10.12.2014
Making Home Life a Priority
Thank you for your incredible response to the release of At Home With Madame Chic. I've already heard from so many of you who have read the book and enjoyed incorporating many of its ideas into your daily life. One of the driving reasons behind why I wrote this book is because I think we could all benefit from making our home life a priority again. We can get so distracted these days spending hours on the internet, watching great shows and reading good books. We tend to procrastinate where it really matters: tending to our home. I truly believe if you live well at home, you set yourself up for success in the outside world. After all, it's how we live behind closed doors, when no one is looking that shows our authentic self.
If you've let things slip, my challenge to you this week is to make your home life a priority again. Write a list of the areas in your life you'd like to improve and just think of how these small (or large) adjustments could benefit you and your entire family.
Check out this week's video for more. 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.
And for an expanded article on this topic, check out my Huffington Post article that came out this week called, Make Home Life A Priority Again.
To all of my readers in other countries: At Home With Madame Chic might be coming to you soon! So far it will be translated into Portuguese, Polish and Italian. My hope is that all of the countries who received Lessons from Madame Chic will also get book two. I will keep you posted on the blog. Thank you for your patience!
For those of you who have already read (or are currently reading) At Home With Madame Chic, I would love to hear from you. What parts of the book really resonated with you? Have you incorporated any of the ideas into your life? Do you have any future video/ blog requests based on the book? Let me know in the comment section below.
Madame Chic Inspiring Thought
Cut down your time on the internet this week (yes, even if it means shutting down this blog post early) and do something for your home: clear out a messy drawer, bake a loaf of bread or dust off the front step. Enjoy peace and quiet while you do it or play beautiful music in the background. Give your home and family some TLC today.
Comments of the Week
Here are what some readers are already saying about At Home With Madame Chic:
Susan B. writes: "Got the book yesterday, and have read 77% already. Sumptuous, gorgeous, resplendent reading...I don't want it to end!"
Mala M. writes: "It's the best personal development book I have read."
Jaclyn W. writes: "Started the book this morning and cannot put it down!"
Ladylike writes: "I devoured the book in one day. My only unfulfilled wish was for it to be longer. The next day I felt so inspired that I pruned my roses, changed all the bedsheets, and cooked a pork roast in advance to be enjoyed later in the day. This was all while wearing a silk dress with an apron, which made it all more fun."
News & Reviews
At Home With Madame Chic is already receiving rave reviews in the blog and newspaper world. Check out the most recent articles:
Metro US
JenEricGeneration
The Wardrobe Code
Birdie to Be
Little Bright Things
Kathryn Bechen INK
Vital Mommy
Upcoming Events
Southern California readers: come meet me at one of my upcoming book signings:
October 28, 2014 DIESEL bookstore, Brentwood, CA Presentation, Q&A + book signing 7pm
November 2, 2014 Laguna Beach Books Presentation, Q&A + signing 4pm
(more venues and dates to be announced on my author website events page)
Visit my Author Website
Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor
Twitter @JL_Scott
Instagram @dailyconnoisseur
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I was so happy that I was able to buy a copy of your latest book this weekend while my little ones and I were out shopping. I spent a bit of time reading this afternoon and love it! Thank you for writing about a subject that is dear to my heart!
ReplyDeleteYou really grabbed me right from the intro, where you tied together seemingly "superficial" things like dressing well and setting the table with deeper things like meditation and inner peace. Everything IS connected! We hear this time and again, and we nod our heads and say, "Yes, how wise...", but do we really understand this? If you want to change your outer world, you must first change your inner world. And vice versa!
ReplyDeleteAffirmations. Oh, yes, they DO work! They are so worth doing every day, and it only takes a few seconds. Like you, I do my meditation, affirmations and visualizations first thing in the morning. It really gets the day off to a good start. I have a few affirmations, some quite detailed, but a quick one that I come back to again and again is: "I am healthy and strong. I am young and beautiful. I am serene and harmonious. I am prosperous and happy." (It's important to phrase them in the present tense.) At first, I felt like a fraud saying these things. Young? Who am I kidding? But then I see improvements in my appearance. Synchronicity and Serendipity (my favorite team!) often give me a very strong impulse to buy something that actually does make my skin look better. Sometimes I even dream of things I should be doing or using. Before long, the statements are true! You mention the law of attraction, and I can see that we undoubtedly have read a lot of the same books. My favorite on this subject is The Law of Attraction by Esther and Jerry Hicks. In my opinion, this is the instruction manual we should have come with at birth. (An extended warranty would have been nice, too!)
One of the things I've been doing because of your advice is listening to classical music in the car. Once upon a time, I used to listen to rock music. Was it any wonder I was always rushing about, even when I had all the time in the world? So I stopped listening to music at all. That was definitely an improvement. I wasn't rushing so much, but I wasn't exactly calm either. So I gave classical music a try. And you know, it works! I drive in a calmer fashion, without a lot of rushing. So, thank you for that, and I'm sure the other drivers on the road thank you as well!
Now, this I put into practice after reading your first book: dressing well always. I had been wearing jeans and a t-shirt to go garage-saling, and sometimes even running errands. NOW, however, I make the effort and dress well. People smile at me more. They chat with me more. Young boys will even carry my purchases to my car for me -- unasked. I tell you, dressing well must be like being a celebrity! Sometimes people will comment on my dress:
"You on your way to work?"
"No, I'm just garage-saling."
"You aren't dressed like the typical garage-saler."
'Thank you."
I love cocooning at home and keeping our Humble Bungalow tidy. It is strange that I still find comfort in keeping on top of the domestics that I have been doing for about 40 years!
ReplyDeleteMaking a home a nice place for our families is not a simple task but one worth the effort.
Thank you Jennifer for raising the awareness to your avid readers.
Hostess
XO
Hi Jennifer, I wanted to say thanks for a couple things. First, thank you for mentioning littlebrightthings.com here, I definitely did a triple take when I scrolled down and saw it. Second of all (and more importantly), thank you for the amazing book. My friend introduced me to your first book last year and we immediately began implementing so much of what we learned into our lives. You're a huge source of inspiration for both of our blogs ( hers is firstclassact.wordpress.com ) One of the main hopes for our blogs is to try to relay the same message to girls in our generation (college students and newly grads) and maybe even younger. Though I'm still working out how I'm going to go about it, I wouldn't even know where to begin if it weren't for your books and blog. Thanks for everything you do and everything you've shared :) -Maria A.
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ReplyDeleteOver the last couple of years I have been pursuing a more minimalist lifestyle, downsizing to a small 2-bed apartment and only working part-time.
It has been an interesting journey, with several blogs, including yours, influencing me along the way. The first blog is "FlyLady", who provides an easy to follow daily and weekly cleaning routine that I have been following everyday for the last few years, which I recommend to your readers. I think you may also have read it as you mention "clutter hotspots". I have also enjoyed following minimalist blogs, but I felt their visions of a home, such as white walls and utility furniture was a bit too bleak and masculine for me. There was no sense of joy, pleasure or femininity. Then I discovered your blog and found the missing piece to my jigsaw puzzle. I like your style, it is very feminine, and as a result of reading your blog, I would say that my home is still minimalist but with a strong feminine flavour. For example, I now only have one set of cutlery, but rather than a typical minimalist style which would be plain and utilitarian, mine is curved, feminine and in an antique style.
When my sister recently asked what I would like for Christmas, top of my wish list was your new book - I can't wait to read it.
Jennifer Thank you for your lovely books, blog and videos. Your videos are very soothing to me. I love your idea of putting together your own cookbook! Would love a video about putting together a capsule recipe collection. I am working on an evening routine to make my mornings run smoother and would love a video on that as well. Colbie Caillat has new song out Try that I think you would appreciate. Looking forward to posts from your new book!
ReplyDeleteSometimes, when I am doing housework, in order to motivate myself and make it more fun, I imagine that in a couple of hours a very important and sophisticated lady will be arriving to stay for a few days. As I check each room, it helps me to see my home through fresh eyes. For example, when I look in the bathroom, I ask myself, is it fit for a guest? Is it clean, with a fresh fluffy hand towel and a beautiful bar of soap or hand wash? Does the bed need changing? In the kitchen, is the sink clean, the washing up done and are there plenty of tea bags and some nice biscuits? Do I have something nice for dinner? Would some fresh flowers on the coffee table or some scented candles added a finishing touch. I get my home ready for my imaginary guest, visiting the local shop to buy any items I need. Then yes, you have guessed it, I sit back with a nice cup of tea and enjoy my home as the important guest has finally arrived and she is me.....
