Welcome to our new Friday series, Natural Home with Jennifer, where I give you in-depth, honest reviews of natural cleaning products. Today, I'm reviewing Mrs. Meyer's Surface Scrub in Lavender. I tackle a deep stain on my stovetop with dazzling results from this natural scrub.
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Surface Scrub works on the grimy surfaces throughout your home. This non-scratching gentle and effective cleaning scrub powder is made with a naturally safe ash and oxygen bleach for use on cleaning cookware, tile, stainless steel, porcelain fixtures, and more. It's chlorine and phosphate free, too.
*Ingredients are at least 98% naturally derived
*Phthalate free
*No animal derived ingredients
To use: wet the surface, sprinkle the powder, and scrub. For the tough stain on my stove, I let the powder sit for several minutes to penetrate the surface.
Please note, you can find the surface scrub on Amazon, but I don't recommend buying it there as the price is way higher than at Grove Collaborative. At the time of writing this, the scrub sells for $9.12 on Amazon, but on Grove Collaborative it is only $4.95. You can see the major price difference. Grove always has the best discounts for these natural products.
I hope you enjoy the review and cleaning session in today's video.
New customers can get a free Mrs. Meyers gift Set, which includes a Mrs. Meyer's dish soap, Mrs. Meyer's hand soap, and Mrs. Meyer''s Multi-Surface Spray + Free shipping with VIP Trial when you sign up with Grove Collaborative and spend $20. Existing members with Grove Collaborative can receive a free walnut scrubber sponge.
Thank you for joining me for today's Natural Home with Jennifer. If you have any natural products you'd like me to review please leave them in the comment section below.
Have a wonderful weekend and I'll see you on Monday!
MAC Bronzing Powder in Golden The bronzer I show in the video is limited edition by MAC and no longer available. This is a similar color. I like the combination of the bronzer with the CHANEL Les Beiges stick below.
BH Lip palette in "nude lips" This is an affordable lip palette that I've enjoyed using for the past year. The colors do not have long staying power, but when I apply them with a brush on dry lips, they tend to stay on longer.
I hope you enjoy the makeup tutorial in today's video.
News
This Friday (tomorrow), June 22nd, I'll be speaking via teleconference to the LA Writers' Lab about my self-publishing success story. Alan Watt, the instructor and my writing mentor, has graciously allowed outside students to join in for my call! The call will take place at noon PST. Here are the details:
Workshop Number: 1-712-775-8972
Access Code: 744257
I hope to have some of you join the call. Thank you, Al!
Comment of the Week
On Monday's Switching to All-Natural Products Cleaning Products video, A Lovely Life with Luna writes, "I am always happy to see when someone "goes natural"! I am an advocate for green cleaning, as someone diagnosed with asthma many years ago, I probably only have an attack 2-3 times per year, and I do attribute that to healthy cleaning products (in part)
I'm also a nurse that works in hospital setting with majority of patients over the age of 55. I have noticed (amongst many trends) a trend of female patients over the age of 55 to 60 yrs that women have MANY more complications of the lungs, whether that be COPD,emphysema, small nodules and cysts, and atelectasis than my male patients. I'd say the ratio of women to men with pulmonary complications is probably 6-8:1. On a side note I'm also noticing older women with a lot of liver and renal cysts, nodules, and just general anomalies- and these are organs that filter and excrete. Just food for thought."
Hi Luna, the study on the damaging effects of traditional cleaning products was a real eye-opener for me. And your observation on the declining health of older women regarding lung function is truly interesting. Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm excited to switch to more natural cleaning products now to prevent future health problems.
Thank you to everyone for watching today's makeup tutorial. I hope you enjoyed it! I'll see you tomorrow for my first natural product review on Natural Home with Jennifer.
I'm really excited to launch a new series today on The Daily Connoisseur, Natural Home with Jennifer. I have made the decision to completely switch to all-natural cleaning products for our home. I've always been interested in natural cleaning products. As you will recall, I share my homemade lavender vinegar cleaner recipe in At Home with Madame Chic, and have also done a blogpost on it. This is an affordable natural cleaner that will aide you with many areas of your cleaning.
But while I was using my lavender vinegar spray, I was also using many cleaners that weren't natural: shower sprays, floor cleaners, dishwashing detergent, dish soap, laundry detergent, toilet bowl cleaners, glass cleaners, and I'm sure many other cleaning products that I'm failing to think of right now.
Earlier this year, I read the major bombshell study that came out in many different publications on the detrimental effects of using traditional cleaning products on women's health. The study was published in many places including Newsweek, Fortune and Reuters.
The study, which was originally published in American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, discovered that, "Women cleaning at home or working as occupational cleaners had accelerated decline in lung function, suggesting that exposures related to cleaning activities may constitute a risk to long-term respiratory health."
The headlines on Newsweek and Fortune put it more bluntly:
"IMPACT OF CLEANING PRODUCTS ON WOMEN'S LUNGS AS DAMAGING AS 20-A-DAY CIGARETTE HABIT: STUDY"
"Using Household Cleaning Products Can be as Bad as Smoking a Pack A Day"
Yikes!
This study really convicted me, because I come in contact with cleaning products every single day of my life. Cleaning is a major part of my life, and I'm guessing yours too. Occasionally using my homemade vinegar cleaner wasn't going to cut it. I decided I needed to switch to all-natural products in all of the other areas of cleaning as well, not only for my sake, but my family's sake, and the environment's sake.
After I made my decision, I wasn't quite sure where to begin. Do I just go to the nearest store and see what natural products they have available? How do I make the switch?
I did a lot of research and found an online company called Grove Collaborative. I had heard of Grove from many of my friends who use it and it's also featured on some of my favorite YouTube channels like, How Jen Does It.
Grove Collaborative is a certified B Corp, which means it's a company that has passed the most rigorous standards for businesses that prioritize social, environmental, and community wellbeing. Every product they offer is natural and meets strict requirements to even be on their website, so you don't have to worry about any of the products you're purchasing. They sell very familiar brands in the natural product world such as Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day, Method and Seventh Generation. They also have their own line of eco-friendly, natural products. Grove also sell all-natural beauty products as well.
The best part is that they sell their products at a major discount. I price-checked so many of their products against Amazon, Target and Whole Foods and Grove sold them at the best price every time.
Grove has the option to have your cleaning products on a subscription service so you never run out. You are always reminded before your next shipment ships and are always able to modify or cancel your order at any time. If you don't want your natural products delivered to you on a subscription, you can just place a one-time order or as-needed orders. They are always offering free gifts and amazing deals. In short, it's a wonderful company.
Another exciting thing about Grove's all-natural products is that you can't find them in many places. They carry niche boutique cleaning products that smell and look amazing. Many of them I had never seen or heard of before! I love that their products infuse aromatherapy into the formulas. When I clean, I can confidently enjoy the scent of the products and not worry that my health is being compromised.
So, I have made the switch to all-natural cleaning products and I get them all from Grove Collaborative.
If you are interested in making the same switch and would like to try out Grove, I have an amazing free gift offer for you.
There are so many unique and interesting products out there, however, it can be overwhelming. What are the best scents? Which ones work the best? In my new series, Natural Home with Jennifer, I plan to review the natural products I use. This video will be in addition to the ones I already post on Mondays and Thursdays. So, for the summer, you can expect to see three posts from me. Natural Home with Jennifer, will go up each Friday. I'm excited for this new series and hope you'll join me for it!
Be sure to watch today's video for much more on Natural Home with Jennifer.
Comment of the Week
On last week's Maternity Ten-Item Wardrobe Talk-Through video, Ebby writes, "Now, I don't fit into any of these clothes, so let's look at the clothes that I do fit!" haha, you have such a positive body image!! Growing up, the women in my family were always dieting, extreme dieting, yoyo dieting, never exercising and grazing in the kitchen all day! I never realized what a negative impact this had on me, since before kids I was always small. Now after my first baby Im resorting to all these crazy, desperate measures to drop the weight, not to mention I'm not that nice to myself, but that's how I was raised! That's what I was taught was normal. From your books I am learning to dress well for the current shape I'm in, stop trying to squeeze into my old tight clothes, and to eat more mindfully. The weight will come off in due time. Thank you for your videos, they're so encouraging to me as a new mom. Much love from central Texas! -Ebby"
Hi Ebby, I loved your comment. Sometimes it's hard to break the bad habits we pick up from the past, but it is possible. Having a positive body image is really important, especially during and after pregnancy, as your body will most certainly change. Thank you for commenting!
I hope you enjoy today's video and are excited about the new series. I would love to know... have you made the switch to all-natural cleaning products? Which natural products are your favorite? If you have a request for me to review a natural cleaning or beauty product, please leave your request in the comment section. I'll see you on Thursday for a fun makeup video, and then again on Friday for the first natural product review.
Today's video is not just for pregnant ladies, or ladies who plan to become pregnant, however. I show you what I would have worn this season had I not been pregnant. I also share some practical fashion wardrobe tips, including wearing maternity shareware under my thin dresses as well as the demi-camisole I use for all of my low-cut tops and dresses.
The four returning dresses are from Seraphine.
The following dresses were found in zulily's maternity section. Zulily always has an excellent selection of heavily discounted maternity wear. They carry many of the major maternity brands at such a discounted rate. These are my pieces from zulily.
