Shannon Ables's Blog, page 278

Thoughts on The Election

“In every community there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart, there is the power to do it.” —Marianne Williamson

Many readers and friends and students have reached out to me, commented or emailed me on the results that will determine the next four years. At first, I wasn’t sure I should comment, as TSLL is a destination for inspiration and respite, but it is also a destination to expand oneself, to learn, to grow and to successfully navigate life in a manner that leads us all to our fullest potential. And because of this foundation, I wanted to share a few of my thoughts.

The core beliefs that I have espoused since the founding of TSLL involve a high regard for women’s rights over their lives and their bodies, and for me to not speak during a time of questioning and doubt that many of you have expressed may appear to show disinterest on my part and that is profoundly not the case.

Those who visit TSLL share varying beliefs and prioritize their values in their own unique way and that is something to champion. To feel safe in a world that values each of us begins when we value and respect ourselves, and then go forward remembering our own worth and the worth of every human being. Because we are all so very worthy.

Today may involve feelings of speechlessness, unidentifiable emotions and uncertainty, but I want to begin by offering you comfort. Today is a moment. A significant moment. A moment to cause introspection. A moment to ask what more can I do? A moment to ask, how do we move forward successfully? But it is a moment. An opportunity. Our job, each of our jobs, is to take this opportunity and do something we are proud of with it.

Next, I want to then remind you of the strength you possess within yourself. And while some challenges that life presents may seem impossible or nebulous before they are broached, receive this instance of quandary as an opportunity to congregate, to find a clear and coherent voice and to gain a thorough understanding. John Stuart Mill in 1859 wrote, “He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that.”

This is not the time to fall prey to our darkest fears, but rather a time to build strength and rebound. Voices are heard when they are spoken to an audience that is ready and in need of hearing what is being shared.  So hone your voice, deepen your message, reach across the lines of division (both those who are crestfallen and mirthful) and help to reduce the dogmatism that appears so prevalent. You have a voice, use it wisely and with kindness to model the world you wish to live in. Because when you begin to do this in your own life, you model that it is indeed possible for others to begin to trust that they too can rise to a higher and better life for themselves and those they love.

Be well and be strong.

xo Shannon

Why Not . . . Establish Weekend Rituals?

No matter how wonderful, productive or enjoyable the work week may have been, our weekends (traditional or not) are a wonderful time to savor time doing precisely what brings us pleasure. Yes, a getaway weekend every once in a while is certainly a treat, but the everyday, regular Saturday and Sunday can be magnificent if we consciously choose to bring into our lives rituals that we love. And the good news is, once we know how to make the most of them, we have the opportunity to enjoy them quite often.

Here are a few rituals I regularly look forward to and eagerly wait for nearly each week:

1. Stopping by the local bakery to pick up a croissant

~Sparrow Bakery~

 

2. Catch up on leisurely reading material

 

3. Stop by a local cozy bookstore, find a cozy chair, order a hot cup and forget about the time.

 

4. Cook a favorite recipe

~recipe for Spaghetti alla Carbonara~

5. Take a long walk with the pups

 

Now it is your turn. What are some of your favorite weekly rituals that heighten your excitement for a leisurely weekend at home or in your hometown?

~SIMILAR POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

~Afternoon Rituals & Routine

~The Benefit of Daily Rituals

~What a Simply Luxurious Life Looks Like to Me

~View more Lifestyle posts in the Archives here.

The History of the Vote: Understanding the Past is to Build a Better Future

Today is election day in the United States. The first Tuesday after the first Monday as written in the U.S. Constitution. Many have already voted (believed to be more than a quarter of who is predicted to vote), and an all-time high in Oregon have mailed their ballots in already as of November 1st. Whomever you voted for, for whatever reason you have chosen to vote early, it sure did feel great to drop the ballot in the box and walk back to the everyday routine, didn’t it? The illustration above summed up quite succinctly how it felt for me at least.

But here’s the thing. Whether you voted early if you are able or are voting today (Oregonians can drop their ballot off at a county ballot box up until 8pm today), it’s important to participate in the democratic process. Why?

The theory of a social contract began with philosopher Thomas Hobbes and was furthered by John Locke and others, along with Jean-Jacques Rousseau who stated, “As soon as any man says of the affairs of the State ‘What does it matter to me?’ the State may be given up for lost.” 