ReplyDeleteDear Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to grab your book !!!!As a Amazon.uk costumer, in spite of living in Spain I have to wait a little bit longer.. so I'm rererereading your first book and if the second it's half as good as the first it will be more than worth it...
I'm in a differet stage of life... more une femme of a certain age but I thinks that your advise it's ageless... and I want to thank you for helping to make this world more beautiful in its true sense...
Situation in my country, Spain , it's pretty chaotic.. and not only due to the economical crisis.. Tv it's absolutely rubbish ant things like books, cinema and theater tickets have increased their pice .. as luxury items... Could you imagine.. So your blog and some of its kind it's my food for soul...
Thanks again for sharing and warm regards from Spain
I "discovered" you yesterday at my local library when I came across your first book as I was picking up Ines de la Fressange's "Parisian Chic." I devoured your book last evening while Ines's awaits my attention. I'm looking forward to reading your new book and reading your blog (in small delicious bites, taking to heart your thoughts on cutting back on online time). I too am more of a femme d'un certain age, but I think your advice is for all ages.
ReplyDeleteP.S. This morning I'm drinking my breakfast tea from a bowl!
I gobbled up your book in 2 sittings...I just couldn't put it down! I love the idea of making the most mundane chores and activities...doing the laundry, having lunch, decluttering a drawer...meaningful and beautiful. You've inspired me to break out my grandmother's "special occasion" china for a Monday night dinner, and to dress to impress when making a run to the post office! Thank you, Jennifer!
ReplyDeleteThoroughly enjoying the new book.
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ReplyDeleteJennifer, thank you so very much for this book. It was as if you were speaking directly to me and understood my mental and emotional state at the time I opened the pages. It was eerie how well you put into words how I was feeling about my own life as a stay-at-home-mom with 2 additional daycare babes throughout the week: overwhelmed, exhausted, even defeated at times. I had no energy or drive to make time for myself or make my home an enjoyable place to be in. Everything (including a quiet bubble bath with a good book) seemed like the most tiresome and undesirable chore... that's just wrong!
ReplyDeleteThe greatest lesson I took away from your experiences shared in this book is the value of a change in perspective. It obviously doesn't happen overnight, but being aware of it and making a concerted effort to find the enjoyable in our mundane and chaotic everyday lives is exactly what causes things to start shifting!
I had already been trying to make use of many values discussed in Lessons from Madame Chic and on your blog such as the Ten Item Wardrobe, looking presentable always, using the best I have, reducing clutter, etc. but as you know, at times it can be quite easy to let things slip with the excuses we cook up in our heads. Then the downward spiral happens and suddenly I'm back to wearing yoga pants everyday again (non, merci!). At Home with Madame Chic changed that for me. Since making a genuine effort no matter what and not allowing myself to let things slide because I am "too tired" I am thinking in terms of how an extra effort or push will make me feel good (with actually very little time or work spent on it in the long run), and in turn my family will feel good. We have already noticed a change in the household dynamics with the major proof being that we hosted a completely stress-free, well executed (Canadian) Thanksgiving dinner for 8 people on Sunday evening. My house was in order and I didn't have to spend hours cleaning for our guests' arrival, my kitchen didn't look like a bomb had gone off, I wasn't stressed about preparing dishes, and the clean-up was quite minimal. In fact, I was at a bit of a loss for what to do because it was a perfect example of effortless effort! Everyone enjoyed! So this Thanksgiving, I was very thankful for our favourite Daily Connoisseur! Merci beaucoup!
I pre-ordered your book but just finished it- I loved it!
ReplyDeleteHolyMoly do I love this book!!! I got it two days ago, and am only not finished with it yet, because, well, lol...family and home stuff came first! I am absolutely loving reading this and considering how I can put all the wonderful ideas into action! In fact, I lit a scented candle this morning while I groomed for work. Such a little 'nicety', but it made me smile and I feel it really improved my attitude about having to leave the house for the day. How true it is, that the little things, are what gives us the most peace sometimes!
