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, 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!
Jul 20, 2015 • 16min
46: The Importance of Cultivating a Sanctuary
Tapping into our true potential requires that we cultivate sanctuaries throughout our daily routines. And while our home should most certainly be a sanctuary as we've discussed in previous episodes, so many other sanctuaries can be cultivated as well. In today's episode, inspired by her recent paddle boarding experience shares the power of carving out time alone so that we can let go of what is thwarting us from discovering what our heart yearns for and stepping ever closer to our true potential. In this week's Petit Plaisir, the second weekly episode of The Simple Sophisticate, which begins airing this Saturday (July 25, 2015) is discussed.
Jul 13, 2015 • 33min
45: 10 Ways to Set Up Your Home Like a Luxury Travel Accommodation
If you've ever wanted to bring the comfort and luxury home with you after traveling and staying in lush living arrangements, whether a luxury hotel or vacation rental, in today's episode you'll discover 10 simple and inexpensive ways you can live a little more luxuriously right at home. In this week's Petit Plaisir Shannon reviews the film The Woman in Gold the film and shares her experience visiting the Neue Galerie where the original Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I hangs.
Jul 6, 2015 • 44min
44: The Gifts of Being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)
Inspired by Dr. Elaine Aron's best-selling book, The Highly Sensitive Person, discover the 26 characteristics of being highly sensitive and learn 19 ways to ensure you can thrive to your fullest potential. In this week's Petit Plaisir, Shannon shares one of her favorite podcasts to listen to while relaxing and traveling: The Splendid Table.
