As I begin to look back on 2017, reflecting in my journal about the lessons learned, the challenges faced, the hurdles overcome, I am reminded of the good fortunate for any of us to have had twelves months to chase our dreams. 

Even when the plans do not turn out as we might have hoped, even when the pace seems to be crawling or going far too fast, we have had twelve months to get our hands dirty and make it the best it could have possibly been. 

And as fortunate as we were this past year, we are fortunate to have a start of another twelves months just over a week away. How lucky are we all? 

I want to take this last newsletter of 2017 to share my gratitude for your curiosity and continued interest in living simply luxuriously. As I work on my second book and fine-tune it to hopefully become the resource and source of inspiration to explain with more detail and concrete ideas how to live in such a way to reach our fullest potential, I have to pause from time to time to see how far not only I have come along this journey of discovery, but the journey of the the readers who have chosen to cultivate a life of their own, a life that speaks to their values, passions and truths, a life that finds the strength to put down the pretenses, the falsehoods and instead step forward with great courage to sing the song that resonates with them regardless of applause. 

Living simply luxuriously is a journey, an unearthing of our most authenic and sincere selves, and as I continue to stride along it, my sense of calm is more apparent, my clarity easier to attain and my enjoyment of life in the everydays all the more magnificent. 

Next Friday will be the only day of the year we take a week off with the weekly newsletter. But the newsletter will return Friday January 5th. In the meantime, the blog will have a new post of the top posts of the year each day of the week beginning Monday December 25th through Sunday December 31st. So be sure to stop by and discover inspiration, motivation and a calm destination for your mind. 

As well, on Tuesday January 2nd and Wednesday January 3rd, if you'd like to tune in to KATU's Afternoon Live (3pm - Pacific Time) and AM Northwest (9am) respectively, I will be sharing ideas for making 2018 a year of quality as well as how to discover your own signature style. No matter where you live you can watch it live at katu.com/live.

Lastly, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to kick off the new year on January 1st with an author whose books I have devoured and shared on the blog mulitple times: Jamie Cat Callan (her book is featured in this week's Outfit of the Week). She will be joining me for the first new episode of the new year to talk about her new book Parisian Charm School in which we discuss with great attention the concept of our individual love journey and so much more about the French culture. 

Oh my goodness, I forgot one more item of business you will want to stop by for prior to January 5th - a fabulous giveaway for anyone looking for quality cooking supplies. Being announced on January 1st, stop by to enter to win an item worth $200-$300. I could go on, but the holidays must begin and TSLL weekly newsletter is waiting to be enjoyed!

Happy holidays to you and yours, and may the beginning of 2018 be ever so auspicious of all the 12 months in the year. Thank you for subscribing and until next year, I'll see you on the blog!