Living well without spending a lot - my favourite way to live :)

 

Greetings from a sunny, crispy cool day at Ahuriri Beach for another lovely dog walk 😊

Daphne and Chloe have their coats on. Micky still refuses to wear one 🤣 I tried it again at home just before we left and he took two steps in it and promptly sat down until I took it off him 😂

The sun was so pretty sparkling on the water like diamonds. I thought it was just in that particular spot but as I walked along the path the diamonds followed me... that’s when I saw that they’d always be there, it was the sun, not that piece of water 🤣 I do worry about myself sometimes! 

 

 

 

But still, being followed by sparkly diamonds is quite nice.

Paul spends half his life waiting for Micky to sniff the grass, trees, rubbish bins. There is so much a little dog needs to explore, and tussock, that’s his favourite.

 

 

 

And of course, we let Micky take all the time he needs to thoroughly check everything out since he’s an older boy and we want him to enjoy his golden years.

I love seeing the shag birds on the branch sticking out of the rock at sea. They often hold their wings open to dry them and it’s so cute to see. Of course, no-one was drying their wings today when I wanted a photo 😂

 

 

 

In the photo below you can just make out snow on the hills in the distance. There were children swimming in the sea, can you believe that when even the air temperature was chilly let alone the water? Kiwi kids are hardy creatures!

 

 

 

I love activities that are enjoyable and don’t cost anything, and that’s what these doggie waterfront walks are for us.

 

 

 

It just costs a bit of petrol to get there (I know, petrol prices, hardly a ‘free’ outing 😂) and if we can resist the cafes we’re good. The food and drinks always look so appealing, and the thought of whiling away an hour or two looking out at the view does too.

Can you imagine us turning up with three dogs though? We’ve already been turned away from one place, and that was when we only had two dogs. They wouldn’t even allow us on the outdoor terrace!

Oh well, home for a yummy healthy lunch and homemade latte 😊

 

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Yay, the audiobook is finished!

I really do enjoy recording my audiobooks, and I’m so happy you all told me that you didn’t like the professional lady who did my first audiobook and you only wanted ME 🤣

Maybe I’ve discovered my calling... being an audiobook narrator. Well for my own books at least 😊

‘Life Is Good’ is now available as an eAudiobook in my eStore here.

And within the next few weeks it will filter through to Audible, they always take a bit longer. I see it’s already available on Spotify. If you have Spotify Premium you should be able to listen to it for free.

And, you can ask your library to order it in!

I get so excited seeing one of my paperbacks or audiobooks on a library platform.

I have a few more audiobooks that haven’t been done yet so I will complete ‘The Chic Author’ and also my blog books too.

I hadn’t done ‘The Chic Author’ yet because I thought I might update it, but I’ve since decided to leave it as an early snapshot.

For an update, I have outlined a new author-sequel book.

I have so many good ideas for new books!

That must really mean I’m feeling better.

Hoorah for that!

Happy listening 😊 

 

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Winter skies on my walk earlier this week 😊

I have had a few enquiries about paperback copies of ‘Life Is Good’ for readers in New Zealand, and I’m happy to send out signed copies.

In New Zealand dollars they are $25 each, with postage being $8 (or $14 for rural delivery).

I’ve ordered ten copies from Amazon Australia (the closest printing facility to me), and can get more if necessary.

Please message or email me if you’re interested.

But apart from that I am keeping cosy, and mapping outlines for new books. I have three hatching, and think I know which one will come next ❤️

And, I went swimming! I’ve been going once a week to a local heated pool and it’s great for my lymphedema as well as general fitness and gentle cancer rehab.

I was advised to avoid school holidays, haha, it would be a ZOO there! So I had two weeks off and it was nice to be back this past week.

Plus my outdoor walk each day plus I’m doing yoga once a week plus 2-3 half-hour strength workouts each week.

It sounds like a lot but it doesn’t feel like it. I just go for a walk each day and do some other activity five days a week.

I’m really excited about taking care of my body who has been through so much. I’m still getting there but feeling stronger all the time. And more healed!

It’s definitely a long road though (this picture is appropriate!), much longer than I thought it would be.

But that’s okay. I have time. It’s the ultimate slow living lesson.

I hope you’re having a great weekend 😊

xx Fiona

PS. To find all my links in one place you can always go to fionaferris.com (And my Amazon link is affiliate, thank you if you choose to use it!) 

 

One day at a time! And Hawaii plans :)

 

Hello friends 😊

Paul and I are out for a walk at a local park on a cool but nice wintry day.

