Thank you to Cometeer for bringing us this video. Use my code DAILY at cometeer.com/Connoisseur to save $20 off each of your first two orders (total of $40 OFF) today. I would love to know your thoughts on today's video topic. In what areas has your life become too casual? Have you experienced any of the "signs" I discuss in today's video? Thank you for watching and I hope you enjoyed today's video! Love, Jennifer ♥
This video introduced your channel to me, although I read your book Lessons from Madame Chic shortly after it was released. You've created a MAJOR shift in my life. One, I sorely needed.THANK YOU! I've been binge watching your channel the last three weeks and then found I had your book How to Become A Daily Connoseiur on my shelf, but had never read it. That's all changed. You're just the push I needed to get comfortable with the more relaxed formal lifestyle I have always enjoyed. Got the Covid lax finally pushed out the door and leveled up on fun and contentment in place. I'm sure there will be ups and downs but fully embracing what brings me joy, in community with others, has been very good for me. I truly appreciate your honest approach to embracing a different vibe than what is commonly out there all over the U.S.
In a world where people regularly wear their pajamas to the grocery store and gym shorts to church, this channel is a breath of fresh air. Thank you for being classy, feminine, and not justifying the lowest common denominators in life. A formal practice I keep in my life is sending handwritten, cursive letters complete with wax seals.
I would love a part 2 to the topic. I do agree many of us have become too casual, and are struggling returning to a more ordered and elegant lifestyle.
Valerie, I do agree. I feel there is a low grade form of depression, post pandemic. One day, the psychologists will give it a name. I see it in myself and others. A feeling of walking around, slightly numb. Doing everything less energetically, less enthusiastically. Just living a slightly less hopeful, more tired life. It's hard to "bounce back".♥️🇨🇦
Amanda and Valerie, thank you both for expressing these feeling concerning to effects of the lockdown. I have wondered if it was just me that was still struggling to return to normal.
I have noticed that it’s even harder these days to find more dressy clothing like skirts and dresses at different shops. It just takes more searching! Thank you for encouraging us Jennifer to take care of ourselves better! ❤️
If you have a favorite brand, consider Poshmark, Mercari, eBay and Real-Real. I’ve found a black long pleated skirt and black midi velvet skirt at shops recently. Is Clothes Mentor, a popular ladies resale shop, nationwide? I’ve found them in most of our Midwest-East coast travels. Julie 🌷
I agree! I tend to find 6-8 places I regularly shop where I know they carry dressier options. It is more pricey typically, but I am fine to spend more on quality pieces. I enjoy J. Crew, Dillards, Nordstrom, Evereve for myself.
As I live alone eating at the dining room table can feel kind of lonely, at least for me it does. Seeing all those empty chairs around me. So I dine in my living room. After watching your video I have decided I’m gonna get a nice tray to put my meal on, to distinguish my ottoman and chair as a dining area at meal time. Yes more of the series would be welcome.
I think that's a great solution, but is there any way you could dress your dining room table up to make it more enjoyable for you? Light candles? A beautiful centerpiece? Play special music only during mealtimes? If you don't think that will help, then by all means I think your tray idea is a wonderful solution, too!
Thank you. I have tried having music in the background flowers sometimes a little bit of tea lights and I think it’s just the empty chairs around me it takes away from the experience of eating at the dining room table. I may try it again.
@@pamlong448 Let us know if you find an elegant solution that you enjoy. My daughter lives on her own and I know meals at the table are so important to her when she's back home with us. I think she would love to continue in her own home.
Move the chairs and make a setting in the middle of the table. Make a centerpiece-scavenge your things and yard to create a centerpiece and a scene or theme on the table.
I agree that things have changed drastically ever since the pandemic lockdown. I don’t entertain anymore, we rarely eat at a beautifully set table and my cleaning routine has been more lax. I feel like I’m in some sort of rut that has lingered far to long. Yes- bring on Part 2
I am in Vienna with my husband, and have been for a week. Observing the simple elegance of the women and men, even in a local suburb area has been an eye opener. I always 'go local' when overseas and travel by foot or on public transport. I have not seen one active wear outfit (except at the park when exercising) or pyjamas on anyone! This is quite a shock and not at all like our regional town in Australia. I love it! I already wear a capsule wardrobe but this trip has shown me that I could be more formal and start setting the table more elegantly again, even though there is only two of us and a 4 year old granddaughter to share it with. Children respond readily to new things I find, don't you? Breakfast can even be relished, that is something that this time away has shown me. Thank you for the reminders and for all your content.
@@Riopuppy1 it certainly is. When I mentioned to the young receptionist about the pyjamas phenomenon in Australia, she was horrified. The look on her face. We are nearly home now and I fully intend to carry on with what I have been practising while away. Oh Vienna! So beautiful!
@@ritabartasiute and that was just such a relief for my eyes, as yesterday I saw a young woman at the shops in her pyjamas and dressing gown. Horrible.
I LOVE the inserted black and white clips of you in utter disarray. This is such a great topic. I do not want to dress in “pandemic-era style”. I had a great awakening around 6-7 years ago when I realized how far I had fallen down the casual hole: I was a new mom and my clothing consisted of baggy tee shirts and yoga pants (hated this, but didn’t know what to do). One day I was going with a friend to JCPenney to get our 18 months old children some studio pictures. My little son was terrified the whole time and cried until I came and held him for the pictures. I was so dismayed that I had gotten him in a little suit and tie but I was in grey yoga pants, a tunic top, messy hair and no makeup. I realized that if I couldn’t feel confident in getting my photo taken at any given time, I did not like the way I appeared to the world. That was the turning point for me. I’ve been on a quest ever since to develop my personal style. 💛
I watched this video from the lounge, still in my pajamas at midday, eating confectionary for breakfast. Suffice to say Jennifer, you may have posted this content just in time.
Jennifer, I love your "what not to do" scenes! They really make me smile and I apprecate how you can poke fun at yourself. I can relate, too 😅 But I'm improving thanks to your videos 💐💕
Yup you're messy depictions are great - especially the unexpected visit scene! Hilarious but true. You're helping me to laugh while I turn away from the sloppiness that's crept in. Your work is incredibly important. THANK YOU!💕
Home making routines are so important to keep up. There’s that old rhyme - Monday, washing, Tuesday mending etc. Well, that’s been my routine for 35 years because by Friday I wanted my family to relax for the weekend. In addition to daily tidying, I would concentrate on a main chore each day. . Monday = all laundry. Tuesday = mending and ironing (including tablecloths and napkins), Wednesday = clean second floor (bedrooms and bathrooms) Thursday = clean first floor (kitchen, dining room, living room), Friday = grocery shopping. So instead of cleaning when things were dirty, I would just clean on schedule and it became LESS time consuming. And if I missed a day, it was just that days chores for the weekend. Yes, I worked full time and I went to school and I had kids (who helped along with my husband) etc. but my routine became streamlined, we could relax on the weekend (sports, family time, synagogue) and I was at the ready for guests, events etc. because of the routine. The first week or so will be rough, but I guarantee life will be easier!
Oh no, I’m a lot of your black and white life 😂😢. Thank you for this reminder. I love this and would also enjoy a part two. Depression contributes to a lot of these behaviors that take the joy out of life.
I took my husband to the symphony for his birthday over the weekend and am sad to say I was the one that stuck out like a sore thumb - I was nicely dressed up with my husband and pretty much everyone else was in casual clothes like jeans, hoodies etc. I was appalled! It was a live orchestral performance alongside a Star Wars film and although the ushers said it’s a different experience to the regular symphony, I was not impressed. They even sold concession food like popcorn and drinks (it will be my first and last time for this type of symphonic performance). Sadly, people have forgotten how to dress for these occasions. I don’t know if it sounds silly to say that the casualness of everyone around us kind of ruined a really nice evening I planned (and a nice long overdue date night without our kids). I just purchased your third book even though I’ve borrowed many times from the library before and I have your first one. Always a great read!
Jennifer, I have always felt I had this elegant woman living inside of me who couldn’t quite find her way out. I was so happy to find you a few weeks back. I have been devouring your content and just finished listening to your book, Lessons from Madame Chic and loved it. Living life as a formal affair was the missing piece! Thank you for helping me make that connection.
Since I've retired + the pandemic, I didn't realize how casual I'd become until I recently started attending church again. I've been enjoying and "discovering" my wardrobe and the outfits & jewelry I hadn't worn in ages! 😀
I'm actually surprised my life hasn't become too casual as a stay at home mom! I'm glad I saw where I can be more formal with my clutter, but we eat at the table and get dressed, so I'm really happy we didn't lose that little bit of elegance!❤❤
Behavior is the key I think! A right mindset is everything. We begin by justifying ‘permission’ not to keep up with good standards and all of it snowballs after that! I went through a bad stage about 20-30 years ago when mornings were such a trap for me! Raising four and homeschooling was completely consuming and I often struggled to find time to dress properly first thing and it would be long mornings in my robe which made me feel defeated. No one ever came to visit me at 10 am unless I was in my robe, I swear!! My overwhelm and prayer lead me to find FlyLady and that changed the ME aspect of my mornings! Getting dressed to whole shoes became essential as well as wearing an apron over my clothes while at home. I love these fabulous old fashioned ways.❤
@@andreapalma7570 I leave it on at home while cleaning or cooking and it makes me feel wonderfully ‘June Cleaver’ in the best way! My apron says that I am ready for whatever my home needs and protects my clothes. Then when I take it off I am ready for everything else. At 59 yo I love the nostalgic feeling I get wearing one like my grandmother used to now that I am a grandmother too. Home is a business, too, right?😊
Okay but calling behaviors casual instead of calling myself lazy, is probably the most helpful brain hack I’ve heard in a while! Like genuinely a simple rephrasing can make something difficult for some to do a little more doable. 😮❤
I agree and our family is guilty of becoming too casual. We're trying to combat this now. I am reading my way through your Madame Chic books--just finished "At Home" last night and am about to begin "Polish Your Poise" today! I've found the books very encouraging!
Good for you! My upcoming move forced me to declutter, and anything that didn’t pass the classy test went to the donation bin. Sadly, I had to weed out many books, as I am downsizing.
@@alexandraeverafter1015 My next "move" is to declutter my boot closet as I'm getting specialty made boots soon. If the oldies are not goodies -- out they go to LUPUS.
Yes to a Part 2! I have your Madame Chic books and love reading them over and over! As I’ve said previously, never too old to learn from the young! I am trying to lead a more formal life and less casual. This really hit me full face when I was switching my spring/summer clothes to my fall/winter. Living in Texas, there is not always a big change from season to season. The jeans and long sleeved shirts, though, were stored until cooler weather. I am one who eats in front of the TV or while watching RU-vid. Wearing stretchy, loose fabrics all summer, hadn’t realized how much weight I had gained until I put on a pair of the jeans and a long sleeved shirt. They didn’t fit!!!!😮 Now trying the intermittent fasting to get the excess weight off. 😢
6:11 Very true. I used to spend the whole Sunday cleaning my apartment (not even a house). During the lockdown it was even worse. But now that I am inviting more and more friends to my place, I take about 2 hours to clean the whole thing. I learnt how to multitask and to work efficiently.
Yes, I'm too casual which is why I absolutely love this channel. I leave little projects in various stages of completion in nearly every room. Things like knitting projects or music books that I tell myself I'm coming back to shortly-but then my area looks very cluttered and stresses me out.
