Today I'm sharing my at-home manicure routine with you and trying out Londontown's Gel Genius Base Coat and Top Coat. I also discover a new favorite neutral nail polish, Teatime.



I have found the Londontown shades to last a long time in general, but they are lasting longer with the gel genius base coat. I painted my nails with this Teatime shade and on the 9th day, I took off my polish. I could have actually worn it a few more days, but I wanted to paint them red for a holiday video I was shooting. I find that these polishes last on the nails between 10 days to two weeks.



For my at-home manicure routine, first I cut and file my nails. I like to keep them in a rounded square shape. Then I soak my hands in warm, soapy water for 5 minutes. I then massage in a nice cream. In this video I'm using Bend Soap Co.'s goat milk lotion (use code DC10 for 10% off your order). After the massage, I take nail polish remover and run it on each nail to remove any lotion residue. Then I paint on the base coat, color, and finally top coat.



Doing my nails with a baby in the house always feels like a stealth mission. He could wake up at any moment and I will need to pick him up, so I try to do this right after I've put him to sleep with the hope that I can get a good 20 minutes in to paint my nails and allow them to dry. Who can relate?

Londontown has been so generous with The Daily Connoisseur audience. Use code JenniferS for 25% off your order.

I hope you enjoyed my at-home manicure routine in today's video.

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📍Check out my two courses, Chic Financial Principles for Debt-Free Living and Create Your Own Ten-Item Wardrobe.

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On Instagram
Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic and a cup of tea...

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Cultivate the quiet power of poise. #jenniferlscott #madamechic e una buona tazza di #kusmitea

A post shared by Deborah Vianello (@deborahmartinavianello) on Mar 4, 2018 at 8:35am PST

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Comment of the Week
On Monday's What I Look Like at the End of the Day video, you know I had to choose Mr. Connoisseur's comment as comment of the week. He said, "Look fine to me." He is a man of few words. :) Thanks, Ben!

Truthfully, thank you to all of you who commented on Monday's video. I received so many meaningful comments. Thank you. Thank you.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my at-home manicure routine. Let me know if you like to do your nails at home and what your routine is. Your comment could be chosen as comment of the week on the blog. See you tomorrow for a special piano performance!


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There is something so timeless and classic about a French manicure, but many women only get them if they visit a nail salon because they seem too complicated to do at home.




Today, I share my special technique with you. It requires practice and patience, but in the long-run is less complicated than many of the other techniques out there. Some people use a makeup brush dipped in polish remover, others use stickers or tape to create the little white line... I like to hold the brush still and roll my finger to create a natural-looking line. This technique is demonstrated in this week's video, along with some of my other tips to successfully create a French manicure at home.

Please check out this week's video for the full tutorial. 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

A classic French manicure is perfect for this upcoming holiday season, especially if you are on a budget or don't have time to go out and get a professional manicure. I urge you to try one at home!


News
Vicki Archer of the beautiful French Essence blog, has chosen Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic for her Christmas Edit.

Meghan Carver, Lawyer Mom lists Lessons from Madame Chic as one of two perspective-altering books.


This past week I signed more Madame Chic books at Pages, A Bookstore in Manhattan Beach. Thank you to everyone who ordered personalized and signed copies. Santa is coming to your house this year!


Letter of the Week
J. Claire writes:

Dear Jennifer,

Thank you so much for inspiring me to live better. I admit that when I first read some of your ideas, like how to fold towels or arrange flowers, I sort of rolled my eyes and thought about how I was too busy to be bothered by such trivial things. My apartment was a mess, my husband and I ate microwaved dinners in front of the TV, I would run errands in sweats, and I told myself that it was to be expected because I had so many other things to worry about. My husband and I both work long hours during the day and I attend law school in the evenings, so it's not unusual at all for me to leave for work at 7:30 in the morning and return home at 11:00 at night. Thankfully, I kept reading your books and your blog while I was on the subway and the ideas really started to sink in. I realized that I was using my crazy schedule as an excuse to be sloppy, and that the little changes you recommend are easy to implement but make a huge impact on quality of life. I derive so much more pleasure from little daily things, like having candlelight dinner with my husband or freshly folded laundry, now that I do them carefully and thoughtfully. I'm so glad that I finally embraced the message behind your books and your blog and learned that there is no such thing as being too busy to live well.

Thank you!


Dear J.Claire, I love that you started off reluctant and then were open enough to try the techniques. I am so happy to hear that they are enriching your life. Keep up the great work!

Comment of the Week

Ulrike writes:

Hello Jennifer,
I enjoy your piano performances very much, especially because you are not a professional! There is an honesty and courage in publishing a performance that is not absolutely perfect, and it is so inspiring, because it is something we amateurs can relate and aspire to as well. I am 48 years old, and last year I was finally able to fulfill a lifelong dream and start taking piano lessons. My children are ten and twelve, and both started lessons when they were seven years old, so I am just a measly 40 years behind... Playing and learning new songs is giving me so much joy and enriches my life way beyond the obvious. It is never too late to pick up a new skill, and as long as we are realistic in our expectations there is no telling where it will lead us.
Thank you for your books and this blog. Your message is such an important one, and I find it encouraging to see so many people here on this site who also wish to live beautiful and cultured lives and teach our children the value of manners and poise.


Dear Ulrike, I am so happy to hear you are taking piano lessons. Age really never matters with learning the piano and I am happy that at 48, you have decided to challenge yourself. I hope you enjoy the process!



If you try out the French manicure, let me know how it goes! Upload a picture and use the hashtag #MADAMECHIC


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This week we are talking hair and nails. If you follow me on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, you've noticed over the recent months that I've been having fun experimenting with braided hairstyles. I've always loved braids (it's the Madame Bohemienne in me!) so I was excited when Ulysses press recently sent me the new book by Abby Smith, The New Braiding Handbook.


Abby Smith is a fellow YouTuber with a wonderful channel called Twist Me Pretty. This book is a valuable resource because while I usually just wing it and create a hit or miss hairstyle, The New Braiding Handbook gives you great step-by-step instruction on creating new and classic braided hairstyles.

A while back on Facebook a reader commented that she liked the braided updo but felt she might be too old to wear braids. I don't think anyone is too old. If you pick the right age-appropriate look, your braided updo can look very elegant. This braided chignon, from the Duchess of Cambridge is a perfect example:



In this week's video I start off in pigtails (which is an age-inappropriate look for me!) but it's for a good reason... I give you a classic milkmaid braid updo tutorial half way through the video.



The milkmaid braid might feel too costume-y for you but I think you should give it a try. You might surprise yourself with how chic you look and I think it makes a great (easy) formal updo as well. There's something very regal about it even though it is meant for the look of a milkmaid.

Here are some of the braided looks I've shared on Instagram over the past few months. Which one is your favorite?



And now let's talk about nails. I've been experimenting with various colors this spring, some of which are out of my comfort zone. I've found some beautiful ones! But I also realize that the neutrals and classics are still my favorite. These two in particular, Dior's Incognito and Rouge, are particularly divine.



Check out this week's video for the milkmaid braid tutorial and an even more in depth discussion of these topics. 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

WomenHeart
Last Monday I had the honor of speaking at the West Los Angeles support group for Women Heart: The National Coalition for women with Heart Disease. My talk focused on living a fulfilling life even during life's struggles. I was so moved and inspired by the stories and the bravery of the women in this group. Thank you to Alisa Becket and Amanda Daniels for inviting me to speak. For more information on Women Heart visit www.womenheart.org

Pictured with Amanda Daniels (left) and Alisa Becket (right)

Madame Chic Inspiring Thought

Sometimes, for special events, it "takes a village" to get ready and presentable. We trust our hair, makeup, styling and nails to the professionals. But on a daily basis, empower yourself to be your own beauty team. Don't be afraid to try out new hairdos. Practice wearing them at home if you feel unsure about going out in public with them. You don't need to spend a lot of money at the salon each week to achieve a polished look. Try giving yourself a manicure at home this week. Start with the neutral colors so the mistakes aren't as visible. Have fun with cultivating your own style and beauty routine. #lookpresentablealways

This week I would love to know... what are your thoughts on braided hairstyles? Would you ever wear one? What about nails? Do you like classic shades or do you prefer edgy colors? Do you do your manicures at home? Or do you have them professionally done?

Music in this week's video: Etente Cordiale
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I don't make it to the manicurists that much anymore- probably about once a month. In the meantime I give myself manicures at home. So when I ventured out to the nail salon last week I decided to try a new color that I hadn't tried before to shake things up. I tried OPI's Vodka & Caviar- a delectably rich red. I like this red so much I rank it right up there with Essie's A-List.



A good nail polish evokes passion in me... and it's good to know I'm not the only one who feels like this! Daily Connoisseur reader LMK reminded me of this when she made a reference to the film, The Women, where the nail polish color Jungle Red causes a lot of waves.

It's true, red nail polish makes a definite statement. While I normally go for demure neutrals (Essie Mademoiselle and Diego Dalla Palma French Pink) I do like to wear red when I am feeling a bit dramatic or when I want to feel glamorous (which is very rarely these days- but when the mood strikes I capitalize on it!)

Watch my video, above, to see the nail polish on my fingers and to see where this lovely shade transports me (you know I love beauty products that transport 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

Book Giveaways-

And in other exciting news... There are two wonderful blogs that are doing a giveaway of my book Lessons from Madame Chic: The Top 20 Things I Learned While Living in Paris!

Kristi from La Bella Figura (who is the author of her own chic lifestyle book called La Bella Figura) is holding a giveaway for an autographed copy of my book.

... and Bliss from Stepping my Way to Bliss , who writes a wonderful blog and has a very cool Etsy shop that sells vintage handbags and other delights, is celebrating one year of blogging and is having a big giveaway this week- and an autographed copy of my book is one of her prizes.

So whether you already have a copy of Lessons from Madame Chic and want an extra one to give away as a gift or you have yet to get one for yourself, enter their giveaways for this great opportunity!

To enter Kristi's giveaway click here

To enter Bliss' giveaway click here

Also the wonderful Tish from A Femme d'Un Certain Age has mentioned The Daily Connoisseur and Lessons from Madame Chic on her blog this week... click here to check it out!

Until next time, I would love to know... what is your favorite nail polish color?



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