I'm learning to take things easy around here. I think my biggest lesson this year is going to be 'patience'. You can't rush healing.

I still have 1-2 medical appointments each week, even five months after my surgery. This past week I had an Aclasta iv infusion for my bones, and a session on an arm pumping machine for my lymphedema.

I do get down quite often, but then I put things in perspective and feel better again. I am definitely getting physically better though, just very, very slowly. I guess it’s been a lot all at once for my body.

I even had a bout of vertigo a few weeks back, completely out of the blue. It’s crazy times I tell you.

Thankfully I found a YouTube video that helped me fix that (it’s the displaced crystals thing), and I am 95% better. I’ll wait a few weeks more and go to a specialist if I’m still not 100%.

One fun thing we did was book a Waikiki Beach holiday in Hawaii for later in the year.

Paul heard of a special package deal from a local travel agent on the radio and one of the hotels offered was the one we stayed at on our belated honeymoon in 2013. We were married in 2008 but had a business to run and no money for a honeymoon at the time.

So we’ve just booked our honeymoon hotel and now have six months to look forward to it and also, for me to get healthier and stronger. It will be our fourth time in Hawaii, it really is our happy place!

We don’t do anything strenuous, just alternate beach days with shopping days, and eat some nice meals in between.

I’m still reading a million books and not writing any. I just finished the newest Freida McFadden ‘The Divorce’ on audiobook in 2.5 days, it was such a ripper! Would recommend 😊 It’s here on Amazon at my affiliate link.

I’m also reading ‘Woman Down’ by Colleen Hoover. I’ve not read any from her before. I’m about halfway through and don’t like to ditch a book. But I think she is more dark romance which doesn’t really ring my bell. I know she is mega popular though. That book is here on Amazon too. 

Wishing you a lovely weekend!
Fiona x
 

Focusing on the positive

 

Dear friends,

I’ve been so down in the dumps and fed up with my ongoing lymphedema and post-radiation complications, that I posted an update on Instagram three weeks ago and completely forgot to copy it over to Substack and this blog (I post the same on both).

You can read my missing post here on Instagram to catch up, but otherwise here I am today, out for a walk in the sunshine. It’s well into autumn now in New Zealand but it’s warm enough, especially on a sunny day with wind from the right direction (i.e. not the south pole), that I took my long sleeve top off and walked in a tank top on this particular day.

It’s nice to get some vitamin D on at least one of my arms, since my other arm still has a compression sleeve on!

With my medication being changed from Letrozole to Tamoxifen due to my bones not being good enough to deal with Letrozole, I’ve had to start the whole ‘it takes a few months to get used to the changes’ all over again, and I really have felt so hormonal on Tamoxifen.

Overwhelmed and fed up, crying on Paul’s shoulder, being a bit of a biyatch to those closest to me… it’s all been a lot of fun let me tell you.

So instead of all that, let’s look at the other side of the coin, the bright side. What are all the good things I’ve enjoyed lately? Shall we focus on those while I wait for my lymphatic system to (hopefully) repair itself?

🫶 Paul and I went to see The Devil Wears Prada 2 last week, a mere one day after it was released. I enjoyed it but nothing replaces the original. Definitely worth watching and rewatching though. Milan was so gorgeous and the sumptuousness of the whole movie was gorgeous.

🫶 We got gluten-free fish and chips and ate them at the beach. I felt bad that the last time we’d been to the lovely fish and chip shop with the nicest owners was two years ago but you don’t want fish and chips too often, do you?

🫶 I am on book 3 of the Hideaway Bay trilogy that is so cozy, wholesome, gentle and lovely that I don’t want it to end. I’m listening to the audiobooks and they are beautifully narrated. Would recommend! (I bought them with Audible credits previously but I see now all three are in the Audible Plus catalogue so you can listen to them without using any credits).

Book 1 is The Secret Keeper, below, book 2 is The Game Changer, and book 3 which I only have 2.5 hours left on (so sad!) is called The Rule Breaker. These three books are already contenders to add to my favourite re-reads list. I’d love to get the paperbacks too or maybe just listen to the audiobooks again :)

 

I listened to the same author’s Blackbird Beach series a few years back and that’s still on Audible Plus too. I loved that series, but I love this current series more. It’s just so comforting to read. Her storylines draw you in and you want to see what happens next. I love happy books, and these also have a light sprinkle of mystery and suspense too. But they’re mostly calm and meandering :)

🫶 I’ve been enjoying my daily walks and weekly yoga, and getting into strength training too. Just at home, with squats and lunges, and some light arm work. Plus doing little things on my rebounder (one of those mini trampolines) which is good for my lymphatic system.

