September Update

My sister made me a beautiful - silk! - mask to wear when I need to.

 

Dear chic friends,

I have received some messages of concern – “where are you!” and I am sorry to have caused worry for any of you.  I am perfectly well, and don’t have the covid or anything like that.  I am just naturally quite a shy person, and sometimes don’t find it natural to be online all the time.

In a perfect world I would wrap myself up in my book writing and only pop out to say, ‘There’s a new one here!’ then scurry back into my tucked-in little nest.  But life is not like that, is it?  We all have to get out of our comfort zone and be present.

I have been writing yes, and have a new book that is currently in the editing process.  I’ve also been having a lot of thinking time, and wondering what new projects I want to do next.  I have also been considering just how my future plans fit into how I like to work best.  Also, I’ve been doing a lot of journaling and private self-development work which feels indulgent, but heck, why not.  Just writing in a notebook and seeing what comes out.  It’s free and fun and yields fascinating results.

We are coming out of winter here in New Zealand, and it’s nice to feel that spring is just around the corner.  Today is a deliciously drizzly day – so cozy!  Our country is currently in lockdown, not so bad where I live, but our biggest city – Auckland – is fully locked down and has been for many weeks.  We ‘only’ had 2-3 weeks of full lockdown here by comparison.

I sincerely hope you are well and happy, and wish you the best of the new season whether you are going into spring or autumn.  And I will continue on with my next book and hopefully have it ready for you soon!

~~ Fiona ~~

PS.  You can find all of my books here on Amazon.  I’m not surprised that ‘The Peaceful Life’ has been my most popular book since it came out.  We could all use some soothing at the moment as our worldwide phenomena rolls on.  But for many places there is light, so we cling to that.  xx

 

 

 

Creating your own happiness

Now more than ever I truly realise that we are each responsible for our own happiness. There can be very sad times and hardship, and simply being a cheery person cannot avoid these circumstances, but how resilient we are very much depends on our state of mind.

When we look for the negative things in life, nitpick, find fault in, and judge others, it is harder to be happy. I know this from experience. But when we drop the judgement, look for the good in life, are grateful for everything we have and look forward to each day as a chance for a new start, miracles seem to occur. We feel happy for no reason. Life is brighter. People are friendlier. The trees are greener! And it all starts with us.

We had recent family sadness: my father-in-law Peter passed away in April. He was one of the most enthusiastic people I have ever met. His smile was 1,000 watts and he was always positive. His funeral was so packed there were people standing at the back.

Peter moved here from the UK as a young man and forged a life for himself in a new country, was successful in his chosen career as an engineer (just like my dad, who was an engineer too) and built a beautiful life for himself and his family. If he hadn’t wanted to see the world as a merchant navy man my husband Paul wouldn’t exist, and I am so grateful that he does!

I knew Peter for eighteen years, and cannot remember a time when he was grumpy. He truly was a lesson in how to live life well, and with gusto. This wasn’t supposed to be a eulogy, but more a little reminder to live life, be happy, and appreciate every moment you are given. I know I do, every single day.

Yes, sometimes I’m not my best self and can be thoughtless or a Little Miss, but the more I practice looking on the bright side of life, the more I can appreciate. The more you do it, the easier it gets.

Sending you a big smile and wishing you a lovely weekend!

xx Fiona

PS. my books are now available as paperbacks in Australia through Amazon Australia - actually printed in Australia! This means a huge saving on shipping - yay! 

 

 

New book out: Thirty Chic Days Vol. 3!

  

 

Dear chic friends,

My newest book is finally out! I'm thrilled to let you know that the print and Kindle copies are now available on Amazon here, and the eBook is in my online store here for those of you who cannot access Amazon easily.

Thirty Chic Days Vol. 3 is all about nurturing a happy relationship, staying youthful, being your best self, and having a ton of fun at the same time.  I had such a great time writing it, so I hope you enjoy reading it!  Please let me know what your favourite parts are!

I always get fired up about my next book when I publish a new book, so I'm busy exploring topic ideas to see which one inspires me the most.

With all my best to you; I hope you are doing fabulously well :)

Lots of love, Fiona x

Half-price sale!

 

Just for fun, everything in my eStore is HALF PRICE until the end of the month.  So go and have a browse when get a moment, at:

https://payhip.com/fionaferris

And if there is anything that catches your eye, simply use the code:

HALFPRICEHAPPINESS

You will receive 50% off the marked prices and can purchase as many items as you like.

I hope you find something!  Have fun!

xx Fiona

A calm and peaceful feeling

There is no day that cannot be improved with a serene feeling.  With all the things we all have to deal with in our daily life, it is so important to give ourselves the gift of a peaceful mind.

I don’t know about you, but I have a very active mind which analyses things to an unhelpful point, and sometimes thoughts run around in circles on a loop, repeating themselves.  Especially when I wake up during the night and am trying to get back to sleep!

Cultivating a peaceful mind minimises those midnight thoughts, and helps me have a happy and content demeanour overall – even with niggles, stresses and maybe even bigger concerns in the background.

Firstly, I stop listening to all those thoughts.  Most of them are not helpful or even true.  I liken it to being somewhere with a lot of advertisements or billboards.  Do you buy every single thing they show you?  Do you go to every website listed and place an order?

Or window shopping.  I don’t buy something from every single store window I pass, and it’s the same with thoughts when your mind is busy.  You don’t have to buy each one, or any of them.  You can simply let them float by.

If there are things that come into my mind that are a real issue I have to deal with, I’ll write them down so I don’t forget.  Then I can either take action quite soon, or if I don’t have to deal with them right away, I’ll put a note on my calendar.  That way I can forget that thing quite happily and carry on being grateful for my day, my life and the glory of nature that is around me.  There is always something to notice and appreciate.

It seems so simple and basic, but I have found the best solutions often are.  I am a master at over-complicating things, and you might be too :)  Keep your thoughts simple and pure, and approach problems with a child-like mind.  Ask yourself, What are the most basic ideas for a solution?

Keep well, and be sure to prioritise your serenity today.

xx Fiona

 

Living a simple life offline

 

Hello chic friends :)

I am nearing completion of my next book - it's a big one so is taking a little longer.  Thirty Chic Days. Vol 3 is almost here!  I had the whole of January off from writing, and started back again this month.  It has been nice to step away from the online world and I would thoroughly recommend it if you find you feel overwhelmed by 'everything' out there.

There is something about being present in your own 'real life' that grounds and settles your heart.  It's been something I've been thinking about a lot.  I'd be interested in hearing your perspective - do you feel happier and more content when you spend more time in your own life rather than being sidetracked into the online world?  Even if there are lots of lovely people online too - not just influencers :)

The kinds of things I've been doing are all related to slow living:

Preparing our meals at home with time and intention

Decluttering our home - I have been enjoying Dawn at The Minimal Mom's videos

Going for walks outside with the doggies - not even listening to anything, just enjoying nature

Writing, of course!

Hanging laundry outside and folding it when it's dry

Picking the deadheads off my favourite red-orange geraniums

Keeping in touch with family and friends (including travel within New Zealand)

Playing around in my wardrobe and creating new outfits

Basically pottering around and looking at all the ways I can simplify.  I forget that it's not just a one-time thing.  We will always have new items and requests on our time coming in, and we have to also let some things out.  I feel better when my life is more simple.  It settles the mind and helps with my habit of overthinking.  It feels peaceful and gentle.  And grounded.

Sometimes things are just in our life because they are there, and we forget that we can take a look at everything critically.  We have a choice.  At the end of our life are we going to look back and think, 'I made everyone else happy and left myself a frazzled husk'?  I know I am being overdramatic here but it's true.  We can only give to others when we give to ourselves.

I hope you are safe, well and happy where you are.  All my best to you, and I will see you soon with my next book!

xx Fiona

 

 

Final day: A Week of Christmas Self-Care

 Day 7: A Week of Christmas Self-Care
~ Sparkle ~

We are only a few days away from Christmas, and whether you are spending the day by yourself or with others, I want you to remember to S P A R K L E, from the inside-out and the outside-in.

Let the festive spirit wash over you and for getall perfectionism, worries and future to-dos.  You have done all you can to get things organised up until now, and for Christmas Day and beyond all there is left to do is enjoy yourself.  Even if you are hosting.

If you are lucky enough to have people spending the day with you or are visiting others, not everything needs to be perfect.  Your loved ones will simply enjoy spending time with you.

Sparkle in your way of being, how you dress, and even how you do your makeup.  Some will be more sparkly :) while those of us who are more subdued in our personal style will sparkle in a subtle way perhaps with a little gold-toned highlighter on our cheekbones.

Sparkle in your personal interactions by asking questions of others, and promising to yourself that you will only speak of positive anecdotes.  Be that person who lifts others and yourself up by your manner.  You can set the tone for your gathering by being calm, joyous and relaxed.  Be that person who puts others at ease.

Have something sparkling to drink too, from a flute of course!  A glass of sparkling wine, spritzer or mineral water with a dash of fruit juice.  There is nothing more festive than something fizzy in a Champagne glass.

I invite you to revisit one of my favourite holiday posts here, on having an haute couture Christmas.  It’s magical :)

Merry Christmas chic friends, it’s been a pleasure to spend this week with you.  Thank you for your lovely comments too, they are received and appreciated.

I look forward to seeing you in the new year that is 2021.

All my best to you! Fiona