Welcome to The Chic Assignment check-in for October. Today is a Chic Assignment spectacular. Ben will be reading the 2nd half of The Raven and I will be playing Schubert's Serenade on the piano for you.



This is a longer video as I did not want to cut any corners, so here are the time stamps if you need to skip around:

Presentable sleepwear 1:43
Use your best 6:18
Edgar Allan Poe biography 8:19
Ben reads The Raven 17:03
Jennifer performs Serenade 22:01

The biography for Edgar Allan Poe is from the Poe Museum.




I perform Schubert's Serenade from a piano book that belonged to my grandmother. I always preface my piano performances by letting you know that my playing is full of flaws and errors, and yes, our piano could probably be tuned... but I share my performances to encourage you to just play! Play for fun. Play for joy. Play for beauty in your day. Don't worry if you have mistakes or bad tempo. Just play and enjoy without needing to be perfect, I certainly do :)

I truly hope you enjoyed today's video.

On my nails: Londontown Vendetta code JenniferS for 25% off first-time orders

My charm bracelet (I love) JENNIFERAV15 for 15% off
Basic Bangle Bracelet Sterling Silver
Starry Night Safety Chain Sterling Silver
Heart with Blue Stone Charm Sterling Silver

News
📍Join us for the monthly Chic Assignment. For October we are enjoying Schubert, Edgar Allan Poe, presentable sleepwear, and enjoying our best every day.

📍Thank you for your wonderful support of CONNOISSEUR KIDS.

📍Check out my affordable eCourses: The Ten-Item Wardrobe, Chic Financial Principles for Debt-Free Living, and How to be Efficient at Home.

Comment of the Week
Katie writes, "Thank you so much for this reminder. I have taken a 6 month break from Facebook and noticed how much happier and calmer I feel during the six months. I don't feel like I'm missing out on things or that everyone has it together better than myself. Occasionally I'll take a peek on Facebook but I now know when I have been on too long because I become ungrateful.
When I start feeling ungrateful, I start singing "Count Your Blessings" and it turns my attitude back in the right direction.
I truly enjoy your blog and Youtube channel! You are a blessing!"


Dear Katie, I had a breakthrough moment where I realized I didn't need to post pictures of my children on Facebook if I didn't want to. I felt I had to keep up with birthdays, first day of school, etc. Once I realized that sharing wasn't necessary in that area, I have felt much freedom. I only share if I truly want to now and as a result, haven't shared on my personal Facebook page in several months. Thanks for your comment!

I hope you enjoyed today's video. I look forward to seeing you on the blog soon! Please keep your Chic Assignment updates coming. I enjoy reading them very much!



Visit my newly designed Author Website

*NEW* Shop my Amazon page for a comprehensive list of my favorite things and mentions on the blog.

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Take my affordable eCourses on the ten-item wardrobe, debt-free living, and efficiency at home


FTC: This post is not sponsored. Links in the post may be affiliate.

Welcome to The Chic Assignment check-in for March, 2019. This is becoming my favorite series on the channel. I am enjoying doing these monthly assignments with you and you are giving me so many wonderful recommendations. I'm thrilled and I hope you are too.



In today's video, I'm sharing my own updates for the month of March, including a piano performance of the Chopin Nocturne at the end of the video.

Before we begin, however, I just wanted to thank all of you who have taken my new eCourse, How to be Efficient at Home. I am enjoying connecting with all of you on the Course. There is so much camaraderie and support in the comment section, it's truly been amazing! Here is a testimonial from Mya, who recently finished the course:

Hello Jennifer. I enrolled in your new E-course yesterday and watched it all the way through. I had intended to watch it over a 3 day period, but I couldn't stop watching it. I even took notes. I plan to watch this over and over for inspiration. I consider myself a life long learner and enjoy taking classes, but right now I am very busy with motherhood, homemaking,work, etc. So this was perfect! And the best part is I can watch it over and over. This is my favorite of your E courses. Thank you so much for taking your time to create this course!
Best,
Mya


Thank you, Mya! And thank you to everyone who has taken the course. I really do appreciate your support of my channel.

Let's move on to my findings on The Chic Assignment for March:

🎵 I hope you have enjoyed listening to the Chopin piece. I certainly have. I play it for you today and use the music from The Chopin Gold piano book, which has easy compositions of the pieces. I really recommend this for novice or uncertain piano players like myself :)



🧺 The next assignment was to spruce up your laundry routine. So many of you said that laundry was your favorite task. Many others said that they found the laundry to be overwhelming. Other shared their top laundry tips. This month I have involved my kids more in the folding of the laundry. I've also strived to do my laundry to completion on any given day. I also have hung up this sign in our laundry room. I don't know why... but this sign brings me serious joy when I walk in there!



If you are looking for YouTube inspiration, check out my friend, Nikki's, laundry video, which is so beautiful to watch.

🖼 Our Claude Monet assignment was so fun! So many of you told me you loved "The Lunch". My favorite is the Woman with a Parasol...



I give my interpretation of the painting in today's video.

👗 Finally, we have been getting our ten-item wardrobes ready for the change in season. If you haven't already seen my ten-item wardrobe video where I transition my wardrobe from winter to spring, you can check it out here.

My items from Garnet Hill arrived, the cork wedges (which are so comfortable... I love them!) and my two lightweight sweaters.



Also, for more ten-item wardrobe inspiration, check out my friend Robin's video on her spring ten-item wardrobe for 2019. She gives a wonderful example of how to make the ten-item wardrobe work.



Finally, the three books that I am reading this month are:
168 hours by Laura Vanderkam, A Most Novel Revenge by Ashley Weaver, and Mother Culture by Karen Andreola

News
📍 Take my new eCourse, How to be Efficient at Home. With over 2 hours of brand new videos, plus text, quizzes and a lively comment section, you will gain valuable insight on how to become more efficient at home.

📍I was a guest on Devoreaux Walton's The Modern Lady channel. Devoreaux and I discuss 6 ways to be feminine this spring. Check out the video here.

Comment of the Week
Katerina writes, I just cannot adequately tell you how much you’ve changed my life for the better. I am nearly 60 yrs young, and have always hated clothes shopping until 2 years ago when I was introduced to the concept of a capsule wardrobe and your 10-item wardrobe idea. Even my husband has gotten onboard in helping me because he knows what I’m looking for...not racks and racks of aimlessly endless colors and designs, but a navy/white stripped tee-shirt. The time I save!! I haven’t worn a dress in a very long time, but yesterday I wore one of the LandsEnd dresses that you’ve recommended with a navy cropped pullover sweater and heels. I got at least 6 compliments(!) and several friends saying “oh my gosh—you have legs!”. Thank you Jennifer.

Thank you for your wonderful testimonial, Katerina! I really enjoyed hearing how the books and channel have inspired you and changed your life for the better.

Thank you for joining us today. I would love to hear your Chic Assignment updates. Please leave them in the comment section below.

Visit my Author Website

*NEW* Shop my Amazon page for a comprehensive list of my favorite things and mentions on the blog.

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Take my eCourse on the Ten-Item Wardrobe

Take my eCourse Chic Financial Principles for Debt-Free Living

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter

FTC: This post is not sponsored. Some of the links are affiliate.

I hope that you are all enjoying the holiday season. In today's video, my older daughter and I play a duet for you: Il est né, a French Carol. This is such a pretty Christmas song.



I'm having so much fun playing with both of my daughters. The piano seems to always be playing in our house. The older I get, the more I realize that the specialness of holidays revolves around quality time with family. Practicing this duet with my daughter has been wonderful, quality time.

"Il est né, le divin Enfant" (English: He is born, the divine Child) is a traditional French Christmas carol, which was published for the first time in 1862 by R. Grosjean.

I hope today's video brings you joy.

Have a wonderful weekend and I'll see you on Monday.

With love,

Jennifer

*NEW* The Daily Connoisseur mugs and tote bags make great novelty gifts

Visit my Author Website

Shop my favorite things

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Take my eCourse on the Ten-Item Wardrobe

Take my eCourse Chic Financial Principles for Debt-Free Living

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter

FTC: This is not a sponsored post.

I'm not sure what I was thinking trying out a new deodorant the day I performed in my daughters' piano recital, but thankfully my story has a happy ending!



In today's Natural Home with Jennifer, I'm reviewing Schmidt's Lavender + Sage natural deodorant.

The lavender + sage has a wonderful, natural scent and truly smells like pure lavender. The deodorant is also:

Scented with essential oils; no artificial fragrance
Free of aluminum, propylene glycol, parabens & phthalates
Certified Vegan and Cruelty-free

The first day I tried the deodorant, I performed in my daughters' piano recital, playing a duet with my younger daughter. It was a hot day and thankfully the deodorant worked well under pressure.

I got to play a duet with my younger daughter at her piano recital today. So much fun. This is the type of thing you dream about as a parent! #seekoutthearts #dailyconnoisseur #ConnoisseurKids #pianorecital ❤️

A post shared by Jennifer L. Scott (@dailyconnoisseur) on Jun 9, 2018 at 1:38pm PDT

My daughter and I performing in her piano recital.

I hope you enjoy the review in today's video, along with our dress rehearsal piano performance.

You can find a two-pack of the deodorant on Amazon. I purchased the deodorant through Grove Collaborative where I get all of my natural cleaning and beauty products.

New customers to Grove can get a free Mrs. Meyers gift Set, which includes a Mrs. Meyer's dish soap, Mrs. Meyer's hand soap, and Mrs. Meyer''s Multi-Surface Spray + Free shipping with VIP Trial when you sign up with Grove Collaborative and spend $20. Existing members with Grove Collaborative can receive a free walnut scrubber sponge.

I hope you enjoyed today's Natural Home with Jennifer. Let us know what your favorite natural deodorant is in the comment section. If you have any requests for future reviews for this series, please leave them below. Have a wonderful weekend and I'll see you on Monday!


Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Take my eCourse on the Ten-Item Wardrobe

Take my eCourse Chic Financial Principles for Debt-Free Living

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter


FTC: This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links.

On this special Thursday blog post, I have another piano performance for you: this time I am playing Schubert's Moment Musical. This upbeat and lively piece was a really fun piece to learn. To hear my performance, check out the video above, look in the sidebar of this blog, or check out my YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur


Hoffman Academy Piano Lesson Giveaway

I've had many people tell me they wished they could play the piano, but never learned as a child. Of course you can take lessons with a teacher at any age, but for those of you who would like to learn from home, try checking out the Hoffman Academy. The Hoffman Academy allows you to learn the piano online. Designed with the absolute beginner in mind, Mr. Hoffman's lessons teach you not just how to play, but how to read, understand, and create music. After seeing many of my seek out the arts videos, the Hoffman Academy wrote to me about their easy and affordable lessons. Many of the lessons are absolutely free and the materials, such as the complete unit one, are very affordable at around $20.

The Hoffman Academy have kindly offered to give away two Complete materials for Piano- Unit 1 to lucky readers of The Daily Connoisseur! So if you've always longed to learn the piano, but never knew how to begin, or if you'd like your children to learn, this giveaway is for you. This giveaway is open to all readers, including international ones. Just enter below. The winners will be announced on the widget in one week's time. Best of luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


For more on the Hoffman Academy, please check out their website or facebook page.

This week I would love to know... how are you seeking out the arts in your own life?

Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter

Next song I commit to playing for you on the piano: Tchaikovsky's Waltz of the Flowers 🎹 (but you'll probably have to wait until December) :)

A photo posted by Jennifer L. Scott (@dailyconnoisseur) on Oct 12, 2015 at 7:36pm PDT

Today I have another piano performance for you: Tchaikovsky's Waltz of the Flowers. I am using my grandmother's vintage piano book from 1934 for this rendition. I hope you enjoy my performance! It's certainly not perfect but I hope it captures the spirit of the season. The Nutcracker is one of my favorite ballets and the Waltz of the Flowers is such a mesmerizing waltz. I have always loved this song and associated it with Christmas.

I joke with my friends that I don't know why I keep promising to play complicated piano pieces on Instagram because then I am under the pressure to learn and perform the piece, but I think it's a great thing and it keeps my piano skills sharp. I hope you enjoy the video.

If you are unable to see the video above, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit my channel (and don't forget to subscribe!) at www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur

News
Thank you to the Japanese readers who have made Lessons from Madame Chic the number 2 bestselling book in the country for 2015. What a major accomplishment for our little book! Arigato!

Lovely review and hilarious photo on the Bustle and Vim blog for Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic.

Raeful blog writes, "As with Jennifer’s earlier books, they bring about an instant peace and have me thinking calmly, envisaging myself strolling through my day rather than rushing." Check out the rest of her great review of Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic here.

Comments of the Week

Karina writes:

I finally purchased your first two books. Currently reading "Lessons...". The one thing that I TOTALLY agree with is the French approach towards exercise. I just came back from my first trip to Paris less than a month ago. As the foodie that I am, I thought I would come back with quite a few pounds more. So imagine when, after all the eating I did, I came back with 4 pounds less! The fact is, I stayed in Montmartre, where there are ALWAYS stairs. The apartment I rented was on the 3rd floor - no elevator. I did quite a bit of shopping, which I would have to carry for long walks. I didn't stuff myself with food, but I went to restaurants and still deprived myself of nothing and I came back quite fit.

Hi Karina, the "exercise incorporated into everyday life" concept that I picked up in France (rather reluctantly, I might add) has been such a life-changer. I used to be quite lazy (for lack of a better word) and would drive everywhere. Now I push myself to walk every single day, whether to run errands or walk the children to school. It just makes you feel good. Thanks for sharing your experience! And yes, there are quite a lot of stairs in Montmartre!


Kelly Ann writes:

Jennifer, Years ago, I was invited to a family's home for dinner -- a very modest, somewhat disarrayed, lived in home. As soon as I walked through the door, all I saw was a carefully set dining table, just as modest as the rest of the environment -- but I saw a spot for me. I remember feeling a sense of welling up inside -- a table set for me, because I was the guest. I will never forget that feeling, and often think of it as I set table for my guests. I hope for every guest coming through your door, your reader's doors, and my door, to have that same feeling. There is nothing like a table set for dining; it speaks of everything hospitable, civilized, and loving. I absolutely loved this post. Thank you!

What a beautiful memory, Kelly Ann. Thank you for this comment to remind us that no matter how modest our surroundings, we can always make others feel welcome and at home.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who write me emails via my author website. Every email I receive is so special and heart-felt. I wish that I could respond to all of them, but with my busy family life, I am unable to. Please know that I read every single email, save them and treasure them.

I hope you enjoy my performance for you this week! See you next time on The Daily Connoisseur.

Jennifer x



Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter

Determined to learn Alla Turca on my summer break. Slowly but surely I'm getting there. When I learn it do you want me to play it for you on YouTube? #Mozart #SeekOutTheArts

A photo posted by Jennifer L. Scott (@dailyconnoisseur) on Aug 4, 2015 at 1:08pm PDT

This summer I asked if you'd like me to play Mozart's Alla Turca for you and you gave a resounding yes! I worked on it over my summer break and today I perform it for you. It's not perfect. In fact, it's a little clumsy, but that is not the point. The point is that it's a great thing to challenge and push yourself. To cultivate your mind and not only seek out the arts but create them yourself. To pick up a worthwhile hobby. This keeps us our minds sharp. It gives us achievable goals and a sense of accomplishment. We better society by bettering and pushing ourselves.

Now without further ado, here is my performance of Mozart's Alla Turca.



If you are unable to see the video above, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog or subscribe to my YouTube channel to have the videos instantly emailed to you at www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur

If you feel inspired to share your art via YouTube or blog post be sure to let me know! Use the hashtag #MADAMECHIC #seekoutthearts Let's encourage each other to raise our standards and challenge ourselves.

Comment of the Week

Laura B. writes:

Dear Jennifer,

You have little time to read all the letters you receive. I understand as a pediatrician your time is limited and valuable. Quickly, your books and blog have me dressing tastefully for my job rather than wearing scrubs. Thank you (say my patients). Your recent post hit home to me and I must write even if you don't read. I have played piano since very young also, so glad that in college I FINALLY didn't have to take lessons. I have not lifted much of a finger since until now. At 38 I'm realizing (maybe as you) what a special thing this is that I can do... that is a secret and maybe unattainable to most that know me. My grandmother played beautifully; my mother missed the trait. She poignantly says I play like "Tine" (christine) even though I never saw her play (she was paralyzed with Lou Gehrig's dz). 6 months ago I splurged on a used Steinway upright and once delivered, sat down with it and cried at the sound that I had forgotten I could make. I grew up learning Chopin, Bach, and the classics only (which I love). Right now I have pulled 'Laura' from a stack of Tine's favorite movie/show tunes, which happens to be how my name was chosen. Learning the tune- so, thanks for your inspiration and Aspiration to be better than is required.

Sincerely,
Laura

Laura, I loved your message to me. Thank you! Your grandmother would be very proud of you.


Artistic Recommendation

Celia on YouTube writes:

I have a great book to recommend that exposes the reader to great composers and their influence. It's called "THE GIFT OF MUSIC" by Smith and Carlson. Very readable. Enjoy.

Thank you, Celia, for your recommendation!

See you all next week...

Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter