In today's teatime with Jennifer, I answer a question from a reader who asks for motivation on dressing well. Amber writes:

Hi Jennifer,

I have been following your blog since Autumn of this year. How helpful your advice has been in helping me to keep a calm, well-kept home for my growing family. I am still having some struggles, however, with my personal routine. My children are babies, and I stay at home. I like to get the most messy housework done early in the day, and exercise during nap time around the middle of the day. My goals prevent me from a solid dressing and toilette routine, as I do not want to spend the time on hair, makeup, and nice clothes if they are going to be undone with cleaning and exercise! I would be so grateful for insights into your routine. I am also wondering if you wear clothes from your extras for housework. Thank you so much!

Sincerely,
Amber

Amber's concern is very valid. I receive this question a lot! What is the point of dressing up each day, when it will all be undone shortly thereafter? I answer Amber's question in today's video, along with commentary on an article I posted recently on my Facebook page, that drew a lot of fire: The Chicago Tribune's opinion piece, Unless You're Doing Yoga, Put on Some Real Pants. This article drew a lot of anger on Facebook, but I explain in this video why I think many of its points are valid.

I hope you enjoy teatime with Jennifer this week!

Also, did you notice? I got a new video camera and microphone! I am stepping up my efforts to make my videos better for you in every way. Thank you for your patience as I get used to using my new technology.

Comment of the Week
Summer S. writes:
My husband and I decided we needed to get back into making weekly dinners. I was writing out our schedule this week and went to check on your post and laughed at our serendipitous topic. In the summer time I often make lunch a big salad, whatever I might have in the fridge or want to put in it varies. I also enjoy tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, olive oil, and salt and pepper! That is very satisfying and maybe add a glass of lemonade. I also LOVE cucumber sandwiches when it is REALLY hot!

In the winter/fall I usually have deli meat roll-ups with cream cheese and fruit or carrots. Sometimes I'll splurge and have a PB and J sandwich with my boys!

Thank you for sharing what you eat for lunch, Summer. I love to know what other people eat. I'm happy to hear that you and your husband are getting back into making weekly dinners!

Today I would love to know... what do you think about the thoughts discussed in this week's video? Do you think it's important to dress well every day? Can you get your messy work done in your nice clothes? If you try it, let me know how it goes! What do you think of the Chicago Tribune article? See you Monday!


Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter


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

This week we are examining how we present ourselves. You know one of my mottos from Lessons from Madame Chic is "look presentable always". While this seems like a superficial goal, it is actually quite powerful. Making it our goal to look presentable every single day (whatever our best is for that day) puts out the message that we respect ourselves and the people we come in contact with. That we have the energy to put our best foot forward and that by adorning ourselves we are in our own way celebrating life.



Looking presentable should not be high-maintenance or unattainable. It should be easy and fun! Which is why I did this week's video showing you an easy, yet elegant braided updo. This tutorial is for women with medium to long hair. If you have short hair you can modify it by creating two side braids and pinning them back... play with it and find what works for you. 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



To continue the theme I am so happy to introduce to you The Lost Art of Dress by Linda Przybyszewski. This fascinating book explores the history (and downfall) of American dress in a witty and entertaining way. It is a book that I know many of you will love.

I was very honored to have my book blurb included on its cover:

"An invaluable resource of inspiration. The Lost Art of Dress calls us to resurrect our stylish roots and bring tasteful beauty back to our everyday routine." -Jennifer L. Scott, author of Lessons from Madame Chic

Here is the description from Amazon:

As a glance down any street in America quickly reveals, American women have forgotten how to dress. We chase fads, choose inappropriate materials and unattractive cuts, and waste energy tottering in heels when we could be moving gracefully. Quite simply, we lack the fashion know-how we need to dress professionally and flatteringly.

As historian and expert dressmaker Linda Przybyszewski reveals in The Lost Art of Dress, it wasn’t always like this. In the first half of the twentieth century, a remarkable group of women—the so-called Dress Doctors—taught American women how to stretch each yard of fabric and dress well on a budget. Knowledge not money, they insisted, is the key to timeless fashion. Based in Home Economics departments across the country, the Dress Doctors offered advice on radio shows, at women’s clubs, and in magazines. Millions of young girls read their books in school and at 4-H clothing clubs. As Przybyszewski shows, the Dress Doctors’ concerns weren’t purely superficial: they prized practicality, and empowered women to design and make clothing for both the workplace and the home. They championed skirts that would allow women to move about freely and campaigned against impractical and painful shoes. Armed with the Dress Doctors’ simple design principles—harmony, proportion, balance, rhythm, emphasis—modern American women from all classes could learn to dress for all occasions in a way that made them confident, engaged members of society.

A captivating and beautifully-illustrated look at the world of the Dress Doctors, The Lost Art of Dress introduces a new audience to their timeless rules of fashion and beauty—rules which, with a little help, we can certainly learn again.

Basic Books have been kind enough to offer to give away 5 copies of The Lost Art of Dress to readers of the Daily Connoisseur! Please enter via the rafflecopter widget below. This giveaway is open to US residents only (my apologies to our international readers but I do not set these guidelines).

a Rafflecopter giveaway


The five winners will be announced on the widget and contacted directly once the giveaway is over next week.

Best of luck!

For more information on Linda Przybyszewski you can visit her at http://www.professorpski.com/



Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter