Shannon Ables's Blog, page 310
November 18, 2015
Word of the Week: No. 26
~Painting by artist Jean Jullien in response to the tragic events in Paris on November 13, 2015
~Click below for the pronunciation:
http://www.thesimplyluxuriouslife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/sagacity.m4a
~WORDS OF THE WEEK from the Archives:
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November 17, 2015
Thoughts from the Editor: Paris is About Life
“To know Paris is to know a great deal.” -Henry Miller
The tragic events on Friday evening of November 13th in Paris stunned and saddened much of the world. The outpouring of support was almost immediate from individuals as well as cities and countries throughout the international community. Many have inquired as to why the immediate mourning was only bestowed upon the City of Lights and not extended to Beirut when the horrific events, which killed more than 40 innocent people, occurred only 24 hours earlier. The question is warranted as no matter where innocent life is lost, abruptly taken as one goes about their business without impeding upon another, each life is equally important and rightly deserves proper respect and remembrance.
While many of us may not know even one of the 129 innocent Parisians, Spaniards, Belgians, Chileans, Germans, Italians, Mexican, Americans, Portuguese and Britons who lost their lives on the calamitous night, with Paris being the top tourist destination in the world (33 million visit each year), it is the Parisian’s way of life that intrigues those who return to the city again and again and again. We Francophiles have fallen in love with what the city offers its visitors, but mostly how it models the free spirit, the natural beauty, the appreciation for the arts, attention to detail, simple luxuries enjoyed without paying attention to the clock or worrying about making an extra buck. It is about relationships, appreciation, quality living rather than quantifiable justification, making the everyday memorable and worthwhile.
Case in point, a new video has emerged encouraging and reminding Parisians, tourists and lovers of Paris to continue to enjoy what makes Paris the city we all love. Using the hashtags #tousaubistrot (Let’s all meet at the bar/bistro) #jesuisenterrasse (I am out on the terrace) #parisisaboutlife, the video is a simple, but courageous reminder to refuse to cower.
“There is but one Paris and however hard living may be here, and if it became worse and harder even – the French air clears up the brain and does good – a world of good.” -Vincent Willem van Gogh
However, while Paris is beloved by millions of people, some do not understand the draw, do not understand the fascination it evokes even from those who’ve never touched foot on the French soil. After all, Paris can sometimes resemble a lover that refuses to reciprocate our affections, offer more than a challenge when it comes to clear communicate as the language can tie our tongues and baffle our ears, but the best rebuttal to said perplexity is to simply bite into a pain au chocolat found only in France (the phrase “to butter someone up” becomes all the more understandable after one delicious bite). For me, before I first visited and now after I’ve visited three times, it is the lifestyle that I have fallen in love with.
What Paris has taught me over the past fifteen years:
1. A healthy debate never hurt anybody. Keep it civil, keep it lively, but always keep being curious about life so you have something to bring to the conversation.
2. An afternoon at the museum helps refresh our minds and put our “worries” in perspective.
3. Stop looking at your phone/watch at the table.
4. Meals need to be enjoyed sitting down without distraction. Let the food and conversation captivate you.
5. The best baguette is worth waking up early for each morning
6. Open the windows and let in the light each day.
7. Walking is a powerful way to transport yourself.
8. Anything worth loving takes time to learn, understand and fully appreciate.
9. Do what you do because you love it, not because it will make you money or make you famous.
10. Have an opinion!
11. If you decide to change your mind, bravo!
12. To understand your past is to know how to navigate in the present toward the future you desire.
13. To stretch yourself, to do what you didn’t know if you could do, is to open up the world of possibilities and a most fulfilling life.
14. Fresh food, not fast food.
15. Have the courage to fall in love with life, dance with your dreams. You’ll no doubt incur a few skinned knees along the way from stumbles, but if you have a sincere love for the life you are creating, standing back up and striving forward is inevitable.
I encourage you to share what Paris has taught you about life and how to live it in a way you cannot imagine living without now as you go about your daily routine.
