Review 2015 No. 2 | Coco Chanel: The Legend and the Life by Justine Picardie

http://www.dressful.com/6922/coco-chanel-the-legend-and-the-life

Picardie's biography of the infamous fashion designer Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel starts well. The opening chapter takes us to the heart of Chanel - on a literary tour of Chanel's private Paris apartment. As the story of Chanel's life and lies (for instance she frequently claimed to be younger than she was), and her ambition to rid herself of her poverty-stricken upbringing, is told. The style is somewhat sycophantic, and the tale and times of Chanel's life tapers off towards the end of the book, mirroring the designer's demise. The result was that, despite interesting anecdotes on her relationships with Misia Sert, Churchill, and other celebs of the time, which went off on extended tangents for many pages, this book became a chore to finish. I'm sorry I can't be more positive. Maybe my mood reflects Chanel's own disappointment with her life, one in which she cut herself free from the Aubazine convent to dedicate her life to fashion, only to simultaneously shatter any permanent familial or romantic connections. 

Lazy Sunday: A Photo Vlog

Carpe Diem xx

Thought For Your Day: None Go So Far....Living Like Cromwell

"None rises so high as he who knows whither he is going" - Oliver Cromwell

Excuse the diversion and I hope you'll enjoy a little Sunday morning inspiration/motivation. I heard this quote, supposedly from Cromwell, the other day and the more I thought about it the more I liked it. At first you might get lost in the old language, but what it essentially means is that those who don't have a long term plan or goal are likely to 'go further' than those who do. So take from this what you will, but I  take comfort in the idea that living life in the moment, enjoying little adventures and grabbing opportunity with both hands is better than worrying about a future that hasn't happened.

Happy Sunday!

Carpe Diem xx

Simple Living: My 5 Point Manifesto for Life

This is my simple living manifesto to increase happiness and lifelong health; I hope to incorporate all of these points into my lifestyle and use it for the rest of my life:

Live Frugally: Reduce commodity consumption (buy fewer things, use fewer cosmetics products)

Eat Healthily: Reduce consumption of processed foods (fast food, biscuits, sweets, meat), eat slowly and savour taste

Declutter don't Hoard: Remove any extraneous hoarded things from bedroom/house (donate to charity shops, give to friends or family, regift)

Reevaluate Time: Focus on important tasks and don't check the clock constantly if you don't need to

Build Relationships: Focus on loved ones, family and friends and spending time with them 

I have studied Buddhism and other related religious philosophies and have always admired simple living such as the Amish, but now I have to think about what living simply for the rest of my life might mean.

http://zenhabits.net/simple-living-manifesto-72-ideas-to-simplify-your-life/

Carpe Diem xx