Jennifer L. Scott's Blog, page 48

Rebound with Me | 5- minute Routine | January 2019 | Jennifer L. Scott

Since having my fourth baby in September, I have been slowly getting back into exercising. I started walking again in November and started rebounding again in December. I really missed rebounding when I was pregnant and couldn't wait to get back on, but wanted the approval from my doctor first. She gave me the approval in mid-October, but it really took until December to feel ready to get back into the swing of things.



Since December I have been jumping between 5 to 10 minutes a day, usually at the end of the day because rebounding is a major stress reliever for me. I'm excited to start this new series today where I share my simple and fun 5-minute rebounding routine with you.



Please note: I am not a personal trainer, nor an expert in rebounding. I'm just a stay-at-home mom who loves to exercise at home and rebounding happens to be my favorite form of exercise. It's the only exercise I've ever done that I actually crave everyday. I feel so much better after doing it and I love that I can jump at my own pace on my own schedule. Although, since everyone in our house also uses the rebounder, sometimes I have to patiently wait until it's not being used anymore :)

Before you use the rebounder, make sure you consult a professional such as your physician to see if rebounding is right for you. This video is for entertainment purposes only.

I plan to put these videos out once a month. I know a lot of you told me you purchased a rebounder since I have mentioned it in my videos last year, so it will be fun to jump along with you!

I prefer the Needak rebounder for many reasons: it's extremely high-quality, yet not as outrageously priced as some of the other quality rebounders. I like the springs on the Needak because if they break, you know instantly and can replace the spring. The trouble with bungee rebounders is that the bungee wears down over time and you are not sure when to replace it. With so many people jumping on our rebounder (including my 6 foot tall husband), we prefer the springs. I also like that Needak is made in America and is a small business with excellent customer service. I've linked my rebounder in this post if you are interested in the exact one I use.

In this video, I'm exercising in my Daily Connoisseur chic slouchy sweatshirt, available from my Teespring store.

I hope you enjoy jumping along with me in today's video.

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Trying Out a Meal Kit Delivery | Home Chef | Jennifer L. Scott

Have you ever tried a home delivery meal kit service? I have several friends and family members who use meal kit delivery services and have always been curious about them. How does it work? How does the food arrive? What is the process of making the meals?



Home Chef reached out to me to see if I wanted to try their meal kit delivery service. They are sponsoring today's video. I had a lot of fun trying out their recipes.


I made brown sugar glazed salmon with ranch mashed potatoes and green beans...


Pretzel-crusted chicken with roasted broccoli and honey mustard cream sauce (my kids' favorite).


Sweet n' Sour pork meatballs with lime slaw and jasmine rice...


and Sirloin steak with porcini mushroom cream sauce and diced potatoes and parsnips.

Here are the pertinent details about Home Chef: they have 18 weekly menu options. Each meal comes to $9.95 per serving (they have lunch options for $7.99). The recipes use whole ingredients and are easy to follow (even for novice cooks). Their meals are calorie-conscious and heart healthy. They also have vegetarian options.

Here's why I liked using Home Chef. I enjoyed making gourmet meals in a short period of time each evening. My children loved all of the dishes. I liked that there was no food waste. When cooking, I find that I throw away a lot of food and that has always bothered me.

I also like that it took out a lot of hassle- no going to the grocery store, and the meals were very easy to prep. It was like I had an assistant helping me cook dinner every night.

Meal kit delivery would also be great for when you are throwing a dinner party and you want to make a home cooked dinner, but lack confidence. These recipes are pretty easy to execute and the results are impressive.

If you have a large family, it would not be affordable to do this everyday, but if Mom and Dad want a break from eating "kid food", or if you're watching what you eat, this would be a wonderful option.

Thank you to Home Chef for sponsoring today's video. They are giving my viewers $30 off with code JENNIFERS30

I would love to know... have you tried a meal kit delivery service before? What was your experience?

Thank you for joining me for today's video. I'll see you on Friday!

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FTC: This post is sponsored by Home Chef. All opinions are my own.

How Not to Lose Your Dignity | Parenting Chat | Jennifer L. Scott

Picture this: you're having breakfast... enjoying your poached egg on toast, orange juice, and coffee. You notice your toddler running gleefully around the living room, laughing uproariously. You don't mind, you're just happy to be having a few minutes to eat a nice breakfast. Suddenly you realize that he is holding something in his hand. What is it?



It looks like a large canister.
And he's shaking it.
All over the living room floor.
It's pepper.
Pepper is being shaken all across the living room floor.

Throwing your napkin aside, you start chasing after him, while yelling, "STOP!" Poached egg on toast regrettably trying to go down your throat.

Pause right here.

In this moment, you've lost your dignity.

As parents of young children, we all know what it's like to act less than dignified. In some situations (like the pepper shaking incident) losing your dignity is inevitable. But in other situations (losing your temper, etc.) dignity can be preserved. Parenting is hard, and I certainly don't know everything. But as a mother to four children, I'm learning and growing more and more every day.

I hope you enjoy today's video. Please chime in on the discussion in the comment section. I love to hear from you. For more on how to cultivate poise, check out my third book, Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic: Lessons in Everyday Elegance.


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5 Chic Looks from Halsbrook | January 2019

I'm thrilled to be partnering with Halsbrook.com again to collage my favorite outfit combinations for you going into the new year.

I always love Halsbrook's beautifully curated findings. Every piece of clothing they offer is thoughtfully chic. I've created my favorite combinations from their new arrivals. These looks are perfect for the upcoming winter and resort season.

Which one is your favorite?



Old Hollywood Glamor This elegant and sophisticated look combines rich colors with contrasting textures. The wood of the clutch, the sheer in the dress, and the gold of the earrings make a fresh take on old Hollywood elegance.

Featured in this look: Julie Vos Penelope Gold Shell Pearl Earring
Max Mara Bracco Emerald Green Dress
Kayu Logan Brown Lacquered Wood Clutch




Nautical Chic This fresh resort look combines a crisp nautical blazer with tailored trousers and a neutral bag. Totally wearable and effortlessly elegant.

Featured in this look: Ecru Madison Navy Cotton Power Pant
Les Copains White and Navy Striped Cotton Blazer
Orciana Sveva Large Tan Leather Bag




Floral Fix The contrasting patterns of the dotted pants with the floral scarf pair beautifully when combined with a classic navy sweater. This is casual chic.

Featured in this look: St. Piece Indigo Floral Wool Cashmere Scarf
Kinross Navy Ribbed Cotton Sweater
Piazza Sempione Audrey Tan and Black Dot Stretch Cotton Capri Pant



Bright and Ladylike This elegant and ladylike coral dress pairs beautifully with delicate drop earrings and straw clutch. Bright and beautiful.

Featured in this look: Paule Ka Coral Stretch Crepe Dress
Oscar de la Renta Gold Tiered Flower Clip-On Earrings
Kayu James Natural Straw Clutch



Edgy and Effortless A navy shirt dress in a modern and effortless cut is paired with a chunky bracelet and wicker bag for a fashion forward, easy and chic look.

Featured in this look: Gretchen Scott Breeze Blouson Navy Crepe Dress
Serpui Brenda Natural Wicker Half Moon Bag
Gas Bijoux Strada Pink and Mother of Pearl Bracelet

Thank you to Halsbrook.com for sponsoring this post on The Daily Connoisseur. I always enjoy working with Halsbrook. I would love to know... which look is your favorite?

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

Jennifer xx


*NEW* The Daily Connoisseur merchandise, including tee shirts now available

Visit my Author Website

Shop my favorite things

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Take my eCourse on the Ten-Item Wardrobe

Take my eCourse Chic Financial Principles for Debt-Free Living

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FTC: This post is sponsored by Halsbrook. Links are affiliate.

Clean with Me | Master Bathroom | Natural Home with Jennifer

On today's episode of Natural Home with Jennifer, I'm cleaning our master bathroom using natural cleaning products. Our master bathroom is quite large so it takes a long time to clean, but I find it very relaxing and satisfying to tackle this room once a week and clean it from top to bottom.



I usually wipe the countertops a few times a week, but the deep clean comes once a week.

I'm using Grove Collaborative's cleaning concentrates in the lavender & thyme scent for today's cleaning. I like these concentrates because they clean well, smell like a fresh spa, and are eco-friendly due to their limited packaging. The 3-pack of concentrates sell for $7.95, making each bottle only $2.65 each, so they are very affordable too.

Grove's January promotion for new customers is the following: receive a 3-pack of cleaning concentrates, a Grove spray bottle, a new matte cleaning caddy, and walnut scrubber sponges when you spend $20. Existing customers receive a set of walnut scrubber sponges in their next order.



During the video, I also share a few products with you that I have been using in my beauty routine. The first is La Beauté hair serum. I discovered this by using a sample given to me at a beauty supply. This works amazingly to tame frizz and give a smooth blow-dry.

Another item I share is the eco tools makeup brush wipes. I use these every other day to wipe my makeup brushes. It does the trick for in-between washes. I try to wash them with soap and water every ten days to two weeks.

Also mentioned in the video is Bend Soap natural deodorant and goat milk soaps (use code DC10 for 10% off your first order). To clean the floor, I first vacuum with my cordless Dyson (which I absolutely love). I then mop the floor with Method's Squirt + Mop tile floor cleaner and my microfiber mop. This is the camera I use to film my videos and this is the ring light.

I hope you enjoyed cleaning with me in today's video. I would love to know what products you like to use to clean your bathrooms.

Be sure to stop by the blog tomorrow for my latest collaboration with Halsbrook. I'll be collaging their beautiful pieces for winter/ resort 2019. See you then!


*NEW* The Daily Connoisseur merchandise, including tee shirts now available

Visit my Author Website

Shop my favorite things

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Take my eCourse on the Ten-Item Wardrobe

Take my eCourse Chic Financial Principles for Debt-Free Living

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter

FTC: This is not a sponsored post. Links may be affiliate.

I'm Back | New Year's Message | Jennifer L. Scott

Happy new year, everyone. I hope you had a wonderful holiday break. It's great to be back on the channel! I'm looking forward to kicking off 2019 with you in today's message. I share plans for the channel in 2019 and share why it's important for us Daily Connoisseurs to let our lights shine.



I have many wonderful things planned for this upcoming year and if you have any requests you'd like to make, please let me know in the comment section below. I love to hear from you!

I hope you enjoy today's video.

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End-of-Year Christmas Eve Message | Jennifer L. Scott

Dear Daily Connoisseurs,

Merry Christmas! Another year has passed and I can hardly believe it. When I started this blog back in 2007, I was newly married and excited to embark on the journey of blogging. I figured it would be a secret hobby and I was content that only a handful of strangers would read it.



11 years later, I can't believe I'm still here and that our little community has grown so much. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your support and for your participation on the blog this year. My long-time readers have been with me through so much. And this year, welcoming our fourth child has been beyond special.

There were a few videos I wanted to put out for the holiday season, including Madame Bohemienne's flourless chocolate cake. I have been so busy with the children that I didn't get around to filming it. I apologize! But I promise to bring you the cake video in the new year.

If I were to look back at a theme for this year the word family keeps coming to mind. You've probably noticed I've included my family more and more in my videos. They are such an integral part of my life and I honestly love to look back over the years and see the little snippets where they've been included. I plan to include them more in the new year as I explore how to live well together as a family. Ultimately family relationships are the most important relationships you have, second to God. And I believe fostering quality time at home with those you love is of the utmost importance.

I'll be taking my annual Christmas break from the blog and YouTube channel. I'll be away for two weeks. I won't actually be resting because I received my next round of edits for CONNOISSEUR KIDS, which will be coming out in the fall of 2019. So I will be busy working on those. I am so excited for that book. I just know that you will love it.

Next year is bringing lots of exciting ventures. I am also working on a new eCourse that will hopefully motivate and inspire you.

Thank you for being you and for contributing to this blog by subscribing to my YouTube channel and commenting on the videos and posts. I am so grateful for you.

I close in this video by reading the famous poem, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, from the book, A Vintage Christmas: A Collection of Classic Stories and Poems

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Christmas Bells
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
and wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men."

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Bloopers & Family Outtakes 2018 | Jennifer L. Scott

Making videos for YouTube is fun, tedious, and exasperating all at once. I like to collect the "bloopers" from various videos over the months to let you know that everything does not always go smoothly in front of the camera...



Grandfather clocks chime at inopportune times, babies spit up, minds go blank, and laughter often gets in the way... which is never a bad thing.

I've also included some family outtakes in today's video and the world's cutest YouTube star asks you to subscribe to my channel. (How could you resist?)

My friends featured in the video are: Shannon Ables, Kim from Free to Family, and Nikki Moreno.

I hope today's video brings you joy.

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Mademoiselle Chic | My New Book in Japan | Jennifer L. Scott

I am pleased to announce that my new children's book, Mademoiselle Chic, has been published in Japan by Daiwa Shobo. This picture book is translated by Akiko Kanzaki (who translated my Madame Chic books) and is beautifully illustrated by Akiko Tangi.



The book is only available in Japan, but I hope that one day it will be released in America as well as around the world. The book tells the story of Emma, a little girl who learns from her mother what it means to be chic. (Please note: this is not the same book as Connoisseur Kids, which will be coming out next fall from Chronicle Books.)



Thank you so much to the wonderful Japanese readers who have made my books bestsellers in Japan. I appreciate you so much and I hope one day to visit your beautiful country again.

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Mystery Series Recommendation | Amory Ames Mysteries

Do you love mysteries and need a good book to read over winter break? A good mystery can be hard to come by, so I always appreciate recommendations from others.



To preface this, I generally like traditional, high-brow mysteries like all of the Agatha Christie[image error] mysteries (Poirot, Marple, Tommy & Tuppence, Mr. Quinn... you name it!), and I also like thoughtful mysteries like Alexander McCall Smith's No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.

I read a lot, especially since I stopped watching television. So I am usually reading a book, either on my kindle, or a hard or paperback copy, and I also generally have an audiobook on the go via my Audible subscription. While I've read some good books recently, I haven't enjoyed any as much as I've enjoyed Ashley Weaver's Amory Ames series[image error], which I am recommending to you today. The first book in the series, Murder at the Brightwell, is a sophisticated and intriguing period mystery, which takes place in 1930s England. This is an elegant and stylish mystery that fans of Agatha Christie will love.

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I haven't enjoyed a fiction book this much since I read Amy Snow, which is another fantastic read that I highly recommend. Amy Snow isn't a mystery, but it is a delightful period novel with romance and intrigue.

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Hear more about the Amory Ames mysteries in today's video. Be sure to leave your own book recommendations in the comments below.

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