3.21.2016

# Reader Questions Answered # tidy home

Q&A Your Tidy Questions Answered + Jewelry Questions



Hello dear readers, I hope you had a wonderful weekend. This is spring break for us, so I am going light on the writing this week, but I do have two fun Q&A videos for you. Today we discuss the most frequently asked questions about the tidy videos:

What is the homemade cleaning solution I use in the video? How do we make white sofas work with small children in the house? What are the benefits to having a sink full of suds? I also answer some frequently asked jewelry questions.

Important tip: Be sure you wash the suds off the dishes before placing them in the dishwasher. This will prevent your machine from getting clogged.

Check out the video for all of my answers. If you are unable to see the video above, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit my channel (and don't forget to subscribe) at www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur

News
I am a guest on Kimberly Wilson's Tranquility Du Jour's podcast, this time discussing Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic. It's a nice, juicy interview. Be sure to check it out!

Over50Feeling40 shares my what we wear matters video in their article, What We Wear Over 50.

NPR has a great article on How Dressing For Success at Work Can Pay Off

Comment of the Week

Johanna C writes:

Raised in the world of music, I was trained and led by example to always present myself well as a form of respect. I have certainly been through phases of not doing so at times. During University, I recognized that the students in the College of Fine Arts were always well dressed. At first I thought I was just seeing a display of artistic students who loved fashion. However, I realized that the music/art/architecture students were immersed in a culture where our professors mattered to us. They were our mentors, people who had put decades into mastering their craft so that they can be great teachers of their art. I was required to dress presentably for my private lessons and for any setting that I may be performing, even a rather informal small gathering. My private instructor would often give mini lectures on the importance of dressing appropriately. Though dressing well for my lessons started as a requirement, it morphed into a habit that said, "I respect you and your dedication to teaching me, and I am ready to learn." Now, as a teacher myself, I know that dressing well for my students says, "I care about the important work of sharing this art with you, and I'm here to do my best." * On a side note - As a child I would begin my lessons with my teacher by bowing to each other - my teacher would say "I am ready to teach," and I would respond, "I am ready to learn." I still look back on that as a way that I was taught to respect my mentors.

Hi Johanna, I absolutely loved your comment on the importance of dressing well. It is a form of respect and it does matter. Thank you for sharing your story with us!

Question of the Week

I often get asked if it costs anything to subscribe to my YouTube channel. The answer is no, it's free! When you subscribe, you can have the option of being emailed when a new video shows up. This is optional. To visit my YouTube channel, click here.

I will see you on Thursday for part two of the Q&A video, where we discuss finding quality friends and the correlation (or lack thereof) between money and class. See you then!

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12 comments:

Bybee said...

Johanna's conment is brilliant on so many levels!

Emma Knight Peel said...

Hi Jennifer,

You might find the Dressing Your Truth series by Carol Tuttle interesting. It explains the four energy types and what colors, fabrics, shapes, metals, etc. look best on each type, why we are naturally drawn to some things, and why other things never worked on us. I'm a type 2 with a secondary 4, and now everything makes sense, and it's made shopping so much easier!

Kristina said...

Hi Jennifer, can you do a video on the type of handbags you have and what styles you recommend as well as how many? Thanks so much. Thanks for today's Q & A.

Jill Foley said...

I'm going to echo what Emma Knight Peel said about dressing your truth....it's helped me immensely both in finding my style and presenting myself to others.

Also...love Johanna's comment. I'm a violinist and have the same experience with my violin teachers and students. As a stay at home, homeschooling mom, I could easily fall into the habit of wearing work out clothes or jeans every day. However, the violinist in me doesn't allow it. I dress nicely for school and the few violin lessons I teach. It helps me respect myself and I know it has an impact on how my students perceive me and the lessons.

Vicki Zimmerman said...

As you may or may not know, I have been following you since 2013 and I love all your videos and the way you continue to express your wise advice in a full range of immensely-important topics that add richness to our daily lives. You make life joyful and the everyday matters of life can be enjoyed in such a wonderful way. As an aside, I still hold your Fall-Winter 2013 Ten-Item Wardrobe and Spring 2013 Ten-Item Wardrobe videos as my favorites, because they first introduced me to you and your books, thanks to a friend of mine I met on a fashion blog and who has become a wonderful friend. Now, I consider you a virtual friend who is a kind, intelligent and wonderful teacher on so many levels.

Since your four tidy videos, I have now begun to waste less "running" water and have filled the sink to get the dishes washed before putting them in the dishwasher. Yes, I am one of those who likes clean dishes for the dishwasher to maintain our Bosch dishwasher and keep it working smoothly.

Thanks, Jennifer, for all your insights!

Mrs LJ said...

Jennifer, thank you for the vinegar & water cleaning solution idea (I left out the lavender as I didn't have any on hand but am considering adding an essential oil for next time). I went on a Spring cleaning rampage this past week and noticed that the Method all-purpose cleanser I was using just didn't get the job done. Switched to vinegar & water which was much more effective! I even used it to clean our glass shower doors and it was so simple, took less than a minute and left them sparkling clean.

April said...

I 100% agree with the Dressing Your Truth suggestion. I have finally found what is truly me and look more stunning than I ever have in my whole life. I also feel more comfortable in my skin than I ever have. I'm a type 4 with a secondary 3. I've been writing about my DYT journey and sharing the good, the bad and the ugly of what I tried. After about 4 months I nailed what is truly me. It made a minimalist wardrobe so much easier because everything in my closet goes together. I'm not down to 10 pieces, more like 30, but that includes all the extras like t-shirts, but maybe not shoes. Anyway, it is a dramatic improvement and reduction. If an item is not a 10 out of 10, it doesn't earn a space in my closet. For anyone interested: http://growingthefamily.com/category/aprils_thoughts/

Kai said...

Hello Jennifer! I love your books and your videos. : ) I definitely reread and rewatch for inspiration and encouragement in the pursuit of a more "chic" existence.

I am hoping that you can answer a question for me. I love your style and I love the idea of wearing dresses, but I find they are not practical for my work environment and I feel somewhat uncomfortable in a dress. However, I feel it is critical to always look presentable and present oneself in the best way possible. Can one look presentable yet still wear more androgynous/unisex styles of clothing? How can the idea of "presentable" transfer to those with differing tastes in clothing (ex. androgynous, vintage, etc.)?

Thank you Jennifer! : )

Catherine said...

Hi Jennifer.

Your videos are one of my favorite things in my week. I appreciate your gentle wisdom and the wonderful worldview that you hold and stand for.

I always love the music you play at the end of your videos. I wonder if you would consider the idea of posting a link to the name of the piece you have chosen?

Thank-you so much,

Catherine

Evaline said...

Hi Jennifer, As always, thanks for sharing your life with us. I am not sure that sharing your jewelry collection on line is a good idea for security reasons, so describing your style seems fine to me. You already share so much.

Ladylike said...

Hi Jennifer, My 8 year old Antonia also likes to watch your videos. We would like to offer an insight into the question of your preference for understated jewelry and your lack of a comfort level with statement jewelry. I believe the answer lies in the fact that you embody what is known to fashion magazine editors as gamine or utilitarian style. This is one style of at least ten styles toward which women may gravitate. We may have items representing a few different styles in our closets; however, there is most likely one style that is a best fit for each person. Therefore, it never makes sense to copy what another person is wearing in terms of clothing or accessories, unless you know your style by name, and you know the other persons style is the exact same. There is a wonderful book on this subject, but it has a misleading title. It is "The Lucky Guide to Mastering Any Style." It is not possible to master any style because these seem to be innate, but it is possible to identify one's own style and master that. I recommend to your readers: comparing the images in this book to what is in your closets. Over time it will become apparent whether you should be wearing understated or statement jewelry and many other facts will become clear. That's my 2 cents for everyone and I hope it will be helpful in creating a ten item wardrobe that is truly individually tailored. Once you Leinster all the other styles that are not you (but which you are continually being encouraged to purchase as a must have) everything becomes so much clearer and easier. Warm best, Alexandra and Antonia

Ladylike said...

Once you Eliminate all the other styles that are not you...