Lessons from Madame Chic: 20 Stylish Secrets I Learned While Living in Paris

by Jennifer L. Scott

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.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Fashion, France, Lifestyle, Memoir, Travel

305 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Jennifer L. Scott is the New York Times bestselling author of Lessons from Madame Chic, At Home with Madame Chic and Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic (Simon & Schuster), Mademoiselle Chic (Daiwa Shobo), and Connoisseur Kids (Chronicle Books). She is also the creator of the blog and YouTube channel, The Daily Connoisseur, where she explores the fine art of living. Jennifer has been featured on CNN, BBC, and CBS News, and in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, USA Today, Newsweek, and The Daily Mail. She and her husband, Ben, have four children and they divide their time between Southern California and the English countryside. Learn more at www.jenniferlscott.com

Reviews

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Francophile I am not. I tend to get irked when French women are held up as paragons of style and taste that we tacky Americans should strive to emulate. They're so stylish! They're so skinny! They look amazing wearing only red lipstick! Blah blah blah. And yet I picked up this book to flip through on my lunch hour. I ended up enjoying it - it's a fun, light read. It rather surprised me that this book made so many reviewers so angry - the presentation of Madame Chic and her Famille is so idealized that I wouldn't expect to literally attempt to live exactly as she does, and I didn't feel that that was what the author was trying to convey. To me, the overarching message of the book was to slow down, pay attention to the quality of your life, and take the time to savor it in the ways that work for you. Since reading it, I have found that I've approached my daily routine with a bit more joie de vivre. So maybe the French are onto a thing or two.

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I kept seeing people talk about her capsule wardrobe. That chapter didn't provide any insight on how to construct your own capsule other than suggesting that your capsule should include only very expensive fibers like cashmere and silk. These should be worn at all times and I do mean ALL times. Scott provides the helpful tip that when scrubbing toilets in these luxury fibers you should make sure to wear an apron. Because of course all chic women clean in designer clothes, don't even think about wearing sweatpants while cleaning.

The advice just gets crazier from there. I'm not sure what gives Scott the authority to offer lifestyle advice other than a year studying abroad a decade ago. This somehow makes her an authority on health, nutrition, and relationships without those pesky things like credentials getting in her way. The gist of the rest of the advice was to turn back the clock to 1950. A chic wife rises by 5 am to make her man breakfast before he heads off to work. She is always impeccably groomed with biweekly mani/pedis, expensive make-up (she gives brand names), and a signature scent. She makes sure to wear sexy underwear at all times (no cotton for Madame Chic). A chic woman cooks a multi-course meal each day for her family (also in cashmere, don't forget that apron!) and follows with artfully made desserts. To be chic make sure to refrain from troubling your husband with the mundane facts about your day while eating the multi-course meal. Remember chic women maintain an air of mystery. Also, don't blather on to your friends about things that bother you, make sure to keep it all light and superficial. You wouldn't want anyone to think you had a thought or feeling in your perfectly coiffed head, that would be decidedly un-chic!

[Jessie Myrriah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've noticed of late that I've been reading more non-fiction. And this is trending towards books with a anti-comsumerism/simple living bent. (Or as a friend said, "self-help books.") At any rate this one was fantastic as it took the adventures of an American college student and her experiences studying abroad in France. In many ways the European mindset is very refreshing.

Some favorite moments/takeaway lessons:
When our protagonist is trying to figure out how to fit her American wardrobe into this tiny freestanding fixture (the french believe in owning only a few, but very high quality items - I went through my own closet the next day). Actually, this mindset appeared to apply to almost every facet of Famille Chic's lifestyle, not just wardrobe.

Using the things you own, instead of "saving" them for something special. i.e. Instead of having two sets of china, an everyday and a special occasion, Famille Chic owned one set of good china and used it mercilessly. The same applies to decor, clothing, basically every domestic facet of their life.

Home cooked meals. Three or four course dinners were an everyday occurrence. I've been inspired to try cooking more often.

