I was recently approached by Wink & Winn to design my own custom handbag and review the process on the Daily Connoisseur. I accepted Wink & Winn's offer because so many of you email me asking about handbags and I wanted to see what the custom design process would be like. Check out the video above to hear my full review and see a tutorial on how you can design your own bag. Spoiler alert: I love my bag! I think it's very high quality and Wink & Winn made the design process exciting and special. Overall it's a very unique company with a quality product.



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

Keep checking back with the blog because I will be doing a Wink & Winn giveaway in the near future. In the meantime, Wink and Winn have offered readers of the Daily Connoisseur a $50 gift code. If you'd like to use this, email Wink & Winn at: frontdesk@winkandwinn.com . The subject line should read "$50 Gift Code". Wink & Winn will then get back to you with the code. This offer is only available until May 20, 2014 (one month from today).

For more on Wink & Winn check them out at www.winkandwinn.com


Cultural Dish Podcast
Back in February I was a guest on the Cultural Dish Podcast discussing HBO's True Detective (don't worry we only discuss the first two episodes so there are no spoilers), Tiger Mom and Madame Chic with three spectacular and creative ladies. We have a very lively discussion on what it means to cultivate an air of mystery that you won't want to miss. Episode #7 titled, "Go Climb a Stop Sign", is available now for free. Just to forewarn you there is explicit language in this episode (although not from me ladies :)).


Co-host Juliana Patel and I during the podcast.


Actress Golda Inquito, Co-host Juliana Patel, Co-host Elizabeth Pan and moi.

**Ten-Item Wardrobe side note: This podcast was shot back in February when I was still wearing my fall/ winter ten-item wardrobe.

Make sure you check out Cultural Dish's Facebook page and "like" it if you're interested in hearing more from them. Thank you ladies for having me on the show! I hope to come back one day.

Get More Done Now Summit
I recently participated as a speaker in the Get More Done Now Summit with Natalie Gregory. She offers this free resource for busy women who want to learn time management tips and tricks. You can check out how to register for this online event by clicking here, or visiting http://www.getmoredonenowsummit.com/

Around the Web
Check out Avaalon's wonderful and contemplative blog post on the Ten-Item Wardrobe as is discussed in Lessons from Madame Chic.

Testimonials
Karryn S writes:

I too spent a while living in France as a student. I went there as a hippie with Birkenstocks and hair wraps, and came back...a lady. When your book was released, I devoured it, and I enjoy following your "pensees quotidiennes". Since implementing more of your concrete ideas, I've enjoyed many compliments (thank you for that!). Clutter is gone, orchids are out. Wardrobe is pared-down, as is jewelry. They seem like superficial, irrelevant things, but I have found them to be profound. Encore, merci beaucoup ma belle. N'arretez jamais!

Thank you Karryn!

Lastly, Happy Easter to all who celebrate. I hope you had a marvelous day with your family and friends. See you soon! xx

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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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I'm pretty good about not snacking. This hasn't always been the case. I used to be a chronic snacker. It's like I was afraid of hunger so I never allowed myself to get to that place.

I love the quote that YouTube viewer, Sassylarita, brought to my attention, "Hunger is the best seasoning". The quote originates from Socrates, who actually said, "The best sauce for food is hunger." And it is so true. How many of us dull our appetite by snacking too much before meals? Since dropping my snacking habit I have started to enjoy my meals a whole lot more.

I'm not completely cured of my snacking tendencies though. Lately I've noticed one very curious habit of mine, which I discuss in this week's video, Not Snacking. If you're unable to see the video above, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur

News

♥ The Daily Connoisseur is celebrating over 1 million visits this week. Thank you! I never imagined when I started this blog in 2008 that we would come this far. Thank you for reading my blog and for being a part of this important community where we celebrate elegance, dignity, class and, of course, all of the aspects that help us to live well! Thank you, thank you, merci, thank you :)

♥ The Independent Florida Alligator picks Lessons from Madame Chic as one of Five fashion books for the smart and stylish (although please someone explain to me that line about sharing soup— I don't get it at all!)

♥ I'll be appearing on Smart Creative Women TV with the lovely Monica Lee (more on that to come). Monica has featured Lessons from Madame Chic on her blog this week. She even planned a luncheon around the book! You can check out the article here.

This week I would love to know... what are your snacking issues?


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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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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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Wow! Thank you all for your great response to the last two Ten-Item Wardrobe posts and videos. This clearly is a topic that resonates with a lot of people. It is one of the biggest lifestyle changes I made after living in Paris. It takes a while to pare down to a capsule wardrobe, but once you do, you really can't go back. It makes your life so much simpler and it propels you to use your 'best' on a daily basis.

I received many questions from viewers wondering how on earth do I get by with so few clothes? And do I really only have ten items?? Well don't forget about the extras as written about in Lessons from Madame Chic. Extras are things like tee shirts, camisoles, blazers, jackets, coats, cocktail or special occasion dresses, cardigans, scarves, shoes, etc. These things help round out your wardrobe. They are not considered your core items. And while I wear my core items in heavy rotation, you will also find me wearing a tee shirt and jeans many days of the week as well. It is just what works with my lifestyle, having two small children.

Please watch my video to see a few examples of the extras I have in my wardrobe. 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

Items featured in this video:
(Please note: many of the clothing items in this video I've had for years and are not available in stores. I am providing links to the websites below where I can.)

White tee by Michael Stars
Grey sweater blazer by Banana Republic
Black jersey tee by Velvet
Black velvet blazer by J Crew
Pirouette red croc ballet flats by London Sole (I received many questions about my London Sole ballet flat collection from last week's video. They do not run true to size. For example, I wear a size 7 and in these Pirouettes I wear a 38. If you have any confusion when ordering size, check out the size chart on their website, or give the shop a call. The sales assistants are very helpful).
Red scarf by Love Quotes
Black wool trench coat by J Crew
Fuschia dress by Adrianna Papell
Tan suede heels by Jimmy Choo



Chat With Women Radio Show
This Tuesday, November 27th at 12:45 PST, I will be a guest on the Chat With Women radio show, hosted by Pam Gray and Rochelle Alhadeff for Seattle Talk Radio KKNW-AM. We will be discussing Lessons from Madame Chic and my tips for holiday style! Be sure to tune in!

Writers Tribe Book Club
This Sunday, December 2nd, at 5pm PST, I will be doing a live teleconference interview for the LA Writers Lab on Lessons from Madame Chic! During the call I will read an excerpt from the book, have a discussion about the writing process and answer reader questions. Interviewing me will be the lovely mystery author and Daily Connoisseur reader Kristi Belcamino. To learn more, visit the Writers Tribe Book Club home page. To join the call dial: 1-218-936-4700 and enter the access code 38574.

Australia and New Zealand
Lessons from Madame Chic comes out this Tuesday, November 27th! I am so happy to have my book represented down under. I would love to one day visit both of your beautiful countries to meet readers. One can hope!

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KCAL9
Yesterday I appeared on the KCAL 9 news at noon to discuss the Ten-Item Wardrobe from Lessons from Madame Chic. I had a great time shooting the segment and hope to go back one day (as I told the producers, I have a lot to talk about!). In the segment I show you many items from my own wardrobe, which you will get a better look at in next week's video on the Daily Connoisseur.

For those of you unable to view the piece live, click here to see my interview in its entirety.

The Vivant

I am featured in an article for online luxury magazine, The Vivant, discussing that je ne sais quoi of Parisian style. Click here to read the article.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend. Check in next week to see my own ten-item wardrobe up close and in detail. See you soon!

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Thank you all for your warm reception of Lessons from Madame Chic! It's been a wonderful week for me. Tuesday morning after I voted, I walked over to the Santa Monica Barnes & Noble and bought a copy of my book.


This was a surreal and proud moment for me. I worked at Barnes & Noble as a bookseller when I first graduated college. To have one of my books on their shelves now is a great reminder to never give up on your dreams.

KCAL News
Next Wednesday, November 14th, I will be appearing on the KCAL news at Noon PST to discuss the Ten-Item Wardrobe from Lessons from Madame Chic! If you are local to the Los Angeles area, set your DVRs and please wish me luck!

For those of you unable to see the segment I will post a video of it at a later date.

Major Giveaway


Simon & Schuster and I have orchestrated a major giveaway to celebrate the release of Lessons from Madame Chic (the biggest giveaway I've ever done!)

We are giving away three prize packets (which means three winners!) that contain the following:

A copy of Lessons from Madame Chic (bien sûr!)

A gift voucher for a pair of London Sole ballet flats (amazing!)

Benedetta skincare products including: The Seaweed Bath, Lavender Hydrosol and Lavender Body Lotion

Skindinavia makeup finishing spray

Arbordoun Abundantly Herbal Calendula Cream


Due to restrictions, this giveaway is open to US residents only. The giveaway will go from now until November 27th with the winners being announced by Simon & Schuster on November 30th.

You do not enter the giveaway on this blog, but rather, on Simon & Schuster's site. To enter the giveaway click here

Best of luck!

In other giveaway news, the lovely Andi from Misadventures With Andi is hosting a Lessons from Madame Chic giveaway. You can enter for a chance to win here.

See you soon!


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Redbook Magazine

I was recently interviewed for Redbook Magazine in a piece called Change Your Look, Change Your Life.

In the article, I discuss techniques to find your true style, present yourself beautifully to the world, and get inspired, stylistically speaking.

Twitter Update

I have changed my twitter handle to @JL_Scott . If you already follow me on twitter, there is no need to do anything as you automatically follow the new handle. For those of you who do not follow me on Twitter, check out my page! I discuss daily adventures and observations and share pictures. Which brings me to my next topic...

Chignon Thursdays
As a fun treat for those who follow me on Twitter and Facebook, I have started Chignon Thursdays (#chignonthursdays) where I tweet/ post a picture of my chignon every week (the latest look I've been experimenting with).

This week's chignon:


If you have a chignon look you'd like to share, I'd love to see it! Simply use the hashtag #chignonthursdays on Twitter. Let's bring back this elegant and polished hairstyle together.


I hope you all have a marvelous weekend! I'll see you on Monday for a very special tea review... Until then!

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I hope you all had a great weekend. Last week I got a new haircut and recorded this quick video blog to show you the before and after (and my inspiration picture!) If you are unable to see the above embedded video, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur

Once this baby comes I don't anticipate having a lot of time to blow dry my hair so I decided to get rid of some length and go with an effortless, yet chic hairstyle. Thank you to Valentino at Salon Nesou for your beautiful work!

Baby Update

Speaking of babies, I am well into my third trimester of pregnancy and even though my baby isn't due until the end of May, my doctor has advised me to take it easy. I am trying to do so but as all women know, that is easier said than done! But I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have sent me well wishes about the baby.... I really appreciate it. In the meantime we are getting everything prepared chez moi in case we have an early arrival!

So as I have been trying my best to take it easy, this week's post shares with you some great reading for the week.

Fitting in Fashionably in France

I have done a small series of posts for the company Foreign IQ on fitting in fashionably in France. If you are planning a trip to the beautiful country any time soon (or anywhere in Europe for that matter) check out my advice on packing shoes, clothes, accessories and outerwear. You can visit the posts by clicking here or by visiting Foreign IQ's blog: http://www.foreigniq.com/blog

The Daily Mail and Le Point

Along with being featured in The New York Times last week I was also featured on The Daily Mail in the UK and today in France's Le Point (talk about a great week!) To see the articles click on the embedded links.

Giveaway

If you haven't already entered last week's giveaway for the Benedetta eye cream, there is still time. I am announcing the winner on Thursday. As a side note, some of you email subscribers have told me you are unable to leave comments on the giveaway post. Never fear, I am still counting your emails as entries. Good luck!

This week I would love to know... what is your current hairstyle?


Jennifer's book, Lessons from Madame Chic: The Top 20 Things I Learned While Living in Paris, is now available in Paperback, Kindle and Nook.

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