Monday, October 3, 2016

Shopping success!

Oh dear me, the "shopping pump" has been primed...
after not buying much I have been finding all kinds of things to tempt me and I need to save for my travel plans to France!!!

Darling daughter and I met up this past week for an afternoon of thrifting...
it was a lucky day for me.


~ a crisp white shirt and a vintage leather bag ~


 ~ a white shirt and pearls are classics ~


the shirt is made of cotton and is not too sheer
it has seams in the back so that it is flattering and not too loose
I think this is going to be a versatile addition to my wardrobe.


Love the colour of this bag...
it reminds me of a fine wine
perhaps a burgundy or a claret.

It is made in Canada.


I could not resist this Imari jug...
I was out for my walk and as I often do I wandered into Kay's Korner in the Cook Street Village and lo and behold I spied this sweet vessel.
Currently I have a few pens in it but who knows 
it may have many uses...
a  few flowers would be lovely arranged in this jug.


I stopped on the way home from the village to take a photo of this enormous dinner plate sized dahlia.

The weight reduction focus is front and centre 
progress is going VERY VERY slowly despite the continued walking and the sensible eating.
I am almost ready to scream!
(that would be such bad form)
So I am trying hard to keep my eyes on the long term goal.


Story set in Provence...
a lovely book by a writer who is new to me.
I would recommend this book and say after you read it you might just want to join us for a month in Provence!


I have never owned a pair of Jessica Simpson flats.
They are made of soft leather, are comfy and very cute.
Sadly my Sam Edelman flats are scuffed and looking tatty...
"'So needs must!"


The bows on the toes were a selling feature...
just wish that they were available in red!


Please excuse me now for it is time for bed and a few chapters in my book.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

43 comments:

GSL said...

Crisp white, vintage leather, and pearls are winners and also a big fan of buying local.
I did a quick search to see if there was any connection to Diana Vreeland but alas, no but am interested in the milieu she covers and await your verdict.

Susan B said...

What great finds! That bag is a fabulous color.

Anonymous said...

Dear Hostess love your blog - we could be twins - almost- same age: check; trying to lose weight:check ; saving for European holidays but distracted by must have clothes bargains:check ; cat appreciation aficionados :check recently lost our beloved ginger and white Tom to lymphoma notwithstanding extensive chemotherapy however just rescued another from RSPCA; love a pot of loose leaf tea properly made:check; similar tastes in glassware- thank you so much for your tip re Tapio Wirkkala managed to track down 6 sourced from all over the globe via eBay oh and I love walking as a great Mind clearing exercise but currently tethered to desk thanks to plantar fasciitis. Keep blogging please. R

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Diana's book is good...
but I have to save...my travel is earned...crisp white shirts and pearls come easy!
Thank you for stopping by...

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

It is a rather generic shade...it can go with jeans or black pants...I am following your travels in Japan and it looks like SO MUCH fun!

Anna of Mutton Style and Years said...

I would have been tempted by the shirt and bag too. Excellent thriftying done there. Noticed your EB mug too.

Patricia said...

What a gorgeous pair of flats, just my style too. And a beautiful white shirt, a perfect wardrobe staple. You are So Good at thrifting. If I ever get to Victoria, I want to go thrifting too!
PS Did you see the royals? Loved Kate's blue outfit...

Susan said...

A little more than fifteen years ago we had a wonderful trip to Provence. Our home base was St. Remy with day trips out from there. You are going to love it!

materfamilias said...

Love that jug and couldn't have resisted it either!

Madame Là-bas said...

I enjoyed Lizette's List. The light and the art are beautiful in Provence. I have to take the weight-loss program more seriously now that I am back home. I bought a lovely cauliflower to make the soup. Your blouse and purse will be very useful, I'm sure. I'm off for a walk today. We must keep on trekking.

DaniBP said...

Love your finds! That Imari jug is beautiful but you've really outdone yourself with that leather bag, the colour and the tassel, so pretty. Your white shirt looks like a good one too, darts make such a difference don't they, the fit will be gorgeous.
We spent two weeks in Provence in 2011 and it was one of our nicest trips. We were just north of Montelimar and rented a car so we could toot around to all of the little villages. You will love it! XO

Kristien62 said...

Your consignment shop is a gem. Your finds are amazing and I love the Imari piece. It certainly would look lovely with flowers. The shopping bug sneaks up on me from time to time and consignment shopping is an intelligent way to satisfy it.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Thank you R,
I plan to keep blogging and am cheered by the fact that you enjoy my humble blog. Great news that you found those glasses!
Sorry to hear about your plantar fasciitis...it have had a frozen shoulder for most of the past year sop I understand about chronic pain...it is annoying.
Take care

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

It was a great day in the thrift shops...sometimes we coma away empty handed but when we hit the jackpot it is worth the wait!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Oh we have a few thrift shops here that I could share with you!
I loved what Kate was wearing...and her two adorable children are so sweet.
No royal sightings...I was glued to the daily news on the TV.
I did walk up to Government House a couple of times hoping for a peek but the gates were locked and they were inside.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I am going to do some research and will make note of that spot...thank you!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

The jug is a small indulgence that did not break the budget.
BTW Your Rome and Bordeaux holiday sounds and looks lovely...bravo for you travelling solo.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I am struggling with my weight this time around...I walked yesterday with my friend and we stopped for lunch and split an entree to keep us both within our WW points!
I am going to get out and walk today too. We need to keep it up Madame and not get discouraged...hope the weather is favourable on your side of the pond!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Thank you for the mention of the spot that you stayed in Provence...there are so many options and we will definitely need to rent a car for day trips.
I agree about the hand bag...such soft leather and the details are so classic.
The shirt is as new...and the fit is great...it was my lucky day!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Thrift shopping is an easy way to stretch the budget...
I took oodles of my bigger clothes to a great little consignment shop several years ago when I lost weight and was able to finance a good portion of my wardrobe rebuild with the profits...win win!

Marilyn said...

What great items. I love the colour of the bag and a useful size. I wish we had good thrift shops over here.

I'm struggling with my weight loss as well despite getting plenty of exercise in the garden and I was doing quite well for a while. I think I have hit a wall but I feel fine so that is more important.

Lorrie said...

Lovely thrifted items. The bag will be a great accent piece. The weight is going down ever so slowly here, too. It is frustrating! But little by little and we'll get there.

Margie from Toronto said...

I have not read that book but I have read her other book "Girl in Hyacinth Blue" and really enjoyed it - will have to look for this one.
Love your shopping finds - I never seem to have any luck even finding some decent thrift shops - will have to do some investigating - or perhaps I shouldn't - I've just switched over my closet and really - there is nothing that I need - but new things are always tempting.
Enjoy your book.

Our French Oasis said...

The crisp white shirt will take you just about anywhere, you will fit in perfectly here in France! Is that a Bridgewater mug with the spots I spy in the last photo? All of our crockery is Bridgewater, many many different patterns all mixed up together!

KSL said...

Good finds. Love the Imari jug. Provence is beautiful ~ I do hope you get to spend some time there.

Anonymous said...

I had a pair of Jessica Simpson flats a few years ago and wore them well beyond when I should have. They were so comfortable and cute. I have been on the lookout for a fresh pair ever since. Do you mind sharing where you found this brand?
Thank you!

JudyMac said...

Lisette's List a pleasant read, particularly if you are a Francophile!

La Contessa said...

What size shoe do you wear?I may have a RED SHOE FOR YOU!
GREAT FINDS...............thrifting is one of my favorite past times TOO!
Made the PORK T. on SUNDAY night ......DELICIOUS.
It was even better last night as leftovers.........with a potato casserole from Ellie's CHRISTMAS BOOK!THANK YOU SO MUCH as I was in NEED of some new meat recipes.........off to search for THAT other recipe you mentioned......HOW FAR BACK do you recall?

Anonymous said...

Beautiful colour of your bag-something special !
And I love your flats.
Book goes straight to to-read list (longer and longer it is...)
Dottoressa

Anonymous said...

Beautiful colour of your bag-something special !
And I love your flats.
Book goes straight to to-read list (longer and longer it is...)
Dottoressa

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

The bag is in pristine condition and I just was in the right place at the right time. Our thrift shops are hit and miss...
it is frustrating about the slower results of mindful eating. My walking partner is struggling too and she does aerobics as well as walking. It must be our aging metabolisms :-(( Feeling good is definitely the top priority.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Slow and steady wins the race...wasn't that one of Aesop's Fables?

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I scorched my white shirt last season with a too hot iron and I love having a white shirt in my wardrobe so it was on my need list rather than my wish list...I have very few things to buy now that I found a new pair of ballet flats to replace the ones that were worn and scuffed.
Will put that book on my list too...I saw the title in the front of her book and wondered if I would enjoy it...so thank you!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

It is an Emma Bridgewater mug! Great observation! I love her Black Toast pattern and have a few other mugs which are fun to use in rotation!
I hope you will show us a picture of your EB collection on your blog sometime.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I am starting to explore villages and accommodation options. Do you have any suggestions from your time there?
I like what I have seen online about Arles, Aix en Provence, Ils de la Sorgue, St. Remy but there are so many villages how does one decide which ones to visit and which ones to stay in? So many choices!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I found them at Sears and I do not usually shop there so it was a surprise!
We were out buying shirts and shoes for my husband and looking at new dishwashers....ours is making a terrible grinding sound.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Sounds like you enjoyed it too!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

The other pork recipe is on the September 17th post titled September Snippets...
I must reinstall the labels on my blog side bar...you reminded me that it was removed when I was having blog glitches. Thank you!
I usually wear a 6 1/2...you have aroused my curiosity...red shoes are on my radar.

Alix said...

I love your blog! I grew up in Vancouver and spent my summers on Galiano Island. Have you read The Curve of Time by Muriel Wylie Blanchet ? A wonderful story about a mother and her children and their summer travels by boat up the B.C. coast a lovely story! With regard to more walking and weight loss may I kindly suggest something I learned from my personal trainer ( I enlisted a fitness helper! I needed the help!) he says you can walk and walk but won't loose much weight as you need to increase your metabolism - a small weight lifting work out created by a certified personal trainer will help with a lot with this - sounds like you are ready to take the next step in fitness! Weights at great at any age - you will see and feel improvement! Drink lots of water. I keep a litre Nalgene bottle on the counter and try to drink 2 litre a day! Trainer wants 3litre!! Do you have a local personal trainer/gym to create a small gym work out for you? All the best! You sound amazing! I blog from Old Oakville on the shores of almost ocean like Lake Ontario www.ourtowno.ca

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Hope you are not inundated with titles!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Hello Alix!
The Curve of Time is a classic....especially with us boaters! A treasure, in fact and the there is a new book where a family trace and visit all the locations that The Curve of Time visited!
I have two 5 pound weights in the basement...I could use a trainer...
Im am off to read your blog now...thank you for stopping by!

galant said...

Wonderful charity (thrift) shop finds! Love the white shirt and bag.
Not sure about drinking 2 to 3 litres of water per day ... I don't know what the medical world thinks about that (perhaps personal trainers are also medically/nutritionally trained?) but maybe 3 litres would reduce essential body salts a little too much unless these were also being replaced?
Margaret P

La Contessa said...

OKAY, I couldn't find it yesterday the OTHER PORK recipe!
I'm an 8.5 so NO LUCK THERE!These shoes were over $300.00 in a catalog I receive and yet I found them in the NAPA VALLEY consignment shop for $18.00 maybe less but I NEVER WEAR THEM.........so would have been THRILLED TO send your way!