Welcome to a new homemaking week in the life. Today we do some gardening, celebrate another birthday, and explore the art of tea.



The Art of Tea... what does it mean to you? Certainly the art lies in the choice of tea and the treats to accompany the beverage of repose. Although for me, the art of tea is more about taking the time to enjoy the meditative qualities of that glorious afternoon ritual.



I'm reading this beautiful hardcover book The Art of Tea by Victoria Magazine in today's video. I have been feasting on this beautiful book, full of gorgeous images and delectable recipes. I adore it. What a treat.

Speaking of treats... I'm making Shelby from The Queen's Cabinet's Caramel Pecan Turtles... a very easy treat to make. You can visit The Queen's Cabinet here.



The beautiful Wedgwood teapot and tea set was a housewarming gift from my mother and father in-law. I was so delighted to receive it!

The Reward
I have some rather mundane tasks,
To complete before my repose:
Dinner to cook, and tidying to do,
And then there’s laundering the clothes,

I can get through elemental chores,
Knowing well what lies before me.
For when all my tasks are checked off my list,
It’s time for a cup of tea.

- Jennifer L. Scott

I was getting tired of making the same birthday cake over and over again. (In a family of 6, we can get tired of birthday cakes easily. Ha!) So I tried out a Texas Sheet Cake this time for our son's 2nd birthday. I can't tell you how delicious this cake is. I replaced the walnuts with pecans and found the cake to be absolutely delectable. The original recipe is from All Recipes. I am also leaving a printable recipe card down below with my adjustments for your convenience.





🍂 Featured in the video
The Art of Tea
Wedgwood Harlequin Butterfly Tea Pot
Wedgwood Harlequin Butterfly Tea Cups
My Robot Vacuum
The Queen's Cabinet (Tell Shelby I said "hello")
Nail polish Guarded Jewel (Londontown) JenniferS 25% off
Dress by Everlane
Block Bracelet by Capsul
French apron
Half chambray apron

I hope you enjoy today's video.

News
📍Join us for The Chic Assignment for September.

📍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.)

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

On Instagram
Mademoiselle Chic in Japan...

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娘の家にありました。 孫娘は、まだ7ヶ月ですが 教育方針は、わたくしと同じ模様。 こちらの本の著者は フランス人は、洋服を10着しか持たない話シリーズを書いたジェニファースコット。 わたくしは、全て読みましたわ。 #美しい生き方 #マダムと呼ばれて #読書好きな人と繋がりたい #子育て #マドモアゼルシック #ジェニファースコット #翻訳が残念 #jenniferlscott

A post shared by Kazue Itoh (@kazuenamiitoh_) on Sep 12, 2020 at 1:07am PDT

Comment of the Week
Shelby writes, "I was such a lazy dresser before this quarantine. I wore workout clothes 90% of the time. This year really pushed me into dressing well. Finding your channel was the catalyst! I have started wearing dresses daily and I have felt so much better about myself, and have been so much more productive. I even bought 4 new dresses to start the 10 piece wardrobe this fall!"

Dear Shelby, Thank you! How amazing! I loved reading your comment and am so glad that you enjoy the channel.

Thank you for joining me today. I hope my homemaking series encourages you in your daily tasks. I'll see you on Thursday!




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

Visit my newly designed Author Website

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Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

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FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are affiliate.

NPR documents the house dress renaissance, the Girl Scouts upgrade their uniforms for the first time in twenty years, and Venice Film festival's best dressed red carpet looks. Welcome to a new edition of 3 Articles on Dress.



Let's have a look at the articles:

Żaneta Mieszczak/Malgosia Archer

⚜️ Many people sent me this article from NPR, which states that the house dress is the fashion statement of 2020
Many women are rediscovering the house dress this year and are choosing house dresses over other choices of loungewear. I would love to know... do you own a house dress? I have converted one of my dresses from my fall wardrobe last year into a "gardening dress". I'll share more about that with you in a future ten-item wardrobe video.

Mentioned in the article: Dwell and Slumber and Gosh Yaga



⚜️ The Girl Scouts upgrade their uniforms for the first time in twenty years. First of all, isn't it weird that the 90s were over twenty years ago? I still can't wrap my mind around that. I like the new Girl Scout uniforms and think they are very fashion forward. I bet the Scouts are happy about them too. What do you think?



