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Monday, November 02, 2015

In Pursuit of Travel- Dallas 2015

When I was little, I decided I loved Texas and wanted to move there.  So, as I would do with any new fascination, I tried to learn everything I could about the Lone Star State.  I took out all of our "T" encyclopedias, had the "Texas" pages marked, and kept the glowing Fisher-Price globe and Discovery map nearby.  Remember these?


Fast-forward a few years... even though my fascination with Texas has worn off quite a bit, we still talk about "Someday" moving there.  Perhaps moving to Waco and finishing my Master's.  Letting Chip and Joanna Gaines have a go at finding us a "Fixer-Upper."  Or maybe just moving to Dallas to be close to family.  It's still just a thought.  In the meantime, we try to make it out there at least once  a year to visit my sister-in-law and her husband.

We normally head out there with no set plans.  Our normally short stay is spent visiting, catching up, and laughing until we cry.  This time around, we were able to accomplish all of those goals, plus were there long enough to fit in a few additional plans.

 Similar to the rest of America, Chris and I have fallen for Chip and Joanna Gaines.  We stumbled upon their show while at my brother's house and spend an entire Sunday watching episode after episode.  Our thoughts of moving to Texas quickly resurfaced and we knew the next time we headed out there, we would definitely need to keep a day-trip to Waco in the plans.  Our first stop in Waco was the Magnolia Market.  We went on a Thursday around noon and it felt packed!  We later learned from the staff (who was SO incredibly friendly!) that the day we were there was actually somewhat slow.

 Joanna was one step ahead of us in deciding where to go next, and had a map of her favorite Waco spots waiting for us on the check-out counter.  We were able to make it to Harp Design Studio (which happened to be RIGHT next door to Clint's very own Fixer-Upper... don't worry, as much as we wanted to, we did not walk over and pose for pictures on his porch), Schmaltz's Deli, and even got to check out the then-Future Home of the Magnolia Silos.  As you can imagine, it was so fun to explore this little town all while keeping our eyes peeled for the Gaines.



That evening we got about as rowdy as we [four adults who have to get up with a one-year-old who has no clue different time zones exist] could possibly get at Tacos and Tequila with an infused tequila shots flight, my favorite of which was the Puro Verde.  This is one of my sister-in-law's favorites out in Dallas and apparently there are locations in Georgia, too.  Definitely would like to try them out here and see how they compare.

The next day was a pretty chill day while both my sister-in-law and her husband worked.  The girls did manage to make it out to Scardello Artisan Cheese, a "cut-to-order" cheese shop that featured over a hundred American, Texas, and European cheeses.  We were able to  purchase a cheese plate and bottle of wine to enjoy in the store.  Of course, we also had to take an array of cheeses home to share with the men.  Our cheese plate consisted of Flory's Cheddar from Milton Creamery (Missouri), L'Amuse Gouda from Holland, and Delice de Bourgogne, a creamy Brie from France.  

My lovely sister-in-law, Marlene


One cheese that I just had to take home was a Camembert-style cheese called Mt. Alice from the von Trapp Farmstead in Vermont.  As soon as the cheese salesman said "von Trapp," I was sold!  He informed us that yes, in fact, it was the same von Trapps from the movie and that Werner von Trapp (known in the movie as "Kurt") had moved to this farmstead in Vermont in 1959 with his wife, Erika.
A von Trapp Farmstead Cow!


Saturday was spent shopping around town and visiting my sister-in-law and husband's new home for a final inspection.  It was a lovely home and we followed the visit with a dinner at Mia's Tex-Mex, which was quite delicious.  Sunday morning, Chris and I strolled over to the local wine bar-turned coffee shop for some heavenly brew and got a quick lesson on how the coffee was roasted and brewed to make it so delectable.  Check out State Street Coffee and definitely try to stop by next time you're in Dallas.  



Monday, October 26, 2015

Lessons From Madame Chic, Part 3

It is almost here!  Jennifer L. Scott's new book, Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic comes out tomorrow, October 27, 2015!  I have thoroughly enjoyed counting down the days to its release with a detailed review of her first book, Lessons from Madame Chic and am so looking forward to the arrival of my copy of her new book (as if you couldn't tell from the series of reviews and my May 26, 2015 pre-order date).  You can check out part 1 and 2 of this series by clicking here and here.



