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

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).

Comment of the Week
I'm starting a new feature on the blog called the "comment of the week". Each and every day you give such amazing feedback and contribute to the high quality of this blog community with your comments and input whether on this blog, the YouTube channel, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. I want to honor you by posting my favorite comment of the week on the blog for all to see.

This week's comment comes from Marianne from the post, Cultivating Poise. Marianne says:

"Here is my take on poise… not only is it free it's a bankable asset. The better jobs offered in the corporate world require poise. Working on your poise can help get you the added responsibility, the promotion and more money in your bank account."

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

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Cultivating Poise

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!

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My Everyday Makeup Routine

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


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Self-Discipline Series: Instant Gratification

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 from 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?

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Beautyblender Review + My Napa Valley Trip

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!


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