In today's Etiquette Chat we discuss the art of the common courtesy greeting. You know what it's like. You're walking down the sidewalk in your neighborhood and someone is walking toward you. Perhaps you are both walking your dogs or you are on your way to run errands. As the person approaches you look at them and smile or nod expecting the same courtesy in return but they just keep on walking without acknowledging you at all.

The common courtesy greeting, the kind you give to your neighbors as you pass them in the morning, the kind you give to a store clerk before you ask them a question, the kind you give to the lady ringing up your purchases at the grocery store are not trivial, but very important. These greetings bring us out of our heads. They help build community and might even begin to thaw the most frozen of hearts.



Today's chat is lively and fun (and includes a star cameo from Gatsby!) but in all seriousness discusses a small gesture that can bring a little bit of respect and civility back to our society. If you are unable to see this week's video, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur


Madame Chic Inspiring Thought



Last Thursday my husband and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary. Eight years of marriage and two children later, what a wonderful feeling. Relationships can be challenging. They can be hard, but the great thing is that they provide an opportunity for you to constantly work on yourself.

There is no hiding from your "issues" when you are in a committed relationship. My best marriage advice is to appreciate the one you're with. Focus on all of their many gifts, their strong suits, and the things about them that you are grateful for. Avoid the "grass is always greener on the other side" syndrome by constantly reminding yourself of the small pleasures that this person brings to your life on a daily basis. Mr. Connoisseur... I am grateful for you!

This week I would love to know... what are your thoughts on the common courtesy greeting? Any great marriage advice you can share with us? Any requests for future etiquette videos? Let me know in the comment section.

See you soon! x


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Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day! I am so blessed to have such an amazing mother and feel so grateful to be a mother myself. A mother's work raising the next generation is so important and you should be treasured, each and every one of you. I hope you have a marvelous day with your family.


#VulgarityNoMore
Thank you for your amazing and supportive response to last week's video on Vulgarity No More. You have voiced your opinions. They matter and they have been heard! I will continue to explore this topic in future posts and videos with the hope that we can resurrect a more elegant society. Thank you for helping me in these efforts.

TEDx Talk
If you follow me on twitter, facebook or instagram you've already heard my exciting news: I have been invited to give a TEDx talk in New York City on September 6th of this year. This is such a dream come true for me! The talk will be taped and there will be a link for you to watch it. I am also working on scheduling a meet up or book signing with the hopes that I can meet some East Coast readers. I will keep you posted. Thank you to author Laura Saba for nominating me for this talk and thank you to TEDx organizers Chris Ojaste and Tim Desiderio for selecting me. It is so appreciated!

Get Ready With Me: Spring Makeup


This week's video was actually shot a few weeks ago. We get ready together and I show you some of my spring makeup tricks, including how to create a glowy cheek using cheek stains.

As always, you do not have to use the exact makeup I use in this video as there are comparable shades and matches at every price point. Have fun doing the detective work and finding out what works best for you!

If you are unable to see the video above, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur. If you never want to miss a video please subscribe to my YouTube channel (it's free!) and upon subscription select the option to receive email updates.

Here is a list of makeup used in the video:

Benefit Gimme Brow
Urban Decay Primer Potion
Urban Decay Naked Palette shades used are:“side car” and “half baked”
Urban Decay Glide on Eye Pencil in “underground”
Shu Uemeura eyelash curler
Buxom mascara
Benefit Sun Beam
Benefit Lollitint
Clinique chubby stick in “whole lotta honey”
Benefit high brow highlighter
Urban Outfitters nail polish in “rodeo sweetheart”

News

Thank you to Christine from The Refined Side for your lovely book review of Lessons from Madame Chic.


Madame Chic Inspiring Thought

I firmly believe that we can all be Madame Chic: our own unique very best version of ourselves. I am going to start a new way to end the blog each week with a Madame Chic inspiring thought. I hope you enjoy this! Today's inspiring thought is:



The manifestation of a rose is a magnificent thing. Here is my first double delight of the season from the container garden on my patio. When you are out walking today try to get out of your mind. Don't focus on your problems or your to-do list, put your phone in your pocket. Take note of the beauty in the landscaping around you, even if is only a tiny weed flower poking out of the concrete. Appreciate nature and be in the now.


I would love to hear from you... how do you like the makeup look? If you try it out send me a picture on social media with the hashtag #lenomakeuplook. As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts on everything else like TEDx, #VulgarityNoMore and Madame Chic inspiring thought.


FTC: all products used in this video were purchased by me. All opinions remain my own.

See you next week!


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Dear Fellow Connoisseurs,

I have been wanting to do this video for such a long time discussing the disturbing trend of violent, vulgar and crude behavior on reality TV. The straw that broke the camel's back was watching only 5 minutes of the recent Real Housewives of Atlanta Reunion Show where I got an eye-full of violence, crass language, crude gestures and copious amounts of vulgarity. And it's not just this show, it's so many Reality TV shows on the air right now.

Whether we like it or not these "stars" are inadvertent role models for our young generation of girls. Do we really want our young ladies to see this kind of behavior on television that is being billed as "reality" and think that it is acceptable? As I wrote in my Huffington Post article from last year, is vulgar really the new normal?

Well if these women on reality TV can express themselves, so can we. We need to send a message to the networks that we are tired of watching manufactured cat fights, unnecessary violence and mouthful after mouthful of vulgar language. Our young girls need positive role models: women who embody kindness, intelligence, grace and class. We need to tell our young girls that they do not need to be a negative drama queen to get ahead and get noticed, that they don't need to be jealous of other women but rather should be supporting each other, that they do not need to exploit themselves in order to attract a man. This may be the reality on television, but it is not our reality.

If you feel as passionate about this messages as I do, please share my blog post or video using the hashtag #VulgarityNoMore

And thank you for continuing to be a part of this special community of daily connoisseurs, where we can create our own reality while pursuing beauty, intelligence, expansion and elegance together.

Yours Truly,

Jennifer x

PS- 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

See you soon!

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This week we are examining how we present ourselves. You know one of my mottos from Lessons from Madame Chic is "look presentable always". While this seems like a superficial goal, it is actually quite powerful. Making it our goal to look presentable every single day (whatever our best is for that day) puts out the message that we respect ourselves and the people we come in contact with. That we have the energy to put our best foot forward and that by adorning ourselves we are in our own way celebrating life.



Looking presentable should not be high-maintenance or unattainable. It should be easy and fun! Which is why I did this week's video showing you an easy, yet elegant braided updo. This tutorial is for women with medium to long hair. If you have short hair you can modify it by creating two side braids and pinning them back... play with it and find what works for you. If you are unable to see this week's video, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur



To continue the theme I am so happy to introduce to you The Lost Art of Dress by Linda Przybyszewski. This fascinating book explores the history (and downfall) of American dress in a witty and entertaining way. It is a book that I know many of you will love.

I was very honored to have my book blurb included on its cover:

"An invaluable resource of inspiration. The Lost Art of Dress calls us to resurrect our stylish roots and bring tasteful beauty back to our everyday routine." -Jennifer L. Scott, author of Lessons from Madame Chic

Here is the description from Amazon:

As a glance down any street in America quickly reveals, American women have forgotten how to dress. We chase fads, choose inappropriate materials and unattractive cuts, and waste energy tottering in heels when we could be moving gracefully. Quite simply, we lack the fashion know-how we need to dress professionally and flatteringly.

As historian and expert dressmaker Linda Przybyszewski reveals in The Lost Art of Dress, it wasn’t always like this. In the first half of the twentieth century, a remarkable group of women—the so-called Dress Doctors—taught American women how to stretch each yard of fabric and dress well on a budget. Knowledge not money, they insisted, is the key to timeless fashion. Based in Home Economics departments across the country, the Dress Doctors offered advice on radio shows, at women’s clubs, and in magazines. Millions of young girls read their books in school and at 4-H clothing clubs. As Przybyszewski shows, the Dress Doctors’ concerns weren’t purely superficial: they prized practicality, and empowered women to design and make clothing for both the workplace and the home. They championed skirts that would allow women to move about freely and campaigned against impractical and painful shoes. Armed with the Dress Doctors’ simple design principles—harmony, proportion, balance, rhythm, emphasis—modern American women from all classes could learn to dress for all occasions in a way that made them confident, engaged members of society.

A captivating and beautifully-illustrated look at the world of the Dress Doctors, The Lost Art of Dress introduces a new audience to their timeless rules of fashion and beauty—rules which, with a little help, we can certainly learn again.

Basic Books have been kind enough to offer to give away 5 copies of The Lost Art of Dress to readers of the Daily Connoisseur! Please enter via the rafflecopter widget below. This giveaway is open to US residents only (my apologies to our international readers but I do not set these guidelines).

a Rafflecopter giveaway


The five winners will be announced on the widget and contacted directly once the giveaway is over next week.

Best of luck!

For more information on Linda Przybyszewski you can visit her at http://www.professorpski.com/



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I was recently approached by Wink & Winn to design my own custom handbag and review the process on the Daily Connoisseur. I accepted Wink & Winn's offer because so many of you email me asking about handbags and I wanted to see what the custom design process would be like. Check out the video above to hear my full review and see a tutorial on how you can design your own bag. Spoiler alert: I love my bag! I think it's very high quality and Wink & Winn made the design process exciting and special. Overall it's a very unique company with a quality product.



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

Keep checking back with the blog because I will be doing a Wink & Winn giveaway in the near future. In the meantime, Wink and Winn have offered readers of the Daily Connoisseur a $50 gift code. If you'd like to use this, email Wink & Winn at: frontdesk@winkandwinn.com . The subject line should read "$50 Gift Code". Wink & Winn will then get back to you with the code. This offer is only available until May 20, 2014 (one month from today).

For more on Wink & Winn check them out at www.winkandwinn.com


Cultural Dish Podcast
Back in February I was a guest on the Cultural Dish Podcast discussing HBO's True Detective (don't worry we only discuss the first two episodes so there are no spoilers), Tiger Mom and Madame Chic with three spectacular and creative ladies. We have a very lively discussion on what it means to cultivate an air of mystery that you won't want to miss. Episode #7 titled, "Go Climb a Stop Sign", is available now for free. Just to forewarn you there is explicit language in this episode (although not from me ladies :)).


Co-host Juliana Patel and I during the podcast.


Actress Golda Inquito, Co-host Juliana Patel, Co-host Elizabeth Pan and moi.

**Ten-Item Wardrobe side note: This podcast was shot back in February when I was still wearing my fall/ winter ten-item wardrobe.

Make sure you check out Cultural Dish's Facebook page and "like" it if you're interested in hearing more from them. Thank you ladies for having me on the show! I hope to come back one day.

Get More Done Now Summit
I recently participated as a speaker in the Get More Done Now Summit with Natalie Gregory. She offers this free resource for busy women who want to learn time management tips and tricks. You can check out how to register for this online event by clicking here, or visiting http://www.getmoredonenowsummit.com/

Around the Web
Check out Avaalon's wonderful and contemplative blog post on the Ten-Item Wardrobe as is discussed in Lessons from Madame Chic.

Testimonials
Karryn S writes:

I too spent a while living in France as a student. I went there as a hippie with Birkenstocks and hair wraps, and came back...a lady. When your book was released, I devoured it, and I enjoy following your "pensees quotidiennes". Since implementing more of your concrete ideas, I've enjoyed many compliments (thank you for that!). Clutter is gone, orchids are out. Wardrobe is pared-down, as is jewelry. They seem like superficial, irrelevant things, but I have found them to be profound. Encore, merci beaucoup ma belle. N'arretez jamais!

Thank you Karryn!

Lastly, Happy Easter to all who celebrate. I hope you had a marvelous day with your family and friends. See you soon! xx

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Thank you for your overwhelmingly positive response to last week's ten-item wardrobe video. My inbox has been filled with your wonderful comments and, of course, all of your questions. Because I've received so many comments and emails I am not able to individually respond to each one, but hopefully this week's video will answer many of your questions. This week's video is a talk through of the garments and shares with you my inspiration for this year's wardrobe and examines old and new pieces.

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 (make sure you subscribe!).

For links to every item pictured in this video, visit my original ten-item wardrobe post here.

Here are some FAQs from viewers:


Gina asks: Do you have a summer 10 item wardrobe too? Spring has begun here, but it 60 degrees. When summer begins for you, will this lovely spring collection still work for you in summer?

This wardrobe will take me to the end of summer. As summer approaches, I will probably use the sweaters less and less. I might purchase one or two items in the summer to supplement my wardrobe, or I might not. Last summer the only garment I purchased was the Anthropologie water color dress you see in this year's video, for example.


Lilly asks: I was wondering if you could tell us what is this beautiful music you have in the video? Thanks again for all the wonderful posts over the years :)

If you are ever curious about the music featured in my videos, or about any item featured in a video, always check my blog post or the info box below the YouTube video. I always credit an item when I can. If the specific item is no longer available online, I provide a link for the brand or retailer. The music in the ten-item wardrobe video is royalty-free and copyright-free music purchased from pond5.com and is called "Paris Love". Thank you Lilly!

Evaline asks: Your lip colour here is lovely for spring...would you mind sharing the name with us?


Many people asked about my lip color. The video was shot over a few days and I am wearing different lip colors in different shots. I used the Hourglass Femme Nude Lip Stylo No. 6 in some shots and By Terry Bitten lip gloss in others.

Sara asks: Can I ask what you layer under sheer tops, like your Equipment blouses? A cami? In white, or do you try to find one that matches your skin tone? I have the worst time solving the "sheer issue."

I have several camisoles in beige, white and black. I find the beige ones that are closest to my own skintone look best under a slightly sheer blouse.

Alonememe asks: I don't really get this idea of extras. I understand when it comes to tank tops, underwear etc. - you need them to build the outfit, but having few tops that you wear as normal outfit is really having 20 or 30 core outfits. Could you please explain this? Why do you separate core items from extras? Is this more handy? :)


Core items vs. extras are a great way to organize your wardrobe. Think of your core items as telling a story and the extras accent this. The core items are the major items, the foundation that builds the wardrobe. The extras compliment the core.

For my readers in the Southern Hemisphere who are going into Fall/ Winter, check out Chic Mummy's blog. She has compiled a lovely Autumn ten-item wardrobe. Thank you Sarah!

For more on the ten-item wardrobe, check out my book, Lessons from Madame Chic.

Huffington Post
My ten-item wardrobe is now up on Huffington Post Style.

Stella & Dot Giveaway



I purchased two of my necklaces this season from my friend Lucy, who is a stylist with Stella & Dot. Stella & Dot do fun, affordable jewelry that is very au courant. Lucy was kind enough to offer to give away one necklace to a reader of the Daily Connoisseur. We chose to give away the Linden necklace- a beautiful statement piece that is perfect for spring.

This giveaway is open worldwide! Please enter via the rafflecopter widget below. The only valid entries will be through rafflecopter. The winner will be displayed on the rafflecopter widget one week from today and will be contacted by me.

And be sure to check out all of the fabulous, affordable jewelry on Lucy's Stella & Dot website by clicking here.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


See you next week for a review and tutorial for the Wink & Winn handbag. Have a great week!


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It's finally here! My spring ten-item wardrobe video. I had a lot of fun making this video, as you will see. This wardrobe will take me from now until the end of summer. It is a combination of new and old pieces (some are very old!) and I am in love with it.

This week, you can watch the video, which is set to music and is shot fashion show-style. Take notes, enjoy the show and get inspired to curate your own ten-item wardrobe. Next week's video will be a talk through of all of the pieces so you can see where I got my inspiration, identify the old and new items and understand my thought process when putting this wardrobe together.


So this week, sit back and enjoy the show! 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

And now for a list of items featured in the video.

Please note: because many of the items are older and not purchased this season, I am providing links for the brands, rather than for the specific item. As always, this video is meant to provide inspiration for you. If you like some of the older looks, have fun searching for similar garments in the shops. Everything featured in this video was purchased by me, with the exception of the Wink & Winn handbag, which was sent to me to review in a forthcoming post (it's custom designed by me... very cool and we will be doing a giveaway on the blog!)

Let's check out the core items first...

Dresses



Anthropologie watercolor dress
A.P.C. chambray dress
A.P.C. suzie nautical dress
A.P.C. linen dress
Rebecca Taylor dress

Blouses



Zara blouse
Equipment aqua silk blouse
Equipment sleeveless silk blouse
Equipment nude silk blouse

Jeans



Paige skyline ankle peg jeans in white
Paige skyline ankle peg jeans in light denim (Whitley)

Extras

Tee shirts:


B.P. Nordstrom White tee
Zara (nautical)
lace tee Anthropologie
B.P. Nordstrom Flowy tees (black and white)

Sweaters and Cardigans


For Spring/ Summer if you live in a hot climate like me, put a few sweaters in your extras. If you live in an unpredictable climate where the weather often turns, include some in your core items and keep as many as you need in your extras to stay warm. (This will be discussed further next week.)

Ann Taylor Loft lightweight mint sweater
J Crew cashmere mint sweater

Lightweight Coat


Zara


Blazers


Zara pink blazer
Zara red blazer

Shoes


Sam Edelman nude patent t-strap sandal
Dolce Vita white snake sandal
London Sole spring green driving loafer
London Sole red patent croc pirouette ballet flat
London Sole nude patent Henrietta ballet flat
Ferragamo low-heeled tan suede pump

Hats


Straw and Black Panama hats (Purchased from a stand at the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica)

Handbags


Wink & Winn bucket bag (a custom design by me)
Jewell navy “style icon” handbag **I purchased this from my friend Lisa, who is Jewell stylist. Awesome handbag line.
Louis Vuitton Totally MM

Sunglasses


Oliver Peoples

Jewelry


Tassel necklace and Stone necklace Stella & Dot ** I purchased this jewelry from my friend, Lucy, who is a Stella & Dot stylist. Great affordable pieces!
A.P.C. Amazon necklace




Let me know what you think! Use the hashtag #TenItemWardrobe and help spread the word. See you next week for a ten-item wardrobe talk through.

For more on the Ten-Item Wardrobe, check out my book, Lessons from Madame Chic x

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