Podcasts about your everyday

Rev Karla's new podcast titled: "A Practical Spirituality: Finding Holy in Your Everyday," helps those seeking a deeper connection to their spirituality beyond the confines of traditional religious institutions. Rev Karla begins by sharing her personal experiences and insights on leaving the church and beginning a path of practical spirituality.   She reflects on the challenges and joys of transitioning from a life deeply intertwined with the church to rediscovering the sacred in everyday moments. She shares how she found profound moments of connection, peace, and meaning in the seemingly ordinary, from sipping a latte on a park bench to exploring the mysteries of the divine.   Practical spirituality can enrich your life, nurture inner growth, and empower you to make a positive impact on the world. Embrace your unique spiritual journey, question, explore, and find the holy in your everyday experiences.   You can read the blog version of this episode, listen on all streaming platforms, or watch the uncut version on our YouTube channel Spirituality Matters with Rev Karla. Please don't forget to like and subscribe!   For a list of full resources for this episode visit us online:  Rev Karla's Podcast → https://revkarla.com/podcast/   For more information and support along your spiritual journey visit our links below ↓  IG → https://www.instagram.com/revkarla/ TT → https://www.tiktok.com/@revkarla FB → https://www.facebook.com/reverendkarla/ Buy Rev Karla a Tea → https://www.buymeacoffee.com/revkarla   Shop Rev Karla's Online Store: shop.revkarla.com   *Podcast Channels*  Apple → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spirituality-matters-with-rev-karla/id1532612816 Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/6YCTW5kdJW0BIaKwTAp5jO Google → https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL3NwaXJpdHVhbGl0eW1hdHRlcnMvZmVlZC54bWw   To submit questions for Rev Karla's Podcast email us → spiritualitymatters@revkarla.com    #podcast #spiritualitymatters #exvangelcial #exchristian #spiritualnotreligious #spiritual #spirituality #revkarla #leavingchurch #theology #religioustrauma #leavingchristianity #deconstructingfaith #religiouspatriarchy

Health groups say Provinces must seek anti-smoking measures in Big Tobacco settlement. We are joined by Senior Policy Analyst at Canadian Cancer Society, Rob Cunningham Jim Richards has some issues with his credit card. Three guys talking about Therapy on MenTELL Health. Joining Jim today, Dale Curd - is a certified executive coach with two decades of experience working with men and women and the former host of CBC's Hello Goodbye. Co-Author of Living Lightly: Bring Happiness and Calm to Your Everyday, published by Harper Collins, is in stores now! Jon Carson - is a former police officer who pioneered Mindfulness Based Resiliency programs in North America's emergency service culture, which have helped workers navigate mental health stressors.

