Showing posts with label facial. Show all posts
Showing posts with label facial. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

~ In The Pink ~ trying new things

 


Greetings from The Humble Bungalow!

I've made a conscious decision to try new things...
get out of my "comfort zone"
take a wee risk
do something different...

Walk a different route
try a new cafe
read a book in a genre that I usually dismiss as "not my style"
wear a new shade of nail polish
shop in a new food store
try a new tea
explore an area of town that is "new to me"
visit a beach off the beaten track
try a new lipstick
a flavour of ice cream
OR
chocolate?

~ so many options to consider when trying new things ~


~ Refreshing ~

Drinking lots of water (fluids) help to keep your skin supple.
Aim for 6-8 glasses a day.
(Partake in a Pear flavour.)

If you aren't a fan of plain water 
try slicing fruits or lemons in a big jug of water and letting the flavours steep.
Add lots of ice and enjoy.


Have you ever heard the saying...

Pink Skies at Night
Sailors Delight
Pink Skies in the Morning
 Sailors Take Warning

We used to heed this advice when we were cruising on our boat.


Trying to keep my hands in better shape...
starting with a manicure
using
hand lotion and nail polish.

Cruelty Free Polish
~ Pink Cloud ~
My current favourite shade for a home manicure.


Extended Summer weather...
holding its own with warm sunshine and sunny skies.

Wearing sunglasses and a hat to minimize the risk of sun damage...
skin cancer and macular degeneration are risks from too much sun.


I enjoyed a much needed pedicure 
and chose a bold shade Snow White.

I usually opt for a rich jewel tone but I am trying new things
just because...
 

The facial that I had in August at The Boathouse Spa at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel was amazing...my skin looked dewy and smooth for weeks after the service.

Babor European products are new to me.
So in the spirit of trying new things
 I popped by the Spa to buy a couple of their products cleansing line.
Enzyme Cleanser and Rose Toner.

Hopefully they will live up to the numerous positive ratings by clients.


Pinky red Skies over Salt Spring Island as seen from our cottage on Pender.
There is a feeling of Fall in the air... 
a cool fresh crispness that is hard to describe
you need to feel it!


Lovely Fall beach walk on Bricky Bay

My gentle walks along the seashore soothe and calm.
Searching for sea glass is a very meditative habit.

Trying to mix up my walks to get me more motivated.
When the weather cools I tend to want to cocoon inside and stay cozy...
I recently purchased a pre-worn soft velour jacket by the company 32 Degrees.
It is so warm and because it is black, it is dressier and more versatile.
Trying to buy fewer garments to be more mindful of waste 
when I need something in my wardrobe 
I will try to seek out second hand and vintage options.


My Sea Glass collection now fills about 7 large sealer jars.
I'll need to find some more vintage jars to take to the cottage
 as I brought home yet another jarful.

What do YOU collect?


~ Pink Grapefruit Cleaner ~
works like a charm in the kitchen and has a delicious fruity fragrance.
Used as a pre wash stain remover it rarely fails...
saving garments by laundering clothing one stain at a time.
Before I discovered the powerful stain removing properties of this Method cleaner
I threw out stained clothes.

I also wear protective linen aprons when cooking 
to protect my clothes from food splatters.
These are beautifully made and are available from Trica's shop Rough Linen.

I have bought 3 aprons and use them every day.


~ David Austin Roses ~

Almost finished blooming in The Humble Bungalow Garden.


The Andalou CC cream that I swear by...
Must be on my 6th tube by now, is not expensive and it lasts a long time.
Evens out my complexion and is hydrating.
(I give it 5 stars out of 5)
Will not be trying a new CC cream as this one is a winner!


These pretty Colchiums are harbingers of Fall...
these are bent over trying to seek more light.

Perhaps we need to relocate this clump
 buy 
more bulbs as they bloom a long time?


Are you open to trying New Things?

I look forward to hearing from you.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Holiday dressing ~ Hostess Style

Today I want to chat about my thoughts on dressing for the holiday season.
Views are strictly my own and I am not professing to be an expert on fashion...

Hostess Style aka Grammy Style,
is an honest, comfortable, and affordable way of dressing.
I have new, vintage, and thrift shop finds in my closet.

Essentially, I dress to camouflage my figure flaws,
drawing focus on the better bits and minimizing the mid section!


My wardrobe is small, curated, and bordering on spartan,
and it leans decidedly toward conservative...
The colours tend to be mostly black and grey.

Black is so versatile that I keep getting drawn back to it time and again.
It looks dressy in daylight and elegant at night. You get a lot of mileage out of black clothes as they go with everything...that's the "practical" coming out in my personality!

Black is rather like a backdrop,
a black canvas perhaps, just waiting for accessories.

The iconic LBD is still as popular today
as it was when it was first introduced many decades ago...

I own several little black dresses and they are so easy and effortless to wear.


I recently purchased a simple black skirt that sits slightly above the knee.
It will get worn quite a bit over the holidays and can be dressed up or dressed down. I already own several pairs of black shoes; flats, kitten heels and pumps as well as Chelsea boots.
This budget friendly addition is a welcome garment for the festive season.

