Lessons from Madame Chic
By Jennifer L. Scott
- Release Date: 2012-11-06
- Genre: Self-Improvement
Description
Inspired by Paris, this lighthearted and deceptively wise contemporary memoir serves as a guidebook for women on the path to adulthood, sophistication, and style, perfect for any woman looking to lead a more fulfilling, passionate, and artful life.
Paris may be the City of Light, but for many it is also the City of Transformation. When Jennifer Scott arrived in Paris as an exchange student from California, she had little idea she would become an avid fan of French fashion, lifestyle, and sophistication. Used to a casual life back home, in Paris she was hosted by a woman she calls “Madame Chic,” mistress of a grand apartment in the Sixteenth Arrondissement.
Madame Chic mentors Jennifer in the art of living, with elegance and an impeccably French less-is-more philosophy. Three-course meals prepared by the well-dressed Madame Chic (her neat clothes covered by an apron, of course) lure Jennifer from her usual habit of frequent snacks, junk food, sweatpants, and TV.
Additional time spent with “Madame Bohemienne,” a charming single mother who passionately embraces Parisian joie de vivre, introduces readers to another facet of behind-closed-doors Parisian life.
While Francophiles will appreciate this memoir of a young woman’s adventure abroad, others who may not know much about France will thrill to the surprisingly do-able (yet chic!) hair and makeup lessons, plus tips on how to create a capsule wardrobe with just ten useful core pieces.
Each chapter of Lessons from Madame Chic reveals the valuable secrets Jennifer learned while under Madame Chic’s tutelage—tips you can master no matter where you live or the size of your budget.
Embracing the classically French aesthetic of quality over quantity, aspiring Parisiennes will learn the art of eating (deprive yourself not; snacking is not chic), fashion (buy the best you can afford), grooming (le no-makeup look), among other tips.
From entertaining to decor, you will gain insights on how to cultivate old-fashioned sophistication while living an active, modern life. Lessons from Madame Chic is the essential handbook for a woman that wants to look good, live well, and enjoy that Parisian je ne sais quoi in her own arrondissement.
Reviews
Inspiring
4By CelCstarLove the way she expresses her delight and inspiration for French culture. Well written, sometimes repetitive (not in a non-encouraging way). Also love how she incorporates a story with a lesson- Im inspired to try new things!Loved it!
5By Mrs. GilanaI really loved this book. It reminded me of the way I grow up my fathers family is French Canadian and a lot of the French lifestyle was in the way they lived and how they carried themselves. This book reopen my eyes to how I used to live and how I want to live again. As I slowly go throw my clothes and realize I was holding onto things I would never wear again. So thank you and I can't wait to read the other books.Of Course
5By DReshHamI have read a similar book with very much the same message, but it is always nice to be reminded of important information, which is what this book contains. Easy read and very enjoyable. I titled my review Of Course because the perspective on life, relationship, and things is common sense but often forgotten, especially in the USA.Tammy Roades
5By BubbasTurtleAn absolute must read! This book is great for any tween and up. I won this book at a church breakfast, it was chosen as a giveaway because it is so fun and so full of easy information. I believe even Jackie O would have this as a must read. Fantastic gift. If everyone would implement just a part of this into there everyday lives we would see a change for the positive America..That should say it all. LOVE it. Keep them coming Jennifer great job. The church breakfast theme was actually " Breakfast at Tiffany's" I am glad to have won this book rather than a Tiffany's necklace.Absolutely lovely
5By marianne begleyMs. Scott's blog and book are inspirational. She is very much the embodiment of the saying "elegance is refusal". She has a down to earth delivery with a sophisticated style that is so refreshing. I always look forward to her blog posts and her book is a quiet revelation to attaining a more confident aspect in your everyday living.Didactic
2By VladtheChickenNot amusing....the fact she spent some time in Paris seems a pretext for airing her own opinions on how we all should live.Inspiring and amusing
5By SouthernCityChickieBest book about the French female culture I have read so far. Well written and edited. Great little stories to illustrate customs. Inspiring new way of thinking, especially for those of us in our early 40's, bored with American life and watching entirely too much Bravo for entertainment. :)Changed me :)
4By phxhoneyLessons from Madame Chic changed me. It shifted my thinking, challenged my American thoughts about clothes, gave me inspiration to edit my closet, made me wonder about how my own joy of life would grow simply by using my best things instead of saving them. My idea of what is valuable reset. My own habits needed a culling. A focus on beauty was a new adaptation. This book with a fairly simple story, not an earth quaking tale, motivated me. I practice lessons from the book. I usually need multiple attempts. I call these re-chicing.Must read
5By sfsjklvja;This book is inspiring! I wish I would have had these lessons years ago. Very well written and a lovely inspirational story as well!!
