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

Thursday, February 8, 2024

Abundance of roses, and clothes that Spark Joy!

 


We have a full garden with an abundance of roses.
I consider myself an avid rosarian....
desiring more roses in an already full garden is rather greedy.

My husband mentioned that our olive tree might have died during the icy cold snap.
He mentioned I could always buy a rose to fill the space where the tree was planted!

What a great idea!!!


I have always been smitten by shoes with bows.

I own a pair of Ferragamo black patent shoes with bows.
Years ago I had purple suede flats with velvet bows...I wore them out!
They were my "Happy Shoes" I felt so joyful when I wore them.

A few years after the demise of the purple shoes 
I found a pair of black patent flats with black velvet bows.

Mom had a similar pair...
they were such a great mood lifter.
We smiled at each other knowingly when we were together 
wearing our patent bow toed shoes.

So when I was in Twice As Nice consignment looking for a wool winter coat
(which I didn't find)
I spied these shoes by Browns...
tried them on and HAD to have them.


My current "daytime" winter wardrobe.
Athletic wear is stored in the bureau
evening and dressy clothes are in the Hobby Room closet.

I have been adding a few thrifted finds lately...


Gap casual sweater.
Thrifted
Will be worn with my denim and white denim jeans.


A sequin top!!!!
Thrifted
$2.00


The volunteers at the thrift shop were literally doing a "Happy Dance" 
when I approached the cash desk...
asking how much it was?
They said $2.00 and I was so stunned that I gave them $5 and told them to put the extra money toward their new building fund!

I am definitely going to wear this top and perhaps it will be daytime.
It is a JOYFUL top.
Do you think it will SPARK JOY?

I love how we can shift our moods with clothing...
wearing brighter colours on a dark dreary day.
Adding accessories that elevate a plain outfit or dress.
Finding inexpensive and vintage pieces in the thrift shops that are cheap and cheerful.
One needn't go into debt to have fun with fashion.

Happy Hunting in the Thrifts!


An abundance of Sea Glass...
one day's haul after my beach walk.
Saw two fat seals lying on a floating log...
a familiar face and a shaggy dog
a wee chat with a neighbour.
Gulls, Ravens and a majestic Eagle calling...
Fresh Air, a gentle breeze, and I feel rejuvenated.


Jar of sea glass...
probably my 10th jar.
(I must go downstairs to count them, they are in the window sill of the Hobby Room)


~ Sunshine and Blue Skies ~
BLISS


Farm Fresh Free Range Eggs
a lovely gift from Becky.
They look like jewels such pretty colours.
Taste great too!


Finished this fabulous book by Anthony Horowitz.
Need to read some more of his books...have read a couple and they are so well written and are wonderful murder mysteries.

What are you reading?

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

~ 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 ~

Sunday, July 2, 2023

LOTS of new things here in The Humble Bungalow...


Meet the gorgeous bold yellow fragrant climber Graham Thomas.
A stalwart David Austin Rose.

This repeat bloomer grows in the "work area" of The Humble Bungalow Garden.
Every garden needs a work area...
it is a space dedicated to storage of things we use.
Bamboo stakes, empty pots, the wheelbarrow, extra soil, tools and such.

We have it cordoned off by a half lattice fence with a smallish entryway.
It is rather like a linen closet...that holds extra sheets, towels and TP.
So necessary, but not really an inviting space
well except 
that this rose beckons me in...
I regularly deadhead it to encourage more blooms 
pick a few blooms to bring inside
who could resist?

Things are moving along fast here in The Humble Bungalow.

We had an unexpected "oopsie" with the oven...
it died completely last Wednesday.

No warning...


I did some research and the life expectancy of the former stove was 13-15 years.
Ours was 15 years and 1 month...

So we scrambled off to the shop.
A locally owned one 
where we purchased a freezer during Covid.

We were pleased with their staff, service and delivery options.

Thursday morning bright and early we stepped into the showroom
5 minutes later I was paying for the stove.

With a next day delivery and they hauled away the old one.
How fabulous is that?


~ LG STOVE ~

I LOVE the blue interior.
Ceramic stovetop with expandable elements.
Convection and regular baking settings.
It has a built in air fryer, and a proofing setting for bread.

So let the baking begin...
the first order of business will be The Victoria Sponge Cake
followed by the weekly sourdough boule.


I have been trying to get out for some short walks in this glorious weather.
Need to build up some strength...
lots of idle time spent inside resting up and trying to get better.

Stopped for a cuppa at The Willows Tea Room.
Mom and I used to come here when we walked the Esplanade.
Thought of her while I gazed out to the sea.

Good news is that I am not in such terrible pain,
feeling better and sleeping soundly.

I finished the antibiotics and go for some more tests this week.
Another diagnostic CT scan, this time with dye.
Fingers crossed the specialists can figure out what is going on and how to fix it.


Sweet peas are putting on a lovely show in the garden...
picking them insures that more flowers will follow.
If you don't pick the flowers the seed pods set and no more flowers.

The new mug is a thrift shop find...
I had 30 minutes before my dentist appointment and I was close to the Sally Ann.
So I went in and made the rounds...
I got lucky!


A cute Banana Republic top that I plan to wear with my white jeans.
(and Pearls)


Silver trivet for the teapot
all it needed was a quick polish.

Some days all the stars align and the thrift GODS smile down from above...
feeling grateful.


I've been reading a LOT!

I just finished Bloomsbury Girls this morning...
I really enjoyed it.

The first book was The Jane Austen Society.
I can recommend both these novels by Natalie Jenner.

I will start The Lipstick Bureau later this afternoon...
I have read and enjoyed all of Michelle Gable's books so I am pretty confident that this one will not disappoint.


Been on a spending Spree...

Bought this vase at a yard sale...
not sure that it has any age to speak of but it spoke to me!

I also upgraded our toaster as the old one was not working very well.
Bought a Zwilling long slice toaster in matte black.
It will accommodate the longer sourdough slices.

Also I bought a new All Clad pot and ordered a new All Clad Pasta pot.

Put all the old pots on the boulevard and they went to new homes lickety split!!!

With the stove on the fritz
Hubby took me out to lunch last week...
we went to Faro in The Oak Bay Beach Hotel for pizza.

The oven fired Italian thin crust pizza was delicious.
We ordered an arugula pear salad to go with it and couldn't eat it all!

On our way back to the car we stopped by the Hen House...


I had to stop and say hello to the darling girls.


There were quite a few in the yard and they are very friendly.
I love free range eggs...those amber coloured yolks have so much flavour.

We had to order in a few meals with no cooking facilities available
but that was fun because we seldom order in, it is so easy to make a meal.
Now that I have a new oven there will be no excuse not to cook!!

Since my UTI and kidney infection I have been mindful of drinking more fluids.
A LOT of water with MANY MANY cups of tea have passed through my system.


If you follow me on Instagram you may have seen this post in my stories.

Fortnum and Mason Tea 
a gift from Christine who asked her son to pop into the shop in London and buy some tea for her friends...
fortunately I was one of the lucky friends who were given a tin of tea.

This blend is so amazing! I may need to order some more...
or else I could pop over to London and shop in person?
(HAHA)

That's about all the news I have to share for now.
Will pop in again soon for an update.
Take Care.
XO

In the meantime...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Saturday, April 29, 2023

Last Week ~ in a wink of an eye...

 


Gorgeous flowers
a surprise cottage welcome bouquet from a friend.

Springtime seems to have finally arrived at the Cottage...
warmer days and sunny skies.
Such a tonic after all the grey gloom and rain.


~ Thrift Shop Finds ~

Adams English ironstone jug and a well used wood board


A soft wool sweater...
it is lovely but is a wee bit too small.

I have a friend who stretched a lovely wool sweater by washing it in conditioner and manually stretching it back into a larger size!


I hope the conditioner trick works!


Read this book and loved it...
set in a charming picturesque area of Cornwall
involves a woman who has a daughter
is recently separated
and
with her mother buys a rambling old house on a cove by the sea.

This book appealed to me on so many levels...
I would LOVE to buy an old rambling home by the sea and redecorate!!


If one cannot have a rambling old home by the sea...
how about a week at the cottage once a month?
(I cannot nor dare not complain, I am immensely grateful)

My husband brought a few lettuce plants with us so we could harvest it fresh.
He really has discovered his "green thumb" upon his retirement.


The expansive sea views feed my soul.
They never "get old" and there is always something to see.

Boats, otters, whales, birds...


I baked a sourdough boule and two kinds of cookies.


Found a "flat oyster" shell on the beach...
they are a European variety.

I walk the local beaches daily in search of sea glass and the occasional shell.
I am surprised by the amount of glass I find.
There must be 8 or 9 jars full downstairs here in The Humble Bungalow.
What to do with it?

I suppose if I felt creative I could make mosaics...
for now I just keep it on the window ledge in the vintage sealer jars.


Have you read Anne Morrow Lindbergh's book Gift From The Sea?
I love the gentle story that she weaves of her time spent alone in a small rustic cabin on the beach.

She went there to rest, restore and recharge...
we all need a place to find solace and peace.

Years ago when life was really busy and hectic I went to the Spa for relaxation.
It was not a frugal option, but I was working and could justify the expense.

As a retiree, now living on a pension, I chose to find relaxation in Nature.


~ Things I find soothing ~

puttering in the garden
 reading a good book
knitting
sipping a cup of tea from a pretty vintage cup
baking bread
walking
beach combing
soaking in the tub
looking in thrift shops
ironing linens 

What do you find soothing?

Our week at the cottage passed so fast...
in the blink of an eye and here we are back home in The Humble Bungalow.

Well I have a busy week ahead...
lots of social things planned and will be catching up with friends.

How about You?
What does your week ahead have in store?
Hope its a good one.

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~