I hope you are having a lovely week! I am still on holiday in England but have another video for you that I shot back in California.

This week we are talking about wearing bold prints. If you are somewhat of a fashion wallflower, you might feel intimidated by wearing bold prints. I'm pretty shy with prints, believe it or not, but I do inject them into my ten-item wardrobe each season because I think they look good and I like to challenge myself.

Here are some examples of bold prints in my ten-item wardrobe for Spring/Summer:







My best tip for wearing bold prints is to pair them with neutral accessories such as a neutral cardigan or blazer and neutral shoes. This allows the bold print to be the star of the show. Make your jewelry subtle as well. As you get more confident with your style statements, you can begin to experiment with mixing prints and accessorizing them creatively, but for beginners, I recommend going neutral.

Check out this week's video to hear more on this topic. 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

Madame Chic Inspiring Thought
If you feel shy with your fashion choices and constantly find yourself wearing black or neutrals consider adding a bold print to your ten-item wardrobe. Have fun challenging your fashion sense and enjoy wearing bold prints.

Comments of the Week
On last week's post, How to Preserve Your Clothes Between Washes, Margaret P. says:

Being a good bit older than yourself, Jennifer, and I guess older than most of your readers, I would like to say that dress shields were commonplace to my mother's generation if not to mine. Most dresses she had in the 1940s and 1950s came with dress shields sewn into them and they could be snipped out, washed and then replaced with a few stitches (no stick-on ones in those days, of course.)

Patricia W. writes:

I loved this post, in particular, nostalgic to me, because it reminded me of my sister and I being with my paternal grandparents on most Saturday nights while my parents went out to dinner and dancing...my grandma in her apron, her dress shields in her good dresses,and spying through the crack in their not quite closed bedroom door as my grandfather laced her into her corset on Sunday mornings before she donned her dress for church. Our Mother and Father, uncles, aunts, and cousins would always be in attendance for Sunday afternoon dinner.

On the subject of dress shields, TL writes:

Just like a previous reader commented I was also concerned about the amount of waste created by disposable garment guards so after some more online research I found there are washable ones (in cotton). These were actually what people used in the old days, before deodorants :) They are still being manufactured in small amounts, so just do a search on washable dress shields/ garment guards and you will find several different models. Some are strapped on to your underarms, others to your clothing (pinned with safety pins or adhered with adhesive strips).

Thank you, ladies for your reminisces and tips. I read every comment and appreciate them all!

This week I would love to know... what are your thoughts on wearing bold prints? Are you comfortable wearing them? Do you have a special way you style them? Let us know in the comment section below and you could be picked as the comment of the week!

**I realize that some email subscribers are not able to see the embedded video via their email. I am not sure what the cause is of this technical difficulty. Until the problem is resolved, please click on the "click here" video link mentioned above to be taken directly to my YouTube channel. Thank you for your understanding!

Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter

This week I share my favorite tips on how to prolong the wear of your clothes between washes. This is crucial when you have a ten-item wardrobe and are wearing the same clothes over and over. Washing your clothes less will prolong their wear over time. It also inspires gratitude for the clothes that we do have as we take care of them and treat them well.

1. Wear an apron. I know I mention this all the time, but I cannot stress this enough. In this week's video I share a recent experience when I forgot to wear my apron (woe is me!)

2. Wear slips and camisoles. When you put a layer between your skin and your clothes, your clothes will last longer between washes. You will need to wash your slip every time, but your clothes will be preserved.

3. Use garment guards or dress shields. I called them "armpit pads" in Japan but my lovely readers educated me on their true title :) These fashion first-aids are brilliant! Place them in the underarm area of your garment to prevent your clothes from being saturated with perspiration.

4. Hang up your clothes and let them air. When you are ready to change your clothes, don't throw them on the back of your chair or in a heap somewhere, hang them up and let them air out if possible to preserve their shape.

5. Use a steamer or iron. Don't forget to erase the wrinkles with a steamer or iron. This will refresh your clothes and make them look presentable between washes.

Check out this week's video for more elaboration on each tip as well as demonstrations. 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

Madame Chic Inspiring Thought
Treat every garment you have like a valuable piece from a high-end boutique. Treat your clothes with respect and take pride in how you dress. This attention to detail will be cultivated beautifully as you cultivate your ten-item wardrobe.

News
I am on holiday in England right now visiting family so I am going light on the blogging! Hope you are enjoying your week and see you soon.

This week I would love to know... how do you preserve your clothes between washes?



Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter

I went to see Murder for Two at The Geffen Playhouse this past weekend. What a wonderful production. It was a murder mystery musical with two actors and it was a rollicking good time (especially if you love mysteries like me!)




The pictures of the actors, Jeff Blumenkrantz and Brett Ryback, are from the Geffen's website

I hear the show has been extended into August, so if you are in the Los Angeles area, do check it out!

