Personal style and home decor style, and keeping track of the days :D

 

Hello friends!

In the colour palette world, I am a Soft Summer. I had my colours ‘done’ in the early 1990s, and I still have swatches showing all my best colours. I love it so much!

Over the years I’ve come and gone from these shades, but I’ve stayed pretty close, and when I’ve gone too far away and see a photo of me in a tone that is too warm or sharp for me it really shows.

One thing I instinctively did for myself within the Soft Summer palette was to choose the brighter shades which give me a happy feeling.

I even write about my love of ‘soft-brights’ in some of my books when I talk about clothing. And looking back at my Soft Summer swatches, they’re all right there - watermelon, geranium, and the kind of green I’m wearing here but don’t really know the name for.

They’re kind of like a bright colour that got left out in the sun and faded a bit. ‘Sun softened’ shall we say.

I’m just so fascinated by colours and how one can make you pop and another just looks drab.

My mum is a Winter, and she looks stunning in black, and icy cool clear shades as well as deep jewel tones. Her light blue eyes are so vivid when she wears those colours. Her hair was darkest brown-black when younger, and now is a cool platinum grey.

I always think it’s really helpful to look back at your colouring in your earlier years, and gather together photos where you look really good - maybe the colours are contributing, so what are those colours?

It’s just such a fun thing to study for me, and it fits in with any budget too. The most expensive designer outfit in colours that don’t reflect well on you won’t be as lovely as a mid-range or inexpensive outfit in your best shades.

Here are my vintage ‘Color Me Beautiful’ swatches :) 

 

 

 

What I like about the colour palettes for each season is that they contain all the colours - I have reds, blues, greens, even yellow, just in the tones that are good for me. I have neutrals too. It’s all good!

I remember it being expensive at the time, but it really has been an investment that I’ve enjoyed over the years.

These days you can do it for free with YouTube videos, books, and AI even, but I like that I had a person drape me with the fabrics.

Let me know your season if you’re into colours too!

 

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I thought I’d share a favourite corner in our living/dining room. I like to have a small television tucked in there with background music playing on YouTube which I know others might not. To me it looks like just another piece of art on the gallery wall. (I use it for Pilates sometimes too).

The metal sideboard, lamp, and three smaller pieces of art came from an auction house when we first moved to this place.

My dad made the bookcase based on one I saw in a magazine that looked like a ladder.

Paul gave me the French gilt mirror for my birthday when we were first going out.

The two green vases came from Korea as a gift to my dad when he did business with a Korean company back in the 1980s. (He had an engineering business making fruit grading machinery.) I’ve always loved the vases and now I get to have a turn of them.

And the crazy bird picture is from my brother’s interiors shop when he had it.

I love a mix of traditional and whimsy in my home style.

When we were first building up the decor style after moving into this home I decided on ‘Ralph Lauren on a Budget X French Chateau’. (Luckily Paul was on board too.)

Since then I’ve also added in a dash of sexiness/glamour/relaxedness to prevent things feeling too staid.

The rug is also from the auction house, and we have plain sisal-style carpet.

What would your decor style be if you could give it a name? I love dreaming up themes and directions and thinking about elegant yet effortless decor - let me know yours!

 

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~ Flowers in our bathroom ~

 

How is everyone’s week starting out?

Mine is going well, even though half the time I don’t know what day it is...

And it’s because of this: Paul works for a local winery and his weekend is Tuesday/Wednesday. So even though today is Monday here it feels like Friday, lol.

Still, that’s the modern way isn’t it, when you don’t worry about the day of the week since so many people work shifts and non-Monday-to-Friday jobs.

I’ve always liked being a bit out of sync too, relaxing on a Tuesday afternoon and working on a Sunday morning. It suits my rebellious (’soft rebellious’) nature.

How I organise myself is yes, I do like to know what day it is, even if my schedule is not the norm, because every day has it’s own feeling, you know?

I use a calendar. It used to be a paper diary, but in recent years I use the calendar on my phone. I’ve gotten into the habit of checking it each day to see what I’ve got on.

I love that you can do automated recurring appointments as well as to-dos. I take a high dose of Vit D once a month for my bones, and I have a daily recurring ‘audiobook recording’ since I have a few more audiobooks to complete. I do a chapter or two each day and then they’re done.

[I am currently re-recording Luxurious Weight Loss because for some reason Audible declined it due to sound issues. I don’t know why because it was recorded in exactly the same way as all my other audiobooks and Audible accepted those. So that’s why this particular book is not available on Audible, but it will be in a few months!] 

 

 

 

So yes, the life of a self-employed author is not the usual, and adding on Paul’s topsy-turvy work week can you blame me for having to stop and think a minute what day it is?

Still, I’m sure it keeps my brain young, when everyday life is such a puzzle :)

Wishing you an excellent week!

xx Fiona

PS. For those of you in the Northern Hemisphere, join the fall fun in my book The Autumn Reset. And if you’re Southern Hemisphere like me, there are still a few relevant chapters in it for you! (I always like to join in the ‘fall vibes’ aesthetic while enjoying our early spring weather - we get the best of both worlds under the equator!) 

 

 

 

My Amazon links for are affiliate, but the prices don’t change for you. I’m appreciative if you choose to use one of these links if you are making a purchase :)

Stylish home touches, and Daphne dog

 

Hello friends,

We usually call these richly scented oriental lilies ‘Christmas lilies’ since they bloom during our summer Christmas here in New Zealand.

But it’s August and we are in the depths of a frosty winter, so what do I call them now? Mid-winter Christmas lilies? Because they always smell like Christmas to me.

‘Mid-winter Christmas’ was a thing in the 1980s when my parents held and went to dinner parties.

It was a chance to feel a little festive when it was cold and bleak outside, and borrow from the fun of Christmas traditions from the northern hemisphere which suit wintry weather.

I remember buying a can of fake snow spray to paint on my bedroom windows at Christmastime when it was bright and summery, and then the crazy effort to scrape it off afterwards. I’m sure I left most of that to my mum.

So anyway, sorry about that mum, and thank you for one of the many times you cleaned up after me at home 🥰

I always think I don’t like fresh flowers in the home much, but I’ve discovered that it’s when they have no scent that I can’t see the point.

When they do have scent, I am happy to buy them. Oriental lilies, earlicheer and jonquils (I call them ‘spring flowers’ but they are always out in the winter), and Daphne. I love the smell of Daphne so much, I think that’s also a winter flower, but on a shrub. Also, scented roses. So delicious.

So I’m not a no-flower girl, I’m a ‘scented flower’ girl 😊

I’m glad to clear that up because I always felt like such a wowser when I didn’t enjoy buying flowers for our home.

These lilies lasted exactly two weeks and looked good the whole time.

Let me know if you are a fan of fragrant blooms like I am, and what your favourite flowers are to have in the home 😊

 

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 And hello from sweet Daphne, tucked in behind the pillow 🥰 She loves sneaking into corners, hoping she won’t be noticed so she can stay snuggled up beside me forever.

Especially at night when she’s meant to be zipped up in her cozy soft crate with blankets. She always tries to sleep on the bed and I have to disappoint her. I’m not against dogs on beds but she is a terrible bed sleeper.

Micky lies somewhere handy, like between our feet or between our pillows (I know), but Daphne always crimps your style, lying across ankles or forcing you to sleep in a funny shape to accommodate her.

Daphne’s expression here says: ‘If I don’t move, perhaps she won’t notice me.’ She has perfected it well 😂

And the sofa pillow is one of two I made my dad for Christmas one year. They came back to live with me after he died.

I love playing around upcycling denim so much. I have another set of denim cushions, placemats, and coasters... such fun ❤️

Happy weekend!

x Fiona

 

 

PS. You can find all my links here: fionaferris.com

And my latest book ‘Life Is Good’:

 

[My Amazon links are affiliate, which means I may earn a small commission when you use my links, at no extra cost to you. I appreciate it if you choose to use my links at any time!]

Wintry goodness and Christmas in July

 

 Good afternoon from the middle of winter near the bottom of the world 😊

I hope you’re having a good weekend like I am!

Yesterday I had ladies coffee out with my mum and aunty, their cousin, and her daughter. The usual crowd ❤️

And last night we caught up with Paul’s colleagues to watch rugby at the pub. New Zealand - the All Blacks - versus Ireland.

Sorry Ireland, but it just wasn’t your night.

I know the bare basics about following a rugby game but all of the finer points just go over my head.

Still, it was a warm and cozy evening with friends and a glass of bubbles.

Today is a day to recharge at home after getting some groceries in this morning. I’m outlining a new book idea, recording the final chapters of my ‘Life Is Good’ audiobook, and enjoying a relaxing Sunday.

I’m whizzing through the audiobook recording - up to chapter 22 of 26 now.

Almost there!

I do a little bit each day and it all adds up.

And, I went for my walk this morning after it warmed up a bit.

Let me know what you’re doing this weekend!

 

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With all the fun Christmas in July content around at the moment, let’s start putting a seed in our mind for a pleasurable experience at the end of the year too, even if we don’t know what our plans are yet.

(I don’t! Except that we’ll be in Hawke’s Bay and not travelling since Paul works for a local winery and it’s their busy time of year).

 

 

It’s so fun to dream and plan and make little notes of the kinds of things I want to do, movies to watch, outings to enjoy, and how I want the general vibe of December to be.

Last year was a total wash with my Christmas Eve breast cancer surgery, so I’m all for a more relaxing and normal Christmas this year. For sure!

 

 

(Jigsaw on Amazon here).

Since our Christmas falls in summer in New Zealand, I’m looking forward to long, warm evenings relaxing outside.

We even have an inexpensive 32-inch smart tv that we take out onto the patio table for a ‘drive-in’ (‘walk out and sit down’) movie experience.

 

It’s so fun on a lovely evening to watch a movie outside.

You can read my book ‘A Chic and Simple Christmas’ to create your own bespoke and fabulous plans for a gorgeous Christmas, whether it’s in July or December.

 

 

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It’s difficult to make the bed some mornings... 

 

 

From left to right:

Chloe, 12, keen popcorn fan

Micky, 14, free spirit and gentle boy

Daphne, 10, the most food-focused dog I’ve ever known

Who would I be without these three? I’ll tell you who. I’d be someone who:

🐾 Uses her white linen duvet cover without fear.

🐾 Goes away on holiday without extensive planning for dog accommodation.

🐾 Can wear her newer satin pyjamas without worrying about the fabric snagging.

🐾 Has tons more money because she’s not buying pet food, treats, vet bills, flea treatment and paying for grooming.

🐾 Has a bedroom that doesn’t look like a youth hostel due to all the dog beds in it.

I could go on 😂😂

But really, I love them so much, and the fact that Micky has slowed down a lot this year after two separate little ‘turns’ in the past months makes Paul and I so sad.

We will love and cherish him and his two sisters for as long as we have them ❤️

Please let me know what you would have too if you didn’t have pets! Just jokes but really, tell me 🤣

 

xx Fiona

 

PS. I’m tooting my own horn over here: Last week I was a gun adminner getting all my financial filing up to date, and next week I’ll be working on our tax information for the accountant for this year 📊

I love getting things done, and since it’s been many months since I’ve had the energy and motivation to power through, I’m thrilled to be ticking things off my list 😊

Can we just celebrate that??

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[My Amazon links are affiliate, which means I may earn a small payment if you order through them, at no extra cost to you. I’m appreciative if you choose to use my links ❤️]

 

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!] 

Hello spring! And an upcoming podcast :)

  🌺 Hello spring! 🌺

I've always loved the coziness of autumn and winter, but this year I am ready to embrace spring.

We've had a really cold winter so it is a tonic to see the first blossoms and feel temperatures rising. The lawn is lush and I can see my winter crops - cos lettuce and perpetual spinach - coming away again.

I know for those of you who have had a long hot summer are ready for the cooler feeling of autumn, and I'm here for all of it: spring for me, and the fun of northern hemisphere 'fall' too.

You guys do it so well, whether you are in Europe or North America. Thank you for putting pictures up on your Instagram, creating vlogs, and also... I love the candles. Pumpkin Pecan Waffles anyone?

So I really think I get the best of both worlds here - spring *and* autumn!

And of course, I am writing. This next book I am taking my time over and have been putting my heart into, one chapter at a time.

I plan to release it this month. (My goal was last month but it will be a September book now as long as I keep writing it!)

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💛💛💛 Beautiful yellow tulips at my mum's house on a sunny spring day 💛💛💛

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And I’m excited to share that I will be featuring on Monie Forrs upcoming season 2 of her podcast Cat Coach Cafe. We are recording our episode next month and it will air in November.

Monie told me that Cat Coach Cafe is where she shares humorous musings on a life well-lived written from the perspective of her 3 cats. It is ‘a cat-themed wellbeing podcast for all cat lovers and book lovers, with (Czech) seasonal traditions, and guest interviews which include authors, cat-fluencers, and anyone living “catfully” - meaning living intentionally and with the right kind of Cattitude (= putting yourself first). The goal of the podcast is to create a cosy space to inspire lives, slow down, and create that warm feeling inside, and as a potential "by-product" inspire more cat adoptions through sharing powerful cat stories.’

I mean, how adorable is that? I can’t wait to chat with Monie :)

And I’m telling you, it was quite the feat to work out a time for us to speak when I am in New Zealand and she is in Europe. It will be early morning for me and later in the evening for her. I love how our global our community is now though!

I hope your week is going well, and whatever creative project you are working on, all the best to you.

x Fiona

PS. You can find all my books and other links at fionaferris.com

 

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!]

 

Living well at home

Hello friends!

I love how setting the table nicely makes even a simple dinner feel more special (here we are having spaghetti bolognese).

My essentials are:

✨ Candles (I am using tealights in my faux Baccarat candlesticks tonight)

✨ Jazz playing on the bluetooth speaker

✨ Sparkling water alongside the wine

✨ A side salad sprinkled with Parmesan cheese

✨ My homesewn coasters for a nice feel when you put your glass down :)

It's so nice to create a restaurant atmosphere at home, it really doesn't cost anything extra (unlike dining out), and you get the satisfaction and pleasure of using items you already own.

Don't get me wrong, I love going out for a special meal or when we are travelling, but wow prices have gone up a lot. And I know it's hard to make a dollar in the restaurant business too, I don't doubt that. It's just how things are right now :0

But when you are working on strengthening your own personal economy, creating a beautiful dining experience for yourself is a great start.

Another thing I like to do is make my own eating-out favourites at home. I make fish and chips from fresh fish seasoned and cooked in the air fryer, with the chips made from fresh potatoes chopped into wedges, sprayed with olive oil and baked in the oven. YUM!

Something like this is a necessity for me since I'm celiac and have to be gluten-free, but it's actually such a delicious upgrade and far healthier too.

Are you an eat-at-the-table fan?

Also, let me know your favourite fakeaway meal to make at home :) I also love making my own pizzas (I have made the bases before but have been buying gluten-free bases lately), bunless burger and fries.

(This makes me look like I have homemade fast food all the time but they are only on the menu every so often! Mostly we do a roast with tons of veggies, meatloaf, curry, chicken and vegetables etc.)

And, please let me know how you like to make dining at home more special! 

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I bought myself a new, inexpensive wreath for our front door. I love having a Christmas wreath up during the holiday season and always feel so sad taking it down.

I had a thought that seasonal wreaths must be a thing, and they are! I ordered this 'autumn wreath' online and it makes me so happy every time I see it.

I already have plans to find a winter wreath (since we have winter in the middle of the year in the southern hemisphere), and a spring wreath when I need it too.

I know it's not really a necessity, but it really lifts my spirits. And switching them out every three months or so means I won't get bored with them either. Such fun!

This one was from Temu for $15. Don't judge!

I heard the phrase 'fast fashion worn slow' a while back and it's exactly how I approach things. I might buy something inexpensive, but my purchases are always carefully considered ('will I enjoy this for a long time or will it be clutter and junk in five minutes' 😂)

I decided that my autumn wreath is the former! Of course I did 🤣

I hope you had a lovely weekend (and maybe you're still in the middle of it). It's Sunday night here, and we're tucked in cozy with the fire going. Doggies are happily sprawled, 'sunbathing' their tummies, and it’s dinner time soon.

Life is good, I hope it is for you too whatever you are doing!

See you next week :)

xx Fiona

 

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PS. Check out my book '100 Ways to Live a Luxurious Life on a Budget' if you like the ideas in this post! It is quick-to-read, packed with inspiring ideas, and also my most consistently popular book with almost 800 reviews on Amazon (and an average 4.6 rating out of 5 stars).

It is not the kind of book that will give you discount codes or which places to go to to get a bargain. What you will find is all my secrets how I have created a luxurious life for myself, even though I value thrift and simplicity. You can create any kind of reality for yourself too, and it can happen in an instant with a shift in mindset. Sounds airy fairy but I am fully about the practical as well.

I always say to have your head in the clouds and your feet on the ground. It has served me well so far! Happy reading :) Please let me know what you think of it!

 

 

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

Creating free fun, growing your own food, and spring sunshine

 

Hello chic friends!

