Get Ready With Me Spring Makeup, My TEDx Talk & More

May 11, 2014, 4:44 pm

≫ Next: Etiquette Chat: Common Courtesy Greeting

≪ Previous: Vulgarity No More on Reality TV

$

0

0

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day! I am so blessed to have such an amazing mother and feel so grateful to be a mother myself. A mother's work raising the next generation is so important and you should be treasured, each and every one of you. I hope you have a marvelous day with your family.


#VulgarityNoMore
Thank you for your amazing and supportive response to last week's video on Vulgarity No More. You have voiced your opinions. They matter and they have been heard! I will continue to explore this topic in future posts and videos with the hope that we can resurrect a more elegant society. Thank you for helping me in these efforts.

TEDx Talk
If you follow me on twitter, facebook or instagram you've already heard my exciting news: I have been invited to give a TEDx talk in New York City on September 6th of this year. This is such a dream come true for me! The talk will be taped and there will be a link for you to watch it. I am also working on scheduling a meet up or book signing with the hopes that I can meet some East Coast readers. I will keep you posted. Thank you to author Laura Saba for nominating me for this talk and thank you to TEDx organizers Chris Ojaste and Tim Desiderio for selecting me. It is so appreciated!

Get Ready With Me: Spring Makeup


This week's video was actually shot a few weeks ago. We get ready together and I show you some of my spring makeup tricks, including how to create a glowy cheek using cheek stains.

As always, you do not have to use the exact makeup I use in this video as there are comparable shades and matches at every price point. Have fun doing the detective work and finding out what works best for you!

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. If you never want to miss a video please subscribe to my YouTube channel (it's free!) and upon subscription select the option to receive email updates.

Here is a list of makeup used in the video:

Benefit Gimme Brow
Urban Decay Primer Potion
Urban Decay Naked Palette shades used are:“side car” and “half baked”
Urban Decay Glide on Eye Pencil in “underground”
Shu Uemeura eyelash curler
Buxom mascara
Benefit Sun Beam
Benefit Lollitint
Clinique chubby stick in “whole lotta honey”
Benefit high brow highlighter
Urban Outfitters nail polish in “rodeo sweetheart”

News

Thank you to Christine from The Refined Side for your lovely book review of Lessons from Madame Chic.


Madame Chic Inspiring Thought

I firmly believe that we can all be Madame Chic: our own unique very best version of ourselves. I am going to start a new way to end the blog each week with a Madame Chic inspiring thought. I hope you enjoy this! Today's inspiring thought is:



The manifestation of a rose is a magnificent thing. Here is my first double delight of the season from the container garden on my patio. When you are out walking today try to get out of your mind. Don't focus on your problems or your to-do list, put your phone in your pocket. Take note of the beauty in the landscaping around you, even if is only a tiny weed flower poking out of the concrete. Appreciate nature and be in the now.


I would love to hear from you... how do you like the makeup look? If you try it out send me a picture on social media with the hashtag #lenomakeuplook. As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts on everything else like TEDx, #VulgarityNoMore and Madame Chic inspiring thought.


FTC: all products used in this video were purchased by me. All opinions remain my own.

See you next week!


Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter

---

Etiquette Chat: Common Courtesy Greeting

May 18, 2014, 4:45 pm

≫ Next: AT HOME WITH MADAME CHIC preorder

≪ Previous: Get Ready With Me Spring Makeup, My TEDx Talk & More

$

0

0

In today's Etiquette Chat we discuss the art of the common courtesy greeting. You know what it's like. You're walking down the sidewalk in your neighborhood and someone is walking toward you. Perhaps you are both walking your dogs or you are on your way to run errands. As the person approaches you look at them and smile or nod expecting the same courtesy in return but they just keep on walking without acknowledging you at all.

The common courtesy greeting, the kind you give to your neighbors as you pass them in the morning, the kind you give to a store clerk before you ask them a question, the kind you give to the lady ringing up your purchases at the grocery store are not trivial, but very important. These greetings bring us out of our heads. They help build community and might even begin to thaw the most frozen of hearts.



Today's chat is lively and fun (and includes a star cameo from Gatsby!) but in all seriousness discusses a small gesture that can bring a little bit of respect and civility back to our society. If you are unable to see this week's video, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur


Madame Chic Inspiring Thought



Last Thursday my husband and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary. Eight years of marriage and two children later, what a wonderful feeling. Relationships can be challenging. They can be hard, but the great thing is that they provide an opportunity for you to constantly work on yourself.

There is no hiding from your "issues" when you are in a committed relationship. My best marriage advice is to appreciate the one you're with. Focus on all of their many gifts, their strong suits, and the things about them that you are grateful for. Avoid the "grass is always greener on the other side" syndrome by constantly reminding yourself of the small pleasures that this person brings to your life on a daily basis. Mr. Connoisseur... I am grateful for you!

This week I would love to know... what are your thoughts on the common courtesy greeting? Any great marriage advice you can share with us? Any requests for future etiquette videos? Let me know in the comment section.

See you soon! x


Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter

AT HOME WITH MADAME CHIC preorder

May 25, 2014, 7:04 am

≫ Next: Quality TV, Guilty Pleasures & Walking Out of a Movie?

≪ Previous: Etiquette Chat: Common Courtesy Greeting

$

0

0

I am so happy to announce that my new book, At Home With Madame Chic: Becoming A Connoisseur of Daily Life is now available for preorder. The book comes out November 4th of this year and I couldn't be more excited for you to read it.

At Home With Madame Chic will be filled with beautiful illustrations from Virginia Johnson, who also did the lovely cover you see above.



Check out this week's video to hear me talk about At Home With Madame Chic. 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

Here is the book description:

Approach life at home the Madame Chic way: a beautiful, illustrated toolbox of tips and ideas for organizing, entertaining, and savoring a stylish life.

When she arrived at Madame Chic’s Parisian apartment as a foreign exchange student, Jennifer Scott was a casual California girl who thought sweatpants were appropriate street attire. Madame Chic took Jennifer under her wing and tutored her in the secrets of how the French elevate the little things in life to the art of living.

Years later, Jennifer was back in California with a husband, two young daughters, a dog, and her first home. Every day she confronted mundane duties like folding laundry and unloading the dishwasher, and she began to think about Madame Chic’s home—how the breakfast table was set beautifully the night before, the music that always played in the background, the calm of Madame and Monsieur Chic’s ritual cocktail hour together. Jennifer wanted that life. She decided to see what would happen if she didn’t perform her chores impatiently or mindlessly, if, instead, she could live like Madame Chic.

At Home with Madame Chic reveals the secrets to having a happy, fulfilling, and passionate life at home. Jennifer explains the morning send-off need not be chaotic, it’s possible to look stylish with minimal time and effort, a little forethought makes it possible to serve a home-cooked dinner every night, and details like music and scented candles can set the tone for the whole family’s evening. Organized by the pleasures that can be found throughout the day, this charming, helpful book is full of ideas, playlists, recipes, beauty routines, and advice that can turn an irritating day into an enjoyable experience.

At Home With Madame Chic is available for preorder now from the following online bookstores











I couldn't be more excited and passionate about this book. Thank you for your support!

See you soon :) xx



Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter

Quality TV, Guilty Pleasures & Walking Out of a Movie?

June 1, 2014, 4:45 pm

≫ Next: Maca Latte Tutorial and Wink & Winn Giveaway

≪ Previous: AT HOME WITH MADAME CHIC preorder

$

0

0

Thank you so much for your incredible response to my announcement last week about the new book, At Home With Madame Chic. So many of you preordered the book and sent over encouraging words. Thank you! And I agree with you... November could not come fast enough as I can't wait for you to read it.

This week is a very casual chat discussing quality television (including a guilty pleasure admission of mine) and a story about walking out of a movie. 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

Madame Chic in the Palisades

The week before last I had the honor of being the guest speaker for Lauren Evans and Susie Gilman's Happiness Series. We gathered in the Pacific Palisades with 40 Madame Chic enthusiasts and had a lively Q&A discussion about how we can live the principles discussed in Lessons from Madame Chic and incorporate them into our lives outside of Paris.


