Shannon Ables's Blog, page 315

Why Not . . . Gather the Essentials for Life?

~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #63

A confluence of emails from listeners of the podcast recently brought to my attention that many people have discovered TSLL blog through The Simple Sophisticate. And as such, made clear they may not be aware of the wealth of posts the Archives possesses. For example, reader Karen requested a post on online shopping and shopping in person, and she’s in luck because I have two such posts: Why Not . . . Shop Online? and Why Not . . . Shop Local?, both originally posted in 2013. With more than 300 posts to inspire, remind and inform you as you travel the journey of curating your very own unique simply luxurious life, the Archives (organized by topic and then alphabetized), is a destination all its own when you’re caught up on the most recent posts and podcast episodes.

So today’s post is pulled directly from the Archives circa 2011. A reader recently commented that she thought it would make a worthwhile episode of the Podcast, and after taking a look, I realized, she may be on to something (thank you Carmen!). And for readers who have been following TSLL since it all began back in 2009, don’t worry while the basic items on the list of the posts will the same, the commentary will be new. I do hope you tune in.

~Click here for the original transcript of Why Not . . . Gather the Essentials for Life?

~Confidence: How to Gain It & Why It’s Invaluable (episode #5)

~SIMILAR POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

~Become the Curator of Your Own Life

~Dwell in Possibility

~10 Ways to Take Command of Your Life

Petit Plaisir:

~The Intern

produced, written and directed by Nancy Meyers (It’s Complicated, Something’s Gotta Give, The Holiday, Baby Boom)

As I mentioned in last Friday’s This & That, I was eager to watch Nancy Meyer’s new film The Intern as it hit theaters nationwide September 25th. And just this past Saturday, I made a date with myself and took in a matinee of this lovely chic comedy.

Originally Tina Fey and Michael Caine were selected to play the headlining roles. Then Reese Witherspoon, but as we know Robert DeNiro and Anne Hathaway secured the top spots, and I must way they fit just right. Anne Hathaway plays the CEO Jules Ostin who has created an online shopping site called “About the Fit”. In 18 short months, her business has soared and she now employees more than 200 primarily millennial workers in a refurbished Brooklyn warehouse. Hiring three senior interns, Robert DeNiro’s character Ben Whitaker is tapped to assist Jules, and gradually the friendship unfolds.

True to form, Nancy Meyers’ sets are superb with the office patterned after Nasty Gal and Moda Operandi which she toured for inspiration and a New York brownstone for Jules and her family that reminds me of Jenna Lyon’s home a couple of years ago before she sold it. Robert DeNiro’s character is a widower and while we don’t see as much of his townhouse, it too is immaculate and well-tended to. A well-stocked kitchen, a custom-designed closet, you name it, Nancy Meyers has thought of it. (See below for a few pics of the interior from the set.)

The beauty of this film, as Nancy Meyers’ reminded reporters, is there are not unexpected twists and turns. Her films are feel-good, beautiful to watch visually and offering characters to like, not loathe. Meyers and Hathaway paid particular care to presenting a female CEO who was likable. And while she is a mother, the guilt is removed from the household for chasing her career dreams. In fact, DeNiro has a lovely aside to a few mom’s at Jules’ child’s school. Priceless.

Asked in an interview by Joanna Goddard of Cup of Joe why she pays such careful attention to the interiors of her sets, she stated that she herself finds great sanctuary in her own home: her office, her kitchen, her bedroom. Stating that she truly is just happy in her house (she resides in Brentwood, California). Therefore, she tries to create that same sense of home for her characters as well.

While I noted in my Instagram post over the weekend that the ending was almost too predictable and, in my opinion not entirely necessary (in fact, I think it would have been not only more believable, but more appreciated) with out hesitation, this is a movie to love, enjoy and rewatch again and again.

Oh, and Nancy did tell reporters that she already has another film in the works. This one with Steve Martin. Needless to say, I am already impatient to watch it.

