Welcome to Simplicity Relished.
Hello! I’m Daisy, a social entrepreneur, writer, and fellow adventurer. I’m here to help you finally follow your heart, explore the world, and live courageously.
On Borrowing Hope
I met up with some new friends this weekend, and somehow the topic of "borrowing hope" came up. It's nothing complicated-- simply the idea that when one is low on hope, hope can be borrowed from one's friends and community. Others who experience more hope can share...
Capsule Wardrobe Tips (and $200 to get you started!)
Some people find the idea of a capsule wardrobe intimidating. A limited number of clothing pieces for a set amount of time? How do we even begin to choose which lucky pieces those will be? I wrote a few weeks ago about wearing 40 pieces in 90 days (click here to see...
What Are We Saving For?
We often think of saving time and saving money as virtues to be proud of. Especially if we grow up in a culture or community that prizes frugality, it's easy to think that saving resources is an end in itself. But, while we all might have different approaches to our...
5 Benefits of Unstructured Free Time
We like to live life "to the max". And in this to-the-max lifestyle, our tendency is to fill all empty spaces with something-- anything. We like to fill silences with words, music or television. We like to fill empty buffet plates with mounds of food. We fill our...
2 NYT Op-Eds that Inspire Simplicity
I'm a regular reader of the New York Times (and can I just say-- tough reads lately), but I don't often get to the op-eds. I should though, because there were two pieces in the past couple of years that have really inspired me. When we think about pursuing simplicity,...
5 Goals For A Capsule Wardrobe
Last week, I introduced my Spring capsule wardrobe and talked a bit about why I'm doing it. The main principle behind this simple wardrobe project is this: Clothes should be made for the body, not the body for clothes. Pretty straight-forward, right? I'm coming from...
Why Our Careers Don’t Define Us (and what really does)
Me: Hi, I'm Daisy. New Friend: Hi! I'm John. Nice to meet you. Me: Nice to meet you as well! John: So, what do you do? Me: I'm a private educator. What about you? Sound familiar? One of the very first things we tend to ask people when we meet them is, what do...
7 Reasons We Buy Things We Don’t Need (and how to avoid them)
Here's something I've done frequently. I go to the grocery store for one item, and I come back with five. Or, I go to the mall to replace something that has ripped or fallen apart, and I come back with a few new pieces of clothing. Or maybe I'm ordering something...
Wardrobe Simplicity: 40 Pieces in 90 Days
We should absolutely love all of our clothes. But so often, we don't. We should be pleased when we look at our wardrobes. But sometimes all we want is something new. Our clothing should make us feel fantastic. And yet, it frequently doesn't. It's time for a new...
Learning to Love Silence
We don't live in a culture that loves silence. There is very little time between the time that silence commences and our powerful need to fill it. When with friends, we feel awkward when silence falls between us. When alone, we seek to stimulate our minds whenever...
Brussels Sprouts Slaw with Cabbage, Carrots and Peanut Sauce
I'll be honest. I'm crazy about this salad. And it really wasn't that long ago that I finally realized salads do not have to be limited to Spring Mix lettuces, spinach or even kale. Collard greens make amazing salads (like this one). And so do brussels sprouts. What...
5 Areas of Our Lives that Need Simplicity
If you're like me, then you're on a journey to simplify. You'd like to spend less time having to make useless decisions, organizing unnecessary items, and carrying out unimportant obligations. Despite having a strong sense of what I care about and don't care about, I...
Into the sunlight
I don't live in a concrete jungle, but I don't live in a lush forest either. So I can become so accustomed to seeing very little green and very little nature from day to day. And I can forget how much joy it brings me to go outside-- not just down the street to the...
Refocus: Minimalism
Sometimes we need to step back and seriously think about what we're doing. And that's what I've done here with Simplicity Relished. You see, when I wrote last month that I would be blogging less than usual, it was in part because I felt unsure about what exactly I was...
How To Make Almond Milk (and a little chat about almonds)
When I was little, I used to think that milk should be on tap. I drank about as much milk as I did water-- and who could blame me, I was a 90's kid! Calcium was so trendy. Nowadays, though I drink it less than I used to, I still drink milk. And as it turns out, Whole...
5 Reasons to try Community-Supported Agriculture (and a few tips on meal planning!)
Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA: have you heard of it? Here's how it works. For a relatively small fee, individuals and families subscribe to their local CSA program. Most CSA's will source fresh, organic produce from local farms-- whatever is freshest, ripest...
