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kingkela's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
3.75
dawnp23's review against another edition
3.0
Overall, I truly appreciate the advice Jennifer Scott has to offer. Trying to model her life after the simple yet sophisticated French lifestyle, she does a great job at describing what makes the French life so elegant.
Also, considering that this book was started from a blog, I expected it to be short and lacking transitions or cohesive ideas that brought it all together. But it was quite substantial and very well written!
However, Jennifer does not necessarily do a very good job of convincing me why I should abandon my own lifestyle in favor of the French life, or what this lifestyle could do for me.
I could see many people taking offense to Jennifer's advice. She lacks connection to our current way of life. Especially for those who are very far removed from any sort of elegant lifestyle! How could we incorporate these traits into our already existing routines and habits?
Having said all that, this lifestyle can really help lead to a more mindful, fulfilling life--a life in which every day is an important one! That message is one that I can get behind.
Also, considering that this book was started from a blog, I expected it to be short and lacking transitions or cohesive ideas that brought it all together. But it was quite substantial and very well written!
However, Jennifer does not necessarily do a very good job of convincing me why I should abandon my own lifestyle in favor of the French life, or what this lifestyle could do for me.
I could see many people taking offense to Jennifer's advice. She lacks connection to our current way of life. Especially for those who are very far removed from any sort of elegant lifestyle! How could we incorporate these traits into our already existing routines and habits?
Having said all that, this lifestyle can really help lead to a more mindful, fulfilling life--a life in which every day is an important one! That message is one that I can get behind.
mereoshop's review against another edition
3.0
In her sophomore novel Jennifer L. Scott invites us into her home and shares her lessons and experiences as a homemaker.
While I did not enjoy it a thoroughly as I did [b:Lessons From Madame Chic: The Top 20 Things I Learned While Living in Paris|13124151|Lessons From Madame Chic The Top 20 Things I Learned While Living in Paris|Jennifer L. Scott|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1328218980s/13124151.jpg|18299895], I don't consider reading it a waste of time. Right now I work full time and have no children, so much of her suggestions regarding 'doing things at home during the day' left me wistful for this type of relaxing day. Elevenses and coffee cake- yes please!
Overall I think the book offers gentle suggestions for anyone who didn't have an example of this type of home life growing up, or for any woman looking to add a bit of calm, structure and ease into her daily life. A gentil read.
Some of the highlights of the book for me were:
- Making the bedroom for sleeping/rest only.
- Basking in the sunlight when you rise (I did that this morning)
- Making (and sticking to) a weekly cleaning schedule.
- The diagrams for folding towels!!!
- The chest hair story made me laugh out loud!
- Organizing my day in segments.
- Setting the table for dinner.
Looking forward to reading more by [a:Jennifer L. Scott|3871301|Jennifer L. Scott|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1442515823p2/3871301.jpg]
While I did not enjoy it a thoroughly as I did [b:Lessons From Madame Chic: The Top 20 Things I Learned While Living in Paris|13124151|Lessons From Madame Chic The Top 20 Things I Learned While Living in Paris|Jennifer L. Scott|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1328218980s/13124151.jpg|18299895], I don't consider reading it a waste of time. Right now I work full time and have no children, so much of her suggestions regarding 'doing things at home during the day' left me wistful for this type of relaxing day. Elevenses and coffee cake- yes please!
Overall I think the book offers gentle suggestions for anyone who didn't have an example of this type of home life growing up, or for any woman looking to add a bit of calm, structure and ease into her daily life. A gentil read.
Some of the highlights of the book for me were:
- Making the bedroom for sleeping/rest only.
- Basking in the sunlight when you rise (I did that this morning)
- Making (and sticking to) a weekly cleaning schedule.
- The diagrams for folding towels!!!
- The chest hair story made me laugh out loud!
- Organizing my day in segments.
- Setting the table for dinner.
Looking forward to reading more by [a:Jennifer L. Scott|3871301|Jennifer L. Scott|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1442515823p2/3871301.jpg]
elizareads35's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book; it was a good mix of aspirational and practical ideas to add more beauty and pleasure to every day life.
debbiet2023's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
camillewithasea's review against another edition
4.0
Not so much a how-to, and more of a philosophy of living. Not being a parent, I don't know how helpful the parenting tips are, and I'm certainly not a stay at home or work at home mom/wife, but I like her approach.
virginiacjacobs's review against another edition
2.0
This book was fine, but Jennifer sounds exhausting, and I'm not really convinced that it's this effortless to be "chic." She sort of reminds me of a California version of Gretchen Rubin, but less pragmatic, with a dash of Marie Kondo thrown in for sparking joy.
Also, she talks about taking a family trip to La Brea Tar Pits and looking at the dinosaur fossils...BUT one thing that is reiterated over and over again at La Brea is that it's too young for dinosaurs. There are NO dinosaur fossils at La Brea. So did the family actually go? Was she busy with two kids and forgot what she saw? Did no one fact check anything in this book? (Which seriously makes me wonder about the quality of the recipes...it's one thing if I follow a recipe and I ruin it...but it's extra frustrating to discover that it's just a bad recipe.)
Also, she talks about taking a family trip to La Brea Tar Pits and looking at the dinosaur fossils...BUT one thing that is reiterated over and over again at La Brea is that it's too young for dinosaurs. There are NO dinosaur fossils at La Brea. So did the family actually go? Was she busy with two kids and forgot what she saw? Did no one fact check anything in this book? (Which seriously makes me wonder about the quality of the recipes...it's one thing if I follow a recipe and I ruin it...but it's extra frustrating to discover that it's just a bad recipe.)