I finally watched Madonna's film, WE (rented it On Demand) about the life of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor. I was really excited to see this film as I wanted to know more about how Wallis and the King of England first met. The parts about Wallis were beautifully done and Andrea Riseborough did a marvelous job portraying her, but I found the modern storyline woven into the script very distracting. In short, I didn't learn as much about Wallis Simpson as I would have liked.

Because the film left me with so many unanswered questions about her life I read the biography, That Woman: The Life of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor by Anne Sebba. This is a very well written, interesting biography that highlights the major plot points of Wallis' life.


The thing that intrigues me about Wallis is that she was what the French would call jolie laide, which literally translates to ugly pretty. She was not a classically beautiful woman, but made the best of what she had by dressing beautifully and grooming impeccably.

I love the idea of jolie laide because it suggests that we do not need to be cookie cutter beauties to be attractive. Suddenly features like tiny eyes, a jutting chin or a prominent nose could actually be deemed attractive. That these features need not be 'corrected' by plastic surgery in order to be considered beautiful. The motto of jolie laide is 'work with what you've got', and that is very refreshing indeed.

A great article called 'The Unfairest of Them All' that appeared in the New York Times back in 2005 gives a great perspective on jolie laide. To read the article click here.

If you are unable to see my video above where I discuss Wallis Simpson and the concept of jolie laide click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur



Check out That Woman: The Life of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor on Amazon.com by clicking here.

Image courtesy of nndb.com

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Hello everyone! I’m happy to say I’m back from maternity leave. Thank you so much for all of your messages while I was away. The baby is doing great. She is such a delight. We really are in love.

I am finding motherhood the second time around a lot different than the first. It seems easier in some respects. This is not because the baby is any different but because I’ve changed a lot. For one thing I’ve started to take my own advice… To be in the moment, to take pleasure out of the simple things and to just enjoy myself, no matter what the circumstance.

Because of my first child I now know that these precious moments when they are babies go by all too quickly so I might as well soak every wonderful moment in- even the sleepless ones.

I'm not saying it's easy and roses all the time... I hosted a playdate last week that was, in two words, pure chaos. But I am still enjoying the process.

I’m also taking some advice from Pamela Druckerman’s book, Bringing Up Bébé, which discusses French parenting techniques. The biggest themes I took away from that book were the ideas of being relaxed, going with the rhythm of the baby, not trying to force anything unnaturally and, the biggest revelation for me, La Pause technique (where you don't jump at every sound the baby makes). So far it all seems to be working really well. Although it didn’t start off that way…

The first days after bringing our newborn home from the hospital were a bit challenging. I remarked to Mr. Connoisseur that I felt like I was living in a video game where every moment I was just trying to get to the next level. But once I started to pay attention to the rhythm of our baby, I managed to form a delicious routine that is malleable enough to change with the needs of our family. I am seriously enjoying motherhood now because I know that suddenly I will blink and my girls will be graduating from college. It can go by that fast.

I've missed you all and am really excited to get back into blogging again. I somehow did a lot of writing and planning while on maternity leave (I told you I never stop working) so I have a lot of great posts planned for you.

Those of you who follow me on Twitter know a bit about what I've been up to (anyone else watch the Diamond Jubilee??) but I look forward to updating you on it all in next week's post.

And now I have to go change a diaper… or two.

If you are unable to see the embedded video above, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur.

Until next time, I would love to hear your parenting tips and wisdoms for raising children…

Bringing Up Bébé by Pamela Druckerman can be found at Amazon.com or by clicking here.

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Hello Everyone! I'm happy to say I will be returning to the blog next week. I'm really looking forward to catching up with you all... But until then I wanted to share with you the new cover for Lessons from Madame Chic, which will be released on November 6, 2012. The cover art is by Virginia Johnson... I hope you love it as much as I do!





See you soon!

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Last Thursday we welcomed our darling baby girl into the world. She came three weeks early but, thankfully, is the picture of health. I could not have asked for a better labor and delivery… everything went so fast. I found the second time around to be much, much easier.

We brought our little girl home from the hospital on Saturday and since then have been getting accustomed to our new life. Our oldest daughter is quite enamored with her little sister already and Gatsby, although suspicious at first, is now quite taken with the newest family member too.

Thank you for all of your lovely messages. I have read every single comment, email and tweet and appreciate them all.

I’m still on maternity leave from the blog and YouTube channel but have been working behind the scenes on some wonderful ideas for when I return. I’ve also received all of your requests and will do my best to honor those too!


Until next time…

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Hello everyone… I hope you’re having a great week!

Things have been bubbling along wonderfully here. I’ve been busy working with the team at Simon & Schuster to prepare Lessons from Madame Chic for its re-release in the fall, which has tentatively been scheduled for November 6, 2012. We have been working on edits and have taken on a really wonderful illustrator. The book is going to be a work of art and I couldn’t be more thrilled.

In other news, this baby is coming any day now so I will be taking a brief maternity leave from The Daily Connoisseur. I look forward to returning to the blog and videos, newly inspired and with a whole new perspective on life…

If you have any requests for future posts or videos, please leave me a comment below. I already have some great things scheduled for when I return but your suggestions are always welcome. Also, I’ve been getting a really high volume of messages lately, so I apologize in advance if I am not able to respond to your query. I take note of them all and will do my best to address your requests.

