In today's video, I'm sharing the story of my biggest dressing faux pas. This story is the major catalyst for why I decided to finally live like I lived in Paris...
You might think that once I got back to America from Paris that I'd immediately jump into my new way of life. But actually it took me several years and much contemplation to decide to want to change and live more like Madame Chic. In today's video I share a story about a very embarrassing dressing faux pas and how it spurred me on to create my ten-item wardrobe and also admit that not only what we wear matters, but how we wear what we wear too.
I'm wearing jewelry pieces from Rachelyn Jewelry. Rachel Carns is a Daily Connoisseur and Madame Chic reader and is also an artisan jewelry maker.
She hand makes her beautiful, modern, dainty, gold-filled jewelry and sells it on her Etsy store. Rachel sent me these beautiful cracked glass and gold necklace and earring set. The earrings have a lovely flower detail. Use code Jennifer15 for 15% off your order. Also visit her on Instagram. We are running a giveaway over there so be sure to enter. Thank you, Rachel!
News
📍I am a featured speaker at the Get Organized HQ Summit with I Heart Planners. Registration is free!
📍PRE-ORDER my new book, CONNOISSEUR KIDS, which comes out September 10th from Chronicle Books.
Comment of the Week
Whitney at Come Home for Comfort writes, "Yes! This resonates with me for sure. I didn't begin to truly love and embrace my role as a homemaker until I dealt with clutter and organized my home. I love your homemaking series so much - thank you!"
Thank you, Whitney! I truly believe the two go hand in hand.
I would love to hear your own fashion faux pas stories. Have you ever had a bad faux pas moment that really made you reflect about the way you dress? Let us know and your comment could be chosen as comment of the week on the blog.
They are very thoughtful and always send me their newest shades and nail care products. This fall and winter, their Modern Opulence collection really surprised me: beautiful taupe and plum smoky neutrals that, I believe, would compliment every skin complexion.
Crowning crumpet a sheer nude that is reminiscent of Barefoot in Barcelona.
Cashmere A plum color as luxurious as your favorite cashmere sweater.
Starstruck a silvery shimmer polish. I have one coat on my pinky and two coats on my other nails.
"9-Free" products do not contain: Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, TPHP, Acetone, Ethyl Tosylamide, Xylene, DBP, Toulene, Camphor
Vegan
Cruelty-Free
Made in the USA
Florium Complex Infused
Londontown polishes are certified by PETA!
Illuminating nail concealer A universally flattering iridescent brightener that protects from yellowing while adding a healthy brightness and illumination to the nail.
Use code JenniferS for 25% off your order (first time orders). Thank you, Londontown for sending me your beautiful polishes! I hope you enjoy today's video. I would love to know, which shade is your favorite?
My Homemaker Series continues on The Daily Connoisseur. Today, I’m going to share with you the homemaker’s biggest obstacle.
In this series, I aim to explore the secret world of homemaking, its delightful aspect as well as the darker side to it. So far in the series I’ve revealed three enemies to homemaking, as well as the homemaker’s best friend.
Today we are going to reveal the homemaker’s biggest obstacle. How is an obstacle different than an enemy? Aren’t they the same things? Well, yes and no.
An obstacle is defined as a thing that blocks one's way or prevents or hinders progress.
An enemy is a thing that harms or weakens something else.
Today’s exploration is definitely an obstacle. It’s a beast that almost every homemaker deals with. Are you ready to find out what the Homemaker’s biggest obstacle is?
CLUTTER
Yes, the homemaker’s biggest obstacle is clutter. Let’s think about that definition again. A thing that blocks one’s way or prevents or hinders progress.
How many times have you wished to do something in your home, but got choked up by the clutter? Perhaps you have a hard time finding things, or you’d like to do a deep clean, or you’d like to finally get organized, but one look at all of that overwhelming clutter and you just fold. It’s too much.
CLUTTER: the biggest obstacle of homemakers.
Clearly, something needs to be done. There are many ways. There are many thought processes. There are many techniques. But ultimately, the clutter has to be dealt with. Systematically. I suggest timing yourself (Do you remember the homemaker’s best friend?) Give yourself a realistic amount of time to work with each and every day and, without fail, even if you do it at 8pm or midnight, address that clutter. Clear those hot spots and stagnant spaces.
I write about clutter in my Madame Chic books. Mainly because Madame Chic was an incredible anomaly as a homemaker. She never had clutter. I mean never. Did you fully grasp that? JAMAIS. Ha!
