My recent piece for the Huffington Post, No More Booty Songs, Please, has made waves. So many of you have voiced your support of my message, that these days, it's "much more noticeable to be a class act than a trash act".

Of course there is an opposing side to every argument, but I do know that thousands, if not millions of men and women are fed up with the increasingly lowered bar in our artistic culture. Popular music in particular has taken a backlash recently. Sure there are millions of people who have viewed Nicki Minaj and Jennifer Lopez's new videos, but the underground movement of people who are fed-up with their shock-tactic vulgarity are making their voice heard.

Here's the thing: I'm not opposed to hip-hop music or dance. In fact, I think that hip-hop is a form of modern poetry. And hip-hop dancing is a technically challenging art that actually requires talent. What doesn't require talent is simply shaking your behind in front of a camera for 5 minutes while wearing practically nothing.

In my Huffington Post article I ask the question: what on earth has happened to pop music? Please watch this week's video to see a further discussion on this subject.

Moms' Night Out
All is not lost, however. There are so many wonderful artists out there- artists with integrity who produce quality work. Earlier this month on the plane ride from LA to New York, I watched a film called, Moms' Night Out, that had me shaking in my seat with laughter from nearly start to finish (which is quite embarrassing when you're on a plane).

So how on earth does a hilarious film like Moms' Night Out get such dire reviews, yet a film like Neighbors (remember the film I walked out on?) garner stellar reviews (It was called the comedy of the year!)? Hear my theory in this week's video.

If you are unable to watch the video above, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or check out my channel (and subscribe!) at www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur


Upcoming Events
Southern California readers: come meet me at one of my upcoming book signings:
October 8, 2014 Pages A Bookstore, Manhattan Beach, CA presentation, Q&A + book signing 7pm
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)

Madame Chic Inspiring Thought
Listen to classical music while you make breakfast this week. It will start off your day in a deliciously elegant way. You'll find yourself wanting to listen to it more and more.

Comment of the Week
Mimimanderly writes:
A lot of people resist the idea that you can have ten items in your wardrobe. I am currently reading Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House series (Yes, I AM a grown-up. Actually, it is not "written down" as books for young people today usually are, and it is quite informative about how people really lived in pioneer days. If you are interested in such a subject, I totally recommend them.) People in those days may have had a total of three dresses: one for working at home, one for day wear, and one for special. When one of them wore out, it was replaced. No, not by going to a store, but by sewing it yourself. Puts things in perspective, no? This series has given me an appreciation of all the modern conveniences that we have come to take for granted. It also has stirred in me a profound admiration for the spirit that once infused people like the pioneers -- a complete self-sufficiency that we have left by the wayside.

Artistic Recommendations
Coldplay's latest album, Ghost Stories, is incredible. I can't stop listening to it. Haunting, electrifying and meaningful... if you're a Coldplay fan like me, you must check out this beautiful album (I love every song!).


This week I would love to know...

What are your thoughts on the state of popular culture? Do you have any predictions of where it's all going? What say do we have in raising the standards in our society? Have you seen Moms' Night Out? Do you have any quality music to recommend?

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'Tis the week of Christmas... can you believe it? I've been having so much fun catching up with visiting family members that this blog is a little bit late.

Last night I attended the LA Ballet's performance of the Nutcracker with the girls at London Sole.



It was a brilliant performance, as ever. I especially enjoyed seeing principal dancer, Allyssa Bross, as the Rose during the dance of the flowers. I got to meet Allyssa at the Santa Monica Art Walk several months ago. She charmed the audience with her beautiful dancing.

This week's video message gives you my good tidings for the season and also shows you my houseguest appropriate presentable pajamas: the Victoria's Secret Sleepover pajama. It is very common this time of year to either be a houseguest yourself or to have people staying over in your home, and it's nice to have pajamas that you'd be happy to be seen in!



I will be taking a short break from the blog in the next two weeks. I hope you have a magnificent holiday break as well.

If you'd like to join us for our next book club, don't forget to pick up The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer. We will be starting the book club discussion in late February, so there is plenty of time to read it.

Please watch this week's video to hear my holiday message to you. 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.