“In a simple and a peaceful cottage with a beautiful view, you will not be dreaming about the palaces or the heaven, because you already have a perfect thing!” ― Mehmet Murat ildan To feel welcomed, to feel deeply at home in a sanctuary, to feel 'cozyed in', almost as though to be hugged without confinement and instead inspire infinite curiosity to explore and play. To me, all of these 'feels' are what comes to mind when I think of the classic English cottage, both inside and out. Over the next many months and years, I look forward to exploring and sharing elements of the English Cottage aesthetic, the interiors, exteriors and the garden of a cottage because as many of you know, my home, Le Papillon, is what I consider to be a cottage. Perhaps it began with watching Nancy Meyers' film The Holiday and the cottage I later learned she had built especially for the movie, Rose Hill cottage, or maybe it was the interiors of the many homes profiled in The English Home magazine that I have subscribed to for over 10 years and continue to eagerly await the arrival of each new issue. Whatever precisely drew me to the English Cottage aesthetic I cannot pinpoint, but I always take notice of how I feel in a space, whether I am traveling and staying at vacation rentals, bed & breakfasts, hotels, or even at friends and family's homes. What makes me feel most at ease? What details attend to my needs to bring me comfort? Where can I truly relax and feel at home even if I am not at home? And mentally I took note, and finally, with my house here in Bend, Oregon, Le Papillon, I have been able to customize, paying attention to all of the details - grand and small that, to me, whilst adhering to the fundamental components of English cottage, create a sanctuary I feel at home, deeply at home when I am here. There are oodles of interior décor components that contribute to creating the English cottage aesthetic, so I wanted to begin with where I began and what is in my own home, Le Papillon. Below I will be sharing pictures and images that offer the vignette, a close-up look at the details discussed here in today's episode/post, and for each image, you will have the option of clicking through to tour the entire space and how I pulled it together (explore becoming a TOP Tier Member to gain exclusive access to all tours of my home, Le Papillon). As shared in the title of today's episode/post, this is part un, and I look forward to sharing many more elements that are in my home in future postings/episodes. First to begin with the history of the English Cottage and Cottage Garden. As Christopher Lloyd and Richard Bird share in their book about Cottage Gardens, "It has come down to us through the ages [to be] a bountiful yet regulated informality." While they are specifically speaking about the cottage gardening approach, the same can be said for the interiors as well. Everything that is chosen is thoughtful, intentional, but it may not appear to be so to the untrained eye. They go on to say, "[The Cottage and Cottage Garden] has evolved through common sense, combines need with enjoyment and is entirely unpretentious." With that definition in mind, let's take a look at the first 15 Key Elements I included in my English Cottage-inspired home, Le Papillon. ~Please note, while I give quite a bit of detail in the written post below, I also share even more in the audio version, so please do feel free to tune in wherever you listen to podcasts. 1.Ignore all trends of the moment at any moment "Ultimately, good taste is a considered point of view, and the courage of conviction even in the face of dissent." —Fiona McKenzie Johnston Before we dive in to today's topic, it is important to differentiate between classic English cottage and Cottagecore, the latter becoming a booming décor trend during the depths of the pandemic, but they are not the same, and the latter is a trend. Similar to the more recent trend that began on social media, the Coastal Grandmother style (both décor and fashion), a trend; however, if something offered by either one of these trends speaks to you, hold on to that. Explore that element and that becomes part of your good taste suggested above in the quote. The problem with adhering to a trend is that by definition, it will go out of style, and a new trend will replace it. The primary (perhaps more unconscious) reason both of these trends rose to popularity when they did has a lot to do with the times we found ourselves: we were seeking comfort, we were seeking something that brought us calm and certainty during some of the most uncertain and unprecedented times we have ever seen across many different generations. This is not a bad thing. Again, if an aspect of a trend speaks to you, there is a reason, and that is how we hone our understanding of what will work for a long duration of time in our homes as we decorate for the life we love living. Secondly, regarding the problem with trends is that you are not decorating in an approach that honors you, but rather following what others approve of, and in such an approach to life in any arena - decor, fashion, life choices - this is never an approach that will lead to true, lasting contentment. So we let go of trends and dare to trust that what we know makes us feel good, feel at home, even if magazines or social media says 'huh?', and what we also do, and this is key, is understand how good design works. The reason I mentioned the need to not just acknowledge what speaks to us about a trend, but also explore it, is because we must understand the décor principle that makes such a decor detail work in that particular way. We'll talk about this more in #2, but I have always been drawn to the expertise mixing and matching of prints the English seem to know how to do intuitively, except I know it is learned, and so I took online décor classes and discovered exactly what works and why, along with many other insider tips and tricks, before I invested in items I wanted to have in my home for a lifetime. 2. Wallpaper, prints, large and/or small The power of wallpaper with prints is that it is an illusion to the eye and actually makes the space feel larger than it is. Unlike with solids either regarding wallpaper or your typical paint job, a solid wall of any color stops the eye. We will talk about this more with upholstery as well, prints while beautiful and artistic, also serve the powerful and necessary purpose in what typically are small in square footage/yards that cottages are. Long-time readers of the blog know I have wallpapered multiple rooms in Le Papillon (six rooms as of this posting), and I have done so all by myself. I didn't begin by doing this task on my own however, but am grateful I had a good teacher. So yes, you can wallpaper on your own, just make sure, as I share in this detailed post, you purchase quality wallpaper, and you are half-way to creating an amazing space. With that said, sometimes the wallpaper will be the guiding detail that determines all other decisions in the room, such as my guest bathroom below. It was my dogged determination to find a space in my house to bring the classic Willow Bough print by William Morris, one of his first creations in 1870, and so when I decided on my guest bathroom, all of the other details had to complement the room that was bathed in willow boughs. However, the wallpaper can also simply complement, and that is what I have done in my foyer by using grasscloth as it provides a warmth due to its texture, but is not the star of the show. As well, small versus large prints, the large prints as you might imagine lead the way, but the small prints complement what the other stars in the room are. Choose the same color tone as those star pieces, but they need not be the same color, although they can and likely should play off of at least one color in the wallpaper. For example, my next project when it comes to curtains is to add roman shades to my kitchen, but as my house has an open floor plan, I need to pay attention to the colors in the Boot & Basket room as well as the dining room which are situated on either side of my kitchen, so my friend, Veronique, an interior designer, saw the green in the wallpaper, noting the color tone that I need to adhere to in order to work with the Provençal blue in my dining room curtains, and told me to find a print with some in green. That gives me direction of what to work for as the curtains will not be the star of the show, but must complement the details around it. ~Here is a detailed post of 12 British Wallpaper Companies to Know The Arts & Crafts Guest Bathroom Reveal How to Wallpaper All By Yourself (Yes, You Can!) 3. Mixing antiques, vintage, consignment finds with new, but thoughtfully considered new pieces This detail of cottage decorating is one of my favorites, and perhaps yours as well, the treasure hunting! Of course, and yes, we need to underscore, that clutter is never a comfort, so always letting yourself purchase what is drawing your eye just because is not a great idea unless it serves a purpose and has a home in your cottage along with being something that caught your eye. Cottages are small, and just like the cottage garden, each item does two things - provides beauty and functionality. Part of the reason it takes time to decorate a cottage is because just because something is beautiful doesn't mean it is functional and just because something is functional doesn't guarantee that it is attractive to your eye, i.e. all of the technology and gadgets available for modern living. Think of it as a treasure hunt and then this searching becomes more pleasurable because when you finally do come across say a newspaper rack/holder that is desperately needed to keep the papers from being strewn across the floor on Sunday morning while you cozy into your reading nook, you will also be welcoming in something that is pleasing to the eye but exercising a function that you need for a tidy home. Overarchingly, this is why it is necessary to mix old and new items. Yes, you will likely have more old in the form of vintage, antique or consignment, but there are just some things that have to be new, certain chairs or furniture to fit the size or height of people in your home. For me, I needed a long sofa and a deep one, so I customized one as it is the star of the room, and the investment was worth it for years, decades even, of cottage style I love but also comfort I needed. (You can see my sofa in many of A Cuppa Moments video chats.) 4. Remove the over-head lighting This rule is not exclusive to cottages, but rather how to create a welcoming home. Nobody looks their best under lighting from above (unless you are young and perfect and blissfully ignorant to the benefits of youth). Overhead lighting also creates a harsh effect that is not warm nor soft on the eye. Yes, there will be places in the home or in your working areas depending upon what work you will be doing where overhead lighting is necessary, but even then, customize it so that you can dim it to your preferred brightness. The only two places I have overhead lighting that go full-tilt bright are in the kitchen and the garage. And in my kitchen, my overhead lighting is on a dimmer. In fact, all of the new light fixtures I have put into my home during my 2-year renovation/customization are on dimmers (advice from British interior designer, Rita Konig - always put lights with dimmers when installing the electric outlets). Even if your home has overhead/ceiling/can lighting, do what I do, and don't use it and better yet, take the lightbulbs out so that they are never used by mistake. This sounds extreme, but you want to feel comfortable in your house, so add the lamps (we will talk about this in a later point below) that create the lighting you want that is in your control; this possible with table lamps, floor lamps, picture lights and semi-flush, pendant or chandelier lighting. 5. Relinquish the idea of perfection and avoid matchy-matchy The beautiful puzzle of the English cottage is that when it comes together delights me to no end, and it is the ability to match seemingly different prints and colors in a manner that fits together perfectly, as though they were meant to go together. How do they do that?! First, let's talk about avoiding the matchy-matchy. It is completely understand why people (and I count myself among them) do this, it's safe and it doesn't 'break' any rules or is not harsh to the eye. However, if you are decorating your cottage, you have broken the rule because a cottage is meant to look almost accidentally put together when really it was quite intentional, but there is a playful element, a daring element that reveals a bit about the inhabitants, what you love, what makes you smile, where you've been, your favorite color, etc. Avoiding the matchy-matchy doesn't mean you can't do it everywhere, but when it is what you rely on in every room, it doesn't reveal you. For example, I have two pairs of matching lamps, one in my living room and one in my primary bedroom. For me, they create balance, a solid, subtle foundation because they are placed (especially the living room lamps) in a space that has a lot of different prints, details and non-matching furniture. So essential, use matchy-matchy not to play it safe, but when it actually provides a value for the décor aesthetic you are trying to create in the cottage. Which brings me to letting go of perfection. A cottage never looks partnered off or symmetrical, but yet it feels balanced. How do you do this? It is easier to learn this skill by looking at whole room pics, so I highly recommend picking up copies of The English Home magazine, but you might have two armchairs (as I do in my reading nook), but they don't match and have entirely different prints. To the casual eye, this appears imperfect and off balanced, but its in balance because they have the same color tone, and that tone is married in the curtains that stand between them. I still have two chairs, but they don't visually look the same, but have the same 'weight' to the eye. The perfection is what you want to let go, but what you create that establishes the balance will be perfect to you. “Be faithful to your own taste because nothing you really like is ever out of style.”—American interior design Billy Baldwin (1903-1984) 6. Ottomans A cottage beckons you to sit down and relax. How do we create an aesthetic that speaks this language? Well, ottomans play a powerful role in the symphony of details in a cottage. I once had two friends come to dinner, a couple, and when they walked through the foyer and into the open-plan, after I asked them to pick any seat they'd like to sit in, they said, "I cannot choose, they all look so comfortable. Each one is asking me to sit down and relax." That is what I hoped I could create. That was the goal even if the English cottage style isn't their preference, there is a feeling I want to create for everyone who walks in, and that is the feeling when it comes to choosing my furniture. Ottomans by nature ask you to put your feet up on them, to essential stop doing, and just be. There are so many different styles and sizes, so have fun finding the right ones (yes, plural) for your home. As I look around me, I can count four ottomans or hassocks (smaller and lower to the ground) that are in my house. They all perform a function, but their fabric or finish also work in the space aesthetically. One matches the chair it is paired with but it also is the hassock so my pups use it as a stepping stool to climb up into the chair. I will admit an error on my part because I have another armchair and purchased its matching ottoman. I love having the ottoman, but moving forward I might someday have it reupholstered to not be so matchy because there is too much of that one fabric in that corner. This is how we learn, and if we purchase quality pieces of furniture then down the road when we want to change it up, all we have to do is reupholster, not purchase an entirely new piece. Saves money and is a sustainable approach to decorating. 7. Reupholster furniture you love Speaking of reupholstering. ☺️ One of the best arguments for purchasing high quality furniture is because of what we just talked about in the conclusion for #6. Likely your tastes will evolve a bit or a lot, but when you have a favorite well-made piece of furniture, you can have it for life. The upholstery may change, but having an ideal cozy chair or sofa or dining room chair is near priceless for an item that you will have to pay well for. I have reupholstered a chair I inherited from my late Great Aunt and Uncle's home, a chair made in the 50s, had the cushions redone as well as the fabric to one that worked in my office, and each time I look at it, yes, I love the look, but it also holds many wonderful memories that make me smile. I have also purchased consignment furniture that I love structurally but not the fabric (often this will save you money because sometimes the fabric is what is keeping it from being purchased), and had it reupholstered (my office chair for example that you can see in September '22's A Cuppa Moments). 8. Have fun selecting or customizing your pillows, put them nearly everywhere I once heard a man, he happened to be American, but I think that is important to note, say he would never want pillows anywhere in his house (he had recently finished entirely remodeling his house). Indirectly, he was insinuating that they were feminine and he didn't want to appear 'weak'. Long story, but needless to say, I wanted to say (but bit my tongue), you are missing the purpose of pillows dude. Admittedly, when pillows are used just to 'look good', then yes, by all means get rid of them. I agree on that, but there is a purpose to having pillows if they are well made and in the right shape for the piece of furniture they are placed in. For example, on my George Sherlock sofa, which is incredibly deep, you cannot sit upright without having a large 22" square pillow behind you, and it must be a somewhat firm pillow. So over the past summer, after more than a year of figuring out which fabric would work best in the space of my living room, I had six 22" square pillows made with five different fabrics. They serve a purpose - the ability to sit comfortably, can be rearranged if you want to lay down, and they also are covered in fabrics that work with the sofa and the space. ~Tour my primary bedroom and learn about the three different sizes of pillows I chose and why I chose them. 9. Curtains, tall, complementary curtains for rooms of cozy-ing-in There are a variety of different curtains to explore adding to your cottage, and I look forward to touching on many of them in future postings, but today I would like to share with you where to add tall drapery in your cottage: anywhere you want to relax and unwind. Tall curtains, some ceiling to floor, but at least as tall as you and likely taller, and then draping to the ground, soften the space, enable you to change the amount of light that streams through, and finish a room. What rooms am I talking about? Bedrooms, reading nooks, some bathrooms - near a soaking tub perhaps, dining rooms. Keep in my all that was shared about fabrics and mixing and matching prints above, as the same rules apply to finding what is the best fabric for your curtains. ~Tour the curtains in my dining room (right) and reading nook (below). ~Learn more about the wool, semi-sheer curtains in my primary bedroom. ~Discover why I chose the linen curtains that hang in my primary bathroom. 10. Table lamps, invest and have fun As shared in #4 above, once you have removed or no longer use the overhead lighting, you need light coming from somewhere if you don't have enough natural light, and this is where table lamps and floor lamps come in. Of course pendant and chandelier and semi-flush work well also, primarily in the kitchen, entry/foyer, mudroom, hallways, offices, but additionally to all of these rooms and especially to living rooms and bedrooms, add light that is at slightly above eye level when you are sitting, then add a shade that works in the space aesthetically. Don't feel you have to use the shade that the lamp comes with if that is the case. One rule of thumb Rita Konig teaches is wherever someone can sit down, make sure they have a place for their drink and light to read. Again, add dimmers if that is an option with your lamps, but this design detail has been a conscious choice upon moving into Le Papillon, and I have now added 3-4 lamps to the previous other lamps I have had for many years, some I have since changed the lamp shade to work in their new space. 11. A fireplace, wood or gas, adorned with thoughtful classic, signature attention If you are fortunate to have a fireplace in your cottage, whether it is a traditional wood-burning or a gas fireplace, even if you don't use it very often or at all, decorate around it thoughtfully keeping all of the ideas shared above and below in mind. I recently redid my mantle around my gas fireplace because it was modern in its aesthetic. I changed out the title, using a classic cottage choice - Delft tile - added a wooded frame and even added two scones because again, following Konig's advice, wherever you are going to sit, have a place for a drink and lighting to read a book, as I have two chairs that sit next to the fireplace, I needed a place for a lamp and there is not enough for a table, so I placed the light in the form of scones by each chair. On top of the mantle, be thoughtful, trying not to clutter, but don't let it be too sparsely adorned either. Have fun, and change it up when you are inspired to do so which leads me to #12 . . . 12. Strike a balance of intentional bountiful decor, yet not excess Sometimes cottages without an understanding of how to create cozy without clutter can become overwhelming in too much upholstery or too many 'cute' details. That to me is claustrophobic. Be bountiful by the way of, avoid being minimalistic, and so long as each item fits the two requirements - beautiful and functional - you won't have an excess. 13. Invest in a quality goose or feather down sofa I mentioned above that I have a George Sherlock sofa. This was a big investment item, but after having lived with a consignment sofa that was not well made for many years and before that a sofa, the best I could afford at the time, for 15 years, I wanted to purchase a lifetime sofa that was both comfort and aesthetically appealing in the cottage aesthetic that I love, so I invested and customized with fabric that works in my space. What does that mean? Plush fillings of down and feather to the firmness of my preference and a structure that will last my lifetime. I may reupholstered at some point waaaay down the road, but I will always keep this frame. It is sturdy and provides the comfort (i.e. space and length) that I need for someone who is tall and hosts dinner parties where many people need to find a seat in a small space that is my house. 14. Upholstered chairs of all types The upholstered detail is a must, but not everything needs to be upholstered. This is where that balance must be struck. You will want some wood and hard structures - whether in the entire make up of the piece of furniture or in the feet or arms or the chair, table or sofa. Balancing soft and hard surfaces, appropriate to each space calms the eye and also communicates what the use of that space is. 15. Design a cottage that considers what makes your dogs and/or cats feel at home A cottage without a pup or a kitty is like living life without smiling. Our pets are just part of what makes our cottages feel like our sanctuary. Of course there will be times in our lives when we do not have pets because we know how much they take of our heart and it takes time to grieve and know when or if we will welcome a furry four-legged companion into our lives, but either way, knowing we have a home that our pets will feel as though they are welcomed as well is part of the key essentials to decorating and customizing a cottage. The first 'customization', as I shared in my new book The Road to Le Papillon was for my pups: a dog door installed into an existing solid door. Over the first year of my living in Le Papillon I also added a screen door to my garden porch and small fenced yard that also had a dog door, and there are so many other ideas to consider when making the human home be a pup or cat's home as well. From having cozy beds for each pet placed in a spot in the home that is with people while we go about our daily routine, creating their dining area to be inviting, attractive to the eye and in a safe but still part of the house spot where they can eat in peace, visit the water bowl at their leisure and not feel rushed, and something that is vitally important to their mental health, just as it is for humans, is to have ample natural light streaming into the cottage as much as possible. A priority when I purchased my now home was knowing that my pups had direct access to the fenced lawn, although they are never kept outside, and can always come in through the dog door. As well, having a garden for them to toodle about in with me is as much for my mental health as it is or them as we spend many hours between February into early November (if the weather permits), sitting outside, sometimes on the porches, but also on the grass in the shade or out in the sunshine, cutting flowers for bouquets, picking berries together (the strawberry pots are our favorites), and just genuinely feel as though we have our own 'entertainment center' of sorts because we have our own garden, no matter how small it is. As I keep it organic, I know they can poke around safely, and always know which plants are poisonous should they want to chew on plants which typically is only when they would be pups. Needless to say, a home for me is not a home, and in my case, my cottage is not a home without my pups, and it is a true joy and delight to know that they feel just as comfortable, safe and welcomed especially when we arrive home from a long trip, and I observe how they move about almost in a sense of relief to be back in their space because they are a big part of my life and joy. Norman enjoying his new bed as shared in the episode directly next to my office chair, so in easy reach of petting and staying apprised of where Mom (me) is going. Decorating the interior of our cottage is a process that takes time, and if the goal is to create a cottage where we feel most at home, that means we must be patient. Perhaps we don't have a house that is technically a cottage but hope to one day, as I shared in this post, you can always begin purchasing items that will be perfect for a cottage you will live in some day. So many of my current pieces I use and love were purchased years ago (the tulip chair that I reupholstered for example, was purchased more than 20 years ago), and it is this time that creates the cozy, because the pieces are more than just 'things'; they hold memories and remind us of either people, or times in our lives that were pivotal, powerful and deeply personal to our life story. Such a feeling cannot be purchased on demand to create a cottage that is our sanctuary. 11 Decor Pieces to Purchase Even If You Don't Live in Your Dream Home Yet As I sit and type this episode/post, my two pups are snuggled up in the living room with me, yes, after one year since the passing of my sweet boy Oscar and with much thought, examination and especially consideration for what would be best for Norman, we welcomed a little girl into our lives. Not to replace, for she is beginning her own unique life story and journey just as Oscar had his and he will always be held dearly in our hearts. I will be gradually sharing more about her in the coming weeks and months, but if you are a TOP Tier Member, look for a proper introduction in next month's A Cuppa Moments. Now to this current moment where I find myself in my cottage on a sunny fall afternoon, my gentleman boy Norman is in his favorite chair that was handed down to me from my parents and to them from a friend, and my sweet little girl is nestled next to me on the English sofa I spoke about above draped with blankets I have had from many different chapters in my life and the pillows created after working with my dear friend Veronique and fabric from a small business based in England whose fabric when I saw it, I said, I will find a place for it as it brings a smile to my face when I see it. This is home. This is comfort and cozy and calm, and it took years to reach this point, but it feels as a cottage should, personal to the people who call it home, as though it is made for them to just be, nap, read, rest and enjoy the everyday. Today's list was hard to keep to just 15 items, so rest assured there are many more items I will share that focus on the interior décor of a cottage along with the exterior and garden. I look forward to sharing them with you so that you too can create a cottage you love living your life and savoring your everydays. Thank you for stopping by and tuning in. ~Peruse all of TSLL's Remodeled Rooms here, and to view any post individually, explore becoming a TOP Tier Member for exclusive (and ad-free) access. SIMILAR POSTS/EPISODES YOU MIGHT ENJOY 34 Ideas for Adding Cosy for Your Everyday 10 Décor and Remodeling Tips I Learned While Customizing My Home to Create a Cosy Sanctuary 10 Brands for Cosy Cottage British Décor (shopped & recommended) Petit Plaisir ~Chicken Schnitzel and Lemon & Herb Salad ~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #341 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate:  iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube | Spotify | Amazon Music

