Shannon Ables's Blog, page 299

This & That: No. 201

Cookbook
—Cooking for Jeffrey: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

Announced earlier this week, Ina Garten, aka the Barefoot Contessa, will be releasing a new cookbook on October 25th. Inspired by her husband Jeffrey, who has a fan following all his own, it is titled Cooking For Jeffrey. Now, be sure, I will be including a reminder when fall arrives, but I couldn’t help but share this exciting news. Filled with Jeffrey’s favorites and a much more personal touch, discover what her friends and loved ones request when they stop by for a meal and a glimpse into their 48 year marriage perfectly paired with delicious food.

—Lee Bailey’s Country Weekends: Recipes for Good Food and Easy Living

Sometimes it takes time to discover a diamond. Mind you, not a diamond in the rough, but a diamond that came to be before I barely knew what a library was. Lee Bailey, lifestyle expert and self-taught cook, established the living well genre before Martha Stewart. His first of many lifestyle cookbooks was published in 1983, selling more than 150,000 copies (seen here), and while I will begin with his first Lee Bailey’s Country Weekend’s, I cannot wait to dive into Cooking for Friends, The Way I Cook, Lee Bailey’s Long Weekends, and Lee Bailey’s Country Desserts. No longer with us, he has certainly left his mark on a way of living that people, like myself, continue to be drawn to. If you have read and used his cookbooks, I would love to hear your thoughts.

Shopping
—DKNY Heavy Nappa Shoulder Bag

A well-structured, neutral hue, quality leather handbag is an accessory that will last many seasons. DKNY’s Nappa shoulder bag offers a fresh touch for spring and ample room without the bulk.

—Isabel Marant gold-plated double-hoop necklace

I am a lover of simplicity when it comes to accessories, but rest-assured, each item must be made of quality and contain a touch of a signature that speaks to my style. With that said, Isabel Marant’s simple double interlocking-hoop necklace which contains delicate small beads fits this description to a “T”. And the price isn’t that bad either.

Television
—Everything is Copy on HBO

Nora Ephron. Only her name being mentioned and I am on board with whatever follows. And in this case, I think you will be too. The writer and creator of beloved films such as When Harry Met Sally, You’ve Got Mail and her heart-wrenching inspired-by-her-own-heartbreak film Heartburn, just to name a few you may recognize, this talented woman who is also behind Broadway plays, columns and books to her credit was taken from the world too soon. However, her son, Jacob Bernstein has created a documentary, “Everything is Copy” that will air on HBO this Monday, March 21st at 6pm pacific time. I already cannot wait to see and hear Nora’s take on life one more time. Have a look at the trailer below.

—Janet King on Acorn TV
Marta Dusseldorp stars in a new series on Acorn TV. In a role as a prosecutor, her character, Janet King, has just returned to work from maternity leave, only to find herself in the middle of a controversial trial. With two episodes available for viewing, and Acorn TV offering one month free (subscribing is only $6/mo), I might just have to sign back up. Have a look at the trailer below:

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~recipe for Banh Mi Spring Rolls~

It goes without saying that I am ecstatic at the moment as I look ahead of me and for nine full days I see days I get to design. The annual spring holiday has begun here in Oregon, and the weather looks to be crisp, but full of an abundance of sun, as well as rain (after all we must motivate the green grass and hibernating flowers to grow!).

While I will be enjoying the spring here in Bend as I have in the past, this time I will be a resident and that is quite a special fact to savor. From working on a few projects for the blog, seeing friends and indulging in the pure bliss of it all, I have no doubt the week will be memorable and restorative.

I do hope you have lovely weekend plans to indulge in, and if you too have a spring holiday coming up, may you have safe travels and just the right amount of a respite. After all, we each need time to be restored so that we can enjoy what the new season has in store. Below are few articles and one video I think you might enjoy. Until Monday, bon week-end!

~Simple tips to keep in mind as you use your smart phone to snap away . . .  8 Tips for Taking Amazing Photos

~A wonderful brush up on the French language . . .  The Quick Guide to Making Small Talk in French

~Author and blogger Sharon Santoni takes her readers with her to the west side of Paris to the Brocante Fair at Chatou to look at beautiful antiques and treasures. Enjoy the video here .

~A bit of inspiration . . .  18 Quotes That Will Change the Way You Treat Yourself

~There is nothing like a luxurious bath to soak in and these bathrooms will be sure to entice . . .  14 Stunning Bathrooms to Inspire Your Next Renovation


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Why Not . . . Spruce Up Your Spring Wardrobe

When spring begins to show its warmth and the perennials dare to reveal the beauty we’ve patiently waited to see after a long winter, my attention turns to many things, but my wardrobe always gets my attention as well. How can I spruce it up? What do I need? How has my style evolved?

Forever a fan of navy and class stripes, I am always assessing my options in my capsule wardrobe for my favorite go-to items. After all, navy is a neutral and stripes are a print that is ideal for casual wear, but formal wear in the spring and summer, absolutement!

To offer a glimpse of what the annual TSLL Spring Shopping Guide will offer come Friday April 1st, delivered to all newsletter subscribers, I wanted to show you a few of the items I have begun to select to include. If you aren’t already a subscriber and would like to solely receive this bi-yearly newsletter, click here. And if you are already a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you will be receiving yours without having to subscribe again. (Click here to view previous issues: Fall 2015)

More than anything, I find spring to be a time to clear out what hasn’t worked, no matter how fervently we’ve tried and attempt something new or different. As well, it is a time to fine-tune and polish what has been working well for quite some time. As you will see below, the navy and stripes are my perennial favorites, but there are a few other items I am considering as well that are new and will perhaps add a touch of personality.

But before taking a look at the spring shopping styles and items, here is a list of ways you can spruce up your spring wardrobe:

1. Edit your closet – toss, donate or fix

2. Too tight, too loose? Get it tailored or buy a new size if it is an item you love.

3. Dry-clean seasonal coats, dresses, silks, to ensure you look pressed and polished

4. Be honest, will you really ever wear that again and feel confident?

5. Resole any shoes at your local cobbler

6. Assess your lingerie wardrobe – click here to update your lingerie capsule

Below are a few of the trends I recommend you invest in for spring, as well as a few items you can shop directly:

Navy Shift

~Ralph Lauren, spring 2016~

~Ralph Lauren Elsa stretch navy wool dress~

~DVF Kora Tunic Dress~

Stripes

~Ralph Lauren, spring 2016~

~Polo striped cotton pencil skirt~

~Polo Bengal-Striped Shirtdress~

~Ralph Lauren Capri striped cotton shirt~

~Ralph Lauren striped boatneck jersey tee~

Floral & Bohemian

~Badgley Mischka, spring 2016~

~DVF Mellany Silk Jersey wrap dress~

~DVF Maldives printed chiffon kaftan~

Accessories: Clear & Long

~Mary Katrantzou heels & Naeem Kahn earrings~

~Ibiza Lucite Runway Heel~

~Annelise Michelson  Déchainée gold-plated earrings~

~Castañer Carina canvas wedge heels~

~SIMILAR POSTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

~Why Not . . . Wear Stripes?

~Why Not . . . Master the Art of Dressing?

~Why Not . . . Have Effortless Style?

Image: source

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The Truths & Myths of the Independent, Single Woman

“Contemporary, unmarried life may have felt . . . a lot more complicated, confusing and scary than the simply single option on offer to women of previous generations. But the wholesale revision of what female life might entail is also, by many measures, the invention of independent female adulthood.” -Rebecca Traister, author of the best-selling  All the Single Ladies: Unmarried Women and the Rise of an Independent Nation
~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #94

“Single female life is not prescription, but its opposite: liberation.” But the liberation extends to all women, to all people, married or single, gay or straight. Why? Because as Traister points out in her book which synthesizes five years of research, “single women are taking up space in a world that was not built for them”, and doing so with success, while gradual, that is revealing the internalized assumptions may have been based on suiting a small few rather than the many.

Today’s post is not an attack on marriage or men. Today’s post is an opportunity to see the truth of how and what is going on in the lives of women today with the support of Traister’s recently released book. And to perhaps, as Katha Pollitt puts it in her review, put a “fascinating . . . surprising and heartening” light on the single woman in America and the doors she has been helping to open for all of us.

The Truths
Truth #1 —There are more single women than married

As of 2009, “the proportion of American women who were married dropped below 50%”. Whether divorced, separated, widowed or never-married, more people were out of wedlock than in. In fact, “today, only around 20% of Americans are wed by the age of 29 compared to 60% in 1960.”

Truth #2 — Marriage is often the catalyst for women’s rebellion historically

In 1969, “University of Chicago sociology professor Marlene Dixon wrote that ‘the institution of marriage is the chief vehicle for the perpetuation of the oppression of women . . . the role of the wife has been the genesis of women’s rebellion throughout history.'” And the women at the forefront of many of these rebellions were single women or single during the time in which they petitioned and fought for change: Susan B. Anthony, Alice Paul, Gloria Steinem, Clara Barton, Florence Nightingale, Pauline Hopkins, Frances Willard, and Louisa May Alcott just to name a few.

So why then does the paradox persist that historically marriage has been rebelled against, yet modern society still holds this life decision on a pedestal determining whether we’ve reached “adulthood” or worthy of earning certain political rights?

Truth #3 — Solitude is a Forgotten Necessity

The power of solitude is vast and magnificent. At the same time, it is hard to find when others such as a spouse and children have schedules and demands that we are expected to tend to. But perplexingly, companionship is what is perpetuated as being the desired state. So we must want to be coupled, at least that is what society would have us think. And if we don’t, there must be something wrong with us. Ironically and historically, “In all cases, women’s yearning for liberty can be just as keen as the pull toward companionship that has been more widely advertised.” 

This is not to say, companionship is bad, but rather only equal, not superior to solitude, “a surprisingly sweet relief”.

The Myths:
Myth #1 — Single Women Are a Drain on the Government

The truth is men have been reliant on the government since its formation in the eighteenth century.

It’s the government that has historically supported white men’s home and business ownership through grants, loans, incentives and tax breaks. It has allowed them to accrue wealth and offered them shortcuts and bonuses for passing it down to their children. Government established white men’s right to vote and thus exert control over the government at the nation’s founding and has protected their enfranchisement since.”

Simply because new laws beginning in the 1970s affording the ability to divorce, have equal access to credit, availability to birth control in or outside of marriage and equal funding of college sports programs just to begin the list of equal protections under the law, is more of a rectifying than an excess of protections women have fought for since the late 18th century. After more than two centuries of a lack of government protection, it seems to be far past due and still has miles to go.

Myth #2 —Being Single Equates to Being Lonely

Bad math, or should I say, bad science, is perpetuating this fallacy of why someone feels lonely.

Journalist Judith Shulevitz has pointed to recent studies showing that chronic loneliness is a medical condition that takes place on a biological, cellular level, that at least part of the propensity for the condition is hereditable and that part of the rest of it has to do with conditions we face as newborns and children, long before anyone is being encouraged or discouraged from pairing off with another individual.”

Rather, being lonely, feeling lonely “is the want of intimacy”. And as many people know, marriage doesn’t have a strangle hold on offering intimacy and neither does it guarantee it either.

It is important to note,

If loneliness is a want of intimacy, then being single lends itself to loneliness because the loving partnerships we imagine in comparison are always, in our minds, intimate; they are not distant or empty or abusive or dysfunctional.”

The golden cage may be what some married folks are contained within, appearing to be beautiful to outsiders, but a trap for those not in a relationship that offers the intimacy we seek.

Myth #3 — Singles Will Become Stuck in Their Ways & Unable to Make Room for Another

The longer someone has lived their life uncoupled, the more, typically married considerate loved ones quip, there is a less likelihood that you will be able to successfully be coupled because you will have become set in your ways. However, to become “set in our ways” is more of a reflection that we have become more clear about who we are, what we can and cannot live without. As Traister speaks from her own experience of dating into her 30s, the truth is “the fierce protection of my space, schedule and solitude served as a prophylactic against relationships I really didn’t want to be in. Maybe I was too hard on those guys, but I am also certain that I wasn’t very interested in them.”

Myth #4 — Single = Selfishness & Immaturity

In many ways, the emotional and economic self-sufficiency of unmarried life is more demanding than the state we have long acknowledged as (married) maturity. Being on one’s own means shouldering one’s own burdens in a way that being coupled rarely demands. It means doing everything . . . without the benefits of formal partnership.”

Clearly, the quality of one’s marriage will determine how equally shared life’s demands are, but historically, “women’s lives have been meant to be selfless — to husbands, kids, priests, god, parents and community.” More recently, studies have shown unmarried individuals are less selfish than their married peers and more socially and civilly involved as reported by the Council on Contemporary Family and Eric Klinenberg respectively.

Myth #5 — Being Married Ensures a Happier, Healthier Life

The truth is happy and health people tend to be more likely to marry should that be their desired path. Being married doesn’t ensure a better life. Rather entering into a marriage when we are already a healthy, secure individual is a fundamental tool that will help to ensure a happy and healthy life in the future.

Myth #6 —Women are meant to have children

Married or unmarried, women are having children, but there is less of a stigma to do so if one doesn’t have the “child fire” within her.

In the 1970s, one in ten American women concluded her childbearing years without having a child. In 2010, it was almost one in five. Some of the increase in childless women, around half, can be attributed to women who want but cannot have children [and the other half are childfree by choice.]”

Ann Friedman shares, “We’re well aware that we lose fertility at a certain age, but also that we lose professional power after we have kids.” While many women have children, seeing them as the legacy they leave behind, Traister writes, “It is too rarely acknowledge that there are millions of ways that women leave marks on the world, and that having children is but one of them.” Again, the reminder is apparent, simply having the choice, not the mandate is what brings the liberation for all of us.

Myth #7 — Studies haven’t proven being married equates to unhappiness

As anyone who is in a loving, supportive marriage involving two equals will likely tell you, it is hands down rewarding and worthwhile. But the other truth is that it takes dedication and work. Don’t confuse the word “work” with hard work, but it is an effort, a choice to involve someone in your life, to be thoughtful when you’ve had a bad day, to compromise, to understand them, to learn how to communicate effectively, to understand their love languages, and because of that, it is rare. But not impossible.

The author of the book, which is the inspiration and source for today’s post, is now married and has children, having married at age 35. But as she states in her opening line, “I always hated it when my heroines got married”, marriage is not the pinnacle. It’s a choice. It should be a choice. And being single should also be a choice. Neither receiving more or less protections or benefits as one way of life is exalted and the other pitied. Life continues after marriage, and a woman’s dreams should be allowed to grow as well. For if they are squashed because of nuptials, how free is she really?

We simply don’t ask the same questions about the fates of women who marry (even the simple fears, dissatisfactions, loneliness), yet we easily and always consider single women’s equivalent states as tied to their unwed status.”

The premise is faulty that happiness is equated to being married. Now, people may have fallen into the mind trap of accepting this because it is hard to live in such a way that society doesn’t understand, but at the heart of it, it’s not marriage that determines one’s happiness, it is being able to live your truth.

On April 16 this spring HBO will release the film Confirmation starring Kerry Washington as Anita Hill. A national event that single-handedly began the conversation about sexual harassment at the work place and was the catalyst of the “Year of the Women” which ushered five women (the largest at the time, we have 20 female senators now) into the U.S. Senate in 1992, depicts the testimony of Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas’ former colleague Anita Hill and the events of her questioning and public response. Anita Hill was interviewed by Traister in 2013 for this book, and pointed out that when women have “sexual and professional agency” it will force the country “to think about women’s work experiences differently, about the hours and days in the workplace, about the economic implications, the cultural and political implications.”

The underlying reality is that the women of the world are diverse in their desires, passions and callings, and “by truly reckoning with woman as both equal and independent entity, we can make our families, our institutions, and our social contract stronger.” The doors can be opened for all of us, for whichever path we choose if we understand there are many ways to live and contribute to the society we live in and want to live in in the future.

—SIMILAR POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

~How to Live Alone Well (podcast)

~Why Not . . . Be A Feminist?

~How to Become the Woman You’ve Always Wanted to Be

~Why Not . . . Live Alone for A While?

~View all of the archived posts on Femininity here.

Petit Plaisir

~All the Single Ladies: Unmarried Women and the Rise of an Independent Nation by Rebecca Traister

~Big Girls Don’t Cry: The Election that Changed Everything for American Women

 

 

 

 

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This & That: No. 200

Book
—How to Retire with Enough Money: And How to Know What Enough Is by Teresa Ghiraducci

In under 100 pages get the straight talk from economics professor Dr. Teresa Ghiraducci about what we all want to know, how much is enough when it comes to retirement? Having devoured this book in one night last week, I can attest, she is direct, she is frank and she is precise in offering wisdom about what to do today and what to expect tomorrow based on what we are saving.

—Opening Belle by Maureen Sherry

Set during the financial crisis that collapses the country in 2008, Opening Belle is a Wall Street insider’s experience of trying to juggle it all along with the unknowns that could befall her career. The protagonist, Isabelle, is a self-made woman who appears to have it all figured out, at least to onlookers. The truth is much more comedic. Just released on February 2nd, Reese Witherspoon has already optioned it for an upcoming film. Be sure to look for this in theaters soon.

Film
—Tumbledown

I cannot wait to enjoy this film. Tumbledown, premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival last April starring Jason Sudeikis and Rebecca Hall as a New York writer and young widow respectively who meet in Maine. A romantic-comedy that looks like it will leave you laughing as well as renewed that love can still bloom. It became available in Apple’s iTunes last month, so look for it now on Amazon.

Podcast
—Bon Appétit podcast

Always looking for a new podcast to enjoy, the revered food magazine Bon Appétit has its own food podcast, and with guests like Man Repeller’s Leandra Medine and the Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten, it is more than worth subscribing to. After all, what better way to relax on your walk than listening to the experts and those you are inspired by talk about food and what they enjoy eating? Pure pleasure indeed.

Shopping
—3.1 Phillip Lim ‘Alix’ leather clutch 

I first saw this nude leather clutch (with a shoulder strap) on Garance Doré instagram feed. I immediately scoured the internet to find it, and I am glad I did. Yes, this item would be an investment, but if you are in the market for a nude quality, well-made clutch to take you from day to evening, this might just be the one (available in black too).

—Elizabeth and James ‘Esser’ gold-plated silver alloy drop earrings

Drop earrings are becoming ever-present for the spring season, and this pair from Elizabeth and James won’t break the bank. Refined and simplified in their design, a simple statement piece to add to your collection, no?

~take a virtual tour of Frédéric Fekkai’s southern French home here as featured in the March 2016 issue of Architectural Digest.~

~recipe for Mini Cocotte Blueberry Lemon Pies~

With dreams of the countryside outside of Provence dancing around in my head after viewing the above home tour of Frédéric Fekkai, I am beginning to figure out how to spruce up the exterior of my own house at the moment. After all, spring is about to begin and all of the newness and outside moments will be in abundance.

It’s moments with nature that for me help establish the balance I have been seeking all of my adult life. As discussed in this week’s episode of the podcast, there are many simple habits to incorporate into our daily routine that can make a substantial difference and engaging with Mother Nature is certainly one.

While the rain has been immense for Central Oregon, I have a feeling I will want to trek up to the mountain for one more ski down around the slopes with the boys this weekend, and maybe take in a film at a small independent theater here in town. Whatever the weekend brings, I will be sure to enjoy. Below are a few articles you too might enjoy for a bit of weekend reading. Thank you for stopping by and bon week-end!

