Showing posts with label hair. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hair. Show all posts

Friday, December 29, 2023

Christmas happened...despite Covid and we survived!


Christmas Gifts
Kosta Boda Rose pattern crystal votives.

Gift from darling daughter and her husband.
I love the design and the icy light from the candles.

The festive season was a bit different this year due to catching Covid.
My husband and I both had it earlier in December.
I have scarred lungs from repeated bouts of pneumonia 
so when I get a cold (or Covid) I tend to get a chesty cough.

We went to our son's home for Christmas morning where we exchanged gifts and had brunch.
I made Jacques Pepin's French Toast Bake, a fruit salad and sausages with croissants.
The kids were so excited!!!
Lovely to see their enthusiasm and joy.


Here is the island that Mr. HB made for our son's home.


It was a summer project and I have serious Island Envy!!!

I didn't have a ton of energy and so I had to give up on most of the baking.
Fortunately I had prepared the candied nuts ahead of time 
the chocolate bark is a quick recipe to make.
(posted the recipe in a previous blogpost)

Food is a BIG part of our traditional celebrations...
turkey and lots of side dishes.


Simple table setting...
using
red and greens.


The cute little tree was found in our Cook Street Village Garden Centre.
I used it as our centrepiece on the Christmas table...


The turkey was about 10 pounds...
I made stuffing, maple glazed carrots, whipped potatoes, sweet potatoes, Brussells sprouts with pancetta, gravy and cranberry sauce.


Dessert was Panna Cotta with Italian sour cherries in syrup.
Served in an iittala Ultima Thule Glass

We have quite a few pieces of Tapio Wirkkala's Icy Modernist Crystal.
It was popular when we got married in 1974 and is still in business today.


After Boxing Day...
made a small batch of Yorkshire puddings to add to the leftovers.


Turkey Soup


Candles in The Humble Bungalow Kitchen above the Farmhouse Sink.


This morning I woke early...
have been going to bed before 10:00 most nights.

Coffee in the dark and thoughts swirling...
felt a surge of energy to get some decluttering done.

The car was loaded up and I dropped off the donations around noon.
Starting downstairs in the guest and hobby rooms.

Still a few more things to deal with but it feels way better!!

Funny thing that has happened since I had to cancel my haircut...
I have been using the flat iron and straightening it...


I think it is "growing on me"

Not perfect 
getting to the stage where I can wear it up in a French Roll 
or put it in a scrunchie for a loose ponytail.

So I suppose that's enough rambling for one post...
Hope that you had a wonderful Festive Season.

Hope that you are staying healthy and are avoiding Covid.

Let me know how things are going...do you declutter after the holidays?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Friday, May 12, 2023

Current Topics ~ What is on my radar and mindful walking.



Greetings from The Humble Bungalow Garden.
The Muguet des Bois are blooming...
SO FRAGRANT!!!!

I invited a couple of friends over to dig up some lily of the valley plants.
We have so many :-))
Gardeners like to share their plants with other like minded enthusiasts.


The Auriculas are blooming and they are so charming...
I have several plants and could repot some of them as they have multiplied over these past couple of years.

I see many new varieties in the UK which are so tempting...
not that many are here in the garden centres 
unless they are already in private gardens!

Haven't actually seen many of these auriculars locally at all this year.

I am not moaning here on the blog about my health but I am being proactive...
I've been online researching arthritis...
there is a lot of information to sift through.
Basically I know now that I need to keep moving...
take pain medication and get some physiotherapy.

I've got my appointment lined up and will see the specialist in June.
My walks are around 3 km and am getting 5,000-6,000 steps in during the day.
That number may not be totally accurate because the step total is from my IPhone
I don't have it on me the entire day.
I suppose I could buy a watch that counts the steps...
but does it really matter?

Two 3km walks might be the way to walk now...
a rest in between seems sensible and will help with the pain.
I'm taking Advil and it helps.

In other news I have switched up my skincare routine a wee bit...
I don't tend to spend a LOT on products.

Skin care basics need not break the budget.


Andalou make a sensitive line which works well for my everyday skin regime.
These lotions and potions are very affordable and free of nasty ingredients.


I love using the CC cream as it goes on easily and has SPF
it evens out skin tone and adds a dewy healthy glow.

The Great Lash is an iconic mascara and is often on sale...
The Burts Bees glow stick is a creamy blusher that I use on my cheeks and lips.

It takes me about 5 minutes to do my daytime make-up.


I tried an organic glow stick
 which developed a rough grainy texture
which I did not like at ALL :-((
(I returned it)

Burt's Bees All Aglow is lovely...
it is creamy and very easy to apply.
The shade gives me a soft natural looking blush.


~ Simple make up ~

My favourite red lippy from Miss Pupa of Milan.

Fresh haircut...
(in a bob style)

My thinning hair needed a makeover so my hairdresser gave it a blunt cut.
I can wear it wavy or flat iron it...I like the versatility of the style.
It will be easy to maintain.


Saw this gorgeous iris at Government House on one of my walks this week.

I love to wander about in the local gardens here...
so many great flowers and plantings that inspire.

The weather forecast is for hotter temperatures...
unseasonably hot, or so we are told.
I have swapped out my winter clothes for the spring and summer cottons and linens.

I found a few things that were no longer useful.
Dropped a bag off to the local charity shop, 
had a good browse and came home empty handed.

I replaced a white linen top that I donated with a fresh new one from Marshalls.
It is a simple basic...


Under $30...
will wear it a LOT.
I DO love a bargain.

Well I must close for now and get some stuff done here...
hope that you are enjoying your weekend so far.


Happy Mother's Day!
I will think of my dear MOM...she was one of a kind.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Friday, March 24, 2023

OOTD and I may have solved the problem with comments...

 


 ~ Walking ~
I love walking along the waterfront.
Fortunately we live close to the seafront but I frequently walk in Oak Bay.
The Esplanade near Willows Beach is a scenic spot for a stroll.


I spied this beaded bracelet on the arm of the blue Adirondack chair...


I stopped to take a closer look and noticed the card inside.
Oak Bay Trinket Fairy

I now follow this Instagram account and have learned 
that this bead artist makes and leaves them for people to find!
What a lovely idea...
similar to those painted rocks that were once popping up in our neighbourhood.

Friday ~ post published today 
as I am going to busy this Sunday...
I have been trying to keep the posts regular but a wee bit of a BLIP is fine.

On the heels of my denim jumper purchase I found a coat!


New Eileen Fisher blue coat...
a simple and classic choice for Spring and Summer.
Turns out that I really like Eileen Fisher coats as I now have 3 of them.


~ OOTD ~

Wore my big pearls from Hong Kong to tea at a friends home.
We sip tea ~ chat and knit together.
I paired it with a crisp white Old Navy shirt and a wool Lord and Taylor skirt.
Layered over Hue capri tights and my Josef Seibel Chelsea Boots.


Rather an "edgy" look but very comfortable :-))

Do you wear "edgy" fashion choices?
It is a wee bit of a stretch for me but after wearing this combo several times 
it feels honest and natural.

Let's have a quick chat about hair...
it is supposed to be our crowning glory.

Sadly
my hair has been thinning this past year...
which has been a worry but I do have a thyroid condition and that is one of the issues.
I take medication for my thyroid but hair loss is a concern.
My hair used to be SO THICK!

Has your hair thinned?

On my last visit to my stylist I mentioned this to her she cut in more layers 
now it looks fuller and has more body
so I am happy with the results.

In other news...

I have been researching the blogger problem with comments.
Your emails have not gone unnoticed...
May have found an answer...
fingers crossed 
so please try now and see if it works.

Leave a comment and we'll see if it works.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Sunday, February 19, 2023

OOTD ~ Fashion Police "look away" and some thoughts on hair...

 


It's Sunday again...
I am trying to continue with my weekly posts and it seems like Sunday is THE day.

You might be surprised if you saw me today :-))

Honestly...
The Fashion Police would definitely be citing me with an infraction.
most certainly it would be an enormous fine.

After showering I put on my body lotion, washed and moisturized my face...
added some mascara and tinted lip balm.
I am not going out.

