Mother's Day is quickly approaching here in America and I have a quick and to-the-point gift guide for all of the dads and kids out there who are going to watch this video (ahem) :)



Today's gift guide features little luxuries that any mom would appreciate. Of course, if you are low on funds (kids, I'm talking to you), you know that moms love "tickets" for massages and other helps around the house.

If you do have a budget, keep these lovely gifts in mind for the special mother in your life.


South of France soaps are so beautiful, luxurious and lovely. They're kettle-cooked in small batches using a traditional Marseille triple-milled recipe to create a creamy lather that leaves skin soft and moisturized. Popular scents are almond gourmande, blooming jasmine, climbing wild rose, lavender fields, lemon verbena, lush gardenia or mediterranean fig. All South of France liquid and bar soaps are free of synthetic foaming agents like sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate, as well as glutens, EDTA, parabens, and phthalates.


MYK Silk Pillowcases. A silk pillowcase would make a lovely, unexpected, and affordable gift. These natural mulberry silk pillowcases will give her a restful night's sleep, keep her hair-tangle free, and her skin refreshed. Use code SILKY15 for 15 % off.


Emile Cordon miracle lip balms are a beautiful luxury. They are high-quality, so moisturizing, and very pretty to look at and wear. They make a lovely gift.

Natural candles would also make a fabulous gift for any mother. Check out my natural candle gift guide for an in-depth review of the following candles:


Cellar Door Candles


Sudsy Soapery


Legend's Creek Farm



I did not mention Bend Soap Co. in my video, but they are well worth the mention. Bend Soap have beautifully packaged goat milk soaps and other organic and natural beauty products that make lovely gifts. I gifted my literary agents with Bend Soap for Christmas.


Ana Luisa Jewelry make high-quality, affordable jewelry pieces. I have a review of their spring collection coming soon (stay tuned!) Jennifer10 for $10 off your purchase

Casetify Designer iPhone Cases

Another unexpected present could be a beautiful designer phone case. My daughters picked out this one and I love it!


I hope you enjoy today's video and that it has given you many gift ideas. Share this with anyone you know, who is looking for a good Mother's Day gift guide. I'll see you on Wednesday for the May Chic Assignment!

Love,

Jennifer


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I've partnered with my favorite online luxury boutique, Halsbrook.com, again to bring you my curated picks from their accessory gift guide for Holiday 2017. In the past, I've collaged my favorite seasonal Halsbrook looks like 7 Ways to Style a Neutral Dress, 6 Gorgeous Fall Looks and 6 Chic Summer Looks. Today I'm sharing my favorite combinations from their gift guide, as well as three chic holiday party looks at the end of the post.



Classical elegance The rich, warm gold tones from these accessories would bring a classical and opulent look to any neutral dress.
Serpui Aurora Black and Gold Clutch, Julie Vos Sienna Pearl and Labradorite earrings, Kenneth Jay Lane Pearl and Gold multi-strand necklace.



Late Fall Classics The burgundy, chocolate and gold in these luxury accessories compliment each other beautifully and make for a wonderful transition from fall to winter. Janavi embroidered zebra shawl, Luana Italy Paley Mini Chocolate Cherry Satchel, Julie Vos Medici 6-stone pearl bracelet.



Winter luxury These icy hues bring a cozy, yet glamorous touch to winter wear. Amanda Bond Lucille Pacific Green Marble Modal scarf, Inverni blue cashmere pom pom beanie, Lulu Frost lustre white pearl earrings.



Bright and beautiful This showstopper scarf paired with classic accessories can brighten up any dark winter's day. St. Piece Geraldine Floral Print wool and cashmere scarf, Lulu Frost lustre grey pearl earrings, Kenneth Jay Lane basket weave cuff.


Halsbrook is having The Great Gift Event, where you can take 20% off their entire gift guide. This 20% off is offered for 5 days only, December 7th through December 11th. Happy holiday shopping!


And now for the three chic holiday looks...



Opulent Textures The combination of velvet and faux croc make this rich winter party look shine with subtlety. LK Bennett Che Midnight Blue Velvet embellished dress, W. Kleinberg black embossed crocodile clutch, Jennifer Behr Made Flower Stud earrings.


Winter Blush Holiday colors don't necessarily need to be dark. This pretty pink look is feminine and cozy at the same time. Sail to Sable pale pink wool cashmere sweater, Eliott Lauren Chino control stretch ankle pant, Bagatelle Celeste Champagne Crystal Beaded Necklace.



Chic and Tweed A classic and sophisticated pairing that is an elegant look for any holiday party. Paul Ka black knit dress with black and white tweed bodice, Paul Ka black and white tweed cardigan, Kenneth Jay Lane gold chain and pearl earrings.

Thank you to Halsbrook.com for sponsoring another post on The Daily Connoisseur. I really enjoy creating these gorgeous looks from their beautifully curated collection of clothing and accessories. I hope these pairings inspire you to when getting dressed this holiday season.

Today, I would love to know... which accessory combination is your favorite? Which holiday look do you love?

Have a wonderful weekend and I'll see you on Monday!



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FTC: This post is sponsored by Halsbrook.com

It's time for my annual holiday gift guide. I'm really excited about my choices this year! Let's dive right into it.



Carrot Top Paper Shop
Jenny Williams, founder of Carrot Top Paper Shop, is a talented artist with a brilliant idea. She creates portraits of literary heroines. What a wonderful gift to inspire young girls. With so many dubious role models out there today, gifting a young girl with a portrait or quote from Anne of Green Gables can give her something beautiful to look up to. I adore Jenny's work! She is offering a 25% off discount to all readers of The Daily Connoisseur. Simply use the code, MADAMECHIC at checkout. This code is good through December 20th, 2016. Thank you, Jenny!



Lillian Vernon personalized rolling luggage for kids. My daughters really love to prepare for a trip (gosh, I don't know where they get that from!). They get really detailed about how they pack, so I just know they are going to adore these personalized suitcases with their names on them. The above picture shows various styles from their website.



Chatbooks is a new app that I am loving! You can create photo albums from your smartphone. You can either create a custom album (which would make a great gift, especially for family far away), or create a series from your Facebook or Instagram pictures, or from the "Favorites" on your iPhone. Click this link to get your first book for free.
I recently started the "favorites" series where Chatbooks send me an album every time my phone accumulates 60 favorites. I received all 8 volumes of my favorites yesterday and I love them. I suggest getting the hardbound books, they seem more durable than the soft cover (which I have ordered in the past).


Buns, Braids and Twists by Christina Butcher and The New Braiding Handbook by Abby Smith. These books make fun and interesting presents. It's fun to try the hairstyles on yourself and others.


Personalized stationery makes a thoughtful gift. It doesn't have to be the fancy kind, a simple notepad can be very appreciated. I made mine on Zazzle.



My gift guide could not be complete without mentioning The Madame Chic Collection. It truly makes the perfect gift! If you have loved reading the Madame Chic books and know someone who would love them too, this is an affordable and attractive way to buy all three. Buy it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

I do hope you check out today's video for more on all of these gift ideas.

News
Ballerina, Kathryn Morgan, features The Madame Chic Collection in her annual holiday gift guide video. Thank you, Kathryn!

If you missed my appearance on Nippon TV's THE MOST USEFUL SCHOOL IN THE WORLD, you can see it here.

Comments of the Week
Isabela writes: Hi Jennifer,
I really liked this planning video. I think scheduling minor activities, like baking or going to the movies, would be helpful during summer breaks too, so I wouldn't lose all my leisure time binge watching on Netflix.
Also, My aunt just bought tickets for the nutcracker for us! I'm so happy that I wanted to share it with you. Many great solo dancers from around the globe will perform, including a principal dancer from the Royal Ballet in London, who, like me, is Brazilian.
I Love your books,
Isabela

Thank you, Isabela! Yes, I find that planning for all holidays and breaks in a similar manner to what I showed in Monday's post makes for a fun and meaningful time. Have a wonderful time at the Nutcracker!

Laura W writes:

Jennifer, seeing this list brought back so many memories of when my boys were little. I especially loved the movie night. We had a Friday night movie night too! Just like when I was little, Sunday night seemed to be the T.V. night with homemade popcorn or black cows and watched the Walt Disney Show and the F.B.I. These shows date me but such happy times.

Hi Laura, movie night means so much to my children. They look forward to it every week! There's something about the routine and anticipation of it. I loved hearing about your movie nights when your boys were younger. Thanks for sharing!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone. Let me know what your favorite gifts are this year. I would also love to hear a memory of your favorite gift as a child. Remember, your comment could be chosen as comment of the week on the blog!


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In this October edition of Daily Connoisseur favorites, I share what I'm watching, what I'm reading, a favorite moisturizer and makeup item. I also give you an update on postnatal hair loss.

I hope you can join me for this fun, chatty favorites video.

Mentioned in the video:



Becca Ombre Rouge palette You saw an in-depth review of this in last week's video, but it resurfaces again here as one of my favorites. I'm having a lot of fun playing with these natural shades, perfect for le no makeup look.



Origins GinZing moisturizer I have been using this moisturizer for over two months, and I love its light, refreshing quality. Its secret ingredient is coffee! Origins boasts that it boosts tired skin (which I definitely need right now!). My favorite thing about this moisturizer is its delightful citrus scent.



Nashville Flipped is a home and garden show that follows house flipper, Troy Dean Shafer, as he restores historic homes. I love his lead designer, Julie Couch's, design aesthetic. You can gain so much interior design inspiration this program. Such a fun show!



The Light Between Oceans
I know I might be the last here to read this book, as it is an international bestseller, but I must mention it here because it is such a well-written page turner. Ever since I finished Amy Snow , I've been having a hard time finding another book to read. The Light Between Oceans has drawn me in. Here is the description from Amazon:

After four harrowing years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia and takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, nearly half a day’s journey from the coast. To this isolated island, where the supply boat comes once a season, Tom brings a young, bold, and loving wife, Isabel. Years later, after two miscarriages and one stillbirth, the grieving Isabel hears a baby’s cries on the wind. A boat has washed up onshore carrying a dead man and a living baby.

Tom, who keeps meticulous records and whose moral principles have withstood a horrific war, wants to report the man and infant immediately. But Isabel insists the baby is a “gift from God,” and against Tom’s judgment, they claim her as their own and name her Lucy. When she is two, Tom and Isabel return to the mainland and are reminded that there are other people in the world. Their choice has devastated one of them.



Contigo Purity Petal Water Bottle Available at Target, this beautiful glass water bottle is perfect to keep in the car or take on the go. I love that it has no plastic parts and it's beautiful to look at! This would make a great gift too. For more on Contigo, visit gocontigo.com

News


The Madame Chic Collection box set is now available! This set is so beautifully packaged, it makes a perfect gift. Just in time for the holidays!

Cedar and Bloom shares her cold weather ten-item wardrobe in her recent blogpost.

Letter of the Week
Dear Jennifer,
I have really enjoyed your books and videos. Your advice and call for a return to deportment are quite timely in this day and age. I live in Seattle which is a very casual area, to excess even.
One day when heading in to work, a woman rushed past me with her purse, jacket, flip flops, and ScubyDo pajamas. No, these were not scrubs. I work in the medical field and some staff wear theme scrubs for the patients.
That was the moment for me when I knew it was time to go counter culture and ensure that I dressed decently daily.
The idea that looking presentable and behaving politely as counter culture is also rather shocking. The question of how in just one generation did we go from an aspiration to be our personal best to being our personal worst is really interesting.
I am happy to say my employer has instituted a dress code. I love our dress code because it is very helpful in guiding my wardrobe purchases. Getting dressed for work also helps me transition mentally from home to work, and this hidden benefit may be one of the reasons our grandparents generation was so successful; the effort of getting dressed daily set the tone for their entire day and reinforced the work ethic.
Best of luck to you and thank you again for sharing your experience and skills with society.
Sigrid

Dear Sigrid, I loved receiving your letter. It's funny that the casual nature of your city has made you dress in the opposite direction. Counter culture, indeed!




This week, I would love to know... what are your favorites? What are you reading and watching? What products are you loving right now? Let us know in the comment section below, and your comment could be chosen as comment of the week.

Lastly, thank you to all of you for your wonderful support regarding the release of The Madame Chic Collection.

See you on next week for a fun mini-series on French Weight Loss Secrets!





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FTC: This is not a sponsored post. Opinions are always my own. The Contigo water bottle was sent to me to review. This post may contain affiliate links.

I had all of these grand plans to do a number of holiday-themed videos on the Daily Connoisseur this year and then, lo and behold, the holidays crept up quicker than I anticipated! I must have been distracted working on the second book, which I am happy to report, was just turned in to my editor, Trish Todd, at Simon & Schuster. Woo hoo!

So this week's video, Holiday Chat, discusses two topics to make up for lost time. First we talk about high and low budget decorating. I show you my citrus fruit ornaments that I did a tutorial on last year, and introduce you to my favorite decoration, my Kay Burkart Santa Claus... a true work of art!



**Update- Many people have asked where I purchased my Kay Burkart Santa. I purchased him locally from Stephanie Grace Designs in Santa Monica.

The video also gives you my top gift book recommendations. I love receiving books as presents and you are sure to find something for everyone on my list.

Books mentioned in the video are:

♦︎Downton Tabby by Chris Kelly (This book is SO FUNNY. It would make a perfect stocking stuffer.)

♦︎The Perfectly Imperfect Home by Deborah Needleman (and illustrated by Lessons from Madame Chic artist, Virginia Johnson.)

♦︎A Life of Barbara Stanwyck Steel True: 1907-1940 by Victoria Wilson (Perfect for anyone who loves the Golden Age of Hollywood.)

♦︎The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith (One of the most delightful series of books ever written, in my humble opinion.)

♦︎The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer (This is the next book club selection for the Daily Connoisseur, so I want you to read this too!)

♦︎Lessons from Madame Chic by Jennifer L. Scott (C'mon, you know I had to include this in the gift guide.)

♦︎Taste of Home Christmas 465 recipes for a merry holiday (Fabulous holiday recipes... would make a great gift!)

Check out this week's video for the full chat. 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

Book News

Lessons from Madame Chic makes Martine Holston's 2013 book list as her top French lifestyle book of the year (and she read 5 in the same genre). Thank you Martine! Check out the list here.

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