~Just in case you need a reason to follow your passions . . . 11 Reasons Why You Should Do the Things You Love

~Habitually Chic toured La Reserve Paris, and needless to say, make reservations now for you next special trip to the City of Light.

~Speaking of Paris . . . Paris Through Another Lens: Tourist vs. Travel Writer

~Yet more reasons to incorporate moments of meditation into your regular wellness routine . . . Why Just 10 Minutes of Meditation Can Change Everything

~Are you a parent or an aunt or uncle? Read this . . . 9 Essential Skills Kids Should Learn

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What I’ve Learned in French Class So Far

Bon matin! Pour d’autres francophiles, j’ai un poste pour vous aujourd’hui. (Good morning! For fellow Francophiles, I have a post for you today.)

The first quarter of my French language class is wrapping up next week with my final looming in the near future. And while the two and a half months zipped by, the clarity I now have about how much I don’t know about the French language has been made clear. A lot. But, I have also realized having a sincere passion and curiosity to learn something, in my case a new language, is the propeller that will keep nudging you forward when the frustration level begins to rise and you wonder if you’ve started something you will ever be able to complete or be successful at.

While I, like many of you, took French in college (albeit three quarters, one in France), a full appreciation of what I was doing and what I was given the opportunity to learn was not fully recognized. Now, as someone who deeply desires to become more fluent in the language which is a crucial component to the culture that I would talk about ad nauseam whenever I am given the chance, the dream of grasping it with more understanding was finally made available upon moving to Bend. And I jumped at the chance.

Learning a tremendous amount about the language, I have also learned much more, and that is what I want to share with you today (along with a few language lessons sprinkled about here and there). Enjoy!

1. I am fortunate to have a French language courage offered in the town I call home. As writer William Alexander points out in Flirting with French, not everyone has a university or a community college that offers French. And having tried to learn the language online and in books, the best way I learn is in the classroom with an actually professor in the room.

2. Feminine and masculine nouns — there is a difference and you just have to memorize them.

3. Understanding Latin and Greek roots helps a great deal.

4. Don’t be afraid to sound like a fool. Speak in class. Practice speaking in class. Try it. Do it again. The foolishness will subside.

5. I have a loooooong way to go, but in order for any of us to travel to our desired destination, we must get in the car and start the engine.

6. I know more than I realize about the French culture due to my predilection for all things French, reading any and all French-lifestyle inspired books, following the latest French design collections and inquiring about any headline involving French politics. The obsession has paid off!

7. Watching a French film whenever I get a chance is yet another opportunity to learn and enjoy myself in the process.

8. Most French drink their café au lait out of a designated bowl when at home. 

9. The French keyboard is peculiar.

10. Many TSLL readers speak or understand French. And I want to thank you for helping me practice in little, yet significant ways (leaving comments on IG in French, etc).

11. The iTranslate app is a must-have.

11. Three skills: speaking French, reading French, understanding spoken French. The latter is the most difficult for me. Currently I understand 25% of what I hear.

12. Buying a French verb book is a necessary supply to have for each class.

13. Avoir and être are the go-to helping verbs. 

14. The “à” will only be accented with a left upward mark, called a grave accent mark and doesn’t change the pronunciation. Here is a list of the five different French accent marks.

15. Having a French professor who is actually French with family living in Paris and surrounding western European countries offers an additional level of learning and peek into the French culture.

And the learning continues . . .

~To read more French-inspired posts and discover all of the French-lifestye books I have read and loved, click here.

Image via TSLL 2013 Paris, The Tuileries Garden looking at the Louvre

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15 Everyday Habits to Live a Life of Contentment

“The best way to conquer self-doubt is to follow your dream and work your ‘bass’ off.” – CBS Sunday Morning speaking of musician Meghan Trainor
~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #93

The highs in life that we each experience from landing the job we’ve been coveting for years, celebrating a hard-earned diploma, signing the papers on your first house, reveling in the magic of your wedding day, finally seeing with our own eyes a previously only dreamed about destination or holding your first published book in your hands are momentous occasions that are all the sweeter due to the persistent effort and investment extended to attain the dream.

The feelings of euphoria that are cultivated and experienced are hard to describe to those who are still in the midst of their unique journey; however, having had the opportunity to experience a few of these highs, upon reflection, the final destination wouldn’t have been as sweet if I did not sincerely want what I sought or enjoy the innumerable everydays that paved the way to the end result.

After all, we cannot publish a new book each day nor toast with our family and friends the nuptials being exchanged 365 days of the year. Such logistics we know subconsciously, but sometimes we seem to expect the same ecstatic wave of emotion each and every day of our lives. And if we don’t feel “happy” as compared to our happiest days, we get in our own way and become self-critical about the life we’re living. Such behavior may sound absurd to read, but with the self-help industry in the US raking in more than $10 billion dollars a year, clearly many of us assume we need to fix something. And this is not to say self-improvement is bad, but perhaps we should re-evaluate our expectations.

While setting, having and pursing goals is a worthwhile instrument to achieving a life of contentment, we are mistaken if we think success is measured by the big moments in our lives when such “highs” are felt upon reaching the pinnacle. Rather success is how we live each day. Success is determined by our everyday approaches to living because we will have far more everydays than we will of the desired end goal celebrations. And if we live the former well, we are cultivating a rich and rewarding life for ourselves.

Today I’d like to share with you the daily habits to practice and instill in your everyday life that will ensure a life full of contentment.

1.Having doubt is okay

Psychologists have pointed out that the presence of self-doubt, a cousin of fear, is a natural, healthy human emotion. To not have doubt is to not care, to not be invested. Much like the quote above, doubt can be used much like a compass, pointing you in the direction of your desires and passions.

2. Be in pursuit of passion that gives you purpose

Upon discovering our deeper nature, we discover our strengths, and those strengths will help to lead us each to our purpose. It is the marriage of pleasure and purpose that enables us to get lost in the everyday work because we are in love with what we are doing that will heighten the everyday and lead to the culmination of reaching our goal.

3. Tend to your health

In order to tend to our health, we must know what having good health requires. In other words, understand how our body works, what it needs and how we can fuel it and care for it properly. Reading How Not to Die, a wealthy resource cataloging every illness, ailment and question you might have about how to reduce the chance of acquiring any particular cancer, eliminating the risk of heart disease and so much more, one can quickly determine what to eat, how much to exercise and how it all plays a helping hand in improving your overall health.

4. Nurture cherished relationships

The importance of a healthy social network is crucial for enjoying the everydays and weathering the unexpected bumps along the way. The network is multi-faceted as it begins with the relationship we have with ourselves (which will be talked about in #5), but nurturing our friendships and romantic partnership with little thoughtful gestures, how we speak, what we say and how we prioritize and celebrate throughout the year adds up to a strong web of love and support.

