Jennifer L. Scott's Blog, page 66

Three Problems in my Ten-Item Wardrobe

When you have a ten-item wardrobe, you become keenly aware of the triumphs, as well as failures with your clothing choices. Today, I'm sharing three problems in my ten-item wardrobe with two core items and one extra.

One morning at my daughters' ballet class I looked in the large mirror and realized that the khaki skirt in my ten-item wardrobe was no longer flattering on me. It was too stretched out and wrinkly. I decided to replace it with the
LL Bean denim skirt in the light wash (which appears to be no longer available in that wash).

The second item is the coral blouse from TJ Maxx. While I love the color of that blouse, it is not washing well and is coming apart and pilling. The final item is an extra: a beige cardigan from Ann Taylor. After washing and steaming it, the cardigan has developed stains that I cannot get out.

I have already replaced the skirt, and whether or not I replace the other two items is yet to be seen. If I find a blouse I love, I might purchase it for the wardrobe. As always, I will keep you updated! I hope you enjoy today's video.

News

I am featured in the upcoming anthology, A Paris All Your Own: Bestselling Women Writers on the City of Light, out July 4th from G.P. Putnam's Sons.



I'll be doing a book signing and speaking event on Saturday, July 15th at Chevalier's in Los Angeles.


The Mapp & Lucia book club is starting soon! If you haven't already started reading the books, it's not too late. They are also delightful to listen to as audio books. All of the links are listed in my blogpost announcement.

Please note: My author website was not notifying me when a new guestbook comment came in, and yesterday I found 27 of them! Thank you! I have published them all and want to thank all of you who have kindly written to me on my website, as well as those who have reviewed my books online. Thank you so much!

On Instagram
Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic and a cup of tea in Japan...

A post shared by

Artist Spotlight: Rebecca Sophie Leigh Portraits from a Bygone Era

One of the topics from Lessons from Madame Chic that I am very passionate about is to seek out the arts. Whatever art form brings you joy, be sure to take time and support it. In many cases, you will have a talented artist in your own family! I am surrounded by many talented artists: my cousin, my sister, my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law, Rebecca, who I am highlighting today.

Rebecca Leigh is a portrait artist who lives in England. Her portraits from a bygone era are simply stunning, as you will see in this post...



Rebecca describes her paintings as modern naive impressionist portrait images which stylishly capture characters from a bygone era.



Rebecca, who is your inspiration?

My Great Grandmother was a successful portrait artist and illustrator for Liberty's and Selfridges in London and she has always been my greatest inspiration on so many levels.
Whilst I have always been interested in art I had not picked up a paintbrush since school, then one day last year I passed an art store in Notting Hill and thought I would give painting a go as I have many creative people embedded firmly into my my family roots so I wanted to explore my creativity...
I have always been fascinated by people and their style... I could sit and watch people for hours!
As I began to paint I felt that I had finally found my passion. It brought on a wave of deep of happiness and contentment immediately.



As a mother of two, how do you find time to paint? What medium do you use?

I paint only when the desire comes to me! I am however more creative when I feel sad or frustrated. I often paint on the kitchen table whilst feeding the children their breakfast. My creativity is sporadic and sometimes I have such a strong urge to paint that I drop what I do and leg it back to the table or my studio. My medium is a mix of French pastels and acrylics and inks and often paint on Tibetan handmade paper ... I sometime dip my brushes into my cups of tea or red wine so I guess tea and wine are part of my medium!



Who is your favorite artist?

My favorite painter is Modigliani and I have always been rather inspired by Cambodian sculptures and 13th century french paintings.



What advice would you give to aspiring artists?

My advice to all artists would be to paint what you observe and feel.



Rebecca carries Royal patronage and is a proud member of the Chelsea Arts Club in London. To contact her for business inquiries, you may reach her at loftten@btinternet.com



Thank you, Rebecca, for sharing your beautiful artwork with us today!

Today, I would love to know... which portrait above is your favorite? Who is your favorite artist? Have a wonderful weekend, Daily Connoisseurs, and I'll see you on Monday!


