The Container Store- Store Tour

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Recently, I took a visit to the Container Store.  The Container Store was started in 1978 by Kip Tindell, Garrett Boone and John Mullen. They opened the store offering an exceptional and eclectic mix of products devoted to helping people organize and simplify their lives.

The Container Store has everything you need to organize you life. It is a wonderful store. It will inspire you to live your best life and inspire you to be and live elegantly. You must make the trip to visit this store. You will enjoy it!

The Container Store located at 4120 East 82nd Street, Indianapolis, IN.

Plastic storage containers

Different color hangers

Organizing boxes for your drawers

Closet tools

Office supplies 

Gift Packaging 

Items for Traveling

These are fantastic. Plastic bottles for putting your
toiletries in while traveling on a plane. 
Yeah! Look at what I found! The Container Store also carries
The Laundress products! I purchased the Delicate Wash bottle.
It smells wonderful and works great! I will be coming back for the Stain Solution. 

More of the Laundress products. Read my blog entry on 
The Laundress. 

Organizational products for the Kitchen

Products for organizing your kids. These are kid’s stacking baskets. 

More products for the Kitchen 

Storage blocks for Lego’s. I thought these were neat. 

I love these black gift boxes. They are so chic!

They have fantastic linen spray. I purchased the Cucumber melon. 
I love spraying this on bed sheets. 

Lastly, products for organizing your jewelry. 

Office Inspiration

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I work a 9 to 5 job and sometimes just staring at my computer all day just drains me! So I bring in fresh flowers and a few decor pieces to brighten up my day!  I also have a fragrance bulb from Bath and Body Works so my area smells great also!  I figured I am here 8 hours a day I should have things around that I enjoy!

I have an office at home also. Home is where I am more inspired. So I just have a few pieces here also. Below are some photos of my offices and also photos of other offices. Let them inspire you to bring in some decor pieces of your own. Even if you have just a cubicle. I think your space should reflect you and you should make it a joy to be there. So take a look at these photos below and check out my Rooms that Inspire board on Pinterest. 

Photo by OhTilly on Unsplash

My desk at home. I love my little decor eggs. They
are music boxes that I purchased at T.J. Maxx over 10 years ago.




My desk at home 





Always have inspiring computer wallpaper. This is Tory Burch at her office. 





(photos via Mrs. Shockley)
 

Decorating with Vintage Pieces

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I always take advantage of those moments when you are standing in line at the grocery check-out to look at and catch up on decor and fashion magazines. The magazine that caught my eye this time was the Special Collector’s Edition of Southern Living.

On the front, it had “Style Guide: which was like lights to me! I picked it up and immediately became captivated by all the ideas and instructions on how to decorate a room. So far this is the best decor magazine I have purchased this season. The magazine really focused on collecting and how to decorate with antiques.

I have been trying to learn more about antiques and how to train my eye for good finds. One thing that you will learn about my style of decorating is that I am not “matchy, matchy”. I love putting different pieces into a room to pull it all together. That is the fun part of decorating.

The one item that caught my eye in this book was the idea of taking vintage champagne buckets and trophies and using them for flower arrangements. One of the blogs, I follow called Simply Put Vintage put this idea to use.

I thought how creative! You can collect vintage silver pieces and use them to put gorgeous fresh flowers in? Fantastic! I’m in! So I searched eBay for a champagne bucket that I liked and purchased one! I love it!

 I went to the grocery store and purchased a few bouquets of flowers and Voila! Take a look below and search eBay for your vintage bucket or trophies.  Also, watch the video by One Kings Lane with decorating queen Bunny Williams and train your eye for vintage finds!





The vintage champagne bucket that I purchased from eBay for $35.





Simply Put Vintage 



Train Your Eye for Great Finds with Bunny Williams – YouTub

Laduree- the Iconic Bakery

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Laduree is a french luxury bakery & sweets maker house created in 1862. It is the top premier seller of the double decker macaron. I first learned about Laudree when Darcy Miller from Martha Stewart Weddings was giving wedding ideas and discussing the macarons.

I have heard nothing but good things about the macarons and the stores are so beautifully decorated. Laduree has become one of the most iconic bakeries in the world. With their delicious treats and superb decor, Laduree is in a class by itself.

Not only does Laduree have its beautiful pastries but there is also a makeup collection that was created in 2012 that was inspired by the colorful macarons. In February 2014 jewelry designer Marie-Helene De Taillac collaborated with Laduree to create a beautiful necklace inspired by the delicate macarons.

Laduree has been featured in movies and has collaborated with fashion designers such as Christian Louboutin. They sell keychains, makeup, totes, scarves, candles and books (see here). I purchased a Laduree tote this past summer after seeing it on Pinterest. I also ordered the Laduree: Decoration and Inspiration book this past December.

