Shannon Ables's Blog, page 320

15 Things to Do to Not “Feel Fat”

The Simple Sophisticate, episode #52

As with everything in life, our weight is a fluid and ever dynamic number. And because of this reality, which if we could be objective about it, is a very good thing. It means we have more control over our weight, health and livelihood than we sometimes realize. However, it just so happens that when we forget about this fact, and take our healthy self for granted for too long, we can begin to feel not our best selves.

During this past spring, there have been a lot of changes and new experiences in my life, from book signings, to traveling to new destinations around the country, working with a contractor, selling my house, finding and acquiring a new job and moving to a new town. And as diligently as I tried, the stress and reduction of my usual routine took me out of my healthy routine as well.

I began to feel “fat”.

The reason I use this statement is because that is often the phrase uttered, but was I fat, were any of us fat when we use this turn of phrase? No. What, at least in my case, and from those I have been in the presence of when they say such a phrase, is that we don’t feel our best selves. In other words, we know we can feel better in our bodies and between the food we choose to eat and the fitness routine that isn’t working or we aren’t adhering, we aren’t doing our best and we recognize that we need to adjust something.

Living simply luxuriously has never advocated for dieting as Americans use the term (elimination, odd combination and anything that we wouldn’t continue to do once the weight was lost). My approach to eating, as talked about on the blog, in the book and as you can see in my recipes, is that moderation is key, forget deprivation and most importantly, eat real food. The key approach to eating well and thus looking and most importantly feeling our best when it comes to our health was talked about in episode 8 of the podcast, as well as here and here.

Today what I’d like to talk about is when you haven’t even stepped on the scale, but you know, whether it is due to life circumstance or letting go of good habits, you’ve gained a few unwanted pounds that leave you not feeling your best. This feeling can be remedied rather quickly, but not overnight. Most importantly, if you are someone who pays attention to how you feel in your clothes, listens to their body and recognizes when it is energized or quite the opposite, you will most likely catch yourself slipping before anything gets too far gone.

Let me share with you today 15 ways to eradicate the “fat” feeling, as tried and tested most recently and in the past with successful results, myself.

1. Be honest with yourself

2. Set limits

3. Eat vegetables in at least two meals each day

Aside from the major benefit derived from vegetables such as staving off chronic diseases (heart disease being a prime example), eating vegetables provides your body with valuable nutrients: potassium, fiber, folate (folic acid) and vitamins A, E and C. As noted by the Dairy Council of California, broccoli, spinach, garlic and tomatoes are even more impressive, as they are coined super foods due to their additional benefits. And when our bodies have the nutrients they need, the metabolism keeps roaring at optimal speed, and here’s the rub, when it doesn’t have the proper nutrients, it . . . . slows . . . . down.

4. Eat lean proteins once or twice a day 

Proteins have a high thermogenic effect. In other words, 30% of the calories the food contains are burned during digestion. Um, if that’s not motivation to eat more protein, I am not sure what else I can pull out of the rabbit’s hat. No, but seriously, make it a habit to have one source of protein in at least one, preferably two meals each day. The lean protein options are endless whether you are a vegetarian or vegan or not.

Here is a list of vegetarian/vegan options:

quinoa
buckwheat
soy
chia
rice (choose brown or whole grain)
beans
nuts (almonds, cashews, and click here for a detailed list of the best options for nuts as protein)

Preferred protein options for those of us who eat meat:

chicken
mahi mahi tuna
pork tenderloin
turkey
eye of a round steak (one of the leanest cuts of beef)
scallops
shrimp
tuna
salmon (wild caught, Alaska or freshwater Coho from U.S.)
oysters
trout

5. Give eating your full attention

Be mindful of what you’re eating and what you’re doing while your eating. If you’re driving, watching television or attending a concert, you most likely not truly enjoying or appreciating your food. And when you are mindful, you know if it tastes good or if you should not take another bite.

6. Reassess your workout schedule, make it fun again

Even with the best intentions and with responsibilities we love, the workout routine can be short-changed; however, this should immediately be reconsidered as we talked about on August 1st.

7. Select calorie-free drinks (water, tea, coffee)

Green tea especially is a wonderful option to sip throughout the day (hot or cold). A recent study by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that drinking four cups of green tea a day for eight weeks reduced participant’s weight by six pounds.

8. Reduce consumption of simple carbohydrates

So long as it is real food, everything in moderation. So begin to eat less of milk products and anything made with sugar: candy, sweet desserts, pastries, etc.

9. Have a salad a day

Spinach is my go-to salad of choice as it is a superfood  As an anti-inflammatory and having been found to reduce the potential for cancer, as well as be a strong source of iron, I say why not choose a leafy green that packs a multi-powerful punch. I then toss it with my homemade vinaigrette, but there are many recipes for vinaigrettes that suit your taste. However, there are many different options and most grocery stores carry a wonderful selection. Arugula is my second favorite for it’s peppery flavor.

10. Don’t forget the strength exercises

Be sure to include 1-3 days of strength training in your weekly workout routine. As we’re trying to jumpstart our metabolism, when we hit the weights or use our bodies as the weight, our bodies continue to burn calories long after we’re done in the gym or off the mat in our homes. As discussed in this post and this post, you don’t have to have a gym membership to keep your body strong. I simply follow a basic strength routine and perform it in my living room on my yoga mat two days a week.

11. Eat whole grains

Start to reduce the pasta, but if you have to have a bowl of your favorite, choose whole grain options instead. In the morning choose oatmeal or steel oats (my favorite) and brown rice for dinner. Why? The body burns twice as many calories breaking down whole foods.

12. The Take Out Rule

Take out is absolutely fine. I’m not about to bash on it, as there are many healthy options that tie nicely into today’s list, but once you bring it home, do something very simple: use proper dishes and silverware. Why? First of all, so you can see the portion size you are going to eat and then save the rest for lunch or dinner tomorrow, but also, to slow down the eating. How to do that?

13. Eat “European style” or with the opposite hand

A couple of years ago I began eating with a fork and a knife, and what I have found is that eat slower. Initially, yes, it was because I was horrible at it, but even now, as I’m more comfortable with it, I found myself eating smaller bites and slowing down my eating time instead of shoveling in the food. If that is not appealing, try eating with the opposite hand to slow down your consumption. (Note: Why “European style”? One of my dear friends used the phrase, and it made me smile. Whether that is its proper term, please let me know.)

14. Add heat

If you have a predilection for hot food, you are in luck. Capsaicin, the compound found in red peppers and many other hot food items, heats up the body which melts extra calories. So, opt for the hot mustard, the hot sauce or the tried and true hot peppers. Your waist line will thank you.

15. A restful night’s sleep

Part of my issue was a shortage of sleep. Especially when I was traveling so frequently, but also when my mind was racing with all of the changes that were taking place, it was hard to get my needed 7-9 hours of sleep. Keep in mind, when we’re awake, our body needs energy, so it will want its food. But when it rests, it is not only detoxifying itself, but also not in need of calories to rev it up and keep it going.

Quickly, before wrapping up, while the above our 15 things to DO, I want to share four things NOT TO DO when you “feel fat”.

1. Obsess

I began with this one because it can be easy to become obsessed with our weight. The culture, if we don’t control have a handle on what we’re exposed to, can make us believe we are only our outer shells. Intrinsically, we may know that we are not, but we are rewarded for letting our mind be swayed. Rather put into place habits and routines that will yield healthy dividends. In other words, design a healthy lifestyle gradually you will see results. Obsessing and fretting every minute will not make it occur any quicker, and it will ruin the present moment. Put your plan into play and then get out of the way.

2. Whine to your friends and family

While we do need our social support system, and we may want to share with them that we are going to be watching our eating and workout habits, make such a statement to garner support, not pity. If you sit down to enjoy a meal, at the end of it, don’t whine about how much you ate. While it may help you in some odd way to say it out loud, you may be ruining the experience for those you are dining with.

3. Forget about what is important

Once you have put into place the steps needed to get your weight back on track, it is easy to stick to them when you direct your attention elsewhere. What do I mean by this statement? Focus on what needs your attention and get lost in your job, your daily schedule, your family, your friends, your goals. Before you know it, you will be feeling great in your skin.

4. Forget how fortunate you are to have food to eat and options to exercise

The frustrating part about gaining a few pounds is that we stopped paying attention to what we’ve been putting in our mouths as well as how much we move our bodies. The good news is we have endless options of food to eat if you live in any of the many countries with a rich food supply and dually, endless ways to exercise. Start with the simple basics of what we are afforded, and it will help put this “feeling fat” into perspective.

Many people may label the feeling we’re discussing today as a #firstworldproblem, but I would argue that without a healthy body, we can’t have a healthy mind, and without a healthy mind we cannot live our best lives. It’s a domino effect, and it starts with a realization that can be quickly remedied. And if we’re able to quickly remedy that we aren’t at our best, it is a good sign that we are living in the present, that we are paying attention to our body and recognizing that we have much to give the world and are much better able to do this when we are able to perform at our best. Tend to the 15 tips, allow them to become habits, routines, and then forget about your weight. In a couple of weeks or a couple of months, you will slip into a pair of your favorite jeans or that beloved dress and see that it fits exactly as it should.

~SIMILAR POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

~Why Not . . . Lose Those Last 10 Pounds?

~Why Not . . . Keep It Simple in the Kitchen?

~Why Not . . . Feed the Body Well?

And for all of the Health/Beauty/Fitness posts, click here.

Petit Plaisir:
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

What Would Jean Louise Do?

“I’ve killed you, Scout. I had to.” And perhaps Atticus needed to be killed as well, at least the Atticus that young Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird imagined and described and therefore, we as readers came to adore as well.

As Sam Sacks of The Wall Street Journal reminds in his review of the novel, Atticus as revealed in Watchman having “provincial convictions and bigotries actually make him a truer, more representative figure”. But as many readers and those adoring Atticus fans who have professed they will not read the novel as to not ruin their idealized idea of what a respected lawyer’s purpose can and should be, and what a person’s good deeds can do, lose sight of is the reality.

Abraham Lincoln by our standards today as stated by many revered historians describe his commentary, his own words and certain beliefs at the time racist, but does that require us then to either dismiss the actions put into place that gradually, albeit tortuously slowly, lead to a stronger, more unified, yet diverse nation, or does it gives us a truer picture of a human mirroring the time he was in, yet making decisions that would allow the baton to be passed on to others who would bring it ever closer to the finish line?

Atticus, based on the climate of our modern United States, cannot be applauded for his belief of viewing black citizens as “backward people”, and Jean Louise rightly points out his hypocrisy. Her felt betrayal perhaps mirroring our own, is palpable in their chapter long row that while having gaps and revealing itself ignorant for the time it was written before the Civil Rights Movement unfolded fully, depicts something that To Kill A Mockingbird never contained – Scout standing on her own two feet and having the confidence to stand alone with what she knew to be right and true without seeking the approval of her father.

One of the many lessons Atticus teaches Scout in TKAM is to stand in someone else’s shoes in order to understand them. While readers are never allowed to stand directly in Atticus’ shoes as Watchman is told in third person, Jean Louise finally sees Maycomb as it truly is and therefore as her father exists within it. She is now thinking for herself, having cut the apron strings when she chose to go to New York City. Nelle Harper Lee herself having done the same when she refrained from becoming a lawyer at her father Amasa Coleman Lee’s urging, lost her father’s financial support and confidence, and many biographers state that TKAM and the depiction of Atticus was an homage to her father or maybe a statement of defiant success.

Why Atticus became the figure he did in TKAM from the first draft we are now all confounded by today is something we will never know for certain, but the publisher wished to sell books and they knew their audience, what the country needed, or what the majority of the country wanted (remember it was published in 1960) was not someone as we would have expected to have existed in the south such as the Atticus we have recently been introduced to. But instead, with the final draft of TKAM they gave the country what they thought it wanted – hope. As Jean Louise points out to her father in chapter 17 of Watchman, “You deny them hope. Any man in this world, Atticus, any man who has a head and arms and legs, was born with hope in his heart.” And perhaps the publisher knew this. Would it have sold as many copies as it has and earned the Pulitzer? I would garner to say no for exactly the reasons the publisher edited and encouraged her to write it as they did.

