Reviews
Lessons from Madame Chic: 20 Stylish Secrets I Learned While Living in Paris by Jennifer L. Scott
emwhitney's review
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.25
I think this book was decent! It wasn't the most well-written if you follow a traditional book format, but this author adapted the book from her blog, The Daily Connoisseur, so the book does read as more of an extended blog post. I do think that she made plenty of good points, and I do find myself trying to follow some of her advice in my daily life now, especially the parts on living passionately, finding pleasure in your daily tasks, and using your best items whenever you want instead of saving them for some undefined future day. I will also be taking the idea of a cheese party!!! Delightful!!! Marvelous!!! In addition, I have been following her no makeup makeup looks to great results. Thank you!
I liked that each chapter had a recap of its main points at the end. I think that will be helpful for anyone who wants to go back and find a certain section during re-reads (like my mom, who recommended this book to me).
The main reason I gave this book three stars instead of four is because the author feels a bit... out of touch. Her inspiration comes from a very wealthy family, and she seems to be wealthy, so a lot of her advice is for the wealthy. I think you can adapt a lot of the advice for a lower budget, but it's hard to see the author as relatable when she complains about spending $600 on a pair of pants... while she's shopping in Beverly Hills.
Overall, I'm not mad I read it. There were some good points made in this book that I will be taking with me, even if it wasn't my favorite style of book. It was a light and easy read.
Favorite quotes:
"Every detail of life can become exceptional if you allow it to be so." (271)
"Eckhart Tolle, the new age philosopher, says, 'What you do is secondary. How you do it is primary.'" (274)
I liked that each chapter had a recap of its main points at the end. I think that will be helpful for anyone who wants to go back and find a certain section during re-reads (like my mom, who recommended this book to me).
The main reason I gave this book three stars instead of four is because the author feels a bit... out of touch. Her inspiration comes from a very wealthy family, and she seems to be wealthy, so a lot of her advice is for the wealthy. I think you can adapt a lot of the advice for a lower budget, but it's hard to see the author as relatable when she complains about spending $600 on a pair of pants... while she's shopping in Beverly Hills.
Overall, I'm not mad I read it. There were some good points made in this book that I will be taking with me, even if it wasn't my favorite style of book. It was a light and easy read.
Favorite quotes:
"Every detail of life can become exceptional if you allow it to be so." (271)
"Eckhart Tolle, the new age philosopher, says, 'What you do is secondary. How you do it is primary.'" (274)
emmakatethacker's review
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
cobryan's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
3.0
Sort of a memoir and self-help book rolled into one. It's not a guidebook with set rules but it presents lifestyle suggestions based on anecdotes from the author's time in France. It's a good book if you want some inspiration or an introduction to the French way of life, but if you're looking for something to tell exactly what to wear and when, I'd say pass.