Cate Blanchett

⚜️ And finally, Vogue shares the best dressed looks at the Venice Film Festival. With the lack of events due to Covid, many eyes have been on the recent fashion at the Venice film festival. I enjoyed many of the looks I saw, with my favorites being Cate Blanchett and Lotte Verbeek. Who were your best dressed looks?

*Please note: at the time of filming this video, the Venice Film Festival was still taking place so the article contains even more looks that were not discussed in this chat.

I hope you enjoy today's video.

⚜️ Style
Earrings SKYE Genevieve 18K gold pearl code Jennifer20 for 20% off
Silk blouse Lilysilk Daily12 for 12% off
Nail polish London Town (Guarded Jewel) JenniferS 25% off

Thank you to Ritual Vitamins for sponsoring today's video. Code THEDAILY gives 10% off your first three months with Ritual.


News
📍Join us for The Chic Assignment for September.

📍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.)

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

On Instagram
I am featured in the September issue of Oh Wondrous Grace Chronicle and shared this snap of the Magazine on Instagram. What an honor! Thank you to editor, Claire Kerrigan.

View this post on Instagram

Thank you @ohwondrousgrace Chronicle for featuring me in your September issue. What an honor ✨#dailyconnoisseur #ohwondrousgrace #jenniferlscott #connoisseurkids #lessonsfrommadamechic #authorsofinstagram

A post shared by Jennifer L. Scott (@dailyconnoisseur) on Sep 5, 2020 at 8:53am PDT

Comment of the Week
Unknown writes, "After watching the first video you made on the Lessons from “Farmer Boy” I was inspired to read this book again. I never appreciated this book as I found it an interruption of Laura Ingalls stories. But reading it on its own I have to say this book is a gem.
And a big thank you to you for directing me to it and all the lessons. My favourite lesson was #1 “Homemaking Traditions anchored their week.” It has motivated me to start some new weekly traditions in my home."


Thank you for your comment! I enjoyed that lesson too. It has motivated me to keep traditions going on a weekly basis in our own home.


I hope you enjoyed today's 3 Articles on Dress. I would love to know your thoughts on each of the articles discussed. Your comment could be chosen as comment of the week on The Daily Connoisseur.




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

Visit my newly designed Author Website

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 POISE *NEW course*, debt-free living, and efficiency at home




FTC: This video is sponsored by Ritual. Other links used may be affiliate.

This was the best week of meals ever. It was just one of those magical weeks where each meal was delicious and hit the spot.



Join me as I make Houston's French Dip au jus, a delicious vegetable tart, Moroccan fish with fruit salsa, and Marry Me Chicken. I believe meal planning is a homemaking MUST. I can confidently say that meal planning makes my life easier, keeps us within our budget, and produces better meals for our family. This is the meal planning notebook I use.

I hope you enjoy today's video.

My version of Houston's French Dip Au Jus


Ben and I love dining at Houston's restaurant. Whenever we go I always get the French Dip Au Jus. We haven't been since the lockdown and I have been craving this dish.

Slow Cooker French Dip Au Jus
2-3 lb chuck roast
Medium onion
1 10z can beef consommé
1 cup beef broth
1 Tbs soy sauce
2 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
French sandwich rolls (enough to feed your family)
smoked provolone cheese
oil
salt and pepper


I take a chuck roast (usually they are around 2 to 3 lbs), season it with salt and pepper, and sear it in my cast iron skillet with oil... just a few minutes on each side. Then place it in the slow cooker with one sliced onion, one tablespoon of soy sauce and two tablespoons Worcestershire sauce. Pour in one can of beef consommé and one cup of beef broth. Cook in the slow cooker on low for 8 hours.

When the roast is cooked, heat the French sandwich rolls in the oven until they are toasted. I like to spread butter on the inside of the rolls. Place the shredded roast and onions on the rolls. Place smoked provolone cheese on top of the meat and return the sandwich to the oven for another minute until the cheese is melted. Serve with a nice bowl of the au jus (the sauce from the slow cooker). I like to use these au jus bowls. We also serve with French fries (see the recipe for that below).


Air-Fryer French Fries



2 - 3 medium to large potatoes
2 Tbs oil
1 Tbs paprika
1 Tbs garlic powder
salt and pepper

Use a French Fry chopper to chop your potatoes. Allow them to soak in water for 15 minutes. Then drain the water and pat the potatoes dry. Mix the oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper with your potatoes.