The personal lesson, aside from the racist tensions that fuel the frustrations with once beloved characters is the relationship between child and parent. Atticus still did raise Scout to become the Jean Louise that ventures off and explores the world eventually returning to realize her sweetheart Henry Clinton and her father view and therefore live in the world in complete contrary ways than she. He never apologies for the upbringing he provided even though she seems to want his concession in their bellicose argument because it is her upbringing that allows her to stand strong in her convictions.

Uncle Jack, who is much more developed as a character in Watchman, acts as Jean Louise’s voice of interpretation of Atticus points out what we are all guilty of when it comes to Atticus, “fasten[ing our conscience] like a barnacle onto your father’s [conscience].” He points out to her that, “As you grew up, when you were grown, totally unknown to yourself, you confused your father with God. You never saw him as man with a man’s heart, and a man’s failings . . . you were an emotional cripple, leaning on him, getting the answers from him, assuming that your answers would be his answers.”

Not everyone evolves into thinking for themselves, rather to be safe many hang onto what a religion, a community, a parental figure or mentor has modeled and instructed. Even Jean Louise points out that she thought after her undergraduate studies that she had evolved as she should successfully making this break (which seems to be when the third person of TKAM takes place), but it wasn’t until she returned to Maycomb at the age of 26 when she truly detaches herself from her father. The second part of the equation that is necessary for both parties to move forward is to do what Atticus does, allows her to separate herself and still remains in a loving relationship with her. It must be pointed out that as she storms off after their now much discussed argument, he says “I love you.”

And while Atticus, who lives by the law and defends it to its teeth (in Watchman Tom Robinson was acquitted), he is unable to do what Martin Luther King Jr. states in “The Letter from the Birmingham Jail” we all must do with unjust laws, “I submit that an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for law.” Perhaps Jean Louise takes the baton where Atticus leaves off.

Nelle Harper Lee may have never meant for Go Set a Watchman to be read by the millions it has been this summer, but she reassured this fan why I adore Scout all the more. Perhaps Scout, or rather should I now say Jean Louise, will become the Atticus we much adored. And from now on instead of asking the question “What would Atticus do?”, we should inquire “What would Jean Louise do?”

Image: (1)

The post 15 Things to Do to Not “Feel Fat” appeared first on The Simply Luxurious Life®.

Au Courant Weekly: August 8, 2015

The Simple Sophisticate, episode #51

International

French investigators announced on Wednesday that the piece of a wing, known as a flaperon, from a Boeing 777 is from Malaysia flight 370 which went missing on March 8, 2014. Found on Reunion Island in late July which is located in the Indian Ocean, the announcement provide some closure to the families of 239 people who lost their lives on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. French investigators are continuing to examine the wing and other debris.

National: United States

On Monday, President Obama announced a major change to cut greenhouse gas emissions from coal-burning power plants. “The Clean Power Plan” already had its critics threatening to file suits against the government as the plan requires states to meet specific carbon emission reduction standards, based on their individual energy consumption. The plan also includes an incentive program for states to get a head start on meeting standards on early deployment of renewable energy and low-income energy efficiency as reported by CNN News.

The first Republican Presidential Debate hosted by Fox and Facebook aired Thursday and offered two hours of intriguing exchanges, Gov. Chris Christie and Senator Rand Paul engaging in one of the most heated with a back and forth over the fourth amendment and national security. In the Happy Hour forum that was held for the seven candidates not making the cut in the top ten, Carly Fiorina was the name to applaud for her preparedness and performance from many news pundits on both sides of the aisle.

On Wednesday a Texas Federal judge ruled that a Texas ID Law violated the Voters’ Rights Act of 1965. The Texas law in question requires voters to bring a government-issued photo ID to the polls. Accepted forms of identification include a driver’s license, a United States passport, a concealed-handgun license and an election identification certificate issued by the State Department of Public Safety. Whether or not they will appeal to the US Supreme Court or adjust the law has not been officially announced.

Politics

Joe Biden, according to Maureen Dowd’s weekly opinion column, is seriously considering a run at the White House. While she is keeping her sources close to her vest as any seasoned journalist would, Joe’s son Beau is quoted as ardently encouraging his father to bring Biden values back to the White House just prior to his passing from brain cancer this past June.

Science

Delaying fatherhood is good for one’s health. The Los Angeles Times reported that men who wait until age 25, and with even better odds if they wait until 30, are more likely to live a long healthy life. The Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health studied 30,000 fathers in Finland and found “that men who had their first child before age 22 were 26% more likely to die between the ages of 45 and 54 than men who waited until they were at least 25″. The sample of men where all born between 1940 and 1950, and they also identified 12,000 who had a brother who was also a father. Norming for marital status, education level, total number of children and region where they lived, the study brought to light the stress on men at a young age to care for their children financially as well as emotionally being ready to be a father. Cardiovascular disease was the primary cause of an early death.

Mediate to reduce the inner critic. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy performed a pilot study and while the number of participants were small (38 people), during 2011 and 2012, each individual had a high self-critical perfectionism score which identified them for the study. After seven weeks of 90 minute weekly sessions of a form of meditation designed to “cultivate feelings of warmth and kindness to all people, including oneself”, participants saw decreased scores in “self-critical perfectionism and inadequacy, while scores for self-compassion and self-reassurance increased”. The results lasted for three weeks if the meditation practice was not adhered to consistently. With self-criticism perfectionism having shown to be a source in a handful of psychological conditions such as eating disorders and depression, the researchers wanted to see how powerful the simple act of meditation could be. Turns out, it can have a positive effect.