🫶 It’s cool enough to light our woodburner and we are having lovely fires each night. The doggies enjoy it so much and take turns sunbathing before they have to move away after getting too warm!

So that’s about all I’ve been up to: walking, reading, relaxing, and keeping day-to-day life sorted.

I went to a lovely Mother’s Day afternoon tea with my sister hosted at my mum’s yesterday, with aunties and cousins and close friends. It was a sociable way to spend a few hours.

I hope you’re well too, big hugs :)

x Fiona

 

[My Amazon links are affiliate, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase using these links. It’s no extra cost to you, so I really appreciate it if you choose to use my links for any Amazon purchases you might be making!] 

A simple, festive week

 

Hello friends,

Above is ‘almost’ a holiday portrait 🤣 I’m missing my husband Paul (since he’s taking the photo) and Nina cat (probably asleep inside).

But here is me with our doggies: Micky on the ground, and Chloe (left) and Daphne (right).

It’s been pretty warm here lately - over 30 deg (90F). But it’s not humid so it’s lovely.

I know it will sound strange to you Northern Hemisphere folk, but it really does feel like Christmas is just around the corner when it starts getting hot and summery and the cicadas are singing.

Less than two weeks to go!

I like to keep things simple gift- and plan-wise, but I love the music, movies, decorations, all of it.

We watched ‘Oh What Fun’ on Netflix the other night and it was excellent. Very funny and quite silly 😊 Silly in a good way! And last night we saw ‘Jingle Bell Heist’, also on Netflix, which was so enjoyable. I loved the cozy London vibes. 

 

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I’m enjoying this combo before bed each night. Lucky Paul doesn’t mind 😊 He says it smells nice, and I think so too.

My excellent brother-in-law brought back more Bath and Body Works from the US for me on his last trip there.

It’s fun to have a seasonal scent for December. I put the cream on my feet, knees, elbows, decolletage and hands.

And I lay a towelling bath mat from our ensuite by my side of the bed just like in a hotel, so I don’t get cream on the carpet. It’s a twofer: hotel vibes + practicality 😍

I really like the Laneige lip balm too, it’s lovely for overnight. During the day I prefer a lip balm in a wind-up tube.

I love my thrifted tray to corral everything on my bedside table as well.

This vista makes me so happy when I go to bed at night!

It’s the little things that delight my feminine heart 😊

 

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And yesterday was a beautiful day for lunch with my friend Tanya. We alternate home visits and always have sushi, and look forward to it each month. It was so nice sitting outside on a sunny day that we both could have easily had a nap afterwards!

That’s my simple life festive round up for the week! I just like to keep things quiet and low-key as much as possible. I hope you are enjoying the holiday season thus far too ❤️💚❤️💚❤️

xx Fiona

PS. My book ‘A Chic and Simple Christmas’ is the perfect accompaniment to keep you serene and calm this time of year 😊

 

 

 

 

[My Amazon links are affiliate, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase using these links. It’s no extra cost to you, so I really appreciate it if you choose to use my links for any Amazon purchases you might be making!] 

Throwback Californian road trip, and living a simple, quiet life

 

Hi friends!

Just for fun, I thought I’d share a throwback 😊

This was me in California 1985 and it was on a fun family trip travelling around the state for three weeks in conjunction with my dad’s fruit packing machinery business. Travelling to the US was a huge deal for us coming from sleepy little New Zealand!

I got to celebrate my 15th birthday there and learned about the tradition of waitresses singing Happy Birthday to you at dinner... mortifying for a shy girl like myself.

It was a glorious time and I shopped for all the things you couldn’t get in New Zealand then like clear glittery nail polish, faux Ray Ban Wayfarers, and probably those clips holding my sleeves up.

I even snuck off and got my hair trimmed at a mall in San Fransisco triggering a panic from my dad that I’d been abducted.

We went to see Cats the musical and stayed the night at the Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles afterwards but most of the time it was more budget-friendly accommodation.

In this photo we were at a national park.

It was a magical trip that I still have happy memories of. Whenever I hear the song ‘We Built This City’ by Starship it takes me right back, since that song was all over the radio in October 1985 😍

 

 

 

And in the present day, lol, I’m enjoying our lovely spring weather with quiet time at home, journalling new ideas, and looking forward to our festive summertime. 

 

 

 

In case you need a giggle…

Paul always makes me one of my giant cups of tea for my writing time in the morning, and I said to him on this particular day that it didn’t have quite enough milk in it. I know, I’m a diva 🤭

Next thing I know he has delivered a five-star service milk jug on a plate on a paper napkin 😂

I thought that was so cute. We do have fun, and yes I am very lucky to get a tea delivery service before Paul leaves for the gym in the morning 🥰

I have him trained well don’t you think?

I hope you have a lovely weekend and get some downtime to relax a little. It’s especially important as the end of the year seems to ramp up towards the holiday season❤️

With all my love,
Fiona

 

 

PS. If you need some inspiring words, why not read a few pages of one of my books? Maybe you already own a few, or want to try something new. All my books are here on Amazon, and for a limited time The Autumn Reset is free to read on Kindle Unlimited. Please let your friends know too if you think they would enjoy my books!

All my other links (Amazon alternatives, audiobooks, interviews) are at fionaferris.com. 

 

 

 

[My Amazon links are affiliate, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase using these links. It’s no extra cost to you, so I really appreciate it if you choose to use my links for any Amazon purchases you might be making!]

Be your own sunshine, and watch your life flourish

 

Hello friends!

Now more than ever I think it is important to focus on our real life and less what is on screens.

I really do enjoy a movie (we watched The Wrong Paris on Netflix the other night and it was so fun), and the occasional YouTube video (inspirational please), but when I get caught up in the endless drama and opinions online, it always leaves me feeling worse.

So I've decided to focus more on my real life and what I can control. After just a day or two it feels so much better. I feel like me again, and more positive and happy too.

There's always the balance of being aware of what's going on without being sucked into the drama. I don't say to be ignorant, but if I can't personally change something, it doesn't get my attention for very long.

I prefer to focus on what I can do. And if I'm in a low mood because I've been getting caught up in all the horrible things happening, I can't write my books. The words just won't come out!

No matter what we do for a living and who we might live with, we are more helpful to others when we protect our own mind.

Just today apart from editing a new chapter, I've been for a walk outside, picked some lavender to dry, and now I'm typing this post.

I want to be a voice of optimism in this world, and the only way I can do that is to focus on what's good.

I also think it's better for our health. From an energy standpoint, but also how motivated we are to look after ourselves. When I am in a good frame of mind, I find it easier to eat healthy, drink in happy moderation, and exercise.

Processed snack foods only appeal to me when I'm feeling flat. It's all so interesting when you look in the rear view mirror to see your motivations!

If you are feeling blah today, I hope this post helps. I like to think of low moods like clouds passing by. They're not permanent, even though they can feel like that sometimes. They always float away, leaving you with a sunny blue sky again.

Sending love!

 

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With all the new seasons clothing enticing us in the shops, why not try something different?

I warmly invite you to browse one of my newest books, and stretch your wardrobe dollar further (without sacrificing style).

I've always loved the idea of 'more dash than cash', and that you don't need to spend a lot of money to look polished, elegant, and stylish (or whatever your preferred style is - those are just mine 😍)

No matter your age, size, or your personal style preferences, I think you will gain inspiration from this book, and save some money too (at least the purchase price of the book if not 10x!)

Mindset is always the most helpful thing to me, not a list of '10 items every woman should own'. I can't deny it, I do love reading those lists, but they never have exactly what is in my closet.

Make it your goal this style season (autumn if you're in the northern hemisphere, or spring if you're below the equator like me) to make the most of your budget, your existing wardrobe, and your creativity too.

It's such a fun project to build a seasonal capsule for yourself, or reinvigorate how your wear things.

And let's not forget grooming - I'm a fan of freshly washed and blow-dried hair, and a fresh manicure (short and bright for me, as shown in the photo!) to feel A M A Z I N G.

If you haven't already read 'Elegantly Chic on a Budget' head on over to Amazon for your copy on Kindle or in paperback. And you can listen to the audiobook on Spotify or wherever you get your audiobooks (even from your library if you ask them to order it in for you).

Or get the eBook or eAudiobook from my eStore for a big-corporate alternative!

Happy reading, and maybe this will be a fun time of personal style discovery?

 

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Chloe always makes me giggle when she stands up to look out the window. Such a comical sight. There's no chance of her falling out though, don't worry, she isn't tall enough!

The other two doggies occasionally like to get the wind in their fur, but Chloe really likes to make sure she observes *everything* that's going on. She stands up for as long as the window is down, on those little pin legs!

Once we get going faster though, the window goes up and she can settle down for a snooze. But as soon as she senses the car slowing she is up at the window again. Of course she is!

Such a funny wee dog. And of course if she sees another dog walking on the footpath, she goes nuts. It's almost embarrassing 😂

For the smallest of our three dogs she is the most territorial. She even gets a ridge back where her fur stands up on her shoulders and above her tail.

We had a really tall dog come down from our neighbours the other day (maybe a gun dog? he was quite lanky, lovely and friendly) and she sent him packing, back home 🤣

It was quite the sight with Chloe sending him off. She doesn't know she's a small dog who weighs less than 5kg/10 pounds.

I hope you have a great week!

xx Fiona

  

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[My Amazon links are affiliate, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase using these links. It’s no extra cost to you, so I really appreciate it if you choose to use my links for any Amazon purchases you might be making!]

Living a soft, calm life... and a picture of my bookshelves for fellow booklovers!

How are you living a soft, calm life today? It's a beautiful spring-like late winters day, and I've been ironing a few blouses, pottering around at home fluffing things up. Equal parts chores and play.

Sometimes I find all that is required is to think differently. I can catch myself hurrying in my mind and simply decide to move in a soft, lovely, leisurely manner.

I still get just as much done but it's so much nicer.

Also, if you always feel like you should be doing more like I do (even though you don't know what 'more' looks like), just accepting that you are enough exactly as you are right now is so liberating.

I've been saying this to myself a lot lately, because I often feel a little Charlie Brown grey cloud of doom over my head, following me around.

I don't know why!

So I just say: You're okay. There is nothing to worry about. You're doing okay. Enjoy your life. Be happy.

I often take the angle of talking to my five-year-old self. If I see her unnecessarily bothered, I can calm her. It's the same for my inner chat I find.

So anyway, if you needed to hear this today, know you are not alone. Maybe there are many of us who have this ticker tape going on in their mind, warning us not to get too comfortable lest something goes wrong.

Give yourself the gift of a soft, calm life by the way you think, and also how you live, by simplifying your schedule, tidying and beautifying your environment, and having seasonal sifts through your home.

It's nice to have a new season approaching, spring here, and autumn for my northern hemisphere friends. It gives a freshness to everything.

Tell me what you are doing today in order to live a soft, calm life. For me, I'm sipping a relaxing herbal tea as I write this. I felt like some hydration, and something warm. It's lovely. In my Starbucks Hawaii mug to remind me of our holidays there!

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I spent a happy afternoon reorganising my bookshelves last weekend. I've been wanting to do it for a while, so when the energy was aligned I took every single book off, dusted the shelves, and put them back one by one. The big shelves here are in our hall.

I’d just read Marie Kondo's comic version of her book, called The Life Changing Manga of Tidying Up (who knew there was such a thing!) and she said NOT to open the books. I only opened a few, haha! She said you should be able to tell by the cover if you want to keep them or not.

I hadn’t intended on doing a declutter but ended up with a few bags that have already departed.

 

These smaller shelves are in my office, for books that are too tall for the hall shelves, plus my collection of Ralph Lauren books (and a photo of my siblings and me).

I always like browsing other peoples bookshelves and a reader said she’d like to see mine so I thought why not!

They hold a mix of personal development/success, French and Italian chic, fashion and style, recipe books, soft romantic lifestyle, and healthy living.

None of my own (Fiona Ferris) books are on these shelves (I keep a few of each title in my office just to have on hand).

I want to do a secondary shift around (but probably won’t 😂) because at the end I was getting a bit tired and just wanted it done.

Is there anything worse than starting a project, making a big mess, not finishing it, and waking up the next morning to face it all over again?

I think not!

That’s why I only like to start something I can see myself wrapping up that same day. It’s too depressing otherwise!

Would recommend Marie Kondo’s manga book if you need a little refresher. You might even find that your library has it. I read it online with Libby and have her original book on Kindle.

See them both here at Amazon:

The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up (comic book - it’s really cute and quick to read!)

The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up (original book)

And as always, happy reading! I shudder to imagine a life without books! If you are a book girl I know you’ll understand. I just feel so happy when I see my bookshelves!

Wishing you a lovely start to your week.

Fiona

 

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PS. You can read or listen to my book 100 Ways to Live a Soft, Calm Life on Amazon here, or go to fionaferris.com for additional purchasing/listening options and to see my other books. Ask your library to order it in too! They can get the paperback and the audiobook.

[My Amazon links are affiliate, which means I may receive a small commission if you purchase using them. There is no extra cost to you. I really appreciate it if you choose to use my links - thanks!]