Shannon Ables's Blog, page 269
January 24, 2017
Letting Go of the Skinny: Authentic Vintage
The skinny jean cut has been in style since 2010 and has hung around for a reason, creating a curvy silhouette, when wore with heels they elongate the body and allow fun to be played with large over-sized tops without looking sloppy. While I will always have a pair or two (okay, maybe three or four) in my closet, a looser fit is coming into vogue with a higher waist and hitting at the ankles. Described as the ‘authentic vintage’, the waists are higher, the leg straight, but the colors and hems are modern – fringed and some even have patchwork with differing denim finishes.
I will admit, they’ve caught my attention and I look forward to trying on a few pairs in the coming months. Have a look at some inspiration below.
~View more Style Inspiration posts here.
January 23, 2017
An Everyday Necessity: Deliberate Rest
~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate: iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio
“When we take the right to rest, when we make rest fulfilling, and when we practice rest through our days and years, we also make our lives richer and more fulfilling.” —Alex Soojung-Kim Pang, author of Rest: Why You Get More Done when You Work Less
Charles Darwin partook in regular 10 miles walks, Alice Munro walked three miles each day, Winston Churchill engaged in painting, Lin-Manual Miranda took his dog each Sunday for walks through the parks in New York City, J.R.R. Tolkien and Ray Bradbury took daily afternoon naps, workers at Bletchley Park during WWII chose chess as a favorite pastime and associate justice of the United States Supreme Court Elena Kagan boxes regularly with her personal trainer.
Initially when the word ‘rest’ is mentioned, we may think of sitting on the sofa, flipping through channels, but the difference between mindless rest and deliberate rest is that it “enables productivity”. When we truly rest, our minds are not actually stagnant. In actuality, we are enabling them to do what they need to do, work through, dispose of, find and reach understandings and connections that when we are active at work, it is unable to do completely.
The difference between mindless and deliberate rest is what you are feeding your brain. Sitting down and watching a thoughtful, engaging film can absolutely be deliberate rest. It may offer ideas and insights that eventually help us make connections we didn’t see prior to viewing of the film; the key is to feed our minds well. Give it quality fuel and quality results have the possibility of being produced, even while we sleep.
Recently, Alex Soojung-Kim Pang’s new book Rest was released, and contained inside the covers is a wealth of research, seemingly infinite anecdotes from historical and current individuals that reveal the power of deliberate rest being incorporated into our daily lives. Throughout today’s post, I will be sharing many different quotes, and unless otherwise attributed, they are pulled from the pages of Rest.
As we begin 2017 and we look to the future we wish to build for ourselves, it may appear as though we have much to do in order to accomplish what we have placed on our list of resolutions or goals. But in order to be successful in whichever destination we pursue, the concept of quality over quantity guides the way. How is that possible? How can we do less and actually attain more? By tossing what the zeitgeist portrays as the “right way” to achieve success out with 2016.
“Today, we treat being stressed and overworked as a badge of honor, a sign of seriousness and commitment; but this is a recent phenomenon, and it inverts traditional ideas of how leaders and professions should behave under pressure. For most of history, leaders were supposed to appear calm and unhurried; success began with self-mastery and self-control.”
~For more in-depth discussion on each of the points discussed below, be sure to tune in to the podcast.
Benefits:
1. Helps to organize your life
2. Cultivates calm in your life
3. Strengthens your will-power and self-control
4. Increases your confidence
5. Increases emotional intelligence and engagement
6. More time is given as boundaries are made firm and clear
7. Increases success and accomplishment, aiding you in reaching your full potential
8. Live a long, healthy, invigorating life
9. Helps you live a simply luxurious life
“It creates a life that’s rewarding while it’s lived, a life that has purpose and pleasure, work and reward, in equal measure. And that life feels complete and well-spent at the end.”
How to welcome deliberate rest into your life:
1. Make rest a priority
“Taking rest seriously also helps bring more of your life into clearer focus.”
