Jennifer L. Scott's Blog, page 31

How to Mix Patterns & Textures for Chic Winter Dressing | Ten-Item Capsule Wardrobe

I'm using my outfit as a case-study for how to mix pattern and texture in an elegant way.



I love to mix patterns in the same color family to create a subtle interest in an outfit. I also mix the various textures of suede, leather, and wool in today's outfit.

Featured in the video:
basket weave dot dress (similar)
cropped black twist tee
fleece-lined tights
riding boots (similar)
plaid coat (similar)
aviator sunglasses (linking similar here)
Louis Vuitton handbag (I am listing various satchels from Nordstrom here)
My phone case is Casetify

Also mentioned
Thursday Boot Captain boot
faux fur scarf



I start with a layering look that is a favorite of mine: cropped tee (or sweater) over a dress. This gives the impression of wearing an elegant skirt without the awkward cut-off at the waist. The riding boots add a nice height to the outfit.



Adding my favorite plaid coat brings a new pattern and texture dynamic to the outfit beautifully.



The final addition of accessories with sunglasses and printed handbag, round out the outfit.



I encourage you to take inspiration from historical periods and literature. I love the Victorian Era as well as Sherlock Holmes. Those two combinations are the inspiration for today's look.

I hope you enjoy today's video.

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Out-of-Control Ads (Problem Hopefully Fixed)

Dear Readers,

I hope you are all doing well and are having a lovely week. We spent the weekend in Catalina celebrating my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. It was a beautiful weekend and I filmed an outfits of the weekend video, which is now on YouTube.

Something has been happening on my blog for awhile now that has bothered me and I'm sure you probably noticed it... Google Ads. And lots of them! I noticed this a few weeks ago, but to be very honest, I am so busy with the kids and work I didn't have the time to figure out how to fix it. I found myself very frustrated with the large banner ads on the blog because I never placed them there.

I put it on my to-do list to look into it (did I enable some strange ad feature without knowing it?) but I never got around to investigating it. (Anything technical or to do with websites really confounds me. It's actually amazing that I run a blog in the first place.) It wasn't until I received an email of complaint from a reader tonight that prompted me to look into it again.

My chief frustration was this: I completely disabled Google ads on my blog, but they were still popping up. After much research, I found out that Google implemented a new feature called "Auto Ads" that I was automatically enrolled in (I did not opt for this) where they place ads where they like. It is explained in this article here. I went to check, and sure enough, I was enrolled in Auto Ads, even though I never opted for this and did not know what it was. So I have since disabled that feature and things should go back to normal.

I apologize for the inconvenience and aggravation this may have caused.

I appreciate your understanding and, for my long-time readers, sticking with me through it all. As I am homeschooling with four children (including a baby), I find myself in the busiest time of my life. My work is also very meaningful to me, so I make time to fit it in as well and make it a priority. The joy with my work continues to be found in you, the reader, and I appreciate you very much.

Another change you might notice is that I now approve comments before they are published. I was receiving a lot of spam comments in the past and my monitoring of the comments has completely eliminated that problem. So if you write a comment, it will be sent to me for review, and I will publish it.

I have taken away the ability to comment anonymously as I found that the only people who did so, had negative things to say :)

Thank you, as always, for your support of my work. You make it all worthwhile.

With gratitude,

Jennifer

How to Remain Dignified in the MESS

If you have little children in your family, a messy house is inevitable. Yes, you can teach them over time how to be tidy and pick up after themselves. My book, Connoisseur Kids, has excellent tips on how children can not only become tidy, but love being tidy as well. However, when you have very little ones, such as babies or toddlers, a mess is often inevitable.



Our lives should not crumble just because our surroundings are sometimes messy, however. Life does go on... we just need coping strategies and a good perspective, which I share with you today.

Today's video shares 5 tips to remaining dignified in the MESS. I would love to hear your thoughts on the subject. What is your experience dealing with the perpetual mess of having a family? Let us know and your comment could be chosen as comment of the week on the blog.

What I'm wearing in today's video:
Loft blouse
Pink gem earrings from Rachelyn Jewelry

The beautiful purple robe featured is by Fleur't (here is the gown that goes with it) code JENNIFER20 gives 20% off

News

My Thoughts on Harry & Meghan's Royal Exit + Reader Q&A

I'm answering my reader emails in today's video and discussing the Harry and Meghan royal drama that is playing out in the press.



I receive multiple emails a day through my author contact form. Because I am so busy with family duties, I regret that I am often unable to reply. In today's video, I respond to some of the questions and comments I've received by email: a young wife grapples with an anger issue, a toddler won't let his mama wake up before the family, a cosmetic procedure gone wrong, and a regrettable tattoo are among some of the reader emails I'm sharing today.

I'm also discussing the royal drama of Harry and Meghan stepping down from the royal family. What do you make of this situation? I find it to be confusing and do not know which news sources to trust as I read conflicting accounts everywhere. Let us know your take on it and any of the other reader emails in the comments below.

What I'm wearing in today's video:
Mott & Bow cream cashmere v-neck code JLS10 for 10% off
Lilysilk white lace camisole code Daily12 for 12% off
Aurore 18K gold pearl earrings from SKYE Jennifer20 for 20% off


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England vlog | Kew Gardens, Cotswolds + Home Tour

What a wonderful holiday this has been. I share some of it with you in today's video. We visit Kew Gardens, The Cotswolds, to see my friend, Alena, and end up at The Lion King!



Many of you asked for a tour of our flat and I share that as well in today's video. The flat has been beautifully decorated by my mother-in-law, Jane, who has exquisite taste in interior design (and all other things, really). I wish I had the "before" pictures for you. She had the whole space gutted and completely transformed it.

Today's blogpost will be shorter as I am still away from home and have limited time to write... I hope the vlog will speak for itself.

Thank you for joining me for today's video.

Alena's books are English Etiquette and Ladies Like Us .

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Capsule Wardrobe Winter Dressing | Observations on English Style

Happy new year! I am so excited for 2020 and everything that is to come on The Daily Connoisseur. Thank you for your support of my books, blog, and YouTube channel. You make this community beautiful and vibrant and I am very thankful for you.

In today's video I'm sharing my cold-weather dressing experience with my ten-item capsule wardrobe as well as giving thought on English style observations.



Living in Southern California, with its warm climate year-round, presented a challenge to me as I packed my ten-item wardrobe for winter in England. The first ten days we were here were cold, muddy, and rainy. It has since become rather mild and chilly and has stopped raining.

I have found my capsule wardrobe to perform very well in this weather. The key to dressing my California wardrobe for England has been in layering and fleece tights. I find the pairing of fleece tights with boots and a dress warmer than jeans.

My faux fur infinity scarf (linking a similar one) has kept me very warm as well.

I love packing a capsule wardrobe when I travel. If you have been hesitant to try a capsule wardrobe, just try packing less than you normally would for a trip and see how it works for you. I love the creativity that is employed when dressing each day for both style and practicality.

Today's video also discusses my observations on English ladies' style. I have noticed a lot of parka coats here. They are practical as well as stylish. I am listing some parka options here from Michael Kors, Cole Haan, Eddie Bauer, Sam Edelman.

What I'm wearing in today's video: floral dress (similar), black cardigan (similar), Pearl Earrings by Ana Luisa Jewelry code Jennifer10 gives $10 off.


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Outfits of the Week in England | Ten-Item Capsule Wardrobe

Welcome to Christmas in England. I'm sharing one week of outfits from my ten-item capsule wardrobe. If you saw my packing video, you already know what I brought to England and now you can see how the outfits wear throughout a very busy week.



One of my favorite things about the ten-item wardrobe is that it simplifies my life while keeping me stylish. I'm able to dress up and dress down with my core items. Thank you for watching today's video.



Day 1:
LL Bean basketweave dot dress
faux fur scarf (similar)
cardigan (similar)
olive sweater coat (similar)
fleece tights
riding boots (similar)
My phone case



Day 2:
Everlane cashmere v-neck
Lilysilk camisole code Daily12 for 12% off
Mott & Bow jeans code JLS10 for 10% off
riding boots



Day 3:
Floral dress (similar)
navy cardigan (similar)
fleece tights
riding boots (similar)




Day 4:
LL Bean dot dress
Mott & Bow Cashmere sweater JLS10 for 10% off
fleece tights
rain boots (similar)
Heavy wool coat (similar)



Day 5:
J.Jill charcoal wrap dress https://bit.ly/2LE1Eq1
faux fur scarf
fleece tights
black boots (similar)



Day 6:
Mott & Bow cashmere JLS10 for 10% off
Mott & Bow jeans JLS10 for 10% off
rain boots (similar)
black wool coat (similar)




Day 7 (Christmas Eve)
Floral dress (similar)
cardigan (similar)
faux fur scarf (similar)
fleece tights
black boots (similar)
Pearl Earrings Ana Luisa Jewelry Jennifer10 gives $10 off



Day 8 (Christmas Day)
Plaid dress by Velvet
fleece tights
black boots (similar)
Pearl Earrings Ana Luisa Jewelry code Jennifer10 gives $10 off


News

The Chic Assignment Season Finale from England

Welcome to the season finale for The Chic Assignment. What an enjoyable ride it has been as we have immersed ourselves in beautiful arts and culture and bettered our everyday lives through meaningful habits. I would like to thank you for joining us this year.



The Chic Assignment will take a break in January, but we plan to resume in February. If you have any requests for future assignments, please leave them in the comments below.

Our family has safely arrived in England and today's check-in is very special, as you will see glimpses of the English countryside and festive visuals from this time of year.

Tchaikovsky, Dickens, the present moment, and stress management. These were the themes for December.

Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite Op. 71a is always a welcome treat to listen to this time of year. I've even been known to play it in the month of July to feel Christmas nostalgia. Does anyone else do this too? We will explore Tchaikovsky's biography in a future Chic Assignment. This episode focuses largely on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, which is read beautifully by Ben.

Looking at the portraits of the Tudors at Hampton Court Palace, made me further ponder how short life can be. It's important to remain present with our family so that we don't miss the specialness of the season.

