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
Nov 17, 2014 • 30min
13: 8 Ways to Create Glowing Skin
How we treat and care for our skin is just as vitally important as what we eat and how we live. Amazingly positive results can reveal themselves naturally if only we are disciplined and have the knowledge to know how to properly take care of our skin. In today's podcast discover eight ways to properly care from your skin and discover why investing today will pay off dividends tomorrow.
Nov 10, 2014 • 20min
12: Why Not . . . Be Unforgettable?
The key to being unforgettable is not to present perfection and agree to everything and everyone we meet. Rather being unforgettable begins with being our authentic selves, approachable, thoughtful and most importantly honest and trustworthy. Such qualities while basic foundations for building any lasting connection are often forgotten. Tune in to find out specific ways to unforgettable without regret.
Nov 3, 2014 • 32min
11: 7 Keys to Building a Strong, Healthy Relationship
One of the pillars of living a simply luxurious life is building strong and healthy relationships. Whether at work, at home or in your community, these seven components will give you specific guidance on how to cultivate relationships that while requiring sincere investment will produce amazing life fulfilling rewards and memories.
Oct 27, 2014 • 28min
10: 5 Ways to Live an Examined Life
Socrates reminds us that the "unexamined life is not worth living", but what exactly is the examined life? Today, I examine five general over-arching ways each of us can live more consciously and mindfully in our everyday lives so that we are indeed living an examined life rather than being led around by the nose.
Oct 20, 2014 • 29min
9: 6 Ways to Live Fully Each Day
The beauty of life is that the unexpected can always happen, but if we don't recognize that life's surprises can actually be diamonds to be seized, we may end up missing amazing opportunities. The best way to seize these opportunities is to live fully each day. In today's podcast, 6 tips will be shared on how to be present each day so that you turn the magic that life presents into a life of your dreams.
Oct 13, 2014 • 33min
8: Love Food, Love Your Body
Food is a pleasure to be enjoyed throughout our lives, but food is not why we live our lives. On the other hand, it is important that we not see food as the enemy, but rather as a key element in achieving our best lives. As long as we undertand what we are putting into our bodies - putting ourselves in the driver's seat and taking back the steering wheel from the advertisers and the weight-loss books - we can eat well without feeling deprived.
Oct 6, 2014 • 35min
7: 6 Ways to Create a Chic Sanctuary
Regardless of the size of home we live in, creating a space that is welcoming, clean, and comfortable is crucial to rejuvenating and relaxing so that tomorrow we can be at our best. With 6 simple ideas, Shannon shares detailed examples on how to turn your home into your sanctuary. And in this week's Petit Plaisir, international best-selling author and lifestyle blogger Jennifer L. Scott stops by to talk about her new book At Home With Madame Chic which is being released on October 7.
Sep 29, 2014 • 28min
6: Authenticity: Finding the Courage to be Yourself
Authenticity is a simple notion in its construct, but applying it to everyday living can be daunting. In today's podcast, four concrete measurements of what precisely authenticity looks like will be shared, as well as six benefits that will improve the quality of your life. And in this week's Petit Plaisir, Lady Gaga & Tony Bennett's album Cheek to Cheek is sampled and reviewed.
Sep 22, 2014 • 43min
5: Confidence: How to Gain It & Why It's Invaluable
Confidence not only is something you can learn, but it is also something you can master. In today's podcast, Shannon share five specific ways to exude more confidence, the five major benefits of acquiring confidence, and interviews Tracy Hooper, the founder of The Confidence Project who offers hands-on workshops online and in person in Portland, Oregon and Baltimore, Maryland.
Sep 15, 2014 • 41min
4: 10 Ways to Unearth Your Inner Francophile
From the cuisine to the fashion and everything in between, there are many aspects of the French culture that continue to fascinate people from around the world. As a professed Francophile, Shannon Ables, explains how her love of all things French became the primary foundation of her blog's premise - The Simply Luxurious Life. With an appreciation for quality over quantity, a more fulfilling and content life can blossom with the 10 simple attributes derived from the French culture.
