Showing posts with label packing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label packing. Show all posts

Sunday, February 26, 2023

Sunday ~ Sunshine and Snow

 


This candle is not what I expected...
it is melting in a rather unusual fashion.

The shopkeeper where I purchased this candle
assured me that they were quality imports from Europe.

I think I will go back to buying beeswax candles.
They burn cleanly and look lovely and are fragrant while they burn.


Reading Mick Herron's book Slow Horses the first in the series.
Mr. HB is on book 5 London Rules...
he has the next one and will purchase the new one when it is published this April.
We do not usually read the same books but this series is an exception.


My reading corner at the cottage.


The weather is freezing cold and we had some snow overnight.
Just a dusting.


It is a beautiful sunny Sunday here at the cottage!


Another vintage sealer jar...almost full.


We managed to get out for two beach walks and gather sea glass.

Fashionable OOTD at the cottage are rather non existent!

I pack a Lands' End tote with cozy casual sportswear during the fall and winter.

What I pack for the week:

Nightgown and Ralph Lauren terry robe
thick alpaca socks (instead of slippers)

Lingerie:
bras, panties, camisoles

Two long sleeved Lands" End cotton tops 
Yoga pants and a pair of black lined leggings
32 Below black velour zip jacket
Black quilted Eileen Fisher vest
distressed and much worn Gap denim shirt
Jeans 
Long sleeve Eileen Fisher boiled wool sweater 

Boots:
Warm lined Reiker boots in a tobacco shade
Black waterproof Josef Seibel Chelsea Boots

Columbia blue puffer coat
Burberry plaid scarf

You might be curious, I do wear my Akoya pearls...
my vintage burgundy leather Due Fratelli bag
I also bring a small black leather Roots bag for hikes and walks.

Our cottage time is laid back and casual.

Hope that you are keeping warm and cozy if it is snowing where you live.

We'll be spending most of the week with our noses in our books and going for walks.
Meals will be simple and the weather sounds like it will warm up.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.
Many of you are frustrated that the email service Blogger offered is no longer working...
You can try Feedly or check in most Sundays for the post.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Saturday, October 5, 2019

Keep Calm and Carry On...3 weeks of outfits!

Trying very hard to keep calm...to sleep and to breathe.

The excitement is building and there are not that many more sleeps before Julie and I depart on our adventure in Italy and France.

This week I kept busy with friends, reading and walking.

I enjoyed a relaxing pedicure at the Willow King Spa and chose a bright red shade of polish for my toes...I am packing sandals as the weather in Rome and Tuscany looks hotter than I expected.


Merrell sandals super comfy for long walks
Clark Chelsea Boots and New Balance trainers.


Rain jacket and yoga pants for the bike ride to the vineyard in Tuscany
They may come in handy for the fishing trip on the Tyrrhenian Sea.


Eileen Fisher top and jeans.
Cashmere sweater

I plan to wear this on the plane with the Clark Chelsea boots.


Eileen Fisher jacket 
"Sunken Garden"scarf from Butchart Gardens gift shop here in Victoria.
Hedgren lightweight Cross body bag.


Nyan crinkle dress
Eileen Fisher top and black rayon pants


Tencel chambray shirt which I can layer over the tees and tops.


Camisole and crinkly top which can be worn together with black pants or jeans.

Lingerie, capri leggings, socks, nightie, and a swimsuit.
It all fits in the carry on and there is a bit of room to spare!


I am taking the Longchamp bag as my accessory item.

I packed a similar amount of clothing in 2015 when I went to Paris and France.
Minimalistic carry on wardrobes are easier to pack than you might think.
If we encounter snow I will need to do some shopping!
Hope that the weather will be as forecast and I will purchase something fun in Paris...


It's a beautiful sunny Autumn day here in The Humble Bungalow.
Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

BTW
Have you seen the Downton Abbey film yet?

It's wonderful, a fabulous story line and the return of the original characters makes it a pure delight.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Travel carry on list making...roasted tomatoes and a new book!

Travel planning is part of the fun when embarking on a getaway.
A friend and I will be flying off to Italy and France in the next few weeks...
so
I want to be prepared for a variety of events and weather.
 I am relying heavily on layers to do the job.

This is the list of things that I am mulling over.

Colour theme of basic black, grey and white.