I was able to practice "not stressing the small stuff", which was Chic Assignment number 4, on the plane ride over. It's not easy taking a long-haul flight with four kids (including a baby and toddler!) So not stressing the small stuff was a must for me. I have to say that in order to get through the flight I had to also remain very present and accepting of the circumstances. Lots of prayer was happening too :)

Thank you for joining me for a wonderful year of Chic Assignments. What an enjoyable treat it has been to do this with you each month. As mentioned, I will take January off for the Chic Assignment, and it will resume in February, 2020.

I would like to thank the Elegant Connoisseurs, the top tier of the Memberships feature on my YouTube channel. Some of the ladies are artists, some business women, some are content creators, some are working professionals, and some are homemakers, all fascinating and lovely women. I appreciate your patronage!

All the King’s Morsels
American Blossom Linens
Awesome Possum Powers
Azalia Spa Goods
Inspired by Nikki
Not-So Desperate Housewives
Secret Owl Society
Something to Cherish
Christina Bolla
Caroline Haydu
Jet Rowley-Herron
Jenny Candelaria
Katherine Rae
Linda Eklof
Maria Conder

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What's in the Day as a Homemaker? | A Homemaker's Solitude

What's in a day as a homemaker? How does a homemaker deal with the isolation that comes with the territory? These are the concepts I'm exploring in today's video.



What’s in the day as a homemaker?

The outside world looks in at a homemaker and wonders what on earth they do all day long. They envision endless hours of daytime television, folding laundry, and occasionally thawing a chicken from the freezer.

Well you know this, my fellow homemaker, they’ve got it completely wrong.

The Life of a Homemaker is deep and complex. There really is no other work like it in the world. Shakespeare’s Juliet asks, “What’s in a name?”

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”



Let us as homemaker’s ask “What’s in a day?”

The day could hold any number of quotidian tasks: making beds, ironing, cleaning, cooking, correspondence, teaching, parenting. Each of these things in and of themselves seems pretty straight forward. What’s the big deal? Some of the smaller tasks like making beds and cooking don’t seem so important. Aren’t there better things to do?

Well no, frankly, not really. I suppose it doesn’t matter who does these things, as long as they get done. So yes, as homemakers, we aren’t the only ones to do these tasks, our family does them too. But whatever tasks that are attributed to you, no matter how mundane, please know their importance. They may seem small. They may seem insignificant. But when placed together with the collective work you do all day long, they are deeply significant.

Some homemakers struggle with the isolation of being at home. If you’re an introverted homemaker like I am, you actually enjoy it. If you struggle with this, think of your isolation through a different lens.

Let’s look at how Henry David Thoreau made isolation work for him. He moved to Walden Pond to learn to live deliberately. To live a purposeful life. Notice he did not want to be around others during this time.

Oh, my fellow homemakers, make your solitude in this endeavor work for you. Can we live deliberately, like Thoreau, through making the beds, cooking the meals, ironing the clothes?

We can enrich our minds through this process as well. Through listening to books, taking the much-needed rest, and filling our minds with beautiful things.

So the next time someone asks you, “What’s in the day as a homemaker?” You will look at them with a twinkle in your eye. You could say, “Living deliberately, carving out my purpose, and making our life at home a magical escape from the outside world.” Or you could just smile and say, “You’d be surprised.”



News

Ten-Item Wardrobe Winter Updates + Packing For England

I'm sharing ten-item winter wardrobe updates in today's video as well as packing for an upcoming trip to England. I'm trying to pack minimally while still preparing for the extreme change in weather.



As we move into another change in season it's time to retire clothing from the prior season and make plans for what's new. For winter, I am retiring the Everlane Japanese picnic dress and the Target Wild Fable dress. These dresses performed really well this past season. I am retiring them due to their fall colors. I will pack them away and look forward to bringing them back next fall.

I have retired two core items and am bringing one back in. I have decided to bring back the LL Bean dot dress as it is very versatile, a dark winter color, and easy to layer for the colder months. Even though this is not the most exciting change, I do feel happy and comfortable with this returning piece. As you do the ten-item wardrobe, you will become content with less.

Now let's talk about packing for England. For a 3 week trip I have decided to bring only five core items: one pair of dark denim jeans (JLS10 for 10% off) and four dresses (LL Bean dress, midnight floral dress (linking similar), Velvet plaid dress, and J.Jill charcoal wrap dress).

These are the extras I am bringing... remember extras compliment your core items:
Two cashmere sweaters (Mott & Bow red cashmere code JLS10 gives 10% off and Everlane camel v-neck cashmere), 3 pairs of pajamas, including the Leimere cashmere pajama , Mersea travel wrap (for the plane), and fleece tights. I am also bringing a faux fur infinity scarf (linking similar here). I would have loved to bring my SKYE Coraline trench (Jennifer20 for 20% off ) because it goes with all of my outfits, but it is too lightweight for the heavy winter weather in England. I will look forward to wearing that trench when I get back to California.

The dress I'm wearing in today's video is by Draper James and the earrings are by Ana Luisa (code Jennifer10 for $10 off).

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