Shannon Ables's Blog, page 249

A Kitchen to Love

The kitchen has become the showpiece of a home, but if you’re someone who simply enjoys cooking and preparing food with others and for others you love, having a space in which you can cook effortlessly (as discussed in this week’s episode of the podcast), is the dream and it doesn’t necessarily require a large space.

What I was drawn to about this New York home designed by Jeff Etelamaki, the founder of his architecture firm which is based in Brooklyn is the kitchen isn’t extremely large, yet it is laid out in such a way to create a productive as well as inviting work space. The salvaged wooden work table of course was the item that caught my eye, but as well, the schoolhouse lighting, white and wooden countertops and farmhouse sink. Take a look around and find endless inspiration. With a simple color palette, the food and the personalities of those cooking it become bring the flavor.

Snapshots from TSLL’s Brief Getaway

Sometimes we don’t know how badly we are in need of a getaway until we actually are in the middle of experiencing one.

While I have been thoroughly enjoying my work schedule this summer, it wasn’t until I slipped away to Seabrook, Washington, on Long Beach with the boys that I realized I needed a moment to catch my breath, to not wear a watch the entire time and put my phone on airplane mode (except for the few moments to post to Instagram). I am thankful to my friend Nancy for giving me this opportunity. It exceeded any expectations I may have had, and having now returned home, the memories of leisure, laughter and evening sunsets on the coast will not soon be forgotten.

The other beautiful lesson I was reminded of was even brief vacations can be quite powerful and effective as it is the quality of the time we spend away, with whom we spend it and whether or not we truly step away from our routines and responsibilities thereby allowing ourselves to be free from incumbrance that determine whether or not our lives become enriched and improved by the experience.

In so doing deciding to slip away for a few days, I do not have a Why Not . . . ? post to share this week, but I do have some images that were captured on my getaway that I think you might enjoy. Some of you may have seen some of these on Instagram and some of you may have seen others on the Stories feature of the app. I do hope you enjoy and it is my wish for you that you too are able to take some time, no matter how short, to getaway and recharge.

~the daisy were so beautiful, they didn’t look real~

~took a stroll around the neighborhood~

~my good friend brought to my attention that Sunset’s 2013 Idea House resides in Seabrook, as seen in these photographs. The house just happened to be right across the small cluster of trees from our vacation rental, so I took the opportunity to speak to the manager (it is a vacation rental, as well as on the market for purchase) who gave us the key to tour.)~

~our home away from home~

~exhausted and happy~

~upon arriving back in Bend, Diana Krall was in town, and having waiting for years to see her play and sing, live, the opportunity finally presented itself. And her voice exceeded all my expectations, as did the evening sky.~

 

~To see what we’re up to on a daily basis, and what my simply luxurious life everyday moments look like, be sure to follow @thesimplyluxuriouslife on Instagram and check out our stories as well as so many more images and videos that are shared than what is seen on our IG scroll. 

Summer Ease

Summer time and the living is easy as I sit coast side up in Washington state. Making sure to pack my white linen shirt (I ordered a size 10 and I’m usually a size 8 – perfect fit!) from The White Company, cozy boyfriend jeans as well as sandals and my wellies (you have to play in the water as well with the dogs, non?), there was very little else to pack besides the beauty essentials.

As I type the boys (my spaniels, Norman and Oscar), are tuckered from their second romp on the sand, and now are being spoiled with a chewy as the sea breeze wafts through the beach rental. Needless to say, my preferred getaway is being savored at this very moment thanks to a dear friend who invited me to join her and her family. A priceless memory I will not soon forget.

Last evening as the fresh crab meat and a glass of crisp Chardonnay patiently awaited us to indulge ourselves, I sat down to share with you a few Style Inspiration outfits that are easy, timeless and stunning during the summer months. Whether it’s the one piece jumpsuit, a white blouse, tee, or button-up, classic, ankle grazing boyfriend jeans or a shirt dress finished with a traditional belt, summer reminds us to keep it simple and more often than not, you’ll get it just right. As well, below you will find a few similar items I hand-picked for you to shop should you be so inspired.