This week on the podcast, we are chatting with Ruth Schwenk and Karen Ehman about how to walk through pain with peace. Ruth and Karen share honestly about their own seasons of grief and trials, and the rhythms that have helped them in knowing who God is. This is a timely message for what we have walked through as a culture these past few years, and we can't wait for you to hear it. Ruth and Karen dive more into this topic in their new devotional, Trusting God in All the Things: 90 Devotions for Finding Peace in Your Everyday. Our next Rhythms Retreat will be held October 21-24 at Lost Valley Ranch. If you missed this one, we would love to see you in the Fall! Register now to lock in the early bird rates. As we seek to live from a rhythm of rest, that begins from time with God. Our friends at Abide have created such practical and beautiful tools to help us remain in the Word.Join our email community for encouragement, advice, and to submit questions for the RFL podcast. Thank you for listening! We would love for you to follow and leave a review so we can continue to reach others with these conversations. 

Welcome back Witches!  This week we will be sharing some Mundane Magic. Throughout this episode, we'll discuss some simple, everyday magics that you can practice that take little to no preparation and discuss some common household items that you probably already have that can be used in your craft. So get in losers, and lets discuss Mundane Magic. We would be forever thankful if you leave our podcast a 5-Star review. If you really loved the show and want more Get in Loser content, check out our Supercast link below, or search the Supercast website for Get in Loser, We're Doing Witchcraft. You can also find us at our Buy Me a Coffee link below.  There you can purchase a membership to our podcast and obtain exclusives like, getting episodes early, shoutouts on the show, access to our “Ask me anything” forum, our monthly newsletter, a promo code for merchandise, and more. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @GetinWitches, on TikTok @weredoingwitchcraft or email us at weredoingwitchcraft@gmail.com. You  can support our show through our Supercast: https://getinloserweredoingwitchcraft.supercast.com/ Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/getinwitches   Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio- The Witch ----more---- References GardenBelle, Feather. 10 Ways to Practice Everyday Witchcraft (2020). The Witch's Guide. https://thewitchsguide.com/blogs/the-witchs-guide/10-ways-to-practice-everyday-witchcraft?customer_posted=true#newsletter-newsletter-popup Kyteler, Emma. Witch Affirmations that Work Quickly (2021). Eclectic Witchcraft. https://eclecticwitchcraft.com/witch-affirmations/ Mckenna, Dennis. PhD. How Long Have Humans Used Botanicals? (2016). University of Minnesota. https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/how-long-have-humans-used-botanicals Chaotic Witch Aunt. Ten Witchy Things YOU Can do Every day! (2021).  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAQOQqVGtHw The Green Witch. Simple Witchcraft and Everyday Practices (2020) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INv9KUoL8zs The Green Witch. A Simple Way to Add Witchcraft to Your Everyday (2020). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nIAIc2q3xg

A #Showgram Feature on which men talk to men about mental health. This week Jim Richards talks to Dale Curd who  is a Toronto-based Psychotherapist, specializing in Individual, Family, and Group Psychotherapy, and is a well-recognized and sought-after expert with a specialty in men's issues. Highly intuitive, approachable and articulate, Dale's warmth makes him a master of conversation and the perfect conduit for many real people's stories in CBC's HELLO GOODBYE.  He is the Author of "Living Lightly: Bring Happiness and Calm to Your Everyday" #mentalhealth #mensmentalhealth #psychotherapy #MenTellHealth

Lisa interviews Nina Purewal about the book she co-authored with Kate Petriw, Let That Sh*t Go: Find Peace of Mind and Happiness in Your Everyday. In Nina's words: I am the founder of Pure Minds, a social enterprise focused on wellness, and the bestselling author of Let That Sh*t Go. I spent the majority of my career in sales & marketing. A decade ago I hit a peak point of stress sparked by the corporate grind so I did something drastic - moved to Northern California for a year to unplug and live in an ashram. I wanted to see if there was a way to take ancient wisdom and apply it to modern day stressors - turns out, there is! Let That Sh*t Go is filled with over 100 tips on how to find more peace and happiness in your everyday. It's covers topics like the racing mind, self-smack talk, accepting what we can't control, shifting our perspective, being true to you, forgiveness and finding your tech zen. It also touches on the power of practising mindfulness and meditation to find your calm. We talk about how to cultivate forgiveness in the most horrific situations, how to work through negative thoughts, how to find more peace and happiness in the present moment through mindfulness, how to let that sh*t go and much more. This interview brought both Nina and Lisa to tears as Nina shared the life shattering tragedy that happened to her family when she was 16. In order to get the gravity of how amazing Nina is, please listen to this interview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the weekend I quietly celebrated my 42nd birthday. It was lovely. It was full of much contemplation. It included delicious food and wine and the last day of the year brought the sunshine which found me out in my garden preparing for spring. Over the past 12 months all of our lives experienced unexpected moments, ahas, wonderings, fears, break-throughs and endless other unplanned daily routine shifts and lifestyle adjustments. Perhaps some of the lessons I share today won't come as a surprise to you if you follow TSLL blog and podcast and for every lesson I share, if there is a post or episode which explores the idea further, I will be sure to link it for further reader. All in all, much has been learned, much unexpected, and much I am incredibly thankful presented itself and equally am I thankful I chose to try to understand why it said hello in my life. 1.Fresh flowers in the home immediately boost the peace and comfort in the daily routine ~12 Simple Ideas for Beautiful Flowers in the Home 2. Beneficial reassurance can only come from within 3. Gardening is a way of life which elevates life Why Not . . . Try Gardening? Part Une - 10 Whole Life Benefits 4. Quality investments made before they are necessary allow for a life of more ease and a stronger foundation when times become rough 5. Reading is one of the best ways to spend time in lockdown: growth never ceases. 6. Quality lamps provide more comfort, better ambiance and a true sense of welcome and warmth. 7. Thinking well is a choice. 8. Thinking well enables you to live well. 9. Quality chocolate and quality butter create a delectable, satiating dessert. 10. Match strikers - style mets function The Decor Detail You Didn't Know You Needed: The Match Striker 11. Mental strength is fundamental for a life of true contentment 10 Ways to Cultivate a Mental Diet that Elevates the Quality of Your Life 12. Shedding the layers of 'should's from the outside world, identifying them and liberating yourself will simplify your life choices and fundamentally change your life journey for the better. Unbecoming Who You Are Not in order to Remember Who You Are 13. Slowing down as a regular way of life is a better way to live Slowing Down to Live Well 14. Creating a cosy home, creating a welcoming home is my driving focus. ~34 Ideas for Adding Cosy to Your Everyday 15. Moments of temporary discomfort along the journey as you intentionally change your life are a sign of your old life wanting to draw you back to what it 'knows'. This is normal, and it will gradually subside. Strive forward toward your new way of life. Life will reward you with deeper contentment. 16. Trust yourself when it comes to your décor. Have patience, seek out expertise and then proceed confidently without seeking approval from the masses. Style over trends. 17. I love crêpes ~Brown-Butter-Lemon-Sugar Crêpe~ ~Buckwheat Crêpes (Galettes) with Prosciutto, Gruyére & Egg~ 18. A good cuppa is an everyday necessity 18 Ways to Enjoy A Good Cuppa 19. Tending to our tasks only and letting go of tending to others is to set yourself free. The Courage to Live Fully & Deeply: 7 Ideas to Put into Practice for a Life of True Contentment 20. Being present, engaging with the world as it presents itself to you creates amazing magic. 21. Trust your intuition and be motivated to follow your hopes, not remain where you are because of fear. ~read How Fear Can Be an Opportunity for Amazing Life Changes Each birthday is the celebration of the year and lessons and gifts from the past, and it is also a gift to have another year commence full of auspicious possibility. Thank you for all of the birthday wishes shared in the comment section on Friday's This & That post. And may your birthday, wherever it falls on the calendar be as bright and as hope-filled as you dare to allow it. :) SIMILAR POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES: 15 Life Lessons Learned during my First Year into my 40s, episode #279 Let the 40s Begin! (and 3 Valuable Life Lessons Realized in my 30s) 15 Lessons I Am Carrying into My 39th Year Petit Plaisir ~The Dig ~read a review by The New York Times ~learn more about the writer of the adapted screenplay of The Dig - Moira Buiffini. https://youtu.be/JZQz0rkNajo

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 201 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. For full show notes with photos check out my website: www.downcellarstudio.com/201  This week’s segments included: Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins From the Armchair Crafty Adventures KAL News Events Contest, News & Notes Life in Focus Ask Me Anything On a Happy Note Quote of the Week Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Gnome for Kris Hook: C (2.75 mm) Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted in several shades of pinks and gray Ravelry Project Page Link Pattern: none, I created this as I went. Let me know if you like it and I may write up the pattern. Crochet Lion Amigurumi Pattern: Crochet Lion Amigurumi by Melanie Willis available on Ravelry & Etsy Hook: C: 2.75 mm Yarn:  Knit Picks Brava Sport (lost ball band- yellow), Vanna’s Choice (tweedy oatmeal). Ravelry Project Page I finished the lion (left photo) and wasn’t completely happy so I moved the right eye and added more mane yarn to frame the face a little more closely (right photo). Ravelry user deafelis posted to say “ Jen, it sounds like you need a latch hook (Michaels link) for the lion mane! You basically described latch hook rug making, and that special hook makes things so much easier.” Thanks for the tip! Christmas with the Gilmores Socks Yarn: Area 51 Fibres in the Christmas with the Gilmores Colorway Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams Ravelry Project Page Used 74g of yarn total, but used Patons for contrast heels. Excited to have leftovers. On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Spent most of the past 2 weeks knitting up the sample for a new shawl design and a secret project for Mom’s birthday which I am not sharing details on just yet… Ursa Ravelry Project Page. https://www.ravelry.com/projects/BostonJen/ursa Pattern: Ursa by Jacqueline Cieslak Needle: US 11 (8.0 mm) Yarn: Kraemer Yarns Mauch Chunky in the Juju Fruit Colorway (yarn provided to me free of charge for my review) Size 3 (42 inch bust)   Thanks to Ravelry user mjgnatt– MJ- who said “I believe the yarn for your Ursa pull over is Mauch Chunky. I live in Northeastern PA and there is a town called Jim Thorpe in Carbon County. The town used to be called Mauch Chunk which means Bear Place in the native Munsee-Lenape Native American language. The pronunciation of Mauch is “mock”. Just thought you might want to know how appropriate your yarn is for your Ursa pullover as Ursa Major is a constellation also known as the Great Bear.” Super Bulky Chevron Blanket Pattern: Chevron Scrap Blanket by Maria’s Blue Crayon Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick in various colors Hook: 12 mm Ravelry Project Page Direct Link to Pattern on Designer’s website Cast on corner in charcoal gray. 7 rows. a little over 50g of yarn 4 rows for each strip (48g of yarn per stripe). Wound Up Fiber Arts 3 Ply Spin Fiber: Wound Up Fiber Arts Corriedale, 100 grams. Colorway 1: Prim (finished 1/12). Colorway 2: Fall Vibes Ravelry Project Page Laura’s Cameo Socks Yarn: Patons Kroy FX Yarn in the Cameo Colors Colorway Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams Ravelry Project Page Link Dan’s New Year’s Socks Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams Yarn: Goosey Fibers Squish DK Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm) Ravelry Project Page From the Armchair Hoopla App: I recommend checking this out to see if your library participates. I love that you don’t have to wait for items to become available! I’m working on reading more in 2021. So far I’ve read: A Promised Land by Barack Obama (loved it) Craft a Life You Love: Infusing Creativity, Fun & Intention into Your Everyday by Amy Tangerine (liked it, and it’s short but I’m already practicing many of the things Amy suggests) The Lincoln Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill America’s 16th President–and Why It Failed by Brad Meltzer & Josh Mensch The book begins with the Caning of Senator Charles Sumner from MA by SC Senator Brooks. You can read a bit about it on Wikipedia. I was so excited to hear that Ken Follett has come out with a Pillars of the Earth prequel called The Evening & The Morning. Crafty Adventures I repainted a board that holds three Mason jars. I painted a small 3×3 canvas with a rainbow and added letter stickers to remind me of my Word of the Year- Delight. I helped Mom cut foam for Boxed Cushion Cover. This is the tutorial she prefers & then she showed me how to do a bling hem on pants Here is a helpful tutorial on doing a blind hem. Check it out on my January 22-24th Weekend Vlog.Riley also shared how to use felt, gems, ribbon and a glue gun to make Barbie purses. Adorable! Photography with Emelyn- in the woods, near the icy stream… it started snowing. and we took photos of my handmade gnomes! So fun. When we came inside, we taught ourselves some embroidery using this tutorial: Embroidery for beginners | TOP 10 stitches video by Craftsy available on YouTube KAL News Pigskin Party ’20 Check out all of the details you need to know either in the Start Here Thread  on Ravelry or on my website.  Important Links: Pigskin Party Rules: ’20-21 Season– see what’s new and exciting this year.  Sign up Form– get your name on the Roster! Points Tally Form– earned some points? Get credit! Support Request Form– mixed up something when entering points. Let us know. 2020 Pigskin Party KAL (Responses) Pigskin Party ‘20 Sponsors Pro Shop Sponsors Exclusive Items Coupon Codes Prize Thread Questions Thread End Zone Dance– come celebrate each other’s finished projects (this is not where you enter your FOs for points in the 2020 season. See Rules for details) Check out the January Interception: Stash Hat Scrimmage Hosted by Knitters Brewing Company. Check out the Ravelry Thread or this page on my website. Pigskin Movie night hosted by VTKimmyKim:  Enola Holmes on February 6th at 8pm EST. Check out the Pop-up Events tab for details as it gets closer. Thank you to Mara Smith for hosting a Pigskin Party Stretching session on January 24th! So great to see your smiling faces. I felt so great afterwards- and spent the rest of that day chasing a 3 year old, so it was good to be limber! Check out Mara’s Instagram Account for her PrecisionATPerformance business or her website. She offers Zoom stretching classes that you may enjoy Flexibility: Wednesdays at 6:30pm Stretches for Stitchers: Fridays at 6:30pm. She is running a sale on February classes but you have to sign up by 1/31. So get over there now if you’re interested. Events February 11-14, 2021- Virtual Vogue Knitting Live & again March 18-21. Check their website for more details about upcoming events. Contest, News & Notes I’m excited to share the release of my Abington Mitt pattern. The Abington Mitts were designed to match my Abington Hat. They use similar repeats of twisted stitches and cables as the focal point for the top of the hand.The mitts are worked from the wrist up and are customizable.   3 Sizes: Small (Medium, Large): Finished palm circumference: 6 (7, 8) in / 15.25 (17.75, 20.25) cm Intended to fit with a little bit of negative ease. Select the size that is closest to your hand circumference as measured just below the knuckles and above the thumb gusset. If you are between sizes, I’d recommend going down to a smaller size. Yarn: DK weight:  Yarn used in samples: 66 (70, 80) grams. 162 (172, 196) yards / 148 (157, 179) meters* If you plan to make your mitts longer in the wrist and or/hand, you will need more yarn. Needles: US 4 / 3.5 mm & US 6 / 4.0 mm, 32 in / 80 cm circulars for magic loop, or your preferred needles for knitting in the round. This pattern has been tech edited & test knit.Instructions are both written and charted. Find the Abington Mitts Pattern for $5 on Ravelry & coming soon to LoveCrafts. Newsletter subscribers, check your email for the best possible deal. The pattern will have an intro code for everyone else making the pattern just $4. Life in Focus Want to see more about how I’m tracking my 2021 goals using the Evernote app? Check out this video Mom and I recorded for my YouTube Channel Tune in to hear how I’m doing so far with my goals and my 21 for 2021 list. Ask Me Anything Knitgirlwagner asked. What’s the best way to teach yourself to spin?  Not sure if your goal is to 100% teach yourself, if that’s the case, I do have some tips, but if you’re interested/able to get the assistance of someone else, I recommend that. It made a huge difference for me. Crafty Classes: Foundations of Spinning with Amy King Ply to Knit: Spin the Yarn You Really Want with Jillian Moreno Also check out the Sheepspot Podcast Mfcknits- do you have a favorite sock heel method?  OMG Heel by Megan Williams: Ravelry Link Non-Eucilidian Heel by Sarah Jordan: Ravelry Link Smooth Operator Socks by Susan B. Anderson: Ravelry Link On a Happy Note Splashing in the mud puddles on a recent hike with Hattie. Hattie talking about coming home with me. Wanting to sleep over “when she’s little” after I insisted she can sleep over when she gets “a little bigger.” Weekly check ins with Mom about our goals. Crafty time with Eme and Hattie. The joyous, safe Inauguration of our 46th President and first female, Asian American/African American VP. Missed watching it live, but used phone unboxing batteries at work. Had to keep myself from crying because had a feeling if I did, someone would inevitably walk in at that moment.  Amanda Gorman, 1st ever youth poet laureate, shared a poem. Read the transcript. Really recommend you watch it.  Bridgerton on Netflix with Dan. Snow!  Quote of the Week “You can do so much in ten minutes’ time. Ten minutes, once gone, are gone for good. Divide your life into 10-minute units and sacrifice as few of them as possible in meaningless activity.” – Ingvar Kamprad Thank you for tuning in! Contact Information: Ravelry: BostonJen & Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group Instagram: BostonJen1 YouTube: Down Cellar Studio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downcellarstudio Sign up for my email newsletter to get the latest on everything happening in the Down Cellar Studio Music -“Soft Orange Glow” by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/

Craft a Life You Love: Infusing Creativity, Fun & Intention into Your Everyday by Amy Tangerine is the most beautiful book I have on my shelf. It's bright and colorful and it's packed with inspiration AND practical tips for channeling your creative energy to making things, and making things happen! I love the message she shared about nervousness because sometimes it can feel like a negative emotion, when in reality it might actually be the sign you're looking for. Listen in to find out what your nervousness is trying to tell you! _______________ 1) If you want to brighten up your book shelf and channel your creativity to craft a life you love, grab Amy's book here: https://amzn.to/2DTxKg6 2) To check out the current book pick for the Beyond the Book club, visit the website here: http://www.sarahlynnco.com/beyondthebook *this is my affiliate link that you'll buy me part of a cup of coffee when you buy :)

We associate awe with grand scenes and events—but we can feel it in our day-to-day lives all around us. Today's meditation helps you notice all the delights we can take in no matter where we are. Takeaways: 1- Awe and wonder are feelings we can savor. 2- They lead to more positivity in our mindsets and mood. 3- Find awe in the sights, sounds, and smells around you—no matter how small. Daily Mantra: I can find awe in the ordinary. 5 Ways to Amplify the Good in Your Everyday: https://bit.ly/38eo6zR Support our Black-owned business and invest in a year of Shine Premium for a discounted $20 at shinetext.com/20

Are you giving and receiving the intimacy and love that you desire from your relationships? Today I had the chance to speak with Alexandra Stockwell. Alexandra is a relationship and intimacy expert and author of Uncompromising Intimacy. We talk about getting in tune with your desires and the physical and emotional hallmarks that go along with those desires. She shares her advice on relationships including what you should do if you aren’t getting the support you wish for from your partner. She also details how to get comfortable with asking for what you want and need from your relationships. This conversation is full of so much wisdom to help nurture and develop both romantic and non-romantic relationships.  What’s in this episode: How Alexandra crafts a life she loves through relationships Navigating true fulfillment and her idea of success Honoring your feelings and paying attention to your desires The 4 basic feelings that we have and deciphering where you are on the spectrum Bringing your attention to the physical and emotional hallmarks that are associated with your desires Her advice for someone who feels motivated to create but gets bogged down by their do list What you can do when you feel a feeling that you don’t want to have Her advice for someone who isn’t getting support from their partner Why Alexandra doesn’t believe that compromise is needed for a great relationship Getting more confident and comfortable with asking for what you want Why you have to practice self-love and take care of yourself Bringing flirtatiousness into your relationships How Alexandra feels about balance and why she prefers harmony instead What she says to people who have a difficult time recognizing the difference between doing and being How she came about writing her book, Uncompromising Intimacy How learning to be fully yourself in day to day life contributes to better intimacy About Alexandra:Alexandra Stockwell, MD is a Physician turned Relationship and Intimacy Expert who believes the key to passion, fulfillment, and intimacy isn’t compromise--it’s being unwilling to compromise. A wife of 24 years and mother of four, Alexandra guides men and women towards the freedom to be themselves because it’s when we feel loved for who we are that our relationships become juicy, nourishing, and deeply satisfying. Through Conscious Partnerships, she helps couples infuse pleasure and purpose into all aspects of life—from the daily grind of running a household, to clear and intimate communication, to ecstatic experiences in the bedroom! Connect with Alexandra:Website | Instagram | Facebook Links:Craft a Life You Love: Infusing Creativity, Fun & Intention into Your Everyday by Amy TangerineUncompromising Intimacy by Alexandra Stockwell

Moral of the story is, don't waste your own time. Today we talk all things productivity, routines (our morning routines), and work life balance. We give you a look into our day to day, showing you how you can improve YOUR EVERYDAY with a handful of life changing tid bits. Things that you can wake up tomorrow & start implementing immediately. Follow us on Instagram @teafortwo__ @kaycroley @riannevangorden

Failures aren’t always a bad thing. There’s so much wisdom you can extract from a failure that I want to challenge you to start embracing failures and thinking of them as a tool for growth. Today’s guest on the podcast is actually someone who uses what she calls a “failure folder” as a tool to grow as a person and creative entrepreneur. In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Kara Warner, a creative coach for women who spent years in the craft publishing industry. We chat about her collaboration project to put together a planner for knitters, her advice for prioritizing your day (while making time for what you love) and how to lend more compassion to yourself.    What’s in this episode: How Kara got started in her career in craft publishing Transitioning out of that career into being a coach for creative women Her favorite experiences from her time in craft publishing Kara’s advice for someone considering following a passion or trying something new Collaborating and using her passion for organization to create a planner How to prioritize your day while making time for your hobbies Kara’s typical day and morning routine Finding the balance of working on her business and doing creative work Being compassionate toward yourself The first step Kara takes when she is starting a new project Kara’s story of her “failure folder” and how she reached out to Amy   About Kara:A passion for knitting led Kara Gott Warner to a beautiful career in craft publishing, spanning more than 15 years as a designer, the former Executive Editor of Creative Knitting Magazine, book editor, and now coach, helping women to use their creativity to transcend struggles, get organized and tame their time! Learn more about Kara at: karagottwarner.com Connect with Kara:Website | Instagram Links:Knitter’s Planner The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Tim Ferriss Craft a Life You Love: Infusing Creativity, Fun & Intention into Your Everyday by Amy Tangerine Fail, Fail Again, Fail Better: Wise Advice for Leaning into the Unknown by Pema Chödrön    Hope you’ve enjoyed this episode! Would love to hear from you. What is one thing you can do with the wisdom and guidance you’ve extracted from this episode to make positive and lasting change in your own life? Connect with me on social media. You can find me @amytangerine on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and pretty much anywhere. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please rate and review on iTunes, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and let your friends know about it too! The more we spread the creativity and happiness that comes from pursuing our passions, the better off our amazing community will be. Hope you feel uplifted, energized and inspired. You are awesome! I’m Amy Tangerine encouraging you to embrace the fullness of your life!

How to be more mindful in your daily life? We talk about simple, yet important everyday mindfulness practices, and some tips on how to include them into your days. WE EXPLORE: 1:20 What is mindfulness 2:55 How to take an intentional break 5:57 Daily check-in’s 8:03 Becoming the watcher of your thoughts & emotion LOVING […] Continue Reading The post 029 – How to Practice Mindfulness in Your Everyday appeared first on Daring Living.

Joy has the power to transcend all things. If you’ve been wanting to bring more joy into your everyday life, then you’ll definitely want to hear this episode with guest, Sydney Weiss. Sydney is a lawyer and host of the Seek The Joy Podcast. Today we talked about the impact that joy can have on your life and giving yourself permission to let go of things that no longer bring you joy. She shares her experience of writing her book, how she overcomes negative self-talk and how to navigate the crossroads you face in life.  What’s in this episode: What inspired Sydney to start her podcast Navigating crossroads and being intentional while going through hurdles Getting to know yourself during the hard times Shifting your mindset and overcoming negative self-talk  Why Sydney doesn’t have a morning routine anymore Giving yourself permission to let go of things that no longer bring you joy Why Sydney uses a digital and handheld calendar What she does to check in with herself during the week Sydney’s experience of working on her book Her advice for getting started on creative projects you’ve been dreaming of Why Sydney loves being in the podcasting world How to get more joy and connection in your life by learning more about yourself Why Sydney finds inspiration in forming a community around joy    About Sydney: Sydney Weiss is a lawyer, and the creator, host, and producer of Seek The Joy Podcast - your go-to podcast for heartfelt storytelling and conversations on all things self-love, joy, connection, wellness and spirituality. Sydney’s greatest mission is to uplift and empower others to find their authentic voice, encourage them to step into their vulnerability and courage, all to seek their joy and bring about greater healing. Through Seek The Joy, she’s been able to do just that. Inspired by Sydney’s ongoing journey toward growth, empowerment, and self-love, every episode offers a fresh perspective, “a-ha” moments, laughs, and stories and wisdom that will stick with you throughout the week.   Connect with Sydney: Website | Facebook | Instagram   Links: Craft a Life You Love: Infusing Creativity, Fun & Intention into Your Everyday by Amy Tangerine Joy Corner Seek The Joy Guide to Podcasting Seek The Joy Guide to Pitching Guests   Hope you’ve enjoyed this episode! Would love to hear from you. What is one thing you can do with the wisdom and guidance you’ve extracted from this episode to make positive and lasting change in your own life? Connect with me on social media you can find me @amytangerine on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and pretty much anywhere. If you’re enjoying this podcast, please rate and review on iTunes, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and let your friends know about it too! The more we spread the creativity and happiness that comes from pursuing our passions, the better off our amazing community will be. Hope you feel uplifted, energized and inspired. You are awesome! I’m Amy Tangerine encouraging you to do what brings you joy. 