Basically if you're sick of American style of living with its emphasis on high consumption and disposability, not to mention being so busy that you are too exhausted to even contemplate putting a freezer pizza in the oven let alone cooking a three course dinner, then this book has some little life lessons for you.

[Colleen · Rating 1 out of 5]

What an insipid, aggravating little book. I'll be the first to admit that I love reading about European fashion and lifestyle because, let's face it, they do tend to be more sophisticated and chic than their American counterparts. And there are books and blogs out there that get the point across without demeaning or talking down to us Yankee schlubs (two of the best examples: French Women Don't Get Fat and Garance Dore's blog). But this chick...wow, could she be any more pompous or affectatious? It's funny too how she's constantly saying that she hates the thought of coming across as pretentious when everything she does and says just oozes pretention. Apparently spending an entire whopping academic year living in Paris with an aristocratic French family and then marrying an Englishman made her, by osmosis or something, something more than just the born and bred California girl she actually is. I lived in London for my senior year of college and while I absorbed some aspects of my time there into my everyday life - my love of good pasties, a good stout and good British rock bands, as well as a deeper appreciation of my family history and a strong affection for the country itself - I didn't come home and immediately alter my wardrobe, eating habits and attitude to emulate what I observed over there. Which is apparently what this woman did. The whole point of admiring these other cultures is to find certain aspects that really appeal to who you are and incorporate them into the lifestyle that you already have, not to completely overhaul the way you live just to appear to be something you're not. There might have been some good tips and pointers buried under the mounds of pretension (I'm going to keep using that word because of how afraid the author was of it) but I couldn't tell you what they are now, so distracting was the snobbery. If you want to read a good book about TRUE French class and style, read French Women Don't Get Fat by Mireille Guiliano. Its focus may be primarily on food and cooking, but she weaves quite a lot of information on French lifestyle into the pages. Best of all, she manages to be both aspirational and sincere. And she's got a little more authority on the subject than this chick from Santa Monica, since Mireille actually IS a Frenchwoman.

[Yodamom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful little book. I felt good while reading it, infused with the French love of life . I loved her simple observations and her quick wit. It is more about enjoying the good things, because you deserve it, than it is about being French. She is not trying to get you to become something she is trying to get you to live completely now. I think the two parts that I reached me most were the clothing and the dishes.
I save my good shoes, clothes, dishes, napkins.. for that special day where I need to impress someone. I wear my everyday, don't really like them or do they look great on me clothes 99% of the time. I come from a long line of women who lived the same way. I don't know if it is an American thing. I do know that almost everyone I know does the same thing. Maybe I'm hanging with like minded people ? I have watched death come to friends and family too soon. I have cleaned out their homes and seen the beautiful unused items they held onto waiting for that special time to use them. I do pull my favorite dishes out for my meals, I do wear my favorite clothes and I it does make a difference in how I feel going through the day.
There are many little ways we short change ourselves now for the mythical time later, whenever that will be. This book was a fun wake up call to do more living and less saving.

[Elisabeth Ensor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ideas in this book are really simple but way she writes and explains the way the French live is fascinating! I'm drawn to their lifestyle because it's about using your best, wearing your best, being your best but living simply. I have literally gone through my house and gotten rid of clutter and things I don't love. My philosophy on shopping had made a 180- instead of the sale clothes in bulk I'm realizing 1 or 2 things I LOVE will better serve me and get worn more. I highly recommend this book and the author is feminine, has high standards and lives with integrity! 5 stars and she's writing another book- yippee

[Emily Briano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing revolutionary, but my favorite take-always from the book are the concept of a ten item wardrobe, seeking out sensory pleasure in Sisyphean tasks, and that a little extra effort goes a long way in living a chic, beautiful life.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Total fluff but in retrospect this was a great book to read on New Year’s Day. It’s a blog turned book written by a young woman who lived in Paris for a while and returned to the states with “lessons” from the abode of “Madame Chic” and family (her hosts). A lot of these things I already do such as trying to “dress up” even when only running errands or lounging around the house. I agree with the author that even if you’re not leaving the house you should still endeavor to look nice for your family and for yourself. Also the manners thing-I try to be as polite to my husband as I would with strangers.

I loved her concept of a 10-item wardrobe of high quality items (excluding shoes, bags, coats, etc). It really is true, figure out your style and dress accordingly. Looking nice goes way beyond appearance and truly makes you feel better from the inside out. It’s about self-esteem and even efficiency. You accomplish more if you’re dressed professionally, which is not to say there aren’t plenty of times I wear my workout clothes much longer than I should after actually working out. And buying a thousand shirts from Old Navy because they’re cheap and cute isn’t really doing anything for you. Why deal with the extra clothes clutter? I’m totally guilty of this, by the way.

As mentioned this is a blog-turned-book and it certainly reads like one at times. The problem with these types of transitions is there isn’t necessarily enough information to fill a whole book, especially if you’re trying to give regular blog readers (and that’s the whole point of making a book) more content. Some chapters I was totally engrossed in and some I felt like I could skim through. I’ve never read this woman’s blog but I’ll bet the best parts were already covered online. A lot of reviews complain about the need for an editor as this was originally self-published. This latest version is with Simon & Schuster and the grammar/spelling/etc. all seemed fine.

I didn’t have a ton of takeaways as I already follow many of the things in this book, but I am going to maybe attempt the 10 item wardrobe (ha!) and definitely do up dinners a little more. I cook every nearly night but I could certainly Frenchify the whole deal. I’m now cooking breakfast for my husband at 5:30 a.m., however (easier for Madame Chic, unlike me she doesn’t work). I loved the idea of a “cheese party” too. I’m also going to incorporate more cheese in my diet. I don’t normally do resolutions but that is one I can get behind.

[Kari · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really excited about this book, but the author's opinionated tone made me switch from a true listening posture to one of "glean the good bits" within two chapters. This book should have stayed a series of blog posts. Six months observing one family in Paris is not enough to speak with the authority she does. She also never addresses transferring these "lessons" from a culture where they are more normal into a culture where they are not - her solution is "if someone finds you pretentious, you don't need to waste your time on them anyway." She also doesn't help the reader understand why she can speak so authoritatively on topics ranging from skin care to fine arts. She merely presents herself as an expert without establishing her credibility (speaking as someone who had never heard of her blog).

I enjoyed reading her thoughts, though.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel badly for this author. She self-published this book and didn't use an editor, and it shows. Her idea has been done before, but with some editing and targeting the right audience - particularly girls preparing to study abroad - it could have been ok. Instead, she sounds trite and sometimes shrill. The author says far too many things that might be ok to think, but should never be said aloud. Overall, this book made me feel embarrassed for the author, but if I knew her in real life, I would probably be friends with her.

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

So...the (blogger-turned-) author just rubbed me the wrong way, which is too bad because usually my pretension threshold is pretty high. I enjoyed reading about Paris & the food and the two women Jennifer looked up to as role models. And I was motivated by the early chapter about paring down to a capsule wardrobe and getting rid of clothes that aren't flattering or are starting to get grungy, but the rest left me rolling my eyes and skimming to see if it would get interesting again. (Seriously, do not care about your pages-long skin care routine or the high-end brands you like or your twice-a-month mani-pedi.)

[S · Rating 2 out of 5]

A quick light read but I did not like the author or her voice in this book because she comes across as pseudo intellectual, elitist, snobbish and pretentious in this book all the thing she tells she does not want to be.