The “too casual” attitude precedes the pandemic, unfortunately. I remember being in a business-class hotel about 10 years ago when a woman came into the hotel restaurant for breakfast in her pajamas. Yes, pajamas! The pandemic only made the ongoing too-casual trend worse. I agree with Molly’s Story that it has become harder to find dressier clothing in stores. I appreciate your identifying where you get your clothes. I’ve save these to my favorites so when I shop online I can quickly and easily check their websites. I would love a Part 2 on this topic, too!
I'd love to see a part 2! I know my life has gotten too casual when I start making daily decisions based on what I "feel like" instead of what I've planned. Whether it's choosing take-out over the meal we'd planned, letting the mess stay until "tomorrow", or even putting off fun because I don't want to make the effort. Thanks for often being the boot I need to get back to the life I want instead of the life I settle for!
My mom is visiting from out of town and one thing I have realized is how possible it is to keep the house tidy, at least most of the time, I also have barely touched my phone and I’m still getting nicely dressed everyday. I definitely don’t enjoy too casual 😊.
Yes! Please do a Part II! I love all of this. I volunteer at an animal shelter, and I’ve noticed two things which I really have no explanation for other than many of us have become overly casual in the past few years or so… One is how many people come in smelling as though they *really* need to bathe. I don’t know if they think we can’t smell them over the animals, but I assure you, we can. It can permeate an entire room in no time. I understand there are those that have legitimate body odor issues that cannot be helped, but that is actually fairly rare. (And I don’t remember this being as much of an issue 10-20 years ago.) Evidently, there are those who see no reason to be “olfactorarily presentable” (I don’t know if that’s an actual thing, but maybe it should be?) in their day-to-day lives. Or people who swear regularly-regardless of whether there are children around-as a manner of speaking. They’re not angry; this is just how they speak. Why? Why on Earth?
I abhor foul language. Even “substitute” 4 letter words. I say, the English language is so vast that surely you can use real words to express yourself.
Thank you for the video. The point regarding sitting to eat, I am really good for breakfast and dinner, but mid day often finds me standing at the kitchen island. I work from home so I'm sitting a lot. Standing for lunch gives me a break 😊
Point five really resonated with me. A few months ago I noticed that I had let other forms of entertainment overtake reading in my life, and when I realized that and righted the balance, more of my life than just that fell back into place.
I read your book in my teens! I’m 29 now and still remember it. It’s sitting on my bookshelf in my family home. It’d make such a beautiful gift for young ladies. I’m super glad to find you have a RU-vid channel.
This was a good checklist. Good to talk about not reading books. I have mourned the loss of reading a good book, it sure is satisfying. Today starts of day one remaking the habit if reading. I would love a part two.
I love your videos. I wish I could have people over. It’s overwhelming. The toilets, sinks, and floors have to be cleaned after they leave. I did this when I was younger. I do miss it. I love hosting and have received many compliments on the type of host I am, but I’m 60 now and have autoimmune.
Can we just take a moment to appreciate Jennifers' beautiful 'backgrounds'.....that wallpaper is lovely! Thanks for this, Jennifer.....you always make some good points!
I find these videos so…refreshing! The casualness stopped feeling like a cozy blanket a long time ago but it’s difficult to cast off! Thank you for these practical tips!
Oh my goodness: point 1 had me in stitches! 😆 🤣 😂 And yes: PLEASE part 2 !!!🙃😊😊 I started reading more again. I was always an avid reader...then "it" happened and instead of reading I found myself bing watching shows and eating very inelegant on my couch,... in PJs Bd the notorious "messy bun"!!🙈🙈🙈 I chose now to see this now as a learning episode of my life, on "how to make yourself feel miserable when overdoing things "🙈🙈🙈😁😁
Jennifer, when I first heard you mention a 10 item wardrobe, I immediately thought "that is not for me" "that's strange" "the clothes would become worn out from constantly being worn and washed" But, I have reconsidered this idea, especially after going through my clothes and realizing I have dress slacks I have been wearing for years!! and they are not worn out. I appreciate all you share. Thank you!
