Jennifer L. Scott's giveaway...

I have been slow in posting who won Jennifer L. Scott's book.

The reader who commented and was randomly picked is Rosie.

Congratulations!

Thank you to all who left comments and I hope that you will get the opportunity to read Jennifer's newest book.

I will send Jennifer an email when I have your mailing address Rosie.

Please send it to me at bungalowhostess@gmail.com and we will send you an autographed copy of her book.

I'll be back next week with a new post so please come back soon.

Hope that you are enjoying the weekend.

Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic...a new book giveaway by Jennifer L. Scott.

Jennifer Scott kindly sent me an advanced reading copy of her new book "Polish Your Poise."
I enjoyed reading her other two books "Lessons from Madame Chic "and "At Home with Madame Chic."
If you don't already know Jennifer, she writes the blog The Daily Connoisseur and has You Tube videos online. You can pop over and read her posts on her classic 10 item wardrobe...and she's recently been speaking about the tendency that some people have towards dressing too casually for events like weddings, the theatre and when dining out.

Jennifer is a very wise and talented young woman, married, with two young daughters.
She's busy taking care of her home and family, yet makes time to write for several hours each day...

I brewed a big pot of Lapsang Souchong tea and devoted a couple of relaxing afternoons to her book.
Her thoughts on poise reminded me of my upbringing...
I can recall the same advice being taught by my Mother, and similar thoughts echoed by the elegant and poised woman who led the Saturday afternoon Charm School that I attended!

I think our society has moved away from teaching these lessons...being polite and poised is never out of fashion.
The book would make a nice gift for a young woman just starting out in the workforce...
I can envision a mother giving a copy to her teenage daughter.

Manners, cultivating and developing personal style, being a good neighbour, dressing appropriately, how to handle social media, maintaining an air of mystery, and more topics are discussed in the book.

One thing that I took away from this book is that we have strayed away from the etiquette and manners that were an integral part of my 1950's and 1960's upbringing and that it's never too late to teach these values to the next generation.

Jennifer has graciously offered to send one of my readers a signed copy of her book.

If you are interested in this giveaway please leave a comment.

Please enter by October 30th at midnight PST.

Good luck and I hope that you have a very pleasant week!

A reader asks for my thoughts on creating a basic Wardrobe.

I am flattered a reader asked for my thoughts on creating a small and workable wardrobe.
But I'm not sure that I am up to the task!

Anne I hope that this post will help get you started.
By asking yourself the right questions you might get some direction...
I appreciate you having faith in me...and I hope that I do not disappoint you!

Do some homework before going shopping.
On the internet is so quick and easy...
so many fashion savvy bloggers are online I have learned a lot by reading their posts.

Pinterest is another great place to find inspiring fashions..."Parisian Chic" is one of my favourites.

Window shopping and browsing magazines will give you some new ideas.

Observing the way that garments are put together and styled in the fashion magazines inspires me to "make the effort" to keep my wardrobe fresh and feeling current.
Books on the subject can be found in stores and your local library...
Jennifer L. Scott has written several books on this subject and has many videos on You Tube, she's well known for her 10 piece basic wardrobe.

Every Fall and Spring I go through my closet and look carefully at the clothes that I am putting away in storage until next year.
I mend and launder any garments needing attention before hanging them downstairs in the "out of season" closet.
Then proceed to retire and donate anything that is worn or no longer thrills me.

When bringing out the current seasonal wardrobe I look at each piece with a discerning eye, try them on and decide if they are still in good nick or if they need to be replaced.

I'll ask myself how can I wear these garments in a variety of ways so that I get more mileage out of them.

I go through my accessories and look at the scarves, belts, shoes and boots.
Are they looking tired or worn, do the heels need to be replaced at the cobblers?

Can I update an outfit by simply adding a brooch, necklace or pairing it with tights and boots?

Do I have all the basics covered?

Lifestyle factors big in this...I am retired and lead a fairly quiet life.
I need clothes for walking, playing with the grandchildren, playing bridge and MahJongg at the seniors centre, for dinners and lunches out, the theatre, and casual get together's with friends.
(No gala balls or red carpet events!)

Next I make a list of things that I "need" to purchase...
and I make a small list of things that "might be nice to add."

Remembering that I have a tiny closet helps me rein in my tendency to buy too many pieces.

When I am out shopping I consider...

Does the garment fit well?
Is it flattering?
Can it be worn with other things that I currently own?
Is it good value for the price?
Will I love it for the next few years?
Is it easy care? (I rarely buy "dry clean only" garments)
Does the fabric feel nice against the skin?
Are the details like buttons, darts and seams neat and tidy?