This February: Decisions Abound
February can be a strange month. For some of us, the winter chill is far from gone; while others bask in the advent of spring flowers. You can probably guess what weather we're having here in Southern California, but my memories of frigid temperatures around this time...
Building a Wardrobe You Love: 5 Tips
Hi Simplicity Relished readers! I'm Anita, and I write a lifestyle blog called Always, Anita where I talk about everyday fashion, travel adventures and my life in Los Angeles. I'm so thrilled to be here today -- I love Daisy's heartfelt writing and the broad range of...
Collard Greens Salad with Apples, Beets and Pepitas (Vegan)
Early last week, I wouldn't have believed anyone for a second that collard greens could be eaten raw. Firstly, they're usually stewed (to death) for hours with ham hocks or bacon. Second, they remind me of high quality leather. Last week, I would have scoffed at the...
A little more working, a little less blogging
Yesterday was the very first Monday in months that I didn't publish a blog post. And it was hard for me to wake up and realize that somehow I wasn't on the blogging boat for the day. You see, I've written about how blogging is my hobby and not my business; but I've...
Screen vs. Paper: The Digital Book Debate
Over the holidays, I got a new phone. Hint: It's large. I chose it partly because I realized that I could actually use it as a Kindle-- the gadget I never got around to purchasing. While I had the reading app on my old phone as well, I rarely used it because the...
Roasted French Radishes with Avocado Aïoli
You guys! Within the last few months, I've fallen in love. With what? Radishes! Before I started shopping at the farmer's market, I didn't think twice about these strange pink root vegetables. But now I can't seem to get enough. You see, radishes are pretty special....
4 Things I Look for in an Apartment
As I mentioned last week, my husband and I are looking to move! When we first came down to Pasadena, we had decided to stay in graduate student housing and it has been nothing short of lovely. But it's time to find something that better fits our needs. So, this is...
With Love for the Earth: A Guide to Responsible Dining
I've written a lot about food on this blog-- mostly recipes. I've also shared why we shop at the farmer's market, whole-food juicing, and proper tea-steeping protocol. But I haven't shared as much as I'd like to about how I (and my husband) think about the food we...
My Basic, No-Fuss Approach to Social Media
I've received a few questions lately from newer bloggers about how, when and why they should use social media for their blogs. Is it effective? What are the must-haves? Is it more important than blogging? Than reading other blogs? Here's the thing: social media is...
5 Ingredient Granola Bars with Dates, Almond Butter and Steel-Cut Oats
BOOM. I've finally created a packable homemade snack that knocks it out of the park! Sure, I've made regular granola bars before-- with the typical combination of honey and rolled oats. And while they were delicious, they just didn't fill me. Anyone who's into healthy...
Cozy and Bright
Well, so much for winter. We're back in Pasadena and it's in the 70s again! That said, the slightly chilly mornings are still reason to wear a few cozy pieces. And it's no longer the holiday season, but it doesn't mean that a few bright accents aren't in order. I used...
Hannah from Dance A Real: What It Means To Be A Lady
Hello there, people of the Internet! I'm Hannah, and I am so excited to be posting for you all today! Daisy has been such an inspiration to me in her thoughtfulness and introspection, so it's an honor to be guest posting for her 🙂 The twenty-first-century world is...
6 Ways that Blogging Has Enriched My Life
One of the greatest things I started in 2014 was this blog. I wrote a post a while ago about deciding whether your blog is a hobby or a business, and the importance of knowing the difference. Having said that Simplicity Relished is a hobby, I've felt the need to share...
Dressed For Adventure
I love going on adventures, and something I hope to do more of in 2015. We are currently hanging out on the California Central Coast, one of my favorite spots on earth. It occurred to me today that exploring the great outdoors usually means it's unnecessary it is to...
5 Non-Weight-Related Reasons to Exercise in 2015
As you've probably noticed, I've never written about exercise here on Simplicity Relished. Not only am I no expert on the subject, but it's been a huge challenge for me for years. Sure, I played a few sports growing up and even dabbled in marshall arts; you might know...
A Snowy and Quiet Christmas
It's been a long time since I've celebrated a snowy Christmas. Yes, I was in New England for college, but I was always on the first flight home that I could possibly take once final exams were over. We usually spent the holiday break part-time in California and...
Personal Post: Mild He Lays His Glory By
My favorite Christmas song is "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" by Charles Wesley. There are so many brilliant truths in the song, but one that really struck me this season was this: Mild He lays his glory by Born that man no more may die I think that this is the time of...