I lived with my French host family for 6 months and I never saw clutter. And no, Madame Chic didn’t follow KonMarie, or Sweedish Death cleaning or Flylady or any of the other trending systems (which, by the way, are all excellent systems that could greatly help you). She just did it.
Systematically go through your belongings and tidy them up. Get rid. Donate. Throw away. Don’t overly consume. Establish routines every day and make sure the whole family is involved. Clear that clutter. Because that clutter is the biggest obstacle you face as a homemaker. It’s what’s blocking you from blossoming truly.
Here’s a four-pronged approach to how Madame Chic dealt with clutter:
1. She dealt with her tasks and belongings immediately and never let anything collect where it shouldn’t be. In other words, she didn’t allow clutter to build up in the first place.
2. She did not over consume. She wasn’t constantly buying things to bring into the home. She was very selective. Those of you who follow my ten-item wardrobe will get this deeply.
3. The whole family was on board. Train your children young. Train them to pick up after themselves immediately. Never leave it. These habits are easier instilled when the child is young.
4. Take joy in the process. Don’t dread it. Be excited about what you will be able to accomplish now that this obstacle is out of your way.
Thank you for joining me for my Homemaker series. Be sure to share today's video with a friend who needs homemaking encouragement.
This video is dedicated to Andrea Mills, who was a fellow YouTuber and a wonderful homemaker. She tragically passed away a few weeks ago and has left her large family behind. If you feel inclined to donate to Andrea's family, I have left her GoFundMe here.
On Instagram
I shared the cover of Connoisseur Kids on Instagram to announce the pre-order. Thank you to everyone who has pre-ordered my book. I appreciate it so much!
Comment of the Week
Unknown writes, "Hi Jennifer, That was a beautiful video analysing how your spring/summer wardrobe performed for you. I live in a warm climate where winter is short but chilly. Our summers are hot and last for months. I have a capsule wardrobe too. But sometimes the discipline to plan for the forthcoming season lags due to being a busy mum! Ha! So I appreciate the encouragement to actually sit down and take stock rather than casually purchasing just whatever. So thank you! I have divided my wardrobe into 3 seasons...transitional (being spring/autumn), winter & summer. I get 2 months of autumn transitional, 3 months of winter, 1 more month of transitional, then 6 months of summer. My transitional wardrobe stays in place from autumn to spring, I just swap out a few things once winter hits. Summer means quality pieces for me, they get such a hard wear with needing to wash on the daily. Thank you for encouraging us to evaluate for ourselves what we need based on our style, climate & budget. We are more resourceful than we realise! Plus our own personal style grows and changes with us, so good to honour that. Your 10 item wardrobe really is here to serve you, enabling you to get on with what matters most!"
Thank you for your thoughtful comment. I loved reading your approach to the ten-item wardrobe!
Thank you for joining me for today's video. I would love to know... do you find clutter to be an obstacle in your homemaking? Let us know and your comment could be chosen as comment of the week on the blog.
This is not another etiquette book detailing the antiquated, excruciating, and frankly confusing minefield of rules lauded by traditionalists. Let’s face it, many of us will never need to know which side a snail fork should be placed at the dinner table, nor are we likely to ‘take tea’ with the Queen. Yet we could all do with a little help in perfecting our manners, self-confidence, and social graces for everyday living.
English Etiquette details everything the English know about why etiquette matters, in a modern, understandable, and unpretentious way – while teaching you how to cultivate a traditional and charming countenance to rival any royal.
Covering topics such as gallantry and grace, common decency, lifestyle choices, the quintessential English wardrobe, and behaviour in the home, you will learn how to shoehorn a little English gentility from this practical field guide into your daily life.
So pull your socks up ladies and gentlemen, pour yourself a cup of tea, and join The Darling Academy as we return to a culture of good manners, civility, and chivalry the world is longing for.
A proper, polite, and graceful way of living is making a comeback. Long may it prevail.
The fourth Chic Assignment this month was to prepare your wardrobe for the upcoming season. Most people, when preparing for the season ahead, just skip to the fun part... the shopping! But it's critical with a thoughtful wardrobe, to first analyze your wardrobe from the most recent season so that you can learn from your mistakes and go forward with a clearer purpose regarding your true style.
Today, I'm analyzing my spring/summer capsule wardrobe. How did it perform? What did I love about it? What didn't work? How will I change going forward? These are all questions answered in today's video.