 

Paul and I took advantage of his new job's roster earlier this week (he works weekdays and weekends, in various mixes) to have a picnic on the beach on a sunny Tuesday.

We planned to eat lunch at home and go for a walk along the beach, but then thought 'Why not take our lunch with us?' We had a chicken and avocado salad each, and fruit and yoghurt for afters, and a can of Coke each for a fun touch. All brought from home! It was yummier, healthier, and far less expensive than buying lunch out.

And we still had a nice time. Even though most people are at work on a Tuesday, there were people around - holidaymakers, retirees walking, and teens sunning themselves on the beach, probably exam time with days off.

 

I love making the most of where we live and creating free outings like this. I sort of count our lunch as free even though we bought the groceries :) Plus, some of the salad ingredients were free since they were grown on our property - the cos lettuce, parsley, and avocado components!

I just love living a simple, low-cost lifestyle. To me it’s as enjoyable as spending lots, and you don't need to kill yourself in a job you hate to pay for it all.

This is especially pertinent to us since Paul was made redundant from his job earlier in the year. He has now found a new job and he absolutely loves it, working at the cellar door for one of our local wineries.

He is in his element, and meets the nicest people too - a lot of overseas tourists who are interesting to chat with and hear about where they are from. Even though he is the one pouring the wine, not drinking it, he still has a blast.

Do you live near an area of natural beauty that you can take a picnic too? I didn't take photos of our picnic because it wasn't one of those staged Instagram-worthy affairs, but we did dine with cloth napkins from our plastic lunch boxes! 

 

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Just look at these beautiful roses at my mum's when I visited during the week. Her friend Ann brought them from her garden. I always love pinks/blush/pale yellow/peach shades together.
 

 

 

I took the three doggies with me which I haven't done for a while since mum adopted a new rescue cat Minnie who is about a year old.

Turns out Minnie can hold her own. She stalked the dogs and at one stage was chasing one of them around the garden. So funny 😂 I had to rescue Chloe dog from the cat!

Minnie cat was VERY happy to see me drive off with my three idiots. She much prefers a quiet, dog-free home. She even followed us out to the car to make sure we all left: 'Don't let the door hit you on the way out!' 🤣

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On a bright, sunny day I picked spinach (for smoothies) and cos lettuce for salads. I also spent some time tidying up and watering our vegetable garden.

 

 

It’s a petite space but provides us with yummy goodness 🥬🥒🫑

In addition to spinach and lettuce, there are cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and little orange bell peppers already growing but not ready yet, and yesterday I added in dwarf beans for the first time. They are long round green beans which I love. The plant grows in a small bush instead of climbing so I’m told. I can’t imagine how a tiny plant grows long beans but I will find out soon enough with any luck!

 

I am not a huge gardener, even though it is very satisfying. My ideal garden looks good but is easy-care 😁

But I do love picking fresh vegetables for our lunchtime salads. Cos lettuce is my favourite because the bugs don’t seem to eat it the same as mesclun, which I only seemed to grow for the birds and white butterflies - there was never any left for me!

I hope you’ve had a lovely week. Today it has dawned a cool, calm Sunday here and we had rain overnight. I have a relaxing day of writing, coffee, and pottering planned. Just bliss!

 

xx Fiona

 

 

PS. Check out my newest book if you haven't already!

 

 

 

Financially Chic Vol. 2 is all about living a fabulous life on little cash. Find out how to create a 'rich lady lifestyle' for yourself. Switch up your mindset to live 'beyond your means'!

 

🌺 Read it on Kindle and in paperback here on Amazon, and find the audiobook wherever you listen to your audiobooks. You can ask your local public library to order in the paperback or eAudiobook too!

🌺 eBooks and eAudiobooks are in available in my eStore here.

🌺 Listen to the audiobook free on Spotify if you have Spotify Premium.

(My Amazon links are affiliate, but it doesn't change the price for you. Thank you if you choose to use my Amazon link!)

Family photo time, gracious living, and a new book soon!

 

Hello chic friends!

 

It's family photo time 🥰

Chloe dog loves jumping up into my arms, and this is where she ends up. She runs up my legs and if I'm not ready she can shoot straight up through my arms!

Probably dog trainers would have a bit to say about this, but Chloe has totally trained me. Isn't that the way around it's meant to go?

Micky dog can't jump up, he is an earth-bound boy, but he wanted to get in on the fun too.

Do you your pets have you trained? What kinds of funny things do they have you do?

Our doggies get fed at 8am and 4pm, and about half an hour before, the whining starts. It's always Micky, and the noise is like someone letting air out of a balloon slowly. It's like a squeak, and gets louder and louder until breakfast or dinner is served 🤣

Let me know how you are controlled by your pets too!

~~

 

 

 :: Gracious Living ::

Each morning when I get up, the first thing I do is turn soft instrumental music on and light a candle. These two simple actions give a soft start to my day and inspire my writing. The little touches are so important to me and how I live at home.

This particular candle is by Australian company Glasshouse Candles and is called ‘Forever Florence’ with a wild peonies and lily fragrance. It’s a pretty scent and very delicate; quite soapy which I love.

I will keep this jar after the candle has finished, as it will look lovely with a tealight in it illuminating the pink opaque glass.

(And I always use the last unburnable part of the candle as a wax melt – let the candle cool right down and put the whole jar in the freezer for a few hours. Freezing shrinks the wax and the little disc will pop out. Et voila, a free wax melt which will smell beautiful as you diffuse it!

Do you do this too? Or is it just me?)

~~

 

 

 

This is a little path that goes up through the bush by our house. Sometimes I go for a walk over it and down the other side. The dogs follow me wondering where we're going 😂

Today I'm excited to say my next book is complete, and it will be coming out within a few days! Of course I will let you know when it's available ❤️

I've been tap tap tapping away in my office. Such fun.
 

Wishing you a lovely weekend 😊

xx Fiona

PS. My latest book '100 Ways to Live a Soft, Calm Life' is still available on Kindle Unlimited, for another week or so. You can see it here on Kindle, in paperback, and on Audible.

 

 

 

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

Feminine Lifestyle Inspiration

 

Hello everyone!

 

It's been a bright sunny day here and I'm bright and sunny in my mind too.

I don't know if you can relate to this, but sometimes my mind gets into a heavy tangle and it WEIGHS ME DOWN. I've felt a bit like this recently and I wish it didn't happen, but it does.

Something I read made a lot of sense, it was about the mind needing to be still and the body active but most of us do it the other way around.

And that the answer to calm an overactive mind is to move our body, as much as we might not feel like it. That's why I always feel so good if I go for a walk, even a short one.

So many of us sit at a desk for our work that it's hard to have dedicated moving time, but hopefully we can get up and do something instead of sitting there hour after hour.

When I worked in an office in the city I'd go for a walk in my lunch break instead of staying in the office to eat my lunch. Unless it was really rainy or cold, but even then it always felt better to get out into the natural light and fresh air.

Something else that helps for me is to pump myself up on positivity when I need it - I'm putting air in my tyres when I'm feeling flat! It makes a huge difference.

If you're feeling a little tangled or flat yourself, I hope you can identify a few ways in which you can feel better.
 

~~

 

I've got some lovely reader photos to share with you this week, on living a soft, calm life to celebrate the release of my new book '100 Ways to Live a Soft, Calm Life'.

 

First up is from reader Cathleen, who lives in the Netherlands.

 

 

Here’s what Cathleen has to say:

“This is a photo from the end of September 2023 when the leaves were just starting to turn. I was out for my daily constitutional in my village here in the Netherlands. I’m a Scot who’s lived here for 40yrs and I still love how neat, tidy, super organised and well-presented everything is. I live in a village near The Hague in what’s called the province of ‘South Holland’.”

It is such a beautiful photo and looks more like artwork than 'everyday life' for people 😊 Thank you Cathleen!

~~

 

 
Now more than ever we owe it to ourselves to slow down our external and our internal worlds. No-one else is going to do it for us.

As females our nervous systems are more ‘delicate’ and we can find ourselves more easily stressed if we don’t take the initiative in calming our surroundings, sinking into a softer mindset, and soothing ourselves with enjoyable pursuits.

It is only then that we can 'pour from a full cup'.

I many of you have already read '100 Ways to Live a Soft, Calm Life' and even left a review on Amazon. I thank you so much for that! I read all my reviews and am so grateful. And if you have constructive advice for me I take that on too.

It is available on Kindle and in paperback, with the audiobook coming very soon, here on Amazon.

~~ 

 

 

 

How cute is this outdoor area? It belongs to reader Julia from St. Ann, Missouri, USA, and she sent it in to me to join our petite series on living a soft, calm life.

Her husband calls it her happy place, and Julia told me she looks forward to bringing her plants out every year and reading ‘in her happy place’.

I love it!

It makes me think of creating your own reading nook, except Julia's is in her garden. So, so lovely.

I want to share an excerpt from ‘100 Ways to Live a Soft, Calm Life’ today, which I think suits Julia’s delightful photo well.

It’s tip no. 16. from the bonus chapter ‘50 Ways to Romanticize Your Everyday’.

:: Plan a little picnic ::

“Whether it’s a carpet picnic inside, taking a rug outdoors to your lawn, or going to a public park or beach, there’s something so romantic about sitting cross-legged with a few delicious snacky foods and a delicious drink.”

Even when it’s winter like it is here in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, we can still spend some time outdoors (in between rain showers, when the sun peeks out!) I do love wintry weather but it felt like a real tonic to sit in the sun eating my lunch a few days this week.

 

 

 

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Ann-Marie in Howell, Michigan, USA sent me the gorgeous photo above, and said:

“I read in your latest email that you are inviting readers to send you pretty pictures from their soft and calm lives. I would be happy for you to share my name and location with other readers.

I'm sending a colorful picture I took recently of some beautiful peonies in full bloom. I like to take pictures of my flowers so that I can enjoy them beyond just a few days. I also like this composition because it shows some delicious fruit that we bought in peak season.

Here's to the simple life!”

 

~~

Such a lovely idea to take photos of flowers and fruit at their peak so that you can have your own little library of delights. I love it!

I picked six daffodils a few days ago, which are starting to come up in our garden. Flowers really are a gift to our soul aren’t they? 😊

~~

I’d like to share another excerpt, and it’s tip no. 37.

:: Keep up little home details that delight you ::

“Some ladies buy themselves an inexpensive bouquet of flowers each week. I go through phases of this depending on what is available and how much they cost.

But something I never fail to do in my environment is to change my hand towels daily, and my pillow slips twice a week (once when I change the sheets, and once in between changes).

Doing this creates only a miniscule amount of extra laundry but these two details bring me so much happiness I can’t say! It’s a pleasure to always dry my hands on a clean towel, and I love having fresh pillow slips more often too.

Find areas like this in your home (or borrow mine) and create a little extra luxury for yourself.”

 

~~

 

And our final photo on living a soft, calm life this week is from Leslie in British Columbia, Canada.

Leslie said:

'You continue to inspire…here is my morning view…listening to the birdsong.'

Thank you so much for sharing Leslie! I love your blue and white striped shirt and your red geraniums too ❤️💙❤️💙❤️

~~

I have to share a funny comment from my mother. She gave me a packet of rice crackers which I wasn't sure I would like, they were salted caramel flavour. I sent her a text when I tried them with cheese, saying they were very nice.

She asked what kind of cheese I had, and I said brie and colby. She was that was ideal, that they suited 'a soft, calm cheese' 😂😂😂 My mum has a good sense of humour!

I hope you're having a lovely weekend. We're watching bits and pieces of the Olympics here. Wasn't the opening ceremony wonderful? So fun to see beautiful Paris, and Celine Dion was amazing.
 

xx Fiona

 

PS. My Amazon links are 'affiliate' which means I may earn a small commission from items that you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. I appreciate it if you choose to use my links!

A social week and journalling 'with friends'

 

Hello chic friends!

Paul and I went out for a special meal and it was so nice to get dressed up and go out :)

Craggy Range Winery has the most spectacular backdrop, as you can see. If you are ever in Hawke's Bay I would recommend it for lunch or dinner.

~~

 

It was obviously quite the social week, because I hosted ladies afternoon tea for a family birthday too. Everyone brings a plate and we have a lovely get-together.

~~

Doing some delicious journaling first thing, snuggled up in bed with a cup of tea when… paws come out from under the alpaca rug and reach for my paper 🤣🤣 Too cute!

Do you have 'helpers' when you do things too? 😉

 

~~

 

That's all for this week. I am very happy because I finished my next book this morning, so it's onto editing and proofreading etc, and I hope to have it out very soon!

Have a wonderful weekend.

 

 

xx Fiona

 

 

 

PS. You can check out my latest audiobooks here on Audible, and in my eStore. And if you prefer to read, all my eBooks and paperbacks are on Amazon here.

 

 

 

 

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