The final episode taped in France during my travels shares a few memorable moments I had the opportunity experience, and as I had the opportunity to stay at author, blogger and photographer Sharon Santoni's home in France, I wanted to share a few images from the cottage I called home for a few days in northern France. ~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #217 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate : iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube | Spotify ~Dining at La Couronne (the location where Julia ...
Jul 16, 2018•16 min
As my travels continue in France, Part Deux of the travel musings-themed episodes is shared today as I recorded the episode while walking in the country amongst vineyards, olive trees and under the brilliant blue sky of Gordes, Provence. Be sure to tune in as I talk about topics that have been on my mind these past few weeks. Some have to do with travel and some have to do with everyday life and how to elevate it. I also share a few upcoming posts that I will be sharing in the coming weeks and m...
Jul 09, 2018•34 min
~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #215 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate : iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube | Spotify "It's worth the effort." —Patricia Wells (The following episode was taped while traveling in Provence, France, using a handrecorder. Please excuse indulations in volume.) The legions of birds and their signature melodies, the playful butterflies that promenade amongst our meals, the clock tower reminding us that indeed we are not dreaming and the vintner on his tract...
Jul 01, 2018•30 min
~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #214 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate : iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube | Spotify Today's episode is over one hour of Q & As. Questions from TSLL readers and podcast listeners and answers from me, Shannon. :) This annual episode began last year, and was so well received (the most downloaded episode of the year), it has returned. I do hope you enjoy and thank you to every listener who emailed me your questions. Below you will see a list of topi...
Jun 25, 2018•1 hr 17 min
~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #213 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate : iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube | Spotify "Alone, we can plumb local markets and examine their wares closely. We can breathe in and relish the flavors in a sauce, or the coolness of a pitcher of cream. We don't necessarily take time to do these things in the presence of company, particularly during lively conversation. A solo meal is an opportunity to go slow; to savor." —Stephanie Rosenbloom, Alone Time Dis...
Jun 18, 2018•28 min
~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #212 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate : iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube | Spotify Lessons learned and applied. Often it is what we have done in the past that informs us how to do a similar task better in the future. Whether the mistakes were small or large, upon reflection we can be reminded of what didn't work, then examine more closely why and improve in those areas moving forward the next time. Tending to our health is a journey of discovery, o...
Jun 11, 2018•26 min
~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #211 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate : iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube | Spotify In America we have the story that ... your sex drive evaporates. ... Nobody wants to sleep with you, but you don't want to sleep with them either. ... And it turns out that that is really much more of a cultural story than a biological story, and ... people's behavior responds to this cultural story. ... In France there's a slightly different narrative. ... Women in ...
Jun 04, 2018•33 min
~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #210 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate : iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube “It is always the simple that produces the marvelous.” – Amelia Barr You react in anger when a moment of frustration arises only to have to take more time (once you realize you shouldn't have reacted in such a way) to apologize and rebuild a relationship. The best decision, the simple decision, would have been to say nothing at all in the moment, step away from the situation, ...
May 28, 2018•28 min
~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #209 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate : iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube "Your home knows your past, it directs you toward your future, and it gives you the comfort of ritual. There is nothing on the planet that knows you and nurtures you like a home. You simply need to give it the tools to take care of you." — Home Sweet Maison: The French Art of Making a Home by Danielle Postel-Vinay Whether we've lived in our home for years or only months, tendi...
May 21, 2018•32 min
~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #208 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate : iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube "Health is the outcome of the small choices you make on a daily basis." —Dr. Frank Lipman, author of How to Be Well: The 6 Keys to a Happy and Healthy Life The pillars of a healthy life have been enumerated by many an expert, but it was in Frank Lipman's book How to Be Well that delineated and described them in such a way that found me nodding my head in agreement throughout t...
May 14, 2018•36 min
"If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need." — Marcus Tullius Cicero Claude Monet's gardens at Giverny, Butchart Gardens near Victoria, Canada, or the grounds of Versailles in France. Each and many more outdoor masterpieces which utilize the gifts of Mother Nature to enchant visitors are as glorious as they are intimidating to those of us who are curious to welcome similar beauty onto our own properties and sanctuaries. Having grown up with a mother who has a sincere love ...
May 07, 2018•35 min
~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #206 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate : iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube I am all about simplifying life's daily routines and events, and especially when our schedules become full, our time is precious. As of late, my spring has been bursting. From finishing TSLL's 2nd book , finalizing my summer travel plans, preparing my students from AP testing in May, tending to my pup Norman's mini leg injury and well, just living everyday life, knowing that t...
Apr 30, 2018•28 min
~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #205 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate : iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube "Today's accomplishments were yesterday's impossibilities." —Robert H. Schuller I was recently watching a documentary on Julia Child, and prior to meeting Paul, falling in love with French food and becoming the revolutionary figure she became in the food industry, there was a point in her life where she felt "ordinary", and not as special as she had assumed. It was shortly aft...
Apr 23, 2018•29 min
~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #204 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate : iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube The Harvard Business Review pointed out in 2011 that there are many networks we each need in our lives to be successful. Looking at this concept from a business perspective, HBR shared that a manager and leader needs three networks to be successful: operational, developmental, and strategic . As I shared in this post written in 2014 , whether at work or at home or while playin...
Apr 16, 2018•30 min
~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #203 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate : iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube Author of The Provençal Mystery series, featuring Antoine Verlaque and Marine Bonnet, M.L. Longworth joins me on today's episode of the podcast to discuss her latest mystery in the series which was just released on April 3rd, The Secrets of the Bastide Blanche . Having lived in Aix-en-Provence for more than 20 years, M.L. shares insights into her daily routine, what she most l...