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This & That: No. 177

Book
~Becoming by Cindy Crawford

One of the original models that can be truly described as a Super Model, Cindy Crawford will be releasing a new book this coming Tuesday that includes endless black and white image of her modeling career, many you will no doubt recognize. The book is a memoir beginning with her childhood and taking readers through to how she is dealing with the aging process (if the pictures are any indications, clearly quite well). Concise but offering a wide breath covering her decades long career, I was impressed with the overall quality of the hardback coffee table book, and I think you will be too.

Film
~The Intern

Well, my weekend plans are set. I am looking forward to watching the new Nancy Meyers film The Intern starring Anne Hathaway and Robert DiNiro. Yep, that Nancy Meyers of Something’s Gotta Give and It’s Complicated fame. Starring DiNiro as a 70-year-old widower who takes a senior intern position at an online fashion site which is headed by the CEO played by Hathaway. Premiering today, have a look at the trailer below:

Francophile Finds
~Talk in French

I have discovered yet another wonderful Francophile site. Full of posts on all sorts of topics of interests to lovers of all things French, the 10 Easy French Recipes to Try at Home caught my eye most recently. However, you can brush up on your language skills as well as discover where to dine in Paris and much, much more.

Television
~Indian Summers on PBS

A nine part series premiering on PBS this Sunday at 9pm, return to the 1930s in Indian, the twilight of the British Empire rule over one of its many colonized countries. Exploring the contentious between the ruling class with their Indian subjects, there is much drama to work with from political to personal, escape each Sunday evening to an intriguing time in our world’s history.

  ~Late Night with Stephen Colbert on CBS

While I mentioned the premiere of Stephen Colbert’s arrival on the Late Show, having replaced David Letterman a few weeks ago, I wanted to report back. As someone who typically doesn’t watch late night, and especially not when it actually airs (I tape and watch the next evening on my schedule), Stephen Colbert has infused the late night genre with gutsy political commentary, humorous skits inspired by pop culture and has chosen a Late Night band that is hands down my favorite: Jon Batiste and Stay Human. His guests most recently included a US Supreme Court Justice (Stephen Breyer), Republican and Democratic politicians and of course the parade of actors and actresses. However, it’s light, but topical without being absurd. And in case you were curious, yes, it is actually Stephen Colbert who is the host not his counter-part that he played for nine years on The Colbert Report.

~Sex and the City available on Amazon Prime (free for members)

I would be remiss if I didn’t alert TSLL readers to the exciting news that Sex and the City, all six seasons is now available on Amazon Prime free to Prime members. I am absolutely tickled as I sold all of my SATC DVDS at my yard sale this summer. After all, you can never have too much of the fab four.

 ~recipe for Pluot Crostatas with Honey & Thyme~

One way I like to pass time while I’m waiting in line or in a waiting room during September or February is to scroll through the runway shows that have just been posted. And while there have been some beautiful collections this season so far, Alberta Ferretti’s collection shown in Milan just a few days ago stopped me in my tracks (see above and below).

But back to reality, the weekend has arrived and with it beautiful fall weather is in store.

I hope your week treated you well. While I will be keeping it simple these next few days, perhaps a viewing of The Intern, definitely a hike with the boys and who knows what else, I want to wish you a grand few days to do as you please. May it be simply luxurious! Until Monday bon Vendredi!

~The brain needs exercise just as much as the body, check out Top 10 Tips for a Healthy Brain

~12 Little Known Laws of Happiness (That Will Change Your Life)

~7 Invaluable Lessons from World-Class Achievers

~TedTalks always offer great inspiration, and this one is no exception: How to Find Work You Love

 

All images via Vogue Runway

The post This & That: No. 177 appeared first on The Simply Luxurious Life®.

Decor Inspiration: Cottage-esque Farmhouse

As I begin my search for a new home to become my sanctuary, visions of rustic wooden kitchen islands are dancing in my head. While new is always a treat when it comes to appliances and flooring, there is something comforting about an antique that has been used to a state of patina – glorious, but rugged. The above old baker’s table caught my attention in this Long Island family farmhouse that has been standing for more than 160 years. Discover more about the family who renovated the farmhouse house here, and enjoy the entire tour below.

 

~DECOR INSPIRATION POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES:

~A Seattle Culinary Respite

~A Beautiful Conversion

~White on White

Images via Lonny

The post Decor Inspiration: Cottage-esque Farmhouse appeared first on The Simply Luxurious Life®.

Thoughts from the Editor: It’s Fall!

“Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.” ― Lauren DeStefano

Every year I try to put into words what it is I adore so much about the autumn when it arrives. I will not deny that I love the arrival of spring nearly as much, there is a certain sweetness that only fall seems to bring. Perhaps it is the subtle shift from the bounty of summer into gently warm, yet chill filled evenings, or perhaps it is the return to the familiar with the curated routines we have discovered work best for our lives even after we have explored unknown and beloved far away destinations.

In many ways, fall this  year in 2015 has indeed felt very much like the quote mentions above, a grand finale of sorts: A realization of a dream, a time to savor the hard work that was put forth over the past nine months and perhaps years prior. I am not sure every year will offer a fall so sweet, but it is my hope that each TSLL reader realizes the sweet grand finale that fall can supply.

As the chrysanthemums, gourds and apples become abundant at the last few farmer’s markets of the year, and the opportunity to revel in ideal 60 and 70 degree days is upon us, I want to wish you a brilliant fall season. May the next three months treat you well and embarrass you with its riches.

If you’re looking for a bit of inspiration for the new season that kicks off today, below are a few TSLL posts from the archives you might enjoy. And, I couldn’t post without including my favorite red carpet moments from Sunday’s 67th Emmy Awards. Let the new fall television season begin! What shows are you looking forward to snuggling up and watching? While there are many shows I am eager to indulge in, I will admit to Scandal, Code Black and Madam Secretary being on my list, but there are many more.

~10 Things I Love About Fall

~Why Not . . . Decorate For Autumn?

~Why Not . . . Be Grateful?

 ~Julia Louis-Dreyfus in SAFiYAA and Chopard~

 ~Naomi Watts in Dior Couture~

 ~Kerry Washington in Marc Jacobs~

~January Jones in Ulyana Sergeenko~

~Lena Headey in Zuhair Murad~

~Sarah Hyland in Zac Posen~

~Emma Roberts in Jenny Packham~

~Sofia Vergara in St. John’s~

~Ellie Kemper in Naeem Khan~

~Julianne Hough in Marchesa~

~Maggie Gyllenhaal in Oscar de la Renta~

~Jaimie Alexander in Armani Prive~

~Viola Davis in Carmen Marc Valvo~

 ~Allison Janney in La Bourjoisie~

Image: (1) (Emmy Images via Harper’s Bazaar)

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Word of the Week: No. 18

~Click below for pronunciation:

http://www.thesimplyluxuriouslife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/indubitable.m4a

~WORDS OF THE WEEK FROM THE ARCHIVES:

~No. 17: chimerical

~No. 16: antediluvian

~No. 2: serendipity

 

 

Image: source

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Outfit of the Week: Lucky You

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~Isabel Marant Étoile Boyce dress (black)~

~Alexander Wang Cicely suede and leather pumps~

~Oscar de la Renta Anemone gold-tone ring~

~Coach Nomad Hobo in glovetanned leather (other colors available)~

~Nashelle Big Horseshoe Lucky necklace (recently saw this in person and fell in love, top quality at a great price and quite a statement (the horseshoe is 2″ in height)~

~OUTFITS OF THE WEEK FROM THE ARCHIVES:

~Grey & Beautiful 

~The Ankle Boot

~High-Waisted & Fabulous

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Style Inspiration: NYFW Street Style Favorites

New York Fashion Week for the Spring 2016 season has come and gone, but I am still gathering inspiration from the many street styles that waltzed down the sidewalks to and from the collection debuts. While none of the outfits included in today’s Style Inspiration are shocking or absurd, they all take a classic and include a trendy or signature twist: From the classic white winter suit with fringe, to the black leather blazer above and go-to black jumpsuit with intricate detail. Enjoy seeing the creative ideas the fashion elite came up with.

~STYLE INSPIRATION POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES:

~Fall Classics

~Clémence Poésy

~Black & White

 

Images via Harper’s Bazaar US

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Why Not . . . Simplify Your Choices?

“It is our choices… that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” -J. K. Rowling
~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #62

Just as our muscles can become fatigued, so too can our minds. And when we bombard it with endless choices each day, much like using our smart phones excessively, the battery becomes drained and is unable to function as we need it to by the time the day begins to wind down and sometimes much sooner.

Barry Schwartz in his best-selling book The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less, gives the simplest advice of all, “choose less and feel better.” In other words, often our lack of planning, preparation and truly knowing what we want can be the obstacle that is standing in the way of a more content and fulfilling life. Hmmm.

So today I’d like to share a list of daily decisions that can be “one and done” choices that don’t tax our minds all the while ensure we are living our best and most healthy life. Because the most important choice, as Schwartz points out is knowing what is worth hemming and hawing about and what isn’t.

Today’s post was prompted by a request from a reader after reading a Petit Plaisir a few weeks ago about monochromatic bouquets. A simple choice that doesn’t involve contemplation once we know what colors would look best in our homes, but most importantly make us happy. And the good news is there are many other simple decisions we can default to which will make our lives smoother and allow our minds to be primed for those difficult questions when they arise.

1.A Simple Wardrobe

President Barack Obama has been quoted endlessly since his interview in Vanity Fair three years ago about his decision to wear a navy suit nearly every day. As we all would imagine, the President of the United States has more significant decisions to make than what to wear, and while none of us are the President, we too have decisions that are far more pressing and influential on our overall happiness than what we wear.

Now, don’t get me wrong, what I wear is one of my most beloved hobbies. It is a form of self-expression and an art that takes time to craft. It is also something that is constantly changing, keeping us on our toes as our bodies and lives change with each passing year, but this is precisely why I love having a capsule wardrobe: Adhere to a particular color palette (mine is navy, black, white and gray with touches of pink or green), and purchase quality items and fewer of them because they will last.

2. Return to Trusted Brands/Designers

Trends and labels are a waste of time and money because you will regularly spending money each season to keep up with everyone else. Instead, wear what works well with your body, your lifestyle and your budget. Once you find a brand that cuts clothing that was made for your body, become a loyal customer. The decision-making is left out, you can shop on-line, saving you time and driving a distance (if the store isn’t in your town), and you can rest-assured you will always look your best. This is the case with me when it comes to the jeans I wear, now the tee shirts I wear (as I shared last week), DVF wrap dresses and so much more. It took some time to figure this out, but boy, has it been a life changer.

3. Eat the Same Breakfast

It is imperative to simplify our morning routines. But that doesn’t mean we can’t do a handful of different things, it just means we need to adhere to the same things so such simple, yet powerful decisions that will set the tone for the day don’t drain our minds for the work that lies ahead. Design a breakfast that is delicious, healthy and something that will maintain your energy well past 10 am or longer. When an item such as eggs is about to run out, you know exactly what to buy when you come home from work that day. Keep it simple.

4. Establish Default Choices

In episode #50 of the podcast, Why Not . . . Design a Happy Life?, I included a point about defaults. Defaults are there for a reason. Whether on our computer determining which home screen pops up when we turn on the machine, default passwords, etc. They make life simpler, but only if they aid in creating the life that we desire.

Look over defaults that you have.  Are they helping or hurting the culture you are trying to create as you begin to live simply luxuriously? Are you keeping the fridge stocked with healthy options or junk? Is your phone by your bed at night or charging in another room so you can have a restful night’s sleep? You have more control over the decisions you have to make and the actual decisions you are making. Choose wisely and your life will reward you.

5. Weekday Dinners

There is something I’ve been wanting to do here on the blog, and hopefully in the future I will get to it, but each Sunday (sometimes Saturday), I jaunt off to complete my weekly grocery shopping. I love this errand. My weekly grocery list is pretty much the same each week, which means I eat (you guessed it) pretty much the same thing each week. To many this may sound dull, but when I’m busy, knowing I have the ingredients at home to cook a delicious, yet fulfilling meal that will leave me feeling good about my health is a lifesaver.