Part 3: How to Live Well

Chapter 10 "Always Use the Best Things You Have"
This chapter showed how Famille Chic's philosophy of always using the best they had didn't stop at clothing.  They applied this practice to every aspect of their lives.  Jennifer talks about the urge to keep your best items put away until a special occasion present itself.  She recommends using your best often as a way to make everyday special and luxurious.
A great reminder for me in this chapter was on always using my best manners.  While it may seem natural to be polite when in public or with guests, it is quite easy to let our manners slide with our immediate family members.  While we will all inevitably loose our patience from time to time, practicing our best manners with those closest to us can ensure that when we do go out in public, we will be modeling our authentic selves, and not come across as phony.  


Chapter 11 "Live Life as  Formal Affair"
In this chapter, Jennifer explains that living formally is about honoring traditions.  While the word "traditions" may conjure up such practices as attending Church on Christmas eve, or carving a Thanksgiving turkey, it is really about everyday rituals that we put into place.  Formalizing everyday rituals strengthens their importance and helps us to live richer lives.  In our home, rituals that we have put into place include breakfasts together at the children's table and weeknight dinners together at the dining room table,


One of my personal favorite rituals is waking up before the rest of the family and coming downstairs for my morning coffee- French-pressed with cream.  The stillness of morning mixed with the view of sunlight streaming through the trees in the back yard is a welcome scene.

Chapter 12 "Clutter Is So Not Chic"
This chapter gives me a slight anxiety every time I read it.  At this point, we all know clutter is not "chic," nor does it provide good "feng-shui."  Clutter itself can produce anxiety.  So why does tackling clutter cause me to feel anxious?  Because I have always struggled with it.  I've lived in cycles my whole life of letting clutter build up, then purging, then doing it all over again.  So when I read this chapter, I get anxiety about my coat closet, about our storage/playroom/TV room downstairs, and (most definitely) about the guest closet that acts as my holding place for the children's out-grown clothes to be consigned.  Jennifer recommends de-cluttering each area very slowly while putting into place systems to avoid future clutter.  Maybe I see a future blog post coming on, in which I share my experience with creating a good system for one of these clutter-prone areas!

Chapter 13 "Seek Out the Arts"
"The benefits of being a patron of the arts is perhaps one of the most important lessons I learned while living in Paris because it is an aspect of my life that brings me so much joy." This quote from Jennifer sums up this chapter on exploring your city and supporting its arts.  I know right here in North Fulton, Georgia, we have immense opportunities to do so, including

"The Chopin  Society of Atlanta is a non-profit organization devoted to promoting 
Fryderyk Chopin's music and advancing the understanding and appreciation of his legacy while engaging and inspiring youth from the Metro Atlanta area."

Founded in 2012, Lefont Film Society strives to program a diverse slate of specially selected classic, art, independent, and foreign language films for our loyal movie going audiences.

ACT1 Theater is a community theater and an outreach of 
Alpharetta Presbyterian Church (APC) in Alpharetta, GA.  
Through the use of drama we strive to provide fellowship and entertainment to our community.

These three organizations are literally the ones I thought of off of the top of my head.  I know there are many more opportunities to support the arts in our community- seek them out!

Chapter 14 "Cultivate an Air of Mystery"
"French people, as a habit, do not reveal too much information about themselves."  We've all seen that person on social media who shares too much.  But have you ever been that person in a conversation?  Jennifer talks about her propensity to overshare details to avoid what she used to think were awkward silences in conversations.  I love how she explains the art of "long pauses," and becoming comfortable with silent moments, and how they can contribute to your air of mystery.  

Chapter 15 "Practice the Art of Entertaining"
Chris and I have always loved entertaining!  Before we were even married, we would throw large dinner parties with wine-tastings and multiple courses.  Since having children, our form of entertaining has evolved and  very often we will go the "cook-out" route over the multi-course dinners.  Both of these forms of entertaining are enjoyable and the key to a successful gathering, according to Jennifer, is practice.  While in France, Jennifer's host family entertained guests at least once a week.  With that consistent practice, anyone can master the art of entertaining!


Chapter 16 "Reject the New Materialism"
It is so easy to fall into the trap of materialism.  With new versions of technology, cars, and even fashion constantly blaring at us, I will fully admit to the inner struggles of "keeping up."  I find that the more I'm online or watching TV, the stronger this pull is.  Jennifer has many suggestions for combating these urges and the one I most like is, "Learn to appreciate what you already have."  