There is no promise that what we vote for we will see materialize. But we are guaranteed to never be heard if we do not vote. While the history of women’s suffrage holds my attention and serves as a reminder to refrain from ever taking for granted the rights I hold dear, there have been many more arduous battles for enfranchisement from those not only not male, but due to their skin tone, their heritage and even their age (did you know women in Britain over the age of 30 were given the right to vote before the voting age was lowered to what it is today?).

As many (but not all) of TSLL readers are women, I thought I’d take a look back through history at the struggles and triumphs women have endured on their way to have the right to have a voice at the ballot box and thus in the country, state and city they live in as a reminder that the battle wasn’t easy, but I am certainly grateful for all those who came before me.

Did you know . . . New Zealand was the first country to give women the right to vote in 1893?

Did you know . . . the most recent country to grant women the right to vote was Saudi Arabia in 2011?

Did you know . . . in 1872, Susan B. Anthony registered and ultimately voted in a Rochester, New York election? When it was discovered that she had cast a vote as a woman, she was arrested for “voting illegally” and brought to trial. She was ordered to pay a $100 fine. She never did.

Did you know . . . that women in Argentina didn’t receive the right to vote until 1947 with the help of First Lady, Eva Peron?

Did you know . . . African-American men were granted the right to vote by the 15th Amendment in 1870. But even after the 19th Amendment extended voting rights to African American women, discriminatory practices effectively disenfranchised many African-American voters.

Did you know . . . the first convention for women’s civil rights and political protections took place on July 19-20, 1848, in Seneca Falls, New York, and was hosted by a founding suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott?

Did you know . . . Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Stanton beginning in 1863 organized women in support of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery.

Did you know . . . it was the 15th amendment that saw Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Fredrick Douglass part ways as Stanton refused to support an amendment that didn’t grant enfranchisement regardless of sex?

Did you know . . . in Britain many suffragettes went to prison as a result of their actions and their campaigns did not always stop there – whilst in prison, they often chose to go on hunger strike to continue gaining publicity for their cause and as a result were sometimes force fed. One of the most infamous suffragettes was Emily Davison who, in 1913, threw herself in front of the King’s horse at the Epsom Derby. She later died of her injuries and became a martyr to the cause.

Did you know . . . the term “suffragette” was given to suffragists in Britain, the British WSPU lead by Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst, as a derogatory term to define “a female campaigner for women’s suffrage willing to undertake militant action or to break the law.” The suffragists in England chose to embrace it (those in the United States chose remained with the former term) and even named their publication “The Suffragette”, offering this response as to why they chose the intended diminutive term, “We have all heard of the girl who asked what was the difference between a Suffragist and a Suffragette, as she pronounced it, and the answer made to her that the ‘Suffragist jist wants the vote, while the Suffragette means to get it.’”

Did you know . . . the western territory of Wyoming allowed white women over the age of 21 the right to vote and Utah in 1870?

Did you know . . . in 1913, Ida B. Wells founded a suffrage organization specifically for black women and worked to integrate the women’s-rights movement?

Did you know . . . beginning in 1917 Alice Paul and her fellow suffragists began picketing peacefully the Wilson White House and were arrested on charges of purportedly blocking traffic. In prison, the women were treated poorly and denied counsel. Alice Paul and other suffragists went on hunger strikes and were force-fed. (Watch Iron Jawed Angels and read Alice Paul’s biography).

Did you know . . . it took 70 years of protest, petitioning, organizing, suffering, detainment, educating and demanding that women in the United States have the right to vote? Beginning with the Seneca Falls Conference in 1848 and culminating with the ratification of the 19th amendment to the Constitution on August 18, 1920, while the founding members Stanton, Anthony Mott and others didn’t live to see what they fought so vigilantly and passionately for come to fruition, women have had the right to vote for fewer than 110 years here in the states.

May your election day go well and may your ballot be cast.

 

~View the Archives for more posts on Femininity:

~Why Not . . . Be a Femininist?

~Having it All: A New Definition

~The Right Ending Sending the Wrong Message?

 

Sources used include History.com, British Library

Wrapping It Up

A failsafe way to finish putting together an outfit is a statement-making belt. And the beauty of the belt is that it doesn’t need to be flashy. It simply needs to be the liaison that binds everything else together. Proportion and color are key. For example the above wide, corset belt works because the jacket is longer and the monochromatic color mute its large size to the perfect statement, but a bright or eye-catching narrow belt can be make a significant statement as well if the rest of the outfit is a solid color similar to many of the outfits below. Functional and fashionable, the belt. Keep your eyes open for unique finds at consignment shops and discount designer apparel stores because it doesn’t have to cost a lot to make a powerful statement. Have a look at some inspiration below as well as shop a handful of belts I picked out that you might enjoy available at various price points.

 

SHOP a few belts below:

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~View more Style Inspiration posts in the Archives here. 

Talking Style, New York City & Sales with Stylist Tiffani Rogers

 

~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #129

NYC stylist Tiffani Rogers returns to the podcast to share her new resource for anyone who travels to, loves visiting and shopping in New York City and wants to know the boutiques and worthwhile shops to visit in order to discover stylish treasures that will last for many seasons to come in their capsule wardrobe.

Just released last month, Tiffani has compiled a guide of her hand-picked shops around the island of Manhattan. With more than 14 pages of detailed descriptions organized by neighborhood, enjoy shopping in the city again.

~Shop the City: A Shopping Guide to New York City

A digital download available to you immediately upon purchase, save and shop as soon as your shoes hit the pavement.

~TSLL readers have been given an exclusive discount to save $10 off the regular price. Simply enter promo code SIMPLYLUX.

 

Petit Plaisir

~Arugula with Prosciutto & Burrata, inspired by Ina Garten’s new cookbook Cooking for Jeffrey 

~click here for the recipe and more pics.

~View more episodes of The Simple Sophisticate podcast here.

 

Download the Episode

 

A Decadent & Simple Salad

 

Simple and delicious. Ina Garten’s tenth cookbook was just released last month, and it is arguably her best one yet. Cooking for Jeffrey is full of her trademark recipes: easy to make and dependably delicious. With more intimate tales and stories of her and Jeffrey’s 48 years of marriage, plus how they met, I enjoyed the memoir-esque quality of the book immensely. Don’t be mistaken, the cookbook is just that, a cookbook, laid out in her usual style, but at the end she also shares a visual list of her favorite pantry items, tools for a starter kitchen and the tools she highly recommends for a professional kitchen. Cooking for Jeffrey is a cookbook to buy if you appreciate quality, but simple cooking and are wanting building your confidence in the kitchen or improve it even more.

And on the subject of simple and delicious cooking, the first recipe I tried was just that. The Arugula with Prosciutto & Burrata salad involves three star ingredients and a scrumptious vinaigrette. In fewer than 10 minutes this salad can be made and served. I pared it down from the book’s four servings to two and even by doing that, I can easily serve three people or have an extra serving for lunch the next day.

Pair with a main dish or enjoy for a light lunch or dinner on a busy day. Of course a glass of wine would taste beautifully with it as well.

Arugula with Prosciutto & Burrata

adapted from Cooking with Jeffrey by the Barefoot Contessa

~yields 2

Ingredients:

1/8 cup white wine vinegar, best quality you can afford
3/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard, I love Maille
1 medium egg yolk, at room temperature
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup good olive oil
4-5 ounces of baby arugula
1 (8 ounce) ball of burrata or mozzarella (burrata is a lusciously, decadent choice – I highly recommend)
3 ounces of thinly sliced Italian prosciutto (4-5 slices)

Directions:

Make the vinaigrette: put the vinegar, mustard, egg yolk, garlic, salt and pepper in a 2-cup glass liquid measuring cup. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until the mixture is emulsified.
Pour the vinaigrette in the bottom of a mixing bowl. Place the arugula on top of the vinaigrette and toss until all greens are dressed.
Place the dressed arugula on a singular large platter or two separate individual plates. Evenly distribute the prosciutto and then cut the burrata in half or quarters and place on top of the salad. Enjoy!

 

~Find more recipes from TSLL here. 

This & That: November 4, 2016

Book
—The Little French Guesthouse by Helen Pollard

A feel good summer read. . . oops . . . well . . . it’s no longer summer, so . . . . Oh well, a wonderful light-hearted and worthwhile read no matter what the season. Released just this past spring and garnering great reviews from readers, Helen Pollard’s delightful story is set in the French countryside and involves an initial hope for a young couple, then a dashing of that hope and then an unexpected surprise. I cannot wait to read it during the upcoming holiday break. Learn more about the book here.

Film
—Jackie

An early heads up! Natalie Portman stars as Jacqueline Kennedy in a new film being released on December 2nd. The film is inspired by Theodore H. White’s Life magazine interview conducted with the then widow at Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, and brings to the silver screen the first lady’s life just before and after her husband’s death in 1963. Have a look at the trailer below.