{Have a look at TSLL’s Instagram to see a few pics of where I slipped away to for a few days. If you can, and the 24-hr window is still available, be sure to check out TSLL’s IG Stories, as I had the opportunity to tour Sunset’s Idea House as well as take you onto the beach for the sunset and sunrise.}

 

SHOP SIMILAR ITEMS:

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~View more Style Inspiration posts here

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165: How to Enjoy Eating Every Day and Love the Results

~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #165
~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate: iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio

“Right food, right place, right time. It is my belief . . . that this is the best recipe of all. A crab sandwich by the sea on a June afternoon; a slice of roast goose with applesauce and roast potatoes on Christmas Day; hot sausages and a chuck of roast pumpkin on a frost-sparkling night in November. These are meals who success relies not on the expertise of the cook but on the more basic premise that this is the food of the moment – something eaten at a time when it is most appropriate, when the ingredients are at their peak of perfections, when the food, the cook and the time of year are at one with each other.” —Nigel Slater in The Kitchen Diaries: A Year in the Kitchen with Nigel Slater

Being able to have what we want is not always a blessing. But having what we need is imperative to our well-being, and what we need is nutrient-rich food and when it tastes its most delicious, it is all the more attractive to enjoy.

Supermarkets have made the food we love available for consumers year-round, but we all know a tomato in December here in the states tastes nothing like its summer counterpart. Instead pick up an apple or if you are in Hawaii or on the west coast, a rambutans (seasonally available September through March). Satisfy your sweet-tooth and eat what is readily avilable and full of flavor.

I can only speak for myself, but part of the reason I fall into the habit of eating the same vegetable, fruit or meal year round as a go-to is it’s easy, I think it saves me time and I don’t have to think about it. And while it does ease the need to have to figure out what to eat each night or for lunch, it isn’t actually the best for my health.

Initially, it will take time and our full attention to learn what is in season and know what to do with it when we get it back to our kitchen, but once we gain this knowledge, it becomes a habit. In essence, we are becoming our own home chef capable of cooking anything with fresh ingredients and what is left in the refrigerator. This feat may sound impossible, and you may be someone who doesn’t love to cook, but most of us eat at home a majority of the time, so it doesn’t have to be a passion and you don’t have to be a foodie to learn the basics of seasonal cooking. Your health, your waistline and your peace of mind will thank you.

1. Shop at small local shops, markets and specialties businesses

A fish market, a cheese shop, the local bakery, the farm stand, your neighbor’s petite produce stand, choosing to frequent such food options rather than the giant supermarket will make the shopping experience far more pleasurable and the food you purchase will be fresher and most likely in season. As well, you can begin to establish relationships with the experts who run each business, ask them questions and learn about what you will be eating and feeding those you love.

2. Shop once a week for stock up items in the épicerie, but day to day for fresh food

“[The Kitchen Diaries] is a gentle plea to buy something, however, small, each day, to take time to shop, to treat it as a pleasure rather than a chore.” —Nigel Slater

The weekly capsule menu is something I believe works wonderfully for planning the meals for the week and the ingredients, which should be versatile, for each recipe item. And while I typically do a weekly shopping run to my farmers market or Trader Joe’s, I do stop by the local produce stand or the bakery, etc. throughout the week to ensure I have the freshest ingredients.

3. Curate a kitchen space that works well, no fancy gadgets necessary

As anyone who has traveled in Europe and England will attest, kitchens are very small even in the most grand of cities, and while many people especially in Paris and London and well, name your favorite destination, will want to dine at the many restaurants, cooking in a small kitchen is very possible. So don’t let the size of your kitchen be the roadblock. I always think of Rachel Khoo in her little Paris kitchen cooking away in minimal space. Most importantly, regardless of space, make sure you have the basic tools and essentials as well as a well-stocked épicerie. See my detailed list for both here.