2. Spend only 4-5 hours each day doing strenuous work
3. Establish a consist morning routine
“My morning is all about stilling the outside world so my mind can soar.” —Scott Adams, the illustrator and creator of the comic strip Dilbert
4. Set clear boundaries between work and rest
“A day that starts with work creates rest that can be enjoyed without guilt. When you start early, the rest you take is the rest you’ve earned.”
5. Take regular walks
6. Nap regularly and nap well
“The most obvious benefits of napping is that it increases alertness and decreases fatigue . . . but regular naps have other benefits . . . improve memory . . . [and] consolidate things you’ve just learned.”
7. Enjoy a regular, deep night’s sleep
8. Detach and take that vacation
9. Exercise regularly
“At first, researchers mainly investigated the benefits of exercise for healthy aging, but studies now show that for people of any age, gender, or athletic ability, exercise can increase brain power, boost intelligence, and provide the stamina and psychological resilience necessary to do creative work.”
10. Cultivate a hobby you love and that challenges you
Perhaps when you read #2 on the list above, you said to yourself, nope, that will never happen, not in my world, not in the job I have to do every day to earn my paycheck. And on the surface, you are absolutely correct. But what if you could look at the job you go to each day and redesign your day? What if you could schedule your day so that you did tend to the most strenuous demands at the beginning and then schedule meetings, projects and activities toward the tail-end that allowed you to not tax your mind directly as much?
Understandably, what job you do and for whom you work and the expectations will play a significant role. What I appreciated upon reading Rest is that it validated what I already felt regarding the productivity of my work. When I worked at my best, when I felt my most exhausted, it gave me a reason as to why. It helped me understand my mind, my body and the benefits of what I am doing and what I need to make sure I continue to do and what I can begin to let go of as it no longer serves me or the quality of life I am trying to cultivate.
Saying no to what no longer serves the simply luxurious life you are building becomes easier when we have science to explain what works best, but we also have to understand what type of life we want to build, and when we know that and believe it to our core, the saying of “no” and the incorporation of deliberate rest into our lives becomes far easier. And that is when our lives begin to truly blossom.
We don’t have to look busy to gain approval. The gift of living well is that our lives often will look paradoxical: How can she/they/he live such a life and not be exhausted/stressed and have time to enjoy, play and partake in the pleasures as well? But the reality is, it is indeed possible when we choose to live consciously and thoughtfully.
“A life that focuses on what matters most, makes time for rest, and declines unnecessary distractions may look simple on the outside, but from the inside it is rich and fulfilling.”
Deliberate rest paired with deliberate work is a partnership: “One provides the means to live, the other gives meaning to life”.
“When we treat rest as work’s equal and partner, recognize it as a playground for the creative mind and springboard for new ideas, and it as an activity that we can practice and improve, we elevate rest into something that can help calm our days, organize our lives, give us more time and help us achieve more while working less.”
~SIMILAR POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
~15 Everyday Habits to Live a Life of Contentment
~10 Things People Who Have Found Contentment Understand About Uncertainty
~Relax: 21 Ways to Know You’re Doing Just Fine in This Thing Called Life
Petit Plaisir:
~Equipment silk pajamas, Lillian striped washed-silk pajamas – 50% off at Netaporter
~use promo code EXTRA40, at Equipmentfr.com
SHOP Equipment Pajamas:
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Image: Vogue UK
January 20, 2017
This & That: January 20, 2017
Books
—Buddha’s Diet: The Ancient Art of Losing Weight Without Losing Your Mind by Tara Cottrell & Dan Zigmond
Last week I was tuning into the latest episode of The Splendid Table and discovered that the co-author of Buddha’s Diet was a guest. One of the major premises of the book is to give yourself a nine-hour window within which you eat. So for example, eight in the morning to five in the evening. Now this doesn’t include tea, water or coffee, but it does include alcohol. While I am not someone who ascribes to the American definition of diet, I always find it interesting to learn new approaches to eating mindfully. And with simple ideas that allow the eater to enjoy the food they are eating and not deprive themselves, this book may be something to at least read, consider and then tweak as necessary.
—Storm in a Teacup: The Physicas of Everyday Life by Helen Czerski
Helen Czerski’s new book Storm in a Teacup caught my eye when I read an excerpt shared in one of my Sunday newspapers. Sharing “A Week in the Life of a Physicist“, her voice was fresh, honest and piqued my interest. Released just last week, Czerski’s interests for the world and how it functions, as well as life and its simple pleasures made me want to learn more. After all, I am by no means a physicist, but I do love living well, and if she can make physics fun, count me in!
Home
—Smythson Stationery
Personalized stationery. Quality paper with our name engraved upon the top. Whenever I receive a note from a dear friend on personalized stationery, the extra touch always makes me feel a bit special. I am not sure why, and maybe it’s just me, but there is something about taking the time to invest in personal notes that just seems, well . . . for lack of a better term, simply luxurious. Smythson offers a variety of quality stationery, all of which can be personalized (or not). I must admit, I gravitate toward the Bond Street blue and cannot wait to place my order.
Shopping
—Aurélie Bidermann gold plated earrings
Statement earrings that are just large enough to finish an outfit but not too large as to overwhelm.
—Jason Wu Draped Charmeuse midi dress
This dress. If soft pink is your color and you are looking for an investment dress that slips over your curves without hugging them too tight, this bias cut dress is one to take a look at. Just added to The Outnet, Jason Wu’s draped charmeuse midi dress is exquisite.
—RTA Madeline plissé silk camisole
An essential item I have on hand is a silk camisole, and more than just a few. In a variety of different colors, I love to pair them with my Theory blazer, skinny jeans and heels. However, a camisole that has a touch of personality by the way of textures and/or tailoring is a smart idea as well. RTA’s gray silk camisole is unique without being too much and finished with one simple piece of jewelry will look great for work or play.
—La Ligne Classic Knit Top
La Ligne’s classic navy and cream knit top is for the Francophile reading this post. With 3/4 length sleeves and a mock turtleneck, stay warm in a classic top that will pair well for winter or for summer evenings.
~recipe for Iced Lemon Pound Cake~
Let the adventure begin. Let us all be curious, active and willing to ask the necessary questions and take the reins when it comes to living the life that is dancing in our minds. The image of Christy Turlington above caught my eye as what immediately comes to mind is the analogy of being courageous enough to ask for help as well as being courageous enough to strike out on your own or do something that is new and unknown. This can come in the form of travel or it can come in the form of how you live your life and move forward tin the world.
Historically, here in the United States the reins of power are being transferred, and it has given me reason to pause for more than just a few moments. How do I want to move forward? How can I best be the citizen I want to be and support the ideals and values I hold dear? Each of us will answer those questions differently, but I think for me, having clear answers to each will help me navigate my path as I move forward as an informed, curious, independent woman in this country. One thing I do no for sure is I want to walk toward inclusion and understanding rather than division and derision. However you spend the inaugural weekend, whether you live here in the states or abroad, I do hope you have a wonderful weekend, and thank you for taking the time to stop by TSLL. Below are more than a few articles you might enjoy: a little light reading for Francophiles, those in or wistfully contemplating a relationship, a significant dose of humor and much more. Until Monday, bonne journeé!
~The 25 Best French Romantic Films of All Time
~The one reason every successful relationship is successful – what could it be??? Click here to find out.
~10 Things the Most Successful People Do Every Day
~18 Habits That Will Make You Smarter
~Why The Simple Life is Not Just Beautiful, It’s Necessary
~30 Behaviors That Will Make You Unstoppable
~You know you’re curious . . . The History of the Croissant
~The Wrong Way to Speak to Children – who knew?
~And last, but not least. Something to make you laugh, love and relax. Click to watch the first episode of Season 9’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, hosted by Jerry Seinfeld.
January 19, 2017
Supermodel Style in Amsterdam
One of the first supermodels I can remember seeing on the pages of fashion magazines as a young girl was Frederique van der Wal. And after thirty years, she continues to emanate casual, effortless style that is mirrored in her Amsterdam apartment profiled in New York Cottages & Gardens recent issue. Enjoy the tour here and learn more about each detail as well as van der Wal’s approach to interior design here.
~View more Decor Inspiration here.
January 18, 2017
One Month At a Time: January Mid-Month Check-In
Earlier this month, I shared an approach for Welcoming the Quality in 2017 and Letting Go of The Quantity, One Month at a Time, and prior to the end of the month I wanted to take a moment to share with you my mid-month progress.
Each month one habit, concept or practice is the focus with the goal of reducing or letting go of something entirely that is not improving the quality of our lives. In January I’ve decided to focus on something that while rather general, allows you to tailor the life improvement that best suits you: Reduce or eliminate entirely one food or food type that does not serve you well.
As promised, I am checking in to share with you how the month has been going for me as I chose reducing or eliminating (the goal was eliminate entirely, and you will see how I did below) refined sugars.
As each month is focusing on letting go of something, I created a short series of questions to answer or statements to complete, so that you too can share your progress.
January Mid-Month Progress:
Abstained from the following refined sugar go-tos:
croissants
lemon tarts
cake
Moments of weakness:
pain aux chocolat
clafoutis aux poires
crackers
Things I’ve learned:
When I am hungry and tired I tend to reach for food that is easy and full of carbs (crackers are my go-to). This is not a bad thing, but a realization. And so ensuring I have healthy carbs paired with protein ready to grab and nosh on is crucial so that those pesky refined sugars aren’t consumed as well.
Simply having the one month goal, not a set number to reach, feels far more doable.
Having the goal and having shared with TSLL readers and podcast listeners gave me pause each time I reached for something with refined sugars. (Most of the time it stopped me.)
Simply having the conscious awareness reduced the amount of times I actually consumed refined sugars.
As I try to reduce or refrain from buying processed foods in general, it was easy to abstain from cookies, ice cream or store bought processed sauces. (However, homemade sauces – yep, yep, yep!)
My appetite has been satiated, and I’ve never felt deprived.
I’ve begun to explore further into different vinaigrettes to dress up my greens for lunch and dinner which add an abundance of flavor.
With the primary focus of my lunch and dinner being low-starch carbs and protein, I am reading this cookbook to become better adept at making delicious sauces to add flavor and variety to my meals.
I am feeling more energetic.
My sleep is sound and restful.
What I’ve learned about refined sugar during the process:
The American Heart Association recommends no more than six teaspoons of sugar a day for the average woman, and no more than nine teaspoons for the average man.
However, American adults consume 22 teaspoons per day, while the kids are scarfing down a daily average of 32 teaspoons
4 grams of sugar is equivalent to one teaspoon
Check the label: Some of the many different ingredients that actually refer to sugar include high-fructose corn syrup, corn sweetener, demerara, evaporated cane juice, evaporated cane juice solids, fruit-juice concentrates, dextrose, fructose, lactose, and a number of other terms ending in “-ose”.
With just under two weeks to go, I am diving into reading The Case Against Sugar by Gary Taubes and am curious to read Year of No Sugar by Eve Schaub as well. Check back on Tuesday January 31st where I will share my final thoughts on how letting go or reducing something that wasn’t serving me wrapped up, how I will be moving forward and the observation regarding the improvement of the overall quality of living.
I encourage you to share how you are doing as well with the one item you chose to let go or reduce. Feel free to answer the three items above.
Image: Kate Moss in Vogue March 2012 at the Ritz in Paris, view the entire editorial here.
Cozy Hygge Style
~J.Brand ‘Maria’ high-rise straight-leg jeans~
~Newbark ‘Melanie’ lizard-effect leather loafers~
~The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living~
~Rebecca Minkoff MAB textured-leather tote (other colors available)~
~SHOP THE OUTFIT:
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~View Outfits of the Week from the Archives here.
8 of My Favorite Skincare Products
~Meryl Streep in 1979, 30 years old~
The winter months and our skin.
Depending upon where you live, the type of skincare you will need will be largely determined by the humidity (or lack thereof). The journey of my skincare regimen has been on-going and a savvy and more successful approach began in my thirties when I began to seek out professionals who provided their expertise based on examining my skin during one-on-one consultations (usually during my facial appointments).
Armed with the knowledge I gleaned and having shared eight tips for glowing skin in an early episode of the podcast, I have continued to hone and fine-tune my skincare routine.
Thinking I had it down to a science and loving how my skin was looking two years ago, this all changed when I moved to Bend – high desert country. Translation: über dry. More arid and parching than I had initially expected, not only do I need to drink more water, but my skin does as well in the form of moisturizers. I quickly realized needed to revamp my skincare routine, and that is when I drilled down and found products that provided the thirst, the protection and the nutrients my skin needed.
As always, you will find all of my beauty recommendations (based on my own personal experience) from skincare to beauty to hair in TSLL Shop’s ‘Beauty’ boutique. Click here to peruse. But today I wanted to share eight skincare items that I have discovered help keep my skin clean, moisturized and glowing before the make-up goes on.
1.Colorescience Primer
A few years ago I began applying primer to my skin before applying my make-up. A simple additional step, but one that offered an extra silk-like finish and softening allowing my make-up to work even better. I have been purchasing Colorescience primers (or perfectors as they are called) from Amazon and find that each small dispenser lasts about 2-3 months. While there are many to choose from, I gravitate toward the skin calming perfectors, but have used all of them below at one time or another.
Find can also find Colorescience products at SkinCareRx, Amazon and Sephora.
2. Rodin Olio Lusso Jasmine/Neroli Luxury Face Oil
The most needed skincare item in my daily routine (both morning and evening) is the application of facial oil. While I first began with item #3 (which you will see next), when I moved to Bend, I needed to amp it up a little bit more. Using 2 drops, I massage the oil into my skin, décolletage and neck (front and back) prior to adding my moisturizer. It soothes, repairs and smells fresh. Linda Rodin has a product that is being raved about for a reason, and now she offers a facial oil infused with lavender which I may have to try next time. (Each bottle lasts about 2 months.)
~If you were like me, I was very skeptical about placing oil on my face as I have combination skin and as a teen had to combat acne regularly in my T-zone. While I recommend speaking to an esthetician that knows your skin specifically, I was pleasantly surprised how receptive my skin was to this addition to my skincare routine.
~Linda Rodin, the facial oil’s creator, with her poodle Winks~
3. Eminence Facial Recovery Oil
If Rodin’s price point is too much of an investment, you will be quite pleased with Eminence’s Facial Recovery Oil ($100 cheaper). Having used this oil for three years, I have seen immediate positive results as my skin receives the moisture it is seeking and continues to reveal fresh, plump, beautiful skin.
4. Eucerin Original Body Lotion
Extremely moisturizing (there are other degrees of moisture available from the brand), this body lotion is my go-to and has been for as long as I can remember. Head-to-toe this lotion goes on immediately after showering and provides the hug my skin needs.
5. Eminence Lavender Night Eye Cream
The last item that goes on my skin each night is a small dab of lavender night eye cream from Eminence. Lasting 4-5 months, this item will pay for itself immediately as your eyes will no longer look tired and the delicate cream will feel as though you’ve kissed the sensitive areas around your eye with just the right amount of moisture.
6. La Mer – Crème de la Mer Moisturizing Cream
Okay, I honestly never thought I would use or recommend this product. Again, it wasn’t until I began living in a very, very dry region, that I knew my skin needed something more. I began looking in earnest at all of the recommendations and reasons La Mer’s original cream was so beloved by its users. I scoured the internet, and realized, this cream may be just what I was looking for.
Yes, it is expensive, but in reality, you don’t put a lot on your face. The smallest jar (1 ounce) lasts two months each time I’ve used it, and immediately, the skin I had remembered prior to my move had returned. Truly. Within a few days, the plump, soft, moisturized face I had remembered was back all day. I use the moisturizer twice a day, a small amount goes into my palm, I rub it until it becomes almost translucent, and then I apply to my face, neck and décolletage. There is a reason this product continues to be used and loved. It does what it promises.
7. Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser
On the other end of the spectrum with regards to prices, is a the most inexpensive beauty item you could use in your daily routine – Cetaphil’s gentle daily facial cleanser. For fewer than $5 this cleanser is what I return to again and again and again. I have strayed from time to time, but find, I always quickly return, as the cleanser is indeed gentle, has a touch of moisture as it doesn’t strip my face and saves me money and does the job of removing my make-up each night. (I do not wash my face in the morning, but rather splash with warm water.)
8. La Roche-Posay Facial Sunscreen
Even though most of the tinted moisturizers and even primers I use have sunscreen, I always wear La Roche-Posay’s 50 spf sunscreen when I know I will be out and about, even if for a short time. It is light and lasts for seemingly ever.
Our visage is what we greet the world with each day. And while it is indeed our disposition and capabilities that build the relationships we involve ourselves in each day, the face is the first impression. It reveals a tremendous amount about how we take care of ourselves, where we’ve been, what we’ve done, and what we know.
When I look in the mirror, I realize I am not in my twenties, but I know I do not look older than I am. I want my face to reveal subtle truths about my approach to life, I want the viewer I am speaking with to see me, but I don’t want to reveal I didn’t take advantage of an opportunity to look my best once I knew how to do so.
Taking care of ourselves involves so many different pieces of our lives to be tended to, and yes, that includes our skin. While it certainly involves what we eat, how we think and how we move our bodies, it also depends upon how we protect the delicate layer that encompasses it all.
~View more Beauty posts here in the Archives.
January 17, 2017
6 Style Combinations That Always Work
Diane von Furstenberg in her silk shift paired with statement jewelry. Emmanuelle Alt’s go-to skinny jeans and pointed toe pumps. Cindy Crawford in her California bohemian blouses worn with white denim. And Emma Stone in crewnecks and color.
For each individual, in time a signature style begins to be revealed. Sometimes it is conscious and sometimes it is only upon reflection that we discover what works well and what we love. Last fall, the Why Not . . . ? post proposed the idea of choosing a work week ‘uniform’, and after contemplating the go-to outfits the ladies above present as well as my own along with many other style icons from the past, I wanted to share a list of six combinations that will always work no matter the woman wearing them. Some involve skirts or dresses and some pants and denim and some incorporate particular details. All of them offer a foundation, a dependable constant upon which you integrate your personality, preferences, hues and signature touch.
~To view and shop any of the outfits seen in the images, simply click on the image to be taken to the original source.
1. Fitted Skirt to Body Type or Pants/Jeans & Loose Blouse or Sweater or Blazer
When it comes to style, a basic rule is balance. Loose with fitted, short with long, large with small. Loud with subtle. And so is the case with the clothing we choose. A fitted pair of skinny jeans with an over-sized cozy sweater, or a fitted skirt with a tucked in boyfriend button-up shirt. The key is balance.
2. Loafers & Ankle Jeans
Casual, mixing feminine and masculine attributes, the loafer is comfortable but also undeniably stylish. Make sure the loafer gets its just due by pairing them with tailored ankle pants or jeans.
3. Pencil Skirt/Dress & Pointed Toe Pumps
No matter your size, a pencil skirt will flatter your figure. The key is to always wear a pencil skirt with heels, and preferably pointed to elongate your leg. No matter the height, the heel will slim your physique, as will the body-skimming skirt.
4. Noir & Personality
Black is easy. Black is seemingly safe, but black can be deeply seductive and engaging when either a pop of color is thoughtfully added or a particular cut, texture or design is employed as well.
5. Statement Dress + One Signature Accessory
Each of us will have a hue that we prefer, a cut that flatters our figure, a length that we most feel ourselves. Selecting a dress to wear is one of the simplest choices when it comes to putting together an outfit. The finishing touch, the choice that will take the dress to its fullest potential, is pairing it with an item (a belt, a shoe, necklace, hat or even a handbag) that reveals the person who’s wearing it.
6. Tailored Classics & a Great Coiffure
The hairstyle we choose is what frames our face that we share with the world. The sparkle in our eyes, the curl of our smile, the warmth in our expression can all be amplified with a flattering hairstyle. The managing director of the IMF (International Monetary Fund) Christine Lagarde models this beautifully as it is her silver coif, simply, but precisely styled that elevates the tailored clothing she selects. With a projection of confidence, but warmth, such a pair are the beginning of something undeniably powerful.
Partnerships, if they work, can help cultivate amazing style. Knowing what pairs well and understanding why will give you confidence to pull together any outfit no matter the season or the trends that become available.
~Shop TSLL Capsule Wardrobe items for each season (fall and spring) as well as classic items for all-seasons here.
Great Lengths
With the chill of winter, knowing a warm wool or cashmere coat is just waiting in the coat closet ready to be worn is a comforting thought indeed. During the holiday shopping months with the sales abounding, I made the decision to invest in winter coats and nothing else. After much waiting I picked up this simple, yet classic cashmere-wool blend trench and couldn’t be happier with my find, especially since I purchased it at a steep discount. (See Net-a-Porter’s coat sale and The Outnet’s here.)
Sales are continuing on quality winter coats through the month of January, and with a clear idea of what you want you can find yourself a lovely investment item without having to invest all that much. The long coat or mid-calf length (midi-length) is a popular choice as it can be worn over dresses and more formal attire as well as with denim and more casual outfits. I have even worn my new coat over my yoga ensemble simply to make sure I stayed warm from home to studio and back again. Have a look at some inspiration and enjoy.
~View more Style Inspiration here.
January 16, 2017
Money: How to Know If You Have Enough
~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate: iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio
“Enough is the quality of having everything you need and want but nothing in excess, nothing that burdens you.” —Vicki Robin, author of Your Money or Your Life
While numerically, there isn’t a magic number equated to having enough money due to a myriad of variables, it may seem at first impossible to answer the question at all. However, there are fundamental questions to ask yourself and habits to bring into your daily living that will help you inch ever closer to the number that is right for you.
1. Let go of comparisons
“Comparing ourselves to others is essentially a coping mechanism for our own insecurities.” —Rachel Cruze of Love Your Life, Not Theirs: 7 Money Habits for Living the Life You Want
Now more than ever as we live in a world where lives of anyone from anywhere are displayed on social media, refraining from comparing our lives to others’ is a mental exercise in willpower. And as we know willpower is finite. A dependable way to combat comparison is to become clear about your own life’s path. Become clear about what excites you, what you want to improve upon and create a vision for your life. And then become courageous. Read more about how you can live courageously and the benefits, including eliminating the need for comparison, doing so will invite into your life.
2. Debt is eliminated (within reason)
Debt is a broad term. Many of us, if we own a house, will have a mortgage, and business debt is necessary at different periods of a venture. However, personal credit card debt should be at zero. If you can look at your balances and know you can pay them off in full each month without denting your monthly living budget, your finances are in great order.
~Why Not . . . Get and Stay Out of Debt?
~How to Successfully Have a Credit Card
3. Live within your means
A quote that upon first reading has ever since been part of my vocabulary and approach to money was shared by Suze Orman, “I think the nicest thing you can say about a woman is that she lives well, and she lives below her means.” And as we know our means will shift, change and hopefully grow from year to year. As was discussed in last week’s Why Not . . . ? post, conducting a financial check-in each year is a great way to determine if you are spending too much or not enough in certain parts of your budget in order to live the life you want.
4. Monthly savings goal exceeds expectations
Currently I am saving for a down payment, and with this goal in mind, I have designated that a certain amount will be put into my money market account each month. When I am able to exceed my target amount, I cannot help but do a little dance. According to financial experts, this is a good sign that you are on your way to having enough money.
