“Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary.”
— Cecil Beaton

I went down a rabbit hole this morning after reading this quote by Cecil Beaton. Between the passing of my last and favorite aunt, the events happening in the world, and the death of Diane Keaton, life has felt quite heavy. This quote sparked something inside of me and I had to explore…

This quote is a call for creative, courageous individuality. It speaks of the power of passion, and imagination in a world that, from the outside looking in, rewards conformity. However, conformity can be dangerous because it discourages thinking for one’s self and creates “slaves of the ordinary.”

Every ordinary day adds up. We can’t wait for “someday” to start truly living.

In a nutshell Beaton is saying that real living requires the willingness to be different, to be unafraid of failure, to protect one’s individual creativity from the ordinary. He’s encouraging us to cultivate our individual inner strengths. This can be so hard in a world of social media where everything looks real but very little is real.

Visionaries, innovators, and dreamers are the ones who shape culture because they refuse to be “safe.” They act, even when they’re afraid. Creative courage comes from creative thinking…dreaming. What would become of the world without people who are willing to dream beyond the expected and challenge what’s ordinary? We could certainly use a little more of that daring spirit right now…it reminds us that imagination has the power to change everything.

Approach life as a creator in all that you do…
Use your imagination as you get dressed, decorate your home, or to dream up a new idea!

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination encircles the world.”

~ Albert Einstein

Knowledge tells us what is.
Imagination invites us to dream of what might be.

And somewhere between the two, we find the art of being human.

Reflection On My Life

My younger sister went to Georgia on Friday to visit our cousins and our last living aunt—my dad’s baby sister, my Aunt Barbara. I decided not to go and wish I had. Aunt Barbara died in memory care yesterday, and I’m so sad that I’ll never see her again. She was my favorite…so full of life and a great feisty redhead! She was a former Miss Georgia and had a contagious smile. She was a true Southern Belle!

Her passing caused me to reflect on my life and how I’m living. This has been a theme for me lately and a useful one because self-reflection from a place of wanting to improve is always good.

Am I settling for the ordinary in some ways? How can I call in more imagination, courage, and strength to my everyday life? How can my life be more artistic? How can I inspire those who read my blog, my daughters, and those around me?

The qualities of imagination, courage, and strength can be brought into the everyday through the way we interact with others, how we dress, how we decorate our homes, and by consciously turning ordinary routines into artful living.

Living Creatively

I haven’t yet watched the new Victoria Beckham documentary on Netflix but I’ve always been fascinated by Victoria Beckham and even more so after I watched the David Beckham documentary. I think she embodies someone who lives creatively. Every choice, from her personal style to her home, feels intentional and I can’t wait to curl up tonight and watch this documentary!

Dressing With Imagination

To dress with imagination is to choose what makes you feel good and brings you joy…it’s not just about following fashion trends. It’s having the courage to dress in a way that tells your story and expresses your unique self…your inner divinity expressed through your outer presence (you can quote me on that).

And speaking of creating…the necklace I’m wearing above was created by my friend Trisha Crowley and her company is called Ms Trish Jewelry. Find her on Instagram at mstrishjewelry and newyorkweststyle! Her pieces are are almost as fabulous as she is!

The bangle bracelets I’m wearing are from Julie Vos, Ms Trish, Vahan, David Yurman and Willow Tree.

As I’m curating my closet for fall, I’m leaning into pieces that feel like me…comfortable, classic, timeless and a little elegantly undone! I’m including a few things I’m loving right now, and a few affordable Amazon outfit ideas.

//Green Cardigan Sweater//Green Sunglasses//Wide Leg Jeans//Lipstick//Sam Edelman Loafers//Suede Handbag//

//Cardigan Sweater//Suede Handbag//Lip Gloss//Blue Jeans//Suede Mules//Sunglasses//Earrings//

Passion for Home

Decorating our homes becomes an artistic expression. Your home can be a haven filled with love and treasures collected over the years…each item reflecting your story, the places you’ve traveled, gifts you’ve received and art that speaks to your soul. When we fill our spaces with things that inspire us and reflect our lives, we create harmony and warmth that nourishes everyone who visits.

“Interior design is about balancing beauty, function, and harmony.”

People who come into our home can almost immediately see what my husband and I are interested in and where we’ve traveled by the objects, art, and books on display. When I try to “tone down the color” or play it safe, he says it doesn’t look like me. In my mind, that’s the highest compliment because it means he trusts me to bring us into our spaces.

//French Kitchen Towel//Lucite Side Table//Sun Burst Mirror//Murano Glass Vase//Striped Pillow//The Last Word in Chic Book//Candle//Decorative Pillow//Lamps//Faux Fur Throw//

//Paper Napkins//Green Linen Napkins//Amber Striped Tumbler//Vera Bradley Blanket//Jute Runner//Marble Salt Cellar//A Kitchen in Italy Cookbook//Match Cloche//Rattan Lamp//Marble Plate//Dog Bed//

Frederic Magazine is one of my favorite decor magazines and I was thrilled to know that there is now a book called The Last Word in Chic…I purchased it yesterday and it should be arriving any day now! If the new Mimi Thorisson Cookbook is as good as here other ones…we’re all in for a treat! It’s a preorder purchase and I’m looking forward to receiving mine soon! I also finally purchased the marble salt cellar…it’ll be so pretty sitting on my stove. I love the French kitchen towels for the pop of color they add to my kitchen!

A Note About Diane Keaton

Diane Keaton lived artfully. Through her curiosity, her contagious laugh, and her fearless individuality, she inspired generations of women to live creatively. She even wrote a book called The Home That Pinterest Built!

Creativity In the Kitchen

I’ve always loved to cook and grew up in a home where my mom cooked almost every night! Even though I have branched out as far as what I love to cook and eat…I still love simple Southern cooking. Cooking for those you love is an act of love and a way to nurture both body and soul.

The recipe I made last week for my book club was so delicious, seasonal and beautiful…it felt perfect for a fall evening. I hope you’ll try it!

Cider Glazed Chicken Thighs

We honor our humanness by making our lives works of art by expressing our uniqueness, not by conforming to ideas that aren’t our own. In this way, we become less fearful because we’re too busy creating to be afraid.

Living well isn’t about what money can buy…it’s about curating a life with imagination, purpose, and joy…and when the world feels unsettled, we can respond by focusing on beauty, living with integrity, and filling our days with kindness, curiosity and creativity.

“Each time a man stands up for an ideal (beauty, courage, creativity), or acts to improve the lot of others … he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope and crossing each other from a million different centers … those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” ~ Robert F. Kennedy

Beauty inspires us, courage empowers us, and creativity renews us. As we are inspired, empowered, and renewed, we inspire those around us.

Don’t let anyone tell you that beauty doesn’t matter. It matters most. Beauty, in its purest form, reflects your individual uniqueness…your inner divinity, and sharing it imaginatively and creatively is your gift to the world. Every ordinary day adds up. We can’t wait for “someday” to start living beautifully.

To read the expanded version of this post…please visit my Substack!

Thanks so much for reading today!

~XOXO Suzanne