Welcome to The Chic Assignment Check-in for July, 2021. We are diving into the life of Gabriel Fauré and the poetry of Sufi mystic poet, Rumi. This has been a fun month.

Before we get into the assignments, I want you to know that The Chic Assignment will not occur in the month of August as I will be taking a small break. We will resume Chic Assignments in September. If you are in one of the upper tiers of The Chic Society, your mentions will be going into a different video in August. Also, Chic Society weekly vodcasts will resume in August. 

Chic Assignment No. 1 Enjoy Gabriel Fauré's Pavane Op. 50

Gabriel Fauré was a French composer (1845-1924) and was one of the foremost French composers of his generation. As a lover of classical music, I'm not entirely sure how Gabriel Fauré's work has escaped me until now, but Pavane Op. 50 is one of the most hauntingly beautiful works of classical music I've ever heard. This month I'm sharing an actual recording of Fauré playing this piece that dates back to 1913, Paris. I truly hope you enjoy it. We are learning ten interesting facts about Fauré's life from ClassicFM. 

Chic Assignment No. 2 Explore the poetry of Rumi 

Rumi was a 13th century Persian poet and Sufi mystic. He believed strongly in music, poetry, and dance as a way of communicating with God and his poems and famous quotes are steeped in deep wisdom.  I find his quotes to be particularly insightful. Here is a resource with some of his famous quotes. You can read his poetry online here.  The Essential Rumi is a book that contains his most important work. In today's video we are reading some of Rumi's most beautiful poems and phrases. 

Chic Assignment No. 3 Do a 15-minute Declutter

You would be amazed to learn how much you can accomplish in 15 minutes. I often set the timer when I'm facing a daunting task like cleaning the kitchen or folding a mound of laundry. We can apply the same 15-minute principle to our intimidating decluttering tasks. This month I shared a 15-minute decluttering challenge that I hope proved motivating for you. 

Chic Assignment No. 4 Prepare your wardrobe for the new season

Summer is upon us and it's time to go through your wardrobe to determine if any changes need to be made to account for the warmer weather. I shared my thoughts on elegant swimwear and ten-item wardrobe summer updates in this blogpost. 

I hope you enjoy this month's Chic Assignment. Let us know your thoughts in the comments and your comment could be chosen as comment of the week on the blog. 

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FTC: This post is not sponsored.  I use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links. Thank you for your support.  

In continuation of my series on being elegant and polished, I am sharing ten more ways to be effortlessly polished. These tips focus more on being rather than "looking". I do hope you enjoy today's video. 

Carry yourself gracefully From your posture to the way you walk, carry yourself gracefully. Here’s a trick: set up a camera and film yourself doing an activity (like cleaning the living room). This will allow you to see yourself as others see you. You might notice you hunch your shoulders when you get stressed, or that you tend to stomp your feet instead of lightly walking gracefully. Aim to be intentional about how you carry yourself for a polished outcome. 

Eye contact Eye contact vs. shifty eyes… which ones seems more calming and grounded? We all know it’s eye contact. No matter who you are speaking to, give them your full attention with eye contact. Avoid looking over their shoulder or at other people, which gives the impression that you are not listening to them or interested in what they’re saying. 

A clean car I get an F- on this one… I do. But I will try to get better at it. If your self-presentation is neat and your home is neat, well… your car should be neat too. Avoid trash and excess bags and clothing and whatever else ends up cluttering up the car. Go for a tidy interior and exterior to extend elegance to the road. 

A clean handbag If we look polished, but our handbag doubles as a miniature trash bag, we are sending mixed messages. Elegance and poise should extend everywhere and our handbags are no exception. Regularly clean out your bag and discard of trash or reallocate important things that don’t belong there. 

Take Your Meals Sitting Down This one is big. It’s very hard to be elegant while walking and eating at the same time. After all, how can you focus on your food? There are a few exceptions, such as when you get an ice cream at the beach, for example, but in general, we should aim to sit down to a properly set table to enjoy our meals. Walking and eating at the same time is not chic. 

Taking your time (not rushing) There are times to rush and times to not rush. In general, we do not want to rush through our everyday life. Don’t allow others to rush you either. 

Having a calm demeanor is in stark contrast to a rushed/ harried demeanor and goes a long way toward projecting poise. Not overreacting When we get mad, whether in traffic, or in conversation with someone, the elegant thing to do is not overreact. Remain uber-calm. Put on your Mona Lisa smile, if you must. Watch your breathing, posture, and eye contact. Refrain from saying something you’ll likely regret later. Pause. Walk away. Do whatever you need to do and refrain from lowering your standards.  