5. Spending wisely
Take a moment and check your current spending habits with habits from five years ago. Are you spending more? Spending less? Spending more wisely? Staying within your budget? The key reason to reflect regularly is to spend consciously. If you see that your spending has increased, ask yourself why. Then ask yourself, is it necessary? Am I able to spend more? Living well is not a bad thing to do. The key is to make sure you can afford to do so.
6. Proper attention is being paid to retirement savings
While there is no magic formula for retirement savings, the one thing that won’t work is doing nothing. The first thing to do is begin saving yesterday. I know that may be unnecessary to say, but begin now if you haven’t already. Then sit down and examine how much you will indeed need to retire so that you can have a goal and then create a plan to make it happen. I have shared many money and specifically retirement savings related posts here in TSLL “Money” archives, be sure to have a look here.
7. Adherence to a monthly budget that supports the life you want to build and live
Massachusetts senator and former Harvard bankruptcy law professor Elizabeth Warren suggested organizing one’s monthly budget around these percentages: “Spend 50 percent on needs, 30 percent on wants and 20 percent on savings” (NYTimes). Now you may have to dip into your wants for your needs from time to time depending upon where you live and during different periods of your life, but saving 15-20 percent for retirement, emergency, dreams & vacations is a must for peace of mind and the ability to respond to life’s unexpected hurdles and adventures. Similarly, diligently keeping your housing payment (rent or mortgage) to 33% is quite savvy. (Click here to view a simple budget spreadsheet to organize both mandatory and discretionary spending.)
It has been debated that we, as humans have a tendency to move away unconsciously from achieving “enough” rather than towards it (Tim Maurer Simple Money). However, I would argue that it is a choice, it is an appreciation for what moving towards having enough cultivate in our lives which will then make it all the more attractive once we arrive at our destination. The essential premise to making the shift is understanding the essential questions and the necessary answers to those questions, as well as the habits we need to incorporate into our lives, and it really is quite simple as shared above. Thank you for stopping by and may 2017 be your most financially secure year yet.
~SIMILAR POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
~6 Steps for Mastering Your Money
Petit Plaisir:
~La La Land
~winner of the record setting seven Golden Globes this year: Best Musical/Comedy, Best Actor, Best Actress, Original Song, Score, Director and Screenplay
~View and listen to the award winning original song, City of Stars here
I will profess honestly, I am not someone who gravitates towards musicals, and as Refinery29 frankly reminds that’s because La La Land isn’t a true musical, which might be why I thoroughly enjoyed sitting down for two hours to absorb the colorful sets, simple and thoughtful love story and a reminder to never cease the journey to reach your dreams. However, respectfully, it is a musical. It is a modern musical. Some have compared it to a long list of musicals from the mid-twentieth century, and while particular aspects and scenes were undoubtedly inspired by revered musicals in the past, La La Land is a 21st century musical. It harkens back to the past with coupled song and dance numbers, but it grabs the future with technology’s magic and whimsy.
The argument from some is that Emma Stone did not know how to dance, but we must keep in mind neither did Debbie Reynolds when she was cast for Singing in the Rain; however, Reynolds worked her tail off to keep up with an impossibly high talent – Fred Astaire – and executed her role exquisitely. Similar to Stone, it was Reynolds’ star power, her authentic joie de vivre and spark that grabbed the audience. Had any dancer been paired with Astaire simply because they could dance, the movie would not have been balanced or as engaging. The woman, who she is, what she exudes, matters as much as her dance steps. Stone holds her own with the dancing, but much like Reynolds, it is her charisma, her youthfulness and her tenacity that bring her character Mia to life. Ryan Gosling is Ryan Gosling. Movie producers what to sell tickets, and in order to sell tickets there must be chemistry on the screen. Stone and Gosling, paired together for the third time, have undeniable chemistry, and it worked to tell the tale of two passionate individuals enamored with each other but also their dreams to realize what they were ardently passionate about.
I recommend highly that you watch this film in the theater for the reasons New Yorker film critic Anthony Lane suggests: the full effect of the scenery, colors and sets as well as the sound system. Let yourself escape.
Image: Martha Stewart