Francophile Find
—Everyday Parisian

Always someone who is looking for another Francophile blog for inspiration, blogger and traveler Rebecca Plotnick’s blog Everyday Parisian offers exactly what I was looking for. A couple of years ago she packed up her apartment here in the states and move to Paris for three months. Well, the three months turned into three years as she quickly fell in love with the culture. Having since returned to Chicago, she continues to incorporate all that she loves about the French culture and shares with her readers regularly. Be sure to stop by.

Television
—Barefoot in Washington

I am forever a fan of Ina Garten, and while her cooking show is continuing to air new episodes on Sunday at 10:30, she is airing a special episode following up on her Barefoot in Paris and London specials. This Saturday she returns to where she used to work and Jeffrey continued to and still does on occasion – Washington D.C. Sitting down with first lady Michelle Obama, the episode was taped earlier this fall. Tune in at 1 pm (eastern) on Saturday and 2 pm (eastern) on Sunday on the Food Network channel for this hour-long special. You know I’ll be watching. Have a glimpse below:

—The Crown

Two years ago, I had the opportunity to sit in the orchestra section of a Broadway play starring Helen Mirren. The play was The Audience and the premise was the inspiration for Netflix’s new series The Crown. Premiering today on Netflix (and already renewed for two more seasons), The Crown, just as The Audience did, goes behind the public persona and guesses at Queen Elizabeth II’s conversations with her Prime Ministers over the more than six decades beginning at the young age of 23 when we was inherited the thrown. The series includes much more than the play with regards to her relationship with her husband, Prince Phillip and her family and country. Have a look at the trailer below.

Travel
—Rimowa luggage

Quality luggage that will handle the rough ride overseas, on trains and being tossed repeated on the conveyor belt is hard to find. Having gone through more than a few pieces of luggage, I am looking for a suitcase, carry-on and slightly larger suitcase for long getaways to Europe that I can use for years. And as my life continues to prove to me, investing is worth it. Rimowa luggage is a luxury German brand that has been around since the early 20th century. Offering the light-weight aluminum metal suitcases, it also now offers impact-resistant polycarbonate that is nearly indestructible. Available in many different sizes and colors, the prices initially seem steep, but when you don’t have to purchase a new one after each extended getaway, the price begins to reveal itself as worth it (remember, cost per wear applies to all investment purchases, not just clothing). The two above are colors I’ve had my eyes on, but there are the classic black, silver and many more styles and colors as well. Zappos offers a wide selection. Have a look here.

~recipe for Orange Saffron & Syrup Cake~

The colors of fall continue to amaze and delight me, and it is on the weekend that I revel in taking long walks and just simply gawking at the beauty of Mother Nature. This weekend is the first one of November, and so with the extra hour we are given on Sunday, I look forward to an especially long, lovely walk to savor.

The week has been full and now I must admit, I am exhausted. How are you doing? Never-the-less, the days are enjoyed, and the daily routines reveled in as from beginning to end there is always something to be appreciative of. From the perusing of the morning paper with the boys, to the evening time in the kitchen to tinker about and then the reward of sitting down and enjoying whatever I might have come up with. I hope you too are enjoying your daily routine; after all, it is the simple everydays when lived well that make a grand difference in the quality of our life. Wishing you a wonderful weekend. Bonne journée!

~Sharon Santoni continues to share posts of my dreams involving France – French Cooking with La Cornue

~5 Quick Tricks to Master Your Mind . . . a brilliant analogy to kick it all off – watch the video!

~Wanting to cook with cast iron, but not sure how or how to best take care of your skillet? Read this.

~A simple shift to improve the moment: 5 Ways to Increase Your Presence Instantly

~We must never forget . . . 9 Things Women Were Once Not Allowed to Do

~Do you have negative feelings from time to time? Good. Read this article to find out Why You Need Negative Feelings

Downtown Meets Uptown

Sometimes the style we gravitate towards comes full circle. It’s almost as if we have to experiment, try out different ‘personalities’ and eliminate what we are curious about but doesn’t really work for us before we can settle comfortably into our own unique signature style. Now by settling, I don’t mean we are resigning ourselves, but rather finding the perfect fit for our personality, lifestyle and coming clear about how we want to communicate with the world. This is just the case for me, by which I mean, I’ve always loved wearing pants (jeans especially), but I’ve always preferred dressing up.  So while I will always have more than a couple of pencil skirts and dresses in my closet, finding well-fitting, tailored pants for work and play is on my capsule wardrobe list, and these pinstripe pants fit the bill perfectly. They are dressed up, but my goodness, with an over-sized cotton tunic, the right balance is struck. Add a pair of heels to elevate some more and then settle in with some mirrored aviators, yep, that is my style. How about you? What has been your journey when it comes to finding your signature style?