Pictured with Lauren Evans (left) and Susie Gilman (right)


Everyone looked so fabulous! I especially loved the ladies in the Breton striped shirts!


I wore a springy DVF cocktail dress and a turquoise necklace from Bauble Bar. Ten-Item Wardrobe-wise, cocktail dresses are considered extras because you only wear them on special occasions. Remember the ten core items of your wardrobe are clothes that you wear every day. It's important to have clothes for dressier occasions (church, parties, weddings, baby and bridal showers, etc.) It's a good idea to have a capsule collection of dressy occasion appropriate clothing that you can pull from when you have a special event. I can devote a whole blog post and video to this topic if you'd like. Let me know!


Thank you again to Ms. Evans and Ms. Gilman for hosting such a lovely event.


Madame Chic Inspiring Thought



Always use the best things you have. I love this scene from a recent episode of Mr. Selfridge (which is one of the quality shows discussed in this week's video) in which the family use a beautiful set of dishes for their weekday breakfast. Using nice dishes on a daily basis feels decadent and can add a touch of elegance and ritual to your average morning routine.

This week I would love to know... what are your thoughts on the programs discussed in this week's video? Do you have any quality TV or movies to recommend? What about guilty pleasures? Have you ever walked out of a movie?

See you soon!


Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter

Maca Latte Tutorial and Wink & Winn Giveaway

June 5, 2014, 8:07 am

≫ Next: How I Take Care of My Clothes

≪ Previous: Quality TV, Guilty Pleasures & Walking Out of a Movie?

$

0

0

I have two treats in store for you on this special Thursday post on the Daily Connoisseur. First is the video tutorial for my Maca Latte, which is set to Mozart's Marriage of Figaro and just might be the most dramatic drink tutorial on all of YouTube! Second is the Wink & Winn gift card giveaway, which I know many of you are excited about.



Maca Latte Tutorial



Maca powder is a Peruvian superfood. It is is a root that grows in the Andes mountains. The Peruvians have used maca for its medicinal properties for hundreds of years. Packed with vitamins and minerals, maca is known as a natural stimulant-free energy booster. It benefits the skin and particularly women's health and mood. You can read more about maca here at VegKitchen.

If you don't have health food store near your home, Amazon have a variety of maca powders on sale at discounted prices. Check out their list here.

To make a standard maca latte you will need:

1 cup unsweetened almond milk (in the video I use soy, which is fine too but I prefer almond)

Splash of vanilla soy creamer (if you use vanilla almond milk you will not need this)

1 heaping tablespoon of maca powder

Sprinkle of Raw Cacao Powder (This is optional. Available from health food store or Amazon)

1 frother (optional)
1 mug or teacup
saucepan and spoon

Heat one cup of almond milk and a splash of soy creamer (to taste) in a saucepan while stirring constantly. Pour half of the milk mixture into a cup. Place the maca powder in cup and pour the rest of the milk mixture on top. Using a frother, mix well (around 30 seconds) to prevent the maca from clumping up. Sprinkle raw cacao powder on top. Serve and enjoy!

This recipe makes one serving. Double it up for two.

**Have fun making different variations: add a spoonful of Nutella for a hazelnut latte, put in a teaspoon of flax seed powder if desired, add more cacao powder for a mocha latte.

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

Wink & Winn Giveaway



A while back I posted a review and tutorial for Wink & Winn's custom handbag service. Wink & Winn have kindly offered to give a $200 gift certificate to a reader of the Daily Connoisseur!

Please enter the giveaway via the rafflecopter widget below. The winner will be announced on the widget one week from today and will be contacted personally. The giveaway is open internationally so all may enter. Best of luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


See you next time when we discuss delicate clothing care...

Music in the Maca Latte video:

MUSIC: Mozart's Marriage of Figaro
Royalty Free Music by
http://audiomicro.com/royalty-free-music
Sound Effects by
http://audiomicro.com/sound-effects

Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter

How I Take Care of My Clothes

June 8, 2014, 4:45 pm

≫ Next: Hair & Nails Chat + Milkmaid Braid Tutorial, The New Braiding Handbook

≪ Previous: Maca Latte Tutorial and Wink & Winn Giveaway

$

0

0

This week we are talking about clothing care: specifically delicates. I'm such a strong advocate for men and women dressing up on a daily basis. Many times people don't dress up because a.) they don't want to "ruin" their nice clothes and b.) they don't want to spend lots of money at the dry cleaner. Well, I'm here to help. Yes it is possible to wear nice clothes on a daily basis, prevent them from getting ruined and launder them at home. I know because that's what I do! All of those silk blouses and dresses in my ten-item wardrobe? I wash them at home and this week I'll share my secrets with you.

Of course, I would like you to use discretion and common sense when deciding on how to care for a garment. Don't go sticking your prom dress in the washing machine! I don't wash all of my clothes... some of the more formal dresses I have always go to the dry cleaner. I'm talking about those everyday clothes, flowy tops, summer dresses, etc.

Mesh laundry bags

Mesh laundry bags are wonderful and I think everyone with a washing machine should own them. They prevent your clothes from getting stretched and ruined by getting caught on the column during the spin cycle. They are also the only way to wash your undergarments when using a machine.

Detergent

It's important to pick the right detergent for the type of clothes you're washing. Delicate wash for delicates and wool and cashmere shampoo for sweaters. But no need to get carried away. You'll be surprised to know that I wash many of my clothes (even silks) with good old fashioned Tide.

Drying racks


When washing delicate clothes it's important to avoid the tumble dryer at all costs. It will shrink your nice clothing, so I always hang my wet laundry on drying racks and iron them once dry. When you iron your clothes, make sure your iron is set to the proper setting (silks will be a different setting than linen, for example).

Stain remover

Keep a good stain remover on hand. They even make travel sized stain removers for your purse (although I haven't quite got it together yet to purchase one of those). Take care of stains as soon as possible so they don't set in.

For a more comprehensive discussion, check out this week's video. 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


Madame Chic Inspiring Thought



Of course the best way to deal with stains is to prevent them entirely and I like to do that by wearing aprons whenever I am doing housework that could compromise my clothes. I love aprons and think they are a chic addition to any outfit when at home. This pretty Cath Kidston apron was a gift from my mother-in-law, Jane. Thank you!

This week I would love to know... how do you take care of your clothes? Do you have any tips and tricks for us? What do you think of these methods? Are you more likely to wear your nice clothes around the house now?

See you soon! xx

MUSIC: Mozart's Marriage of Figaro (I couldn't get enough so I used it in this video too!) :)
Royalty Free Music by
http://audiomicro.com/royalty-free-music
Sound Effects by
http://audiomicro.com/sound-effects

Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter

Hair & Nails Chat + Milkmaid Braid Tutorial, The New Braiding Handbook

June 15, 2014, 4:45 pm

≫ Next: Summer Reading 2014 + A Place At the Table Giveaway

≪ Previous: How I Take Care of My Clothes

$

0

0

This week we are talking hair and nails. If you follow me on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, you've noticed over the recent months that I've been having fun experimenting with braided hairstyles. I've always loved braids (it's the Madame Bohemienne in me!) so I was excited when Ulysses press recently sent me the new book by Abby Smith, The New Braiding Handbook.


Abby Smith is a fellow YouTuber with a wonderful channel called Twist Me Pretty. This book is a valuable resource because while I usually just wing it and create a hit or miss hairstyle, The New Braiding Handbook gives you great step-by-step instruction on creating new and classic braided hairstyles.

A while back on Facebook a reader commented that she liked the braided updo but felt she might be too old to wear braids. I don't think anyone is too old. If you pick the right age-appropriate look, your braided updo can look very elegant. This braided chignon, from the Duchess of Cambridge is a perfect example:



In this week's video I start off in pigtails (which is an age-inappropriate look for me!) but it's for a good reason... I give you a classic milkmaid braid updo tutorial half way through the video.



