Sunday, January 3, 2010

Simplicity is the Ultimate Sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci



"I'm just a simple person", my mother used to say. And at the time she quietly but firmly uttered these five simple words, I did not understand why she had settled for less. Now I know why.



After you've walked long enough over the surface of life, the pathways that survive the test of time and remain to be a thing of beauty are what we frequent the most when we need direction, a new challenge to climb



or just simply need to find peace.







Simplicity, is a relative term. What is understated but genuine to one person might be ordinary to another, lacking that certain je ne sais quoi. But if you look close enough



and then stand back, what is often times revealed is not so ordinary.





Each one of us has a particular view, talent and style that embellishes who we are



and makes us sparkle.



As you reinvent yourself and cook up a new plan for your life this year



don't forget to take the time to be still, think about what is really necessary



and that each and every one of us brings something different to the table,



and that in the "Essentials, unity, in non-essentials, liberty and in all things, love." - Attributed to St. Augustine



All images from the magazine Maison Côte Sud downloaded from the beautiful, must see blog:

Trouvais

66 comments:

red ticking said...

fabulous blog... and i feel the same as your profile says... my first year of blogging started out as an experiment... but the friendships you nuture are amazing... blessings to you in the new year... x pam

Rosemary said...

Hi Anita,
Another wow post!!
You always outdo yourself!!
Beautiful writing and photos!
Rosemary

LiLi M. said...

Bonsoir Anita! I was planning to visit you again to tell you that I adore your profile photo! You are just radiant, is this your new coiffure? Anyhow you don't have to change! Now I was simply drawn to your blog as you have a new post, a delight as always. My mother used to say: simplicity is a characteristic of true things. I hope the meaning doesn't get lost in translation, but I feel that it is almost the same as your mother meant. No coincidence at all of course!
Anita, thanks for this beautiful post, I enjoyed every minute and every pixel of it. Thanks for your visit at my place too, it is always a feast to have you around, bisous ma copine!

Rita said...

Amazing post my dear friend.
Every visit to your blog leaves me greatly enriched . Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful thoughts and feelings and giving us food for thought.
Bonne nuit
rita
p.s. have a great day at work tomorrow.

Charlene said...

Beautiful Post! Well said!!!! Have a great new Year!

Anonymous said...

It's so true Anita, all of us are different and bring different beauty to the table. What one sees as simple the other sees as extraordinary. What one person disgards another person sees as treasure. That is why our world is such a beautiful place. Your post was wonderful as always ♥

Kori said...

What a wonderful post honey. Gorgeous photos. I love your blog! Hope you are having a great weekend. Kori xoxo

deb famularo said...

This is ALL so true. And so well said.
It's what inside that makes us shine, not our outer facade.Or what we "have." And you sparKle through and through dear. So funny cuz my grandparents came to this country with absolutely nothing. Then I see how we live now, what my kids have- and it's crazy. It make you think! I am really trying to have simple wants and not WANT that crown bed you are showing. A girl can dream right!!! love deb

deb famularo said...

If that is your wish, then girl, it has already come true!! It is hard not to love you!!!!!!!!! I need to take a page from your book, literally!

Have a wonderful week! xOxO

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

Dearest Anita
What a vision that painting is. Yes, I have the words ~Simplify~ hanging in my home. I am also a very simple person. These images actually speak! I love them all.. And your beautiful words are like icing on the cake.
I am so glad that your dear friends have encouraged you to go back to drawing.. I cannot get over that illustration.. Yes, I know it been a long time, but as you can see, it’s like riding a bike…. You never forget.. I hope your first day back to work goes well.
Oh, thank you for telling me that the pink lady painted Babe’s nails with ~washable~ polish.. I was going to take it off, because I fell she is too young but she loves it so. I may just have to give in.
Blessings,
Penny

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Anita....First I have to tell you that I LOVE Claire Delune on the harp! So beautiful! Also beautiful thoughts to ponder!~Hugs, Patti

Tristan Robin said...

this is a beautiful post - very insightful and thoughtful.

however.

hmmmmmmmm.

you can endorse simplicity all you like, I still see the arrangement you made in your header! LOL LOL LOL

wonderful photos you've found ... I'm off to the link you provided right now!

Tara said...

I was thinking of no resolutions this year and then lost a friend this week to breast cancer...shouldn't we all "live like we're dying"? ...be open to everyone and everything, there's always some silver lining we don't see until we reflect later on about it! Thanks for reminding us!

Kori said...

Hey sweetie! I'm not sure how I found you, maybe through Bonjour Romance or Paris Atelier? I love your blog though and hope you will visit mine again soon! Kori xoxo

b.b.flockling * Rose said...

Beautifully written, Anita...I could not agree with you more. A marvelous and wise sentiment to carry with us into the New Year!

claudie said...

We are all unique and beautiful. That's what makes this world go round isn't it Anita?
Your words are so soothing. I for one have a fire cracker personality, so coming here makes me calm, and think of all the possibilities that await.
Thank you so much for your pretty card. I received it in the mail yesterday. I will put it in my tree next year, and think of you my new found friend.
Love Claudie
oxoxoxox

Luthien Thye said...

what a formidable combination of artistic and lyrical writing with captivating photographs! love your post!

Simplement ... said...

Simplicité peut-être ! Mais d'une élégance et d'un raffinement extrêmes.
Merci pour ces images belles à rêver.
Je t'embrasse et te souhaite une très douce journée.
Marie-Ange ***

Barb said...

Hi Anita,

Well said! I think simple is best most of the time.

Thank you for leaving such a lovely comment. I read them to my son and he was quite excited.

Big hugs,
Barb

Bonnie said...

Simple is always best, yes?

xoxoxo, Bonnie

KeKe said...

Anita, Beautiful post! I agree...there can be found an understated elegance in simplicity. Less is sometimes more.

I am on my laptop in a hotel room in sunny South Florida, where I might add, the temps are in the 30's. No more warm here than back home. But, this was my home for nearly 20 years and coming back feels good...

talk to you soon~

Unknown said...

Keep it simple...a quest to embrace for sure. Three wonderful years in my life I read everything under the sun and moon on simple living. In those three years I sewed, bartered, traded, cooked from scratch, went to the library, grew herbs and veggies and my own flowers, hung laundry, walked, wrote and used coupons and we became debt free! Amazing...power in the word SIMPLE.

The Victorian Parlor said...

How beautiful and what a wonderful way to brighten my day:)!

Blessings,

Kim

Unknown said...

Oh Anita! What a simply gorgeous post! It is breathtaking!

Happy New Year my Dear friend, I just know this year is going to be fantastic. I can't wait to read all of your posts this year, you give me so much inspiration.

Bisous!!
Judith~

the paris apartment said...

Hi Anita, I just discovered your blog and am loving every post. Besides the delicious eye candy, your reflections are speaking straight to the heart. I couldn't agree more about simplifying life and taking time to commemorate each day. I am so grateful to my blogging friends too and am looking forward to adding your gorgeous blog to my list of favorites! Happy New Year!

BonjourRomance said...

diBonjour Anita,
You did it again, another lovely and thought-provoking post. Simplicity seems to be the theme for alot of people in 2010 - and in many ways you have so much more when you are able to enjoy the simple things in life.
This is going to be a wonderful yearfor all of us my friend!

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

Dear Anita
How was your first day back at work? I hope you have time to put your feet up and rest.. I just had to come back and visit all the beautiful rooms again. Your writings are so beautiful..I would love to curl up and take a cat nap in that beautiful cozy bed..
Blessings, Penny

Twyla and Lindsey said...

You have given me something to contemplate. Thank you for the beautiful images. Have a nice week! Twyla

Woolytales Miniatures said...

Oh Nita, yes ,the most simple aspect of life can generate an amazing sense of contentment however; one's heart needs to be open and readyin order to fully appreciate.
Your post made me think again. Thank you!*grin*
I am so very tired ... I have sew all day long and now I my eyes feels like big , heavy doors ready to close at any moment...smiles... BUT I made some lovely outfits for the marionettes and I should be showing it soon. I hope you had a good back-to-school-day today! I will try to send the pictures again tomorrow....Good night friend~

"Create Beauty" said...

Hi Anite! I've not been ignoring you, just had some issues with my computer that happened when I was visiting some blogs and don't know where the problem arose so I've been doing less blog-hopping! I love your blog and your creativity and how it shines through your life that I see sprinkled here!!! Thanks for coming over for visits. It is fun getting to know you. ~ Violet

Ulla said...

I remember a favorite quote of my Mothers... "I have very simple taste, I only like the very best". This is such a beautiful post, thoughtful words, and lovely images...
May the New Year bring you all the blessings you deserve!
Kisses
Ulla

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

Beautiful, as always, my dear friend.....

I always strive to live a simple life......but I have all of this "stuff" around me. :-) Clutter, some would say. But it does make me happy.

You are such a sweetie.......

