Devotions
Talks with friends and family have revealed that I am not alone in making my life harder for myself. That’s why I love the above scriptures and the quote from the books so much, they remind me that peace, true peace, can only be attained from God. With Him and through Him we begin to experience peace, regardless of where we are.
I’m not always forgetful to call Him in the busyness of the storm. Each time I do, His transcending peace embraces me and shelters me and reminds me that I’ve got nothing to fear or worry about. It’s something that words can never fully capture. Peace isn’t somewhere we go, it’s where we are right now.
Rebroadcast: The Spirit of Peace
The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7
Peace.
I remember an excerpt from one of my favorite books that says “the key to your peace is not the absence of conflict. No, it’s the presence of God”. We don’t have to understand it, as a matter of fact, it’s beyond understanding. God blesses each of us with talents, gifts that go beyond the tangible, but I believe His most precious gift to us is Himself.
This is a foundation of my faith, but yet, I find this to be a difficult concept to remember. When the deadlines appear overnight, appointments are lined right after the other, and emergencies just seem a commonality, I seem to forget to call on Jesus. Sure when the boat is in calm waters I’m aware of Him, I reach and devote time with Him. But when that storm hits…oh boy, all I’m thinking about is not drowning. Completely forgetting that Jesus is with me.
Talks with friends and family have revealed that I am not alone in making my life harder for myself. That’s why I love the above scriptures and the quote from the books so much, they remind me that peace, true peace, can only be attained from God. With Him and through Him we begin to experience peace, regardless of where we are.
I’m not always forgetful to call Him in the busyness of the storm. Each time I do, His transcending peace embraces me and shelters me and reminds me that I’ve got nothing to fear or worry about. It’s something that words can never fully capture. Peace isn’t somewhere we go, it’s where we are right now.
It’s like Hillsong’s Oceans “When the oceans rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace”. How beautiful is that?
Peace.
With Love,
Marie
Style Inspiration
Simple & Chic: Cozy Sweaters
Now that the autumn season has been official announced all I want to do is wear the chunkiest and coziest sweaters in my closet, and yes, those are my favorite items. There's nothing like a rainy cozy day with the warmest and chicest sweater on, whether at home with a cup of tea or at work with a cup of tea. These pieces are of course comfortable, but they are chic as well. I prefer neutral and pastel colors to complement the season. These colors are best to bring out a simple yet effortless chic style. Pair it with your favorite jeans or tights (while the weather is still acceptable). Shop your favorites below.
Until Monday,
Marie
Featured
Simple Living
12 Mini-Habits for Better Living
I am a creature of habit. You may already have guessed so given the frequency of the topic here on the blog. I truly believe that having a set of habits or routines, however you prefer to think of them, is very liberating. Same goes for using a planner. Not everyone shares that sentiment, however. Just a few weeks a ago I suggested my best friend get a planner to help her stay a bit more organized and from the look on her face you'd thought I asked her to give me her last slice of pizza (I know, a horrifying proposition). So it is with her in mind that I decided to write a post on creating mini-habits that don't seem so constricting and help design a more meaningful living. I like to think of mini-habits as the little things that not only get the ball rolling, many of which you may already be doing, but things that also set a tone. You can use mini-habits for your overall life or just a segment of your life. Maybe you're a writer, set a small word count per day. Have a fitness goal, try one push-up a day or one new yoga move. If can be whatever you like that would make your life better.
- Start your day with a prayer before you get out of bed.
- Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning.
- Use the 'Do Not Disturb' on your phone.
- Read two pages in a book.
- Mono-task.
- Pause and look over your food before you eat it.
- Listen to music.
- Sincerely compliment yourself. And someone else.
- Walk for at least 30mins throughout the day.
- Call/text at least one family or friend.
- Read one motivating scripture or quote.
- End your night by thinking/writing/saying one thing you're grateful for.
I hope this list has inspired you to develop your own mini-habits to live a life of more meaning and of course, more value. And as always, feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments.
With Love,
Marie
Inspiration
Personal Manifesto: 10 Ways to be More Authentic
A few years ago I was inspired to write my own personal manifesto and I am happy to be making that a regular feature on the blog. Along with the above image, which you can download for free here, I wanted to provided 10 ways to manifest the theme in your life. Feel free to add to the list in the comments.
- Believe in your own definition of success and pursue it relentlessly.
