A harvest day, and what I'm reading

 

 

Last weekend Paul and I attended a harvest day at one of our local wineries called Alpha Domus. We spent the morning picking grapes, and then enjoyed a beautiful lunch with wine. The weather was lovely and it was a very pleasant way to spend a day overall.

 

 

Doesn't this just look like a painting? That sky :)

 

 

I don't think I was as fast as a professional picker, but I did my best and managed not to nick myself this time. This is the third or fourth time we've attended this harvest day, and I admit, I did manage to cut myself the first time. The snips are very sharp! The secret is to have your hand under the bunch of grapes and let the bunch fall into your hand, rather than grip the bunch. The gripping leads to the snipping, lol.

 

 

 

We picked Chardonnay grapes for their top-tier Chardonnay. When you taste the grapes they are so sweet. I always thought that wine grapes weren't as sweet as table grapes but I was wrong. They are lovely!

 

 

 

 

And after our busy morning picking 2.5 tonnes of grapes (I know! It's a lot!) we got to see our grapes being squeezed and tasted the first of the juice (it tastes just like apple juice), and also tasted the wine from the same grapes we picked this time last year.

 

 

 

 

Lunch tables and umbrellas were set out, and it was so nice to sit down. I really felt like we'd done a full day's work (actually a half day's work but that doesn't roll off the tongue so well, haha).

 

 

 

 

Lunch was so delicious. I had lamb paella and the freshest salad with Parmesan and homemade dressing over top. It filled the spot perfectly, paired with a glass of red wine of course!

 

With thanks to our gracious hosts at Alpha Domus, it was a wonderful day :)

 

 

 

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And in reading news, I just finished this book. omg, so so stressful 😂 but so good! It is suspense genre and I've been into these types of books lately. Would recommend if you want to increase your heart rate 🤣

 

 

Two women who want to disappear from their lives cross paths at the airport and end up swapping tickets, passports, phones, luggages... lives.

It's not gory like The Housemaid book but it is definitely 'thrilling' and a good read. It makes you wonder what is behind closed doors in other peoples lives. Not that most people are 'that' different. Most of us are just very normal, living normal lives. Thank goodness!

 

The Flight book is here on my Amazon affiliate link, or I'm sure you can find it at the library like I did!

 

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Our hallway just inside the front door,
in my ‘Inspired by Ralph Lauren’ style

 

A little peek into our home...

 

I love a mix of traditional and modern, just like Ralph does. He goes chrome in his modern furniture though, whereas I prefer gold.

Note the table tennis balls for Nina cat corralled under the glass-topped hall table 💛😉🐈‍⬛

She loves to play with them and sometimes gets one out, and other times likes to bat them around within the confines of the table base.

It’s funny to hear her playing with them ☺️

Who is your main style influence if you have one? And what kinds of opposites do you like to mix together?

Wishing you a great week, whatever you are doing. I have writing planned, of course I do! I am working on multiple new books. It's just the way things work out. Eventually one pulls ahead and that's the one I finish next. And of course, keeping up with my audiobook recording. I am up to my twentieth audiobook, phew! It's actually really nice recording them, revisiting the books I've already written :)

My audiobooks are available anywhere you get your audiobooks from, including the library (you can ask for them to order them in), and they are also available in my eStore as an MP3 download.

 

xx Fiona

 

 

 

 

Christmas begins, and my chic and slim tricks

My book 'A Chic and Simple Christmas', pictured on our dining table :)

 

Greetings chic friends!

 

Last weekend I put up my simple Christmas decorations. I went for a classic combo of red and gold, with a wool-effect tartan ribbon on the tree.

Our living room is a dark, moody space, ideal for daytime lights on the tree. I’ve decided it is the perfect Christmas grotto!

 

Fun movie on Netflix

 

And this week I listened to a cute Christmas audiobook called 'Christmas at the Little Paris Hotel' on Spotify (here on Amazon and it looks to be US$1.10 on Kindle at the moment), and have been watching Christmas movies too like the one above.

I loved it! It made me want to read more classic literature :)

Why not take the time to get into the festive spirit with your favourite things, I’ve decided 😊

Other years I’ve started early, but it feels nice to start on the first of December this year. I like to switch things up for myself.

How about you? Are you doing Christmassy things? Please tell me your favourite books and movies too 🎄

 

‘A Chic and Simple Christmas’ is available on Kindle, in paperback, and on Audible here Amazon  (the audiobook is 99c with a free trial of Audible).

Plus you can listen to it free on Spotify if you have Spotify Premium.

 

 

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Coffee and cake out with my aunty and mum on a sunny summery day 😊

 

 

A long time ago, in my bid for healthy lifestyle habits, I decided to 'always choose small' when it came to buying drinks out.

The slightly bigger size is always better value, and 'good value' is one of my values (😂) But then I made it just what I do, so I always buy size small (as with my coffee here).

I also have a chic rule for myself, and that is to eat half of whatever treat I'm having. I am not denying myself completely - and I don't eat cake every day - but whenever I do have cake or a sweet treat out with coffee, I cut it in half first.

It's actually really easy to do because I've decided to already, plus when I cut it in half before starting to eat, there is no edging over until it's all gone 🤣

I ask for a small bag or takeaway box, and one very happy husband has the other half with his after-dinner coffee that night.

In the photo above is a delicious gluten-free carrot cake at Cafe on Tennyson in Napier. It's so nice I can't try anything else when I go there. I have to have the carrot cake! The cream cheese icing is yum too.

 

 

Day 27. 'Use the 'le half' technique' in my book 'Thirty Slim Days' details both of these chic habits in more detail.

 

And, 'Thirty Slim Days' is on special for US$3.99 instead of US$9.99 on Kindle at the moment (only for one week more though!) The paperback is reduced too, as part of my big once-a-year book sale. It's US$13.99 down from US$20.99.

For an Amazon alternative the eBook is 50% off in my eStore here.
Just use the code HALFPRICEHAPPINESS

 

 Please let me know your favourite tips when it comes to leading a healthy balanced lifestyle without feeling deprived. I always love little tricks, or in French ‘trucs’ as Anne Barone in her wonderful ‘Chic and Slim’ books calls them.

 

xx Fiona

 

PS.My Amazon links are affiliate, which means I may earn a small commission if you use them to shop with Amazon, but the price doesn't change for you. Thank you if you choose to use any of my Amazon links :)

Once-a-year book sale now on!

 

Good morning from my home office 😊

 

I always wear my glasses while I'm on my computer or reading, but I've not taken a photo of them on. So here I am!

They are Ray Ban frames and I love the colour of them. The arms are a slightly darker, opaque brown. I like how they aren't heavy looking on my face.

Of course, most people don't see them, but I do!

And knowing my prescription now, I have bought a couple of inexpensive pairs so I can have one pair in my lady basket, and another in my handbag. Luckily both my eyes require the same number (1.75). Although, if they were different I would probably still be fine, because I have a pair of 2.5s and they still work well.

Do you wear reading glasses? It's quite fun to try a new look and be a little outrageous with them, especially with the cheapie ones. I ordered some 'Oprah style' reading glasses off Amazon and they are fun to wear. A bit glam 😍

(They are these ones here - one pair in the three -pack had a wobbly lens but Amazon was quick to refund).

 

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And I'm excited to announce that my once-a-year book sale is now on. It will run for the next two weeks, and all my books are now US$3.99 on Amazon. Paperbacks are on sale too, but the prices vary due to printing costs being different for each one.

 

 

I hope you take this chance to stock up on any titles you don't have yet. It's always nice to have some new reading material going into the holiday season 😊

 

 

 

You can find all my books on Amazon here or click on any of the photos to go directly to the books shown.

 

 

 

And I have a 50% off coupon code for my eStore, valid on anything in the store including audiobooks and even my author course.

Use the code HALFPRICEHAPPINESS in my eStore here ❤️

 

Happy reading, and thank you for being a happy reader of my books. I've shared a few of my favourite reviews here. I'm so grateful for anyone who takes the time to write a review online ❤️ Thank you if you already have!

 

xx Fiona

PS. My Amazon links are affiliate which means I may receive a small commission, but at no extra cost to you. I appreciate it if you choose to use my links!

Chic style on a budget, and a new interview

 

Hello chic friends!

Paul and I went to a special event last weekend: a gorgeous local winery called Craggy Range's 'Deep Purple' annual wine club day.

Thankfully it was a beautiful day for all the people who travelled from out of town to attend.

Strolling among the vines, glass of wine in hand was a very pleasant way to spend the afternoon!

Of course, I wouldn't be found holding a glass of wine at 11am every Saturday, but once a year is okay, surely?

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I am thrilled to share with you a podcast interview I recorded, with the delightful Jessica DeBry on her inspiring ‘The Author Entrepreneur Podcast’. You can listen to it here or wherever you listen to your podcasts by searching for my name 'fiona ferris'.

 

 

I had such a great conversation with Jessica. She has a beautiful way of interviewing, and I didn’t even feel ‘that’ nervous 😊 Because it is nerve-wracking talking on a podcast, or maybe it’s just me!

I hope you enjoy our chat, and it’s especially for you if you’ve ever dreamed of writing a book. Please let me know what you think of it once you’ve had a listen!

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I am currently re-recording the audiobook of ‘100 Ways to be That Girl’ myself due to overwhelming feedback that very few listeners actually enjoyed the narrator I chose. This was when I was just starting out in audiobooks and thought a professional narrator would be the best choice.

 

 

I chose her from a small group I’d selected, and she wasn’t cheap either (fair enough too, I was happy to pay, but it turns out you’d rather hear me narrate my books). Oh well, lesson learned! But I wanted to let you know a new version is on its way 😊

 

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This week I’m up to my final reader question for the Q&A series to celebrate the release of my newest book ‘Financially Chic Vol. 2’.

“My question is about looking chic without spending a fortune. I do love the idea of a circular economy but I don’t actually enjoy looking at the thrift stores. In the area where I live there are several stores, but the clothes are not my taste. I would like some suggestions on how to dress in a stylish manner without having to resort to a whole new wardrobe.”

I am also not someone who enjoys thrifting clothes. When I was younger I did, and I also bought thrifted fabric (even curtains!) to sew my own clothes with.

I also like to dress well without spending a lot of money. My favourite way to do this is by the classic high-low mix where you combine less expensive pieces with costlier pieces. Even my ‘costly’ clothing pieces aren’t expensive though. Where I do like to spend a little more money is on a bag or pair of sunglasses, but even then, one of my favourite pairs of sunglasses cost $15.

I think it’s about how you put outfits together more than the price of them, and also how you groom yourself, your posture, and confidence too (real or acting-as-if). When I take the time to blow-dry my hair and paint my nails (both these things cost nothing, only a little time), I feel amazing, and I do think it makes what I’m wearing look better.

I would always shop my own closet first, browsing Pinterest for ideas, or even just thinking ‘What would my capsule collection look like if I made one from my closet?’ In addition, when I clear out even a few pieces that bring me down (bad colour on me, uncomfortable fabric etc), the other pieces left in there look better.

Sometimes I’ll take everything out of my wardrobe and have just my chic and simple capsule collection hanging. It looks like a boutique! And makes the clothes I’ve used look more appealing.

I hope this has been helpful, and I also hope you have enjoyed this little Q&A series! And please feel free to add your tips if you have something to say 😊

xx Fiona

You can read Financially Chic Vol. 2 at my affiliate Amazon link here.

 

It's my birthday week!

 

Hello chic friends, it's been a week of celebration here.

 

Happy birthday to us! Paul and I celebrate our birthday on the same day 😊 Just tooting our own horn 🎉

My mum took a photo of us at her place when we popped in on our way out for lunch earlier in the week. It was a beautiful day too!

We both really enjoyed our lunch and then headed home to relax outside in the sun.

Since we'd dined well earlier in the day we had a light seafood dinner - fresh oysters, and salmon and tuna sashimi. A special treat that is healthy, elegant and delicious 😊

A very happy birthday to all the October babies and Libra ladies reading! 

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Carrying on the birthday celebrations - and relaxation - with a new (library ☺️) book by one of my favourite authors, and a glass of Prosecco 🥂 (See it on Amazon here).

Life is good, and I’m excited to see what my 54th year brings me!

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 And now it's time for this week’s reader question from my newest book ‘Financially Chic Vol. 2’ 😊

 

 

"There are so many good causes that I would like to help financially, but like everyone else I have to choose where to send my limited funds. Do you have any thoughts you can share on how you make those choices? I would love to hear your ideas.”

None of us have unlimited funds in which to help the causes we’d like to, but we can help in our own small way.

There are two ways to go about this: you can either choose your main charity, and make a payment, each month or whatever suits your schedule. Or you can make smaller payments to a number of charities. Even $5 a month can be helpful.

And, re-evaluate once a year and make sure these are still the charities you wish to support. Or maybe you might change once a year regardless just because that’s the decision you made at the beginning.

Another way to help is with time. When we still lived in Auckland, I volunteered at the main SPCA once a month on a Sunday, for about four years.

And I’m sure there would be jobs you could do at home, if you were good with computers etc. There are always jobs to be done at charities, and never enough people to do them.

I also used to deliver my donations to a cat shelter instead of a thrift store, because they’d have regular yard sales to raise money. This was the shelter where my two cats Jessica and Nina came from.

Chloe :)

 

Chloe, in the photo above, who jumps in between the pillows on our bed and then flips them all over… came from the local SPCA here in Napier, along with her ‘sister’ Daphne. Adopting them is also a form of charity because you are freeing up a cage to help the next pet, and paying the adoption fee too.

And of course you can choose to donate or buy from the thrift stores which are aligned with your preferred charities. I always take my donations to an SPCA or bird sanctuary thrift store. It’s just another little way to help, and as you can see, it doesn’t always have to be about how much money you can donate.

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Little Ninacat with her twisty mouth and almost crossed eyes 😂🥰

Yes Nina is still in her collar! She ended up having to have surgery on her climbing injury and is now almost, almost fully healed.

I've taken the collar off her a few times and she starts licking the surgery area (under her arm) straight away, getting at it with her raspy tongue, so back on the collar goes.

I keep saying 'maybe by the end of September, maybe by the end of October, she can get it off'. Maybe by Christmas?

The great thing is, the collar doesn't bother her in the least, not like the sweatshirt I bought her. That was 100% a fail!

So Nina will keep on rocking her collar, and also help 'press' my mum's new navy trousers that I'm hemming for her... Yeah that's not a great combo, dark fabric and cat fur. What did we do before sticky rollers!!

 

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The other night we had the most magical moon, illuminating the sky and a few clouds. It truly was spectacular.

 

Then, when I turned in the other direction, I saw a bright star and found out it was Venus with my SkyView Lite app. Venus in Libra too. So nice to have for a Libra girl's birthday sky!

We have a four-day long weekend here in Hawke's Bay, how lucky is that? Our local show is on too.

My late dad used to tell me that the day after I was born he went to the show while mum was in hospital and said he walked around with a big smile on his face thinking about his new baby daughter :)

I hope you have a lovely weekend too whether it's long, normal, or something in between!

xx Fiona

PS. If you have Spotify Premium, you can listen to my newest book 'Financially Chic Vol. 2' for free now! Check to see if this is available in your country by going here to Spotify.

You can also purchase an MP3 copy from my eStore here.

Audible is coming soon, it always takes a little longer!

I hope you enjoy listening to this book, I especially enjoyed recording it 😊

 

Sunny dog walks, a French beach, and my recording studio!

 

 

Hello from a sunny doggie walk!

 

 

Once we got over the little bridge there was a big off-leash area. Fluffy white Micky dog loved running around while Daphne and Chloe are more nervous and stick close to mum.

Daphne and Chloe being brave

 

 

Public parks are such a blessing. How lucky are we to be able to choose different areas to visit without even having to mow the lawns or weed the garden ourselves?

Micky loving life

Daphne sticking close to mum, and Chloe is just behind me

Like most doggies, these guys LOVE going in the car :)

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Today’s photos are the last in my series where I invited readers to send in their take on what a soft, calm life means to them.

 

 

 

These calm, moody images are from Belinda, who lives in rural France, but was holidaying in Biarritz in the southwest of France. Because of the cloudy day she said it was lovely and quiet as she sat on the beach, having a rare treat – a yoghurt ice-cream. “Even in busy Biarritz in France I can find places of calm.”

 

Thank you Belinda, for your dreamy photos! It looks so peaceful and… French 😊

 

Today’s accompanying excerpt from ‘100 Ways to Live a Soft, Calm Life’ is a petite paragraph from the bonus chapter ‘50 Ways to Romanticize Your Everyday’ and it’s tip no. 28:

:: Take a paper book out with you ::

“I love Pinterest images where a lady is reading her book at a café, in the park or at the beach. It’s just not quite the same with a phone or Kindle, if only for the aesthetics! Keep a book with you so that you too can sit for a moment and read a few pages. Why not recreate that Pinterest vibe for yourself?”

I always feel too self-conscious to read or journal in public, unless I am waiting for someone. Somehow that makes it okay! Perhaps I need to get over myself and do what I want to do?

Do you read (or journal) in public? Do you feel self-conscious as well??? My mum always said people were too busy thinking of themselves to worry about what I was doing. Maybe that’s true 😂

 

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And finally this week, here I am in my little 'recording studio' at home, working through my audiobooks!

 

 

When I first started recording them, I looked into hiring an actual recording studio locally. But I can only record for short periods of time, 30-60 minutes each day, so I didn't really think it would work out practically.

So I set up one of our guest rooms as my recording studio at home.

I put a blanket over the mirrored drawers and have pillows piled up behind me. The more soft surfaces the better! I sometimes close the curtains too, although it's nice to have the sunshine and natural light.

I shut the door and put a draft snake along the bottom, otherwise I can hear Daphne snuffling under the door looking for me 😂

I do have to stop and re-record if there is an outbreak of barking while a car drives past or a bird flies within their eyesight... three dogs makes a lot of racket! And one always sets the others off - usually Chloe, the smallest and most antagonistic in her own cute way 🤣

I've been really enjoying getting reacquainted with my books. Apart from when I write them, I don't really read them again, because after the many read-throughs for proofreading and editing, I really am thoroughly sick of each title as I release it!

In spite of those many many readings I still find the occasional typo as I read the audiobooks, so I tidy those up as I go😊

I hope you’ve been enjoying listening to my narration if you’re an audiobook person. You can find them on Spotify and Audible, and anywhere else you get your audiobooks from, including your library where you can ask to have them ordered in!

Happy weekend to you 🌸🌸🌸

xx Fiona

PS. You can find ‘100 Ways to Live a Soft, Calm Life’ here on Amazon and all my others through my fancy Linktree page below.

 

 (My Amazon links are affiliate but the price doesn’t change for you, thank you if you choose to use my links!)