I realize this post was not immediate, but if you follow TSLL on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, you know that my thoughts have been with Paris from the moment I heard of the horrifying events. It has taken me time to process what I was feeling because I couldn’t make sense of my sadness. After all, I, like most of us, don’t live there and am not even French, merely a lover of the French culture. I didn’t feel it was my place to mourn and didn’t want to overstep. But then, after observing and hearing from those who do live in France, I realized support, so long as it is sincere and heartfelt, is always welcomed. To the families and friends who experienced what no one should ever have to witness or endure, my thoughts and support are with you. To the country that has forever fascinated and inspired me and millions of others in more ways than you will ever know, vive la France.
I would like to end today’s post with a video, capturing Tuesday’s events at Wembley Stadium in which France and England met on the field. Prior to the first kick, the crowd and players sang as one the French National Anthem “La Marseillaise“. Have a look and listen below. May we all sing and stand with France and the world during these uncertain times.
~Image taken by TSLL during my last trip in summer of 2013. A simple, everyday moment captured of two friends walking and talking through Jardin des Tuileries.
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Outfit of the Week: A Touch of Order
~J.Crew Military Trench Coat or The Hanger trench coat~
~Line randel modal cashmere-blend turtleneck sweater~
~Ray-Ban ‘Highstreet’ 57mm sunglasses~
~Nixon ‘The Time Teller’ watch 36mm~
~J. Brand ‘Maria’ High Rise skinny jeans~
~Alexander Wang kayla leather and suede pumps~
SHOP THE OUTFIT:
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Style Inspiration: Smart Style
Exuding smart style appears effortless as each item is either rich in texture or complements the outfit so significantly that onlookers cannot help but appreciate the sartorialist’s prowess. In each of the images today, the outfit involves only a few items, but the items chosen exhibit the woman’s gifted eye when it comes to pulling everything together.
~STYLE INSPIRATION posts from the Archives:
Images: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10)
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November 16, 2015
Where True Success Resides
“If you consistently pursue curiosity, you will live a life that is a work of art.” —Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #70
On the stage in a local auditorium Friday night stood author Elizabeth Gilbert. And as I intently listened to her speak to the sold-out venue it was quite evident that she was igniting. Now you may be wondering what “igniting” means, but what I mean by igniting is she was modeling what her entire new book Big Magic was all about.
During the Q&A session, a primary educator asked how to teach her young students to be creative, and Gilbert’s answer was concise and pointed. “The only way to inspire people [is] if they see you igniting.” In other words, show, don’t tell. Model creative living for them. “Come alive in your own life.”
If someone has been lead to believe that success is based upon one’s wealth, image, fame or power, then knowing how to ignite themselves is utterly perplexing. Why? Because for too long, they have not heeded their curiosity, but instead ignored it, squashed it, dismissed it and maybe even laughed at it.
“Creative living is a life where you routinely make your decisions based on curiosity instead of fear.”
Curiosity is the answer. You may not want to be a writer or a painter, but that doesn’t mean living a creative life is not for you. Living a creative life allows you to live a successful life. And living a creative life requires of us each to be curious. Continually and perpetually curious. How? By acknowledging fear exists, yet refusing to let it dictate the decisions in your life.
“Creativity and fear will always be linked. When you try to create a life without fear, you murder your creativity.”
Gilbert shares in her book and reiterated on stage that each of us has within us treasures, hidden treasures waiting to be mined and brought to the surface. But here’s the catch, unearthing your unique treasures is going to require “work, faith, focus, courage and hours of devotion”. And do you know why many people don’t find their treasures? They don’t give credence to their natural curiosities because they can’t predict what the outcome will be. In other words fear is revered rather than recognized and set aside. After all, it is daunting not knowing if your hard work is going to pay off. It is terrifying to know that the investment you made may not work out, or at least not work out in the way in which you expected. So people bail on the treasure hunt. A treasure hunt! The name itself indicates something wonderful will be realized. But they do, they surrender to fear of the unknown and lamentably put their curiosity on the bench.
Quite coincidentally I have been simultaneously reading Success Built to Last: Creating a Life That Matters while I was reading Big Magic, and the two premises couldn’t have dovetailed more beautifully. Builders, as defined in Success Built to Last are those individuals who love what they do and would secretly do it for free. Builders are people who have found meaning in the work they pursue and “organize their thinking around creating real value”. And while Gilbert disputes the claim that what we do must be for the greater good, she shares “Merely by pursuing what you love, you may inadvertently end up helping us plenty.” In other words, “do what brings you to life”. Allow yourself to ignite because that will inspire others to continually be curious, following wherever their curiosity leads them.
A fundamental piece which was shared that gave me great relief was her acknowledgement that we must not strangle our creativity which is the fuel that propels us forward. In other words, did you know she kept her “day job” through the first three books she published, books that garnered her significant success? It wasn’t until the roaring three-year stint on The New York Times Best-Sellers’ list for her book Eat, Pray, Love that she finally felt she could write full time. Why did she did she wait so long? Without hesitation she states, to protect her creativity. In other words, if she relied solely on her writing to live, her creativity would have suffered, and she needed her creativity to be healthy, vibrant and firing on all cylinders.
While the reality of needing a place to sleep, food to eat and shelter for comfort is something we need and of which money provides, continue to pursue your curiosities with unabashed devotion. Because it is being curious that will cultivate a true successful life. Not a successful life as deemed by others and the outside world, but a successful life lived and enjoyed each and every day. Because when you lose all track of time pursuing what provokes your curiosities, you are in the present, you are engaged and enthralled and thus, igniting. And as Elizabeth Gilbert reminds and demonstrated, when you bring the light, others can ignite the courage within themselves to travel the journey to seek their own treasures waiting to be discovered.
To put it succinctly, true success resides within you. You’ve had it all along.
~Magic Lessons, Elizabeth Gilbert’s podcast
~Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
~clockwise from the top: Elizabeth Gilbert speaking in Bend captured on TSLL instagram, the author Elizabeth Gilbert, her recent book Big Magic (released on September 22nd)~
~SIMILAR POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
~Through Struggle Comes Success
Petit Plaisir:
~Luluemon work-out clothing
~pants I am wearing and loving: Turn Around Tight (warmer for cooler weather), High Times Pant *luxtreme, and Wunder Under Pant
Image: (1)
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November 13, 2015
This & That: No. 184
Book
~My Pantry: Homemade Ingredients That Make Life Easier by Alice Waters
One aspect of cooking that can be daunting to amateur home cooks is the inclusion of the homemade ingredients such as chicken stock and tomato sauce. After all, it would seem it is far easier to just pick up what we need at the market. However, when we do get the opportunity to try homemade, it solidifies why one spend the time doing so.
Respected organic cook, Alice Waters takes readers into her kitchen and shares her recipes for homemade staples that will make a world of difference in everyday cooking.
Calendar
~Inslee’s 2016 Classic Calendar
Inslee has just made available her 2016 calendar and there are options! Choose the classic stylish woman starring each month a botanical twelve month calendar, each are available in wall or desktop versions.
Film
~Brooklyn
Based on Colm Tóibín’s novel of the same name, this historic period drama has been receiving glowing reviews. Following the journey of a young Irish woman, Eilias Lacey in the 1950s as she navigates Brooklyn, New York, Lacey at first homesick, quickly finds remedy is love.
~Love the Coopers
Diane Keaton and John Goodman head up the family of the Coopers, and with those two at the helm, I think I may have found my new favorite holiday comedy film to watch each year. Being released today (November 13th), the Coopers strive for the perfect annual holiday gathering, but as expected chaos ensues. From their daughters, Marisa Tomei and Olivia Wilde dealing with the law and pretending to have the romance schtick completely figured out respectively, to their son who is a single father juggling responsibilities and expectations of being a parent, Love the Coopers offers a delightful reminder to simply take the holiday season in stride. Have a look at the trailer below.
Television
~The Great British Baking Show
The Great British Baking Show, as it’s known in the states, or The Great British Bake Off in the United Kingdom, premiered in August of 2010. And so yes, admittedly, I am a little behind. Now having wrapped up Season 6, Season 2 is currently airing each Sunday night on PBS at 7pm. A few weeks ago, I included Edd Kimber, aka The Boy Who Bakes, in the weekly This & That, and you may remember that GBBO helped propel him to his baking success story. Needless to say, the show is quite popular and continues to shine a brilliant spotlight on the best amateur baker.
The hosts Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins add an extra dose of fun to each episode and the two judges, cookery writer Mary Berry and professional baker Paul Hollywood, bring their expertise and forthright commentary to the tent of confections. If you are looking for something different, as well as a inspiration for your baking desires and a dose of British humor, I highly recommend having a go at this series (all episodes are available on Netflix).
~Z: The Beginning of Everything
Amazon is again inviting viewers to determine which television shows they will produce into an entire series. The list is long, but one that immediately caught my eye was Christina Ricci starring as Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald in the bio-series Z: The Beginning of Everything. Remember as a writer, future wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald, and iconic feministist of her time (famously and infamously), the pilot begins the night before she meets her future husband. Have a look here and be sure to vote.
~recipe for French Apple Tart or the same recipe from TSLL here~
Turkey day is peeking around the corner wondering when we’ll leave our everyday routine and kickstart the holiday season, and I for one am more than typically ready for the festivities to commence. Perhaps because it means such delicacies as the French Apple Tart seen above will be more readily available, but also because I will be experiencing the holidays in a different locale and under different circumstances due to choices I’ve made over the past year.
But before the long holiday season begins, tonight I have been patiently waiting for Elizabeth Gilbert to arrive in Bend. She will be speaking this Friday at Bend HS’s auditorium (7pm)-9, and after reading her latest book Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, I know the evening will be special.
Basically, this weekend is the last weekend before all the commotion begins, and I for one am going to savor it. The simple, relaxing weekend is something I sincerely look forward to after every full week of work. No need for big gatherings or events, just hand me a fresh paper, offer a long walk in the wilderness, please don’t forget to include a warm croissant and I am a very happy girl. However you plan to enjoy the last “everyday” weekend, I do hope it goes swimmingly. Below are a few articles you might enjoy reading, and until Monday bon weekend!
~The holidays may be coming, but we still need to keep up the top notch job at work. View these 10 Commandments for Work and see if you agree.
~The New York Times columnist David Brooks comments on The Evolution of Simplicity
~A recipe for updated comfort food over this weekend . . . Thai Style Shrimp Fried Rice
~Speaking for food, A Savvy Guide to French Cheeses
~And last, but well worth the time to read . . . 20 Things You Gradually Learn As You Let Go of The Uncontrollable
Image: (2)
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November 12, 2015
Thoughts from the Editor: The Sparrow Bakery
A sense of community permeates Bend far more than any other town that boosts nearly 100,000 residents. The absence of stoplights and zooming traffic, the children seen riding their bikes on the sidewalk trails that are a regular feature nearly on every corner and a new breed of dog with just about every person you pass. But without a doubt, part of Bend’s charm is the feel of a small town with the wealth of opportunities that many large cities offer.
Upon arriving in Bend just four months ago, I was eager to be part of my neighborhood. And seeking a similar coffee and pastry regular respite whether it be to type away on the blog or simply enjoy a book or a conversation with a friend as I had found in Walla Walla, I happened upon The Sparrow Bakery located in Northwest Crossing. In fact, one of my first Instagram pics after settling in was the one you see below of the industrial interior design found when you step inside the door of this delightfully community-oriented, lively space. The simple fact that it only took a few months to feel a part of the neighborhood, speaks to the small, yet convivial nature of Bend.
Situated next to a mere handful of other restaurants (be sure to visit Portello for a night of sipping wine with friends or a date) and shops, as well as being located on the street of the summer farmer’s market that is abundant with produce, music and wares each Saturday, its locale offers an intimate gathering spot for neighbors, family and colleagues. It is also conveniently located along the road that takes me to Shevlin Park, one of the boys and mine’s favorite hiking destinations. Therefore, it is not a rare occasion to stop off at The Sparrow Bakery to pick up a warm croissant after hiking for an hour or two. An even sweeter treat to savor to be sure.
Quickly, the bakery has become a weekly stop of mine, and I am beginning to see similar faces, neighbors and co-workers. So when I received an invitation to collaborate with The Sparrow Bakery, I was keen to be introduced to the owners Whitney and Jess and discover exactly how they came to become such an established and enjoyed bakery destination in only nine short years.
It’s important to note that the original location on Scott Street on the east side has been opened since 2006, but the Northwest Crossing space (which is seen in today’s post) is celebrating its first anniversary this month. As I spoke with Jess about the growth of the bakery, she made it clear they had projected primarily a dividing up of their customer base — one bakery on the east side and now one on the west side. Well, they hit this mark and then some because the reality was much more fortuitous.
With the large, open space and ample outdoor as well as indoor seating, there are few weekends I have stepped inside (and it has been nearly every weekend) and not discovered every table occupied complete with a line from the counter to the door. Oh, and rest-assured dog-lovers, there will always be at least a handful of pups outside with their owners or waiting patiently to complete their walk. The bustling inside and out only lends to the charm as a table always becomes available just in time as it is with beloved bakeries: some customers are dropping in after a walk while others are catching up with a friend and still others just want to be a part of something welcoming, delicious and locally inspired.
With the primary goal of cultivating a space where customers feel at home, welcomed and remembered by the staff, Jess and Whitney’s family is not only growing in their personal lives (they welcomed twin boys Abel and Brooks just under a year ago into their lives), but in their business world as well. A testament to their success is that they rely solely on word of mouth electing not to advertise. And if the success of the second bakery is any indication, their approach is one for others to follow. Let the food and the atmosphere do the talking for you.
Below are a few answers from Jess to help customers discover the talent behind the bakeries:
Favorite movie:
Just about any Christmas movie
Favorite book:
Into the Wild by Jon Krakaeur
Best advice you have ever received:
“Life’s tough. It’s all about compromise and digging deep.”
Bucket List wish that you still are looking forward to realizing:
Meeting Gordon Ramsay
Why open a bakery?
Family revolves around food.
What has surprised you about owning a bakery?
It is more of a teaching career than a baking career than I expected.
Favorite sandwich that the bakery serves (rest-assured as someone who has tried bites of all of them at one time or another, they are all delicious):
Croque Monsieur
Customer favorites:
The must-talked about Ocean Roll, Egg Nog (requested beginning in September by customers, the bakery relinquished in October and began serving this seasonal favorite). For the fall/winter season: Pumpkin Pie, Pecan Caramel Pie and Bread Pudding.
A bit of advice for aspiring bakery owners:
~It will change your life
~Be ready to overcome challenges
~Work will inevitably come home with you
~It will stimulate you, and so long as you have energy and balance, you will see you will be able to do anything
Recommended place to visit in Bend (besides The Sparrow Bakery):
Shevlin Park
I want to thank Jess and Whitney as well as their staff for inviting me into the bakery and behind the counter. A few extra items I highly recommend you try when you stop in are the afternoon chouquettes (only served in the afternoon after 3pm, the ideal simple, sweet treat), as you will see in my Instagram pics below I tend to gravitate toward their classic croissants, but for a complete meal you will love their quiche-du-jour and bacon breakfast sandwich. But don’t forget the breads and other pastries. In fact, The Sparrow Bakery has graciously shared their recipe for Banana Bread. Have a look at the end of the post.
Oh, and it was mentioned during the interview that a happy hour could be coming soon, so be sure to stay tuned. Enjoy a tour of the bakery and all of the baked goods below.
~wire whisks as light fixtures~
~It would not be Bend without a few bikes, stunners at that, no?~
~a glimpse at the menu and have a look at the entire list of breakfast and lunch items here.