This Week: VAIL, COLORADO
Happy Christmas Week, friends! I'm among those of you lucky people who get these two weeks off to do festive things and ring in the New Year. Currently I am with my husband's family in Vail, Colorado, where the snow is coming down quite aggressively! We're hoping for...
Blogging: Hobby or Business?
I think that the blogosphere contains a lot of internal pressure. Bloggers give each other tips on growth, push each other to connect with readers, and will even meet in person to discuss blogging and how to become better at their craft. If you've been around the...
The One Glitzy Christmas Thing I Can’t Resist
If there's one thing I can't resist during the holiday season, it's buying one or two beautiful new ornaments for our tree. I don't remember the very first time I bought one, but I know that it was when my family still lived in our old home, which means this little...
Family Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup
One of my go-to comfort foods is hot, salty soup. Whether it's miso, French onion, or-- in this case-- chicken tortilla, anything warm and savory can make me feel better. My husband is half Latin-American, and we love making Mexican food. His mom taught him how to...
Clothes With Stories
I used to be a much more avid shopper than I am now. But I do love looking back on purchases or gifts from the past and remembering the circumstances surrounding it. Wearing a piece of clothing or jewelry from someone you love can bring back such good memories. And...
A Minimalist Approach to Gifts This Season
If you're more on top of it than I am, then you're likely done acquiring gifts for the holidays. (I have not, and it's right around crunch time.) But what about the person who's hard to buy for? They're in the process of downsizing, or they've expressly asked you not...
If Pinned, Make.
Have I spent hours of my life pinning things and scrolling through Pinterest? Yes, guilty as charged! But how many times do I go back and make that recipe, plan that trip, implement those blogging tips, or attempt that DIY? Not as often as I should! You see, if we're...
The Best Grilled Cheese Ever: How-To and Ode
I don't think I've ever met a grilled cheese sandwich I didn't like. Bring on the sourdough and cheddar, brioche and gruyere; whatever it's made of, it's going to end up a pile of crumbs and one happy girl. But how do you make a damn-good grilled cheese? Crunchy on...
5 Things I Look For In A Blog
Sometimes I forget that I'm not just a blogger; I'm a follower too. And I realized the other day that according to Bloglovin', I'm a follower of hundreds of blogs. My feed is crowded with over 1500 new unread posts. But let's be honest. Do I read every post from every...
This SoCal’d Winter
Last week, it rained for two days. The cool temperatures, gray skies and sweet aroma of rain-soaked grass and pavement were an absolute delight. But now we're back to the relentless SoCal sun, and can only wish it were winter like it is throughout the rest of this...
Monday Inspiration: Come Alive.
If you're like me, you're a bit run-down this month. Despite the holiday excitement that sparkles in the windows of every shop and the eyes of every child, this twenty-something is feeling a bit tired. But here we are starting another week-- and I ask myself, "What's...
Wedding Snapshots: A Final Roundup!
Hello friends! This is the last day that I'll be sharing Wedding Snapshots, at least for now! I've really enjoyed sharing these special moments with you; your kind words have helped me relive the magic of that day and all the days that led up to it. If you'd like to...
5 Pinned Dessert Recipes that I’m Hoping to Make
When it comes to recipes, we love Pinterest. I think my busiest board is probably Food Lust, where I pin just about anything that looks delicious. While eventually I hope to open up each recipe and give it a try, I know that there is not time to make them all. But, a...
Linguine with Creamy Beet Sauce and Balsamic-Caramelized Onions
I'm so excited about this recipe today. Just a few months ago, I tried making my first beet sauce for homemade pasta. It was incredible, but needed a bit of tweaking. After working on it a few times, I think I've come up with the most delicious, healthy and satisfying...
How To Multitask Without Drowning
I think it's easy for us to look down on multitasking. The implication is that you're not giving 100% to what you're currently doing, but rather constantly having your mind on multiple things. But the truth is, all of us are multitasking through life. If you play more...
This December: Dreams of Silence
Let me be the 500th person to observe that November flew by. Now that we are in the final month of 2014, I'm realizing how much my year was characterized by busy-ness, change, and rushing from place to place. While I love having things to do, places to go and people...
Leaves And A Sweater Dress
I know that some of you are in quite chilly climates now, but I finally found AUTUMN this weekend while visiting family in Northern California. It was amazing to see so many colorful trees (which I promptly Instagrammed) and to even experience a bit of rain today. I...