Big hugs to you!
Spence

Michelle Shaw said...

I loved this post, Anita. You are right. Each one of us has something different to bring to the table, something that we shine in. Sometimes the trick is being able to identify that in yourself. At least I tend to have a problem doing this in my own life.

How did you make those stars dance? Your blogging expertise continues to astound me.

RobinfromCA said...

Oh, Anita, what a lovely, lovely post! Always so insightful and serene are the visits to your beautiful blog.
Robin

Bunnym said...

More is less...yes? I have always admired the character of people rather than the bells and whistles. You can admire something that is so simple at first glance and eventually know that THAT simplicity is honest and true and what drew you to it in the first place.

lovely..it's that simple

bunny

Bunnym said...

opsie...I meant less is more...perimenopausal damange..lol

BellaRosa said...

Anita you write so beautifully from the heart...your mama reminds me so much of my Ita (abuelita) When I was young and thought I was so plain and ugly...my Ita would say..."amor y vida mia, hija de mi corazon, lo mas bello es lo que se ve con el corazon...no solamente con los ojos" I hope I got that right :)sometimes my writings in Spanish make no sense, you should see my Italian..even worse :) What I am trying to say is that because of her...to this day...I see beauty in the simplest of things...sometimes even myself :) How blessed are we to have had such amazing woman to inspire us for the rest of our lives :) Besos, Rose

BellaRosa said...

Anita amor, one more thing...I think I have to agree with Tristan...while this is a beautiful post...you have the most beautiful and decadent tastes for gorgeous things....but I truly love how you and your amor do so much of your own work and make things that just leave me in awe of their beauty...You are INSPIRING...it is as SIMPLE as that...Besos again, Rose

koralee said...

Lovely images and lovely words. I so agree we need to stop and take time to notice the seemingly simple things. Each one of us is unique..what a lovely thing to celebrate my friend.. I so enjoy visiting you.

Hope Adela Pasztor said...

that bed is freaking gorgoues!!!! so pretty and faerie-tale like! =)

http://pinkchampagnefashion.blogspot.com/

deb famularo said...

Merci por votre commentaire. (Did I say that right!) Yes, Ava has wings on that layout, but when she's with Kyle, they are at constant war,I swear! ugh! Drives me CrAzY!
Funny thing, even though they fight like cats and dogs, if anyone bothered Ava or vice- versa, the other would be right there defending them! So I guess it's all good!!! Now that I did the LO of Ava, I'll be working on one today of Kyle- everything has to be EVEN! lol lol

Hey, I love your banner- I want that! lol Have a wonderful, happy day! xOxO

The Quintessential Magpie said...

How lovely, Anita! Thank you for sharing both the words of St. Augustine and these amazing photos. A nice way to start the day (I slept in because it's cold in Florida, something it rarely is!)...

XO,

Sheila :-)

BellaRosa said...

Anita amor, I didn't see an email on here to send you this and on the lovely comment you left me on my blog, I tried to reply but it said non-reply soo aqui estoy :) I did get you post, that is why I thought it was so beautiful and eloquant...while the pictures are gorgeous....what you were saying was beautiful...I remembered from posts that you did long ago about your mama ( my favorite was a Christmas or birthday post from when you were little and a gift she gave you) and she reminded me so much of my Ita :) so I hoped what I was getting from this post was the right thought :) your writing as I said before is wonderful...many of your posts make me think about the whys and what ifs of my life..I love that...Your pictures show such beauty...in even some simple things, the way they go with what you write makes them beautiful...they stand out.. I love your new writing blog! I am still reading your posts on there...just beautiful

And yes, I am Mexican & Italian but to that add American, Spanish, German and I like to say throuh osmosis French from my beloved papa, we just lost (no blood relation, only by love) I am as I always liked to say a lil mutt :)

Fete et Fleur said...

Simplicity is a beautiful thing. Great post as always, Anita. I'm trying to decide what I will be bringing to the table this year, so many things are vying for my attention.

We have been sick here over the hoiday and are just coming out of it.

Hugs to you and Mr. B

Nancy

BonjourRomance said...

Bonjour Anita,
Thanks for stopping by, I'm so looking forward to hearing your 'love story'. In fact, when I first came up with this idea I immediately thought of you and just knew you would have a wonderful story to tell!
I know this is still a busy time for everyone but there is plenty of time.
Hope your first week back to schoole is going well!

Unknown said...

Anita, What beautiful photographs and words. I think that when Christmas is over and all the commotion around the holidays is done, we need a bit of quiet.

