Jennifer L. Scott's Blog, page 95

Blazers, Etiquette, Friendship, Writing & More Reader Questions Answered

Reader Questions Answered

This week we have another installment of Reader Questions Answered. We discuss blazers (and you'll see what happened to my favorite one!), the etiquette of receiving an unwanted gift, cultivating authentic friendships, makeup faux pas, how I compose my video music and the 90-Day Novel.

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.

For more information on Alan Watt's 90-Day Novel, click here, or visit www.lawriterslab.com

Talking Shop

Last week my literary agent, Erica Silverman, was in town and I got to meet her for the first time in person! I had dinner with her and Robert Gottlieb, the chairman of Trident Media Group, at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills. It was such a lovely evening. Here's a picture of the three of us:



I hope you have a lovely week. See you soon!

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Reader Q&A: Capsule Wardrobe, Anxiety, Orchids & French Film

Since the last Reader Questions Answered post I have received so many questions for the series. I love to hear from you and enjoy doing these videos. Part of me feels a bit intimidated by answering your questions... but everything I do stems from a curiosity on how to live well, and that is how I approach each answer. I always enjoy when you comment and give your own take on these subjects so we can learn from each other!

This installment of Reader Q&A covers capsule wardrobe, dealing with anxiety, orchid food (yes I got all of your orchid related queries!) and French films. Oh la la!

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

Testimonial

This testimonial comes from the Guestbook on my author website. It is written by Tammy, who says:

Hi, Jennifer!
I ordered your book on Kindle three days ago, and finished it yesterday. With your book as a guide, I promptly organized my wardrobe, as I had been in a fashion rut for awhile. I found that I did not even like or wear over 90% of my clothes, many of which were relics from my college days (and I graduated six years ago!), some were even from high school. Remained were the few very flattering pieces made of good materials that I seldom wore because they were “saved” for more “worthy” events, which doesn’t even make any sense to me now. I also used your guide at Saks yesterday to pick up a few key pieces that were lacking in my wardrobe. I now have, literally, only 10 pieces, and they all make me look great and feel great! I don’t think I have felt this happy and free in years, if ever. Thank you!

Thank you Tammy!

Next week will show part two of this video... see you then! x

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Mme. Chic in Brazil, Chicago Tribune, One Chic Mama, Giveaway Winners & More

This has been such an exciting week!

Madame Chic in Brazil

I wanted to start off by saying Olá to my Brazilian readers. Lessons from Madame Chic (Madame Charme) is now out in Brazil! Obrigado and I look forward to connecting with you!



Chicago Tribune

I am featured in the Chicago Tribune this week in an article called, Your Closet: Where Utility Meets Joy. Stacy London (of What Not To Wear), Jason Wu (the talented fashion designer who designed both of the first lady's inaugural dresses) and I (!) give advice on creating the perfect balance between want and need in your wardrobe.

Is Vulgar the New Normal?

My Huffington Post piece, Is Vulgar the New Normal? has kicked up quite a stir. Thank you to all of you who have shared the piece. I feel passionately about the subjects of standards, etiquette and decency and will continue to write on this topic.

Check out the conversation on my Facebook page. And read the original article here. If you feel as passionately about this subject as I do, please tweet it, post it on your facebook page, and share it with your friends.

One Chic Mama

Thank you to all of you who tuned in to One Chic Mama TV. I had such a lovely time discussing style with host Mary Michele! Also, thank you to all who sent questions in, it was a lot of fun answering them. If you missed the interview (which ran an entire hour!) visit One Chic Mama TV by clicking here (look for episode Jennifer L. Scott).

Belvada Duo Harmony Lipstick Giveaway Winners


As with all giveaways I do, I wish you could all win! But this time there could only be two winners. The winners were picked at random from Random.org and they are:

Melanie L. Midway, TN, who said:

What is Chic?
To me chic is smart. Chic is knowing what works for you and sticking with it. Chic is feeling good about yourself. Chic above all else is loving yourself.

and

Nalani P. Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who said:

Chic is being sophisticated while also being mysterious.

Congratulations ladies! Please email me and I will put you in touch with Belvada so you can choose your lipstick shades.

Thanks to all who entered. I really enjoyed reading what 'chic' means to you!

