Part two of the Q&A video resumes today. I answer Marisa K's question on what to do if you were not taught chic behavior in childhood and how to shake self-consciousness with developing poise later in life. I also answer Basia S's question on how to find quality girl friends.

Be sure to check out this week's video for the answer to these questions and 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

An important note from last week's video that I wanted to mention, regarding my sink full of suds tip: make sure you rinse off the suds from your dishes before placing them in the dishwasher so you do not clog your machine. Thank you, Ellen G., for this reminder.

Comments of the Week
Wanda A writes:

Hey There. I'm a Canadian, (North Eastern Canada), living in the US for the past 13 years. I just came across your YouTube channel and your books, blog and everything this past weekend!!!! Oh serious joy!!!Right away I started my closet purge. Still a work in progress. Working on my 10 piece S/S wardrobe. I too simply love to wear dresses. And yet have I done that in recent years ...... No! I've asked myself why, finding I have no good reason why. So, as soon as I happened upon your channel and I saw the very pretty dresses, I did a happy dance. It hit me. There's my honest to goodness style. The one I should be true to. And so I've begun.

Hi Wanda, I am so happy you have embraced your true style and are now enjoying wearing the clothes you love. Wonderful!

Tina writes:
Hi Jennifer, I read your book Lessons from Madame Chic and I just want to THANK YOU for writing this book!! I learned so much from you and I appreciate it so much. I was always a very feminine person, but after reading that I have become more ladylike :) I pulled out my slips and started to wear them again. I now appreciate the housework that I have to do. Just adopting a different attitude about things changes everything! I am currently working on my capsule wardrobe. I gave away all of my ill-fitting items and now my closet is a joy to open! Thank you again! Tina

Hi Tina, thank you for your testimonial! I love to hear the exciting changes that take place in people's lives after implementing the tips from the book.

Today I would love to know your thoughts on the topics discussed in the video. Do you have any tips to add? Any questions to discuss? How do you find quality friends? Have you dealt with self-consciousness with developing a chic lifestyle?


I hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend. I will see you next week for my maternity ten-item wardrobe. See you then!

Jennifer x

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In the entertaining section of At Home With Madame Chic, I talk about the importance of play for adults. As adults, we can lead such stressful lives with work and family obligations. We think playtime is only for the kids, but really it can be for us too! I attend regular game nights at my friend Juliana's house (I write about her infamous game nights in the book) and they are so much fun.



In this week's bonus video we have a very special treat! I am joined by my friends Juliana and Ariel, creators of Escape Room in a Box, to discuss the importance of adult play and to create a call to action hopefully inspiring you to throw your own game night.

There are so many benefits to sitting down with one or many friends to play a game, here are just a few:

- You are fully in the present moment.
- You are improving your mental skills (the opposite of dumbed down entertainment)
- You can connect and bond with your friends and family.
- It feels so good to laugh!
- It's a wonderful change from the usual night of Netflix or dinner and a movie.
- Playing games are a form of escape and help you to de-stress.

Escape Room in a Box

Juliana and Ariel have created their very own game, Escape Room in a Box: The Werewolf Experiment. This game is so unusual, unlike any game I have ever played at home. It is full of riddles, puzzles, mysteries and surprises. It's a 60-90 min cooperative game where 2-6 players solve puzzles, crack codes and find hidden clues to escape a mad scientist's lab! (So thrilling.) When I sat down to play with our friends, Mario, Liz and Marissa we were in for such a treat and had so much fun solving the mystery. For more information on Escape Room in a Box, or to order your own version of the game, visit Juliana and Ariel's website.

Check out our video to meet my friends and hear more on why play for adults is so important. If you are unable to see the video above, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit my YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur

News
The Secret Owl Society cites inspiration from At Home With Madame Chic for looking presentable always.

Comment of the Week
Charitie from Vis a Vis writes:

If there is any a time to follow the simplistic, quality-over-quantity wardrobe code, pregnancy is it. Like all mothers know, growing a child depletes physical and mental energy, with stamina concerning one's appearance being the first to go. Effort directed towards a polished ensemble diminishes and oftentimes makes the mother feel less than attractive, which is absolutely absurd because pregnant women always exhibit a radiant glow. Pregnant women should take the time to make themselves feel beautiful; take every opportunity to enjoy being pregnant.

Hi Charitie, you make a wonderful point and I couldn't agree more. By the way, you have a lovely blog!


This week I would love to know... do you ever host or attend a game night? What are your favorite games to play? Do you want to host a game night but don't know where to start? Let me know in the comment section below.

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With Christmas rapidly approaching, I can't help but feel excited about the festivities and good cheer that are (hopefully!) on the way.

This year, with the current economic crisis, the Christmas festivities have not been quite as festive as Mr. Fezziwig's ball from Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol. No, that would seem too lavish and perhaps inappropriate. But they also have not been of the Bob Cratchit variety either. This year, the best Christmas gatherings meet somewhere in between... a little glitz and glamour mixed with the good cheer of quality time spent with close friends and family.

On Monday, I will have the pleasure of attending a gingerbread house party. My good friend N and I have lofty ambitions of making a show stopper gingerbread house, complete with flying buttresses and gargoyles!

I'm also looking forward to getting in touch with old friends who are back in town. Festive lunches, clinking glasses and gift-giving? How delightful...

But perhaps the main thing that is having me rub my hands together in delight and anticipation is the feast on Christmas day: Roast goose with pate and prune stuffing and all of the trimmings (a recipe straight from The Two Fat Ladies). This feast is not being prepared by me, but by my family (all the more reason to enjoy it!) I am in charge of the dessert. I'm thinking homemade apple pie... with a gorgeous, golden and flaky crust.

Oh dear... I'm already hungry...

I hope all of your holiday festivities, on a big scale or small, are bringing you happiness and good cheer...


Image of Mr. Fezziwig's Ball courtesy of: www.charlesdickenspage.com