At this time of year I like to add a bit of sparkle...


St. John black knit top with beads...
great with my new skirt or pants.

Can you imagine this top worn with my boyfriend jeans
black leather "moto jacket" and Chelsea boots?


Vintage wool and sequin top from Woodwards,
It's party time!


Sparkly jewels
J Crew necklace and two vintage Sherman brooches.
Festive dressing can involve a few bling-y pieces and at this time of year I like to play at bit more with accessories when dressing up.


I also like to take some extra time with my skin care regime.
A morning spent quietly sipping tea and giving myself a facial 
is my idea of luxury.

Sleep has been hit and miss for me for the past few months 
I go to sleep but wake in the night and I do not fall back asleep easily.
Unfortunately this pattern of waking seems to show up on my face...
it is actually bugging me as I used to be such a great sleeper.

As a result 
I have been focusing more on healthy eating 
making sure that I stay hydrated

taking time to set aside a few minutes to meditate
and focus on my breathing

I also think that I need to get back to practising Yoga in the New Year.


Bone broth with turmeric


Nourish, just as its name suggests, serves healthy nutritious food. 
Many of the options are dairy and gluten free.


Poached eggs on a bed of kale, mushrooms and sweet potatoes 
topped with a cashew cream hollandaise.

Nom Nom!

So how do you like to dress for the holidays?
Are you drawn to bright colours or do you prefer neutrals?

What, if anything, are you planning to add to your wardrobe?


I like to add a splash of scent everyday
and two of my favourites are
Mitsouko by Guerlain and Jour d' Hermes

Hope your week is off to a great start...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Home keeping...and then some pampering.

Some days it feels like I spend most of my time home keeping.
Cooking, tidying, cleaning, doing laundry, ironing, grocery shopping...

I like the results of a little elbow grease and everything looks so much better.
The Humble Bungalow is actually a nicer place to relax when the mess is less!


I have entire days where I get out and about to walk, play bridge and go out to meet friends for tea! Playing catch up can take its toll but if I put on some music and wear my fitness clothes (with a few pearls) and my trusty French Linen apron I find that I have way more energy to tackle the jobs that need attention.

Today I tended to my orchids...
I watered them, removed the wilted flowers and cut away some of the brown stems then tied up the new shoots to the stakes in the pots.


I wiped down the counter tops and cleaned out the fridge.
Polished the silver and cleaned out a few cupboards and drawers.
Did some laundry and ironing...
love the look of my linen tea towels all pressed and ready for service.


My hands got a little special treatment...
before putting on my cleaning gloves 
I applied a layer of this wonderful hand cream,
  moving about doing chores added extra warmth inside the gloves.
The cream worked its magic and it felt like a Spa Treatment!


With the fridge cleaned out the few bits of leftovers were turned into soup.

~ Leftover Soup ~

Cook and soften in a few tablespoons of oil
 a couple of onions
a diced carrot
2 -3 stalks of celery 
1 cubed pepper (I used a yellow one)
5 sliced mushrooms
cooked about 15 minutes then added

a piece of cooked steak (about 5 ounces) cut into small pieces
tetra pack of stock (beef or vegetable)
leftover broccoli
salt, pepper, thyme (to taste)
Simmer for a few hours so the flavour really blooms
add
a handful of dried noodles
cook until soft and serve or cool and freeze for a later date.


While the soup was simmering I took a wee break and gave myself a facial.


The aesthetician at the Spa mentioned that this was her favourite formula for her clients that have rosacea so I figured it was worth a try...
you mix the mask with a wee bit of water and leave it on 5-10 minutes
(while lying down with eyes closed relaxing and breathing deeply)
 then gently wipe it off with a warm face cloth.

I loved how soft and clean my skin felt after this mask.
I used the Eminence Coconut Age Defying cream after and did not put any make up on for the rest of the day.
except for
~ Mascara and lip gloss ~ 

My home day spent productively actioning domestics and focusing on my skin...

~ life feels better with a wee bit of pampering ~

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Friday, January 8, 2016

New Year Regimes...Skincare and Weight Loss a post that is packed to the brim!

Are you loyal to one line of skincare products?
Many women I know use the same brand and never deviate from what works for them.

My favourite aesthetician left the Spa that I have been going to for years and I followed her to her new location downtown at Sapphire Day Spa.

I treated myself to a facial before Christmas and spent a heavenly 90 minutes in her talented hands.
Like a butterfly flitting about searching for the new and improved... I purchased a "starter set" of the products that she recommended for my skin type from the Eminence line from Hungary.


Monoi Age Corrective Exfoliating Cleanser
Bamboo Firming Fluid
Neroli Age Corrective Eye Serum
Coconut Age Corrective Moisturizer
Bamboo Age Corrective Masque


Once a week I use these products:

Step 1 ~ Arctic Berry Exfoliant
Step 2 ~ Arctic Berry Advanced Peel 
Step 3 ~ Arctic Berry Peptide Radiance Cream

My skin feels so soft after the once a week treatment and it is gentle on my skin.


