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
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.
Jun 22, 2015 • 28min
43: 15 Ways to Make the Most of Summer
As the summer solistice has just occurred and the summer season has officially begun, Shannon shares 15 simple ways to take advantage of all that summer has to offer whether you are staying in town or have the opportunity to travel. This week's Petit Plaisir at the end of the episode is Amazon's latest original comedy series that is the ideal six episode download to enjoy whether you are on a plane, train, in the car or are spending an evening or two in.
Jun 15, 2015 • 29min
42: Why Not . . . Create a Lingerie Capsule Wardrobe?
In order for clothing to look its best and therefore to allow each of us to feel our best, we need the proper lingerie that provides the foundational element of each outfit we choose. Today, Shannon shares the 10 essential basics for the Lingerie Capsule Wardrobe along with five items that are Essential Luxuries. In this week's Petit Plaisir, Shannon shares one of her favorie weekly weekend rituals.
Jun 8, 2015 • 27min
41: Holding On & Letting Go
The quality of our days is another lesson in knowing what to hold on to and what to let go of, in other words choosing quality over quantity. In today's episode, discover 12 items that perhaps you hold on to unnecessarily and six items to hold on to no matter where your life takes you. This week's Petit Plaisir is Shannon's latest favorite beauty product that will hydrate skin and minimize wrinkles.
Jun 1, 2015 • 38min
40: How to be the CEO of Your Own Life
Inspired by Sophia Amoruso's best-selling book #GirlBoss, today's episode dives into eight specific ways you can design the life that taps into your passions, assists you in letting go of social dictates and strongholds and live the live you only previously imagined. This week's Petit Plaisir is a Francophile film that involves love and chocolat - Romantics Anonymous.
May 25, 2015 • 25min
39: Dating & Selling A Home
Believe it or not, love and real estate have more in common than not. In today's episode, Shannon shares through her own experience what having success in real estate (or dating) can teach us about the other. This week's Petit Plaisir shares a dose of inspiration from one of the top commencement addresses given by David Foster Wallace.
May 18, 2015 • 28min
38: Texting Etiquette 101
The third part in the Life & Tech series continues with nine specific Do's and Don'ts of texting. With the primary goal of enhancing our relationships, not hindering them, listeners will learn where, when and how to best communicate. This week's Petit Plaisir is one of Shannon's favorite afternoon snacks to help her get through the day. It's simple and a palette pleaser.
May 11, 2015 • 25min
37: The Truth Behind "It Was Meant to Be"
Very often the phrase "It was meant to be" is uttered to explain why something worked out or didn't work out, depending upon the situation. However, in today's episode Shannon shares seven truths as to what actually plays a role in helping the life we wish to happen, the destiny we hope will materialize actually have a change at coming to fruition. Believe it or not, we play a bigger role than we may have first imagined. In this week's Petit Plaisir, Amy Morin's book 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do is reviewed.
