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September will officially arrive this weekend, and while I am sad to see the leisure and flexibility of the summer months wrap up, I am feeling rested and ready to stride into fall as I know amazing things await.
One simple realization I've come to over the past month as I have sat down to set goals and envision what I want to achieve in the next season is that I'm going back to paper. What does that mean, you may be wondering? Well, I've realized while I am immersed in the social media, tech world, and blogging world, I also need regular down time away from the intoxicating tech screens, but at the same time I need to have access to a means of keeping track of my thoughts so that I don't lose them.
What I'm trying to say, is that my planner for the past two years has been on my iPhone or iPad, but in trying to step away from technology more regularly, I feel I lose an ability to brainstorm and keep my thoughts recorded. So, my solution is to go back to the Franklin planner I have long used. Yep, perhaps at first glance, a regression, but for me it will be freedom of sorts. Does that make sense?
As crazy as it sounds, I'm giddy about this decision. I am loving sitting out in the yard or at a cafe and simply doodling thoughts without being distracted by "dings", "tweets" or "honks" (is there such an alert sound?). And the better I can control my time, the more creativity I've noticed floats to the surface naturally.
Which leads me into the archival post I want to share. Now is a great time with many taking a long weekend, to sit down and make a checklist of what you want to include in your schedule and what needs to be deleted so that you can have a successful, but also balanced day to day routine. I've found in the past that the lackadaisical pace of summer can set us up for a great surprise because for some reason we think we can feel the same way we do on vacation as we do when 10,000 demands are on our plates. Not so.
Instead we need a plan of attack, or at least some ideas on how to do a better job of planning for what we how we want to move forward into the next season and not end up exhausted and harried before we have a chance to catch our breath again.
In this week's newsletter, you'll find the readers' favorite post was one focused on how to live simply luxuriously by including simple activities and decisions into your everyday life. Be sure to have a look at the specific ways readers have discovered how to live their very own simply luxurious life on the Facebook discussion page.
Also, age and beauty - what true beauty actually is - was the focal point of an article I was eager to share on the blog. The New York Times Style magazine offered some wonderful food for thought on the topic (click here to read).
And just as a reminder - not only will you be receiving this newsletter, but on Sunday, be sure to look in your inboxs for the annual Fall Shopping Guide. Available to read in a new, and my hope, more user-friendly format, you'll find the trends to splurge and save on, as well as some shopping items to take a look at.
I hope you have a wonderful transition into the unofficial fall season this weekend, and until next Friday, I'll see you on the blog.
-Shannon
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Blue can be seen frequently in the fall collections this fall, and regardless of the season, navy will always be a classic choice. Recently, I found Ann Taylor's navy dot dress (Save outfit above) and mentioned it to a friend who I thought would love it. Well, upon purchasing it, they were kind enough to do a bit of a fashion show for me, and I must say - very, very flattering. The subtle draping at the waist adds a slimming in all the right areas, and the top is lined with a very complimentary modest neckline. Last, but not least, the dress is made with fabric that feels good to the skin, and the price could not be better.
Pair with flats or heels, I chose the fall staple - nude or camel suede, and then dress up or down with your choice of coat - a trench, a denim jacket or a blazer looks fantastic with these dresses and allows them to be worn to a variety of occasions.
To shop the links for the outfits, click here.
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