The following items were from Amazon. This black skirt is not actually a maternity skirt, I'm just using it as one. It has a fold over top band that works well in maternity and will work well after. I love the maternity tee shirts from Amazon. They have such a great fit! The jeans are from zulily.
I also mention my undergarment secrets in today's video.
I will often wear maternity shapewear under my dresses to smooth everything out. I wear this brand from Amazon. (Please note: the screenshot above is from the model, not me :) )
Another wardrobe secret: I wear a demi-camisole underneath my low-cut dresses. I love these from Amazon. They come in many different colors. This is an excellent staple for all wardrobes, not just maternity. Wear these demi-camisoles over your bra to cover up a low-cut blouse or dress.
I cannot find the exact canvas bins I use, because they were purchased years ago. This set of 6 canvas bins is Amazon's choice and has good reviews.
Regarding the debt-free living course, Karen H. writes, "I loved this course! I applaud you and your family for making these changes in your life. I know it's not easy, but by sharing it you're inspiring others that they can do it too. Thank you!"
Thank you, Karen! I'm thrilled that you loved the course. Thank you for sharing your testimonial.
On Instagram
The Madame Chic books are featured on dailylifeofahousewife
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Comment of the Week
Karla K writes, "Lovely dresses!! You inspired me a few years ago to wear more dresses and you introduced me to my favorite store Boden:) When ever I see your wardrobe choices each season it encourages me to continue dressing well each day even if I am staying home all day to raise and teach my four children. Thank you!"
Thank you, Karla! I love that the blog has inspired you to dress well, even at home.
I hope you enjoyed today's talk-through. I also enjoy reading your comments. Please leave your thoughts below and your comment could be chosen as comment of the week on The Daily Connoisseur!
I'm sharing my maternity ten-item wardrobe fashion show with you today. If you've ever been on the fence about the ten-item wardrobe, the maternity season of life is a wonderful time to try it out. You don't want to purchase a lot of clothes during this time because you'll only be wearing them for a few months. Having said that, purchasing maternity clothes is unavoidable. As your body changes, you must have clothes to accommodate your growing belly.
If you plan to have more than one child, you can purchase some maternity clothes that will aide you in your future pregnancies. Four of my core items are returning from my prior pregnancy, and the rest have been purchased with my budget in mind from zulily and Amazon, which both have wonderful maternity selections.
I will be doing my talk-through video on Thursday that discusses each piece in detail, including the undergarments and accessories I wear with them, but for today, let's just check out the pieces.
The four returning core items are all from Seraphine. These are all from my prior pregnancy with my son.
The new pieces purchased are from zulily's maternity section. They have a marvelous maternity selection year-round at heavily discounted prices.
The brand for this pretty orchid-colored dress is Mom & Co. from zulily.
This comfortable nautical-stripe dress is by Mom & Co. from zulily.
The royal purple maxi dress is by Mother Bee Maternity from zulily.
Floral maxi dress by Mother Bee Maternity from zulily.
The black fold-over skirt and my maternity tee shirts are from Amazon. I love both of these items. The skirt is not actually a maternity skirt, I am just using it as one and hopefully will be able to wear it after the birth as well.
As you can see, I have 11 core items in my maternity wardrobe this year (tee shirts, shoes, and cardigans are categorized as extras, not core items). This maternity wardrobe has served me very well so far. It can be dressed up or dressed down all all of the pieces are comfortable and adapt to my growing body. I look forward to discussing the details in a more in-depth way with you in Thursday's talk-through video.
News
I'll be starting a new series on The Daily Connoisseur each Friday this summer called, Natural Home with Jennifer. I have an exciting announcement about this series, coming soon. Be sure to stop by the blog to see!
Regarding the debt-free living course, Janis T. writes, "This is a really inspirational course and full of common sense ideas. See if you can get the BBC in Britain to be interested in running it as a series as it is a life changing course Jennifer! Thank you."
Thank you so much for sharing your love of the course, Janis. I'm so happy it has inspired you!
If you would like your picture to be featured on The Daily Connoisseur, share a picture of one of your Madame Chic books with the hashtag #jenniferlscott . I appreciate everyone who shares my books. Thank you!
Comment of the Week
On last week's Blooper's video, Kristin writes, "Loved it! I especially enjoyed the conversation with your husband. You both make me laugh! I wish he could come on the “show” more!"
Thank you, Kristin! I will let my husband know that he has fans on The Daily Connoisseur :) I always enjoy when he appears in a video as well.
I would love to know... what maternity clothes do you like to wear when pregnant? Do you wear flowing dresses? Maternity jeans? Skirts? What are your wardrobe tips and tricks for the maternity season? Your comment could be chosen as comment of the week on the blog. Thank you all for watching and I will see you on Thursday for the ten-item wardrobe talk-through video.
, which both have wonderful maternity selections. 