4. Plant a garden, no matter how much space you have.

Whether you have a large plot of land or a window sill, plant what you can, what you’re curious about and with each year, add something different, try something new. As well, try to plant something to be enjoyed in each season: rhubarb in the early spring, strawberries in late spring, fresh herbs all summer (sometimes year round depending upon where you keep them), squash and pumpkin in the fall, the possibilities are endless. Have fun and play in the dirt.

5. Educate yourself on seasonal offerings

Whether from books, cookbooks are a delight to read, and you learn as you peruse each recipe especially if it is organized seasonally, or textbooks, food television programs or your local farmer, become curious about what is in season where you live. Choose to see it as an adventure of discovery. When I approach cooking this way, I don’t kick myself if something doesn’t work out, I celebrate the opportunity to try and regardless the food (because it’s in season) is usually delicious (again, not because of my prowess, but because seasonal food is good all on its own).

I found this very helpful online source for all fifty states. You simply choose your state, the season and voila! It shares not only the produce that should be available and at its freshest, but recipes as well.

~Eat the Seasons (a helpful guide for North America and United Kingdom citizens)

~Epicurious is also a worthwhile resource for recipes on seasonal food, organized by the season

6. Discover the power of food

The list is long of which to read to learn about what is the best balanced diet and how and where to find the nutrients you seek, but understanding where you can find fiber (grains – the less processed the better) and understanding exactly what an avocado gifts to your body encourages you to step toward these foods with curiosity and not fear that you are going to be eating too much fat or calories. With these two items, they will satiate you long before the calorie count is anything to worry about, and fat isn’t bad, remember this.

“Roast rhubarb on a January morning; ‘pick-your-own’ strawberries in June: a piece of chicken on the grill on an August evening . . . This is more than just something to eat, it is food to be celebrated, food that is somehow in tune with the rhythm of nature. Quite simply, the right food at the right time.”— Nigel Slater

7. Have a plan

The primary reason I have created seasonal capsule menus is to provide a starting point or foundation for how to cook seasonally in fall and spring (summer and winter will be coming in my second book to be released in 2018!). With time and practice, you’ll begin to incorporate your favorite ingredients and discover which recipes you like and even create your own.

8. Keep it simple

Truly, the best meal you will make on a regular basis should be simple, because again, it is the food, the quality of food, that makes it so. For example, my go-to recipe for vegetables year round is to roast them. Name the vegetable and for the most part, I will roast it. Asparagus in the spring, add some lemon and a bay leaf; zucchini and squash in summer and fall – olive oil drizzle, salt and pepper – 400 degrees for 30 minutes; broccoli in the fall through early spring. Oh, and I just tried roasted cauliflower finished in the last two minutes with Gruyère and Parmesan – delicious!

9. Try learning and incorporating a new habit each week

Perhaps one week you will learn and become confident with roasting, maybe the next week making your own herb butter, then the next a beloved go-to vinaigrette. Whenever you eat out and you taste something you love, ask the chef how they made it (or the waiter/ess to ask the chef). I recently had the most delicious huckleberry ricotta mousse, and out of curiosity (as huckleberries have a very limited season) I wanted to remember this recipe for the next year. They happily shared the ingredients, and I went online and found a ricotta mousse recipe from a trusted source and adapted it to my taste. (Check out my recipe for Homemade Ricotta Mousse with Fresh Berries here.)

10. Dine at farm to table restaurants 

One of the best ways to learn about seasonal food is to try it as it is prepared by well-trained chefs. More and more restaurants are following this model of seasonal recipes and in so doing are teaching and informing their patrons how to cook delicious food at home.

Learning how to feed our bodies well takes time, but hopefully with these tips, the journey through the seasons will be pleasurable, delicious and an experience to savor rather than a task to complete.

“The doctor of the future will give no medication, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.”

~Thomas Edison

 

~Below are a handful of seasonal cookbooks that come highly recommended, some new, some time-tested.

~ Six Seasons: A New Way with Vegetables
~ Simply in Season
~ Twelve Months of Monastery Soups: International Favorites
~ French Women Don’t Get Fat Cookbook
~ Simply Organic: A Cookbook for Sustainable, Seasonal, and Local Ingredients
~ True Food: Seasonal, Sustainable, Simple, Pure
~ P. Allen Smith’s Seasonal Recipes from the Garden: A Garden Home Cookbook

 

~SIMILAR POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

~Farmers Markets: How to Make the Most of Your Visit No Matter Where You Live

~A Capsule Menu: What It Is and How to Create Your Own

~Why Not . . . Feed Your Body Well?

~Why Not . . . Keep It Simple in the Kitchen?

~Why Not . . . Cook with Olive Oil?

~Why Not . . . Buy Local Produce?

~Why Not . . . Treat Your Body Like a Temple?

 

Petit Plaisir:
~The Kitchen Diaries by Nigel Slater

Download the Episode

 

Today’s sponsor of The Simple Sophisticate was Trunk. A journaling app to keep your thoughts saved recorded and a daily habit. Try it free for 30 months without having to share your buying information. If you like the app after 30 days, you can buy it when prompted. Currently available on iTunes – find it here. 

TSLL Audio Book is Now Available: What a Worthwhile Journey!

Whoever said good things take time deserves a very big hug and a feast of celebration.

The journey of bringing TSLL’s first book into audio format was not something I initially had on my list of to-do’s when the first book was released in November 2014. Granted it probably should have been, but at the time my plate was full and my audio set-up was not what it needed to be to produce the audio that would be needed.

A year and a half later, I realized that indeed, especially as I have a podcast, an audio book was a must-do. Listeners of the podcast were inquiring about it, as were many blog readers who enjoy listening to their books as well as reading them.  Well, one year later, and after four attempts, the audio book is available to enjoy.

Let’s talk about this past year. If I am being honest, I had a lot to learn about my audio recording (and I am still learning, it never stops), as I began last summer with a microphone that was on the verge of deteriorating until it finally did. Many of you may be asking, why didn’t you hire someone to read your book? Fair question, but as I have the podcast, listeners asked for my voice, and I wanted to not only honor their wishes if I could do so well, but also take on the challenge of learning something I never thought I would do. Recording studio? My house? What????

Many of my big projects kickstart during the summer months when I can dedicate myself entirely without worrying about the clock. When school picked back up in the fall, I put the audio book on the back burner, waiting to see when I might have time during my next holiday to redo my audio. That happened, but there were still minor details that needed tending to. Then life happened: snowstorm, heavy AP prep, travel, etc.

Enter UpWork. Some of you may already know about this gem of a resource for connecting talent in a wide variety of fields from around the globe remotely with potential customers, as well as offering a trusted space to do business. My audio expert was found here, and after agreeing to terms, price, and approving a test sample, I handed him my book to polish the audio quality. Long story short, he did it for a fair price, and I will certainly be returning to him in the future should another audio need arise.

And now the good news. After one entire year the audio book is ready for listeners to enjoy. Now is also the time to hug profusely that person who learned the lesson first and keeps reminding us all: Good things take time.

Let’s talk about the audiobook:

8 hours, 51 minutes of listening material
Available on three different platforms

Audible – $19.95 (free with 30-day free trial)
Amazon – $19.95
iTunes – $17.95


Narrated by Shannon

~Click here to purchase Choosing The Simply Luxurious Life: A Modern Woman’s Guide from Audible, here from Amazon and here from iTunes.

Thank you very much for your patience. Enjoy!

~Learn more about TSLL book here.