Please follow the instructions on your Air Fryer for cooking French Fries. Every one is different. For my Cosori model, here is what I did. I pre-heat the Air Fryer to 280 degrees F for 5 minutes. Then I place the fries in the basket and press the French Fry icon. The machine lets you know when to shake the fries half way through cooking. These fries are DELICIOUS. I like them with ketchup, but ranch dip would be good too.



Vegetarian Vegetable Tart
1 9- inch pie crust
3 to 4 cups of sautéed vegetables
1 Tbs minced garlic
(I use mushrooms and broccoli, but you can use any combination of vegetables you like)
One sliced tomato
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups whole milk
2 teaspoons dried sage
3/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Sauté your vegetables and garlic in olive oil until cooked through. (I steamed my broccoli.) Place a prepared pie crust in the bottom of a deep dish pie pan and add the cooked vegetables. Whisk together the eggs, milk, dried sage, salt and pepper. Pour over the vegetables. Crumble the goat cheese on top. Brush the pie crust with egg wash. Place in the oven and cook for 40 to 50 minutes or until cooked through. I like to use a pie crust shield to protect the crust from burning and will keep this on the crust the second half of cooking (or the first half). Serve with a side salad.



Moroccan Tilapia with Fruit Salsa
This meal is inspired by Robin Miller's recipe in Quick Fix Meals. I have altered the recipe somewhat and will leave my version here as well.

Coconut oil for frying
4- 6 6oz tilapia fillets
1 Tbs ground cumin
1 Tbs ground coriander
Fruit for the salsa of your choice (I use mango, white peach and fig)
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 lemon squeezed
a small handful of chopped cilantro

Heat the coconut oil in your skillet (I use my cast iron skillet) over medium heat. Season both sides of the fish with salt and pepper and rub in the spices. Fry about 3 to 5 minutes per side or until cooked through. Chop your fruit and place in a bowl with the raisins. Squeeze the lemon juice over the salsa (I like my new lemon squeezer), and add the chopped cilantro. Serve the fish with the fruit salsa on top. I like this with brown rice, steamed broccoli, and chopped tomato.



Marry Me Chicken
This is a very popular dish that I have seen several times on YouTube and Pinterest. I am linking the recipe I used here from Modern Honey. I will also write it out here for your reference with the adaptations I made.

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 1/2 lb chicken breast tenders (or 3 to 4 large chicken breasts)
Salt
Pepper
2 cloves Garlic (minced)
1 tsp Thyme
1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
3/4 cup Chicken Broth
1/2 cup Heavy Cream
1/2 cup Sundried Tomatoes (chopped)
1/4 - 1/2 cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
Italian Herbs

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large oven-safe skillet (I use my cast iron skillet) heat oil over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper and sear until golden, about 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a plate.
Return skillet to medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in thyme, red pepper flakes, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring often. Stir in sundried tomatoes and parmesan cheese.
Return chicken to skillet and spoon sauce all over the chicken breasts. Bake until chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes. Garnish with Italian herbs and grated parmesan cheese, if desired.

⚜️ Featured in the video:
Meal planning notebook/ grocery list
Air fryer
French fry chopper
Au Jus bowls set of 12
Slow cooker
lemon juicer
Robin Miller's Quick Fix Meals cookbook
Copper measuring cups
Cast iron skillet
Silicone pie crust cover
Blue & white Churchill plates
Kristin Stepp's YouTube channel

⚜️ Style
Red Nail polish Londontown (Changing of the Guards) JenniferS 25% off
Plum nail polish London Town (Guarded Jewel) JenniferS for 25% off
My bath robe Plush Necessities
French apron
Everlane dress
Earrings SKYE Opale 18K gold freshwater pearl earrings Jennifer20 for 20% off

News
📍Join us for The Chic Assignment for September.

📍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.)

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

On Instagram
Madame Chic around the world...