The milkmaid braid might feel too costume-y for you but I think you should give it a try. You might surprise yourself with how chic you look and I think it makes a great (easy) formal updo as well. There's something very regal about it even though it is meant for the look of a milkmaid.

Here are some of the braided looks I've shared on Instagram over the past few months. Which one is your favorite?



And now let's talk about nails. I've been experimenting with various colors this spring, some of which are out of my comfort zone. I've found some beautiful ones! But I also realize that the neutrals and classics are still my favorite. These two in particular, Dior's Incognito and Rouge, are particularly divine.



Check out this week's video for the milkmaid braid tutorial and an even more in depth discussion of these topics. 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

WomenHeart
Last Monday I had the honor of speaking at the West Los Angeles support group for Women Heart: The National Coalition for women with Heart Disease. My talk focused on living a fulfilling life even during life's struggles. I was so moved and inspired by the stories and the bravery of the women in this group. Thank you to Alisa Becket and Amanda Daniels for inviting me to speak. For more information on Women Heart visit www.womenheart.org

Pictured with Amanda Daniels (left) and Alisa Becket (right)

Madame Chic Inspiring Thought

Sometimes, for special events, it "takes a village" to get ready and presentable. We trust our hair, makeup, styling and nails to the professionals. But on a daily basis, empower yourself to be your own beauty team. Don't be afraid to try out new hairdos. Practice wearing them at home if you feel unsure about going out in public with them. You don't need to spend a lot of money at the salon each week to achieve a polished look. Try giving yourself a manicure at home this week. Start with the neutral colors so the mistakes aren't as visible. Have fun with cultivating your own style and beauty routine. #lookpresentablealways

This week I would love to know... what are your thoughts on braided hairstyles? Would you ever wear one? What about nails? Do you like classic shades or do you prefer edgy colors? Do you do your manicures at home? Or do you have them professionally done?

Music in this week's video: Etente Cordiale
Royalty Free Music by
http://audiomicro.com/royalty-free-music
Sound Effects by
http://audiomicro.com/sound-effects

Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter

Summer Reading 2014 + A Place At the Table Giveaway

June 22, 2014, 4:22 pm

≫ Next: How to Make an Inexpensive Outfit Look Expensive + LONDON SOLE Giveaway

≪ Previous: Hair & Nails Chat + Milkmaid Braid Tutorial, The New Braiding Handbook

$

0

0

Today I'm sharing my summer reading list with you. I just love a good, juicy read during the warmer months don't you? My lovely editor/ kindred spirit, Trish Todd, knows my interests so well and sent me a goody box with some of Simon & Schuster's most interesting summer reads.



Watch this week's video to hear more about the books. 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

Here are the (clickable) titles and book descriptions:

A Place at the Table by Susan Rebecca White

From Susan Rebecca White, award-winning author of A Soft Place to Land and Bound South, comes a breathtaking story of three richly nuanced outcasts whose paths converge in a chic Manhattan café as they realize they must give up everything they thought they knew to find a home at last.

Alice Stone is famous for the homemade southern cuisine she serves at Café Andres and her groundbreaking cookbook, but her past is a mystery to all who know her. Upon Alice’s retirement, Bobby Banks, a young gay man ostracized by his family in Georgia, sets out to revive the aging café with his new brand of southern cooking while he struggles with heartbreak like he’s never known. Seeking respite from the breakup of her marriage, wealthy divorcée Amelia Brighton finds solace in the company and food at Café Andres, until a family secret comes to light in the pages of Alice’s cookbook and threatens to upend her life.

In her most accomplished novel yet, Susan Rebecca White braids together the stories of these three unforgettable characters who must learn that when you embrace the thing that makes you different, you become whole.

The Summer House by Santa Montefiore

When Lord Frampton dies in a skiing accident, a beautiful young woman named Phaedra appears at his funeral—claiming to be the Lord’s illegitimate daughter. In his will, Lord Frampton has left the priceless Frampton suite of sapphires to this interloper, confirming her claim and outraging his three adult sons and widow. Eventually, however, Phaedra’s sweet nature thaws the frosty relationships. She becomes the daughter that Antoinette Frampton never had and a wise and compassionate granddaughter to the formidable Dowager Lady Frampton. But an attraction grows between Phaedra and the eldest son, David. It seems an impossible love—blocked by their blood connection and by the fury of one family member who is determined to expose Phaedra as a fraud.

Filled with the luscious scenery and enchanting characters her fans adore, Santa Montefiore’s Summer House is an unforgettable story about family, forgiveness, and the power of love.

Secrets of the Lighthouse by Santa Montefiore (release date August 5, 2014)

Set in Ireland on the wild coast of Connemara, this hauntingly romantic novel tells the story of a young woman who goes in search of her family’s past and ends up discovering her future.

Ellen Trawton is running away from it all. She hates her job, she doesn’t love the aristocratic man to whom she is engaged, and her relationship with her controlling mother is becoming increasingly strained. So Ellen leaves London, fleeing to the one place she knows her mother won’t find her, her aunt’s cottage in Connemara. Cutting all her ties with chic London society, Ellen gives in to Ireland’s charm and warmth, thinking her future may lie where so much of her past has been hidden. Her imagination is soon captured by the compelling ruins of a lighthouse where, five years earlier, a young mother died in a fire.

The ghost of the young wife, Caitlin, haunts the nearby castle, mourning the future she can never have there. Unable to move on, she watches her husband and children, hoping they might see her and feel her love once more. But she doesn’t anticipate her husband falling in love again. Can she prevent it? Or can she let go and find a way to freedom and happiness?

The ruggedly beautiful Connemara coastline with its tightknit community of unforgettable characters provides the backdrop for this poignant story of two women seeking the peace and love they desperately need. For each, the key will be found in the secrets of the past, illuminated by the lighthouse.

Sisters of Treason by Elizabeth Fremantle (release date July 8, 2014)

From the author of Queen’s Gambit, which People magazine called, “A must-read for Philippa Gregory fans,” a gripping historical novel about two sisters who tread as dangerously close to the crown as their tragic sister, Lady Jane Grey, executed after just nine days on the throne.

Early in Mary Tudor’s turbulent reign, Lady Catherine and Lady Mary Grey are reeling after the brutal execution of their elder seventeen-year-old sister, Lady Jane Grey, and the succession is by no means stable. In Sisters of Treason, Elizabeth Freemantle brings these young women to life in a spellbinding Tudor tale of love and politics.

Neither sister is well suited to a dangerous life at court. Flirtatious Lady Catherine, thought to be the true heir, cannot control her compulsion to love and be loved. Her sister, clever Lady Mary, has a crooked spine and a tiny stature in an age when physical perfection equates to goodness—and both girls have inherited the Tudor blood that is more curse than blessing. For either girl to marry without royal permission would be a potentially fatal political act. It is the royal portrait painter, Levina Teerlinc, who helps the girls survive these troubled times. She becomes their mentor and confidante, but when the Queen’s sister, the hot-headed Elizabeth, inherits the crown, life at court becomes increasingly treacherous for the surviving Grey sisters. Ultimately each young woman must decide how far she will go to defy her Queen, risk her life, and find the safety and love she longs for.

From “a brilliant new player in the court of royal fiction,” (People) Sisters of Treason brings to vivid life the perilous and romantic lives of two little known young women who played a major role in the complex politics of their day.

Delancey by Molly Wizenberg


In this funny, frank, tender memoir and New York Times bestseller, the author of A Homemade Life and the blog Orangette recounts how opening a restaurant sparked the first crisis of her young marriage.

When Molly Wizenberg married Brandon Pettit, he was a trained composer with a handful of offbeat interests: espresso machines, wooden boats, violin-building, and ice cream–making. So when Brandon decided to open a pizza restaurant, Molly was supportive—not because she wanted him to do it, but because the idea was so far-fetched that she didn’t think he would. Before she knew it, he’d signed a lease on a space. The restaurant, Delancey, was going to be a reality, and all of Molly’s assumptions about her marriage were about to change.