This & That: July 21, 2017

Books
—A Fine Romance: Falling in Love with the English Countryside by Susan Branch

While I am most certainly a Francophile, being an Anglophile isn’t far behind, and one of the main reasons is the English countryside. In her new book released last month, Susan Branch, a best-selling travel writer includes more than 300 images, as well as illustrations. Part travel guide and part memoir, wander through the rolling hills and historic villages and sites with Susan Branch.

—Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

A quirky, uplifting love story, Eleanor Oliphant may not know how to act as she should socially, but she is nothing but frank and authentically herself. With a little Bridget Jones and a little well, Eleanor Oliphant, critics are loving this book and couldn’t wait to get their hands on it. Predicted to be the big word-of-mouth literary hit of the year.

—Jane Austen At Home by Lucy Worsley

Historian Lucy Worsley is to Britain and history what Julia Child is to America and food, as described by Amy Bloom of The New York Times, and in her new book Jane Austen at Home readers step into Jane’s world by discovering through the details the many homes she lived and worked. This past Tuesday was the 200th anniversary of Austen’s death, and so you perchance have seen many a book on the well-known and revered author being released recently, but getting to know how and where she lived might just be the way to understand her more completely. Released earlier this month, have a look and see what you discover.

—Stick With It: A Scientifically Proven Process for Changing Your Life for Good by SeanD. Young

Released this past June award-winning psychologist and director of the UCLA Center for Digital Behavior Sean D. Young offers practical strategies supported by science that claim to surpass The Power of Habit. Instead of changing the person, he writes, you change the process, and the book reveals the process.

Francophile Find
—Lost in Paris

If you are ready to laugh and you appreciate the French culture, put this film on your list to watch. I was roaring simply watching the trailer (watch it and I dare you not to chuckle). Released earlier this year, and produced and directed by well-known Canadian and Belgium talents Fiona Gordon and Dominique Abel (who star in the film), Lost in Paris is slapstick comedy combined to tell an unexpected love connection all set in the City of Light. Beginning with the premise of Fiona (Gordan), who lives an orderly life, receiving a notice that her 88-year-old aunt needs her assistance (she lives in France and is played by Academy Award nominee Emmanuelle Riva who sadly has since passed). Reluctantly, Fiona heads from Canada to Paris and the hilarious journey ensues. Take a look at the trailer below and look for it in small independent theaters near you. 

 

Kitchen
—Williams Sonoma’s Friends & Family Sale

Chefs, gift-givers, Williams Sonoma is having a sale on new fall items, and all you have to do is use the promo code FRIENDS to save 20%. All-Clad skillets as well as Le Creuset SIgnature Cast-Iron Deep Skillets are part of the sale, but there is much more. Have a look here.

Shopping
—Club Monaco Senella cashmere scarf (an additional 30% off)

No promo code necessary. Club Monaco is having a clearance sale, adding an additional 30% off. Below are a few items that caught my eye.

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Television
—Insecure, season 2 Premiere

Earlier this week Stephen Colbert had as a guest on his show the star of HBO’s hit comedy series Insecure. Issa Rae is a talent who is bringing a series inspired by her own life (but amped up for television) back for its second season. While it is a 30-minute comedy and doesn’t dive too deep into every day issues, Variety applauds it for its “specificity, depth and nuance that each episode of Insecure is like a well-made cocktail — sweet, powerful and gone too soon.” Premiering this Sunday on HBO, have a look at the trailer below:

~recipe for roasted beets & carrot salad with burrata~

Sometimes the best weeks are the weeks in which we have no expectations of them. And such was the case of this past week. Just a regular work week was expected but it involved much love, clarity, inspiration, invitations and conversations that I am still savoring, I can only hope that the future holds more regular weeks.

