Showing posts with label black and white. Show all posts
Showing posts with label black and white. Show all posts

Sunday, March 17, 2024

Wardrobe Basics ~ A symphony in Black and White, a recipe and our Star Magnolia

 


Our Star Magnolia
is
blooming out front of The Humble Bungalow.

I love the elegant waxy white flowers.
They emerge from fuzzy cocoons...
if you look closely you can see one as it is about to pop.


The tree was planted many years ago and has grown quite slowly.
It is in the middle of a bed and makes a bold statement.


My linen skirt has an asymmetrical detail that makes it more interesting...
I like a flounce and it sways as I walk.

I can dress it up or wear it simply 
with a casual white top and my distressed denim jacket.
I actually wear it with my white "trainers" or tennis shoes and lacy white socks.

The length is longer on me so I don't feel I NEED to wear capri tights.
My legs are not at their best...they have scars and marks which I try to hide.
One cannot live to 69 and still have pristine unblemished skin.


This white blouse is a favourite of mine.
I love the texture and the fabric is pure white.
The shape is forgiving especially for my mid section 
which is where I now carry most of my weight.


Nice detail on the cuffs.


I wear this with black Eileen Fisher pants, and often with casual denim jeans.



The Big Baroque Pearls add an interesting touch.
I feel so much more "dressed up" with pearls.

Black and white wardrobe basics are so easy...
I can get dressed for almost any occasion and have a lot of mix and match options.

Recently I found a lovely Saint James black sweater which has a good structure.
I purchased it second hand for a fraction of the original price.
It is almost like a sweater jacket...
Saint James make lovely clothing...I visited one of their stores in Aix en Provence.


I have my sourdough boule baking in the oven as I write this blogpost.
The kitchen smells wonderful...

I just finished making Hamburger Soup.
It is a recipe that I have been making for many decades...
I used to make a big batch and freeze it in containers for my lunches when I worked in the schools.


We had a bowl for our lunch today with a couple of small pieces of sourdough toast.

I try to make soups once a week...
the soups is quick to heat up and works well on my aqua fit days.
I arrive home hungry and my husband has soup and toast ready when I get home.

Do you like to make soup?

Have you tried making sourdough bread?
I got my starter from a good friend and I have given batches of it to many people...
she has shared hers with many others as well!

We both use the recipes on Alexandra Bakes.

I have recently discovered Farmhouse on Boone and am enjoying Lisa Bass's site.
She lives on a large farm and has 8 children!


I wear a vintage rhinestone brooch on my wool beret and other hats.

Wearing vintage pins are a bit of a habit of mine. 
I don't seem to find many but I always look!!

Do you enjoy thrifting?

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.
I appreciate your comments and invite you to share your thoughts.

Take care and until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Sunday, October 29, 2023

A quick post ~ Sunday

 

~ Shopping ~

My Play day involved a purchase...


Marshall's dressing rooms are quite small...
there are many of them so one never really needs to wait to get inside.

I had a good look around the store and found 
only 2 items that I was interested enough to try on.


~ Casual OOTD ~

I am wearing my Lands End denim shirt and some black Yoga pants.
The barn coat is Ralph Lauren and was recently found here at Marshall's.


Warm Hoodie to wear to and from my aqua fit classes at the pool.
I feel cold after I have been exercising for the hour in the water.
I have a shower and slather on body lotion then get dressed.


It is a herringbone pattern in my favourite color combo!
So soft, very cozy feels so warm.


Rachel Zoe


Pocket detail


Nice hood and there are snap details on the cuffs as well.

I've got the family coming for dinner tonight so I am going to be busy in the kitchen getting ready...hence the short post.

On the menu...

"Stringy Beef" Roast
Scalloped potatoes
Carrots
Broccoli Wild Rice Casserole
Peas

Blueberry Pie and ice cream for dessert


Must get cooking!
Bye for now...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Saturday, September 23, 2023

OOTD + Fall Harvest from The Humble Bungalow Garden

 

It's the first day of Fall Today 
So I am getting ready for cooler weather...

Ready to
Welcome Back
My
Black and White Fall and Winter Basics


I have tried wearing bold bright colours in the cooler months
 but I keep going back to black.


Here I am dressed in a super casual OOTD for lunch with my sister and cousins.

I wore things that I have had in my closet for years
Black Yoga pants
Old Navy White Shirt
Eileen Fisher black quilted vest
with
(new this summer)
Tommy Hilfiger Shoes

Black and white is so easy to accessorize...
jewelry, colourful scarves, sweaters.