- Make time for daily reflection, even if it's only 5 minutes.
- Be comfortable in your own skin.
- Be aware of your true intentions.
- Do it to please yourself first.
- Have a solo date.
- Trust your gut.
- Explore the world through text and travel.
- Challenge yourself.
- Let go of other's opinion.
Until Monday,
Marie
Decor
A quiet surrounding for mediation and contemplation is a small, but absolutely necessary component to living a life of more meaning and purpose. Creating such space brings not only comfort but peace and awareness to our life. These elements thus allow us to live a more deliberate and intelligent life. Crafting this space doesn't have to be an expense or laborious process, it just needs to be somewhere that welcomes you to just be. Your personal space could be a corner sofa early in the morning or late in the evening, a home office designed to your aesthetic taste, a porch or backyard, maybe somewhere in the great outdoors. All that matters is that you feel welcome and open to life's limitless possibilities in that place. Some of my favorite personal spaces are full of light and greenery. Here's a look at what I love in a personal space:
I hope this list has inspired you to create a small space of your own, even if it's transitory. Have that space and use it consistently to check-in with yourself and love who you are. Any other places you consider your personal space? Leave a comment below.
With Love,
Marie
Chic Decor: Personal Space
A quiet surrounding for mediation and contemplation is a small, but absolutely necessary component to living a life of more meaning and purpose. Creating such space brings not only comfort but peace and awareness to our life. These elements thus allow us to live a more deliberate and intelligent life. Crafting this space doesn't have to be an expense or laborious process, it just needs to be somewhere that welcomes you to just be. Your personal space could be a corner sofa early in the morning or late in the evening, a home office designed to your aesthetic taste, a porch or backyard, maybe somewhere in the great outdoors. All that matters is that you feel welcome and open to life's limitless possibilities in that place. Some of my favorite personal spaces are full of light and greenery. Here's a look at what I love in a personal space:
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A place where my soul soars.There's no other place that my soul feels most alive than near or in the ocean. |
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A place where time seems to fade away.
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A place where I can marvel at mother natures glorious beauty.
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A place where I can lay to rest to natures lullaby.
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A place where lighting is provided my God.
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A place of comfort.
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A place to open my mind.
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A place of my own.
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With Love,
Marie
Books
Fall 2015 Reading List
The fall is the perfect season for quiet afternoons tucked away reading a good book with a cup of tea. The summer buzz has mellowed and the air is fresh again. There's nothing like spending a slow afternoon reading. Reading is truly a luxury, one I wish I had more time to indulge in. Sometimes just having a good book around can uplift my mood. So today I want to share 10 books that are on my shelf this fall and that I really hope to read.
New Release:
- Love Style Life
- A backstage view of the lovely life of Garance Dore, stylist and fashion editor. The book is filled with stories on life, style, and love along with many of her gorgeous illustrations. I hope this one is good, there has been a few of these "Parisian" books released lately that have been kinda disappointing as far as content goes.
- Why Not Me?
- Mindy! I absolutely love her and her perspective on career, life, and love. And this book is just that wrapped in a beautiful cover. I look forward to reading her witty words and great insights that always find a way to motivate me.
- Wildflower
- I am very interested to read about Drew Barrymore's transformation. I think she's gleaned a lot of wisdom as someone who has lived most of her life in the media and has shared some pretty lows and highs in that limelight. Another gorgeous cover, hope the content is equally engaging.
Fiction:
- Me Before You
- I've had this on my shelf for months now and may have even mentioned it on the blog before, but I need to read Jojo Moyes's highly rated romance about two uncommon souls learning to make difficult choices in the name of love.
- All the Light We Cannot See
- When a book as a 4.6 rating with over 17,000 reviews on Amazon I think it warrants a read. The story follows a blind French girl and a German boy in occupied France during World War II. The story deals with lost, love, and humanity. I'm looking forward to this one.
Nonfiction:
- The Highly Sensitive Person
- I first came across this book from a podcast. Elaine Aron's book on individuals that “are more aware of subtleties and process information in a deeper, more reflective way" is one I am eager to delve fully into as someone who self-identifies as a highly sensitive person. There are self-assessment tools to help you identify your particular sensitivities and a whole heap of other suggestions on how to live as an "HSP".
