Beauty Heals And Gives Us Wings
I’ve been a fan of Elizabeth Taylor since watching her (very tiny) role in “Jane Eyre” when I was a child. I loved her even more as I grew up and learned about her glamorous, fascinating life. I know she had her share of heartache, but I’m inspired by the fact that she lived a FULL life. She took chances, she loved hard, and she had one heck of a ride on this planet. Rest in eternal peace, Ms. Taylor.
(photos courtesy of Marie Claire, Pinterest, PicQuery, and WeNeedFun)
At some time in 2015, I started working out consistently and getting serious about overhauling my life. When I decided to change my life, I started looking for guides to assist me on this journey.
As the saying goes, when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. By chance, I came across the YouTube channel of Jennifer L. Scott, who had a blog named The Daily Connoisseur. Jennifer is also the author of the Madame Chic series. Her first book, Lessons from Madame Chic: 20 Stylish Secrets I Learned While Living In Paris, discusses the different tips she gleaned while living in Paris during a semester abroad.
I adored Jennifer’s sweet demeanor and I was intrigued by her effortless, classic style. So I watched her videos and purchased the book.
Let me just say now, if you are ready to get really disciplined about your life, this book is a good place to start. The French approach to style, diet, exercise, and social behavior are drastically different from what we’re taught as Americans.
The most unique aspect of the book is the Ten Item Wardrobe concept. Jennifer discusses this concept in depth on her YT channel, but the gist of it is this: a wardrobe is built around ten core items, and a few “extras” to flesh it out. This sparse wardrobe allows you to concentrate on developing a signature style that suits your lifestyle and your taste. This approach is not only economical but liberating: fewer items mean more consistent style and easier morning routines.
My main takeaway from the book was the underlying motivation behind the French philosophy. The French aesthetic is rooted in discipline and focus, while Americans tend to be acquisitive and decadent. I believe the two approaches can be bridged, but that requires a thorough examination of both perspectives. I really enjoyed learning about the French approach to life, and I found this book was an excellent guide!
Have you read Lessons from Madame Chic? What did you think of it? Please let me know in the comments below!
Ever since I was a little girl, I loved classic cars. While I know precious little about cars, I do know an attractive vehicle when I see it.
I first saw the 1965 Sunbeam Tiger while watching reruns of the television show “Get Smart”. Between the slick 1960s fashions, easy-to-process humor (everyone in the family could enjoy the show), and the “high tech” gadgets (the Cone of Silence, the shoe phone, and many, many more), it’s no wonder it was one of my favorite TV shows of all time.
But what I really loved most of all were the gorgeous cars driven by Maxwell Smart (the lead character on “Get Smart”). Here’s a Sunbeam Tiger similar to what Maxwell drove in the opening credits of the show:
Do you have a favorite vintage car? Can you remember where you first saw the car, or what makes it so special to you?
(image courtesy of sportscarshop.com)
Bronze Butterfly 