Together they built Delancey: gutting and renovating the space on a cobbled-together budget, developing a menu, hiring staff, and passing inspections. Delancey became a success, and Molly tried to convince herself that she was happy in their new life until—in the heat and pressure of the restaurant kitchen—she realized that she hadn’t been honest with herself or Brandon.

With evocative photos by Molly and twenty new recipes for the kind of simple, delicious food that chefs eat at home, Delancey is a moving and honest account of two young people learning to give in and let go in order to grow together.

A Place at the Table Giveaway



I am kicking off a summer of book giveaways with Susan Rebecca White's A Place at the Table. We are giving away 3 copies to readers of the Daily Connoisseur. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only (terms set by Simon & Schuster). Please enter via the rafflecopter widget below. Best of luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


For more on Susan Rebecca White visit www.susanrebeccawhite.com

Madame Chic Inspiring Thought

Last week I took my daughter to see a play and came home to unexpectedly hear the rehearsal of a choir coming from a neighbor's apartment. I can't imagine life without the arts... The arts feed our soul. Do what you can to seek out the arts and allow them to enrich your (often too busy) life. Seeing a play, attending a concert, listening to a church choir, visiting a museum, these are all palate cleansers that recharge our battery as we jump back into the fray of everyday life. #SeekOutTheArts

Follow Simon & Schuster on Twitter @SimonBooks and on Facebook

See you soon! xx

Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter

---

How to Make an Inexpensive Outfit Look Expensive + LONDON SOLE Giveaway

June 29, 2014, 4:45 pm

≫ Next: Why Do We Dress Well? + The Summer House Giveaway

≪ Previous: Summer Reading 2014 + A Place At the Table Giveaway

$

0

0

This week we are talking about how to make an inexpensive outfit look expensive.

I was recently in need of a red dress. I don't have one in my capsule wardrobe so I took the opportunity to go shopping (the best kind of shopping for me is when I actually have a mission!). I looked for a high quality red dress because I thought it would be nice to have one in my wardrobe that I could use over the years. A red dress, like a black dress, can be a classic wardrobe staple. I tried on many expensive dresses but none of them wowed me and there's no way I'm going to spend a lot of money on a quality article of clothing unless it wows me. So I happened upon this $35 dress from H&M that, for me, did the trick. It is lady-like, elegant and summery.

Recently on Facebook, reader Katarina wrote:

Jennifer: I'd like to know how you feel about the H&M purchase (red dress) from a couple of weeks ago? Was that you "falling a tiny tiny bit off the wagon" Because, even though the dress is very pretty and you look so fab as always... Hm.. isn't this really exactly what we shouldn't do - to go into HM and pick an inexpensive dress just because it's pretty?

Katarina I'm so happy you asked this question! While I do believe we should work toward building a wardrobe full of high quality items, most of us do not have unlimited budgets and sometimes we need to mix high and low cost clothing together to pull off a well-rounded wardrobe.

Also, this post should prove helpful to people who do not have high budgets for clothes. Remember I recommend purchasing "the highest quality clothing you can afford" and for many people in this difficult economy, a $35 dress is the highest quality they can afford.


So this week I am showing you my tricks to making an inexpensive dress look expensive. There are four key components:

1. Wear high quality shoes with your inexpensive outfit (I only invest in high quality shoes because the care and comfort of my feet is top priority).

2. Wear your good jewelry with the outfit. This combined with your nice shoes tricks the eye and gives the illusion that the whole outfit is expensive.

3. Wear supportive and appropriate undergarments with your outfit. Often inexpensive clothing is composed of thin fabric that is unforgiving. I suggest wearing shapewear such as Spanx or wearing pantyhose and as always, a supportive bra.

4. Make sure your grooming is impeccable. Neat hair and polished makeup will pull the entire look together. You'll look like a million bucks!

Check out this week's video to see the red dress and the various jewelry combinations that can be worn with it. The gemstone jewelry is all from Readers Fine Jewelers in Santa Monica and the gold chain necklace and earrings are from Fred Segal, Santa Monica.

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

London Sole Giveaway

Those of you in the know know that London Sole is our family business. My mother-in-law, Jane, started the company (called French Sole in the UK) over 25 years ago and my husband brought the business to America and named it London Sole. London Sole is proud to offer high quality (of course!) European handmade shoes. They are comfortable, fashionable and last so much longer than their less expensive counterparts.

Ballet flats are always a part of my wardrobe. They make any pair of jeans look chic and polished and can add a lovely, demure touch to a dress... and much like a red dress, a red ballet flat is a classic staple. My favorite style from London Sole are the Henrietta and Pirouette ballet flats.

London Sole is offering to give away one pair of red ballet flats (winner's choice) to a lucky reader of the Daily Connoisseur. This giveaway is open worldwide so anyone can enter! Please enter via the rafflecopter widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Madame Chic Inspiration
In an age of miniskirts, hot pants, visible bra straps and leggings as trousers, stand out like a diamond in the rough by embracing ladylike clothing. You can still look alluring with longer hems. In fact, ladylike dressing is so rare these days your air of mystery will intrigue.

This week I would love to know... What are your thoughts on dressing up an inexpensive outfit? Are high quality shoes important to you? What are the items in your wardrobe you are willing to invest in? When are you more likely to buy a less expensive item of clothing?

Good luck and see you soon!

For more on London Sole visit www.londonsole.com

Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter

Why Do We Dress Well? + The Summer House Giveaway

July 6, 2014, 4:44 pm

≫ Next: Reader Questions Answered + Sisters of Treason Giveaway

≪ Previous: How to Make an Inexpensive Outfit Look Expensive + LONDON SOLE Giveaway

$

0

0

This week we continue our conversation about dressing well. So many people chimed in about last week's topic on how to make an inexpensive outfit look expensive. Through facebook, email and the blog I received hundreds of comments on this topic.

Here were some of my favorites:

Diana H.S. writes: It's "about presenting the best version of you possible regardless of your circumstances".

Cristina S. writes: "Good taste comes at different price points and the art of curating your pieces in a wardrobe to end up with great style is the goal".

Tiffany W. writes: "Life should be a great mix of things. A dress you feel beautiful in is a great piece, no matter the price tag and adding your collection of finer things helps make it unique to you. That is true style".

Carmen writes: "I think as long as you are perfectly groomed and have great posture, you can easily turn an inexpensive outfit into looking expensive. I believe the key is how you conduct yourself. I've seem many, who swear by expensive clothes and yet look extremely cheap because of the way they behave and act."

Bree writes: "I like to wear a mix of high and lower end clothing and what I've found is that neatness counts! No amount of expensive clothes or accessories can make you look put together if you're sloppy, while a less expensive look applied with care and an eye for detail looks very nice."

Can Do Mom writes: "I agree that quality shoes and nice accessories can elevate any outfit. Also important is proper fit, care and ironing! No wrinkles, please!"

These were just a sampling of the wise comments I received. Thank you for your contributions! As always you inspire me greatly.


This week's video analyzes that je ne sais quoi that is captured when you wear quality clothes and how you can get it no matter what you are wearing. (I also address some haters!) Don't miss this week's video. If you can't see the video above, click here, look in the sidebar of this post, or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur

The Summer House Giveaway

Our summer of book giveaways continues on the Daily Connoisseur with Santa Montefiore's The Summer House. If you ask me, this sounds like the perfect beach read. Here's the description:

When Lord Frampton dies in a skiing accident, a beautiful young woman named Phaedra appears at his funeral—claiming to be the Lord’s illegitimate daughter. In his will, Lord Frampton has left the priceless Frampton suite of sapphires to this interloper, confirming her claim and outraging his three adult sons and widow. Eventually, however, Phaedra’s sweet nature thaws the frosty relationships. She becomes the daughter that Antoinette Frampton never had and a wise and compassionate granddaughter to the formidable Dowager Lady Frampton. But an attraction grows between Phaedra and the eldest son, David. It seems an impossible love—blocked by their blood connection and by the fury of one family member who is determined to expose Phaedra as a fraud.