Apr 09, 2018•49 min
~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #202 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate : iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube In today's episode of the podcast, stylist Tiffani Rogers of Style by Tiffani returns to talk about the trends of the spring season. Be sure to tune as she will share what to invest in, designers to check out as well as how to style a shirtdress and what to do with the trend of the ruffle. Tiffani also announced the new version of her Shop the City Guide (Manhattan + new Brook...
Apr 02, 2018•33 min
~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #201 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate : iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube "Exercise should be regarded as tribute to the heart." —Gene Tunney Disspell the myths, push through the pain, discover what you do not know so the wrong information no longer holds you back. The concept of good overall physical health is a tripod: aerobic, strength and flexibility. A regular regimen which includes these three components will offer a firm foundation of lasting...
Mar 26, 2018•38 min
~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #200 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate : iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube On Tuesday morning at 9:15 Pacific time in the western hemisphere spring will arrive. No weather prediction can change this reality. Even if it continues to snow where you live (the snow in England and France this past weekend have made me feel as a kindred spirit to the residents as we had snow this weekend as well), the calendar affirms, it will be spring at this time on Tue...
Mar 19, 2018•33 min
~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #199 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate : iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube "The best part of being single is that I get to know men and see what I love about them in a way that, when I was 19, I never afforded myself the opportunity. At 19, I would think, 'Oh, I got picked!' and I would just go along with it, happy to be picked by a man, instead of choosing, and now, I'm in the choosing seat." —Laura Dern on being 50 and divorced ~Based on feedback f...
Mar 12, 2018•36 min
~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #198 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate : iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube In today's episode of the podcast, author Jenna Birch stops by to talk about her new book The Love Gap: A Radical Plan to Win in Life and Love (January 2018). Whether you are in your twenties or have decades of experience when it comes to love, successes and stumbles, Birch offers grounding principles that align in many ways with living simply luxuriously. Below are three of t...
Mar 05, 2018•44 min
~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #197 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate : iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube As a young girl I took piano lessons, and I will admit, it was not the greatest joy of my life. A timer would have to be set for me to sit down for even 30 minutes to practice, and even then I would get up from time to time to check and see how much more time I had to play. So, no, I was not someone who found joy in playing; however, when my mom would sit down and play and let...
Feb 26, 2018•26 min
~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #196 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate : iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube "Style is a simple way of saying complicated things." —Jean Cocteau With the collections for Fall 2018 being revealed this month, I am always on a treasure hunt to find unique and worthwhile takes on the classics. At the same time, I am reminded as the trends shift each and every season, of the benefits to adhering to a signature style that complements the individual wearing t...
Feb 19, 2018•26 min
~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #195 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate : iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube The 43rd time was the charm. At least in the case for currently number one ranked women's tennis player Caroline Wozniacki. Winning her first grand slam title with the Austrialian Open at the end of this past January, Wozniacki, after 43 entries at grand slam events, earned her first in 2018 after 12 years on the tour. As Caroline's and many other successful dreamers have demo...
Feb 12, 2018•27 min
~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #194 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate : iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube "When we are happy —when our mindset and mood are positive — we are smarter, more motivated, and thus more successful. Happiness is the center, and success revolves around it."—Shawn Achor, author of The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology that Fuel Success and Performance at Work Both success and happiness, what they consist of, look like and feel...
Feb 05, 2018•22 min
~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #193 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate : iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube "Happiness comes from being who you actually are instead of who you think you are supposed to be." —Shonda Rhimes In order to feel good in one's skin (or to feel well in one's skin as the French state it, bien dans sa peau) , we first must know what skin we are inhabiting. However, it is not about what we see on the surface, but rather what talents, curiosities and passions ar...
Jan 29, 2018•23 min
~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #192 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate : iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube On today's episode of The Simple Sophisticate , author, award-winning journalist, expat living in France and proprietor of the acclaimed cooking school located in France, Susan Hermann Loomis joins me to talk about so many of TSLL readers' passions: France, food, and living well (and I cannot forget Julia Child as well). Discover how she came to live in France, her approach to...
Jan 22, 2018•33 min
~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #191 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate : iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube Quality Leather Totes Hi Shannon - I was going through your capsule wardrobe pieces and I saw the mark and graham brooklyn tote and the cuyana tote listed. I have been looking for a cognac purse and have seen both of these before (in addition to madewell and everlane). Do you have any experience with either brand and/or tote? Thanks so much! —Jennifer ~ The Vintage Tote Bag , ...
Jan 15, 2018•39 min
~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #190 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate : iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube It was the nineties. And Cindy Crawford had a fitness video, yes this one . It was 20 minutes of simple strength exercises, and I memorized the exercises, completing them twice a week on my own. In no time, without the need of the video. I was in my late pre-teens. Not having access to a gym, somewhere I knew strength was a good idea along with cardiovascular exercises. I will...
Jan 08, 2018•23 min
~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #189 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate : iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube "French women will tell you that when you know who you are, you are able to become more yourself, and then you naturally and easily become more confident. When you know who you are, you are more 'contained' because you are confident, and as a result, you become more mysterious." —Jamie Cat Callan from her new book Parisian Charm School Author and Francophile Jamie Cat Callan j...
Jan 01, 2018•42 min
The Simple Sophisticate podcast began its fourth year this past September, and as we did I continue to feel fortunate for listeners' interest and the guests who wish to stop by. This year's topics ranged from contentment to daily routines to being a better partner to everyday life in France and enjoying eating each and every day. Below are the 14 top posts out of the 53 that were part of the 2017 year. While today is the one Monday of the year a new episode does not go live, be sure to tune in n...
Dec 25, 2017•6 min
