Welcome to The Chic Assignment for June, 2020. Before we begin, I would like to thank you as our channel has reached over 80,000 subscribers! This is a big milestone for my small channel and I appreciate each and every one of you who has subscribed. Thank you very much for your support of The Daily Connoisseur.



There are so many horrible things going on in the world right now... I hope The Chic Assignment provides a respite for you. Let's take a look at this month's assignments:

⚜️ Chic Assignment No. 1 W.A.Mozart Horn Concerto Nr.3 KV.447 in E flat major I.Allegro
Can you believe we haven't studied Mozart yet? Well, there's no time like the present. This month we are going to enjoy one of Mozart's famous horn concertos.

Here is a performance by by Radek Baborák


We will study Mozart's biography in the mid-month check-in.


⚜️ Chic Assignment no. 2 Enjoy the art of Mary Cassatt


Young Mother Sewing, 1900 by Mary Cassatt

Mary Cassatt is the American impressionist painter who loved to portray women in both social and intimate settings. Enjoy her artwork this month and observe her beautiful paintings.

Here is a great article on how Mary Cassatt painted domestic life in a way that Impressionist males couldn't.

We will go more in-depth into her paintings in the mid-month check-in.

⚜️ Chic Assignment no. 3 Begin to use one elegant thing you own, but hardly ever use. For examples, please see my video here and look forward to a new video this month with part 2.

⚜️ Chic Assignment no. 4 Spend meaningful time outdoors When we do go outside we can be preoccupied with our thoughts or our smartphones. Let's try to spend some meaningful time outdoors this month, if you are able to go outside.

As for books, I am still reading (but almost done with) Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow.

Thank you for joining me for The Chic Assignment this month. I hope you will invite a friend who would love to add culture and beauty to their life.

News
📍Thank you for 80,000 subscribers on YouTube! I appreciate you very much.

📍Take my new eCourse, Carry Yourself with Poise. There are so many amazing ladies on this course, bonding and building friendships as we rally around elegant living. Tamara writes, "I absolutely adored this course! One of the best investments I have ever made in my life. Jennifer, I would like to thank you for taking the time to create a course that is enriching. I look forward future courses."

📍Become a member of The Daily Connoisseur through the MEMBERSHIPS feature. I do one livestream as well 3 episodes of my new Vodcast (a video podcast) per month. (Link must be accessed on a computer.) I often discuss more controversial and sensitive issues on memberships, that do not make it to YouTube and last month we had a great Zoom call with all of the participants.

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

On Instagram
Lessons from Madame Chic on Instagram... Tag me with you book photos with #jenniferlscott #lessonsfrommadamechic or #connoisseurkids

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Lessons from Madame Chic : 20 Stylish Secrets I Learned While Living in Paris - Jennifer L. Scott 5k/📖 Cr : Pinterest #jenniferlscott #lessonsfrommadamechic

A post shared by Booplesnoot Novel Ebooks (@booplesnoot.novel) on May 25, 2020 at 10:23pm PDT

Comment of the Week
pneu writes, "Delighting in the mundane is so important; thank you for sharing. We can view the innumerable tasks that make up our day as tedious, or we can choose mindfulness and take interest in the details.

Your grin as you ducked through the grape arbor reminded me of an interaction I had the other day: an acquaintance politely mocked me for my enthusiasm about the small things in life, like a bright blue robin's egg in the forest near my home, the smell of clean laundry, and my unvaried cup of coffee that delights me every morning. I just smiled and thought, "Yes, but I'm so much happier than you are..."

As a word nerd, I was interested to discover that 'mundane' comes from the Latin for 'world'. It is the mundane that makes up our world and proves a daily testing ground for character, kindness, and joy. Like you, I choose joy!

P.S. I'm delighted that your toenails look like ripe strawberries. :)"


Thank you... I loved your comment! And yes, I realize after you commented that my toes did look like strawberries :)

Thank you for joining us for The Chic Assignment for June. I look forward to hearing your observations. Tag me on social media with #thechicassignment


*NEW* Join The Chic Society on YouTube and become a member of The Daily Connoisseur.

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FTC: Today's video is not sponsored. I use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links.

Welcome to The Chic Assignment for February, 2020.



In this first Chic Assignment of the year, we are focusing on romance. I have chosen one of my all-time favorite (and most romantic, may I add) classical music pieces, we are studying beautiful impressionistic artwork, and striving to improve our everyday lives.

⚜️ Chic Assignment no. 1 Tomaso Albinoni's Adagio in G Minor. I have raved about this piece many times on the channel, but we have never actually studied it for a Chic Assignment. What a better time than now to dive into the deeply romantic Adagio in G Minor. This performance by HAUSER has over 45 million views, and for good reason! Enjoy this show-stopping performance with your family this month.



We will learn more about Albinoni in the check-in later in the month.

⚜️ Chic Assignment no. 2 Enjoy the works of Edgar Degas. Degas is one of the most famous French painters of the Impressionistic period. His ballerinas are at once dynamic and romantic.


The Star, 1878 by Degas Image from Edgar-Degas.net

You can see Degas' complete works here.

If you would like to buy a canvas print of Degas' works, you can find a great selection here.

Here are some interesting books on Degas: Degas: A Passion for Perfection , Degas: His Life and Works in 500 Images.

⚜️Chic Assignment no. 3 Intentional downtime. Notice how you spend your downtime this month. If you have a few minutes to yourself, do you inevitably reach for your phone? Do you spend it mindlessly surfing the internet? If you would like to get more intentional about your downtime this month, join me in noticing your downtime patterns and perhaps changing them.

⚜️ Chic Assignment no. 4 Do something romantic this month. This does not have to involve a significant other. You can place a pretty bouquet by your bed, read poetry by the fireplace, or enjoy a cup of tea in a bubble bath as some examples. Add some romance into your daily life this month and notice the benefits.


I hope you enjoy today's video and this month's assignments. Be sure to check in with your findings and you could be mentioned in The Chic Assignment check-in later in the month. Share this with your friends and tag me on social media with the hashtag #TheChicAssignment

See you on Monday!

Visit my newly designed Author Website

*NEW* Join The Chic Society on YouTube and become a member of The Daily Connoisseur.

Shop my Amazon page for a comprehensive list of my favorite things and mentions on the blog.

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

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FTC: This post is not sponsored. Some links are affiliate, including Amazon affiliate links.

Hello dear friends,

Thank you for all of your wonderful birthday messages. I truly appreciate them. I am coming to you with The Chic Assignment Check-In for July.



Chic Assignment no. 1 André Rieu's Johann Strauss Orchestra. André Rieu has done a wonderful service to the world of classical music. I am linking another stellar performance of The Beautiful Blue Danube. Mr. Rieu's Johann Strauss orchestra provide such joyful performances to watch. In today's video I also go over the life of Johann Stauss II, who was known as the "King of Waltz". I would love to know... did this month's music selection also bring you joy?

Chic Assignment no. 2 We explored the world of Emily Dickinson this month and if you haven't already seen my unexpected Emily Dickinson makeup and hair tutorial, you can check it out here.

If you would like to know more about Emily Dickinson's life, here is a short documentary that I found interesting on YouTube.

I read Emily's poem, A Bird came down the Walk in today's video.

A Bird came own the Walk (328)
by Emily Dickinson


A Bird came down the Walk—
He did not know I saw—
He bit an Angleworm in halves
And ate the fellow, raw,

And then he drank a Dew
From a convenient Grass—
And then hopped sidewise to the Wall
To let a Beetle pass—

He glanced with rapid eyes
That hurried all around—
They looked like frightened Beads, I thought—
He stirred his Velvet Head

Like one in danger, Cautious,
I offered him a Crumb
And he unrolled his feathers
And rowed him softer home—

Than Oars divide the Ocean,
Too silver for a seam—
Or Butterflies, off Banks of Noon
Leap, plashless as they swim.


Emily often wrote about nature and, even though she was a homebody and actually spent the majority of her latter years never leaving her family home, she loved the garden and observing nature as is evident in this poem, with its keen observations. I hope you enjoy our discussion of Emily's work in today's video.


Chic Assignment no. 3 Be mindful of (mindless) snacking. This month, I noticed the times when I did mindless snacking. I tend to mindlessly snack when I am stressed, tired (at the end of the day), or when I fail to plan properly for meals. Chapter one of Lessons from Madame Chic discusses this in more detail. I would love to hear your experience with mindless snacking.