Chapter 17 "Cultivate Your Mind"
I have had many a conversations with others about intelligence being one of the most sought-after qualities in a partner.  Jennifer offers many suggestions on cultivating your mind including reading books (as many as you can!), reading newspapers, watching films (independent and foreign) following the arts, improving your vocabulary (try subscribing to a "word-of-the-day" blog), and, of course, watching less television.  Travel is also recommended as seeing and experiencing "other cultures is the best way to cultivate your mind and expand your horizons."


Chapter 18 "Find Simple Pleasures"
Jennifer observed that Famille Chic didn't have negative attitudes toward the repetitive details of their daily lives and as a result, they got along very harmoniously.  While it may be our default to be ho-hum about everyday chores that need to be done, wouldn't it be more fun to extract pleasure from simple things? 

 I wrote in detail about this in the post "In Pursuit of Simple Pleasures".  Since writing that post, I have been in pursuit of even more ways to make everyday mundane tasks more enjoyable and one that I have grown to look forward to is (drum-roll, please!) IRONING!  I can hardly believe I typed that.  But I do look forward to it.  I've created a routine that actually makes this once daunting task enjoyable.  I save this chore for late morning when Eliot is napping or early afternoon during Fiona's nap, so that there are no interruptions.  I then make a cup of hot tea, light a candle, turn on a podcast (click here for my favorite), and get started.  I discovered a while ago that harsh over-head lighting can put me in a bad mood, so I keep the over-head light off and use a bed lamp for a soft glow.  This routine may sound crazy, but it has helped me find simple pleasure in an once-mundane task.

Chapter 19 "Value Quality Above All"
Jennifer advocates the commitment to living a life of quality and, once you do so,  quality will permeate every aspect of your life.  She references quality food and clothing, and investing wisely in those items.  She also talks about quality attitudes, which I loved.  She writes about going on a "Negativity Diet" and eliminating negative people from your friendship roster.  While we all will go through difficult times (and you will no doubt be there for your friends and family during those times) she cautions to be wary of people who are chronically going through a difficult time. 

Chapter 20 "Live A Passionate Life"
"Every detail of life can become exceptional if you allow it to be so," is a great quote from Jennifer that sums up this book.  Her hope for the book is for the reader to be inspired to lead a passionate life that one can reflect back on and say that every moment was well-lived and not a single moment was wasted.  

I truly hope you enjoyed this in-depth look at Lessons from Madame Chic: 20 Stylish Secrets I Learned While Living in Paris and that this 3-Part Series has encouraged you to live life well.  Hopefully it has also whet your appetite for Jennifer's new book, Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic, which will be released tomorrow, October 27, 2015!  Be sure to check back with a review of the new book!

Saturday, October 03, 2015

Lessons from Madame Chic, Part 2

I want to start this post by thanking all of my readers for reading and sharing this blog!  I've had so much traffic since the last post and am truly amazed at how many people my humble little blog is reaching.  It's been my heart for several years now for my blog to inspire people to find pleasure in everyday living.  I'm excited to continue the three-part review of Lessons from Madame Chic as part of a countdown to Jennifer L. Scott's new book, Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic: Lessons in Everyday Elegance, which comes out October 27, 2015.  You can check out Part 1: Diet and Exercise here.



Part 2: Style and Beauty


Chapter 4 "Liberate Yourself with the Ten-Item Wardrobe"
In this chapter, Jennifer describes her discovery of Famille Chic's approach to clothing- they each had about ten items of really nice clothing that they would wear in rotation, again and again.  If you've read many other French style books, you know that this is not a new or even unique concept for Famille Chic.  I had read about the concept of a "Capsule Wardrobe" many times before, but it really hit home the first time I read Jennifer's take on it.  She talks about really loving each of the core items in your closet and it made me realize that while I may have had a lot of clothes, I really only ever wore the same things over and over.  Why was I holding on to a closet full of clothes that I never wore?  While I didn't immediately get rid of every item I didn't wear, I did begin a several year process of only keeping articles I loved and last winter had my very first authentic ten-item wardrobe.   It was very refreshing to know each morning whatever I picked out to wear would be something I loved.  And honestly, just being able to see all of my articles of clothing helped clear my mind and provided a great start to my mornings.


Chapter 5 "Find Your True Style"
Continuing in the wardrobe department, defining your style and understanding why you wear what you wear are the topics of this chapter.  Jennifer has the reader complete an exercise to help define one's style.  After completing the exercise, I decided my two words to define my style are "Elegant and Chic."  Elegant because I lean towards long silhouettes and classic blacks and Chic because I definitely like to incorporate feminine touches and prefer a "polished" look.