All will fit into my Air France carry on.
I did not add all the scarves to my list 
as I am trying to decide if I can be happy with one or two 
which ones they may be are still to be decided.



This navy cashmere cardigan will go with all my clothes.
The silk scarf is a triangular shape and adds a bit of oomph to the basic items.

The coat I am packing is from Eileen Fisher 
 an olive green khaki shade...
there is some olive green in this scarf 
as well as mustard yellow, blue, white, black and many more shades.

I can tie it to focus on the colours that I want to emphasize.


This long charcoal grey jacket is in a sturdy knit fabric 
which can be also be worn as a coat.
It's from Bryn Walker 
I am leaning to taking it as its very versatile and has two large pockets.


I've been busy roasting the tomatoes that my husband grew in his greenhouse.
The sweet and richness of roasted tomatoes is such a treat.
Very versatile over fish or pasta.
Can be served as a side dish...or on top of a sliced baguette.


I added these to a jar of quality Italian pomodoro sauce
simmered for about an hour before I
served it over pasta.
An absolute gastronomic delight!


Autumnal colourful flowers for the cottage...


I've discovered a new author 
Kate Eberlen.
Am immersed in this lovely story...
it's a romantic story of two young people 
who have a chance meeting in Florence while on holiday 
and it moves back to London where their lives cross paths...

I am starting Part Two and am enjoying the story and writing immensely.
It's so refreshing when you discover a new author and I found out her next book "If Only" is due to come out in April of 2020.

What are you reading?
Have you discovered any new authors?

Do any of you seasoned travellers have advice you care to share when it comes to packing light for 3 weeks using only a carry on?

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~


Monday, July 22, 2019

Alaska Cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam ~ What I packed and arriving in Vancouver


Relaxing on a Sea Day in comfortable surroundings.
The views are spectacular, the weather is warm and the seas are calm.

I packed carefully for the trip.
My wardrobe is basically black with white and grey accents.

What I packed:

Eileen Fisher :
black pants
tank top
linen jacket
black vest

black bamboo dress and long knit jacket

black textured skirt
St. John black knit top with silver sparkles

Gilmour white dress with black polka dots

Jeans
2 white linen tops
Saint James white and black striped V neck top
white scarf /shawl 

David Cline grey print shirt 
 I wore it under my vest and again open as a layering piece with a tank and pants

Nanette Lepore white linen knit sweater

bathing suit and cover up
( I never used them as the pools were full of kids splashing and having fun!)

Hat gloves umbrella
Lands' End down jacket

Saint James raincoat

Columbia light rain jacket

underwear and bras
nightie


A souvenir purchase


I'll wear this on our boat!

We brought the grandchildren some colour changing Tee shirts
with Alaska animals on the front.


Views to the North Shore of Vancouver.


The Port of Vancouver


A beautiful day to walk around the seafront in Vancouver.



Salvador Dali sculpture 

We met up with Brian's sister and her granddaughter and walked about before going out for lunch and dinner.
They had an early flight Sunday...
we slept in 
on our way to the ferries 
I popped into the South Granville Eileen Fisher 
I purchased a black sleeveless top and some new jeans.


It's back to reality now...

We have many wonderful memories of this cruise and I would recommend this particular trip to anyone interested in experiencing 
the natural beauty of BC and Alaska.
Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam was a particularly luxurious ship.

I hope that you have enjoyed this series of posts on the trip.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Cruise ship shopping...

The cruise to Alaska is approaching so fast and I have not even written out my packing list! I must get busy and do something about that or I will forget something important.

I did find some time for a quick trip to the shops to find a knit top that would look nice over my dresses and would be an extra layer over my Eileen Fisher tank tops and black pants.





When I spied this Nanette Lapore knit I knew immediately that it filled the required style idea that I had in my head.


I also found a simple linen Tahari Tee top which I will pair with my linen capris.
It will go well with jeans, my black knit skirt, and all my pants.

I plan to wear my pearls on the cruise ship as they go with everything...
"keep it simple"
 is my motto for a minimal travel wardrobe.

This is our first time on a cruise ship...
Do any of you have any advice on what I should pack?


                    Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.


~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Travel wardrobe and simplifying the closet.

Its that time of year for me...
The time when I look at my clothes closet
and wonder how I can simplify my wardrobe.
What can I purge? What should I keep?

I don't need many clothes for my casual retirement lifestyle.