In case you missed my three holiday hair tutorials filmed at BYUTI salon, you can find them all in my article on Huffington Post Style.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. See you in 2014!

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Today I come to you with great news...

Last week, I received a new book deal with Simon & Schuster for my next project!

Over the last few months I have been working on a very exciting book idea. I wrote the proposal, and together with my agent, Erica Silverman, we presented it to Trish Todd at Simon & Schuster. Trish absolutely loved the idea and we are now officially going forward with it. I love working with Simon & Schuster and could not be happier to be with the same team again who produced Lessons from Madame Chic. The deal was announced in Publishers Marketplace this morning.

I will not share too much about the new book right now except to say that it will inspire you to live your best life every single day and revolutionize the way you think about your routines at home (mysterious, I know!). I will keep you posted with everything and you will be the first to know all of the details. Thank you for your support. I truly love my readers. You inspire my writing every step of the way!

To see my video announcement, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur

Ten-Item Wardrobe

Thank you for all of your amazing feedback on this week's ten-item wardrobe video. The video is currently being featured on the Huffington Post, along with a new motivational article on the subject. Check it out here.

Once again, thank you for your support and... see you soon! x

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I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend! Last week was very special for us as we celebrated our youngest daughter's first birthday. I can't believe the year has flown by so quickly. We marked the occasion with delicious food, homemade cupcakes and a puppet show of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

Here is a picture of the buffet table. For flowers I arranged a lilac and hydrangea bouquet. It was fragrant and abundant and perfect for spring.



What you can't see in the picture are the pink streamers and balloons hanging from the ceiling. I was in a bit of a rush that day to get everything ready on time and did not think to take a picture!



For the cupcakes I made a simple vanilla cake recipe and this homemade strawberry frosting, which turned out to be so delicious. It takes a little bit of effort but is well worth it to have an all natural frosting. The strawberry flavor from this recipe is delicate and velvety. I made both the cupcakes and frosting the day before, kept them sealed and separate until the following day, then I frosted them right before the party began. (I refrigerated the frosting only.)

I also made tea sandwiches: smoked salmon with herbed cheese and cream cheese cucumber, and had assorted salads available. Even though the food looks elegant and grown-up, it was all very kid-friendly! We used paper plates and napkins decorated with fairies...

Here is a picture of Goldilocks in the puppet show, which was performed by Puppet Theater on Wheels . (I love puppet shows. Remember the one I saw on the barge in Richmond Upon Thames?)




And finally, a photo of the hydrangea bouquet a few days later. I change the water in the vase every day to make the arrangement last as long as possible.



As the years go on I'm having more and more fun planning these parties. It was a wonderful gathering and most important, our baby really enjoyed it... which is all that matters!

News

♥ Check out this great article in Rebellious Magazine called Creating a Mom-drobe Part 1. In the article, Megan Cottrell tries out the ten-item wardrobe for herself.

♥ Lessons from Madame Chic is mentioned on My Life in Focus blog in an article called Paris AND New York.

♥ I posted my ten-item wardrobe for spring video on Huffington Post Style and it has received a great response from the community! In the article I also answer the question: do Parisians actually call it a ten-item wardrobe?


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

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A few weeks ago I was recognized by a reader of the Daily Connoisseur. I was in my local grocery store (thank goodness for 'looking presentable always'— remember I alway see people at the grocery store!) and she said, "I know you, I've read your blog and book!"

Well it turns out that this lovely reader is Jane Hamilton of JAC Interiors, a prestigious interior design firm in Los Angeles. After chatting for a bit I asked Jane if she would be so kind as to answer some of my questions about interior design for the Daily Connoisseur and she agreed!

Our Q & A is below. All of the pictures you see are from JAC Interiors' portfolio.



What are some inexpensive things people can do to update the look of their home?

• Buy new throw pillows.
• Wallpaper just one wall for accent.
• Add inexpensive art found at flea markets, not just paintings but sculpture pieces. This really adds a curated, expensive look.
• Color arrange your bookshelves—this looks very Parisian chic.
• Bring out the wedding china and use in the bathroom to store make up brushes.


Where should we splurge and where should we save when decorating?

