Showing posts with label clothing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label clothing. 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 ~

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

The Year of the Rabbit...and other Stuff

 


Last week I took flowers to a board member who had undergone surgery.
I usually opt for white and green bouquets but it was a rather dreary grey day
so
I chose a colourful assortment of blooms.

My favourite florist was not answering their phone so I ventured out and found a lovely assortment at a local grocery store.
After assessing their stock I grabbed a few bunches and found a clear glass vase
then had the clerk put together this pretty arrangement.

I drove out to my friends home and planned to drop the flowers on her doorstep but she greeted me and invited me inside for a visit.

I didn't stay long...
just long enough to hear about the procedure and how she was doing.
She looked remarkably well and was in very good spirits.
Not at all what I was expecting considering the nature of her situation.

The next morning I was busy packing up for the cottage week.


The forecast was for colder than usual temperatures 
so I packed sweaters, wooly socks, hats, scarf and my down puffer coat.

The weather was windy and then a storm rolled in...
bringing down trees on the power lines 
resulting in a power outage that lasted about 20 hours!

It was VERY cold...
we kept the small gas fireplace going but the minus temperatures were powerful.


Once the power was restored we fortified ourselves with hot soup and went out for a brisk walk on the beach.


There was quite a lot of seaglass to be found...
one piece of aqua glass was too big to fit in the vintage sealer jar 
so I plan to bring it home and see if the new empty jar has a bigger mouth on it.


Our current jar is almost full!

We've been reading our books of course!
 Back to the Cazalet Chronicles for me after a year hiatus.
Confusion is book 3 in the 5 book series.
It is a charming account of family life in England that spans the wars...
I enjoy the "voice" that the author, Elizabeth Jane Howard, uses to narrate the story.
The books have been reprinted due to popular demand...
Many people LOVE this series...you might enjoy it too.


Went to the community centre here for a Yoga class which was fun.
Am doing online Yoga to augment my practice when I am not at the studio.

It is with a modicum of optimism that I mention 
my "aches and pains" are easing 
somewhat 
since I returned to the practice...
my goal is to be more flexible and move with ease.


Have you taken on any new hobbies or made changes this month?
January can be a great time to embrace some new habits
it feels like a month that invites fresh eyes to analyse the routines.

Waking up and seeing the possibilities feels quite empowering.
A fresh new awareness...

February awaits...
what changes will it bring?


Chinese New Year 

~ The Year of the Rabbit ~

The rabbit has a quiet personality that hides their confidence and strength
they may often be seen as soft and weak.

In fact, they steadily move towards their goals 
despite the negativity that they receive from others.

With good reasoning skills and attention to detail they make great scholars.
They enjoy being social and often turn to escapism...
Plain routines are not to their liking
despite being conservative and careful they need and crave surprise
to spice up their life!


Happy New Year

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~


Sunday, October 16, 2022

Smokin' Sunday ~ I bagged a couple of bargains....

 


I planned to go for a long scenic walk on the waterfront...
but when I walked out the front door I was overcome with the smoke.

Forest fires are burning in the province and in Washington State south of Victoria.
I decided to go to the local Value Village store instead of my outdoor walk.

I perused the aisles for treasure...
many others were looking too!

I focused on housewares, clothing, boots and bags.

There were some used rain boots but seriously overpriced :-((
Some so worn out they were laughable...

I think I need to buy some decent new ones.
My last pair of rain boots lasted at least 10 years 
so even if I spend $100+
with any luck
the Cost Per Wearing will be amortized over many years.

I didn't spy any vintage pieces in the houseware section, it was pretty picked over.

I found a "funky denim" printed shirt which I just pulled out of the washer.


The tag inside says Reba Denim ??
I am going to wear it for my home keeping chore days
with my pearls!


The hydrangeas have been hanging to dry and are now ready for display.


I've been looking for a backpack for my walks.
Marshalls had several lovely Italian leather backpacks for $275 and $350 
but I didn't want to spend quite that much.

~ $11.49 ~
Leather backpack style purse.
Broken inside zipper, ripped leather toggle and lining, scuffed exterior.



~ DIY ~
Repairs are completed



I'm all set for hands free walking 

Not bad for the price...
the leather is very soft and the size is perfect for my needs.
(room for my wallet, extra glasses, IPhone, kleenex and stuff)


Am making progress on the Vest project...
After a busy day of laundry, baking bread and standing in line to cast my ballot for the local municipal election I popped the kettle on for a cuppa and knit for a bit.

Love the Rowan Felted Tweed Yarn 
part merino and part alpaca...
made in Italy.


Pope John Paul II
fragrant 
and
blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

What's new with you?
Have you scored any bargains?

Please share your thoughts in the comments
I do appreciate them and it opens up dialogue which enriches our experiences.


~ 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 ~ 

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

OOTD ~ vintage classics


~ OOTD ~

Burberry quilted jacket
Dex lace top
Eileen Fisher rayon pants
Ferragamo flats


Vintage eel skin bag
a mix of textures...
shiny, quilted, lacy, smooth
neutral shades


I shopped my closet...
for a celebratory birthday dinner out with our daughter and her husband.

I haven't forgotten "how" to dress up 
I am just "out of the habit!"

Gosh it felt wonderful going out for a delicious meal prepared by someone else 
and 
I didn't have to do the washing up!


Our garden is looking quite lovely.
Flowers are blooming, the grass is green and the roses are in bud.