Samantha Joy is an Identity Coach to aspiring entrepreneurs and influencers. Her coaching approach focuses on the concept of minimalism, where she enables others to shift their identity to their most authentic self by de-cluttering aspects of their life rooted in an old story. The result is enhanced mental clarity, an improved sense of self, and the ability to design an environment that attracts abundance and fulfillment.Get your FREE guide on how Decluttering Your Technology Leads to Productivity, Clarity & Fulfillment in Your Everyday! https://www.thelesseffect.com/p/declutter-your-technologyCheck out the #1 Bestselling book on Amazon today! The Less Effect: Design Your Life for Happiness & Purpose https://www.amazon.com/less-effect-Design-Happiness-Purpose-ebook/dp/B07B6VCY8M

Samantha Joy is an Identity Coach to aspiring entrepreneurs and influencers. Her coaching approach focuses on the concept of minimalism, where she enables others to shift their identity to their most authentic self by de-cluttering aspects of their life rooted in an old story. The result is enhanced mental clarity, an improved sense of self, and the ability to design an environment that attracts abundance and fulfillment.Get your FREE guide on how Decluttering Your Technology Leads to Productivity, Clarity & Fulfillment in Your Everyday! https://www.thelesseffect.com/p/declutter-your-technologyCheck out the #1 Bestselling book on Amazon today! The Less Effect: Design Your Life for Happiness & Purpose https://www.amazon.com/less-effect-Design-Happiness-Purpose-ebook/dp/B07B6VCY8M

Ladies, it's time we put a stop to the mean girl culture in schools, in life and at work. There is enough love, joy, success and friendship for all of us. We don't need to backstab and pit our friends against each other. This has been on my mind, so I wanted to do a podcast about back to school, queen bees, and what we can do as parents and coaches and leaders to help girls stand up to the mean girls. Where do the mean girls get their power? Why don't the other girls in that crowd stand up to the Queen Bee? And, how can we get our girls to do the right thing? I don't have all the answers. I opened up my computer and started recording as I got a bit wound up on this topic. I would love it if you would take a listen and share your own thoughts related to the problem and potential solutions. As I drove to school today, I watched a driver stop so that a girl could cross the street. Traffic was backed up in all directions, everyone focused on getting into the parking lot and onto their next task. That driver stopped. And it broke me out of my rush hour trance. I realized I should stop too so that poor girl could cross the street. All it took was one person to get my attention, to make me focus on doing what was right. Wouldn't it be great if we taught our girls how to pay attention and be that one person who spoke up and did what was right in social situations? I have to believe that if more people had the courage to speak up, the queen bees would lose their power. The mean girls behave the way they do because they are confident that no one will rock the boat. In this podcast, I also read a brief excerpt from Kara Goucher's new book, Strong: A Runner's Guide to Boosting Confidence and Becoming the Best Version of You. I highly recommend the book for athletes, girl moms, teens, and women of all ages. You don't have to be a runner to benefit from this book. Kara teaches some solid strategies for building confidence and visualizing success, and breaking through mental barriers.  I also read a story from Craft a Life You Love: Infusing Creativity, Fun and Intention into Your Everyday by Amy Tangerine. This book is geared to people with creative hobbies and careers, but the mindset lessons apply to everyone.  If you're catching this blog post early in the day, I don't quite have that download I promised ready. Check back soon! I'm putting together a printable mini workbook that has some ideas from the podcast, and some writing prompts that you can enter in your confidence journal! You can listen to this episode on iTunes, Sound Cloud, Google Play, Spotify... or in the player right here on this page. Let me know your thoughts! Let's work together to address the Queen Bee Culture! Coach Kim   Live Pain-Free and Move Better! This episode is sponsored by my new program: Foam Rolling Frenzy. You know you’re supposed to foam roll, but do you do it? What if you could do a full workout—warm up, to strength and cardio, to cool down and have it all incorporate the foam roller? One quick workout that works your core and keeps you there through a cool down that gets you rolling! Foam rolling has done wonders for the joint pain I experience, and I want to help you feel your best too. Head on over to www.crushingmygoals.com and click on Store to find the new course. We begin soon!    About your Podcast Host: Coach Kim explores topics that will help you power up your life so that you can design a life you love. If you are ready to think, feel, train and live like a champion, tune in for expert interviews and real talk that will give you the tools and courage you need to chase your dreams. Coach Kim Peek is a fitness and real-food enthusiast who is also a theater-mom, dog-mom and breast cancer survivor. Kim has a number of coaching certifications including: ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor, USA Track and Field Level 1 Coach, USA Triathlon Level 1 Coach and Healthy Running. She is certified to teach a variety of fitness formats, and is constantly studying movement, motivation and other wellness topics to unlock success secrets for her audience. You can hang out with Coach Kim online at: www.CrushingMyGoals.com Facebook  Instagram @PowerOfRun And join the free STRENGTH CHALLENGE group at Power of Run. Click here.  

Team Craft Hangout got to hang with the one and only Amy Tangerine, and in the words of Wayne and Garth: WE'RE NOT WORTHY!!! She is AMAZING and has so much insight and advice, we are forever changed by our hang with this unbelievable talent. She shared her journey, tips, and even got super real and honest with us. She gave us the skinny on her new smash hit book, Craft a Life You Love: Infusing Creativity Fun & Intention into Your Everyday. We fell in love with Amy Tangerine, and you totally will, too! You can check out Amy online here: http://www.amytangerine.com/ https://www.pinterest.com/amytangerine/ https://www.instagram.com/amytangerine/ https://www.youtube.com/user/amytangerine   Don't forget: The Craft Hangout #1 Live event is on 7/15/18, so if you wanna come and hang out in real life and make a pizza-inspired craft, get your tickets here! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/craft-hangout-live-1-tickets-45839813115?aff=eac2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Oh! And don’t forget to join our tribe! www.crafthangout.com www.instagram.com/crafthangout https://www.facebook.com/crafthangout

~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #196 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate: iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube "Style is a simple way of saying complicated things." —Jean Cocteau With the collections for Fall 2018 being revealed this month, I am always on a treasure hunt to find unique and worthwhile takes on the classics. At the same time, I am reminded as the trends shift each and every season of the benefits to adhering to a signature style that complements the individual wearing the clothes rather than the individual bringing applause or attention to the trend du jour. Much of how I have narrowed in on my own style and what has been the muse for simply luxurious style has been shaped by what I have read, observed and learned from French, especially Parisian women. Now, don't get me wrong, there are brilliantly stylish people around the globe, and the classic, effortless approach is not something only seen in Paris. However, the French have claimed it, owned it and demonstrate it regularly. Why? Well, put simply, it works and transcends years and decades of infinite trends that have been paraded down the runways. Today I'd like to share with you 10 style and beauty lessons I have learned from the French along my own journey of discovering my signature style and how to approach shopping as well as dressing each day regardless of the season. Some have been standing principles of the simply luxurious approach and others are new to me as well in the past couple of years. However, all of them work and enable you to look your best. 1. Less make-up, but still some make-up The best face to present to the world is your face. Less hiding what your visage is and more showcasing its beauty. Beginning with your skincare regimen, well-hydrated skin will always offer a palette to be enhance ever so slightly, and at the same time, hardly at all. Choose a primer, the proper hued concealor, tinted moisturizer and subtle eye makeup. Choose one feature to bring to the forefront — your lips, your eyes or your cheeks and simply brighten the rest. ~8 Ways to Create Glowing Skin, episode #13 2. Rock the flat Heels are nice, but heels have their time and place. Flats, whether ballet or boots are smart, versatile and comfortable. And we must not forget, stylish. Purchase well made designs, make sure they fit your foot and wear them for years. 3. Trends? No thank you. If we are busy chasing down trends, we do not have the ability to hone our signature style. And while discovering our signature style takes time, once we do discover it, the shopping is simpler and less frequent. Whereas when we chase trends, we are endlessly shopping and constantly shelling out money. Remember, let your uniqueness shine. No else will have precisely your style, so you will have do the work of getting to know yourself, your body, skin tone and the most enjoyable, what you love to wear which makes you feel your most confident. ~10 Tips to Evolve into Your Signature Style 4. Neutral color palette Neutrals are not just beige, so don't worry. Remember, start with an understanding of your skin tone and work from there. Certain colors can be neutral for you as well. Navy, for example. And even prints can be neutral and easy to mix and match with other colors in your wardrobe - polka dots or leopard, for example. Shopping for neutrals and keeping them in your closet enables your items to endure as what you purchase down the road will still have the opportunity to pair with what you already own. 5. Fewer clothes, better quality Cost per wear. Invest in high priced items if they are well-made with quality fabrics and are classic pieces rather than trends. And most important, you like the item and it fits well (remember to tailor as needed). Less frequent shopping and in the long run, less money spent. 6. Lace over cotton (when it comes to undergarments) The French and lingerie. Wear beautiful lingerie each day for you and for you. Yes, I repeated myself on purpose. In the United States, some brands would have us believe that it is what we look like to others in our lingerie, but rather it should be how our lingerie makes us feel. After all, we are the one's wearing it and when we feel comfortable we will be comfortable and more confident. Whether it is going about errands, hopping on a plane or going on a date. ~Why Not . . . Create a Lingerie Capsule Wardrobe? 7. A luxury investment handbag Quality accessories make a statement, and a well-made handbag (no exterior label is needed to show the world what you own) completes a look, enables the woman to keep her life and business organized and tucked away all the while going about her business. 8. Find a Versatile Trench "Wear it on the weekends with jeans, over gowns to formal events, layered with a fur stole when the weather gets colder, over your shoulders during the spring—the possibilities are endless." —Leah Bourne I am new to this idea, but after reading Leah Bourne's piece for Stylecaster, I could not agree more. Choose a quality trench, one that is the right length for your body that can be worn for day, evening or play. Choose a color and fabric that aligns with your signature style and make it your go-to coat nearly, if not the entire, year round. ~The Perfect Trench is Personal 9. Trust stripes A broken record I am when it comes to stripes. Wear them when it comes to tee shirts, where striped sweaters, striped dresses and even blouses. Stripes are a stunning neutral inspired by the French marinére or Breton top, and as was shared a couple of weeks ago, their versatility makes them a wise and savvy choice. ~11 Brands for French stripes 10. Find your signature style and stick to it "Parisian fashionistas develop a signature look, and stick with it. They might update their wardrobe with a few trends, but they always stick to a similar aesthetic. This also makes shopping a heck of a lot easier." —Leah Bourne, Stylecaster The more simplicity we can bring into our lives the less complexity we have to navigate, but initially the process of knowing what to strip away takes time and careful attention. Curating our signature style occurs in precisely the same manner. Check out this post in which I break down precisely how to determine your signature and then I believe you will find the shopping experience becomes easier and more enjoyable and your style quotient will steadily rise. ~Tune in to French-Living inspired posts/episodes from the Archives: ~#4: 10 Ways to Unearth Your Inner Francophile ~#23: The French Way: How to Create a Luxurious Everyday Life ~#32: The Francophile Style Guide: The 14 Essentials ~#96: Everyday Living in France – My Interview with Sharon Santoni ~#127: 20 Ways to Live Like a Parisienne ~#144: 20 Ways to Incorporate Your Love for the French Culture into Your Everyday ~#151: 10 Style Tips to Embrace the French Woman’s Approach to Effortless Chic ~#155:6 Life Lessons for Living Well from Julia Child ~#167: My Good Life in France: Author Janine Marsh ~#168: Everyday Living with Author & Blogger Sharon Santoni ~#169: Understanding the French Culture: My Interview with Géraldine Lepere of Comme une Française ~#182: David Leibovitz Talks About Making Paris His Home SIMILAR POSTS/EPISODES YOU MIGHT ENJOY: ~Why Not . . . Frenchify Your Beauty Routine? (Add Micellar Water) ~9 Life Lessons from French Women about Women ~Why Not . . . Be Fascinated by the French Culture?  Petit Plaisir ~Queer Eye, Season 1, Netflix ~NPR interview with creator David Collins ~Correction from the podcast episode: This series makes over both straight and gay men whereas the original series focused only on straight men. Episode #4 is especially moving. https://youtu.be/vTGqDqYP2k4 Image: via Burberry Tumblr taken by Alexis Armanet of Jeanne Damas

