Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic

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My favorite author Jennifer L. Scott just came out with her third installment of the Madame Chic book series! Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic was released on October 27. I already had my copy pre-ordered!!!

I was so excited to receive my book. I have already begun reading it. I can’t get enough of hearing about the stories of  Madame Chic. How she dressed, how she prepared her meals with thought every day.

It seemed as though she lived her life with purpose. Learning how to live your life with beauty is very hard sometimes. People either love it or hate it. I get a combination of both. I have women who turn their noises up at me because I fresh flowers in my office everyday.

Sometimes the women stare at me because I am at the grocery store in a dress or skirt and pearls. But I know secretly in their hearts they long to be elegant. Most women do. I know that some women don’t have the confidence nor imagination to execute beauty. But one can learn with a good attitude.

In Jennifer’s book she gives 5 Characteristics of Poise. These tips will help you to get your mind set on being elegant. Here is the list….

1. Confidence: Feeling comfortable in your own skin; a genuine self- assurance.

2. Composure: Keeping a positive perspective while maintaining calm self-possession.

3. Compassion: Thinking of others and practicing selfless.

4. Presentation: Appropriately and stylishly dressed, with good posture.

5. Present: Poised people live passionately in the present moment.

Poise is defined as a graceful and elegant bearing. Hopefully these tips you set you on the path to being an elegant bearing person. If you want to read about my other entries in regards to her books see here and here. 






My copy at home







photo via Mrs. Shockley








The French Woman Inspires

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I love learning about French women. What they eat, how the shop, decorate, and what they wear. Well, Sharon Santoni’s book My Stylish French Girlfriends has exposed what it is like to live like the French.

I can not tell you how much I adore this book. It goes into detail about each woman and what they do for work, how they live, and how they accomplished their dreams. Each woman had a goal or dream and each one was able to make it come true. It is truly inspiring.

Here is a passage from one of the stories~


Who would have thought it possible to experience village life in the heart of Paris? To set your watch by the chimes of the church bells; to chat with the local baker as you buy your daily bread; to watch your children go to school on foot each morning and to shop at the farmers market a few minutes from your home?

Photo by Matt Briney on Unsplash
Here is another passage from the book ~

“They wanted to stay in the region and first visited the Chateau de la Marine, but it was beyond their budget. At one point this chateau belonged to the French Navy, from where it got its name. It has a beautiful view of the sea, and Catherine and Guy both loved it, but they stuck to their figures and regretfully continued looking.

Months of fruitless searching ensued until, disheartened, they went off sailing for three months, When they came back, they heard that the Chateau de la Marine remained unsold and decided to make an offer. It was meant to be; their offer was accepted and Catherine’s dream suddenly became a reality.”


Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

I am truly inspired by the French. I love the thought of buying my food every day. Walking to the beautiful bakeries. Only having the freshest ingredients every day. It truly does inspire you. I will take some ideas and living habits from each one of these women and create my own life that will inspire. 

Photo by Larisa Birta on Unsplash






The Snowflake Brooch

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Last Christmas Talbots has a snowflake brooch that was just absolutely sensational and like an idiot, I waited to get it. Sure enough, it sold out!!

I was so bummed!! So for this autumn season, I wanted to make sure that did not happen again. So I went into our local store to check and see if they had received any and to call me as soon as they did.

They called and I hurried in there to put one on hold. The “friends and family” sale is this Thursday and I will be able to get it for 30% off!! I am so excited to finally have my brooch. It has been a long wait.

Snowflake Brooch
photos via Mrs. Shockley

6pm.com ~ A Shoe Haven

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I am such a girly, girl. I love everything about being woman and I am sorry to mention that shopping can be one of the bad habits that a girly, girl can have.

I love shoes but finding them recently has been a pain. I love shoes that I can wear on the weekends as well as work. I am not a tennis shoe person. I only wear those when I am working out.

I don’t like these horrid platforms that they have out now. I don’t understand how those can be comfortable or elegant. But everyone likes what they like so let’s move on.

I found a great website while shoe hunting last year. It is called 6pm.com. All of the prices are reasonable and if there was a shoe that you didn’t want to pay full price for at the store, you may be able to find it on this website. I would strongly suggest you visit it. I love it and ordering shoes from this site has just been a wonderful experience.

I just ordered these. They are the Calvin Klein leather heel.

I only paid $37!!! It was free shipping. How good does that sound?
J. Renee Chrissy Fuchisa

Loeffler Randall Wedge
photos via 6pm.com

My Facial Products

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As I continue to read my book called “The French Beauty Solution” I am becoming more conscience about my skin.

I am in my early 30’s so skin care is becoming more important to me. While I was a teenager I was a big Noxema fan! I would clean my face twice a day with it so cleansing my skin was never a problem.

While in my 20’s I noticed that I had these dark spots on my face and they itched! I then realized it was dry skin. So I started moisturizing.

I now visit the Estee Lauder and Clinique booth at my local mall. I ask question about products and what would be good for my skin.

I am a huge fan of Philosophy’s Purity facial wash. I started using it about 2 years ago and it has done an amazing job on my face. For my day moisturizing I use Estee Lauder DayWear with SPF 15. It smells wonderful and I love the creamy texture of the cream. Plus, I am getting the protection I need from the sun.

For my night wear I use Estee Lauder’s Nightwear Detox Cream. Author Mathilde Thomas mentioned in her book that you should wear a night cream that is a detox. It will help with pulling out all the impurities in your skin.

Another product I have grown to love is Estee Lauder’s Enlighten Dark Spot Correcting Serum. After I wash my face I put a little dab of this on my dark spots to help “lighten” them up. It is a slow process but it works.

The last two products that I use are Estee Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair and Fresh Rose Floral Toner. The advanced night repair promotes a natural nighttime purification process and the toner imparts a healthy looking glow and soothes irritations along with given you a wonderful rose aroma.

I love my new skin care regime. I would encourage anyone to start their own. One thing I have learned about products is ask for samples! Most beauty consultants will give you samples. Happy Hunting!!!

My products at home

photos via AHFE

House Slippers

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There is nothing like coming home from a long workday and taking off your heels. One thing that I have grown to love are my house slippers.





I try to get them in dark colors so they can hide dirt. I really like these slippers. I found them at Walmart. Shocker!!! 
They are called the Dearfoams Ballerina Slippers.
Another great option are these great Isotoner Ballerina Slippers.
I found these great slippers on T.J. Maxx.com
They are called the Velour Ballerina Slipper.


Whatever you find just know that there are great options out there for being comfortable and looking chic at home.

photos via Mrs. Shockley

The Barefoot Contessa on Netflix

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I was reading one of my favorite blogs last weekend and I thought I saw a misprint. She said that episodes of the Barefoot Contessa was on Netflix!! I thought, “huh”. Repeat that. So I re-read it and sure enough she said that Ina Garten was on Netflix. I was so excited!!

I love her show. I love the easy recipes, the table settings, her home just everything about it. I have already been “binge” watching it. It is season 1 of Back to Basics. So if you have Netflix grab a seat and enjoy a few episodes of Ina. I know I have already been inspired.

My table at home, inspired. 



photos via AHFE