Arts

After 35 years, a rare Stradivarius violin is reclaimed by its beloved owner’s family. If you listen to NPR and hone in on any Supreme Court story, you know doubt know the voice of Nina Totenberg. Well, her father, the talented violinist Roman Totenberg’s Stradivarius violin was stolen from his office at Longy School of Music in Cambridge, Massachusetts, more than 35 years ago and on June 30th of this year, Nina and her sisters received the news that it had been found. Stolen by whom her father had suspected, a young aspirational violinist Philip Johnson, who later died at the age of 58 while Totenberg lived to be 101, dying one year after Johnson, Johnson’s ex-wife found the violin four years after his death. The 1734 violin made by the most famous violin-maker of all time — Antonio Stradivari (only 550 violins are believed to have been made), was authenticated and on Thursday returned to the sisters in a formal ceremony the United States Attorney’s office in New York. The sisters have said they will be selling the violin so that it can be used to its full potential by the talent during our time. (The bow was not recovered, but the FBI is hopeful it too will be returned.)

Women’s Issues

Planned Parenthood funding is receiving a backlash recently, as controversial undercover videos are being released, and while it has been the topic of discussion on Capitol Hill, it has also caused a bit of back and forth with the Presidential candidates. Prompted by the funding of Planned Parenthood and the videos, on Tuesday Jeb Bush while speaking to Southern Baptist Convention event in Nashville, made a comment, regarding funding stating he was “not sure we need half a billion dollars for women’s health issues.” Both Hillary Clinton and Carly Fiorina criticized him, and by the end of the day Wednesday Bush quickly stated that he had “misspoke”.

Bendite Event of the Week

Have you finished Harper Lee’s Go Set A Watchman? If you have, and you would like to hear what others are thinking about the story as well as how it changes the reception of To Kill A Mockingbird, stop by the Smoke Room at McMenamin’s Old St. Francis School on Wednesday August 12th between 5-6pm at 700 NW Bond St in Bend. The discussion is free and open to the public. I’ll be getting there early.

French Word of the Week

“En terrasse”

Bonjour, this is Géraldine from Comme une Française.com. I’m here to share the latest French Word of the Week : a simple very French word for your Simply Luxurious Life in France.

La terrasse is THE place to be in summer. La terrasse is the outside part of “un bar” or “un restaurant”.

Une terrasse is a terrace. En terrasse means outside in front of a bar. Notice that we don’t say “sur la terrasse”, even if in English you say “on the terrace”.

From May to October, your favorite phrase will become “Apéro en terrasse ?”.

And if you’re booking  a table at a restaurant ask “Vous avez une table en terrasse ?”.

Une terrasse can also be a huge balcony in a house, like a patio.

But, in a city, we mainly use it to talk about the outside of a bar or restaurant.

In winter, for the ones who really like to eat outside, there are “des terrasses chauffées”” heated terraces.

Remember: “En terrasse”

If you want to add more French in your Simply Luxurious Life, join me on Comme une Française.com for weekly video tips to sound French, even to the French! And it’s free.

Thought to Ponder

~AU COURANT WEEKLY posts from the Archives:

~August 1, 2015

~July 25, 2015

~What is Au Courant Weekly? Find out here.

The post Au Courant Weekly: August 8, 2015 appeared first on The Simply Luxurious Life®.

This & That: No. 170

Book
~The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed by Jessica Lahey

A book that is wisely being released just as the new school year is about to begin. Receiving high acclaim, teacher and writer Jessica Lahey focuses on the need for children to fail and struggle so that their confidence can soar and their education can be as rich as possible. Certainly an intriguing focus.

Cooking
~Barefoot Contessa in LA

Ina Garten finally returns to Food Network with a new hour long episode taking viewers with her to Los Angeles. Stopping to cook with Wolfgang Puck, Jennifer Garner, The Wilson Sisters, Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka, set your DVRs for Saturday (August 8th) at 11 am (EST).

~Valerie’s Home Cooking

Valerie Bertinelli’s talents do not stop at acting. She now has her own cooking show on Food Network kicking off this Saturday. Valerie’s Home Cooking kicks off with her co-stars from Hot in Cleveland: Betty White, Jane Leeves and Wendie Malick where the food is just as delicious, it appears as the conversation. Tune in at Noon (EST) August 8th.

Film
Jimmy’s Hall

Based on a true story, set in 1930s Ireland, Jimmy Gralton’s Hall was built in 1921 to offer locals a place to dream, dance and learn. Eventually, it was forced to close by local politicians and the religious faction, but when Jimmy returns ten years later, he decides to reopen his beloved haunt and come what may. Does this remind anyone else of Footloose? It was released in the UK last year and more recently (early July 2015) in the states at certain small theaters. Look for it in your local listings or have patience, and look for it on Netflix soon.

~Ricki and the Flash

Meryl Streep truly is a chameleon, no? Starring along side her daughter (Mamie Gummer) and Kevin Kline (who plays the role of her character’s ex-husband), Ricki Rendazzo (Streep) returns to Indiana after a long absence having chased her dream of rock and roll stardom. With her daughter’s marriage on the rocks and her son embarrassed to have his mom at his upcoming wedding, Ricki has the opportunity to mend fences and perhaps provide finally give her children the chance to know who she really is. Released today in theaters, go and enjoy.

Shopping
~Clare V Sale (30%)

One of my favorite classic clutches was purchased at Clare V. It is an oversized leopard clutch and is of wonderful, lasting quality. The good news is that Clare V’s entire Spring Collection is reduced 30% off the already reduced prices. Simply use promo code SPRING30 to receive the additional discount at checkout.

~Petit Bateau stripe cotton dress

One of the shops I enjoyed stepping into during my last visit to Paris was Petit Bateau. I stocked up on stripe tees and sweatshirts. Top quality cotton, you will not be disappointed with the finish as they are classic cuts and superb craftsmanship. Reduced at The Outnet, this navy stripe cotton dress is now less than $110, and be sure to peruse the rest of the collection on the site as there is a maxi dress and other tops as well you might like. (Please note, that I usually buy one size larger than my typical US size as Petit Bateau runs small.)

 ~recipe for Greek Yogurt Cheesecake Tart with Shortbread Crust and Peaches~

A weekend to chill, relax and go absolutely nowhere is what I have in store and cannot wait to enjoy. With all of the chores done and responsibilities at a minimum, I must admit, I’m looking forward to reading, napping and doing whatever else tickles my fancy.

