Welcome to The Chic Assignment Check-in for May! I am loving this month's assignments and have so much to discuss with you in today's video.



For the original May Chic Assignment, visit this link.

🎵 I am enjoying listening to the Satie Gymnopédies during the chaos of our kitchen renovation. They are truly counteracting the craziness and upheaval of our home life right now.

My two-year-old thought the pieces were "sad". Some find them depressing. Others find them to be remarkably beautiful.

Regarding The Satie Gymnopédies, Frenchcaligirl writes, "I recognized the musical piece immediately, especially the first part of it. Have heard it countless times, just never knew what it was called or who composed it. I agree that it’s not upbeat but don’t find it depressing either. The mood of it has an introspective quality to it."

I agree! They certainly have an introspective quality to them.

🖼 Renoir is one of my favorite artists and it was difficult to choose my favorite piece from him. I am very fond of the Young Girls at the Piano because it reminds me of my own daughters.


image from Wikipedia

Here are links to all of the prints from Art.com, if you'd like to have these in your own home.

Luncheon of the Boating Party print

Ball at the Moulin de la Galette print

Girls at the Piano print

Here is a link to The Ambleside podcast on how Atmosphere sets Affections

💍 Regarding jewelry, I share a story from the beginning of our marriage with Mr. Connoisseur. By the way, today is also our 13th wedding anniversary! Time has surely flown.


💅 I have been recording my manicures for you (see here) and I hope they are proving an inspiration for you to do your own at-home manicures. I find them to be great for not only saving money, but for a relaxing self-care routine too.


Regarding pedicures, here is the pedicure foot tool This is the best foot file I have ever used (and I have used a lot of them). It's only $8.99 on Amazon.

I purchased the Sam Edelman leopard sandal to add some interest to my summer footwear. Pedicure season truly is here!


Also mentioned/ featured in today's video:

📍The faux flowers in my background are from Horchow

📍 The Worshipful Lucia & Trouble for Lucia are the final two books we will be reading in the Mapp & Lucia book club, coming to you this summer.


📍The Daily Connoisseur blog has many talented readers. Here are two authors who have just published books. Both ladies are fans of The Daily Connoisseur and Madame Chic. Congratulations, Amanda and Jodie!


Amanda Dykes Whose Waves These Are


Jodie Alexander Frye Questions at the School Gate

News
📍Check out my affordable eCourses: The Ten-Item Wardrobe, Chic Financial Principles for Debt-Free Living, and How to be Efficient at Home.

On Instagram
Mademoiselle Chic in Japan...

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・ ・ ・ 今夜の本📕 子ども向けの絵本だけれど 大切なことが書かれていて背すじがピン！とします☺︎ ・ ・ 優しくて、柔軟で、強くて、自分に負けない 素敵な女性になりたい！ ・ ・ #マドモアゼルシック #すてきな女の子になるレッスン #ジェニファーlスコット #jenniferlscott #読書 #読書記録 #美人読書 #louis_lecture #夜読書 #夜活 #louis_nuit #chubbyの巣 #寝室 #bedroom #可愛くなりたい #綺麗になりたい #大人の可愛い計画 ・ ・ 20190512 ・ ・

A post shared by ちゃびぃ ぼーくん (@chubby_bokun) on May 12, 2019 at 6:13am PDT

Comment of the Week
PenelopesMom writes, "Hello Jennifer I recently came across your YouTube channel and am completely loving it! I am a stay at home mom to a fourteen month old daughter and have struggled to keep up my appearance. You are inspiring me! In the past two weeks I have been working on creating my ten item wardrobe and taking a few extra minutes a day to brush my hair, put on a little makeup and just look more presentable. It's actually not difficult at all and I am feeling so much better! I'm excited for my first Chic Assignment as well. I have already given myself a manicure and pedicure while the baby napped yesterday, and today I plan on wearing a beautiful statement necklace to a birthday party. Thank you so much for all you do, I am looking forward to reading and learning more!"

Welcome to the blog, PenelopesMom, and thank you for joining in on The Chic Assignment. Having your first baby is a wonderful time but it can also be challenging as you adapt to your new routine and life. I'm so happy you are finding refreshment here!

Thank you for joining us for The Chic Assignment check-in. I would love to hear from you. How is your assignment going this month? What are your findings? Let us know and your comment could be chosen as comment of the week on The Daily Connoisseur!


