New book out now!

 

Dear chic friends,

Look what's new!

I am thrilled to share with you that my latest book has just been released.

'100 Ways to Live a European Inspired Life' is all about letting your daydreams get away on you. Be inspired by your idealistic inner French girl, inner Italian girl or inner (insert your dream country here) girl. Let her lead the way when it comes to happiness, chic outfits and living well.

You can find it both on Kindle and in paperback at Amazon here.

And if you'd like an Amazon alternative, the eBook is available from my eStore here.

I so enjoyed writing this book; I really hope you love reading it. Let me know what you think!

xx Fiona

(If you use my Amazon link I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thanks so much if you choose to!)

'OTT Chic', photobombing dogs and it's my birthday!

Hello chic friends!

 

We went to a friend's 50th birthday on the weekend and I loved my outfit! I was feeling an Italian Chic/OTT vibe :)

And the weather turned it on too. After months and months of rain and grey skies we had beautiful spring weather. Hoorah for that!

 

~~

 

And then the other night I thought my after-dinner decaf with cream looked so pretty next to the candle that I took a photo.

I was trying to get a good picture (to portrait or not to portrait?) before my coffee got cold, and my husband Paul said 'here, let me take it'.

My photo

You can see his version in this second picture 😂😂😂 Daphne with her eyes trained on me hoping for a duck tender dog treat...

 

Paul's photo

And yes, thankfully my coffee was still hot, and it was delicious. And the biscuit just hit the spot too - gluten-free Arnotts scotch finger! It tastes so shortbready. Yum.

~~

I was tidying up the photo folders on my computer and came across this early days photo of my writing desk, at our old house in Auckland.

Everything I am using is still the same, except the desk is now my sewing desk. I bought a new writing desk a few years ago.

I am even still drinking out of the same giant mug! My husband Paul bought it for me as my morning writing tea mug because otherwise he would have to make me two cups before he left for work :)

I still love writing my books just as much as I did when I was getting started. Back in those days I would write around my full-time job, but these days I have the luxury of being a stay-at-home happy housewife and pet mum as well as writing my books.

I am beyond grateful that I get to have this lifestyle, and am especially thankful to you, my reader, who trusts me with your money and buys my books.

For my part, I commit to keep on writing and do more of the stuff you enjoy. It really is my happy place, spinning inspiration and excitement onto the pages. The more I write, the more there is to write; that's the secret about where my inspiration comes from. And giving myself a challenge. With my '100 Ways' books, it's fun to keep on going up to one hundred tips.

I have another '100 Ways' book out very soon; do you like this format? Don't worry, I'll mix them up with my other more traditional chapter books too, but there is just something so fun about a big, juicy list, don't you think?

And, it was my birthday on Friday! Happy birthday to me! Another free trip around the sun and now I am 52. Just like that. Time goes so fast, so I am here to remind myself to be present and let it sink in. It makes all the difference.

When I dwell in the past or dream too much of the future (which is fun, just not meant to be a full-time pastime), I miss out on what's happening right now.

I've actually been much better at bringing my mind back to the present lately and it makes a huge difference to how much I enjoy even the little things, my sense of peace and happiness, and relaxation of the nervous system too.

Lots of love to you. Be happy, follow your dreams, and love your life :)

xx Fiona

 

 

 

 

(If you use my Amazon links I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thanks so much if you choose to!)

Italian chic, and how to be chic in the summer

Hello chic friends!

One of my lovely blog readers left this fabulous comment on my recent 'Italian Chic Inspiration' post.

“I lived in Italy and agree Italian style is somewhat sexy. Things we noticed living in Milan, Italians always fasten up their overcoat if they are wearing one. The always dress up even to go to the supermarket, this may still be jeans but they will not be the dirty ones they wore to clean the apartment, full makeup will be worn too. Makeup is often very heavy, I don't know how they put up with it in the summer heat.

Italians do not drink cappuccino after 11am and never ever after dinner. They always carry a scarf in their handbag in-case of draughts, draughts are considered to cause all manner of illnesses.

Italians do not readily follow laws such as the speed limit but they will follow social rules to the letter, swimming after lunch, never! They care very much about how they appear to the outside world but are not above buying knock offs to wear at the beach in summer, if everyone is wearing a particular watch on the beach in San Remo you can be sure it is being sold by the hawkers around town.

It's fun to try out new style and Italians are chic, you just need to know the rules.”

Isn't that fun? Thank you so much Elizabeth for leaving that comment. I love it!

And if you have anything to add about Italian style or perhaps you are Italian, please feel free to share :)

So, my next book is well underway, and by popular request it is called 'How to be Chic in the Summer'. So many of you have written and asked for it!

I thought now was the perfect time since we recently finished summer in New Zealand, and you in the northern hemisphere are going into summer soon.

I have a favour to ask: what is your biggest dilemma when it comes to summer? Dressing? Food? Keeping cool? Please tell me all your problems, lol!

And let me know what you want me to include in the book too, specifics welcomed. I'd love to encompass as much as possible.

I'm having fun writing it and can't wait to include as many of your suggestions as possible and brainstorm chic solutions to your problematic areas.

Thank you in advance! Such fun to have a collaborative book!

 

 

When I dine solo (this photo was at lunchtime), I like to have something sweet with a coffee afterwards.

Usually I'll have a few squares of dark chocolate, but here it's a healthy cookie. The recipe was average so I won't make them again (they were a bit 'too healthy' if you know what I mean), but I didn't throw them out. I don't like to waste things unless they are actually inedible 😊

Do you have a healthy sweet treat recipe to share? I'd love to hear
about it if so!

xx Fiona

PS. You can find all my other books at my affiliate link on Amazon here.

 

 

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'.

La Dolce Vita

Rome, Italy 2001

As much as I adore Paris and France, my heart has also been taken by Italy. There is something about Italian style that is more accessible and down-to-earth. When I think about favourite foods, Italian food is right up there too. I think Italy is the secret sister for me, and she guides me in a way that I don't always appreciate.

I have only visited Italy once – Rome, for a mere two or three days – but it made a big impact on me and I can still remember many details; how confident and flamboyantly dressed the women were, the sense of style which was so important to Romans; the smartly dressed young men and women zipping around on Vespas, coffee balanced on the handlebars and held precariously with one hand, the espresso bars everywhere.

I have just finished reading a book called ‘When in Rome’, by Nicky Pellegrino (she's here on Amazon), and the exquisite beauty of her writing took me back to Italy and made me fall in love with the Italian way of life all over again.

I think you would call this book ‘faction’; it is a fascinating and enjoyable story woven in with the true story of the great tenor Mario Lanza when he and his family moved to Rome from the US to shoot a movie. The main character Serafina becomes his wife’s assistant, so she has a behind-the-scenes view to this famous man. I could almost sigh from happiness while reading this book; it feels like you are living right there in Rome with them and I want to make more Italian dishes for dinner as a result of reading about chef Pepe and his sizzling, fragrant kitchen.

This is the first book of Nicky’s I have read and trust me, I will be searching out her others! (She has quite a few, yay!)

Ah bella, I am so sad to have finished this book, it was like the perfect evening out; you know there will be others, but this one was just so… divine. Sometimes a book finds you at exactly the right time, you know? And it weaves its way into your very being.

So for now, I will be moving to Italy in my mind, and thinking what I can make for dinner tonight that will fit my mood. And, playing opera on my iPod :)

Are you a lover of all things Italian, or does it sneak up on you like it did to me?

Happy weekend everyone!

~Fiona~

PS. I am about to start another audiobook recording - which one would you vote for me to do?  I am thinking Thirty More Chic Days.  In the meantime, if you haven't listen to my first audiobook, of Thirty Chic Days, you can find it here as an instant download in MP3 format.

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