If you are unable to see the video where I make my maternity leave announcement, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur.

Please wish me luck! I will definitely update you when I’ve had the baby. To never miss an update, please subscribe to the blog, the YouTube channel and, to keep au courant with my daily adventures, follow me on Twitter @JL_Scott


Sending love,

Before this week's post begins, you will probably notice that The Daily Connoisseur has an entirely new look! Thank you to Smitten Blog Designs for making my vision come to life...

And now for this week's post on The Perils of Salon Visits...

Last week I ventured out of bed rest to go get my eyebrows done (I get mine threaded). I was very overdue for this beauty maintenance fix that I am normally quite regular with. I know I was at home and eyebrows don't really matter when one is on bed rest but I was longing for some fresh air and I live quite close to the salon. So I made the trek.

When I walked into the salon they put me with a new lady, one who had never worked on me before. I wasn't worried because I've been treated by everyone in the salon and have always had great results. Still, as a peremptory warning, I requested before she began, "Please do not make my eyebrows thin". I have a hard time growing my eyebrows out and have had bad experiences in the past (namely with waxing) where the brow person has taken off too much.

Unfortunately, I think my new brow lady only heard, "Please make them thin", because when she finished, I regarded in horror my new emaciated eyebrows. I was so speechless I could not even complain. I just paid my bill and hobbled back to bed rest to forget about the entire situation (that is probably what I get for disobeying doctor's orders!)

This all got me thinking about the perils of salon visits. We go hoping to achieve a certain result and sometimes we leave less than satisfied. I know a lot of people have this trouble when they get their hair done.

Sometimes it is the way we communicate with our beauty practitioners that is key. Now I know to say, "Please clean up my brows, do not shape", when I visit my brow salon again. That command is less open to interpretation.

Another issue I had been dealing with of late is my skin having unfavorable reactions to certain beauty treatments. Which prompted me to do this week's video (which was shot before the eyebrow debacle), where I share with you a top skincare tip for sensitive skin.

If you are unable to see the above embedded video, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur.

So as I sit here impatiently growing my eyebrows back, I would love to know... do you have any disastrous salon stories?


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Thank you for all of your messages this past week. I am still on bed rest but feeling a lot better. I have been spoiled by my friends and family who have looked after me really well.

Today, I have a very exciting tea review for you. The No 1 Ladies’ Teas by The Republic of Tea. So without further ado…

No. 1 Ladies’ Teas

I love tea. I also love The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith (I’m currently reading his latest, The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection). So when I saw that the Republic of Tea had released a special collection of teas based on McCall Smith’s bestselling novels it was all too thrilling for me.

I contacted The Republic of Tea requesting samples and they kindly sent them to me last week. The following are the descriptions of the teas along with my notes.


97 Per Cent Citrus Ginger Bush Tea
This tea is clearly dedicated to Grace Makutsi, Mma Ramotswe's assistant detective at The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, who so triumphantly scored 97% on her Botswana secretarial exam. Made with 97% green rooibos and 3% red rooibos, this tea is bright, aggressive and a tad bit bitter, much like Mma Makutsi herself. One to stimulate the mind. The citrus and ginger notes are strong and I also detected notes of lemongrass. It is a lovely bright, invigorating tea.


Speedy Motors Breakfast Black Tea
This tea is described as dependable, much like Mma Ramotswe's husband, Mr. J.L.B Matekoni, who also happens to be the proprietor of Speedy Motors mechanic shop. Reminiscent of Earl Grey minus the citrus note, it’s a nice, mild, yet full bodied black tea for morning. I found it best served with milk.


Precious’ Cup of Comfort Vanilla Red Bush Tea
This was my favorite of the three as I suspected it would be. This rooibos tea is, as the title describes, a cup of comfort… just as warm and enveloping as I imagine Precious Ramotswe to be. Precious’ Cup of Comfort is creamy with rich vanilla notes. It is the sort of tea you could have copious amounts of, without feeling guilty. Really delightful.

It is important to note that these teas come as tea bags in a canister, not as loose leaf tea. The teas sell for $11.50 each. To learn more, visit The Republic of Tea at www.republicoftea.com or to see the collection directly, click here.

All images provided by The Republic of Tea www.republicoftea.com

Until next time!

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I hope you all had a marvelous weekend. As I write this I am in bed. Yes, I am officially on full bed rest now, even though I am not due till the end of May. Doctor's orders. Thankfully I was able to shoot some videos in prior weeks (including this week's video) so I will be able to post those for you as time ticks on.

Speaking of videos, this week's has a baby theme to it. It comes by request from Maureen, who asks for advice on how to stay chic while expecting. In the video I give you a mini maternity fashion show and share with you my advice on navigating pregnancy with dignity and grace.

If you are unable to see the above embedded video, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur.

Also, I wanted to mention that today marks my one year anniversary on YouTube! I can't believe how time has flown. I've really enjoyed doing videos and I hope you get enjoyment out of watching them. It all started on April 16th, 2011 with this video, How to Tie a Scarf.

So until next time... I would love to hear your own pregnancy related stories in the comment section below...

Have a wonderful week!

Jennifer x

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