How to be calm, AND get things done

 

 

Hello chic friends!

 

I had a great question from reader Rozen in Melbourne:

“Fiona I am probably too soft and calm and taking it too easy. Do you have a suggestion for me to get going, doing a bit more and not dawdling and wasting my days.”

I can so relate to this! Yes, I adore living a ‘soft, calm life’ as in the title of my latest book, but I also like to get things done. As much as I’d love to lounge around reading a novel all day, it just wouldn’t feel good because I haven’t achieved anything.

I truly believe life is a balance of rest, play and work. And we can gently motivate ourselves if that’s what it takes. Here are my best tips on taking it easy and still getting things done!

1. Set up your environment for success by not having a lot of clutter around. Clean out what’s not important to you so that there is less to organise and clean, and you only have your favourite things surrounding you (Currently I am working on decluttering by using things up in my kitchen and bathroom, and reading books and magazines then donating).

2. Work out your priorities so you don’t waste time on ‘dumb stuff’ (For me it’s spending too much time at the computer browsing rubbish, then I tell myself I don’t have time to sit down and read a book).

3. Adopt healthy habits so you have more energy to get things done (I always feel better with less sugar and processed foods. I sleep better and have more oomph the next day).

4. Give yourself a pep talk each morning (I like to write in my journal with a steaming hot tea first thing. It might be an inspiring list, a letter from my future self, or a ‘Wouldn’t it be nice’ goals list).

5. Make a really short to-do list with three things or less on it. Not laundry or groceries, but rather a few vital tasks (Whenever I find myself drifting during the day I go back to that list and just Get The Things Done).

These tips aren't meant to be bossy, they are just what personally work for me. I hope you find something of use in this list, and please let me know which one is your favourite!

 

 

 

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:: Springtime in Hawke's Bay ::

Look at that sky! And the white blossom on my walk the other day 😊

One of the days this week was cold and grey though, so I am set myself a mini-goal to get all my tax information together to give to my accountant - within the day! It was cozy in my office, the perfect day to do such a thing.

 

I didn't get it 100% done, but I did most of it and now I'm excited to tidy up the last few things and send it all to my accountant. Often it's starting that is the hardest part, don't you find?

So, what's one big thing that's been hanging over you and can you dedicate a day to sorting it out?
 

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This week I’ve been recording the audiobook version of my book ‘A Chic and Simple Christmas’. So today I thought I’d share an excerpt from it. I know it’s too early to think about Christmas, but it’s not too early to consider how you might like to do things differently this Christmas. Zing it up, or simplify, your choice!

 

 

The excerpt I am sharing is from Chapter 1. ‘Choose what a chic Christmas season feels like for you’:

 

 

:: Christmas style versus your personal style ::

“Personally, I love the thought of Christmas and a beautifully decorated house, however in my own home I become claustrophobic with too much stuff around me. I love an elegant and simple decor style and I also like to make things easy for myself (spending days decorating our home only to take it all down a month later does not sound like fun to me).

I had a fun thought on how best to describe my approach to holiday decorating (and to put it in the best light, not just ‘Fiona’s lazy’).

You know how in Paris; most people live very centrally in apartments? Sure, they might have a window-box or two or even a small terrace with potted red-orange geraniums, but Paris is famous for her residents enjoying public parks almost as their own back yard as they read, lie in the sun, play and kiss; enjoying their own company in the company of others.

Well that’s how I feel about Christmas decorating. I love to read the glossy magazines with heavily decorated homes. I love to watch holiday movies with the perfect family home decked out entirely in a store’s-worth of beautiful and perfect Christmas décor. I love to visit neighbourhoods that are famous for their homes being decorated and all lit up on the outside. I love the feeling that all these things give me.

And I love going home to my own chic and simple lightly-decorated house.”

 

 

Maybe this is you as well? Let me know how you like to decorate for the holidays 😊

And happy weekend to you too!

xx Fiona

PS. You can find all my books on Amazon here, in Kindle, paperback and audiobook. Or visit my Linktree for other options.

 

 

 

 

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

Hello February! And My Simple Exercise Routine

Lunch out this week with my mum Jo, brother Arden and sister Catherine.
And the doggies came too!

 

How has your January gone? Mine dashed by in a blur. It's been such a full-on month with visitors and people from out of town. Fun, but very easy to get out of routine and not even know what day it is...

I'm happy with my January though. I had a great time, got to see people, did a little bit of writing on my next book, stuck with my simple exercise plan and have been eating healthy too. I have also completed an update for my writer's course which I have just shared with my students.

I know skies are so boring to post but I had to show you mine! How pretty.
 I do love anything pink so thank you Mother Nature for our pinky purple sky.
Pink sky at night, sailor's delight:)

And I'm excited for February! I am being interviewed next week for an author's podcast, sending a book to a 'new to me' audiobook producer to start my series of audiobooks, and continue working on my next book too.

