Welcome to The Chic Assignment for November, 2019. This month we are exploring German artists, Johann Sebastian Bach and Caspar David Friedrich. We are also looking at seasonal skincare and food, so let's jump in.



🎵 Chic Assignment no. 1: Listen to Bach Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major The Prelude is the most famous and recognizable portion of this brilliant piece, which will mesmerize and delight you all throughout the month.

Mischa Maisky plays Bach Cello Suite No.1 in G (full)
1. Prelude - 0:00
2. Allermande - 2:45
3. Courante - 7:09
4. Sarabande - 9:47
5. Menuet I / II - 13:41
6. Gigue - 17:38



Yo-Yo Ma playing just the prelude




🖼 Chic Assignment no. 2: Artist in residence: Caspar David Friedrich (5 September 1774 – 7 May 1840) was a 19th-century German Romantic landscape painter, generally considered the most important German artist of his generation. We are going to study his works this month. Visit this website to see a list of his complete works.

We will mainly focus on studying Wanderer above the Sea of Fog (image from Wikipedia)



You can buy a canvas reproduction of Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog here.

🛀 Chic Assignment no. 3: Adjust our seasonal skincare. If you are happy with your routine, then carry on and truly enjoy your nightly skincare ritual. If you need to make seasonal adjustments, do so and delight in them. I'm going through a skincare change myself and will be sharing that on the channel this month.

🥧 Chic Assignment no. 4: Cook (or bake) and enjoy a seasonal dish from scratch. With Thanksgiving approaching in America, this will be a very easy assignment for many. Let's delight in the autumnal recipes available to us and take part in a delightful meal. Whether you bake a pumpkin pie, or make your favorite savory stuffing, make a seasonal dish from scratch and savor not only the eating of the dish, but the preparation also.

I hope you enjoy today's video. I would love to hear your Chic Assignment updates below.

What I'm wearing in today's video:
My headband can be found here.
My earrings can be found here. Code Jennifer10 gives $10 off.
My nail polish can be found here. Code JenniferS gives 25% off first-time orders.
My makeup in this video is by The Organic Skin Co.

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📍Thank you to Draper James for featuring me on your page this week wearing the chambray ruffle dress. What an honor!


📍Visit The Daily Connoisseur merch store for holiday gifts, perfect for fans of The Daily Connoisseur blog. The limited edition Nutcracker mugs are absolutely delightful.



📍Thank you for your wonderful support of my new book, 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.

On Instagram
Thank you for sharing your pictures of Connoisseur Kids on social media. To be featured as Instagram of the week, share a picture of your book with the hashtag #ConnoisseurKids

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Day 24: Do not interrupt your child when he is talking. • • I love my little guy’s chats. The only thing I can’t get behind is the long winded play-by-plays of Minecraft 😆, but I try to humor him and redirect his attention. First Chapter of Connoisseur Kids already has us engaged! We are doing the eye contact assignment and it fit perfectly with today’s mom challenge. Whenever he and I are feeling a little “off” we have a read-aloud and a “night chat” before he goes to bed. Just giving him my full attention with eye contact, until he drifts to sleep, does wonders for him. I know he sometimes feels a little ignored after being the only child for over 5 years and my getting so busy with the baby. It’s good medicine for both of us. #30daymomchallenge #cultivatingmotherhood #connoisseurkids #gentleparenting #eyecontact #dailyconnoisseur #habittraining #intentionalmotherhood #motherculture

A post shared by Jane🍃 (@cultivatingmotherhood) on Sep 13, 2019 at 10:30am PDT

Comment of the Week
Penny writes, "Thank you for this month’s chic assignment and challenge to make sure our sleepwear is in order. Much needed and I found something that feels cozy enough for evenings at home without stifling me while I sleep. Thank you for the enjoyable video. Assignment completed for fall/winter. I might need a refresher for the spring/summer!"


Dear Penny, I'm so glad you enjoyed last month's Chic Assignment on presentable sleepwear. We will definitely revisit the subject again. I could talk about pajamas forever! :)

Thank you for joining me today. I look forward to hearing your Chic Assignment observations as the month goes on. We will explore the topics further in the mid-month check-in.


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

Skincare week continues on The Daily Connoisseur as I try out a new mask today. I love applying a mask once a week as part of a regular skincare routine. In the past I have always used Epicuren's Volcanic Clay mask, but after using this mask for several years, I was looking for something new to try. I knew I wanted to keep it natural so I was excited to try Honey Belle's DIY Detox Mask in charcoal and cardamom.

This is such an innovative mask. You take one tsp of the powder mask mixture and mix it with 1 tsp of liquid. You can use whatever you like: water, apple cider vinegar and even milk.

I apply the mask to great results...

Also, find out what happened while I was waiting for my mask to dry... Yikes! I learned a lesson to only put a mask on at night after everyone has gone to sleep :)

Thank you to Honey Belle for sending me this mask to try. You can learn more about Iris and Honey Belle at HoneyBelleShop.com

I hope you enjoy today's video.

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My new eCourse, Chic Financial Principles for Debt-Free Living, will inspire you to change your shopping and spending habits and encourage you to live richly beneath your means. Here is what Imdur had to say, "I have listened to all of it! Amazing, Jennifer! It was so useful and helpful and I will start on that budget ASAP, and start including rice and beans regularly:) My family loves rice and beans anyways."

Hi Imdur, I joke often throughout the course about rice and beans, but truly the message is to be frugal-minded in all we do, including what with what we eat. That will be different for everyone. I am so happy you enjoyed the course!

On Instagram
I found this older picture from one of my first book signings. A reader waiting to get her copy of Lessons from Madame Chic signed. Wonderful!

Currently waiting to get my copy of #LessonsFromMadameChic signed with @whathonestwords! #AnthroEvents

A post shared by @ elaineliu on Aug 10, 2013 at 11:50am PDT

Comment of the Week
Regarding my pronunciation of the exotic ingredients in Monday's skincare review, Nadine writes, "Very good first time pronunciation of Maori. Harakeke is New Zealand flax and Pohutakawa is known as the New Zealand Christmas tree, kawakawa is used in traditional medicine."

Hi Nadine, thank you for letting us know what these are. I have always wanted to visit New Zealand. I'm sure the land is full of amazing healing plants. Wonderful!

I hope you enjoyed skincare week on The Daily Connoisseur! Today, I would love to know... do you use a mask as part of your skincare routine? Which one is your favorite?


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FTC: This is not a sponsored post. Honey Belle sent me their mask to review. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.

I've been really happy with my skin lately. It's more vibrant and healthy-looking than it's been in years. Many people on the blog have noticed as well and have asked for a skincare update. These are some of the new products I've been testing out and I'm excited to share them with you. I have a mix of natural products, drugstore products and high-end skincare so there is a little something for everyone. Let's get right into it!



Here are the items I discuss in today's video:




Korres Pomegranate Balancing Cream- Gel Moisturizer

The unique lightweight cream-gel is formulated with a blend of 15% pomegranate water, pomegranate extract, alpine willow herb, tannins, and polyphenols to help reduce the appearance of pores and rejuvenate the look of skin while providing a matte finish.

I like it because of its refreshing texture and scent. I also love the salicylic acid component. It's great for acne-prone skin! This really reminds me of the Origins GinZing moisturizer I liked so much. As well as finding it at Sephora, you can find a 2-pack on Amazon.



LaVanila Vanilla Blackberry The Healthy Deodorant

Using natural deodorants is important to me, and I have used them for well over a decade. I have used many various brands, but had never tried LaVanila before. This is a luxurious and delightful deodorant. I love the fresh scent! I show you Vanilla Blackberry in today's video. Here is the information on the deodorant from their website:

An award-winning, aluminum-free deodorant that is 100 percent natural, safe, and effective. Get superior odor protection with this 100 percent natural, freshly scented deodorant. Soothing essential oils blend with beta-glucan technology fight odor effectively while soothing, conditioning, and nourishing the delicate underarm area. It goes on clean, with no sticky wetness, and delivers long-lasting, luxurious results. Check out lavanila.com to see all of their healthy deodorant options.



Vitabrid C12 Face Brightening Powder
This face brightening powder is a really powerful product! I can definitely see a positive difference and vibrancy in my skin since using it. Here are some key points to Vitabrid C12:

It is a skin-applied vitamin C which promotes collagen development underneath your skin. It has a 12-hour continuous release of Vitamin C into the skin, smooths fine lines and wrinkles and diminishes the look of age spots. It restores skin tone and firmness.

You can apply it a few different ways, either by mixing the powder with a small amount of water, serum or oil. Then spread on the skin. I demonstrate how in today's video.

Learn more at vitabrid.com



CereVe Skin Renewing Day Cream Spf 30 Developed with dermatologists, this day cream helps replenish the vital ceramides healthy skin needs. It's Formulated with a unique combination of three ceramides. The CereVe products were recommended to me by a Daily Connoisseur reader who is a pharmacist. She said their composition is very good for the skin. This cream appears to be more expensive on Amazon, so I would check at your local drugstore first before purchasing to see if you can get a better price.



CereVe Renewing Night Cream

This is a solid, no frills night cream that helps to repair and restore the protective skin barrier. The major benefit of this cream is its affordable price (around $13). This was another reader recommended drugstore product.



Frankincense Essential Oil

I've been using a drop of Frankincense essential oil with my moisturizer once a day and it's playing a major part in why my skin is doing so well. This oil is pricey, but the quality is superb. I purchase all of my dōTERRA oils from my dear friend, Antoinette. She is so knowledgeable about oils and has helped me learn so much. Antoinette is a wonderful resource. If you would like to purchase dōTERRA oils, or have any questions for her on their use and application, contact her via her website https://www.mydoterra.com/antoinetteborja/#/

If the dōTERRA oil is not in your budget, there are many frankincense oils offered for cheaper prices on Amazon, although I can't vouch for their quality. This one from Living Pure is offered at a significant discount and has good reviews on Amazon.

Frankincense essential oil is a powerful astringent, meaning it helps protect skin cells. It can be used to help reduce acne blemishes, the appearance of large pores, prevent wrinkles, and it even helps lift and tighten skin to naturally slow signs of aging.

Check out what people are saying about dōTERRA Frankincense Essential Oil on Amazon, although if you decide to purchase, I highly recommend doing so from Antoinette directly from dōTERRA to take advantage of the rewards points, etc.

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Let's see what's happening around Instagram...

Someone is taking notes from Lessons from Madame Chic in Poland...

A post shared by Imperium Kobiecości (@imperium_kobiecosci) on Mar 13, 2017 at 7:29am PDT

I love this elegant red lace dress. What a great shot of the book!

A post shared by ALTANA DANZHALOVA (@altanadanzhalova) on Feb 9, 2017 at 5:59pm PST

Comment of the Week
Gumbo Lily writes:
Jennifer, I live 60 miles from the nearest grocery store and therefore I have a pretty well-stocked kitchen. Living in the country forces me to cook with what I have. Fortunately I have laying hens which provide fresh eggs, a freezer full of beef (we're cattle ranchers) and I also stock some frozen fish and pork. I like to use frozen vegetables and fruits too. We do run out of fresh fruit/veg, but the frozen works great.

I thought all of your meals looked delicious. We are huge fans of the pot pie -- beef or chicken -- so yours looked especially yummy to me. We eat lots of egg dishes for breakfast and hot oatmeal with fruit and pan-toasted walnuts.

Hi Lily, thank you for your comment. I loved hearing about what you eat in the country as cattle ranchers! Your blog looks lovely too. It looks like you have such a fun life on the ranch. Thank you for sharing it with us!

Thank you for joining me for today's skincare video. I would love to know what your skincare favorites are right now. Do you have any good recommendations for us? Let me know if you'd like me to share my skincare routine in another video. See you on Thursday!


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FTC: This is not a sponsored post. Opinions are always my own. Some skincare items were sent to me to review. This post may contain affiliate links.

This week we are talking about skincare updates. My skin has been "acting out" recently due to stress. Whenever this happens, I push the pause button and know that my body is trying to tell me to relax! Can you relate?

This video shares some tips I recently gleaned from my esthetician, Juliana, at Petite Spa. She recommended I use an oil for my skin. To which I replied, "An oil? Are you serious?"

She was, in fact, serious and I'm so glad I listened to her! I show you my calendula oil by Eminence in the video, but you can also use a coconut oil, sweet almond oil or even an olive oil (I hear this is one of Sofia Loren's beauty secrets), all of which can be purchased at your local grocery or health food store.

Many people have also asked me if I remove my makeup before using the Clarisonic. My answer is, I do now! I share how I remove my makeup in the video and show you what I am currently using for eye and face makeup removal.

Finally, many of you have written to me telling me you'd love to try the Clarisonic, but it is not in your budget. I am trying out the Spa Sonic, which retails at around 1/3 of the price of the Clarisonic. I'll do a more comprehensive review of the spa sonic, as well as a giveaway, in a few weeks.

If you are unable to see this week's video, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit my channel, www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur

I urge you to become a connoisseur of your own skin... learn to read it and more important, to listen to it. Listen to your skin when it is trying to tell you something. Never give up your curiosity about how to best care for it and don't make assumptions (like me, assuming that oil is detrimental to the skin!) about new ideas. The most expensive products don't always equal what's best for you. Look at the beautiful Sofia Loren... olive oil sure worked for her :)

This week I would love to know... what are your skincare updates?

See you soon! xx

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I love to do giveaways because it makes me happy to give back to you.

This week I have an exciting giveaway for you from one of my favorite organic, holistic, eco-friendly and (very important) high quality skincare companies, Benedetta.

A little bit about Benedetta:

Benedetta, founded in 1996, is a 100% botanical, Farm-Sourced™, skin care company. Each holistic formula is made in small batches with a focus on Certified Organic and Biodynamic™ ingredients, many California grown. The skin recognizes these vibrant and fresh ingredients, and is fed their viable nutrients, much like receiving better nourishment from eating organic and alive foods.

As a result, Benedetta preparations feed your skin, and have shown to CORRECT, PROTECT, and REJUVENATE with continued success.

The lovely Julia from Benedetta has offered to do this generous giveaway for readers of the Daily Connoisseur.


The winner of this giveaway will receive an On The Go Bag (suited to their skin type), Precious and Nourishing Antioxidant Facial Oil (for dry or oilier skin), and the Seaweed Mask (all together a $140 value).

The On The Go Bag contains a cream cleanser, a hydrating elixir and a visibly radiant moisturizer. The winner will choose between the following based on their skin type:

Drier- Neroli
Oilier- Ylang Ylang
Most- Rosemary Verbenone

Precious & Nourishing Facial Oils correct free radical damage deeper into the skin, reduce age spots and are anti-wrinkle. The winner will choose between Palmarosa (normal to dry) and Geranium (oily).

The Seaweed Mask detoxes, is anti-wrinkle, soothes puffiness and provides blemish control.

GIVEAWAY RULES

Please note, due to restrictions, this giveaway is only available for United States residents only.

To enter this giveaway please:

1. Leave a comment below stating your first name, last initial and city and state where you live.

2. Let us know what you love about your skin.

3. To be entered into the giveaway twice like Benedetta's Facebook page here. (Please let me know that you have done so so I can enter you twice).

Good luck! I will be announcing the winner one week from today.


To learn more about Benedetta, visit their website at www.benedetta.com or click here.



See you next week where I will be answering reader questions. Have a great weekend!


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Skincare Tip

This week's video shares with you my number one skincare tip. Once I discovered it, it changed my skin for the better in so many ways.

Many of us tend to overcleanse our skin. We do a major routine morning and night. I still do my thorough skincare routine at night, which can involve any of the following: cleanser with the Clarisonic, the occasional mask, toner, exfoliant, serum, moisturizer and eye cream (phew!).

In the morning, however, all I do is splash lukewarm water on my face and then apply moisturizer and sunscreen. That's it! Doing so preserves my skin's natural oils and avoids the pitfalls that can come with overcleansing (breakouts, fine lines, dryness).

Check out my video to learn more about how this marvelous tip will change your skincare routine. 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

Lessons from Madame Chic Down Under

I wanted to share this gorgeous Christmas card HarperCollins Australia is using to promote Lessons from Madame Chic for the holidays. Isn't it divine?

Until next time...

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Do you remember the video I did on Benedetta's Best Deodorant? I had discovered Benedetta in the Santa Monica Marketplace by my home and recorded the video after having fallen in love with their beautifully made, organic products. Since then I've gotten to know the owner of Benedetta, Julia Faller, who is a lovely woman, totally committed to her company and to producing high quality organic and biodynamic beauty products that are also earth friendly.

Recently Julia and her team sent me a pampering package to congratulate me on having my baby, which included Benedetta's amazing Seaweed Bath, Seaweed Mask and Blossom Hydrosol. These products are not only interesting and effective but innovative as well. And the great news is Benedetta has kindly offered to give away one Seaweed Bath to a reader of The Daily Connoisseur!


Benedetta has this to say about their Seaweed Bath:

This amazing bath combines three therapies for a truly indulgent, cleansing experience. Strengthening, calming and detoxifying, this Seaweed Bath is all that and so much more. Our Bath combines the effects of Balneotherapy (bathing in water hot enough as to be therapeutic), Thalassotherapy (therapy from the sea) and the power of Aromatherapy. Seaweeds are known thyroid tonics, aiding the natural processes of the body. This bath will leave your skin silky smooth. Our Bath oil is a blend of strengthening, immune enhancing and antiviral Essential Oils. Combined with the relaxing and purging effects of a hot bath, the union of these three therapies makes this Seaweed Bath a powerful, luxurious treatment.

Just this past weekend I used the Seaweed Bath again after one of those very loooong days where I felt completely exhausted and spent. After a 20 minute soak in the bath I felt rejuvenated and re-energized. I really love it and am very excited that one of you dear readers will get to try it too!

Be sure to watch my video to see the Seaweed Bath, Seaweed Mask and Blossom Hydrosol. If you are unable to see my embedded video, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur

The giveaway is open to all readers who follow The Daily Connoisseur.

To enter the giveaway simply leave a comment below either on the blog or on the YouTube video telling us:

1. Where your favorite seaside retreat is (to keep with the seaweed theme, you see).

2. How you follow The Daily Connoisseur (Email subscriber, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Google Reader, etc.)

3. Unless you have a very unique online handle, please leave your first name, last initial and location so as to avoid any confusion when announcing the winner.

4. To be entered into the giveaway twice, 'like' Benedetta's Facebook Page (and be sure to let me know you've done so).

The winner will be announced next week! Best of luck.

To learn more about Benedetta, click here, or visit www.benedetta.com

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Before this week's post begins, you will probably notice that The Daily Connoisseur has an entirely new look! Thank you to Smitten Blog Designs for making my vision come to life...

And now for this week's post on The Perils of Salon Visits...

Last week I ventured out of bed rest to go get my eyebrows done (I get mine threaded). I was very overdue for this beauty maintenance fix that I am normally quite regular with. I know I was at home and eyebrows don't really matter when one is on bed rest but I was longing for some fresh air and I live quite close to the salon. So I made the trek.

When I walked into the salon they put me with a new lady, one who had never worked on me before. I wasn't worried because I've been treated by everyone in the salon and have always had great results. Still, as a peremptory warning, I requested before she began, "Please do not make my eyebrows thin". I have a hard time growing my eyebrows out and have had bad experiences in the past (namely with waxing) where the brow person has taken off too much.

Unfortunately, I think my new brow lady only heard, "Please make them thin", because when she finished, I regarded in horror my new emaciated eyebrows. I was so speechless I could not even complain. I just paid my bill and hobbled back to bed rest to forget about the entire situation (that is probably what I get for disobeying doctor's orders!)

This all got me thinking about the perils of salon visits. We go hoping to achieve a certain result and sometimes we leave less than satisfied. I know a lot of people have this trouble when they get their hair done.

Sometimes it is the way we communicate with our beauty practitioners that is key. Now I know to say, "Please clean up my brows, do not shape", when I visit my brow salon again. That command is less open to interpretation.

Another issue I had been dealing with of late is my skin having unfavorable reactions to certain beauty treatments. Which prompted me to do this week's video (which was shot before the eyebrow debacle), where I share with you a top skincare tip for sensitive skin.

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.

So as I sit here impatiently growing my eyebrows back, I would love to know... do you have any disastrous salon stories?


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A daily connoisseur seeks the best in every category of life and yes, that includes deodorant! After using drug store deodorants for much of my teens and early twenties I always felt disappointed and unsatisfied. I never liked the chemical composition, the artificial fragrance and the white flaky mess that was usually left behind after an application. Also drug store deodorants don’t tend to react well to my body chemistry and I would end up emitting a strange, metallic scent when I wore them.

Yet when I tried all natural deodorants from the natural grocery stores I never felt they were very efficient. For a few years I have used the Superbly Efficient Anti-Perspirant and Deodorant Cream from Kiehl’s. This is a really nice product that goes on like a cream to the underarm area. But I am happy to say that I’ve found a deodorant that I like even more: Benedetta The Best Deodorant.



Yes, the name has a lot to live up to. After all if you claim to be the best then you better deliver! Benedetta is an all natural skincare line that takes a holistic approach to beauty- the ingredients in their products are all organic and biodynamic. I discovered them at their new boutique in the Santa Monica Place Market by my home (which, by the way, I love).

So after spotting their star product, The Best Deodorant, I had to buy it and try it out. The deodorant goes on as a spray. You only need one or two sprays under each arm. The scent is lavender. The deodorant does not contain aluminum, propylene glycol or parabens so it keeps you odor free safely.

I am completely hooked. I love it and wanted to share it with you. The only downside is it is a bit pricey. The large deodorant is $20 for 2.6 fluid ounces. But because it is a concentrated formula a little really does go a long way. I bought mine well over a month ago, have used it every day since, and still have a lot left.

To learn more about my new favorite deodorant watch the above video. 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

To learn more about Benedetta click here.

To see their Best Deodorant click here.

In other beauty news, I was reading Maria Menounos’ book The EveryGirl’s Guide to Life and was interested by her suggestions for face towels. A while back when I posted about my skincare routine I mentioned that I always use a separate face towel when drying off my face. I usually change this towel twice a week. But Menounos suggests that you change your face towel every time you wash your face! I suppose it makes sense (to keep bacteria at bay) and I have tried it out this week although now I have much more laundry and my skincare neurosis has been taken to the next level!

Book News
Writer Cindy La Ferle writes about Lessons from Madame Chic in her article this week called Facebook Party Pooper. In the article she brings up some great points on privacy, social media and an air of mystery. To see the article click here or visit www.laferle.com. Thank you Cindy!

So, this week I would love to know two things… what is your favorite deodorant? And what are your thoughts on face towels?



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This week I have an exciting skincare review for you. Sibu Beauty sent me three items from their all natural skincare line to review on The Daily Connoisseur. I received the items a few months ago and have since had a chance to fully experience their benefits.

Sibu Beauty skincare is all natural and uses the ancient Sea Buckthorn Berry as its star ingredient. I’d never heard of this berry before but then I googled it and read several articles on its miraculous healing and anti-aging properties. Naturally, I became intrigued.

After using the Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser, Hydrating Serum and Replenishing Night Cream (pictured above) the first evening, I awoke the next day to find my skin was almost a completely different texture. It felt smooth, tight and hydrated. This is the first time I’ve ever used skincare products and seen such drastic results after only one day- I was even more intrigued! I then used the cleanser, serum and night cream trio every night for the next month and a half all the way through my England trip and was so pleased with the results I’m going to call this a Holy Grail beauty find! I love that it is all natural, smells divine and performs really well with my skin.

Unfortunately Sibu is only shipping to the United States and Canada at the moment. For customers in the UK they are available at Victoria Health. For all others that are unable to get the products, I would recommend contacting Sibu Beauty directly and requesting they ship to your country or to stockists in your area. Perhaps if the demand is there they will supply!

The Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser sells for $17.95

The Sea Buckthorn Hydrating Serum sells for $39.95

The Sea Buckthorn Replenishing Night Cream sells for $34.95

They sell all three in their Luxe Kit for $89.95

For more information and an even more comprehensive review, please watch my video below. If you are unable to see the embedded video, please click here, look in the sidebar of this blog or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur





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Hello everyone- I’m writing to you from England…

We’ve spent the week mainly adjusting to the new time zone (the flight was a bit of a cauchemar) and since I am staying in the countryside I have not made it to London yet but have spent a lot of afternoons eating roasts and sipping cups of tea (it’s been raining).

This weekend I went to Kew Gardens- the beautiful Royal botanical gardens in Richmond- unfortunately I was caught in a torrential downpour of rain the entire time I was there but did take refuge with my fellow companions in the beautiful Victorian greenhouse (pictured above) to see the lovely rare plants and the magnificent architecture of the century + old building. It's the biggest Victorian era greenhouse in the world (it took 38 years to build!)

Even though it was raining I couldn’t have been happier to be stranded in the greenhouse because along with loving the Art Deco period I have a dear love for the Victorian era as well. I love the architecture, the sentiments, the customs… so I was in heaven wandering around learning the Latin names of my favorite plants, gazing at the rotund fish in the Koi pond and pretending I was a Victorian lady strolling in my botanical haven. Sigh!


Up the spiral staircase:



A view from the top:



The Erica plant with its delicate pink blooms:


Caught in a downpour. Le no makeup look= all washed up!:


I hope to go back one day when the sun is out and explore the gardens further.

Meanwhile this week on The Daily Connoisseur will have a skin care theme to it. Josephine from the wonderful blog Tale Peddler requested that I do a video on my Clarisonic Mia- which I’ve been blogging about for some time. To see the video you can click here, look in the sidebar of this blog or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur

Later this week I will post a blog and video on how I keep my skin clear and free of breakouts, including a review of an impressive new acne control product that has recently launched at Sephora.

And you’ll be interested to know that I am in the midst of trying out an all natural skincare line made from an ancient berry that could quite possibly become the Holy Grail of skincare for me (I’ve been using it for two weeks and have already seen incredible changes to the texture of my skin). I won’t post my review until I’ve tried the line for a whole month but when I do I can’t wait to share it with you.

I would love to know... do you have a Clarisonic? What are your thoughts on it?

Until later this week…

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