Living chic elegance on a budget
A cheery outfit, pretty nails, and our gallery wall
Hello friends!
I went to my friend Tanya's house for lunch this week, and took the chance to wear something lighter because it was so warm considering it's officially winter.
I love the combo of summery yellow linen, gold denim and leopard print 💛🧡
We always have such a nice time, and how lovely is her decor? It always feels so serene and peaceful when I visit.
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I've been working hard too.
('hard' 🤣)
✅ The audiobook for 'Elegantly Chic on a Budget' has been recorded and uploaded today. It takes 2-6 weeks to become available everywhere, but you can buy it from my eStore straight away (it’s cheaper than elsewhere too). It comes as a Zip file of mp3 tracks so all you have to do is download it to your computer and play it via your iTunes etc.
✅ And more chapters have been completed for my next book. I only have two more to write, and two that are partially written but the rest is complete and just needs a light polishing :) I'm excited at the possibility of releasing another new book later on this month. I told you I have ambitious plans for myself!
I do love those little tick emojis. They make me want to write a to-do list haha.
A fresh manicure for the week 💅
Even though it's winter here and plum, burgundy or an even darker shade might be more seasonal, bright shades make me happy. This is a warm-red-coral.
(It's Essie 'Toy to the World' but I added the last little bit of an orange-red Revlon polish to it, as you do! I can't help myself 🤣 Let's just call it a bespoke custom colour 😊)
I like to do my own manicures each week and prefer my nails short. I do it like the salons do, with a base coat, 1 or 2 colour coats depending on the sheerness of the polish (I prefer one if I can), and a clear top coat.
I just always feel so polished and put together when my nails are too.
Do you like your nails done? What colour is your favourite and are you a salon girl or DIY like me?
I really admire fancy designer nails on others, but for me, I love a short bright nail that I can easily change the colour of on a whim.
This is our dining table, it's in a shared living/dining room. I love our gallery wall so much. It's filled with inexpensive auction finds, family gifts, and a few more special pieces.
Our home style is 'Ralph Lauren X French Chateau on a budget'. I picked up the wine cabinet in the corner for $65 at an auction when we first moved here. It's stocked with sparkling water at the moment because Paul prefers to store the wine in a cooler, darker area.
The faux Baccarat 'Harcourt Our Fire' candle holders I bought from Amazon and I love them. I was at a fancy afternoon tea place a few years back and saw them, but they were the real ones.
When I was researching them and saw how much they were (😮) I stumbled across these dupes and happily ordered them! I use tea lights in them. I also put them in the dishwasher every so often and they sparkle. I don't think I'd do that with the real ones!
(The ones I bought are here on Amazon at my affiliate link if you like them. It says they are unavailable right now but you might be able to 'See similar items' with the Amazon function).
I hope you have a wonderful week 😊 and Happy 4th of July to my American friends.
And thanks Tanya, for a lovely day on Friday!
xx Fiona
PS. You can find my latest book 'Elegantly Chic on a Budget' here on Amazon (affiliate link) or go to fionaferris.com for all my links.
Paperback and Kindle available now, and audiobook available in my eStore.
I go through mixed feelings regarding nails. Thirty years ago, my husband who was an airline pilot, came back from trips to New York reporting, 'Nails and nail bars seem to be a big thing over there.' Oh right, I thought. That's to be expected in their culture.
All these years later, nails and nail bars have become a big thing over here in the UK too. Can look pretty and polished and feminine (as yours do) or can (in my opinion anyway) appear too self-conscious.
My husband and I are big watchers of French films and like to observe their culture. ('Venus Beauty Institute' is a good one). Most Frenchwomen tend to take a minimalist approach to nails: short, neat, clean, and functional. No nail polish. No fuss.
So in balancing my budget and not spending too much on myself, I put money into my hair, but go the Frenchwoman way as far as nails are concerned.