Jennifer L. Scott's Blog, page 28

The Sweatpants Narrative, #FormalFridays & A Dress as a Uniform? 3 Articles on Dress

If our clothing tells a story, what narrative to pajamas and sweatpants tell? Also, New Zealanders are embracing #FormalFridays and one women wears a dress as a uniform. Welcome to 3 articles on the subject of dress.



I hope you had a lovely weekend... Happy Easter! We had a beautiful day even though we were on lockdown. It was relaxing and peaceful. So relaxing that I didn't get my work done and that's why this video is late :)

Also, thank you to everyone who has taken my new eCourse, Carry Yourself With Poise. It is a wonderfully fun course filled with passionate like-minded women who are all committed to living an elegant lifestyle.

Cheryl S. writes, "Jennifer, your content and advice is perfect. I appreciate that you share some of your own failures and struggles. I feel the pursuit of elegance and poise is a lifelong endeavor and we will make mistakes along the way. But, I believe the cost vs. the benefit of elegance and dignity is so worth the effort. Thanks for your inspiration."

Thank you so much, Cheryl. I am so happy you enjoyed the course!

Ok, now on to the 3 Articles on Dress:

The first article on the narrative of sweatpants was sent to me by Ginger W. from The Washington Post.

"To work from home and never take off your pajamas can, at first, feel like a kind of liberation — a celebration of comfort and a rebuke to stuffy corporate rules that demand pantyhose in summer and a jacket at all times. But going through an entire day in loungewear, it is easy to lose yourself and your sense of purpose and focus. Our clothes create boundaries. They mark time. Folks who regularly work from home speak of the need to change out of their pajamas into something, anything else to announce their day has begun. To not feel like a sloth. To feel ready to face the world because without the world, who are you?"

The next article on #FormalFridays in New Zealand was sent to me by Charlene R.

Finally, my friend, Joy Forney, sent me this article from Glamour Magazine on wearing a dress as a uniform.

I would love to know your thoughts on all of the articles discussed...

News

My New eCourse: Carry Yourself with Poise

Hello Daily Connoisseurs,

I've been working on my new eCourse, Carry Yourself with Poise, for the past five months and it is finally ready.



This course has well over two hours of video instruction and covers both the "seen" and the "unseen" aspects of what it takes to be an elegant lady.

We live in a world that does not value elegance and poise as it used to, but that does not mean it is not valuable. In fact, it is more valuable than ever as I discuss in today's announcement video.

I look forward to seeing you on the eCourse.

Have a wonderful Easter weekend.

With love,

Jennifer xx

Spring Ten-Item Capsule Wardrobe Talk-Through

Welcome to the Ten-Item Wardrobe Talk-Through for Spring/Summer 2020.



I discuss each piece in my ten-item wardrobe in today's video. This process has been particularly fun for me as I move out of the nursing and maternity phase that I have been in for so long. This accounts for many of the newer items this year. Last spring I was still in maternity/ nursing clothing full time.

I have eleven core items this year... Please remember, it's not about the "ten". Ten is used as a guide post for forming the core of your capsule wardrobe. If you've been following me for several years you'll know that some seasons I have ten core items, other seasons I'll have 12 or 13 or even 9. It doesn't matter.

Let's have a look at each of the core items.

*SKYE Risette Dress code Jennifer20 for 20% off. SKYE is an elevated minimalist brand. I adore their simple, yet stylish clothing. They have excellent hem lengths and thoughtful designs.


This blue & white floral dress is from Universal Thread at Target, but it is sold out, so I am linking a similar find here from Lulu's.


White linen dress. This is sold out so I am listing two very similar options from Lulu's here and here. Here is a link to all midi dresses at Target.


Draper James Chambray shift dress I love the Parisian minimalist look of this dress and find it to be a very versatile piece. I ordered a size up.


Mott & Bow dark denim jean JLS10 for 10% off and white blouse from Loft (sold out, so I am listing Loft's blouses here).


Mott & Bow white jean JLS10 for 10% off and Neesee’s Dresses blue floral blouse


Lulu’s black floral jumpsuit This jumpsuit is so comfortable and fashionable. I just love it.


Morning Lavender jumpsuit (sold out, so I am linking to Morning Lavender's jumpsuit selection here) Another lovely jumpsuit option that helps me to look presentable. It's also very easy to move in.


This pretty Loft blouse from last season is sold out, so I am listing Loft's current blouses here.

Let's have a look at some of the extras just from this year's wardrobe.


MerSea travel wrap in grey This is an elegant and beautiful wrap that comes in many different colors.



Gingham tee shirt is sold out, but I am listing a similar gingham blouse here. (Please note: this blouse I am linking is not a tee).


This casual red and white stripe tee is a fun take on the usual nautical strips I have this time of year.


The Très Chic sweatshirt is a fun, boatneck style vintage sweatshirt. It's a fun casual look.



Let's have a look at the new jewelry. These were sent to me by SKYE.

SKYE Léa 18K gold freshwater pearl earrings Jennifer20 for 20% off. These classic earrings with a twist feature hand-wrapped 18K gold threads and lustrous organic pearls for a delicate and timeless finish.


SKYE Opale 18K gold freshwater pearl earrings Jennifer20 for 20% off. These striking earrings bring an "off-kilter glamor" to everyday looks. They feature hand-wrapped 18K gold threads and lustrous organic pearls.


SKYE Azilis 18K gold freshwater pearl brooch Jennifer20 for 20% off. This unique and quirky brooch adds an artful flourish to your outfit. It has the same hand-wrapped 18K gold threads and beautiful organic pearls.


SKYE Issey necklace 18K gold freshwater pearl Jennifer20 for 20% off. This subtly beautiful pendant necklace has the same spun gold theme. The beautiful freshwater pearls accentuate the classic look.


Lilysilk silk scrunchies

The shoes featured in today's video are:
Sam Edelman Gigi nude patent sandal
Sam Edelman leopard sandal

Two good resources for spring shoes:
Spanish Sandal Co. a good resource for sandals.
Oliver Cabell a good resource for comfy flats.

Thank you to The Chic Connoisseurs for bringing us today's video.
askahomeschoolmom.net
A Better Life with KAT (Flylady Cleaning System)
A Sparkling Vintage Life
AAM truthteller
Alison Jennison-Smith
Audrey Coyne
BewitchedCrafts.com
Bliss Peterson
Brenda Ramsey
Candace V
Catherine Huang
Chelsea Kochevar
Clare's Classroom
Deborah J
DianaLC
healthywithluba.com
Heather Phillips
Helena O
Jane Goff
Jane Rowley
Janet Williams
Jennifer McDowell
Jessica Ortega-Mabry
Judy Moore
JulieMarieVh
Linda Montoya
Lori Skees
Maria Gerlicz-Pogorzelska
Marija B. Bingula
Melinda Loustalot
Michele Kieffer
Michelle the Italiagal
Monique Egelhoff
Natalie Dougherty
Natalie Schultz
Paula Ellis
Sarah Vitsas
Scott Rea
Shannon Biddy
Shannon Kim
Sheila Hopfensperger
ShushLorraine
Stacy Smith
This and That with Denise Jordan
Tiki Pié
Tracy Lopez
Wendy Cassara
Yen Lee

News

Ten-Item Capsule Wardrobe, Spring 2020

Welcome to my Spring ten-item capsule wardrobe for 2020.



In today's fashion show, I'm sharing my core items as well as some of my extras. I'll talk about each piece in the talk-through later in the week. For now, I hope you enjoy the show.

I have eleven core items this year... Please remember, it's not about the "ten". Ten is used as a guide post for forming the core of your capsule wardrobe. If you've been following me for several years you'll know that some seasons I have ten core items, other seasons I'll have 12 or 13 or even 9. It doesn't matter.

Let's have a look at each of the core items.

*SKYE Risette Dress code Jennifer20 for 20% off. SKYE is an elevated minimalist brand. I adore their simple, yet stylish clothing. They have excellent hem lengths and thoughtful designs.


This blue & white floral dress is from Universal Thread at Target, but it is sold out, so I am linking a similar find here from Lulu's.


White linen dress. This is sold out so I am listing two very similar options from Lulu's here and here. Here is a link to all midi dresses at Target.


Draper James Chambray shift dress


Mott & Bow dark denim jean JLS10 for 10% off and white blouse from Loft (sold out, so I am listing Loft's blouses here).


Mott & Bow white jean JLS10 for 10% off and Neesee’s Dresses blue floral blouse


Lulu’s black floral jumpsuit


Morning Lavender jumpsuit (sold out, so I am linking to Morning Lavender's jumpsuit selection here)


This pretty Loft blouse from last season is sold out, so I am listing Loft's current blouses here.

Let's have a look at some of the extras just from this year's wardrobe.


MerSea travel wrap in grey This is an elegant and beautiful wrap that comes in many different colors.



Gingham tee shirt is sold out, but I am listing a similar gingham blouse here. (Please note: this blouse I am linking is not a tee).


This casual red and white stripe tee is a fun take on the usual nautical strips I have this time of year.


The Très Chic sweatshirt is a fun, boatneck style vintage sweatshirt. It's a fun casual look.



Let's have a look at the new jewelry. These were sent to me by SKYE.

SKYE Léa 18K gold freshwater pearl earrings Jennifer20 for 20% off. These classic earrings with a twist feature hand-wrapped 18K gold threads and lustrous organic pearls for a delicate and timeless finish.


SKYE Opale 18K gold freshwater pearl earrings Jennifer20 for 20% off. These striking earrings bring an "off-kilter glamor" to everyday looks. They feature hand-wrapped 18K gold threads and lustrous organic pearls.


SKYE Azilis 18K gold freshwater pearl brooch Jennifer20 for 20% off. This unique and quirky brooch adds an artful flourish to your outfit. It has the same hand-wrapped 18K gold threads and beautiful organic pearls.


SKYE Issey necklace 18K gold freshwater pearl Jennifer20 for 20% off. This subtly beautiful pendant necklace has the same spun gold theme. The beautiful freshwater pearls accentuate the classic look.


Lilysilk silk scrunchies

The shoes featured in today's video are:
Sam Edelman Gigi nude patent sandal
Sam Edelman leopard sandal

Two good resources for spring shoes:
Spanish Sandal Co. a good resource for sandals.
Oliver Cabell a good resource for comfy flats.

Additionally, I get many questions about our home decor, so here are some direct or similar links to what you find in our sitting room:

Cezanne painting is from Great Big Canvas
Ballard Designs has a few leopard chair options.
Flower arrangement is from Horchow
My fiddle leaf fig is real, but here is a great faux option
Here is a similar blue and white lamp
Here are similar blue and white ginger jars.


News

Making Bread and Yogurt from Scratch | A Day in My Life

I'm making bread and yogurt from scratch in today's video....



The taste of homemade yogurt and bread far surpasses anything you could buy. I love making yogurt, especially and am excited to finally share my method with you in today's video.



This is a very simple bread recipe pulled from Bread World. There are instructions for using rapid rise yeast at that link too.

5-1/2 to 6 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
2 (4-1/2 tsp.) Active Dry Yeast
2 teaspoons salt
1-1/2 cups water
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter

Place 1/2 cup warm water (100° to 110°F) in a large warm bowl. Sprinkle in dry yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar; stir. Let sit 5 to 10 minutes, until foamy on top. Add remaining 1 cup water, milk, butter, sugar, salt and 4 cups flour. Mix well using the medium speed of an electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover; let rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 45 to 60 minutes.

Punch dough down. Divide dough in half. Roll each half to 12 x 7-inch rectangle. Beginning at short end of each rectangle, rollup tighly as for jelly roll. Pinch seams and ends to seal. Place, seam sides down, ingreased 8-1/2 x 4-1/2 inch loaf pans. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.

Bake at 400°F for 25 to 30 minutes or until done. Remove from pans; cool on wire rack.


To Make Whole Wheat Bread: Substitute 2 cups whole wheat flour for part of all purpose flour.




Take one quart of milk (I find whole milk works best) and cook until almost at a boil (the edges bubble) or 180 degrees F. Remove from heat and let cool to 110 degrees F. Then take one cup of the milk and set it aside to mix in the culture. Then pour that one cup and culture back into the quart and mix well. **Please note: if you don't have culture, you can use 1/4 cup of yogurt with culture in it.** Pour evenly into your yogurt glasses (do not put the lids on the glasses, those are only for refrigeration). Then place the large lid of the yogurt maker on and leave alone for 8 to 12 hours. Turn the yogurt maker off, place a lid on each individual cup, and refrigerate. Top with berries, jam, honey, or sweetener of your choice.

Here are the links to everything used:
Yogurt maker
Another yogurt maker option
Extra yogurt containers set of 8
pyrex dish one quart
yogurt thermometer
yogurt culture option 1
yogurt culture option 2
yogurt culture option 3
yogurt culture option 4
Homemade Yogurt recipe book

Bread:
For those who are intimated by making bread from scratch, consider a Bread machine (I don't use one in the video but I have used them in the past and they are great.)
bread machine option 2
copper measuring cups
KitchenAid mixer
loaf pans
loaf pans option 2
Large mixing bowl
active dry yeast
dish cloth (similar options) and here

Coffee:
Cappuccino maker
Keep Calm and Remain Classy Mug

hot pads (similar)
My apron
my dress

News

The Chic Assignment, April 2020

Welcome to The Chic Assignment for April, 2020.




Chic Assignment no. 1 Aaron Copland - Appalachian Spring (Orchestral suite). Check out this performance by the NY Philharmonic.




Red Poppy, 1927

Chic Assignment no. 2 Artist of the month: Georgia O'Keeffe You can see a list of her most famous paintings here. You can buy Georgia O'Keeffe-inspired canvas art here.

Chic Assignment no 3 Enjoy making something from scratch you previously relied upon from the grocery or drugstore. Ideas are: bread, yogurt, ice cream, pasta, pizza dough, soap, beauty products, growing your own vegetables or fruit. Most of you are already doing this...

Chic Assignment no. 4 Maintain your elegance at home. This could mean you dress well everyday. This could mean you work on taking the high road (if the people around you are driving you crazy, etc.), this could mean creating an elegant room in your home.

I hope you enjoy this month's assignments. I look forward to hearing your findings. We will touch on these subjects more throughout the month as well as in the mid-month check-in.

My dress is by Draper James and my earrings are by Rachelyn Jewelry.


I'll see you next time for a beautiful homemaking vlog where we will make bread and yogurt from scratch...


Visit my newly designed Author Website

*NEW* Join The Chic Society on YouTube and become a member of The Daily Connoisseur.

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 ten-item wardrobe, debt-free living, and efficiency at home


FTC: Today's video is not sponsored. I use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links.

While Everyone Else Has Been Buying Toilet Paper, We've Been Buying THIS

When the pandemic was announced, people started to hoard and stock up on toilet paper. We humans are attached to our modern luxuries (toilet paper is a fairly recent invention... humans have survived for thousands of year without it). Surely, I understand wanting the convenience and comfort of toilet paper, but it seems that there is a critical area that many people are ignoring...



As you know, in my What to Do if You Run Out of Toilet Paper video, there are many alternative options to toilet paper. While toilet paper is not essential to living... eating is. Eating is mandatory and while we may have our pantries stocked with canned goods, we will also want to supplement with fresh organic produce too. How can we do this when the grocery stores are gouged and we are encouraged to stay in our homes? Growing a garden is a solution.

You don't need a large plot of land. In fact, you don't need land at all. Even if all you have is a tiny balcony or doorstep or a window box, you can grow your own food. You can even grow food indoors. As you know, Ben and I are clueless gardeners, yet each year our garden produces abundant produce. If we can do it, you can too. Today, I give you a tour of our early spring garden and the plans we have for it.

I hope you enjoy today's video.

Here are some gardening and other resources for you:
Burpee (buy seeds, plants, and garden supplies here)
Raised garden beds
Growing sacks (for potatoes, onions, etc.) 20 gallon 5-pack
Potato grow bags 3-pack
The Grow Your Own Food Handbook

My sweater is from Mott & Bow code JLS10 for 10% off
My blouse is from NeeSee's Dresses
My necklace Ana Luisa Jewelry Use code Jennifer10 for $10 off
Gingham tablecloth blue
Gingham tablecloth in red



News

Connoisseur Reviews Part 2 | Bath & Skincare Edition

In Part 2 of Connoisseur Reviews, I'm sharing new skincare and bath finds. Let's jump in.





Azalia Spa Goods
Azalia Spa Goods is a line of handcrafted aromatherapy body oils created by Aimee Flor (a fellow Daily Connoisseur!) Here is a note from Amy on her delightful oils:
Instead of tinkering with complicated fillers or harsh chemicals for my products, I embrace only the purest plant- and flower-based ingredients. They in turn embrace our skin and body with the kindest forms of nourishment.

In small, thoughtfully blended batches, each Azalia oil is created to be your natural beauty everything: bath oil, massage oil, makeup remover, hair elixir, perfume...like little miracles in a bottle. They're made with only certified organic, vegan, and cruelty-free ingredients with a commitment to fair trade, which means they're super friendly- to you, our earth, and animals. With every purchase, a portion of sales are donated to the Garden School Foundation.

It's the simplest, purest form of indulgence. Elegant over fancy. Simplicity over synthetic. Beauty over glam.



Spongelle sponge flowers cleanse, exfoliate, massage, and nourish the skin. These buffers are infused with body wash and change instantly under water as you squeeze, from an exfoliating massage texture to a soft, silky sponge. They have a guaranteed number of 14+ washes. Code AFTERPAYDAY for 30% off (valid only until the end of March 2020).




Paula's Choice I have been enjoying my return back to Paula's Choice and after my announcement video sharing that I am using Paula's Choice again, the company reached out to me to see if I wanted to try some of their new products. I have been using the following for the past two months and really love them. I find Paula's Choice to be consistently good. I really like the serums and I feel the exfoliants work wonders for my skin. Here are all of the descriptions from the website for the items I'm sharing today.

2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Our #1 product worldwide + cult favorite, this gentle leave-on exfoliant with salicylic acid quickly unclogs pores, smooths wrinkles, brightens and evens out skin tone.
Clears & minimizes enlarged pores
BHA (beta hydroxy acid) sheds built-up layers of skin
Fluid, lightweight texture absorbs quickly
Use twice daily after cleansing & toning

.3% Retinol + .2% Bakuchiol Treatment A triple-action blend of retinol, bakuchiol and peptides supports collagen-depleted skin to target fine lines, deep wrinkles and loss of firmness.

Power Berry Serum This 95% natural serum gives skin a healthy glow through a potent combination of berries selected for their proven antioxidant power in nature.

Omega + Complex Serum Superfood for your skin! Omega fatty acids in this serum strengthen skin’s surface with the essential nutrients needed for healthy, hydrated, visibly stronger skin.

Boost C15 Super Booster This concentrated booster with 15% pure vitamin C dramatically brightens uneven skin while improving the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

Hydrating Treatment Mask A deeply hydrating face mask for dry to very dry skin that works overnight to restore a dewy, resilient, appearance and feeling of firmness for a visibly refined complexion.



Bend Soap Co. salves code DC10 for 10% off
You know how much I love Bend Soap Co. I adore their Goat milk soaps, lotions, and high-quality bath products. They launched a new line of healing salves and I have been loving them and using them over the past month. Here are their properties:

Baby Salve Safe, effective, and 100% natural.
Protective barrier against wetness to help soothe and prevent diaper rash.
Infused with natural ingredients that protect and nourish the skin.
100% cloth diaper safe!

Soothing Salve Safe, effective, and 100% natural.
Free of essential oils and natural scents.
Moisturize, soothe, repair, and protect with this all-purpose salve.
Use on chapped skin, irritation, inflammation, rashes, and burns.
100% Cloth diaper safe!

Breathe Well Salve Safe, effective, and 100% natural.
Helps promote deeper breathing for all ages.
Apply to chest, back, or under the nose.
Powerful defense against congestion.

Defender Salve Safe, effective, and 100% natural.
Powerful defense against bacteria.
Nourishing ingredients form a protective layer over the skin to help prevent scarring.
Useful for treating scrapes, cuts, and minor burns.

News

Connoisseur Reviews Part 1 | Tea, Protein Powder, Vegan Jerky, Air Purifying Bags & Books Galore

Welcome to the March edition of Connoisseur Reviews. Today I have a variety of interesting high-quality finds to share with you. Some of these I found on my own, some of them were sent for me to review. Some of them have discount codes and some do not. In part one, we are examining many consumable items as well as air purifying bags and some great new books.
Let's jump in...



JAF Tea sampler Gift Set JAF Teas is a family-owned business from Sri Lanka that has been operating since 1944. They have a gift set of teas and for bagged tea, they are excellent quality. My favorite is the English Breakfast as it is strong and robust.
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Teami Blends Butterfly Tea code JLS25 for 25% off for over $35 orders
Butterfly Tea Blend is a caffeine-free herbal tea that provides endless health/beauty benefits from head to toe! Derived from Asia, this naturally blue tea has been used for centuries to increase overall wellness and vitality.* Add lemon (or any acidic fruit) to magically change its color to purple, or honey to change it to pink! Have fun and create your own beautiful elixirs at home any time, day or night! Also known as “the beauty tea,” this blend is refreshingly light with jasmine and stevia for a natural hint of sweetness!

Super Ingredients:

Butterfly Pea Flowers: This magic, naturally color-changing ingredient is full of beauty benefits and helps protect skin against aging stressors from the inside out*
Jasmine Tea: A well-known immune boosting tea, we love aromatic jasmine for all of its many health benefits*
Stevia Leaf: A healthy alternative to sugar, this zero-calorie addition gives our blend a lightly sweet aftertaste




Teami Chocolate Protein Powder code JLS25 for 25% off for over $35 orders
This chocolate protein powder is delicious and creamy.




Bisou Natural charcoal air purifying bags are all-natural and chemical-free. They are a natural alternative to traditional air fresheners which can contain up to 80,000 chemicals.
Crowned as “Black Gold”, the premium activated Moso bamboo charcoal inside Bisou Natural air purifying bags has 5x more pores than regular activated charcoal. From the website: When air passes through “Black Gold”, odor particles, allergens and bacteria get trapped in the billions of pores. Air then comes out clean as part of a powerful natural air purification process. These air purifiers last for one year.
Use code PREMIUM for 30% off of Bisou Natural.

Here are two bulk long-shelf life savory snacks that can be found on Amazon, Ralphs, Walmart, & CVS

Krave plant-based vegan jerky
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KRAVE long shelf-life snacks: Plant-Based Jerky
As KRAVE's first departure from meat products, KRAVE Plant-Based Jerky is perfect for flexitarians and those looking to incorporate more plant-based foods into their diets. KRAVE Plant-Based Jerky features a taste and texture similar to that of KRAVE Gourmet Meat Cuts but is made from peas and fava beans for an eating experience and nutritional profile superior to any vegan jerky currently on the market. With 8 grams of protein per serving, each bag of KRAVE Plant-Based Jerky is a good source of protein and comes in two uniquely savory flavors: Smoked Chipotle and Korean BBQ.

Krave Al Pastor Keto Pork Rinds The Al Pastor flavor is my favorite.
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Keto-friendly KRAVE Pork Rinds give a better-for-you, culinary-inspired and flavor-forward update to the beloved snack, with ingredients you can pronounce and just the right amount of crunch. Each bag is packed with 6g of collagen peptides and is gluten-free. KRAVE Pork Rinds currently come in two perfectly crunchy, hormone-free, all-natural, Keto-friendly, KRAVE-worthy flavors: Chili Lime and Al Pastor Taco. ** My favorite is the Al Pastor Taco.


Traditional Meals for the Frugal Family by Shannon Stonger
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Don't Overthink It by Anne Bogel
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The Middle Ground: Casual Elegance for the Modern Man by T. Christopher Cox
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A Timekeeper's Journal by Theresa Brown
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Little Foundlings by Theresa Brown
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Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
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Thank you to the Chic Connoisseurs (the middle tier in memberships) for bringing us today's video! Here they are:
Ask a Homeschool Mom website
A Better Life with KAT
A Sparkling Vintage Life
AAM truthteller
Alison Jennison-Smith
Audrey Coyne
Bewitched Crafts
Bliss Peterson
Brenda Ramsey
Candace V
Catherine Huang
Chelsea Kochevar
Deborah J
DianaLC
healthywithluba.com
Heather Phillips
Jane Goff
Jane Rowley
Janet Williams
Jennifer McDowell
Jessica Ortega-Mabry
Judy Moore
JulieMarieVh
Linda Montoya
Lori Skees
Maria Gerlicz-Pogorzelska
Marija B. Bingula
Melinda Loustalot
Michele Kieffer
Monique Egelhoff
Natalie Dougherty
Natalie Schultz
Paula Ellis
Sarah Vitsas
Scott Rea
Shannon Biddy
Sheila Hopfensperger
ShushLorraine
Stacy Smith
This and That with Denise Jordan
Tiki Pié
Tracy Lopez
Wendy Cassara
Yen Lee


News

The Chic Assignment Check-In | March 2020

Welcome to The Chic Assignment Check-in for March.





Chic Assignment no. 1 Chopin Nocturne in C sharp Minor

This month we listened to Chopin Nocturne in C sharp minor and I recommended this video by Yueun Kim. I was amazed to connect with her this month in the comment section. This beautiful and sublime piece has gotten me though many stressful moments this month.



Chic Assignment no. 2 William Butler Yeats

In today's video I read two poems by W.B. Yeats. I also read from his biography on Encyclopedia Brittanica.

The Sorrow of Love
W. B. Yeats - 1865-1939

The quarrel of the sparrows in the eaves,
The full round moon and the star-laden sky,
And the loud song of the ever-singing leaves,
Had hid away earth's old and weary cry.

And then you came with those red mournful lips,
And with you came the whole of the world's tears,
And all the sorrows of her labouring ships,
And all the burden of her myriad years.

And now the sparrows warring in the eaves,
The curd-pale moon, the white stars in the sky,
And the loud chaunting of the unquiet leaves
Are shaken with earth's old and weary cry.


When You Are Old
W. B. Yeats - 1865-1939

When you are old and grey and full of sleep,
And nodding by the fire, take down this book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;

How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty with love false or true,
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face;

And bending down beside the glowing bars,
Murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled
And paced upon the mountains overhead
And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.


Chic Assignment no. 3 Enjoy your Food
I did a video earlier in the month on the disturbing trend I notice in "What I Eat in a Day" videos on YouTube. It seems that the only purpose for eating in the majority of these videos is to eat to get skinny, with little to no enjoyment of the actual food itself. I like to encourage people to enjoy their meals with a healthy attitude, like we did in Madame Chic's home.


Chic Assignment no. 4 Get your wardrobe ready for spring
Our Southern Hemisphere friends will be preparing for the fall, but either way, we are to prepare our wardrobes for the change in season. I shared my ten-item wardrobe end-of-season check-in with you this month where I shared my thoughts on my past wardrobe and also pieces that are to come for spring. It's a great idea to get intentional about your wardrobe because every year you draw closer and closer to your true style.

Here are some of the new pieces I show in today's video:
New jumpsuit for spring
blue dress for spring
More gingham ideas from Draper James
Gingham tee from Loft (similar)
(My gingham tee is from Loft but sold out)

The Elegant Connoisseurs
Thank you to the Elegant Connoisseurs for bringing us the Chic Assignment check-in. The Elegant Connoisseurs are the top tier in the memberships feature on my channel. Here are these lovely ladies:
All the King’s Morsels – Kristen King
American Blossom Linens – Janet Wischnia
Awesome Possum Powers – Shannon Beers
Azalia Spa Goods – Aimee Flor
Cynthia Rehbein Create Your Own Lookbook
Inspired by Nikki
Nikki's Etsy shop
Julie Kolman – My Confident Closet
Katy Rose, Artist
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