Visit my Author Website

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

Welcome to The Chic Assignment for May! We are exploring music, art, jewelry and self-care this month. Let's get right into it.



🎵Chic Assignment no. 1 Listen to Erik Satie Gymnopédies The Gymnopédies, published in Paris starting in 1888, are three piano compositions written by French composer and pianist Erik Satie.

You can listen to all three Gymnopédies for free on this 15 minute YouTube video (which has seen 20 MILLION views!)



🖼Chic Assignment no. 2 Regard the works of Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Visit the official Pierre-Auguste Renoir website to view his works. The 12 most popular works are listed on the first page. I would love for you to share which one speaks to you.

Here I'm sharing one of my favorites: Dance at the Moulin de la Galette

I am sharing this image via Wikepedia

💍Chic Assignment no. 3 Wear a piece (or pieces) of jewelry you don't normally wear. Many of us have a jewelry box or a little dish with pretty pieces, yet we wear the same jewelry over and over again (I do this!). Open your jewelry box and wear an old piece you haven't worn in awhile. It doesn't have to be fancy, just something to freshen up your ten-item wardrobe. Let us know, what you chose to wear.

💅Chic Assignment no. 4 Get manicure and pedicure ready. Sandal season is fast approaching. Whether you wear nail polish or not, it's time to get manicure and (especially) pedicure ready. Buff those heels, apply a cream and treat yourself to some self care by taking care of your hands and feet. If you missed my spring manicure video from last month, I will share it here. This is the foot file I mention in the video: it's an invaluable tool for my pedicures.



I love reading your Chic Assignment updates! Even though I am not able to reply to each one, I appreciate reading them. I know others do too! I hope you enjoy The Chic Assignment in today's video.

News
📍We are doing a budget kitchen renovation Chez Connoisseur. Follow me on Instagram for updates (I will also be blogging this too!)

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Kitchen renovation day one: we survived. Homeschooling with four kids and a kitchen reno is no joke. Ben said something very funny to me right before he snapped this picture, hence my maniacal laughter. This is going to be very interesting! #connoisseurkitchen #dailyconnoisseur #kitchenrenovation #4kids #nokitchen #help

A post shared by Jennifer L. Scott (@dailyconnoisseur) on Apr 29, 2019 at 5:56pm PDT

📍Take my affordable eCourses on the Ten-Item Wardrobe, Debt-free Living, and How to be Efficient at Home.

📍I would like to thank everyone who emails me, comments on videos or posts or sends me messages in other ways. I am receiving so many messages that I am unable to respond to them. Every time I read one of your wonderful emails I truly smile. Thank you so much! In this busy season of life with the children I am unable to respond. I do hope you understand.

On Instagram
Madame Chic in Vietnam...

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my new book, my holidays 📖📖 #peacefulmoments #lessonsfrommadamechic #girlreading

A post shared by Thao Tran (@haileystories) on Apr 27, 2019 at 10:00pm PDT

Comment of the Week
Last week's post on The Dress Code for Parents sparked so much conversation! There were so many comments I could have chosen for comment of the week!
Anonymous writes, "When I was growing up, no matter what was going on in my world, there was one thing I could always count on: my mom looking fabulous! I don't mean in a fancy, expensive, uber-chic way. We were not a rich family! But, she was always dressed in slacks or a dress or skirt, she always had her hair done, and she always wore makeup. Always. She looked bright and pretty, and the sight of her reassured me and filled me with calm. Things were under control. Mom was put together, and so was our lives.

Years later when I was an adult and Mom was diagnosed with cancer, she was determined to keep it up. She went to her mastectomy armed with a full face of makeup on - I know that sounds extreme! Throughout her treatment, she sported the cutest wigs and wore bright colors. She fought courageously and lived for 10 more years! It was only at the very end that she became too weak to continue.

I think my mom understood the psychological effect her grooming had on her family. It always gave us a lift and made our days just a little brighter.

A Grateful Daughter"

Dear Anon, your beautiful memories of your mother were so poignant. She sounded like a marvelous woman. And how wonderful for her to leave you with such fond memories. Thank you for sharing those memories with us.

Thank you for participating in The Chic Assignment for May! I am looking forward to hearing your findings. As usual, I will be doing a check-in mid-month. See you soon!




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

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

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

Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter

This post is not sponsored. Some links may be affiliate.