Jennifer L. Scott's Blog, page 17
March 8, 2021
My Organized Home Tour | Mega March Motivation
When you were little, did have a dollhouse? I did. I loved dolls. I still do. My daughters love dolls too. They each have a dollhouse and I love going into their rooms to see how they have styled their houses. When you’re little, playing house is so exciting. You never see clutter in a doll house. It’s pretty clear and artfully decorated. Each space is used with purpose.
When we are little girls, we have it all figured out with our dollhouses. There is a place for everything, and everything in its place. Ah, then we become adults and are running our own homes… Suddenly playing house isn’t so fun. It’s frustrating. And there’s clutter everywhere. And organization is hard. What goes wrong? What changes?
Last week, you saw me do a whole house declutter. I had fun doing that. Today, we’re going to examine the organized home as a whole. This is part of The Mega March Motivation started by the lovely Dawn, from The Minimal Mom.
Check out this playlist featuring all of the other organized home tours from my YouTube friends!
So, back to my question. If we’ve got it all figured out as kids, and we can play house with joy, and in our make believe homes there’s not only magical things like mouse families, and unicorns, but also (I would argue) an even more magical thing: No Clutter… what has changed?
Well, life gets in the way. When things get hard, it’s easier to stuff a mess into a cabinet and close the door. As long as the surfaces are clear, we feel we are maintaining the "dollhouse standard".
I have to go through my cupboards every few months because I am so guilty of this. As I give you a glimpse into different rooms of our home, I want to explore how to get back to that dollhouse standard. I’m trying to capture that wonder and joy my children have with my home. It’s so easy to get bitter, friends. Can you feel that? Haha. I do. Think about it: Kids aren’t bitter when they play house. Each room in the dollhouse is brimming with cheer and charm. That’s what I want.
I don’t see any place for clutter in my real life “dollhouse”. That doesn’t mean it’s not there, but as I learned in Paris… clutter is so not chic. So, we do our best to keep things clutter-free and organized. When clutter and organization start to get out of control in our home, I try to look at my home with a different filter. Sometimes the dollhouse correlation doesn’t work for me so I think about what I love about staying in a high-end hotel or a cozy and elegant bed and breakfast. Usually the décor is attractive, things are in order, and (of course) there is no clutter or organization problems. That helps me to tackle a clutter hot spot - To get rid of it and even clear the cupboard or drawer under it.
I might not be able to relate to dollhouses as much anymore, but I can certainly try to channel my favorite hotel. Nothing is ever going to be perfect. And clutter and organizational issues will likely always exist. But if you can get your main rooms under control and keep on top of them, living with no clutter will simply be your state of being. If you would like more inspiration, check out my Madame Chic Books. And if you would like to help teach your kids about keeping their spaces neat, check out Connoisseur Kids. I hope you enjoyed my musings and rather unconventional tour of certain parts of our home.
Thank you, Dawn, from The Minimal Mom for inviting me to be a part of another wonderful collaboration. I truly love all of the other channels who are participating and encourage you to check them out in the playlist below. Keep calm and remain classy, friends, and I’ll see you in my next video. Love, Jennifer
⚜️ Featured in the videoMaileg Mouse House dolls can be found at Maisonette (We've been collecting them for years. I also buy from the Maileg USA website)Spode Blue Italian from Riverbend Home DCSPRING10 for 10% off Portmeirion Botanic Garden dishes DCSPRING10 for 10% off Linens by John Robshaw Victoria Magazine limited edition blue roses Tea Set Lessons from Madame Chic on AmazonConnoisseur Kids on AmazonBoden Breton stripe tee Jeans by Mott & Bow JLS10 for 10% off Thursday Boot Co. SKYE Cosette pearl earrings Jennifer20 for 20% off SKYE Laure pearl bracelet Jennifer20 for 20% off SKYE (blue) Risette dress code Jennifer20 for 20% off MERIT minimalist makeup Bend Soap Co. DC10 for 10% off Pinrose Perfume Code JSCOTT gives free shippingLondontown nail polish JenniferS for 25% off 1 Thrive Wall Organizer family command center
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📍Please note: I am currently in the process of having my blog not only redesigned, but moved to Wordpress. Please be patient during the process as the blog might be temporarily disabled over the course of this month. You can always stay au courant with me over on YouTube to never miss a video. I'm excited to work on the blog and make it a better experience for you, dear reader! I am also unable to reply to comments on the blog while it is under construction as the permissions are temporarily disabled. I am sorry for this inconvenience but am reading and appreciating all of your comments. Thank you!
📍I have released a new line of beautiful and affordable digital art through Teespring. Check out these beautiful Parisian Cityscapes. A 3-pack of artwork is only $2.99. Print them and frame them for easy and elegant artwork in your own home. A Parisian Monuments 3-pack is also available.
📍If you are looking for more content, consider becoming a member of The Daily Connoisseur through the MEMBERSHIPS feature. I publish one vodcast every Friday and do one livestream or zoom call once a month. It only costs $1.99 a month. There are also upper tiers available for people who are interested in supporting the channel on a higher level and receiving monthly mentions in the videos.
📍Join us for The Chic Assignment for March
On Instagram
Madame Chic with a feline friend in Poland...
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Asia (@_jennys_life)
Comment of the Week
Stacy Greene writes, "If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours!" I've always loved this quote. :-)
Hi Stacy, I love that quote. It made me smile! :)
Thank you for joining me for my unconventional house tour in today's video. I hope you enjoyed it. Have a great week and I'll see you soon!
NEW* Join The Chic Society on YouTube and become a member of The Daily Connoisseur.
Visit my newly designed Author Website
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Take my affordable eCourses on the POISE *NEW course*, debt-free living, and efficiency at home
FTC: This post is not sponsored. I use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links. Thank you for your support.
March 4, 2021
How to Be More Beautiful | 10 Secrets | Jennifer L. Scott
"Beauty is not caused. It is." - Emily Dickinson
We all want to be beautiful. Who doesn’t? I’ve been thinking about beauty lately and what constitutes a beautiful woman. It is certainly not a cookie-cutter standard. I'm sharing ten secrets on how to be beautiful in today's video.Am I saying that I'm beautiful? Yes. And guess what? So are you. We don't need to look like Victoria's Secret models in order to be beautiful. Beauty meets us where we are. These ten observations, however, seem to magnify beauty.
⚜️ Featured Clothing & Style Boden Breton stripe tee Jeans by Mott & Bow JLS10 for 10% off SKYE Cosette pearl earrings Jennifer20 for 20% off SKYE Laure pearl bracelet Jennifer20 for 20% off MERIT makeup A'DEL Natural cosmetics TDC20 for 20% off Londontown nail polish JenniferS for 25% off
Thank you to Skillshare, one of my favorite sponsors on The Daily Connoisseur, for bringing us today's video. I use Skillshare to improve my YouTube videos and I am learning so much through them.
