Jennifer L. Scott's Blog, page 90

Ten-Item Wardrobe Chat

Before we jump into this week's post, I wanted to share the new author photo for my upcoming book with you. Thank you to Kevin McIntyre for another great photo shoot!



Ten-Item Wardrobe Chat

The ten-item wardrobe continues to be the most popular topic of discussion from Lessons from Madame Chic, and the questions continue to come in. Many of you are asking the same questions so I decided to do this chat video to answer the most popular ones for everyone to hear.




The first half of the video is shot in my parents' home. I had a dreadful cold (that felt like it was never going to end!) and was staying with them while I recovered. The second half of the video is shot back in Santa Monica.

Here are the topics addressed in the video:

Winter wardrobe updates I haven't purchased much since I showed you my fall/ winter ten-item wardrobe for 2013, but I do show you the the purchases (mainly tee shirts) I have made, including a lacy Zara tee that I simply adore!

Should I have a ten-item wardrobe for both work and home? This is the question I receive the most. It all depends on what you need to wear for work. If you have a drastically different dress code to what you would normally wear on your down time, you will need to have a separate work wardrobe.

Should my children have a ten-item wardrobe? This is the second most popular question I get. With the little ones it is harder to be as minimalistic because they change sizes so often (especially the baby/ toddlers) and they have so many outfit changes during the day due to dirt and spills, but yes, our kids can have a capsule wardrobe. The most important thing is to instill the values of a ten-item wardrobe in them so they don't grow up with the same shopping neurosis we did!

I also address other topics in the video such as: the ten-item wardrobe is not a diet (I like that, don't you?) and limited thinking.

Check out this week's video for the full chat. Thanks for all of your get well soon wishes on twitter. As you can see in the second half of this video, I am feeling much better!

If you are unable to see the video above, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or check out my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur

Please let me know in the comments section how your ten-item wardrobe is coming along. I love to hear from you on twitter, facebook and instagram too! Use the hashtag #TenItemWardrobe to send me your pictures and/or feedback.

Have a marvelous week. Our Untethered Soul Book Club starts next week! See you then.

For more on Kevin McIntyre, visit kevinmcphotograph.com

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OOTD Alexander McQueen Scarf

Over the Christmas break I posted a picture on instagram that features some rather unique lighting (no filter) courtesy of the winter Southern California sun.

Many people asked about the scarf I'm wearing in the picture, which happens to be this gorgeous pale pink Alexander McQueen scarf I received as a Christmas present from my mother and father-in-law (thank you! xx).

This week's video shows you how I pair the scarf with neutrals (and the simplicity of this outfit must work because when I wore it, I received no less than three compliments!). I also introduce you to a new sweater that has replaced my older sweaters in my fall/ winter ten-item wardrobe.



Outfit featured in this video:

Alexander McQueen Scarf
Ann Taylor Loft sweater
Paige Skyline skinny jeans
London Sole Henrietta ballet flats in nude patent

Please check out this week's video to see the outfit up close. If you are unable to see the video above, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur

News

Thank you to the oh so chic fashion blogger, Maritza Morales, of Vanity Youth, for featuring Untethered Soul book club. I hope you will join us!

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Bathroom Vanity Tour and Most Used Beauty Products

This week's video was shot on my iPhone. Who knows what happened, but the viewing window is very narrow. Nevermind, you still get to see what's on my vanity and I also have written it out for you on the side panels (handy, that). I have a terrible cold this week, which is why my narration sounds so nasally and subdued. But enough about the backstory... let's get into the discussion!

I tend to only keep the products I use in heavy rotation and/or the most beautiful products I have on display on my vanity. The rest goes in the drawers in the vanity or the cabinet underneath. So you will see makeup/ haircare and beauty products in this video, but those aren't the only ones I use, they just happen to be what I am currently using the most. We don't have a lot of storage in our bathroom. In fact, this vanity is all we have (no shelves, no medicine cabinet, etc.) so I have to make it work.

Please Note** This is probably the most I've ever had on top of my vanity. Half of the products shown in this video are normally stored away in my drawers but I kept them out to show you what I'm loving lately. So this is a bit of a dual-purpose blog post.



Everything in this video has been purchased by me (except for the perfume, which was a gift from Mr. Connoisseur). I am including links where necessary.

Here's what's on my vanity:

Orchids! (of course)

Various orchid pots to store makeup brushes/ tooth paste

Mason Pearson Hairbrush (Investment piece but nothing compares. I mean nothing. Let me know if you want me to do a video on mine.)

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer spf 20

Aquaphor (I have had some eczema on my hands this winter... total bummer. This helps.)

Sephora eyebrow powder in blonde

MAC Prep & Prime natural radiance base (I'm loving this primer!)

Jurlique Redness Rescue Calendula Cream (You know I love calendula. This cream is wonderful.)

YSL Top Secrets BB cream (I've tested a few BB creams... this one is my favorite by far.)

Epicuren Volcanic clay face mask

Éminence Coconut Age Corrective Moisturizer (The most magnificent moisturizer ever. Is that being too dramatic?)

Éminence Clear Skin Probiotic Masque

CHANEL Perfection Lumière Foundation

NARS Dolce Vita lipstick

MAC Dazzleglass in Bare Necessity

Hourglass lipstick in Vintage

Theodent Fluoride-free toothpaste (I get this at Whole Foods.)

Balenciaga Florabotanica (A present from Mr. Connoisseur. Gorgeous scent. Perfect for spring and, dare I say it, is rivaling my beloved Stella.)

Éminence Calendula Oil (and my love affair with calendula continues...)

Living Proof Prime Style Extender(for hair)

Simple cleansing facial wipes

Ecover lavender hand soap (I love this soap!)

Voilà! If there's anything you like the look of and want to know more about, leave a comment below and I'll try to do another more in-depth beauty video discussing it.

Check out this week's video for a closer look. If you are unable to see the video above, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or check out my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur .

Book Club
If you'd like to join our book club in February, make sure you read The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer.

News


Last Friday I reunited with photographer extraordinaire, Kevin McIntyre, to shoot the new author photo for my next book jacket. The fabulous Rita Montanez did my makeup for the day. She airbrushed my foundation... it was pretty amazing.

I can't wait to show you the finalized pictures. Thank you Kevin and Rita!


This week I would love to know... what's on your vanity? What are your most used beauty products? Tweet, Instagram, or facebook me pictures of your vanity and/or most used beauty products using the hashtag #DailyConnoisseur

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Outfit of the Day Casual Lunch

I can't believe I've been blogging for six years and this is my first outfit of the day (OOTD) post! Better late than never though, eh?

This video was shot in mid-December for a girlfriend lunch (Hi GinaMarie and Sandy!). It was a casual lunch at Fig restaurant in Santa Monica.

Outfit:


Blush silk Equipment blouse (a core item from my Ten-Item Wardrobe Fall/ Winter video)

Royal blue blazer from Banana Republic (you'll recognize this from many posts over the past few years)


Paige skinny jeans (featured in my fall/ winter Ten-Item Wardrobe video)

Camel suede Ferragamo pumps (another old favorite of mine that have lasted over 5 years now)

Long gem-stone necklace

Please keep in mind when you view these fashion videos: it is not the brand or the price of the clothing that matters. In fact, I've considered not mentioning any brands because they are not important. We all have different styles, budgets and ideas about what we'd like to wear. The purpose of these videos is to show you what one woman (me) does. They are meant to inspire, not to instruct. Most of the fun is figuring out what works for you budget-wise and style-wise.

Check out this week's video for an up close look at my outfit. If you are unable to see the video above, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or check out my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur.

And please let me know in the comments section if you enjoy these type of videos and would like to see more of them...

News

♛ I'm really happy to announce that both Italy (Piemme) and Poland (Literackie) have picked up the rights to my second book. I'll be officially announcing the title soon. For now it is maintaining its air of mystery... x

See you next week :)

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My New Year's Message To You

Happy New Year 2014!

I hope you had a great holiday with your loved ones. I had such a wonderful break. I got a much needed rest and caught up with so many family members I haven't seen the whole year. It was truly fabulous.

In January 2013 we talked about the tipping point to changing how we live. No longer content with the status quo, we have gone searching for a path in life that is teeming with light and that brings us closer to who we really are.

Continuing on this path, my New Year's message to you is simple. I am focusing on this philosophy this entire year and I hope that you join in with me:

It's not what you do, but how you do it.

I'll repeat that again...

It's now what you do, but how you do it.

It's a concept that is explored in Lessons from Madame Chic, one that I will continue to explore on this blog and one that is even further discussed in my new book that will be out at the end of this year.

It's not what you do, but how you do it.

This year let's set aside the negative thinking, let's work on ourselves from the inside out and let's enjoy what we're doing, no matter what it is we are, in fact, doing. Let's change our perceptions and most important, LET'S HAVE FUN!

If you are unable to see the video above, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or check out my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur

Thank you for joining me this year on the Daily Connoisseur. I just know it's going to be a great year...

Notes

♚ Thank you for all of your messages! I get dozens of reader messages a day and am not always able to respond. I read and appreciate every single one. Thank you, thank you, thank YOU!

♚ We will be starting our Untethered Soul book club in February. Be sure to pick up or check out a copy so you can join in on the discussion.

News

I am featured in France's L'Express newspaper, in an article about the feminine ideal of American women. The article is in French, but you can likely translate it via google translate.

Testimonials

Agnieszka from Poland writes of Lessons from Madame Chic:

I really recommend that book. It is one of the best books I have ever read. It is amazing and it makes my life better. Thank you:) Greetings from Poland :)

Thank you Agnieszka ♥︎

Please send me your testimonials for either my book or blog. I would love to publish your comment on the Daily Connoisseur.

See you next week :)

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Merry Christmas Message, Presentable Pajamas & More

'Tis the week of Christmas... can you believe it? I've been having so much fun catching up with visiting family members that this blog is a little bit late.

Last night I attended the LA Ballet's performance of the Nutcracker with the girls at London Sole.



It was a brilliant performance, as ever. I especially enjoyed seeing principal dancer, Allyssa Bross, as the Rose during the dance of the flowers. I got to meet Allyssa at the Santa Monica Art Walk several months ago. She charmed the audience with her beautiful dancing.

This week's video message gives you my good tidings for the season and also shows you my houseguest appropriate presentable pajamas: the Victoria's Secret Sleepover pajama. It is very common this time of year to either be a houseguest yourself or to have people staying over in your home, and it's nice to have pajamas that you'd be happy to be seen in!



I will be taking a short break from the blog in the next two weeks. I hope you have a magnificent holiday break as well.

If you'd like to join us for our next book club, don't forget to pick up The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer. We will be starting the book club discussion in late February, so there is plenty of time to read it.

Please watch this week's video to hear my holiday message to you. If you are unable to see the video above, click here, look in the sidebar of the blog, or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur.

In case you missed my three holiday hair tutorials filmed at BYUTI salon, you can find them all in my article on Huffington Post Style.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. See you in 2014!

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Holiday Chat 2013 Decorations & Gift Book Guide

I had all of these grand plans to do a number of holiday-themed videos on the Daily Connoisseur this year and then, lo and behold, the holidays crept up quicker than I anticipated! I must have been distracted working on the second book, which I am happy to report, was just turned in to my editor, Trish Todd, at Simon & Schuster. Woo hoo!

So this week's video, Holiday Chat, discusses two topics to make up for lost time. First we talk about high and low budget decorating. I show you my


**Update- Many people have asked where I purchased my Kay Burkart Santa. I purchased him locally from Stephanie Grace Designs in Santa Monica.

The video also gives you my top gift book recommendations. I love receiving books as presents and you are sure to find something for everyone on my list.

Books mentioned in the video are:

♦︎Downton Tabby by Chris Kelly (This book is SO FUNNY. It would make a perfect stocking stuffer.)

♦︎The Perfectly Imperfect Home by Deborah Needleman (and illustrated by Lessons from Madame Chic artist, Virginia Johnson.)

♦︎A Life of Barbara Stanwyck Steel True: 1907-1940 by Victoria Wilson (Perfect for anyone who loves the Golden Age of Hollywood.)

♦︎The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith (One of the most delightful series of books ever written, in my humble opinion.)

♦︎The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer (This is the next book club selection for the Daily Connoisseur, so I want you to read this too!)

♦︎Lessons from Madame Chic by Jennifer L. Scott (C'mon, you know I had to include this in the gift guide.)

♦︎Taste of Home Christmas 465 recipes for a merry holiday (Fabulous holiday recipes... would make a great gift!)

Check out this week's video for the full chat. If you are unable to see the video above, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or check out my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur

Book News

Lessons from Madame Chic makes Martine Holston's 2013 book list as her top French lifestyle book of the year (and she read 5 in the same genre). Thank you Martine! Check out the list here.

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Spa Sonic vs. Clarisonic review and Giveaway

You all know how much I love my Clarisonic Mia. I've been using it for years and it's one of those tools that I think is really invaluable for preserving beautiful skin. Many of you have written to me saying you'd love to own a Clarisonic, but it's not in your price range.

I contacted the people from Spa Sonic and they gladly sent a kit to review and kindly offered to give one away to a reader of the Daily Connoisseur! (More on that later.)


But first, what everyone wants to know: how does the Spa Sonic hold up to the Clarisonic?

This week's video gives you my in depth review and allows you to see both skincare brushes up close.

A few notable differences:

✦ The Spa Sonic is battery operated, whereas the Clarisonic requires a charger.
✦ The Spa Sonic brush head physically rotates in a circle, whereas the Clarisonic brush head vibrates.
✦ The Clarisonic is programmed to run for one minute. There is no timer on the Spa Sonic.
✦ The Spa Sonic includes four different attachments including: face brush, body brush, pumice stone and facial sponge.The Clarisonic Mia is only a facial brush.

There are pros and cons to each brush and my bottom line is this:

The Clarisonic is still the Rolls Royce of skincare brushes because of all of the technology behind it, but the Spa Sonic is an excellent runner up and is a great choice for people who cannot afford the Clarisonic. The Spa Sonic normally retails at around $60 (It's often on sale. As I write this it's available for $32 at Target, etc.).

The Spa Sonic is available at Costco, Target, Walmart, CVS and Walgreens. For more information visit www.myspasonic.com

If you are unable to see the video above, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur

Giveaway

Spa Sonic is kindly offering to give away one Spa Sonic skincare brush to a reader of the Daily Connoisseur! This giveaway is open to US residents only (Spa Sonic's guidelines, not mine). Please enter via the rafflecopter widget below. I will announce the winner one week from today. Best of luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


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Top Knot Hair Tutorial

Is it me? Or does this hairstyle remind you of Samantha from Bewitched? This modern take on the popular top knot has a very decided vintage feel to it... and I love it! Natasha Sunshine, founder of BYUTI Brentwood, shows us how.


Check out this week's video for the tutorial. Apologies for the sound quality! The salon was busy when we shot this. If you are unable to see the video above, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit my channel: http://www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoi...

Thank you to Natasha Sunshine and the entire team at BYUTI for collaborating with me on this fabulous hair tutorials!

For more on BYUTI Brentwood, visit them at www.byutiluxe.com

See you on Monday for the Spa Sonic vs. Clarisonic video (and giveaway) xx

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The Ten-Second Updo

I know the title is scintillating. A Ten-Second Updo? Well, we take a little more than ten seconds in this video because of the demonstration, but once you practice this easy updo, you'll be able to master it in ten seconds flat. Natasha Sunshine, founder of BYUTI Salon in Brentwood, shows us how.

First, secure your hair into a low side ponytail with a hair elastic. Then secure the bottom of the hair on the ponytail with an elastic, being sure to grasp on to a few strands of hair that are sticking out. Then gently push the bottom elastic until it meets with the top elastic. Wrap the long strand of hair that you have held onto around the updo. Secure with four or five bobby pins. Set with hairspray.

This is a messy, but controlled updo that is easy to do and has very pretty results...


Check out this week's video for the tutorial. If you are unable to see the video above, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit my channel: http://www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoi...

There is background noise in these videos. A viewer said she was annoyed by it in the comment section of the last video. We started shooting early in the morning when the salon was empty, and as the day went on, it filled up with customers. Pretend you are watching one of those fabulous backstage fashion show hair tutorials, which always have ambient background noise. Focus on the good, not the "bad". You could watch it on mute and still understand the tutorial. Don't be annoyed, be happy!

:)

Many people are asking where my dress is from. It's the Tory Burch dress featured in this year's fall/ winter ten-item wardrobe.

Many people also ask where the music is from. It is royalty-free music I have purchased from pond5.com. On YouTube you must use royalty free music. It's expensive! But you guys are worth it.

For more on BYUTI Brentwood, visit them at www.byutiluxe.com

Book News

♥︎ The manuscript for my second book is finished! My agent and I turned it into my editor this week. I love this book so much and I can't wait for you to read it. So far it is scheduled to come out around Christmas 2014. I will keep you updated.

♥︎ Lessons from Madame Chic is now going into its 4th printing! Also, Marshalls and TJ Maxx are now carrying our book. Thank you so much for keeping it going. It truly is the little book that could.


See you on Friday for another hair tutorial: a twist on the traditional top knot xx

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