The Simple Sophisticate - Intelligent Living Paired with Signature Style

Part of living well is being in the know, whether it is being knowledgable of news from around the world or informed of going-ons right in your own community, because it's not what you think, it's that you think. All of the information shared on the Au Courant Weekly will enable you to go forth into the weekend ready for an engaging conversation or simply mindful of the most recent current events,...

Tapping into our true potential requires that we cultivate sanctuaries throughout our daily routines. And while our home should most certainly be a sanctuary as we've discussed in previous episodes, so many other sanctuaries can be cultivated as well. In today's episode, inspired by her recent paddle boarding experience shares the power of carving out time alone so that we can let go of what is th...

If you've ever wanted to bring the comfort and luxury home with you after traveling and staying in lush living arrangements, whether a luxury hotel or vacation rental, in today's episode you'll discover 10 simple and inexpensive ways you can live a little more luxuriously right at home. In this week's Petit Plaisir Shannon reviews the film The Woman in Gold the film and shares her experience visit...

Inspired by Dr. Elaine Aron's best-selling book, The Highly Sensitive Person , discover the 26 characteristics of being highly sensitive and learn 19 ways to ensure you can thrive to your fullest potential. In this week's Petit Plaisir, Shannon shares one of her favorite podcasts to listen to while relaxing and traveling: The Splendid Table.

As the summer solistice has just occurred and the summer season has officially begun, Shannon shares 15 simple ways to take advantage of all that summer has to offer whether you are staying in town or have the opportunity to travel. This week's Petit Plaisir at the end of the episode is Amazon's latest original comedy series that is the ideal six episode download to enjoy whether you are on a plan...

In order for clothing to look its best and therefore to allow each of us to feel our best, we need the proper lingerie that provides the foundational element of each outfit we choose. Today, Shannon shares the 10 essential basics for the Lingerie Capsule Wardrobe along with five items that are Essential Luxuries. In this week's Petit Plaisir, Shannon shares one of her favorie weekly weekend ritual...

The quality of our days is another lesson in knowing what to hold on to and what to let go of, in other words choosing quality over quantity. In today's episode, discover 12 items that perhaps you hold on to unnecessarily and six items to hold on to no matter where your life takes you. This week's Petit Plaisir is Shannon's latest favorite beauty product that will hydrate skin and minimize wrinkle...

Inspired by Sophia Amoruso's best-selling book #GirlBoss, today's episode dives into eight specific ways you can design the life that taps into your passions, assists you in letting go of social dictates and strongholds and live the live you only previously imagined.  This week's Petit Plaisir is a Francophile film that involves love and chocolat - Romantics Anonymous.

Believe it or not, love and real estate have more in common than not. In today's episode, Shannon shares through her own experience what having success in real estate (or dating) can teach us about the other. This week's Petit Plaisir shares a dose of inspiration from one of the top commencement addresses given by David Foster Wallace.

The third part in the Life & Tech series continues with nine specific Do's and Don'ts of texting. With the primary goal of enhancing our relationships, not hindering them, listeners will learn where, when and how to best communicate. This week's Petit Plaisir is one of Shannon's favorite afternoon snacks to help her get through the day. It's simple and a palette pleaser.

Very often the phrase "It was meant to be" is uttered to explain why something worked out or didn't work out, depending upon the situation. However, in today's episode Shannon shares seven truths as to what actually plays a role in helping the life we wish to happen, the destiny we hope will materialize actually have a change at coming to fruition. Believe it or not, we play a bigger role than we...

One of the eight pillars of a simply luxurious life is a healthy social circle, and in today's episode listeners will discover exactly who will and who won't contribute to a more quality, fulfilling and successful life. In today's Petit Plaisir, Shannon shares her secret to sleeping well from the pillow to the pillowcase. A simple change can make a big difference in the quality of your nights and...

In Kate Bolick's recently released book (April 21, 2015), she dives into the possibilities of remaining single. While Bolick doesn't profess that being single is the best way to live for everyone, she does point out observations and biases of society that prompt the reader to pause and consider previously held assumptions about what the right path is for them.  In today's episode, three specific i...

The power of email correspondence is profound. However, the key is to understand that it is a tool to communicate, and it is up to the sender to effectively do so. In today's episode specific ideas and rules are shared to ensure you are able to clearly communicate and elicit the response you desire. In this week's Petit Plaisir, Shannon shared her latest tech find that is not only function and aes...

Eric Klinenberg shared in his best-selling book Going Solo that living alone is continuing to increase world-wide. In today's episode, listeners will discover 16 tips and ideas on how to make the most of this experience, whether temporary or permanent, so that it can be thoroughly enjoyable and memorable. In this week's Petit Plaisir, Peter Mayle's book Acquired Tastes is reviewed and recommended...

Inspired by the style icons from the past (Coco Chanel,  Jane Birkin, Bridgette Bardot, and Catherine Deneuve), as well as those effortlessly chic French women of the 21st century, this episode breaks down the 14 basic essentials to have in your capsule wardrobe to look chic, timeless and confident.  This week's Petit Plaisir, a French dessert, Dark Chocolate Mousse. So simple and satiating, you w...

Each one of us encounters fears from time to time, the key is to understand how to navigate them as we continue toward our goals and stepping into our full potential. In today's episode, listeners will discover 11 specific ways to master fear in their everyday lives and livle more courageously.  In this week's Petit Plaisir, the recipe for an appetizer that is simple, scrumptious and ideal for mid...

Our mobile devices can help our lives run more efficient, but if not used correctly, can have significant drawbacks. In today's episode 12 rules for mobile manners are shared as well as four ways to make sure you are the master of your cell phone or smart phone. And in this week's Petit Plaisir, Shannon reviews CBS' Madam Secretary, starring Tea Leoni.

As a new season begins, it is a reminder that by unburdening ourselves of the unnecessary (events and ideas of the past that are no longer aiding us in our quest for a better life), we are better equipped to successfully strive toward the future and everyday life we wish to live. In today's episode four specific tips will be shared to focus on what you value, get out of your own way and maintain y...

What is the lifestyle grocery list? Any item that requires  money in your budget, but doesn't occur regularly (i.e. weekly or monthly), minus food or clothes. This list includes a variety of arenas of our lives as keeping these items stocked allows for our lives to run more smoothly, our confidence to soar, a healthy balance between work and leisure to be struck, networking and relationships to re...

Understanding the power of money and becoming the master of it is crucial to a life full of contentment. In today's podcast, the definition of true wealth will be shared along with both monetary and monetary ways to attain it. 

If you enjoy living simply, but also enjoy entertaining from time to time, a bar cart is a wonderful, efficient way to combine style and function without the fuss. In today's episode, specific styling tips are shared on how to style your bar cart for your lifestyle whether it be a morning display full of pastries and tea, an evening of wine or a fully stocked mixed drinks bar, tune in to see why y...

Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of needs are the catalyst for today's episode. Shannon will dive into the definition of Self-Actualization, remind us all that we can indeed achieve it and why we all should make the leap to attain it.

Have you ever wondered what is at the foundation of the difference between a woman and a girl? Well, most importantly, it is a choice and something each individual can become once they recognize it all begins with taking responsibility for themselves. The gift of choosing to become a woman is that it empowers each individual to cultivate the life of her dreams and live a life of fulfillment each a...

Twenty ways inspired by the French to live truly simply luxuriously each and every day.