Look in a 3 way mirror and be honest...
if the item matches with your criteria it's probably a good choice.
Ask about the store's return policy in case you have second thoughts when you get it home.

If like me, you enjoy shopping in charity and thrift shops you will not be able to return it if you change your mind so be sure...usually the garments are priced reasonably and therefore if you make a mistake you will not be out of pocket too much money.

Consignment shops are a different kettle of fish...each store has it's own policy on returns and you may be able to take it home "on approval" or put it on hold and bring a friend who will give you an honest opinion. Consignment stores are generally more expensive than thrift or charity shops because they carry "higher end labels" and often designer goods.

Another factor to consider is your budget...
Overspending is not advisable...
if you are living within limited means you'll need to mindful of quieting "the wants."
I mix higher end clothing with less expensive brands...
my g21 skinny jeans from Walmart are a prime example.
I regularly wear my Hermes scarves with inexpensive white tees and jeans.

Start with the basics in a neutral colour.
They need to mix and match so that you get more mileage out of them, making many different combinations possible with the same core pieces. CPW...cost per wearing wins here.

Consider your lifestyle.
Opt for simple classics with clean lines...they allow for accessories where you can add a personal touch.

My core basics would be in black with some grey pieces all in solid shades (no patterns) and include:
 a classic LBD, skirt, pants, jeans, a cashmere sweater, several tops and Tees, tank tops for layering, and a dressy jacket, and a white shirt. You'll need outer wear and depending on your climate you might need several options.

Once you have your core wardrobe you can add more depending on your budget.

If you are looking to personalize your wardrobe with accessories...
shop in ethnic, museum and gift shops...markets and craft fairs.
Antique malls and charity shops often have unusual pieces of jewelry and scarves.
You will find some fabulous items on ebay and etsy too.

Thank you Anne, for asking for my thoughts on this subject...I like a challenge.

I hope this has given you some ideas and that you have fun searching for those perfect garments!
Please email me and let me know how you are doing with this project.

Readers please share your ideas and perhaps list the fashion blogs you enjoy and follow.
Leave a comment about how you approach putting together a wardrobe and addressing the various challenges that we come up against when starting from scratch. We are all in this together.

Thank you,
Hostess

January, and it's an opportunity to start fresh.

The month of January brings with it opportunities to change a habit or start something new.

It feels like anything is possible...a clean slate and a fresh start await.

A tidy home and garden are on my radar.

My goal is to tackle one job each day so that I don't get overwhelmed and give up!

I spent several hours cleaning up our medicine drawer and I am embarrassed to confess that there were lotions, salves, pills and cold remedies that were expired as far back as 2010!

I bagged them all up and took them to our local pharmacy for recycling.

These pharmaceuticals are toxic and should not be thrown away in the regular garbage.

I've also been eating far too much and some of my choices have not been Weight Watcher Point Friendly items!

So it's time to get back on track...

I'm not beating myself up either, nor should I.

Thin crust and delicious...but I ate too much of it.

Caesar Salad

Bouillabaise 

Lemon Meringue Cake!

and bubbly....

I recently bought a slow cooker and made some homemade beans from scratch...

I want to make some soups and stews in the cooker.

 The idea of starting dinner early and having dinner cook throughout the day and be ready without much fuss appeals to me...

(especially when I am tacking the closets and doing some "deeper cleaning" projects)

I've gone through all my books and donated more than half of them...

I've kept my favourites.

I plan on re-reading Debra's book before I go to Paris.

I read Jennifer L. Scott's blog and I quite enjoy her books. She is hard at work on her third book.

On a recent blog post she discussed cutting out distractions at home...

I am so easily distracted so I was interested in what she had to say...

you can read her thoughts here.

I received this book last year for my birthday from a good friend and have made a few of the recipes.

Soups are a great way to use up leftovers and stretch the budget...

I like to make them on a cold blustery day...

while I am busy chopping I like to be quiet and mindful

and if there are any leftovers they are good for lunches and can easily be frozen for future use.

I had all the ingredients for this soup on hand...

it's a rich and comforting soup 

but it's a little high on the WW Point Scale.

Yummy

I know it's January because the Snowdrops are blooming.

Have you got any projects on the back burner?

Are you editing your wardrobe, cleaning out closets, bagging up donations for the charity shops?

Perhaps you embarking on some self improvement, taking a new class or are trying some new recipes.

"New Year's Day. A fresh start. A new chapter in life waiting to be written. New questions to be asked, embraced, and loved. Answers to be discovered and then lived in this transformative year of delight and self-discovery. Today carve out a quiet interlude for yourself in which to dream, pen in hand. Only dreams give birth to change."

~ Sarah Ban Breathnach ~

Wardrobing...my love affair with black.

I am not an expert on fashion nor am I the guru of the perfect wardrobe...
but have learned scads since I started reading blogs.

Jennifer L. Scott's Madame Chic book introduced me to the concept of a small chic wardrobe.
Her 10 item basic wardrobe guide has helped me to see the benefits of living with less.

Having a small wardrobe means that pieces need to work with each other so select a neutral colour for most of your clothes. I love black and I never tire of it.
It feels like a blank canvas waiting for a pop of colour, a backdrop for a pretty brooch or a colourful scarf.
You are the artist when putting your outfits together so have some fun and be creative with your accessories.

Janice is a creative and fashion savvy genius, she writes The Vivienne Files.
If you have not discovered her blog rush on over and prepare to be amazed.

I've read numerous books and umpteen blogs on how to cultivate a small but efficient wardrobe that functions optimally allowing for panic free dressing...
I have pared down my wardrobe so I can see it all at one glance and things are not crushing each other in the attempt to find their place in the closet.
Remember most of my clothes are BLACK!
You may be thinking how boring or dull, but once you've organized your wardrobe in black or your chosen neutral, I don't think you'll ever regret the loyalty you'll feel to those great clothes horses and their flexibility.

This is a great read if you are looking for some tips on dressing in the French Chic Style.

Dressing well needn't break the bank...

there are lots of thrift and consignment stores that offer quality clothing.

The secret is that you have so shop often and seriously hunt for those gems.

When you find one examine the garment carefully for rips, holes and stains.

A seamstress or tailor can usually alter the piece to fit if it is in good condition.

I love to shop this way but I know it is not for everyone.

I do enjoy purchasing quality basics on occasion but I seriously consider the CPW factor

(cost per wearing) 

before I plunk down the cash.

Most of you have heard me rave about the 10 item basic wardrobe that Jennifer L. Scott has written and blogged and V-logged about in her You Tube tutorials...

her book is a great introduction into living well with less.

This vintage book is a classic guide to French Chic dressing.

Coco Chanel loved black.

 Her contribution to fashion, with her launch of the LBD, is as popular and alive as it was when she took the fashion world by storm.

I have a lovely LBD in my wardobe by Elie Tahari.

It is THE MOST VERSATILE dress that I have ever had the pleasure of wearing!

Do you like how I have photographed it by the fridge?

What could be a simpler shape and line?

It fits as if it were tailored personally for me.

The fabric has body and a bit of weight to it and the dress is fully lined and top stitched by hand.

The zip is in the side which I like as I am not too good at doing up back zips.

(my husband helps out with back zips when he is at home!)

I wanted to show you a few ways that I style my favourite LBD.

If you have any doubts about buying one I hope that I have shown you the value of owning a great classic.

If you think you look dreadful in black try another neutral shade...navy, tan, white, or grey.

I made this necklace years ago when I took a course and wear it often.

Silver belt with an ethnic vibe at the waist can dress it down when it is worn with a jean jacket and boots.

A armload of bangles...

Gumball sized pearls are a bit more refined.

An interesting bangle worn solo is all you need to add a bit of interest and the silver is a nice shade with black.

Dressier shoes for afternoon and evening.

Flats work too as well as kitten heels.

A vintage small eel skin bag is just the right size for evening and I love that it has a chain strap so that my hands can be free to hold a drink or nibble on canapes.

"Mother approved" outfit for dinner out or an afternoon matinee at the local live theatre.

(maybe a bit Mumsy, I consider it a bit more modern version of a Castlebury Knit!)

If I haven't convinced you of the value of having a LBD perhaps I have not done my job!

Perhaps you prefer a skirt and sweater?

I have those items in my wardrobe too....

A longer skirt to wear with boots and a soft wool blend sweater.

Lisa Campione skirt is made of a firm fabric which gives it staying power and lots of body.

It is a very fun and feminine skirt to wear.

You could wear a white tee and a denim jacket to make this a super casual outfit...perfect for shopping or lunching out with your friends.

I just watched Jennifer L. Scott's Tedx Talk and thought you might like to see it too.

Watch and enjoy...

Now it's your turn to chime in with your thoughts about how you approach dressing.

Are you a minimalist or do you go for the maximum amount of garments?

Are your closets organized by colour, by type of clothing, or are they cluttered?

With a jumble of colours, styles and garments do you feel that you have "nothing to wear?"

I hope that you have a fabulous weekend!

Hostess