What I’ve always wanted to do is share with you simple weekday recipes that mix & match like a capsule wardrobe. A fail-safe and delicious modern woman’s home cook menu. And while I don’t have the detailed version created yet, here is a general overview:

Eat night

a vegetable: spinach (steamed with garlic, lemon and olive oil OR tossed with homemade vinaigrette), roasted broccoli, green beans a la Julia Child
a protein: grilled chicken, grilled salmon, shrimp scampi, parmesan chicken, Sole Meunière,
sometimes a slice of artisan bread dipped in olive oil and balsamic vinegar
water

Again, this is just a basic idea of how simple your grocery shopping can be, yet how satisfied and simple your meal can be as well.

~View all TSLL Recipes, organized by meal here.

6. Lunch

Depending upon what your day requires you to do, whether you work at home or at an office or are on the road, the key again is to have a designated meal or meals you always default to during the week. The weekends or special occasions or evenings out are when we can allow the decision-making to be complicated and oh so rewarding and delicious, but for the everyday routine, keep it simple.

7. Have a Drink of Choice

Now I am not saying, only drink one thing, but keep it simple and know your preferred tea or coffee, know what you typically will choose when dining casually (water with lemon for me) and what you prefer when alcohol is what you’d prefer (I stick to wine). This will not only help your mind, but help your budget as well.

8. Have a Workout You Love

Pretend you are being interviewed by a magazine, you know the profile interviews where they share a person’s exercise routine, etc. What would you say? I can remember reading interviews of Princess Diana way back when I was in high school and thinking, how does she know what works for her? But after a while you do know what works for you and what you enjoy doing that is effective. For me, it’s walking, Pilates, strength exercises at home and paddle boarding. I have my favorite walking trails and paths, and while I do mix them up based on how much time I have and how hard I want to push myself, my workout routine is written in ink in my planner. Make the decision simple, make it something you enjoy and that shows results, and then get moving!

9. Hair Style & Products

Once you have a cut that works with your face and lifestyle, take the time to learn how to style it at home and then stick to it. The same is true for hair products. It may take time to find products that work the best with your hair, and if that is the case keep trying something new until you do, but once you do, use them, replace them when they run out and don’t think twice.

10. Emotional Reactions

I’ve realized recently that we can become conditioned to react emotionally a certain way to things regardless of who we are with. It wasn’t until I moved to Bend, not knowing anyone and saw something I wanted to change. I found myself, after having been protect and defensive with my responses in certain situations due to past hurts, responding the same way here with people who had given me no reason to be protective. I realized I can either project trust, warmth, optimism and kindness or I can put out into the world what I don’t want, but am fearful will happen.

So my challenge to you and to myself is to shift our emotional reactions to a default that projects what we want to see more of in our lives. Quickly, and truly I have seen an immediate positive response, people will respond in kind or leave you alone because they know they cannot get the negative or snarky response from you they had expected. You don’t want to be around those people anyway. A simple decision that can make a big difference.

11. Schedule the Buffer

When scheduling appointments, always provide at least a 15 minute or 30 minute buffer (not including travel time). Why? As much as we want meetings to end on time and traffic to run smoothly, it doesn’t always follow our wishes. By implementing a buffer, you will reduce stress, chaos and rushed decisions as when you run late, you are often having to apologize and not focus on why you’re there.

12. Nail Polish, Make-up

Now if you’re a beauty product lover, you may not want this, but as someone who wants her toes to look nice, but wishes they would magically trim and polish themselves, I stick to the same color year round. A soft blush-tone nude shade from OPI and I then forget about it. Same goes with my make-up: Bobbi Brown and Nars. I’m sure there are many other fabulous brands that offer the same quality, but these work for what I need.

13. From Whom You  Seek Advice 

The clichéd saying goes that “Advice is what we seek when we already know the answer, but wish we didn’t”, but I also find it true that we seek out the people we think will give us the advice we want to hear. Such is not always the best idea. In other words, don’t be asking for medical advice from someone who has no experience in medicine. Likewise, don’t seek relationship advice from someone who has never been in your situation. While we might want comfort from certain people, advice, sound advice is an entirely different ballgame. Knowing who to talk to whether it’s a real estate question, a romantic dilemma or a career question will save you much frustration when you are left alone to make the actual decision about how to proceed.