There is so much to be grateful for in my daily round...

Chester our cat had surgery last week to remove a stone from his bladder.
He was very wobbly the first day and has continued to improve.
His appetite has come back and he has already gained weight.

I had been so very stressed with his failing health and am so relieved that we finally got a diagnosis and that surgery would fix the problem.

His early renal failure is going to be monitored closely,
we will continue to feed him the special food.
Hopefully he will be with us for a few more years.

He's such an affectionate little guy and has a very "big" personality.

In other news, 
I had my third IPL treatment for rosacea,
 my skin is looking much better.
The treatments are not too painful but they are expensive.

I purchased a skin repair cream by Skin Medica.
It is a rich thick cream that I apply before bedtime.
It soaks in and I have noticed my skin is much softer and hydrated.


Herbs are planted in pots by the basement door for easy picking.

I ordered a new Pasta cookbook and plan to try some new recipes.
My husband loves pasta and I make it once a week.

The book is an older publication, I found it at Thrift Books.

Healthy Pasta: The Sexy, Skinny, and Smart Way To Eat Your Favourite Food
It is written by Joseph Bastianich and Tanya Bastianich Manuali

Going to try a bunch of new recipes when it arrives.

How are things going with you?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Monday, February 28, 2022

Monday musings...


Last week we were at the cottage on Pender.
We enjoyed a sunny weekend then early in the week we awoke to ice and snow.


The snow didn't stick around very long and had melted by midday.
The chilly weather with the wind chill factor was too cold for us to walk.
(it registered as minus 15)

We made it home after a 4 hour wait at the ferry terminal.
The ferry broke down and was out of service!

The ferry was replaced with a smaller one that was also slower...
only 20 cars were able to board the 11:50 sailing...
fortunately we were one of those cars!


OOTD
Watching the kids swimming lessons at the Recreation Centre.

Pearls
Denim shirt
black pants
Chelsea Boots

I recently purchased a soft Tencel blue denim dress.
V Neck with button details down the front
short flirty capped sleeves
an asymmetrical scooped hem, 
shorter in front and longer in the back.

Will plan to wear it with some capri length tights and my pearls.


Made an easy and delicious French Onion Soup for lunch.

FRENCH ONION SOUP

Slice 4 large onions thinly.
Melt 3 tbsp. butter in a Dutch oven add onions
cook and stir for about 30 minutes until soft.
Add 8 cups of beef broth, boil, then simmer on low for 40 minutes.

Place 1/2 inch slices of French bread
topped with grated white cheese (I used white cheddar and parmesan reggiano)
in 425 degree oven for 5-8 minutes
until cheese melts.

Ladle the soup into bowls and top with the bread.
Let sit for a minute or two to allow the bread to absorb the broth.

Enjoy!


I went to Marshalls searching for  decorative salad dressing bottle with a spout...
I use a Bonne Maman jam jar for my vinaigrette but thought it might be nicer to have an interesting bottle that looks pretty.

No luck on the bottle 
BUT!

I found these charming tins with black polka dots for the laundry room!
Our decor downstairs is black and white and these just ticked all the boxes for storage.

Stain sticks, scrub brushes, wool dryer balls and specialty soaps are now discreetly hidden.

Am still on the decluttering band wagon!
Have tackled the linen closet, the kitchen drawers, dining room buffet and cupboards.

I have the hobby room cupboards
 and guest room closet with the out of season clothing to cull and sort.

There is rain forecast for most of the week so I will probably finish soon.

In the meantime 
while the laundry spins
I am using up leftovers and veggies and making soup.


How are things going with you?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Friday, October 15, 2021

Fall Focus ~ Wool sweater, eye make-up, flowers and comfort food.


~ Autumnal shades ~

Glorious dahlias are boldly blooming here in The Humble Bungalow Garden.

I've cleaned and culled my make up bag and disposed of old mascara.
The last mascara I purchased was a real disappointment...
it was far too dark and really gloopy.

So I ventured to a local pharmacy 
where a long time clerk in the make-up section steered me in the right direction.


Benefit and Lancome


Brows and lashes


"Precisely My Brow" in "warm light brown" shade.
A soft smooth pencil to fill in the gaps and a wee brow brush for blending.
Waterproof, smudge proof for 12 hours.


Idole

360 micro bristle wand
feather light gel formula that provides:

Lash lifting mascara
140% eye opening effect
95% instant lift
94% intense volume
90% clump free lashes


Rachel Zoe wool sweater
comfy and cozy
sure to be a chill chaser
can be layered under my puffy vest.

Will wear this with my Eileen Fisher black pants or jeans.
If I had a great skirt I would pair it with that too...
HMMM...perhaps a skirt is next on my shopping list?

Will also match my grey cashmere socks.


Easy beans
a comforting meal on a chilly fall evening.

Slow Cooker Beans

6 slices of pork belly cubed
1 cup diced onion
1 cloves minced garlic
1 can pinto beans
1 can great Northern beans, drained
1 can baked beans
1 can kidney beans, drained
1 can garbanzo beans, drained
3/4 c ketchup
1/2 cup molasses
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp. Worchestershire sauce
1 Tbsp. yellow mustard
1/2 Tsp. ground pepper

Put all the ingredients into a slow cooker.
Sir to mix and cook for 4 hours.

(Omit the pork belly if you want a vegetarian bean dish)

Serve with soft buns or toast.

Very tasty and so quick to assemble and the slow cooker does the work!

Enjoy.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~