Homemaking with style... Let's explore that concept in today's video. 

Spring is here and the bees and the flowers rejoice. I’d like to bring you out of the common drudgery associated with homemaking in today’s video. We’re going to explore homemaking with style. 

Pajamas by Not Just Pajama Jennifer12 for 12% off

 I believe the first key to elevate yourself out of a feeling of drudgery is to not only get dressed every day, but express your style through your clothing. You might wonder what this has to do with homemaking? Well, you are the homemaker. And your well-being is imperative to running this ship. Expressing your creativity and joy through your everyday style is going to improve your everyday life. I like to wear presentable pajamas to bed every evening. And in the morning, I am still cheered when I awake. I like to prepare my skin (I use Paula's Choice skincare) and apply my makeup in front of the window for the best light. This is the makeup I have been using… some new spring colors from MERIT minimalist makeup… 

Mott & Bow White Tee JLS10 for 10% off

Boden skirt

Spanish Sandal Company JEN10 for 10% off

Mont Kiji Selene scarf 20connoisseur21 20% off

WP Standard handbag code thedailyconnoisseur for free monogram

And now to change into my clothes for the day. You might be thinking this outfit is rather plain… Don’t worry I’m going to liven it up in a moment. But first, let’s appreciate the bones. My new skirt came in and I love it! I enjoy wearing monochromatic looks… especially white and creams. They act as a perfect canvas for accessories and even look chic with just this leather handbag. I’m going to run errands today so let’s add a sophisticated touch with a voluminous scarf. Look how this scarf livens up this basic outfit. It looks great with the brown leather handbag and also with the blue croco handbag TBJennC30 for $30 off too. I’m ready to run errands now in style… 

 I’m back from running errands and now I must fold some laundry. My heart is always warmed by how cute little tiny clothes are. Do you ever feel that way? I fold a toddler shirt or a little pair of pants and my whole heart is warmed. Time for a small afternoon treat. 

I keep meaning to share these little chocolate bites (dailyconnoisseur for 10% off )with you. They’re chocolates with benefits. That’s what I call them anyway. One of them is a vanilla chocolate with vitamins, nutrients and immune support. And the other one is a calming chocolate with ashwagandha for stress reduction. They’re so good!  

Time to make lunch. I’ve been craving a Cajun shrimp pasta… How good does that sound? This is a very easy recipe to make and totally fulfilled my cravings. 

Print

With ImageWithout Image

Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Ingredients

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined (cooked or raw)
• 4 -oz angel hair pasta or other favorite pasta
• 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
• 2 Tbsp butter
• Small handful of chopped, fresh parsley
• 1½ cups heavy whipping cream or half and half
• 6 oz chopped sun-dried tomatoes
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 garlic cloves, smashed
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Boil the angel hair pasta according to the package directions.
2. Add the Cajun seasoning to your shrimp. Sauté the shrimp in butter and add chopped parsley and smashed garlic. Cook 2 - 3 minutes (If you are not using fully cooked shrimp, you will have to cook your shrimp a bit longer until they are fully cooked.) Now add half and half and sun dried tomatoes. Cook a few minutes longer. Then add salt and pepper and parmesan cheese. Pour this over the cooked noodles and serve with an extra sprig of parsley and more parmesan cheese, if desired. Enjoy!

It's a glorious new day and I’m going to arrange some ranunculus flowers outside to the sound of the tinkling wind chimes.

Is there any flower more charming and more bursting with character than the ranunculus? I like to look up flower symbology and was not surprised at all to find that the ranunculi symbolizes charm. The name ranunculus actually means "little frog" in Latin. The Victorians would send ranunculus to the object of their affection because they symbolized charm and attractiveness. I say they add a whimsical style to the home and are perfect for the kitchen table. 

Before we get into making a very decadent and stylish lemon loaf cake, I’d like to thank Pique Tea for bringing us this video. Get 5% off + a free Pique sampler pack when you guy 2 or more cartons of fasting teas with code DAILYC Thank you to Pique for bringing us this video. 

Astarin Solar Light Wind Chime 15JenniferLS for 15% off

 Let’s prepare for teatime now. Every stylish homemaker has a good lemon loaf recipe. So, I’m going to share a great one with you today that makes a double batch! Make one loaf for today and one for the freezer.

Print

With ImageWithout Image

Lemon Loaf Cakes

Yield: makes 2 loaves

This recipe was adapted from the famous Ritz Carlson Lemon Pound Cake.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 Tbsp baking powder
• ¾ tsp salt
• 3 cups sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• ½ cup shortening
• 5 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 6 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1 lemon, zested
• Confectioner's sugar for dusting
• Whipped cream and raspberries for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease and flour 2 loaf pans. Use a lemon loaf pan if you have it.
2. Mix flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl and set aside.
3. Cream butter, shortening and sugar in a stand mixer. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each one.
4. Add dry ingredients into the mixture alternately with milk. Mix in lemon juice and zest until all ingredients are incorporated.
5. Pour batter into prepared pans and bake for around 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 15 minutes. Turn the cakes out onto racks and cool completely.
6. Dust with confectioner's sugar and serve with whipped cream and raspberries, if desired.

Years ago, I was given this beautiful and sturdy lemon loaf pan. I try to use it every year. It makes the prettiest loaf cakes!

Homemaking with style is all about the little details. So I am placing this lemon loaf on the Victoria Magazine blue roses porcelain tray, dusting with powdered sugar, and adorning with lemon slices, fresh roses and rosemary. The scent of this cake is intoxicating. I serve the cake with a dollop of whipped cream and some fresh raspberries. A cup of mint green tea make a refreshing compliment. I hope you enjoyed today’s homemaking video and that it encouraged you to do your homemaking with style. 

Welcome to The Daily Connoisseur. We are going to explore things that every adult needs. It's important to note that you can find everything on this list in any price point. The items I show are my own and mere examples. Many of these things you probably already own...

2.     Presentable pajamas This will come as no surprise to you, but I believe every adult needs to wear presentable pajamas. One of the hallmarks of adulthood is maturity and our sleepwear should be presentable and dignified. 

3.     A robe Most adults have a bath robe or dressing gown, but if you don't have one, consider getting one. They are great for covering up on cold mornings and also covering up sleepwear that might not be appropriate to walk around in. 

4.     An iron and steamer A good iron and steamer will prevent your clothes from looking wrinkled and rumpled. A hand-held steamer is great to get out minor wrinkles and is more convenient than breaking out the large ironing board. 

5.     An investment account Saving for retirement is something that should begin right away. It's never too soon to start. Every adult needs an investment account to have their money working for them. 

6.     A watch Whether you prefer a digital watch, smart watch, or old-fashioned watch, it's a great to have a watch so you can tell the time without having to bring out your phone. 

7.     Durable luggage We don't want to be shuffling around the airport with our old gym duffle bag. Every adult should have a suitable set of luggage to travel with. 

🗝 Luggage

8.     A high-quality wallet Keep your money safe and stylish with a quality wallet. You don't want to use something that is not intended to be a wallet to hold your money as you could lose your cards. 

9.     Matching undergarments High-quality undergarments are as important as the rest of your outfit as they are the foundation of your whole look. Ladies, there is something magical about the feeling of wearing matching undergarments. It doesn't have to be an official set, but the idea of generally matching the bra to the panties gives you a very grown-up feel. 

Undergarments at Nordstrom

10.  A nice set of dishes Every adult needs a good set of dishes. We should graduate from the mis-matched chipped dishes of our college days with one solid set. You don't have to go fancy if you don't want to. A good plain set of white dishes can do the trick. You'll be amazed how a good set of dishes elevates the dining experience. 

Dinnerware at Williams-Sonoma

Comment of the Week

Katie writes, "Upon hearing your experience, Jennifer, I put intermittent fasting in practice and it's been amazing for both my husband and I. We've both lost weight, kept it off and most important, feel better and have more energy! We don't follow a particular diet but I cook a lot of Mediterranean style foods which also makes us feel really good. Such a blessing ❤️"

Hi Katie, That's wonderful! I love Mediterranean-style foods too. They are so delicious! 

Thank you for watching today's video. I would love to know what you would add to this list. Your comment could be chosen as comment of the week! See you soon. Love, Jennifer 

Welcome to The Chic Assignment for April, 2022. 

The Chic Assignment series is brought to us by The Chic Society, the private membership group on YouTube.  Joining The Chic Society gives you access to my exclusive members-only vodcast, which is published every Friday. I also do one livestream a month or do a Zoom call where we can all visit together and we now have a penpal program! Membership is only $1.99 a month (upper tiers are also available). 

Luigi Boccherini attribution: I, Sailko, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Chic Assignment No. 1 Enjoy Minuetto by Luigi Boccherini.  Luigi Rodolfo Boccherini (1743 -1805) was an Italian composer and cellist who influenced the development of the string quartet and who composed the first music for a quintet for strings, as well as a quintet for strings and piano. We are going to listen to the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by the late Lavtian conductor, Mariss Jansons.

                                                   La Musique (1939) by Henri Matisse

You can see Matisse's paintings for free on Wiki Art. Let us know which piece is your favorite. We will learn more about Matisse in the mid-month check-in.