~Marissa Webb Hyde pinstripe pant, use promo code HAPPYFALL2016 to save 15%~

~Sergio Rossi elegance slingback nude pumps or Sam Edelman Hazel pumps~

~Marissa Webb Bianca cotton tunic top, use promo code HAPPYFALL2016 to save 15%~

~Ariel Gordon Jewelry love knot ring (30% off thru 11/3)~

~Victoria Beckham classic aviator sunglasses (20% off thru 11/3)~

~Emilio Pucci printed leather and suede shoulder bag, 60% off~

 

SHOP THE OUTFIT:

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~Shop other Outfits of the Week here.

~Read more Signature Style posts here.

Meg Ryan’s Chic SoHo Leisure Loft

One decor magazine I don’t subscribe to, but am beginning to think I should is Architectural Digest. A new editor-in-chief, Amy Astley, took the reins beginning in May this past year, and with each subsequent month’s cover I have found myself wanting to pour through the pages (Jessica Chastain, Anderson Cooper, Marc Jacobs, a tour of the residence at the White House). November’s was no different. With Meg Ryan on the cover offering readers a tour of her New York City loft located in SoHo which she recently renovated with the help of interior decorator Monique Gibson and architect Joel Barkley, the beckoning neutral hues, ample cozy furniture and rustic-esque kitchen, Meg once again demonstrates she knows how to curate a home that would make it terribly difficult to leave, but oh so wondrous to come return to. Below are a few of my favorite rooms; click here to tour the entire loft and read more about the renovation.

 

~View more Decor Inspiration from the Archives here.

News for TSLL App Users

Over three years ago TSLL had the opportunity to offer a free App to users who wanted simple access to all of the most recent posts, podcast episodes, twitter and Instagram feeds. Personally I loved it for myself, and the users who downloaded it on iTunes and GooglePlay shared with me they enjoyed it as well.

As users know, in the past few months we’ve had difficulty with posts going live at the same time as they are available on the blog and via the daily email, and I wasn’t sure why it was happening. I kept working with my developer but still the speed and quality began to dip below what I was proud to offer.

Well, now I know why. Just this past Friday I was alerted that the developers will no longer be able to offer the app. I was completely disappointed to learn this news, but wanted to make sure you as readers knew why it wasn’t uploading new posts (if you already have it on my phone or iPad). The old posts will still be available through January 1st, but because the service isn’t being tended to, no new posts will be added or available.

But let’s not dwell. The timing couldn’t have been better as the reading experience on the blog has vastly improved with the new blog design:

Larger images
Responsive design (fits the screen you are viewing: tablet, phone, laptop, desktop, etc.)
Pinnable images (simply hover over the image and notice a light “P” appears in the upper-left-hand corner – click on it to pin)
Comment section is simple to find and share your thoughts
Share with ease (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Email)
Learn more about the layout of the homepage here

But perhaps you want something else. Here are a few options that may interest you:

Feedly (posts are available in entirety for free on this blog reader app)
Bloglovin’ (posts are available in entirety for free on this blog reader app)
Daily Emails (each time a new posts goes live, within 15 minutes you will receive an email in your inbox with a preview of the post and a link to the blog to reader the entire posting with all video, images, etc.)
Weekly Newsletter (each Friday, the newsletter arrives in your inbox with all of the posts from the week, as well as an extra dose of inspiration, exclusive news and advance notice of upcoming giveaways, promos, etc.)
Listen to the podcast on iTunes , Stitcher or IHeartRadio 

Most importantly, regular inspiration will be posted on TSLL Monday through Friday and sometimes on the weekend (a new recipe or exciting, cannot wait to share ideas and news). The weekly schedule of which posts go live when is below to make sure you don’t miss the information you love to find when you visit:

Monday — The Simple Sophisticate podcast  + Petit Plaisir at the end of each episode (show notes go live on the blog – simply click on the link next to “Current Episode” in the rectangular box below the most recent post at the top).
Tuesday – Style Inspiration (see all of the archived posts here )
Wednesday — Why Not . . . ? (see all lifestyle inspired posts here )
Thursday — Decor Inspiration and/or Outfit of the Week
Friday — This & That (weekly newsletter is sent out to more than 10K subscribers)