Air of mystery How much do you share on social media? Is it too much? Do you share too much of your children? Of your problems? Of your triumphs? Do you overshare what happens to you throughout your day? Assess this because poised and elegant people are also mysterious, in a good way. Check out Lessons from Madame Chic for more on this topic. 

What experience do you give from start to finish? It’s true we are not responsible for making other people feel things, but we should be interested in what experience we give people from start to finish. Before we meet in person, we might communicate by email, for example. Are your emails appropriate and professional? When we meet them, we give a first impression. Are you dressed appropriately? When we close our conversation we leave them with a feeling of how it went. Did they feel that they were heard? Being conscious of what experience we give people from start to finish is key to garnering poise. 

Be well-spoken Elegant people avoid base swear words. They also avoid excessive filler words (like, um, you know). They also phrase their sentences beautifully: “I would like vs. I want”. I will be doing a follow-up video on this subject so make sure you’re subscribed to my YouTube channel and turn on notifications so you don’t miss it.

⚜️ My books on Amazon

Lessons from Madame Chic

At Home with Madame Chic

Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic

Connoisseur Kids

⚜️ Featured in the video SKYE Charlotte dress Jennifer20 for 20% off

SKYE Estelle clover pearl necklace Jennifer20 for 20% off

SKYE Cosette freshwater pearl earrings Jennifer20 for 20% off

Lipstick Besame dusty rose

Polka Dot Bow Scrunchie by SKYE Jennifer20 for 20% off

Thursday Boots Captain Boot in Old English

Handbags featured:

American Leather Co. satchel

Teddy Blake TBJennC20 for an Extra $20 Off

Shop my ten-item wardrobe here

Portmeirion Botanic Garden dishes from Riverbend Home

News

📍Please note: the blog will be under construction and moving to Wordpress very soon. I'll make the announcement with more details as soon as I can. Those of you who get this blog delivered into your email might see a temporary pause in email notifications. Thank you for your patience. 

📍Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic is now available in pocket-size in Japan from Daiwa Shobo. 

📍Connoisseur Kids is now available in Poland and Vietnam.

📍Join us for The Chic Assignment for July.

📍*NEW* The Ten-Item Wardrobe eCourse is newly updated and back online with all new video, text, and new lessons. If you have previously purchased the ten-item wardrobe eCourse, you can access all of the new changes for free.

📍If you are looking for more content, consider becoming a member of The Daily Connoisseur through the MEMBERSHIPS feature. I publish one vodcast every Friday and do one livestream or zoom call once a month. It only costs $1.99 a month. There are also upper tiers available for people who are interested in supporting the channel on a higher level and receiving monthly mentions in the videos. 

On Instagram Lessons from Madame Chic on Instagram...

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A post shared by Cynthia Stuckey (@happygostuckey)

Comment of the Week

Sandra Sallin writes, "You won't remember me but about 10 years ago I asked you if I should start a blog. Other's had said no, but you said "Yes." Well, 10 years later I still have the blog but I also have 25,400 followers on Instagram and all of this at 80 years old. Thank you for the encouragement. It was your Yes that made me start all of this.Thank you."

Sandra, I do remember you and I am absolutely thrilled that you went on to start your blog. I'm linking it here so all can check it out. Congratulations!

I hope you enjoyed today's video. Let me know if there are any topics you'd like me to expand upon. I enjoy this subject so much.

NEW* Join The Chic Society on YouTube and become a member of The Daily Connoisseur.

Visit my newly designed Author Website

Shop my Amazon page for a comprehensive list of my favorite things and mentions on the blog.

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Take my affordable eCourses on the POISE *NEW course*, debt-free living, and efficiency at home

FTC: Today's video is not sponsored. I use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links. Thank you for your support.  

It's official. I've been on YouTube for TEN YEARS. In today's video, I react to my very first video from ten years ago. I also answer all of your YouTube questions and let you know what it's like to be a YouTuber in 2021. 

⚜️ My books on Amazon

Lessons from Madame Chic

At Home with Madame Chic

Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic

Mademoiselle Chic (available in Japan only)

Connoisseur Kids

⚜️ What I'm Wearing

Breton Stripe Top from Boden

More Breton stripe options: Breton slub tee by Mer-Sea & Co.

Saint James Breton strip shirts

Mott & Bow jeans JLS10 for 10% off

Lipstick Besame dusty rose

Eyeliner Charlotte Tilbury feline flick in brown

Londontown Illuminating Nail Concealer JenniferS for 25% off

News

📍Please note: the blog will be under construction and moving to Wordpress very soon. I'll make the announcement with more details as soon as I can. Those of you who get this blog delivered into your email might see a temporary pause in email notifications. Thank you for your patience. 

📍Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic is now available in pocket-size in Japan from Daiwa Shobo. 

📍Connoisseur Kids is now available in Poland and Vietnam.

📍Join us for The Chic Assignment for July.

📍*NEW* The Ten-Item Wardrobe eCourse is newly updated and back online with all new video, text, and new lessons. If you have previously purchased the ten-item wardrobe eCourse, you can access all of the new changes for free.

📍If you are looking for more content, consider becoming a member of The Daily Connoisseur through the MEMBERSHIPS feature. I publish one vodcast every Friday and do one livestream or zoom call once a month. It only costs $1.99 a month. There are also upper tiers available for people who are interested in supporting the channel on a higher level and receiving monthly mentions in the videos. 

On Instagram I spy Madame Chic on Instagram...

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jeannie (@serpentinefire11)

Comment of the Week

Justyna F. writes, "I always look forward to your videos. It doesn't matter what they're about (tho 9 times out of 10 it's a helpful video) but your overall attitude is so calming! Your content is uplifting and I find myself more and more almost frantically seeking out calm havens in this turbulent world. Your channel is one I can count on time and time again to be a safe, classy, feminine haven for me to retreat to. I send you all my love and thanks! ❤️"

Thank you, Justyna. As I mention in today's video, I really do appreciate supportive and kind comments like yours. You keep me going. Thank you!

I hope you enjoyed looking back at my first video and life on YouTube. If you have any more YouTube questions, please leave them in the comments. I'll see you on Thursday!

NEW* Join The Chic Society on YouTube and become a member of The Daily Connoisseur.

Visit my newly designed Author Website

Shop my Amazon page for a comprehensive list of my favorite things and mentions on the blog.

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Take my affordable eCourses on the POISE *NEW course*, debt-free living, and efficiency at home

FTC: Today's video is not sponsored. I use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links. Thank you for your support.  

In today's video I discuss various bathing suit styles that are ideal for being active and out in the sun all day. 

Let's have a look first at the tankini option. Tankinis are great because they can be paired with whatever bottom style you like... traditional swimsuit bottoms, skirt bottoms, or short bottoms. There is often ruching in the tummy area and support in the bust. I love this tankini from Lands' End paired with this mini skirt option. To check out all of Lands' End's swim suit options, click here. 

If you plan to be in the hot sun all day and want to protect your skin, or if you are going to be very active (think waterpark, or beach volley ball) consider a rash guard. These come in varying sleeve lengths and give your skin extra protection from the sun. I love this rash guard that is inspired by the classic Breton stripe. I am wearing it with beach shorts. 

Other great resources for chic bathing suit coverups and accessories is Mer Sea & Co resort

The Therese 18K gold freshwater pearl bracelet is a delicate delight. I love the dainty design of this bracelet! Jennifer20 for 20% off. 

Thank you to Ritual vitamins for bringing us today's video. Code 10DAILY gives 10% off your first three months. 

News

📍Please note: the blog will be under construction and moving to Wordpress very soon. I'll make the announcement with more details as soon as I can. Those of you who get this blog delivered into your email might see a temporary pause in email notifications. Thank you for your patience. 

📍Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic is now available in pocket-size in Japan from Daiwa Shobo. 

📍Connoisseur Kids is now available in Poland and Vietnam.

📍Join us for The Chic Assignment for July.

📍*NEW* The Ten-Item Wardrobe eCourse is newly updated and back online with all new video, text, and new lessons. If you have previously purchased the ten-item wardrobe eCourse, you can access all of the new changes for free.

📍If you are looking for more content, consider becoming a member of The Daily Connoisseur through the MEMBERSHIPS feature. I publish one vodcast every Friday and do one livestream or zoom call once a month. It only costs $1.99 a month. There are also upper tiers available for people who are interested in supporting the channel on a higher level and receiving monthly mentions in the videos. 

NEW* Join The Chic Society on YouTube and become a member of The Daily Connoisseur.

FTC: Today's video is sponsored by Ritual. I use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links. Thank you for your support.