Thank you to Belvada for hosting such a lovely giveaway! To learn more about their lipsticks, click here, or visit www.belvada.com

Have a lovely weekend!

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Re-Bloom Your Orchids

With a little care and attention you can get your orchids to bloom year after year. Once the blooms fall off your orchid, continue to take care of it. Trim back any parts of the stem that have dried off. Continue to water your orchids once a week and feed them at least once a month. Over time you will notice new growth and eventually new blooms. This is so rewarding!



This week's video shows you two of my orchids that have produced new blooms. The first half of the video shows the new buds and the second shows the full blooms over one month later. If you are unable to see the video, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur

Is Vulgar the New Normal?

My latest piece for Huffington Post Entertainment is called, Is Vulgar the New Normal? It discusses the increasingly disturbing trend of vulgarity in our popular culture. I feel very passionately about this piece. Please share with your friends if you agree.

News

♥ This Wednesday, March 6th, I will be appearing on One Chic Mama TV at 1pm PST. I'll be joining host Mary Michele via Skype for the hour as we discuss all things style. To watch the show on your computer visit this link: http://www.nissancommunications.com/o... or click here. You can also phone in at any time during the hour to ask me a question by calling 919.851.3858, Or you can Skype Chat at: Computers2kvoice. Please phone or Skype in, I'd love to speak with you! Find One Chic Mama on Facebook.

♥ I have also written another article for Huffington Post Style discussing the merits of le no makeup look for spring.

♥ Former Fleet Street photojournalist and great family friend of ours, Clive Limpkin, has just released his autobiography, Lost in the Reptile House, available exclusively for Apple's iPad and iTunes. Learn more about the book here. Visit Clive's website here.

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Belvada Duo Harmony Lipstick Review & Giveaway

Everyone who has read Lessons from Madame Chic knows how much I love lipstick. It is the perfect variation on le no makeup look that can add a mysterious definition to your makeup routine.

Today I have another giveaway for you, this time from the people at Belvada (remember my One Moment Luxury Cream review with the 24k gold dust flakes?). Belvada have generously offered to give away two lipsticks to readers of the Daily Connoisseur. I'll get to the giveaway in a moment, but first my review!

The Duo Harmony lipsticks are moisturizing, high quality lipsticks that pair with a balm in one well-designed package. I took the Elegant Maroon color to the OZ Premiere and it fit beautifully in my little evening clutch. It was so nice to not have to pack a separate lip balm.



The lipsticks use very minimal packaging which is great for the environment (a big plus). The Duo Harmony lipstick, which includes a lip balm, lip color and carrying case, sells for $20. Any refills (different colors or for when you need to replace your favorite) sell for $10. Very affordable for such a luxury product.



The colors pictured above are as follows: Natural Earth, Soft Pink (my personal favorite!), Intense Red, Lip Balm and Elegant Maroon.

To see the swatches and learn more about the lipsticks, check out this week's video. If you are unable to see the above video, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit my channel, www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur.


Giveaway

Due to restrictions, this giveaway is only open to US and Canada residents only. There will be two winners. The winners will get a duo harmony lipstick in the color of their choice.

Here is how to enter:

1. Leave a comment below stating your first name, last initial and city/ state where you live. Please note: you will only be entered if you leave a comment on this blog. Please do not email me personally with your entry. To be fair, all entries must be visible on this blog. For email subscribers who are unsure how to enter, visit www.dailyconnoisseur.com to go to the main blog page, look for this entry and enter your comment in the comment section provided.

2. Tell us what chic means to you!

Good luck! I will announce the winner next week.

To learn more about Belvada, click here, or visit www.belvada.com



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Oscars and Downton Abbey

Please note: the second half of this article, which discusses the season 3 finale of Downton Abbey, contains SPOILERS. Do not read that section if you do not want to know what happens in the Downton Abbey finale.

But first... the Oscars!

Last night the 85th Academy Awards took place in Los Angeles. For me, it was a night of mixed emotion. I was happy for all of the winners... the awards seemed to be very evenly distributed among the top films. I was particularly happy for Life of Pi, which won so many awards (I was rooting for Life of Pi for best picture but was still happy that Argo won). Ang Lee is a class act and he deserved greatly to win for best director.



If you haven't seen Life of Pi yet try to see it in the cinema. It is the most visually stunning movie I have ever seen. The story, based on Yann Martel's bestselling novel, is fantastic and endearing as well. Mr. Connoisseur and I were both incredibly moved by this film (and he is a tough audience!).

My two best dressed picks for the night were Jessica Chastain, who looked gloriously Old Hollywood with her custom Armani gown and beautifully smooth tresses, and Octavia Spencer, who personified classiness in her lovely Tadashi Shoji gown.





My pick for best hair would be Jennifer Lawrence with her beautifully chic chignon and Reese Witherspoon with her fabulous Veronica Lake-esque waves.





Now for the controversial part. Call me humorless but I thought a lot of Seth MacFarlane's jokes were in poor taste. Sadly what is being deemed as 'edgy' humor is also low brow and tasteless. I agreed wholeheartedly with Marlow Stern of the Daily Beast, who said last night was the Juvenile Oscars.

Next year can we please have a classy Oscars ceremony? I love Billy Crystal's musical numbers and enchanting monologues. I would like less of the mean-spirited zingers and jokes meant to shock people. I know, there I go again sounding like a 95 year old woman but my favorite film stars of the golden age of Hollywood would be appalled. I'm secretly hoping that Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will host next year... fingers crossed!

Downton Abbey

SPOILER ALERT This next section contains Downton Abbey Season 3 spoilers. Please DO NOT read on if you don't want to know what happens in the season 3 finale.

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Still here?

OK then you've seen Downton Abbey and are ready to discuss!

(I am very careful with the spoiler alert because I read an article on the Daily Mail that did not issue a spoiler alert and the finale episode was ruined for me. I would not want to do that to you!)

So can we please discuss the Downton Abbey season 3 finale?

I was terribly upset that Matthew died at the end of the episode (even though I knew it was coming... thanks Daily Mail!). He and Lady Mary had just had their child and it felt so wrong... like a slap in the face! Especially coming off of Lady Sybil's shocking death. I mean, what does Downton Abbey have against new parents?!

I was instantly upset and took to the internet to find out why... Why would Julian Fellowes write Matthew off the show?

Ah, then I discovered Dan Stevens, the actor who plays Matthew, wanted out of his contract. Fellowes and the other writers had no other choice but to kill him off.

Boo.

I'm sure I will get over it and they'll probably write in a very exciting and dashing love interest for Lady Mary but until then... Boo.

All is not lost though. I really like the Branson storyline... a former chauffeur with radical political views living a new life upstairs in the House... brilliant. I also love Mrs. Patmore (please never leave). I am always rooting for Lady Edith. And, of course, Maggie Smith as the Dowager Countess is beyond marvelous. Her witticisms warm my heart.


I still look forward to season 4 and hope they can steer this lovely show to a place of magnificence again...


Come back later this week for a lipstick review and giveaway!

Until next time, I would love to know... what did you think of the Oscars? Downton Abbey?

See you soon! x


Life of Pi image: AWN
Jessica Chastain, Reese Witherspoon image: Zimbio
Octavia Spencer image: Getty
Jennifer Lawrence image: Bella Sugar



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OZ Premiere Hair, Dress and Film Review

Last week I attended the world premiere for the new Disney film, OZ The Great & Powerful, at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. Palak Patel (the husband of one of my very best friends) produced this film that was directed by Sam Raimi.

The whole event was fabulous from the red carpet that was made to look like a yellow brick road, to the enormous hot air balloon outside of the theatre. I also got to see all of the stars up close: James Franco, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz and Mila Kunis.

The movie was enchanting, action-packed, funny and visually stunning. The 3D effects were particularly incredible.

I wore an emerald Nanette Lepore dress (which you can see in the video) and had my hair done up in a modern French twist. Jennifer from the Dry Bar Santa Monica did the updo. Here are some close up pictures from the salon:



For more, watch this week's video and see my red carpet outfit: dress, hair, makeup and accessories. Part two of the video discusses the film, the after party and what the stars were wearing. 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

To learn more about OZ The Great & Powerful click here.

And thank you to Palak and Juliana for inviting me to this wonderful premiere!


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Madame Chic in Italy & Other Lovely Things

I've had a terrible cold this past week and am slowly recovering... so there will be no video this week as I can barely speak!