Chic Assignment no. 4 Give a compliment. Did you give a compliment this month? How did the recipient respond? How do you respond when you receive a compliment? I received a compliment from reader, Lisa R. below:

Dear Jennifer,

I saw your challenge for July. Or, maybe it was June, and I am late to the party! :) Well, either way, here is my compliment: You have done a wonderful job setting up your YouTube channel. It is a benefit to women and I have learned a lot from it. By way of explanation, I am a Mom of 7 who has *no time!* for anything. Yet, I find myself watching your videos and feeling very encouraged to make the time, for my sake and for my family's. It is worth it. Thank you. What a lovely gift you are giving to others.

Many thanks,

Lisa Ramirez

Thank you, Lisa! I am grateful for your compliment!

I am grateful for all of the compliments and kind messages I have received on the blog and (I know I say this all the time), but THANK YOU to everyone who has written to me on my author website. I am so sorry that I am not able to respond to the majority of the emails I receive. I'm just in that busy season of life with my children and have to minimize computer time. Thank you so much for understanding.


News
📍PRE-ORDER my new book, CONNOISSEUR KIDS, which comes out September 10th from Chronicle Books.

📍If you haven't taken my eCourses yet, now is a wonderful time to get started. Check out my affordable eCourses: The Ten-Item Wardrobe, Chic Financial Principles for Debt-Free Living, and How to be Efficient at Home.

📍Thank you to my dear friend, Nikki Moreno, for designing the end cards for my YouTube video. Nikki has a wonderful YouTube channel and Etsy shop. Be sure to check her out.

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

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Eu não faço ideia de como "Em casa com madame charme" veio parar na minha casa, porque eu não o comprei e não ganhei de presente de ninguém. Mas não importa. O que importa é que Jennifer L. Scott escreveu um livro para meninas, cheio de dicas sobre como receber, como se portar, como conversar, como se cuidar, tudo aprendido enquanto ela era au pair numa casa francesa. Leitura super leve, mas ultra útil, sobre savoir vivre francês, que eu admiro tanto. Talvez tenha sido essa a razão para eu ter gostado do livro.

A post shared by Amanda Pessoa (@amandapessoarevisa) on Jul 12, 2019 at 6:56am PDT

Comment of the Week
Sherry H. writes, "Excellent presentation! When my grands were younger I used to spread a picnic tablecloth and set out food similar to that being consumed in whatever story we were reading. My grandchildren adored the preparation and eagerly anticipated reading time. To this day they recall those story times with fondness."

Hi Sherry, I loved reading the memory with your grandchildren. That type of quality time is what memories are made of. Thank you for leaving your comment!


I hope you enjoyed this check-in. I look forward to hearing your thoughts. I will see you soon!



Visit my newly designed Author Website

*NEW* Shop my Amazon page for a comprehensive list of my favorite things and mentions on the blog.

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

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Take my affordable eCourses on the ten-item wardrobe, debt-free living, and efficiency at home

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FTC: This video is not sponsored. Some links may be affiliate.

Welcome to The Chic Assignment for March! February's assignment was great success. So many of you participated and checked-in with your findings. I really enjoyed reading your book recommendations and your observations on the music too! We are going to continue now for March and I'm excited to see where these assignments take us.



We are going to focus on cultivating our minds, seeking out the arts, being efficient, and refining our ten-item wardrobes. So without further ado, here are the assignments:

🎵 Chic Assignment no. 1 Listen to Chopin Nocturne in E flat major Op. 9 No. 2 Chopin is my favorite composer and this is my favorite classical piece! I am linking a YouTube video by pianist Valentina Lisitsa that you can listen to for free. I am also linking a wonderful Chopin album that includes the nocturne and is worth owning if you are a Chopin fan.



This piece is shorter at around 4 minutes. I'd love for you to listen to it with a cup of tea. If you watched my Tasha Tudor video, you will remember that Tasha recommended sitting down with a cup of tea each afternoon to combat stress. This would be the perfect piece to play in the background. You could look at a book while you sip and listen, or you can chat with a friend, or you could just blissfully listen. It's up to you! Try to do this at least once a week.

🧺 Chic Assignment no. 2 Make your laundry routine more pleasurable

I have left this assignment vague on purpose because I am excited to see what you come up with! I'd like for you to make your laundry routine more pleasurable this month. Whether you sip a cup of tea or iced coffee while folding, or listen to a new audiobook or podcast, how can you make the usually dreaded laundry task more enjoyable? Other ideas include sprucing up your laundry room or dedicating a specific space in your home to doing laundry. Let us know how you improve your routine and your idea could spark inspiration in someone else.

🖼 Chic Assignment no. 3 Study the works of Claude Monet

We are going to seek out the arts and cultivate our minds with the works of French impressionistic painter, Claude Monet. You are all familiar with his iconic paintings, and this month we are going to study them and chose our personal favorites. Even if you are not a fan of impressionism, I'd love for you to take part in this assignment. I am linking a free website where you can look at many of his most popular works. Have a look at them and choose your favorite painting. Report back to let us know which one you like the best and why. When I do my check-in in two weeks, I'll share my favorite with you.

👗 Chic Assignment no. 4 Prepare your ten-item wardrobe for the seasonal transition

Most of us are getting ready to transition into spring (my Southern Hemisphere friends are transitioning seasons too, just the opposite way!). It's time to prepare your ten-item wardrobe. This will vary depending on where you live and the forecasted weather. If you are transitioning from winter to spring, you will be storing away all seasonal items such as heavy coats, snow gear, heavy sweaters, and scarves, for example. Start to bring out your spring items and prepare them for your closet by pressing or steaming them, trying them on to see if they still fit, and hanging them up in your wardrobe. If winter doesn't look like it's going away any time soon, you can simply prepare your spring ten-item wardrobe list. What will be returning and what will you need to purchase to fill in any gaps in your wardrobe? Please comment below on this video or the check-in to let us know how your wardrobe is coming along.

Even though I have not assigned a book for this month, we will continue to read at least one book, or listen to an audio book each month. That will always be a given. I have enjoyed so many of your recommendations so feel free to post what you're reading so you can give us ideas.

Share your findings with us on social media using the hashtags #thechicassignment and #dailyconnoisseur

I hope you enjoy today's video.

News
📍 My new eCourse will be debuting next week! If you wish to get caught up on the others before you begin, you can find them here.

📍 Our YouTube channel is almost at 50,000 subscribers! When we hit 50K subscribers, I will do a big giveaway. Be sure to subscribe to my channel by clicking the red subscribe button and the "bell" icon to be emailed whenever I upload a video. (Subscribing is free).

📍 *NEW* I have created an Amazon page with all of my recommendations in one place. Books, music, beauty, wardrobe, presentable pajamas, baby gear... all of my recommendations that can be found on Amazon are here for your convenience.


On Instagram
Madame Chic in Poland...

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𝙿𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚒𝚊𝚗 𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚌 ✨ Czy to tylko popularny trend czy jednak jest odrobina prawdy w tym, że Paryżanki zawsze wyglądają dobrze stawiając na prostotę ? Paryż to najpiękniejsze miasto jakie widziałam ex aequo z Wenecją 😂 pełne małych uroczych kawiarni i oczywiście szykownie ubranych przechodniów. Można się zakochać w tym klimacie 🖤 Ja uwielbiam przemycanie męskiej mody, oversizowych marynarek czy innych minimalistycznych dodatków do damskiej szafy, trend ten zapoczątkowała oczywiście francuska projektanka Coco Chanel 🖤 do tego połączenie elegancji i nonszalancji czyli idealne rozwiazanie na wiosenne dni kiedy zrzucamy z siebie grube, ukochane swetry 💃🏻 . . . #lovely #parisianstyle #parisian #ddobinsta #simple #simplicity #white #jewellery #minimalism #lifestyle #lifestyleblogger #book #madamechic #paris #style #fashion #fashioninspo #inspiration #prostota #lekcjemadamechic #theparisguru #moda #madame #monsieur #minimalist

A post shared by Patrycja Stępień (@ps.patrycjastepien) on Feb 26, 2019 at 2:23am PST

Comment of the Week
On last week's The Private World of Tasha Tudor video, Toni W. writes, "I too am a Tasha Tudor fan and have been for many years. I teach preschool and have read many of her books to many classes. I especially enjoy her illustrations of Corgi’s. Whatever it is that you love, share your passion with your children through books. They will pick up on your enthusiasm which makes learning more enjoyable. By the way, at the end of each year, I bring our pet Corgi named Albert into the classroom for the children to meet. It’s a page out of a book which comes to life! Magic!!"

Hi Toni, I loved your comment. I bet the children had such a great surprise when you brought your corgi to visit them. I agree with your recommendation on teaching through books. Thank you for commenting!


I look forward to hearing your progress on The Chic March Assignment. I'll see you next time!


Visit my Author Website

*NEW* Shop my Amazon page for a comprehensive list of my favorite things and mentions on the blog.

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

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Take my eCourse Chic Financial Principles for Debt-Free Living

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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?

News
📍*NEW* Visit my Amazon page to see all of the items I recommend on the blog, including books, music, sleepwear, and more.

📍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.


Visit my Author Website

Shop my favorite things

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Hello dear readers,

Thank you for joining me for the next installment of the Mapp and Lucia book club. We had so much to get to and I had a wonderful time chatting about the next two books in the series, Lucia in London and Mapp and Lucia. I apologize that this livestream was plagued with technical difficulties again. We had trouble with audio as well as picture (I look quite squashed and blurry), but overall we did get to chat about both of the books. I hope you enjoy the discussion in today's video. I promise to work on my livestreaming skills and will hopefully improve them for next time! :)



The video of the Live Chat is above. If you were unable to make it live, you can simply watch the chat here or on YouTube. I hope you enjoy it and would love to hear your additional comments on all of the points that were made.



As we close the next section of the book club, I would love to know... Who is your favorite character in the series? Who is the most despicable? What was your favorite part in each book? What were your least favorite parts? Let us know in the comment section, and your comment could be chosen as comment of the week on The Daily Connoisseur.

We will continue the book club with the next two (and final) books in the series, Worshipful Lucia and Trouble for Lucia.



I will give you plenty of time to read the next two books and will most likely discuss them in the new year. Until then... *Au Reservoir!*

News

Lessons from Madame Chic is now available in Thailand from We Learn! See my Instagram post below. Thank you to all of the Thai readers who have reached out to me and shared picture of their books on social media. Use the hashtag #jenniferlscott when sharing your book so I can find you.

For more of The Daily Connoisseur, take my eCourses, Creating Your Own Ten-Item Wardrobe and Chic Financial Principles for Debt-Free Living.


On Instagram
From my own Instagram page... Welcome to Thailand!

Lessons from Madame Chic is now available in Thailand 🇹🇭 from We Learn. Thai readers, I would love to see pictures of your book! Use the hashtag #jenniferlscott so we can find you. #dailyconnoisseur #MADAMECHIC #lessonsfrommadamechic #thaimadamechic #welearn

A post shared by Jennifer L. Scott (@dailyconnoisseur) on Aug 1, 2018 at 7:49am PDT

Comment of the Week
Comment of the Week comes from Rani, who writes,
"Hi Jennifer,

I am a newbie to your books, FB, and Youtube... I am excited about being an almost empty nester and homemaker again. Thank you for the breath of fresh air and outlook on life. I'm motivated... especially about elevenses which I'm getting ready to start as a new way to meet my neighbors.

And BTW, you're spot on with in regards to social media... Love my FB, but make sure it doesn't take over my time during the day.

Keep up the great work.

Rani"

Thank you, Rani! I'm so happy you are enjoying the Madame Chic books and am excited for you to join us each week on the blog. I love to get to know people who discover our online community for the first time.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Mapp and Lucia book club. I will see you on Thursday for my next video.


Visit my Author Website

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Take my eCourse on the Ten-Item Wardrobe

Take my eCourse Chic Financial Principles for Debt-Free Living

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter


FTC: This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.

Determined to learn Alla Turca on my summer break. Slowly but surely I'm getting there. When I learn it do you want me to play it for you on YouTube? #Mozart #SeekOutTheArts

A photo posted by Jennifer L. Scott (@dailyconnoisseur) on Aug 4, 2015 at 1:08pm PDT

This summer I asked if you'd like me to play Mozart's Alla Turca for you and you gave a resounding yes! I worked on it over my summer break and today I perform it for you. It's not perfect. In fact, it's a little clumsy, but that is not the point. The point is that it's a great thing to challenge and push yourself. To cultivate your mind and not only seek out the arts but create them yourself. To pick up a worthwhile hobby. This keeps us our minds sharp. It gives us achievable goals and a sense of accomplishment. We better society by bettering and pushing ourselves.

Now without further ado, here is my performance of Mozart's Alla Turca.



If you are unable to see the video above, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog or subscribe to my YouTube channel to have the videos instantly emailed to you at www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur

If you feel inspired to share your art via YouTube or blog post be sure to let me know! Use the hashtag #MADAMECHIC #seekoutthearts Let's encourage each other to raise our standards and challenge ourselves.

Comment of the Week

Laura B. writes:

Dear Jennifer,

You have little time to read all the letters you receive. I understand as a pediatrician your time is limited and valuable. Quickly, your books and blog have me dressing tastefully for my job rather than wearing scrubs. Thank you (say my patients). Your recent post hit home to me and I must write even if you don't read. I have played piano since very young also, so glad that in college I FINALLY didn't have to take lessons. I have not lifted much of a finger since until now. At 38 I'm realizing (maybe as you) what a special thing this is that I can do... that is a secret and maybe unattainable to most that know me. My grandmother played beautifully; my mother missed the trait. She poignantly says I play like "Tine" (christine) even though I never saw her play (she was paralyzed with Lou Gehrig's dz). 6 months ago I splurged on a used Steinway upright and once delivered, sat down with it and cried at the sound that I had forgotten I could make. I grew up learning Chopin, Bach, and the classics only (which I love). Right now I have pulled 'Laura' from a stack of Tine's favorite movie/show tunes, which happens to be how my name was chosen. Learning the tune- so, thanks for your inspiration and Aspiration to be better than is required.

Sincerely,
Laura

Laura, I loved your message to me. Thank you! Your grandmother would be very proud of you.


Artistic Recommendation

Celia on YouTube writes:

I have a great book to recommend that exposes the reader to great composers and their influence. It's called "THE GIFT OF MUSIC" by Smith and Carlson. Very readable. Enjoy.

Thank you, Celia, for your recommendation!

See you all next week...

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Last spring I did a video called, Refuse to Be Dumbed Down. What a response that received and is still receiving! This week I am giving you active tips and a challenge on how you can avoid being dumbed down by our modern culture.


Tip #1- Cultivate a long-lost skill

You loved playing the piano as a child, but haven't played in years. You used to paint before the kids were born but haven't picked up a paintbrush in ages. You had ambitions to write a novel when you were in your early 20s but never got past chapter 3. Do you relate to any of these? Many people long to pick up an old skill or passion again but discourage themselves by saying they are "no good" or have "lost what it takes". This week I'd like to challenge you to pick up an old skill and begin to hone it again. This takes discipline. It takes time and it also is a wonderful antidote to being dumbed down.

I used to play the piano as a child. I stopped playing during my college years and early to mid-twenties. I never thought I was very good. I would play occasionally. Recently I have committed to seriously taking the piano up again. During my summer break I took a piece of challenging music (challenging for me!), Mozart's Alla Turca. I worked on it every day for at least twenty minutes. I have committed to learning it. Be sure to stay tuned for a bonus video later this week where I play Alla Turca for you!

Tip #2- Reignite your passion for an art or skill or commit to learning a new one

If you don't have a long-lost skill, commit to learning a new one. Is there something you have always wanted to do? Now is the time! When I was in my late twenties I am so happy I decided to take a writing class. If I never pushed myself to take that class, I might never have written Lessons from Madame Chic. I probably wouldn't even have this blog!


Tip #3- Analyze how you spend your down time and make changes where needed

We often say we "don't have time" to do these things, yet we somehow find time to watch a reality TV marathon or read a gossip magazine. It's a great idea to analyze how you spend your downtime and see where you can make changes. There is nothing wrong with mindless entertainment or guilty pleasures, but we should be conscious that that is not the only way we entertain ourselves. Avoid being dumbed down by choosing an enriching activity during your downtime. As a side note, I actually find playing the piano during my down time quite soothing!

See you on Thursday, for the bonus video where I play, Alla Turca (and remember, I am not a professional pianist!) :)

This week I would love to know... Do you agree or disagree that today's culture is being dumbed down? What is a long-lost skill or new passion you'd like to cultivate? Let me know in the comment section and you could be picked as the comment of the week!

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

News
Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic: Lessons in Everyday Elegance comes out October 27th from Simon & Schuster. Pre-order available now.

I will be speaking and signing copies of my new book on Thursday, October 29th at Pages Bookstore, in Manhattan Beach, CA at 7pm. Details to follow.

Thank you to Melissa55 who has read an advance copy of Polish Your Poise in Madame Chic. She recommends it in her August favorites!

Madame Chic Inspiring Thought
Cultivate your mind, seek out the arts or work on a skill this week! Share what you are doing on social media using the hashtag #MADAMECHIC so we can encourage each other and refuse to be dumbed down.

Comment of the Week
Erica G. writes:

I love this!!!!! I'm learning the violin as a 30-something. I practice ballet videos on YouTube for exercise, and I try to write poetry. I'm not "good" at any of them, but these pursuits feed me somehow. We homeschool, and we often have classical music playing in the background during certain subjects, and we've watched many classical ballets on YouTube. I adore your "culture minute" with your family!

Erica, I love that you are learning the violin in your 30s! That's the spirit!

Jeanne D. writes:

Jeanne D This is the first time I have heard of you or watched you, but I was delighted with your comments today. My mother had a rule that whenever I left the house, I had to look as good as I could for whatever I was going to do. I was never allowed to leave the house in curlers (this was in the 1950's). She died in 1964 and the 3 times I left the house in curlers (in the mid-1960's) I ran into someone I had not seen in years and felt so foolish. Needless to say, I did not do that again. That advice has served me well all my life as people always comment on how nice I look, or 'you always look great'. It wasn't long in the early years before I realized how much my daily mood was impacted by how I looked--so following this 'rule' has been one of the nicest things I have done for myself. It is such a treat to see someone in your generation feeling this way---and doing something about it!! Kudos to you!!

Thank you, Jeanne, for your lovely comment.

As you know, nearly every comment I get can be the comment of the week. Please keep them coming as I know that others enjoy reading them too. Also, your comment could be featured on the blog!

Please note, if you have submitted a question to me, look for it to be answered in a future "reader questions answered" video.

See you later in the week for a special performance of Mozart's Alla Turca :)


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This week's topic has a provocative title: Refuse to be Dumbed Down. I know that am not alone in noticing the dumbing down of culture: in our TV shows, in our music, in our movies and in the articles we read online. Shock-value, lowbrow humor and vulgarities in every sense of the term have infiltrated our everyday lives. It is becoming increasingly harder to find culture, refinement, true art and class.

But... all hope is not lost.

Once we recognize this and acknowledge our society's current state of affairs there are many things we can do:

We can seek out the artists who are truly talented and make art that benefits society.
We can watch the TV shows that are in line with our values.
We can patronize movies with meaningful stories to tell that don't insult our intelligence.
We can seek out music by talented musicians that move and inspire us.
We can not give our attention to the crass celebrities of the world.
We can read books and publications that cultivate our mind.
We can empower ourselves to keep an open mind and to follow our instinct.
We can seek out the arts in our community.
We can cultivate our own art, whether it's playing the piano again or writing that novel you've always wanted to write.
We can remain assured that no matter what direction the world is going, we refuse to be dumbed down with it.

Check out this week's video to see the entire message. If you are not able to see the video above, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur

Madame Chic Inspiring Thought
This week do something you wouldn't ordinarily do: listen to a symphony on YouTube while you file the bills, get a friend and go see an independent film or go sit in the park with a good book of poetry. Take time to cultivate your mind again enjoy the moment thoroughly.


Comment of the Week
On YouTube Rosemary writes:

Jennifer, in your first book, this was the topic that inspired me the most. I think you could dedicate a whole book to the topic of cultivating your mind. A new study reveled that, compared to previous generations, this generation is the most underexposed to the arts. I work directly in education and the arts; I have had the privilege of exposing children to the arts through galleries, ballet, and theater. Please continue to talk more about this topic. We need it.

Rosemary, thank you for your comment! Exposure to the arts is a major issue. With many arts programs being cut, for many children, the only exposure to the arts they get are the music videos they see on television, songs they hear on the radio and stars they see on the magazine covers. As a society I believe we must come together to expose our children to different and varied arts apart from today's popular culture. I used to work for a company called, Will & Co., performing Shakespeare for children so this is a topic near and dear to my heart!

If you loved this video and agree with its message, please share with your friends. Let's get a discussion going. What do you think about the dumbing down of our culture? Let me know in the comments or online with the hashtag #cultivateyourmind


**Announcement: from now on, blog posts and videos will be uploaded on Mondays (not Sundays) thank you in advance for your understanding!

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Cultivate your mind: one of my favorite lessons I learned while living in Paris. There are so many ways to do this but in our modern society of reality television and lowbrow entertainment, we have to make an extra effort to not let our intellectual and artistic passions go by the wayside. Reading poetry, especially if it's not something you have an appreciation for, can help break the cycle, which is why I'm so excited about this week's featured book, Louise Labé Love Sonnets & Elegies .

Louise Labé was the first recognized female French poet from the Renaissance period. The mere fact that she was a woman poet was very unusual for the time, but that she also wrote about romance, passion and desire was even more unique. New York Review Books, who has been reissuing classic books since 1999, has sent me Louise Labé Love Sonnets & Elegies and is kindly offering to giveaway a copy of this magnificent book of poetry to one lucky reader of The Daily Connoisseur.

In this book, with the French version on the left and the English translation on the right, Louise Labé's poems contain an agony, an ecstasy and a depth that any poetry lover will delight in.

Here is a sample of her work, Sonnet 11:

I live, I die: I flare up & I drown.
The colder I feel the hotter I burn:
Life is too hard & too soft in turn.
To every joy sorrow circles round:

All of a sudden I laugh & I weep,
Taking pleasure in each twinge of pain:
The moment I flower, I fade away:
The treasure I lose, a treasure I keep.

Inconstant Love is my most constant guide:
Whenever the pain grows beyond belief,
to my surprise, I feel nothing inside.

Then, convinced my bliss cannot be denied
And I'm about to climb joy's highest peak,
He reminds me of all my former grief.

Translated by Richard Sieburth

Here is the description of the book from New York Review Books:

Louise Labé, one of the most original poets of the French Renaissance, published her complete Works around the age of thirty and then disappeared from history. Rediscovered in the nineteenth century, her incandescent love sonnets were later translated into German by Rilke and appear here in a revelatory new English version by the award-winning translator Richard Sieburth.


Here are some reviews of Labé's work:

“The deeply learned Louise Labé knew well the love poetry of Sappho, Propertius, Ovid, and Petrarch, but she herself joined the ranks of these great Western tossers and turners by breaking with convention. Across five centuries, thanks to Richard Sieburth’s beautiful translations, her urgent voice, her embodied images, and her rapid, somehow breathless, lines come to us as if they were spoken yesterday.” --Susan Stewart

“Richard Sieburth has captured the vigor, intensity, and vernacular tang of Louise Labé’s startling poems. He has turned the ‘rhymed cordage as twined and tensile as rope’ of the fabled Belle Cordière, daughter of a ropemaker, into spirited poems in English.” --Rosanna Warren

"[Labé] laments for one alone, but the whole of nature unites with them: it is the lament for one who is eternal." — Rainer Maria Rilke

“A great poet, perhaps one of the greatest of all time.” —The Polar Bear, a character in Samuel Beckett’s Dream of Fair to middling Women


New York Review books are kindly offering to give away one copy of Louise Labé Love Sonnets & Elegies to a reader of The Daily Connoisseur. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only (terms set by publisher). Please enter via the rafflecopter widget below. The winner will be announced one week from today on the widget.

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This week I would love to know... Are you familiar with Louise Labé's work? Who is your favorite poet of all time? How have you been cultivating your mind lately?

See you on Sunday for a special #TenItemWardrobe post on 5 Days of Outfits.

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