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After a two weeks hiatus, the newsletter has returned, and it is full of the past three weeks of posts. So many of you stopped by the blog as I traveled in London and Paris and many more introduced yourselves to me sharing gems I should visit while walking around these two lovely destinations. I want to first thank you for your generosity, kindness and well wishes which made the trip all the more special.
I must admit, the decision to allow the newsletter to take a two week break didn't come easily, but upon making it and now, upon returning, it was the best thing as I feel rejuvenated, recharged and quite excited to return.
During this first week back, I mentioned in Monday's post (34 Lessons Learned in London and Paris) that I am resolute in my determination to make sure these lessons don't go wasted. It is an amazing feeling that I am overcome with at the moment of many aha moments, floods of tears as realizations occur that I wasn't able to see before and giddiness about what is now possible. The trick, and what I want to share with you today, is to allow yourself to step away from this life you've created. Step into another world for a day, a weekend, two weeks or more, and absorb all of the newness. Let it wash over you and see what captures your attention, see what warms your soul and tickles your curiosity.
These opportunities only come when you are strong enough to do something outside of your regular routine. Your perspective will be widened, your mind more open and understanding, and your certainty of what you want often more cemented, but sometimes for your benefit crushed as you realize you want something entirely different. All of these are good things. All of these will help lead you to your most fulfilling life, but it will take strength. And there will be moments of tears, frustration and question, but I urge you dare to expose yourself to new ideas and ways of doing things. You may not like everything, you make not like much, but I guarantee you will return changed for the better.
While initially these three negatives may be deterrents, they are actually signs of growth. Signs that you want something different, something more and that you are finally realizing you are capable of making it happen. One other difficult part of all of this realization is that at the moment you are relying primarily on what you feel. You are relying on what sits well with you. Sometimes you can explain this, sometimes you can't, but either way explore what your instincts are telling you. You may not necessarily want to act on what you are feeling immediately, but take the time to investigate what your instincts are telling you. More often than not, they are speaking words of wisdom.
What a newsletter you will find today! Certainly more reading material if you've taken a bit of a vacation from the blog while the newsletter as been on leave, as you will see three links for each of the weekly regular posts (Monday's Inspiration, Tuesday's This & That, Wednesday's Why Not . . .? and Thursday's Style Inspiration). You will also see organized together all of my posts from London and Paris that include my thoughts while there and photos captured.
Upon returning, it was if Anna Wintour knew where I had been (yes, I am a bit off my rocker in saying such a thing), but in the pages of the September issue of Vogue US, Plum Sykes interviews and reveals Lauren Santo Domingo's beautiful newly finished Parisian pied-a-terre. I've captured a few of the images here. Located in the same arrondisement my rental was situated, I couldn't help but savor the terrace where she enjoys her morning croissant and the simple, yet luxurious decor chosen.
It was a most memorable trip that has changed me in profound ways, many that I don't know the full extent of yet which is thrilling. Having had the opportunity to meet two fellow bloggers while traveling (DeeAnne of Live the Charmed Life and Aisling of Tresor Parisien), I was spoiled as they shared their insiders' knowledge of each city respectively.
Needless to say, I am ready to return to both sooner rather than later. However, at the moment I am changing gears as I am putting the finishing touches on my trip to New York City as I get to join the ranks of the fashion elite for my first New York Fashion Week. (To say I'm excited is a gross understatement.) All of this is a surreal dream that continually begs me to pinch myself, but yes, The Simply Luxurious Life will be in Manhattan in less than two weeks to view the Spring 2013 collections, and I will be sharing it all first-hand with you, my readers.
Oh, but I most certainly did not forget what I promised. A luxurious giveaway! Beginning on Monday (August 27th), a fantastically generous giveaway will be opened for The Simply Luxurious Life readers to enter to win a lovely item from Eberjey lingerie collections. The details of the giveaway will be shared on the blog at 10am (PDT) on Monday, so be sure to stop by and enter to win.
Last, but not least, the biannual newsletter of Fall 2012 Trends & Fashions will be released on September 1st. Currently, I am gathering together a list of which items to splurge and save on, as well as a round-up of shopping items you might like. So next week you will not only receive the weekly newsletter, but also the seasonal Fall 2012 Fashion issue.
Already the last week of August is here, school is getting started and summer is sharing its last bits of warmth. Be sure to soak it all in, but know that it will return. After all, we must now begin to contemplate what we want to accomplish, how we want to best pursue what we want because the summer is sweeter because of the laborious months that precede it. Until Monday, have a lovely weekend.
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