Filled with the luscious scenery and enchanting characters her fans adore, Santa Montefiore’s Summer House is an unforgettable story about family, forgiveness, and the power of love.

Simon & Schuster are offering to give away 5 copies of The Summer House to readers of the Daily Connoisseur! This giveaway is open to US residents only (terms set by Simon & Schuster). Please enter via the rafflecopter widget below. Best of luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Madame Chic Inspiring Thought
Dressing well is not about "keeping up with the Joneses". Dressing well is a form of artistic expression. It is a celebration of life. It is a statement about who you are. Dressing well is not just for the wealthy. Anyone can do it on any budget. Don't let our casual society make you feel uncomfortable about dressing well. The fact that other people are in sweatpants, pajamas or exercise clothes all day long has nothing to do with you. You go on shining like the star that you are.

A final thing to ponder: Tom Ford said, "Dressing well is a form of good manners". (Thank you to viewer, Glenda, for reminding me of this gem!).

This week I would love to know: How do you feel about dressing your best? Putting thought into what you are wearing? Do you feel this is about "Keeping up with the Joneses" or something more profound? What are your thoughts on ladylike dressing in our society? Let me know! On social media use the hashtag #MADAMECHIC


Music in this week's video: Johan Strauss Tritsch Tritsch

Royalty Free Music by
http://audiomicro.com/royalty-free-music
Sound Effects by
http://audiomicro.com/sound-effects


Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter

Reader Questions Answered + Sisters of Treason Giveaway

July 13, 2014, 4:44 pm

≫ Next: Investment Shopping 101 + Delancey Giveaway

≪ Previous: Why Do We Dress Well? + The Summer House Giveaway

$

0

0

I hope you're having a wonderful summer! Before we begin I wanted to share my newly updated author website with you.

Visit www.jenniferlscott.com and let me know what you think! Thank you to Author Bytes for doing such a great job with the re-design.



Reader Questions Answered

This week's blog post will be light on writing. As the summer holidays are here I am devoting more time to my family which means less time to blog! But I still want to provide you with quality, consistent blog and video topics each week as well as answer your questions. This means that sometimes there might be a video, but less writing. With young kids I need to go with the flow. Thank you in advance for your understanding!

Today I answer some reader questions as well as share very wise reader insights. We discuss investment shopping, provocative dressing (dressing to attract), capsule recipe collections and looking presentable always. 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


Sisters of Treason Giveaway

We continue our summer of book giveaways with the newly released Sisters of Treason by Elizabeth Fremantle. Already receiving stellar reviews, this book is a highly anticipated read for me as I enjoyed Queen's Gambit so much. Many readers are saying this is historical fiction at its best!

Here is the book description:

From the author of Queen’s Gambit, which People magazine called, “A must-read for Philippa Gregory fans,” a gripping historical novel about two sisters who tread as dangerously close to the crown as their tragic sister, Lady Jane Grey, executed after just nine days on the throne.

Early in Mary Tudor’s turbulent reign, Lady Catherine and Lady Mary Grey are reeling after the brutal execution of their elder seventeen-year-old sister, Lady Jane Grey, and the succession is by no means stable. In Sisters of Treason, Elizabeth Freemantle brings these young women to life in a spellbinding Tudor tale of love and politics.

Neither sister is well suited to a dangerous life at court. Flirtatious Lady Catherine, thought to be the true heir, cannot control her compulsion to love and be loved. Her sister, clever Lady Mary, has a crooked spine and a tiny stature in an age when physical perfection equates to goodness—and both girls have inherited the Tudor blood that is more curse than blessing. For either girl to marry without royal permission would be a potentially fatal political act. It is the royal portrait painter, Levina Teerlinc, who helps the girls survive these troubled times. She becomes their mentor and confidante, but when the Queen’s sister, the hot-headed Elizabeth, inherits the crown, life at court becomes increasingly treacherous for the surviving Grey sisters. Ultimately each young woman must decide how far she will go to defy her Queen, risk her life, and find the safety and love she longs for.

From “a brilliant new player in the court of royal fiction,” (People) Sisters of Treason brings to vivid life the perilous and romantic lives of two little known young women who played a major role in the complex politics of their day.

Simon & Schuster are generously giving away 5 copies to readers of the Daily Connoisseur. This giveaway is open to US residents only (terms set by Simon & Schuster). Please enter via the rafflecopter widget below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


This week I would love to know... what do you think about provocative dressing (showing too much skin)? What about investment shopping? What are your favorite high-quality brands? Have you thought about applying the principles of the ten-item wardrobe to other areas of your life as well?

For all mothers out there... what are your tips for getting through those (sometimes long) summer days?

See you next week!


Music in this week's video: Johan Strauss Tritsch Tritsch

Royalty Free Music by Audio Micro


Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter

Investment Shopping 101 + Delancey Giveaway

July 20, 2014, 7:26 pm

≫ Next: A Midsummer Night's Makeup Tutorial + Secrets of the Lighthouse Giveaway

≪ Previous: Reader Questions Answered + Sisters of Treason Giveaway

$

0

0

My eldest daughter and I both celebrated birthdays last week. Thank you for all of your kind messages on social media! We had a really fun week, which also explains why this blog post is a little late... Thank you for your patience!

Ah, another year older...

Investment Shopping 101

Yes, I'm another year older. This, combined with our recent discussions on the blog, all got me thinking about investment pieces in our wardrobe. As we grow older we are becoming more mature and sophisticated. Is our wardrobe keeping up? Or are we still purchasing low-quality, practically disposable pieces of clothing that are nowhere near as dignified as we are?

So many people have posed questions to me about investment shopping and I'm giving you my answers in this week's video: Investment Shopping 101. I made the commitment in my 20s to stop buying junk clothes and to put some thought into my purchases for long-term satisfaction. If I can do it, you can too!

To get started with investment shopping you need three things:

Commitment- You must commit to a new lifestyle of seeking out higher quality clothes and accessories. This commitment will be tested regularly! You must commit to stop the cycle of compulsive shopping in order to save for the larger purchases.

Discipline- Oh, we need discipline for so many things... It takes discipline to break old habits (like compulsive spending). It takes discipline to save money for your investment piece. Once you buy your high-quality item, it takes discipline to learn to be content with what you have and not immediately set your sights on the next shopping conquest.

Vision- If you're going to invest in your wardrobe you need a vision of what is right for you and your style. A high-quality piece could last several years, if not a lifetime, so you can't make hasty purchases. Think about the entirety of your wardrobe and think long and hard (and save!) before making any purchases.

Check out this week's video to hear the entire discussion and a tale of the first time I decided to go for quality over quantity. 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


Delancey Giveaway


Our summer of book giveaways continues as we explore Delancey by Molly Wizenberg.

In this funny, frank, tender memoir and New York Times bestseller, the author of A Homemade Life and the blog Orangette recounts how opening a restaurant sparked the first crisis of her young marriage.

When Molly Wizenberg married Brandon Pettit, he was a trained composer with a handful of offbeat interests: espresso machines, wooden boats, violin-building, and ice cream–making. So when Brandon decided to open a pizza restaurant, Molly was supportive—not because she wanted him to do it, but because the idea was so far-fetched that she didn’t think he would. Before she knew it, he’d signed a lease on a space. The restaurant, Delancey, was going to be a reality, and all of Molly’s assumptions about her marriage were about to change.

Together they built Delancey: gutting and renovating the space on a cobbled-together budget, developing a menu, hiring staff, and passing inspections. Delancey became a success, and Molly tried to convince herself that she was happy in their new life until—in the heat and pressure of the restaurant kitchen—she realized that she hadn’t been honest with herself or Brandon.

With evocative photos by Molly and twenty new recipes for the kind of simple, delicious food that chefs eat at home, Delancey is a moving and honest account of two young people learning to give in and let go in order to grow together.

Simon & Schuster are kindly offering to give away 5 copies of Delancey to a reader of the Daily Connoisseur. Please enter via the rafflecopter widget below. The giveaway is open to US residents only (terms set by Simon & Schuster). The winners will be announced on the widget and contacted once the giveaway is over. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


and be sure to visit Molly's award winning blog, Orangette here.

