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 24, 2015 • 44min
56: Interview with Frances Schultz
Author, blogger and decor expert Frances Schultz's new book The Bee Cottage Story: How I Made a Muddle of Things and Decorated My Way Back to Happiness is the focus of today's discussion. And while the premise of the book is all about how she restored her 1920's East Hampton's cottage, it also part memoir as readers discovery her journey to arrive at the place she is today, fulfilled, content and full of wisdom. Topics of happiness, meditation, authenticity and yes, even decor are discussed. In today's Petit Plaisir, I share my top 10 decor tips and ideas from the pages of The Bee Cottage Story by Frances Schultz.
Aug 22, 2015 • 14min
55: August 22, 2015: Au Courant Weekly
First two women graduate from Army Ranger School, Addyi is approved for women's libidos, Lily Tomlin stars in a delightful new film and much more. In this week's French Word of the Week, we're talking food and breakfast, French toast specifically.
Aug 17, 2015 • 24min
54: 10 Ways to Deal with Toxic People
Even when we can identify a toxic person a mile away, we will still will have to deal with them from time to time. Whether it's in the workplace, at home or out in the community, there will be moments that can either leave us deflated if we don't know how to handle them or conversely simply be a minor road bump when handled effectively. While we can limit our interactions, we'll talk about how to do just that as well as how to deal with toxic people we may encounter from time to time. In this week's Petit Plaisir, a simple touch you can bring to your home to brighten the mood of the space without breaking the bank.
Aug 15, 2015 • 12min
53: August 15, 2015: Au Courant Weekly
Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton, a WWII bomb in London, the film People, Places, Things and much more in this week's top news stories of the week.
Aug 10, 2015 • 34min
52: 15 Ways to Not "Feel Fat"
The idea of "feeling fat" is often rather a feeling of knowing we aren't taking care of our body as we should and knowing we can feel better in our own skin. In today's episode, Shannon shares 15 simple ways to get back on track when it comes to eating well without going on a "diet" as Americans use the term. In this week's Petit Plaisir, Shannon reviews Harper Lee's Go Set A Watchman.
Aug 8, 2015 • 14min
51: August 8, 2015: Au Courant Weekly
The top stories from the past stories such as President Obama's announcement on greenhouse gas emmissions, meditation's positive effects on being self-critical and the return of a Stradivarius violin that was lost 35 years ago. So much to talk about, so tune in and you'll be au courant in 15 minutes or less.
Aug 3, 2015 • 34min
50: Why Not . . . Design a Happy Life?
Dr. Paul Dolan, author of 'Happiness by Design,' shares the equation for a happy life and 30 tips to cultivate happiness. Topics include attention allocation, intentional choices, social circles, and gradual mindfulness. The episode also reviews 'The French Beauty Solution' for healthy skin.
Aug 1, 2015 • 14min
49: Au Courant Weekly: August 1, 2015
Discover the top stories of the past week in 15 minutes or less. This week topics range from the selection of the 2022 Winter Olympics to Turkey, health studies, the Republican Presidential debate, Jon Stewart and a films that are debuting nationally and in Bend. Geraldine Lepere discusses a chic French word of the week that you won't want to miss.
Jul 27, 2015 • 58min
48: The Moving Checklist
Inspired by her own experience of relocating after nine years of living in her beloved house to her new home in Bend, Oregon, Shannon shares a checklist that will take you from before to during to settling in without the unnecessary stress and angst. Such a life transition can and should be seen as an opportunity, and such a realization is easier to understand when the unnecessary stress is alleviated. Tune in to find out how. In this week's Petit Plaisir discover a simple, scrumptious summer dessert that will have you stopping by your local farmer's market this coming week in order to treat yourself adn your guests - a Berry Galette.
Jul 25, 2015 • 16min
47: Au Courant Weekly: July 25, 2015
Part of living well is being in the know, whether it is being knowledgable of news from around the world or informed of going-ons right in your own community, because it's not what you think, it's that you think. All of the information shared on the Au Courant Weekly will enable you to go forth into the weekend ready for an engaging conversation or simply mindful of the most recent current events, from which you can formulate your own opinions. So tune in each Saturday morning, and in 15 minutes or less you will be au courant. In this week's episode: Dr. Seuss, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, the Sibling Study, Cuban Embassy, President Obama in Kenya, and more! And don't forget Géraldine Lepère, the French language expert and founder of the website Comme une Française offers her weekly French Word of the Week at the end of the episode. Find out what it is!
