Steinmart ~ Affordable Accessories for Living

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Steinmart is a boutique-style mens and womens’s department store chain. Additionally, home decor, accessories and shoes are all available at discount prices. I love visiting our local store here in Greenwood, Indiana. I have found some great home decor and feminine accessories.

I love shopping for sandals here too! They seem to get the most feminine floral sandals that I have seen. You won’t find any of those high platform sandals here. If that is your thing, then okay. But for me I love the floral kitten heel sandals and heels.

I also love the wide range of home decor. They carry items that I can’t find at my local T.J. Maxx. I still love T.J. Maxx but it’s also nice to come to Steinmart to find some items that are not sold in every store.

I took a visit this past weekend and found some great items! Take a look below and go and visit your local Steinmart or shop online! Enjoy!

Pretty necklaces for just $14.99!



This matching bracelet was only $9.99!



This was gorgeous! It was only 14.99!



More necklaces 



Ralph Lauren scarves only $24.98.



Pierced and clip earrings only $9.99!



More jewelry offered at an additional 25% off!



I really loved this green bracelet but I noticed that one of the jewels fell out! Sad face!



Michael Kors bags for $119!



More Michael Kors totes



Pretty dinnerware for really great prices. 



I really loved these acrylic glasses. They were only $4.99 each! I purchased a few. 



What cute trays. These would be great bridal or birthday gifts! Only $14.99.
It says, “You must have confused me with the maid we don’t have”. 

This one says, “Home of the Queen and her loyal subjects”. Cute! 


I adore this painting. I don’t know the price. I was to frightened to look! 



I love this painting also!

Light Summer Dinner~ Taco Salad

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I loved taco salad as a kid! Whenever my mom made it we were always in the house ready to enjoy it! I learned how to make this from my mother but have changed a few things to suit me. This is a simple recipe so anyone can make it. I hope you enjoy it!

* 1 pkg of ground beef

* 1 bag of tortilla chips (of your choice, I use the Tostitos brand and I love the hint of lime flavor)

* 1 pkg of taco seasoning

* 1 tomato (diced of course; I use a can of tomatoes with the peppers and seasons already in it)

* lettuce

* 1 bag of mozzarella cheese or cheddar cheese (your choice)

*  1 bottle of Ortega taco sauce

First you brown your ground beef. Then you sprinkle in your taco seasoning. Cook it for about 3 minutes more. While its finishing I grab my bag of chips and I place a few on my plate. I then take my meat and top the chips with it.

Next, I put on the cheese so it can melt on the meat. Then I add the lettuce, tomatoes and lastly the Ortega sauce. It is such a simple and fast meal. My family and I always enjoy it!

My taco salad 

The Peony Garden

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I was recently complaining to my husband about how I can’t find any peony flowers to buy in the floral shops! I keep seeing all these wonderful photos on Instagram from some of the designers that I am following. They are all posting these wonderful photos of their peony centerpieces and gardens.

Well, one of my co-workers received a bouquet from her husband for their anniversary and guess what flowers she had? Peonies!!! I was so excited to see them. So I called the floral shop where she received them from. I told my husband that I was going to buy some after work. He then called the floral shop and had some delivered! I was so pleased!! Finally some peonies of my own and they smelled so good!

 So here are some photos of my gorgeous peonies and here are some more photos of inspiration from peony gardens that I have found on the internet. Also, I have attached Martha Stewart’s Youtube video of her Peony Party and a video of her and Kevin Sharky doing some peony flower arranging. Lastly, if you love flowers just as much as I do then read my blog post about Floral Brooches.  I hope you enjoy the photos and the videos!

My husband also found me some yellow roses at our local Costco! 
They are lovely aren’t they? 
My peonies from my husband 


My bouquet at work 



My peonies at home. I loved them!!!



Peony Party – Martha Stewart

(click on the links to watch the videos)
(all photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Life: Beautiful ~ A Faith Based Magazine

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I must admit that I am a christian. I know that is not popular but it is the truth. That has been my faith all my life. I usually keep it to myself and just try to let my life speak for itself.



I am always trying to find wholesome books or magazines to read. I discovered Life Beautiful Magazine sometime last year. My family and I went to visit Barnes & Nobles one evening after dinner. I scanned the magazine shelves for beautiful reads and stumbled on this magazine.


I picked it up and opened it. I was pleasantly surprised at the layout and the articles. In every issue, there is an article from Joyce Meyer, Dave Ramsey, & Marriage 911. There are always recipes, articles about decorating & parenting. You name it the magazine has it. 


One of the greatest assets about the magazine is their mission statement. Below is a list of what the company believes in:

Belief Statement:
Life:Beautiful is published on a foundation of the following beliefs:
1.      We believe the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are inspired by God and inerrant in the original writings, and that they are the supreme and final authority in faith and life.
2.      We believe in one God, the Creator who eternally exists in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, Mary, and that He was and remains both God and man.
3.      We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His own divine image; that they sinned and incurred physical and spiritual death, which is separation from God; and, as a result of Adam’s sin, all humans are now born with a sinful nature and stand guilty before God.
4.      We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins and that all who believe in Him and receive Him as personal Lord and Savior are born again of the Holy Spirit and become children of God.
5.      We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord, in His ascension into Heaven, and in His present life there for us as High Priest and Advocate.
6.      We believe in the blessed hope of the personal and imminent return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells and gives spiritual life to all believers, enables them to understand biblical truth, empowers them to live godly lives, and equips them for service and witness.
7.      We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved, and the everlasting punishment of the unsaved.

