Luxury isn’t about saying yes to everything. It isn’t the crowded calendar, the endless obligations, or the forced commitments that leave you drained. The new luxury is about discernment, alignment, and the elegant no... boundaries that protect your energy without guilt or apology.

In this episode, I’m breaking down how to practice the elegant no so you can curate a life that feels expansive, intentional, and joy-filled. We’ll talk…

• Why saying no feels so hard, and how to reframe it as an act of self-worth.

• How the French philosophy of restraint and refinement ties into living beautifully.

• Real-world scenarios and scripts for saying no to friends, clients, and even family,  gracefully and without ever using the word “no.”

• How fewer, deeper yeses create more space for the everyday moments of joie de vivre.

By the end of this episode, you’ll see that boundaries aren’t barriers, they’re the foundation of living well, slowly, and luxuriously.

Because your yes means more when you’ve mastered the elegant no.

 

Useful Resources:

📍Learn more about joining me in Provence: https://www.thecuratedretreat.com/provence

 

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Luxury isn’t about excess anymore. It isn’t the jam-packed itineraries, the bursting closets, or the endless noise. The new luxury is about sanctuary, authenticity, and quiet moments that actually restore you.

 

In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly what this shift means and why quiet, immersive travel will be your antidote to burnout in 2026 and beyond. We'll talk...

 

• How “hospitality as sanctuary” is redefining luxury travel and why fewer choices can actually feel more indulgent.
• Why authenticity is the ultimate form of access, and how insider moments matter more than tourist checklists.
•  What “quiet luxury” really means outside of fashion, and how you can weave it into your everyday life through simple rituals.
•  How I design my retreats in the French Riviera around depth, not distraction, so my guests can truly soften, reset, and be cared for.

By the end of this episode, you’ll see that true luxury isn’t about what you accumulate, it’s about how you live, slowly, intentionally, and beautifully.

Because luxury isn’t something you buy, it’s something you create.

 

Useful Resources:

📍Learn more about joining me in Provence: https://www.thecuratedretreat.com/provence

 

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Thanks to our Sponsors:

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Self care while traveling isn’t just about bubble baths and beauty products. This is about reclaiming your presence even while in motion.

Whether you're jetting off to Europe or exploring close to home, travel can either deplete you or restore you. In this episode, I’m sharing how to choose the latter by infusing intention and softness into your entire travel journey from packing and airport lines to morning rituals in your hotel and quiet moments by the sea.

What we dive into:

• Why your nervous system travels with you and how to soothe it along the way
• How to build in-flight rituals that feel luxurious, not laborious
• Elegant ways to anchor yourself in a new destination (including scent, lighting, and pacing)
• Daily self-care habits that don’t feel forced  

 

Useful Resources: 📍Learn more about joining me in Provence: https://www.thecuratedretreat.com/provence

Let’s be friends, oui?! • 💅🏼 Subscribe to The Edit, your link to a well-lived life. Get 'The Edit' and give your inbox an instant makeover with the help of our coveted digital magazine.

• Hang with us on Instagram 🥂 Pour Decisions Video Series: French-inspired cocktails and lifestyle tips delivered with a cheeky twist. Catch new episodes on Colet’s socials. Follow along.

Subscribe to the RSS feed (non-iTunes feed) and never miss an episode: https://eatthedamnbread.libsyn.com #eatthedamnbread

On this episode of Eat the Damn Bread, I’m taking you beyond the City of Light and into the sun-drenched hills of the South of France to one of the most magical places I’ve ever wandered, St. Paul de Vence.

Don’t get me wrong, Paris is, well...Paris, but sometimes the most Parisian thing you can do is skip Paris and choose stillness over spectacle and presence over pressure, which is what the French lifestyle is really all about.

Tune in because I’m sharing:

• Why St. Paul de Vence completely stole my heart

• How you can get there easily from Nice (on a budget or in style)

• What makes this village feel like a living, breathing piece of art

• Where to sip rosé, see Picasso’s legacy, and feel James Baldwin’s spirit

This town feels like Provence and the Riviera fell in love and had a very chic baby—and trust me, it’s worth the visit. I’ll also let you in on how we’re incorporating this dreamy spot into my upcoming French Riviera Retreat, including a golden hour dinner that will be very hard to rival and unlikely to forget!

✨ Whether you travel with me or venture out solo, I hope this episode inspires you to slow down, explore with intention, and fall in love with the parts of France that don’t always make the top 10 lists—but leave a lasting mark on your soul.

Visit thecuratedretreat.com to learn more about joining me on retreat, and if you go to St. Paul de Vence on your own… please let me know! I want to hear all about it.

 

Useful Resources:

Let’s be friends, oui?!

• 💅🏼 Subscribe to The Edit, your link to a well-lived life. Get 'The Edit' and give your inbox an instant makeover with the help of our coveted digital magazine.

• Hang with us on Instagram 🥂 Pour Decisions Video Series: French-inspired cocktails and lifestyle tips delivered with a cheeky twist. Catch new episodes on Colet’s socials. Follow along.

Subscribe to the RSS feed (non-iTunes feed) and never miss an episode: https://eatthedamnbread.libsyn.com

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In this episode, I’m sharing my secret to beating jet lag — and no, it’s not what you think. Forget the sleep supplements and cold showers. The real antidote is pleasure.

I’ll walk you through my personal framework for resetting your energy and syncing with your environment whether you're stepping off a transatlantic flight or simply trying to come back to yourself after a hectic season. Spoiler: it's all about embracing light, movement, nourishment, and indulgence.

So whether you're prepping for your summer in the South of France (bonjour, retreat guests!) or craving a soft landing in your everyday life, this one is for you.

 

In this episode, I share:

• Why jet lag is really a rhythm problem , not a sleep problem
• My pleasure-forward reset ritual
• How to prepare your carry-on for a more elegant arrival
• A few indulgent, totally doable rituals that bring you back home to yourself
• What to pack instead of compression socks (you’ll thank me later)

Useful Resources: 📍Learn more about joining me in Provence: https://www.thecuratedretreat.com/provence Let’s be friends, oui?! • 💅🏼 Subscribe to The Edit, your link to a well-lived life. Get 'The Edit' and give your inbox an instant makeover with the help of our coveted digital magazine. • Hang with us on Instagram 🥂 Pour Decisions Video Series: French-inspired cocktails and lifestyle tips delivered with a cheeky twist. Catch new episodes on Colet’s socials. Follow along. Subscribe to the RSS feed (non-iTunes feed) and never miss an episode: https://eatthedamnbread.libsyn.com #eatthedamnbread

Let’s be real, overpacking is a symptom of overthinking and a scarcity mindset. 

In this week's episode, I'm breaking down exactly how to pack like elegantly, efficiently, and with joie de vivre.

Whether you’re heading to the South of France or just dreaming of it, this guide to intentional travel prep will help you to stop stressing and start dressing… with purpose.

From my 3-2-1 formula to Riviera-worthy color palettes I am sharing real talk and real tools to help you ditch the chaos and pack with clarity and style. 

Plus, hear my personal hair tips for curly girls on the Riviera, what not to bring, and the secret to being mistaken for a French local!

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why packing starts with mindset and not your closet
• My tried-and-true 3-2-1 packing formula
• How to choose a color palette that makes mixing and matching a breeze
• Style anchor must-haves for travel
• What never to pack for a Riviera trip
• Hair + beauty travel hacks for staying chic in the summer heat
• Travel-day essentials and pro tips for carry-on only
• Why intention, not fashion trends, should be your ultimate packing strategy

 

Mentioned in the Episode:

• The full Riviera Retreat Packing Guide (available to retreat guests via portal)

Colet's Favorite Travel Must Haves:

• Airplane Outfit
• Compression Packing Bags
• Packing Cubes
• Cashmere Socks
• Good Wipes

 

Useful Resources:📍Learn more about joining me in Provence: https://www.thecuratedretreat.com/provence

Let’s be friends, oui?! • 💅🏼 Subscribe to The Edit, your link to a well-lived life. Get 'The Edit' and give your inbox an instant makeover with the help of our coveted digital magazine.

• Hang with us on Instagram🥂 Pour Decisions Video Series: French-inspired cocktails and lifestyle tips delivered with a cheeky twist. Catch new episodes on Colet’s socials. Follow along. Subscribe to the RSS feed (non-iTunes feed) and never miss an episode: https://eatthedamnbread.libsyn.com #eatthedamnbread

What if your travel day didn’t feel like a marathon? What if it set the tone for ease, presence, and pleasure?

In this episode, I am sharing my signature "Soft Start" philosophy, a luxurious approach to travel that begins before your suitcase is zipped.

Whether you're retreating with me in the South of France or heading out on your own adventure, this episode will help you:

• Create a soft, nourishing travel day ritual
• Pack with purpose and presence (not panic)
• Prep your return before you leave—because luxury is also in the landing
• Discover chic airport day do’s & don’ts, and must-ritualsfor travel

🎧 Listen now and start your trip the French way—unbothered and beautifully prepared.

 

Useful Resources: 📍Learn more about joining me in Provence: https://www.thecuratedretreat.com/provence Let’s be friends, oui?! • 💅🏼 Subscribe to The Edit, your link to a well-lived life. Get 'The Edit' and give your inbox an instant makeover with the help of our coveted digital magazine. • Hang with us on Instagram 🥂 Pour Decisions Video Series: French-inspired cocktails and lifestyle tips delivered with a cheeky twist. Catch new episodes on Colet’s socials. Follow along. Subscribe to the RSS feed (non-iTunes feed) and never miss an episode: https://eatthedamnbread.libsyn.com #eatthedamnbread

This week, we’re trading the hustle of the Champs-Élysées for the hush of honey-colored stone and sunlit terraces.

 

In this episode of our “Skip Paris and…” series, I’m taking you to Gordes, a village that whispers luxury, lives slowly, and invites you to savor instead of scroll.

 

From its rich resistance-era history to a secret underground city and panoramic views that feel like a cinematic dream, Gordes isn’t just a destination...it’s an energy.

We’ll explore the beauty, the elegance, and the deep stillness that makes Gordes a soul-shifting experience.

 

I’ll also share:

• Why Gordes is the ultimate example of quiet luxury
• What happened when I took retreat guests to see the sunrise there (goosebumps!)
• The 5-star hotel that’s carved into the cliffs—and dripping in elegance
• The secret underground world hidden beneath the village that most tourists miss
• And why Gordes is less “look at me” and more “come be with me”

 

If you’ve been craving more elegance, more ease, and more magic in your life this is the episode to light your fire.

 

Other Episodes in the series:   • Episode 67: Skip Paris and Visit Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, France • Episode 63: Skip Paris and Visit Menton, France     Useful Resources:

📍Learn more about joining me in Provence: https://www.thecuratedretreat.com/provence

  Let’s be friends, oui?!   • 💅🏼 Subscribe to The Edit, your link to a well-lived life. Get 'The Edit' and give your inbox an instant makeover with the help of our coveted digital magazine.   • Hang with us on Instagram 🥂 Pour Decisions Video Series: French-inspired cocktails and lifestyle tips delivered with a cheeky twist. Catch new episodes on Colet’s socials. Follow along.     Subscribe to the RSS feed (non-iTunes feed) and never miss an episode: https://eatthedamnbread.libsyn.com   #eatthedamnbread

What if I told you that the secret to living well and feeling more alive might just be around the corner? Literally...

In this episode of Eat the Damn Bread, I’m sharing 10 things you can explore in your own city that will change how you see the world (and yourself). From unexpected soundwalks to secondhand book hunts, from trying public transit to exploring your city’s cultural heart you’ll learn how to cultivate joie de vivre without ever hopping on a plane.

Because romanticizing your life? It starts at home. This is your invitation to slow down, see more, and savor deeply.

Mentioned in this episode:

• A delightfully French way to get lost on purpose—and why your soul might need it

• The unexpected magic hiding between the dusty shelves of your neighborhood used bookstore

• How one afternoon volunteering across town can reshape how you see your own life

• Why saying yes to public transit might just reconnect you to presence (and surprise you with beauty)

• Simple ways to fall back in love with your daily surroundings—even if you’ve lived there for years

 

Useful Resources:

💫  Living Well Email Course: A 30-day email series filled with simple shifts to help you savor more and stress less. Use the code 'BEAUTY' for a special discount. www.thelivingwellcourse.com   🥂 Pour Decisions Video Series: French-inspired cocktails and lifestyle tips delivered with a cheeky twist. Catch new episodes on Colet’s socials. Follow along. 💅🏼 Subscribe to The Edit, your link to a well-lived life. Get 'The Edit' and give your inbox an instant makeover with the help of our coveted weekly digital magazine. https://eatthedamnbread.activehosted.com/f/4

Connect with us: Instagram

Explore the possibility of your own French adventure with our curated retreats.

The Curated Retreat-Provence

When life in New York began to feel more like a checklist than a life, Hiwote knew something had to change she just didn’t expect that following a quiet nudge would lead her across the ocean to Lisbon.

In this episode, I chat with Hiwote to trace the unexpected moves, small decisions, and bold moments of trust that helped her build a slower, more beautiful life abroad.

We explore what it really looks like to shift from chasing achievements to chasing alignment, and how letting yourself lean into joy, even when it feels uncertain, can change everything.

If you’ve ever felt the pull to live differently but weren’t sure where to start, this conversation will meet you right where you are.

 

Inside the Episode:

• How Hiwote turned a three-month escape into a permanent move across the world
• The real risk of choosing joy (and why it's absolutely worth it)
• The surprising connection between creative resilience and building a life abroad
• Four principles to help you bring your dreams to life, wherever you are
• Why rest and play aren’t luxuries, they’re lifelines

 

Useful Resources:

💫  Living Well Email Course: A 30-day email series filled with simple shifts to help you savor more and stress less. Use the code 'BEAUTY' for a special discount. 

🥂 Pour Decisions Video Series: French-inspired cocktails and lifestyle tips delivered with a cheeky twist. Catch new episodes on Colet’s socials. Follow along.

💅🏼 Subscribe to The Edit, your link to a well-lived life. Get 'The Edit' and give your inbox an instant makeover with the help of our coveted weekly digital magazine. 

Connect with us:

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Explore the possibility of your own French adventure with our curated retreats. The Curated Retreat-Provence

 

Connect with Hiwote:

Hiwote on Instagram

Hiwote's YouTube channel   Hiwote's Website   Your Ten Step Guide to Launch Your Podcast

Keep Listening, You May Enjoy:

Episode 65: How Simplicity Can Trigger More Bliss Episode 59: Why Not Require Luxury in Your Life

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