Shannon Ables's Blog, page 254
June 14, 2017
Why Not . . . Elevate the Quality of What You Consume?
In the most recent issue of Porter magazine, cookbook author and philanthropist Jessica Seinfeld shared her golden rules for life, and one especially caught my attention: Elevate the Quality of Consumption.
Since January here on TSLL, on a monthly basis, the focus has been to discuss a different arena in life in which to welcome in more quality. And upon reading Seinfeld’s simple, but significant approach to living well, I want to investigate further into the areas of life in which we consume and how we can indeed elevate the quality thereby elevating the overall quality of our everyday lives.
1.Food
The étoile in the cookbook world and food journalist Mark Bittman, shares in his TED talk “What’s Wrong with What We Eat“, the power of eating mindlessly what is cheap and too often easily accessible. Much of what you will read/hear in his talk may not surprise you, but it is important to point out, not only does our food have an effect on our overall health, but the environment’s health as well.
2. Media
Recently in my AP Language course, we analyzed two documentaries: Miss Representation and The Mask You Live In. Both directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, both focused on the cultural, detrimental influence of our American media culture and how the projections of limiting expectations and pigeoning-holing what it means to be feminine or masculine for both boys and girls as they begin to step into a world and reach their full potential is disastrous. And it is the unconscious complicit perpetuators of these restrictive false definitions of what it means to be a man and what it means to be feminine that inflict injury on innocent children and squash the potential of every individual and consequentially the potential of the culture in which we all live.
I encourage you, after viewing the trailers below, to watch both of these films. Available on Netflix, awareness is key. Lack of awareness of how we individually buy into, even support images, traditions, ways of living that hurt our own dreams, let alone those we love, blossom in the world. And while media (television, film, video games, television news, etc.) play a significant role in exposing us to the point of acceptance without conscious agreement, it is when we don’t recognize how we as well have limiting cultural expectations and therefore hinder the progress to shift the culture for the better, that we assist in building the most significant obstacle to change for the better.
3. Reading Material
A handful of months ago, I changed the subscriptions I have to a long list of magazines. I began to recognize that some of the magazines I read didn’t provide value, insight, or knowledge that was enabling me to live my best life. Many of the magazines I canceled my subscriptions to were fashion magazines, magazines full of trends, a constant bombardment to buy more, and a focus on primarily the exterior of the individual. I instead kept my in-depth news magazines, magazines that offered inspiration to eat and live better as well as offer inspiration and profiles of beauty.
Each of us will define differently what we view as inspirational and beautiful, but just as with food, what we feed our minds, just as what we feed our bodies, is reflected back to us in what we value, what we invest in, and what we choose to focus on. So why not ask yourself, What do you want to bring into your life? What do you value? and based on your answers, seek out publications that support your ideals.
When it comes to looking well in my clothing and my skin, I would never neglect choosing well-tailored attire or pampering my skin in order for it to glow, but once we figure out how to do these things, why not make these beauty and sartorial choices a habit, the background, so that you can then allow your mind and intellect to shine. And how we continue to develop our wealth of knowledge is to continually feed it the proper fuel.
4. Films
Let’s talk about Wonder Woman, the recent film released two weeks ago, for a moment. As I shared in last week’s This & That, the director Patty Jenkins along with the film itself set box office records and continued to do so over this past weekend. What she and the film did was shattered long-held perceptions of what people will watch (women and men; boys and girls).
For quite some time, the belief in the movie industry was (and some still adhere to this) the goal was to entice boys age 18-29 to the theaters as there was no need for enticement for women as they would go without prompting. And how do you entice the majority of American young men? I doubt I have to answer that for you, or at least what the movie producers assumed. But this approach was also a reflection of the movie and television conglomerates being chaired and run by primarily men.
Here’s my point, ticket sales determine what will be produced in the future. What you pay for, what more and more people pay for is what will be brought to the screen. Small independent films or mega summer blockbusters, go support plot lines with substance, go support characters, protagonists, conflicts and how they are resolved that align with your values. Purchasing power is just that, power. So use it wisely. And if you can, do so on the opening weekend as that tends to be the numbers Hollywood pays attention to.
5. Ideas
Are you a TEDTalk aficionado? Do you take free online college classes at Coursera or edX? What about book talks at your local bookshop or reading opinion pieces from a variety of different credible newspapers? Exposing yourself to a variety of ideas from people with wide ranging expertise is way to elevate the quality of information being consumed in your life. If you only hear from the same, small, isolated group day in and day out, you limit the opportunity to broaden your perspective. And of course, no matter who you are listening to, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Even if in the end you find you agree with their arguments and findings, asking questions will only heighten your understanding and appreciation for what you discover.
6. Energy
The nay-sayers, the negative nellies . . . walk away. Anyone who brings you down with their mood, their words, their perspective of the world, limit or completely remove the time you spend with them. Positive energy is just as infectious as negative, so step out into the world and find people who enliven you, make you excited about the day and the world you live in.
7. Natural Environment
Fresh air, Mother Nature as opposed to fluorescent lighting and smog. Do what you can based on where you live and work to bring more of the former into your life. Not only will your health improve, but your attitude and your energy followed by your perspective will as well.
8. Clothing, Shoes & Accessories
Buy less, invest well. Cost per wear. As shared in this week’s episode of the podcast, Kate Schelter reveals we truly don’t need much. Rather it is about knowing ourselves and shopping wisely, therefore, less often, but well.
Ultimately, we elevate the quality of our lives when we become educated, conscious and conscientious consumers. Often it is because we simply didn’t know that poor purchases were being made. Choose to become informed of what surrounds you and what you are supporting with the money you exchange for the goods you put into your body, your life and fill your mind with. When each of us do this, we then become a model for others as they will begin to notice an improvement in our lives and wonder exactly how we do it, why do we do what we do and perhaps the shift we are seeking to materialize eventually will.
~SIMILAR POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
~11 Life Truths About Contentment That Seem Impossible Until We Experience Them
~Why Not . . . Create a To Be List?
~Why Not . . . Determine Your Destiny?
SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave
SaveSave
June 13, 2017
Timeless Prints
Florals were a staple on the spring runways this past season, and with it a reminder that stunning prints have a forever place in the closet. Whether found in silk blouses, palazzo pants for the summer holiday or beautiful floral emblazoned skirts, so long as the right hue is chosen for your skin tone and a flattering cut for your figure, such an item can be worn for years without going out of style. I especially love Caroline de Maigret demonstration above of unique hues that when layered calm the bold print and elevate the entire outfit to an über sophisticate choice. Have a look at more inspiration below.
~View more Style Inspiration posts here in the archives.
SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave
June 12, 2017
18 Ways to Define Your Classic Style in Life and within your Closet
~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate: iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio
“Style trickles into everything you do, who you are, and who and what you attract in life. Whittle down your style to what matters and project what’s meaningful to the world: Be the lighthouse. Be honest. Be real.” —Kate Schelter
Settling on a style that is our own can be overwhelming. Beginning with the style that adorns our bodies, but also the style with which we approach life, our routines, our hobbies, our habits, our way of contemplating and dancing with the life we have, and journeying toward the life we want. With so many options, ideas, seasons, and lifestyle icons to draw inspiration from, there is such a thing as paralysis by abundance.
Creative director and stylist Kate Schelter understands the quandary which is why she wrote her new book Classic Style: Hand It Down, Dress It Up, Wear It Out. Having read through the style resource, I picked 18 gems of wisdom I have found to serve as trustworthy guideposts when it comes to homing in on our individual classic style. There are of course many more as well as a wealth of examples which is why I encourage you to take a look at the book, but until then, let me offer you a taste to assuage the fear that curating your style might be impossible. Quite to the contrary, you can do it, and these sage descriptors of classic style will help you do so.
Your classic style will . . .
1. Bring you joy
2. Be functional for your lifestyle
3. Be deeply simple
4. Add a touch of a signature
5. Be unmistakably beautiful to you
6. Free you from constraint
7. Move toward what you fear
“The jitters are love in disguise, reminding you that you’re getting closer to what you want. Face it. Go toward it. Do it. Dive into your most meaningful experiences and relationships —the ones that make you feel like you’re alive. Don’t worry if you can’t access what you want just yet. It will come. “
8. Have no expiration date in sight
9. Be a reflection of your character
10. Will use a limited color palette
11. Offer proper proportion and scale
12. Will focus on less rather than more
Schelter suggests shopping like an editor, “Turn down the volume. Tune in to yourself. You really don’t need much.”
13. Involve creating your own personal classics
“Find fabrics, colors, cuts and shapes that work on you. Then Repeat-wear and rely on them without a second thought. Know that they are yours to trust.”
14. Find a balance when it comes to personal grooming
“Just the right amount of grooming: not too much, not too little.”
15. Require quality tailoring
16. Involve investing in what you love
With patience, saving up and waiting for what you know will work and what you know you love will earn you the reward of “quality, craftsmanship, and charm”.
17. Require you to not buy based on the size, but buy what looks best on your body
18. Not knowing is actually a positive sign, so long as you keep your eyes open
“When you embrace not having a set direction, you may experience the “dead zone” (dormancy, fear, dread, confusion, self-doubt), but that always comes before the spark of spring . . . When you give up expectations and rules you sow seeds for creative thought; you give yourself room to find your individuality and your own vocabulary. You are no longer defining yourself in someone else’s terms.”
Listen to your life. Listen to what puts you at ease, what makes you feel beautiful, what fires up your confidence. And then ask yourself why. When you listen, when you tune in to what your life is revealing to you, your true personal classic style will come forth.
“The key to personal style is simple: Forget what’s cool and trust your gut. The magic is in your mix. When you draw confidence from your classics — pieces that you come back to again and again — your style is your own. Classics let you do more, and be more, with less.” —Kate Schelter author of Classic Style
Petit Plaisir:
~Springtime Peonies
Best to buy in the bud stage as they will last longer; don’t forget to cut an inch off the bottom and remove all leaves that might be submerged in water. Add plant food.
Common peony meanings include romance, prosperity, good fortune, a happy marriage, riches, honor, and compassion — but peonies can also mean bashfulness via FTD.com
Peonies are native to China. They are highly valued there, and are often referred to as the “king of flowers”.
The peony is the state flower of Indiana.
It is also given for twelfth wedding anniversaries because the peony symbolizes honor, fortune, and a happy relationship.
June 9, 2017
This & That: June 9, 2017
Books
—Fully Connected: Surving and Thriving in an Age of Overload by Julia Hobsbawm
Released earlier this week, Julia Hobsbawm’s new book dives deep into the meaning of social well-being as it is a component of one’s overall good health. As the internet has become more and more a part of our lives with each passing of the past 25 years, not only in our personal lives but in our professional lives there is an unspoken assumption that we must always be connected. But what does that do to our quality of life? Hobsbawm shares research and solutions to enable readers to balance one’s involvement in the social media world as well as step away as necessary in order to be productive and boost one’s overall well-being.
—Theft by Finding: Diaries 1977-2002 by David Sedaris
David Sedaris (perhaps you’ve read a piece or two of his in The New Yorker, or maybe know of Santaland Diaries???) is one of the funniest individuals I have had the pleasure to read and listen to in person. His latest book is the first of two personal writings that share his uncanny, insightful, humorous observations about the world and everyday events.
Cookbook
—La Varenne Pratique by Anne Willian
I happened to be reading The Wall Street Journal’s “Off Duty” section this past weekend in which designer and now cookbook author Zac Posen was interviewed. Sharing a few cookbooks that were the foundation of his love for stepping into the kitchen, Anne Willian’s La Varenne Pratique originally published in 1989 caught my eye. Composed by the founder and director of Paris’s prestigious La Varenne cooking school, the cookbook is a manual as well revealing fundamental cooking techniques, necessary equipment and ingredients to help and improve both new and expert home cooks.
Film
—The Beguiled
Director Sofia Coppola’s new film, which debuted last month at the Cannes Film Festival, earned her a place in history as she was named Best Director, only the second woman to win this award in the film festival’s 70 year history. The film is The Beguiled based on Thomas P. Cullinan’s 1966 book originally titled A Painted Devil, and stars Nicole Kidman, Colin Farrell, Kirsten Dunst, and Elle Fanning. Set during the Civil War at a girls’ school in Virginia, a wounded Union soldier arrives (Farrell). Having been sheltered from the outside world, tensions, rivalries are heightened amongst the girls and a tragic event unfolds. Take a look at the trailer below and look for it in theaters June 23rd.
—Wonder Woman
Patty Jenkins (director of Oscar winning Monster starring Charlize Theron) is now the first female director of a major motion action film, and made a successful debut by Hollywood’s definition when her film earned $100.5 million in its opening weekend surpassed Captain America: The Winter Soldier, The Amazing Spider-Man, X-Men: Days of Future Past and nearly surpassed Iron Man‘s debut in 2008 which reached $102 million. Couple the results with critics positive reviews and not only is the audience intriguing females, but 48% of the audience is male.
The leading role, played by Gal Gidot, an Israeli-born actress, has as well been praised for her depiction of the comic book heroine. Did you know? During filming, Gidot, who served for two years in the Israeli Defense Forces as a combat instructor, was five-months pregnant with her second child. Robin Wright, of House of Cards fame, also stars in the film which follows Diana, princess of the Amazons (Wonder Woman) as she decides to stop a massive threat that has the potential to destroy the world. Leaving her home for the first time, fighting alongside the men in the ultimate war, she unearths her true powers, potential and discovers her true destiny. In theaters now, have a look at the trailer below.
Francophile Find
—Duck Season: Eating, Drinking and other Misadventures in Gascony — France’s Last Best Place by David McAninch
Take an excursion to Gascony, France, for eight months with David McAninch in his memoir released this past March. Located in southwest France and largely overlooked by Americans, dine, explore and fall in love with a region you may just want to visit.
Shopping
—UGG Elena sandals
A simple nude sandal with a little bit of a heel, available at an affordable price and made by a reputable company, UGG’s Elena’s sandals will take you from June to September in style and comfort.
~recipe for Baguette with Avocado, Gorgonzola and Figs~
June has arrived, and with it a handful of beautiful sun-filled days as well as some soothing rainy day moments which I crave. And now the weekend. Perhaps some shopping for tomato plants now that the last frost is behind us, maybe gazing at the full moon if the clouds temporarily part, don’t forget watching the French Open Finals and who knows what else.
The past week on the blog included two extra posts: one, a recipe for a delicious spring fruit tart; and the other, a sharing of an experience I have been giddy to try and finally had the opportunity to last weekend here in Bend. As well, don’t forget to send me your questions for the June 26th episode of the podcast “Ask Shannon” (email me here – askshannon@thesimplyluxuriouslife.com) by June 21st and your question could be answered on the air.
And now to relaxing, exploring, laughing and savoring the next few days. Below are a few articles you might enjoy, and until Monday bonne journée.
~Cyndi Lauper returns to Broadway, writing the music for ‘Working Girl’ which will be on stage soon
~Ah to live or at least visit France . . . Take this quiz to discover which region is perfect for your tastes and predilections
~Now that you know where to go . . . check out a few first-hand recommendations on vacation rentals to reserve
~The 20 year anniversary of Sex and the City‘s premiere occurred this week, and Man Repeller wrote a worthwhile post to check out: If SATC were written today, Miranda Hobbes would be the Protagonist
~After watching Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s documentary on Masculinity in America The Mask You Live In, this article certainly caught my attention: How to Raise a Feminist Son
~Struggling with the French language or just want to improve? How to Get Your Brain to Think in French
SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave
SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave
SaveSave
June 8, 2017
Biker Chic
~Alexander Wang Antonia suede nude sandals~
~R13 Kate mid-rise skinny jeans~
~Noir Jewelry gold-tone crystal earrings~
~Stella McCartney embroidered silk blouse~
~ETRO pussy-bow silk crepe blouse~
~Rebecca Minkoff original MAB satchel (on sale)~
~French Women Don’t Get Facelifts: The Secret of Aging with Style and Attitude by Mireille Guiliano~
~SHOP THE OUTFIT:
Turn on your JavaScript to view content
~View more OUTFITS OF THE WEEK here.
Ellen Pompeo in Sag Harbor: Immersing Herself in Decor
From her day job of practicing faux medicine to her personal passion of restoring and redecorating homes, Grey’s Anatomy actress Ellen Pompeo has found a knack for bringing comfort and modernity to each of her homes. From her Mediterranean Malibu home featured in Architectural Digest in 2014 to now her first remodeling of a barn in Sag Harbor, Pompeo demonstrates her expertise for seeing potential in projects that may on the surface initially appear daunting.
Each room is designed to be lived in, potentially make messes in that can be without a fuss cleaned up. In other words, the Sag Harbor home is meant to be experienced and treasured not just gawked at in magazines (although there is much gawking to be done). Enjoy the tour and read more about Pompeo’s approach to her hobby of design here in the June 2017 issue of Architectural Digest.
All image via Architectural Digest
June 7, 2017
Ariana’s Culinary Acumen: To Taste Is to Understand Their Brilliance
Living in a small, rural Oregon town, the opportunities to dine in a James Beard recognized restaurant are nearly nonexistent, but that was before I moved to Bend, Oregon.
Bend has become, over the past ten years or more, a foodie hub in central Oregon, and many argue it began when Ariana’s restaurant was established in a small craftsman home in 2004 along the unofficial second main street in Bend, Galveston Avenue. Chefs and owners Andres and Ariana Fernandez’ have established themselves, with their contemporary perspectives on classic dishes, as being deserving of a spot in the top echelons of the nation’s restaurant elite.
Upon moving here nearly two years ago, my Bend bucket list included near the top a dining experience at Ariana’s, and so the time came to dine this past weekend with my mister who also had yet to dine at the acclaimed restaurant.
The wait staff was knowledgeable, convivial and providesd patrons with ample time to savor each course. After all, the food provides the foundation for lively, intimate conversation with your dining companions, and the cozy, softly illuminated atmosphere complete with white tablecloths and singular candles placed upon the tables at dusk invite diners to savor a most memorable dining experience, one which is unique and unlike anything else available in the ever-growing ski and outdoor-loving town.
Now, let’s talk about the food and drink.
When it came to selecting the wine for the evening, from a wine list that is carefully curated with selections from around the globe as well as top wines from the Pacific NW and California, we selected King Estate’s pinot gris backbone (2014). For those that wish to have a different wine pairing with each course, each evening a Chef’s Menu is available for a flat cost with meal items crafted from seasonal fare.
And then the dining began. With a complimentary shot of amuse bouche, the palette was cleansed and teased. The appetizer of bone marrow was immaculate in its simplistic, rustic presentation of roasted bone jus, parsley salad, grilled bread, and we scraped up every last taste. I highly recommend choosing this item to share as disappointment will not follow.
With proper proportion sizes, enjoying a multi-course meal is the ideal way to dine so long as it is in your budget. But upon knowing you will be dining at Ariana’s, allow yourself to indulge in the full experience as that is truly what is cultivated.
The beet salad offered a cool, refreshing transition between the appetizer and the entrée. With precisely sliced ruby and gold beets, watercress, and shallot vinaigrette, the final touch of the filo-chèvre sachet offered the perfect satiation.
With a menu of items I am still quite curious to try (view their menu here) my entrée choice was the seared wild jumbo scallops and Oregon dungeness crab risotto (see below), and my mister’s was the slow braised, creamy parmesan polenta,celery-apple-horseradish remoulade. Both exquisitely presented and prepared.
Now for dessert . . .
To share we decided on the smoked almond cake comprised of brown butter cake, marionberry marmellata, ellenos yogurt, and high desert (local) honey.
The entire experience left me feeling satisfied and transported to an opportunity to be fully present with my food and my company.
It is no wonder Ariana’s Restaurant was invited in April 2014 to cook a six-course meal at the acclaimed James Beard Foundation in New York City. The honor is something that occurs every day except Sundays in Beard’s Greenwich Village brownstone, in the heart of NYC. Chefs from throughout the United States present their carefully curated multi-course dinners to guests who pay upwards of $170 per plate to sample their cuisine.
If you have yet to experience what Ariana’s Restaurant can offer, you can make your reservations no sooner than a month in advance, but I highly recommend you make reservations as much in advance as possible. You can reserve on Open Table for a table on Tuesday through Saturday. Dinner service begins at 5pm and runs until closing. I would also recommend asking for a preferred table as there are ideal tables, one of which I will be requesting the next time I make reservations (one small suggestion – any table by a window or the fireplace will be a lovely spot).
Ariana’s Restaurant
1304 NW Galveston Ave, Bend, OR 97703
(541)-330-5539
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 5pm – closing
~View more Bend, Sweet Bend posts in the Archives here
Why Not . . . Have a Picnic?
“A picnic is more than eating a meal, it is a pleasurable state of mind.”
― DeeDee Stovel, Picnic: 125 Recipes with 29 Seasonal Menus
Spreading your blanket on a small swath of grass in a park, in the backyard, or in the woods immediately creates a space for simple pleasures to be enjoyed.
The gift of a picnic is multi-faceted as it doesn’t require reservations and yet can be enjoyed in the most magnificent of locations, and the bounty of food takes on a heightened flavor perhaps due to the proximity to Mother Nature from which it was plucked. As well, a picnic offers not only the table space on which to dine, but following the meal, a cozy place to rest your head, take a nap, get lost in a good book or conversation with good company without a waiter or clock to keep you on time.
A few weeks ago I enjoyed my first picnic of the season with new friends, and since I didn’t have my own picnic basket as of an hour before the event, I quickly bee bopped down to a local antiques boutique and found a wicker basket for $13 (see below).
Since that time, the weather has been extraordinary and dining outside has been something I have been yearning to do more often. And so it was this past weekend, I packed up my picnic basket once again, filled it with homemade salads, entrées, a fresh fruit tart, drinks and of course freshly made bread from a local bakery along with cheese and prosciutto. The meal was ready whenever we wished to devour it. The funny thing was by the time we were able to sit down and enjoy, the sun had set more than a few hours prior, and so the picnic was brought indoors. However, it is true that “A picnic is a state of mind and can be made anywhere.” The simple gesture of pulling food out of a basket, ready to be savored, there is something rustic, but sophisticated, no matter where the blanket is laid out.
A few things to consider adding to your basket/picnic to make it a delicious and memorable affair:
melamine plates – durable, look like glass plates, but are not and available in a wide array of playful prints and colors
plastic wine/water goblets
a blanket
a good book to savor upon completion
for evening dining: glass solar sun jars
bottle and wine glass steel holders
keep food warm or cold with stackable thermos food holders
For me a picnic is a revelation about an individual. Can they just relax and be outside with the weather? Can they be outside and not care who sees them basking in the casualness of dining al fresco? Such questions may seem silly but I have met a few individuals who cannot for one of the reasons or another and to me it revealed a loss. A loss of appreciating the simple moment to be present with the food, the sustenance we need without a care in the world.
“ There are few things so pleasant as a picnic eaten in perfect comfort.” —W. Somerset Maugham
I hope you have time this season and many more to enjoy a picnic or two or three. Bring a friend, bring a lover, dine on the beach with family or simply lay out a blanket at a beloved park in Paris or a field of poppies in Provence all by yourself. Picnics have no rules except to relax and savor. So why not bring more moments doing just these two pastimes into your life?
“May we never stop loving the simple things in life. Like bonfires, picnics . . . and romantic dates under the stars.“
~Books to read for inspiration and ideas for your next picnic:
The Picnic: Recipes and Inspiration from Basket to Blanket
A Year of Picnics: Recipes for Dining Well in the Great Outdoors Small Measure by Ashley English of the blog
Le Picnic: Chic Food for On-the-Go
The Picnic: A History
~SHOP PICNIC Baskets:
~Stop into your local second-hand or antique boutique or peruse seasonal yard sales; you will be surprised at what you will find and usually at wonderful prices as well
Turn on your JavaScript to view content
June 6, 2017
Creating a Signature Style: Hats & Neutrals
At the heart of classic signature style is utilizing the power of neutrals. At first glance and to the untrained eye, neutrals may appear safe, but when chosen carefully and selected specifically for the individual wearing them, they amplify one’s personality and strengths.
Speaking of signature style . . . the topping of a hat, no matter what the style or design so long as it flatters your face and keeps the right proportions is an immediate means to conveying your individuality. Pair the neutrals with a hat and what could be more unique. Below you will find inspiration demonstrated by women who work one and some both of these concepts to craft a signature look, all the while looking effortlessly chic.
~Remember, click on each of the images to be redirected to the original source.
~View more Style Inspiration posts here
June 5, 2017
France in Pictures and Illustrations: My Interview with author & artist Rae Dunn
~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate: iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio
Perhaps you’ve seen her pottery: simple, purposefully imperfect, white with black singular font, whether for your morning tea cup, the salt and pepper holder on the stovetop or a dish for your furry best friend. Rae Dunn’s passion for simple and functional pottery has brought her deserved recognition. And it is with her eye for the simple everyday that led to her new book of French inspiration titled France: Inspiration du Jour.
An artistic sketchbook of Rae’s travels through Paris and Provence, be swept away to France no matter where you live as you peruse the pages. With pictures of everyday life in France paired with watercolor illustrations of the scenery, food, drink and daily activities, discover why Rae finds beauty in the everyday moments.
Today on the podcast, Rae Dunn joins me to talk about how the concept of the sketchbook came about, why it’s important not to overthink anything you are curious to try or explore and rather just step forward and feel your way, the power of serendipity, the realization of where true beauty resides and the importance of treasuring the imperfect. The discussion is one with a successful woman who simply followed what she loved and in so doing created a successful business which reminds us all to “notice and appreciate the small things”. Have a listen to the interview and discover more than a few simple pleasures at the end of our conversation as Rae reveals this week’s Petit Plaisirs.
~Follow Rae Dunn: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram (a new illustration each day)
~Shop Rae Dunn pottery here and here
~Learn more about her new book France: Inspiration du Jour here
~Sharon’s Art Studio in Golden Gate State Park
~Rae Dunn’s recommendation for what to visit in France: Picasso Museum in Arles, France – Musée Réattu
~a sampling of Rae Dunn’s daily illustrations on Instagram~
~samples of Rae Dunn pottery~
Petit Plaisir:
~Find more episodes of The Simple Sophisticate podcast here.