Chapter 6 "Perfect the Le No-Makeup Look"
This chapter was a great refresher on looking polished but not over-made up.  Jennifer gives make up tips and suggestions for daily application as well as special occasions.   I tend to keep my make up very minimal on a daily basis but do agree that the right amount (applied correctly) can help me feel put-together, polished, and presentable.



Chapter 7 "Take Care of Your Skin"
Delving below the surface of make up to the foundation of great skin, this chapter takes an in-depth look at the habits of those with flawless skin.  Many wonderful suggestions are given, including drinking plenty of water, avoiding over-cleansing your skin, and (my personal favorite), managing stress levels with regular massages.


Chapter 8 "Look Presentable Always"
This is a chapter I need to re-read every few month.  Since I stay home with our children, it is very easy to fall into a rut of wearing workout clothes, not applying make-up, and schlepping around in tennis shoes.  In this chapter, Jennifer tells a story of all of the members of Famille Chic always looking presentable, whether hanging out in the living room or going out for a night on the town.  While "looking presentable" means different things for different people, I really enjoyed her mention of "honoring ourselves and those we come in contact with during the day by putting some thought and effort into our appearance."

A word on travel: dress beautifully when you travel.  I can remember when I used to buy trashy celeb magazines and there were always pictures of the current "It" girl traveling in over-sized t-shirts, yoga pants, and frumpy Uggs.  I thought that was THE way to travel!  They looked so comfortable and effortless! I decided that I never really liked arriving at my destination that way, however.  Whether it was going to visit friends, arriving at a cruise port, or (even worse) arriving at an exotic travel destination, I always felt uncomfortably sloppy and un-presentable upon arrival.  Now when I travel (whether solo or with my family), I am dressed up!  I much prefer feeling presentable and put-together and have found a great pieces that look polished and are still comfortable for travel.


Chapter 9 "Practice the Art of Femininity"
While the word "Femininity" may conjure up images of frilly dresses and ballet tutus, Jennifer explains in this chapter it is so much more- excellent posture, self-assurance, and great confidence.  Basically, femininity can be enhanced by anything that makes a woman feel beautiful and empowered.  She brought up the idea that good posture is contagious and how it is possible to get a confidence boost just by standing up a bit straighter!


I'd love to know if you're reading (or re-reading) Lessons from Madame Chic, and any thoughts you may have you the above topics!  For more inspiration, visit Jennifer L. Scott's blog, The Daily Connoisseur.  Next week, I'll complete part three, "How to Live Well," as  I continue the countdown to the release of Polish Your Poise.



Tuesday, September 01, 2015

Lessons from Madame Chic, Part 1




This week, I start a "Book Club/Review/Countdown" to Jennifer L. Scott's new book, Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic, schedule to be released on October 27, 2015.  The first book on my Countdown list is Lessons from Madame Chic: 20 Stylish Secrets I Learned While Living in Paris
I first discovered Lessons from Madame Chic in the Fall of 2012.  I already had an extensive library of Francophile books and was admittedly hesitant to read a book on French style by an American author.  Jennifer did not disappoint.  Her book was well organized with pages and pages of inspiration. She flawlessly intersperses her stories of living in Paris while telling the secrets that give the Parisians their much coveted "Je ne sais quoi."


Lessons from Madame Chic is broken into three sections:
Part 1: Diet and Exercise
Part 2: Style and Beauty
Part 3: How to Live Well


 In "Book Club" style, I will post on my takeaways from each 'Part' that speaks to my current life situations.

Chapter 1" Snacking Is So Not Chic"
While I kicked the habit of snacking quite a while ago (thanks, Mireille Guiliano with French Women Don't Get Fat), I admit that there are still vices that loom over my eating habits.  The two biggest I struggle go somewhat hand in hand: "Never eat on the go," and "Make dining well a priority."  While it is easy to blame eating on the go on living in America, there is still a certain amount of responsibility I need to assume on planning better in order to avoid the drive-throughs. 
As stated above, I believe "Make dining well a priority" goes hand-in-hand with not eating on the go.  While there are certainly times when a home-cooked meal is unable to happen, there is still something to be said about sitting down at a set table to enjoy your food.  There have been plenty a night when our pizza arrived and my husband and I devoured it while standing over the island.  The routine of sitting down and eating on real dishes can nourishes our souls as well as our bodies.  Slowing down to make this a priority can also cause you to eat fewer slices of that pizza as it gives you a chance to feel full as well.

Chapter 2 "Deprive Yourself Not"
Continuing on from bad habits of quickly scarfing down food, Jennifer introduces "The delicacy technique," and encourages readers to eat everything as if it were a delicacy: taking the time to appreciate the presentation, allowing the anticipation to build, savoring small bites, and reflecting on the taste are all ways one would enjoy a great delicacy.  She suggests employing this technique when you find yourself forgetting to pay attention or eating too quickly.
In this chapter, Jennifer also tells the story of how she learned the importance of presentation through making a strawberry tart.  After being corrected by  "Madame Chic" to not simply dump the bowl of strawberries on top of the tart but to rather artfully arrange them, Jennifer learned that "No occasions too small to live well."  What really spoke to me was "That perfect little strawberry tart wasn't made for a party or to impress guests.  It was made for her family on a weeknight." 
This chapter concluded with a reminder about the importance of a breakfast ritual.  While I've got the ritual of my morning coffee down, I sometimes neglect the importance of nutritious food along side it.  What chapters 1 & 2 really got me thinking about was, "What am I teaching my children?"  I know what needs to be done and what our priorities should be, so why do I let these important habits and rituals slide by?  Why do I let busyness and activities take these things away from me?  I am determined to take them back!



Chapter 3 "Exercise Is a Part of Life, Not a Chore"
I remember the first time I read this chapter several years ago and Madame Chic's phrase "One mustn't be lazy" stuck with me.  This response was to Jennifer questioning the need to walk in the freezing weather during Madame Chic's daily market shopping.  When I read that response, I was quite taken aback- it's not like she was referencing sitting on the sofa and ordering take out as lazy (which is what comes to my mind at the word).  She was saying that it could actually be considered  laziness to want to avoid walking in the cold.  Her attitude about exercise was to embrace it in daily activities rather than dreading it.


I hope you've enjoyed this detailed glimpse into Part 1 of Lessons from Madame Chic.  Have you read the book?  I'd love to know if you are reading it along with me and your thoughts on these chapters!  Please comment below :)

Monday, August 17, 2015

In Pursuit of Inspiration to Live Well

The start of a new season always energizes me to examine myself and evaluate goals I have set.   The start of a new school semester is no different and like Kathleen Kelly in You've Got Mail, I find it so easy to romanticize this season.  The smell of Scotch Tape.  Bouquets of sharpened pencils...  Ahhhh!
 Several goals to which I commonly recommit at the start of each new season are as follows:
1. Wake up early for daily quiet time.
2. Develop a house cleaning schedule and stick to it.
3. Read more books!
4. Live in the moment.
5. Eliminate negativity in thoughts and words.

This summer, I started strong waking up early, going to bed early, and generally accomplishing more throughout the day.  I developed a schedule to get house work done and usually kept things under control each week.  I surprised myself by getting through four books this summer!  There were plenty of awesome moments to live in and for the most part, I steered clear of negativity.


As the summer wore on, I started sleeping later...  My cleaning schedule started falling behind, with necessary "catch-up" days, which, of course, took-over some of our weekends.  At night during my designated reading time, I started playing a phone-game.  The "moments" were starting to seem daunting and negativity definitely became the default in my thought processes.


Last week, the Fall Semester began in most of our activities (lessons, church, etc.), and I welcomed the structure with open arms.  I recommitted to my desired goals and must say that when I get that first one down (paired with adequate sleep), the next four generally fall in order.  Not always, but very often.

One author whom I love to gleam inspiration from is Jennifer L. Scott.  I discovered her in 2012 from her first book, Lessons from Madame Chic: 20 Stylish Secrets I Learned While Living in Paris.  I devoured the book (along with all of the secrets) and started following her blog, "The Daily Connoisseur."  I was excited for her second book, At Home with Madame Chic: Becoming a Connoisseur of Daily Life, which came out last year and can hardly wait for her latest book, Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic: Lessons in Everyday Elegance to come out in October.




In honor of Jennifer's new book release and as a thank you to the inspiration she has provided me in my life, I will do a type of "Book-Review Countdown" over the next two months in anticipation of her new book, set to be released  on October 27, 2015.  August's book review will be Lessons From Madame Chic and September's review will be At Home with Madame Chic.


Click on any of the above links to purchase either of the books and join me in reading them this month and next.  Both of these books  provide great encouragement and inspiration in living well and living in the moment.  


I would love to know how you react to the start of a new semester.  Are you energized by all of the organization and schedules or deflated by deadlines and activities?  How do you find inspiration to keep a good attitude and live in the moment?  Please share your comments below!

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

In Pursuit of Authentic French Cooking

I (along with everyone else who had not already done so) fell in love with Julia Child after seeing the 2009 film, Julie and Julia.  The movie inspired me in more than just cooking; it was the inspiration to start my blog!  Even though I knew it would be silly to copy Julie Powell's idea of cooking through Mastering the Art of French Cooking, I was intrigued about how easy or difficult Mrs. Child's recipes truly were.

A few years later, I decided to try cooking through her TV series, "The French Chef."  While her recipes didn't seem necessarily difficult, they were all rather time-consuming.  I started saving them for weekend entertaining, when I would have the luxury of a few hours to cook a meal.  While I didn't cook through every episode (sadly, Amazon gradually removed the Prime Instant Video of "The French Chef," first seasons 2-10, and ultimately all of the seasons), I did find a few "go-to" recipes that I knew were fool-proof and would always turn out tasty.

"Casserole Roast Chicken"

I was quite disappointed when I discovered Amazon no longer had any of the episodes available on Prime and decided to read Mrs. Child's biography, My Life in France.  It starts just like the movie, with her and her husband, Paul Child's arrival in Paris.  It did take me a little while to get in to it, as most of it is written as she would speak: not always coherently, and sometimes jumping around from thought to thought.  About half-way through, I started to really get into it.  I enjoyed reading the back stories of the different French Chef episodes- I could read about her traveling to to visit Professor Raymond Calvel and learning proper techniques to make French bread and follow it with the episode she filmed covering her lesson.  This was especially fun to do with the "Pressed Duck Dinner" recipe, where in the book she documented traveling to Rouen to film the ritual at one of her favorite restaurants, La Couronne.

Most recently, I was listening to a podcast of The Splendid Table's 20th anniversary show where Lynne Rossetto Kasper replays an interview of Julia Child from their first episode.  The topic is summer barbecue meals, and Julia shares her recipe for Potato Salad along with a tip about most importantly making sure the potatoes are cooked correctly.  She also expresses her preference for Ground Chuck as her hamburger meat of choice and exclaims that she "Hates fake food- you can't have any fun with that!"  Lynn and Julia then have a brief conversation on the importance of moderation and their dislike of low-fat and fat-free products. Julia proclaims
that, "People are nutty who want to watch their fat or give it up entirely.  You can't have any fun eating that kind of a diet- all you can eat is vegetables and legumes and to hell with that is what I say!"


Sunday, July 12, 2015

In Pursuit of a Signature Scent, Part 4

This week I tried the remaining samples in my collection: Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt (a "Woody" scent), Dark Amber & Ginger Lilly, and Oud & Bergamont (both "Cologne Intense" category).  I also decided to do a little write-up of my beloved Coco Mademoiselle and share the scent notes on that fragrance as well.

Wood Sage & Sea Salt: "Escape the everyday along the windswept shore. Waves breaking white, the air fresh with sea salt and spray. Alive with the mineral scent of the rugged cliffs. Mingling with the woody earthiness of sage. Lively, spirited, and totally joyful."
This is yet another scent that has grown on me. Almost to where I would wear it were I not doing this experiment. The "Woody" scent seems to have some floral in it. I would completely agree with the beachy-description given by the company. The beachiness is not the typical beachy scent that would first come to mind but a more organic scent that actually brings you back to walking along the waves at sunset.

Dark Amber & Ginger Lilly: "Rare Kyara wood. Prized in the Kahdo ceremony, the highly ritualized Japanese art of incense appreciation. Enriched with amber and black orchard. Illuminated by the clean sensuality of black cardamon, ginger, and water lily. Calm and relaxing."

I'm sure the fist thing you noticed about this scent was the bottle. It is in the "Cologne Intense" fragrance category, and like the other scents in this category have a dark bottle. I had heard about Jo Malone having unisex fragrances, but can really see how this one (along with a few others I've already written about- Pomegranate Noir, Blackberry & Bay, Lime Basil & Mandarin, Earl Grey & Cucumber) would be suited for a man.  Maybe it was growing up during the CK One revolution (I adore Kate Moss), but I've always found wearing a man's cologne very mysterious and extremely empowering.  While I don't necessarily get that feeling of empowerment from Dark Amber & Ginger Lilly, I definitely feel it when wearing this next one:

Oud & Bergamont: "Precious oud, reframed. This mysterious, smoky character of the revered wood, central to Middle Eastern fragrance traditions, radiates with the clarity of crisp bergamont and an orange granite accod. Hypnotic. Alluring."
"Alluring" is definitely my favorite word to describe this scent. Putting a few dabs on my throat and behind my ears transports me to a Middle Eastern cafe, sipping spicy tea while watching rich foliage dance in a breeze. The citrus notes do help it to not feel too exotic or over-powering. Every scent is very subtle. I would definitely enjoy wearing this scent, especially in the evening, going out for drinks or dinner.

Coco Mademoiselle: "Inspired by the irrespressible spirit of the young Coco Chanel, the modern oriental fragrance entices with an utterly feminine composition, expressing refined sensuality and incredible freshness. Top Notes of Sicilian Oranges, Calabrian Bergamont, Sicilian Grapefruit; Floral Heart of pure rose extract and pure jasmine extract, along with a fruity touch of litchi; Base Notes of Indonesian Patchouli, Haitian Vetiver, Bourbon vanilla and white musk. Dedicated to courageous, brave, and modern women who prefer luxury and elegance."

I will admit, one of the reasons I wanted to explore other scents before recommitting to Coco Mademoiselle was because of its popularity- if everyone wears your scent, is it truly your signature scent? After spending some time with the slew of Jo Malone fragrances, I applied some of my beloved Coco and remember why I loved this scent so much. "Luxurious," Feminine," and "Sensuous," are the three words I would pick to describe this scent. It also has the Rose I crave and adore, along with delicate bergamont I fell in love with in the Jo Malone Oud & Bergamont.

 One aspect of Jo Malone that is very appealing (but I did not incorporate into my writing) was her patented "Fragrance Combining," which allows you to truly create a "Signature Scent," by selecting your favorite fragrance and then choosing to make it "Warmer" or "Fresher." Using this technique, I decided to make Coco Mademoiselle "rosier," by adding the Jo Malone "Red Roses," on top of it. The result was a warmer, more floral version of Coco; one that I could definitely see becoming my Signature Scent. I do believe I will save the Oud & Bergamont for some evening wear, as well.

Thank you for joining me on this pursuit of a signature scent. While there are so many other scents I would have liked to try and write about (Jo Malone herself now has a line of scents I am anxious to try- check out Jo Loves ), I am happy I took the time to very purposely go through the scents that I had. I feel as though I can confidently invest in the quality scents I chose and wear them knowing they truly embody the essence of me.

I would love to know if you have ventured on the journey of a signature scent, what the journey entailed, and what scent you choose to represent you. Please comment below and share this blog with your friends!

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

In Pursuit of Simple Pleasures

Most who know me know that I have a great obsession interest in the French way of living. A common theme found in the myriad of books I've acquired and read is their tendency to seek out simple pleasures in daily living. In the movie Amélie, the narrator introduces several characters by listing each's simple routines in which they find pleasure. Amélie enjoys running her fingers through barrels of grain. Her mother finds joy in cleaning her floors with her slippers, while her father's delight is stripping wallpaper off of walls. I have always been fond of this idea of living in the moment and relishing little routines, so I decided to compile a list of such that I partake of often.

1. Water

Your body craves it, and, if you succumb to its calling, you will surely reap the pleasurable benefits. Clearer skin, smoother digestion, and a plethora of other benefits come when we consume enough. What is enough? Obviously that will depend on different factors such as your weight, activity level, and where you live. There's plenty of information out there on Webmd and MayoClinic, but to start adding a bit more to your diet, Miereille Guiliano (author of French Women Don't Get Fat) suggests drinking a tall glass before bed and another first thing in the morning. I would add to re-fill your "before bed" glass and keep it by your bed so as to have quick access should you wake in the middle of the night.

2. Sleep

There may be nothing better in the world than waking up to sunshine on your face after a restful night's sleep. It has taken me almost 30 years, but the benefits of going to bed early over staying up late (to watch another episode; to "like" another picture) are really hitting home these days. I know insomnia is a huge problem in today's society, and having suffered on and off for many years, here are a few things that have recently worked for me:
1.Stop drinking caffeine by 4:00.
2. Limit alcohol consumption before bed.
3. Create a nighttime routine that helps your body know it's almost time for bed.
4. Plug in your phone across the room (or out of the room) facing down.
5. Have a glass of hot water with lemon.