Such fun :)

 

 

I want to keep fit and limber as I get older and have found an exercise routine I enjoy. Very strenuous exercises wear me out, make me feel shaky, and also hungrier. Gentler approaches work best for me.

I went to a chiropractor last year for a cricked neck. When I asked, he suggested Pilates as an excellent exercise and said the core work really helps keep your back strong throughout your life.

So I looked around on YouTube and found ‘Move With Nicole’ among others. I liked her workouts best so I've stuck with her for about six months now. I like to alternate a walk one day with Pilates the next, and I try for 2-3 times a week for each, mostly 2x each per week for 30 minutes. Walk, Pilates, walk, Pilates 😊

It doesn't seem 'enough' but I still do it. And when I've had longer, harder routines in the past, I've not wanted to do them.

As you can see, I like to make a yoga studio type environment for myself, with candles and lamps, and the overhead lights off. It's so relaxing but I'm also getting a workout in. I feel rejuvenated and peaceful after a session with Nicole.

So that's my simple exercise routine. Please let me know what you enjoy.

I hope you had a fab January and are really looking forward to February as well. Let me know what your plans are!

xx Fiona

PS. What better accompaniment to this post than my book ‘100 Ways to Enjoy Self-Care for Gentle Wellbeing and a Healthy Body Image’. Finding exercise that feels elegant and enjoyable even if you only plan for it once a week on a Sunday (such as a long walk through town) will go a long way towards helping you feel better about yourself. On Kindle and in print here on Amazon.

 

 

And if you need a boost of inspiration, check out my latest book '100 Ways to Be a Chic Success and Create Your Dream Life' here on Amazon Kindle and in paperback.

 

Read how you can become a 'chic success' the soft way. The feminine way. The easy and fun way. I love to make things happen, but I want it to be light and playful too. Life is too short to do anything unpleasant or difficult!

And for an Amazon alternative you can download both of these eBooks (plus all my others) from my eStore here.


(My Amazon link is affiliate, which means I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Thank you if you choose to use my links!)

New book out today!

 

Today is a new book day! I'm thrilled to share my latest release with you. If you'll remember back to July, I did my 'Serene Spa July' series, and many lovely ladies wanted it to be made into a book, so here we are!

The July series only went up to less than 20 days before I ran out of month :) so I carried on writing, and polished everything up and now we have a new mini-book.

~~

If you wish you had the budget to indulge in pricey treatments at a high-end spa for a little time-out… with ‘30 Chic Days at Home Vol. 2’ you can bring the feeling of luxury and relaxation into your home life for free. Feel rejuvenated and peaceful as you build rituals and practices into your everyday life to bring about the ambience and romance of the spa lifestyle.

In this quick-to-read book, you will learn how to:

~ Enjoy your time at home more
~ Create a peaceful and calm haven for yourself and your family
~ Provide a luxuriously healthy environment for the people you love
~ Be creative in how you relax and unwind
~ Increase beauty and order in your home

You will find dozens of suggestions, tips and ideas to live well without spending a lot of extra time or money.

Feel soothed every day. Elevate your happiness. Attract others to you with your laid-back demeanour. Reduce stress and feel calmer. Sleep better!

All these things can be yours when you put into practice all the ideas from this book. Delight in your power to create a life that is exactly as you'd love it to be.

~~

I really hope you enjoy it!

You can download the Kindle version and order the paperback copy too, at my affiliate Amazon link here.

 

(The paperback says ‘out of stock’ for me, but this will just be a temporary thing since the book is so new. Amazon prints on demand, so please hang tight if you see ‘out of stock’ too!)

And the eBook is in my eStore for an Amazon alternative.

Happy reading, and thank you if you pick up my new book!

xx Fiona

 

 

'Serene Spa July' series part 3

 

✨ Serene Spa July ✨

Hello chic friends!

 

Welcome to the third weekly wrap-up of Serene Spa July, where we are aiming to bring a little peace and relaxation into our lives, one day at a time. And, create a spa ambience for ourselves. Let's get straight into it!

 

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Day 11:Take a city walk

 

I do my exercise most days by going for a walk (often on my treadmill), but something that makes me so happy is to go for a glam walk. It combines exercise with window shopping :)

There is something that is so refreshing about being outside, even if you’re in a built up area. I live in the countryside now, but when we lived in the city I used to love going for a city walk. I’d wear nice clothes with sneakers, and exercise while I window-shopped. Big sunglasses were mandatory for the look!

This photo is a throwback to a trip earlier in the year. I love being a tourist, dressing up and going for a walk around the city.

Even with a lot of people around, I find it really peaceful and relaxing to just stroll. And it's a great way to get your steps in without even noticing it too.