Think the accessories give this casual OOTD a bit of a lift. 

BIG pearls from Hong Kong and Bold Red Miss Pupa Lipgloss #305

I added my Black Eileen Fisher vest as we were sitting outdoors for our lunch.

We had a yummy lunch at pure Vanilla in Oak Bay.
Food choices are always fresh and there are many healthy options.

There was SO MUCH catching up and chattering 
that it was really HARD to get a word in edgewise!
I hate talking over people so I was rather quiet
I prefer to listen anyways...

My simple style is not fancy, it could not be easier or more basic.
It is honest and works for me.

I own and am attracted to blue denim, chambray and Tencel shirts, dresses and jeans.
Denim played a major role in my teenage wardrobe.
Did it factor into your younger wardrobe too?

If you had told me at 13 that I would still be wearing jeans at 68 
I probably would have laughed, but it is true.
Do you still wear jeans and denim?

I have 3 pairs of jeans, a denim jumper, shirts, a top and a distressed denim jacket.

Keeping a small and simple basic wardrobe makes getting dressed easy.
Too many choices make me dizzy and indecisive.

There are also several LBD's in my closet...
a black and grey tweed skirt 
some black and white tops
sweaters
black dress pants.

Retirement dressing is very casual...
I wear things for comfort and those that are purpose driven.

When I go to the pool for aquafit classes I wear these same Yoga pants.
A cozy warm top and a jacket or sweater depending on the weather.


Marshalls change room!
I seem to gravitate to this store...
SO MANY CHOICES.
Such good value, I like that, as I am on a pension.

I keep track of ALL my wardrobe purchases...new and thrifted.

This quilted barn coat is something that I have wanted for several years.
When I spied it hanging on the rack I grabbed it!
Ralph Lauren is known for their detail on their garments.


I like the snaps and the ability to open the hem.
Might come in handy if I plan to leap any tall buildings :-))


The collar is done in a classic corduroy...
the coat is roomy which I wanted especially for layering in the cold weather.

In case you are wondering...
underneath the coat I am wearing a soft faded light blue Tencel dress and capri tights.

I have just swapped out my summer clothes and put them in the guest room closet.
It is raining here today and boy do we ever need the rain!
This past summer has been riddled with drought conditions and forest fires.

Welcome Fall Weather!


Humble Bungalow Front Porch Fall Decor
dried hydrangeas and mini pumpkins.


The swimsuit that I wear to aqua fit class is starting to stretch out and the seams are looking dodgy.
I have ordered this one from Lands" End and hope that it will fit.

The newer one by Alfred Sung that I purchased early in the season 
is a wrap style with a lower neckline 
so not really suitable for the "bouncing" cardio portion of the class!

It is harvest time here...


Liberty Apples 
first harvest shared with the grandchildren.
Sweet, tasty and small enough for school lunches.


Chehalis green apples
I prefer to cook with these.
(I have an apple pie baking in the oven right now!)


I roasted some of these heirloom Italian Mikado tomatoes for sauces in the Winter.

Roasted Tomatoes

Line a baking tray with parchment paper
Cut Tomatoes into smaller chunks
add pepper and garlic
drizzle with olive oil
bake at 375 for about 40 minutes
Cool

Spoon into Ziploc bags or plastic containers for the freezer.


Hermes scarf and Saint James striped top
worn here under a casual zip jacket.

What clothes are on your radar for Fall? 
(Or Spring depending where you live)

Do you plan to purchase anything new?


I am in the process of cutting and drying some of the hydrangea blooms.
I've been soaking the flower heads in a bucket of cold water for several hours before tying them into bunches for drying.

I hope this works as I tried a bunch without the soaking 
and they shrivelled right up
(see the porch picture)
far too crispy.

Hope you are keeping well and staying safe.
Covid is making a comeback here.

Think I will start wearing my mask again when I go to the grocery store.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.
Until next time...

~ 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 ~

Sunday, May 8, 2022

Continuing with more Vintage vibes...


Did you have a wall phone when you were growing up?
We had a very heavy bakelite phone that actually gave the arm muscles a workout 
if we chatted for too long.

My father was quite strict about the telephone
 we had an egg timer with sand in it to let us know when our chat time was up.
I used to flip the timer over before all the sand ran out to extend my calls...
the main reason for limiting conversations were because we had a "party line."
A party line was a shared connection with someone else in our neighbourhood...
if they picked up their phone they could listen into our conversation and visa versa! 