~the wallpaper catches my eye every time~
~a regular favorite at the Northwest Crossing Farmer’s Market each Saturday morning during the summer months~
~just a few of the instances in which sweet treats from The Sparrow Bakery were enjoyed at home as shared on TSLL Instagram~
Banana Bread from The Sparrow Bakery (Bend, Oregon)
Ingredients:
7 Ripe Bananas
4 Eggs
1 cup Canola Oil
2 cup Sugar
2 tsp Vanilla Ext.
Pinch Nutmeg
2½ cup AP Flour
½ tsp Salt
2 tsp Baking Soda
Directions (as written by Whitney & Jess):
This bread is very popular at our bakery and at the farmer’s market during the summer; we typically sell 150 loaves a week! I believe you will find it is an excellent gift, and perfect for company: try it for breakfast, snack, and even dessert! Some of my customers use this banana bread to make French toast, some smear it with cream cheese!
It is very important to use ripe or even brown bananas, (sometimes, if you ask, the grocer will give you brown bananas they cannot sell!). Mash your bananas using a potato masher until they are pulverized (can’t over mash). Then beat your eggs together and add oil, sugar, vanilla, and nutmeg. Mix these “wet” ingredients and add them to your bananas. Mix. Measure out the flour, salt, and soda and sift them together. Incorporate your dry ingredients into your wet using a stiff whisk. Once I feel my ingredients are well incorporated I like to stick my hands into the batter and check for clumps of flour I missed. Don’t underestimate the fun of this step – children will enjoy getting their hands wet and if there are no little ones around don’t deny yourself the pleasure! Once your batter is mixed heavily spray two loaf pans with pan-spray and evenly distribute your batter between the pans.
Bake in an oven that has been preheated to 325º for one hour. When you remove the bread from the oven immediately sprinkle it with a healthy amount of raw sugar. Let cool completely before removing from the pan – it may help to run a metal edged spatula around the edges of the pan before knocking out the bread. Enjoy it!
~Location Information:
The Sparrow Bakery
Northwest Crossing location (west side)
2748 NW Crossing Dr #110
Bend OR 97701
541-647-2323
Mon-Fri 7am – 5:00pm; Sat-Sun 7am – 3:00pm
Scott Street location (east side)
50 SE Scott St Bend
Bend OR 97701
541-330-6321
Mon-Sat: 7am – 2:00pm; Sun: 8am – 2:00pm
~THOUGHTS FROM THE EDITOR posts from the Archives:
~Luxurious Sleep & Decadent Eats
~All images captured by TSLL
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November 11, 2015
Decor Inspiration: A Go-To Kitchen
The light-fixtures alone are the icing on the cake that complete interior designer Melinda Faranetta’s kitchen remodel. Inspired by Levi’s worn-in feel, she began with the idea to create a space that beckoned to be enjoyed much like a go-to outfit. From the oblong hexagonal tile backsplash to the leather upholstered kitchenette seats, I know which room in the house I would prefer to spend most of my time. Enjoy the tour.
~DECOR INSPIRATION posts from the Archives:
~Why Not . . . Keep It Simple in the Kitchen?
~Why Not . . . Use Simple Changes to Transform Your Kitchen?
Images via Rue Magazine
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Word of the Week: No. 25
~Click below for pronunciation:
http://www.thesimplyluxuriouslife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/resplendent.m4a
~WORDS OF THE WEEK from the Archives:
Image: source
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November 10, 2015
Outfit of the Week: Everyday Style
~Carven long sleeved striped crew neck sweater~
~MiH Jeans – Marrakesh mid-rise flared jeans~
~Franco Sarto ‘Cita’ Ankle Bootie~
~Gucci 58mm Navigator Stainless Steel Sunglasses~
~Alexander Wang small prism leather shoulder bag~
~Kenneth Jay Lane gold-plated earrings~
~SHOP THE OUTFIT:
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~OUTFITS OF THE WEEK from the Archives:
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