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A Chic Paris Lockdown – Day 17 – Self-Care, Community & Video Conferencing
In Fiona Ferris’s Book, 30 Chic Days, the title of Day 17 is “Take Exquisite Care of Your Grooming.” In this chapter, Fiona discusses some ideas and tips on skincare. An interesting point that she makes is that when we take a few moments each day for simple acts of self-care, we reinforce our own knowledge that we are worth spending time on. The meaning behind the few moments in the morning to reach for the skin lotion which also contains SPF, or, in the evening, to apply the night-time extra moisturizing cream not only enriches and protects our skin but also enriches and protects our self-view. So, whatever…
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A Chic Paris Lockdown – Day 16 – Home Sweet Home
“Create a Sanctuary at Home” is Fiona’s title for Day 16 in her book, 30 Chic Days. And what a pertinent topic for this “Lockdown” Spring of 2020! Fiona writes that she wants her home to nurture and uplift everyone who lives there. Her preference is for a minimalist space decorated in neutral tones to foster a calm and serene feeling. Her personal preferences are echoed in the book, Simplicity Parenting, Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids by Kim John Payne and Lisa M Ross. The basic message from both Fiona and Payne is that too many objects (clutter) and too many…
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A Chic Paris Lockdown – Day 15 – Think Tranquility
In Day 15 of Fiona Ferris’s book, 30 Chic Days, the title is “Cultivate Serenity and Calmness in Your Life.” Fiona writes that she enjoys a tranquil, low-key experience. Chaos and crisis is the exact opposite of how she defines a “chic” life. The salient point that Fiona makes in this chapter is that she intentionally chooses a calm existence. There are many areas in our day that can be altered to support a sense of tranquility. I find that how my day begins tends to set the tone for how I experience the rest of the day. To ensure that my mornings are as easy and relaxed as possible,…
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A Chic Paris Lockdown – Day 14 – An Authentic Life
“Design the Life of Your Dreams” is the title for Day 14 in Fiona Ferris’s book, 30 Chic Days. Fiona encourages us to conciously sit down and have a good, honest think about how we want to live our lives. She advises us to pick up pen and paper (or put fingers to keyboard) and make a list of everything that pops into our heads when we ask ourselves, “What really makes up the life of my dreams?” Big pieces and little details, list them without hesitation, especially without thinking of what anyone else would say or think if they saw your list. I tried this exercise in June of…
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A Chic Paris Lockdown – Day 13 – Curves Ahead
Fiona Ferris titles Day 13 “Indulge In Your Femininity” in her book, 30 Chic Days. In this chapter, the author lists several fun ways to enjoy both traditional and personal interpretations of femininity. Fiona makes the point that confidence and a sense of fun are integral parts of being chic. She recommends discovering one’s own personal style points of femininity and playing it up. You might not be able to tell from the photo above but this morning when I snapped it, the outside temperature was 34 F (1 C) and 25 F (-4 C) with wind chill. The wind, may I add, never stopped for the 45 minutes…
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A Chic Paris Lockdown – Day 12 – A Little Glamour for the Closet
Day 12 is “Curate Your Wardrobe Like It Is Your Own Bijou Boutique,” in 30 Chic Days by Fiona Ferris. In this chapter, Fiona returns to the idea that beauty and ease in our everyday life is both good for our schedule and nurtures a positive sense of self. She describes a lovely Parisien clothing boutique and asks “Why not have this “look and feel” in our own closet?” I skimmed this chapter last night and thought, “I already have a carefully edited capsule wardrobe (to go along with my (extremely) capsule closet) – AND I just moved into this closet only two months ago. How can I apply…
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A Chic Paris Lockdown – Day 11 – Inner Choice
In Fiona Ferris’s book, 30 Chic Days, Day 11 is “Adopt A Low-Drama Way of Being.” Fiona gives a lovely discussion of how letting go of being a “control freak” allows her to nurture an internal sense of beautiful calm and peace – to a large degree independent of the events and people around her. I can claim the role of poster child for Fiona’s description of a type-A, control freak – with all the near constant frustrations and irritations that accompany that role. It was (initally) quite a disheartening surprise when I truly recognized that the uiverse goes on merrily without any thought of adjusting itself to my…
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A Chic Paris Lockdown – Day 10 – Less (Stuff) Is More (Freedom)
“Simplify Your Life For Abundance” is Day 10 in Fiona Ferris’s book, 30 Chic Days. Fiona writes about that wonderful feeling of lightness and freedom as she looks around at her de-cluttered surroundings. I like how she links the ideas of open space and abundance. This is a powerful conceptual linkage. When we protect open time in our schedule and open space in our surroundings, we allow ourselves to live with freedom and cofidence. Freedom to respond new opportunities and new thoughts. Confidence that we can effectively respond to each day’s gifts and challenges as they arise. Often we react to life’s uncertainty by fearfully “stocking” up on anything that…
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A Chic Paris Lockdown – Day 9 – Generosity
In Fiona Ferris’s book, 30 Chic Days, Day 9 is “Support your signature charity.” In this chapter, Fiona highlights the chic feature of generosity. The outer elegance and grace that we wish to experience is an expression of our inner grace and calm well-being. When we choose to think and speak in a positive and uplifting way (as discussed yesterday in Day 8), we are showing social generosity – giving warmth and lightness to ourselves and to our companions. In a similar vein, when we demonstrate other forms of generosity, we show compassion (the wish and action to alleviate another creature’s suffering.) Fiona presents a lovely way of being generous…
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A Chic Paris Lockdown – Day 8 – Lightness of Being
Day 8, in Fiona Ferris’s book, 30 Chic Days, is “Be Beautifully Positive.” Fiona describes that charming, wonderful habit of being encouraging and upbeat as a chic “lightness of being.” What a lovely way to describe this perspective on life! The absolute best part of cultivating this positive-focused, “lightness of being” is that, not only do we gift the people around us with this attitude, we gift ourselves! When we choose the happier thought or switch our mental channel AWAY from our inner critic (you know that awful little voice in our minds that keeps a running critical commentary on everything that we do or say?) What a relief! Building…