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Bloopers 2017

Losing my train of thought, babies taking down tripods, never ending background noise and little children photo bombing me... just a few things that go on behind-the-scenes on The Daily Connoisseur!

I'm sure you've noticed that I have included my children more on the channel. They are such a big part of my life and we are nearly always together so it has been challenging not including them (as you will see in today's video).

My family and I watched this bloopers video together and laughed along with it. We agreed that it was OK to put online and hope that it brings joy to your day. Working at home with children around has its challenges and I wanted you to know that I relate to your struggles. We work as a team in our house and try not to take ourselves too seriously. I hope you enjoy today's bloopers video and that it brings some much-needed laughter to your day.

News
Fauziah Hafidha writes about inspiration from The Daily Connoisseur in her post, Inspiration.

On Instagram

It's coffee and Madame Chic in the Czech Republic...

Happy and peaceful weekend my lovely friends

Narcissistic Audience Members | Teatime with Jennifer + Giveaway Winner

It's that time of year again! Time for recitals, performances and special ceremonies for our children. In today's Teatime with Jennifer, I have another etiquette horror story for you and discuss a trend that I am noticing lately: narcissistic audience members.

We have all seen them: people who disrupt performances because they are not thinking of others. Blocking other people's views with their recording devices, texting and talking loudly... these are just some of the offenses! As our society becomes more and more narcissistic, it is important for us to discuss these sometimes touchy subjects and realize that our actions matter and do affect other people. I hope you join me for today's chat and chime in with your thoughts in the comment section below!


News
Apartment Therapy shares my TEDx talk on the Ten-Item Wardrobe in their article, Flirting with Minimalism or Downsizing? These TED Talks May Just Talk You Into It.

I give my best advice to aspiring bloggers on the Fernweh Society.

Regarding the Reija Eden Jewelry Giveaway.... CONGRATULATIONS to Marija Charlton!

Marija, please message me with your contact information so I can arrange for you to receive your jewelry. Thank you to everyone who entered this YouTube giveaway and for everyone who supports my channel. Special thank you to Reija Eden Jewelry for generously donating the items for this giveaway.



On Instagram

The three Madame Chic books in Japan...

Slow Cooker Coconut Chicken Curry | Easy Recipe

After reading Queen Lucia, I have had curries on my mind. Can you tell? First, I made an Authentic Indian Chicken Curry and in today's video, I'm making a mild coconut chicken curry in the slow cooker. I make this dish regularly and my children love it.

Slow Cooker Coconut Chicken Curry
serves 4

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
4 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 14oz can coconut milk
1 cup chicken broth
1 1/2 tsp curry powder
salt and pepper to taste
1 10oz package frozen peas, thawed
cilantro and green onion, chopped

Place potatoes and onion in the bottom of a slow cooker. Place the chicken on top. In a bowl, combine the coconut milk, chicken broth, curry powder, salt and pepper. Stir, then pour over the chicken. Cook on low for 8 hours. A half hour before the cook time is finished, add the thawed peas. Continue cooking for 30 minutes. Serve the curry over rice and garnish with cilantro and green onion. Enjoy!


News
I was interviewed by Annika of The Fernweh Society about writing, Paris and much more.

Sam's Sunday Favorites chooses At Home With Madame Chic as one of her favorite books right now.

On Instagram
Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic and a very fierce manicure...

A post shared by Cherry Xu (@cherry.osiria) on Jun 1, 2017 at 7:20pm PDT

And Polish Your Poise all the way in Japan...

A post shared by Cross World Connections (@cwctokyo) on May 26, 2017 at 12:45am PDT

Comment of the Week
On Monday's One Week of Outfits from My Ten-Item Wardrobe post, Kristie writes: This video popped up as I was sitting schlumped at my desk in my home office, still in my PJs, rather in a funk and feeling very unmotivated to start my day. It was just the gentle kick in the pants I needed to get up, put on a cute dress and a little makeup, and restart my day with a better foot forward. Thanks for the nudge :)


Hi Kristie, your comment made me smile. I'm glad Monday's video provided you with the motivation you needed!