⚜️ Smile. A smile is contagious. And a genuine smile can make you look truly beautiful. Here are some great quotes on smiling...
“A smile is the best makeup any girl can wear.” – Marilyn Monroe
“Use your smile to change the world; don’t let the world change your smile.”– Chinese Proverb
“The robbed that smiles, steals something from the thief.”– William Shakespeare
⚜️Be confident in who you are. You get to a point… and I think for a lot of people it happens as they get older… where you simply don’t care anymore (in a good way). You realize that you will never please other people by trying to be someone else... you just have to be yourself and if they don’t like that, that’s OK. Be confident in who you are.
“Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.” – Coco Chanel
⚜️ Be interesting "Refuse to be dumbed-down" ... It’s one of my favorite expressions on this channel. We adults tend to think education stops when we graduate from college. It never stops and it never should. Love to learn.
⚜️Practice good manners Good manners are free and a well-mannered person is a beautiful thing to behold. It’s particularly tricky when people around you aren’t displaying good manners… or don’t even care about them. Our motto on this channel is “Keep Calm and Remain Classy”, which means that you remain classy and display good manners no matter what is happening around you.
⚜️Practice good posture Good posture can improve anyone’s appearance. Conversely, a perpetual slouch can make someone appear less attractive. Do what you can to carry yourself well. I go over this extensively in Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic. Parents, it's important to teach this to your children now. My book, Connoisseur Kids, has a great chapter on posture.
⚜️Express your true style Let me ask you a question. How would you describe your style? Have you ever thought about it? Have you ever labeled it? If you could dress any way you liked without worrying about what people would think, what would you wear? This one ties in with #2: Be confident in who you are. Once you discover your style… be confident in it. Your beauty will show through.
"What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today, when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language." —Miuccia Prada
⚜️Ace your makeup (if you wear it) You don't need to wear makeup to be beautiful, but if you do wear it, learn what looks best on you and practice, practice, practice. I like to try different techniques on "off days" when I don't need to see anyone. Sometimes I discover something that looks great! Two clean makeup brands I recommend are MERIT makeup and A'DEL Natural cosmetics TDC20 for 20% off
"Makeup is the finishing touch, the final accessory." – Marc Jacobs
“The most beautiful makeup of a woman is passion. But cosmetics are easier to buy.” ― Yves Saint Laurent
⚜️Get your eyebrows right Eyebrows really frame your face and you have to get them right. I learned this the hard way and it took me 40 years to figure it out. Haha! I am currently trying to grow out my sparse eyebrows and just ordered Vegamour's Brow Serum. I'll let you know if it works!
Here are some funny eyebrow quotes: “When I was little I never thought eyebrows would be this important.” “Don’t worry about me, worry about your eyebrows.” “Brows before Bros”
⚜️Choose the best hairstyle for you Did you notice I finally had a haircut? I was a guest on Homemaker Chic Podcast again and we were talking about hair. Every woman has to find the right style for her and wear that. Sometimes we want this or that and it’s not realistic. But once you find a good style, wear it with pride.
⚜️Take care of your skin This is really important. Get lots of sleep, drink water, take vitamins, diminish stress, and use a good skincare regimen. Beautifully cared for skin will age well and radiate.
Let's end on this quote...
“True beauty in an individual is reflected in their soul.” Audrey Hepburn
News
📍Please note: I am currently in the process of having my blog not only redesigned, but moved to Wordpress. Please be patient during the process as the blog might be temporarily disabled over the course of this month. You can always stay au courant with me over on YouTube to never miss a video. I'm excited to work on the blog and make it a better experience for you, dear reader! I am also unable to reply to comments on the blog while it is under construction as the permissions are temporarily disabled. I am sorry for this inconvenience but am reading and appreciating all of your comments. Thank you!
📍I have released a new line of beautiful and affordable digital art through Teespring. Check out these beautiful Parisian Cityscapes. A 3-pack of artwork is only $2.99. Print them and frame them for easy and elegant artwork in your own home. A Parisian Monuments 3-pack is also available.
📍If you are looking for more content, consider becoming a member of The Daily Connoisseur through the MEMBERSHIPS feature. I publish one vodcast every Friday and do one livestream or zoom call once a month. It only costs $1.99 a month. There are also upper tiers available for people who are interested in supporting the channel on a higher level and receiving monthly mentions in the videos.
📍Join us for The Chic Assignment for March.
On Instagram
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Mariagrazia Di Mezzo (@la_libreria_secondo_me)
Comment of the Week
Polly writes, "Your results are impressive! Dropping pounds is such a great feeling. I’m curious as to Dr. Fung’s response to your question, but you may wish to switch to a 14/10 schedule. You can continue to get all the good health benefits of a fast while adding a few more calories (ideally) so that your weight can stabilize and not continue to drop. Every successful transformation/weight loss plan involves this adjustment, tweaking the method that has caused weight loss to instead put the body into maintenance mode, and it’s best done gradually so the body has time to adjust. So I think a 14/10 could wrk very well for you."
Hi Polly, I've been considering that. I'm still waiting for Dr. Fung to get back to me, haha. Thanks so much for that advice!
I hope you all enjoyed today's video. Let us know what you think makes a beautiful person. Your comment could be chosen as comment of the week on the blog.
NEW* Join The Chic Society on YouTube and become a member of The Daily Connoisseur.
Visit my newly designed Author Website
Shop my Amazon page for a comprehensive list of my favorite things and mentions on the blog.
Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor
Twitter @JL_Scott
Instagram @dailyconnoisseur
Take my affordable eCourses on the POISE *NEW course*, debt-free living, and efficiency at home
FTC: This post is sponsored by Skillshare. I use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links.
March 1, 2021
Whole House Declutter | Mega March Motivation
I am teaming up with Dawn from The Minimal Mom again for another amazing YouTube collaboration. This time we are providing Mega March Motivation as we declutter our homes. The theme for this video is "whole house decluttering"... I have to say, our home is doing pretty well in the clutter department. I've been able to stay on top of it.
There are a few pesky spaces, however, that definitely need a reassessment. I'm decluttering my bathroom cabinet, the laundry room cabinet, our master bedroom, and the entryway downstairs.
I hope you find this video motivating. Why not put it on while you get some decluttering done... we can work together... Check out the playlist with all of the other creator's videos here.
⚜️ Featured Clothing & Style Jeans by Mott & Bow JLS10 for 10% off Breton stripe tee from Boden (similar) Isotoner slipper Lilysilk scrunchie Daily12 for 12% off Nail polish Londontown (shade: Cheerio) JenniferS for 25% off Thursday Boot Co. Pinrose perfume Code JSCOTT gives free shipping ⚜️ Cleaning & DecorCommand Center by 1 Thrive Bend Soap Co. code DC10 for 10% off American Blossom LinensBathroom candle by Mer Sea Planner by Day Designer e-cloth microfiber cloths Fav Laundry Detergent Hiketron (mambo man & paradise) JENY10 for 10% Steam Mop & cordless vacuum Grove Collaborative My Amazon Page for CleaningLaundry room sign ⚜️ Books featured Long Live the Queen The Jane Austen Diet Set the Stars Alight English Etiquette The Perfectly Imperfect Home Illustrated Life Co. Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home Traditional Meals for the Frugal Family
News
📍Please note: I am currently in the process of having my blog not only redesigned, but moved to Wordpress. Please be patient during the process as the blog might be temporarily disabled over the course of this month. You can always stay au courant with me over on YouTube to never miss a video. I'm excited to work on the blog and make it a better experience for you, dear reader! I am also unable to reply to comments on the blog while it is under construction as the permissions are temporarily disabled. I am sorry for this inconvenience but am reading and appreciating all of your comments. Thank you!
📍I have released a new line of beautiful and affordable digital art through Teespring. Check out these beautiful Parisian Cityscapes. A 3-pack of artwork is only $2.99. Print them and frame them for easy and elegant artwork in your own home. A Parisian Monuments 3-pack is also available.
📍If you are looking for more content, consider becoming a member of The Daily Connoisseur through the MEMBERSHIPS feature. I publish one vodcast every Friday and do one livestream or zoom call once a month. It only costs $1.99 a month. There are also upper tiers available for people who are interested in supporting the channel on a higher level and receiving monthly mentions in the videos.
📍Join us for The Chic Assignment for March.
On Instagram
Annika Wester, who designed the cover for the Japanese Madame Chic books, posted one of her illustrious covers on Instagram. I love it!
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Annika Wester (@annikawester_art)
Comment of the Week
On the Intermittent Fasting video, Marybeth writes, "When I first heard of IF, I thought back to my grandmother's eating habits. She passed in 1976 at age 86. A little woman, 4'11" and as long as I knew her 90ish pounds. I recall her eating a poached egg/toast for bfast, a lamb or pork chop ,potato, veg for dinner and probably tea and a little something at lunchtime. She liked a small sweet after dinner..right after dinner...not 2 hours later. There was never any snacking..actually, with the exception of saltines, no snack foods in the house. So it occurred to me that IF is not really new, just new to the current population. I am going to give it a try and during the 8 hours stick to 3 meals..no snacking! BTW, you look great! Thanks for the always inspiring videos."
I loved reading about your grandmother, Marybeth. Yes! IF is not new and the concept is rather traditional. Thanks for sharing your memories.
I hope you enjoyed today's video! Did it give you decluttering motivation?
NEW* Join The Chic Society on YouTube and become a member of The Daily Connoisseur.
Visit my newly designed Author Website
Shop my Amazon page for a comprehensive list of my favorite things and mentions on the blog.
Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor
Twitter @JL_Scott
Instagram @dailyconnoisseur
Take my affordable eCourses on the POISE *NEW course*, debt-free living, and efficiency at home
FTC: This post is not sponsored. I use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links.
February 28, 2021
The Chic Assignment | March 2021
Welcome to The Chic Assignment for March...
📍Please note: I am currently in the process of having my blog not only redesigned, but moved to Wordpress. Please be patient during the process as the blog might be temporarily disabled over the course of this month. You can always stay au courant with me over on YouTube to never miss a video. I'm excited to work on the blog and make it a better experience for you, dear reader! Also, because the blog is under construction, I am currently unable to post replies to your comments. I apologize for this inconvenience, but all will be restored soon. Thank you to everyone who has left a comment! I appreciate you.
The Chic Assignment is brought to us by The Chic Society: Become a member of The Daily Connoisseur to get exclusive monthly live streams, access to my weekly members-only Vodcast, and more. Only $1.99 a month (upper tiers are also available).
Chic Assignment no. 1 Clara Schumann
Clara Schumann Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 7 - 1. Allegro maestoso performed by Isata Kanneh-MasonMany people know her husband, composer Robert Schumann, but did you know that his wife, Clara was an incredible composer in her own right? This month we will enjoy this performance by Isata Kanneh-Mason (Sheku Kanneh-Mason's sister) as she performs Clara Schumann's piano concerto in A minor, Op. 7 - 1. We will learn more about Clara Schumann in the mid-month check-in.
Chic Assignment no. 2 Enjoy the poetry of Christina Rossetti Christina Georgina Rossetti was an English poet who wrote romantic, devotional, and children's poems. She lived from 1830 to 1894. My favorite poem of hers is Amor Mundi, which means love of the world, or love of worldly things. We are going to learn more about Christina Rossetti in the mid-month check-in. In the meantime, check out these books:
Christina Rossetti Complete Poems
Rossetti (library pocket series)
Chic Assignment no. 3 Work on the seasonal transition of your wardrobe
If you are dealing with snow still, it might seem like the season will never transition, but it will eventually and now is the time to start planning your spring wardrobe (autumn for our Southern Hemisphere friends). What will stay and what will go? Keep a list of wardrobe items you'd like to purchase and start doing some research. I will be sharing my seasonal transitions for the ten-item wardrobe for you later in the month to provide you with inspiration.
Chic Assignment no. 4 Declutter and organize one cabinet that's been driving you nuts The reason I'm posting this one day early is because tomorrow, March 1st, I'm participating in another amazing YouTube collaboration called, Mega March Motivation. I'll be doing a whole house declutter and that should hopefully provide you with the motivation you need to declutter your own home.
⚜️ Featured in the videoSKYE 18K gold Ismay earring Jennifer20 for 20% off Londontown nail polish (cafe au lait) JenniferS for 25% off MERIT minimalist makeup SKYE Risette dress code Jennifer20 for 20% off Rachelyn jewelry earrings JENNIFERSCOTT 10% offI hope you enjoy this month's Chic Assignment. Tag me on social media with the hashtag #TheChicAssignment and let me know about your experience.
See you tomorrow!
Love,
Jennifer
NEW* Join The Chic Society on YouTube and become a member of The Daily Connoisseur.
Visit my newly designed Author Website
Shop my Amazon page for a comprehensive list of my favorite things and mentions on the blog.
Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor
Twitter @JL_Scott
Instagram @dailyconnoisseur
Take my affordable eCourses on the POISE *NEW course*, debt-free living, and efficiency at home
FTC: This post is not sponsored. I use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links.
February 25, 2021
Intermittent Fasting One Year Update - My Surprising Results
It's been nearly a year since I began intermittent fasting. Reflecting on this past year and the changes that have occurred, I am truly amazed.
I go over everything with you in detail in today's video, including the rather surprising weight loss. This video and blogpost is intended for entertainment purposes only and is not meant to be medical advice. If you are interested in trying intermittent fasting, do seek the consult of your physician first.
I will not write a lengthy blogpost for this topic, as the video is somewhat long... Here are the time stamps if you wish to skip ahead... or focus on a particular subject:
⚜️ Time Stamps0:00 Introduction1:06 Disclaimer1:32 Why IF2:50 My weight history7:50 No deprivation8:48 16:8 method10:13 How long until results?11:12 Keto? (Hint: no) 12:20 What I weigh now14:28 Will I keep losing weight?15:19 Other benefits17:11 One change I've made18:20 More benefits21:20 Yor questions26:40 Conclusion
For all of the details, make sure you watch today's video. If you have any questions or requests, please leave them in the comments below for a follow-up video.
⚜️Recommended Resources
The Obesity Code by Dr. Fung
Delay, Don't Deny by Gin Stephens (not by a doctor, but an interesting read)
Dr. Fung Dr. Mindy Pelz Dr. Berg Dr. Ekberg
*Added note: For exercise, I continue to walk and use the rebounder. I forgot to address exercise in today's video.
News
📍I have released a new line of beautiful and affordable digital art through Teespring. Check out these beautiful Parisian Cityscapes. A 3-pack of artwork is only $2.99. Print them and frame them for easy and elegant artwork in your own home. A Parisian Monuments 3-pack is also available.
📍If you are looking for more content, consider becoming a member of The Daily Connoisseur through the MEMBERSHIPS feature. I publish one vodcast every Friday and do one livestream or zoom call once a month. It only costs $1.99 a month. There are also upper tiers available for people who are interested in supporting the channel on a higher level and receiving monthly mentions in the videos.
📍Join us for The Chic Assignment for February.
On Instagram
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Little Fashion Books (@littlefashionbooks)
Comment of the Week
Lynn from SoCal writes, "Hi Jennifer, your cleaning videos always make me want to clean. Thank you for the inspiration!
I have been struggling with knee pain and fatigue lately so the cleaning has been put on the back burner (luckily, I live alone so only I have to see the dirt).
Under normal circumstances when I struggle to get the motivation to clean, I put on some fast-paced music (or even Bach's Cello Suite No 1 in G Major - this always gets me going)and mix myself a cocktail. For some reason, a cocktail always makes cleaning more fun!"
Hi Lynn, I hope your knee pain subsides soon! I agree with the music and the special treat! I have never cleaned with a cocktail, but it sounds fancy!
I hope you enjoyed today's video. If you have any questions about intermittent fasting that you'd like me to address in a future video, please leave them in the comments. Have a wonderful weekend.
NEW* Join The Chic Society on YouTube and become a member of The Daily Connoisseur.
Visit my newly designed Author Website
Shop my Amazon page for a comprehensive list of my favorite things and mentions on the blog.
Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor
Twitter @JL_Scott
Instagram @dailyconnoisseur
Take my affordable eCourses on the POISE *NEW course*, debt-free living, and efficiency at home
FTC: This post is not sponsored. I use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links.
February 22, 2021
Practical Homemaking | Cook and Clean with Me
Practical homemaking. What is it? Let’s explore that in today’s video.
I’m doing some necessary cleaning today in the master bathroom and the bedroom. I’m also sharing my practical and easy lentils and rice recipe, and what my favorite thing to wear is around the house. Thank you to BLUELAND for sponsoring today's video.
⚜️ Featured in today's videoJeans and tee shirt by Mott & Bow JLS10 for 10% off Red Velvet Slippers Lilysilk scrunchie Daily12 for 12% off Velvet hair bowNail polish Londontown JenniferS for 25% off Art by Katy Rose Collection Bend Soap Co. DC10 for 10% off Laundry Detergent Hiketron (mambo man & paradise) JENY10 for 10%e-cloth microfiber cloths Steam Mop & cordless vacuum
We’re taking on some practical homemaking today.
I looked up the definition of practical and here’s what the dictionary defines it as: of or concerned with the actual doing or use of something rather than with theory and ideas.
I love this. Practical homemaking is actually just doing it. Just doing the thing. Not procrastinating, or wishing you were doing something else. Or half doing a job and then checking your phone… actually doing it rather than theory and ideas. I am in need of practical homemaking today.
Earlier in the day I had to film an interview and the bathroom is an absolute mess from when I was getting ready. So let’s get this in order. There are a lot of ideas when it comes to homemaking and cleaning. Lots of theories and systems: 15-minute timer. Power hour. Mid-day tidy. After dinner scrub. Ok, maybe I’m making some of these up, but you get the idea.
We feel we need to get things just right before we start cleaning. Sometimes I search for ten minutes for the perfect video to keep me company while I clean and then before I know it, the kids all need me for something at the other end of the house. I wasted those ten minutes searching for something to mitigate the unpleasantness of cleaning when I could have gotten it over with while I was searching for that perfect video. Sometimes you need to actually just do it. To put everything aside and just get it done.
We all have certain rooms where we procrastinate with practical homemaking… for me that’s definitely the bathroom. Probably my least favorite room in the house to clean. I’m not sure why. Well, first of all, who likes scrubbing toilets? I don’t think anyone does. And aside from the kitchen, the bathroom has the heaviest usage and always seems to have a need for a good scrub down. I also rather dislike cleaning bathtubs and grout. So I put practical homemaking off. But, as you see, with all enemies to homemaking, we need to acknowledge our resistance to our necessary chores. When we acknowledge them, and banish the resistance, and just do the thing. (Practical… remember?) We realize, it’s really not that bad to begin with. It doesn’t actually take that long to do. We didn’t need to dread it so very much. So on and so forth.
I want to share my red lentil recipe with you. I start off by sautéing some onion and garlic in olive oil along with some organic no-salt seasoning. To the onions and garlic, I add my red lentils, which have been rinsed and drained. The ratio of water (or broth) to lentils is 3 cups of water to 1 cup of lentils. I cover this with chicken bone broth, but you can cover it with vegetable stock or water to keep it vegan. I like to add dried herbs as well. Let this simmer for about 20 minutes on medium low heat. You can add more liquid if needed. I serve this over rice with a pat of butter and it’s perfection. I also like to top my lentils with something crunchy like fresh celery. This is one of my favorite dishes. I hope you enjoy making it too.
As the season moves on in February, and I will eventually transition my wardrobe from winter to spring, I have been pulling some of my spring items out from last year, like this budget dress I’m wearing from Target. I realized something about my style and comfort over the past few years. My favorite thing to wear at home is a midi dress. If it’s cold, I pair it with a cardigan. If I’m doing messy work, I’ll cover it with a full apron or a half apron. I save older dresses to do the gardening in on hot days. Now, this doesn’t mean that’s all I wear at home, I wear jeans too, as you saw in the first half of the video, but looking at my days, this is what I’m most comfortable in and I feel feminine and presentable.
I like to keep our master bedroom pretty clear of clutter. We always have some coffee cups, glasses of water, and usually a stack of books laying around the place, but it’s never too bad. It’s important that I keep this room pretty empty and serene. It’s the spot that I escape to sometimes when I need a break from everything. When I walk in here, I want it to feel like I’m in a cloud.
Because our room is usually the cleanest in the house, I sometimes avoid straightening it. I do this because so many of the other rooms require attention. But it’s important to look after this space too. To dust the end tables, the shutters, to fold the laundry and put it away. A quiet escape. A room of one’s Own. To close on my thoughts, practical homemaking is that straightforward everyday cleaning that has to be done and can’t be avoided. You can find ways to make it more enjoyable. But sometimes doing that is procrastination in itself. If you don’t find the perfect audio book to listen to, the right music, or get your friend to chat on the phone while you clean, you have to just do it. Just clean that room. It won’t take as long as you think it will. And when you finish, the result will be so satisfying.
News
📍I have released a new line of beautiful and affordable digital art through Teespring. Check out these beautiful Parisian Cityscapes. A 3-pack of artwork is only $2.99. Print them and frame them for easy and elegant artwork in your own home. A Parisian Monuments 3-pack is also available.
📍If you are looking for more content, consider becoming a member of The Daily Connoisseur through the MEMBERSHIPS feature. I publish one vodcast every Friday and do one livestream or zoom call once a month. It only costs $1.99 a month. There are also upper tiers available for people who are interested in supporting the channel on a higher level and receiving monthly mentions in the videos.
📍Join us for The Chic Assignment for February.
On Instagram
I am a guest again on Homemaker Chic Podcast with Shaye from The Elliott Homestead and Angela from Parisienne Farmgirl. Check out our fun episode together as we discuss staying chic as a homemaker.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Homemaker Chic Podcast (@homemakerchicpodcast)
Comment of the Week
Maren L. writes, "My best atomic habit over the past year was finding this channel. Through the content of this channel, so beautifully and thoughtfully presented I have turned my packed closet into a capsule wardrobe and I am helping my mom do the same thing, I have finally learned how to do minimal make up so that I can "look presentable always"(before I either had on full, time consuming make up, or nothing at all) I have de cluttered my entire house and for the first time ever, am on a cleaning schedule (I will never go back!) I also have begun intermittent fasting and can't believe how much I love it, I have listened to so much beautiful music, seen so much inspiring art, read so much thought provoking poetry, and had so many lovely books recommended to me. And through this channel, I have discovered other channels I adore. This has been a real life line for me. It's been a doorway into a kinder, more gentle, civilized world my heart always longs for. I have felt so alone and here I have found my people. Thank you."
Dear Maren, this is high praise, indeed! Thank you so much and I'm thrilled you have found The Daily Connoisseur community too.
I hope you enjoyed today's video and that it gave you practical homemaking inspiration.
NEW* Join The Chic Society on YouTube and become a member of The Daily Connoisseur.
Visit my newly designed Author Website
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Take my affordable eCourses on the POISE *NEW course*, debt-free living, and efficiency at home
FTC: This post is sponsored by Blueland. I use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links.
February 20, 2021
The Chic Assignment Check-In | February 2021| Rachmaninoff x William H. Johnson
Welcome to The Chic Assignment check-in for February, 2021. We are going to learn more about Rachmaninoff today as well as William H. Johnson. It's a wonderful program so make yourself a cup of tea and enjoy!
⚜️What I'm wearingSKYE Risette dress code Jennifer20 for 20% off
Rachelyn jewelry earrings JENNIFERSCOTT 10% off
Chic Assignment no. 1 Rachmaninoff Prelude in C Sharp Minor (Op. 3 No. 2)
This month we listened to Rachmaninoff's Prelude in c sharp minor (Op. 3 no. 2) performed by Rousseau. Today, I am sharing ten interesting facts about Rachmaninoff's life from Classic FM.
Chic Assignment no. 2 Explore the art of William H. Johnson (1901-1970)
William H. Johnson was an American artist Born in South Carolina in 1901, he was a student of the National Academy of Design in New York City. His incredible career spanned several decades, but his works are only now getting the recognition that they deserve. I'm excited to share his biography with you today. Check out his artwork on WikiArt.
Today, I am reading William H. Johnson's biography from Biography.com
I also recommend the book, Harlem Renaissance Artists by my friend, Denise Jordan (from This or That with Denise Jordan). Denise has a chapter on William H. Johnson in her wonderful book.
William H. Johnson, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Chic Assignment no. 3 Work on building one new good habit this month. We looked at habits in-depth this month and aimed at cultivating one good habit in our lives. What habit did you cultivate? I am working on building systems in to make myself a neater cook. I recommend reading Atomic Habits by James Clear.
Chic Assignment no. 4 Maintain your clutter-free space. If you took part in Clutter-free January with us, you likely have some newly decluttered spaces. We are going to maintain those spaces throughout the month of February, taking care to keep them clutter-free. You can also look forward to some decluttering videos in March as well. I can't wait for you to see those!
Thank you to The Chic Society for bringing us The Chic Assignment. The Chic Society is the private membership group on YouTube. Membership is only $1.99 a month. I release a "vodcast" (a video podcast) every Friday and we go live (either on YouTube or Zoom) once a month. There are also two upper tiers who receive recognition in The Chic Assignment check-in. I have listed them here below. Thank you so much to The Chic Society for bringing us The Chic Assignment check-in.
The Chic Connoisseurs: A Better Life with KAT (Flylady Cleaning System), AAM Truthteller, American Blossom Linens, Allison Jennison-Smith, A Sparkling Vintage Life, Amy Thibodeaux, Andrea Saavedra, Angelika Greenhalgh, Amy Thibodeaux, Anny Schreier, Audrey Coyne, BewitchedCrafts.com, Bliss Peterson, Brenda Ramsey, Candace V, Catarina Alexandra, Catherine Huang, Chelsea Kochevar, Clare's Classroom, Cyndie Lake, Deb Reardon, Diana McNease, Elizabeth Doan, Efstathia Kositzidou, Freda Masoud, healthywithluba.com, Heather Phillips, Helena O, Jackie W, Jane Lynch, Janet Williams, Jasmine Christian, Jennifer Timm, jkp62, Judy Moore, Katherine Williams, Kathy Feliciano, Kimberly Campbell, Liliedaisy, Lois Shank- Retiree, Loraine Tadman, Lori Skees, Maria Gerlicz-Pogorzelska, Marija B. Bingula, Space.For.Home, Marybeth Nelson, Melanie Adkins, Melanie Riddle, Mama Mitzey, Maria Gerszewski, Melinda Loustalot, Melissa Ricci, Michele Kieffer, Michelle Henderer, Michelle the Italiagal, Monique Egelhoff, Monique Hernandez, Natalie Schultz, Not-So Desperate Housewives, Pamela Gunger, Paula Ellis, Paula Johnson, P C, Petra Willnecker, Raye Cage, Rebecca Faltot, Rita Fernandes, Sandra Light, Sarah Vitsas, Scott Rea, Shannon Biddy, Sharon Smith, Sheila Hopfensperger, Shelly Cabler aka "The Art of This & That", Stacy Smith, The Simple Swan, Sue Parker, Susan Keyes, 'Tis the Season for Poetry: Through the Year with Poems and Activities for Children and their Families, This and That with Denise Jordan, Tiki Pié, Tracy Lopez, Wendy Cassara, Wendy Somerville, Wilma Dean, Yen Lee, Zauger, Zuzaienka23
The Elegant Connoisseurs Amanda Dykes, Author Azalia Spa Goods Brandi Still, Silhouette Artist Jenny Williams - Carrot Top Paper Shop Dressed for my Day with Kay Harms Elaine Brisebois, certified nutritionist and weight loss coach Ashley Buffa - Freedom Moms Smart Kids Chore SystemNikki Moreno - Inspired by Nikki Jennifer Melville, AuthorJulie Kolman - My Confident Closet Katy Rose, Artist Leslie Morris - Gather n’ Grow Lindy Sellers' Diary of Domesticity Nicole Brignolle - Founder of Lovely BitsRosenda Valenzuela - Little Pink Casa Mrs. Shockley - A Home for EleganceSarah Morgan Wellness S.E. Spracher - Author of Chewy Marmot Tina Hugall - OutschoolMichelle Rohr - The Secret OWL Society digital planners The Shortbread Family - Allen's Scottish ShortbreadSturm Brothers Jewelry Cherish Flieder- Something to Cherish Vicel Victoria - JAFRA Beauty Consultant Katherine Rae Carli Thom Caroline Haydu Denise Gende Jen Carlson Jet Rowley-Herron Jina Kay Kenry Heather Barrera Jenny Candelaria Linda Eklof Marie Caudill Maria Conder Prudently At Home
I would love to know your Chic Assignment findings... let us know in the comments down below. Did you enjoy the Rachmaninoff pieces? What was your favorite painting from William H. Johnson? Let us know and your comment could be chosen as comment of the week on the blog.
*NEW* Join The Chic Society on YouTube and become a member of The Daily Connoisseur.
Visit my newly designed Author Website
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Twitter @JL_Scott
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Take my affordable eCourses on the POISE *NEW course*, debt-free living, and efficiency at home
FTC: This post is not sponsored. I use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links.
February 18, 2021
Presentable Sleepwear Updates | How the Pajamas Have Performed
Presentable sleepwear: I'm always surprised by the responses I get from women who write to me about this subject. I get comments that range from, "Who needs presentable sleepwear? I sleep naked!" (TMI) to "Why should anyone care what I wear to bed?" to "I have worn sloppy pajamas for years and I want to look presentable at home." One thing is for sure, the concept of presentable sleepwear gets people thinking.
In my presentable sleepwear videos over the past year, I have presented many lesser known sleepwear brands to you. My goal with this is to provide an alternative to Victoria's Secret and the other standard mall brands that most of us are familiar with. I enjoy discovering these smaller niche sleepwear brands that are really passionate about making beautiful and functional sleepwear for women.
⚜️ Recommended Sleepwear brands
NEIWAI sleepwear JS10 for 10% off Lilysilk Chic pajama set Daily12 for 12% off Montelle Intimates Bust-Support Chemise SELFLOVE20 20% off
Fleur't Intimates COZY20 (20% off)
Lusomé Sleepwear LUSOME20 - 20% off
Rya collection RYA15 for 15% offPlush Necessities robes Jennifer's budget Sleepwear Store on Amazon Jennifer's slipper recommendations on Amazon
In wearing the various styles over the past year I have made some discoveries about myself. This will ring true for me and you might relate or you might not. But I'd love for you to think about what sleepwear style you prefer to wear to bed.
I have discovered I am definitely a nightgown girl. I love nightgowns. If I had to choose just one style to sleep in for the rest of my life, the nightgown would be it. They are free and not restrictive. They are beautiful and feminine, and they can be layered to keep me warm or I can take the layers off if I get too hot under the covers.
Surprisingly, my favorite piece for winter out of the sleepwear I've tried was this Lusomé Lucienne nightdress (LUSOME20 for 20% off). I'm not sure why I was surprised by this. Maybe because this nightgown is very unassuming. It's very plain. It has a v-neck and 3/4 sleeves with lace trim. Here's what I like about it: it's comfortable (mine is actually a size too big, which I don't mind too much for sleepwear), it has that Xirotex moisture wicking technology so I don't perspire at night in this dress, I like the longer sleeves for winter but I don't get too hot under the covers like I do with heavier pajama sets. All-in-all, this nightgown is perfect! I could wear one in each color and call it a day. I really enjoy analyzing what I like to wear the most in any given category. That helps me make smarter purchases going forward. If I were to purchase a new pajama, it would likely be the Lucienne nightdress from Lusomè in a lighter color like grey or blue.
As the spring and summer approach, however, I might not want 3/4 sleeves. I really enjoy wearing the Montelle Intimates chemises (SELFLOVE20 for 20% off) because they are pretty and feminine and keep me cool. They are a bit too skimpy to wear around the house, however, so I either wear them with a robe, such as the Plush Necessities spa robe, or I will wear them with this cropped ballet sweater from Morning Lavender. Sometimes I'll be cold and go to bed with the sweater on and then I'll get hot and take it off.
As for the pajama sets, the Lilysilk set really has performed well. It's a beautiful and chic pajama set (code DAILY12 gives 12% off), washes well, and hasn't shrunk. The silk keeps me cool but the coverage keeps me warm when I am out of the bed. I love their silk nightgown too, but I have to put that in the tumble dryer otherwise it gets wrinkled when I just hang it on the line
A solution to staying warm in your sleepwear (as well as daywear) is adding a layer of thermal underwear. This set by NEIWAI (JS10 for 10% off) is so soft and warm. This is a great solution for chilly winter nights.
The Classic Form-fitting Thermal Underwear Set from Neiwai's classic collection is made using a special blend of WARM MATCH® fabric and TENCEL™ Modal for a garment that’s lightweight, absorbent, and retains body heat without the wearer getting too stuffy.
Here are the features of this thermal underwear:
● Shallow V streamlined neckline and nearly invisible bottom hem
● No side seams for a chic, slimmer look and more comfort when lying down
● High-waist pants that are just the right length to be easy to wear with socks and boots.
I am doing a giveaway for the NEIWAI cozy pajamas (JS10 for 10% off). They are sold as separates with both top and bottom. Enter on the YouTube channel by leaving a comment under the video (you must be a subscriber). The Neiwai classic cozy pajama details are as follows:
• Lightweight & refined pajamas with a light gloss sheen, designed for more restful sleep.
• Classic style with French lapels, a small chest pocket, and color-matched buttons.
• MellowSilk® is a fabric blend that combines TENCEL™ Modal with materials extracted from cashmere & other fabrics, woven to be satiny-soft and elastic. The outcome is a lovely texture, reminiscent of cashmere and silk.
These pajamas are ultra high quality, like the others I have featured. I'll be reviewing their Barely Zero bra in an upcoming video.
I hope you enjoyed today's video.
News
📍If you are looking for more content, consider becoming a member of The Daily Connoisseur through the MEMBERSHIPS feature. I publish one vodcast every Friday and do one livestream or zoom call once a month. It only costs $1.99 a month. There are also upper tiers available for people who are interested in supporting the channel on a higher level and receiving monthly mentions in the videos.
📍Join us for The Chic Assignment for February.
I hope you enjoyed today's video. Is there a habit I discussed today that you would like to cultivate this year? Let us know in the comments below and your comment could be chosen as comment of the week on the blog.
On Instagram
Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic on Instagram...
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Comment of the Week
GypsygirlA2 writes, "If you clean as you go, then the mess will never show".... ~ my grandma. Love your style and this video! Have a great day!"
I love your grandmother's saying. She's right! I'm working on it :)
Thank you for watching today's sleepwear video. I would love to know what type of sleepwear you prefer to wear.
NEW* Join The Chic Society on YouTube and become a member of The Daily Connoisseur.
Visit my newly designed Author Website
Shop my Amazon page for a comprehensive list of my favorite things and mentions on the blog.
Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor
Twitter @JL_Scott
Instagram @dailyconnoisseur
Take my affordable eCourses on the POISE *NEW course*, debt-free living, and efficiency at home
FTC: This post is not sponsored. I use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links.
February 15, 2021
10 Atomic Habits That Set Me Up for Success
In today's video I'm sharing ten habits that have changed my life for the better and have set me up for success.
One of this month's Chic Assignments is to cultivate a good habit. I thought I'd share ten habits that have improved my life for the better so we can keep the discussion going.
I highly recommend reading the book, Atomic Habits, by James Clear. This book has put so much into perspective for me. I realized why some parts of my life are successful... and others aren't. It's all about my habits. Let's look on the bright side today as I share the good habits I've cultivated over the years.
⚜️ Featured in the videoAtomic Habits by James Clear Audible (audiobooks) on Amazon The Day Designer (my planner) MerSea Lisbon sweater SKYE Theodora earrings Jennifer20 for 20% off Nail polish by Londontown JenniferS for 25% off🌿Habit #1 Wake-up Early I started this habit around 13 years ago when I became serious about becoming a writer and I'm so thankful I did. Of course, there have been exceptions over the years (like when I have a baby), but generally I wake up between 5:00 am and 6:00 am. I even did this before I had children. Waking up early sets me up for success each day and if I ever oversleep my alarm or wake up with the kids on a busy weekday, I always regret it.
🌿Habit #2 Setting Up the Homeschool Room the Night Before Yes, there are other things I prepare for the night before, but this particular habit, helps the following day run much smoother. We tidy up the room when we are finished with school, but at night I go over the lessons for the next day and lay out all of the school work at their desks. That way, they can get started without me, if necessary, and there is no confusion about what work to do in the morning. On the nights I don't do this, chaos generally reigns the next morning. I realize not everyone homeschools, but if there is something you can prepare the night before to help the next day run smoother, develop a good habit to cultivate that.
🌿Habit #3 Taking Vitamins I got into the good habit of taking vitamins at the beginning of my first pregnancy, over ten years ago, and have regularly taken vitamins since. I've been taking the Women's 18+ from Ritual for the past year and can personally recommend them to you. They have a lovely mint essence that make them easy to swallow, and never upset my stomach. Thank you to Ritual for sponsoring today's video. Code DAILY10 gives 10% off.
🌿Habit #4 Meal Planning I have experienced life while meal planning and life without meal planning and I can definitely tell you that meal planning makes life easier and keeps us on budget. After the birth of our fourth child I really burned out and didn't meal plan for nearly two years. I relied heavily on meal kits and last-minute dinners. The ironic thing is that meal planning would have made my life easier back then. I now enjoy meal planning. It's fun to try new recipes and keep them mixed in with family favorites. You can check out my What's for Dinner? playlist for more inspiration.
🌿Habit #5 Ordering Grocery Delivery I resisted this for a long time, but one of my good friends convinced me I had to try online grocery delivery. I took her advice and have never looked back. It can be really stressful to take all of your children to the grocery store, especially if they are little (and especially now in a pandemic). I love ordering my groceries because I save money by not putting extra things in my cart that we don't need. Armed with my meal plan, I am able to save so much time and energy and just focus on actually creating the meals. For those curious, I use Instacart and my personal code gives you $10 off your order JSCOTT70795F190
🌿Habit #6 Intermittent Fasting I do the 16:8 method. Since I started intermittent fasting last year, I have seen a massive improvement in my overall health and wellness. I was able to lose over 20 lbs and settle comfortably at my pre-pregnancy weight from over ten years ago. I also have increased energy, clear skin, and so much more. I'll be doing a one-year update on intermittent fasting in March so I hope you will join me back for that.
🌿Habit #7 Listening to audio books while cleaning I have an audible subscription and enjoy it so thoroughly. You can also listen to audiobooks free from the library. I'm always listening to a riveting book and the wonderful side effect is that it actually makes me want to clean. I enjoy popping my headphones on in the afternoon and tackling the kitchen or folding laundry. I enjoy escaping into books and since I rarely have time to sit down and read anymore, I can still get my fill of enjoyment from reading.
🌿Habit #8 Reading living books to the children My boys (ages 4 and 2) are still very young and enjoy the picture books we read to them everyday. With my older daughters (10 and 8) I've gotten into the wonderful habit of reading a chapter from a living book to them each night. I can't stress enough how life-changing this has been for all of us. If you only take one tip away from this video, I hope it's this one. We started with The Wind in the Willows, then read the entire Little House on the Prairie series, The Secret Garden, and now Little Women. I look forward to reading a chapter to them each night. It is such a special bonding time and the benefits of reading living books are too numerous to count.
🌿Habit #9 Planning (with my planner) I use both a digital and paper planner. I schedule appointments, write down deadlines, and things I need to remember for the kids. I also plan out all of my work and homeschool too. Each day I will write a to-do list that helps me stay on track. Planning properly majorly contributes to my productivity and is a beneficial habit that I do every day. I currently use The Day Designer for my main planner and love it.
🌿Habit #10 Writing every day My writing mentor, Alan Watt, suggested that I write every day. As a writer, I agree that it is essential. If you don't write every day, you start to slip and, as soon as you know it, you haven't written in a month. Writing every day, whether it is a book, for this blog, or writing poetry, fills my creative cup and keeps me feeling alive. You might not be a writer, but you can certainly find your passion and find time to do it every day.
News
📍I have released a new line of beautiful and affordable digital art through Teespring. Check out these beautiful Parisian Cityscapes. A 3-pack of artwork is only $2.99. Print them and frame them for easy and elegant artwork in your own home. A Parisian Monuments 3-pack is also available.
📍If you are looking for more content, consider becoming a member of The Daily Connoisseur through the MEMBERSHIPS feature. I publish one vodcast every Friday and do one livestream or zoom call once a month. It only costs $1.99 a month. There are also upper tiers available for people who are interested in supporting the channel on a higher level and receiving monthly mentions in the videos.
📍Join us for The Chic Assignment for February.
On Instagram
Connoisseur Kids on Instagram...
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Comment of the Week
Leslie writes, " Thank you for acknowledging that there really are days we don't feel like cooking. And that doesn't make us bad homemakers."
Hello Leslie, even Madame Chic had days when she relied on prepackaged frozen foods for dinner. It wasn't often, but it definitely happened. The key is to not fret over it and just own that you're going through a burnout. I can totally relate!
I hope you enjoyed today's video. Is there a habit I discussed today that you would like to cultivate this year? Let us know in the comments below and your comment could be chosen as comment of the week on the blog.
NEW* Join The Chic Society on YouTube and become a member of The Daily Connoisseur.
Visit my newly designed Author Website
Shop my Amazon page for a comprehensive list of my favorite things and mentions on the blog.
Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor
Twitter @JL_Scott
Instagram @dailyconnoisseur
Take my affordable eCourses on the POISE *NEW course*, debt-free living, and efficiency at home
FTC: This post is sponsored by Ritual. I use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links.
February 11, 2021
6 Dinners I Make When I Don't Feel Like Cooking | What's for Dinner? Cook with Me
Welcome to a new episode of What's for Dinner? But this time, I'm sharing 6 dinners I make when I don't feel like cooking.
Ok, we’ve all been there. Cooking burnout. You don’t feel like cooking. You’d rather do anything else than bust out the pots and pans. Cooking burnout is real and it’s important to have some handy, quick meals you can serve so you don’t constantly rely on take out.
Today’s video is a collaboration with my wonderful friend, Robin, from Faith and Flour. Robin’s channel is so delightful. She shares homemaking, cooking, and cleaning videos, and also does the ten-item wardrobe. She is also sharing meals she likes to make when she doesn’t feel like cooking. You can see Robin's video here.
There are some obvious things you can make when you don’t feel like cooking: frozen pizza comes to mind. I definitely make this. Also, pasta with jarred sauce, cheese, and garlic bread is a great option. But other than those two obvious meal ideas, here are some more ideas that might work for your family.
Here is a key element: these are all crowd pleasers. Because there is nothing worse than not feeling like cooking AND your family doesn’t eat the meal you eventually make.
Fish n' Chips You can find really delicious frozen beer battered fish at the supermarket. These are different than the standard fish sticks that kids generally enjoy. Pop the beer battered cod into the oven according to the package directions along with some french fries. If you like to make your own fries in the air fryer, slice your potatoes (keep the skins on... you don't feel like cooking, remember?), let them soak for 20 minutes in water, then drain and pat dry. Season with 2 Tbs olive oil and a teaspoon each of onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. Season with salt and pepper to taste and cook in the air fryer according to your air fryer directions. Serve this with a side of peas, tartar sauce, a lemon wedge and malt vinegar.
Chicken burgers These are a nice alternative to a traditional beef burger and way less messy. (When you don't feel like cooking, you don't generally feel like cleaning either.) Place your breaded chicken patties directly from the freezer onto a greased baking pan and bake according to the package directions. Toast the buns. (Keep those in the freezer too so you always have them on hand.) Serve with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mayo and mustard and whatever other toppings you like. So easy.
Meatball subs Cook your meatballs straight from the freezer in this easy, but satisfying recipe. Place 1/2 cup of water in the Instant Pot, add 1lb of frozen meatballs, Place a 14oz jar of marinara sauce on top. Close the lid to the Instant Pot and set it to sealing. Cook according to your Instant Pot instructions (I cook mine on high pressure for 12 minutes). Place the meatballs on toasted, buttered sandwich rolls and place mozzarella cheese on top. Lightly toast in the oven until the cheese is melted.
Tuna pasta salad This classic pantry dish is a family favorite. My mother made this for us and I, in turn, enjoy serving it to my family... even on days I don't feel like cooking. I usually have all of the ingredients and can whip this up in no time. Boil and drain your pasta (I like to use penne or fusilli), Add mayonnaise to taste, garlic salt, and whatever ingredients you have on hand. I like olives, corn, pickles, peas, etc. Don't forget to add the canned tuna (drained). Delicious!
Soup and salad or soup and sandwich This one is delightfully easy and still satisfying. I like to heat up a nice tomato soup on the stove and fry up a few grilled cheese sandwiches on sourdough bread. I serve the soup with a dollop of sour cream and a very easy meal has just been served.
Rotisserie chicken with vegetables This is a wonderful alternative to take-out. On days I don't like to cook, I like to pick up a rotisserie chicken and serve with a simple salad. If you want to make it really easy, make one of those salad kits from the grocery store. So easy.
Breakfast for dinner This is actually the 7th idea, but I had to include it here as a bonus. Many people don't consider breakfast for dinner, but it's the perfect thing you make when you have nothing to make or don't feel like cooking. You can usually fry up some eggs, make some toast and bacon, and have a rather enjoyable dinner. Or consider having waffles, or even sausage and blueberry muffins.
News
📍I have released a new line of beautiful and affordable digital art through Teespring. Check out these beautiful Parisian Cityscapes. A 3-pack of artwork is only $2.99. Print them and frame them for easy and elegant artwork in your own home. A Parisian Monuments 3-pack is also available.
📍If you are looking for more content, consider becoming a member of The Daily Connoisseur through the MEMBERSHIPS feature. I publish one vodcast every Friday and do one livestream or zoom call once a month. It only costs $1.99 a month. There are also upper tiers available for people who are interested in supporting the channel on a higher level and receiving monthly mentions in the videos.
📍Join us for The Chic Assignment for February.
On Instagram
View this post on InstagramA post shared by mary (@nydbary)
Comment of the Week
Regarding Monday's interview with Bryan Kozlowski, Sandy writes, "I so enjoyed this interview! I want to read both of his books. What really stood out was how etiquette can slow down our eating, so we can take time digesting and registering that we are full, and enjoying conversation and time spent together. I eat slow compared to my husband and kids, and cooking from scratch takes so long, I have thought about serving my family in courses so that they will take a slower approach to eating. I also loved hearing about the Queen looking at every situation, and finding one positive thing to look forward to. Thank you for the interview and sharing such timeless advice."
Thank you so much, Susan. I'm so happy you enjoyed our interview!
I hope you enjoyed today's video. I would love to know what you make for dinner when you don't feel like cooking. Let us know in the comments and your comment could be chosen as comment of the week on the blog.
*NEW* Join The Chic Society on YouTube and become a member of The Daily Connoisseur.
Visit my newly designed Author Website
Shop my Amazon page for a comprehensive list of my favorite things and mentions on the blog.
Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor
Twitter @JL_Scott
Instagram @dailyconnoisseur
Take my affordable eCourses on the POISE *NEW course*, debt-free living, and efficiency at home
FTC: This post is not sponsored. I use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links.
