Welcome to the season finale for The Chic Assignment. What an enjoyable ride it has been as we have immersed ourselves in beautiful arts and culture and bettered our everyday lives through meaningful habits. I would like to thank you for joining us this year.



The Chic Assignment will take a break in January, but we plan to resume in February. If you have any requests for future assignments, please leave them in the comments below.

Our family has safely arrived in England and today's check-in is very special, as you will see glimpses of the English countryside and festive visuals from this time of year.

Tchaikovsky, Dickens, the present moment, and stress management. These were the themes for December.

Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite Op. 71a is always a welcome treat to listen to this time of year. I've even been known to play it in the month of July to feel Christmas nostalgia. Does anyone else do this too? We will explore Tchaikovsky's biography in a future Chic Assignment. This episode focuses largely on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, which is read beautifully by Ben.

Looking at the portraits of the Tudors at Hampton Court Palace, made me further ponder how short life can be. It's important to remain present with our family so that we don't miss the specialness of the season.

I was able to practice "not stressing the small stuff", which was Chic Assignment number 4, on the plane ride over. It's not easy taking a long-haul flight with four kids (including a baby and toddler!) So not stressing the small stuff was a must for me. I have to say that in order to get through the flight I had to also remain very present and accepting of the circumstances. Lots of prayer was happening too :)

Thank you for joining me for a wonderful year of Chic Assignments. What an enjoyable treat it has been to do this with you each month. As mentioned, I will take January off for the Chic Assignment, and it will resume in February, 2020.

I would like to thank the Elegant Connoisseurs, the top tier of the Memberships feature on my YouTube channel. Some of the ladies are artists, some business women, some are content creators, some are working professionals, and some are homemakers, all fascinating and lovely women. I appreciate your patronage!

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🇬🇧 #England #hamptoncourt #ivisiteverytime #tudors #henryviii #royals #dailyconnoisseur #connoisseurkids #lessonsfrommadamechic

A post shared by Jennifer L. Scott (@dailyconnoisseur) on Dec 22, 2019 at 4:49am PST

Comment of the Week
On Instagram, jayasjohnson writes, "So refreshing to see an Instagram picture where the person is not angled to the side and is smiling normally and happily. You look gorgeous! Merry Christmas !"

Jaya, your comment made me laugh. Thank you! I can't stand the fake poses either :) Merry Christmas.


I hope you enjoyed today's Chic Assignment season finale. I would love to know how the assignment this month impacted you. I am wishing you a very Merry Christmas and I will see you soon.

With love,

Jennifer


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To all of my American readers, I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I truly enjoyed my time off. We had family in town and it was wonderful to take a break and just be really present and enjoy their company.



What an amazing year this has been! The Chic Assignment has been an enjoyable addition to each month. The final assignment of the year is going to look a little different. My hope for you this month is that you remain present and enjoy your time with your family and friends. I know that we all have so many commitments and it can get stressful, so I do not want to add to that stress. Let's jump right in to this month's assignment, which is designed to bring joy.

🎄 Chic Assignment no. 1 Enjoy Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite Op 71a. You knew we had to enjoy Tchaikovsky this month. The Nutcracker ballet is one of my favorites and the music is amazing in its own right. At least once this month have this enchantingly beautiful music playing in the background to accompany your day.

I am listing a YouTube video that you can watch for free that has the Nutcracker Suite, Op 71a



The Nutcracker is a two-act ballet, with a score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Tchaikovsky made a selection of eight of the numbers from the ballet, forming The Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a, intended for concert performance. The Nutcracker Suite should not be mistaken for the complete ballet. The outline below represents the selection and sequence of the Nutcracker Suite culled by the composer in the YouTube video I am featuring here.

I. Miniature Overture 0:00
II. Danses caractéristiques
--a. Marche 3:29
--b. Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy 5:59
--c. Russian Dance (Trepak) 7:47
--d. Arabian Dance 8:58
--e. Chinese Dance 12:04
--f. Reed-Flutes 13:05
III. Waltz of the Flowers 15:15

During The Chic Assignment check-in, I will share Tchaikovsky's biography with you. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy listening to The Nutcracker Suite or seeing the ballet in person.

🎄 Chic Assignment no. 2 Enjoy Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens... an absolute Christmas classic. This month we are reading an excerpt from this famous tale. I will begin the excerpt and in The Chic Assignment check-in, Ben will read the second half. You can leave it there and simply enjoy the readings, or you can read A Christmas Carol for yourself, or watch one of the films made based on the story. Here is a link to A Christmas Carol on Amazon.

🎄Chic Assignment no. 3 Remain present The next two Chic Assignments are quite simple. During this bustling and hectic time of year we can get overwhelmed. I just want you to remain as present as possible and enjoy the season. Perhaps cut back on social media during this time, for example. Be very present with your family and friends while you are with them and enjoy their company.

🎄 Chic Assignment no. 4 Don't stress over the small things If you are hosting over the holidays, but tend to stress out over the house, food, and everything else. Be aware of your stress levels and don't sweat the small stuff. Often the things we get stressed about are the details that only we notice anyway. Prioritize enjoying the season over having everything perfect.

I am looking forward to all that December has to bring!

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Connoisseur Kids on Instagram...

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Got a package! Wonderful gift from US 🎁 Can't wait to read all of these great books! Książki, które bardzo chciałam przeczytać, a których nie ma jeszcze na polskim rynku, stoją już na mojej półce 😊❤️ "Connoisseur Kids" to najnowsza publikacja autorki serii o Madame Chic, czyli praktycznego przewodnika dla kobiet, chcących wieść swoje życie z klasą. Znacie "Lekcje Madame Chic", lubicie? Dla mnie jest to bardzo inspirująca lektura i sięgam po nią zawsze, gdy potrzebuję nowej dawki motywacji. Jeśli jeszcze nie czytałyście książek Jennifer L. Scott, zapraszam na mojego bloga, gdzie znajdziecie krótką recenzję całej serii. Link jak zawsze w opisie profilu 😊 #bookstagram #booklover #thedailyconnoisseur #madamechic #thedarlingacademy #books #kochamksiążki #nowościwydawnicze #englishliterature #lady #ladylike #ladysbook #classylady #newyorkstyle #newyorkmug #americanliterature #homeschool #homeschoolingbooks #edukacjadomowa #charlottemaison

A post shared by Ola (@sous_le_ciel_de_varsovie) on Nov 28, 2019 at 5:16am PST

Comment of the Week
Terra writes, "Jennifer you elevate quality of life to a beautiful level, thank you for your talent and efforts to help everyone including young people. I happened as a preteen to come across a book in the school library, " A New You, The art of good Grooming" by Emily Wilkens. I haven't had such a feeling of growth, and happiness since,till now. I truly cherish my time of learning through Daily Connoisseur. Thank you, I am grateful."


Dear Terra, thank you for your kind comment on YouTube! I am very grateful to you and everyone who is a part of the Daily Connoisseur community. I am so happy to hear that the blog is a source of inspiration for you. Thank you!

Please check in with your Chic Assignment observations this month. I just love your comments. Use the hashtag #TheChicAssignment on social media.


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"There's nothing here to KonMarie. Don't you know I have a ten-item wardrobe?" OK, so you might not have ever uttered that phrase, but in today's video, Things Daily Connoisseurs Say, you might find some other phrases you've been known to say.



I had a lot of fun creating this skit, which is a parody of our Daily Connoisseur channel, but also encapsulates so much of what we talk about every day. I hope today's video gives you a good chuckle. If you ever find yourself saying these lines, you are most likely a Daily Connoisseur!

The apron I'm wearing in the video was a gift from my mother-in-law. I love it. So pretty!

I would love to know... which phrase resonates with you the most?

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📍I'm a guest on MacKenzie Koppa's Cultivating the Lovely podcast. Check out our fun interview about motherhood, Paris, Madame Chic and cultivating the lovely when you are in the trenches of life! :)

📍The Chic February Assignment is in full gear! I have really enjoyed hearing your updates. Check in with me in the comment section and let me know how your assignment this month is going.

📍Check out my affordable eCourses, Chic Financial Principles for Debt-Free Living and Create Your Own Ten-item Wardrobe.


On Instagram
At Home with Madame Chic in Poland...

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#edit - nawet nie zauważyłam, że #książka jest do #górynogami #hahaha 😂😂😂 #takżeten #poniedziałek mimo, że #wolny to #zakręcony #wdomumadamechic #jenniferlscott #książkazamiastserialu #czytambolubię #wydawnictwoliterackie #wąchamksiążki #wolnyponiedziałek #oksy #whiteglasses #różowesłuchawki #sony #niemanudy #nieczytasznieideztobądołóżka #pożyczonaksiążka #opole #wrocław

A post shared by El P (@popardowsky) on Feb 18, 2019 at 3:39am PST

Daily Connoisseur Testimonial
Jane H. writes, "I've been slowly trying to incorporate Madame Chic's wisdom into our household (recently married couple in early 30's). It's funny, because yesterday I was procrastinating writing a huge paper for school and cleaned the house for most of the day. For half of the day I wore pajama pants and a college T-shirt. I was listening to an audiobook and then your YouTube videos as I cleaned, and realized that I really should wear actual clothing. We rarely have people over, but its been my habit that I just wear ugly, comfortable but definitely not presentable clothing while at home- so that even if FedEx knocks, I would be too embarrassed to open the door. Why would I continue with this behavior? So, I simply put on a nice t-shirt and some shorts, nothing fancy, but something you can be seen in outside. I later even donned an apron while cooking. My husband came home and pleasantly laughed that I appeared domestic. This morning instead of wearing pajamas or a dressing gown I braided my hair and put on a summer dress (I live in FL, and it will be mid 80's today). Again, nothing fancy, but I feel good about myself. I will say that it takes some courage to get out of your comfort zone. Thank you for being a motivation and inspiration."

Jane, how wonderful. I love your story. I went through a similar mind-shift and it's been life-changing!

Comment of the Week
On last week's etiquette conundrum video, Inspired by Nikki wrote, "Good morning Jennifer! Oh no, the chamber pot! These are wonderful videos, I love them so much. Thank you both for doing these, it’s always nice to hear Ben’s take, he had me laughing with his response to the country club lady🌹"

Thank you, Nikki! We enjoy doing this etiquette series and plan to turn it into a regular event here on The Daily Connoisseur. The country club conundrum was my favorite of all the stories :)

I would love to know... which phrase have you been known to say in today's video? Let us know and your comment could be comment of the week on The Daily Connoisseur.


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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

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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



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