Jennifer L. Scott's Blog, page 29

Cooking, Cleaning, and Sewing are the New Wellness?

Daily Connoisseur reader, Rachele, sent me this article from Elemental: Cooking, Cleaning, and Sewing Are the New Wellness.



The article discusses how many women are turning to old-fashioned, traditional homemaking practices such as baking bread and cleaning for self-care and wellness. Here are a few takeaway quotes from the article:

"Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that repetitive acts increase a person’s belief that they can manage a situation that is otherwise out of their hands."

"Household hobbies allow you to exert mindful effort. Consider them the antithesis to a society that has all its needs met without much exertion at all."

“In this modern age, we have lost the ability to be bored and then be inspired and then create something new. I think [home hobbies] are incredibly therapeutic.”

I believe the mundane, repetitive tasks that we do everyday constitute such a large portion of our lives, we might as well "re-brand" them in our minds and think about them differently. If we have to do them, we might as well enjoy them. In that sense, I do believe homemaking is the new wellness. And with the recent pandemic quarantine, so many people are forced to look at their home life and analyze how it is working for them and to rebrand their systems of keeping house.

Featured in the video:

My jumpsuit (new for spring) is by Lulu's
My earrings are Rachelyn Jewelry
I clean with eCloth microfiber cloths
Glass cleaner is by Squeak
The rest of my cleaning products are from Grove Collaborative
My candle is by Cellar Door Candle Co.
Keep Calm and Remain Classy mug

I hope you enjoy today's video.



News

What to do if You Run out of Toilet Paper, Diapers, and Feminine Products

The COVID-19 Pandemic has brought about many surprising curve balls to our daily lives. One of them being the lack of supplies found worldwide. Most noticeable: toilet paper, or lack thereof. Many people are left wondering what they will do when they run out of these essentials: hygiene products, baby products, and feminine products. In today's video, I'm giving you some reusable, eco-friendly alternatives that you might not have considered to help you keep at peace with the empty shelves we are finding in the shops.



Let's talk first about toilet paper. The obvious alternatives are tissues, paper towels, and other paper products (many of which are not flushable... so we must find an alternative disposing method). But what do we do when the paper alternatives run out? I discuss various ideas such as an attachment bidet (Americans do not typically have standalone bidets in their bathrooms in case you Europeans are wondering about this), a bottle bidet (which is portable and easily placed in each bathroom), the type of handheld bidet ladies use after childbirth, cotton washcloths, and flannel reusable wipes.

UPDATE: Many of the items I listed have sold out since they are so in demand right now. I have done further research and found the following:

Bidets from BB&B
Peri bottles
and more Peri bottles
Peri bottle option 3
Medline cleansing bottle
Bidet bliss

What do you do when you run out of diapers and wipes? I've been meaning to share more about my cloth diaper routine with you. Cloth diapers are wonderful money saving alternatives to the standard diaper. They are also eco-friendly and soft for baby to wear. It's a good idea to have these anyway in case you ever run low on diapers. In today's video I talk you through how they work. Here are a list of items discussed:

cloth diapers solid
more cloth diapers solid
cloth diapers pattern
wet bags in grey
wet bags floral


And now for that tricky subject: that time of the month. What do we do if supplies run out? If you haven't already considered a menstrual cup, now is a great time to do so. I only recently discovered them and wish I had known about them years ago. They work wonderfully, are reusable for several years, eco-friendly, and budget-friendly. Here are a list of the most popular ones. I personally use the Dutchess brand.
Dutchess duo
Dutchess cup wash
Pixie cup
Pixie cup steamer
Lena cup
Diva cup
Diva cup cleanser
menstrual cup container (to store the cup)
menstrual cup wet bag
period underwear option 1
period underwear option 2
period underwear option 3

You can also find cloth pads on Etsy, cloth wipes on Etsy, and cloth diapers on Etsy.


News

Handshakes, Social Distancing & Homeschooling in Light of the Coronavirus

Are handshakes off limits? What are the do's and don'ts of social distancing? And what do you do if you find yourself homeschooling during the Coronavirus pandemic? These are the topics we are discussing in today's video.



I recently did a video on the etiquette of handshake snubs. We discussed the intricacies of the handshake and now that the world is dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic, it's an important topic to revisit. In today's video I give you two respectful ways to avoid handshakes when meeting people. I agree with my friend Myka Meier, who wrote the new book Modern Etiquette Made Easy. Myka advocates for the "stop, drop, and nod". In this technique, you place your hands behind your back and nod your head with a smile.

Another way to avoid handshakes is to clasp your hands together and smile and nod. These send clear but non-agressive signals that you are not interested in handshakes.

Another topic of conversation is social distancing. What are the do's and don'ts in this post coronavirus world? This article from The Atlantic lays out great guidelines for social distancing. What are your thoughts on the subject?

Another helpful resource is the CDC, which lays out guidelines on what to do for prevention and what to do if you feel sick.

And finally, I'm answering a question I have received frequently: what do you do if you find yourself homeschooling your kids over the next few weeks? My advice is to, of course, follow the guidelines and curriculum given to you by the school. But if no guidelines or curriculum are given, take this opportunity to have a fun learning experience and consider doing a unit study. A unit study focuses on one subject. You can dive in and create your own curriculum about this with books, documentaries, crafts, even cooking food from the time period (if it's a history unit study). Get creative, watch YouTube videos for inspiration on what to do and just enjoy this time with your family. Daily practice with math and grammar is a great idea too.

I know this is a very stressful time for many. The future seems uncertain. I hope that you find this blog a refuge from the outside world and that you leave feeling refreshed. I pray that you and your families are healthy and safe.

I'll be back tomorrow with another encouraging video to keep you company during this time. Let us know your experience in the comments below.

News

Ten-Item Wardrobe End-of-Season Recap for Fall/Winter

In today's Ten-Item Wardrobe end-of-season recap, I critique my fall/winter wardrobe and share how each item performed. What did I wear the most? What didn't last? What will return for next fall/ winter? These questions are all answered in today's video.



I also show you three new dresses I have purchased so far for spring. They include this Draper James denim chambray dress, this Universal Thread blue and white sundress, and this pretty linen blend puff sleeve white midi dress.

The ten-item wardrobe causes you to get thoughtful and intentional about your wardrobe. You can't help but assess your choices at the end of each season. By doing so, you will come to conclusions about your true style, your favorite brands, or brands and styles you'd like to veer away from in the future.

Today's video is sponsored by LILYSILK which is a marvelous online destination for silk clothing and home goods. This is the silk tee featured in the video and these are the scrunchies. LILYSILK have given us 12%off with code Daily12.

I hope you enjoy today's video.

News

The Disturbing Trend in What I Eat in a Day Videos

I love to watch "What I Eat in a Day" videos on YouTube. They give me inspiration for what to feed my family and also help me out when I am in a rut. Lately I've noticed a disturbing trend, however, in the most popular of these videos on YouTube... We are going to analyze this trend in today's video.



The tell-tale sign happens in the thumbnail for most of these videos. The thumbnail is the image that the video creator chooses to showcase their video. Thumbnails are nearly always deliberate. Thumbnails drive views, so video creators are encouraged to come up with a relevant and enticing thumbnail.

In nearly all of the popular "What I Eat in a Day" videos, the thumbnails contain both the food consumed and.... wait for it... a bikini or underwear selfie. Now, this is both perplexing and not perplexing. Obviously this type of thumbnail will get a lot of attention and views and that is why the creators are choosing to promote their video in this way.

But there are also subliminal messages associated with this type of advertisement. Essentially the video creator is saying "you too can look as good as I do in a bikini if you eat what I eat in a day". When you watch these videos often the diets consumed are unrealistic and laden with false health claims. The ideas promoted are strictly to promote being skinny, fit, and healthy. Ironically, many of the diets do not contain the proper elements of a well-balanced diet.

One of the best concepts I learned while living in Paris is to enjoy dining, not mindlessly snack, and to not deprive myself. Of course, many people have dietary restrictions for health reasons, but I am talking about the rule here and not the exception. The trend toward eating only to be skinny and not enjoy the actual meal creates neurosis around food and potentially dangerous eating disorders.

I discuss this in more depth in today's video and I would love to hear your thoughts as well. What do you think?

I hope you enjoy today's video.


Featured in the video:
The candle behind me is by Cellar Door Candles
Keep Calm and Carry On mug
My sweater is by Mott & Bow JLS10 for 10% off first time orders
My camisole is by LilySilk 12%off with code Daily12
My earrings are by Ana Luisa NY Use code Jennifer10 for $10 off your first order

News

DIY Freestyle French Manicure | Londontown

In today's video I'm sharing how I do a DIY freestyle French manicure. I love to do my manicures at home because it saves money. I enjoy practicing different techniques and I have been wearing a French manicure regularly the past few months.



The key with an at-home French manicure is with the steadiness of hand. After applying a base coat, take your white nail color (making sure there isn't too much product on the brush), place the hand you are painting flat and keeping the hand with the polish steady, roll the finger you're painting until you get a smooth line.



This certainly requires practice and patience, but over time it will come easier to you. Also, know that you will make a mess and the polish will end up on your fingers. That's OK, you can remove it with a q-tip and some nail polish after your nails dry.

Once you paint all of your nail tips, you can then add a sheer color and top coat. Use an accelerating drying oil to speed up the dry time.

I use Londontown 9-free nail polish as I find them to be the best and most long lasting polishes I have ever used. Londontown is now sold at Neiman Marcus, which shows what a quality polish it is. My discount code JenniferS gives you 25% off... an amazing discount!

Here are all of the items I used in today's video:



Duchess (white color)
Cheerio (neutral shade)
Gel Genius base coat
Gel Genius top coat
soft touch nail scrub https://shrsl.com/25i77
cuticle oil
accelerating drying oil
glass nail file
Kur 2in1 hand and nail serum
Mirapur Essentail oils

I hope you enjoy today's video, which also shows how the nails hold up one week later.

Have a wonderful weekend and I will see you on Monday!




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Giorgio Armani Sparks Fury, Millennial Dresses like a Victorian + Yoga Pants Bad for Women? 3 Articles on Dress

Giorgio Armani sparks fury with his comments on fashion advertising, a millennial man chooses to wear Victorian clothes every day, and are yoga pants bad for women? Welcome to a new 3 Articles on the Subject of Dress.



In the first article from The Daily Mail, Italian fashion designer, Giorgio Armani, is put on blast for his critique of the fashion industry. Mr. Armani is concerned about the over sexualization of women in fashion advertising. Unfortunately when he made his opinion known, he also made a rather unfortunate analogy.

Our second article is actually a YouTube video featuring Millennial, Michael Koropisz, who chooses to wear Victorian clothing every day. Mr. Koropisz is a portrait artist who leads an unconventional life. I applaud his originality and love that he dresses in a way that he is passionate about.

And the final article is an opinion piece in the New York Times by Honor Jones. Ms. Jones questions why women wear yoga pants to exercise. She doesn't find them particularly warm or comfortable. Is it for self- optimization? To appear sexy? I'm not sure if either of those options are true, but I must admit to being perplexed as to why women wear them so much. Do you have insight into this?

I would love to know your opinions on each of the articles discussed.

What I'm wearing in today's video:
My dress is Draper James Yes, this is new for spring!
My earrings are SKYE Odette 18K gold pearl earrings Jennifer20 for 20% off
Nail polish: Londontown Duchess French manicure JenniferS for 25% off

Here are the time stamps for the video:
Giorgio Armani Sparks Fury 2:05
Millennial wears Victorian Clothes all the time 7:47
Yoga Pants bad for women? 9:30

If you find an article and wish to send it to me, please fill out my contact form .

News

Bored with Your Winter Capsule Wardrobe? That's Actually a Good Thing

It's that time of year again.... the seasons are about to change. Many women feel bored and dissatisfied with their capsule wardrobes right now. I know I always get antsy at the end of the season and start to feel anxious about switching out my wardrobe for the next one. I'm going to share why boredom with your ten-item wardrobe is actually a good thing.



When our children tell us they are bored, what do we say? Most parents encourage their children to use their imaginations and figure out how to fill their time. It's in these moments of boredom where true growth happens and where character is formed. The same can be said for our ten-item capsule wardrobes.

Make sure you watch today's video to hear another analogy to capsule wardrobe boredom. What do you think? Do you agree that self-discipline with the ten-item wardrobe builds character? Let us know your experience.

My earrings are by Skye Odette 18K gold pearl earrings code Jennifer20 for 20% off
My dress is by J.Jill


News

The Chic Assignment March 2020

Welcome to The Chic Assignment for March!



Chic Assignment no. 1 F. Chopin : Nocturne in c sharp minor for violin and piano_ YuEun Kim, Violin

We are revisiting my favorite composer, Chopin, for this month's musical selection. Check out this stellar performance by violinist, Yueun Kim.




Chic Assignment no. 2 William Butler Yeats



This month on the community tab on YouTube, I let you select the poet and Irish poet, William Butler Yeats, was the most popular choice. We are going to learn more about Yeats in the mid-month check in. You can read The Collected Poems of William Butler Yeats
Or you can check out his body of work at The Poetry Foundation website.

William Butler Yeats
On Woman, 1916

MAY God be praised for woman
That gives up all her mind,
A man may find in no man
A friendship of her kind
That covers all he has brought
As with her flesh and bone,
Nor quarrels with a thought
Because it is not her own.
Though pedantry denies,
It's plain the Bible means
That Solomon grew wise
While talking with his queens.
Yet never could, although
They say he counted grass,
Count all the praises due
When Sheba was his lass,
When she the iron wrought, or
When from the smithy fire
It shuddered in the water:
Harshness of their desire
That made them stretch and yawn,
pleasure that comes with sleep,
Shudder that made them one.
What else He give or keep
God grant me -- no, not here,
For I am not so bold
To hope a thing so dear
Now I am growing old,
But when, if the tale's true,
The Pestle of the moon
That pounds up all anew
Brings me to birth again --
To find what once I had
And know what once I have known,
Until I am driven mad,
Sleep driven from my bed.
By tenderness and care.
pity, an aching head,
Gnashing of teeth, despair;
And all because of some one
perverse creature of chance,
And live like Solomon
That Sheba led a dance.

Chic Assignment no. 3 We are going to focus on enjoying our meals this month, whatever they may be. I'll delve into this topic more as the month goes on, but in the meantime, remain present and focus on the joy of eating when you sit down to a meal.

Chic Assignment no. 4 - Let us transition our wardrobes for the change in season. It's time to keep an eye out for seasonal changes we'd like to make and assess our wardrobe from the past season. What worked and what didn't? I have a ten-item wardrobe video coming up for you tomorrow on the channel.

The music in today's video is copyright free music from MuseOpen Chopin Nocturne in C sharp minor performed by Chris Overholser.

Thank you for watching today's video.

The wallpaper is by Spoonflower[image error] Bohemian Garden Roses

My earrings are SKYE Aurore 18K gold pearl earrings Jennifer20 for 20% off



News

Meet Me in Texas at The Blossoming Lady Conference

I am hosting a one-day event in Dallas, Texas on April 25th called, The Blossoming Lady Conference. My co-hosts are Devoreaux Walton of The Modern Lady, and Nikki Moreno of Inspired by Nikki. Special guest speaker is Robin from Faith and Flour.



This event is being held at Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas. There are only 25 tickets available. We wanted to keep the event small so that we could all get to know each of you better. A gourmet three-course lunch will be served as well as afternoon coffee and refreshments.

This conference will focus on elegance and style in everyday life, with emphasis on dressing, entertaining, and making the mundane extraordinary. You can learn more and buy your tickets at our website www.theblossomingladyconference.com.

Each guest will receive a beautiful curated gift bag containing goods from many of the following sponsors: A'DEL Natural Cosmetics, Azalia Spa Goods, Carrot Top Paper Shop, Mirapur Essentail Oils, Rachelyn Jewelry, and The Cellar Door Candle Company. Londontown 9-free nail polish is also donating a raffle goody bag.

Learn more from my video announcement here and I hope to see you in Dallas!

Love,

Jennifer