OOTD
A pair of indigo sweatpants
black camisole
 dove grey hand knit Miriam wool sweater
 slippers
&
Akoya pearls

This morning I am baking bread, doing laundry and tonight I am making a roast beef.
There will be some reading and knitting...

I am giving myself permission to stay home and cocoon.

In other news...


I found a cute top at the Win Thrift Shop


I used to see a lot of garments made by Joseph Ribkoff.


I think this will come in handy for the summertime.
I can pair it with pants and that blue linen skirt that I purchased last year.


The neckline is perfect for the pearls :-))


The sun was shining a few days ago...
today there are moody clouds blanketing the sky.


Must be craving summer with my shopping habits...
purchased a new straw tote.
a great size for our Pender trips.
It can be loaded up with my laptop, books, and a few other bits.
It will come in handy at The Farmer's Market as well.

Hubby and I went to the Tapas on Oak for dinner.
Our son and the grands gave us a gift card so we wanted to try it out.
The food was good and the tapas portions were perfect for two.
It was busy and the wait staff were super friendly and efficient.


I wore a casual outfit...
tweed Hudson pants
this black crinkle top and my Chelsea boots.

I have no idea who made this top?
it has been in  my wardrobe for ages, it must have been a thrift shop find.
I took it travelling to France and Italy as when washed it dries overnight.
Great for layering !

I post on Instagram daily and several readers mentioned my hair style...
"straight and flat ironed"
the texture of the salt and pepper grey has changed and my hair is much thinner.

This would appear to be an aging issue...
many women complain of thinning hair 
my 69th birthday is a few weeks away
so I guess it is my turn...
but no complaints :-))

Do you colour your grey hair or have you gone au natural?
Was it a gradual process going grey or did you just stop dying it?
Has the texture changed like mine?

Have you changed your hairstyle?
I know many women keep their signature style over decades...
rather like a signature fragrance, many never ever stray.

I am not unhappy with my hair,  but I regularly change things up.
Covid happened and I grew my hair long.
Two years later I had it cropped in a short layered bob.
Now it appears that I am growing out the layers and wearing it straight.
I haven't been to my hairdresser for a few months.

Shall we chat about our hair?
Leave a comment to chime in...

Well I guess I better get on with my day...
lunch will not make itself
plus I want some tea...
then there is bread to bake and laundry to fold!

Hope that you are all well...there seems to be a lot of illness about.

Be Well and Be Kind 

Sunday, December 12, 2021

OOTD a fabulous dinner and something new...

 


OOTD
I had my hair flat ironed for a festive holiday dinner.
I don't own a flat iron and I am not great at straightening my hair with the blow dryer.

It's fun to play around with hair styles...
wavy, curly, messy up do's and simple pony tails.


Red ballet flats for a pop of colour.


A black dress with capri tights.
Sparkly Sherman rhinestone brooch for a wee bit of festive fun.

With a minimal wardrobe that is mostly black
it's easy to get dressed 
I always add a few accessories to lighten the overall look.


My friend Julie hosted a lovely gathering last evening.
Her home radiates warmth and was bright with very festive accents.


Here is the French Themed menu...
so delicious!


Cozy, charming and elegant.





Julie is multi talented...
she is so incredibly creative!
Julie sews, decorates, gardens, cooks,...
I don't think there is anything that Julie cannot do!

Thank you for the lovely evening.

I might be rushing the season a bit...
when I saw that Charlotte of Vivi et Margot had a sale...
I pounced!


New French Market basket from Vivi et Margot.


Love the long leather straps that make this a hands free option!


Will be a workhorse throughout the year...
toting around an assortment of things and market ready.


I made a double batch of whipped shortbread cookies.
The recipe is "an oldie but a goodie."

It is in The Best of the Best of Bridge Cookbook.
They are quick and easy to make and they melt in your mouth!


I found this wee festive tray at the Pharmasave in Oak Bay.
Thought it would be versatile and I can use it for veggies and dip, nuts and dried fruit or cookies.


Seasons Greetings
from
The Humble Bungalow.

Best wishes for a safe and Happy Holiday.


~ Be Well and Be Kind ~