Blog posts that inspire

Elegance is Mystery

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I saw an interview recently with fashion icon Carolina Herrera and in that interview, she discussed the importance of mystery. She said, “that mystery is very important in life”. I found that quote to be very profound but honestly I should have not been surprised.

Carolina is known for being one of the most elegant women in the world and I don’t see her personal life smeared all over the news or magazines.

I love her new bridal collection but then again who doesn’t. Even the commercials are captivating. Here is a video from her new bridal collection and one of the chicest bridal commercials I have ever seen.

Photo by Charisse Kenion on Unsplash
(video via Youtube)

Favorite Artist ~Claire Basler

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I have never really been interested in art but lately, I have been paying more attention to it. I don’t know why but I have been drawn to artwork lately. Maybe I am getting older or maybe my sense of style is changing. One of my good friends told me that every 10 years your personal style begins to change.

Well, it has been 10 years so maybe that is the reason why art has been on my brain. As some of you know I follow quite a few bloggers. One blog that I follow is This is Glamorous. The author Roseline, wrote an article about an artist named Claire Basler. 


I could not believe how beautiful her art was. The paintings just capture you. Claire is also one of the “stylish girlfriends” in Sharon Santoni’s new book My Stylish Girlfriends. Just look at her work below. My soul just sighs every time I look at it……

photo credit:  Dominique Bouteiller

photo credit: Mads Mogensen

To read the original article see here.

The French Way of Eating

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I always wondered how the French manage to keep their gorgeous figures and still enjoy life. I know here in America overeating is a severe problem. I have to constantly tell myself, “Listen, you don’t have to eat all this food that they are putting on your plate”. The restaurant portion sizes are just out of control! And I have heard some people say that they think they are too small!!!

Well, I refuse to let food conquer me! I want to enjoy beautiful meals but I am not going to let food control me. I was reading French Essence and Vicki wrote about The French Way.


She talked about how she went to her aesthetician and discussed how the French eat.  Her aesthetician had some excellent advise….

Nothing changed in that she stressed the word moderation over and over. Her way is not about denial but the timing, quantities and combinations of how we eat. 


If we feel the desire to consume less than the ideal, eat it early and not too often. Depriving ourselves can make a diet difficult to maintain. Eating in a healthy way, maintaining our weight and setting up eating practices for the future are the way this French woman thinks. 

You must finish reading the article. It is an absolute eye opener.


What the French Envy about the Americans

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As I mentioned a few weeks ago I am devouring the new book called The French Beauty Solution. I said that I would continue to share some of the information in the chapters that the author Mathilde Thomas discussed.



She wrote a section called, “What the French Envy about the Americans“. I found this list very fascinating….



* Your sparkling white, straight teeth, thanks to years of fluoride-rich water and good dentistry and orthodontia. 


* Your strong muscles and bones. Perhaps it’s the milk and meat and corn, you tend to eat as part of your regular diet when growing, but American women tend to look so much more fit and healthy than the French. Super- sporty cheerleaders and runners and gym-goers are always a source of awe.

* Your discipline when it comes to bad habits. Frenchwomen tend to smoke way too much. They know it’s a terrible, life threatening habit, and they don’t beat themselves up about it- when they should. Americans can go to the other extreme of “Oh my god, I’m going to get cancer if I have one cigarette”, or “I’m an alcoholic if I have one glass of wine”. That attitude will automatically make us want to light up and then order a bottle of Champagne.

* Your boundless energy. We just love America, and especially New York. Even though the city has been cleaned up in recent years, forcing out many of the artists and creative talent that gave New York its edge, there is still a special vibe and it is full of creative and ambitious people doing things to change the world. And, of course, Americans all over the country continually impress me with their innovation, ambition, gumption, and smarts, too.

These are just a few of the items on the list. I would encourage any one to buy this book. It has been a wonderful read.













Things that Make You Age

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This past July a wonderful book was released called The French Beauty Solution by Mathilde Thomas. I went to my local bookstore to take a peek at it too see if it was worth my purchasing. And I have had it a few weeks now and all I can say is Wow!

I have really enjoyed this book! For the next few weeks I will share some parts from some of the chapters. One section in the book that I just recently read was called, ” What makes you look old”. Here author Mathilde lists a few things that Frenchwomen try to avoid:


1. Foundation that’s too thick, too obvious or that isn’t blended well. Having your face be a different tone from your neck or the rest of your body is a definite non. 