14. Savings

Defaults will also be a game-changer when it comes to finances. Set your checking to automatically deduct a certain amount for your savings and retirement so you don’t have to remember to do so.

15. How to Handle Debt

Depending on the financial situation you are in, set a default decision and payment plan that works for your budget and you no longer have to wonder about. Whether you have no debt at all and pay in full each month or are currently paying down debt, create a schedule and a response that works when purchasing new items pop up. Should you or shouldn’t you? Can you pay it off in full?

16. Waking Up & Turning In

Not only is a regular sleep schedule best for your body, it will do wonders for your mind. Setting your body clock takes time, but once you remain consistent, even for a week, you will see your body wants to wake up at a certain time and turn in at a certain as well. Anyone who has ever traveled a crossed multiple time zones and felt jet-lag knows that the body’s sleep cycle is a powerful internal clock.

17. The Flowers You Buy

As I mentioned in the recent Petit Plaisir, choosing a monochromatic bouquet is a simple way to make a bold and stylish statement. And when it comes to purchasing flowers in general, I have learned that I tend to only buy specific types of flowers either for their beauty and color or their ability to last. Such purchases always make me happy and pleased when I walk through my front door, and I don’t tend to buy unless certain flowers are available which saves my budget in the long run.

Just like your go-to drinks, have a go-to flower or flowers that you will fork over cold hard cash for. If your favorites aren’t available, save your pennies.

In many ways today’s post/episode is the second part in designing a happy life. Hopefully, what you will discover as you put these simple decisions into play is that your decision-making is clearer on the items that need your full attention and contemplation of all of the options. In so doing, you will cultivate, design in other words, a very lovely simply luxurious life indeed.

~SIMILAR POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

~Why Not . . . Keep It Simple In The Kitchen?

~6 Ways to Life Fully Each Day

~14 Ideas for Ending Your Day Well

Petit Plaisir:
~Fresh Heirloom Tomato Soup with Cream

adapted from The Splendid Table

Ingredients


Extra virgin olive oil (select what you would want to taste)
2 medium onions, chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 large cloves garlic, minced
Pinch hot red pepper flakes
1 generous tablespoon tomato paste
1 1/2 – 2 cups chicken broth
A big handful fresh basil leaves, torn
15 medium or 10 large delicious ripe tomatoes, cored and coarsely chopped (keep the juices)
1/2 cup heavy cream (for serving)


Instructions
1. Generously drizzle the bottom of a 12-quart pot with olive oil. Set over medium high heat. When warm, add onions and about 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions start to color.

2. Stir in the garlic, red pepper, and tomato paste. Cook 1 minute. Add broth, basil, and tomatoes. Bring to a lively simmer, cover the pot, and cook 15 to 20 minutes, or until tomatoes are softened and soup tastes fresh, but mellow. Adjust seasonings to taste.

3. Allow soup to cool. Using an immersion blender, a traditional blender or a food processor, blend 2/3 of the soup. Blend slightly leaving a more chunky soup (like mine above) or to a fine puree. Rewarm or serve close to room temperature.

4. Then, just as you are serving, drizzle a full tablespoon of cream into each bowl you serve. Pair with a slice of crusty, artisan bread for dipping into the soup to act as a soup if you’d prefer.

Image: (1)

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This & That: No. 176

Book
~Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

Debuting on September 22nd, Eat, Pray, Love author Elizabeth Gilbert has a new book, Big Magic, that has my curiosity piqued. Sharing her wisdom and experience of tapping into each our own sources of creativity, she illuminates the mystical access to inspiration. And if you’re in the Bend area on November 13th, you will want to pick up tickets to her event at Bend High. You can bet, I’ll be there and will share my experience.

~Voracious: A Hungry Reader Cooks Her Way through Great Books by Cara Nicoletti

Pulled from the pages of the most beloved books classic and modern, blogger and now author Cara Nicoletti, shares recipes found in books beginning with Little House on the Prairie to Goldfinch to Pride and Prejudice. Wanting to bring people together and recognizing that books and foods have a powerful way of both doing just that, she paired the two more than seven years ago and has been enjoying the journey (and cooking) ever since. Be sure to check out her blog Yummy Books for regular updates on more recent recipes from her favorite books.