~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #188 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate: iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio "But I love New Year's Day, because I can never get over the generosity of the fact that we all get a BRAND NEW YEAR, totally for FREE — with no dents, or dinks, or mistakes yet. It's the ultimate REFRESH button." —Elizabeth Gilbert With 2018 just two weeks away, I am, as I am with each new years, inclined to be quite excited for a fresh start. No matter what the current year shared with me, surprised or delighted me with, the gift of a chance to improve is a priceless opportunity that only arrives once every 365 days. And so, I readily choose to seize it and apply what I have learned over the past 12 months and put it to practice, to improve upon who I reveal myself to be the previous year. As I look ahead to the new year with plans to finally get back to France since far too long ago (2013), I couldn't help but look to my collection of French living and culture books which I didn't fully realized is as plentiful as it turned out to be in my personal library (a sampling captured recently of many of my French themed books) for inspiration as to how to step forward into 2018. Below I've gathered 18 quotes of wisdom, insights and inspiration for beginning anew, renewed and brilliantly rested and ready to make 2018 the year we wish it to be. You Know More Than You Realize 1."a quarter to a third of all English words come from French, and good thing; otherwise, learning this language would be even harder than it is." —William Alexander in Flirting with French: How a Language Charmed Me, Seduced Me & Nearly Broke My Heart   Read Books Like You Need Them to Breathe 2. "France retains a reverence for the printed book. As independent bookstores crash and burn in the United States, the market here is healthier, largely thanks to government protections that treat the stores as national treasures . . . in France, booksellers —including Amazon —may not discount books more than 5 percent below the publisher's list price." —Elaine Sciolino in The Only Street in Paris: Life on the Rue des Martyrs   The Gift of a Balanced Life is a Beautiful Life to Savor 3. "So here is a trilogy: food/movement/know thyself. Again, these are important elements in my life and also in the lives of French women who don't get fat (and perhaps do not want or need facelifts)." —Mireille Guiliano in French Women Don't Get Facelifts: The Secret of Aging with Style & Attitude    Trust Your Journey, and As You Travel, Just Be Yourself 4. "'Seize the moment . . . pay attention to your life right now' . . . What I failed to see, sitting around the coffee table on those nights, was the possibility that I didn't have to keep looking for a family to belong to; I could create one of my own. I had conflated my deep need to belong to something bigger than myself with a more superficial need to fit in, to look and dress and act like others. But fitting in is not belonging. This seems so clear now, but at the time I didn't understand the difference. I was still floating between New York and Paris, at least in the sense that my identity was tied to both cities. I lived in New York and worked at a New Yorker's pace, but I couldn't let go of Paris —Paris, which had shaped me more deeply than college or even my Manhattan childhood. Returning to Paris felt as if I was reawakening some part of myself that had been asleep since I'd left." —Kate Betts in My Paris Dream: An Education in Style, Slang and Seduction in the Great City on the Seine   On Style: Mix It Up 5. "Forget the 'total look.' Frenchwomen love to mix and match. Pascale Camart, womenswear buying manager for the Galeries Lafayette, told me that having designer labels next to ordinary ones on the same floor was 'on purpose. The Frenchwoman likes to put different things together.' The Parisienne, she says, doesn't buy evening dresses. She sticks with basics and then finds the one distinctive jacket or scarf or top that will make the ensemble a knockout." —Harriet Welty Rochefort in Joie de Vivre: Secrets of Wining, Dining and Romancing Like the French   The Importance of Elevating the Everyday 6. " You don't go overboard, exhausting yourself over the holidays when you make every day an occasion for friendship and family, fun and celebration." —Jamie Cat Callan in Bonjour, Happiness: Secrets to Finding Your Joie de Vivre   Choose Quality in Your Food and in Your Life to Elevate the Experience 7. "Édith Piaf famously sang, Non, je ne regrette rien ('No, I regret nothing'). Although I have my share of regrets, using good chocolate to make a soufflé is never one of them." —David Lebovitz in L'Appart: The Delights and Disasters of Making My Paris Home   Let Your Body Tell You What It Needs and Listen 8. "She knows exactly what she has 'a taste' for, and once she's had enough, that's it. She eats what she wants, when she wants it, until she is satisfied. Food is not a moral or emotional issue for her. She does not describe foods as good or bad; to her they are neutral, just food." —Carol Cottrill in The French Twist: Twelve Secrets of Decadent Dining and Natural Weight Management   The Essence of Real Beauty Goes Beyond the Surface 9. "Style without substance is unacceptable, largely because it's boring, one-dimensional. In France, it's inadmissible to provoke ennui. Real style is built upon a solid foundation of informed intelligence, quick wit, and an impressive panopoly of culture references. One must hold her own in a lively conversation. The essence of beauty is to continue educating oneself and constantly to learn something new. Simply put: these are the keys to eternal youth." Tish Jett in Forever Chic: Frenchwomen's Secrets for Timeless Beauty, Style and Substance   Keep Persevering to Create More 'Luck' in Your Life 10. "Persevering is often not simply a matter of working hard and refusing to quit; often, by trying again, failing again, and failing better, we inadvertently place ourselves in the way of luck. Yet another reason to keep on keeping on." —Karen Karbo in Julia Child Rules: Lessons on Savoring Life   Cooking Need Not Be Complicated & Thus an Necessary Element of Socializing Well in Everyday Life 11. "Yes, Parisians have more fun when they go out. But they're also ten times less likely to eat out. And in Paris, there's no ordering in —you cook. It's simple cooking, really: You can have five friends over, create a fast, delicious pasta with zucchini and mint. Or you just buy cheese, figs, wine and call it a night." — Garance Doré in Love, Style, Life   Opening Your World to Other Languages & Cultures Deepens Appreciation and Perspective 12. "Linguists call America 'the graveyard of languages' because of its singular ability to take in millions of immigrants and extinguish their native languages in a few generations. A study of thirty-five nations found that 'in no other country . . . did the rate of the mother tongue shift toward (English) monolingualism approach the radity of that found in the United States.' Immigrants to America lose languages quickly; natives of America fail to acquire them. Only 18 percent of American schoolchildren are enrolled in foreign language courses, while 94 percent of European high-school students are studying English." —Lauren Collins in When in French: Love in a Second Language   Incorporate the Arts into Your Life 13. "As often as you can, take an evening off and seek out the arts. Attend the ballet, visit an art show at your local coffee shop, go see an independent theatre, attend a symphony performance or a rock concern. These moments are often too few and far between, especially when family and work life seem to always come first. Indulging in the pleasure of the arts feels decadent and is a magnificent way to recharge your soul. Purchase your tickets in advance. Knowing that you are going to attend the ballet in three weeks gives you something delightful to look forward to." — Jennifer L. Scott in At Home with Madame Chic   Luck is Hard Earned 14. "In truth, her luck was not yet finished. Not even close. These two daring shipments were to make her one of the most famous women in Europe and her wine one of the most highly prized commodities of the nineteenth century. As Louis told her, it was a succes born out of 'your judicious manner of operating, your excellent wine, and the marvelous similarity of your ideas, which produced the most splendid unity and action and execution — we did it well, and I give a million thanks to the bounty of the divine Providence who saw fit to make me one of his instrument in your future well-being . . . certainly you merit all the glory possible after your misfortunes, your perseverance, and your obvious talents.'" —Tilar J. Mazzeo in The Widow Clicquot: The Story of a Champagne Empire and the Woman Who Ruled It   On What Is Worth Appreciating and Savoring 15. "The weight of history means that the French don't wipe the slate clean to make way for progress the way Americans do. Because of their centuries-old attachment to the land, restriction is their second nature, not expansion. The French have completely different ideas about what's public and what's private, and those ideas influence how they think about money, morality, eating, manners, conversation, and even political accountability. The French glorify what's elevated and grand, not what's common and accessible. They value form as much as content. And finally, they created many of their instituions to try to deal with the after-affects of two major wars. These factors don't add up to a neat picture that diametrically opposes French and Anglo-Americans. They just explain a lot about why the French think the way they do. Unless Americans recognize these differences, they will never understand the French." —Jean-Benoît Nadeau & Julie Barlow in Sixty Million Frenchmen Can't Be Wrong: Why We Love France, but Not the French   Stop and Nourish Your Body & Mind Daily 16. "No matter how fraught our workload, we stop and have a proper meal. It helps us calm our brains and bodies, and we know we will work more efficiently afterward." —Mathilde Thomas in The French Beauty Solution: Time-Tested Secrets to Look and Feel Beautiful Inside and Out   The Importance of Quality Living for the Individual Living It, Not for Outward Applause 17. "Ambition—another virtue that becomes a vice when taken too seriously. Time is not money for the French. It's an ephemeral currency and should be spent doing the things that make life worth living. Remember, the French woman might have an acute sense of breveity of time and the immediacy of pleasure; that said, she also has a strong predilection to enjoy not only the finer things in life but the things that make life fine." —Debra Ollivier in What French Women Know: About Love, Sex and Other Matters of the Heart and Mind   Let Your Dreams Lead the Way and Never Stop Striving Forward 18. "Willa Carter believed that if you have a wish for something from a young age and you nourish it, if you continually make an effort to nurture this wish and stay connected to this dream, then you will live a fulfilled life. If you believe in something, it invests everything you do with meaning. Paris has always stayed with me, close to me, and I've continually felt nourished by it." —Kate Betts in My Paris Dream: An Education in Style, Slang, and Seduction in the Great City on the Seine   At the core of living well is appreciating the value of now and tempering longings and future hopes so that we are soley living in the future. Our lives are indeed right now. Just for a moment, examine where you were in your life one year ago today, now five years ago, now 10. Could you have precisely known where you would be when looking toward the future as your younger self? The future is exciting, but as many of the sage words remind, it is often the simple, the patient and present that make life truly fulfilling. Thank you for stopping by, and remember to stop by next Monday when the Top Episodes of 2017 will be shared. A new episode will return on Monday January 1st with Francophile author Jamie Cat Callan (her new book Parisian Charm School: French Secrets for Cultivating Love, Joy and that Certain je ne sais quoi will be released on January 2, 2018) as well as an excited giveaway for listeners and readers (hint: it is something for your kitchen). ~Tune in to French-Living inspired posts/episodes from the Archives: ~#4: 10 Ways to Unearth Your Inner Francophile ~#23: The French Way: How to Create a Luxurious Everyday Life ~#32: The Francophile Style Guide: The 14 Essentials ~#96: Everyday Living in France - My Interview with Sharon Santoni ~#127: 20 Ways to Live Like a Parisienne ~#144: 20 Ways to Incorporate Your Love for the French Culture into Your Everyday ~#151: 10 Style Tips to Embrace the French Woman's Approach to Effortless Chic ~#155: 6 Life Lessons for Living Well from Julia Child ~#167: My Good Life in France: Author Janine Marsh ~#168: Everyday Living with Author & Blogger Sharon Santoni ~#169: Understanding the French Culture: My Interview with Géraldine Lepere of Comme une Française ~#182: David Leibovitz Talks About Making Paris His Home   ~Check out the new addition to TSLL destination: The Simply Luxurious Kitchen. Have a look at the pilot episode below and learn more about this new venture into vodcasting in which we will focus on "Seasonal fare to elevate the everyday meal" here.     Petit Plaisir: ~Salmon en Papillote (Salmon in Paper) - view the entire recipe here   Sponsors for today’s episode: Birchbox use code sophisticate to save 20% off all gift subscriptions through 12/25 Birchbox in France Vincero Watches use the promo code SIMPLE to save 15% on your order Download the Episode

