Why Less is More

A stunning white Chanel gown accessorized with only simple diamond studs, choosing a timeless color for the rooms of your home making sure the paint is superb quality, tending to a few meaningful and time-tested friendships.

All three of these scenarios involve consciously choosing less rather than more and consequently bringing more value and beautiful memories and moments into your life.

A couple of incidents caused my mind to wander to this concept of less is more. Just as I was readying for bed last night I turned on the tail end of the Golden Globe awards to see Anne Hathaway on stage with the entire Les Miserable cast and crew after just learning they had won Best Picture for a Comedy or Musical. While her attire was only the exterior of her exuberant beauty, I couldn’t help but applaud Rachel Zoe’s stylistic choice of the white Chanel two piece gown and barely any other accessories.



Granted, Chanel is more than just a tad out of my reach when it comes to purchasing quality, but I do feel such an image teaches an invaluable lesson. When we choose to bring material items and more importantly people into our lives, it’s not about how many we can acquire, it’s about building something of quality.

As I was consumed with my kitchen facelift this weekend, it wasn’t until everything had been painted and only the necessary items were placed in the cupboards and everything else packed away for future garage sales that I realized it was worth the wait – fewer dishes, but better quality. Less clutter, more function. A cleaner palette creating less chaos of colors and more tranquility. The ability to find not only beauty in what I’m eating, but beauty in the preparation. (Now, that may just be me, but there is something quite pleasurable about presentation which helps me savor the food I prepare even more. Urging me to eat slower and appreciate the time and effort.)

There are so many ways we can welcome more quality and less quantity into our lives. Here are a few:

~Focus on the quality of friendships you have, not the number of friends you have accumulated on Facebook, etc.

~Choose one fabulous, quality piece of statement jewelry to accessorize your outfit.

~Pay attention to the fabric for furniture, clothing, etc, as well as the craftsmanship.

~Cook with food grown or raised locally that adhere to better standards of production. A more satisfied conscience and healthier eating.

~A small wardrobe of quality pieces – lasts much longer and is certain to look its best for more than just a season. (click here to learn how)

~Refuse to purchase something simply because it’s beautiful. If you don’t need it, if it doesn’t serve a purpose or you already have one just like it, appreciate it from a far, but don’t bring clutter into your life.

~Take on fewer responsibilities, but the ones you keep on your schedule, make sure to give 100% of your attention and effort.

The Simply Luxurious Life became my way of living long before the blog began. However, it wasn’t as though everything was streamlined and idyllic immediately. Creating a life of quality rather than quantity takes time, but gradually your conscious decision making evolves into a life of substance that you are proud to say you are purposely and continually creating.

Be discerning of the people, food, clothes, furniture, thoughts and anything else you bring into your life. More is simply more, and nothing becomes special when you say yes to everything.

Have a lovely Monday everyone.


~SIMILAR POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

~High Standards Equal A High Quality of Living

~Why Not . . . Buy Yourself Luxurious Lingerie?

~A Very important Detail

 ~Stop Being Busy & Start Being Efficient

Images: (1) source (2) Source

Anne Hathaway - Vogue US December 2012

 

Birthday girl Anne Hathaway is for the third time the porcelain beauty on the cover of Vogue (November 12, 2012). The December 2012 issue is set to hit newsstands in a week as Hathaway begins the media blitz for Tom Hooper’s Les Misérables (set to be released on Christmas in the states) in which she plays the tragic prostitute Fantine. A physically and emotionally taxing role (she dropped 25 pounds and chopped her hair for the part), she is gaining her sea legs again after having just exchanged vows with her partner since 2008 jewelry designer Adam Shulman on September 29th, and entertaining television audiences this past Saturday night on Saturday Night Live (the opening bit with the cast singing “One Day More” was fantastic, and her impression of Katie Holmes – a dead ringer).

Annie Leibovitz captured Hathaway for the cover and editorial which was styled by Tonne Goodman, and it is in these pages of Vogue that the official photos of her custom designed Valentino wedding gown are revealed. Be sure to read the interview here.

~Valentino custom wedding gown with hints of pink, worn in Big Sur, California~

~Ralph Lauren embroidered vest and ruffled blouse~

~Valentino Haute Couture velvet dress~

Anne Hathaway – Cover Harper’s Bazaar US – August 2011

Anne Hathaway looks absolutely adorable, gorgeous and as always brings her iconic smile with her for the photo shoot for the August 2011 issue of Harper’s Bazaar.  Photographed by Alexi Lubomirski on the streets of London, Hathaway wears Alexander McQueen and other designs at some of the most traditional places in London.

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Anne Hathaway - 7 Dresses + 1 Tux

Rachel Zoe had her hands full with Anne Hathaway’s gig at the 83rd Academy Awards, but she certainly didn’t disappoint. With seven different dresses and a tailored tuxedo with custom-made dazzling pumps, Anne looked stunning.  Part of the entertainment of the entire evening was waiting to see what she would walk out onto the stage next in. Below is a compilation of her dress portfolio for the evening. I have to say, Tom Ford and Oscar’s gowns are my top two picks  . . . along with Brian Atwood’s pumps in the image below. And as one reader commented, the quick changes Anne’s hairstylist had to make, absolutely amazing.  Bravo to her behind the scenes crew most certainly.

 

In Lanvin tuxedo, custom designed Brian Atwood pumps & Tiffany jewelry

 

In Tom Ford

 

In Armani Prive

 

In Atelier Versace

 

In Oscar de la Renta

 

In Vivienne Westwood

 

In Givenchy

 

On the red carpet – Valentino

All images Daily Mail UK

83rd Academy Awards Red Carpet

Subdued, calm, respectful.  As the New York Times coined it – a “plain jane” red carpet.  And while yes, it was a very toned down Oscars Red Carpet, I found it quite respectful and appreciated the subtle touches of glamour.  There were a handful of favorites on my list, and it seemed as they each stepped out of their car, I was captivated, eager to see exactly who made the dress and what it looked like from head to toe.

While there weren’t a lot of risks taken tonight, another way one might critique it was that the women knew how to dress (or their stylists knew how to adorn them), so that they stood out instead of just the dress doing the talking. Gwyneth Paltrow has to be at the top of my list. To watch her Calvin Klein Collection dress move was enamoring and to wear it, from the audience’s vantage point, looked like it would be wearing silk-like gold, moving with your body with ease.  However, there were many stunning gowns.  Mandy Moore’s dress looked gorgeous on camera and the sheer fabric on her neckline was a beautiful facade (the image below doesn’t do it justice.) Below are ones that I’d like to share. I’d be curious to know what you thought.

Gwyneth Paltrow – Calvin Klein

 

Mandy Moore – Monique Lhuillier

(To see this dress on the runway, Monique Lhuillier Spring 2011 click here.)

 

Anne Hathaway – Valentino

 

Michelle Williams – Chanel

 

Jennifer Lawrence – Calvin Klein

 

Cate Blanchett – Givenchy

 

Mila Kunis – Elie Saab

(To see this look on the runway – Spring 2011 Haute Couture, click here.)

 

Jennifer Hudson - Versace

 

Halle Barry – Marchesa

 

Sandra Bullock – Vera Wang

 

Celine Dion - Giorgio Armani Prive

 

Reese Witherspoon – Giorgio Armani Prive

 

Hilary Swank – Gucci 

All images – People or InStyle

Golden Globes 2011 Red Carpet

Hollywood glamour was alive at the 2011 Golden Globes Sunday evening. With a flurry of gorgeous emerald green, beautiful backless gowns and some stunning red sirens.  While most all of the women looked radiant, I chose the following gowns as my favorites as they demonstrated luxury without going too over the top.  Each of the gowns also maintained a sense of mystery, not revealing too much, but giving a hint at the beauty of the woman wearing the dress. While January Jones’ red Versace dress was fantastically worn, I can’t say it was my cup of tea (however, January wore that dress very well, and if you can pull such a dress off, why not?).

My top three choices would have to be the first three looks you see below: Anne Hathaway, Angelina Jolie and Eva Longoria. With that said, I was impressed with the fashion forward decisions, and enjoyed the red carpet arrival show as I tweeted with many of you. What were your favorites, out of curiosity?  I’d love to hear. I know I tend to choose dresses I might dream of wearing, so I do believe there is certainly a bias. Do share.

Anne Hathaway – Giorgio Armani Privé

Angelina Jolie in Versace

Eva Longoria – Zac Posen

Claire Danes in Calvin Klein Collection

Catherine Zeta Jones – Monique Lhuillier

Emma Stone in Calvin Klein Collection

Halle Barry – Nina Ricci

Mila Kunis - Vera Wang

Heather Morris - Lauren Sarbu

Olivia Wilde – Marchesa

Kyra Sedgwick – Emilio Pucci

Julie Bowen - Tadashi Shoji

Jessalyn Gilsig – eggplant David Meister gown

Sofia Vergara – Vera Wang

Nicole Kidman – a cream Prada gown

All images courtesy of InStyle