Looking tidy, age appropriate, but not frumpy, are my priorities when it comes to putting an outfit together.

With a couple of trips on the horizon I am looking at pieces that will pack well and be versatile.

My wardrobe is basically black and grey so everything can mix and match...which makes for many more possible outfits with fewer items.

The one thing that I would like to find is a trench style coat, single breasted in a charcoal or black...one that I can add a layer underneath for warmth should the temperatures dip. I have not found one that I like yet...so many are double breasted and they do not work for me at all...far too wide on my short frame.

I plan to hop across the pond to Vancouver to see if Nordstrom's or other shops may have something that will work for me.

In the meantime, I did find a new basic that will travel well...


Bryn Walker swing coat
I like the weight of the fabric and it skims and flatters my curves.


Are you familiar with the brand Bryn Walker?


The pockets are handy!


I like to roll up the sleeves.

I've got some Eileen Fisher basic black pants and one of her black tank tops.
I will add a layer over top...
perhaps my denim tencel shirt worn as a jacket
or this jacket by Bryn Walker.

The other option is a cashmere cardigan or a vest.

I am already thinking of a minimal travel wardrobe
for 3 weeks taking only a carry on.

We travel this fall 
 fly to Rome
then we will go to
 Tuscany 
attend a week long cooking vacation 
(with daily excursions)
rent a car 
drive to Provence
stay in a villa near Aix en Provence
explore the surrounding villages
drive to Auvillar to visit our friends for a few days
hop on the TGV to Paris 
where we will spend a couple of days before flying home.

I am already madly "pinning ideas" from Pinterest 
that focus on travel and packing.

The planning is so much fun!
I'd forgotten...
it's been several years since my trip to Paris and the South of France

What are your "go to" travel items?
Do you travel with a carry on or do you check your bag?

What would you pack for 3 weeks in a carry on?

I welcome your thoughts and ideas...

Take care and thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~


Monday, February 1, 2016

Fresh from Seattle...

My previous post generated an amazing number of comments and responses.
Thank You!

I had no idea that it would create such a flurry of emails and comments.

Thank you for taking the time to write and for sharing your thoughts...
Just knowing that google was responsible for the sudden drop in followers makes me feel better.

I write the blog as a hobby, not as a job and post only when I feel the desire.

Readers are important...I'd be kidding you if I said it didn't matter.
It is not for the "approval" as one commenter mentioned...
there is comfort knowing that there is an audience of readers out there.

So without further adieu...

Mr. HB and I have been away on a little jaunt to Seattle and we returned last night to our cozy Bungalow, which was well taken care of by our house sitter...who also took great care of our cats.



View from the BC Ferry crossing the Strait of Georgia.


The Clarks are super comfy and we walked a lot!


The new leather cross body bag by Maggie turned out to be a winner.
Not too big and the area at the front has a pocket for my IPhone which is handy for taking pictures!
My carry on bag had plenty of room as I packed light.

I wore my Barbour jacket
NYDJ skinny version
took various Eileen Fisher tops
a dressy pair of ponte knit pants 
my new coral top and sweater.
a warm grey knit pullover
Burberry cashmere scarf
walking shoes by Clarks Artisan 


It was chilly walking around downtown in Seattle and there were rain showers.
I got a chill and so I kept sipping hot beverages.
Turns out the chill was a warning of a cold coming on.
It is the first cold that I have had in over a year!


Pike Place Market is always on our list of spots to visit when we go to Seattle.





The flowers are really beautiful and so reasonably priced...




Love white bouquets with simple greenery.


We had lunch at a French cafe...
the menu was much like those I visited in Paris.
Ham, baguettes and cornichons.
Olives, salads, oysters, terrines, sausages.
We enjoyed a steaming hot bowl of French onion soup.


When we visit Seattle we always stay at The Mayflower Park Hotel.
It is comfortable, the location is close to shopping and situated close to many fabulous restaurants.
Valet parking, an award winning bar ~ Oliver's 
a restaurant  ~ Andaluca 
wonderful ambiance 
comfy beds
lovely decor
prompt room service
fresh flowers
The staff are efficient, polite and friendly.




Old world charm built in 1927...the same year that my Mother was born!


I'll be keeping close to home until I shake this cold.
Will work on a few more snippets from our trip and post them when I get time.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog!