Shannon Ables's Blog, page 262

TSLL Spring Shopping Guide 2017

The spring season is here, and with it beautiful fashions to freshen up the winter dark shades that have been worn for what feels like many months. Beginning with the beautiful florals available this season and punctuated by the unique graphic designs, a signature touch can be found almost anywhere without going overboard.

As I perused the collections determining which trends would be worth splurging on and which should merely be appreciated but picked up at a great price, I found myself loving the shift of denim from skinny to straight leg and a bit higher waist. As well, pink always makes me smile and having blazers on hand is always a good idea. All of these trends are worth the investment as you can easily carry them over from season to season for many years to come.

As you will notice below, each trend is revealed with favorites pulled from the runways, followed by hand-picked items you can shop directly with a simple click to learn more about the item.

This season TSLL Spring Shopping Guide is available here on the blog rather than at a separate location as TSLL Shop: Capsule Wardrobe is much more accessible since the blog underwent a remodel back in the fall and will always be available throughout the year, organized by Spring, Fall and All-Season selections that were just updated.

To save a bit of money as you add those few missing investment pieces you been looking for, be sure to use eBates, the Honey bookmarklet and save items to Shoptagr as well. I especially appreciated Shoptagr this past winter sales season as I was able to watch a handful of items and wait until they dropped to worthwhile prices.

And as the goal of a simply luxurious wardrobe is to keep it simple, but high quality so that the items you invest in with last for many years, this list caught my eye and I wanted to share (although dated 2016, the tips are timeless):

SPLURGE


Flowers, Large & Small

~Jason Wu, Lela Rose, Monique Lhuillier, Naeem Khan~

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High-Waisted 

~Erin Fetherston, Tibi, Monse, Marissa Webb~

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Pink

~Cushnie et Ochs, Jenny Packham, Balmain, Marchesa~

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Graphic Prints

~Chloé, Elie Saab, Etro, Akris~

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Blazers

~Ralph Lauren, Chanel, Versace, Louis Vuitton~ 

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Khaki

~Vanessa Seward, Talbot Runhof, Bottega Veneta, Les Copains~   

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Deep V’s

~Luisa Beccaria, Vanessa Seward, Saint Laurent, Diane von Furstenberg~

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SAVE


One Shoulder

~Aquilano.Rimondi, Ralph Lauren, Monse, Monse~ 

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Sheer

~Alberta Ferretti, Christian Dior, Altuzarra, Jenny Packham~

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~Shop TSLL Capsule Wardrobe boutique here. Carefully curated for Spring, Fall and All-Season options and updated seasonally.

~Stop by each Thursday to see the OUTFIT OF THE WEEK, and peruse past Outfits here.

~A few STYLE posts from TSLL Archives you might enjoy:

~Why Not . . . Use Fashion as a Medium of Communication?

~9 Reasons Owning Your Style Will Change Your Life 

This & That: March 31, 2017

Books
—300 Arguments: Essays by Sarah Manguso

If you’re looking for inspiration about life, released in February, essayist Sarah Manguso shares her 300 aphorisms on the topics of desire, ambition, relationships, and failure. Take a peek at the samplings here. After reading them, perhaps you’ll get a chuckle, perhaps you’ll lift an eyebrow and perhaps you’ll want to pick up the book to view even more.

Cookbook
~Tartine All Day: Modern Recipes for the Home Cook by Elisabeth Pruiett

Being released on Tuesday April 4th, co-founder of San Francisco’s famed bakery and acclaimed food destination Tartine, the woman behind the pastries, Elisabeth Pruiett offers a home cook’s dream. Her new cookbook Tartine All Day is full of beautiful images and easy-to-follow recipes, bringing the flavor and not the fuss of classic dishes, many French as she and her husband spent much time in the land of gourmet and goodness, to your home. Having had the opportunity to flip through the cookbook, tune in to Monday’s upcoming episode of the podcast to learn of recipes that caught my eye (episode #149).

Decor 
—Eliza Bar Cart

Upon perusing through House Beautiful‘s recent issue, I came across a bar cart that was simple, and refined, but unique and sophisticated. For less than $300, make a statement, create a beautiful vignette in that small corner in your living room, and be a hostess always prepared for any entertaining opportunity. Check out how to style a bar cart here. Another Eliza bar cart that caught my eye but is only available for interior designers is this one, and it too is a beauty.

Francophile Find
—Parisian Chic Lookbook: What Should I Wear Today? by Ines de la Fressange

Today, I will recommend fervently Ines de la Fressange’s new book, and on Monday’s episode of the podcast (episode #149), I will break down and take you inside the book and all that it has to offer, so be sure to stay tuned. The lookbook is just that, a beautiful 130 page book of images styled for any occasion you might encounter throughout your life, and all possible while utilizing the essential items in your closet. Ines has another worthwhile resource on her hands.

—Paris in Bloom by Giorgianna Lane

Spring always brings to mind Paris. The blossoms, the evanescent natural beauty, oh, someday I will be able to walk along the streets during this exquisite season. But until I am able, Seattle-based photographer and travel photog Giorgianna Lane has compiled a beautiful book of the abundance of flowers in Paris. As well, she offers recommendations about where to find the best flower markets and a detailed guide to spring blooms. Released earlier this month, Paris in Bloom would make a stunning coffee table book or gift for your fellow Francophile friend.

Shopping
—Sézane Sunrise T-Shirt

I am on the lookout for simple statement t-shirts (tune in to Monday’s episode of the podcast to find out why), and that was when I came across Sézane’s sunrise tee. Simple, a bit retro and no brand logos or cheesy statements, just revealing a sunny disposition, I am contemplating adding this to my casual wardrobe (order one size larger as it runs small).

—Theory Friends & Family Sale

Theory continues to be one of my staple item shopping destinations. I live in their Gabe wool stretch blazers, now through Sunday April 2nd, you can save 25% site wide with promo code FRIENDS. Another item that I had the opportunity to see in person this past week was the Whitney Hoop Bag in black (other colors available). Simple, well made (the leather is incredibly supple), it is quite streamlined and offers the functionality of a clutch or a cross body.

 

~recipe for Matcha Mint Grasshopper Pie~

One of daily routines I am throughly enjoying during my time here in South Korea is the eating. (Oh, my goodness I need to walk more!) And one of the items I have had many nibbles of are the dumplings. Dumplings are available for breakfast, lunch and dinner, in soups, separate, you name it, they are available and with a variety of fillings. Now, trying to communicate is not something I am doing well with (my attempt at charades does not help), but I feel fortunate to have been assisted by not only staff that does speak English but nearby customers who overhear the communication divide and either out of mere need to for the confusion to stop or congenial helpfulness step in to translate. Needless to say, the dumplings are being devoured and I am well-fed here in Korea. (My first bowl of bibimbap was also enjoyed yesterday – see here.)

How has the last week in March been going for you? Hopefully, the weather is just temperate enough, productivity was high and progress is being seen on whatever goal or project you are working on. Now, however, with the weekend’s arrival, why not schedule some time to unwind, explore, relax and rejuvenate. That is what we have planned, and I cannot wait to put the technology away, seek out the cherry blossoms and discover anything that crosses our path. Ah, and since it is the first of April tomorrow (no, this is not an April Fool’s joke), it means TSLL Spring Shopping Guide will be released. Be sure to check your inboxes or stop by the blog and shop to your heart’s content the trends were splurging on and those you may want to save but nonetheless have some fun with. So much more will be shared as well. Wishing you a lovely weekend and some articles you might enjoy! Until Monday, bonne journée!

~Where to Taste Wine in Paris

~3 Ways to Settle a Busy Mind

~The Importance of Being Genuine

~American Habits I Lost When I Moved to France

~Queen Elizabeth II, what does she eat and drink all day? Town & Country reveal her tastes.

~Life in France: Myth vs. Reality

 

A Leisurely Day: Rouge, Bleu & Blanc

~Frame ‘Le Garcon’ Skinny Boyfriend jean, more here~

~Être Cécile Rouge Bleu Blanc printed cotton t-shirt or the striped version~

~Tory Burch Two Band Sandal (other colors)~

~Cambridge Satchel saddle bag, small or large available, other colors as well~

~My (Part-Time) Paris Life: How Running Away Brought Me Home by Lisa Anselmo

~DKNY Murray bangle watch (rose-gold), other colors available~

SHOP THE OUTFIT:

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~View more OUTFITS OF THE WEEK here

Tuscan Heritage Hand-Me-Down

The opportunity to renovate and preserve a piece of familial memories located in the Tuscan countryside while a grand undertaking was a beautiful opportunity to bring siblings together on a project that held priceless value. Carlo Pallavicino inherited the house from his mother who inherited from her parents. Named the Villa Tavernaccia, with the help of his art historian, turned interior designer sister Ilaria Miani, the estate is now home to Carlo and his wife and their children, now grown. Furnished with antiques passed down from their grandparents, the home shares its history and the garden and acreage as well is abundant offering much sustenance and beauty. With 700 olive plants that produce quality olive oil, the garden as well offers enough produce to eliminate the need to go to the market. Carlo’s mother Valentina overseas the garden and the English roses, and is currently creating a line of soaps to be called, what else, Tavernaccia.

Learn even more about this stunning Tuscan estate here in the April 2017 issue of Elle Decor.

 

~View more Decor Inspiration here.

Why Not . . . Travel Well?

“Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quiestest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey.” — Pat Conroy

I have missed travel, if nothing else to keep myself on my toes, to be even more appreciative and to remember to not always believe what is running through my mind. What do I mean by all of these? I will address each of them in one of the points below, but basically, travel is the opportunity to remember our own humanness and the humanness of others.

Recently, I stepped on a plan to South Korea, and these are the tips I was reminded of as they served me well as I traveled comfortably and kicked off a trip that I won’t soon forget.

Explore and ask for recommendations from fellow travelers

Upon learning I would be traveling to South Korea, I began to ask questions of those who had been, live or know someone who lives or has traveled there. I then took note of repeated recommendations and picked up a few travel guide books to investigate further.

As the internet is the world at our fingertips, I also explored Korean blogs and destinations of high repute on what was worth exploring as well. And while I am not someone who typically joins a large group to tour, there are always destinations I am curious about after I learn more. Therefore, the more options the choose from the better as you can pick and choose based on your interest, location and time available.

 

Restock your toiletries

 Ideally, I try to restock m y toiletries upon returning home from my most recent trip, but sometimes, because I am exhausted or I hit the ground running when I arrive back at home, restocking is delayed. Knowing you have everything you need to look and feel your best and most comfortable is crucial, so take a look at what you have, what you need and what you no longer need to pack in order to save space.

 

Pack an on-flight freshen-up mini-tote

Especially for long flights, pull out some of your make-up, some of your toiletries and any other touch-up necessities. Perhaps facial wipes, moisturizer, blush, concealer and mascara. Then add deodorant and dry shampoo. Whatever your essentials are, if you’ve checked your luggage, this will save you time as you freshen up after getting off of the plane.

 

Discover the luggage situation for your airline and trip

If you’re flying international, you will probably be able to check one piece free and possibly two (that was the case for me this time around). Knowing what you will be bringing as carry-on and what will be checked will help you plan what will go where in your luggage.

 

Decide how you will get to the airport

 With the goal of ease to your mind and your budget, find the best choice for getting to the airport if you will have to tend to it without the help of a loved one to drop you off. Sometimes long-term parking the airport is a feasible option, but if you are traveling for a long duration, check out nearby hotels to park your car as sometimes they offer parking spots for half the price and a taxi ride to and from the airport.

 

Put your mind at ease

Being away from our homes and everyday lives is necessary as we are given the opportunity to relax and step away from our responsibilities for a temporary period. And in order to insure you do not have more work for yourself when you return, tend to these things before you leave.

Leave the house clean
Schedule mail hold and delivery upon return
Alert neighbors if necessary to tend to garbage bins
Set the home temperature

 

Pack the day before

Packing without rushing ensures we not forget anything we hope to bring along and will need to derive the most enjoyment from our trip. Making a list a week or more in advance puts into place a plan of attack: what to take to the dry-cleaner, but to purchase, etc. And then when I sit down to pack, I just run down the list and actually turn off my mind, trusting what I have written down.

 

Dress comfortably

Ines de la Fressange, details in her new book Parisian Chic Lookbook the ideal traveling attire, and after scrutinizing my own wardrobe, I certainly concur after testing the theory on my recent 12 hour flight across the Pacific. Stylish loose bottoms, layers on the top in the form of camisole or tee shirt, an oversized sweater and oversized wool coat. Oh, and don’t forget the shoes- slides if possible – no open toes and flat, very, very flat.

And as some readers protested after my suggestion of a jumpsuit for airplane travel a few weeks ago, I purposely scanned travelers attire while making my way through the San Francisco terminal. And to my delight, I saw more than a few women wearing jumpsuits layered under denim jackets or other comfortable separates. And I too counted myself amongst them, and not for the first time but the third time.

Understandably, a long-sleeve jumpsuit would be a hassle to undo upon needing to go to the lavatory, but with the camisole top and strapless jumpsuits I have worn, the process is no more cumbersome than any other clothing. And it is one decision when deciding what to wear. Ultimately, I gravitate toward jumpsuits for their comfort. Much like pajamas, they are loose and flexible as we pretzel ourselves into our seats.

However, jumpsuits just may not be your thing, and as someone who once I find something, returns to it again and again, once you find what works and is comfortable for long durations of travel, stick with it and your experience will be all the more enjoyable.

 

Prep your tech



Upload the wifi apps for your airline
Download all preferred music, podcasts, audio books, etc.
Pack your earbuds
Charge your devices
Bring your USB and power cords

 

Eat fewer carbs and sugar and more protein and fiber 

Not only will your waistline thank you as you sit for hours, but your appetite will be satiated and you won’t need every salty, processed snack that may be offered while in-flight

 

TSA Pre-Check

If you know you will be flying once or twice a year every year, domestic or international, I highly recommend paying $87 for your TSA PreCheck clearance. The check, once approved lasts for five years and the process is as simple as picking up stamps at the post office. In fewer than 10 minutes, after scanning my fingerprints, showing my passport and paying the fee, I was done. In fewer than two weeks I received my Known Travel Number (KTN), and I was set to quickly move through security (no need to take off my shoes, only extremely heavy items – watches and jewelry can stay on).

 

Plan of attack for jet lag

It’s going to happen. As much as I was determined to avoid it, combat it and allow to not waste one day of my journey, on the second day here in South Korea, it hit me. And the frustrating part is that I didn’t realize it was jet lag until afterwards. What do I mean? From my experience, it is my emotions that are heightened. Good, bad, excitement and fears. While there are definitely ways to minimize jet lag (see melatonin use below), immediately getting into the sleep pattern of the time zone you are in (whether that means keeping yourself up a little longer (24 hours for me this time around), or going to bed earlier than you would have if you were at home, simply knowing that you will feels its effects in some way is a powerful tool as well. Don’t make any rash decisions, don’t express your fears unless you know (after checking with someone you trust) that they are founded, etc.

Melatonin

Take before going to bed in the evening if you travel west
Take upon waking up in the morning if you are traveling east

 

If possible . . .

Step away from the technology and access to email, phone, etc. when on vacation. Enabling yourself to be fully present, knowing that you can and should step away, and everything (your home, pets, etc.) will be fine as you have done your due diligence before leaving, will allow you to have a more relaxing and fulfilling getaway.

 

Plan a little, explore a lot

“The traveler was active; he went strenuously in search of people, of adventure, of experience. The tourist is passive; he expects interesting things to happen to him. He goes “sight-seeing.” – Daniel J. Boorstin

Depending upon why we are taking the trip and what our lives have been like leading up to the departure, we will need to tailor our trip to our individual needs and those we are with. With that said, I have done both, planned, scheduled and made nearly a concrete itinerary, as well as planned nothing at all. Neither have been ideal, but instead a little of both has turned out to be the best approach for me.

My approach now is a simple plan of attack. Some specific sites were put on my list to see, dates and times of events I wanted to attend were put on my day planner, but the rest, the rest I decided would be discovered as I meandered in particular neighbors. Telling myself to just put myself in an area of curiosity and then see where my eyes senses lead me, I tend to come across memorable boutiques, food and people.

 

Don’t take pictures the entire time

Sometimes when we pull out a phone or our camera we step outside of the moment and prevent it from permeating us deeply. As much as we recognize how magnificent a moment is, remember the power of being present. Soak it in, stop, put the tech away and create in your mind a place to go no matter where your life takes you next.

Life is about creating moments, beautiful moments so that they can indeed be enjoyed more than once. And believe it or not, sometimes that means not capturing it for all to see, but rather capturing an image, the aesthetics, the scents and sounds in your mind for your own private audience.

 

After having not stepped on a plane for 20 months and with nearly four years having lapsed since my last international trip, the first thing I realized I had missed was a simple but powerful gift that traveling in proximity to hundreds of strangers whilst each in the midst of their own emotional journey, how appreciative I am of humanity . While we are uniquely different, from different backgrounds, heritages, and experiences, we are all human.

The more I am reminded of this truth, the more I attribute my journeys traveling away from home to be full of gifts to enrich the everyday when I return. Whether it be a deeper appreciation for the simple routines, a dedication to becoming the better communicator, or ultimately how to be as human as I can possibly be, travel is an opportunity to be enriched, strengthened and brought to living well and far better than you may have been living prior to the journey.

So while today’s list will certainly help enrich the journey while you travel to and from and while you immerse yourself into the present while there, ultimately, these tips will allow you not worry about the details and instead soak up the lessons, soak up the beauty and open your world to ideas, experiences and people you might never had imagined could expand your world even after you’ve returned home

~SIMILAR POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVeS YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

~Why Not . . . Travel Luxuriously?

~Why Not . . . Travel Internationally? (multiple part series)

~Why Not . . . Travel Alone?

Blouses: An Abundance of Options

Silk, cotton, linen, satin. The blouse is an item to wear to work, to wear for play, to wear for everyday.

Tucked into a pencil skirt for work, worn with denim, button up with a collar or crew neck and short sleeve. The power of a blouse is its versatility and the gift of a blouse is its subtle touch of femininity. Choose silk and it drapes beautifully over your figure; unbutton one, maybe two top buttons and you have a canvas for a beautiful signature piece of jewelry; wear oversized untucked over skinny jeans and the look is polished due to the proportions, not sloppy. Ah, so many options, what fun and style to cultivate as you find your signature style. Find some inspiration below and at the end of the post, shop a few hand-picked blouses available now.

~Remember, click on any of the images to be taken to its original source.

 

~SHOP hand-picked blouses below:

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~View and shop TSLL Shop for your Capsule Wardrobe here.

The Hygge Phenomenon and Living Simply Luxuriously

~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #148
~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate: iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio

“Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die; and then dies having never really lived.” —Dalai Lama

Most Sunday mornings at around nine or 10 o’clock you will find me in my living room having just returned from walking my boys, Norman and Oscar, settling in with a pot of black tea, a warm croissant from a local bakery and the Sunday newspapers. Such simple pleasures bring me a priceless amount of happiness, and I look forward to this weekly ritual as I tuck into bed each Saturday night.

The recent trending term hygge (pronounced hoo-gah) in the lifestyle publishing industry springs from the happiest country in the world as found by extensive research compiled by the United Nations World Happiness Report. Simply defined, incorporating hygge into your way of living is a choice to encourage the enjoyment of life’s simple pleasures.

There are a multitude of books focused exactly on how to welcome a hygge lifestyle into your life out on the market at the moment (and these are just a sampling released in the past 12 months). Just take a look below:

~The Little Book of Hygge

~The Cozy Life

~The Year of Living Danishly

~How to Hygge

~Hygge: The Danish Art of Living Well

~The Nordic Theory of Everything

~Hygge: 25 Secrets from the Danish Art of Happiness, Getting Cozy and Living Well

Needless to say, the attention to a way of life that welcomes in the simplicity and everyday savoring of pleasures and reminds of the gifts a welcoming sanctuary can bring into our everyday lives is something that tickles me immensely. Many TSLL readers have pointed out the similarities between hygge and living simply luxuriously, and after reading two books on the subject, I certainly have to agree.

So how exactly do they overlap? How are they similar? Let’s take a look:

1. Savoring quality in each arena of life:

food (a decadent hot chocolate with homemade whipped cream)
relationships, the people you spend time with
everyday experiences
a small but welcoming home

2. Cultivating a sanctuary to relax, unwind and rejuvenate

3. Light a candle or two or three

4. Cultivating trust in those you love, in the communities you live and work in

5. Building a life that enables you to feel free, thus realizing you have more control over your level of happiness than you may have once assumed.

In other words, you truly can become the CEO of your own life while building and being a partner in your community, home and work place.

6. A strong, respectful support system

“meaningful, positive social relationships”

7. Practice gratitude, let go of want

8. Build and cultivate strong, healthy, loving relationships

The quality of one’s happiness increases with improved relationships, not surprisingly when we make more money.

“America has gotten richer, a lot richer, over the past fifty years, but we’ve not gotten happier.” —Jeffrey Saks author of the United Nations World Happiness Report

9. Become a lover of books 

Discover the pleasure reading can bring when a wide open afternoon, evening or 30 minutes anywhere in your day arises. Pick up a book, snuggle up and dive in to discover something new. Keep the television off, put your cell phone away and get lost, letting go of time.

10. Become a regular visitor of nature

“Whether you are sitting by a river in Sweden or in a vineyard in France, or just in your garden or nearby park, being surrounded by nature enables you to bring your guard down and adds a certain simplicity.” Meik Wiking

11. Choose to be fully present

Put away the technology, allow your mind to be in the here and now and look around you. Savor the sun, savor the company, savor the flavor of the food. Savor the amazing life you have the fortune to be living.

12. Cultivate calm 

13. Savor simple rituals

14. Let go of competiveness

The mindset of a market economy versus a social-democratic economy is at once significant and worth contemplating. Often, based on where we live and the culture we are raised in when we see our success based on how others fare as well: in a market economy, it is more likely to be an independent mindset, and in a social-democratic economy, it is more of a collective success one seeks. Ultimately, we only have control over ourselves, but to ignore how our behavior and decisions effect others is to ignore the power of emotional intelligence in our lives. When we consider others in our decision making, it is a means of paying it forward, of cultivating more wellness, kindness and positive behavior that builds each other up rather than tears one another down.

15. Seek internal approval rather than external

Refrain from needing to wear labels or purchase more or larger homes, cars, shoes, clothing, etc. A mindset set on fine-tuning one’s outer appearance is a person who has not found peace within. When you do have peace within, the external becomes far less important and the once temporary highs are substituted with permanent peace.

The primary, underlying similarity that is at the core of living well, living simply luxuriously and thereby incorporating a hygge approach to life is to truly appreciate and savor the life we’ve each been given now. To drink the marrow from life so to speak every single day. It need not be excessive, expensive or grand. The true pleasures are actually quite simple.

It is the moments of sitting next to those you love, letting go of time and letting go of worry knowing you are living well, you’re living wisely and you haven’t been pulled off track by the marketing masses that merely want your money when superficially they promise you more happiness. They are wrong, you are right when you choose to live in such a way that focuses on your well-being. And well-being cannot be purchased, it must be consciously cultivated, tended to and patiently fine-tuned.

~What Does a Simply Luxurious Life Look & Feel Like?

Petit Plaisir:
~My Master Recipes; 165 Recipes to Inspire Confidence int eh Kitchen by Patricia Wells

Download the Episode

This & That: March 24, 2017

Books
—Entertaining in the Country: Love Where You Eat: festive Table Settings, Favorite Recipes and Design Inspiration by Joan Osofsky & Abby Adams

After great success with their first book Love Where You Live, authors Joan Osofsky and Abby Adams released this past Tuesday Entertaining in the Country: Love Where You Eat. Inside discover seasonal dinner parties offering the menus and the decor hosted by professional cooks as well as home cooks. Step inside a vintage Airstream parked in Freedom, Maine, and learn how Erin French, the James Beard–nominated chef/owner of The Lost Kitchen hosts a dinner party. If you are a long-time fan of Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge, you will enjoy her and her wife Julia Turshen’s neighborly gathering in upstate New York, as well as a handful of others. The ideas and inspiration are varied and sure to introduce you to what you already love as well as share many new ideas when it comes to sitting down with good company and delicious food.

—The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes us Happier, Healthier and More Creative by Florence Williams 

Learning, understanding, comprehending, in other words our overall cognition is highly dependent upon our relationship with nature. Florence Williams travels around the world to Korea to Scotland and throughout the United States to see firsthand the necessity for nature in our everyday lives. No, the walk you take in nature, the babbling brook you love to listen to is not a luxury, it is a necessity and understanding exactly why is a beautiful reminder on the need for balance with nature in our modern world.

—The Power of Off: The Mindful Way to Stay Sane in a Virtual World by Nancy Colier

There is indeed a psychology behind our need to have our technology constantly at the ready at a moments notice, but once we discover its power, we can reclaim our lives. Receiving top reviews from readers, released just last November, learn how our devices can push our buttons and how to push back, evaluate exactly how in control you are and discover how to navigate the technology that surrounds you in your everyday life.

Francophile Find
—French Style with Vintage Finds by Cindy Cooper

Released earlier this month, step into 10 different French homes carefully decorated with the Gallic charm Francophiles love. From Louis XVI chairs to a wide array of finds picked up at brocante fairs and markets across France, be inspired to go treasure hunting yourself as you cultivate a French-inspired home wherever you may live.

Shopping

—J.Crew Spring Sale & The Edit Crossbody

If you are someone who is on the go and needs two hands free, a crossbody bag is an essential to have in your closet. And the good news is J.Crew has a classic style (available in four colors: green, black, pink and nude) at a great price (30% off!). I had to take advantage of this sale as I have been waiting to add a crossbody bag to my everyday and travel necessities, and I couldn’t be happier, especially for travel.

And even if you are not looking for a handbag, all items, online and in stores, are on sale through Sunday March 26th. Save 30% with promo code HAPPYSPRING. Happy shopping!

—United Apparel Liquidators

Last week, I shared this article in The New York Times that featured United Apparel Liquidators, a destination to discover steeply discounted designer goods. And while their home base is in Nashville (although they have other stores as well), do not worry if you live elsewhere, as I do. You can shop online. Yep! Find deals as low as 70-90% off on women’s and men’s apparel as well as a long list of accessories.

Television
—Grace & Frankie Season 3 Premiere

I absolutely cannot wait to binge watch Grace & Frankie as the third season premieres today on Netflix. With 13 episodes and season four already in production, fans will be pleased and relieved that many laughs and moments of appreciation will be available to enjoy as Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda’s characters remind audiences women of all ages are smart, sexy, sexual and ready and wanting to savor all that life has to offer. Have a look at Season 3’s trailer below.

—To Walk Invisible: The Brontë Sisters

All right my literary aficionados, airing this Sunday at 9pm on PBS’s Masterpiece series, in a two-hour drama, the writer and director of Last Tango in Halifax Sally Wainwright brings the talented Brontë sisters to the small screen. Covering a three-year period largely inspired by Charlotte’s letters, follow the women as they evolve, grow and become who we know today. Take a look at the trailer below.

~recipe for Key Lime Pie~

And with Friday’s arrival, a week-long spring holiday begins. After a long luxurious, but quite long winter, this spring break’s arrival is greeted with even more gratitude, and especially since it brings with it the opportunity to hop over the Pacific. Be sure to follow along on Instagram (@thesimplyluxuriouslife) this next week as TSLL goes to South Korea. Don’t worry, the regular weekly posts will be on schedule as will each Monday’s episode of The Simple Sophisticate podcast. In fact, I am excited about the next two episodes as they will include discussion on hygge, French style and delicious Tartine fun.

Thank you to all of TSLL readers who have already reached out with recommendations and ideas about where to go, what to do and what to eat. Needless to say, I am absolutely curious and excited to explore yet another culture that is rich in history, abundant with delicious food and so much for me to learn.

Wishing you a lovely weekend, and for your reading pleasure a few articles I think you might enjoy. Until Monday, bonne journée.

~When it comes to relationships, look for someone who inspires you to be your best self, not necessarily your true self

~The Secret to Looking Young Forever??? GOOP offers a few ideas

~Have you seen Vogue US’s April 2017 issue? British PM Theresa May receive the Annie Leibovitz treatment and it’s worth checking out.

~The Best Under the Radar French Brands . . . take a look and discover something new and worthwhile perhaps

~Cup of Jo shares what Food Geniuses Eat for Lunch and it offers some ideas worth considering to make lunch a delicious affair

~Yes, it is true. You can rent and live for one year at Susan Herrmann Loomis’ French home. Learn how here.

~Sharon Santoni walks readers through her yard and garden and how she plants for the seasons in northern France. The pictures alone are worth checking out even if you don’t have your own garden.

~And lastly, embrace the butter. Love the butter . . .  Your Fear of Butter is Outdated

 

 

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Walking on a Spring Day in Paris

~La Ligne Marin Sweater or Vince hooded striped cashmere sweater~

~Frame rigid re-release le original high-rise straight leg jeans~

~J.Crew Charlie Penny Loafers, use HAPPYSPRING to save 30% off or Gianvito Rossi white leather loafers~

~J.Crew Icon Trench Coat, use HAPPYSPRING to save 30% off~

~Paris in Bloom by Georgianna Lane

~SHOP THE OUTFIT:

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~View more Outfits of the Week here.

Minnie Driver’s Cottage Cozy Ranch Oasis

Cottage charm doesn’t accurately convey the winsome cozy sanctuary actress Minnie Driver purchased a couple of years ago in the Hollywood Hills. A 1940s ranch house which offers a large garden and intimate spaces to relax, congregate and unwind, Driver has brought her British heritage and a bit of bohemian whimsy to the space with the help of decorator Peter Dunham.

Per usual, the master bath has captured my attention. Take me to this soaking tub and let me be. Oh, how I want to dip my toes, my body and my being in this oasis. Don’t you? But the beauty while in the bathroom is also throughout the entire sanctuary, from the front door accessorized with a 1960s armchair just outside the front stoop to the gazebo bedecked with a glorious chandelier. Take a look, enjoy the tour and learn more about the entire decor process and the Speechless actress here as it was featured in Elle Decor most recently.

 

~View more Decor Inspiration here.

Images via Elle Decor