5. Take care of you

Perhaps #5 should have preceded #4 because much like the oxygen mask analogy, we must take care of ourselves, listen to what we need and heed our mind and body’s request before we can give of our time and selves to others we love. As much as routines are helpful, sometimes we need a break or a day to rejuvenate at a time when we could not have predicted or planned for it. We need to listen to these callings and grant ourselves the time to step back without wandering into the dark druthers of guilt.

6. Quality thoughts

Much like a well-kept home, too many chairs, too many clothes, too many anything can lead to clutter and thus leave us with a home that is no longer a sanctuary but rather a hazard to our peace of mind. We must eliminate the trash, we must condense the unnecessary that is not beneficial and we must curate a home that feeds us well, restores us and returns us to our best selves. The same is true for our mind. We must toss the trash immediately; we must not gobble up more and more worries and thoughts that will hold us back, but instead be selective and particular about what we choose to think about and engage in. When we become the master or our minds, much like becoming the master of our domaine, we establish a solid platform, a foundation if you will, that will allow us to springboard successfully wherever we wish to go.

7. Give. How you can and when you can.

Altruism and generosity without the expectation of something in return is a magnificent act to practice. The key is to know your boundaries and limitations. Whether dealing with money, time or energy, give what you can, when you can to the point where you are still able to live your life well.

8. Sleep well

A key component to healthy living, experiencing a deep, full sleep each night is crucial to overall everyday contentment. As discussed last year, creating an evening ritual that indicates to your mind that you are unwinding is a wonderful way to look forward to going to sleep at what may seem like a bit too early hour, especially if you have to get up early most mornings. And the benefits are many.

9. Spend time with nature

One of the most significant improvements to my everyday life upon moving to Bend has been the daily engagement with the outdoors. What I have realized was that subconsciously the outdoors was my elixir to a mind that would sometimes travel down the rabbit hole to odd, negative places. However, knowing I have the release or the escape to breathe in fresh air, feel the elements on my face (be sure to wear sunscreen!) and be completely present eradicates these negative mind-wanderings.

10. Understand new things will be hard initially, but it will get easier with time

Choose to try new things and be firm with yourself to stick with it as it will be hard initially. So long as you truly want something or to learn something — a new language, a new skill, an improved social life, a better job, increased savings in your retirement account — don’t let the first stage of struggle deter you. It will pass, so long as you don’t stop trying.

11. Lean into your feelings

I mentioned a few weeks ago in the weekly newsletter sent out to subscribers that one tool I have begun to utilize and see great benefit from was leaning in and examining my emotions, especially those emotions that made me uncomfortable. What do I mean by examining? Simply taking out your journal and in the moment, labeling specifically the emotion you are feeling and why you are feeling it. You don’t have to provide a solution, you don’t have to give it value, in fact you shouldn’t, but instead come to understand yourself better. Sometimes we really don’t know why we’re feeling a certain way because we’re afraid to look at it square in the face. What I have found is that by doing this, I can then move through the emotion and it doesn’t slow me down or hold as much power as it did previously. It’s very much like the Wizard of Oz. Once you look behind the curtain, you realize it was more illusion than reality.

12. Follow the teachings of Miquel Ruiz in The Four Agreements

Three years ago in a post titled How to Set Yourself Free, I examined the four agreements that are ubiquitously discussed and thankfully shared by now best-selling author Miquel Ruiz. Each day we have so much power over the quality of our day based on the choices we make. And by simply (1) doing our best (2) being impeccable with our word (3) not making assumptions and (4) not taking anything personally the tone we set for our day, the thoughts we allow to build in our minds, the relationships we cultivate as well as the progress we make toward our desired goals will be greatly improved.

13. Compete only with whom you were yesterday

Four years ago this post was written and last year I had the opportunity to share its message with my former students at the National Honors Society yearly induction ceremony. And while it is a lesson that is worthwhile for teenagers, it is an equally valuable reminder in our everyday lives no matter what our age. With the vast amount of reality television shows depicting grand lives and expenses as well as incessant competition with sports and competitions in the arts with award shows, it might seem to an outsider that winning is the ultimate feat to accomplish. When in reality, we will find peace for our everydays when we know we did or were a little bit better than we were yesterday. And guess who will be the judge of that? Only you.

Only you will know. There will not be a roaring crowd standing in ovation when you limit your negative thinking or skyrocketing ratings when the comments you share with others are positive and insightful rather than negative and critical. No one will know but you and that is why you must find peace with who you are. You must become self-actualized, and that will be a tremendous success that you can revel in and practice each and every day.

14. Remain curious

The curiosity you have within you is in many ways the mentor trying to lead you along a path that will excite not only your mind but your inner being. It will lead you to discover your deeper nature if you have not already tapped into it. The key is to not let your curiosity be squelched because it may at times not make sense to those around you or the community you live in. Who cares? So long as you aren’t harming anyone or anything, you can only be helping yourself and potentially others with what you discover. Have fun. Be a kid again and lose all track of time.

15. Invest in a way of life rather than things

Yes, we need a roof over our heads. Yes, we need plates and dishes to put the food on that we eat each day and yes, we need clothes and shoes. But . . . but, much like the exhilarating high that is experienced once in a great while with life’s grand moments that we strive for after sometimes years of dedication, the shine and newness of the new pair of Manolos will wear off as well. The key is to know why you are buying what you are buying. Is there a function, is there a purpose? The purchases that are thoughtfully planned and considered will not leave you with regret but instead a happy everyday life because the budget will stay on track, your life will be more enjoyable and it will enhance the overall quality of your life.

A bouquet of flowers to begin the week. Go for it if it’s in your budget. Another beautiful vase that will sit on the shelf and rarely be used. Perhaps just appreciate its beauty and move on. Your decisions of what to buy and what to walk past will be unique to you, but try to be as honest with yourself as possible. Why am I buying this? A quick pick-me-up because I don’t want to do the homework of becoming self-actualized? Or do I need these new pair of Nikes so that I can get outside and enjoy the beauty just outside my front door? You know the answer. Be honest with yourself.

Annie Dillard reminds us in her book The Writing Life, “How we spend our days is of course how we spend our lives.” Living a simply luxurious life is all about the everyday approach to life, and while we can work our tails off for the goals we seek, if we aren’t enjoying the journey, we need to adjust something. I will admit honestly, I have been trying to figure the HOW of that particular question all of my late teen and adult life, and what I unearth is shared with you here on TSLL blog and podcast. I adore the everydays that life offers us each time we rise in the morning. I also know that each day will not be glorious and memorable as we seem to expect them to be because that is what the media reveals to keep us intrigued. But what if it could be? What if it’s all about how we choose to live the everydays and what our expectations are?

