Hi, I’m Michele...

I'm a personal essayist and the award-winning author of concise, practical books, including How to Be Elegant, Chic Minimalism, How to Be an Introvert in an Extrovert World, and How to Be Thin in a World of Chocolate.

I also create workbook programs—A Chic Year and 10-Day Chic Life Audit—for people looking to go deeper. And the Elegant Action Guides series for those wanting real progress before their coffee has even cooled.

My books are about stripping back: to who you are, what matters to you, and how you choose to live. After decades of people-pleasing, I've learned I can't make everyone happy—I'm not Shiraz—and we have to curate the life we want.

My essays have a different feel. At The Chic Minimalist on Substack, I write short, often funny pieces on relationships, self-possession, and the underrated pleasures of opting out. Always honest, occasionally mortifying.

I have a background in psychology and an obsession with human nature, which may explain why I'm more interested in why we do things than in handing you a checklist. (Though I also love checklists.)

My hobbies include not camping, introverting, and refreshing the tracking on my stationery order. I live in Sydney with my curated snack collection and consider myself a snaconteur. I like the idea of being normal, but I mean, it's not for me.

⇨ Browse my books and guides.

⇨ Read my essays.

⇨ See my awards and reviews.

⇨ Follow me on Amazon for new releases.