3. Making My Bed

This is a habit for which I can thank my mother. Growing up, each morning we would be sent back to our rooms to make our beds if we had not done so. It didn't matter if it would make us miss the buss, she was insistent that we make our bed each morning. Looking back, I am so happy she instilled it in us. While there have certainly been times in my life when I did not adhere to this rule, more often than not I have continued to find pleasure in the morning ritual of making my bed. Straightening out the sheets came easier after Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's instructions (Pull the covers and top sheet all the way back to smooth out the bottom sheet first!). More so than the pleasure in making the bed is that in seeing a made bed throughout my day. On busy days when the house is a wreck, passing by my room and seeing the made bed calms my soul and reminds me that eventually, the rest of the house will be back in order, too.

4. Taking Early Morning Walks

Or walks anytime, really. Early morning is my favorite, as it is still a bit cool and the earth is still waking up. There is so much time to just think while on a walk, and really just be with yourself. I love taking different routes each day and often notice the changing seasons first while on a walk. Whether it be new buds popping or the first leaves turning, a walk is so refreshing to the body and mind.

5. Planting Flowers

Seeing a plant grow from a seed brings such joy to me! I love checking on seedlings every day to see how big they've grown over night. Caring for and cultivating flowers takes much patience, but it so worth it in the end. Bonus: Growing vegetables. They take time and patience, too, but nothing beats nourishing your body with something you have grown yourself. Even herbs grown in-doors on a window sill bring joy, and beat using the dried store-bought ones any day.

6. Hummingbird Feeders

My family has had hummingbird feeders as long as we've lived in the country. I've made a point to put one up at all of homes over the years. Watching the smallest of birds find our feeders excites us, and we love being on the look-out for their return each spring! Hummingbird feeders are super easy and can be cheap- our guests tend to always visit the $3 ones over the more expensive, prettier ones. We use sugar-water instead of buying the red "hummingbird food," which also helps us save. To make sugar-water, boil 4 cups of water (I do so with the lid on. That way if I walk away before it starts boiling, I've not lost much water to steam. This helps keeps the proportions in order.). Once the water boils, remove from heat and stir in one cup of sugar. Cool completely before filling the feeders. I've read that it's recommended to change the water twice a week, but we generally change ours every 10 days (which is when I typically remember I should be changing it twice a week).

7. Music

Whether it's playing the piano, going to the symphony, or simply listening to the radio, music brings joy to my soul in a way nothing else can. Many, many people I have met (musicians and non-musicians alike) have also made this claim. Music can cheer me up, calm me down, make housework (any work, really) more enjoyable, and help set nearly any mood you're going for. I enjoy listening to internet radio in the morning getting ready, and find taking breaks to play piano during my housework rejuvenates my mind.

8. Family Dinners

Growing up, family dinners were a nightly occurrence. I thought that was what everyone did, so when my husband and I were married, we continued the tradition of sitting down, enjoying a meal together, and talking about our days or plans for the next days. When cell-phones started becoming more consistently used, we quickly made a "No cell phones at the dinner table" rule, which I'm sure many of you have also done. There is something so luxurious about sitting down for even 30 minutes, nourishing our bodies, and connecting with one another that bring so much pleasure to the end of sometimes hectic days.

9. Waking Up to a Clean House and, Especially, Kitchen

Whether we want to admit it or not, what we see effects how we feel. If you wake up to sun streaming in your window, open your eyes and see your room in order, clothes put away, dresser dusted, you will likely feel a sense of empowerment to take on your day. The first place we generally venture to is, of course, the kitchen. Making sure our kitchen is in order before going to bed can help ensure that our morning continues to flow smoothly. Knowing that yesterday's chores are completely done allows you to start your morning with focus on TODAY rather than playing catch up with yesterday's responsibilities.

10. Hot Baths

When I was in high school, I started a Friday night ritual of taking hot baths. High school was the first time I was in a traditional school environment and the stress and challenges caused me to seek a way to unwind after a week of long homework sessions and tests. I feel as though I've truly perfected the art of hot water, salts (either Epson with a few drops of essential oils or bath salts), light music, soft light, and either a good book or absolutely nothing. After a long hot bath, I like to generously apply lotion and hop right in the bed for a good night's sleep (see number 2).

I would love to know, what are some of your favorite simple pleasures that you enjoy indulging in daily or weekly? Please let me know in the comments below! Throughout the time of compiling my list and writing this post, I had so many more daily pleasures come to mind, it was hard for me to limit it to just ten!

Thank you to Denise Williams for the use of her hummingbird picture!