Can you imagine?
There were no secrets unless we spoke in code!


~ Recently sourced ~

Vintage black patent leather Pourchet Paris handbag.
Quality leather and classic details.


Cross body bag


The company Maison Pourchet, has been in business in Paris since the early 1900's.
It is still in business today and you can find many of their classic vintage bags online.


Black and white skirt picked up at the thrift shop.

I have a small basic wardrobe that has a lot of black and white pieces 
so this will be a very versatile skirt.

White or black tops
casual or dressy.

Paired it with my distressed denim jacket 
or 
black vintage Susan Bristol dressy knit sweater...
I have numerous options.


Sparkly Vintage Canadian designed Sherman rhinestone brooch.

I have several of these brooches and add them when I feel I need a dash of bling.
Mom received several Sherman sets for Christmas from Dad.
They would usually be earrings, a bracelet and necklace...
set in a velvet box from Birks.

The sparkle was perfect with her bright and festive velvet dresses.

Vintage pieces add an extra zing to my classic neutral wardrobe.

When I am in a thrift shop I gravitate to the vintage section...
I keep an open mind
you never know what you'll find!

Good Luck and Happy Shopping.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~ 

Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Shopping and a surprise!

 


Lilies are blooming in the parks.

Like many women I've been wearing black Yoga pants for most of the past year.
They work well for cleaning house and my daily walks...

They are not as dressy as I would like for running errands or patio dining.
So, I went shopping at Tulipe Noire, a small boutique on Oak Bay Avenue.


Canadian made Lisette capris


After buying the capris I decided shoes would be a good idea.
(Aren't they always a good idea?)

I popped up to Walk in Comfort where I always can find a great pair of shoes.
Black leather loafers made in Spain by Bueno...
 Oh so comfy!

Imagine my surprise yesterday 
when a parcel arrived in the post!

The brown envelope was from a wonderful woman who lives in Vancouver 
She sends me gifts from time to time...

cute polka dot sox
sunflower seeds 
(in memory of my mother)
tea
earrings

Inside the package was a sumptuous silk scarf
by Ralph Lauren!!!

This scarf goes perfectly with my new capris
and
most of my core wardrobe which is black.

I use scarves as my go to accessory.


Thank you Rosemarie!
You are such a kind and thoughtful woman.


Lunaria 
also known as "money plant"
blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Our garden is bursting forth with flowers.
May is such a lovely month in our garden...
bright pops of colour in the perennial borders.

Hope that you are staying well and enjoying the first days of May.

We are feeling so encouraged since getting our first vaccinations.
The Covid cases here on Vancouver Island are slowly moving down.
Many people are in hospital with many in ICU.

We hope that all who want the vaccination will be able to get it.
Community Immunity is imperative for our future safety.

Good Luck.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Archival images...a study in black and white


Snowman from the Archives


Snow Shell


Pussy Willows



A gift of Jo Malone
(rose diffuser)
years ago...


lovely scent!


"Wanna Be" 
Chanel-esque jacket that I no longer own...


loved the details



Hang in there Flopsy!


Magnolia bloom in The Humble Bungalow Garden


Hydrangeas 


Vintage brooch


Eiffel Tower
Paris inspiration...


Waves in The Salish Sea


Emma Bridgewater
Black Toast


LBD ~ Elie Tahari
Silk scarf ~ Hermes



Shoes!


I always Re-Use the Dyptique candle holders.


On the look out...


Vintage Collectibles


Seen on one of my walks ages ago!!


Legislative Buildings


Downstairs bathroom storage shelf


Climbing Royal Sunset Roas in the snow.



Tire swing in the common on our block.


Snowy day!


Sweet Peas


Sun breaking through the clouds


Pattern mixing...


Gingham and dots...


Pearls and Dior


Paris 2015
Musee D'Orsay
Jamie Cat Callan Tour


Butchart Gardens Festive Lights



Vintage Ironstone Jug


Storage Tins


Vintage Sherman Pin


Ooh La La 
Chanel


Yes I do coil the boat ropes at the dock!


My 
Rose-y
Loose-y Goose-y 
Painting


An early OOTD on the blog!



Scarf tying tutorial...





I am now on the lookout for a crisp white shirt...
this one is no longer in my wardrobe.



(Quote from the Chanel Book)


Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.
 The archival images are a trip down memory lane...

In order to leave a comment 
you need to use a Google search engine like Chrome 
as Safari is not longer working.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~