As part of The Chic Assignment this month, we are getting manicure and pedicure ready. I have been enjoying doing these manicure videos for you. Today, I'm painting my nails with Londontown's Dainty Daze, which is a lovely periwinkle blue creme.
I normally do not like to wear blue polish, but there is something about this color.
The 9-free polishes I use are Dainty Daze and the Gel Genius Base and Top Coat. Londontown generously give The Daily Connoisseur audience a discount. Use code JenniferS for 25% off your order.
I hope today's manicure video inspires your self care routine. Tag me with pictures of your own at-home manicures with the hashtag #dailyconnoisseur or #jenniferlscott See you soon!
My self-care manicure series continues with today's beautiful peach almond manicure. Peach, because we are using the color Peach Please by Londontown (who make beautiful, long-lasting 9-free nail polishes) and almond, because I'm using L'Occitane's supple skin almond oil (I'm also linking a less pricey almond oil here) and hand cream in the process.
I start my manicure by trimming my nails and cleaning up any hang nails with clippers. Then I file them in a short, rounded square shape with a nail file. After that, I soak them in a mixture of warm water and the almond oil, orange essential oil, and peach rose petals.
After soaking my nails, I apply an almond cream and give my hands a light massage. If you push your cuticles back, now would be the time to do it, by wrapping a manicure stick tip in a cotton round and gently pushing them back.
Finally, before applying polish, rub nail polish remover over your nails to prepare them for polish application.
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.
💍 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 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!
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!
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!)
📍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.
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!
As part of my intentional rest and self-care routine, I have been luxuriating in my at-home manicures.
I take items that I already have on hand (castile soap, essential oils, and flowers) to create a beautiful, spa-like experience. Since it's hard for me to get out of the house right now, I'm finding this routine to be just as enjoyable as the spa (and a lot more affordable too!)
I'm using the beautiful LONDONTOWN polishes in today's video. LONDONTOWNis my favorite polish. Not only is it 9-free (free of the 9 major harsh chemicals found in traditional polish), but it has an amazing staying power. I can get my manicure to last for ten days and my pedicure to last for at least two weeks.
Thank you for joining me for today's video. I would love to know how you do your at-home manicures. What self-care rituals are you enjoying currently? Let us know and your comment could be comment of the week on the blog! See you soon.
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