Let's talk about the pro's from this season:
👗My clothes were nursing-friendly, which was truly the most important functional aspect of my wardrobe.
👗I felt presentable every day. A major plus!
👗Some of the colors were vibrant and life-giving. When I wore the red floral blouse, floral maxi dress, and seafoam floral dress, I regularly received compliments!
👗My wardrobe fit in my budget. (This is always a must!)
👗I was able to wear the pieces in a versatile way and was delighted to discover how much I love layering tees over the dresses.
Let's talk about some of the cons from the wardrobe this season:
🌟The heavier (long sleeve) pieces from the spring wardrobe did not transition well into the heat of the summer.
🌟Many of the colors were too fall/winter for me.
🌟Because I didn't switch out more summery clothing this year, my son asked me why I wear the same dress all the time. Ha!
Comment of the Week
Patricia B writes, "Hi Jennifer I'm new to your vlog & I have to start by saying that in 2016 became disabled & couldn't move well & hence became very overweight! Then I had no confidence in myself & started a life of sweatpants & baggy tops 😥 however after watching your videos for only 2 weeks I've started taking more pride in myself wearing dresses & skirts ^ putting on makeup. I've had my hair cut & carry myself much better now so I want to say a BIG thank you to you for giving me back my dignity 😃❤"
Hi Patricia, I love your comment and am so happy to hear about your triumphs with dressing and carrying yourself! Thank you so much for sharing your story with us.
I hope you enjoy this end-of-season analysis. I would love to know how your wardrobe performed this season. What went right and what went wrong? Let us know in the comment section below.
It is a very sad day in the YouTube community as fellow mother, homemaker, and YouTuber, Andrea Mills, has passed away. If you have ever been touched by Andrea's videos and her commitment to her family, please consider donating to the family's Go Fund Me. Any amount helps. She has left 9 precious children behind. Thank you for your consideration...
Welcome to The Chic Assignment check-in for August. I have really enjoyed hearing from you this month! Today's video is nice and long and takes its time as we delve into the various assignments.
Chic Assignment no. 1 Scott Joplin
Here are some interesting facts on Scott Joplin from Kid's Music Corner He was the greatest composer of ‘ragtime’. In fact he is often called the ‘King of Ragtime’. (Ragtime is a mixture of Black American folk music and classical music. It is not quite jazz, but is certainly where a lot of the ideas for jazz came from.)
He made ragtime very popular. This made people ready to hear and write the jazz that came afterwards. It also set the scene for American popular music over the last century. Put simply, Scott Joplin has had a very big influence on jazz and popular music over the last 100 years.
Like classical music, Scott Joplin’s rags are written down exactly. They are pieces to be played as written on the piano. This is quite different from jazz, where it is normal for the musicians to make up some of the music as they play.
He became famous with his piece ‘Maple Leaf Rag’. This piece appeared in 1899. It sold over 75,000 copies in the first six months! The piece was named after the Maple Leaf Club where Scott Joplin used to play the piano.
His father had been a slave.
He was very lucky to learn music. Most Black American children around the time Scott Joplin was born would not have had this chance. His father certainly didn’t want him to learn music. However his mother was keen. And a kind local music teacher taught him for free.
He also composed two operas as well as some other classical music. Scott Joplin tried very hard to make these operas popular, but didn’t succeed. In the end he died very disappointed with the failure of his operas.
After Scott Joplin died, ragtime music was almost forgotten about as jazz became popular.
His music became popular again in the 1970s—especially when ‘The Entertainer’ was used in the 1973 film ‘The Sting’. His music has been popular ever since!
Chic Assignment no. 2 Frederick Childe Hassam
Discovering Childe Hassam has been such a joy for me this month. His paintings really speak to me. Here are some of the ones discussed in today's video:
The Room of Flowers, 1894
Bowl of Goldfish, 1912
Listening to the Orchard Oriole, 1902
The Terre-Cuite Tea Set, 1910
Street Scene, Christmas Morning, 1892
At the Grand Prix in Paris, 1887
The South Ledges, Appledore, 1913
The Avenue in the Rain, 1917
Chic Assignment no. 3 Letter Writing
When I recently uncovered my treasure trove of vintage Victoria Magazines, I also uncovered a box of old letters from my past. Letters from family and friends brought me back in time and it was so amazing to read these letters. I hope that letter-writing makes its way into your regular routine.
