New book out now!

'Elegantly Chic on a Budget' on Kindle and in paperback

Hello friends,

I have big news!

My newest book Elegantly Chic on a Budget is now available on Kindle and in paperback! 🎉

🛍️ You can order your copy via my Amazon affiliate link here.

If you've followed me for a while, you'll know how much I adore living beautifully without spending a fortune — and personal style is no different.

Ever since I was a teen, I’ve loved the ‘more dash than cash’ approach. This book is filled with tips on:

💖 Looking luxe on a budget

💖 Discovering your true style

💖 Making getting dressed a breeze (even if you're gloriously lazy… I mean relaxed, like me 😉)

I hope you really enjoy my latest offering!

And thank you x 1,000 for reading my books, sharing them with your friends, and supporting this self-published author all the way from New Zealand. It's because of you that I have my dream job 💕

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On Friday we went to my cousins for Matariki (Māori New Year) lunch.

It was such a treat for the doggies Micky, Daphne, and Chloe to go too. They had a ride in the car (their favourite thing second only to eating), and got to see their cousins Henry the corgi and Penny the mini dachshund.

Micky proudly on the armrest as we pulled into the driveway

Daphne naughtily climbing up the back, luckily in the driveway too

Chloe loving looking out the window on the expressway

It was such a nice day, and my aunty did a beautiful job. Her dining table always looks so elegant.

Everyone contributed a plate. We took Potato Gratin which we've made many times. It's always yum! It is pictured on the buffet table with a red and white striped tea towel underneath.

If you’d like to try it, here is the recipe (I saved it so long ago I no longer remember where it came from, sorry).

:: Potato Gratin ::

Can be made up to a day ahead and reheated. It is good at room temperature so it works well for a buffet.

Serves 12.

3T butter, melted

5 Agria (floury rather than waxy) potatoes, peeled or scrubbed and cut into thin slices

2T garlic, creamed

2C Gruyere cheese, shredded

2T fresh rosemary, chopped

2C heavy cream

Sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1. Preheat oven to 180 deg C, 350 deg F.

2. Brush sides of a 22 x 32 cm, 9 x 13 inches dish with melted butter (I use oil spray).

3. Layer half the potatoes in the dish.

4. Sprinkle all the garlic and rosemary, and half the cheese.

5. Pour 1C cream evenly over the top.

6. Sprinkle top lightly with salt and pepper.

7. Layer rest of the potatoes and top with remaining cheese.

8. Pour remaining cream evenly over the top.

9. Place the dish on a baking sheet in the oven, covered with tin foil.

10. Bake for about 90 minutes, until potato is tender and cream is absorbed.

11. Uncover and bake for a little longer so the top is nicely browned.

I probably use a few more potatoes than mentioned. This dish always feeds a crowd easily!

I hope you enjoy it if you make it!

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Woo hoo! Amazon had my book '100 Ways to Live a Soft, Calm Life' at no. 1 in fashion, beauty and style this week. Gotta love that! Now it’s at no. 4, but let’s not bother ourselves in details 🤣

I loved writing this book, it really felt soothing and grounding. One of my highest values is a sense of peacefulness in everyday life, and this book does that.

I feel like since 2020 it's just been one major world event after the other. I don't even try to figure out what is happening, it would short-wire my mind 😮

It's just so important to tend to our own little patch, for ourselves, our family, and those close to us. It's really all we can do!

I’m sharing tip no. 43 for some inspiration today, because I’m a cozy anytime-of-the-year gal. Even if it’s blazing hot outside there is a cozy mindset, and cozy details to be had.

“Think ‘cozy vibes’ no matter the season.

What kinds of details make you feel comforted, safe, and happy? Identify yours, and make sure to include them in your daily life, even if you feel they are a bit silly. It’s ‘your life, your way’ and you get to live it how you want.

When I’m watching a movie and I notice something they are doing that appeals, I make a mental note. It’s always the simple pleasures I find – going for a meander through town and browsing a bookshop, fluffing up my living room before I settle in for a warm-feeling series such as Sweet Magnolias on Netflix, or taking my dogs for a walk at a beautiful local dog park and seeing the leaves turning for the autumn season.

Start a ‘cozy vibes’ list for yourself and see how happy it makes you feel.”

Since we’ve had frosts this week, I go for old-school cold-weather cozy. First thing in the morning I have my hot tea, the heater is on under my writing desk keeping my toes – and the doggies – happy. And Nina cat likes to sleep on my desk on her sheepskin square.

Yes that’s right, my desk is not my own 🤣 I share it with a 13-year-old cat (who still looks and acts like a kitten). She likes my desk lamp to face her, not me because it has an old-fashioned bulb that heats up… I am a sucker.

Let me know how you are doing cozy today, and how hot or cold it is at your place!

xx Fiona

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PS. Here’s the link again to my newest book ‘Elegantly Chic on a Budget’ 💖 to read on Kindle or in paperback. Audiobook currently in progress!

[My Amazon links in this post are affiliate, which means I may earn a small commission if you use them, at no extra cost to you. Thank you if you choose to purchase through my links!]