As mentioned, the key is to wear nice sneakers with your outfit so that you're comfortable.

And if you live in a small town like I do now, it still feels good to walk more – very European. Rather than move my car all over town, I can park in one area and walk everywhere I need to go.
 

~~

 

 

 

 

Day 12: Create ‘contemplation corner’

 

When we lived in Auckland we used to stay at the Langham Hotel as our staycation every so often. In their spa area by the pool was a long room with comfortable seating and glossy magazines, and it was called the Contemplation Corner.

I borrowed their peaceful atmosphere and now enjoy creating contemplation corners in my own home. And you can too! It might involve turning a chair slightly so your view is out the window, and adding a temporarily-moved side table. Add a vintage or current magazine, or book, and a cold or hot drink and you are set for a little while of solitude.

Or set up a blanket under a tree outside. Or wrap yourself up in a cozy rug on your sofa or bed for a while. You can even be in your car if you are out, listening to an audiobook with a hot coffee.

My favourite is to be at home with a cup of tea and an old Victoria magazine. I choose one from my small collection and flip away.

Imagine the peacefulness of sitting in that Langham contemplation corner and see how you could bring the same into your home, even just for a little while.

 

~~

 

 

 

Day 13: Uplift yourself with happy journalling

 

It’s all very well to be inspired by others and take in what they are saying. I do this a lot. I love reading books, listening to podcasts, watching YouTube videos, and studying the various courses I’ve purchased over the years.

And, I always feel good when I balance this intake with my own creations. In my journal I’ll explore such concepts as:

• ‘Happy lists’ of what makes me feel happy at that particular time.
• ‘Wouldn’t it be amazing if’ lists of my biggest dreams, hopes, and goals.
• ‘Ideal self’ visualisations in any area of my life that I desire to upgrade next, such as my wardrobe, health goals, or lifestyle wishes.
• Brainstorming loads of inspiring actions towards a specific outcome, such as ‘How can up uplevel my personal style without spending any money?’

Even if you don’t know what you’ll write about, find yourself a pretty journal and plan to fill a page today. That’s how I approach it, I just fill a page. There is no timer to set and no word count. Just a page to fill out. Sometimes it’s those last few lines that are the most challenging, but it feels good to complete that page. And sometimes I’ll even write two or three pages.

Date your pages too, that’s always interesting!
 

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Day 14: Add pampering spa touches everywhere in the home

 

Here are some of my favourite ways to do this:

• Thick, soft tissues in just about every room.

• Hand cream in multiple places too: the car, by the sofa, by my bed, on my office desk, in the bathroom, in your lady basket and a tiny tube in your handbag. When it’s there, you will put it on. Massage it into your wrists, and push your cuticles back with it too.

• Saved up hotel slippers for putting on after you’ve moisturised your feet with a luscious body cream before bed. Or fluffy socks if you don’t have spa slippers.

• A small, neat stack of glossy magazines for a quick browse.

• Using white towels. I went through a coloured towel phase but have recently started using white towels again. I love both, but the simplicity of only having white towels to wash is wonderful.

• A cozy throw rug for the cooler season for wrapping up.

• A bud vase with a few tiny fresh flowers in it.

None of these items cost very much, but reading through that list, don’t you feel pampered and cosseted already? It just makes for such a nice atmosphere.

~~

 

 

Day 15: Cultivate a soft, hushed atmosphere in the home

 

I know for myself I can easily crash around putting things away (emptying the dishwasher!) and yell at the dogs to ‘be quiet!’ when they go nuts barking at birds outside.

And, I can just as easily make life serene and pleasant for myself by doing everything as quietly as possible.

• Putting clean cups and plates away without clanking them
• Shooshing the dogs in a calm voice
• Going to the room my husband is in to talk to him rather than calling down the hall
• Speaking in my ‘inside voice’
• Thinking when to speak at all, is it necessary? Or am I just filling air?
• Moving around the house in an intentionally calm and contented manner, quietly doing what I want to do.

And at work too, you can be quietly productive, not bothering others with noise, loud sighs and intrusive chatter. Is there anything worse than an annoyingly loud coworker? I think not!

But mostly it’s just me here, so I do it for myself. I love to feel peaceful and calm, and being intentionally quite quiet is one way that I do this for myself.

And when the house is peaceful, the dogs seem calmer and quieter too. It makes sense. They pick up on my energy.

~~

 

Day 16: Add extra nutrition into your daily meals

 

Just like you would receive at a spa retreat, but at home :)

When I want to upgrade my healthy eating, it does not work well for me to change everything up all at once. Far more helpful is to make small changes and tweak what I eat by increasing the nutrient content.

For example, you could:

• Eat an apple after lunch, even if lunch was fast food.

• Add a pre-made side salad to your dinner, regardless of what you are having.

