Jennifer L. Scott's Blog, page 47

How I Blow Dry My Hair | Twice Weekly Blow Dry | Jennifer L. Scott

It's been a long time since I've shared how I blow-dry my hair. I figured I better get this video out before I start losing my hair due to postpartum hair loss :) (which, by the way, is already happening!).



My way certainly isn't professional, but it's what works for me and would work well for anyone who has a lot of hair and likes to get their strands smooth and sleek. I section my hair off by first tying up the top portion of hair and blow drying the bottom in their own sections. Please watch today's video for the full tutorial.



Here are the items I use to blow-dry my hair: the blow dryer (I use the 3200 model, but that is no longer made, so I am linking the 3500 model here. It's the newer version), round brush, and La Beauté hair serum for frizz-free heat protection (I seriously love this stuff).

For shampoo and conditioner I have been using the Acure with argan oil + pumpkin that I reviewed in last week's Natural Home with Jennifer. Please note: many of you have asked me to review a shampoo and conditioner bar so I will be doing that soon.

Also featured: on my nails Londontown Full Monty, a nice opaque neutral. (always use my links with code JenniferS for 25% off of Londontown 9-free polish), and the robe I'm wearing can be found on Amazon.

Thank you for watching. I hope you enjoy today's video.

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We Respond to Your Etiquette Conundrums | Ben and Jennifer Scott

Thank you to everyone who sent in requests for today's etiquette video. I received hundreds of comments and letters through the blog, YouTube, social media and my contact form on the author website. Clearly the topic of modern etiquette resonates with so many people. You would not believe the stories we read! I have enough material for an entire year :) Ben and I could not address each question, but answered a variety of conundrums in today's video.



How do you handle the houseguest who is perpetually on their smartphone? What do you do when your theatre experience is sabotaged by a fellow audience member? What's the etiquette for grooming oneself in public? What should you say to a pregnant lady? How do you handle dogs at the dinner table? Is the wave of courtesy extinct? Find out our answers to all of these questions plus much, much more.

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New Natural Finds | Hand Sanitizer, Hair Care, Eczema & e-cloth | Natural Home with Jennifer

On today's episode of Natural Home with Jennifer , I'm sharing some new natural finds in four different categories.



Hand Sanitizers


Birdie and Minnie Hand Sanitizers by Olika [image error]are wonderful little inventions. Here are some of their attributes:

VALUE - With 350+ sprays or 175 uses, Birdie replaces 10+ bottles of gel based alternatives.
HYDRATING - Formulation is proven to improve skin hydration for up to 24 hours.
BETTER-FOR-YOU INGREDIENTS - Formula contains 7 simple, natural ingredients that you can recognize and understand: Alcohol, water, glycerin, aloe vera and the essential oils of lemon, spearmint and bergamot.
NO NASTY CHEMICALS: Vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free and void of any harsh chemicals or artificial fragrances.
DUAL FUNCTIONALITY - Birdie contains a sanitizing spray plus 10 dry wipes. Simply spray liquid on to wipe to capture dirt and grime on hands.
HIGH TECH - Birdie contains a twist locking mechanism to prevent accidental sprays on-the-go. Our bird needs to be fully unlocked in order to spray liquid.
The Minnie has 500+ sprays or 250 uses, Minnie replaces 15+ bottles of gel based alternatives.

They are also TSA friendly, so you can take them on your flight. Olika sent me these to review back in December and I've been using them ever since. They are very handy and make a great natural alternative to traditional chemical-laden hand sanitizers.

Shampoo + Conditioner



The Acure Argan Oil + Pumpkin Shampoo and Conditioner is a beautifully hydrating duo with a delightful scent. (Seriously, this smells amazing). I purchased mine on Grove Collaborative but you can also find the set on Amazon.

Vegan, gluten and cruelty free
Paraben, sulfate, silicone, sodium chloride, phthalate and synthetic fragrance free
Color safe, 100 percent biodegradable

I find these to be very moisturizing. They get my hair clean and I like their natural properties.


Eczema Therapy Cream



I requested the Kamedis Dermatology Eczema Therapy Cream to try as I have suffered from a particularly bad case of hand eczema of late. (Watch today's video to hear the whole story.) I find this cream to be very soothing and does help my hands when I suffer from a flare-up. Here are some of the botanicals found in this natural cream:

Chinese Rhubarb: a strong anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial botanical
Great Burnet
Tree of Heaven
Baikal Skullcap
Cnidium Fruit
Licorice

Here is more on Kamedis Dermatology from their website:
Kamedis skin formulations are derived from natural botanicals used in traditional Chinese medicine, botanicals that have been renowned for their therapeutic properties for hundreds if not thousands of years. Ours are conscientiously sourced and meticulously purified. Our manufacturing process employs the highest quality standards, including assessment of physical and chemical properties and microbiological testing.

**Please ask the opinion of your healthcare professional before using any new product to treat your eczema condition.

e-cloths - clean with just water



I love my e-cloths and was excited to test out the electronics cloth and glassware polishing cloth

They both performed beautifully. I was especially impressed with how the electronics cloth polished my laptop. To use, try it on your electronics dry first. If you have any stubborn streaks, dampen one corner of the cloth with water and wipe, then go over the same spot with a dry part of the towel.



The glass polishing cloth has a rough texture that is perfect for polishing your glasses. A great thing to do before a dinner party.

I hope you enjoyed the items reviewed on today's Natural Home with Jennifer. If you have any requests for this series, please let me know.

Have a wonderful weekend and I'll see you on Monday for an all new video.



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When a Garment Doesn't Work Out | Sweater Coat Return | Jennifer L. Scott

Not every venture will be a success in your ten-item wardrobe. If you ever partake in online shopping, you will frequently come across an order that is better left returned. I had been eyeing this sweater coat from the Peruvian Connection since August. Of course it looks gorgeous on the model and I thought it would be perfect for my ten-item wardrobe (this would be considered an extra).



But at nearly $300, I hesitated and waited until Black Friday to order. It never went on sale, but I ordered it anyway. I was disappointed when it arrived and wasn't a good fit for me.

Please note: I am not critiquing the quality. The quality of this sweater is excellent. It's woven from soft alpaca and is so luxurious. The fit was off for me. It looked like a bathrobe and I was bothered by the lack of pockets.

When you order something online, sometimes the temptation is there to keep it just because it's too much of a bother to ship it back, but don't settle. Every piece in your ten-item wardrobe needs to be a star. I ended up returning this piece.

I thought about scrapping this video, but I actually think it's valuable for me to show you my process. When I buy something I really analyze it. This is what goes into a thoughtful ten-item wardrobe.

I hope you enjoy today's video.

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Send Us Your Etiquette Conundrums | Jennifer L. Scott

Hello Daily Connoisseurs,

I'm coming to you today with a quick announcement. Please leave me your etiquette horror stories, conundrums & observations in the comment section. Ben and I plan to do a video where we respond to your questions.

You know that's going to be a good video! :)



If you don't wish to leave your comment below, you can always email me here. * Please note: due to the large volume of emails I receive, I am not always able to respond. I read every email and appreciate every one.

Thank you and I'll see you on Thursday for another ten-item wardrobe video!

Jennifer xx




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New Jeans for my Ten-Item Wardrobe | Flat-Front Classic Dark Wash Jeans | Jennifer L. Scott

When you actively do the ten-item wardrobe, each season will likely present at least one or two holes in your wardrobe, where you will need to shop for just the right thing to fit in with your other items. One of my holes this year is a pair of jeans. I had a great pair of AG jeans for several years. Then during my pregnancy period, I wore maternity jeans. Now I am ready for a new pair.



Because my time is so limited, I did not go to a shop, but rather ordered them online. This time I tried an unexpected place: Land's End.

Normally, I would go to Nordstrom or another department store with a plethora of jeans to choose from, but I was looking for something very specific: a classic pair of dark wash jeans with no holes, preferably with a flat front.

Spanx has a jean like this but it is skin tight and has holes in it... so it didn't quite fit my list. But I found these jeans on Land's End and ordered them. I am pleasantly surprised!



I initially ordered a size 8, but they were too big and stretchy so I ordered a 6 with a 30 inseam (I am 5'5") and they fit perfectly.

I like to wear these with my Blondo booties and, as you can see in the video, they also look great with ballet flats.

I was looking for flat-front jeans particularly because after having my fourth baby, I needed jeans that slim in the tummy area. If you don't have flat-front jeans and would like to slim the tummy, use the infinity beltto keep the button tab down. I love the infinity belt and am so happy to have discovered it!

I hope you enjoy watching today's video. If you have any great jean brands to recommend, please let us know in the comment section below.

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The Best Smelling Laundry Detergent Ever? | Hiketron | Natural Home with Jennifer

One of the reasons I'm enjoying this Natural Home with Jennifer series so much is because I am discovering so many unique products and companies that I might never have known. Today's laundry video is so much fun. Hiketron contacted me after seeing Natural Home with Jennifer to tell me about their innovative laundry detergents. Hiketron is sponsoring today's video. They have sent me their unique laundry detergents to try and in today's video I sample all of them for you.



Let's start with my favorite aspect of these detergents: the scent! You know I'm driven by scents. I love them. Whether it be perfume, or a home fragrance, scents capture our hearts and evoke powerful memories. One of my fondest scent memories that I will never forget is smelling Madame Chic's laundry in their 16th arrondissement apartment. Her laundry had a unique signature scent that was very mild and pleasant. I have yet to encounter that scent, but can still recall it so many years later.



Hiketron's laundry is beautifully scented. Their Mambo Man and Royal Linen scents are perhaps the best smelling detergents I have ever tried. The fragrances are truly long-lasting too. Every time I walk by the linen closet I capture their subtle yet beautiful scents.

But the scents are not the only features of these detergents. Here are other benefits of the high-quality Hiketron detergents:

Late-Night Freezer Cooking | 12 Meals | Jennifer L. Scott

After the holidays, I started running low on freezer meals and noticed we were resorting to less-than-healthy dinners out of haste. When this happens, I know it's time to stock up on freezer meals again. In today's late-night cooking session, I make 3 shepherd's pies, 3 chicken and gravy meals, 3 taco soups, and 3 beef tips with mushrooms, making a total of 12 meals.



Today's video is a collaboration with the Queen of freezer meals, Amy Maryon. Amy has a lovey YouTube channel where she shares tips on how she cares for her large family. Her freezer meal videos are so motivational! You can check out Amy's video here. Be sure to check out her video and subscribe if you want cleaning and meal prep motivation. If you visit her, please tell Amy I said, "hello"!

I have posted the recipes for the shepherd's pies and the beef tips before. Please note that I added a lot of extra veggies to today's shepherd's pie, including celery, mushroom, and greens, along with the usual mixed frozen vegetables. I want to empower you to create exactly the type of freezer meal your family needs. If you want to add lots of veggies, definitely do so. Don't worry about making an authentic dish. Customize it to your family's taste.

Without further ado, here are the printable recipes:


Yield: makes 3 large for the freezerAuthor: Jennifer L. ScottPrint RecipeWith ImageWithout ImageShepherd's Pie (Cottage Pie)

Make these cottage pies in bulk and freeze them for a later date. You will be so pleased you did! Please customize this to your taste. In the video, I add a lot more vegetables than are listed here. Use what you have.

ingredients:3 to 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil1 large onion, chopped5 to 6 lbs ground beef4  6oz cans tomato paste3 Tbs bouillon 3 Tbs flour3 cups broth1 cup water4 - 6 cups vegetables (frozen or fresh)6 cups mashed potatoesinstructions:Cook the chopped onion with a few tablespoons of olive oil on medium high heat in a large pot until the onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Place the ground beef into pot and cook until brown. Drain the fat from the cooked meat and return the meat to the pan. Add the tomato paste and stir. Add the bouillon and flour and stir until incorporated. (You may omit the flour if you prefer... it just thickens up the mixture more.) Add 3 cups of broth and 1 cup of water. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes more, but do not allow the mixture to get too dry.Divide the meat mixture in the bottom of three aluminum foil baking pans (or 6 small pans for smaller portions). On top of that, place a layer of mixed frozen vegetables (or you could use frozen corn, or any combination of chopped fresh vegetable). Finally spread a layer of mashed potato on top. Make the mashed potato the day before so there is not too much work to do the day of assembly. 
To freeze: Cover your pans with aluminum foil and label them with the date and cooking instructions. 
To bake: Thaw in the refrigerator the night before. Then bake at 350°F for one hour, or until the pie is fully heated through. 
To bake from frozen: Place frozen pie in the oven at 350°F for 1 hour 30 minutes. Add additional time, if needed, to cook thoroughly. 
You may sprinkle parmesan cheese on top if you wish. It's nice to place the pie under the broiler for one minute before serving, to make it golden brown.Created using The Recipes Generator.recipe-inner{text-align:left;max-width:620px;border:6px double #009BFF;padding:20px;background:#f2f2f2;margin: 40px auto;font-family:Lato, sans-serif;}.recipe-keywords,.recipe-categories,.recipe-cuisine,.recipe-video{display:none;visibility:hidden;}.recipe-inner a{color: #4193f0;}#recipe .recipe-name{font-size: 21px;}#recipe .info{position:relative;font-size:13px;text-transform:capitalize;border-bottom:2px solid #000;padding-bottom:7px;margin-bottom:20px}.info:after{content:'';display:table;clear:both}#recipe .info span:first-child{margin-right:30px}#printbutton{border:0;margin:0;color:#fff;float:right;background:#555; padding:5px;border-radius:3px;cursor:pointer}#recipe .time{text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;text-align:center;background:#fff;padding:15px 0;margin-bottom:20px}#recipe .time span:not(:last-child){margin-right:12px}#recipe .time span:not(:last-child):after{content:'';display:inline-block;height:10px;width:1px;background:#000;vertical-align:middle;margin-left:12px}#recipe .summary{line-height:1.7;font-style:italic;font-size: 15px !important;font-family:Lato, sans-serif !important;}.ingredients,.instructions{line-height:1.7;clear:both;font-size: 15px !important;font-family: 'Roboto','Open Sans', Lato, sans-serif;}.ingredients *, .instructions * { font-size: inherit !important; font-family: inherit !important; }.ingredients h3,.instructions h3,.notes h3{font-size:20px !important;font-weight:400 !important;margin-bottom:0;color:#000;text-transform: uppercase;}.ingredients ul{margin:0!important;margin-top:5px !important;}.instructions li{margin-bottom:15px !important;line-height:1.6;text-align:left;}.ingredients li{text-align:left}#recipe .instructions{margin-top: 30px;}#recipe .instructions ol,#recipe .instructions ol li {list-style:decimal !important;}#recipe .instructions ol{padding-left:39px;margin:0!important;margin-top:6px !important;}.posturl{border-top:1px solid #ccc;padding-top:10px;}.ing-section{padding-left:20px;margin: 10px 0;}.ing-section > span{font-weight:700}.recipe-credit{font-size:13px;border-top: 1px solid #ccc;padding:10px;text-align:center;background:#ffffff;margin:-20px;margin-top:15px;}.recipe-credit a{color:blue;text-decoration:none;}.copyright-statement{font-size: 13px;font-style:italic;border-top: 1px solid #ccc;margin-top:15px;padding-top:15px;line-height:1.6;}.notes pre{font-size: 15px;margin: 10px 0;padding-left: 20px;font-family: inherit;line-height: 1.7;white-space: pre-line;}.notes h3{margin: 0}.nutrition-info{font-size: 0;margin: 20px 0;padding: 10px;background: #fff;}.nutrition-info>div {display: inline-block;font-size: 14px;width: 20%;text-align: center;}.nutrition-info>div:nth-child(5) ~ div{margin-top: 20px;}.nutrition-info>div p{margin-top: 0;margin-bottom: 7px;}.print-options {display:none;position: absolute; top: 0; right: 0; background: #fff; border: 1px solid #ccc;z-index: 1;}.show-print-options{display:block}.print-options button { display: block; background: transparent; border: 0; cursor: pointer; padding: 10px; width: 100%; text-align: left; } .print-options button:hover { background: #555; color: #fff;}.ing-section > br, .recipe-inner .time br{display: none}@media only screen and (max-width: 520px){.nutrition-info>div{width: 33.333%;}}#recipe .image{text-align:center;margin-bottom:25px}#recipe .image img{max-width:100%}#recipe .recipe-name{line-height:1.6;text-transform:uppercase;margin-top:0;letter-spacing:1px;text-align:center;margin-bottom:20px}#recipe .time{border-top:1px dashed #000;border-bottom:1px dashed #000;border-right:0;border-left:0}#recipe .summary{margin-bottom:30px}#recipe .summary:after{content:'';display:block;width:50px;height:2px;background:#000;margin:auto;margin-top:10px}#recipe .instructions{margin-top:30px}#recipe .instructions ol{padding-left:39px;margin-top:6px}


Yield: makes 3 freezer mealsAuthor: Jennifer L. ScottPrint RecipeChicken with Gravy

ingredients:4 1/2 to 5 lbs of chicken breasts3 12 oz jars of chicken gravy3 cans cream of chicken soup (undiluted)salt and pepperinstructions:Distribute the chicken into 3 gallon freezer bags (about 1 1/2 lbs per bag)Salt and pepper the chicken to tasteAdd one jar of chicken gravy and one can of cream of chicken soup to each bag. Seal the bag and label it. Freeze. Cook in the slow cooker on low for 8 hours or place in the instant pot for 31 minutes on high pressure. If the gravy is thin, you can thicken it with flour before you finish cooking. Serve with mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice. Created using The Recipes Generator.recipe-inner{text-align:left;max-width:620px;border:6px double #009BFF;padding:20px;background:#f2f2f2;margin: 40px auto;font-family:Lato, sans-serif;}.recipe-keywords,.recipe-categories,.recipe-cuisine,.recipe-video{display:none;visibility:hidden;}.recipe-inner a{color: #4193f0;}#recipe .recipe-name{font-size: 21px;}#recipe .info{position:relative;font-size:13px;text-transform:capitalize;border-bottom:2px solid #000;padding-bottom:7px;margin-bottom:20px}.info:after{content:'';display:table;clear:both}#recipe .info span:first-child{margin-right:30px}#printbutton{border:0;margin:0;color:#fff;float:right;background:#555; padding:5px;border-radius:3px;cursor:pointer}#recipe .time{text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;text-align:center;background:#fff;padding:15px 0;margin-bottom:20px}#recipe .time span:not(:last-child){margin-right:12px}#recipe .time span:not(:last-child):after{content:'';display:inline-block;height:10px;width:1px;background:#000;vertical-align:middle;margin-left:12px}#recipe .summary{line-height:1.7;font-style:italic;font-size: 15px !important;font-family:Lato, sans-serif !important;}.ingredients,.instructions{line-height:1.7;clear:both;font-size: 15px !important;font-family: 'Roboto','Open Sans', Lato, sans-serif;}.ingredients *, .instructions * { font-size: inherit !important; font-family: inherit !important; }.ingredients h3,.instructions h3,.notes h3{font-size:20px !important;font-weight:400 !important;margin-bottom:0;color:#000;text-transform: uppercase;}.ingredients ul{margin:0!important;margin-top:5px !important;}.instructions li{margin-bottom:15px !important;line-height:1.6;text-align:left;}.ingredients li{text-align:left}#recipe .instructions{margin-top: 30px;}#recipe .instructions ol,#recipe .instructions ol li {list-style:decimal !important;}#recipe .instructions ol{padding-left:39px;margin:0!important;margin-top:6px !important;}.posturl{border-top:1px solid #ccc;padding-top:10px;}.ing-section{padding-left:20px;margin: 10px 0;}.ing-section > span{font-weight:700}.recipe-credit{font-size:13px;border-top: 1px solid #ccc;padding:10px;text-align:center;background:#ffffff;margin:-20px;margin-top:15px;}.recipe-credit a{color:blue;text-decoration:none;}.copyright-statement{font-size: 13px;font-style:italic;border-top: 1px solid #ccc;margin-top:15px;padding-top:15px;line-height:1.6;}.notes pre{font-size: 15px;margin: 10px 0;padding-left: 20px;font-family: inherit;line-height: 1.7;white-space: pre-line;}.notes h3{margin: 0}.nutrition-info{font-size: 0;margin: 20px 0;padding: 10px;background: #fff;}.nutrition-info>div {display: inline-block;font-size: 14px;width: 20%;text-align: center;}.nutrition-info>div:nth-child(5) ~ div{margin-top: 20px;}.nutrition-info>div p{margin-top: 0;margin-bottom: 7px;}.print-options {display:none;position: absolute; top: 0; right: 0; background: #fff; border: 1px solid #ccc;z-index: 1;}.show-print-options{display:block}.print-options button { display: block; background: transparent; border: 0; cursor: pointer; padding: 10px; width: 100%; text-align: left; } .print-options button:hover { background: #555; color: #fff;}.ing-section > br, .recipe-inner .time br{display: none}@media only screen and (max-width: 520px){.nutrition-info>div{width: 33.333%;}}#recipe .image{text-align:center;margin-bottom:25px}#recipe .image img{max-width:100%}#recipe .recipe-name{line-height:1.6;text-transform:uppercase;margin-top:0;letter-spacing:1px;text-align:center;margin-bottom:20px}#recipe .time{border-top:1px dashed #000;border-bottom:1px dashed #000;border-right:0;border-left:0}#recipe .summary{margin-bottom:30px}#recipe .summary:after{content:'';display:block;width:50px;height:2px;background:#000;margin:auto;margin-top:10px}#recipe .instructions{margin-top:30px}#recipe .instructions ol{padding-left:39px;margin-top:6px}






Yield: Makes 3 large meals for the freezerAuthor: Jennifer L. ScottPrint RecipeWith ImageWithout ImageTaco Soup (Freezer Meal)

ingredients:2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil 1 large chopped onion2 stalks chopped celery5 lbs ground turkey 3 packets of taco seasoning (or 3/4 cup) 1 16oz can chili beans with liquid2 15oz cans tomato sauce (or diced tomatoes)2 16oz cans kidney beans (drained)1 15oz can corn (drained)2 cups water2 4oz cans diced green chili peppers1/2 to 3/4 cups salsa verde (optional)4 cups greens (spinach, chard, kale, etc.)1 cup chopped bell peppershredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, and tortilla strips for garnishsalt and pepper to tasteinstructions:In a large stock pot, heat the oil on medium heat. Cook the onion, and celery until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the ground turkey, cook until brown. Drain. Add the rest of the ingredients and let simmer for at least 30 to 40 minutes. Let the entire soup cool (this will take a long time). Divide the soup into gallon freezer bags. This could make 3 to 5 meals, depending on how many vegetables you use and how much water and tomato sauce you add. Freeze. When you are ready to reheat, place in a slow cooker on low for 8 hours, or in the Instant pot for 30 minutes on high pressure. Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream, sliced avocado, and tortilla strips. Created using The Recipes Generator.recipe-inner{text-align:left;max-width:620px;border:6px double #009BFF;padding:20px;background:#f2f2f2;margin: 40px auto;font-family:Lato, sans-serif;}.recipe-keywords,.recipe-categories,.recipe-cuisine,.recipe-video{display:none;visibility:hidden;}.recipe-inner a{color: #4193f0;}#recipe .recipe-name{font-size: 21px;}#recipe .info{position:relative;font-size:13px;text-transform:capitalize;border-bottom:2px solid #000;padding-bottom:7px;margin-bottom:20px}.info:after{content:'';display:table;clear:both}#recipe .info span:first-child{margin-right:30px}#printbutton{border:0;margin:0;color:#fff;float:right;background:#555; padding:5px;border-radius:3px;cursor:pointer}#recipe .time{text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;text-align:center;background:#fff;padding:15px 0;margin-bottom:20px}#recipe .time span:not(:last-child){margin-right:12px}#recipe .time span:not(:last-child):after{content:'';display:inline-block;height:10px;width:1px;background:#000;vertical-align:middle;margin-left:12px}#recipe .summary{line-height:1.7;font-style:italic;font-size: 15px !important;font-family:Lato, sans-serif !important;}.ingredients,.instructions{line-height:1.7;clear:both;font-size: 15px !important;font-family: 'Roboto','Open Sans', Lato, sans-serif;}.ingredients *, .instructions * { font-size: inherit !important; font-family: inherit !important; }.ingredients h3,.instructions h3,.notes h3{font-size:20px !important;font-weight:400 !important;margin-bottom:0;color:#000;text-transform: uppercase;}.ingredients ul{margin:0!important;margin-top:5px !important;}.instructions li{margin-bottom:15px !important;line-height:1.6;text-align:left;}.ingredients li{text-align:left}#recipe .instructions{margin-top: 30px;}#recipe .instructions ol,#recipe .instructions ol li {list-style:decimal !important;}#recipe .instructions ol{padding-left:39px;margin:0!important;margin-top:6px !important;}.posturl{border-top:1px solid #ccc;padding-top:10px;}.ing-section{padding-left:20px;margin: 10px 0;}.ing-section > span{font-weight:700}.recipe-credit{font-size:13px;border-top: 1px solid #ccc;padding:10px;text-align:center;background:#ffffff;margin:-20px;margin-top:15px;}.recipe-credit a{color:blue;text-decoration:none;}.copyright-statement{font-size: 13px;font-style:italic;border-top: 1px solid #ccc;margin-top:15px;padding-top:15px;line-height:1.6;}.notes pre{font-size: 15px;margin: 10px 0;padding-left: 20px;font-family: inherit;line-height: 1.7;white-space: pre-line;}.notes h3{margin: 0}.nutrition-info{font-size: 0;margin: 20px 0;padding: 10px;background: #fff;}.nutrition-info>div {display: inline-block;font-size: 14px;width: 20%;text-align: center;}.nutrition-info>div:nth-child(5) ~ div{margin-top: 20px;}.nutrition-info>div p{margin-top: 0;margin-bottom: 7px;}.print-options {display:none;position: absolute; top: 0; right: 0; background: #fff; border: 1px solid #ccc;z-index: 1;}.show-print-options{display:block}.print-options button { display: block; background: transparent; border: 0; cursor: pointer; padding: 10px; width: 100%; text-align: left; } .print-options button:hover { background: #555; color: #fff;}.ing-section > br, .recipe-inner .time br{display: none}@media only screen and (max-width: 520px){.nutrition-info>div{width: 33.333%;}}#recipe .image{text-align:center;margin-bottom:25px}#recipe .image img{max-width:100%}#recipe .recipe-name{line-height:1.6;text-transform:uppercase;margin-top:0;letter-spacing:1px;text-align:center;margin-bottom:20px}#recipe .time{border-top:1px dashed #000;border-bottom:1px dashed #000;border-right:0;border-left:0}#recipe .summary{margin-bottom:30px}#recipe .summary:after{content:'';display:block;width:50px;height:2px;background:#000;margin:auto;margin-top:10px}#recipe .instructions{margin-top:30px}#recipe .instructions ol{padding-left:39px;margin-top:6px}




Yield: makes 3 freezer mealsAuthor: Jennifer L. ScottPrint RecipeWith ImageWithout ImageBeef Tips (freezer meals)prep time: cook time: total time:

ingredients:3 lbs beef stew meat2 cups beef broth2 cans cream of mushroom soup1 large chopped onion2 cups chopped mushrooms2 Tbs chopped garlic1/2  to 3/4 cup brown gravy mix (depending on how much meat and how many mushrooms you use)instructions:Mix together all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Divide equally among freezer bags. Depending on how much beef and how many mushrooms you use, this could make 3 to 4 freezer meals. Label your bags and freeze. When it is time to reheat, place in a slow cooker on low for 8 hours or in the instant pot on high pressure for 30 minutes Serve with chopped parsley over rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles. Created using The Recipes Generator.recipe-inner{text-align:left;max-width:620px;border:6px double #009BFF;padding:20px;background:#f2f2f2;margin: 40px auto;font-family:Lato, sans-serif;}.recipe-keywords,.recipe-categories,.recipe-cuisine,.recipe-video{display:none;visibility:hidden;}.recipe-inner a{color: #4193f0;}#recipe .recipe-name{font-size: 21px;}#recipe .info{position:relative;font-size:13px;text-transform:capitalize;border-bottom:2px solid #000;padding-bottom:7px;margin-bottom:20px}.info:after{content:'';display:table;clear:both}#recipe .info span:first-child{margin-right:30px}#printbutton{border:0;margin:0;color:#fff;float:right;background:#555; padding:5px;border-radius:3px;cursor:pointer}#recipe .time{text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;text-align:center;background:#fff;padding:15px 0;margin-bottom:20px}#recipe .time span:not(:last-child){margin-right:12px}#recipe .time span:not(:last-child):after{content:'';display:inline-block;height:10px;width:1px;background:#000;vertical-align:middle;margin-left:12px}#recipe .summary{line-height:1.7;font-style:italic;font-size: 15px !important;font-family:Lato, sans-serif !important;}.ingredients,.instructions{line-height:1.7;clear:both;font-size: 15px !important;font-family: 'Roboto','Open Sans', Lato, sans-serif;}.ingredients *, .instructions * { font-size: inherit !important; font-family: inherit !important; }.ingredients h3,.instructions h3,.notes h3{font-size:20px !important;font-weight:400 !important;margin-bottom:0;color:#000;text-transform: uppercase;}.ingredients ul{margin:0!important;margin-top:5px !important;}.instructions li{margin-bottom:15px !important;line-height:1.6;text-align:left;}.ingredients li{text-align:left}#recipe .instructions{margin-top: 30px;}#recipe .instructions ol,#recipe .instructions ol li {list-style:decimal !important;}#recipe .instructions ol{padding-left:39px;margin:0!important;margin-top:6px !important;}.posturl{border-top:1px solid #ccc;padding-top:10px;}.ing-section{padding-left:20px;margin: 10px 0;}.ing-section > span{font-weight:700}.recipe-credit{font-size:13px;border-top: 1px solid #ccc;padding:10px;text-align:center;background:#ffffff;margin:-20px;margin-top:15px;}.recipe-credit a{color:blue;text-decoration:none;}.copyright-statement{font-size: 13px;font-style:italic;border-top: 1px solid #ccc;margin-top:15px;padding-top:15px;line-height:1.6;}.notes pre{font-size: 15px;margin: 10px 0;padding-left: 20px;font-family: inherit;line-height: 1.7;white-space: pre-line;}.notes h3{margin: 0}.nutrition-info{font-size: 0;margin: 20px 0;padding: 10px;background: #fff;}.nutrition-info>div {display: inline-block;font-size: 14px;width: 20%;text-align: center;}.nutrition-info>div:nth-child(5) ~ div{margin-top: 20px;}.nutrition-info>div p{margin-top: 0;margin-bottom: 7px;}.print-options {display:none;position: absolute; top: 0; right: 0; background: #fff; border: 1px solid #ccc;z-index: 1;}.show-print-options{display:block}.print-options button { display: block; background: transparent; border: 0; cursor: pointer; padding: 10px; width: 100%; text-align: left; } .print-options button:hover { background: #555; color: #fff;}.ing-section > br, .recipe-inner .time br{display: none}@media only screen and (max-width: 520px){.nutrition-info>div{width: 33.333%;}}#recipe .image{text-align:center;margin-bottom:25px}#recipe .image img{max-width:100%}#recipe .recipe-name{line-height:1.6;text-transform:uppercase;margin-top:0;letter-spacing:1px;text-align:center;margin-bottom:20px}#recipe .time{border-top:1px dashed #000;border-bottom:1px dashed #000;border-right:0;border-left:0}#recipe .summary{margin-bottom:30px}#recipe .summary:after{content:'';display:block;width:50px;height:2px;background:#000;margin:auto;margin-top:10px}#recipe .instructions{margin-top:30px}#recipe .instructions ol{padding-left:39px;margin-top:6px}

I hope you enjoyed today's bonus video. I'll see you on Friday for a new Natural Home with Jennifer!



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Marie-Anne Lecoeur + Jennifer L. Scott Interview

Hello Daily Connoisseurs,

I'm sharing my interview with the lovely Marie-Anne Lecoeur one day early. I hope you enjoy our interview. I had a lovely time chatting with my dear friend.



Let us know what you think about all of the French chic topics discussed and your comment could be chosen as comment of the week on the blog.

Comment of the Week
On Monday's How to Wear Dresses in the Winter post, Lisa writes, "I almost always wear dresses too. In the winter (I'm in North Carolina) I like wearing my dresses with fleece leggings, boots, and cardigans. If I need an extra layer under my dress, I like wearing long sleeve Half-Tees. (they have a website.) I've worn fingerless gloves inside and I've also been wearing a beret some this winter too. Thank you for sharing this post! I LOVE your boots that you said your mother-in-law designed. If only they were still available! :)"

Thank you for your comment, Lisa. I really enjoyed reading how you like to style your dresses in the winter. Thank you for the compliment on my mother-in-law's boots. She truly is talented.

Thank you for joining us today. I will likely see you tomorrow for a freezer meal collaboration with Amy Maryon. :)


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How to Wear Dresses in the Winter | Jennifer L. Scott | Ten-Item Wardrobe

Dresses make up the largest part of my ten-item wardrobe. I like to wear dresses year round because they are beautiful, comfortable, and provide a presentable look without a lot of thought. Many women shy away from wearing dresses in the winter, however, because they want to stay as warm as possible.



In today's video, I'm sharing how I like to style dresses in the winter so that I stay warm, but still look stylish. Today's video is a collaboration with the lovely Marie-Anne Lecoeur. Marie-Anne has a wealth of knowledge on French style and is also sharing how to wear dresses in the winter on her channel. Be sure to check out her video here.

Whether you have mild California winters, or chilly Parisian winters, the key to wearing dresses during this season is in layering and choosing smart accessories.





In the first look, I'm wearing my floral LL Bean dress with my favorite green sweater coat from Anthropologie (this coat was purchased several years ago, so I do not have a link). To add warmth, I'm wearing tan colored tights and my new Blondo suede waterproof booties. Of course, you could add a cardigan under the coat, scarf, gloves and a hat if you are facing a really cold day.



In this second look, I'm wearing a simple black nursing dress (I've linked one similar to my own) with a green cardigan, my heavy winter wool trench from J Crew, a tartan scarf, my fleece tights (a must for cold winter days) and knee-high leather boots. These boots are from London Sole and are no longer available (my mother-in-law designed these... aren't they gorgeous??), so I am linking a comparable quality pair here from Blondo. I highly recommend buying quality boots that will be comfortable and last you a long time.




In my last look, I pair the same black dress with a tan cardigan, fleece tights, my riding boots, a tan pashmina, and a plaid wool coat (from BCBG- this is over a decade old and is no longer available).

If you live in a snowy place, you can always substitute the boots for fur or shearling lined snow boots. Fleece tights here are a must.

I would love to know... which look is your favorite?

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