WOW...I've been struggling to get back on track living my gracious life! I'm a window living in my small condo...but prior to Covid I truly enjoyed having a few friends or family over; setting a pretty table.. even for my solo meal; having afternoon tea on my fine porcelain china; playing beautiful music; reading a good book!! Everything had a place & was in it's place! My small home was always at least dusted & vacuumed; bathroom fixtures wiped down but not so much any more!!! It's been so difficult to reclaim my gracious, calm lifestyle!! THANK YOU MADAME CHIC for your gentle words of encouragement & sharing your wisdom❤
I’m so glad you made this video! For a couple months now, I’ve only been wearing dresses to get out of being too casual (t-shirts and shorts) and also today’s jeans trends. When I wear a dress, it is comfy and looks presentable!
Wow, Jennifer, that was a wake up call for me, and I wasn’t expecting it! 😮 When I saw the title of your video, at first, I wasn't sure the content would apply to me, but I wanted to watch it anyway because I always learn something in your videos. And this morning, I learned that my life has become more casual than I would have thought in 3 areas: eating away from the table, not reading books anymore. I also can relate to the 3rd sign: terrified company is coming, not so much because my house is a mess (I hate clutter), but because I have neglected my tableware over the years, and now, all I have is worn cutlery and chipped china with faded pattern! Thank you so much for opening up my eyes, and yes, please, do more similar content! The black and white scenes you made to illustrate things being too casual is so funny! We can see you have a talent for acting! Have a nice day! God bless you! 🌹😊💙💚💛
If budgeting is an issue I have found very nice dinner ware at thrift stores. Even lovely china. You just have to keep looking, thrift store shopping can be hit or miss.
@@carolynmaves503 That is so kind of you! I would never have thought that I could find dinner ware in thrift stores! I will look for sure! Thank you for your good advice!
I had a guest stay with me for a few weeks and she was a very delightful person! Early on I noticed something however. When I got my "casual china" out and set the table for breakfast (my casual china is from Walmart and is a pretty floral pattern by the Pioneer Lady designer), my guest thought it was too formal and started insisting that we didn't have to dress up the table for meals. I thought "When are we ever going to use our china if not now?" I didn't argue with her because I realized that she wasn't used to setting the table for meals. So I brought out my plain white Corelle plates and started using those when we ate meals together. Later I started wondering if this was the right response to this situation. Not every area of my life is "formal" but it feels so good when I take a couple of seconds to rethink my "too casual" lifestyle and dress things up a bit! It makes me so much happier and surely that is enough reason to do it! Somehow my self-esteem improves, my mood, my outlook on life, my social identity, everything changes for the better.
I agree! When I've had overnight guests and they something about how formal my table is set, I reply, "this is my normal routine" which sometimes takes them by surprise; however now the seeds are planted❤
I would love a part 2 on this subject! I feel that when we were younger we had people over for dinner all the time, but now we are so busy with our grands and family. It’s great to have them over but it’s definitely more casual!! Thank you, Jennifer!! ❤️
Hi Jennifer, The difference between “super” Jennifer and “casual” Jennifer is quite different and has shown me what a difference in appearance or impression it makes on others. Had I started watching your RU-vid channel and your normal was “casual mode”, I would not have continued to watch your channel!! Yet had I stopped watching just due to your “casual” appearance, I would have missed out on so much!! THank you for the lesson yet again!! ❤
I’d love a part two on this! My home was definitely a victim of becoming far too casual! I’d proactively come up with nice places to ask people out to to avoid entertaining people at home even though it’s one of my favorite things! Finally getting things back to normal and it truly does bring a greater sense of peace to my life.
Jennifer, does your family have a tv in the house? If so, where do you keep it? I’ve not noticed it in your living room so I was just curious. We have one in our living room since that’s the only family space we have, but I don’t love that it seems to be the focal point of the room.
Hi Jen--I watched this video right before I went to bed last night, and dreamed that company was coming over....and I was freaking out! Guilty as charged. On another note, would you be so kind as to share what lipstick and blush you are wearing? Thanks for such fabulous content, and I am looking forward to part 2.
The clips of you being ‘too casual’ are hilarious and further compounds your message. Thank you so much for raising awareness: the slope is a slippery one.
Yes on everything except reading books! I've never stopped and cannot imagine not reading ( or listening to books) Best and cheapest form of escapism ever! 🤓💯
Ugh! Yes, I definitely saw myself in too many of the 5.🤦🏻♀️Thank you for the reminder to get back to caring about how I present myself to the world and myself. I would love to see a part 2 of this!
Since the spring I have been very intentional about reading. I think I’ve read about 9 books since then. I love to get ready for bed between 9:00 and 9:30 and then read in bed. It always makes me sleepy! I have also been intentional about NOT bringing my iPad or phone onto our bedroom. My husband and I ate dinner on couches in the family room last night! Oops! 😅
I live in a rural area on a dirt road and get very few visitors. At first I liked being able to escape to my hide away and loved the peacefulness. Over the years I have found myself slipping into a more casual and less presentable at home state to the point where I do panic when someone pops up on me. This is not how I want to live anymore and I am committed to changing.
A part 2 of this video would be great. These are all great reminders. It can be difficult, being a widow to eat in front of the tv. Although, I am "allergic" to clutter, I am on top of that at all times and I wear a uniform to work so I look forward to dressing appropriately when going out, but my new goal is to enjoy my dining table at meal times instead of only using it as a desk : )
I dont have people over but it is because my decor is seriously outdated and people all seem to have fancy, new, designer homes and decor these days. It is, however, very clean and tidy at all times! ❤💯
Yes, I became way too casual during the pandemic. Using hiding behind that mask as an excuse whenever I did go out. But now I feel it has propelled in the opposite direction. I want to dress up when I go out even if it's just running errands.
Thank you Jennifer for another great video about this topic…I haven’t watched TV for more than a decade, I’ll watch a movie now and then but honestly I have hardly any interest in these things, there’s better things to do! I also love reading, I used to devour books but being a mummy now it’s almost impossible. Right now I just read articles and my Quran as much as possible…anything to feed my mind and soul. Living with purpose is so important for our mental and physical well-being.
i really appreciate life getting more n more casual. i’ll probably watch this later to form a better opinion abt this topic. based on first impressions, i find this a very interesting and very tradition idea. you just have to know the time and place. i’ll eat dinner on my couch, but that doesn’t mean i dress inappropriately to events lol
I would love to see a part two. I’ve read all the Madame Chic books (more than once); I love them. You have an unique ability to tackle issues that chip away at our culture while remaining calm and gracious. I try to follow your example by not preaching to others about our slack and vulgar society, but instead lead by example. Also I enjoy how funny and entertaining your content is. You have a great sense of humor!
Oh yep, definitely feel called out in the best way. I definitely get home from work and just check out/veg out. I wear scrubs 40+hrs a week. Also, it seems harder to find dressier or less casual clothing nowadays. Oh well, time to step up my game. Thanks for the great tips.
I must say, you look particularly pretty here! Not sure whether it's your hair styling, makeup, lovely top, lighting, or a bit of them all, but it made me smile. These are such great reminders as well! In particular, I have never liked eating while working, for example, or eating straight out of a container (such as ice cream -- I can't lie, I _considered_ it yesterday 😅) for the very reason you mentioned; I want to savor what I consume! I don't even like when my husband wants to show me something on his phone or computer when I'm having a snack because I want to enjoy it, haha! But I am fully aware that we have not made a habit of eating at the table very often and this is something I would like to change. Your voice will be speaking in my mind again now...I shall aim to achieve this goal!
A part 2 of this topic would be great. I look forward to each of your videos. I find that I learn something thought provoking, (or I'm reminded of it) with each one. Living a more formal life is a choice for each of us. It is a more confident, less chaotic, beautiful way to live! Thank you!
