Final Day in a Chic September

Well, my chic friends, may I share with you what I learned during the 30 days of a chic September? At the beginning of the month I planned to:

‘Document daily steps I have taken towards a chic, elegant and healthy life. My goal is to keep uppermost in my mind the kind of life I want to live. I will be focusing on all the small things I do each day that lead me towards my goal, rather than away from it.’

The first thing I learnt is that I take my beret off to those of you who blog daily. Keeping it up for a week or a month is one thing, but all the time is quite another. Thanks to those of you who asked, but I just couldn’t carry on through October, or until the end of the year. I'm almost wrecked now!

I learned that there are opportunities to live a chic life at every turn, even in the mundane. I found that by planning ahead, I was more successful and improved my odds in being chic. Getting up earlier, doing my jobs quickly, organising meals ahead of time, these all gave me time to do something extra with my appearance or tidy up around the house, or do a few more chores at work.

And I learnt many, many new ways to incorporate little things into my life to make it more chic, from you. Thank you for ideas you left in the comments section, I’ve really enjoyed and been inspired by them.

Kate at Une Vie Chic posted on her blog ‘a chic life is not a lazy life’. I couldn’t agree more. On days when I thought ‘I’m tired, I’m going to have a rest, I’m not doing anything’, well, those were the days when I felt the least positive and consequently less chic. I’ve always believed ‘x begets x’ as in being busier makes you more productive, over-eating more makes you want to eat more, consuming less makes you want to consume less, action begets action and laziness begets laziness.

I went for a walk today and had lunch out, just me. It seems to be my thing lately, I go for an exercise walk to a nearby area, have lunch by myself and a browse and walk back to work. I was in a bookstore and it was so relaxing. Do you find bookstores calm you? If there’s classical music playing in the background so much the better.

Flicking through a magazine I came across an article on turning off technology. It noted we are more tied to our gadgets than ever, at the same time as ‘retro’ domestic arts are enjoying a resurgence – knitting, baking, sewing, etc. Like they ever went away! The article had examples of people who shut their technology off for a period of time and saw how they coped.

I don’t twitter or facebook, but I blog, email and browse. Many’s the time when I’ve felt so drained from incessant browsing, yet I can’t seem to tear myself away. That’s where the oven timer comes in handy, but I only have one at home. I have to be a bit disciplined at work.

In October I will be packing and organising for our move, and then moving, and then unpacking and organising. So there won’t be much time at all for internetting. So in a way I will be having my own technology detox and perhaps it is quite timely.

There are things I have to do, such as internet banking – I check and balance our accounts both work and home every day, and email but I will limit myself to certain, reasonable times. Then there are blogs and newspapers. My inspiration and entertainment. I’m thinking I might not click on, for the whole month, just to see if I can.

I’m actually quite excited about the prospect. More time for things such as cooking, reading, putting my feet up, making our new house a stylish nest, planning, planting herbs, finding a summer knitting project – the scarf on the cover of Debbie Bliss’s book The Knitter’s Year looks pretty and I already have some knitting cotton, watching movies, pottering and writing.

So, I will see you in November. I look forward to catching up with your blogs then.

Image from http://makingmagique.com

29th Day in a Chic September

For the month of September I plan to document daily steps I have taken towards a chic, elegant and healthy life. My goal is to keep uppermost in my mind the kind of life I want to live. I will be focusing on all the small things I do each day that lead me towards my goal, rather than away from it.

Here are today’s mini-chic accomplishments:

Had a fabulous lunch. Usually my daily salad is pretty perfunctory, just plain and refreshing. At its bare minimum it is lettuce, carrot, celery, washed, no dressing. That is as an accompaniment to my actual lunch.

Today though, today, was something else. I had rocket, carrot, celery and diced avocado mixed in with a small can of Thai sweet chilli flavoured salmon. Still very simple, but a great last minute lunch since I had the can of salmon in the cupboard at work and all veges other than rocket in the fridge (which I picked up walking back to work from yoga). And even though I didn't have any bread with lunch, I wasn't hungry until after work (6.30ish).

I had planned to have leftover chicken and coconut rice from last night with aforementioned perfunctory salad. But since I left it in the fridge at home I had to change my plans.

So, tomorrow’s lunch, let me think, perhaps chicken and coconut rice with perfunctory salad? If I remember to bring it to work that is. I might have to utilise the keys in the fridge trick.

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And my hair behaved itself today. Hoorah for the day after a professional blow-wave.

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Listed four items to sell online. Two I have labelled as ‘charity auctions’ and will be donating the money to Jessica’s cat rescue centre. Sent yet another carload to the Salvation Army.

The more I let go from my life the happier and freer I feel. These are items I did not use and were just storing. Items that when I looked at them I felt stuck. Goodbye to those things and may someone else get good use from them!

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If you feel like you want to make September a chic month for you as well, please join me. You are welcome to share your mini-chic accomplishments for the day (or the previous day if you read in the morning) in the comments section. It would be lovely to have you along for the ride!

Image: Nineteenth Century Engraving of Notre Dame

28th Day in a Chic September

For the month of September I plan to document daily steps I have taken towards a chic, elegant and healthy life. My goal is to keep uppermost in my mind the kind of life I want to live. I will be focusing on all the small things I do each day that lead me towards my goal, rather than away from it.

Here are today’s mini-chic accomplishments:

Am part-way through reading Mrs Miniver. The book was published in 1939, but started out as a series of newspaper columns in The Times from 1937 on. The library copy I am reading has date-stamps in the back from 1957!

Mrs Miniver gives her account of everyday life in London, just before the war started. It is very readable and enjoyable, written very simply about domestic details.

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Awoke in an altogether more positive and motivated frame of mind today. It’s amazing the restorative powers of sleep. Yesterday I felt physically very tired and the thought of all the things I have to do at work along with packing up and moving house, well, I was feeling a little sorry for myself.

Plus, I had a hair appointment this afternoon. And if your hair’s on its last legs like mine was yesterday, that’s enough to get anyone down! Now I am revived, trimmed, highlighted, blow-waved.

Today is another day, and I am ready to give it a good go.

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Watered my orchids with weak coffee a la Janet at The Gardeners Cottage. Apparently they love it. I left a little bit of coffee in my espresso maker this morning and filled it up with water. It was like a very chic watering can. If only doing this would also make my house look like Janet’s. A girl can dream.

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Cooked dinner when I really wasn’t in the mood. I did though, something else from the pantry was used up so we don’t have to move it, and it was cheaper and better for me than a bought dinner.

I made chicken breasts pan-fried in sesame oil and finished off with soy sauce and thai sweet chilli, basmati coconut rice with mushrooms and yellow capsicum, and steamed broccoli, green beans and cauliflower.

Since I’d had the whole day off work and been to the hairdressers, it was the least I could do for my husband. He’s a very appreciative eater and the plate was almost licked clean.

The item used up was a mini can of coconut milk and it was my Mum’s idea to make coconut rice. It was delicious, and a bit of a treat considering how rich coconut milk is.

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Did all my housework today in record time, even though I wasn’t rushing things. I treated it like it was my job and ticked off the list. So I wouldn’t be distracted I even unplugged the laptop and put it away. A silly thing I know but it made all the difference.

A clean and tidy house makes me feel more in control of things too.

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If you feel like you want to make September a chic month for you as well, please join me. You are welcome to share your mini-chic accomplishments for the day (or the previous day if you read in the morning) in the comments section. It would be lovely to have you along for the ride!

Image by Wolf Suschitzky: Charing Cross Road #4, London, 1937

27th Day in a Chic September

For the month of September I plan to document daily steps I have taken towards a chic, elegant and healthy life. My goal is to keep uppermost in my mind the kind of life I want to live. I will be focusing on all the small things I do each day that lead me towards my goal, rather than away from it.

Here are today’s mini-chic accomplishments:

Have been dabbing lavender essential oil on my wrists before bed. I don’t know if it helps me fall to sleep any easier, but I love the smell.

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Wore navy and black today. I love this combo and feel très Ines in it.

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Listened to a bit more Mireille Guiliano in the car.

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Had my soup and salad combo again for lunch today.

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Walked to yoga, had a fabulously strenuous yet relaxing class, then walked back to work.

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I think my chic month has almost come full circle as I'm repeating myself (surely you've noticed). You will be glad when September is over.

I'm a bit worn out today, I keep thinking of a chaise lounge and imagining how nice it would be to curl up into one.

The sensible thing would be to go home, have early dinner and early bed. I will be doing all those things, but I will also be living it up a little. There's a bottle of bubbles chilling in the fridge for a glass or two.

We have to make our own small luxuries sometimes.

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If you feel like you want to make September a chic month for you as well, please join me. You are welcome to share your mini-chic accomplishments for the day (or the previous day if you read in the morning) in the comments section. It would be lovely to have you along for the ride!

26th Day in a Chic September

For the month of September I plan to document daily steps I have taken towards a chic, elegant and healthy life. My goal is to keep uppermost in my mind the kind of life I want to live. I will be focusing on all the small things I do each day that lead me towards my goal, rather than away from it.

Here are today’s mini-chic accomplishments:

Had homemade soup and salad for lunch. I had already made both, the soup last week and the salad yesterday, so they were faster than fast food and faster even than walking to the cafe around the corner. And cheaper. And healthier.

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Was self-protectively aloof today when a few customers were being annoying, saying unthoughtful things. Usually to show them I am friendly and non-threatening, I answer a rude remark with a joke or reinforcing what they are saying.

Today I decided to rise above it and ignore them, in a pleasant way of course. I decided I didn't need to dignify their remark with a response, as the saying goes.

I also plan to use this strategy elsewhere. I don't need to respond to something if it bothers me, just to keep the peace. I can choose to be silent and just smile. I don't sulk though, sulking is horrid.

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Am going to bed in the next ten minutes and having a beautiful early night. Daylight saving started yesterday. I always get the ways mixed up and went to bed late only to have to get up an hour earlier. I was fine at work, but my wheels fell off quickly when I arrived home.

Bonne nuit!

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If you feel like you want to make September a chic month for you as well, please join me. You are welcome to share your mini-chic accomplishments for the day (or the previous day if you read in the morning) in the comments section. It would be lovely to have you along for the ride!

25th Day in a Chic September

For the month of September I plan to document daily steps I have taken towards a chic, elegant and healthy life. My goal is to keep uppermost in my mind the kind of life I want to live. I will be focusing on all the small things I do each day that lead me towards my goal, rather than away from it.

Here are today’s mini-chic accomplishments:

Made pizza dough from scratch for a lazy Sunday evening meal. We had salami, mushrooms, fresh tomato, capsicum, onion, garlic and mozzarella for toppings with dried oregano and basil. I divided the pizza dough up to make four really thin pizzas and made different combos with the ingredients.

I also thought it might be a fun idea to have a carpet picnic. We pushed the coffee table aside and laid down a blanket. Sitting on this, leaning against the sofa, pizza on a big chopping board and a glass of wine each whilst watching Love and Other Drugs = bliss.

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Exfoliated my face and hands, and wore a five minute mud mask before my shower this morning. Applied my thick and creamy olive oil body lotion afterwards. It was like a day spa in thirty minutes.

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Washed my hair and let it dry naturally. This is a rare and luxurious occurrence.

I have discovered an ‘enzyme repair treatment’ product I have been using is meant to be washed out as it exfoliates the hair and you brush the flakes out then rewash. I only discovered this by Googling the product this morning, because I didn’t quite understand the instructions.

I’ve had it for months and obviously walked around shedding everywhere. I would put it on damp hair, dry and style and then go out. Oops.

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Tidied and picked up the house and thoroughly vacuumed. Tweaked little areas around the place so they looked neater and more stylish. The corners you notice and that irk you the most are the ones that need your attention!

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Did a bit more work on my Style Statement ‘studies’. This is the second time I have borrowed this book from the library. The first time I didn’t realise the work involved, read it, did a few of the exercises and then returned it. I am ready to put in the effort this time as I can see it will be worthwhile.

Already the questions posed and answers I have given are quite illuminating. And freeing too, because no-one else sees the answers so I don’t have to self-censor. I can even shred the notes afterwards if I want.

Not that I'm paranoid or anything.

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If you feel like you want to make September a chic month for you as well, please join me. You are welcome to share your mini-chic accomplishments for the day (or the previous day if you read in the morning) in the comments section. It would be lovely to have you along for the ride!

24th Day in a Chic September

For the month of September I plan to document daily steps I have taken towards a chic, elegant and healthy life. My goal is to keep uppermost in my mind the kind of life I want to live. I will be focusing on all the small things I do each day that lead me towards my goal, rather than away from it.

Here are today’s mini-chic accomplishments:

Tonight’s post comes to you live via Eden Park in Auckland, where New Zealand rugby team the All Blacks are pummelling the French team (at least at the 56 minute point). Sorry, Vivienne, but the 2007 rugby world cup hosted by France, when Adrienne was there with her handsome husband is a very fresh memory.

If you aren’t so much into rugby, please know that France knocked New Zealand out of the 2007 Rugby World Cup and at the time, I was seriously worried that my boyfriend of four years (now my husband) was slumping into a deep depression. He is only just now reviving, and Lord help me if we don’t win this thing.

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But before the game even started I was focused on a different goal. I’ve borrowed Style Statement from the library and sat down tonight with lined sheets of paper to answer the questions. They are quite random and interesting questions, and at the end of the exercise I will have a better idea of my personal style (which encompasses all areas of one’s life, not just clothing).

I feel like I already have a quite clear idea of what I like and don’t like, but find the whole thing quite intriguing. And people who have already worked out their two word ‘Style Statement’ are quite effusive with praise for this book. Now it’s my turn!

I was charmed in the early pages with the list ‘Manifesto of Style’. Some of my favourites:

'Communicate who you are in all you do. Consistency is power. When the various parts of your life reflect your essence, your life moves in the direction you want it to.

Authenticity is energising, economical, and efficient. The better you know yourself, the clearer your choices. Self-awareness leads to true style.

Cheap is expensive in the long run. Why buy twice when you can buy once? Commit to quality and it will commit to you.

Use your best every day. Life is too short to wait for a special occasion to bring our your finery, your treasures, your brilliance, and the best of your love.

Choose from your heart, and your life will fill up with things you love. What works is what feels right.

Beauty transforms. Its capacity to generate pleasure, healing, and connection is divinely powerful. Beauty affects its maker and beholder every time.

Make more choices – moment to moment, day to day. You are the designer of your life. Be selective, creative, and intentional in every possible way.'

I especially like 'use your best every day' and 'choose from your heart'. What good is it saving your best for some day that may not come? Use everything you own now and if something is ripped, broken or used up quickly, so be it. Just what are we saving things for?

And as for 'Choose from your heart', that's how I decorate my house and dress my body. If you really love everything you choose, it will all go together and create your own personal and unique style.

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But before even that, once we got home from work I touched up my makeup. I almost never do this. I usually put my makeup on in the morning, and touch up during the day, but once I get home I feel free to forget about it.

Tonight though I lightly dusted my nose with powder, combed my brows, applied a touch more blush and a clear lipstick. It cost nothing and took a few minutes, yet I felt polished and pretty, and all for myself and my husband.

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Decided not to look further into selling my Cartier watch. I will own my purchasing decision and wear it happily. Plus, my husband banned me from doing it when I mentioned to him my thoughts! He wants me to wear it and love it. And I do. I am very happy.

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If you feel like you want to make September a chic month for you as well, please join me. You are welcome to share your mini-chic accomplishments for the day (or the previous day if you read in the morning) in the comments section. It would be lovely to have you along for the ride!

Image 'St Lazare' by Claude Monet

23rd Day in a Chic September

For the month of September I plan to document daily steps I have taken towards a chic, elegant and healthy life. My goal is to keep uppermost in my mind the kind of life I want to live. I will be focusing on all the small things I do each day that lead me towards my goal, rather than away from it.

Here are today’s mini-chic accomplishments:

Bought three pairs of sexy undies (from a normal shop though!). I chose black and cream so I can wear them with my current bras. There were some gorgeous jewel tones available but I’m trying to be a good French girl and wear matching underwear. I did push the boat out with one pair, they are black and leopard print (in tones of pinkish red) but I can still wear them with a black bra.

I try and ‘get’ the underwear thing and now I think I do. It used to bother me when I bought the bra and two sets of matching knickers, because I'd think 'what if the knickers die first? what if I require a different pair of knickers but want to wear that bra?' (low-cut jeans versus dress pants etc). Now I have decided the colour and general style matches and that's enough for me. It's much less stressful.

Anne Barone calls sexy undergarments part of the French girl’s arsenal in staying slim, but that’s not why I bought them, I just felt like it. I’ve had a craving for leopard print which is bizarre, because I’ve never owned a leopard print item in my life. It is everywhere at the moment though, so eventually it has to seep into my consciousness. And I think it’s more mainstream and fashionable these days, not so Peggy Bundy.

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Had a nice, long exercise and errand walk on a sunny but cool Spring day. There were so many French people in berets everywhere because France play our team the All Blacks tomorrow night. I wanted to ask one group of men of a certain age if they wore berets all the time or if they were just flying the French flag, but I was afraid they would take offence if it came out wrong.

Many cafes had ‘Bienvenue’ on their blackboards too. It almost felt like I was strolling the Champs Elysees. And two French women visiting our shop were noted to be wearing black ballet flats. They are even tres chic as tourists!

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Dressed up again today and wore my 'better' clothes. Yesterday my husband asked where I was going and who I was meeting, in a suspicious manner, and today my friend Mary came into the shop, did a double-take and said 'whoa, where are you off to?' Am I so poorly dressed that an ironed shirt with French cuffs and cufflinks will impress those close to me so much?

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Researched a new lipstick colour at Bobbi Brown. I was upfront with the sales girl and told her I wasn't buying today but wanted to find a colour for my next purchase (as a sales girl myself I just loooove hearing that, not). She was utterly charming though and helped me choose a shade and put it on me, topped with a little gloss.

All I wanted was the holy grail of lipstick, that which mimics the natural colour of your lips but glowier. She had similar colouring to me so I asked what she was wearing. When she showed me the shade it looked so brown in the tube I almost disregarded it.

But we decided I'd give it a try and then dabbed a little gloss in the centre. I had her write them down because the effect was really lovely. She had put quite a lot on as makeup girls are wont to do, but I can imagine applying a sheerer layer and looking natural yet polished with a little panache.

If you are a neutral blonde with grey eyes (or a Soft Summer in Colour Me Beautiful-land) you may find these colours lovely too:

Creamy lipstick 'Burnt Sugar'
Lipgloss 'Naked Plum'

I really wish now I had bought them today, but I wanted to see how the colour looked when I got back to work. And it's nice to have something to look forward to.

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If you feel like you want to make September a chic month for you as well, please join me. You are welcome to share your mini-chic accomplishments for the day (or the previous day if you read in the morning) in the comments section. It would be lovely to have you along for the ride!

Image 'Champs Elysées' by Antoine Blanchard

22nd Day in a Chic September

For the month of September I plan to document daily steps I have taken towards a chic, elegant and healthy life. My goal is to keep uppermost in my mind the kind of life I want to live. I will be focusing on all the small things I do each day that lead me towards my goal, rather than away from it.

Here are today’s mini-chic accomplishments:

Dressed up today. I wore a bib/tuxedo front white shirt that I normally reserve for dressier occasions, with a pair of charcoal wool herringbone pants, mini-fishnets and beige heels. It was just a normal day at work but it’s good to shake it up sometimes.

I also did something with my hair. It was more out of desperation really, now that I think about it. I washed and blow-dried my hair, and because I don’t like to straighten too often because it’s fine enough as it is, I looped it up, but then twirled around the bottom piece and pinned, until I could sort of imagine I belonged in Paris, if you squinted.

It even lasted through yoga class at lunch-time, including handstands. Please note I had changed out of my tuxedo-front shirt and wool pants to do this.

Speaking of handstands, oh my goodness they are so fun. It took me a good 9-10 months of kicking practice to even get up, but now that I can fling myself upside down against a wall there’s no stopping me. I really am like the teachers pet hoping she’ll get us to do handstands.

Sometimes, like both classes this week I get up every time and it’s really easy, other times it’s not so simple. Isn’t that just life though?

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Went to an appointment where I thought I might have to wait awhile, so took with me a small tote bag with two magazines, a book, bottle of water and a notebook and pen (for chic sightings, not much chance of that in the public health system). Naturally because I was so well prepared I was called in before I even sat down to fill out my form (literally before, my bottom hadn't even touched the vinyl seat).

I should tell you, I had a little dot cut off my leg a month or so ago. It’s bothered me forever, years I say, but I had my usual doctor tell me 12 months ago it was nothing to worry about, and then a plastic surgeon tell me just before he cut it out ‘it won’t be anything’. People, it was a melanoma. Now I am getting everything else checked out and a few more removed just in case.

What I want to tell you is to trust your instincts, even if you worry others will think you’re silly or a hypochondriac. It cost me quite a few hundred dollars to go private because public health doesn’t cover vague thoughts of ‘maybe’. But now it is proven to have been cancerous, I’m in, and covered.

I feel really lucky that I pushed for a specialist appointment, even if it was at my cost, and can’t help thinking, what about those people who don’t have $500 to get a hunch checked out?

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I'm still enamoured with my 'C'est normale' idea. Every time I start obsessing about food or diet I ask myself 'is it normal?' and everything is alright again. It's just magic.

I checked out from the library French Women Don't Get Fat on audiobook (can you tell I am obsessed with audiobooks at the moment? I can't believe I haven't discovered them earlier. Simply drive around and listen.). Mireille Guiliano herself reads the book and it's a pleasure to listen to her French/American accent.

I've read her two books, and they reside on my bookshelf, but today's listening reiterated the 'normal food in normal portions' message. I've heard it before but the saying is certainly true - 'when the student is ready the teacher will come'. It is only when we are ready to hear it that the message appears.

C'est normale. My chic mantra.

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If you feel like you want to make September a chic month for you as well, please join me. You are welcome to share your mini-chic accomplishments for the day (or the previous day if you read in the morning) in the comments section. It would be lovely to have you along for the ride!

Image 'Parisienne' by Ron di Scenza

21st Day in a Chic September

For the month of September I plan to document daily steps I have taken towards a chic, elegant and healthy life. My goal is to keep uppermost in my mind the kind of life I want to live. I will be focusing on all the small things I do each day that lead me towards my goal, rather than away from it.

Here are today’s mini-chic accomplishments:

Made a batch of my best soup ever. It was Mexican-influenced today, with Mexican seasonings and chilli beans added to the basic recipe. This batch made today’s bowl and five portions for lunches at work. I added a salad for lunch today and it was perfect. Real food! Can’t beat it!

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Did a home facial (the bare basics – exfoliation and mask) before bed. I like to do this once a week on a night before I am going to wash my hair the next morning, then I can really paint the mask right into my hair line.

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Read through from day one the chic September posts and comments. I was reminded of some things I want to continue with and also ideas from readers I want to implement.

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Had a day at home that was the perfect ratio of relaxing and chores. I did my jobs, and a little work from home, and pottered. Just perfect.

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Stoked up the slowcooker with lamb shanks for dinner (my Mum unkindly calls them dog bones). I love meals where everything is done ahead of time so I don’t have to start hauling out pots and pans at 7pm.

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Read this quote:

One of the main reasons we gossip or complain is to make ourselves look better by comparison... When I point out your faults, then I’m implying that I have no such faults so I’m better than you are. Complaining is bragging. And nobody likes a braggart. Here’s another bit of sobering news: You wouldn’t notice the faults in the other person if they were not also in you’.
- Will Bowen, a Complaint Free World

I’ve been aware of being more positive and complaining less, but of course it’s an ongoing thing. Often I will moan or judge without even being aware of it. It’s worth the effort though.

Something else I read the other day said ‘holding a grudge is like drinking poison yourself and expecting it to kill the other person’ (or something like that). And I’m sure it’s true. The main person that negative thinking affects is us! So that is my focus right now.

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Organised myself for tomorrow. Stacked up library books to return, put items to take with me in my bag. Whenever I don’t do this I run around like a mad thing in the morning after the time we’re supposed to have left by and getting snippy with my husband because I wasn’t organised. Not chic.

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If you feel like you want to make September a chic month for you as well, please join me. You are welcome to share your mini-chic accomplishments for the day (or the previous day if you read in the morning) in the comments section. It would be lovely to have you along for the ride!

20th Day in a Chic September

For the month of September I plan to document daily steps I have taken towards a chic, elegant and healthy life. My goal is to keep uppermost in my mind the kind of life I want to live. I will be focusing on all the small things I do each day that lead me towards my goal, rather than away from it.

Here are today’s mini-chic accomplishments:

I had a little breakthrough today. After beating myself up for indulging in too many unchic and high calorie foods over the weekend, and not wanting the hemmed in feeling of tracking Weight Watchers points, I thought to myself ‘what if I’m just normal’.

What if I eat normal foods in normal portions at normal times. I can be normal! For some reason (that I would love to know), I can happily spend months at a time following Weight Watchers to the letter (or point), and then I get to a stage where I want to run in the opposite direction. I’m off the diet, so I eat everything I’ve limited myself of, and enjoy indulging with wild abandon.

But today’s thought was something else altogether. I am normal. I know how to eat normally, I’ve done it for many years before I decided I wanted to lose weight and got into the dieting thing.

Normal isn’t lollies and excessive chocolate and fatty takeaways or snacks. Normal is real food in reasonable quantities. And it’s never normal food that we want to excess. It’s the other stuff, the refined carbohydrates that never fill you up, at least with nutrition anyway.

So today, whenever I felt like eating something tacky, or worried that I wasn’t writing my points down, I just calmed myself with ‘I am normal, I am eating normal food’. And the thoughts of revolting low-nutrition foods melted away.

There’s only one mini-chic accomplishment today, but for me it’s a good one.

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If you feel like you want to make September a chic month for you as well, please join me. You are welcome to share your mini-chic accomplishments for the day (or the previous day if you read in the morning) in the comments section. It would be lovely to have you along for the ride!

19th Day in a Chic September

For the month of September I plan to document daily steps I have taken towards a chic, elegant and healthy life. My goal is to keep uppermost in my mind the kind of life I want to live. I will be focusing on all the small things I do each day that lead me towards my goal, rather than away from it.

Here are today’s mini-chic accomplishments:

I decided last night as I climbed into bed that Monday would be a fresh start for me. I ate rather too much unchic food over the weekend - too many treat foods although meals were healthy. That is often my downfall.

So I decided on Monday I would be at my chicest at all times, and pretend I was being filmed or had people around me to see my actions, even if I was alone. If I couldn’t imagine Audrey Hepburn doing something, would I do it? Non!

After a day of this I have to say I feel less inclined towards tacky food and more in balance. One day down!

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Tried the olive oil/body lotion idea as mentioned on Anne Barone’s reader letters page (Renee, third letter down). It took a day or two for the lotion and oil to mix, and I shook it whenever I thought of it. The first couple of pumps were a bit separated but after that it was perfect. The texture of the lotion has changed, of course, but is not oily like it would be if you used straight oil. I used pure olive oil rather than extra virgin because that's what I had.

It will take a bit more time to sink in than a normal lotion, but I can already tell this idea is a keeper. I have breakfast in my robe between shower and dressing so it’s fine for me. If you get dressed immediately after a shower you might want to save it for weekends or times when you can take a bit more time, or reduce the ratio of oil/lotion down to 1/4 or 1/5.

At the end of the day my skin feels lovely and soft, and more moisturised than a normal lotion. It gives a pretty sheen to the skin too.

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I got my husband to drop off a big bag of hotel mini-toiletries and other new personal care items to a Womens Refuge coordinator. Even though he grumbled a bit at having to do my errand on his day off, I could tell when he rung me that he felt quite chuffed at her happy response. 'That's my good deed for the day' he said.

The coordinator told him they were having a pamper night for the women soon so it was a very timely donation. I’m going to have another look around to see if there is anything else I can donate.

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Have been reading Jenny Craig’s Simple Pleasures book which I bought from the op shop for a few dollars recently. I’m not really into Jenny with all the packet mixes and all, but I love that this book has a section at the front entirely devoted to holistic ways to gain balance in your life.

I don’t really care for the recipes which make up the rest of the book but the first two-dozen pages are worth the price and why I bought the book!

Here's a snippet:

`Mindfulness takes simple pleasures to the next level.

A simple way to begin being mindful is to attend to your breathing habits. Think of your breath as your centre, and breathing as a way to quiet your mind, especially in times of stress. Take a moment and try this quick version of mindful breathing. Afterwards, notice how relaxed yet alert you feel!

Next time you take a walk, focus on your breath. Then add your posture or stride to your focus. Notice the difference awareness makes in your experience.'

and

'5 self-care essentials -

- Mindful breathing
- Rejuvenating rest
- Cleansing water
- Conscious eating
- Invigorating movement'

Jenny is years ahead of me - this book was published in 1998 and she is talking about minimising possessions, decluttering, simplifying and paring down the wardrobe to stress-free neutrals.

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If you feel like you want to make September a chic month for you as well, please join me. You are welcome to share your mini-chic accomplishments for the day (or the previous day if you read in the morning) in the comments section. It would be lovely to have you along for the ride!

18th Day in a Chic September

For the month of September I plan to document daily steps I have taken towards a chic, elegant and healthy life. My goal is to keep uppermost in my mind the kind of life I want to live. I will be focusing on all the small things I do each day that lead me towards my goal, rather than away from it.

Here are today’s mini-chic accomplishments:

Upon waking to a wildly stormy morning complete with torrential rain and hail, it seemed the perfect day to hunker down. Even though it wasn't that chilly (apparently hail means it's cold up high, not near ground) it was a nice time to snuggle inside.

I put the slowcooker on and made a beef casserole and apart from having a shower and putting a load of washing out, that's pretty much all the work I did. Sunday is a day of rest after all, and I have had a blissfully relaxing day.

I am enjoying browsing through Romantic Prairie Style which I'm so glad our library had. I've read Parisienne Farmgirl's blog for quite a while and her home is featured. I feel like I know her gorgeous family through her blog so it was exciting to see more of her incredible style.

I think Romantic Prairie Style is a serious contender for my home library. But not until we've moved. I am banning myself from adding anything to our home inventory for now.

I can enjoy my libary copy for a month though, and be inspired to make a bit more of an effort in my decorating. Also not be afraid to change up or paint a cheap and chic piece of second-hand furniture. Watch out new house, I'll be raring to go!

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If you feel like you want to make September a chic month for you as well, please join me. You are welcome to share your mini-chic accomplishments for the day (or the previous day if you read in the morning) in the comments section. It would be lovely to have you along for the ride!

Image from superstock.co.uk

17th Day in a Chic September

For the month of September I plan to document daily steps I have taken towards a chic, elegant and healthy life. My goal is to keep uppermost in my mind the kind of life I want to live. I will be focusing on all the small things I do each day that lead me towards my goal, rather than away from it.

Here are today’s mini-chic accomplishments:

Had fresh fruit for breakfast. So refreshing.

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Listened to relaxing spa music while I got ready for the day. It really lowers the blood pressure.

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Got up at the same time as during the week (6am) even though we leave for work later. I had plenty of time to do all my morning preparations as well as read at breakfast and take time doing my hair.

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Ironed a shirt to wear to work. That's twice in one week!

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Thought how incredibly lucky I am to have the life I do. Yes, I’m very happy to be moving into our own place and that's part of why I'm excited at the moment, but driving through some pretty hard-case areas on Thursday doing my charity drop-offs really affected me.

From the dog I saw lying patiently in a front yard with a two metre long chain hanging from its collar to the very humble homes in the street where I visited the cat shelter. Well, I felt out of sorts all day and the next too (even now).

The area where we live isn’t flash by any means but it was a million miles away from the suburbs I had driven through. The woman who runs the cat shelter works unpaid looking after 80-100 homeless cats all week and works nights as a caregiver to pay her mortgage. She’s a true angel.

I keep thinking to myself how can I do more with the time and resources I have available.

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If you feel like you want to make September a chic month for you as well, please join me. You are welcome to share your mini-chic accomplishments for the day (or the previous day if you read in the morning) in the comments section. It would be lovely to have you along for the ride!

16th Day in a Chic September

For the month of September I plan to document daily steps I have taken towards a chic, elegant and healthy life. My goal is to keep uppermost in my mind the kind of life I want to live. I will be focusing on all the small things I do each day that lead me towards my goal, rather than away from it.

Here are today’s mini-chic accomplishments:

Went for an errand walk combined with an exercise walk. I wore my normal outfit and put on a pair of comfortable walking shoes. I was gone for at least three hours, and while maybe 20 minutes was spent sitting down having lunch, the rest of the time I was on my feet. It was a very pleasant and relaxing way to burn calories.

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Managed to steer myself away from the unchic sweet snacks I had been planning on buying. After lunch I look for something sweet to finish my meal off. This was making me think of bars of chocolate and bags of lollies. Sometimes no matter how much you don’t want to eat these things, you find yourself buying and eating them anyway (or at least I do).

If I knew the answer to killing cravings I would be a rich woman. But before I got around to buying unchic sweet snacks I passed McDonalds and bought a soft-serve cone with a small Flake chocolate bar in it. They are $1 and kid-sized. It was delicious and et voila, I no longer wanted to go shopping for junque.

There are not many times I advocate visiting McDonalds in search of chicness, but it worked a treat for me today.

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Back at work I washed and sliced an apple and a nectarine. They were both delicious (the nectarine was from the USA! Talk about food miles) and of course I felt a million times better after eating them than I would have from eating sugar, sugar, sugar.

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Have been more affected lately when people swear, and when I swear. It’s horrible! I am going to try and quit altogether. It’s just not becoming for a lady, or even a gentleman for that matter.

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Have been in a good mood today (and I really think the walk helped, exercise makes your body happy) so I have been nice to everyone. Gosh it makes a difference. Nice really does make the world go around.

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If you feel like you want to make September a chic month for you as well, please join me. You are welcome to share your mini-chic accomplishments for the day (or the previous day if you read in the morning) in the comments section. It would be lovely to have you along for the ride!

15th Day in a Chic September

For the month of September I plan to document daily steps I have taken towards a chic, elegant and healthy life. My goal is to keep uppermost in my mind the kind of life I want to live. I will be focusing on all the small things I do each day that lead me towards my goal, rather than away from it.

Here are today’s mini-chic accomplishments:

Had a thought that one doesn’t need to be moving house to try and streamline their possessions, in this case I was thinking specifically of the kitchen. Already I have started looking through the pantry thinking of meals that can use up the ingredients we have, supplementing with fresh food.

We don’t have a huge stockpile because our kitchen and indeed current home isn’t large at all, so it won’t be a difficult task. But I thought it might be a good thing to do on a regular basis to avoid waste of both food and money. And to keep the kitchen cupboards from becoming too cluttery. It will be nice to have a fresh start at our new place.

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Dressed up extra nice with a new top, skinny jeans and high-heeled boots. I straightened my hair and looped it up, and wore a silver and pearl necklace my Aunty gave me for my fortieth (it’s Italian!). Lip gloss and perfume were a given of course.

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Dropped off bags of knitting yarn to the SPCA and made myself sad by walking around the dog and cat adoption areas. The women at reception (and others who came out of their offices) were very excited to see all the full bags of wool (five bags full, not three). Many of them were knitters and they make small square blankets so each cat adoption cage has one for the cat to snuggle into.

I then delivered a few more bags of knitting yarn to the Cats in Need Trust and ended up adopting a two-and-a-half year old cat Jessica who needs a quiet home with no other cats. I won’t be picking her up until we move into our new place so I have sponsored her for a couple of months.

The woman who runs the rescue cattery (it’s behind her home, such dedication) knew every cat individually and all their names. She showed me how cats that had been wild now came to her and hopped up into her arms, purring loudly and sometimes bunting. And it’s all thanks to the time she spends with them, loving them and gaining their trust.

Each had their own charm. I fell in love with a one-eyed cat Holly who had a best friend Cruskit - they slept in the same basket each night. I have barely gotten my husband to agree to one cat let alone two but I thought I could swing it with the one-eye sympathy vote.

I asked the lady which cat out of the ones she had introduced me to needed a home the most and she told me Jessica. Because Jessica likes her own space and doesn’t really enjoy having other cats around her she was easily stressed in her high-cat environment (sounds like me, I love being at home by myself and can’t stand crowds. Jessica and I, we were separated at birth).

So I took home a receipt for sponsorship of Jessica. She is getting her vaccinations and micro-chipping in readiness for her new life. Didn’t I adopt a pet in the last 30 chic days? I hope Jessica lasts longer than wee Atlas. He didn’t have much time left though bless his wee woolly soul.

I forgot to take a photo but in due course you will be introduced to our new girl Jessica.

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If you feel like you want to make September a chic month for you as well, please join me. You are welcome to share your mini-chic accomplishments for the day (or the previous day if you read in the morning) in the comments section. It would be lovely to have you along for the ride!

Image is NOT the wool I donated, but delicious Rowan Big Wool Fusion Yarn. Yum.

14th Day in a Chic September

For the month of September I plan to document daily steps I have taken towards a chic, elegant and healthy life. My goal is to keep uppermost in my mind the kind of life I want to live. I will be focusing on all the small things I do each day that lead me towards my goal, rather than away from it.

Here are today’s mini-chic accomplishments:

Played opera on the iPod whilst tidying up the house. It made me feel so Italian and cultured!

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Had a booking with my French facial lady today. Oh the bliss. My skin feels like velvet now.

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Started reading new library book Shoe String Chic by Kerrie Hess on the recommendation of Vicki at French Essence. Also swooned at the latest French Essence 'de-cluttering the wardrobe' post. So inspiring.

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Took advantage of the blustery wind and hung washing out to dry as well as opening windows and airing the house.

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Curing myself of ‘it might be useful some day’ by getting creative with my declutter donating. I rung around a few places today and will be doing drop-offs soon.

A large amount of acrylic yarn, all brand new (from my grandmother-in-law when she moved into a home), to the SPCA for their crew of knitters who make dog jackets for chilly homeless canines, and a cat charity which is definitely not as big as the SPCA but the woman whose number is on the website knits cat coats for needy cats and also makes beanies, catnip mice, booties etc which she sells to raise money for their cat shelter. There are such lovely people around it makes my eyes prick!

Next I rung the Womans Refuge to see if they would like my overflowing collection of (new) hotel mini-items and assorted toiletries that I have gathered. It will be nice to think of them being used.

I’m not saying all this to toot my own horn, but that I care about where stuff goes. I am a bit of a hoarder in that way I suppose. I could never throw anything useful out. I would feel disrespectful. So I find out the places where it can be used by the people that need it. Moving is a good incentive to do it now.

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Dropped off today a single-size wardrobe worth of my husband’s clothing. It was all quite expensive stuff, mostly from the 90s. He’d kept hold of it even though he knew he wouldn’t wear any of it again simply because it cost him so much and he still loved the styles (in a sentimental way). There were also some items from the 2000s which he just doesn’t wear anymore having lost a bit of weight (at least 10kg, over 20 pounds). I guess he’s been inspired by my streamlining, because last week he flicked through the hangers, and took out everything apart from two items. He asked if I would drop them off at the op shop.

I’d told him about a man our age in the Red Cross shop when I was there last week. He had a baby in a small buggy and was trying on a suit. When he came out of the dressing room he was asking the woman at the counter if she thought the pants could be let down successfully. My husband said not to tell him anymore because it made him too sad. Maybe that man made him ok about clearing out clothing he will no longer wear.

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If you feel like you want to make September a chic month for you as well, please join me. You are welcome to share your mini-chic accomplishments for the day (or the previous day if you read in the morning) in the comments section. It would be lovely to have you along for the ride!

13th Day in a Chic September

For the month of September I plan to document daily steps I have taken towards a chic, elegant and healthy life. My goal is to keep uppermost in my mind the kind of life I want to live. I will be focusing on all the small things I do each day that lead me towards my goal, rather than away from it.

Well, it's just the one accomplishment today - we bought a house. Actually, we bought it last week, but today was the day we instructed our lawyer to make the contract unconditional, since all the legal work and building reports etc were fine.

My husband and I are both very excited about this next stage in our life, as homeowners. Thankfully we both have similar views on money, and how we want to live. We deliberately chose a less expensive home than we could have, simply because we don’t want a huge mortgage.

Don’t get me wrong, our mortgage is still big enough, as mortgages tend to be, but I think we’ve left ourselves leeway for rate increases, unexpected expenses, living life and of course paying that thing off as quick as possible.

We are also excited about how we can make it look like us, but on a budget. It’s quite a modern style house (twenty years old) and the possibilities of how it could look are fun to imagine.

I also am thinking about intelligent storage (on that same petite budget, of course) which can be built into wardrobes and cupboards. I have a great book out of the library at the moment – The Beverly Hills organizer's home organizing bible. There is also a website.

I must admit, being the Beverly Hills organizing bible gives it a bit more cachet than if it was named after a less glamorous neighbourhood (call me shallow). It seems to be a very practical book though, and has lots of pictures of open doors and drawers, showing how to organise every room in your home.

So I am on turbo-decluttering now, and starting to pack.

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Apart from that I've tried to remember to choose healthy foods today, drink lots of water, breathe, do my work in the shop, and smile.

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If you feel like you want to make September a chic month for you as well, please join me. You are welcome to share your mini-chic accomplishments for the day (or the previous day if you read in the morning) in the comments section. It would be lovely to have you along for the ride!

Image from Beverly Hills Organiser

12th Day in a Chic September

For the month of September I plan to document daily steps I have taken towards a chic, elegant and healthy life. My goal is to keep uppermost in my mind the kind of life I want to live. I will be focusing on all the small things I do each day that lead me towards my goal, rather than away from it.

Here are today’s mini-chic accomplishments:

Had a thrifty and healthy lunch – leftovers - some mince and bean chilli with cottage cheese on top and a salad. I had some cottage cheese to use up and I pretended it was sour cream. It was still white and creamy so I think I got away with it.

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Read through Anne Barone’s ‘AnneMail’ during my lunch break with a cup of tea. I especially like the thoughts shared in the most recent reader letters – Chloe and Renee. I may just try Renee’s idea of replacing 1/3 of a bottle of body lotion with olive oil. I can imagine how divine that must feel on the skin.

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Did some decluttering in my head. Sometimes I feel frozen when I try to get rid of things. Today I thought about various areas (mostly wardrobe and sewing/knitting room) and planned to donate quite a few things. It makes it much easier when I come to do it. I’ve already sifted through the items in my mind.

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Having an early night. I might talk about having an early night, but often I do ‘just a few jobs’ and it ends up being the usual time or later. I don’t want 7 hours of sleep, I want 8 or even 9.

I really relish my wind-down time too, so that means heading into the bathroom earlier to wash my face so I can do it in a relaxed and thorough manner and enjoy the massage of my night cream rather than just throwing it on.

Then I can have a quarter-hour of reading a calming magazine, book or printed-out article (French Chic of course) before turning back the covers.

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If you feel like you want to make September a chic month for you as well, please join me. You are welcome to share your mini-chic accomplishments for the day (or the previous day if you read in the morning) in the comments section. It would be lovely to have you along for the ride!

Image from Home Design LOVE

11th Day in a Chic September

For the month of September I plan to document daily steps I have taken towards a chic, elegant and healthy life. My goal is to keep uppermost in my mind the kind of life I want to live. I will be focusing on all the small things I do each day that lead me towards my goal, rather than away from it.

Today I have been thinking about September 11, ten years ago. It's hard not to. On that awful day I heard from my boss at Dior that a terrible tragedy had happened in America. It was almost unbelievable. May those souls rest in eternal piece.

We watched a documentary on tv tonight about that day and it certainly doesn't get any less shocking over time. In fact I think it's just the opposite.

There was a memorial service marking the tenth anniversary before today's Rugby World Cup game of America versus Ireland in Taranaki.

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Otherwise, here at Chez Fifi it was Creative Sunday. I took photos of two projects, and completed another. The top photo is my knitted rug with crocheted edges in the basket I keep in the living room.

Below is the rug sans basket. It's folded in quarters.


And below is today's project. I bought this brand-new lamp from the Salvation Army for $8. I was very happy with my purchase, but the pink shade wasn't quite right, both for the base colour, and also for my decor.


I replaced it with an English-made furnishing fabric remnant my Mum gave me.


And finally here is my denim skirt project for summer. I haven't done this before and it was quite fun and easy.

I chopped the legs off my too-big jeans, snipped along the inner leg seams and flattened the legs out, then put a little triangle of fabric in the middle-front and middle-back (from the chopped off legs), stitched and hemmed.


The jeans were too big and unflattering on me, but as a skirt it's fine if a waistband sits on your hips. Don't worry though, I'm not Gisele just yet. I'll show you it on me when the weather is a bit warmer.


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There's more decluttering too. I'm almost through all my magazines, taking out the odd page here and there. They will be dropped off at my current favourite opshop during the week.

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If you feel like you want to make September a chic month for you as well, please join me. You are welcome to share your mini-chic accomplishments for the day (or the previous day if you read in the morning) in the comments section. It would be lovely to have you along for the ride!

10th Day in a Chic September

For the month of September I plan to document daily steps I have taken towards a chic, elegant and healthy life. My goal is to keep uppermost in my mind the kind of life I want to live. I will be focusing on all the small things I do each day that lead me towards my goal, rather than away from it.

Here are today’s mini-chic accomplishments:

After a few days of treat foods and drink, it was lovely to eat something healthy and refreshing – I had an apple and a cup of green tea for morning tea. I never thought I’d see the day when I craved fresh fruit, but that day is here!

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Ironed a shirt to wear to work. I love the look of a shirt and always feel crisp and pulled together in one, but alas do not love ironing. I don’t think my chic Parisienne would live in knit tops to avoid ironing.

Now that the weather is warming up I want to wear shirts more often. That is my goal and challenge, to face the fear and iron anyway.

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Inspired by Penelope’s comment on the 4th chic day of September:

'I recently totally decluttered my closet and took out everything that wasn't lovely, feminine, flattering, or pretty (I was ruthless!) and my closet is beautiful now, roomy, with colorful clothes that are feminine, beautiful, and flattering. So worth it.'

I planned to look through my wardrobe and enlisted my husband as a second pair of eyes. As I flicked through and tried on various items, I realised I'd done a pretty good job of decluttering my wardrobe last time (a few months ago). I still got rid of two more items though.

What this exercise made me realise was that I need to declutter items as I come across them. If I'm not completely happy with something as I wear it, I need to wash and donate straight away, not wash and then think 'it will be ok' and put it back.

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Reminded myself to 'strike while the iron is hot' (today is all about the ironing). Listening to Brian Tracy's audio book Flight Plan he said if you have an idea you will either act on it now or not at all. I know this to be true from previous experience.

I have been thinking of cutting up a pair of jeans which are too loose (but I still love the denim colour and the perfect amount of worn-ness they are), and changing them into a mini-skirt for casual summer wear. After my wardrobe declutter which took all of ten minutes I did just that - hacked, remodelled and sewed. I now have a new skirt. Thank you Brian.

If you've never listened to him speak before you are in for a treat. His information is fabulous and his voice is very soothing. Almost hypnotising in fact!

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If you feel like you want to make September a chic month for you as well, please join me. You are welcome to share your mini-chic accomplishments for the day (or the previous day if you read in the morning) in the comments section. It would be lovely to have you along for the ride!

9th Day in a Chic September

Today's chic post has been overtaken by a major event in New Zealand's history. Today is the first day in the 2011 Rugby World Cup tournament and it's hosted by us.

For those of you in North America, imagine the Super Bowl where every state supports the same team. That's what it is like here with the All Blacks. Oh, and by the way, this Super Bowl lasts seven weeks!

It wasn’t until a few days ago that I realised what a big deal this was when couriers asked us if we were going to be ‘closing early on Friday’. We thought about it and realised there wouldn’t be many people around – either they would be attending festivities or going home early to avoid mayhem traffic.

Just to tie it in with the French, this being a French Chic blog and all, rugby is one of the biggest sports in France, with crowds of up to 80,000 regularly attending club matches in Paris.

I live with a sports-mad man, which is quite amusing to me because I grew up in a family which is not into sport at all.

I'm not going to turn into a butch rugby-girl, but today I took advantage of the fine early Spring weather and we headed downtown to join the crowds and soak up the atmosphere. Naturally we stopped and had a pub lunch and pint on the way.

(Top photo): giant rugby ball down by the Viaduct Harbour

(Below): building windows festooned


Me heading downtown


Amongst the crowds


A beautiful blue sky and the Sky tower


Where the All Blacks stay when they are in town apparently


French fans with decorated berets (aren't they handsome?)


French fans wearing flags


When we were here downtown the area was filling up fast - we heard it was 100,000 plus people.


After mingling with the crowds for a short time we decided we liked our own company more and went home. It was such luxury to both be away from the shop during opening hours! We were trying to remember the last time we had lunch out together (it's been years).

Lucky for us our two-storey house has a good view of the Sky Tower and tonight we watched a 3-tonne fireworks display from our bedroom window. It was rather spectacular. Some may say it's a waste of money and I tend to agree, but it was pretty all the same.

Vive le All Blacks!

8th Day in a Chic September

For the month of September I plan to document daily steps I have taken towards a chic, elegant and healthy life. My goal is to keep uppermost in my mind the kind of life I want to live. I will be focusing on all the small things I do each day that lead me towards my goal, rather than away from it.

Today has been such a busy day at work that I have been racking my brain to come up with even one chic mini-accomplishment to report. Here are a few I have scraped up.

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Started my day with half a lemon squeezed into warm water. Lemons are so expensive to buy that I con my family into delivering them (from their own trees) whenever they come to town. My Aunty and Uncle turned up at our shop on the weekend bearing lemons, oranges and bantam eggs from their own property. Yay!

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Kept my cool when inundated at the shop with the after-school crowd. Sometimes it's busy at that time and sometimes it's not. Today it was madhouse and I focused on making everyone feel looked after even as I virtually threw shoes at them to try on. Normally I like to be a bit more caring. A smile goes a long way in this situation.

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Even though work was busy we are still having a home-cooked meal. It's in the oven as I type. I love stir-frys, but nothing beats a cooked-in-the-oven meal for ease. It's a bit like the slow-cooker only faster. Put it in, forget about it for an hour. Cook green veg at the end. In the meantime enjoy a tasty brandy.

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Read this great quote in a womans weekly magazine tonight. My mother-in-law hands them on to me and I love reading them.

'A real star has manners, is gentle, beautiful and interesting and always has something to say'.

Lovely! It made me think of Audrey Hepburn for some reason.

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If you feel like you want to make September a chic month for you as well, please join me. You are welcome to share your mini-chic accomplishments for the day (or the previous day if you read in the morning) in the comments section. It would be lovely to have you along for the ride!

7th Day in a Chic September

For the month of September I plan to document daily steps I have taken towards a chic, elegant and healthy life. My goal is to keep uppermost in my mind the kind of life I want to live. I will be focusing on all the small things I do each day that lead me towards my goal, rather than away from it.

Here are today’s mini-chic accomplishments:

Had such a lovely day at home today. I pottered and cleaned, decluttered and cooked. Whilst hanging out the washing I said hello to little Atlas J. Poodle, via the small bald patch on the lawn. He was such a good boy and I miss him so much. Life goes on though and it doesn’t pay to think about his silver curls or I’ll get teary.

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Pottered, sorted out and decluttered. I made a delivery of donated items to the local op shop – it’s one of those old-fashioned ones which are so rare these days, the ones where nothing has a price and the elderly lady behind the counter looks at the two items you are holding and says ‘oh, $1.50 if that’s alright love’. That’s the kind of place I like to take my donations to.

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Had an at-home facial before my shower (which may or may not have been lunch-time).

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Read Cupcake Caramel’s recent post. It is so good. I especially like the last few paragraphs. Rebekah, please know I am unable to comment on your blog, Lord knows I’ve tried.

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Made dinner from fresh ingredients as well as using up items from the fridge and freezer. Last bits in jars were emptied. And it was delicious; my man raved. At the merest hint of moving one gets the urge to empty the pantry.

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If you feel like you want to make September a chic month for you as well, please join me. You are welcome to share your mini-chic accomplishments for the day (or the previous day if you read in the morning) in the comments section. It would be lovely to have you along for the ride!

Image above: Atlas waiting at the shop door for his Dad to get back from the gym, back in the day.

6th Day in a Chic September

For the month of September I plan to document daily steps I have taken towards a chic, elegant and healthy life. My goal is to keep uppermost in my mind the kind of life I want to live. I will be focusing on all the small things I do each day that lead me towards my goal, rather than away from it.

Here are today’s mini-chic accomplishments:

Continued work on a knitted rug I am making. It's a very complicated pattern. You need 10 balls of double knit wool (50g) and 5mm needles. Cast on 125 stitches, knit every row for nine balls and cast off. Crochet around the edge with the tenth ball. It's quite cosy because the bigger the rug gets, the more it warms your knees. I'm onto the last bit of crocheting around the edge.

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Walked to and from my yoga class on the most perfect spring day. The sky was a brilliant blue, the temperature mild (even at 9am) and humidity low. I felt happy to be alive!

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Enjoyed healthy food including fresh fruit with breakfast, salad vegetables with lunch and water with dinner.

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Enjoyed some time with my brother. He works shifts, so has been popping into work to say hi when he has a day off. Today he stayed an hour or more and we chatted and went for a walk around the block (via a cafe). It was so nice and I feel really grateful that a) I have a brother b) he lives in the same city and c) he does things like this.

He is eight years younger than me and we haven't always been close (me: uptight older sister, him: carefree younger person). I am also grateful my husband looked after all customers and phone calls while I was slacking.

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When I have been working in the shop, I think I've been a better shopkeeper lately. I don't let things get to me as much and I go with the flow. I think it makes for a more relaxed retail environment and hopefully people enjoy shopping with us. We are not a high-sales-pressure store. I can try and help people find what they want but I don't think I can ever make them buy something (nor would I want to).

Of course I want our shop to be successful otherwise we're out of a job, but I don't think pushiness will do that. We have many regular customers and I think they appreciate our difference. We also let customers we know well take items home on appro (the old-fashioned way, without paying) and I think that also sets us apart from other stores.

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Started a mental list of items I want to declutter from our home, and how I am going to dispose of them (donation, sell online etc).

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If you feel like you want to make September a chic month for you as well, please join me. You are welcome to share your mini-chic accomplishments for the day (or the previous day if you read in the morning) in the comments section. It would be lovely to have you along for the ride!

5th Day in a Chic September

For the month of September I plan to document daily steps I have taken towards a chic, elegant and healthy life. My goal is to keep uppermost in my mind the kind of life I want to live. I will be focusing on all the small things I do each day that lead me towards my goal, rather than away from it.

Here are today’s mini-chic accomplishments:

Finished, actually finished a bottle of fragrance (L'Occitane Green Tea). It only had a few sprays left. Now I can concentrate on my myriad other fragrances. I have fewer bottles than I used to but I like that the numbers are getting down to a manageable level.

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Dressed 'tricolore'. I only realised this after the fact - orangey-red fine merino scoop-neck knit top, dark denim bootcut jeans and off-white ballet flat style shoes!

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Decided to stop saying things related to me being 'old'. I want to feel youthful and making jokes about being old won't help that. Positive thinking and all. Things like 'I feel so old now that all the 80s styles are back and I wore them the first time' or 'you were born in 1988? That was my last year at school!'.

I also won't mention my age unless absolutely necessary, not that I'm hiding it or pretending to be younger but it's no-one's business but mine. And I really believe that knowing someone's age can colour your thinking of them. Say if someone is much younger than you thought, maybe you don't take them as seriously once you know. Age is only a number.

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Stocked up on fresh fruit and vegetables for the week - salad ingredients for lunch and vegetables to steam, roast and stir-fry for dinner (not all cooking styles in the one night though). I send my husband because we use a Chinese market garden shop and it's a little 'rustic' for me.

I get so excited when he comes in the door carrying bags of colourful goodness. Sometimes we run out by Friday and have to have a mini-stockup at the supermarket to get us through the weekend. I love that. One can never have too many fresh fruits and vegetables.

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I'm also starting a list based on all your wonderful ideas left in comments. I have on my list so far to do a wallet inventory and explore my ways of including more art/culture/intellect.

All I can come up for the second one is that I like listening to classical music, read local and international newspapers online and on paper (just local) and enjoy reading classic books (in between my diet of chick lit and Martha Stewart Living...).

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If you feel like you want to make September a chic month for you as well, please join me. You are welcome to share your mini-chic accomplishments for the day (or the previous day if you read in the morning) in the comments section. It would be lovely to have you along for the ride!