2. A super-matte, powdered face.

3. Eyebrows that are too thin or the wrong shape for your face.

4. Neon or super- bright colors. Soften your palette as you get older.

5. Lip liner that is obvious, especially if it’s darker than your lipstick.

6. Yellow teeth

7. Not eating well. When you starve yourself into thinness, it shows on your face. Or when you deprive yourself of delicious food, it makes you feel and look pinched.

8. Not getting enough sleep.

9. Too much stress

10. Not being dynamic. Being out of shape is an instant ager.

These are just a few from the list. I will share more from the book as I continue to read it. It is a wonderful book and I would encourage anyone to buy it!

Photo by Rikonavt on Unsplash

35 Things To Have In Your 30’s

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Finding your way as a woman is such a challenge. I make a conscious effort on a daily basis to remind myself of who I am and what I want out of life. I want to keep my goals and dreams in front of me.

I also love the life I am building for myself. I just pray that I continue on the right path. I was reading this list sometime last year called “35 Things a Stylish Woman Should Have in her 30s” and I have to say it is great!

Shannon Ables author of the fantastic blog The Simply Luxurious Life is a great writer and teacher. I love her blog and her fantastic lists! They are so inspiring. I have written about her a few times on my blog 22 Ways to Create a Grown-Up Space, Be Someone of Quality, and Interview Yourself about Your Passions. These are all great articles from Shannon and I know you will enjoy this one to.

These are just a few from the list that I love…..

1. A classic shoe (be it a flat, boot or pump that fits your signature style)


2. A quality timepiece (I added this to my collection recently, see here)


3. A complimentary lip color


4. A work uniform that is appropriate and stylish


5. A signature perfume


6. A preferred flower (or one for each season) 






















































Photo by La Morena on Unsplash






















Ways to Uncomplicate Your Life

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I love lists! I have a to-do list for home, work, bills, clothes, you name it! So when I find lists on how to organize my life and how to bring elegance into my home, I always feel as though I have hit the jackpot! Last year I posted an entry called 100 Ways to be Elegant which was written by the same person who wrote 100 Ways to Uncomplicate Your life. These lists are wonderful and give great insight on how to bring ideas into your home and give great revelation on how to deal with the issues of life. Here are a few of my favorites from that list…

Photo by Vika Fleisher on Unsplash
1. Don’t try to read other people’s minds.

2. Stick to your budget


3. Start saving and investing every week, no matter how little you can spare.


4. Don’t try to be friends with everyone. Cultivate closer relationships with fewer people.


5. Don’t try to do business with everyone. Identify your target client and take very good care of them.


6. Before getting angry, ask yourself if it will really matter in 20 years.


7. Focus on being a good person, not on pleasing others


8. Make a weekly menu and shop for only those items at the market


9. If you’re holding on to a ridiculous grudge, let it go


10. Clean your house weekly, so that it doesn’t become too large a chore.


11. Do your best at work, or at school.


12. Cook simple meals


13. Don’t try to keep up with the Joneses


14. Pay off your car before buying a new one.


15. Organize your desk at the office.


16. Spend your time with nice people


17. Avoid drama


18. Refuse to gossip, or talk behind other people’s backs


19. Ask nicely for what you need and want.


20. Walk 10,000 steps per day to help your heart.


21. Leave work at work.


22. Don’t ENVY others


23. Weed your garden weekly


24. Wash your car weekly


25. You don’t need to be best friends with work colleagues but build respectful partnerships.


26. Return emails and phone messages promptly


27. Schedule in free time.


28. Start your diet on September 1, rather than January 1, so that you won’t also have holiday pounds to lose.


29. Take care of any health issues or concerns.


30. Don’t let your imagination run away with you


31. Let go of perfection in yourself


32. Drink more water.


33. Eat more salmon


34. Wear your hair in a classic, easy to care for style.


35. Finish what you start


36. Wear classic clothes and shoes that never go out of style.

37. Create a daily routine.

38. Have a 1, 5, 10, and 20-year plan for your financial and life goals.

39. Slow down

40. If a relationship is over, let it go.


Written by DeeAnne from Live the Charmed Life