Shannon Ables's Blog, page 250

French Week Returns in August!

 

 

The fascination, curiosity and absolute adoration of the French culture and their approach to living, preferring quality over quantity in all things especially food, fashion and everyday living is a driving force behind the mission of living simply luxuriously. It was during my study abroad experience in Angers, France, that first introduced me to a way of going about the day that felt most comfortable with my authentic self. And as so many episodes of the podcast, topics of posts and books and ideas shared here on the blog revolve around France, last year I began TSLL’s .

Readers responded overwhelmingly positively (see a round-up of all of the posts below), which intimated that perhaps French Week should be an annual event, and so it has become.

Kicking off on Sunday August 6th and running through Saturday August 12th, stop by for a double dose of French-Inspired posts and podcasts each day. With a giveaway from an up and coming French-inspired company to interviews with authors who are releasing new books next month focused on the way of life in France and so much more, I look forward to sharing what all we have in store for you.

In the meantime, click here to peruse all that was shared last year. And for all TSLL French-Inspired posts visit this page. And if you enjoy the podcast, check out episodes #4, #23, #32, #96, #127, #144, #151, #155, #157 as they all are French themed.

 

Why Not . . . Try These 10 Often Forgotten Delicious & Healthy Foods?

Perhaps you have frightful memories of trying gag down any one of the foods you see in the above picture as a child. Whether it was due to improper preparation or not understanding how to amplify the beauty of the food, our first memories with food, if they are not good, can stay with us for some time. I can remember spinach at school being boiled to an inch of its life and drooping all over the plate. Not appetizing. But as I have learned since, it is how I prepare this gold-mine of a health food that makes all the difference.

Today I’d like to share with you 10 foods that I have brought back or introduced nto my eating routine and am thoroughly enjoying. While there are many odd foods we may not know about and might be curious to try, I wanted to share more common foods that are often overlooked or forgotten and share ways to amp up the flavor and reveal to you how delicious and simple each can be.

1. Zucchini

An abundant vegetable at markets, but what to do with them? Roasting them is always an option, but if you do not want to turn on your oven, make zoodles out of them. Otherwise known as zucchini noodles, purchase a spiralizer for fewer than $20 and enjoy with your favorite salad ingredients. My recipe includes chickpeas, grape tomatoes, arugula and is finished with a lemon basil vinaigrette, but imagine it as pasta and make your favorite pasta salad sans pasta. Voila!

2. Sweet Potatoes

If you’re going to pick up a potato, pick up a sweet potato. I’ll admit, the first method of preparation in which I tried a sweet potato was as a fry: fried, salted and delicious. The subtle sweet flavor is magnificent. Since my inaugural experience, I have shifted to baking them, diced up and topping arugula to complete one of my favorite salads. Check it out. Full of antioxidants. Enjoy and be healthy!

3. Farro

An ancient grain which offers fiber (20% of our daily allowance in a cup) and protein, it is a versatile and healthy option, not to mention simple to make. Enjoy for any meal of the day, and I have a recipe for you that is full of options.

4. Beets

Delicious, sweet, lovely beets. My first memory of eating beets in which I devoured them was just about five years ago at a steak house. The restaurant sliced them into quarters and then into 1/4″ flat slices, roasted them in the oven with olive oil and finished with a smidge of salt and pepper. They were divine. Again, roasted vegetables, you really cannot go wrong and the simplicity of such a side is a time-saver. Or you can do what I did below as I learned while listening to Milk Street Radio’s podcast. Using a food processor, after peeling the beet (which is the best way to stain your hands the least, pre-cooking), using the grating blade, shred your beets. Then place in a sauté pan with either grape seed oil or olive oil for 8-10 minutes, stirring from time to time. Then finish with balsamic vinegar and pine nuts. A time saver and the sweet delicousness of the beets is amplified with the balsamic.

5. Spinach

I have a feeling many of you are already devouring the goodness that is spinach. But from the offerings of iron, protein and calcium, not to mention the other nutrients, spinach is an affordable, healthy option to include in your everyday eating. From making it your salad green of choice, tossing with your favorite vinaigrette or steaming with garlic and lemon as a side for dinner, even incorporating spinach into your daily egg for breakfast, spinach is a powerhouse full of health and goodness.

6. Quinoa

Rich in protein containing all nine essential amino acids, quinoa is a grain to always have in your pantry. Learn more about it’s amazingness here.

7. Lentils

The often left-out lentil. From the texture, to the simplicity, to the immense amount of health benefits, lentils pair very well with many different main sources of protein such as salmon (this is my favorite recipe in which to pair the two). And with only 230 calories a cup, this fiber-rich ingredient will leave you feeling fuller longer and help reduce your waistline, all the while stabilizing your blood sugar and much more.

8. Pistachios

Nuts are good. There are many nuts people enjoy eating in their healthy diet, and while almonds are always my go-to, I think I am going to be checkout pistachios in the near future. Why? Similar to lentils, there are few calories in pistachios for surprisingly more protein compared to most nuts.

9. Avocados

Avocados are in a league of their own. Is there a vegetable a fruit, due to its one seed (or pit), that offers as much creamy flavor? I have yet to find one. Offering high fiber, vitamin C and potassium, avocados provide that necessary ingredient to finish so many different dishes so that a high-fat sauce is not needed.

10. Dark Chocolate

Okay, admittedly, I have a feeling few people have forgotten about dark chocolate, but many people default to milk chocolate, when the benefits are to found in the darkness. Abundant with fiber and magnesium, it is also a powerful source of antioxidants as well. So keep your favorite dark chocolate truffles on hand. Your health will thank you.

And with it being market day today here in Bend, I am off to pick a few of these lovely items and stock up my kitchen! Bon appétit!

The Summer Short & Long of Neutral Jackets

Khaki, neutral hued jackets, short or long, cotton or linen or tweed (I am loving this linen short jacket here) are a staple that has stood the test of time. While I always need a long cotton trench (just below the knees for myself), having a short jacket that wraps around the waist is a good idea as well for layering in the spring, summer and early fall. The jacket above would be a perfect investment piece, so certainly something to keep an eye out for (I found a few below). Peruse today’s Style Inspiration for inspiration and perhaps you already have something in your closet that would work in a way you hadn’t imagined.

 

~SHOP Khaki Jackets & Trenches below:

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164: The Importance of a Daily Routine & How to Create One You Love

~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #164
~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate: iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio
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“With a healthy lifestyle, it’s not at all unreasonable to expect ninety or one hundred exceptionally healthy years of life, years in which we will be of sound body, mind and spirit.” —Dr. John D. Day, author of The Longevity Plan: 7 Life-Transforming Lessons from Ancient China

In Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography, a man who lived from 1706-1790, in Part Two along with his well-known 13 virtues for a good life, he explains his approach to bringing order to his life (the 3rd virtue – “let all things have their place; let each part of your business have its time”) with his daily routine written out by the hour.

At the young age of twenty, Franklin was clear about a schedule that would enable him to eventually do all that we know he was able to achieve and accomplish, which was quite impressive.

Benjamin Franklin’s daily schedule:

The Morning {5-8}

Question: What good shall I do this day?

Tasks: Rise, wash, and address Powerful Goodness! Contrive day’s business, and take the resolution of the day; prosecute the present study, and breakfast.




{8-noon}

Task: Work


{Noon}

Tasks: Read, or overlook my accounts, and dine


{2-6}

Work


Evening {6-10}

Question: What good have I done today?

Tasks: Put things in their places, Supper. Music or diversion, or conversation. Examination of the day.




Night {10-5}

Task: Sleep

Why exactly is a daily regular routine significant when it comes to the overall well-being of our lives?

If anyone has observed the stability routines provide for children, students, pets and colleagues, one will acknowledge, so long as the routines are healthy, restorative, invigorating and based on sound reasons to benefit the individuals to reach their best potential, that routines are a simple solution to much of what we wish our lives to become: fulfilling, enjoyable, tranquil, and a foundation for moments of spontaneity from which we can springboard from occasionally, all the while knowing we can and will eventually come back to the routine that enabled us to be someone who can think outside the box, who can and feels comfortable taking a risk.

From the routine I keep with my blog writing, to the routine I adhere to in my classroom, as well as with my dogs when I at home, the purpose is to gain more energy, to not deplete it in myself and in others unnecessarily, to cultivate an environment in which the unexpected wonderful ideas, experiences and conversations can blossom. Because when we need not worry about our fundamental survival needs, food, shelter, social connectedness, etc., we can then make our why to self-actualization (which I talk in great depth about in episode #25).

While some dislike the idea of sticking to a routine, I will admit freely, there have been routines I loathed, either they didn’t work with an approach to good health for my body and mind or I was being expected to do tasks, etc., that I didn’t find meaning or purpose in. We will all have times in our lives, especially when we are younger or the newbie on the job in which the routine we are given is not the routine we want. The task we are given, or that we must give to ourselves is to ask the question and do the homework, what will work best for me to reach my full potential?

Areas of your life to consider aligning into a daily routine:

1. Eating schedule

Dr. John D. Day’s new book The Longevity Plan describes in detail a diet (not a temporary, but long-term, forever approach to eating well) that will enable you to thrive into your 70s, 80s, 90s and beyond and obliterate the Western assumption that old age is a deterioration. Especially what we eat, but as well when we eat has a powerful effect on our overall health. In fact, he shares, “Erratic eating schedules have been shown to result in decreased metabolism, which can lead to long-term weight gain.”

2. Sleep time

“Nobody in Bapan had an alarm clock. When we’re hitting at least seven hours of sleep on a regular basis, and a regular schedule, something quite amazing happens: We get the exact amount of sleep our bodies need without having to be jarred awake by a buzzer before we’re really ready.” —Dr. John D. Day, The Longevity Plan

3. Create a life of motion

Instead of punishing your body with the workout you think is intense enough you only need to do 3-4 times a week, Dr. Day recommends, based on observing the centenarians in The Longevity Village in Bapan, China, simply live a life of movement. Granted, many of our lives don’t easily support this. If we work at a desk or behind the wheel, but even by adding a standing desk to your office or a walking treadmill, the job you have to do doesn’t have to keep you sedentary. Again he reminds, our bodies were meant to move, not stay in one place five days a week.

Consistency is key and doing what you love is the best way to make it a habit. So if you dread the spin class or the run you are determined to take each morning before work, don’t do it. Do something you love, raise your heartbeat enough, but then keep your body in motion throughout the day: park further from the front door, take a stroll after dinner (something those in Bapan do nearly daily), or get outside for lunch. Create a routine of movement that keeps your body awake and entices you to stay active.

4. Productivity

As witnessed in Franklin’s schedule, having a clear objective is imperative to reaching the desired goal. After all, if we don’t know what we want to achieve, how can we ever feel productive at the end of the day?

I have found one of the few must-have ingredients in a day that I would need to experience in order to call it a good day would be a sense of achievement, progress, accomplishment or productivity. By no means do any one of these things need to be grand or even known or understood by outsiders, but if I put the task of write the introduction to chapter four as my objective, it not only gives me something to focus on, but when I do complete the task, I feel as though progress has been made.

An essential component to being productive is to know what enables each of us to be our most productive selves, and create a routine that fosters productivity rather than making it difficult to find our rhythm.

5. Social lives

Social lives are less likely to fall into a daily routine only because you are engaging with others who must adhere to a schedule that works best for them and there will be times, sometimes many, when it will shift. However, the key is to focus on your engagement, how you stay in touch, how much you stay in touch, how you keep your boundaries so you can continue to be productive and how you can support those you love to accommodate their needs (and they hopefully are doing the same for your needs) without sacrificing a quality way of living.

6. Our mind-set

“The way in which we choose to perceive and deal with stress is, after all, a tremendous market of biologic age. Studies show that those who embrace stress actually live 17 percent longer. In contrast, as measured by telomere length, it appears that people who don’t effectively manage high levels of stress age their bodies by nine to seventeen  years.” —Dr. Day

Shifting from feeling as though we are lacking and rather appreciating all that is going well is a simple way to shift your mind-set for the better. The American mind-set especially, but we are certainly not alone, tends to work more hours in order to earn more money to buy more or bigger things. But in so doing, we are racheting up our stress. As well, finding work you enjoy can reduce your stress level, and paradoxically, Dr. Day points out, enable you to be more productive as you are not depleting your energy but rather are enlivened by what you have the opportunity to do. Such an approach is helpful in both our professional and personal environments.

“At least 70 percent of all visits to the doctor are for stress-related ailments.”

Another way to reduce stress is to play. Play not only outside of work, but at work as well. Have fun, lighten up, keep in perspective what is important. “When we treat work as play, we change the very nature of work. We rob it of its power to stress us and deplete us of our energy.” Think about someone who turned what they loved doing on the side or out of pure enjoyment into their job. It’s possible to do that yourself; the key is to be able to return to that feeling of pure play because it is through play that we learn more as we are fully engaged and not worried about outcomes but rather enjoying what we are doing.

Perhaps you are dismissing the concept of playing in your life, let alone at work. Here’s another tidbit of information to keep in mind regarding the importance of play. National Geographic has reported that there is a “direct correlation between playfulness and intelligence, since the most intelligent animals engage in the greatest amount of playful activities. The reason is simple: Intelligence is the capacity for learning, and to play is to learn.” Hmmm. Make room to play; how wonderful of a directive for living well is that?

7. Environment

One of the seven lessons Dr. Day advises we all pay close attention to when it comes to cultivating a life of longevity is to place ourselves in a positive environment from the people, to the homes, to the communities that support healthy living. Where we wake up, the air we breathe, the words we hear, how much technology we consume, the support we receive, the products and furniture we live amongst, the information we consume, each of these items are details that effect our daily lives and to live in a positive environment, a supportive, healthy environment and to wake up in such a place every day is to continue to improve the quality of our lives, as the opposite would be to gradually deplete the quality of our lives.

“Yes, our electronic influencers have a powerful impact on the rhythms of our lives, but our bodies want to be in sync with the natural world.” —Dr. Day

With each of these areas in which to create a routine, simply do your best. Even Ben Franklin shares in his autobiography about the creation of his daily schedule, “I enter’d upon the execution of this plan for self-examination, and continued it with occasional intermission for some time. I was surprise’d to find myself so much fuller of faults than I had imagined, but I had the satisfaction of seeing them diminish.”

Even he did not stick to his routine fully each day, and took breaks (“occasional intermission”), but he stuck to it the majority of the time, and in so doing, saw the quality of his life improve. His routine may not appeal to you, but as he arose each morning with a question, and assessed at the end of the day how the day had unfolded, this simple habit is a grand way to determine what is working, what is not and how to do better tomorrow. Small corrections can be made and a pat on the back can be given as well each day.

Find your rhythm. Create a daily routine that hums your tune, makes you tap your toes in excitement to start the day. Rhythm, your rhythm, a rhythm that enables you to reach your full potential will be a song you want to sing again and again and again.

“the reason [the village people of Bapan – Longevity Village]’s hearts are in rhythm is because their lives are in rhythm.” —Dr. Day, The Longevity Plan

It will take time, or maybe for some, not much time at all because you’ve already been stepping into a routine and observing what is and isn’t working. Now, consciously, sit down, and ask yourself, what works? How can I do more of that? And give it a shot.

Each spring and each fall before my summer schedule begins and before school begins, I sit down and look at the daily schedule that will work best for me incorporating routines that will enable me to reach my goals. I love this bi-annual ritual. To help me make the best schedule, I will reflect back on past year’s schedules to see what worked and if it didn’t, why not.

Just this year I have added something new to my routine, a weekly check-in on my progress along with my nightly journaling. This weekly check-in usually takes place on Sunday evenings after the week has wrapped up and a new week is about to begin. I find myself able to quickly rectify anything that didn’t go as planned or get back on track before it goes too off the rails without much of a fuss. I also am reminded and motivated by observing what I have done well, what daily routines are producing the outcomes I have desired and this is motivation to keep adhering to my daily routines in the new week. Again, this is what works for me. I have always been someone who loves to plan, write it all out, not excessively, but in a manner that is clear for me to visualize.

Today, consider for a moment the benefits of establishing a daily routine that works for you. Perhaps Dr. Day’s list of benefits will provide even more motivation:

“The overwhelming majority of cases [cardiac arrest], perhaps up to 80 percent, can be prevented, and half of the people with arterial fibrillation can reverse their condition through lifestyle changes aimed at eating better food, maintaining a healthy mind-set, building supportive communities, staying in motion, and learning to connect with their own rhythms.”

And as we create a rhythm in our life that works well for us, we discover more energy to do what we most enjoy, we experience more mental clarity to make sound and successful decisions for the life journey we are on and as all of these benefits are felt, our overall well-being begins to soar. There is nothing boring about that.

I am continued to be reminded that is us, humans, who make life difficult. Real luxury. The luxury of living a life of quality and true contentment is actually quite simple: create a daily routine that enables you to live well and experience your life begin to improve.

~SIMILAR POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

~The Benefits of Daily Rituals

~My Daily Breakfast: Steel Cut Oats

~Why Not . . . Celebrate the Ordinary?

~Art & Happiness: Discover Art’s Ubiquity and Power to Improve Your Everyday Life

Petit Plaisir:

~Farro Salad with tomatoes, sweet onions, avocado, herbs, a poached egg, chicken and garlic vinaigrette. Find the recipe here.

 

 

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This & That: July 14, 2017

Books
—Body Love: Live in Balance, Weigh What You Want, and Free Yourself from Food Drama Forever by Kelly LeVeque

Released last month, celebrity health and wellness consultant Kelly LeVeque shares specific approaches along with 88 recipes to become more attuned with your body and improve your overall health. With clients such as Molly Sims, Jessica Alba, Emmy Rossum and others, her approach is aimed at removing the stress, thus the drama, and enjoying what you eat again.

—Give It Up: My Year of Learning to Live Better with Less by Mary Carlomango

Mary Carlomango’s book is more than a few years old, but I always enjoy observing how someone else goes about making changes in their lives. In Giving It Up, Carlomango gives up something seemingly signficant each month and observes how the quality of her life changes. From alcohol, newspapers, shopping, dining out, taxis, cell phones and television, she shares her personal experiences and what she felt she gained or lost.

—How to Be Everything: A Guide for Those Who (Still) Don’t Know What to Be When They Grow Up by Emilie Wapnick

Inspired by her popular TEDTalk (see below), Emilie Wapnick’s new book How to Be Everything makes the argument that your vast curiosity is actually something to celebrate. In the book readers will find tips and steps to building a life that incorporates all of your passions. It never hurts to try, as that life sounds like it could be amazing (and maybe many of are doing as she suggests already). The video is fewer than 13 minutes. Be sure to check it out and maybe the book as well.

Francophile Find
—Parisian Chic Daily Desk Planner 2018

As mentioned here on the blog a few months ago, Ines de la Fressange’s has returned with a new daily planner as she did originally when her first book was released in 2011, Parisian Chic. Full of colorful illustrations and style tips as well as ideas of what to do in Paris throughout each week, if you’re a planner and a Francophile, you can now order in preparation for 2018.

Shopping
—Le Beach Bag

For fewer than $60 this simple, classic market or beach tote is a steal to be found. Perhaps that is why it has sold out so quickly, but there will be more available soon, so be sure to put your name on the waiting list. There is a Petite Le Beach Bag available as well.

—Stella McCartney Falabella Tote (40% off)

A classic boho tote is on extreme discount at the moment. And an additional 20% can be applied to the sale price with promo code x20july17.

—Theory Back Scoop Neck Stripe Tee (60% off)

Theory’s summer sale is on, and items are marked up to 60% off as seen with this classic stripe knit tee. A wonderful layering piece made with quality attention, scoop up this scoop neck if this is your style ($96).

Television
—The Mind of a Chef

Available on Netflix and PBS, narrated by executive producer Anthony Bourdain, the series is described as an intelligent show about cooking. An Emmy and James Beard award winning series, put this on your watchlist and discover how the great chefs of our time live, travel and eat.

~recipe for Summer Smoothie Cake~

Happy Bastille Day! A day of celebration in France and for the many Francophiles sprinkled around the globe. Plan a French-inspired meal, break the fresh baguette and enjoy a glass of rosé in the spirit of the occasion, non?

This past week on the blog has been a busy one, but oh, how much fun it has been as well. Good news was learned regarding something I cannot wait to share with you in the coming weeks, and will in due time (weekly newsletter subscribers have already heard the celebratory news, so be sure to subscribe for future first-to-know TSLL news), as well as the busy Nordstrom Anniversary Sale kick-off (did any of you have trouble ordering on the first day? They were slammed!), Amazon’s Prime Day and four additional posts this week (two were summer salad recipes if you’re looking for something simple, healthy and delicious). Needless to say, it was fun and now I am ready for a weekend to savor.

The Bend Tour of Homes kicks off this weekend, so I might explore some of the addresses. As well, Wimbledon wraps up, and so my early mornings will be spent sipping my tea and cheering for a good match in both the ladies and gentlemen’s championships. On a blog note, be sure to make note in your calendars, the annual French Week will kick off here on TSLL Sunday August 6th, and already the podcast will be full of French-inspired episodes (yes, you read that correctly, there will be more than one episode that week!). But we still have time before all of that goodness arrives. Besides there is so much more to savor, and July has only revealed part of its beauty. Wishing you a lovely weekend and find many articles to enjoy below. Until Monday, bonne journée!

~Instead of kicking yourself for past not-so-wonderful fashion choices, laugh about it. A handful of well known individuals share their mistakes and remind us Everyone Has Fashion Regrets

~Love blueberries? Looking for new and delicious ways to use them? Read this.

~The 8 Biggest Mistakes Language Learners Make (And How to Fix Them)

~If you are in awe of French butter, watch this intriguing video shared with me from a TSLL reader.

~If you are a mosquito magnet like myself, read this and learn of the good news about being one and how to lessen the allure

~Perhaps you’ve been victim to this last minute habit or maybe have done it yourself. The Golden Age of Bailing 

~Based on her new book, listen to this interview and discover how Happiness Must Be a Part of Femininism

~French habits to learn from and adopt

~Another French-inspired article to enjoy – 13 Reason to Love Paris Anytime

~5 Little Shifts that Will Make Your “Stressful” Life Five Times Easier

~And on that same track, 10 Things You Must Give Up to Get Your Life Back on Track

~If you are going to be traveling soon, discover How to Navigate New Airline Carry-On Rules

Shop for Fall & Save: My Picks from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

 

Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale has arrived, and you may be wondering, why should I shop in the middle of the summer? Honestly, I once asked this question as well. I am not someone who flocks to sales; however, if what I want, and know I will wear for years as it fits ideally into my capsule wardrobe is for sale, count me in.

If you are a planner like myself, and know what your fall capsule wardrobe needs, you will want to shop the sale. Why? New Fall 2017 collections are on sale, which is kind of absurd, but if you know what you want, you could score a significant investment item at below the ticket price. Nordstrom members and card holders have early access beginning today (July 13th) through July 19th, and then on July 20th the public has access until August 6th.

If you aren’t a cardholder, and would like to become one to enjoy the sale and perks throughout the year, you can apply here (the one I chose works just like a debit card and is connected to my banking account. It is not a credit card, but that option is available).

Today I’ve picked through my most trusted brands and found items worth investing in even if they were at full price for your capsule wardrobe and go-to everyday accessories. Be sure to check out the entire sale here.

~Today, you may experience delays on the Nordstrom site as it is getting hit pretty hard. If you run into this issue, just call your order in – 1-888-282-6060.

Accessories & Shoes:

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Burberry 57mm Temple Polarized Round-Frame sunglasses
Burberry 58mm Check Temple Pilot Sunglasses
Vince Milo loafer (more colors available)
Charles by Charles David Maxx Pointy Toe Pump (more colors available)
Rebecca Minkoff Small Love Velvet Crossbody bag
Cole Haan heidy pointy toe flat, leopard print
Rag &  Bone Matteo Block Heel Sandal

Tops & Undergarments:



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Vince Silk Blouse (multiple colors)
Theory Tolleree Cashmere short-sleeve sweater (more colors available)
Theory Taneah Silk Shell
BOSS Ilanea Stretch Silk Blouse
Calvin Klein Sculpted Demi Lift bra (black and nude available)

Coats & Skirts:



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Badgley Mischka Alexis Double Face Wool Blend Long Wrap Coat
Badgley MIschka Gia Leather Biker Jacket
BOSS Vileana Wool Blend Suit Skirt
Diane von Furstenberg Double Face Wool Blend Walker (black available as well)
Treasure & Bond leather aviator jacket with shearling collar

 

~Shop for your Fall Capsule Wardrobe in TSLL Boutique here

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My Favorite Silk Blouse: A Feminine Neckline

Inspired by Wednesday’s Signature Style post, today’s outfit is all about the woman wearing the clothes. One of my favorite necklines for my silk blouses is Equipment’s Adalyn neckline (you can see other colors and prints here). It is quite feminine and the fabric is beautiful, laying beautifully on your décolletage. This blouse has been worn quite frequently since I purchased it this spring (true to size, lovely long sleeves). Pair a beautiful blouse with solid pants, signature heels or flats and a classic tote and you are set for a variety of occasions.

~Annabel Ingall Small Isabella Tote (other colors available)~

~Isabel Marant Coton-Poplin straight-leg pants (other colors available)~

~Equipment Adalyn silk shirt bright white multi-fluttering fan print~

~Emilio Pucci’s cutout leather sandals, similar here~

~The Sweet Life in Paris by David Leibovitz~

~Isabel Marant enameled gold-tone necklace~

 

~SHOP THE OUTFIT:

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~Shop OUTFITS OF THE WEEK from the Archives here.

A Quintessential Maine Getaway

Summer is in full swing in the states, vacation rentals have already been booked, plans have been made, and many are already on their getaways, but as I am planning my trip for next summer, reserving my rentals to assure I have a sanctuary of a place to stay, I wanted to share a gem with you if you are at all interested in visiting Maine. Harbor Cottage is a cottage reborn as they like to say, and it is a sweet retreat.

Of course it was the clawfoot tub which first drew my attention to the home, but as I toured around the grounds, I found it to be a dream of a place to vacation. For $2000/wk during spring and fall, and $3000 in the summer, this getaway vacation home can be yours.

The owners, Tony and Fiona, have remodeled Harbor Cottage significantly, turning it to face the water, completely renovating the original 1960s village store (which became Harbor Cottage) and the small guest cottage as well as adding a boat house. Fiona, who would come to Maine with her family and whose family purchased the cottage decades ago, is originally from New York City and Tony from England; she held jobs as a fashion editor, stylist and writer and he as a judge.

The cottage is located between the towns of Tenants Harbor and Port Clyde and is situated near the shore offering both “simple pleasures and community”. Sounds as though our predilections are quite similar, non?

Whether you plan on visiting Maine or not, the Harbor Cottage is a wealth of inspiration for cozy, sophisticated, simple living. Enjoy the tour, and learn more here.

 

~View more Decor Inspiration vacation rentals below:

~A Chic & Simple Parisian Vacation Apartment

~A Unique Cornwall Vacation Sanctuary

~Maida For Your Next Visit to London

 

Farro Salad with Tomatoes, Herbs & Chicken

I have been reading this book recently, and as well have been working on reducing the excess sugar in my diet as a new year’s resolution. Farro has danced in my mind as a grain to try, but up until last week, I must admit, I had never tried it.

Again, the student must be ready as they say, and this student took 38 years to be ready, but ready I finally am.

My interest was first piqued when I saw this Instagram post from David Leibovitz. I looked at his listed ingredients, and I thought to myself, “How simple! I can do this!”. And try it I did to great result.

I then went out to dinner last Friday to The French Market and chose their Farro Salad with avocado and tomatoes, topped with a poached egg. Exquisite. And that was when I realized, farro is just a whole grain to mix with what you love. Choose a dressing (I have made a simple vinaigrette, but you can just use olive oil as David Leibovitz did), chop up what you have in your refrigerator or your garden (I just tossed in my extra chickpeas because I didn’t want them to go to waste and chose purposefully the other ingredients) and enjoy.

The benefits of the whole grain of farro are many. As an ancient grain that has been around for thousands of years and finds its origins in Mesopotamia, farro is Italian for “ancient wheat grain” which can describe three different types of farro: Einkorn, Emmer,Spelt. It has a nutty, chewy flavor which I love as I want substance when I ask it to stand alone as the main dish.

The benefits:

Excellent source of protein, fiber and nutrients such as magnesium, zinc and some B vitamins
Helps regulate blood glucose levels and is linked to improved insulin sensitivity
Source of more fiber than most grains, similar to quinoa. In one cup of farro, 20% of the daily recommended intake of fiber can be met.
Contains a wide range of antioxidant compounds, such as polyphenols, carotenoids, phytosterols and selenium, and with long term enjoyment of farro, it can help protect against diseases, including some cancers, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and neurodegenerative diseases
A wonderful protein source, it is worth repeating. One fourth of a cup provides six grams of protein
As it is high in protein and fiber, it may help reduce your appetite and keep you fuller for longer

-source for these findings

 

What I suggest is to try this recipe if you have never had farro. Then have fun with it and add the ingredients you most love. You will feel full and satiated, and over time, if the benefits listed above are any indication, far healthier as well. Enjoy!

Farro Salad with Tomatoes, Herbs & Chicken









Servings6 servings

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time30 minutes







Ingredients








1cup

farro

3 cups

water

2teaspoons

salt

1cup

grape tomatoessliced in halves and quarters, small bite sizes

1/2cup

sweet onionI love Walla Wallas

1/8cup

fresh chivesfinely chopped

1/8 cup

fresh Italian parsleyfinely chopped

1clove

garlicminced

2tablespoons

balsamic vinegartop quality



freshly ground black pepper

1/4cup

extra virgin olive oil

1/3cups

chickpeas/garbanzo beans

3-4chicken tenders

grilled and sliced into bite size pieces










Instructions









Toast the farro in a large sauté pan for 2-3 minutes. Dry. Toss the grains to make sure all are being toasted. This will offer more flavor from the grain.



Place the toasted farro in a saucepan of 3 cups water and bring to a boil. Add salt. Once at a boil, reduce to simmer and cover for 30 minutes.



While the farro is cooking, chop your tomatoes, onion, herbs (chives & parsley). As well, in the saute pan you used for toasting the farro, place your tenderized chicken tenders (season with salt and pepper) and cook approximately 3-4 minutes on each side. (Tenderizing: place the tenders in between two pieces of wax paper, use your mallet (soft side) and pound until thinness you desire is reached.) Remove chicken from the skillet when done and let rest for 5 minutes. Then slice on the bias.



Mix together the vinaigrette: garlic, balsamic vinegar, pepper. Then add the olive oil and whisk until emulsified.



Once farro is done cooking, drain all excess water.



In the same sauce pan that the farro is in, toss in vegetables, chickpeas, herbs and dressing. Mix until all is equally distributed and enjoy. You can also reserve the chicken and place it on top of the mixed farro salad.

 

 

~View more TSLL Recipes for Salads here

10 Tips to Evolve Into Your Signature Style

Our signature style is quite personal as it reveals to the world multiple layers of information about who we are, what we value, what frustrates us, what we are confident about, and I believe what we understand about ourselves physically.

Over the past two years, my attention to my own personal signature style has shifted as evident by fewer posts on this topic. But while fewer posts have been created, it hasn’t been because I wasn’t interested in the topic. Initially, I wasn’t sure what it meant. Lately, as I was contemplating my summer essentials (and shared a few ideas I was drawn to here), I have come to understand that my signature style has been evolving, and it needed time to find its bearings due in some part to how much my life has shifted. This, I have found, to be something to celebrate.

Part of the reason my attention has shifted from my clothing was that I have been trying to tap into and cultivate other details of my life and ensure they were indicative of my truest self: a daily routine I enjoyed but enabled me to be productive and healthy in my new hometown, caring for my skin and hair in a far drier environment than I have ever lived before (great shifts have occurred in both of these areas), diving head-first into eating well and becoming more confident in the kitchen (as you can see here, far more recipes (34!) have been posted in the past 24 months) as I now have endless food options at my fingertips and investing in personal relationships even more deeply as I continue to strive for a balance between work and play.

Over the past weekend, I went through my closet for the second time in the past two years. What occurred this time was a simpler purge, but it was indeed a purge. However, the decisions were simpler, and in less than an hour I had my closet reorganized with 20-30 fewer clothing items and two fewer pairs of shoes. And none of the items pained me to let go. Why was this so? I certainly hadn’t lost weight. In fact, the five to ten pounds I have been wanting to let go for two years now has shifted into muscle as I workout far more than I ever had upon moving to Bend, and while I eat healthily, I don’t deprive myself.

Truthfully, I have begun to feel more comfortable in my own skin, bien dans sa peau or translated “well in one’s skin”. No, I am not going to fit into size four jeans at the moment as I once had and cheered about; however, now I find myself cheering for more substantive details throughout my days even though I wouldn’t turn down an opportunity to do a happy dance around the house in size 4 anything, don’t get me wrong. But it would. E a secondary effect caused by even better life changes and focuses. Do I want to remain svelte? Absolutely. But I also want to enjoy my days, the people I dine with and the time in the kitchen or the restaurants that offer such bountiful seasonal dishes. My body is stronger, my mind is clearer, as well I am always trying to improve the quality of food I eat on a daily basis which is why I recently purchased a vegetable spiralizer (for fewer than $20). This recipe was recently made for me by a dear friend’s daughter, and she immediately sold me on the idea of welcoming a new gadget into my kitchen.

But back to the style quotient. Feeling good in one’s clothes begins with feeling good in one’s skin. I have had months in the past which due to an excessively busy schedule and stress hinderd good eating habits (turning down a donut from a thoughtful colleague in the middle of an exhaustive week at work when all you want to do is be on the weekend already is hard). And in these times after enjoying the temporary sugar high, I immediately feel uncomfortable in my skin. It truly does come down to willpower, and the fact is, willpower is finite. When we run low on energy, we run low on willpower and we tend to make choices we normally wouldn’t have made if our willpower was recharged and rested.

But the truth is I love style.  I love communicating with my clothing. I respect the power of a well-chosen ensemble, no matter how seemingly simple it appears. Often in such a case, great mastery is revealing itself.

And while I don’t believe we should live our lives so we can fit into our favorite clothes; I do believe, at least what I have found during these past 24 months to be what’s best for me, that if you are living well, the clothes you wear exhibit this fact of your life.

So how can each of us live well thus enabling us each to make savvy sartorial decisions as we curate our signature style, a signature style we love?

First, get real with yourself. Be honest. So long as you hold on to clothes you will never wear, whether they fit or not, you are hindering yourself from true growth. Not only growth with regards to your signature style, but the life you are living and want to live. Step into your closet and begin to pull everything out (I share a detailed approach to organizing your clothing closet here).

As I made my list of items I needed to add or update, I found the list to be rather short which was greatly satisfying but quite a change from past clean-outs, and I pondered as to the reason why.

Aha! Over time, I had indeed welcomed into my closet items that were highly versatile, well made and classic in design as to be able to span many years – the simply luxurious approach! But it indeed took time. Cultivating such a wardrobe that is highly versatile and interchangeable, as well as, and most importantly, tailored to me individually, takes time. And regular attention: I noticed my favorite nude pointed toe pumps needed an update after four years of wear and tear (I love and wear them constantly to work – am looking at these as the replacement), and as such this was one item that needed to be replaced.

Let’s talk about 10 ways you can allow your signature style to evolve as you grow and settle into a life you love.

1. Forget the size

In one brand I am a medium and another for the same type of item, I am a small. As this is the case, especially if you are ordering on-line, order at least two different sizes, have them ship it to you, try it on in your own home, and ship back (you can usually do this for free) the size that didn’t work. I have been hesitant to do this only because I don’t want to pay upfront for two items, but in the long wrong, it’s not an issue as a full refund is given, and you are assured the item that fits you the best.

2. Wear what you love

I love v-neck tops. Crewnecks do no favors for someone like myself who has broad shoulders (if I could count on my fingers how many times strangers have asked if I am a swimmer or was one in the past, I would need 10 hands at least! P.S. I am not a swimmer). I have unconsciously forgotten this fact from time to time when I have purchased sweaters. Those sweaters are no longer in my closet, and v-necks are my must-have choice.

Similarly with denim. I love it. My life in Bend makes it easy to wear it all the time; however, I always want to dress it up or at least have that option. So I purchase well and have tops and layers that work well for more casual and semi-professional outings (blazers, camisoles, silk blouses, heels, etc.)

3. Invest in classic items and make them your own

Fashion trends and seasonal events can attempt to lure us away from what we know works well year after year, but classic works for a reason. For example, I have a classic short dark denim jacket that I layer over everything in the summer. The dress, jumpsuit or top I layer it over may change, but that jacket has been with me for at least four or five years. It never goes out of style (you can see it here).

3. Understand which silhouettes are your friend

Knowing your shape and then dressing it well will reduce the amount of decisions to make when perusing a clothing boutique in person or on-line. As I shared in 2012, there are 10 Style Commandments that will keep you dressing well for your body and happy in what you choose.

4. Stock up on Spanx

Some love, others not so much the power of Spanx, but as someone who enjoys the pencil skirt silhouette as well as the body-con midi dress, Spanx eases my mind and allow me to wear what I love. And that is ultimately what Spanx or any similar undergarment that smooths your shapes should do, enable you to wear what you love and feel good doing so. The Thinstincts mid-thigh shorts are what I am currently using as they are made for long days and are very breathable.

5. Invest in good grooming (skin, body, hair)

As I mentioned above, I have been focusing heavily on my hair and skin these past two years as I adjusted to my new environment, and while I never neglected them before, far from it, having skin that glows and hair that shines and is style in such a way that works well with your lifestyle and facial structure elevates the entire wardrobe and thus the woman pulling it all together.

I find that a woman, or a man, who is well-groomed (not overly so) who is merely wearing a simple classic item or two, finished with well made shoes and a handbag that works and complements but doesn’t brag is the most attractive signature style. And it is the person’s overall health, glow and appearance in the clothes that completes the look.

6. Well-Made Accessories

From the handbag, to your shoes, choose well and choose less. The cost per wear model certainly comes into play as you approach shopping for these items.

7. Repeated Use – Do It

Upon finding these medium-size hoop earrings and these boyfriend jeans, I find myself wearing the earrings with nearly everything and the jeans more than a few times a week. They work. They are versatile and can be dressed up or down.

8. Slow and Steady

Gradually add the items you need as you find what you love. Have patience and don’t feel you have to look “perfect” each time you pull an outfit together. What makes it ideal is the woman who wears it. What is your mood, are you enthusiastic about what you are doing? Are you happy with the life you are living? Clothing is fun, but it is an accessory to the life we are building for ourselves. We should recognize and respect its power, because it truly is powerful for good progress in our lives if we know how to use it effectively, but choose to see building your signature style as a journey, just as life is. And as you toss out the bright boisterous colors and replace them with neutrals, perhaps it’s because you no longer need your clothes to do the talking and the woman is finally ready to step into her own without hesitation.

9. Limit Bargain Hunting

As stylist Tiffani Rogers shared in her post about Outlet Shops, there is a reason items cost so little at outlet malls. Since you are purchasing fewer items, remind yourself that the material as well as the skill used to craft the item are worth investing in. Return to brands that offer quality, and don’t feel you have to explore other labels to mix it up. If you have favorite brands that you love (for me: Theory, Equipment, Le Frame, just to name a few – shop TSLL Shop for my favorite essential items), return to them as needed. However, this doesn’t include consignment. Consignment is the perfect addition to your shopping repertoire as it offers brands that will last.

10. Keep It Simple

#7 plays beautifully into the final point. Make your wardrobe a simple affair you tend to each day. As many beautiful, unique items that are available to purchase, I have learned by experience, they don’t need to be in our closets to appreciate them. Instead, purchase the white button up shirt, make sure your hair is coiffed as you like it, love your skin and let it shine with just enough makeup to look effortlessly stunning, pull on the denim jeans or tailored pants that create a beautiful silhouette, select shoes you love, slip your favorite simple earrings into your ear lobes and sling your handbag made by a designer who doesn’t need to put their label everywhere on the outside onto your arm. Voilà!

When you step into a style that works for you, the feeling is electrifying, and when you feel good in your skin, it doesn’t matter what clothes you are wearing, you simply feel good. That is the goal.

So today, ask yourself how your closet is working for you. How many times do you walk inside or open the closet door and see a multitude of items but only one or two viable options? Paradoxically, the trick is to eliminate, reduce the number of items and add items just enough items that you are excited to wear and can work with with at least two different items already in your closet. When this is achieved, all you will need to do is maintain. Assess one or two times a year, make your list and little by little evolve ever closer to the signature style that best aligns with who you are and whom you wish to become.

“Clothes aren’t going to change the world. The women who wear them will.” —Anne Klein

 

~View more Signature Style posts here.

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