Get ready with me in this week's video as we do makeup, hair, nails and I show you my outfit. I do hope you enjoy!
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

Makeup used in the video:

**Please note: You do not need to own the makeup I use in this video. You can most likely create this look with the makeup you already have.

CHANEL Perfection Lumiere Velvet foundation

Benefit Fake Up undereye concealer

Benefit Boi-ing concealer

Mac eyebrow powder

Urban Decay Primer Potion

Bobbi Brown Nude on Nude palette ivory over the entire lid, naked (light brown with pink tones) in the crease and gold on the lid to the crease

Bobbi Brown long-wear gel eyeliner in caviar ink

YSL Volume Effet Faux Clis mascara in burgundy
MAC mineralize blush in soul

Hourglass lipstick in peace

News

Lessons from Madame Chic is listed on Style Sprinter among some other great titles as the perfect summer reading.

Sarah of Joy Filled Days is enjoying At Home With Madame Chic.

Kimily Kendrick gives At Home With Madame Chic a rave review on her blog.

Madame Chic Inspiring Thought
Schedule a trip to the city or go see a local play in your town. Support the arts. Make it an event and enjoy every moment of it. Tell your friends. You might inspire them to revive their love of the arts again too.

Comment of the Week
In last week's review on Teeccino herbal coffee, Hey PJ wrote:

Enjoyed the post, love your blog. I am mostly a tea drinker (all kinds), but I have tried Teeccino in years past and enjoyed it. I love the occasional cup of coffee black, as long as it is a fine quality roast and blend. But wanting to avoid the caffeine jitters/habit, I have long used caffeine-free beverages. Celestial Seasonings Roastaroma is very nice. I enjoy Cafix for that dark, robust warmth and it is also good with coconut sugar and cream or almond milk. It is made from roasted barley, chicory, malt, figs and red beet concentrate. Completely caffeine free!


Thank you for the recommendations PJ!

For more on The Geffen Playhouse, visit www.geffenplayhouse.com


Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter

Today I have a drink review for you: Teeccino Herbal Coffee.

Writing my third book, I got into the bad habit of drinking multiple cups of coffee each day. After feeling jittery one too many times, I found myself craving the coffee taste but not wanting all of the caffeine. I did some research online and found Teeccino herbal coffee alternative. I decided to try it for myself and purchased their Vanilla Nut brew from a local health food store. What a pleasant surprise!



This drink is delicious and provides that same warm, robust drink experience I enjoy when drinking coffee.

What does an herbal coffee contain? The ingredients in the Vanilla Nut flavor are: carob, barley, chicory root, date & figs, almonds and other natural flavors. I love drinking mine with a coconut or almond milk creamer. Or I might drink it with milk and coconut sugar.

You brew teeccino just as you would coffee, just using slightly less than you normally would as the flavors are very strong. Use a traditional coffee brewer, french press or espresso machine. They also have tea bags that I like to take with me when I travel or for when I don't want to brew an entire pot. I love the Dandelion Caramel Nut flavor, which contains: dates & figs, almond, dandelion root and natural caramel and nut flavors.



Here are the listed health benefits, from Teeccino's website:

Every cup of Teeccino is brimming with nutritious health benefits that are naturally released during brewing from Teeccino’s herbs, grains, fruits and nuts. These nutrients are quickly absorbable from brewed Teeccino because the nutrients are suspended in liquid so digestion isn’t needed to remove them from fiber.

In many ways, Teeccino rebalances the negative effects of coffee. For instance, Teeccino is excellent for people with digestive health conditions because it is non-acidic and contains the prebiotic, inulin. Inulin is a soluble fiber from chicory root that supports a healthy population of beneficial digestive flora, so necessary for good digestive health.

Coffee, on the other hand, is highly acidic and along with its caffeine content, coffee can over-stimulate the digestive tract aggravating health problems for people with gastrointestinal conditions like acid reflux and IBS.

Another example is heart health. Teeccino provides two heart-healthy nutrients, potassium, an electrolyte mineral, and soluble fiber. Potassium helps prevent strokes and high blood pressure. Soluble fiber lowers total cholesterol. Drinking several cups of Teeccino daily provides nutrients that support good cardiovascular health.

Caffeine, however, is a central nervous stimulant that makes the heart beat faster and can increase blood pressure. Coffee drinking has been shown to increase blood pressure in sensitive individuals. Caffeine’s effect on heart beats can stress the heart in people who have heart conditions. Decaf coffee has been shown to raise cholesterol and produce the “jitters” even though it has less caffeine than regular coffee.

Like any drug, caffeine withdrawal can cause many undesirable symptoms such as headaches, irritability, and nausea. Slowly weaning oneself off coffee by mixing Teeccino into your morning brew, and increasing the ratio of Teeccino to coffee for 3 weeks, has proven a successful plan to quit coffee, while still enjoying the taste of coffee, with little or no withdrawal symptoms!

Energy is the reason why many people drink coffee. With Teeccino, people experience an energy boost that comes from nutrients, not stimulants like caffeine. A cup of Teeccino keeps energy steady and balanced, but won’t provide that spike and subsequent crash that you can experience from too much coffee. Although many people drink coffee to get “energy”, they are really putting themselves in a state called “flight or fight syndrome”, which is a stress response that triggers alertness along with a host of stress reactions throughout the body. Getting off of the caffeine rollercoaster ride of sudden highs followed by lows in energy is one of the benefits of drinking Teeccino!


For more information on each of the ingredients, click here.

These herbal coffee alternatives would be wonderful for pregnant or nursing women or anyone who is trying to kick their caffeine addiction. They are also great for people who love a good coffee after dinner but don't want the drink to interfere with their sleep.

I have purchased Teeccino from both Sprout's Market and Whole Foods, but they are also available from Amazon and other online retailers, including teeccino.com

Teccino Vanilla Nut on Amazon.

Dandelion caramel nut on Amazon.

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

News
I wrote an article on the ten-item wardrobe for The Glamorous Housewife blog. Check it out here. Thank you, Bethany, for featuring my article!

Comment of the Week
Linda Johnson on YouTube writes:

I'm enjoying watching these You Tube videos. Although this was posted a year ago, I would like to comment on this topic of Dressing Well. I find that when I have carefully selected my clothing and gotten ready for the day, I don't need to think about myself from that point on. I can engage with the people that I am with that day and be "fully there" with them. I love the freedom that this brings.


Great point Linda! When we look presentable, we feel presentable as well and we are able to focus fully on the important things of the day without feeling self-conscious.

Madame Chic Inspiring Thought
Take time out of your busy day to enjoy a favorite beverage. It could be a hot cup of coffee (or herbal coffee!), a sweet iced tea or whatever drink you love. While you enjoy your drink, look out the window, sit on your shady porch or simply sit in your living room and take in your surroundings. No phones. No TVs. Not even any books. Just enjoy your drink until it's finished. This time for quiet reflection is so needed throughout our wired, fast-paced day.

This week I would love to know... have you ever tried Teeccino? What are your favorite coffee alternatives? How do you like to drink your coffee?

FTC: All items featured in this review and video were purchased by me. I have no affiliation with Teeccino. All opinions are my own.



Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter

Today I have a very fun book review and giveaway for you: Primates of Park Avenue, by Wednesday Martin.



This book is so much fun! I have a feeling it will be the book of the summer. Here is the description from Simon & Schuster:

Like an urban Dian Fossey, Wednesday Martin decodes the primate social behaviors of Upper East Side mothers in a brilliantly original and witty memoir about her adventures assimilating into that most secretive and elite tribe.

After marrying a man from the Upper East Side and moving to the neighborhood, Wednesday Martin struggled to fit in. Drawing on her background in anthropology and primatology, she tried looking at her new world through that lens, and suddenly things fell into place. She understood the other mothers’ snobbiness at school drop-off when she compared them to olive baboons. Her obsessional quest for a Hermes Birkin handbag made sense when she realized other females wielded them to establish dominance in their troop. And so she analyzed tribal migration patterns; display rituals; physical adornment, mutilation, and mating practices; extra-pair copulation; and more. Her conclusions are smart, thought-provoking, and hilariously unexpected.

Every city has its Upper East Side, and in Wednesday’s memoir, readers everywhere will recognize the strange cultural codes of powerful social hierarchies and the compelling desire to climb them. They will also see that Upper East Side mothers want the same things for their children that all mothers want—safety, happiness, and success—and not even sky-high penthouses and chauffeured SUVs can protect this ecologically released tribe from the universal experiences of anxiety and loss. When Wednesday’s life turns upside down, she learns how deep the bonds of female friendship really are.

Intelligent, funny, and heartfelt, Primates of Park Avenue lifts a veil on a secret, elite world within a world—the exotic, fascinating, and strangely familiar culture of privileged Manhattan motherhood.


Here's what I loved about the book: I love observing people. People-watching is one of my favorite pastimes. I love studying why people do what they do and why they are who they are. I love learning what is important to people and why. Wednesday's book takes us to the Upper East Side and lets us into her world: and while her observations aren't pretty, they sure are fascinating! It is a great commentary on the folly that can ensue when you keep up with the Joneses.

Check out my video review of Primates of Park Avenue. 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

Simon & Schuster are giving away 3 copies to readers of The Daily Connoisseur. The giveaway is open to US residents only (terms set by the publisher). Please enter via the rafflecopter widget below. The giveaway will run for one week. The winner will be posted on the widget and emailed as well. Best of luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


For more on Wednesday Martin, visit her author website here.

News
My new book, Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic: Lessons in Everyday Elegance, is coming out October 27th, 2015 and is now available for pre-order.

Lessons from Madame Chic is noted in the Wall Street Journal today as being the #1 bestselling book in Japan for 2015 so far. Thank you to my Japanese readers for embracing the book so enthusiastically!

I hope you have a wonderful week. See you soon!

Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter