Crate & Barrel- Store Tour

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Crate & Barrel has some of the best home decor and accessories. I love going and looking inside the store. It is always decorated beautifully and the prices are affordable.

Crate & Barrel offers a variety of “upmarket” housewares, furniture and related merchandise. Items are displayed in the “vignette” style which means items are grouped together as they might appear in a home. Crate & Barrel has two sister stores. CB2 is a home furnishings division geared toward young adults and The Land of Nod sells home furnishings and gifts for children.

It is a great place to shop for items to update your home. So take a look at my photos from our store at the Keystone at the Crossing mall. Enjoy!

This was the entry. So gorgeous! I purchased some of the
blue hydrangeas. 

Elegant glasses for $2.95 each!

Dining decor

The silverware was great too. I purchased some forks. 

Bright bedding 

More decor and the stairs to the second level. 

I really liked this chair. 

Office furniture 

Outdoor furniture, I would love to have this for our backyard!

Panko Crusted Chicken

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 A few weeks ago I went to pick up my daughter from my mother-in -laws. She is always cooking fantastic dishes. On this day she was cooking Panko crusted chicken with rice-a-roni. It looked and smelled delicious! So when I got home I was inspired to try it. It turned out great. The recipe is below. Enjoy!

* 2 Tbsp flour
* 1/2 Tsp salt
* 1/4 Tsp pepper
* 1 egg, beaten
* 1 cup Progresso plain panko bread crumbs
* 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
* 2 Tbsp oil or butter

Directions:
1. Place flour, egg and bread crumbs on separate plates.

2. Mix salt and pepper into flour.

3. Coat chicken with flour mixture, dip in egg, coat well with bread crumbs.

4. In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat.

5. Cook chicken in oil 8-10 minutes, turning once, until thickest part is 165F and coating is golden brown.

Baking option: (for fish, chicken or pork)


Heat oven to 375F. Spray baking dish. Follow steps 1-3 above. Bake chicken or pork 20-30 minutes, until thickest part of chicken is 165F and  is no longer pink in center.

My crusted chicken

Jo Malone Perfume~ Timeless & Elegant

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Jo Malone  is an international perfume and cosmetics brand owed by Estee Lauder Companies. They are known for layering their scents. When I visited our Saks Fifth Avenue store last weekend I decided to visit the Jo Malone booth.

I must say I was pleasantly surprised. I immediately fell in love with most of the perfumes. My favorites are the Peony Blush & Suede, Orange Blossom and Nectarine Blossom & Honey. There were so many scents I didn’t have time to smell them all.

I love the idea of layering these scents for a more personal and signature scent. Everyone’s scent can be different with these colognes. They also sell body wash, shampoo & conditioner,  lotions, soaps, vitamin E, bath oils and body cremes. For the home they sell candles, room sprays, linen sprays, diffusers and soaps.

I encourage you to visit their beautiful website and take a look at all the products. Also, when reviewing new perfumes always ask for samples. That way you can test it before you buy the whole bottle. The sales rep. gave me two samples and I have enjoyed them. Also, watch the Youtube video from Bride de Force. They had a wedding fragrance consultation at the Jo Malone store in London. It was gorgeous!

These are samples that the sales rep gave me.  It’s the
Peony Blush & Suede sample and both bottles spray!



The table full of Jo Malone scents and candles




Wedding Fragrance Consultation at Jo Malone – YouTube

(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Hermès Hosted A Really Great Fashion Show And Party – The Martha Stewart Blog

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Hermès Hosted A Really Great Fashion Show And Party – The Martha Stewart Blog

This was truly elegant.

Simple Eyelashes

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Eye lash extensions; most of us love them and wear them. I love my eye lash extensions! I have been wearing them for about 2 years. I get many compliments all the time. It took me about a year to find a length that I was comfortable with.

I think a person should try different lengths. It can really change up your look. I have found that with lash extensions I don’t need eye make up as much. They add such a feminine and finish look to the eye. A few months ago I was in Talbots looking at some clothes and jewelry and one of the sales reps came up to me and starting chatting.

I have become friends with this individual and so we talk about practically everything. As I was talking she was staring at my eyes. She then said,  “Your lashes are gorgeous!” I smiled and thanked her. She then proceeded to say, “Your lashes look real, some of these other lashes that I have seen look like bat wings!”

We both began to laugh! I thought, Oh my she is right! They do look like bat wings! Some of the lashes I have seen look like they have been caked on with tar! I don’t want that so I try my best to put my lashes on with minimal mess.

I wear the strip lashes. I tried the individuals and I like them I just don’t want to sleep in them. So I wear the strips because I can take them off everyday. And that’s what I do. I take my lashes off everyday and wash my face. I put my lashes back in the case and use them for a week then throw them away and get out a fresh pair. This has worked for me. So below are photos of the lashes that I use and what they look like and best wishes on you finding your perfect pair of lashes!

I wear Response Remy Natural Lashes. If you want to purchase
these locally they are available at Kings Beauty. 
The lash glue I use is Lash Grip Eyelash Adhesive which
can also be purchased at Kings Beauty. 

Elegant Cell Phone Manners

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Ohh this is a touchy subject. Cell phones, we all have them and use. Personally, I hate having a cell phone sometimes. I miss the time when people could not find you but they are necessary for emergencies and children.

The one thing I cannot stand is obnoxious cell phone behavior! I see people talking in their cell phones like they are walkie talkies! That is not what they are used for. I also hate hearing other people’s phone conversations. That is the worse!

But what saddens me is that I see WOMEN with the worse cell phone manners! So I found a list for proper phone etiquette which can help everyone. I have learned a lot from this list too. I also found a fantastic video from The English Manner. The English Manner is a unique British company providing international training and consultancy in contemporary etiquette, protocol, the arts, social skills, household and event planning.


So view the list below and watch the Youtube video from The English Manner and fine-tune your cell phone manners! Enjoy!



  • Proper Cell Phone Etiquette: Cell phones should be in silent mode in a restaurant, theater etc.
  • Try not to answer your phone during dinner or entertaining. If you really need to, make it brief or tell your caller to call you back.
  • Be considerate when you are on the phone in the public. There should be no reason people in proximity can hear your entire conversation.
  • Please use hands-free or speakerphone when driving.
  • Cellular phone etiquette – Do not send text messages when you are in the company of others. If you absolutely must, do so discreetly.
  • If you have to, please say, “I’m sorry, do you mind? I have to get this” And I hope it is in only in extremely urgent cases.
  • Silent mode does not mean noisy vibrating noises as well.
  • Never answer another’s phone. If you really have to, immediately identify yourself and state the reason why you are answering the person’s phone, “Rachel’s phone, Anne speaking. Rachel is driving at the moment.”
  • Voice-mail greeting etiquette on a cell phone: Brief, clear. Basically, you should identify yourself because that’s the whole point.
These tips are from the Elegant Woman. 

(photo via Mrs. Shockley)

Mobile Phone Manners: A Guide from The English Manner …

(click on this link to watch the YouTube video)




Rice and Beans Vintage- Designer Consignment Store

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A few weeks ago I was reading through my blogs and saw this post on Habitually Chic about a designer consignment shop called Rice and Beans Vintage. When I went to the website I was completely amazed at the gorgeous pieces they had.

You can go shopping on the website by arrivals, designer, or category. There is also the option of having them do some personal shopping for you! Let them know you are looking for a certain item and they will take care of the rest!

They also have a blog about fashion history and certain items that they carry. The website is so chic and inviting. I simply love the articles about vintage designers and ways to wear vintage. Also, (the best part) they offer FREE SHIPPING EVERYDAY!

So check out their website and find your vintage designer purchase today or go read about the history of fashion. I guarantee you will enjoy it. Lastly, take a look at some of the beautiful items they had to offer below.

One of my “dream bags”! The Chanel double flap bag in lambskin. 

Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”. 

This hat is now for sale on the website. This is the vintage
60’s Audrey Hepburn hat. 

Christian Louboutin Bianca Nude Heels



Daniel Swarovski Sterling “Bird of Paradise” brooch. 
(photos via Rice & Beans Vintage)