Perhaps tinkering in the kitchen with new recipes that have caught my eye, taking an extra long hike or well, I just don’t know and I love that. What will you be up to this weekend? Can you believe we’re beginning the second week of August? The weather is slowly receding from the excruciating high temps, and the days are simply lovely here in Bend. I hope they are as well where you are. Whatever your weekend plans, have a wonderful time, and below are a few articles and a video you might enjoy. Until tomorrow morning with the Au Courant Weekly, bon weekend!

~A few worthwhile reminders . .. . 6 Steps for Living Intentionally Each Day

~What we eat and the effects on my mind, a powerful TEDtalk here.

~The New York Times is talking money, Secure Your Future with Money You Didn’t Even Know You Had

~And in more money topics, 10 Money Mistakes Successful People Don’t Make

~Sheryl Sandberg has 7 Powerful Books She Wants All Women to Read

 

 

Image: (2)

The post This & That: No. 170 appeared first on The Simply Luxurious Life®.

Decor Inspiration: Function & Beauty

When it comes to decorating, similarly when it comes to designing our daily lives (regarding happiness, as was discussed on Monday’s post and our wardrobe) quality choices yield a much better result than many items on the cheap. In the June/July issue of San Francisco Cottages & Gardens, interior designer Heather Hilliard put her talents to use in this Hillsborough home in California for a family who had just relocated from New York.

What captures my attention immediately is that there isn’t any clutter, but rather statement pieces that are functional and beautiful. Even the small touches such as the Anjou Cocktail Table from Jonathan Browning Studios makes a tremendous difference as they are beautiful, yet serve a purpose as well. Photographed by John Merkl, enjoy the tour and learn more about each item captured here.

 

~DECOR INSPIRATION POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES:

~Chic, Sophisticated Grey

~French Normandy in the Hamptons

~Beachside Simplicity

Images vis San Francisco Gardens & Cottages

The post Decor Inspiration: Function & Beauty appeared first on The Simply Luxurious Life®.

Good Grammar Is . . . : I vs. Me

~Palais Garnier, the Opera House in Paris, above, the Grand Foyer~

~Good Grammar Is . . . POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES:

~Less vs. Fewer

~Lie vs. Lay

~Who vs. Whom

 

Images: (1) (2)

The post Good Grammar Is . . . : I vs. Me appeared first on The Simply Luxurious Life®.

Outfit of the Week: Black & Brown

[image error]
JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content.

 

~DVF Kora black tunic (other colors available)~

~Chloe leather knee boots or Cole Haan Carlyle leather boots in chestnut~

~Melissa embellished PVS sandals or Sergio Rossi suede sandals or Paul Andrew zebra-print sandals or N.D.C. Whitney leather sandals~

~Smythson Panama textured-leather shoulder bag~

~J.Crew Shaped Bangle Bracelet~

~Kenneth Jay Lane textured gold-tone earrings~

~Balmain modal and cashmere scarf~

The post Outfit of the Week: Black & Brown appeared first on The Simply Luxurious Life®.

Style Inspiration: White, Jumpsuits & Denim

Simple style means simple living so that the most important priorities can receive our full attention. I must say, I know that not everyone loves or can wear jumpsuits, but I am a fan. Partly, okay, primarily because they make the decision process minimal and are absolutely beyond comfortable. In today’s Style Inspiration, you will see a handful, and as you will notice, there are many different styles available. And of course, you cannot go wrong with denim, navy and white. Enjoy!

 

~STYLE INSPIRATION POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES:

~White, Blue & Denim

~Stripes & Denim

~Denim, Khaki & White

Images: (1) (2)  (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9)(10) (11) (12)

The post Style Inspiration: White, Jumpsuits & Denim appeared first on The Simply Luxurious Life®.

Why Not . . . Design a Happy Life?

“You will be the happiest you can be when you allocate your attention as best as you can.” -Dr. Paul Dolan, author or Happiness by Design
The Simple Sophisticate, episode #50

Much of the happiness we seek and either experience or don’t is solely of our own making. And while a significant life change can make it easier to establish the necessary changes we need to cultivate the happy life we desire such as a new house, a move or a new job, it is absolutely possible to design a happy life right where you are in the present moment.

If indeed you are currently in the middle of a big life change, prior to laying down roots, begin to make a list of what truly makes you happy after reading today’s post and beginning to create ways to establish a lifestyle designed to welcome as much happiness as possible.

However, if you are still going to have the same job and home tomorrow, take a look at the list of 30 ways to design a happy life as is the focus of Dr. Paul Dolan’s book Happiness by Design: Change What You Do, Not How You Think.  I am confident that we are all capable of instituting the change we need to cultivate the life we desire. Let’s get started.

1. Cultivate a life of equal parts productivity and pleasure.

2. Let go of what you think should make you happy and begin to recognize what actually does make you happy. (View TSLL mission statement here.)

3. Allocate your attention appropriately to what will truly make you happy. 

“What you attend to drives your behavior and it determines your happiness. Attention is the glue that holds your life together.” Be disciplined about your time and where you spend it. Be disciplined about your thoughts and what you allow yourself to think about. “Your attention is a scarce resource.”

4. Establish situational awareness in your daily routines

In other words establish checklists or routines that cover seemingly very simple information, but if forgotten or overlooked can have disastrous effects.

5. Seek achievement, but not at the cost of health and personal relationships.

In other words, be aware of what you are sacrificing as well as how you will benefit from achieving your goals. Will it be worth it in the long run?

6. Find a career in which you are happy with your boss, pay and daily tasks.

The key is that the career/job is a fit for you and your individual personality, rather than pleasing the external world.

7. Be aware of the truth. Knowing is better than being ignorant. Ignorance is not bliss. 

8. Have modest expectations.

Don’t set them too high, don’t set them too low. Be an optimist that has “a contingency plan”.

9. Seek self-improvement for the right reasons

Are you desiring to lose weight to impress someone or our you losing weight so you can feel more comfortable in your own body, improve your overall health and therefore reduce your stress and improve your happiness?

10. Tamp down the inner-critic

Recognize and realize your strengths and weaknesses. Understand you are fallible, imperfect and that will lead to a happier life. Take control of your thoughts; are they helping or hurting in the quest for happiness?

11. Trust your experiences more than you trust your desires.

Often we are terrible predictors of how something will make us feel in the future if we’ve never experienced it.

12. Trust your own experiences more than you trust your beliefs. 

Dolan explains the brain as having two systems (although it actually doesn’t), but this idea helps to understand that system 1 is the unconscious mind and system 2 is how we think based on the environment we live in and the experiences we’ve had in the past. If we rely only on our beliefs, we don’t factor in our humanness, the unconscious mind, the mind that will respond very similarly to everyone else in certain situations. Therefore, experiences are much more reliable to determine how we will feel in the future.

13. Find a role model

In Stumbling on Happiness, Dan Gilbert shared that “research teach us that the experiences of other people like [us] are a useful guide to the impact of an event on [us], and often a much more useful guide than [our] own predictions about the impact of that event.”

14. Forget the New Year’s Eve party

Forcing happiness to occur is less likely to make it materialize. So let go of the reins a bit and stop trying too hard to be happy.

15. Consider options briefly, rather than dwelling upon them

While Dolan isn’t recommending making rash decisions, he does suggest briefly contemplating a decision and then returning to it later with a decision.

16. Don’t set rigid deadlines for decisions

While it is recommended to make them rather quickly, trusting your gut and then reassessing after a duration of time, being forced to complete something in a certain amount of time can often force the wrong or far less preferred decision. Let the decision come naturally.

17. Select your social circle carefully

Spend time with people you like, are inspired by and who have your best interest at heart when you seek advice. Behavior science reveals that what we are told matters far less than who it is that is telling us. People worth listening to (good messengers as Dolan calls them) can be trusted, are experts of what they speak and are like you.

18. Set up routines that assist you in living a happier life

Living closer to nature, walking in the morning with your dogs, enjoying hot water with lemon as you read your morning paper, set up routines that are enjoyable and leave you happier (involving both pleasure and purpose).

19. Create defaults that always leave you without regret

Smaller plates, leave your cell phone in your office at night rather than by your bed, turn off your alerts on your phone or choose. Establish systems that happen easily (the power cord for the phone is in the office, the only plates you have are small, etc.).

20. Make commitments that when completed will leave you happy that you attended 

Whether it is saying you’ll meet a friend at the gym or scheduling a date for brunch, even if you’re feeling tired Sunday morning, it is easier to go than opt out. Start small, so you’re less likely to opt out.

21. Break commitments when it’s a sunk cost

Dolan defines a sunk cost is something that is gone and you cannot get it back. In other words, the class is already paid for and nonrefundable, but your realize you’ve already learned the information or it’s the wrong class all together, walking out in the middle of it is a commitment worth breaking.

Dolan uses the example of realizing that when out at night, when the first thought of leaving enters his mind, he should heed it rather than ignore it as his happiness decreases immediately after that point.

22. Surround yourself with people who you want to be – and can be – more like.

As much as I am inspired by Olympic athletes, I know I will never have the initiative or desire to train as hard as they do. It doesn’t mean they aren’t good people and wouldn’t be interesting to spend time with occasionally, but rather, in the long scheme of things, surrounding ourselves with people who have similar goals or have achieved goals we believe we can and want to achieve ourselves is better for our overall happiness.

23. Cultivate healthy, helpful habits

Establish ways of doing things that keep you going with the grain (less friction), and that produce the results you wish. Habits involve three parts: the cue, the routine and the reward. #18 talks about the necessity for establishing helpful routines, and when it comes to forming habits, this is the easiest to tweak.

24. Let go of multi-tasking

Productivity, one of the two key components to happiness drastically decreases when we choose to multi-task.

25. Limit technology distractions

A significant cause of unintended multi-tasking is the technology we have in our lives. Set limits of when you will and won’t answer your phone, check email, etc.

26. Think less about money

While we all need to think about money to some extent, putting our financial house in order, etc., there comes a point when we need to stop. Trust your system, and then let go. If you view every minute of the day as money, then you are not living in the moment. If you are worrying about the stock market and how your money is doing, you are not living in the present and your attention has been robbed for the negative effect of worry.

27. Invite new experiences that pique your interest

When we are engaged with new experiences, people, etc, these moments require our full attention which makes it more difficult for our minds to wander. While engaging in new experiences regularly can be very taxing emotionally on our minds, it is something to sprinkle throughout days regularly in doses that we can handle and increase our happiness.

28. Unearth the root of procrastination

Do you really want to perform the task? Is it part of achieving productivity or pleasure? Depending on the balance of each, determine if what you are putting off needs to be done, and if not, why you said yes. And if it needs to be done, recognize the negative effects procrastination has on your overall happiness and refrain from doing it.

29. Do something for others

Maybe it’s not volunteering at the soup kitchen which tends to always be the fall-back idea, but perhaps it is volunteering with a group of people to clean up the river/beach/highway annually or speaking up for others who don’t have a voice.

30. Begin the design process gradually

The world we live in, the work, home and community we reside it plays a large part in our ability to find and maintain a happy life. The key is to be aware and that is where the designing part enters the picture. Paying attention, living consciously, and not wandering blinding through each day is how we design the life that will make us feel happier. Each of us will need different details to make us feel happy, so we must get to know ourselves. Experience, reflecting on these experiences, will guide us to the understanding of who we are. And the equation that has been so perplexing to so many is really quite simple, bring together equal parts pleasure and productivity and you will find the happiness that you seek.

Dr. Paul Dolan’s book Happiness by Design: Change What You Do, Not How You Think is a rich resource. And while much of this may sound simple, I will admit to have overlooked much of it at different points in my life. Whether this post was a wonderful aha moment or a helpful refresher on how to cultivate a happier life, I hope from this day forward to experience just that a happy life by design. Have a wonderful week.