Good skin care is so important. 
The face reflects good skincare habits, nutritious food and healthy lifestyle choices.

After I cleanse and moisturize I wait a few minutes for the products to sink in.
I use the following products with a very "light hand."

a dusting of La Bella Donna mineral powder ~ Crema
                                      Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzing Powder ~ Antigua
Pur eye shadow ~ Lavender Mourite
Maybelline Brow Drama ~ Deep Brown
Jane Iredale Mascara ~ Black Ice
Chanel Rouge Coco ~ Orchidee

For evening I will add a very thin eye liner in dark brown and use a darker lipstick.
(the shade that I purchased in Paris) 
Maybelline ~ Pleasure Me Red


How are you feeling after the Festive Season?
Did you eat a wee bit too many sugary sweets or rich foods?
I know I did!

My jeans are a bit too snug.
I am not going to beat myself up for being human.
I just need to get back on track...
count my Weight Watcher Points and increase the pace and length of my walks.
In a few weeks the scale will reflect my dedication and my clothes will feel much more comfortable.

Here is how I will be eating.
If you care to join me we can support each other.

Breakfast ~  yogurt and fruit or Rogers Ancient Grains Oats with fruit.



Lunch is simple...salad with protein.
Often an egg or a bit of feta cheese crumbled over greens.


The protein helps keep hunger pangs away.


Snacks consist of fresh fruit or sliced
carrots and celery with 2 tablespoons of hummus.


Coffee with foamed skim milk is a treat.
I drink lots of water throughout the day...it is great for the skin and helps keep me feeling full.


Tea is my afternoon ritual.
A luxury that I indulge in when I sit for a bit and read in a cozy chair.

Dinnertime I make a protein and salad or fresh veggies.
Often skipping a starch like potatoes or rice and I try to avoid pasta.
Potatoes and pasta are my weakness!

So out of sight out of mind works best 
in this initial stage of getting back on track.

Keep moving...
walk, swim, dance, clean the house.


To keep you motivated and not deprived...
Reward yourself with non food items.


New lingerie perhaps?


A new book...


a scented candle


or rearrange your home decor
do whatever inspires you.


I like to walk and look for the beauty along the way.

Thank you for stopping by today.
Hostess

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Skincare and some beautiful bloomers!

It's been ages since I have thought of writing a skincare post.
Healthy looking skin is something that I do not take for granted.

Naturally I have wrinkles and some slackness at the jawline but I am embracing aging in a positive way.
I don't want to lament about having a face that has some life and laugh lines.
Personally I would feel odd  if I looked the same  as I did when I was 30, especially now that I am nudging 60!
But don't think for a minute that I have given up!

I use a few tricks...mascara, eye liner, creamy peach blush, bronzer and lipstick.
Bobby Brown's line works for me...her foundation seems to even out my skintone and goes on like silk.
It gives me a bit of a healthy glow which I like.
Make up works a treat but the skin beneath is where one needs to get serious.

I have had some nasty flare ups with rosacea over the years.
Rosacea is exacerbated by certain harsh additives and chemicals, spicy food, stress and wine.
My family ancestors hail from Denmark, Sweden, and Ireland. I am told that it is the genetic background that have given us the tendency to flushing and rosacea.

After avoiding the obvious triggers one needs to find a gentle regime that works with sensitive skin.




I appreciate the custom of French Femmes focusing on skincare.
Young girls learn early how to take care of their skin.

Your face is the first thing most people notice... 
so before investing a fortune on designer clothes and bags
consider taking time to make your skin the best it can be.

Eat healthy nutritious food.


Drink plenty of water...I like to think of it as Nature's Moisturizer.

Get fresh air, exercise and a good night's sleep.
Try to avoid stress...
 Try Yoga or meditation if you do feel anxious.



I am not an expert nor do I represent or receive any money from the L'Occitane company...
I just want to tell you what works for me.
~ ~ ~
Using a light hand and a gentle cleanser pay special attention to removing all your make up.
I use the Immortelle foaming cleanser by L'Occitane and a soft bamboo wash cloth.
When my face is clean I spritz with the Immortelle water and then while it is still damp I apply an emollient cream, L'Occitane Divine Cream...it works and it's an award winner.
A little goes a long way which is good because I think it's rather expensive.
It delivers on all it's promises and my skin seems to stay calm and rosacea has been kept under control
so naturally I have become a loyal customer.


I love a gift with purchase...
especially when it contains items that I already use.
Perfect for travel.


Every couple of days I use a gentle scrub to exfoliate and once a week I apply a clay mask for deep cleaning.
I have not indulged in a spa facial for many months and although I love the pampering I'd much prefer to spend the money on quality products that I can use everyday.



The Humble Bungalow Garden is still very much in bloom.
Our roses are putting on a wonderful flush of floral fabulous~ness.
Their beauty is not lost on me.





Soft pretty petals.
an intoxicating and sweet fragrance.
No wonder they continue to be my favourite flowers.

Did you read Lisa's post where she shares her tips on looking youthful and gorgeous?
She might have influenced this post today.
Thank you Lisa!

Hostess
XO