And finally there are also the beautiful tea salons at Laduree. The salons are decorated in 18th and 19th century decor. With the pastel colors, marble floors and gold accents, the tea salons offer an ambiance of elegance. You can have breakfast, lunch and dinner at the salons. Unfortunately, the only country in the US that has Laduree is New York. Needless, to say once my husband and I make a second trip, I will be going! 

Photo by Laura Chouette on Unsplash
My Laduree tote

(photo Mrs. Shockley)

Wicks and Willow Teacup Candles

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Wicks and Willow  is a small candle company where Melissa Johnson Warke makes scented soy wax candles with vintage teacups and saucers.

I first saw these candles on a blog sometime last year. I then went to her facebook page and started looking at all the feminine and chic cups. Melissa personally selects all the cups and containers from antique stores, auctions and flea markets all over the country.

These delicate treasures can be given as gifts for Mother’s Day, bridal showers, birthdays or just to say thank you! She has different scents for each cup. I just adore these. They are so special and original and after you are finish burning your candle you have a one of a kind vintage teacup to use!

She also offers wholesale cups and a refill service! I am very happy with my purchase from this company. She was very nice to work with and offers shipping! So take a look at her work below and visit her Etsy page also. Enjoy!

Bridal Shower 

A bridesmaid gift
Melissa Johnson Warke, owner 

Gorgeous for a party

My teacup candle I purchased last year in Sandlewood scent

Thrift Store Shopping- Affordable Elegance

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Thrift store shopping is one of my favorite hobbies! I go and visit the thrift store, Goodwills and antiques shops a few times every few months. I love the hunt! I love finding pieces and pulling everything together. I always find great deals and wonderful pieces.

My grandmother was a thrift store shopper. She went every weekend. The staff knew her by first name and always looked forward to seeing her. As I got older she would come and pick me and my sister up and we would go with her. She was so good at finding things. It were as though the items would just navigate to her.

I think I may have inherited that same gift. I always seem to find fantastic pieces and great clothing. I went to the Goodwill store this past weekend. We have one of the south-side of Indianapolis. This location has become one of my favorites. So take a look at some of the great items that I found. These are pieces that I was drawn to. So go and visit your local thrift store. You never know what great items you may find to add elegance to your life!

 
I found some great pillows for a great price!

I love the jeweled details. Both pillows were $3.99 each!

Oh my gosh! I loved this table it was only $40!
I could see it next to a chair with a small lamp and some
of your favorite books. Great find!

I thought this picture was great. Great photos of nature!
It was only $5.99; it was a large picture too!

This was a great picture also. It is a copy of a painting called the
“Mediterranean”. It was only $5.99! I purchased this and I am now looking 
for a frame.  

I love large platters. This is great for daily family meals to place your
main dish on. I use this all the time. This was only $3.99!

I love white dinnerware and utensils. These were only $1.99 each!

These purple goblets are great for entertaining. They were only $2.99 each!

This was a huge crock pot! It was in great condition and very clean.
Only $20! I love using these. It’s great to put your meal in before work and
come home to dinner being ready. 

I found a set for 5 mixing bowls. I only purchased the big one. 
It was only $4.99. 

Enzo Angolini pumps; these were a  size 9 1/2! Only $10!

I couldn’t purchase them. They were a size too small.

I really liked this rocking chair. It was only $29. I loved the
neutral color. 

I also found a set of 6 dusty rose place-mats. 

They were only $.99 each!


Lilly Pultizer- Colorful Living

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Lillian Pulitzer Rousseau (born Lillian Lee McKim; November 10th, 1931 – April 7, 2013), better known as Lilly Pulitzer, was an American socialite and fashion designer. She founded Lilly Pulitzer, Inc., which produces clothing and other such wares featuring bright, colorful, floral prints. As the brand is popular with high society, she was called the “Queen of Prep“. ~Wikipedia


I first learned of Lilly Pulitzer from the Martha Stewart Show. I watched the fashion show that Martha had and I just loved the colors and the textures of the clothes. I also loved the process of how they come up with the patterns for each season. Seeing the actual inspiration board was great! I love to see how the Lilly design comes together (see the show here).

There was also a fashion show (see here). The shift dresses are so colorful and pretty. The totes and accessories are lovely. I purchased one of the totes 2 years ago, (see similar here). I carry it during the spring and it adds such a pop of color to my wardrobe.

The girls dresses are adorable (see here). They are great for spring and summer and they are not to revealing. The shoes are so nice (see here). I would have to say that the Kat Kitten heel is my favorite! I think those shoes would look great with my Lilly Pulitzer tote!

She also has a book called “Essentially Lilly-A Guide to Colorful Entertaining”.  I purchased my copy early this year. It talks about Lilly and her history. I also gives tips on how to throw great parties. So purchase your copy of Essentially Lilly and check out the website. Enjoy!




My Lilly Pulitzer tote 

(photo via Mrs. Shockley)