In today's video, I'm arranging three bouquets of flowers consisting of green viburnum, and two types of cream-colored roses.


Flower arranging is a hobby that is not only relaxing but highly satisfying for me because I get to express my creativity and concentrate on a beautiful art. In this video, I encourage you to take time out of your stressful day and indulge in a hobby that you enjoy. It's important that we don't let go of the small things that bring us joy.

My favorite hobbies are reading, playing the piano, gardening, cooking and flower arranging. Today, I would love to know what your favorite hobbies are. Let me know in the comment section, and your comment could be chosen as comment of the week on the blog!

News
Here is a photo of Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic in Japan. There are over one million copies of the Madame Chic books printed in Japan. Thank you, Japanese readers!


In other news...

Cedar and Bloom shares her ten-item wardrobe for spring/summer.

Myspoclifedotcom shares a review on YouTube for Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic.



Testimonial
Allison B. writes:
Hi Jennifer!
I have a little note about dressing nicely. I moved to a very small rural town after living my whole life in San Francisco for my first job as a teacher. I natural stand out here being one of very few African American people and the only one with an Afro. Since moving I've dressed up more and ditched the sweats outside of the house. This weekend a stranger introduced themselves to me (we've lived here for almost two years now) and said "I see you in town all the time in your nice dresses- I've always meant to say hello. You seem so nice!" I am pretty shy about meeting new people in town so it was so nice to hear that just dressing nicely was enough to make someone see that I am friendly! I am on a first year teacher's salary in a rural place and my husband is a clerk at the hardware store and on the volunteer fire department- we do NOT have a to of money. I wear and re-wear the same key pieces, and people give me compliments and notice that I'm re-wearing something. And that's okay! Thank you for motivating me and other to look presentable always and to use the nice things we have!

Allison, I loved your email to me. Thank you for letting me share it on the blog. Your testimonial made me smile! I love that your neighbor went out of their way to let you know how much they appreciated your efforts. And bravo for proving that you do not need a big salary to look presentable always!

Have a wonderful weekend... see you on Monday!


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

I'm going to let you in on a surprising secret. I love to decorate with faux flowers! Silk and faux flowers have really come a long way and can look incredibly realistic. They can be wonderful for people who don't have access to a garden or who don't have the budget to constantly purchase fresh flowers, but who still love the look of a beautiful bouquet. I don't advocate only using silk flowers but a few tastefully done arrangements placed in strategic locations in your home (they are great for guest bedrooms or gloomy corners) can add so much flair and really trick the eye. Flower arranging is an art and there is no wrong way to do it so the novice need not feel intimidated.

I especially like to use silk flowers during the holiday season because I can create festive bouquets to brighten up the various rooms in our home (especially the bedrooms). In this week's video I show you several different bouquets, share my tips on how to make professional looking arrangements (leaf ribbon!) and create a fancy arrangement from scratch using floral foam. If you are unable to see the video above, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or check out my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur

Here are pictures of some of the arrangements featured in the video:



And here are both sides of the arrangement I create on camera:



Many of the flowers are purchased from my local craft store. Others were purchased online from afloral.com (This is a great resource), including the leaf ribbon, which makes the arrangements look so professional.

News
I was honored to be interviewed on camera for Connie Martinson Talks Books. Check out my episode where we discuss At Home With Madame Chic and so much more.

Lafourche Library Books & Reviews gives At Home With Madame Chic a wonderful mention in their latest blog post.

Letters from Eurolux recommends At Home With Madame Chic for French style at home.

The Decadent Minimalist shares how At Home With Madame Chic has helped her.

Restyling Home by Kelly recommends At Home With Madame Chic as one of her favorite new decorating books.

Madame Chic Inspiring Thought
Spend less time in front of a screen and more time indulging in a hobby you love. Try your hand at flower arranging, even if you've never done it before. You'll be surprised how soothing and therapeutic it can be.

Comment of the Week
On my recent post, 5 Days of Outfits from my Ten-Item Wardrobe, Ottie writes:

This is my first season using the 10-item wardrobe. I have more confidence and stand taller. Putting more thought into wardrobe planning gives me more outfits that look sharp. I think I saved money on clothes this year too, but look better. More complements are coming my way too. It's fun deciding what to wear and looking good and presentable.

Ottie, I am very happy for you! I tell so many people who are hesitant (or who keep making excuses) to just try the ten-item wardrobe. Try it. You will be amazed at how it can change your life. If you have been hesitant, just take the plunge. Get ready to live differently in the upcoming new year.

Testimonial
On YouTube, Marcellina writes:

I just want to tell you I just finished lessons from madame chic and I could just cry! I feel like this book is what I've been needing my whole life! I wish I would've discovered this in my 20s (although the book didn't exist!). At the end of the book I felt like I was at that nightclub with you dancing, and eating that Camembert, and hearing the secret quartet! Thank you so much! I am going to start 2015 with a fresh outlook and I'm using your book as a guidebook for my life! 

Thank you Marcellina!

This week I would love to know... have you decorated with silk flowers recently? Do you like to use them in your home? What type of flower arrangements do you like to do for the holidays?



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