The Simple Sophisticate - Intelligent Living Paired With Signature Style

Tony-award winning creator, director and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda recently shared a quote about his reason for writing the musical Hamilton. Using his words as inspiration, discover four fundamental tools for reaching your full potential, and along the way amazing yourself as to what you were capable of. In this week's Petit Plaisir, a new recipe for wrapping up spring and welcoming the summer season: a blueberry rhubarb galette.

Sometimes we can push ourselves so hard that when we do finally take a moment to assess how we're doing, we don't trust that we're doing well. This simple checklist offers 21 reasons to demonstrate that yes, you're are doing quite well indeed as you live the life you work so hard to enjoy. Also, in this week's Petit Plaisir, Shannon reviews the new piece of fiction The Course of Love by Alain de Botton which will be released June 14th. Be sure to enter to win your free copy.

Discover 10 tools that will help you squash the regular negative thoughts that pop up from time to time no matter how wonderful our lives may be going. Moments of self-doubt, uncertainty, these tools will help you combat the negativity immediately so that no unnecessary time or energy is wasted and you can continue to move forward positively. In this week's Petit Plaisir, a 2014 French film, Sex, Love & Therapy starring Sophie Marceau and Patrick Bruel. A delightful romantic comedy.

Whether you own or rent, whether your place is large or small, even if you've lived in your space for decades or only a few months, these 11 simple tips will make your home your new sanctuary all without calling a contractor or breaking the bank. In this week's Petit Plaisir, discover a book that will improve your sleep and improve the overall quality of your life: Arianna Huffington's new book The Sleep Revolution: Transform Your Life One Night at a Time

Inspired by Donald Sull and Kathleen M. Eisenhacdt's 2015 book Simple Rules: How to Thrive in a Complex World, discover the benefits of simple rules, how they can improve the overall quality of life and hear six examples of simple rules Shannon uses in her own life. In this week's Petit Plaisir, a simple staple item for your capsule wardrobe that is on sale and works well for anyone who loves to layer.

Is effortless style truly ever effortless? In short, yes. Today discover the five steps to tend to to ensure effortless style that will become a habit worth incorporating into your everyday. In this week's Petit Plaisir, discover a simple,  yet absolutely delicious recipe for two: Rustic Apple Tart for Two.

Inspired by blogger, author, photographer and illustrator Garance Doré book Love, Life, Style, the topic of beauty and how to truly feel beautiful is discussed in today's episode. In this week's Petit Plaisir, a home decor item that will add that extra something or be a perfect house warming gift. 

The difference between being an Adult and being a Grown-up is choice. And with the choice comes the decision to choose to grow. Growth as we know isn't always easy, but the result of choosing to venture down the path into being a Grown-up is to gain a life full or contentment and an increased quality of living in both our relationships with others and ourselves. In today's episode discover 12 characteristics of growth exercised by Grown-ups. In this week's Petit Plaisir, discover my new Francophile Find that will help you with your language skills in 15 short minutes each time you tune in: Coffee Break French!

What is the secret for those who have found contentment when it comes to dealing with uncertainty? In today's episode we dive into the 10 specific distinctions that help contentment thrive in an uncertain world. In this week's Petit Plaisir, a feel good song that will have you on your feet and tapping your toes as well as everything else.  And it's the 100th episode of The Simple Sophisticate, so we're celebrating by offering an exclusive, one week only drastic discount on signed copies of TSLL book.  Tune in to find out how to purchase your copy or gifts for the upcoming graduation ceremonies and Mother's Day celebrations. 

The obstacles in life can understandably be frustrating, but perhaps a reframing of them is all we need to see the beauty in them. Tune in today to see exactly why that obstacles that's been keeping you stuck in your tracks is exactly what will help you soar beyond your expectations. In this week's Petit Plaisir, I'm sharing my go-to breakfast for nearly everyday of the week: simple, delicious and satiating. Buttery Steel Cut Oats. 

How we speak is just as powerful as what we say. In today's episode, discover nine tips on how to improve the way you speak so that you can foster and improve the connections you make both in your professional and personal world. In this week's Petit Plaisir, Francophiles, cooks and gardeners will want to get their hands on this hybrid of a cookbook and French-living guide. Susan Herrmann Loomis' latest book (released in 2015) is a gem. In a French Kitchen: Tales and Tradition of Everyday Home Cooking in France

Our everyday lives can be as grand and full based on how we live. Instead of the size of the house, it is the energy, beauty and details we cultivate that determine the quality of our sanctuary. Discover 16 tips and ideas to elevate the quality of your everyday life. This week's Petit Plaisir is a simple seasonal suggestion, welcome tulips into your home. Also discover how to best pick and ensure long-lasting blooms with each bouquet.

The creator of the internationally enjoyed blog My French Country Home and author of her new book My Stylish French Girlfriends, Sharon Santoni joins me on today's episode. Discussing all things French, specifically brocante collecting, how to find and pursue your passion and the key to a happy, passionate life, Sharon will remind listeners about why we love the lifestyle of the French. This week's Petit Plaisir is a French dessert that is simple and absolutely delicious — Clafoutis aux Poires. 

Inspired by Amy Cuddy's best selling book Presence, discover how to cultivate your personal power in your everyday life and what the benefits are of having it.  This week's Petit Plaisir is a romantic comedy starring Lake Bell & Simon Pegg, Man Up. 

Inspired by the recently released and best-selling book by Rebecca Traister, All the Single Ladies: Unmarried Women and the Rise of an Independent Nation, this episode is for all women. Revealing three truths and seven myths, discover how the advancements of single women are opening doors for everyone.   

The "everydays" make up the quality of our lives, so it is how we spend these days that is vitally important. Discover 15 everyday habits to practice and by incorporating will create ensure everyday is full of contentment and true happiness. In this week's Petit Plaisir, a simple decor addition to establish a ritual that will enhance your everyday life. 

The importance of a healthy social well-being involves three primary components: the relationships we have with ourselves, our community and friends as well as our significant other, but how do we go about building one that works for us? That is precisely what we will discuss in this week's episode. In this week's Petit Plaisir, a new podcast to add to your weekly listening! Pardon My French from Garance Doré. 

Whether an introvert or an extravert, time to be with ourselves is the key to a deep satisfaction with life and the path we choose. Inspired by Frédéric Lenoir's best-selling book Happiness: A Philosopher's Guide, discover specifically how solitude is beneficial for us all. This week's Petit Plaisir is a Francophile podcast to not only help you with your French but satiate your curiosities about the French culture.

The latest news and world events along with a dash of inspiration and a brush up on French language and culture. Tune in to become up-to-date in fewer than fifteen minutes each Sunday morning.  

Often while it can be easy to see the weaknesses or strengths in others' relationships, it can be hard when we're in the middle of them. As a way to develop an intuition about red flags we should heed, tune in to today's podcast to discover 18 red flags that you should take notice of and not ignore. In this week's Petit Plaisir, a simple, classic French lunch that took me back to my summer of studying abroad in Angers, France.