- I am not a big fan of anything that portrays something or someone as totally perfect and the author does that throughout the book. She portrays French and Paris as an utopia with absolutely no issues at all.
- What's with these people always dissing on American women and claiming French women are the best?
- She conveniently misses out an obvious point - that so many Parisians smoke like no tomorrow and that is how they remain "so fit"
- The overall message is to slow down and enjoy life and that is not necessarily French.
- I definitely did not like the part about maintaining mystery by remaining aloof. That sounded more elitist to me. I think it is pure bullshit that one must not share anything about themselves. I am not into oversharing or broadcasting things to strangers but having lived in east Asia where people are so cold and they will never share stuff about themselves and their lives even if you have know them for years because you are an outsider, I love the warmth and friendliness Americans show. I cannot imagine people advocating being cold and aloof like "French".
- The book is elitist because all the people involved in this book and the lifestyle are totally loaded and have no real jobs to think about.
- I do not like the fact that she advocates never letting yourself loose. That means you spend your life with a stick up your ass like madame chic's family. Who wants to spend their entire life like that? She made it seem that they let themselves relax but the thing is she does describe how monsieur chic had unbuttoned his shirt with his feet on the stool when he was alone and she walked in on him. Why the hell should people wait to relax only when they are alone? How is that even enjoying life if you are not comfortable?
- She seemed like a quite mean person when she commented on how a woman's pants was torn at its seams on some street and how it would "never" happen in france because women always check themselves in the mirror before they leave but how can one be sure that the pant was already torn when the woman wore them? Maybe they tore when she was in the train or car. Maybe she did not realise that. It would have been nicer if she politely told the woman instead of being mean and judgemental that it would never happen in France? What did she like spend her entire life in France documenting every single person and checking that they never had torn pants?

[Negin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lifestyle guide and also a memoir of a college student’s experience living with a Parisian family. I don’t usually enjoy reading memoirs that are written by people who are quite young, as in younger than say forty. In fact, I tend to avoid them. I can easily see how some would be irritated by this book. I felt that way at first. Much of the advice is obvious and most of us have heard it before. It could have been timing, which is often the case as to whether or not I’ll like a book. The more I read, the more I enjoyed it.

As with most books like this, I certainly won’t be following every single tip, yet I do feel inspired to make some changes. I am intrigued with her tips on having a capsule wardrobe. Books like this often inspire me to make small improvements in my life. I’ve already started to give some clothes away. Also, I was exhausted the other day and really didn’t feel like making dinner. I remembered what I had just read about one’s attitude and I was pleasantly surprised to see that it didn’t feel like the usual drudgery. I need reminders like this from time to time.

Overall, this was a fun read. I look forward to reading her other books and I decided to subscribe to her You Tube channel.



Some of my favorite quotes:

“To live well—to live within your means and to avoid the seduction of the material world. That is what I call prospering.”

“Extracting pleasure from simple things can be the key to a happy life. If you slow down and take pleasure in simple things, you are more likely to lead a contented and well-balanced existence and less likely to incur unhealthy habits like overspending, hoarding, and overeating. You are also more likely to be present in the moment and pleasant with your family.”

“The truth of the matter is, these mundane tasks must be done. There is no getting around them. Almost everyone has to do a task on a daily basis that is less than fun. The key is to find pleasure in the task and to not wish you were doing something else while doing it.”

“To do two things at once is to do neither. —Publilius Syrus This is one of my favorite quotes on multitasking and it absolutely pertains to eating. Before I lived in Paris, it was not uncommon to see me eating a meal standing up, perhaps at my kitchen counter, with my cell phone lodged between my ear and my shoulder. Or worse yet, in front of the TV. By the time the meal was over, I wouldn’t have known I had eaten anything at all.”

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok, so drink water, eat mindfully, incorporate exercise into your daily life. Fine. Enjoy good things in moderation, watch a bit less tv. Yep. But the fixation on silk blouses? And what if I don't LIKE ballet and opera? And what if I don't want to make fruit tarts and my husband doesn't smoke a pipe? I liked this book less and less the more I read it; at first because I didn't care for Famille Chic's rigid, formal lifestyle, and then because the writer repeatedly used the word "quotidian" while repeatedly stating she was afraid of looking pretentious. There is nothing wrong with "daily" as a word to describe something that happens each day. And I don't care how French it is, I just don't care that much about Sunday night being facial night.