Chic Assignment no. 4 Prepare your wardrobe for the upcoming season
This week you will see my recap of the ten-item wardrobe from spring summer 2019. I have had many revelations about my wardrobe. With the ten-item wardrobe, you never stop learning. Truly!
The book I mention in the video is Introverted Mom by Jamie C. Martin
Fuwa W writes, "Hi Jennifer, Thank you so much of your book that I have found in HK library. It had attracted me by the content of your university life in French family. So, I share with my best friend of your book. Do you know what happen? Your book have change my friend s life, especially the ten items warobe! I can t believe it!"
Dear Fuwa, thank you so much for writing to me. It is fun to hear from a reader all the way in Hong Kong. Please tell your friend I said thank you and "hello"!
Thank you for joining me for today. I would love to hear your Chic Assignment updates and all of your ideas on each topic mentioned.
I recently uncovered a treasure trove: a box of "vintage" Victoria Magazines from the mid-90s. Those of you who subscribe to Victoria will know what I'm talking about. Those issues were just pure gold for people with our Connoisseur sensibilities.
I loved flipping through Victoria Magazine as a teenager and looking at the stunning images, reading the poetry, and learning about new people and places that have all since become dear to my heart.
Uncovering these old issues brought back so many memories! I thought it would be fun to flip through an August issue from 1994, which was 25 years ago (can you believe that?). Join me for today's relaxing video as I flip through a vintage issue of Victoria. I'm seeing this one with you for the first time in 25 years.
I apologize because at some points in the video there is a glare on the page. I have learned a few things about filming the pages of a glossy magazine at night! Despite the filming issues, I thank you for joining me today and hope you enjoy the video.
Comment of the Week
Unknown writes, "This blog, especially your videos on homemakers biggest enemies, have revolutionized my life. Literally I have found myself a completely different person as I go about my housework each day. I no longer look for “the end result”, but I enjoy the process. I no longer dread the work and this has helped me not to procrastinate. As a result, my house is cleaner, but I am less tired. Seems strange but it’s true. Amazing! I just started reading your book, at home with madame chic. So so great. I am recommending it to everyone I know! A big thanks to you. Please keep the videos coming."
Dear Unknown,
I was thrilled to read your comment and am so glad that my books and videos have impacted you in such a positive way. Wonderful!
Thank you for joining me today. I hope you enjoyed this flip-through and I would love to hear your thoughts on this vintage Victoria Magazine.
I do realize we are nearing the end of the summer season and many of us are already thinking about fall... but it is so hot here (can you relate??) that my summer ten-item capsule wardrobe is still going strong. In fact, it has been so hot here that many of my core items that have long sleeves are unwearable.
My cousin recently visited me and she was wearing the best-looking jumpsuits. I fell in love because they not only look presentable, but seemed so comfortable too.
In today's video I'm sharing style tips on how you can style a summertime jumpsuit or romper, particularly one with spaghetti straps as many of them have.
My jumpsuit is from Morning Lavender. Please note the jumpsuit I have is currently sold out. I am linking some other great options here:
I love this jumpsuit in black or taupe. It is gorgeous.
To check out all of the jumpsuits on Morning Lavender, click here.
Here I'm wearing the jumpsuit with a floppy sunhat (linking similar) and Kork Ease sandal. If you plan to show your shoulders, it is advisable to wear a strapless bra or you could use breast petals.
Pairing the jumpsuit with a cropped sweater is a good option as you move into colder weather. I am linking a similar one here.
Paired with my button-down denim tie top (linking similar here and here), this has a lovely pulled-together look.
A cardigan pairs beautifully with a flowy jumpsuit like this. (Linking a similar one in cashmere).
A pashmina scarf covers the jumpsuit in a classy way.
A bonus look: a simple white tee underneath the jumpsuit looks casual and covers the shoulders nicely.
Comment of the Week
On Instagram, simplylady.d writes, "This post was just what I needed. All of your videos have had such a profound influence on my life ! I've recently purchased and received your exquisite books and one on audio. You've got me listening to Scott Joplin and playing in the background while I home make. I've been watching Andre Rieu - Grande Valse Viennoise. I'm in anticipation of your monthly assignments. In short : you've brought chic to my home life , for which my Dear Husband truly appreciates. Thank you so much Jennifer. 🌹💜xx"
Thank you so much for your kind comment on Instagram. I'm so happy that The Chic Assignment has been a blessing to you!