I was craving quiet too, I took a ride to visit the ocean and memorize the sunset yesterday. I just signed up for an art retreat day this Saturday. There is a monastery nearby that hosts spiritual days. This one is focussing on creating with your spiritual side. I am sure the serene and simple surroudings will be totally inspirational.

I hope that you have a beautiful day.
Karen

Trouvais said...

Hi Anita. Thank you for mentioning Trouvais, clearly we love the same things! Some of those images are years old...good style is timeless. Hope your year is getting off to a great start. Best wishes, Trish

Parisienne Farmgirl said...

What LOVELY photographs you have chosen to this post!
I love the Austen-esque woman in the first photograph. I love the new look to your blog too! Happy New Year!!!

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Dearest Anita...I have been away for long to see family...having visitors...and still more, a lovely way to bring in the New Year...Hope you had a fantastic ring in to the New Year!!! You mentioned the French blog in your last visit...I will be looking out for that one for sure!!!
Aaahhh a wonderful post you have made this time, (but as always)...to Simplify, a dream of mine!!! Have a wonderful Thursday...Dzintra♥x

Val said...

what a wonderful world!I enjoyed that visit ,I'll come back!
val

The Dutchess said...

Dearest..sometimes your posts travel slow...this one arrived at my doorstep a few minutes ago..maybe because of the snowstorms we had yesterday..But how happy you made me with this one..never mind that I had to wait..it was beautiful and soo very YOU...thank you

Such a Wondrous Place this Faery Space said...

Darling friend, this was so peaceful and perfect. I love the staircase and mirror shot. The perspective the contrast of soft and gold. Thanks for the words on my blog. I hope I help. You saying so makes me hope even more. Thanks again. Blessings.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Hi, Anita! I did see your sweet comment, and I wanted to thank you for it. :-)

XO,

Sheila who is enjoying your lovely post again! I want to LIVE in this house!

deb famularo said...

Bonjour Anita! Thank you for your kind words about my children! You are so sweet! It feels good to be creating again. It's therapy for me! I'm ready to pull our home off the market- maybe it's not our path to move and I hate having my life on hold. We'll see! In the meantime, it's so nice having friends like you to hold me up when I'm down!!! Merci!! xoxO

starbrained said...

You have such a beautiful blog.

à la parisienne said...

Anita,
Ca fait longtemps que j'ai visité ton blog! I hope that you have a wonderful year as you learn to appreciate the path that you walk upon. Thank you for always being such a sincere and encouraging blog friend. I truly appreciate your friendship.

Bonne Année, mon amie!
Mandy

robin dudley-howes said...

All so beautiful!
robin

deb famularo said...

My husband was reading my comments last night, and he pointed out how beautiful and sweet you are!!! Yep, I'm a lucky girl to have connected with you here. Thank you for always telling me what I need to hear- I always find peace and love in your comments!!!!!!! Have a wonderful, happy and WARM weekend.
We are 15 degrees here, you must really be cold up there!!!! xOxOxO

Jorgelina said...

Beautiful Post!Gorgeous photos.
Es una alegria pasar a visitarte.
Hugs

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Beautiful Anita,

Love your thoughts to ponder and yes I have some mental thoughts on what I'd like to accomplish this year. I'm thinking... french thoughts.

I bought a great book that was half price at the grocery store, no less, called French Women For All Seasons by Mireille Guiliano. She also wrote French Women Don't Get Fat. I'm really enjoying it!

Then there's my quest to learn french... which I will need your help with mon professeur... s'il vous plait.

Have a grand weekend ma belle!!

bisous, SHerry

Web Designing said...

The harp is like a golden instrument ever existed. Its value is just precious.

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The interiors are very elegant and classy.

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Anonymous said...

Your so right Anita, Each one of us brings something different to the table. The key is contentment in who and what we are. I love that. Some people are so busy trying not to settle for less that they have no time for discovery of they're own. Your posts are always wonderful and thought provoking. Thank you so much. I hope your New Year is blessed in every way possible.
Thank you for visiting with me. Charli doesn't like winter at all. I have to drag her out of the house to do what she has to do. She's content sitting in the window watching the world go by.

CHRISTOPHER BARRIOS said...

Shhhhhhhh...I am being very very...still.

bunny, The Paris House Designs said...

Anita, I am so happy to have read this insightful and beautiful post. Everything over here is so lovely. Your words are true and eloquent. Everyone does bring something unique to the table, I am realizing this so much more now that I am in my 40's
xoxo
Bunny
thank you so much for visiting my blog, you are so sweet

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