- Simply Tuesday: Small Moment Living in a Fast-Moving World
- I don't know how I came across this book, but I'm certainly grateful that I did. From the title you can guess that it's a book about slowing down and enjoying life's small moments. But author Emily Freeman goes deeper and offers wonderful insight into why small moments are essential to our living. I'm looking forward to doing a review.
- The Simply Living Guide
- Another oldie, but goodie. Janet Juhrs book is all about adding more joy in life through simple living. As someone who is fully subscribed to the idea of living a slow-paced and simple life I am thrilled to come across this guidebook that talks about living a deliberately more fulfilling life.
Bible Study Guides:
- Breathe
- A five weeks study guide/journal about making time for God and focusing on His will in order to live a life that is not neglective of tranquility, serenity, and repose.
- 5 Minutes With Jesus
- We're all juggling so many different things in life and it's extremely difficult to find time to do anything else that chase the to-do list. But that's no way to live. And Shelia Walsh's new devotion focuses on using just five of our 1440 daily minutes to focus on what matters most.
I don't know about you, but I'm really excited about this list. I hope you've found something to add to your reading list this fall and if you have other suggestions please share in the comments below. Thanks for stopping by.
With Love,
Marie
Simple Style
Style Inspiration
Simple & Chic No.1
I couldn't think of a better time to start this series than at the start of NY Fashion Week. I've been meaning to add a regular style inspiration to the blog post and I love the idea of a simple weekly outfit inspiration. This week's inspiration is former Miss USA, Olivia Culpo. What makes Olivia's little black dress stand out is the simplicity of its silhouette and the tough texture of the material. The addition of a sheer negligee-like material adds a soft feminine edge to the ensemble. And of course, a pair of simple heels complete the look. Click below to shop the look at an affordable price.
Until Monday,
Marie
Devotions
Rebroadcast: Living Abundantly
I have come so that they may live and live abundantly.
John 10:10
That verse is definitely one of my favorite scriptures in the Bible. A direct call from God to live an abundant life. Not in material possessions or a volume of accolades, but a life that makes your soul proud. A life in which your spirit soars and is lifted high, because you’re living for a greater purpose and for the Greatest Being, God. What does that life look like?
Peaceful: When you’ve decided to live for God you are forever transform by the renewing of your mind. A peace that transcends understanding surrounds your life and everything you do. Your thoughts take on a positive perspective on life, because you begin to see the bigger picture of things. No, life doesn’t get easy, but now you know you’re never alone. And no matter whathappens God is at your side and never forgets you.
Calming: What a calming life to have someone think of you and take care of all your essential concerns. Less stress and more patience? Sign me up! That’s the abundant life God provides for His followers. You are blessed and highly favored because of Him.
Lovely: You notice the textures in life. The fullness of the clouds, the way the tree sways in the wind, the brightness of a sunset. If this is all sounding sugary and sweet it’s not because it’s a fantasy, but God’s abundant grace. Undeserved, yet given, because of His unconditional love for us.
Simple: I love simple. Anyone who knows me knows that simple is always the way I prefer to go. Simple attire, attire, simple recipes, simple routes, just all things simple. Living in Christ means living for Him. When He becomes priority uno you move through life knowing what things to consider and what things to let go. A lot of the decision making is gone because it simply does not align with God’s plan for you. Simple.
Now don’t get it wrong, life isn’t a walk in the park on a brisk weathered morning, at least not on most days. But choosing to go with Jesus means seeing things through Him. He came so you and I can have a full and spirited life. So let’s do this!!!
With Love,
Marie
Planning
Having a planner can make a world of a difference in your organization. Whether you use an electronic or physical planner doesn't really matter, it's all about using it to maximize your productivity. First, let's be clear, having a planner is not going to make you more productive or more organized. You need to effectively plan AND act on this plan. And that's what today's post is all about. I'm sharing 5 simple ways to plan and execute for meaningful productivity.
How to Effectively Use Your Planner
Having a planner can make a world of a difference in your organization. Whether you use an electronic or physical planner doesn't really matter, it's all about using it to maximize your productivity. First, let's be clear, having a planner is not going to make you more productive or more organized. You need to effectively plan AND act on this plan. And that's what today's post is all about. I'm sharing 5 simple ways to plan and execute for meaningful productivity.
