I love reading a good inspirational lifestyle book at the beginning of a new year. It’s the perfect refresh and gets me excited to spend the cold, snowy days inside tailoring my house and mindset. This year, I picked up lifestyle blogger Shannon Ables' book titled “Choosing the Simply Luxurious Life: A Modern Women’s Guide.” As a blogger, Shannon sets herself apart from all the others by recording an accompanying podcast called “The Simple Sophisticate” every Monday with tips and suggestions on how to turn the everyday into an extraordinary life. I LOVE these podcasts. They begin with a little French music and dive into lists of “20 Ways to Live Like a Parisian” or “Why Not… Simplify Your Choices?” Her voice is so soothing and listening to these podcasts while drinking my morning “café au lait” restores a sense of calm that makes me excited to tackle the day.
I mention Shannon’s podcast because it is almost essential to listen to before diving into this book. The book is set up in a very similar manner to her blog and podcast, and knowing the tone and inflection of her voice really makes the book come alive. The book takes the reader through chapters to inspire “simply luxurious living.” The whole concept is that you don’t need to have tons of money or the perfect house to live well. Shannon instead suggests small things you can do to promote “refined living on an everyday income.” She encourages the reader to slow down, savor moments, and invest in quality things and relationships.
Shannon offers simple practical advice throughout the book, such as how to save money so that you can finally invest in those designer shoes you’ve been thinking about for years, or how to entertain guests in a way that is enjoyable for both you and them. I particularly liked Chapter 5, “Creating a Sanctuary, No Matter the Size,” as I have always been drawn to her tips on how to decorate and style a house that works best for you, a house that both looks and functions beautifully. While I may have already known some of the tips she gives (such as always pick up the things scattered about before leaving a room to ease the mind, ensure it is clutter-free and ready to use the next time, and keep you from needing to spend a whole weekend putting your things away) it is always good to hear them again, especially at the beginning of a new year as we may have grown lax in many of the easy tasks that really do encourage luxurious living.
Written by a single woman in her thirties, the book definitely speaks directly to those in similar situations, though Shannon does try to relate it to married women or women with kids or roommates as well. I appreciate that she understands everything in her life may not apply to women across-the-board and that she offers advice for women in different situations than she, though sometimes the advice may be amiss. I certainly don’t blame her for occasionally faulting as it’s impossible to offer advice that’s applicable to everyone and difficult to put yourself in the shoes of someone whom you’ve never been. However, the fact that Shannon recognizes and admits that her advice may not always be universal communicates her compassion and desire for all readers to feel welcome and encouraged. I actually enjoyed reading advice from someone in a different situation than myself because it encouraged me to look at situations differently and try new tactics of living.
The book does exactly what it sets out to do: offer women easy solutions to feel and look their best. From buying a bouquet of fresh flowers to ridding my wardrobe of trendy clothing, I have found so many ways to indulge in the everyday thanks to Shannon’s book. So light a candle, lather up in your favorite body cream, put on that fuzzy robe and cozy slippers, and sink into a comfy chair to enjoy reading this lighthearted guide to everyday living.
