Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Drugstore ~ Skincare and Make Up

 


When I was in Paris I made a pilgrimage to the "Pharmacie."
(easily identifiable by the large neon Green Cross)
Many seasoned travellers suggested the local Paris Pharmacies as a must see.
I was surprised by the popularity of these local shops.
Some actually had a line up out front !
I visited several Pharmacies in different arrondissements.
Some were larger and had more skincare products.
Citypharma at 26 rue du Four in the heart of Saint Germain des Pres has the reputation of being the BEST.

I stayed in the 6th arrondissement so this was closest.
(It did not disappoint)

The pharmacy is often crowded as it is very popular with locals and tourists.
Shelves are loaded with jars and bottles of serious skincare products.
Staff are happy to consult with patrons and are readily available to give advice.


The Pharmasave on Oak Bay Avenue 
has a wide variety of reasonably priced products with trained staff on hand to help.

One needn't spend a fortune to get good quality skincare products...

For example
Andalou Natural Products...
the company make product lines to suit most skin care needs.
I have enjoyed using the Andalou Rose products in the past.

Recently I have switched up to the Age Defying series.


I like the rich formulas...my skin soaks up the moisture.


I like to keep my skincare regime very simple.

Wash, tone and moisturize.
An intensive moisturizing enzyme facial mask is used once a week.

I have added a serum which helps particularly in the winter.


Derma-E Vitamin enriched serum is my favourite.
Rosehips and Grape Seed Oils 
Vitamin A and E

(4 drops morning and night ~ this bottle lasts a few months)

I wait 10 minutes before doing my make up 
to allow the oil to sink in and be absorbed.


My make-up routine is minimal 
5 minutes tops.
Minimal coverage and a light touch work best for my older skin.


Drugstore Make up products...

Andalou Age Defying BB cream
Burts Bees Aglow blush
Physicians Formula eyebrow tint
Annabelle eye shadow
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara
Eucerin Aquaphor Lip Repair
Miss Pupa Lip Gloss

While writing this post I have been sipping tea and nibbling some dark chocolate.


Afternoon Tea and dark chocolate
my afternoon ritual.

One of life's little luxuries!


Found a pretty vintage silver cake server this afternoon.
I met up with a friend who came over from the mainland for a visit.
We walked along The Avenue popped into the shops and had a lovely long lunch.

Joanne surprised me with a blue tote bag and a book AND she treated me to lunch.
We always have a lovely time chatting.
Thank you Joanne!

“Joy is the best makeup. 
But a little lipstick is a close runner-up.” 

~ Anne Lamott ~


Well I must close for now and get dinner started.
Thank you for taking the time to stop by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Thanksgiving Weekend at Quarterdeck Cottage

 


We welcomed friends to the cottage for a Thanksgiving Dinner.
The sun shone and the winds abated for their arrival.

The menu was Italian themed and Julie and I cooked in the kitchen while the guys hung out on the deck watching the boats.

I was Julie's sous chef :-))
It is a great day being in the kitchen when Julie cooks 
I Watch and Learn.


Caesar Salad to start...
Julie mixes her dressing (which includes anchovies) directly in the bowl.
Then we added the romaine, croutons and cheese.
Julie also adds bacon which gives it a real zesty flavour!


We made Stanley Tucci's Favourite pasta dish.
On an episode of his series Eating Italy they featured the recipe.
Julie got her recipe from Chef John Pierre who has a You Tube Channel.

The basis of the sauce is deep fried zucchini slices...
it tastes delicious, nutty and thick and you'd never guess it was zucchini!
WOW

I made an apple crisp using our Liberty apples
served it with French Vanilla ice Cream.


The wine we served was Italian from the Tuscany region...
(I had to get Mr. HB to go out to the recycling bin and snap a photo)


We went to the Pender Island Museum...
saw this buck sitting in the sunshine.
Tried to walk at Roseland but the tide was in and so we couldn't get across
the inlet to wander along the scenic trails.

For breakfast the next morning I served a fruit salad and a smoked salmon frittata.
The frittata was simple to make...

Frittata

Sliced small red onion
diced red pepper
sliced 4 large mushrooms
6 ounces smoked salmon cut into small pieces
grated cheeses about 1 1/2 cups
a dozen eggs whisked til frothy
salt pepper and some chopped mint leaves

Bake in a deep dish at 350 for about 40 minutes until eggs are cooked and no longer runny.


Lunch was a charcuterie board...
we call it a "picky plate"

We walked at Hamilton Beach in the rain...
our friends left later in the afternoon before dinner.

I made scallops for dinner...
Chef Jean Pierre's scallop recipe is on his You Tube Channel and online at his website.




Delicious!


Will be reading these books over the next few days...
Am really enjoying The Last Devil to Die!
I love the Thursday Murder Club.


We are fortunate to have a great little boutique on the island.
I always pop in and peruse the stock...
you never know what you'll find!


C'est Moi


White Linen shirt

I found another one in a sleek percale cotton but I couldn't justify buying two...
I love a crisp white shirt to wear with black pants or jeans and my pearls.

Well I suppose that I better get some lunch ready for my husband...
he's out walking in the rain and will be cold and hungry when he returns.

In case you are interested lunch will be bacon and home grown tomato sandwiches on homemade sourdough bread!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Monday, September 11, 2023

Quarterdeck Cottage ~ September Snippets

 


Here at Quarterdeck Cottage we keep things simple.

I am in my casual cottage cooking gear...
Apron
White Tee
Black Yoga pants
Bare feet (with red polish)



It is a cloudy Monday morning so 
I baked the sourdough boule
and
made a Frittata


Today's Frittata Recipe

 7 large eggs beaten
1/3 cup milk (or cream)
1/3 cup chopped pitted black olives 
1 small green pepper diced 
10 cherry tomatoes cut in half 
cup of grated white cheddar cheese
salt and pepper

Place in shallow ovenproof quiche pan
Bake at 350 for approximately 35 minutes.


We brought some green tomatoes with us...
I fried them up for breakfast and served them with worchestershire sauce.

Yesterday
we invited some of the neighbours from the nearby cottages over for a Happy Hour.


It was so lovely that we sat on the deck...
chatting away and laughing
nibbling on the charcuterie offerings
sipping our beverages
time passed and before long it was getting chilly.
We packed up just after 7pm


I finally finished knitting the Miriam sweater...
it is at home and I need to block it before I can wear it.
But I never like to be without my knitting so I went shopping last week!


I started knitting a shawl "River's Wrap"
 in this gorgeous Japanese Noro Akari Yarn
from The Beehive in Victoria.

The yarn is wonderfully soft and so soothing to work with...
silk, cotton, viscose, mohair and wool.

In other shopping news...
Found a wee crystal vessel at the thrift shop in Sidney on Friday 
before we caught the ferry....

There's a bit of magic in the way the light reflects
 in the crisp cut design of a crystal piece.


I foraged some wild dried flowers...
they look so pretty in the vase.


Am smitten with the light!!
The glow is so warm, and it does feel like magic.


On my walk to day I went to Bricky Bay.
In the early 1900's a brick making crew used this area and the beach.
They shipped the bricks off island from the bay, there are remnants of the dock.

Bits of bricks cover the beach and many have worn down and are soft shapes.
Some are small round shapes like marbles...

I managed to find a couple of pieces of sea glass but not much.

I sat on a log and listened to the call of the ravens and the swish of the waves.
Watched a few boats cruise past before pulling myself away from this idyllic spot.


I spied this sunny painted rock.
People paint rocks and leave them on the beaches here...
I usually don't take the rocks, just snap a picture to share on Instagram.

Before I close 
I must share with you a totally unexpected gift from a dear reader Rosemarie, 
who resides in Vancouver.
Rosemarie and I correspond regularly via email
we've met several times for lunch and tea when she visited Victoria
Last time I was in Vancouver we met for a glass of wine and some nibbles at The Cactus Club.


Look at this beautiful kimono style wrap!
She knows me so well...
It will be a welcome addition to my wardrobe.

THANK YOU ROSEMARIE :-))
You are such a generous person.

(I am going to find something to send Rosemarie)


Well I must close for now and go outside with my knitting.
The views are stunning!

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Holidaze in July...

 


Sunshine and Sweet Peas

Popped this posy into a thrifted English Ironstone Meakin sugar jar.
I LOVE finding interesting vessels that I can use for flowers.
If memory serves me I think this one was 35 cents!


We celebrated our 49th anniversary on July 20th...
no fanfare or big gathering just a quiet evening for two.


We ate some champagne truffles...
a surprise gift from friends.

Our closest friends had us over for a dinner on their lovely porch a few days before our actual anniversary and we felt very spoiled...


Those same friends will be celebrating their 50th next year so
maybe we'll have to do something exciting for our 50th?


We are enjoying some time at the cottage.


Have some special guests here to share the time with us.


I made a fresh loaf of sourdough bread...
this fun adventure in bread making is so satisfying!


We had a couple of days with rain 
which should help with the drought and the forest fires here in BC.


The deer obviously do not like to nibble these plants...
I think this might be Queen Anne's Lace?
Feel free to chime in if you know the name of this flower.


I believe this is Yarrow...
the bees love this flower and are usually busy buzzing atop these blooms.

I took the photo after dinner so they may have all gone back to their hive.


~ Hosta Flowers ~
In The Humble Bungalow Garden

This huge Hosta is called Sum and Substance.

We built a deer fence 
so that we can keep this safe from being nibbled to the ground!

Here at the Cottage...


I am taking a break to relax, restore and mend...

The last round of antibiotics are almost finished.

I've been going to bed earlier than usual and sleeping soundly.

Staying hydrated with cans of flavoured Bubly Brand Water.
~ Zero calories ~

While I am having LOTS of fun with the family and the three grandchildren...
I am also "pacing myself."

Reading Three by Valerie Perrin, knitting the Miriam sweater,
gazing out at The Salish Sea
taking time to reflect on all the good things in life and counting my many blessings.

Making time to be focused and calm is good for the soul.

