How to be Chic

Saturday, April 4, 2020

30 Chic Days at Home - Day 16 - Use Your Nice Things

Image: Ella Jardim, Unsplash

Being in lockdown, I have been using more of my nice things. On a 'normal' day in the past, I'd use my everyday things, but at the moment it feels like the time to make every day sparklier. Sort of like someone in jail wanting to decorate their cell a bit :)

I am wearing my Aerin 'Tuberose Le Soir' fragrance today.

Sipping a glass of bubbles while I write this post.

Trying different eye makeup looks each morning.

Wearing jewellery even though the only outing is to walk the dogs.

Lighting a new Ecoya 'French Pear' candle.

And when I finish this post I am going to sit down with my Hello magazine which arrived in the mail yesterday.

~~

A reader left a comment under one of my previous posts about the fact that she is working full-time at home and taking care of a toddler too. Stressful. I know things are seriously inequitable at the moment with some of us at home with no work, some working at home or on the frontline; all different iterations of our new and strange current reality.

I don't know what the answer is but I do know that connecting with others can help. I had a brief, spontaneous four-way WhatsApp video call with my cousin, brother and mum last night and it was fab. One lady I saw on Instagram had what looked like twenty people at least on her laptop screen - her knitting group! How cool is that!

~~

In exciting book news I am pleased to reveal the new book cover for my title 'Financially Chic'. The Kindle book is available now, whereas the paperback may well be delayed among the many items restricted for shipping. You can find the Kindle copy here on Amazon.

I wrote 'Financially Chic' almost four years ago to be able to share my love for personal finance, living well and generally living an expensive life on a small budget. I wasn't always savvy with money, but in my early twenties I ended up working at a financial planning office and was instantly hooked. I learned a lot both from my job and the resultant reading I did on the subject.

But, I do things in my own way, which is how personal finance comes to be infused with a chic way of life. If you have an 'ick' feeling towards money management, I would love to be able to show you how it can feel fun and light-hearted instead. And if you have gained any insights from this book, I would love you to share your experience in the comments!

As well, do let us know what nice things you will be using during lockdown! Details please!

xx Fiona

~~

You can find me here too:

Free writer’s encouragement

Friday, April 3, 2020

30 Chic Days at Home - Day 15 - What Will You Change After This?

Image: Jurien Huggins, Unsplash

In yesterday's post I mentioned how I was resting more and not rushing through things, and also that I had never seen more people out walking with their families. Then today I heard a lady on YouTube say that she was cooking more for her and her sixteen year old son and that they actually sat down and had dinner together at night, because they had the time and both wanted to. I even read on Twitter that someone was taking their time to shower and groom in the morning and they loved it. Me too!

I can see that a lot of us will take this time of forced confinement and realise that a lot of good has come from it. Yes, definitely, a lot of stress, health worries and financial strain, but also a silver lining. I know for myself there are things I will take forward with me.

The main one right now is a renewal of my vows (hehe, I just felt that was appropriate) for my love of writing - both in my books and on my blog. I don't know what it was but I felt I'd lost my spark a bit. Every so often I wonder if I'm still 'writing in the right direction' but really, the only way you can find that out is to write about what you want to and see where it takes you. And when I'm writing at the moment, guess what, it's what I've already been writing about. Yay!

I also wonder if people who have been lucky enough to have had time off work will wonder if what they're doing is what they really want to be doing. Yes, this year is certainly one of change, I think we can all agree on that! Both forced change, and afterwards, possibly choosing our change.

What will you be taking forward? Any changes you think you might make afterwards?

Gosh, 'afterwards', it seems a long way off, doesn't it? But remember we're all in this together (as if you haven't heard that phrase a million times already!) and as a globe full of people, we'll find our way through it.

xx Fiona

You can find me here too:

Free writer’s encouragement

Thursday, April 2, 2020

30 Chic Days at Home - Day 14 - Rest When You Need To

Image: Jen P, Unsplash

I don't know about you, but I've been taking it easy more than usual. I do my chores and any jobs that need doing, but I haven't been packing tons into every day. I've been honouring my energy levels and, when they are lower, I'll rest. Whether it's sleeping an extra hour in the morning, turning in early at night or snuggling up under a rug on the sofa and closing my eyes for a bit, the little bits and pieces here and there feel so good.

Strangely enough, even with all the worry in the world, I've been sleeping quite well. I think because there is such a huge event going on that all the little things that normally niggle me at 3am seem so insignificant right now!

I always know intellectually that resting is good, but I very rarely do it. Instead, I'll eat something for energy. Yes, I know, it sounds so dumb written down :) But at the moment I am resting as a first response.

And the opposite of rest, while being the same (they both give you energy), is going for a walk. I've never seen so many people walking up and down our street. All the neighbours at one time or another. And I notice it the few times I've been out in the car as well - family groups and happy pets out walking. I think it's fantastic!

How about you? Are you able to rest more? Walk outdoors? Tell me how you are handling things.

xx Fiona

~~

You can find me here too:

Free writer’s encouragement