If my experience so far as taught me anything, it is my assumptions of “what should be” that have lead me astray. Back to the discussion of doubt. We must have a mastery of the uncomfortable emotions to master life itself. And the funny thing with labeling emotions, sometimes we misunderstand what life is trying to reveal to us. Follow your doubts, dive deep, and perhaps your doubts are telling you what is worth pursuing. And if that is the case, you are traveling down the right road. Keep rolling on.

 

~SIMILAR POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

~5 Ways to Live an Examined Life (podcast)

~Why Not . . . Become Self-Actualized? (podcast)

~The French Way: How to Create a Luxurious Everyday Life (podcast)

~How to Master Your Mind (podcast)

Petit Plaisir:

~Round Woven Serving Tray

~left photo from @thesimplyluxuriouslife on Instagram (tray from Rejuvenation), tray on the right is from Houzz, shop here~

~More Trays to Shop:

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This & That: No. 199

Decor 
—West Elm Metal Framed Floor Mirror, Antique Rose

Full length mirrors are a wonderful piece to add to a bedroom, closet, end of a hall or any space in which you are wanting the room to look larger. Having purchased a floor mirror from West Elm in the past, I can attest, the quality is superb, and while a bit of an investment, the classic style will stand the test of time and all of the decor changes in your future.

Film
— All Roads Lead to Rome

A rom-com in SJP. Yep, she has a new film, All Roads Lead to Rome and while it didn’t go to the theaters, it is available on Amazon and iTunes. The reviews are all over the place, but if you enjoy Sarah Jessica Parker and want to be taken to Tuscany, this just may be the light-hearted film to unwind to at the end of the weekend.

—Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

One film that will be in the theaters beginning today and is getting more glowing reviews is Tina Fey in Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. Based on print journalist Kim Barker’s experience in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Fey’s character’s name is Kim Baker and while a television journalist, reveals the culture that Barker wrote about in her 2007 book The Taliban Shuffle. Listen to Kim Barker’s interview with NPR’s Rachel Martin here.

Television
—House of Cards, season 4

The long wait is over as the infamous Frank Underwood returns in Netflix‘s drama House of Cards for 14 more episodes today, March 4th. The pressure is on as Claire has left the now President Underwood, and it looks to be a season full of flux. Have a look at the trailer below.

Shopping
—Poplin PJs- Audrey silk navy set

Having just discovered Poplin and their wide array of both cotton and silk pajamas, this UK company is worth looking at. My favorite set is the navy silk Audrey, but there are many prints and styles available (shorts, shirts, etc.)

—River Island Blue Stripe Bubble Hem Blouse

A simple stripe, wrap-effect top for under $70. Ideal for casual, chic attire. Where over denim or a slim pencil skirt with heels.

—Tibi Amara Print silk camisole

Layering is a something I love to do, and this silk signature camisole would be a lovely complement to a black blazer or white in the summer.

~recipe for Rhubarb and Custard Crumble Tart~

The morning light is breaking ever so earlier each day for one last weekend while we still enjoy the winter season, and I most certainly look forward to making the most of it. Simply knowing the two days on the weekend can begin when and how I want is a true luxury, no?

And while spring is just around the corner, be sure have signed up for the bi-annual TSLL Shopping Guide that is emailed out to subscribers each April and September 1st (subscribe here) to help you navigate the latest trends and investment items. The Paris fashion shows will be wrapping up on the 9th, and the new collections, while yes, for fall, still have me eager to add a few new spring items to my capsule.

And with that, ample reading material to enjoy this weekend. From articles discovered around the web to a few news items you might enjoy from the political trail and entertainment world. I do hope you have a lovely weekend, and until Monday, bon week-end!

~Vogue helps you plan for the weekend with 7 Simple Tricks for Packing for a Weekend Getaway

~And if you are going on a much longer vacation, read this . . . Staying Healthy While You Travel the Globe

~No matter what your age, be sure to read 25 Things to Do Before You Turn 50

~More Equity in Marriage is shifting the culture.

~Quotes from Emma Watson Every Woman Should Read

News you may want to check out:

~This female federal appellate court judge is being considered for the vacant Supreme Court vacancy.

~This former 2012 Republican nominee for President spoke out yesterday, making headlines

~A recap of Chris Rock’s hosting of the 2016 Oscars

Images: (2)

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Why Not . . . Just Be You?

Upon watching the 88th Academy Awards Sunday night, I was enjoying the understated, sophisticated style that graced the red carpet, but when I caught mention of Charlize Theron in a rich red plunging v-neck Dior gown, I didn’t need to see it to know she would own her moment. Upon seeing the red on red pairing, I wasn’t disappointed. Complete with $3.7 million dollars of jewelry and the 48.8 karat diamond Harry Winston pendant necklace that could easily be worn with a gown or something as simple as a white button-down shirt and effortlessly be the only piece of neck jewelry a girl owns to ensure everything looked complete, she was the best-dressed woman. And in saying this, I had yet to see Cate Blanchett, Naomi Watts or Priyanka Chopra who all looked stunning. Still, perhaps I am partial to tall, single blondes because, well, don’t we all gravitate toward women who have similar qualities as ourselves or desire in ourselves, no matter how farfetched the comparison may be?

Needless to say, when I heard about Rebecca Traister’s new book which was just released yesterday, All the Single Ladies: Unmarried Women and the Rise of an Independent Nation, it captured my attention, no doubt because of the commonalities as with Charlize (okay, I am exaggerating with Charlize, but let me dream). Interestingly enough Traister married at 35 and has children, but she speaks about the shift in society after five years of research when it comes to women and how they choose to live their lives in the 21st century. In fact, she doesn’t lionize or criticize the single woman but rather points out that because women are choosing their life rather than being guilted or shamed into a singular path, society is progressing in a variety of ways that liberates all women for whichever path they choose to take.

I cannot say much more because my copy has not arrived yet, but I will certainly be reading it and sharing what catches my attention in the coming weeks.

In returning to the title of today’s post, Why Not . . . Just Be You? So what if you’re single at 40 as Charlize is and have never been married? So what if you’re married and have been since college? So what if you’re [fill in the blank]? “To be happy is to love the life we are leading” as Frédéric Lenoir reminds. Happiness begins in the mind, but so does unhappiness. We choose.

I have heard from a handful of readers recently and over the years since I have been discussing introversion and being highly sensitive expressing their quandary about how to be in a world that doesn’t understand how they find their happiness. And you know what? Sometimes we have to let go of trying to explain to others and just be.

If we let what the world says should make us happy tear away at the happiness we already know how to create, we do ourselves no favors.

A colleague of mine asked me yesterday how I spent my birthday, and I shared without hesitation and with a genuine smile, by myself (albeit with my dogs), doing anything I wanted as the moment presented itself. It truly was a lovely birthday. While I had time with others the day prior, phone calls and emails from loved ones the day of and moments with my colleagues and students the day after, I had a day to myself on my birthday and that, for me, was bliss. I know not every birthday will I want to spend it in this way, but this year I did and I designed it so. Few people understand this, but I’ve let go of trying to explain myself. Those who have known me and love me are just thrilled I am happy. In the past I have planned birthdays and gatherings with friends and family and have very fond memories of these occasions; however, 37 was meant to be just as it was.

So today and moving forward, just be you. Listen to what speaks within you. Really listen.

March has begun and as I sit and type, a single amethyst hydrangea is situated on my small white dining room table. Nothing extravagant, nothing extraordinary, but something that I appreciate immensely. It’s the everydays. How many everydays have you gone to bed grateful, thankful, happy in 2016? It really doesn’t take much does it? Make more of those everydays that may seem ordinary to others, but are extraordinary to you. And guess what the trick is? Only you know how to design them in such a way that will bring the utmost pleasure and contentment for you. Have a wonderful Wednesday and thank you for stopping by.

~WHY NOT . . . ? posts from the Archives:

~Why Not . . . Get a Good Night’s Sleep?

~Why Not . . . Have Poise?

~Why Not . . . Have a Lovely Life?

 

Image of Charlize Theron from People and (2) TSLL Instagram pic

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The Elements of a Strong Social Well-Being

~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #92

As was discussed last Monday on the blog/podcast, finding time to be by ourselves is a crucial component to finding true happiness. For it is when we investigate and discover what our deepest nature is that we discover how to live a life that will bring us the most fulfillment and satisfaction.

It is also during the moments of regular solitude that we discover how much social interaction we need and what type of social interaction best suits our personality. After all, we are social creatures. Whether our nature gravitates toward gregarious encounters or thrives on limited, but substantive intimate time together, we do need others. It’s all a matter of determining what we need.

The entire month of February this year has focused on cultivated a strong and thriving social well-being. Having discussed romantic love, dating, trusting our journey and the importance of determining our true nature, I’d like to wrap the month up with the overview of a healthy social fabric. What does it consist of, what do we invest in, what must we not forget as we navigate the conscious development of a healthy social life.

It’s important to note that everyone’s social quilt, let’s say, will be unique. Your “tribe” may be made up entirely of friends you consider family, while others may have some relatives and family members as well as friends who feel as though could be your birth siblings. Others still will have friends of varying ages, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. And not everyone will be seen as a friend, but rather acquaintances from different circles: work, hobbies, the past, neighborhood, etc.

The quilt that becomes your social network will be dynamic in many ways, evolving, and involve editing as you move through your own life and the people you connect with move through theirs, but it is important to know that your quilt will be unique to you.

However, the most important piece to the quilt’s entire structure . . . is you.

1. Be your own best friend

“When a woman becomes her own best friend life is easier.” -Diane von Furstenberg

At the heart of living well is knowing who you are. Without knowing such an imperative answer, we cannot know how to navigate a life that will bring us contentment. Following the discovery of who each of us is, we then must then like who we are  and who we are becoming. We choose that path. We choose what improvement bvs to make, what curiosities to follow, what words to say, what actions to take, and we must like our decisions because we want to enjoy the company we keep. And if we enjoy our own company, we put that self-respect out into the world in every interaction we have with others. And it is how we treat ourselves that we teach others how to treat us.

Start with yourself. Become your own best friend and you will begin to know who allow into your life and who to let go of.

2. Invest in your social network

~Vogue 1975~

“Friendships provided the core of what I wanted from adulthood — connection, shared sensibilities, enjoyment . . . my female friendships were replenishing, and their salubrious effect expanded into other layers of my life: They made things I yearned for, like better work, fairer remuneration, increased self-assurance and even just fun, seem more attainable.” —Rebecca Traister in her NYTimes article

One of the best examples of the importance of  building a social network is the life of an expat. Tamara Micner recently shared in The Wall Street Journal  strategies for subverting the loneliness that inevitably pops up after the honeymoon stage of living in a new country, and at the top of the list of building your social network. Begin to seek out entities, organizations and interests that maintain your well-being and peace of mind. From building rapport at work with a few colleagues you have similar interests with to seeking out a religious facility that speaks to your beliefs, start with small steps, but continue to put yourself out there in the arenas that are congruent with your values, interests and lifestyle. Before long you will have a few friends and more than a handful of acquaintances that will know your name and begin including you, and you them in your social calendar.

3. Take your time finding your partner

“…nothing is too much trouble if it turns out the way it should.” ― Julia Child, My Life in France

If you are looking for a partner or are in a partnership, the significant role it can play in our lives can be tremendous. Tremendously amazing or tremendously exhausting and draining. And as is the case, while relationships take continued investment and attention, they also should not be something to rush into or scurry about madly for if you find yourself not in one at the moment.

Part of the reason I pulled Julia Child’s quote is that too often we aren’t ready to be in the relationship that we seek. Too often we need to grow and evolve and explore as an individual so we can be the partner worthy of the relationship we dream of being in. In any case, trust your timing. By no means refrain from an opportunity to meet new people and go out on dates, but certainly don’t throw yourself into any relationship that offers itself simply to avoid being alone.

The “trouble” in the scenario we are speaking about is the time it takes, that we can never know or predict, to experience our “meet cute”. All we can do is live our lives. Do our thing, be our best selves because to quote Julia Child again, “Life itself is the proper binge.” Binge on life and that will draw to you a bevy of people, whether they be potential friends, acquaintances or a partner, who just might be someone to include in your quilt.

Each of the three aspects of a healthy social well-being involve attention, time, investment and a shedding or letting go of others that detract from those who hold a priority in your life. Again, the idea of quality versus quantity comes to the surface, for if we wish to have a rich social network, we need to be clear about what will and what won’t allow ours to flourish.

—SIMILAR POSTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

~Why Not . . . Create a Healthy Social Circle? 

~Found: The Missing Piece, Trust (podcast)

~How to Deal with Toxic People (podcast)

~Making Connections

~The Most Important Ingredient for a Healthy Romance

Petit Plaisir:

—Pardon My French podcast with Garance Doré

~Premieres this coming Thursday, March 3rd and a new episode will go live each Thursday. Available on iTunes. Listen to the trailer of her podcast here.

Images: (1 –Vogue) (2) (3) (4)

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10 Birthday Revelations After 37 Years

It is such an occasion, similar to the arrival of a new year on the calendar or the start of a new season in . . . well . . . really anything, sports, school, fashion, you name it, that an opportunity arises for reassessment. A birthday most certainly falls into this category, but, as you might imagine, on a much more personal note.

Each birthday I find myself reflecting, reexamining and as was the case last year, choosing a decided course to move to Bend. I kid you not. I was going through my journals dated precisely a year ago, as I do often as a way of reminding myself of the journey I’ve been on, and one day after my birthday, I had resolved a Bend move would happen one way or another.

Sometimes the decisions that are made come about due to a reminder from a friend, a reminder from our past or sometimes serendipity has its way and events occurring around the date of our birthday give us great pause.  While I won’t go into the events that preceded last year’s decision, this year intriguing, unexpected, but most certainly celebratory events occurred prior to my 37th birthday that gave me the great pause that prompts one to realize action must be taken if the life they have been striving for is to be their reality.

Some of the actions will be personal and only known to me and those close to me, others however, will be noticed and experienced here on TSLL blog, and I am eager to share. But first, as I have done in many of my birthday posts from the past (links to each are at the bottom of this post), ten revelations that have presented themselves to me over the course of the past year.

1.When you don’t want a vacation from the life you live everyday, that is a very good sign you’re listening and abiding by your authentic self’s yearnings and innate predilections.

2. When life gives you unexpected good news but you don’t know how to deal with it, be grateful. The universe doesn’t give what it doesn’t think you can’t eventually handle (excuse the triple negative).

3. Being around sincerely positive people will change your life for the better if you’ll let them.

4. We often pick small battles with others when we aren’t content with how our lives are currently going. Instead, take a breath and a step back and ask yourself, is this debate really worth the energy or do I just want to feel as though I can have control over something? Let it go. You have more control over your life’s direction than you realize, and in time, so long as you are making progress, no matter how small, the change you seek will come.

5. Save one-third of what you make before taxes. You’ll have a much larger smile come April 15th (for U.S. residents).

6. The little everyday luxuries make a tremendous difference in the quality of our lives. 

7. Say no when it doesn’t feel right even though you can’t explain. Something that you will want to say yes to will be glad you waited, and so will you.

8. Learning something new will seem impossible initially, but eventually, the wall of obstruction to the knowledge you seek will begin to crumble as a result of your patient persistence.

9. Listen to what speaks to you and follow it where it leads. 

10. Work better, not more.

And on that note, after finding myself working both Saturday and Sunday in front of the microphone, I have realized in trying to make a blog that had something new to offer readers each day, I have seen ideas that I have wanted share and expand upon drift and then disappear from my mind due to my lack of energy to explore them further.

Much like the stairs above (see the entire home here), often to get where we want to go, it isn’t a straight path, but believe it or not it is soaring in the right direction. Sometimes we will try one approach and it will work for a while and then we must adjust in order to ensure we continue to go in the right direction. Life is a constant act of adjusting, reevaluating and trying to hone our approach as we learn what works and what doesn’t. And often it isn’t that something didn’t work in the past, rather it is that what we did has done its job, and it is time for us to do something else, adjust even further, etc. so as to make the gain we seek.

I want to create a blog that inspires, informs and offers the simply luxurious ideas that filter away the fluff and offers you the best, most worthwhile ideas and items (clothing, books, food, culture and decor) to welcome into your own life, but I cannot do all of this and begin to do the work I know needs to be done to create the second book I want to create. A book you will want to read and read again as a resource to curating your best life.

BUT . . . what I can do is model living a simply luxurious life and allow my life to be the reminder that it is possible to live simply luxuriously each and everyday, navigate life’s unexpected surprises and revel in the seemingly small, but significant boosts that enliven the everyday routine. I can do that if I respect my priorities.

And my priorities are to create and offer a blog that is full of quality, authenticity, and inspiration for you to live your best life. I may not be able to bring the latest home tour each week or a new word to add to your English vocabulary or share the latest current news, but I will be sharing what speaks to me and allowing it to inspire the work I do here on the blog and the podcast just as I have been doing since the blog began back in 2009.

So what won’t be changing? 

Monday mornings, bright and early, The Simple Sophisticate will continue to be broadcast on iTunes and Stitcher, as well as TSLL App and the show notes will be here on the blog.
Friday mornings, This & That will provide the latest culture, books, plays, films, shopping and Francophile finds to start your weekend.
Friday’s newsletter – sent out each Friday morning to keep you up-to-date on the all of the latest blog posts from the past week as well as an extra dose of inspiration.

What will be new?

Wednesdays the Why Not . . .? post will return and be combined with Thoughts from the Editor. This post is designed to be whatever is dancing around in my mind, what has caught my eye, perhaps a glimpse at Style Inspiration, a home tour or an article, event or news story that captured my attention, anything at all.
Friday’s This & That will continue to include posts from around the internet you might enjoy as well as news articles, similar to Au Courant Weekly, that might be of interest to readers.

For listeners/readers who enjoyed Au Courant Weekly, be sure to follow me on Twitter or my Twitter feed on TSLL App to see the latest news I share on a daily basis that catches my attention. A weekly news program I enjoy to get caught up on the week’s current events (both domestic and international) is The Diane Rehm show which airs Friday mornings on iTunes. I highly recommend. As well, The Charlie Rose show on PBS and CBS Sunday Morning on television.

Now you may be wondering, why the image of Paris at the top of the post? As most often is the case, the undertones of TSLL blog reside in the passion, respect and curiosity of the French culture. It has been two and a half years since I last stepped foot on the terra firma of France, and I cannot wait to get the opportunity to do it again. And if nothing else, that image is my reminder that it will happen, and when it does, I will be bringing TSLL along.

Thank you to the many people who have already emailed and left messages on IG sending your lovely birthday wishes. I am continually humbled by your kindness and passion for living simply luxuriously; put a different way, your determination to live a life that helps you reach and savor the rewards of your full potential.

Now, it is Oscar Sunday and on Tuesday Paris Fashion Week begins. As well, an extra day to savor in this year that is 2016. So much to enjoy, provoke inspiration and appreciate along with the amazing lives we’ve created for ourselves. Wishing you a most wonderful day.  À lundi (see you Monday).

~Past BIRTHDAY posts from the Archives:

~Appreciative & Exhilarated (2014)

~A Work in Progress (2013)

~33 Lessons Learned (2012)

~Traditions: To Follow or Not to Follow (2011)

~A Simply Luxurious Year (2010)

 

Images: (1) (2)

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