The 10 Item Wardrobe - Lessons from Madame Chic by Jennifer Scott

I am in the middle of reading Lessons from Madame Chic  Lessons from Madame Chic ,The Top 20 Things I learned while living in Paris by Jennifer Scott. http://dailyconnoisseur.blogspot.com/ - Jennifer Scott Blog
see an from Amazon below...

Bring home the chic Parisian world of style and charm

 "When Jennifer Scott arrived at the doorstep of a grand Sixteenth Arrondissement apartment as a foreign exchange student, she was greeted by the woman who would become her mentor and the inspiration for the way she lived long after her time abroad was over. Madame Chic took the casual California teenager under her wing, revealing the secrets of how the French elevate the little things in life to the art of living.

Each chapter of Lessons from Madame Chic reveals a valuable secret Jennifer learned while under Madame Chic’s tutelage in Paris—tips you can incorporate into your own life, no matter where you live or the size of your budget. Embracing the classically French aesthetic of quality over quantity, aspiring Parisiennes will learn to master the art of eating (deprive yourself not), dressing (the ten-item wardrobe), grooming (le no-makeup look), and living à la française. From entertaining with easy flair and formality to cultivating allure while living an active, modern life, Lessons from Madame Chic is the essential handbook for anyone wanting to incorporate that Parisian je ne sais quoi into her daily life."

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheDailyConnoisseur

My favorite chapter is the 10 Item Wardrobe,  Chapter 4. The author details how her host  in Paris "Madame Chic"  rotates 10 key basics each week and manages to still look chic and stylish. There are ten basics in summer and 10 in winter. This does not include outerwear, jackets, accessories, special occasion clothing, layering pieces and shoes. 10? Ms Scott gave some advice on how to cull and organize your closet in order to achieve what I think would be nothing short of a miracle for the average American woman. I am going through a transition in my life and something about this change appealed to me. I am always standing in front of my bulging closet complaining that I have nothing to wear. What if I only had a capsule wardrobe of 10...? Could I really only work with 10? The thought of it sent bells of rebellion ringing in my head, I could not do 10 but maybe.... I could do 20 ?  For 1 month?  I could definitely do 20!

Please note: this could take about a week or two take your time, no rush, this is a major change.

I went to my closet  and started to pull my 20 key items ( list is below). I pulled those items, but, I am currently working of the following

• Clear out your closet ( at least the hanging) . The only items left in the closet should be your 10 or in my case 20 clothing picks. You will be wearing these items for 1 month as a test and then you can mix and match going forward. 
• Assess the wardrobe
• Pull items you have not worn for the last 6 months and set aside. 
• Pull items that no longer fit and set aside
• Pull items that may no longer speak to who you are today? 

Once you get that done, your closet will never be or look same again.
Things I had to consider

Weather - The weather in Atlanta is unpredictable, in the winter the temperature can veer wildly from 20 degrees on Monday to 70 degrees on Friday.
Work- Some of your items must include work wear ( accessories will be needed to ensure you look different every day).
Dry Cleaning/ washing - You will need to get your dry cleaning done in order to keep your clothing fresh.
Mix and Match- everything needs to go together, mix and match will rule the day.


My 20 Item Wardrobe ( Winter)

1. 1 pair black skinny jeans 
2. 1 pair creme skinny jeans
3. 1 pair dark rinse skinny jeans
4. 1 black cashmere sweater
5. 1 sheer black sweater
6. 1 navy cashmere sweater
7. 1 cable gray sweater
8. 1 cable tan sweater
9. 1 pair black boot cut pants
10. 1 pair long boot cut pants 
11. 1 pair black cropped pants
12. 1 white shirt
13. 1 navy blue check shirt
14. 1 striped top ( navy) 
15. 1 striped top ( red) 
16. 1 black leather skirt
17. 1 black pleated skirt
18. 1 tan knit skirt 
19. 1 black dress
20. 1 leather vest ( wear over a black tee) 

Please note : I chose skinny jeans because I can wear them with boots in the fall and winter.
As of today I am still working on culling, that is going to take a very long time. I have to stick with it.

I will update in two weeks on my progress!! Wish me luck!!

Shoe Name to Watch 2013 - Gianvito Rossi

I know it is my second shoe post this week but I like this line because it may mean the return to high heels without a platform ....finally ...

I noticed that several women at the recent Couture shows in Paris stepping high in Gianvito Rossi pumps http://www.gianvitorossi.com and they looked beautiful...different.

Gianvito Rossi is the son of the famous Sergio Rossi. The pumps are crafted in Italy, his signature pumps are a must have on everyone's list.
Available at Net a Porter, Barneys  Barneys and other stockists.

http://www.all-theprettybirds.com/  Check out Tamu one of my favorite bloggers All The Pretty Birds)  in her Rossi Pumps in this link.

Love it!!

FashionMom: Must Have - Acne Pistol Boots

FashionMom: Must Have - Acne Pistol Boots: I have a pair of ankle boots already but the cut and shape of these boots .....well you must try them on and have them....loved by...

Must Have - Acne Pistol Boots

I have a pair of ankle boots already but the cut and shape of these boots .....well you must try them on and have them....loved by many girls including celebrities everywhere..... Kate, Rachael, Mila, Alexa..list is too long.


ACNE Pistol Boots

TARGET - What happened to their fashion lines??

I am not sure what is happening at Target  but the women's apparel this season is downright ugly. The colors, the fabrics, the shapes are unattractive.

Stop by and take a look and let me know what you think. I miss the days of Mizrahi and the great collaborations.

Wake Up Target!!!