Walking along the beach...
breathing in the fresh salty air
listening to the calls of the gulls and the songs of the eagles.


Picking up a few pieces of sea glass...

~ LIFE IS PRECIOUS ~
it is a gift
not to be wasted.

I feel Grateful everyday.

Hope that you are well and feeling positive.
Life can be a challenge as we know
it is a journey.

When we navigate the rough patches life teaches us more...
we can be resilient or we can be weak.

It is a personal choice that we make...
we can rely on others or find strength within ourselves.
Or a little bit of both...

How do you handle adversity?


~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Wednesday, June 7, 2023

June 7th ~ Lots to chat about so I have written an early blogpost


This soft Merona Tencel dress was hanging in the Thrift Shop
just waiting for me!
I couldn't buy it fast enough...
I felt like the woman in that IKEA advert that says Start The Car!!!

Target carried the brand when they had a store here in Victoria 
a few years ago, which BTW I loved.
Frankly I was VERY disappointed when they closed the store.

It reminded me of The Monoprix in France...
a little bit of everything and food too!

So I have worn this dress 6 times since purchasing it...
I pair it with white capri leggings and my blue suede sandals
or Blue Converse Sneakers.

The fabric is dreamy...SO SOFT!
It reminds me of a well worn favourite but without the wear and tear or holes.

I wore it in the garden while deadheading the roses 
(with pearls and my chartreuse green linen apron)
 my husband said "That is the perfect dress for the garden!"

It is rare that he comments on my attire, so I was both pleased AND surprised.

I LOVE getting a bargain at a thrift shop.
Of course I had to purge a few items this past week...
I don't like to have the closet too crowded.

Our Bungalow is so very short on storage 
so I am mindful of accumulating too much STUFF.
I really dislike CLUTTER but I do love to collect...
it is a fine line that I walk.

This week I picked up a plant pot and a lone floral china teacup 
left for free at the side of the road...
I have a wee bit of a problem passing up FREE stuff!


Himalayan Blue Poppies blooming at Government House.
These are very difficult to grow, you can buy seeds at Butchart Gardens.

This grouping of poppies look very happy and healthy.

Walking at Government House is even nicer now that their tearoom is open.
The exotic plants make for an educational saunter and there are plant sales as well.

I recently met up with a long time reader Sue K Blaney, 
I brought her back to The Humble Bungalow Garden for a quick peek
then up to Government House for a walkabout.

She and her husband were on a tour visiting Victoria and Vancouver.

We had a few hours to walk, admire the gardens, and enjoy the spectacular views across to the Olympic Peninsula and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Afterwards
 We went to the Demitasse Garden Center and Cafe for a coffee 
because the tearoom was closed.


Peonies are in their heyday right now at the Gardens.
The bees just love these flowers.


We had some former clients of my husband's here for a garden tour and a happy hour.
I picked a few of our fragrant David Austin Roses 
placed them on the table in the sunshine then brought them inside where they promptly wilted but they still look gorgeous.


Fragrant Climbing Royal Sunset Roses
popped into my wee vintage Elephant and Urn Vase.
I've had this small vessel for about 20 years...I paid 35 cents for it.

I've shared it here before and we talked about how it is good luck for the elephant trunk to be raised upwards.


Sourdough Starter is coming in handy for other baking projects these days.
I regularly bake the boule, but now I am baking scones and biscuits.

I found two great recipes online and they have been well received 
so now I can add them to my regular repertoire!


Ignore this tidbit of news if you want but I've got a UTI...
am on antibiotics and it's the second one in weeks.
Perhaps the first one didn't get completely cleared up?

I am trying to increase my daily quotient of water.
I have friends who are plagued with these infections and suffer a LOT!
Truly, I haven't had anything like this, in many many years.
My sympathies to those of you who struggle with them...
I hope this is not the start of a new health issue.

The Aquafit classes continue to be a source of pure JOY.
I do miss my long walks but I am getting used to getting wet in the pool!
This week a woman complimented me on my bathing suit...
another one of my bargain finds at the local Marshalls Store.
Miraclesuit.

We are constantly in motion in the pool and the lively music helps me keep the beat.
My arms are getting a great workout too using the foam dumbbells in the pool.

I must look very serious as I have to focus so much on the instructor.
Other women in the class know what to expect and I am sure 
that in time I will as well.



Current Book Stack...

I started reading Richard Osman's The Man Who Died Twice...
told my husband about the book and he's keen to read the series too...
He zipped out to the bookshop and bought the two other books.
He's reading the first one now, The Thursday Murder Club.
The third is The Bullet That Missed and there is another one due out very soon!

When I was on Pender at Talisman Books 
the owner asked if she could help me find anything...
we got chatting and exchanged our tastes in books.

She recommended The Outlander and Ridgerunner by Gil Adamson
her book club read them and she (they) loved them so much.
I chose The Mayfair Bookshop on a whim.

What are you reading?


Golden Celebration Rose

Well I have rambled on about enough stuff for now...
don't want to bore you.

Please let me know how things are going with you.
I am enjoying the refreshing dialogue that we are having on the blog.
It keeps things interesting.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~