Two hundred and twenty-eight years ago today in Paris, the storming of the Bastille took place (a prison and a fortress at the time), marking a significant turning point in the French Revolution as the people of Paris made a decision to play a role, albeit taking a significant risk, to change the course of their lives and the history of their country. In total 200 stormers of the Bastille lost their lives on this now celebrated day, and tens of thousands would lose their lives during the French Revolution, ending with the lives of King Louis XVI and his wife Marie-Antoinette whose reign as monarchs ended in 1792, and they subsequently, as is well-known, were sent to the guillotine for treason in 1793. 

While there are countless conversations and details that could be discussed on this topic of Bastille Day, the aspect that resonates with me, primarily due to the correlation of this date in my own life events, is the courage to try, the courage to take action even when the outcome is unknown and perhaps quite risky.

Le 14 de juillet in 2000 was the first opportunity for me to celebrate in France Bastille Day as the fireworks display commenced above the Loire River in the town of Angers. I watched enthralled as it was set to classical compositions, observing how similar yet entirely different at the same time the culture I was raised in and the culture I was at the moment immersed in were. Fast forward to 2013 and I stood amongst many other tourists, perhaps a few Parisian who hadn't left for holiday yet on a warm summer evening on one of the many bridges over the Seine in Paris taking in the production surrounding Le Tour de Eiffel. The military parade earlier that day I watched from my apartment after having first sat outside on the terrace nibbling a morning croissant. And then in 2015, it so happened July 14th would be the day of my arrival to Bend as I began a new chapter in my life. 

I honestly did not purposely select the date that would hold such significance, but all of the stars aligned as one might say. My house had an accepted offer, the moving sale had wrapped up and the moving trucks had packed up my home the day before. There was nowhere to sleep and the road was calling on the morning of the 14th to move forward to Bend. 

Taking a step toward an unknown way of life can be terrifying, but it can also be electrifying even if just a few things turn out and even if many don't work out for quite some time.

I was reminded of the latter life truth when after twelve months of trying to produce and bring to market at Audible, Amazon and iTunes the audio book version of Choosing The Simply Luxurious Life: A Modern Woman's Guide, I finally received the good news on Tuesday that it had officially been accepted and was heading to listeners in a few short weeks. I was elated! My dogs thought I had temporarily lost my mind as I danced around my office. While I will share the full story of my journey in the coming weeks, I am sharing with newsletter subscribers this news first because I cannot hold it in. I honestly had lost hope for a time, but I am thankful I persisted. And I am especially thankful for those who continued to help and encourage me. 

In all of this is a worthwhile lesson, if you have an idea, if you have a vision, if you have a dream, a goal, bringing it to life will take time. I have shared this before on the blog many years ago, but it often feels at times that the universe is asking us if we truly want something. Not necessarily to test us, not necessarily doubting we can handle it, but simply to ensure we might fully be able to appreciate the beautiful gift and opportunity it may provide when what we say we want so badly arrives. A preparing of the mind in many ways perhaps.

My move to Bend has been full of amazing moments and a quality of life I love, but it has also thrown some seemingly impossible objects my way as well. Again, I am choosing to see this as the universe asking if I truly want what I seek, and I, I am most definitely the course no matter how uncertain it may be at times.

How about you, in what ways have you taken chances, big risks without the outcome being known at the time? Or a better question, what risk do you want to take but haven't yet and why?

Today is Bastille Day. A day that embodies great risk-taking, a day that was full of chaos, but a day that jump-started a movement of liberation, that while taking time enabled the city and country so beloved by millions around the world to evolve into what it is in our twenty-first century, by no means perfect, but oh so truly magnificent. 

Before I go, this week has been a bustling week on the blog. With oodles of sales and oodles of fresh summer recipes shared along with the regular weekly scheduled posts, great conversations were shared in the comment section on Wednesday's post about how to evolve our signature style, and this week's episode of the podcast will ease your mind when it comes to mastering the amazing tool we have between our ears. 

Speaking of the salad recipes, both recipes involve a different ingredient each which aren't all too popular but when a recipe brings forth its flavor, both can be the ingredient to bring into your eating repertoire to enhance your healthy eating habits and actually taste quite delicious. I am talking about zucchini and farro. Trust me, the recipes are absolutely delicious, and even better, simple and healthy. 

To talk about style and building a capsule wardrobe as is mentioned in this week's Wednesday post, Nordstrom's Anniversary sale kicked off yesterday for card holders, and while, as I share in the post, I am not a big sale shopper per say unless items I would purchase at full price are available, it is a sale to check out as new fall fashions are on discount up to 40%. I ended up purchasing this silk shell from Theory and updating my lingerie drawer. With free shipping and returns, it doesn't hurt to purchase items that catch your eye and you think may work for years to come in your capsule wardrobe. After all, you can always ship it back without having lost a penny. Be sure to have a look at my picks here, and perhaps find the one piece you've been looking for. 

Lastly, as I shared briefly on TSLL's Instagram Stories this week, the annual French Week is returning to the blog coming in August. Mark your calendars for August 6-12 as we have an abundance of Francophile posts and episodes (yes, that is plural!) that will tickle your predilection for all things French and even a giveaway you will not want to miss. Two posts will go live each day, and I cannot wait for it to begin. Stock up on the rosé now to toast its commencement!

Okay, okay, I know. We still have half of July to savor, and savor it we will. The Wimbledon Championship matches are this weekend which I look forward to watching, and Le Tour de France continues to roll along (the picturesque video captures are a lovely way to end any day after work). As well, the temperatures here in Bend are quite ideal, the mid-80s, so a bevy of activities will potentially be enjoyed. I do hope you have a wonderful weekend. Thank you for subscribing and until next week, I'll see you on the blog.​​​​​​​