Buy more expensive things and use them on small areas. Buy some fabulous fabric and put it on a tiny piece of furniture like a stool, accent pillow or lampshade. This will add bling to the room and probably be the only thing people will focus their eyes on. You could splurge on a great wallpaper for a small space as well. Splurge on things that will give you great pleasure everyday such as beautiful bedding. You want to get maximum usage or impact from the things you are spending more money on. Save money on fabric for heavy use items like a sofa or chair in a family room. You can use less expensive items and add bling with accessories.



Clutter is so not chic. Do you have any tips for keeping clutter at bay?

Do a daily 5 minute pick up everyday before bed. Edit your possessions. Take a hint from the French who are great minimalists. Less good quality items are better than a lot of cheap junk and will make you feel better about your surroundings. You will be able to think more clearly if you eliminate clutter down to just a few items. We find having cute baskets are great, but be careful not to turn them into junk piles. You must edit periodically. The container store has super items to help you organize.



Can you give us a few do's and don'ts of interior design?

Do have a collection of tear sheets from magazines that capture the “feeling” of the room you would like. Don’t just follow trends, go with what exhibits your best self. Gather your favorite knick knacks around the house and display them together in a collection. You will give your guests an instant conversation topic when they come over.
Go for the best quality you can afford. Consider the light in your space and be sure to compensate for dark rooms or too light rooms when choosing paint colors. The final layer of accessories, such as lighting, art and pillows make a room. Many clients don’t see the value in this last phase and that’s the icing on the cake! A room isn’t done unless there is art and fabulous lighting.

Most people feel that hiring interior designers is only for the wealthy. Is this true? How is the industry changing?

Hiring interior designers is an investment that will save you money and time in the long run. It will give you peace of mind that you are choosing the right items for your lifestyle and personality. We save you from making mistakes on your own. Find a designer who understands who you are and your needs. They should be good listeners who uplift the client and make them look and feel great when the project is done!

JAC Interiors---Jane Hamilton, Andrea Putman, Christine Thompson
JAC Interiors is an interior design firm that serves the Los Angeles area. They were recently awarded the Best of Houzz 2013.
For more information on JAC Interiors, click here, or visit, www.JACinteriordesign.com

Thank you Jane!

News

♥ Read my latest piece for Huffington Post Style called, Get Your Spring Wardrobe Ready.

♥ The Biographile picks Lessons from Madame Chic as one of 10 Parisian Memoirs to Celebrate Spring.

♥ Next Wednesday, April 3rd, I'll be appearing on the Cindy Laverty radio show with show host and author, Cindy Laverty, at 1pm EST (10am PST). Visit www.W4WN.com (Women 4 Women Network) next week to listen to the show, or click here. No downloads or Apps needed to listen. The Cindy Laverty Show is dedicated to the subject of CARE - how we care for ourself so we can better care for each other. If women need anything...it's to learn new and creative ways to care for themselves. I'm really looking forward to chatting with Cindy! PLEASE NOTE: Due to technical difficulties this show will not air this week but next week. I will update you soon. Thanks for your understanding!

I hope you have a wonderful Easter... I'll be taking next week off for spring break. Thank you for all of your emails and messages. Even though I am not able to respond to all of them, I want you to know they are greatly appreciated!

See you soon xx

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This has been such an exciting week!

Madame Chic in Brazil

I wanted to start off by saying Olá to my Brazilian readers. Lessons from Madame Chic (Madame Charme) is now out in Brazil! Obrigado and I look forward to connecting with you!



Chicago Tribune

I am featured in the Chicago Tribune this week in an article called, Your Closet: Where Utility Meets Joy. Stacy London (of What Not To Wear), Jason Wu (the talented fashion designer who designed both of the first lady's inaugural dresses) and I (!) give advice on creating the perfect balance between want and need in your wardrobe.

Is Vulgar the New Normal?

My Huffington Post piece, Is Vulgar the New Normal? has kicked up quite a stir. Thank you to all of you who have shared the piece. I feel passionately about the subjects of standards, etiquette and decency and will continue to write on this topic.

Check out the conversation on my Facebook page. And read the original article here. If you feel as passionately about this subject as I do, please tweet it, post it on your facebook page, and share it with your friends.

One Chic Mama

Thank you to all of you who tuned in to One Chic Mama TV. I had such a lovely time discussing style with host Mary Michele! Also, thank you to all who sent questions in, it was a lot of fun answering them. If you missed the interview (which ran an entire hour!) visit One Chic Mama TV by clicking here (look for episode Jennifer L. Scott).

Belvada Duo Harmony Lipstick Giveaway Winners


As with all giveaways I do, I wish you could all win! But this time there could only be two winners. The winners were picked at random from Random.org and they are:

Melanie L. Midway, TN, who said:

What is Chic?
To me chic is smart. Chic is knowing what works for you and sticking with it. Chic is feeling good about yourself. Chic above all else is loving yourself.

and

Nalani P. Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who said:

Chic is being sophisticated while also being mysterious.

Congratulations ladies! Please email me and I will put you in touch with Belvada so you can choose your lipstick shades.

Thanks to all who entered. I really enjoyed reading what 'chic' means to you!

Thank you to Belvada for hosting such a lovely giveaway! To learn more about their lipsticks, click here, or visit www.belvada.com

Have a lovely weekend!

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With a little care and attention you can get your orchids to bloom year after year. Once the blooms fall off your orchid, continue to take care of it. Trim back any parts of the stem that have dried off. Continue to water your orchids once a week and feed them at least once a month. Over time you will notice new growth and eventually new blooms. This is so rewarding!



This week's video shows you two of my orchids that have produced new blooms. The first half of the video shows the new buds and the second shows the full blooms over one month later. 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

Is Vulgar the New Normal?

My latest piece for Huffington Post Entertainment is called, Is Vulgar the New Normal? It discusses the increasingly disturbing trend of vulgarity in our popular culture. I feel very passionately about this piece. Please share with your friends if you agree.

News

♥ This Wednesday, March 6th, I will be appearing on One Chic Mama TV at 1pm PST. I'll be joining host Mary Michele via Skype for the hour as we discuss all things style. To watch the show on your computer visit this link: http://www.nissancommunications.com/onechicmama.php or click here. You can also phone in at any time during the hour to ask me a question by calling 919.851.3858, Or you can Skype Chat at: Computers2kvoice. Please phone or Skype in, I'd love to speak with you! Find One Chic Mama on Facebook.

♥ I have also written another article for Huffington Post Style discussing the merits of le no makeup look for spring.

♥ Former Fleet Street photojournalist and great family friend of ours, Clive Limpkin, has just released his autobiography, Lost in the Reptile House, available exclusively for Apple's iPad and iTunes. Learn more about the book here. Visit Clive's website here.

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Happy New Year! Bonne année!

I will officially be back to blogging next week but I wanted to wish you a very happy new year. I hope this year brings peace, good health and prosperity to you and your loved ones.

And now for the latest news items...

♥ I was featured in USA Weekend in an article called Look fabulous, faster.

♥ Read my latest article for Huffington Post Style called Clear Your Wardrobe Clutter.

♥ Everyday eBook picks Lessons from Madame Chic as one of 11 Inspiring Books for an Incredible 2013 (and I'm in some good company!)

Also, Downton Abbey fans (in America), don't forget season 3 starts this Sunday on PBS! Yay!

See you next week...

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Before this post begins I have a few very special announcements:

♥ I am going to be a regular contributing writer for Huffington Post Style! It's a major honor for me to be aligned with such a prestigious publication. Here is my first article, sharing my DIY, cost-effective fruit decorations for the holidays.

♥ Huffington Post Canada has picked Lessons from Madame Chic as one of the best fashion books of the year! To read the article, click here.

OK I had to get those out of the way because they were too exciting not to mention first :)

I've received a lot of requests recently to discuss overindulging with food over the holidays (how not to, specifically). So that is what I am discussing in today's YouTube video.

You know me, I don't like to deprive myself of anything... but this comes with a few caveats. Watch my video to see how I make this philosophy work for me. If you are unable to see the embedded video, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur

I would love to know... what are your tips for not overindulging over the holiday season?


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