Homekeeping with a Pet

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Homekeeping is very important in regards to being elegant because a clean home is an elegant home. I really like to clean and organize. It takes my mind off whatever issues I may have for the moment. It’s great exercise and you can listen to your favorite music.

I have a boxer named Bishop. I love my dog and enjoy having him. One thing I will not tolerate is my home smelling like “dog”. My visitors should see my dog not smell him. That is why I clean my house religiously. I keep my floors swept and vacuumed. We bath our dog and wash his blankies.

One product I decided to try last year was the Swiffer.  It is absolutely wonderful!!! I use it on all my floors and it gets all of the dog hair and human hair. Another product I use is Odor Control Solutions. My husband buys it at our local pet store. It is an all natural treatment for bacterial odors. I sprinkle a little on the floors and vacuum. It works great!! They have it in lavender and lemon scent.

The other products that we use are the Nature’s Miracle . They have helped when he had his little “accidents”. Of course I still have my Bath and Body Works bulbs in my walls and that keeps the house smelling wonderful. Below are some photos of what products I use. So I want to give those of you a little hope who have pets that having an elegant home is possible.

My dog “Bishop” in my sitting room

The carpet cleaner I use





My Swiffer

All the hair it picks up (sorry I know this is gross but I wanted to show everyone)

My beautiful Casablanca lilies, my dog does not bother them. 









(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic

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I first heard of shabby chic my senior year in high school. I was flipping through the channels one day and came across a show called “Rachel Ashwell’s Shabby Chic“. What caught my attention was the beautifully time-worn objects and the appeal of the simple and practical living.

Rachel’s company was founded in 1989 and is now recognized not only as a brand name, but as a decorating style. Many Americans love the allure of “shabbiness” because of its beauty and comfort. I adore the look of shabby chic rooms. I appreciate things that are useful, well loved and comfortable. I love the appearance of slip covered furniture, peeled and tattered tables and chairs. Oh gosh, and the colors!

The seaform, mint, celadon greens, dusty roses, pale blues, ivories, creams and grays. When I got my first book of Rachel’s I was hooked. Then I went to Ebay and purchased some of her dvd’s. I love seeing her go and visit the many flea markets for her gorgeous finds. So take a look at the lavish photos below and let Rachel invite you inside the unique world of Shabby Chic.

My “Sitting Room” at home.
( I need a bigger rug and the search continues)

Closet Beauty

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Last year we built our second home and I just love our new home. It has so much space and everything is new. This is my first walk-in closet and I just enjoy it so much. My mother- in- law found this chic little chandelier at Lowe’s. It fits perfectly in my closet. I will admit my closet isn’t as glamorous as the one’s I see on Pinterest but I enjoy it and consider it a wonderful blessing. Below are photos of my closet and other closets that I have on my Pinterest boards. They will inspire you as well. Enjoy!

Chanel Inspired

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Chanel is known as one of the most glamorous couture fashion lines of all time. You can’t say “Chanel without thinking elegance.  The Chanel bag is one of the most sought after bags of all time. I know for a fact that they cannot keep them in consignment shops.

I love finding Chanel accessories at flea markets, boutiques,  and online.  I recently started back on my quest for finding Chanel accessories once I was inspired by Mrs. Trina’ s fashion videos. She has such excellent taste and I love watching her “unboxing” videos.

I recently made the following purchases and think they are fabulous:

 
Chanel Necklace
 
Chanel Brooch

 
The white pearl necklace is one big necklace that you can wrap around twice. It is fantastic! My next purchase was some Chanel earrings.

 
Chanel pearl earrings

My next purchase was the gorgeous Chanel GST (grand shopping tote). I love it! When I saw Mrs. Trina’s video on it I just thought, “What a chic bag”. It comes with this beautiful dust bag. When you open the flap there is a drawing of Chanel. It is called the Chanel GST in cream, caviar leather, with gold hardware. It sits comfortable on your arm and there is lots of space in it. It is just fabulous!

 
Chanel GST
 
My next purchase was a pair of Chanel sunglasses with the bow. I think they are so feminine!

 
Chanel sunglasses
 
My last purchase was this Chanel mug from Etsy. I thought what a great item to have to carry my chi-tea around in. Very chic!
 
 
Chanel mug
 
 
I am very happy with my purchases. I will enjoy them. Below is Mrs. Trina’s videos of her Chanel items. Enjoy!!
 
 
my favourite look of all time , chanel – YouTube
 
trina leavers – YouTube
 
trina leavers – YouTube
 
 
 
 
 

Apple Cinnamon Tea Cake

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I learned about this recipe two weeks ago. I have never baked before so I wanted to try it. I got all of the ingredients together and I borrowed my mother-in-laws hand mixer. It took me about an hour to prepare and about 50 minutes to bake. It was absolutely fantastic!

My first baking experience was wonderful and it was a great success. The cake was light and fluffy and there was just enough cinnamon in it and just enough sugar and the Granny Smith apples were juicy and delectable! I served it with vanilla ice cream and my family really enjoyed it. I really enjoyed this dish and will be making it again and again. If you would like to try it the recipe is below. And where did I learn about this recipe? None other than my favorite Youtube friend, Mrs. Trina! Her video is below. Enjoy!

*Apple and Cinnamon Tea Cake* (see website here)
Makes one 9 inch cake, serving 8 to 10

A deliciously moist cake, filled with lovely apples and cinnamon flavours.   Serve warm with softly whipped double cream for a real treat!

185g of unsalted butter, softened (3/4 cup)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
126g of golden caster sugar (2/3 cup)
3 large free range eggs, lightly beaten
150g of plain flour (1 1/2 cups)
1/2 tsp baking powder
pinch salt
78ml of whole milk (1/3 cup)

To top:
4 small Granny Smith Apples, peeled, halved and cored
1 tsp caster sugar
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

To finish:
a heaped dessertspoon of apricot jam, gently warmed (about 1/4 cup)

To serve:
Softly whipped double cream


Preheat the oven to 170*C/325*F/ gas mark 3.  Butter a 9 inch round spring form cake tin.   Line the bottom with baking paper.  Butter the paper.  Set aside.

Cream together the butter, cinnamon and sugar until light and fluffy.   Beat in the eggs, a bit at a time, mixing well after each addition.  Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.   Add to the creamed mixture, alternately with the milk.  Spread the batter in the prepared pan.  Cut little slits in the apples almost all the way through working from the rounded top down, taking care to leave them intact on the flat side.  Place the apple halves evenly spaced around the cake on top of the batter.  Stir together the sugar and cinnamon.  Sprinkle evenly over top.

Bake for 50 minutes.  Remove from the oven.  Gently brush with the apricot jam.   Return to the oven and bake for a further 10 minutes, or until the cake tests done when a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean.

Serve warm, cut into wedges along with some softly whipped double cream.

apple and cinnamon tea cake – YouTube
(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

A Guide to Elegance- Book Review- Girlfriends

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I purchased this book sometime last year and I tell you what I have really enjoyed it!! The tips and suggestions about elegance for the average woman are just fantastic! This book was written by Genevieve Antoine Dariaux in the 60’s.

Some of the suggestions about fashion are a little off but the overall premise of the book is great! I love all the chapters. She discusses from A to Z all of the elements a woman would need in order to have elegance in her life. I will have to admit that I do have a few chapters that have just stayed with me. The chapter called “Girlfriends” will make you think. Below is a little snippet of the chapter:

GIRLFRIENDS

It is a good rule never to go shopping with a girlfriend. Since she is often an unwitting rival as well, she will unconsciously demolish everything that suits you best. Even if she is the most loyal friend in the world, if she simply adores you, and if her only desire is for you to be the most beautiful, I remain just as firm in my opinion; shop alone, and turn only to specialists for guidance.

Besides, as well-intentioned as she may, your girlfriend seldom has exactly the same figure, the same kind of life, the same social condition, the same tastes as you. And so she sees things quite differently, and she can only see them in relation to her own taste, her own budget, her own needs. What you might choose for yourself, she sees on herself, considers that it doesn’t suit her- or, on the contrary, that it suits her better than it does you- and by her comments undermines the little self-confidence you have managed to retain….

You must buy the book it is priced very well and is easy to find. I have not finished the book yet but I will continue to post book reviews from it. A Guide to Elegance, simply elegant!!!

Being Elegant in Public Bathrooms

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Oh my this is a touchy subject. Public bathrooms are just gross sometimes. I know that bathrooms are made for doing “your business” but some people’s business is worse than others. I have made a habit of trying to be nice, clean and as odor free as I can be when going to public bathrooms.

Sometime ago, I went into a bathroom and noticed that there was no tissue! I was horrified! So to remedy that I now carry personal cleansing cloths. They come in different scents and they are just wonderful! They are also hypoallergenic so you don’t have to worry about “breaking out”.

Another item I carry is room spray. Bath & Body Works and Yankee Candle sell fantastic room sprays! They are small enough to keep in your bag or your baby bag (if you still carry one). So I go in do my business, use my wipes, spray my bottle once, wash my hands and when the next person comes in after me they are greeted with a friendly scent and not thinking, “Oh Lord”!

So I encourage you to visit your local Bath and Body Works or Yankee Candle to pick up your favorite room spray. The prices range from $5-$7 and the wipes are sold in most stores. They are about $3 a box and are small enough to keep in your makeup bag. Below are photos of what I carry now. Enjoy!

(all photos via Mrs. Shockley)