[Khadijah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book on a whim because a few different people had recommended it to me and I’d been hearing a lot about it recently. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy this book and I could barely get through it. At first i enjoyed it because it seemed to be about the author's trip to Paris and what she'd learned from living with a woman she calls “Madame Chic”. Unfortunately, with the exception of a few good tips, all the book had to offer was unoriginal lifestyle advise, an idealized/romanticized version of her host family and Parisians in general; as well as a shallow and over privileged view of the world. As I got further into the book I began to realize that this book was written by someone who wasn’t offering genuine advise for the purpose of improving people's lives, but improving outward appearances and people's impressions. I understand that appearance is important, but it isn't everything. I was also put off by the fact that the throughout the whole book the author is basically looking down her nose at everyone and everything that isn’t up to her standards. Additionally, this book would probably only be applicable to people of a certain socio-economic standard, I recognize that this book is marketed towards a specific set of people, but in my opinion a good author, especially one who is writing a self help/lifestyle guide, should be able to market their book to many different audiences. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking to get genuine advice or anyone hoping to learn about Paris.

[aladejn · Rating 1 out of 5]

A book that should have stayed an article. Maybe there are some tips, maybe the author got some lessons from 'madame chic', but honestly, it's just: 'don't look as if you have just woken up and got out of bed', to sum up hundreds of pages. Oh, and additionally - have a lot of money, because the magic, life - changing transformation will cost you a lot.
Instead of spending time on reading this maybe go do some shopping, and while coming back home use the stairs instead of the elevator - that will make you more French and Chic, as the author suggests.
And really, the book wouldn't be that bad if it seemed to show the reader some respect. It is written with such an infantile language that you could mistake it for a children's book, if it wasn't about make-up and clothes. Do this, do that, have the exact amount of T-shirts I'm writing about, no matter if you live in Egypt or Sweden.

Not worth picking up.

PS. And use the stairs instead of the elevator - that's actually a healthy advice.

[Kristin · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was awful. Picked up when I read a blog entry that mentioned it - thought it would be a sophisticated, funny, inspiring portrayal of French women. Nope, it was the American author preaching her holier than thou life philosophy at you, often without sharing much of how her thoughts tied into the French. Waste of time.

Also her writing is amateurish and she has a strange obsession with Alexander McCall Smith.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book while looking for inspiration for the 10-item wardrobe or capsule wardrobe as Jennifer Scott terms it. I have to admit I actually went and bought the book and have since loaned it out to a few friends and family members.

Jennifer Scott went to study abroad in Paris while she was in college and the experience forever changed her day-to-day life. In the book she details how her host family, specifically the mother whom she calls Madame Chic, lived their daily lives through fashion, fine food, and friends. Jennifer inspired me to think better and do better. To wear those things that accentuate who you are and to discard the rest. I admit after finishing this book I purged my closet and gave 5 bags of clothes to the Goodwill that no longer fit, were less than flattering, or I had just never worn. (My closet is quite Spartan now.) In fact, I have not bought a single piece of clothing since reading the book and am appreciating the wardrobe I have now. I have since been setting the table every night for dinner with my nice napkins and dinnerware. Appreciating those mundane daily tasks that I never knew I loved. Just sitting down and sipping my tea in the morning for my quiet time can really make my day.

In a way this book did remind me a bit of Mireielle Guilano's book "French Women Don't Get Fat" in that you are challenged to enjoy the little pleasures in life, not over indulge, but to just make a mental note of those things each day.

I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book and how much it effected my life. I would recommend this book to any woman to just stop and think about this life you are living and the quality involved.

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is really just a silly little book. I picked it up because I wanted to read more about the capsule wardrobe. Unfortunately, there is not much, a few pages, maybe, on the concept. And nothing about how to go about creating a capsule. I like her ideas about living life fully and being present in every moment, but that was overshadowed by the constant idolizing of all things French. The huge sweeping generalizations of how French people live and why it is better than what we do here in America got very tiresome. No, I'm not going to serve a 3 course meal complete with apertifs every evening and I doubt that most French people do this either. But that doesn't make the way they do it superior to my way - but that is definitely the feeling I left with. I did chuckle at one point she recommends not becoming a snob, then in the very next paragraph says "you will not want to put anything in your closet that isn't of the best quality." I think she has failed the snob test. I think the underlying ideas are good ones, but the heavy handed idolization of all things French and the snobby attitude soured this little book for me.

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

readable
inspiring
practical
doable
entertaining

I like everything about this book -- its contents, its format, its size, everything. I read a library copy and now I'm going to acquire a copy for myself.

My dad once told me there are two thrills in life -- the thrill of recognition and the thrill of discovery. I found a lot of both in this little volume. I want to go through it again and annotate it with examples from my own life, experiences, and upbringing.

[MJ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gdy pożyczałam tę książkę od mojej bratowej, wystawiła jej następującą cenzurkę: "Strata czasu. Bo to ględzenie o tym, żeby jeść sztućcami i nie pierdzieć przy stole". Miała rację.
Dodałabym jeszcze, że to książka o tym, żeby umeblować sobie mieszkanie antykami, bo dzięki temu nie będziemy się garbić. Żeby regularnie strzyc włosy u dobrego fryzjera, najlepiej na tzw. pazia. Żeby codziennie wykonywać staranny makijaż, nawet jeśli nie planujemy wychodzić z domu. Koniecznie omijać supermarkety i zażywać aktywności fizycznej maniakalnie wchodząc i schodząc po schodach. Wyrzucić kanapy i większość ciuchów, szczególnie dresy. Czytać, bywać, oglądać i korzystać tylko z produktów najwyższej jakości.
Już to sobie wyobrażam: czytam książkę, siedząc prosto przy stole (kolanka razem, łokcie przy ciele), w pełnym makijażu i ubrana w swoje najlepsze ciuchy, sącząc herbatkę z delikatnej porcelanowej filiżaneczki. Sorry, ale ja wolę sobie tę książkę przeczytać rozwalona w dresie na kanapie i nie sądzę by makijaż, choćby najstaranniejszy, jakoś szczególnie ubogacił mi lekturę.
Nie odczuwam potrzeby bycia 'chic' od rana do wieczora i to we własnym domu. Nie twierdzę jednak, że uwagi zawarte w książce są zupełnie beznadziejne, możliwe że komuś się przydadzą. Życzę temu komuś powodzenia, bo praca przed nim/nią ciężka i nie będzie ani miło, ani tanio.

[Dianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book several years ago after stumbling upon the author's blog. While it started out as a book that was off my beaten path and a little out of my comfort zone, it has actually ended up affecting my life quite a lot over the years.

I don't do makeup or fashion. I'm clueless about them, and I don't care about them. So why in the world do I love this book? It's because I need it. When life gets crazy and I feel like I've become a big, disorganized mess, I can return to this book. It serenely presents an example for me of a better, calmer way. Is it idealistic? Sure. But how can we move toward living our best lives without an excellent example?

Am I taking all the advice presented here? Of course not. I still don't wear makeup, and I don't own any silk or cashmere. I don't wear perfume, and I still wear oversized t-shirts and flannel pants to bed.

But because of this book, I am a more mindful eater. I sit up a little straighter. I try (try!) to let the craziness of life blow by me and remain unruffled.

The most influential part of this book for me is the ten-item wardrobe. Here's how I used to do clothes shopping: I would wear my clothes until most of them were falling apart, then I'd have to go buy everything at once. I'm a picky person, and I would usually end up with a lot of clothes I didn't love, since I was desperate to find something—anything—to wear. Shopping for clothes is one of my least favorite things to do.

When I read this book, though, a few things just clicked for me. I don't need as many clothes as I thought I did (thank goodness)! There is no use in keeping things in my closet that I don't wear. I can't tell you how great it feels to open up my closet and not have a bunch of shirts stuffed in the back that don't fit/don't look good on me/I don't like. I now update my wardrobe twice a year, for spring/summer and fall/winter (not seasonally as recommended, because twice is enough for me!). While I don't go for luxe fabrics or high-end brands as is hinted at in the book, I have started looking for higher quality items that will last more than one season. And if something isn't right for me, I'm learning to be more choosy about what I let into my wardrobe. When I update it regularly instead of waiting until I'm desperate, I have the freedom to say no to things that don't work for me.

This book challenges the reader to define their personal style. "Laid-back luxe," "bohemian," and "ladylike chic" are some of the examples offered. I'm still unable to do this. The closest I can come is "comfortable and not embarrassing." However, over the years as I've practiced the ten-item wardrobe principles in my own way, I'm starting to better learn what I like and what I don't. And even if I can't put a name to it, I'm very grateful to the author for helping this clueless woman figure out how to do clothes.

[Mom · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's probably telling that my favorite thing about this book is the size and paper quality. I really liked holding the book and turning the pages and even sometimes flipping the pages and watching them fall. Some of the tips are useful but you have to look beyond the fact that this person is way out of most people's league. We are not all rich and able to afford to employ a housekeeper, a designer for our wardrobe, a specialist for make-up, skin and hair, a caterer for our entertaining needs, and most of us wouldn't actually buy a pair of casual pants that cost $600 after trying them on. However, if I translate her tips into living poor conditions I can actually use some of her advice. Although, I don't know how I can translate living in London for two months of the year or going on vacation to Barbados. Her obsession with alcohol, particularly whiskey is very annoying to the person who doesn't imbibe. I like the tips on reducing your overstuffed closet, but I could never whittle mine down to just ten items. You have to remember that I usually only spend $5-$20 on each piece of clothing that I buy so I feel that since I'm a bargain hunter I can have a few more items in my closet. I could never afford designer clothes anyway, not even one piece. But I do like the suggestion to not keep anything that isn't becoming or comfortable. I can do something with that. I think her views on eating healthier are sound and drinking lots of water is already in my regime. However, anyone who likes stinky cheese, oysters, and frog legs I can't trust to tell me what to eat. I recommend this book to anyone who is rich and is in need of a kindred spirit friend, otherwise I recommend it to no one.

[Mary Kay · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love lifestyle books about France, but sadly, this book did not actually have much to do with France. The author spent 6 months in Paris 10 years ago, so her knowledge of and experience with French culture is quite limited. Most of the book is really culled from the author's life in Santa Monica. Some of her advice is fine, and some of it doesn't make sense. There is a chapter on developing an air of mystery (which I found very ironic coming from a blogger who regularly writes about her personal life online and in this book). At one point in the chapter, she counsels us not to worry if cultivating a mystique makes us seem aloof, because it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, anyway. But isn't the point of developing an air of mystery to affect what people think of us? Her "capsule wardrobe" idea to pare down your clothes to just 10 essential items each season is probably worth considering, but she does not provide much insight into how to actually do that.
Had I known that this book was really a Southern California girl's musings on how she likes to do things, I probably would not have bought it. If you are interested in a French-inspired lifestyle book, I'd recommend Entre Nous: A Woman's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl or Frederic Fekkai: A Year of Style instead.

[Ericka · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some nice ideas in this book, but why did the poor girl have to go to Paris to learn these lessons? She could have opened her eyes and ears and learned them here at home. Silly. Most of the statements are stereotypes...now don't get me wrong I know there's a reason for stereotypes but she makes grandiose statements based on two families. That would be like saying all American boys wear baseball caps and all American girls have braces because the family you stayed with had that. My sons do not and as a girl I did not. Aside from this the book is an easy and fun read and the woman's blog is interesting.

[Becky · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't really care for this book to be honest. I thought the author came across as an uppity snotty bitch. After the 2nd chapter i mostly just skimmed hoping it would get less pretentious but sadly it did not.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

For what it was, it was enjoyable. Probably won’t change your life like her time studying abroad in Paris, but a nice little observation of her lifestyle, which was pleasant and fun. The book went nicely with a warm cup. I got the same gentle inspiration as when I watch her YouTube channel, taking and leaving what I wanted to apply in my own life. She offers her style of life with stories and example; although direct and elevated, Jennifer Scott is never pushy or condescending.

[Kelly-Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I subscribe to the author's YouTube channel, The Daily Connoisseur, and really enjoyed this book. Lots of wisdom on seeking out a joyous and abundant life even if your are not wealthy or living in an upscale apartment in the 16th arrondissement of Paris.

[Michele · Rating 2 out of 5]

This review originally posted on JustALilLost.com

This blog-turned-book shares the lessons that Ms. Scott learned while living as an exchange student in Paris. Between Madame Chic (the matriarch of her host family) and Madame Bohemienne (from her boyfriend’s host family), Scott dissects all the tidbits she has learned from one’s exercise, diet, fashion and attitude.

There are plenty of books out there that embark on sharing the “insider” knowledge of how to live a Parisian lifestyle. Lessons from Madame Chic is the first of this kind that I’ve picked up and I’m sad to admit that it wasn’t for me. I certainly won’t begrudge all books of this topic, but I couldn’t connect with the author whatsoever in this. Her lessons were broken out in chapters, each section would talk about her experience with either Madame Chic or Bohemienne, and then ends the chapter with a recap on an  already fairly short chapter. It felt so completely repetitive and redundant to me. The “lessons” are not long in explanation nor hard to comprehend so the recap is really unnecessary.

I did enjoy parts of the fashion section, especially the push to declutter the closet. I am guilty of keeping things far longer than necessary, even without wearing them for seasons so it motivated me a little bit to do a bit of spring cleaning. That being said, the parts that Scott could have elaborated on, she didn’t. She talks about a 10-piece wardrobe, but doesn’t really go too much into it with relevant helpful info – however she dedicates numerous pages to different variations of doing your make-up from a more au naturel look to a 2-, 5-10, or 15-minute look. In a blog? This would work with the tutorials, but in a book this was so monotonous. I also think she might need to find a new word for older women, as “women of a certain age” being used constantly – sometimes within sentences of each other – is extremely irritating to read and totally repetitive.

There was a lot of potential with this book, because surely living with a host family in the iconic city of Paris would garner some great experiences, but I personally don’t believe it was executed properly in this particular format or voice. So much repetition made it feel like fluff and filler, hiding the actual good nuggets of information. True, there were some sections that I found interesting and I’d have gladly read more about the arts, entertaining/being a hostess, and one’s shopping habits. Perhaps others who may not be as familiar with the Parisian way of life will find this book a lot more informative and handy than I did. I’m by no means an expert, but because I’m so obsessed with Paris and having read many books set in this city that it just didn’t appeal to me as much.

[Alyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lark lent me this book and I loved it! Read it in a day. Let me clarify though: this is not 5 stars because it is some amazing seminal piece of work that is quintessential to American life, rather 5 stars because I personally loved it and found it to be inspiring in a down to earth sort of way! It had some great points about life: enjoy what you're doing! Enjoy cleaning, cleaning can be exercise! Don't watch too much TV, instead listen to the radio (NPR etc would be how I translate that). Dress presentably! Don't spend a lot of time and money on your hair every day! Go with your natural style, wavy, curly or straight! Eat well, good and fresh ingredients! Keep an air of mystery (this one I am not a huuuge fan of?) i.e. don't overshare (though I get that). Take the time to host dinner parties: entertain! I love doing this :) She mentions that in France people always have full social calendars because everyone is always hosting dinner parties! That's a great point: In the states, dinner parties etc are MUCH less commonplace, and in fact, almost a rarity in many social circles. Don't save all your good things, use them now! Why wait? Every day is an occasion.

Great book, great points, great reminder to live a good life and to make the most of it.

Drawbacks:
I'd say the only drawback is that the author really didn't interact with that many French families, so the perspective is rather narrow. There is a bit too much focus on austerity, though she attempts to reconcile it with statements like, "of course you can adapt this', I still ended up feeling like I needed to be dressed like a matron half the time haha. Nevertheless, highly enjoyable and I don't mind classing it up (fancier meals, enjoying the cooking/dressing process etc) so it can be a good reminder for that.

<3