I think this is a wonderful magazine to purchase. I believe they only send out publications four times a year. I have purchased a few and they have been a joy to read. So check out their website and add Life Beautiful Magazine to your choice of reading!

Photo by Monika Grabkowska on Unsplash





Book Review: Tips on Posing for Pictures

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As some of you may have read from my recent blog entries, I am reading a book called A Guide to Elegance. I only have a few chapters left and I am very disappointed. I have really enjoyed reading this book.

It will be a book that I will revisit over and over. A few weeks ago I read the chapter called” Photography” and in this chapter Genevieve discussed how to pose for pictures and to always look your best. Here are some of her tips for great photos. I found them very interesting:

– You should stand straight with your toes turned outward, with one leg placed a little ahead of the other, and with your body turned slightly sideways, so that the camera will capture a three-quarters view.

– Unless you are very young, you should always smile at the photographer; otherwise, the expression lines around the mouth are apt to make you look disagreeable and tired.

– You should always remove your dark glasses for an outdoor snapshot, but never look directly into the sun.

– If you are being photographed stretched out on a beach or the deck of a boat, it is more flattering to prop yourself up on one hip and an elbow and present your body in profile, instead of lying spread out flat like a fried egg.

– The most frequently recommended position for the hands- lightly crossed on your lap- always seems terrible stiff; if you don’t know what to do with them, you can place them behind your back, but never on your hips.

– Lastly, it is better for the camera to be angled at you from a low position rather than from above; which always has a foreshortening effect.

Also, just in case you missed it, please take a look at my post called 100 Ways to be Elegant. I simply love reading this list. It is so much fun! Enjoy!

Photo by Mihai Stefan on Unsplash

(all photos are from of Pinterest)

April Cornell~ Vintage Inspired

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I stumbled on this company April Cornell a few weeks ago while reading some of my favorite blogs. April sells vintage clothing, home decor and linens. Her company seems to be inspired by the 1940’s which is one of my favorite decades!

The fashion and home decor was so simple and functional back then. The women dressed nice everyday and so did the children. It was a time when people took honor in the way they looked and families had sense of love and devotion for one another.

Please visit her site and let it take you back in time with a little kick to it! There is so much that her company offers. They have nightwear, skirts, pants, bridal dresses, dresses and plus sizes! There is a girls section, baby, linens & kitchen, home decor, accessories, and the Ladies Attic.

Now in the Ladies Attic section every thing is half off! Also, there is the April’s Attic Sale where more treasures have been discounted for everyone! I really enjoyed visiting her site and I intend on buying some of the kitchen linens, one of the aprons and who knows what else! There are so many goodies in her store!

Lastly, April has a channel  on Youtube. Go and watch some of her videos about her products. Enjoy!

Ladies Coral Dress (one of my favorites)
Girls

Roxanne Ladies Dress

Bernadette Max Ladies Dress

Ophelia Ladies Dressing Gown

Romance Ladies Slip

Tapestry Long Ladies Leggings

Jacinda Girls Dress

Baby

Home Decor

Bouquet Tea Towel

Lemon Twist Teapot Cover

Bedding

Bridal Collection
Market bag
Aprons
(photos via April Cornell.com)

Elegant Baby Shower Ideas & Checklist

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I love throwing baby showers! It’s another fun way to celebrate with friends and family. Last year my brother had his first baby and I was so thrilled to host the shower. There are so many ideas out there. Martha Stewart has a great baby shower website and so does Style Me Pretty. Below is the checklist I use when planning a baby shower.

*  Set the Date
*  Pick a Host
*  Send invitations
*  Pick a theme
*  Choose a menu
*  Pick a drink (if you choose)
*  Pick out games
*  Get gift list together (make sure the soon to be mom is registered)
*  Get a baby memory book (I love these!)
*  Encourage everyone to get a book for the nursery library (if you choose to do so)
*  Pick up party favors for guests

Baby shower games are always a fun way to get people to communicate and have fun. Below is one example. These are so easy to find on the internet. I found this game on Baby Shower Savvy.


Here are some more baby shower ideas and inspiration. I hope it inspires you to throw a simple elegant shower for your loved you. Enjoy!

The “Girl” Baby Shower that I hosted for my brother. 




More pictures from the “girl” baby shower. 







Shower favors I gave to each guest. I saw this idea on Pinterest.
Pink polish, easy and fantastic!







This is from the “Boy” shower that I hosted for my cousin. 






More photos from the “Boy”shower. 






Also, please click on the link below and watch the Youtube video from Vera Bradley. The shower was hosted by The Tomkat Studio. It has great ideas also!

Vera Bradley Baby Shower by The TomKat Studio – YouTube




(photos via Mrs. Shockley)