I hope your week went well as we cross over into the second half of July. Le Tour de France wraps up on Sunday, so I will miss seeing the beautiful bucolic French countryside each day as I reward myself for wrapping up my work for the day. However, it provided endless inspiration for travel plans and the upcoming TSLL French Week whose dates were announced this week on the blog. Wishing you a lovely weekend, and until Monday, bonne journée!

~The Seine river is being reinvented! Find out how here

~Finding a good man and building an amazing relationship. Yes, there are more out there than you may have once thought.

~However, in all good relationships, tough conversations do take place. Find out how to navigate them here.

~Gardening has many benefits, one of which is helping to raise healthier happier children.

~Are you traveling internationally? Or will be soon? Find out how to dine well and properly in another country

~Trader Joe fans, read this to become a savvier shopper

~The French and food, here are 5 Tips for Shopping for Food Like the French

 

A Simple Summer Dessert: Homemade Ricotta Mousse with Fresh Berries

Lately I have been trying to stretch my palette as well as my abilities in the kitchen. And often my inspiration comes from delicious food I have the opportunity to enjoy when I dine out and about in Bend or elsewhere. Such was the case when I dined at The French Market a few weeks ago and enjoyed their Ricotta Mousse with Huckleberries.

What I appreciated most about the dish was the lack of unnatural sweetness, but rather allowing the subtle, yet distinct flavor of the huckleberries to shine through as well as the creaminess of the ricotta finished with just a touch of vanilla.

I was determined to figure out how to make this recipe, and upon sharing with my love that I was going to attempt it, he suggested I make my own ricotta as he has quite a bit of experience in the kitchen. Idée parfaite! As he revealed, it is one of the simpler cheeses to make and a good place to start learning how to make cheese. And he was right. 

Once I made the ricotta, the rest of the recipe was simple. While huckleberries are no longer in season, I selected fresh Oregon strawberries that are bursting with natural sweetness from the local farmer’s market here in Bend.

In an effort to discern the difference between store-bought ricotta and homemade, I made the recipe with both. What I discovered was while both are delicious, there is depth of flavor to the homemade ricotta that you do not find at the store. No surprises there, non?

So, if you have the time, go ahead and make your own ricotta. It is quite easy, as you will see below and the dessert will be a satiating conclusion to a wonderful meal without all of the extra sugar.

A Simple Summer Dessert: Homemade Ricotta Mousse with Fresh Berries









Servings3-4 servings

Prep Time20 minutes

Cook Time10 minutes

Passive Time2 hours







Ingredients




Homemade Ricotta



2quarts (8 total cups - 4 per quart)

whole milk

1cup

heavy cream

1/2teaspoon

salt

3tablespoons

fresh lemon juice



1 large sieve



fine mesh cheese cloth





Ricotta Mousse



1cup

ricotta(whole milk, homemade is delicious, but store bought works well also)

1/2cup

heavy creamcold

1/8cup

sugar

1/3cup

fresh berries (huckleberries, strawberries, whatever is your favorite)finely dice

1/8cup (approximate)

fresh berriesfor placing at the bottom of each ramekin before placing the mousse on top

1/2teaspoon

vanilla










Instructions




Homemade Ricotta




Place a large sieve on top of a medium-size sauce pan or bowl. Line the sieve with cheesecloth.



In a sauce pan combine whole milk and heavy cream on medium to high heat, and bring to a rolling boil. Stir occasionally to ensure the milk doesn't become scalded.



When the liquid has come to a rolling boil, add the lemon juice and reduce heat to low to simmer. Stir for 2-3 minutes until the liquid begins to curdle. Remove from the heat.



Pour liquid through the cheesecloth and the sieve. Let stand to drain for one hour. After that time, remove all the liquid that has been drained and place the cheese remaining in the cheese cloth (ideally in the same bowl, resting in the sieve) into the refrigerator (cover with plastic wrap. You can leave in the refrigerator for 2-4 days. However, you can also get started on your ricotta mousse immediately.






Ricotta Mousse




Purée ricotta in a food processor until smooth (this won't take much time - approximately 5-10 pulses). Set aside.



