops.

Do you wear Yoga pants?
Are you opposed to wearing them in fear of being cited by the Fashion Police?

How do you style them so they look a wee bit more polished?


Claire Austin pure white blooms
a stunning David Austin Rose.

Love the purity of white...

fluffy towels
pearls
white tops
flowers
dishes
enamelware
seaglass
bunnies
cats
stationary
linens
pottery


What are you up to this week?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thursday, July 14, 2022

Colour Me Happy!


Bright Colours that POP make me feel HAPPY.

When I go for walks I seek out colourful things along my route.
It surprises me when on a rainy grey day that I can still find something bright to 
capture in a photo. 
I might have to look a wee bit harder but I definitely find something.


I love to accessorize with a pop of colour.
This wine coloured vintage leather bag adds just the right amount of OOMPH
to the simple neutral outfit here.

Black pants ~ Eileen Fisher
White top ~ Eileen Fisher
Khaki Jacket ~ Eileen Fisher


Look at how beautiful these tomatoes look resting on a bed of basil leaves!
I added some sea salt and ground pepper with a light drizzle of olive oil.

~ FRESH ~ 
Summertime salads are a healthy addition to our meals.

I love to add other ingredients to our daily salads.

diced red onions
avocado wedges
black olives
radishes
garbanzo beans
sprouted pea shoots
fresh shelled English Peas
beets
cucumber slices
capers
blanched green beans

There are SO many options when making a salad.

I regularly have on hand a homemade vinaigrette in a Bonne Maman Jam Jar.

Easy Peasy Vinaigrette

6 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp vinegar
2-3  Tbsp runny honey
salt and pepper (to taste)


Bold yellow Italian Linen Dress
this loose fitting dress is perfect for the heat and sun of SUMMER.

Add sandals or flip flops and a straw hat and sunglasses...
and a
French Market basket. 

I absolutely LOVE linen!
There is a great shop here in the Cook Street Village called Mercedes Lane Too...
I have purchased several tops and dresses from them 
 they are easy to wear and cool in the heat.
I wash them in lavender scented linen soap on the gentle cycle and hang them to dry.

In case you missed my post on the Doocot Sweater I knit I am sharing the photos.
I chose a bright Chartreuse Green Yarn
Rowan's Brooklyn Tweed


The sweater sits slightly above the natural waistline.

It took me 3 years to knit this sweater!
For some weird reason I didn't work on it in the first 2 years of Covid 
 really it should have been a delightful diversion but I couldn't seem to concentrate!

Now I am contemplating knitting the Miriam Sweater 
(on Ravelry)
I think it will be a fun project.
 Knitting in the cooler weather this Fall and Winter will be relaxing.

I am thinking of a charcoal or dove grey yarn.
I originally thought of black yarn but an experienced knitter friend said that black yarn is quite hard to see.

Must get myself off to the Beehive and see what they have in stock.
I need to buy needles too...
There are so many needles in my stash but none are the right size.


The Brooklyn Tweed yarn is lovely to work with, it is super soft.


Knitting and Tea go so well together!


We are kept very busy here in The Humble Bungalow Garden.
The roses are riddled with black spot this year which means that most days we are picking off the spotted leaves...
then we must keep up with the regular deadheading.

The rewards from all our efforts are numerous lovely bouquets 
for the house and to take to homes of friends.

Well I think it is time to close this post and head outside.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.
Hope that you are enjoying the gifts of the season.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~