• Slice some fresh fruit to have with your breakfast.

The key with all of these kinds of ideas is to have the ‘extra’ washed, sliced if needed, and ready to go when you serve yourself your meal. Have the apple washed in your bag when you go through the drive through (I rarely eat fast food because I am celiac and nothing is ever gluten free, but I am also realistic :).

Wash, slice and store fruit in a small GladWare container to have with your breakfast. Make your salad in portions too. That way, all you need to do it ‘grab and go’. Lessen the barrier between you and the healthy additions. This is the gamechanger for me.

I promise you will feel great with the added fresh nutrition. When I started having NutriBullet smoothies for breakfast, my cells would practically zing with happiness after I’d had one. I could feel it quite literally! Mother Nature provides so much goodness for us, let’s be grateful and nourish ourselves with her fresh produce!

(In this throwback restaurant photo my bunless burger came with a side of asparagus as an option. It was amazing!)

 

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I hope you enjoyed this week's round-up, and please, let me know if you are enjoying this series and what your favourite day is so far!

Have a wonderful week and I'll see you soon.

xx Fiona

Serene Spa July

Hello from Micky Dog and me!

 

Greetings chic friends!

 

Heading into a new month is a perfect time to reevaluate our self-care and see if there is anything we can add in. I've been pretty good with my daily walks, drinking water, and keeping my food nutritious for the most part, plus portion sizes that are not too big.

What I'd like to add in is some more stretching, downtime with a book, and in general relaxation.

I'm often on the go-go-go which is quite ironic considering I love to dream of a calm, peaceful and serene life. I think I dream of it *because* I'm always on the go! It's for me to hear and absorb!

So this month I will embody a spa ambience in my home and for my wellbeing. You know, that floaty peaceful feeling you get from walking into, or even just viewing a photo of, a high-end spa. But I'm doing it for zero $$ myself :)

What one or two things would you love to add in for your self-care as a focus in July?

Or will you join me for Serene Spa July? I just made that up but it's perfect I think :) Shall we begin?

 

The models for day one of Serene Spa July

Day one's tip is to make your bed as early in the day as possible. It is just before 7.30am as I write this and I have already made my bed. I cannot say that every day but in Serene Spa July where we bring about the spa-like feeling of peace and relaxation into our lives, a neatly made bed will be happening early every day.

There are so many benefits!

💝 A feeling of accomplishment

💝 A neater and tidier looking bedroom in only five minutes

💝 One job ticked off

💝 You get to enjoy it for longer than if you made your bed later in the day

And I’m sure many others! (Please share any I’ve missed :)

As you can see, Daphne and Chloe love to mess it up for me. Chloe jumps over behind the decorative pillow all the time, then flips around having fun and knocking all the pillows over...

And you can see how well Daphne’s leg has healed (she’s in front). She has a big scar on her right front leg but I’m very pleased that she is back to tip-top health again.

So… have you made your bed yet today? If not, quickly do it and come and tell me ‘Yes!’

 

Music playing gently in the hall :)

 

In day two's tip we are calming our senses with music. When I am at home, and even when I'm out in fact (I leave it on for the doggies when they can't come with me), I have soft music playing in the hallway (above). It’s one of my favourite kinds of self-care and the first thing I do in the morning is switch on my music.

I love the way it filters into my office (the lit door on the right of this image), and that I can hear it as I move around the house but it's never too loud.

I switch between actual flutey spa music, background jazz, and anything that is soft and instrumental. You can search for ‘study music’ or ‘spa music’ on YouTube, and I have a playlist on Spotify that you might already know about.

It’s a recreation of a CD I was given when I worked at Dior in their head office almost twenty years ago, and it was created to play when customers had a facial. I have just about worn my CD out and thankfully was able to save it forever on Spotify!

I used to play it before I went to sleep, but nowadays I play it during the day. It is guaranteed to relax me instantly 😊

You might prefer calming classical music or another type altogether, but if you have a little music setup, you can play soft music all day every day. I don’t want to tie my phone up, so I use our very, very old iPod which has all my music loaded onto it and it sits in our very, very old iPod dock. But it’s perfect for what I want! Maybe there is something you can repurpose.

Which fragrance shall I wear today I wonder?

 

And day three's tip is to create exquisite order in a spot in your home. Yesterday I cleaned out and reorganised my side of the bathroom cupboard, plus the drawer I keep my perfumes in. I have a lot of perfume! But I love it and wear it every day, plus I like to have a variety. I would love to be someone who has a signature fragrance but I would get so bored!

So I took everything out, wiped the drawer and cupboard shelves clean, then put things back. I didn’t put as much back. I threw out three products that I know I will never use, and it was such a feeling of relief. All up the cost would be less than $10 and yet I’d had those items hanging around for a long time feeling bad that I didn’t want to use them! I am not usually wasteful AT ALL and use everything up that I’ve ever bought one way or another, but yesterday I thought ‘I’m better than that’. Sometimes I think about things more than other people, lol!

I also rehomed a few backup items in a different area, in a container that I can ‘shop’ from when I run out, such as shampoo, body wash etc. I don’t need to cram all backups into my small bathroom cupboard. And I did a cool thing that is going to be so useful, I had three extra turntables from my pantry. I put those in the cleaned out bathroom cupboard and it is so nice to be able to see all my body lotions and body sprays by twirling it around. I like to choose different ones each day, so now nothing gets stuck at the back!

So today, find one small area that is bothering you, and create beautiful orderliness in that area. It might even be one shelf, don’t overwhelm yourself. Try and do it as fast as you can so it doesn’t become a big ordeal, and then bask in the glow of that space:)

 

 

‘The halo effect’ :)  Nina Cat is ‘helping’ me to write my next book. Actually I think she thinks it is a heat lamp just for her… the halogen bulb gets quite warm. She loves it!

 

 

If you think someone else might like to follow Serene Spa July too, please share this, and if you post your own tip on social media, please use the hashtag #serenespajuly so we can find you!

I will update you again next Thursday with a week's work of Serene Spa July tips, but if you'd like them sooner you can follow me and see one a day on Instagram and Facebook.

xx Fiona

PS. You can find my book '100 Ways to enjoy Self-Care for gentle wellbeing and a healthy body image' on Kindle and in paperback at my Amazon affiliate link here or tap the book cover above.

And the eBook only in my eStore for an Amazon alternative here.

The healthy, happy homebody

Don't you think they look like proper bought ones? So fancy.

 

Hello chic friends,

 

I made my own bistro boxes this week! I’ve been wanting to do it for ages and finally gave in and bought myself a set of containers. It was only $10 for 8 from Kmart but I didn’t want to add more plastic to my life on a whim.

But I’m glad I bought them and know I will keep and use them for a long time.

I made four for the week and it’s so nice to get one out for lunch. I added hummus and rice crackers separately before dining. It felt like lots of food because of all the variety and took me ages to eat too.

 

Would recommend if you take your lunch to work, or work from home and can’t get excited about making a healthy lunch when you are already hungry :)

 

 

 

You can see that I have always been a homebody in this #throwback photo. My dad will have built the playhouse for us. I'm wondering if that is my foot out the bottom? Or if it had a floor? Mum will know :)

 

~~

Daphne dog is much better too. Our vet lives up the road and is such a star. My husband Paul and I were walking the doggies on the weekend, and it was the first day I'd let Daphne join us. I felt she was up to it and wouldn't damage her stitches.

So at the same time along drives our vet and he pulled over to see how Daphne was. He decided her dressing could come off but then thought that it would be better recovered, so opened up his truck right there and then on the side of the road and redressed her leg for her.

He is officially an equine vet so only had horse-sized bandages on board. He made it work though!

Isn't that the kindest and most amazing service? So Daphne left home with an old bandage and came home with a bright shiny new one and a vet-check too.

She could have had an Elizabethan collar instead of a bandage but he thought she probably couldn't keep it on, as she is a distinctive shape... Her head is quite small, she has a thick neck and an even thicker body...

So another bandage it was! But I'm taking her to get her stitches out today. She will be soooo happy to have them gone. And thrilled to get an exclusive car ride too. I will leave the other two doggies at home. They'll be grumpy about that.

 

 

With all our rainy weather lately, I feel like we earned this double rainbow, and it even came out on camera. Hopefully it signifies better times ahead for everyone!

It’s Thursday here, almost the weekend. Time to kick your heels up! Although my preferred way to do this is at home in the peace and quiet. And I might even sneak in some coronation viewing too.

However you celebrate the weekend I hope it’s a good one!

 

xx Fiona

 

 

PS. Maybe indulge in a little pampering and self-care? Take some time for yourself? On Kindle and in paperback here on Amazon :)

 

 

 

My Amazon links are affiliate, which means that I may receive a small commission on anything you purchase through my link. The price you pay is the same.

Autumn is here, ladies afternoon tea, and self-care

 

It’s officially Autumn here in the southern hemisphere, which feels weird because we didn’t ‘actually’ get a summer this year, and then the cyclone happened which really topped things off...

But that’s life. I still believe in making my own sunshine. Working with what I’m given and carrying on. It’s all any of us can do!

And I like to make the best of things, because it just makes life better.

Every Saturday my mother, aunt, their cousin and her daughter meet for coffee at 3pm. They have a rotation of cafes that they meet at. Sometimes I go too. This past Saturday however, I said 'Why don't we have Saturday coffee at my place?' So we did.

I made some gluten-free cookies, and everyone brought something as well. We had a cold drink and tea or coffee, and it was so lovely.

I don't know why we don't do it at home more often. It's a low-stress way to host, and you get to clean your house extra well before guests arrive, lol, so are rewarded with a nice house at the end of it. It doesn't cost a lot at all either - in fact it costs nothing to set the table with items you already own and it gives you a chance to use your pretty things and set the table.

It's a lovely way to spend a few hours - imagine inviting a group of friends around for afternoon tea. We started at 2.30 on this occasion.

I served bubbles and non-alcoholic drinks, and then hot drinks after, with the cakes. There were seven of us in total and it was a delightful afternoon!

And I even managed to find a few roses in my garden - burgundy iceberg roses and a yellow ones I don't know the name of but they have a beautiful spicy rose scent, very rich.

Have you ever hosted afternoon tea? In the past I have made sandwiches and didn't this time, but they are a nice touch.

I played my current favourite playlist on Spotify too, it's here. Or look for 'Ralph Lauren Vibes' under my profile 'Fiona Ferris' on Spotify.

 

And finally, I had some lovely pampering on Sunday morning with a mud mask after exfoliation. I rinsed the mask off in the shower. I always do a mask when I’m about to wash my hair then I don’t need to worry about making a mess. I'm telling you, I was squeaky clean with goodness when I’d finished!

I hope the past week has been full of self-care, fun times, and some relaxing for you as well.

 

xx Fiona

 

 

 

 

My Amazon links are affiliate, which means that I may receive a small commission on anything you purchase through my link. The price you pay isn't any different, so thank you very much if you choose to use my links :)

Reader Q&A - Cultivating Your Secret Garden

 

Hello dear chic friends!

 

After my busy time, I have been easing into the Christmas season with little decor touches around :) I'm not putting up my proper Christmas tree this year but I have small things displayed, such as these pillows.

Are you going all out? Or doing 'Simple Christmas' like me? Both are perfect :) I love the all-out look, but this year I am keeping it simple.

 

 

The view on our dog walk this week

 

Reader Judy asked: ‘Can you do a post on your Secret Garden idea. please. Love it and would like a bit more detail if possible. Loved your book on Summer and will be using many of your ideas. Thanks.’

In my book ‘Thirty Chic Days’ there is a whole chapter dedicated to this topic and it’s in ‘Day 5. Create and guard your secret garden’. In this chapter I write: ‘A secret garden is that sacred, private place where you are free to dream about your greatest desires safe from the judgement of others.’

Have you ever had a delicious idea – perhaps it was a new outfit style that is quite different to what you’ve worn before, or even something major such as a change in career. And you are so pumped with the thought of it that you can’t stop talking about it to whoever is closest to you. By the time you’ve explained it, all the energy has gone from it because you’ve let it out. And the person you were talking to isn’t so enthusiastic either, because they can’t see the vision that you do.

Plus, if you’re just blah blah blahing all your ideas to everyone all the time, you’ll be that flakey girl who is all talk and no action.

This scenario has happened to me more times than I can count, and that’s why I recommend letting new ideas incubate in a safe space – your own mind – before you let them out into the world. They are like a tiny seedling that needs coddling and protection to start with.

So next time you have a lightening bolt idea, write it in your journal, expand upon it with more detail, and move in silence. Become known as the person who is always trying new things without necessarily having to get the buy-in of those around her. People will be intrigued, and you will enjoy yourself more as well as finding it easier to do your little mini self-improvements here and there.

There is more in Day 5 of Thirty Chic Days, so if you haven’t read that yet, check it out at Amazon here.

Thanks so much for your question, Judy!

 

And, I look forward to seeing you next week - Christmas week! Eek! Are we ready? Of course we are :)

xx Fiona

(My Amazon links are affiliate, and via Amazon Smile which donates money to the ASPCA. The price you pay isn't any different, so thank you if you choose to use my links

 

Glamming up your day, and my skincare regime

 

Me, getting out for a brisky walk in icy winds straight from the South Pole. It’s amazing how good it feels to be outside even if I’m glad to get home before my fingers freeze.

When I lived in the city and it was a lot more built up, going for a walk outside still helped me feel reset.

My icy walk was so enjoyable that I forgot to turn on something to listen to - it was nice to have time to think and ruminate :)

In the summer when it is too hot most of the day I either go out very early, or after dinner is a lovely time to stroll too.

Nothing beats nature for an energy refresh!

~~

 

 

 

:: How I care for my skin ::

I always get a lot of questions about my skincare regime. Lucky this is one of my favourite topics, so here goes!

(Day 17 'Take Exquisite Care of Your Grooming' in my book 'Thirty Chic Days' also talks about how I take care of my skin, so check that out if you want to).

Since the age of 13, almost forty years ago, I have been cleansing and moisturising my skin twice a day thanks to my mother's influence. Not only do I have her to thank for this, but also her genes since she has lovely skin as well.

I don't use expensive skincare, just whatever looks nice and is on special at the supermarket. Occasionally I get Estee Lauder, my favourite luxury brand, but not often.

I have always drunk tons of water, and I eat good fats too such as avocado, raw nuts etc.

I was never a big sunbather so that probably helped. And I use an SPF in both my moisturiser and foundation.

Speaking of foundation, I have worn this since a young age too, and wonder if it makes a difference. It would have to, being an extra layer of protection against the wind, sun, pollution etc.

Back in my teens I had a water-based Clinique foundation that you had to shake to combine each time you used it (thanks again, mum for buying it for me!) or a tinted moisturiser. Now I use Estee Lauder's DoubleWear, which I love to apply with a foundation brush. I might try something new next but I do love the coverage of DoubleWear.

I also like to not stress myself too much which I think shows on your face. You can't avoid stress totally, but choosing to be low-key, calm, relaxed, drama-free etc definitely helps me deal with things. And I try to focus on the 'nice' things in life.

I go walking, either outside or on my treadmill, and the blood pumping around even on a leisurely stroll must help one's complexion I always think.

So really, it's a combination of a lot of different things, plus the concept of 'Little and Often' (which is next in 'Thirty Chic Days' after the grooming chapter). I do little things such as cleanse my face, drink water, moisturise lots, eat good foods, be happy as much as possible, daily walks. It all adds up.

 ~~

 

 

 

 

Who is up for a little 'glam life' today? It's Thursday here, maybe Wednesday for you. Not the most 'fun' day of the week I'm sure you will agree, but it's almost the weekend!

So let's all put a little extra pizzazz into our day today, whether it's morning for you like it is here in New Zealand, or later in the day.

I'm still in my gym gear, about to go for a walk soon, but after that and my shower I will be choosing something to wear that makes me feel extra good (but still suitable for home wear). I'll do my hair and makeup, and some perfume of course, and put my 'diamond' stud earrings on. I don't wear my watch or any rings at home, I like my hands to be bare, but I always have earrings on.

And I am going to tidy up loose ends as well as do my writing. I always feel SO much more put together and yes, glam, when there aren't little messes or undone admin all around. It makes such a difference.

Earlier in the week I felt like glamming it up too, and I met my mother in town for a coffee. I chose black and denim, with a chunky gold necklace, and of course my mum turned up in a black top with a silver necklace over top of it. We often turn up in similar things...

I hope you feel inspired to make your day (or evening) even 1% more glamorous too.

xx Fiona

PS. Of course, you can find The Glam Life here at my Amazon Affiliate link if you haven't already read it!

PPS. Another fab review :) Thank you!

"Another fire cracker of a book from Fiona. I am always inspired when reading these nuggets of chic and glamour. This one had a phrase that stayed with me the whole way through - “move in silence” - where we make plans and live life without feeling the need to tell everyone. Instead we show them! And of course, always add double the amount of mascara you think you need! Bat those eyelids on this glam world, take a sip of something comforting and enjoy Fiona’s books…all of them! You’ll be glad you did (not to mention more chic, more organised and definitely more glamorous)."

My evening routine, and Italian Chic inspiration

Hello chic friends!

 

This little patio area is off our kitchen/family room and faces east so it's perfect for breakfast when it's warm enough. Now that we are into autumn those days are becoming less but I do love being cozy so it's a payoff I am happy with.

One of my lovely readers asked me what time I go to bed and when I get up, and if I have a night time routine. Happy to oblige!

I always get up at 6am. I love rising early. I want at least eight hours sleep so I plan for lights out by 10pm.

I like to relax and wind down before bed, so I often indulge in 'Boudoir Time' (as written about in my book 'The Peaceful Life').

Boudoir time is when I set myself up in our bedroom after dinner with soft music playing. I wash my face and apply a face mask. I either read one of my style files or journal some inspiration for myself.

Once my face mask is ready to wash off I remove that and take my time smoothing night cream and eye cream on. Sometimes I use a serum or facial oil, sometimes not. I brush my hair and remove my jewellery.

I'll massage body cream into my feet, hands, elbows, wrists and decolletage. I collect those white hotel slippers and use them to protect our carpet while the cream soaks into my feet.

The last thing I do is get my Kindle out and read a few pages of a novel. No matter how tired I am I need to read at least one page or it doesn't feel right, because I have done it for so long! Sometimes if it's late and I really am tired, I'll open my Kindle, read a paragraph and then close it again. LOL!

Boudoir time is such a delightfully restorative way to unwind before sleeptime and I love it. Tell me what you do to relax before bed?

I really do think having a little night time ritual promotes peaceful sleep and helps me sleep right through to the morning.
 

I love my Italian Chic inspiration almost as much as French Chic. There is just something about Italian style that is sexier, less buttoned up.

The few nights I spent in Rome it was wonderful to see people dressed up, definitely in a more fashion forward way than most of us here in New Zealand, for sure!

There is an Italian term 'passeggiata' which is a leisurely evening stroll where you dress up to see and be seen, and socialise lightly with others. Doesn't that sound delightful?

As with all my inspiration, I try to bring a dash of Italian into my own life here. I even wrote a little inspiration piece for myself about 'my Italian life' - how I would be if I infused Italian style into my day, every day.

So, to complement my Italian style book display, here is my perfectly fictitious inner Italian girl :)

~~

She lives la dolce vita – the sweet life.

She follows the la bella figura philosophy – making a good impression and putting your best foot forward in everything you do.

She wears capri pants and a fitted blouse with ballet flats or tab-front loafers. Her wardrobe is minimal and stylish.

She accessorises with big sunglasses in black or tortoiseshell and carries a tote bag.

She dresses to show off her figure and dresses to be seen. Chic sensual is her vibe.

She strolls the cobblestones with her beau after dinner. She says buona sera – good evening! to others.

She sips espresso coffee or red wine at a charming side-street cafe or ristorante.

She plays opera on the stereo in her stone apartment.

She is unabashedly feminine with a womanly figure – think Sofia Loren.

She has big hair – straightened, and back-combed in a 60s style.

She rides a Vespa with her coffee on the handlebars, wearing a pencil skirt, high heels and open-faced helmet. (I actually saw girls like this in Rome, it was a treat for the eyes!)

~~

Of course, I’m not about to start backcombing my hair or even buying a Vespa, but it is certainly fun to have my Italian girl as a muse.

What about your muse. What does she like? Where does she live? How does she dress? What does she eat and drink?

 

~~

 

This is Milly, my mother's dog. Milly is 15 years young, and came to live with my mum 3+ years ago when her previous owner died. It was through a mutual friend who asked if mum could take on Milly since the lady's children lived overseas.

Milly adapted to her new life with pluck - she is such a happy and playful dog in spite of being geriatric in dog years!

Her favourite things are her hot-pink rugby ball toy, Duck Tender treats, and 'greeting' the postie as he rides past on his little electric cart.

I hope you enjoyed meeting Milly :)

 

Have a wonderful Easter weekend!

xx Fiona

 

PS. You can find my newest book in Kindle or print - still a no. 1 bestseller after more than two weeks in the Amazon store - '100 Ways to Live a Luxurious Life on a Budget'.

What I've been up to and chic ideas

 

Recently we had a two-night mini-break staying at the Martinborough Hotel and it was so nice to dress up and go out We found a beautiful new restaurant called Karahui. The food was delicious, wine list incredible and the staff so friendly. Would recommend!

 

 

Estee Lauder said, 'Packaging requires special thought. You can make a thing wonderful by its outward appearance.'

I feel that way about pretty touches around my home, how I dress and present myself, and my book covers too.

I get so excited when choosing a new image for a book cover (as I did last week, it's with my cover designer right now). There is something magical about creating a new, gorgeous real-life thing that started with a thought.

It's the same with handcrafts, a beautiful dinner or anything we make ourselves - out of thin air it seems!

What will you be creating today? And making it wonderful with it's outwards appearance?

I will be dressing well for the supermarket (hehe, my big outing), making dinner later on, and also doing a read-aloud read-through of my latest book.

It is a mini-mini-book which is so fun - I have loved the energy of writing it, and for you, my lovely reader, it will be a quick read to (hopefully!) inspire thoughtful action and a happy feeling.

 

:: Inspiration Basket ::

I used to carry a stack of material around with me, from my bedside table to my writing desk and the sofa too. Then I decided I needed a basket for ease!

This one I have had for decades and can't even remember where it came from (it's second hand though, so would have been a charity store).

In it I have my iPad and Kindle, current reading material ('The Party Crasher' by Sophie Kinsella which was just 'OK', I borrowed it from the library), my journal and pen, and a couple of style files (printed or torn out inspiration pages in a display book). My basket could look a little tidier 🤣 Everything is thrown into it today.

I always have a giant cup of 6am tea (sometimes green, sometimes normal tea with milk), and I will either go straight to my desk with it and start writing in my robe, or sit up in bed with a book or my journal.

It's SUCH a nice start to my day. By the time I have had my tea it's probably been around half an hour and I'm ready to get up.

Having my inspiration basket close to hand reminds me of being a young girl and carrying all my favourite things around with me 😊 - reading and being creative.

Perhaps you need an inspiration basket too? Filled with uplifting material to inspire and soothe? I'm sure you can find something around the house if you too carry things around from room to room :)

xx Fiona

PS. You can find all my books here at my affiliate link on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3tAGUp2