~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #182 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate: iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio "Paris was always Paris, and the French were . . . well, the French. But because of what happened —j'avais mûri, I had 'ripened,' as they say." —David Lebovitz, L'Appart: The Delights and Disasters of Making My Paris Home (released Tuesday November 7, 2017) In today's episode of the podcast, food blogger, renowned pastry chef (having worked for 13 years at Alice Waters' Chez Panisse) and best-selling cookbook author David Lebovitz joins me to talk about his new food and Paris destination memoir L'Appart: The Delights and Disasters of Making My Paris Home.  Having called Paris home since 2004, it was after eight years of renting that he decided he wanted to put down roots, and thus the journey of delights and disasters began. Tune in to my conversation with David Lebovitz and discover: How the real estate market works in Paris The one item he wanted for his kitchen that didn't exist anymore (until David went on the hunt for it) What he discovered about Paris and his move to the City of Light while writing this book How much butter the average French person eats each year What advice he gives to people who are visiting Paris How he is surviving the current butter shortage in France What the French consider a terrible insult One of the challenges that arose while writing the book Why his partner Romain is his hero Visit David's blog DavidLebovitz.com   As mentioned in the conversation: My Sweet Life in Paris, David's best-selling Parisian memoir a post from his blog: Fall at the Market in Paris (2017) Instagram — @davidlebovitz (view a few pics below) Find out how to join David's tours in Paris during your next visit to the city Facebook — facebook.com/davidlebovitz Twitter — @davidlebovitz David's French farm house sink (second image below)   ~images from David's Instagram, and be sure to check out his IG Stories as well~   ~the French farmhouse sink worth the search as discussed in the episode~ More books by David Lebovitz: ~My Sweet Life in Paris, David's best-selling Parisian memoir ~My Paris Kitchen: Recipes & Stories by David Lebovitz (a cookbook to have in your kitchen and the cookbook he was working on during his apartment's renovations) ~Ready for Dessert: My Best Recipes ~Recipe for David's Quiche aux petits pois, lard fumé et estragon (Bacon, Green Pea, and Tarragon Quiche) ~Click here for the recipe ~Tune in to more French-Inspired episodes of The Simple Sophisticate below: episode #4 — 10 Ways to Unearth Your Inner Francophile episode #32 — The Francophile's Style Guide: The 14 Essentials episode #127 — 20 Ways to Live Like a Parisienne episode #144 — 20 Ways to Incorporate Your Love for the French Culture into Your Everyday  episode #151 —10 Style Tips to Embrace the French Woman's Approach to Effortless Chic episode #168 —French Everyday Living with Author & Blogger Sharon Santoni episode #169 —Understanding the French Culture: My Interview with Géraldine Lepere of Comme une Française This episode was sponsored by the following: ~Swap.com Save 40% with code SIMPLE40 on your first order through November 30th Receive free shipping on orders over $10 Free shipping code: C4Y7FP4XJERY ~Simply Earth Click here to subscribe to the monthly box with 6 recipes and everything you need to make them. 4 – 5 full size essential oil bottles Enter the coupon code “SIMPLE” to receive a $40 giftcard emailed to you after you subscribe to this fun essential oil recipe box. Click here to begin! Each box comes with 6 recipes and everything you need to make them. 4 – 5 full size essential oil bottles, 100% pure goodness all for $39.   Download the Episode  

Alternate Endings - Part 5 - Missing Persons, Luke 24:2-3 - They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they did not find the body of the Lord Jese., The story of Christ's resurrection:, How Christ's resurrection can change your story:, Your GUILT can be GONE! (Psalm 38:4, Pslam 32:5), Your EVERYDAY life can be EMPOWERED! (Espesians 1:18-20), Your OUTLOOK can be OPTIMISTIC! (I Peter 1:3), Given by Ken Adams in Newnan, GA. , on 03/31/2013.

Alternate Endings - Part 5 - Missing Persons, Luke 24:2-3 - They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they did not find the body of the Lord Jese., The story of Christ's resurrection:, How Christ's resurrection can change your story:, Your GUILT can be GONE! (Psalm 38:4, Pslam 32:5), Your EVERYDAY life can be EMPOWERED! (Espesians 1:18-20), Your OUTLOOK can be OPTIMISTIC! (I Peter 1:3), Given by Ken Adams in Newnan, GA. , on 03/31/2013.

God-Light: Biblical Wisdom in Your Everyday (#3) :: Ken Wilson :: June 15, 2008 :: Vineyard Church of Ann Arbor :: http://www.annarborvineyard.org/

Text Messaging: The Bible in Your Everyday (#3) - The Biblically Informed Imagination (Don Bromley) :: April 1-2, 2007. Summary: The world is both agonizingly beautiful and astonishingly ugly. Full of enormous joy and full of enormous pain. The question I want to ask is, how as Christians do we respond to this? How do we live as genuine, authentic human beings in the midst of all this ugliness, and this beauty? We need a biblically informed imagination to make sense of a world of beauty and distortion, and our place in it. http://www.annarborvineyard.org/

Text Messaging: The Bible in Your Everyday (#2) - The Role of the Bible in our Daily Relationship with God (Donnell Wyche) :: March 17-18, 2007. Summary: When we make space in our daily lives for the Bible we learn to embrace the Bible and God's words with genuine affection, we learn to lean on God's words for hope, help, and strength, and we learn to humble ourselves and stand in awe of God (Psalm 119; Psalm 19; Psalm 139).

Text Messaging: The Bible in Your Everyday (#1) - Making Space for a Text Messaging God :: March 10-11, 2007. Summary: Jesus brand spirituality has a Sacred Text because Jesus was formed by and interpreted and made his own contribution to Sacred Scripture.