I’m so excited to announce that my new book ‘Petits Plaisirs: A French Twist on Life’s Little Pleasures’ is now available in ebook format, with the paperback to follow soon. It’s available on both Amazon, and my personal ESHOP,.

 

This may be my favourite book I’ve written to date. It allowed me to escape the long Nova Scotia winter and immerse myself in a daydream shaped by French culture, everyday beauty, and the art of living well.

 

‘Petits Plaisirs’ was born from a love of France and a fascination with the small moments that make everyday life feel more beautiful. It’s an armchair escape to Paris and beyond, but more than that, it’s an invitation to slow down, savour, and bring a little French joie de vivre into your daily routines.

 

Whether France is a place you’ve visited, a place you dream of, or simply a culture that inspires you, ‘Petits Plaisirs’ invites you to notice more, live with intention, and find beauty in the everyday.

 

Bonne lecture!  Happy reading!🇫🇷❤️ 

 

Happy New Year 🤍



I woke up this morning feeling energized. With a fresh dusting of snow on the ground, everything feels clean and calm, like the world hit reset. It felt like the perfect day for a book launch, because “Lighten Up! - Clear the Clutter, Live with Ease” is officially out today in both eBook and paperback.
 
I wrote this book last fall during a renovation that turned our house completely upside down. We were building an apartment in the basement for our young adult sons, and clutter was everywhere. Writing “Lighten Up!” started as a way to motivate myself to take action, and honestly, it worked.
 
Even over the holidays, I tackled one of the biggest projects I had been putting off, my eldest son’s abandoned bedroom and workshop. He needed to sort through his belongings, and the holiday break felt like the perfect opportunity. Not sure he saw it that way, but he did tackle it when asked.
 
That space is now becoming a writing room and French classroom for me. I’m actually halfway through a new French-inspired book that will be coming out early 2026. A Paris and Provence themed room is the perfect place to finish the manuscript.
 
Freshening up spaces at home is such a great way to start the year. It gives you room to breathe, think, dream, and actually do the things you’ve been putting off.
 
What are you excited about this year? What would you love to clear some space for? #jennifermelville #cleartheclutter #lightenup #declutteryourhome

Happy October! 🍁I’m excited to let you know that my newest book, “A Year of Beautiful Words: 52 Weeks of Intentional Living” is now available in eBook version on Amazon. You can find it by following the link in my bio. (The paperback version will follow shortly.) I was initially going to wait until January 1, but realized it’s the type of book you can pick up at any point during the year. Why not kick off this new month with a beautiful, seasonally inspired word? Here’s what’s in store:

“A Year of Beautiful Words is a thoughtful and inspiring guide that invites you to embrace each season with purpose, peace, and joy. Inside, you’ll find fifty-two uplifting words—one for every week of the year—designed to inspire and encourage you to live more mindfully over the course of twelve months. These words will guide you to reflect, grow, and thrive in harmony with the natural rhythms of the seasons. As you journey through the year, you’ll learn to savor the magic of the present moment and strengthen your connection to the world around you.

Whether you’re seeking inspiration, motivation, or a deeper bond with the changing seasons, A Year of Beautiful Words will be your companion on the path to a more intentional, joyful, and fulfilling life.” 📕 

I’m so excited to announce that my new book, “Glow Up!- Sparkle at Any Age Inside and Out” is now available on Amazon in Kindle  and paperback format. It’s here just in time for some fabulous weekend reading!

Here’s a glimpse of what’s in store…

Are you in a bit of a slump? Are you feeling flat, stale, and exhausted from the inside out? Do you look in the mirror and struggle to see that vibrant, confident, self-assured woman you know lives inside you? Whether you are looking to make sweeping changes, or just want to tweak a few key areas of your life, Glow Up! is here to help.

Learn how to spark excitement in your life and ignite your inner and outer glow! This book is a light, fun, and energizing source of inspiration to guide you on your journey of personal transformation. It covers a wide range of topics including style, beauty, skincare, exercise, diet, confidence, motivation and more.

Your time to shine is now! ⭐️🤩 

 

I launched a new little project recently that I’d love for you to join. I have kicked off “The Elevated Everyday Monthly Book Club”. I thought it would be fun to bring together a community of like-minded people who share my passion for elevating the everyday. I plan to feature one of my books each month to serve as the backdrop for our discussion. (I’ve got 11 completed, so hopefully I’ll fill that blank space by the end of the year with a new one!) You can find it on Facebook .

I'm kicking the first month off with an appropriately seasonal selection, "Cozy Up!" Hope to see you there!

Did you know that I was a guest on a podcast? I chatted with my internet friend @aftonporter about my favourite book, “Paris in my Panties”. If you love all things French, it’s a fun one to listen to. 🇫🇷🥐 I hope you are having a relaxing Sunday!

Here's the link you can copy and paste if you are interested:

Listen Here

Have you joined my newsletter? If not, signing up is easy. Just click here. I don’t send them out very often, but it’s a great way to stay on top of book releases, especially if you are someone who likes to take a break from social media now and then (like me!). I will have a new shiny book coming out in the new year, and my newsletter subscribers will be the first to hear about it. I’m so excited to share it with you, but I need to finish writing it first! Off to the writing desk…👩‍💻

I’m excited to announce that my newest book, “Cozy Up! - How to Thrive During the Coldest Months of the Year” is available in both paperback and Kindle version. 

Here’s a taste of what’s in store:

Does winter get you down? When the days grow dark and cold, are you tempted to curl up in a ball and hibernate until spring? What if you could learn to not just survive winter, but to thrive and flourish during this underrated season?

Cozy Up! will inspire you to view the chilliest months of the year through a lens of wonder and gratitude. Be dazzled by the beauty of winter! Wrap yourself up in the cozy goodness of fuzzy sweaters, tasty soups, good books, and long chats. Savour the deliciousness of serene landscapes, cozy nights, golden light and heart-warming moments of reflection and connection.

Cozy up and glide through winter with hope, enthusiasm, comfort, and contentment. ❄️🧣❤️

My new book, “Blissful Christmas” is now available in both Kindle and paperback. For some reason, the two different versions are not linked on Amazon, so you have to search for them separately depending on what you are looking for. If you click on the link in my profile, it will direct you to the two different versions.

Here’s the description from Amazon to give you an idea of what this new little gem is all about.

Do you have a love/hate relationship with the holiday season? Do you look forward to the festive, cozy, and magical atmosphere of Christmas, while simultaneously dreading the added stress, spending and work that often accompany the holidays?

“Blissful Christmas” is here to give you a holiday pep talk and serve as a voice of calm amongst the holiday chaos. It will guide you to reflect, dream, plan and prioritize how you want your holiday season to unfold.

Take control of your holiday reins and glide through the Christmas season feeling well rested, in control, within budget, happy and relaxed!

Chapters include:

1. Visualize a Blissful Holiday

2. Capture Your Vision

3. Plan Your Holiday Route

4. Wind Down

5. Putter and Declutter

6. Clear the Calendar

7. Pencil Yourself In

8. Craft a Budget

9. Think Outside the Gift Box

10. Shop Until you Drop...Not!

11. Make With Love...Or Don't!

12. Cut the Deck of Cards

13. Simplify Gift Wrapping

14. Go Easy on the Decorating

15. Decorate Au Naturel

16. Live Vicariously

17. Downsize the Tree

18. Create Ambiance Without Clutter

19. Call Off the Bake-Off

20. Simplify the Holiday Grocery Haul

21. Cut Back on Mealtime Madness

22. Celebrate in Style

23. Prioritize Holiday Self-Care

24. Indulge with Intention

25. Escape

26. Drop the Hallmark Expectations

27. Wrap Up and Reflect

28. Embrace the Quiet of January 

Just a note to let you know my new book, “Elevate Your Money Mindset” is now available in paperback format as well.

A big thank you to everyone who recently purchased the eBook version. Yay! It is currently the #1 new release in Amazon's budgeting category. 🥳I really appreciate your support.💕

I’m excited to announce that my new book, “Elevate Your Money Mindset” is now available in Kindle format on Amazon. As usual, the paperback will be a few days behind the eBook.

As an accountant, I had a lot of fun putting this title together. Yes, the topic of personal finances can be fun if you approach it with the right mindset. This book is full of strategies and ideas to elevate the experience of managing your money. It is light on number crunching and focuses on the “soft side” of personal finance. There is something in here for everyone, no matter your stage in life.

As we enter a new season (fall or spring depending on where you live), it’s a great time to start a new project and adopt a fresh perspective. It’s the perfect time to elevate your money mindset! 💰🧮🌅

Yesterday my husband and I met with a lawyer to have our wills updated. It’s been on our to-do list for a long time. Although dealing with legal and financial “stuff” can bring up yucky feelings, it really does FEEL GOOD to get these sorts of things sorted out in life.

This is something I address in my new book, “Elevate Your Money Mindset”, which will be out in less than two weeks. Money is a topic that brings up a lot of anxiety for people. The problem is that the more you ignore your personal finances, the worse you tend to feel. Grabbing hold of your own financial reins is empowering and can feel liberating. My hope is that my new book will encourage you to do just that!

The fall is a great time to tackle your financial to-do list because it feels like a fresh start, and time to get down to business. I’ve been busy tidying up all my paper files and clearing out my filing cabinet. Again, it feels so good to get these less glamorous areas of my home in order.

What’s on your fall financial to-do list? 

I’m continuing along my sneak peek into the pages of my newest book, “Paris in my Panties: Live Your Best (French Inspired) Life”.

Chapter 23: Wear Cut-Offs à la Française

Since I live a rural lifestyle, denim represents the backbone of my wardrobe. As a result, I spent a lot of time analyzing the denim choices of Parisians during my latest trip. Jeans are really popular in Paris, which suited me perfectly! For the most part, I spotted wider-leg and straight-cut varieties (not many skinny jeans in sight). Although I noticed washes from dark to light, I didn’t see a lot of heavy distressing. I did, however, notice many women sporting rough-cut hems. I think it’s a great way to add an edge to your jeans without going over the top. 👖

If you swipe over to the next photo, you’ll see a snapshot I took of a Parisian woman wearing “cut-offs” that really caught my attention. I love the classic combination of black jeans and a white shirt. Doesn’t she look casual chic? The rough-cut hems add that bit of edge (as did her cigarette that isn’t shown in the photo!)😂

I had this pair of jeans set aside for tailoring (at 5”3” most of my bottoms need to be shortened). I decided to take a DIY approach and chop the hems off myself. I ran them through the wash a couple of times and they frayed perfectly. I didn’t stress about cutting them because I had purchased them second-hand on @poshmarkcanada for a fraction of the retail price. These are the Riley high-rise straight crop by Agolde. Of course, you can also buy jeans that come with frayed hems.👖❤️

Are you a fan of this look?

 

I’m continuing along my sneak peek into the pages of my newest book, “Paris in my Panties: Live Your Best (French Inspired) Life”.

Chapter 19: Embrace Les Arts

The city of Paris is one giant gallery! You don’t have to buy a ticket to a museum or art gallery to be immersed in beauty, history, creativity, and art. There are works of art at every turn—from awe-inspiring historical monuments to enticing store windows, impromptu street art, and masterpieces on my plate.

When was the last time your visited one of your local galleries, or bought a ticket to a live performance? Now that restrictions have lifted, it’s a great time to get out and soak up some art in your local area. You can also choose to live as the French do and add your own artistic flair to everything you do, from getting dressed to plating your food. Have fun expressing yourself!

Today I’m continuing with my sneak peek into the pages of my newest book, “Paris in my Panties: Live Your Best (French Inspired) Life”.

Chapter 10: Become Your Own Master Chef

French cuisine is world-renowned! Although we didn’t dine in any Michelin-starred establishments in Paris, the food was divine. Food doesn’t need to be complicated to taste good. I enjoyed the simple omelets offered in cafés and bistros immensely.

Become your own “master chef”. Learn how to prepare just one simple dish to perfection. Study cooking techniques, source the freshest ingredients, and infuse your efforts with love.

I thought it would be fun to provide a sneak peek into my newest book, “Paris in my Panties: Live Your Best (French Inspired) Life”. The title definitely grabs people’s attention, so let’s have a look at what’s hiding between the pages…

Chapter 32: Escape

I could have parked myself in this spot next to la fontaine Médicis in le jardin du Luxembourg for hours. It was so peaceful, serene and magical…all the elements required for a perfect escape. Paris is a big city, but there is no shortage of quiet corners to seek rest and solitude for one’s body and mind.

Look for opportunities throughout your day to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life. Escape the office during your lunch break and find a quiet spot outdoors. (Please, no eating at your desk.) If you work from home, it can be difficult to separate work from home life. Designate an escape room in your house where work is not welcome. A corner of your deck is a great option! Turn your bedroom or bathroom into a sanctuary with soft lighting and soothing scents and sounds. Designate these areas as device-free zones and escape into the present moment instead of a trip down the rabbit hole of social media!

 

If you are a big reader, I think you would enjoy connecting with Mary-Lisa Russo. She is a fellow writer with a book of poetry coming out soon! She is also a skilled book reviewer. I find her reviews to be insightful, thoughtful, detailed and spot on! I’ve added quite a few books to my summer reading list based on her recommendations.

She actually found me and reviewed my two most recent works (“Seashells in my Pocket” and “Paris in my Panties”) These reviews were unsolicited (She purchased the books herself). She is a true book lover!! I am anxiously awaiting the release of her new book! ❤️📖📚📕

Fécilitations! Congratulations to my giveaway winner @carolineescuti. Please send me a DM with your address and I will pop your book and journal in the mail ASAP.

Thank you to everyone who entered. I’ll be sending out a newsletter very shortly, so please look out for it in your inbox. I’ve been toying with the idea of using my newsletter more often as a means of communication, as opposed to relying solely on social media. My loose plan is to send them out once a month. (If you are like me, you too might crave a break from social media now and then!)

Happy Thursday!

If you read my book “Preloved Chic”, you might remember that I’ve had a navy blue Equipment cashmere turtleneck on my wish list for over a year. Well, the stars finally aligned and I found my coveted piece on eBay recently. It’s in pristine used condition and I picked it up for about 20% of the retail price. When it comes to shopping secondhand, patience is key! That special item on your list will eventually turn up ⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is the perfect addition to my fall wardrobe and I’m looking forward to wearing it if I can get Junior to give it back. (It makes a snuggly blanky as well). What are you treasure hunting for these days? If I spot the item on your list I’ll be sure to let you know!

⭐️⭐️ GIVEAWAY ⭐️⭐️ It’s time for another little giveaway!

Today I’m giving away a copy of my new book “Paris in my Panties”, along with a pretty, matching journal. (As a side note, I sell matching journals to all my books on Redbubble. There is a link in my profile that will direct you to my Redbubble shop.)

In order to enter please:

1) Leave a comment on this post just to say "hi!"

2) Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here and following the menu

If you are already a member of my newsletter list, then all you need to do is leave a comment and let me know you are previously signed up.

I will draw the winner on Thursday, July 28th at 8am ADT. One entry per person and open to all countries. Good luck! 🇫🇷❤️