~SIMILAR POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

~9 Ways Money Can Buy You Happiness

~The Key to Happiness

~A Thinking Life = A Happy Life

Petit Plaisir
~ The French Beauty Solution: Time-Tested Secrets to Look and Feel Beautiful Inside and Out  by Mathilde Thomas

 

~click here for more information on the nude Vince tote~

Image: (1)

The post Why Not . . . Design a Happy Life? appeared first on The Simply Luxurious Life®.

Au Courant Weekly: August 1, 2015

The Simple Sophisticate, Episode #49

 

International

~Turkey and the United States have solidified a deal to establish an ISIS-Free zone in northern Syria along the Turkish border as reported by The Washington Post and The New York Times. The news broke late last week when the news of Turkey allowing the United States to use its airbase in Incirlik.

~The 2022 Winter Olympics officially have a location. On Monday Boston, which had been believed to be the International Olympic Committee’s top choice, removed its name from the potential host city list.  This decision came in no small part due to the campaigning of the organization No Boston Olympics. Therefore, on Friday, the IOC selected, in a close vote of 44 -40 Beijing, China, over Almaty, Kazakshtan.

National: United States

Secretary of State John Kerry was back on Capitol Hill beginning on Tuesday to testify in front of the House (last week it was the Senate) Foreign Affairs Committee regarding the Iran deal. The U.S. Congress has until mid-September to vote on whether to accept the deal forged by Kerry and other officials with Iran regarding their use of nuclear energy. However, congress must not only have a majority, but a two-thirds majority to defeat a Presidential veto should those who disapprove of the deal wish to kill it (this was a process drafted, voted on and passed by Congress and signed by President Obama).

In Ohio on Wednesday, a former University of Cincinnati police officer, Ray Tensing was indicted on charges of murder and involuntary manslaughter for the death of Samuel DeBose on July 19. The charges were announced after the body-cam video of the officer contradicted his own statements of what happened during the incident in which DeBose was pulled over for a missing front license plate.

Politics

The first Republican debate of the 2016 Presidential election is slated for Thursday August 6th in Cleveland, Ohio, hosted by Fox. What has been the contentious issue since the debate was announced is that only 10 candidates will be invited, and the criterion for determining the top 10 is based on the average of all national polls. Good news for the six that will be left out of the 9pm primetime debate, there will be a 5pm forum for the remaining to have a platform as well. As for who will be on the primetime stage, that has not yet been confirmed.

Science

More trees on your street could lead to a younger you! According to a story shared in The Los Angeles Times earlier this week, a study reported in the Scientific Reports found that adding 10 trees to your street can have the same effect as earning $10,00o more or being seven years younger. Conducted in Toronto, Canada, with 30,000 participants and controlling for variables such as wealth and neighborhood, the findings remained the same.

Good news American eaters and drinkers! A recent study revealed that adults and children have reduced their caloric intake since peaking in 2003. While the study found that Americans have been increasing their calories and portion sizes since the 1970s, it seems that the many studies and findings on obesity and health have made an impact.

Arts

Next Thursday, August 6th will be Jon Stewart’s last episode of The Daily Show. After hosting the satirical news program for 16 years, he announced earlier this year that he was stepping down. With the final guests just announced yesterday, the show will be 50 minutes on Comedy Central to allow for “a few extra surprises”. South African Trevor Noah will replace Stewart at the desk of The Daily Show on September 28th.

The End of the Tour, an unauthorized bio-pic of author David Foster Wallace who committed suicide in 2008, is the focus of the film and uses his suicide as the opening scene to set the film. Revered for his writing prowess, Wallace wrote the novel Infinite Jest published in 1996 was cited by Time magazine as among the list of the top 100 novels written from 1923 to 2005. His unfinished novel Pale King which eventually was published in 2011 posthumously was a finalist for the 2012 Pulitzer Prize in Fiction. The film stars Jason Segel (as Wallace) and Jesse Eisenberg as the novelist David Lipsky who when he met Wallace was a writer for The Rolling Stone, interviewing him for a story that would never be published. Based on Lipsky’s 2010 book Although of Course You End of Becoming Yourself: A Road Trip with David Foster Wallace, both Segel and Eisenberg are receiving recognition for their roles. While it probably won’t bring the numbers in like Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation will this weekend, if you’re a fan of Wallace’s (I love this commencement speech) or a writer, you may enjoy it.

Women’s Issues

Rigorous exercise is the best defense against dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, as reported by the same gathering that met in Washington D.C. that we discussed in last week’s episode. How much exercise you may be wondering? Results were seen in participants that exercised three to four times a week between 45 minutes to one hour with the aim of working at between 70% and 80% of aerobic capacity. So make sure to guard your scheduled exercise routine; it is an absolute priority.

Bendite Event of the Week

Debuting in Bend at the TinPan theater (beginning yesterday) is the indie film that has been getting much buzz: Infinitely Polar Bear. Written and directed by Maya Forbes (China Forbes of Pink Martini acclaim’s sister), in which the film is partly based on her childhood and recollection of her father who is diagnosed with maniac depressive disorder (bi-polar). The film takes place in the 1970s in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and stars Mark Ruffalo and Zoe Saldano, both of which are wildly applauded for their performances. (6:30 on Saturday and 5:30 on Sunday)

French Word of the Week

Les ballerines

Bonjour, this is Géraldine from Comme une Française.com. I’m here to share the latest French Word of the Week : a simple very French word for your Simply Luxurious Life in France.

Les ballerines will save your feet in Paris. While you may think about bringing your favorite escarpins (stilettos), we say “escarpins”, to look glamourous in the city of light, you will regret it. Les escarpins are perfect for a night out. But les ballerines will be your best friends during the day.

Une ballerine, litterally a ballerina, is a flat shoe, that is very feminine and functional, and it will take you everywhere. The hallmark brand for ballerines is Repetto, the famous French brand, with dozens of colors and shapes.

They will pair perfectly your good old pair of jeans or your favorite dress. They weigh nothing and take no space in your suitcase. And they’ll add a classic French touch to your outfit, à la Brigitte Bardot.

Trust me, les ballerines will be your feet’s new best friends.

If you want to add more French in your Simply Luxurious Life, join me on Comme une Française.com for weekly video tips to sound French, even to the French! And it’s free.

Thought to Ponder

~Questions about the podcast, the music or to view of list of all of the previous episodes, click here. 

~CATCH UP ON AU COURANT WEEKLYS FROM THE ARCHIVES:

~Au Courant Weekly: July 25, 2015

 

Image: (2)

The post Au Courant Weekly: August 1, 2015 appeared first on The Simply Luxurious Life®.

This & That: No. 169

Book
~Re Jane by Patricia Park

If you are a fan of Jane Eyre, you may be interested in Patricia Park’s contemporary spin on the beloved tale. Released this past May, the heroine is Jane Re, a half-American, half-Korean who lives in Flushing, Queens; however, continuously desiring to escape. And when she does, she welcomes a quandary that only she can solve.

~Stop Acting Rich: . . . And Start Living Like a Real Millionaire by Thomas Stanley

A recommendation by a long-time TSLL reader (thank you Rose!), upon reading the title alone, I knew I’d be interested. There are many misperception of what “rich” looks like, and Thomas Stanley aims to dispel these myths so we can all be financially secure due to financial savvy rather than simply appear that way.

Business
~Dmail

If you use Google Chrome and have gmail account, you can now download Dmail. What is Dmail? Something we’ve all wished we had at some point when it comes to deleting emails we’ve either sent by mistake and wish to retract or a tool for deleting emails with sensitive information (“this email will self-destruct in 10 minutes”, etc).

Francophile Find
~GOOP’s The Classic Paris Guide

From where to stay, eat, shop and places to see Gwyneth Paltrow’s website has an entire section devoted to Paris. Certainly a place to bookmark should you be planning your itinerary. Soon this same guide will be available on their free app – goop City, but for now cities available on the app are London, New York City and Los Angeles. Download here.

Shopping
~Merdinger House of Design

Doron Merdinger, the designer behind the European house of design has teamed up with TSLL to offer readers an exclusive deal. With dinnerware, tableware, stemware and jewelry available of stunning quality and precision of traditional precise skill paired with contemporary design, use promo code This&That to receive 15% your order.

Beautiful tableware is something that always catches my eye when I attend a dinner party, and since less is more when it comes to accessorizing the tablescape, attention to the details is a must. While I prefer classic white plates and dishes, stunning cutlery makes a powerful statement, and having a set that speaks to our signature style is an investment without question. I have my eye on the tea infuser (as it is absolutely unique and lovely) and the Ropes & Sails flatware collection. Oh, and the Jacobs Ladder teapot is quite impressive as well.

~ Nordstrom Sale Wraps Up

The final day of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale will be Sunday August 2nd, so be sure to stop by and take advantage of any sales on items you already know you need. I recently took advantage of it by buying this Rebecca Minkoff tote as did a few other readers as well. Below I have pulled together a few items that are reduced. And notice, that TSLL shopping experience has improved. You can now hover over the item in the picture to learn the price and brand. If you are further interested, simply click on the link to be take to the shopping page. Happy shopping!

[image error]
JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content.

 ~recipe for Earl Grey & Roasted Blackberry Petit Fours~

A wise woman reminded me this past week that anything worth attaining will take time, and as someone who lives by this philosophy, I wholeheartedly agree. Occasionally, I have to remind myself that so long as I’m taking two steps forward when sometimes I have to take one step back from time to time either due to mistakes or setbacks, I indeed am making progress.

It can become easier than we realize to become unaware of how acclimated we have become to a certain way of living until we are jolted back to reality. The good news to keep in mind is that we cultivated the environment that become so beloved and ingrained previously, so we will no doubt be able to do that again in the new environment.

Currently, I am in the process of finding a new yoga studio, thus touring the many in the Bend area and taking recommendations from the locales. While I’m not an avid yogi, I do enjoy going regularly once a week, seeing familiar faces and being part of a place in which I feel at home. Eventually, I will find this, I have no doubt.

Without question, my sense of gratitude has been riding on high lately amongst all the change I have chosen to incur. So when I read this article “The Structure of Gratitude”, I knew immediately I wanted to share. What we come to expect based on the lives we create for ourselves can often get in the way of the gratitude we express. A worthwhile approach is discussed, and I highly recommend reading.

The upcoming weekend will be warm and lovely as August begins, and as such, I may just slip into a local theater to watch a film I have been eager to watch whilst indulging in the complementary air conditioning. Oh, and then perhaps, to a nursery to add a bit of natural color to the new house. Who knows what else, but so far, I cannot wait to indulge.

Wishing you a lovely weekend, and for the many listeners who tuned in to the premiere episode of Au Courant Weekly last Saturday, thank you tremendously! It was an overwhelming success and I look forward to launching the second episode tomorrow morning (Saturday August 1st). Click here and here to see what listeners are saying. Until tomorrow, bonne journée!

~You remember author Susan Cain? Well, introverts will most likely immediately recognize her name. It was recently reported that she has spearheaded a Quiet Institute as reported by The New York Times. An example article you’ll find, How (and Why) I Meditate

~There has been a lot of discussing on TSLL blog about being an introvert, but what you only have tendencies of an introvert? Read this: Not an Introvert, Not an Extrovert. Maybe You’re an Ambivert from The Wall Street Journal

~Perhaps the cliche is wrong and it’s really Not Lonely At the Top as reported by The New York Times

~Seeking change? Read 7 Reliable Steps to Change Your Life at Any Age

~Top Parisian designer clothing and books all in one location? A dream come true!

~If you haven’t taken a vacation yet this summer (or winter), check out this article to see if you need to get away and in a hurry: 10 Signs You Need a Vacation

~Nothing cheeky or superficial about this list. Quite refreshing, actually . . . 5 Things That Attract the Really Good Guys (or a guy worth dating)

 

Image: (3)

The post This & That: No. 169 appeared first on The Simply Luxurious Life®.