ReplyDeleteThank You for that Jennifer!!
I am on the hunt now (though still have about 1/4 of this book left to absorb), for Lessons from Madame Chic. Can't wait to read that too!
The points you make about what distracts us from making home a priority, are spot on! And as we have been discussing doing without internet and tv at our house (for awhile now), we are actually in the process of doing just that. I am super excited! It will be a bit of an adjustment, but so far, it's been such a wonderful change of pace. (we do still use the service for a couple more weeks, but I have severely limited my time online, and can really tell a difference. Mostly in my attitude and outlook, and what I'm getting done, lol! Reading your book has coincided with this change at our house, at the perfect time! I can take not-so-great habits and change them into wonderful habits, that really make a difference in our life!
In fact, today, after commenting here, I'm making a list of what I want to do, in & around our house (and in myself) to make our home life (and me!) as chic as I want to be.
For a LONG (LLLLOOONNNGGG) time now, I've been intermittently decluttering/simplifying/downsizing, and this all goes hand in hand with the principles in your book. Seriously, it couldn't have come at a better time for me personally (how did you know? :D)
You know, I know at home, I will want to check in with your blog, frequently, lol. But this will be the best change we've made for our family, in a long time, I fully believe that. However, we run a small business, and need the internet for that. Thankfully, now, we have a rented office space, so I will still be able to check in a couple of days a week when I'm there. Whew! :D
Sorry for babbling, brevity is not a quality I was blessed with. I just want you to know that this has already made a change in my attitude and inner peace, before I've really had much chance to put the principles and ideas into action. Imagine how wonderful it will be a week from now:) THANK YOU!!
What a refreshing video! Thank you so much for tackling this important subject. This is a topic near and dear to my heart. Long before I had children I left my mid-sized law firm practice because the pace was so hectic that I was barely at home, much less creating a meaningful and peaceful home! It was chaos here! Now I am so grateful that our home is not only a sanctuary for us but friends who visit often comment on how peaceful, relaxing and authentic it is here. (My father told me not long ago "every time I come to stay at your house I find a wonderful new book to read!") We have slowly made renovations. When we traveled (pre-children!) we usually bought a piece of artwork to display. I don't display anything that doesn't have a story behind it or some deeper meaning to us--and I love it this way!
ReplyDeleteMy children are 7 and 3, so we have the joyful energy and related messes of childhood, but they are tidied at the end of the day. During the day we read many books together, get fresh air, prepare meals, listen to wonderful music and build our quiet little family culture. It is not perfect, but it is excellent and beautiful. Making home life a priority is SO important, whether one has substantial means or not, whether one has children or not....so I love to hear this message passed along to a wide audience!
Jennifer: Are you planning an audio version of your book? I'd love to have the chance to listen to it on my long commute to and from work.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if there will be an audio version, please let me try to persuade you to read it yourself!
I have just ordered the book. After being at home with my babies for 12 years and returning to the workforce a year ago, I am finding that home life needs more attention. I'm looking forward to finding strategies for seeing my daily chores as relaxation time and peaceful opportunities to mindfully bless my family. The reason I selected your book above others on the market is your sweet disposition. I don't like being preached at and the few things I have read (a preview of the book on my Kindle and a small selection of your blog) make me think it will be more like receiving advice from a friend. I'm very much looking forward to this book. Have a terrific week!
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteI just finished At Home with Madame Chic, and it was as beautiful and inspirational as Lessons from Madame Chic. I think you nailed it when you connected chicness with inner peace.
I appreciate all of your easy tips for creating and maintaining a lovely home filled with sensory delights and how to stay mindful and confident throughout each day's ups and downs.
One of my favorite sections is: Trying to Change Other People is So Not Chic. It sounds like my husband is cut from the same cloth as yours. He does the same things which effect my well-planned meal and house keeping schedules. It was a relief to know that you deal with the same challenges, and I appreciated your advice to try to just go with the flow and not get hung up on it. I will try to breathe, smile, and be more graceful in this area.
Merci beaucoup! Your books, blog posts, and videos are such a delight. You have been an inspiration to me for some time now. Thank you for sharing your life with us; you have enriched my life in so many ways.