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<<向巴黎夫人學品味：Madame Chic的20堂優雅生活課>> 在我的書櫃歷經幾番斷捨離後，這本書依舊優雅的佇立在我的書櫃當中。 <<向巴黎夫人學品味>> 不只是值得一看，更是值得收藏的一本好書。同時，它也是我接觸極簡主義的啟蒙之書。 作者在學生時期以交換學生的身分到法國讀書，她在法國寄宿家庭的所見所聞與在美國家鄉時大相逕庭。寄宿家庭的媽媽(作者稱其時尚夫人)的生活藝術大大的震驚及影響了作者的價值觀及未來。作者將時尚夫人精緻優雅的生活秘訣傳授給讀者，讓讀者能夠更有方向的調整生活中的細節，往心之所向的美好生活邁進。 ✏️Part 1 飲食與運動 •吃零食一點都不時尚 •不要放棄美食的樂趣 •運動不是例行公事，而是生活的一部分 我們幾乎都忘記如何「好好吃飯」。用餐時因為怕胖所以斤斤計較著澱粉和卡路里，焦慮感成為我們最親密的飯友，每一餐都形影不離的陪著你。正餐沒吃好，心理與生理都沒有的到應有的飽足，萬惡的零食就能趁虛而入。所以不管你吃飯時多麼戒慎恐懼，體重還是不減反增。 書中提到大部分的法國人都不吃零食，他們視三餐為享用美食的重要時刻(特別是晚餐)。從食材、擺盤、餐具到擺設都非常講究。在你身體與心靈都吃下營養美味的食物後，就一點也不想吃百害而無一利的零食了。因為不吃零食，你也不必再為正餐後那高熱量但優質的甜點感到焦慮了，盡情地享用它們吧！ ✏️Part 2 時尚與美容 •十件精品衣櫥 •掌握最適合自己的風格 •無時無刻儀容得體 這個單元開啟了我走向極簡衣櫥的這條路，原本是衣櫃炸裂一族的我，這一章它完全刷新了我的三觀。我開始好好省視我在衣服購買上既盲目又浪費的惡習，並試著找出那些自己喜歡且合適的風格。坦白說這不是一個簡單的過程，但你絕對會因此獲得多不勝數的好處。 坦白說十件精品衣櫥未必能讓你省下治裝費（因為你可能會添購很高價的單品），但我能跟你保證你的錢再也不會被浪費掉，每一分錢都能紮紮實實的為你加分並帶給你自信與快樂。 自從開始極簡衣櫥後，我就再也不買無法試穿的衣服了。依照以往的經驗，許多網購（且不能退貨）的衣服，在我收到後十件有八件讓我感到不如預期。無論是衣料的色差、質感或是穿在身上合身度，都不是隔著手機電腦可以預測的。買衣服的管道有很多種，但我拒絕再用賭博的方式來買衣服，省下那些不小心買到垃圾的錢，你可以拿來買更高層次的舒適衣服。 ✏️Part 3 美好生活 •只用好東西 •拒絕新唯物主義 •尋找單純的快樂 這裡的「只用好東西」，並不是指一定要全身名牌，只用高級的餐傢俱等。作者的說法跟近藤麻理惠的「怦然心動」有點像，既然是日常生活要用的東西，就請選擇你最喜歡的。有時候價格便宜的東西很容易讓我們放鬆思考，進而買了很多根本不需要或是不那麼喜歡的東西堆在家裡。這時候你就要知道，我只用最好的東西，不需要可有可無的垃圾。 有件事蠻常發生在從前的我身上的，就是我願意花七八千去買一雙打了三折的精品高跟鞋（我一年大概穿兩次高跟鞋而已），卻在挑選洗髮乳時因為喜歡的那瓶要貴上五十元而猶豫不決，最後還是挑便宜的買回家。我們討厭自己被貼標籤，但又特愛買那些能給自己打上標籤的奢侈品，弔詭的出奇。我之後會再詳細發篇名牌價值的文，在這簡短提醒大家，少掉許多多餘的標籤，能讓你過上更有質感的生活。切計！需要的東西買最好的，不需要的東西就算免錢都不要。 本書雖然完全沒有提及極簡主義，但法國人的生活態度卻將極簡主義詮釋的相當完美。用理性的態度看待時尚，用精緻的藝術來經營生活；這就是極簡主義的中心思想，也是令人嚮往的法國女人。 #向巴黎夫人學品味 #法國女人 #madamechic #極簡主義 #極簡生活 #膠囊衣櫥 #capsulewardrobe #斷捨離 #斷捨離練習 #好書推薦 #好書分享

A post shared by 極簡的事 (@the.minithings) on Sep 4, 2020 at 12:26am PDT

Comment of the Week
Sandra writes, "Jennifer - I made every single recipe this week. Even the merengues! Having the potato skins tonight and pizza tomorrow! It was delicious and beyond easy. ☺️ Thank you! I still don’t understand how you spend so little on food. I have a family of three and my groceries are so much more than yours! Oh yeah - wait - I live in NY. 😕"

Sandra, I'm so glad the recipes were a hit! I hope you enjoy the recipes in this video as well!


I hope you enjoy the meals this week. If you make the dishes, please let me know. Your comment could be chosen as comment of the week on The Daily Connoisseur.



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

Visit my newly designed Author Website

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 POISE *NEW course*, debt-free living, and efficiency at home




FTC: This video is not sponsored. I also use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links which means I get a small commission from any purchases made at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.

My homemaking series continues today as we take another deep-dive into the Little House on the Prairie book series with my Farmer Boy observations.



In today's video, I'm sharing the second half of my observations on Farmer Boy. This book is full of homemaking inspiration as the Wilders had a very full and fulfilling family life.

You can see my Little House observations here and Part one of my Farmer Boy observations here.

🍂 Lesson 11 They weren’t afraid of using technology when it suited them.
On p.164, it says, Mother didn’t card her own wool anymore, since there was a machine… But she dyed it. The Wilders were definitely open to new technologies and using them to improve their homemaking. I have had new technologies that I've resisted in my own homemaking, that have changed my life for the better once I finally decided to give them a try. Have you ever resisted technology to improve your homemaking?

🍂 Lesson 12 They made their own household necessities.
While they did enjoy new technologies, they also made many of their own household essentials from scratch such as soap and candles... They took a deep satisfaction from these domestic arts.

🍂 Lesson 13 The children were taught to enjoy homemaking.
Almanzo actually looked forward to the work on the farm… even more than school (p. 166). The atmosphere of home was so inviting, he didn't want to leave. This stems from the children being taught to enjoy homemaking, so much so that they preferred it over other activities.

🍂 Lesson 14 They all banded together to help in a crisis.
This tip didn't make it into my video. I believe I skipped it on accident when I was filming. On page 169, in the chapter called, Cold Snap, the entire family banded together in a crisis and got out of bed on a very frosty evening to help save the crops. The entire family came together to help in a crisis and put their own personal comfort on the back-burner to do so.

🍂 Lesson 15 They worked hard and played hard.
On page 199, in the chapter, Summertime, Almanzo's father quotes the famous phrase, All work and no play makes Jack a very dull boy. The Wilders enjoyed playing hard, but only after they worked hard. Also, note that their "fun" also involved chores (berrying).

🍂 Lesson 16 They didn’t waste anything.
On page 199, Mother “scraped every bit of buttermilk”. She didn't waste anything. This tip convicted me and made me realize that I am apt to waste food, by not scraping every last bit. I will work to change that.

🍂 Lesson 17 They were proud of her home and of keeping it nice.
Mother is described as being proud of her home and in keeping it nice (p.224). Even though the term, "house proud" has negative connotations, most of us are a bit proud of our homes and naturally want to keep them looking nice. I think this is a good thing. It's this pride that keeps us on top of things.

🍂 Lesson 18 The kids knew when they needed to HUSTLE.
When the Wilder children are left alone on the homestead, they goof off just like any other children would do... but when they realize their parents are returning shortly, they HUSTLE and truly go beyond by working all day and into the late evening to get their tasks done.

🍂 Lesson 19 Suppertime was a cheerful time for bonding.
On page 147, suppertime was described as "not as cheerful as usual", which indicates that suppertime usually was a cheerful time. The book describes several of their meals with great detail and the reader gets the impression that the family truly bonded over these excellent dinners.


🍂 Lesson 20 Children were given big responsibilities and their abilities weren’t underestimated.
This was really eye-opening for me. The Wilder children were given big responsibilities and their abilities were not underestimated. Modern-day parents sometimes underestimate what their children are capable of, especially with homemaking. No matter how small the child is, they can develop an appreciation for looking after the home.

🍂 Bonus Observation: Even Almanzo's mother (homemaker extraordinaire) got flustered right before company came over. Ha!
In the chapter, Christmas, “Mother was everywhere, talking all the time”. It was very comforting and humorous for me to read about Mrs. Wilder running around after the children and displaying pre-company stress that so many of us deal with. It reminded me of one of my favorite comedy skits on YouTube from Trey Kennedy, Company is Coming.


⚜️ Mentioned in the video
My robot vacuum
Nail Polish Londontown (Changing of the Guards) JenniferS for 25% off
Earrings SKYE Opale 18K gold pearl earrings Jennifer20 for 20% off
Trey Kennedy Company is Coming

News
📍Join us for The Chic Assignment for September.

📍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.)

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On Instagram
Lessons from Madame Chic on Instagram...

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Killing time with Madame Chic - I'm a bit too early for my breakfast date with the lovely @sylverillustrations, so taking the opportunity to brush up on French elegance ❤ 💄💕📚 . . . . . . . . . #tea #teabreak #chamomile #decafe @deleeuwarden #leeuwarden #holiday #book #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #reading #madamechic #jenniferlscott @dailyconnoisseur #20stylishsecretsilearnedwhilelivinginparis #20stylishsecrets #frenchliving

A post shared by Marijke Braaksma (@marijke1010) on Aug 26, 2020 at 11:37pm PDT

Comment of the Week

smallhouseinthemeadow writes:

Dorothy Parker I"ll never be,
but here's a poem I hope you''ll see
How greatly you inspire me
As Chic as you,I try to be


Your poem made me smile from ear to ear. Thank you!

Thank you for joining me for this installment of my homemaking series. I would love to hear your observations. Your comment could be chosen as comment of the week on the blog.



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

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FTC: This video is not sponsored. I also use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links which means I get a small commission from any purchases made at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.

Welcome to The Chic Assignment for September.



The Chic Assignment is a monthly assignment where we explore composers, artists, and poets. We also take part in seasonal activities that enrich our lives. Let's jump into September's assignment:

⚜️ Chic Assignment no. 1 Enjoy Wynton Marsalis performing Haydn's Trumpet Concerto in Eb with the Boston Pops Orchestra, conducted by John Williams.



This is such an incredible performance. So many amazing talents meet up in this one piece. John Williams is a brilliant conductor. Wynton Marsalis is one of the best living musicians today, and this Haydn Concerto is glorious.

⚜️ Chic Assignment no. 2 Enjoy the poetry of Dorothy Parker
I discovered Dorothy Parker as a teenager and have been fascinated with her ever since. I own a very well-read volume of her poetry. She was a troubled figure and her poetry could be dark at times, but her writing was also incredibly brave and witty. I can't wait to dive into her poetry with you this month.

Check out Dorothy Parker's Collected Poems



You can also learn more about her and read some of her most famous works for free at the Poetry Foundation.

⚜️ Chic Assignment no. 3 Stock your pantry for the upcoming winter
Many of you are canning right now. I'm not there yet, but I am thinking about stocking my pantry for the upcoming fall and winter season (spring/ summer for our Southern Hemisphere friends). It's a great idea to take inventory of what we have, get rid of expired items, clean it out (Farmer Boy-style), and stock it well. We don't know what lies ahead with regard to the shut-downs so let's be prepared for the upcoming winter.

Two of the Chic Society members are also YouTubers with wonderful channels and they have both addressed the "prepper pantry" trend that is very popular right now. I am listing their videos here for your reference:

This and That with Denise Jordan
Mary's Nest


⚜️ Chic Assignment no. 4 Transition your beauty routine for the change in season
Perhaps this means wearing a darker nail polish, or fixing your hair in a different way. Perhaps it means experimenting with different makeup colors, or just changing your skincare routine, but as we head for fall, we will want to have our beauty correspond with the season.



⚜️ Featured style
Earrings: SKYE Genevieve 18K gold pearl earrings code Jennifer20 for 20% off

Nail polish: Londontown Changing of the Guards JenniferS for 25% off

Lilysilk blouse Daily12 for 12% off


I look forward to hearing your observations this month. Tag me on social media and use the hashtag #TheChicAssignment. Also, be sure to invite a friend to join you this month. Thank you and I will see you on Thursday!




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

Visit my newly designed Author Website

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 POISE *NEW course*, debt-free living, and efficiency at home




FTC: This video is not sponsored. I also use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links which means I get a small commission from any purchases made at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.

Welcome to a new week of meal planning and cooking. I share what's for dinner in our household in today's video along with our plan and grocery bill.



I started meal planning again after not doing it for a long time. I was burnt-out, but now I'm back and fully see the benefit of meal planning. We eat better, we stay on budget, and I find cooking exciting and enjoyable again. I understand burn-out though so if you are experiencing that... I can relate to you!

Let's look at the meals this week:


Black beans and brown rice in the Instant Pot

My friend, Amy, shared this recipe with me from iFoodreal. You don't need to cook your rice or soak your beans, which makes this an excellent meal to make last-minute. It makes a lot so I froze half and easily served my family of 6 with the rest. We loved this with guacamole and cheese. It was a delicious meal and could be made vegetarian by replacing the chicken broth with vegetable broth. I used my Instant Pot for this, as well as my lemon squeezer.



Vintage Ambrosia Salad with Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken
For the ambrosia salad, I mixed pineapple tidbits, mandarin oranges, maraschino cherries, and grapes, with one cup of shredded coconut (sweetened), one cup of mini marshmallows, and one cup of sour cream. I served this on a bed of lettuce with some grilled chicken. We rubbed the chicken with olive oil and seasoned it with lemon pepper (most people use lemon pepper for fish, but try it for chicken) and then grilled the chicken. This was a tasty, light, nostalgic dinner, perfect for the end of the hot summer.



Homemade Hamburger Helper with side salad

I initially saw the recipe on Countryside Cravings, but modified the recipe a bit to suit our tastes.

Homemade Hamburger Helper
1 lb lean ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1½ cups milk
1½ cups beef broth
2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

For this kid-friendly dish, sauté one chopped onion in olive oil and then add your ground beef. I like to use this meat masher to make the ground beef mince evenly chopped. Drain the cooked meat and return to the pan. Add the paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, milk, beef broth, uncooked pasta, and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil, then cover a reduce simmer. Cover and cook for 15 minute, or until the pasta is cooked. Stir in cheddar cheese when ready to serve.



Baked Potato Skins with Garden Salad
We love baked potato skins. I like to get them started in the morning by washing the potatoes, pricking holes in them and rubbing them with oil and seasoning them with season all. I bake the potatoes for about an hour at 400 degrees F. Later in the day, when we are ready to eat, I cut the potatoes in half and scoop out a lot of the flesh (save for another meal). Then place them in the oven and bake them again until slightly crispy (about 15 minutes at 400 degrees F). Then place chopped bacon and shredded cheddar cheese in each potato. Place back in the oven for a few minutes until the cheese melts. Then serve with sour cream, chopped chives and green onions. We serve this with a side salad. Sooo good.



Strawberry and Cream Merengues This dessert is from the Cookbook for Girls which is a cookbook my daughters just love! Mix two egg whites until they are frothy. Add 1/2 cup of superfine sugar (we used regular sugar and it turned out great). Bake at 220 degrees F for one hour. Make whipped cream and add that, along with chopped strawberries to the merengues. Enjoy!

⚜️ Featured in the video:
Meal planning notebook/ grocery list
lemon juicer
Instant Pot
Kitchen-Aid white mixer
Copper measuring cups
Cast iron skillet
Vintage kitchen timer
French apron
Blue & white Churchill plates
meat masher
Season all seasoning
salad spinner
Cookbook for Girls

⚜️ Style
Nail polish Londontown (Changing of the Guards) JenniferS for 25% off
Leopard headband

I hope you enjoy today's video.

On Instagram
Lessons from Madame Chic on Instagram...

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Nighttime routine✔️ . I’ve been trying to take time to really take care of myself and do the things I truly love lately instead of always being “productive” and rushing through my days with a giant to-do list. Most nights lately that’s meant more time reading, writing, and soaking with all the candles burning. Tonight that means taking two Benadryl so I can go to sleep because I STILL can’t stop coughing. But hey, whatever works!

A post shared by Jordan Taylor Sears (@jordantailored) on Jan 30, 2019 at 8:35pm PST

Comment of the Week
Noni Posi writes, "I tried the salmon/crab recipe. It was a risk because my kids are so picky. But they ALL ate it ALL! 😱🥰 It’s pricey, so not a bi-weekly meal but it’s definitely on the Master Meals List as an option. And I figure - it’s still way cheaper than eating out at even a cheap sea food restaurant. ☺️ 🦀 🎣"

Noni, I'm so happy your family enjoyed the fish. So wonderful! It's really the best when our meals are appreciated. The emojis made me laugh, haha!


Thank you for watching. I hope today's video gave you lots of meal inspiration. Let us know in the comments what recipes you have enjoyed making lately. Your comment could be chosen as comment of the week.



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

Visit my newly designed Author Website

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 POISE *NEW course*, debt-free living, and efficiency at home




FTC: This video is not sponsored. I also use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links which means I get a small commission from any purchases made at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.