Master Lists
This is more in-depth than writing a to-do list. I keep a separate notebook with master lists covering different areas of my life. In this notebook you'll find for example a Sunday evening planning list which is sorta like an agenda of things I need to do during that time and things I need to plan for the upcoming week or month. I have one called Saturday review and another one for monthly planning and so forth. These list are regularly updated as things change. What's so powerful about these lists is that I don't have to worry about what I need to plan for during the day, week, or month. I add and take out as necessary and don't have to remember a bunch of different things because I have it written down.
Notifications
As much as I love my physical planner I do rely on receiving notifications from my phone. Fact is, I'm more likely to be with my phone than my planner and my phone can signal me when something important in my planner needs to be done. I generally use the Reminder app on my iPhone and another simple to-do list app. All I need for these apps to do is remind me of the very important and usually time-sensitive matters. So I make sure to program those into my phone. But just those things, that way I know if I'm receiving a notification it's serious.
Planning Routines
I plan around the same time every week and every night. I plan my entire week every Sunday evening and each night preview the next day. This habit makes it more likely that I'll actually use my planner AND be prepared to get things done. When you take the time to plan and prepare you're going to want to follow through. Find a routine that works for you and stick to it as long as it's effective.
Don't Do It All
Get your most important tasks done first. You may not get everything done and that's fine as long as you get the most important things done. Usually these are the most difficult and tend to be the things we don't want to do. But start your day working on these things and put your effort towards them. Don't do everything, do the most important things.
Define Your Planner's Purpose
This is the bow on the box. Know what you're using your planner for. Don't just say everything. Be specific about it. I use two different planners, one is a general planner that's for work, appointments, and family. The other is for blogging and my online business. You don't need two planners you just need to make sure you are clear about your planning.
I hope this planning week was beneficial, it might seem early, but I think it's important to get the tools ready before the mad December rush. On Monday I shared some of my favorite planners for 2016, Wednesday I showed how you can pick the best planner for you and today I discussed how to effectively use that planner. Thank for reading and feel free to share any additional tips in the comments.
Have an awesome weekend,
Bisous,
Marie
Planning
Choosing the Best Planner for You
Choosing the right planner is important for an organized life, but with so many lovely planners on the market selecting the right one can be a real dilemma. But honestly, there's only a few things you need to consider when narrowing your list. Today I'm sharing 5 elements to consider when choosing the best pen to paper planner.
How to select a planner that's right for you:
- Use:
- First and most important, think of why you want a planner. How are you going to use it (school, work, family, business, blog, everything!)? Do you have a lot of appointments, a long to-do list, are you self-employed, work a 9-5, building a business? Do you need more than one planner? These are just some of the questions that will help narrow your list. You want to get a planner(s) that will enhance your planning system, not bog it down.
- Design & Layout:
- In all honesty, this is what I think of first. If it ain't beautiful I don't want it. A beautiful planner will beckon you to use it and that's what you want. So think of your personal style and what design appeals to you? Select a design, exterior and interior, that's going to make you excited about using your planner. Think of what layout sections are an absolute must and which ones can you live without? A planner may not be able to do all things, but it should do the important things like help you stay on top of what matters most.
- Budget:
- Think of your budget. How much are you willing to spend? On Monday's post I shared a few of my favorite planners, but many of those are over $50. Getting a great planner is an investment into your personal life and/or business affairs. However, don't break the bank for something you're not sure is for you. There are a lot of amazing planners for much less, so find one that works for you and your budget. But, if you're confident that a $50+ planner is an essential tool to your organization, then I strongly recommend you make the investment. Really, it's less about the planner and more about how you use it, but more on this on Friday's post.
- Space:
- Not only should the layout contain pertinent sections, but it should also have enough space for your needs. So think of how much space you will need in order to write comfortably? Some layouts have awesome sections, but that could mean not enough spacing between the lines or the size of the planner is too small or too big. Do you want space for your own creative expression, collaging, or note taking? Be mindful of this.
- Portability.
- Do you intend on traveling to work/school with your planner or will it primarily be at home? Consider the sturdiness, heaviness, thickness. I carried my 2015 daily Day Designer to and from work and that wasn't a problem because I could just have it at my work desk and not worry about it, versus walking around campus with it.
I hope this list has helped you think of your planner needs. Please feel free to share this with others. On Friday's post I'll be showing you how you can get the most out of your planner so be sure to stop by then.
If there are any other important factors you think should be on this list, please feel free to add them below. And click here for the printable checklist version of the list above.
Au Revoir,
Marie
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