Food
~Esotico Pasta

During the summer, I had the opportunity to visit the local farmer’s markets and found a booth selling homemade pasta from Silverton, Oregon. As someone who always tends to flavor sauces with lemon, I bought a package of the Lemon Garlic. Let me just say, the flavor was tremendously bountiful. As the label states, cooks need not actually add sauce if they’d prefer not to because of the immense amount of flavor in the pasta. Infused with healthy, flavorful ingredients and often straight from owners’ Pati & George Harris and Julie & Wayne Huisman’s gardens, you will be delighted with your purchase.

Shopping
~R13 ‘Alison’ mid-rise skinny jeans

A classic style in a casual wash that is a treasure to find. Reduced more than 60%, the R13 designer jeans are worth checking out. (Click here to view regular price and many other styles).

Television
~Downton Abbey, season 6 premiere in the UK

While the United States audience will have to wait until January, UK viewers have just a few more days until the premiere of the final season (6) of Downton Abbey. Premiering on September 20th, the plot lines begin to roll their way to the finish line and not without a tremendous amount of drama. Take a look here at what the cast is sharing about their characters.

~Fashionably Late with Rachel Zoe on Lifetime

Stylist and designer Rachel Zoe is back on television beginning Thursday September 24th on the Lifetime channel. Following Fashion Runway, tune in at 10:30pm for Rachel Zoe’s take on trends in beauty, fashion and pop culture. Paired with Editor-at-Large of Harper’s Bazaar Derek Blasberg, along with Zoe’s husband Roger and a few celebrity friends dashed in from time to time, if you missed her blasé attitude and mistakable style, you’ll be pleasantly pleased.

 

 ~recipe for Tamarind & Lemon Tart with Salted Peanut Praline~

Fantastic rain fell on Thursday, and it was then that I knew it was fall. Maybe not officially, but the feeling, the coziness of sweaters, trenches and hot tea had arrived. There is something about this time of year that is ideal. Perhaps it is the enjoyment of the beauty of nature before it hibernates until next year or maybe it is the return to the full, but enjoyable daily schedule that we have each chosen for ourselves and the path we wish our lives to take. Whatever it might be, I do hope you have a wonderful weekend soaking it all in and savoring every minute. May your simple luxuries be abundant! Until Monday bon Vendredi!

~Simple but powerful changes to improve your life . . . 5 Ways to Make Your Life More Positive

~Always a challenge, but one that is worth the effort . . . 21 Signs You’re Mentally Strong

~A big thank you to one of my readers for sharing this article with me . . . What Jane Austen Taught Me About Being Single with Purpose

~And the journey we are all on, and yes, we can get there . . . 20 Signs You’re Becoming Your Best Self

 

Images: (2)

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Decor Inspiration: Cottage Cozy

An oldie, but well worth revisiting, and the first time shown here on TSLL blog, Gennifer Goodwin, the 36-year-old actor who boasts her youthful charm in films such as Something Borrowed and He’s Just Not That Into You  opened her doors to Elle Decor in January 2013.

A reminder that a home’s decor takes time to evolve, having purchased the Whitley Heights cottage where Charlie Chaplin once called home in 2007, she is now finally sharing her exquisite taste with the public. With the help of interior designer Amy Kehoe.

From the moment one enters the 100 year old abode, the 150-year-old blue-and-cream William Morris wall-covering certainly captures the eye upon entry to Ginnifer Goodwin’s cottage in Hollywood and is punctuated with unexpected, but certainly brilliant color combinations. I must admit the living room has my full attention. Enjoy the tour.

 

~DECOR INSPIRATION Posts from the Archives You Might Enjoy:

~Contemporary Chic in the City

~Lofty NYC Decor

~Sophisticated in Austin

 

Images via Elle Decor

The post Decor Inspiration: Cottage Cozy appeared first on The Simply Luxurious Life®.