In a small mixing bowl, combine the heavy cream and the sugar. Whisk until soft peaks form (about 3-5 minutes). Add the vanilla and mix until combined.



In a mixing bowl place the ricotta, gently add with a spatula the 1/3 cup berries. Add the whipped cream mixture in three stages, folding gently into the ricotta mixture each time.



At the bottom of each ramekin or serving bowl/dish, place 5-7 berries pieces. Then scoop the mousse mixture on top. top with a berry or two to reveal to your guests what is in the dish.



Place in the refrigerator to chill for 1 hour.

An Outfit of Summer Sale Finds

 

~Robert Clergerie Zola tasseled paneled suede and patent-leather sandals~

~Acne Studios Skinny dark denim jeans, on sale, more here, white available here~

~Petit Bateau Marini striped cotton-jersey top, navy and white~

~Le Specs The Prince 58mm mirrored rimless aviator sunglasses (on sale for fewer than $60)~

~Clare V. white Luce handbag, on sale~

~Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone (pre-order now, September 2017 release) by Brené Brown

 

~SHOP THE OUTFIT:

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~See TSLL Picks of Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale

Amanda Seyfried’s Country Getaway

Actress Amanda Seyfried’s home in the Catskills in upstate New York unwent a complete remodeling with the expertise of interior designer Sarah Zames. The 1920s stone house was featured in the most recent issue of Elle Decor and exemplifies a space full of quality fixtures, foundational pieces without too much excess decoration. Such an outcome was exactly as Seyfried wanted (read more here about her approach).

All lighting and custom millwork as well as most of of the finishes were completely revamped all the while maintaining the original character of the home. Keeping the height in the living room as well as the upstairs master in this three-bedroom escape, establishes a country comfort of airy, fresh leisure. And the library shelving as well as the exposed beams throughout the home evoke a rustic sanctuary aesthetic. Enjoy the tour and learn more about each of the fixtures and details here and here.

~same dining room, styled two different ways~

~Same bedroom, styled two different ways~

 

~View more DECOR INSPIRATION posts here:

~A Bibliophile’s Dream Home

~Ralph Lauren’s French-Norman Country Getaway

Images via Elle Decor & General Assembly interior design

Three New Wardrobe Staples I Am Loving

I have learned that having a list of what I need year-round, and what I need to replace is the most successful approach to shopping sales which seem to be in abundance at the moment. The three items above I recently purchased, all are under $110 each, but not all were on sale. Which leads me to my next point.

In order to buy something on sale, I ask myself, if my budget would allow, would I purchase it at full price? Such was the case with the Chantelle lace bra. Chantelle bras are made well, and for the quality are very well-priced. How did I come across this one? I was shopping the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.

Now I want to share what I love about Malene Birger’s silk navy blouse. Not only does it fit as it should (not too large, not to small, similar to a tunic), but is offers a lovely silhouette, and those cuffs. I was sold. The neckline as well is not too deep, not too conservative. Those little touches which bring the eye to the neckline and to what we use quite often, our hands, complete with quality material, if you are a navy fan like myself when it comes to your capsule wardrobe, pick this steal up pronto. There are only a few left and it’s already sold out at Net-a-Porter.

The sandals are too good to be true. Originally priced at $69, you can save 15% with the promo code below. I like these as they are not overdone, can be worn casually or dressed up for summer and the ankle strap adjusts to fit your body. Perfect.

~Madewell Boardwalk ankle wrap sandals, promo code 15FORYOU to save 15% (black also available)~

~By Malene Birger Gulana stretch-crepe blouse in midnight heaven, was $264, now $79.20

~Chantelle Intimates Presage Lace Unlined Underwire Bra, also available here in white as well as more sizes in black~

 

~SHOP THE ITEMS: 

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~View more TSLL Capsule Wardrobe items here in TSLL Shop