The Simple Sophisticate - Intelligent Living Paired with Signature Style
Shannon Ables
The simple sophisticate is someone who prefers quality over quantity, sensible living over mindless consumption, personal style instead of trendy fashions, has an insatiable curiosity for life's endless questions and a desire to live a truly fulfilling life rather than being led around by the nose. Inspired by her lifestyle blog The Simply Luxurious Life, Shannon Ables (the original Simple Sophisticate) shares with listeners tips on how to live a refined life on an everyday income, a life of true contentment. Founded on the principle of the art of living a life of quality over quantity, episodes explore topics ranging from creating an everyday life you love living, strengthening mindfulness practices, preparing seasonally delicious meals, building a capsule wardrobe, traveling the world (Francophiles and Anglophiles tune in as France as well as the Britain are favorite destinations), and living life to the fullest without breaking the bank because living well is really quite simple.
*illustration by artist Sarah Löcker exclusively commissioned for the show
*illustration by artist Sarah Löcker exclusively commissioned for the show
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 15, 2016 • 29min
116: Make Your Own Life Rules
The key to cultivating a life we love living is to know what works best for us. Each individual person will discover rules that are unique to them. The trick is knowing how to determine which rules we should follow. In today's episode discover specific ways to help you find what rules will work for you and how your life will be elevated when you do so. In this week's Petit Plaisir, a simple salad that is full of flavor. Serve as a side to a delicious barbecued hamburger on a brioche bun, pair with a glass of wine and dinner is served!
Aug 8, 2016 • 26min
115: The 8 Benefits of Banishing Busy
A busy world pushes us to be busy as well, and we aren't, we may at times feel as though we aren't doing what we should. On the contrary, the banishment of busy and the ability to embrace a calm and tranquil approach is the key to living a life of quality and true fulfillment. Today's episode discusses in-depth the eight benefits of banishing busy from your life. In this week's Petit Plaisir, discover a simple approach to your weekly grocery routine that will enable you to stay within your budget, always satiate your tastebuds and and simplify your approach in the kitchen. TSLL Capsule Weekly Menu Planning Pages, Sample Menu and detailed approached is discussed and shared.
Aug 1, 2016 • 35min
114: 13 Habits for Effective Time Management
One of the most popular requests readers have for upcoming episodes and blog posts is how I manage my time as I balance two full time jobs. Today I am sharing with you 13 habits that I have incorporated into my daily, weekly and monthly routines that enhances the quality of my life and the productivity. In this week's Petit Plaisir, a comfort food recipe that is über simple and wonderfully delicious: Spaghetti Vongole.
Jul 25, 2016 • 36min
113: 16 Benefits of Self-Reliance
Self-reliance, the ability to understand and be in-tune with our inner calling is a easy to do if we are by ourselves, but it is the ability to participate, involve ourselves and enjoy society while remaining true to ourselves and are innate talents and passions that cultivates a life full of more contentment. Inspired by Ralph Waldo Emerson's 1841 essay "Self-Reliance", discover 16 benefits you can welcome into your life by living a life of self-reliance. In this week's Petit Plaisir, a Francophile Find! Julie Barlow & Jean-Benoît Nadeau's new book The Bonjour Effect is discussed and recommended.
Jul 18, 2016 • 32min
112: 11 Ways to Happy Right Now
So much of our happiness is entirely in our control, and with these 11 simple ways to immediately shift your mood from a frown to happiness, based on a handful of scientific studies, you can begin to change the quality of your days in an instant. In this week's Petit Plaisir, two simple ways to enhance your everyday experience. First TSLL Notepads with exclusive full-color Inslee Fariss illustrations are now available at The Simply Luxurious Life: To-Do lists, and To Market, to Market (grocery list). Also, Martha Beck's The Joy Diet book is recommended.
Jul 11, 2016 • 51min
111: Quality over Quantity in Fashion & Life: My Discussion with Stylist Tiffani Rogers
NYC Stylist Tiffani Rogers of Style by Tiffani discusses this season's summer trends (what to save and splurge on), how to style your own capsule wardrobe, how to master the busy schedule being an entrepreneur demands as well as finding the balance in the everyday. A friend for more than seven years, Tiffani's enthusiasm and energy are intoxicating, and her savvy for style is all about quality over quantity. In this week's Petit Plaisir, inspired by a book mentioned in our discussion, I recommend an audio version of this best-selling book: Bossy Pants by Tina Fey
Jul 4, 2016 • 35min
110: The Best Learned Trait We Can Possess: Willpower
Inspired by Roy F. Baumeister and John Tierney's best-selling book Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength, in this episode of the podcast, the 8 benefits of honing this power skill as well as 12 strategies for preserving willpower so that each and everyday you can reach its full potential. In this week's Petit Plaisir, it's all about pasta on a crostini. Yep! Except without the pasta. Trust me, it's delicious. Discover my Carbonara Crostini recipe that is simple and delicious.
Jun 27, 2016 • 0sec
109: 34 Must-Have Items for Your Home Épicerie
Being able to your kitchen and cook whatever, whenever you want is doable as long as your pantry, refrigerator, freezer and countertop are stocked with the necessary items. In today's episode discover a list of 34 must-have items that will ensure a wonderful and delicious meal is possible each and every time. In this week's Petit Plaisir, Three-Mustard Chicken, a simple, short, but top-quality ingredient list that will have you sitting down and enjoying in 45 minutes.
Jun 20, 2016 • 28min
108: What Lin-Manuel Miranda Taught Me
Tony-award winning creator, director and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda recently shared a quote about his reason for writing the musical Hamilton. Using his words as inspiration, discover four fundamental tools for reaching your full potential, and along the way amazing yourself as to what you were capable of. In this week's Petit Plaisir, a new recipe for wrapping up spring and welcoming the summer season: a blueberry rhubarb galette.
Jun 13, 2016 • 36min
107: Relax: 21 Ways to Know You're Doing Just Fine in this Thing Called Life
Sometimes we can push ourselves so hard that when we do finally take a moment to assess how we're doing, we don't trust that we're doing well. This simple checklist offers 21 reasons to demonstrate that yes, you're are doing quite well indeed as you live the life you work so hard to enjoy. Also, in this week's Petit Plaisir, Shannon reviews the new piece of fiction The Course of Love by Alain de Botton which will be released June 14th. Be sure to enter to win your free copy.