But I do have a few exciting things I wanted to share with you:

♥ Lessons from Madame Chic (Le lezioni di Madame Chic) will be coming out in Italy in May of this year and this will be the cover. I love how dramatic, mysterious and oh so Italian it is. It will be issued by acclaimed publishing house, Piemme.

♥ Last week's post and video, Reader Questions Answered, got a great response. Thanks everyone! I look forward to continuing that series.

♥ I've been shooting a video on regrowing my orchids over the past few weeks, which I think you'll enjoy.

♥ Speaking of house plants, I am taking an interest in African Violets now too. These are fickle creatures that require a precise kind of care but are beautiful to keep in the home as well.

♥ I've been on a massive organization mission in my home that was inspired by the film, Amélie. I'll get more into specifics later... sorry to be so mysterious!

♥ We rarely talk about television but I have (of course) been loving Downton Abbey. Mr. Connoisseur has gotten into it this season too! We've also been watching Elementary on CBS. I love the new modern take on Sherlock/ Watson with Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu. The excellent BBC Sherlock will be coming soon as well. I am such a big Sherlock Holmes fan I can't get enough of either series.

♥ This week I will be attending the world premiere of OZ The Great and Powerful. Hopefully I will feel better by then! I plan on shooting a video to show you what I'll be wearing and discussing how the event went the next day.



I hope you all have a wonderful week and that you are staying healthy...

See you soon!

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The Benedetta Giveaway Winner Is...

Thank you to all who entered the Benedetta Giveaway last week.

I really enjoyed reading what you love about your skin. So often we focus on the negative— on what we'd like to change about ourselves. I think it's refreshing to focus on the positive.

The winner of the giveaway, chosen via Random.org, is:

L'Hydrangea Bleu

Stephanie C., NYC, NY, who loves that her skin refreshes itself over night after having a good night's sleep.

Congratulations Stephanie! Please contact me with your shipping details and I will have Benedetta send you your prize.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I will have another giveaway very soon... a lipstick giveaway from Belvada. Please stay tuned.

♥ I'll leave you with this lovely review from Pammy Blogs Beauty of Lessons from Madame Chic.

See you soon!

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Reader Questions Answered

I've received so many emails from readers... too many to individually respond to! (I am aware this is a high quality problem.) But I do want you to know that I appreciate each and every one.

Because many of you have similar questions, I've decided to start a new series on the YouTube channel called Reader Questions Answered.

This week's video discusses aprons, dog hair (or should that be fur?), air of mystery and assertiveness. If you are unable to see the video above, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur

Letters from Readers


Every now and then I receive a wonderful testimonial for Lessons from Madame Chic like this one from Kristin P. in Anoka, MN.

This letter makes me so happy. Thank you Kristin!


Dear Jennifer,

I read your book in 2 days! I loved it!
Your lessons have taught me how to make my dream of a simple, uncluttered, and very enjoyable life a reality.
The first thing I did was minimize my daily makeup routine. No more need to buy the next eyeshadow palette. Now I use my prettiest eyeliners and embrace my lipstick collection everyday.
Next I separated my wardrobe into seasons. Then I took a look at my current life and weeded through. I am left with 18 pieces that are my favorite and the most chic.
There are so many other changes I have made. From the way I prepare and eat my meals to how I communicate and entertain. I feel as if I have created a few more hours in a day! I can enjoy music, art, the world around me!
The best part is...my husband has noticed, and he LOVES it! He is always commenting on how nice I look. We are enjoying the finer moments in life together much more than before. We aren't feeling consumed with consuming.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for writing this wonderful book!

Best,
Kristin P
Anoka, MN

Book News

♥ The Midwest Book Review says: Lessons from Madame Chic is a fine pick for any interested in women's fashion, style, and how the French have recreated style lessons.

♥ Beauty Info Zone says: Jennifer enumerates some wonderfully stylish suggestions on simplifying and improving your diet, your look, and overall satisfaction and enjoyment of life.

♥ The Portland Book Review says: Scott’s message of living passionately, enjoying the little things in life and truly living are great mantras to guide one’s life.

Have a wonderful week! Don't forget to enter the Benedetta Skin Care Giveaway. I will announce the winner this Friday... good luck!

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