Have a lovely weekend and I will see you all on Monday!


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One Week of Outfits from My Ten-Item Wardrobe | Jennifer L. Scott

Today, I'm sharing one week of outfits from my ten-item wardrobe. This is a pretty typical week for me with a lot of housework, cooking, parenting, writing and filming.



I hope you enjoy today's video. If you enjoy content like this, please let me know and I will continue to make similar videos!

Mentioned in the video:
Women's Sam Edelman 'Gigi' Sandal in Beige


Women's Dogeared 'Reminder - Faith' Sideways Cross Pendant Necklace

Reija Eden raw sapphire necklace

Amazonite gemstone bracelet from Reija Eden

News

I am a part of the wonderful new anthology, A Paris All Your Own, and will be doing a book event on July 15th at Chevalier's in Los Angeles. Hope to see you there!



Mina Irfan reviews The Madame Chic books on her YouTube channel. Thank you, Mina!

In the Instagram world...

DressCodeGlamour shares The Madame Chic Collection on her Instagram page with a high recommendation...

Happy day! Another great find on some style/lifestyle books! The Madame Chic Collection by Jennifer L. Scott! Super great tips on living your best life!!

I Want to Hear From You! Mapp & Lucia Book Club

Hello Daily Connoisseurs, as we go into the weekend, I wanted to share a quick video with you, asking for your feedback for the upcoming Mapp & Lucia book club. I would love to hear from you! Please leave your comments, observations and desired discussion topics in the comment section and I can discuss your comment in my book club video series.

Check out my original Mapp & Lucia Book Club announcement here.

Queen Lucia and Miss Mapp are readily available and can often be found for free on the kindle or other eReaders. You can always check your local library as well for the books. Here are some easy links to the books on Amazon:Queen Lucia and Miss Mapp paperback, On the kindle (99cents), Queen Lucia on audible , Miss Mapp on audible.

Thank you and have a wonderful weekend!

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FTC: This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. Links are affiliate.

Flower Arranging and Encouragement | Jennifer L. Scott

In today's video, I'm arranging three bouquets of flowers consisting of green viburnum, and two types of cream-colored roses.


Flower arranging is a hobby that is not only relaxing but highly satisfying for me because I get to express my creativity and concentrate on a beautiful art. In this video, I encourage you to take time out of your stressful day and indulge in a hobby that you enjoy. It's important that we don't let go of the small things that bring us joy.

My favorite hobbies are reading, playing the piano, gardening, cooking and flower arranging. Today, I would love to know what your favorite hobbies are. Let me know in the comment section, and your comment could be chosen as comment of the week on the blog!

News
Here is a photo of Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic in Japan. There are over one million copies of the Madame Chic books printed in Japan. Thank you, Japanese readers!


In other news...

Cedar and Bloom shares her ten-item wardrobe for spring/summer.

Myspoclifedotcom shares a review on YouTube for Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic.



Testimonial
Allison B. writes:
Hi Jennifer!
I have a little note about dressing nicely. I moved to a very small rural town after living my whole life in San Francisco for my first job as a teacher. I natural stand out here being one of very few African American people and the only one with an Afro. Since moving I've dressed up more and ditched the sweats outside of the house. This weekend a stranger introduced themselves to me (we've lived here for almost two years now) and said "I see you in town all the time in your nice dresses- I've always meant to say hello. You seem so nice!" I am pretty shy about meeting new people in town so it was so nice to hear that just dressing nicely was enough to make someone see that I am friendly! I am on a first year teacher's salary in a rural place and my husband is a clerk at the hardware store and on the volunteer fire department- we do NOT have a to of money. I wear and re-wear the same key pieces, and people give me compliments and notice that I'm re-wearing something. And that's okay! Thank you for motivating me and other to look presentable always and to use the nice things we have!

Allison, I loved your email to me. Thank you for letting me share it on the blog. Your testimonial made me smile! I love that your neighbor went out of their way to let you know how much they appreciated your efforts. And bravo for proving that you do not need a big salary to look presentable always!

Have a wonderful weekend... see you on Monday!


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Favorites May 2017 + Reija Eden Jewelry GIVEAWAY

Happy Memorial Day. Today we are giving thanks to our veterans who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. We honor you and thank you!

In today's favorites video, I'm sharing some of my favorite finds for the upcoming summer season. I'm also doing my very first YouTube giveaway on my channel! I'm giving away a necklace and a bracelet from Reija Eden Jewelry. Reija Eden is a fan of both The Daily Connoisseur and the Madame Chic books, and she contacted me with the wonderful idea of doing this giveaway.

The winner of the giveaway will win:



Reija Eden Sparkly Rose Gold Raw Sapphire Necklace
The raw sapphire necklace is made with hand wire wrapped tiny raw sapphire stones and 14K rose gold filled chain. The necklace is a beautiful everyday piece and will instantly dress up any outfit. The grey, sparkly raw sapphires are combined with rose gold for a unique combination that is feminine and modern. The necklace is designed to let your inner beauty shine.



Reija Eden Amazonite Gemstone Essential Oil Beaded Bracelet

The amazonite gemstone bracelet features genuine amazonite gemstones and is designed to be used as an essential oil diffuser bracelet. The amazonite gemstones have naturally occurring variations making each bracelet unique. No two bracelets are exactly the same due to the variation in the hues of the stones. The black lava beads can be diffused with essential oils for aromatherapy on the go. I used my doTERRA frankincense oils in them. Just use a drop or two of your favorite essential oil on the bead and enjoy aromatherapy while you wear the bracelet. Amazonite gemstone and lava beads are said to have healing properties making the bracelet a great accessory to wear during times of stress and when needing calmness.


Reija Eden Jewelry was founded in 2008 in effort to provide beautifully handmade jewelry that also makes a difference while helping women look and feel more beautiful and inspired. The company is centered around kindness and compassion and being environmentally conscious. Reija Eden jewelry pieces have been featured in the Glamour magazine as well as on the TV show SIX. Reija was chosen as one of the mompreneus of Parenting OC magazine in 2016. Reija is a mother of four children who is passionate about jewelry design and helping her clients feel inspired and beautiful while making a difference through charity work. Her designs draw inspiration from her Scandinavian roots, modern architecture, runway fashion and nature. Reija is also very passionate about holistic health and recently started designing essential oil diffuser bracelets as a request of her customers. They have become an instant best seller with the amazonite gemstone bracelet being the most popular design. Reija Eden jewelry pieces are designed for today’s modern woman who is balancing the hectic everyday life while wanting to look put together and be ready to take on the challenges.

You can find Reija Eden jewelry on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

This giveaway is open worldwide. To enter the giveaway you must:

1. Be subscribed to my YouTube channel. To subscribe, simply click the red "subscribe" button. If you'd like to receive notifications by email when a new video goes up, click the "bell" and follow the prompts. I often post my YouTube videos a few hours before the blog goes up.

2. You must leave a comment on the YouTube video sharing your top three "favorites" right now.

The winner will be chosen by a number generator and announced via video two weeks from now.

And now on to the Favorites:




Teavana Passion Tango Iced Tea This was the drink I had in the hospital after giving birth to our son and I've really loved it ever since. It's a really refreshing, non-caffeinated iced tea that tastes great without sugar.



HSI Argan Oil Thermal Heat Protectant Spray I've been looking for a heat protectant for some time now and I really like this one.



Amope Foot File I do my own pedicures, and this foot file really helps to remove the dead skin from your heels. I use it on dry skin and then lather with cream.



Carrot Top Paper Shop Jane Austen Mug I adore Jenny Williams and her etsy shop. Her new Jane Austen mug is so darling and would make a fantastic gift for any Jane Austen fan!



The Adventures of The Wilderness Family Trilogy It's hard to find wholesome family movies that aren't crude and dumbed-down. This trilogy from the 1970s is truly good old-fashioned fun!

News
Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic has now been released in Japan, along with the paperback edition of Lessons from Madame Chic. Thank you to the Japanese readers for your incredible support of my books! The cover is by Annika Wester, Translated by Akiko Kansaki and published by Daiwa Shobo.


Comment of the Week
Regarding The History of Makeup post, Julia G writes: Thank you for reviewing this book! To the best of my knowledge as a former history teacher, the fixation of women aspiring to have fair skin was based on economics. Namely, if you were fair skinned, it meant you spent your time indoors and did not work outdoors where your skin would get tan from the sun. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I started using Jergen's Natural Glow because I am so pasty living in Alaska. It makes me look healthier, I think. The grass is always greener, right? ;-).

Hi Julia, I enjoyed reading your perspective as a former history teacher. I always find the trends in beauty over long periods of time to be very fascinating!

I hope you enjoyed my favorites today and that you will enter my giveaway for the jewelry. The giveaway is open worldwide so all can enter! See you over on the YouTube channel.

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Classic Beauty: The History of Makeup | Book Review

Today, I am reviewing Classic Beauty: The History of Makeup by Gabriela Hernandez. Ms. Hernandez is the founder of Besame Cosmetics, and has created a guide to makeup all the way from antiquity to modern day, full of beautiful full-color images and pictures of vintage makeup.



The definition of a beautiful face has never been constant. See how political and social climates have molded accepted beauty rituals and the evolution of cosmetics from ancient times through today. This updated and refreshed reference book chronicles historic trends for the eyes, lips,and face, and offers in-depth aesthetic reviews of each decade from the1920s to today. Follow the fascinating history of cosmetic trends vintage ads; detailed makeup application guides;and profiles of famous makeup innovators, connoisseurs, and iconic faces. Over 450 images, timelines, and detailed vintage color palettes show the changing definitions of beauty and document makeup innovations(the first mascara, lipstick, eye shadow, etc.) that have evolved throughout the history of cosmetics. This is an ideal reference for the professional makeup artist, cosmetologist, educator, student, and general makeup enthusiasts.

This book will provide hours of interest to the makeup enthusiast. I particularly enjoyed the section on Victorian beauty as the Victorian era is my favorite in history! The two Victorian books I mention in my video are: How to be a Victorian and Inside the Victorian Home.

Please note: There is a discrepancy in the timeline on page 30, as Queen Elizabeth l died in 1603, but the timeline references her in 1630. I contacted the publisher about this and I have a statement from Ms. Hernandez on the matter. I asked if the timeline implies that Queen Elizabeth l 's influence for makeup came after her death.

"Yes, the idea is that makeup was popularized by her influence, not necessarily just during her life. These movements take time, and popular opinion and customs change very gradually, in decades of time. Thank you for pointing that out."

I appreciate Schiffer publishing and Gabriela Hernandez's response to my query!

I hope you enjoy taking a look inside Classic Beauty in today's video.


News
Off the Shelf lists Lessons from Madame Chic as one of 7 Books for Unabashed Francophiles.

Join our E.F. Benson Mapp & Lucia book club! It's not too late to start to read the books. Gather your questions as in an upcoming post I'll be taking your questions you'd like to discuss in the book club.



Comment of the Week

Regarding Monday's post, What I Look Like in the Middle of the Day, Lauren writes:
Hi Jennifer, This was honestly one of my favorite videos you've posted on The Daily Connoisseur. I have three very small children and have been wearing my hair lately in a top knot most days of the week. (So much so that my three year old started drawing my likeness with a top knot, haha.) I felt if I didn't have my hair or makeup done nicely, I couldn't put on nice clothing. This past week I've been trying a little harder and remembering that washed hair in a topknot and presentable clothes are better than the alternative. This video gave me so much encouragement in continuing. Also, thank you for the tip about the cookie batter!
Lauren

Hi Lauren, I loved your anecdote about your daughter drawing the top knot. That just goes to show that our children are paying attention to how we present ourselves, whether we know it or not!

Thank you to Schiffer Publishing for sending me Classic Beauty: The History of Makeup to review. My favorite era is the Victorian period. Today, I would love to know what your favorite time period is in history for beauty and fashion and your comment could be chosen as comment of the week on the blog!


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FTC: This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. Links may be affiliate.