Madame Chic Inspiring Thought
Just like one can be addicted to junk food, you can also be addicted to junk clothes. When you make the commitment to eat healthful foods and cut out the junk food, you are aiming to better your life. The same can be said for clothes. This doesn't mean that we never eat junk food (or buy low-quality clothes) again, but it does mean that we no longer exist on only junk food, because that is a recipe for disaster! Break the cycle today and start to make thoughtful purchases. You'll find you save money this way and have much more long-term satisfaction.

This week I would love to know... What was the first investment purchase you ever made? What investment purchases do you plan to make for the future? Are you tired of disposable clothes that only last one season? What are your thoughts on investment shopping?

Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter

A Midsummer Night's Makeup Tutorial + Secrets of the Lighthouse Giveaway

July 27, 2014, 4:44 pm

≫ Next: Beautyblender Review + My Napa Valley Trip

≪ Previous: Investment Shopping 101 + Delancey Giveaway

$

0

0

Special Announcement

Simon & Schuster have moved up the publication date for my upcoming book! At Home With Madame Chic will be published now on October 7th, 2014 (previously November 4th). Not long to wait now...

A Midsummer Night's Makeup Tutorial


This week I have for you an enchanting le no makeup look tutorial, set to Chopin's Raindrop Prelude, fit for a midsummer night's eve. This makeup look utilizes soft pinks and violet shades, and with a little creativity, can be achieved with the makeup you already have on hand. For a list of the makeup used in this video, please see the links below.

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

**Video note: For vibrancy, I shoot my videos on the "food and fashion" setting. Because of this, the eyeshadow, in particular, looks darker on camera than it does in person. Rest assured, this is still a le no makeup look!



Makeup list:



Becca radiant skin satin finish foundation in “noisette”

Beauty Blender (stay tuned for an in-depth review of this next week)

Benefit Fake Up under eye concealer in 02 medium (this concealer is really hydrating and is my new favorite for the under eye area)

Benefit Boi-ing concealer in 03 (And this is my current favorite spot concealer. It does an excellent job and blends in naturally)

MAC blot powder pressed in medium

Urban Decay primer potion (I can't do without this... love it.)

Laura Mercier artist palette (this palette is no longer available but the individual shades can be found on the Laura Mercier website)
Shades used: Primrose, African Violet, Plum Smoke, Sparkly Dew

MAC mineralize blush in warm soul

MAC mineralize skin finish in soft and gentle (I love this highlighter... it's excellent)

Rimmel Scandaleyes mascara in 003 extreme black (A wonderful and affordable drug store mascara)

Sephora eyebrow editor in honey blonde

CHANEL le crayon levres nude lip pencil

NYX butter gloss in “tiramisu” (Affordable and effective... love this lip gloss)

Bobbi Brown long wear gel liner in caviar ink (My favorite eyeliner... dare I say Holy Grail?)


Secrets of the Lighthouse Giveaway


Our summer of book giveaways continues with another book by Santa Montefiore called Secrets of the Lighthouse, which will be released on August 5th.

Set in Ireland on the wild coast of Connemara, this hauntingly romantic novel tells the story of a young woman who goes in search of her family’s past and ends up discovering her future.

Ellen Trawton is running away from it all. She hates her job, she doesn’t love the aristocratic man to whom she is engaged, and her relationship with her controlling mother is becoming increasingly strained. So Ellen leaves London, fleeing to the one place she knows her mother won’t find her, her aunt’s cottage in Connemara. Cutting all her ties with chic London society, Ellen gives in to Ireland’s charm and warmth, thinking her future may lie where so much of her past has been hidden. Her imagination is soon captured by the compelling ruins of a lighthouse where, five years earlier, a young mother died in a fire.

The ghost of the young wife, Caitlin, haunts the nearby castle, mourning the future she can never have there. Unable to move on, she watches her husband and children, hoping they might see her and feel her love once more. But she doesn’t anticipate her husband falling in love again. Can she prevent it? Or can she let go and find a way to freedom and happiness?

The ruggedly beautiful Connemara coastline with its tightknit community of unforgettable characters provides the backdrop for this poignant story of two women seeking the peace and love they desperately need. For each, the key will be found in the secrets of the past, illuminated by the lighthouse.

Simon & Schuster are offering to give away 5 copies of The Summer House to readers of the Daily Connoisseur! This giveaway is open to US residents only (terms set by Simon & Schuster). Please enter via the rafflecopter widget below. Best of luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Happy Birthday Ellen C!

I would like to wish a very happy 50th birthday to Ellen C. of Hendersonville, TN. Ellen's daughter, Emily, reached out to me to let me know that her mom is a big fan of Madame Chic and the Daily Connoisseur and that her special day is coming up.

Ellen, I am wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous year. It's clear that you are a fantastic role model for your adoring daughters. Happy Birthday! Thank you for your long-time support of the Daily Connoisseur.


News
For all of you mystery/ thriller fans, check out my blogging friend, Kristi Belcamino's, debut thriller, Blessed Are the Dead, which is only 99cents on Amazon kindle. Congratulations Kristi!

Next week stay tuned for a more in depth review of the beauty blender.

This week I would love to know: do you have any fun makeup discoveries to share with us?


Music in this week's video:
Chopin Raindrop Prelude ROYALTY FREE MUSIC

Royalty Free Music by
http://audiomicro.com/royalty-free-music


Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter

Beautyblender Review + My Napa Valley Trip

August 3, 2014, 6:17 pm

≫ Next: Self-Discipline Series: Instant Gratification

≪ Previous: A Midsummer Night's Makeup Tutorial + Secrets of the Lighthouse Giveaway

$

0

0

In last week's video, A Midsummer Night's Makeup Tutorial, you saw me use a new way to apply foundation, with the Beautyblender. I've seen many YouTubers use the beauty blender and rave about it so I decided to try it myself and give you my thoughts. The Beautyblender sells for just under $20 and can be found at Sephora, Amazon, and many other beauty stores.

The beauty blender is a revolutionary makeup sponge applicator that has no sharp edges (like a traditional triangle sponge). When used properly, I find it blends your foundation flawlessly and seamlessly into your skin, so much better than a foundation brush or your fingers can. I've had my makeup airbrushed by makeup artists in the past for various events and the beauty blender is the closest thing to achieving that same professional finish. So, as you can tell, I love it!


How to apply

It's very important that you use the proper application when using the Beautyblender. Many people don't know this but the beauty blender should be damp before you apply your makeup. This allows the product to sit on the edge of the blender and not get soaked (and subsequently wasted) by being absorbed into the sponge.

Place the foundation or bb cream on the back of your hand and dab the damp Beautyblender in the product. Then bounce the product lightly on your skin and you'll be amazed at how it blends in.

You can clean your Beautyblender with soap and water (no need to buy the formal cleanser unless you want to) after every application or at the minimum, once a week.

There are many Beautyblender-esque products on the market and I have heard mixed reviews on them. I can fully recommend the original. (And P.S. I have no affiliation with Beautyblender... just sharing my honest opinion).

For a full review and to see the application process, check out this week's video. 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

If you've tried the Beautyblender or a similar products let us know your feedback in the comment section below.


For more on the Beautyblender, check out the informative page on their website here.

Napa Valley Trip
This weekend my sister and I hopped on a plane to northern California to visit our Aunts, Uncles and cousins who live up there. We spent two days with them and on Saturday had a lovely afternoon in Napa Valley. It was my first time ever away from my girls so two days, though short, was perfect because I already missed them after the first hour away!

Here I am at the airport. I was channeling the mysterious traveling woman I wrote about in Lessons from Madame Chic. Can you tell?



Saturday's trip to Napa Valley was so much fun. We sought out the arts by visiting the Hess Winery's fine art gallery. Here I am standing in front of a larger than life piece by artist Frank Stella called Silverstone II...



Here were two other pieces from the fine art collection. The untitled piece on the left is by Danish artist Per Kirkeby, and the upside down portrait on the right is by Georg Baselitz aptly titled, Self Portrait Disaster.


After our art gallery experience we visited the charming, old-fashioned grocery store Oakville Grocery Co., where we bought some artisan treats and ended the afternoon with a picnic at the Rutherford Hill winery in Napa. What an adventure! It was great catching up with family again, but now, of course, I'm very happy to be back with my own.

Here's a picture of the stocked shelves at the Oakville Grocery Co.


News
Simon & Schuster editorial assistant, Kaitlin Olson, has written a very touching piece on Madame Chic books 1 and 2 on her blog, Adventures in Crazytown.

At Home With Madame Chic is coming out one month early! The new publication date is October 7, 2014. Not long to wait now...

Madame Chic Inspiring Thought
Take advantage of these last days of summer by enjoying a picnic in a beautiful spot. Block out a few hours, put the cell phones away and languish outside with some delicious food. Purchase everything at a nice deli or grocery store if you don't feel like preparing food in your hot kitchen. Sometimes all you need is a baguette, a high-quality cheese, olives, meats and a nice refreshing lemonade or a glass of wine. As my aunt Deb says, "Everything tastes better outside." I couldn't agree more!

This week I would love to know... what are your thoughts on the Beautyblender?

Have you ever visited Napa Valley? What did you do while there? What were your favorite wineries?

See you next time!


Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter

Self-Discipline Series: Instant Gratification

August 10, 2014, 4:20 pm

≫ Next: My Everyday Makeup Routine

≪ Previous: Beautyblender Review + My Napa Valley Trip

$

0

0

I am starting a new on-going series on the Daily Connoisseur on the subject of self-discipline. A while back I wrote a post on Facebook that discussed the subject of self-discipline and spending. For many of us (myself included!) there is a lack of self-discipline, particularly in this area of our lives. We justify purchases even though they are unnecessary. Many times we do this to fill a void. Well, the facebook post really hit a nerve because so many people responded and said they struggled with this very thing.

I am no different than you. I lack self-discipline in certain areas of my life too. But as I always say, awareness is the first step toward change. If we become aware of our shortcomings, this awareness leads to action. The action steps we take often prove challenging. But who doesn't love a good old-fashioned challenge?

In this week's video, I tell you the story of my old, but trusty, blender. I've had this blender for ages and it works fine (a little slow... but fine). Suddenly when I see a picture of a really expensive, high-end blender in the glossy pages of a kitchen catalogue, I find myself considering a major purchase that I wouldn't normally have considered.

Listen to how the voice in your head tries to talk you into things. The justifications are hilarious. Now I'm not suggesting we never upgrade or go shopping. The economy would grind to a halt! But I am suggesting that we don't give in to instant gratification. I state in my video, Investment Shopping 101, we tend to not appreciate the things we buy and instantly set our sites to what we can acquire next. What does it hurt to sit with what we have and then make a responsible decision before making a high-quality purchase?

When my little blender that could eventually dies, I most likely will upgrade and get a fancy, high-end blender. But until that day happens I will cultivate self-discipline and just wait a little longer for my smoothies to be blended. After all... patience is a virtue.

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

Madame Chic Inspiring Thought
Take time today to appreciate the things you already own. Cultivate gratitude for everything from your toaster to the pillow on your bed. Notice your need for instant gratification and how often it shows up. Take the time to cultivate the art of patience.

News
At Home with Madame Chic is coming out one month early! The new publication date is October 7, 2014.

Check out my newly revamped author website at www.jenniferlscott.com

Admin
I have emailed all of the winners of the book giveaways this summer. Nearly everyone has responded but some have not. If you see your name listed as one of the winners on the rafflecopter widgets but have not had correspondence with me, please email me so you can receive your prize. Please state your name and email and the book which you won. Only 2 have not responded. Cathy C. from the Secrets of the Lighthouse giveaway, your email has bounced back. Thank you all for your participation in the book giveaway series! There will be many more to come.

This week I would love to know... what are your struggles with self-discipline? Do you have any requests for future posts in this series?

Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter

---

My Everyday Makeup Routine

August 17, 2014, 4:44 pm

≫ Next: Cultivating Poise

≪ Previous: Self-Discipline Series: Instant Gratification

$

0

0

Thank you for your powerful response to last week's video on self-discipline and instant gratification. This topic has clearly hit a nerve! I will be continuing this series with all of your requests and you can look forward to those videos in on-going future discussions on The Daily Connoisseur.



Le no makeup look
Le no makeup look (first introduced in Lessons from Madame Chic) is something I practice nearly every day. On days when I'm rushed, it could just include eyebrow powder, under eye concealer and mascara. If I have a few more minutes I can create a natural, yet polished look. On a daily basis I always do something and it never takes more than a few minutes.



This week's video shows you my typical daily makeup routine in a few variations. If you are unable to see the video above, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit my channel (and subscribe!) at www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur

I will repeat, as I do in all of my makeup posts, that you do not need to purchase anything that I use in this video to create your own no makeup look. Most likely you already have makeup in your own collection that will work just fine. For reference sake, I am listing the makeup used below.

YSL Top Secrets BB Cream

Beauty Blender

Benefit Fake Up under eye concealer in 02 medium

Benefit Boi-ing concealer in 03

MAC blog powder pressed in medium

Urban Decay primer potion

L'Oreal Voluminous mascara

Sephora eyebrow editor in honey blonde

Tarte matte eyeshadow palette (no longer available) Every single makeup line available (both high-end and low) carry neutral eyeshadow shades in putty, taupe and nude colors... have fun finding your favorite!

Urban Decay Glide-On Double Ended eyeliner in venus/ crave

Bobbi Brown blush in Tawny

Hourglass femme nude lip stylo no. 6

NYX butter gloss in “tiramisu”

Madame Chic Inspiring Thought
Don't be discouraged by sloppy people in your community. Let them inspire you to look presentable on a daily basis. Challenge yourself to put your best foot forward regularly. Just do your best (whatever that is for you). Enjoy getting ready in the morning! Express your positive anticipation for the new day with how you present yourself.

This week I would love to know... what is your everyday makeup routine? Do you have any favorite makeup products to share?

Snap a selfie of your everyday natural makeup and use the hashtag #lenomakeuplook


Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter

Cultivating Poise

August 24, 2014, 4:45 pm

≫ Next: End of Summer Chat: Ten-Item Wardrobe, NYC Trip & More

≪ Previous: My Everyday Makeup Routine

$

0

0

Those of you who follow me on facebook are occasionally privy to my vents and frustrations. This past week I saw a new music video that disturbed me greatly. It is by one of the most famous young pop stars in the world right now. Her video disturbed me because it is pure vulgarity from start to finish with the sole intent of providing a high shock value. Yesterday I read that this video broke records in the amount of YouTube views. Children are watching this kind of thing, thinking that it's normal. Pop culture like this, which seems to get more and more extreme, is the very reason why this week's video of mine on cultivating poise is more relevant than ever. If we turn the other cheek and are not careful, we can completely lose any traces of dignity and self-respect our society has ever had. Let's practice cultivating poise on a daily basis and lead by example to be the powerful role models we were meant to be.

Poise is defined in the dictionary as a "graceful and elegant bearing in a person". Don't you love that definition?

Poise is free. It is something anyone can have, yet so many people today lack it. This video is meant to be a motivational message to continue to cultivate poise on a daily basis, no matter what opposing forces you face. I also share the story of a recent confrontation I had with a young woman and my hope for her future. If you are unable to see the video above, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit my channel (and subscribe!) at www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur

I'd like to make the cultivating of poise an on-going discussion on The Daily Connoisseur. I love to hear from you! What is your experience with poise? Do you know people in your family or community who could benefit from cultivating poise? What does poise mean to you?

Madame Chic Inspiring Thought
I love independent foreign films because they offer a glimpse into a different way of life and expand our horizons. This weekend I watched an excellent film that I highly recommend to all of my readers. It's an Indian film called The Lunchbox and features a marvelous directorial debut by Ritesh Batra. What a beautiful, moving and quietly thought-provoking film. It's available to rent now. You can learn more about it here.

See you soon!

Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter

End of Summer Chat: Ten-Item Wardrobe, NYC Trip & More

August 31, 2014, 4:45 pm

≫ Next: My NYC Trip & TEDx Experience

≪ Previous: Cultivating Poise

$

0

0

It's time to assess your ten-item wardrobe as we head into the changing season. Go through your clothes. Is anything looking shabby? Were there any mistake purchases that you've learned from? Any outfits you loved that you'll hold on to for next year? Can you challenge yourself to part with clothes you know you need to donate?

This is the fun part! I love the end of season edit. Join me in this video as I share a peek into my own process and help me say goodbye to a very beloved garment.

This week I also talk about my upcoming New York trip as well as blog plans for the coming months. If you are unable to see the video above, click here, look in the sidebar of my blog, or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur

News
Lessons from Madame Chic is featured on Off The Shelf blog with Kaitlin Olson's article called, Living Like a Parisian at Work and At Home.

Madame Chic Inspiring Thought
Many people put a lot of thought into the rituals at dinnertime but what about breakfast? The importance of ritual at breakfast is not to be scoffed at. Here's a charming article on 9 Breakfast Tips and Tricks from 19th Century Etiquette Books that I know you'll get a kick out of. My favorite tip is #9. What's yours? (Thank you to my friend, Cynthia, for sharing this article with me).

This week I would love to know... what are the plans for your Fall/ Winter ten-item wardrobe (spring/ summer for our southern hemisphere friends)? Where are you in the process? Have you done a wardrobe purge yet? Do you need help or are you finding the process easy and fun (and liberating!)? #TenItemWardrobe

Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter

My NYC Trip & TEDx Experience

September 7, 2014, 7:10 pm

≫ Next: Ten-Item Wardrobe Fall/Winter 2014

≪ Previous: End of Summer Chat: Ten-Item Wardrobe, NYC Trip & More

$

0

0

I had such an amazing time in New York. I just got back this evening. Reflecting on the last few days I feel a combination of many things: humbled, excited, motivated and inspired. This past week I got to meet the team of people at both Trident Media Group and Simon & Schuster who work so hard to bring the Madame Chic books to fruition. These dedicated people are the ultimate professionals and also so chic! Seeing my agent, Erica Silverman, again and meeting my editor, Trish Todd, for the first time was an extra special treat.


The team at Trident Media Group (from left to right): Tara, Erica, moi, Lauren & Meredith holding some of the foreign editions of Lessons from Madame Chic.


Erica (left) and Trish (right) after lunch at SD26 in Manhattan


Part of the amazing team at Simon & Schuster (not everyone is pictured). They threw me a tea party!

The TEDx talk on Saturday was the perfect finale to my New York trip. I relished the opportunity to meet so many interesting people and hear their ideas and inspired talks. As soon as I have a video of my talk I will be sure to post it and share it with you. Thank you for your supportive comments on social media. I felt as though you were right there with me on stage!

For my talk I wore this vintage inspired polka dot dress from Tory Burch (both dresses featured in the video are sneak peeks into my Fall/ Winter ten-item wardrobe).



I had my hair done for the day in an art- deco inspired chignon.


Check out the whole story in this week's video where I give you an inside look on what it's like to be an author! 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

Madame Chic Inspiring Thought
Don't be nervous to share your ideas. The world is in need of your thoughts. Remember ideas can be shared by actions as well as with words. TEDx talks are about "ideas worth spreading". What ideas would you like to spread? Let me know in the comment section below or on social media using the hashtag #MADAMECHIC

Who knows... you might be picked as the comment of the week!

Comment of the Week
Catherine writes:
Hi Jennifer. I am a faithful reader of your blog and loved your book. I've attended estate sales for several years, many which are held when the elderly homeowners pass away. Looking through the clothing, it's remarkable how many women hold onto items for decades. Closets are packed full with clothes, shoes and accessories. This seems perpetuated today even more with the marketing of large walk-in closets which women are sold on the fantasy of filling with an abundance of clothing (never mind where these clothes are made. No union label, Made in the USA tags on today's clothes like the ones at estate sale clothing from decades ago). Thank you for encouraging women to give their unwanted clothes a new life and for promoting living with less. Donation is so important. I love clothing swaps and charity shops to pass items on.

See you soon! xx

Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter

Ten-Item Wardrobe Fall/Winter 2014

September 14, 2014, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Being Audrey Hepburn Book Giveaway

≪ Previous: My NYC Trip & TEDx Experience

$

0

0

This week I share my fall/ winter ten-item wardrobe with you. I hope you enjoy the video, which is shot runway-style, and set to Schubert's String Trio (op. 100). Next week look for the ten-item wardrobe talk-through where I discuss each wardrobe choice and how I go through my process. 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.

* Please note: while many of the ten core items are new purchases, the majority of the clothes featured in this video are more than one year old. I have provided links where applicable. Sometimes I provide links for the brand if the garment itself is unavailable.

4 Dresses:

Ann Taylor Loft emerald jacquard dress
Ann Taylor Loft floral dress in black/ cream
Ann Taylor Loft navy/ red spot dress
Talbots denim shirt dress

3 Blouses:

Equipment blouse in blush silk
Ann Taylor Loft midnight blue floral blouse
Trouve silk chevron blouse

1 pair of jeans and 2 trousers:

J Brand skinny jeans
Ann Taylor Loft fluid ankle pant
Banana Republic sloan fit black trouser

Extras

Tee shirts

The white tee is from Michael Stars. The rest of the tees are all Ann Taylor Loft

Sweaters
*Please note: Not all of my sweaters are shown here. I have a navy v neck and black cashmere sweater as well in my extras.

Bloomingdale's cashmere wrap
Old Navy black cardigan
Loft tan wool v neck

Blazers

Anthropologie black blazer
J Crew sweater blazer

Coats

J Crew stadium cloth wool trench coat

Shoes
*Please note: In this video I do not show you all of my shoes. Just the ones that go well with the outfits in this video. I also have two pairs of boots and a few extra pairs of heels.

London Sole red patent croc pirouette
London Sole black nubuck Henrietta
London Sole leopard red trim pirouette
Ferragamo nude patent heels
Ferragamo black leather sandals
Jimmy Choo low-heeled black pumps


Eveningwear & Special Occasion dresses

DVF purple snake wrap dress
Banana Republic navy dress
Anthropologie wine lace dress
Tory Burch black polka dot dress
BCBG black lace top
LOFT black lace sweater top

Accessories shown in video

Jewell navy faux leather handbag
BCBG fox purse
Jewell grey leopard scarf

News

The first review for At Home With Madame Chic is in on The Glamorous Housewife blog! Read Bethany's great review here (and while you're at it, check out her inspirational blog. I love Bethany!).

At Home with Madame Chic comes out on October 7th! Read all about it on my author website and preorder your copy today.

Madame Chic Inspiring Thought
There is a wonderful article in Slate called, Take a One-Way Trip From Tatty to Natty, about dressing well for travel. Here is my favorite quote from the article "The competently dressed individual stands apart as a beacon of civilized life, an island of class amid a swamp of schlumps." Would you like to be a beacon of civilized life? How can you achieve this in the way you present yourself? (Thanks to the many readers who shared this great article with me this week.)

Comment of the Week
On Facebook, Deborah P writes:
I have been working hard to complete my first ten item wardrobe - it is amazing how much I am changing how I think about clothes and personal presentation - as a working married mum of three finding time for myself is hard but I am committed to becoming more chic and leading by example for my daughter .... You are very inspiring and I am 'hearing your voice' in my choices - look forward to seeing your a/w 14 wardrobe on Sunday evening ( I'm in England!)

See you next week for a ten-item wardrobe talk-through!


FTC: All items featured were purchased by me. I have no affiliation with any brand featured except for London Sole, which is our family business.

Music in video: Music: Schubert String Trio op. 100
Royalty Free Music by
http://audiomicro.com/royalty-free-music


Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter