Travel with Elegance

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Good Morning Everyone,

Thank you again to those of you who have taken the time to respond to the survey. Your feedback truly helps me, and it lets me know who is reading the blog and following along on this journey.

At times, social media can feel like a lot of effort with little return, so hearing from those of you who are engaged and finding value in my content means more than you know.

I received a lot of views on my recent Instagram Reel featuring my travel cleaning kit. Since there was so much interest, I thought I would use this week’s post to share more about what I use and provide links to my favorite items so they’re easy to find.

I did want to share these thoughts on travel: 

Travel with Elegance

Travel is more than reaching a destination — it is an experience, a reflection of style, grace, and the art of living beautifully. In a fast-moving world filled with rushed itineraries and crowded schedules, traveling with elegance means embracing the journey with sophistication, comfort, and intention.

The Essence of Elegant Travel

Elegant travel is not defined by luxury alone. It is about thoughtful choices, timeless style, and creating meaningful moments wherever you go. From the way you pack your suitcase to how you immerse yourself in a new culture, elegance lies in simplicity, confidence, and attention to detail.

An elegant traveler values quality over quantity. Instead of rushing through endless attractions, they savor experiences — a quiet sunrise over the ocean, a candlelit dinner in a hidden café, or a peaceful walk-through historic streets.

Packing with Purpose

True elegance begins before the journey starts. Packing smartly and minimally creates a stress-free travel experience. For me that begins with my travel cleaning kit. Now I was inspired by Operation Nikki on Instagram during the pandemic to start packing a travel cleaning kit. 

 

 

Here is a quick snapshot of mine from the video. In my travel cleaning kit I have the following:

 

Dressing for Elegant Travel:

For me I still like to look like I am headed to the office while traveling. It still amazes me how people dress in the airports. I love to wear a light dress, cardigan or wrap, pearls, travel shoes, my favorite tote at the moment and my carry-on. A carefully curated wardrobe allows you to move effortlessly from airport lounges to city explorations and evening gatherings. Remember, elegance is often found in understated simplicity.

This is an example of what I would wear to travel in. The only thing that would be different would be my shoes. I am wearing these right now. They work well with most of my dresses and are super comfy. 

 

 

Grace in Every Journey

Elegant travelers carry themselves with kindness and respect. They embrace cultural differences, practice patience, and remain open to learning. Whether navigating a busy airport or exploring a large city, grace and humility leave lasting impressions. I recently ran into a man from London and a woman from Germany during my last trip. I asked them about their countries and what they loved most about traveling. Their shared everything and also asked me questions about America. I love those kinds of conversations. They educate you and open your eyes to a bigger world. 

Caring for Yourself While Traveling

In my recent trips I have learned that I get really dry during these travel times and shared on a reel this week what I was adding to my items. 

Travel with elegance is about discovering the world while remaining connected to yourself. It is about moving through life with curiosity, confidence, and appreciation for beauty in all its forms.

Final Thoughts

In the end, elegant travel is a mindset. It is choosing calm over chaos, quality over excess, and experiences over possessions. Whether you are boarding a plane to a distant country or taking a weekend escape nearby, travel beautifully, travel mindfully, and most importantly — travel with elegance.

 

Last few items that I cannot travel without:

 

affiliate links attached 

Gucci Flora ~ A Grace Kelly Story

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Hello Friends,

Here we are in June already—we’re officially six months into the year! Let that sink in for a moment.

Lately, I feel like I’ve been playing catch-up, but that’s okay. I have a work trip coming up this month, and thankfully I feel much more prepared than I did last month. I’ll also be sharing some travel essentials reels here soon, so stay tuned for those.

As for today’s post… sigh.

This item has been on my wish list since 2014. I vividly remember reading a post over 10 years ago featuring influencer Rosie at the Chelsea Flower Show in the UK, where she visited the Gucci floral display. The moment I saw that scarf, I was completely smitten.

From that day on, I knew I had to have it. Well, recently I finally gave in and decided to buy it. Of course, I turned to Poshmark. I didn’t mind purchasing a gently used one—especially when I could get it for nearly half the original price!

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

I was so excited when my new scarf arrived! Poshmark and eBay are great places to find these pieces at much more affordable prices. My scarf looks very similar to this one, and when it arrived, I just sat there staring at it. It was every bit as beautiful as I had imagined all those years ago.

Then the hunt began for the tote.

I first saw the Gucci Flora tote a few years ago. It was released in 2019, and I immediately knew it was something I wanted to own someday. Eventually, I found one at a great price on Poshmark and added it to my “watch” list. For more than six months, I kept an eye on it as the seller gradually lowered the price. It went from $800 all the way down to $380!

Looking back, I probably should have bought it then, but I still wasn’t completely sure.

Then one evening, while scrolling through YouTube, a video titled “20 Items Grace Kelly Loved That You Can Still Buy Today” appeared in my feed. I clicked on it, and the eighth item mentioned completely stopped me in my tracks.

It was the story behind the Gucci Flora print.

As I watched, I learned about the history of the iconic design and its connection to Grace Kelly. Suddenly, my admiration for the scarf and tote wasn’t just about the beautiful floral pattern—it was about the legacy and story behind it. From that moment on, I knew I had to find the tote.

 

 

The story goes that Grace Kelly walked into the Gucci store in Milan in 1966 looking for a silk scarf. Rodolfo Gucci happened to be in the store that day and knew this wasn’t an occasion to simply hand her something off the shelf. Instead, he asked his friend and artist, Vittorio Accornero, to create something special just for her.

That request led to the creation of the now-iconic Flora print.

The moment I heard that story, everything clicked. I knew there was a reason I had been so drawn to this print all those years ago. For more than 12 years, I admired it without knowing its history, and now I love it even more.

After watching that video, I went back to the seller and submitted another offer on the tote. To my surprise, it was accepted!

I’ve only had my tote for about a month, but it turns heads everywhere I carry it. It is truly stunning, and I love sharing the history of the Flora print with anyone willing to listen. Knowing the story behind it makes it feel even more special.

I hope you enjoyed this little bit of fashion history. If you have a few minutes, be sure to watch the video. Lately, I’ve also been on the hunt for Grace Kelly’s signature fragrance, Fleurissimo by Creed. I’ve been trying to find a sample but haven’t had any luck yet.

If you watch the video, let me know in the comments—which item from Grace Kelly’s list is your favorite?

 

 

Affiliate links attached.

May Favorites ~ 2026

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Well Hello Everyone!

I hope everyone has been well. I had a work trip last week and had a trip two weeks before that. It’s been busy. I still have a few more trips, there are lots of things going on at the office, and I am still trying to figure out what to do with the boutique. 

I will say this I have loved my work trips. The exposure and experiences that come with them are priceless. My next newsletter will be hitting your inboxes soon. I hope you all are having a lovely spring. Now here are my May favorites. There are quite a few.

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley 

 

First is my “beauty book”. Every Friday morning, I have my devotional in my office then I go to my sitting room, light a candle, and read my beauty book. It is a wonderful way to start my Fridays. I don’t usually work out on Fridays. I like to take my Friday mornings easy. This month my beauty book is Flower Couture by Cordelia de Castellane. Cordelia is the artistic director for Dior and is a tastemaker in Paris. 

Next up are these gorgeous garden heels from DSW. They are from their Kelly and Katie shoe line. The heel height is perfect and so is this gorgeous print. There are several more on my favorites page. 

 

 

Third is this gorgeous ceramic rope vase from Crate and Barrel — now completely sold out. I had been watching it for over a year, and when it finally went on sale from $399 to $179, I knew I had to get it before it disappeared.

On the right is a tulip brooch I’m considering for the boutique, inspired by a design created by Carolina Herrera. I love pieces that feel elegant, timeless, and feminine. Let me know your thoughts below.

 

 

 

Now this favorite is incredible! One of our designers from the show house shared this with me. It was in his room at the show house. Now of course it is not a real one, but it sure does look like one. It’s from a company called Bagvard. It is such great quality and comes in other colors. I will be ordering a second one! 

 

 

With so much upcoming travel, I realized it was finally time to invest in luggage I truly loved. I chose a silver hardcase set from Delsey Paris — including a carry-on with a protected laptop compartment that’s perfect for travel days. I’ve never owned matching suitcases before, and somehow it makes the entire experience feel more elegant and intentional. Beautiful pieces that travel well and function well are always worth it. 

 

 

I recently discovered a new Instagram account called Soulfedhome and I am completely smitten with her white vintage vase. Her finds are so carefully curated — classic, timeless, and full of quality. I’m hoping to find something similar for my own home.

I’ve also been focusing more on hand care lately, especially with all of my recent travel. Flying leaves my skin so dry after landing, so I decided to start using the same creams I use on my face for my hands and nails. Right now, I’m loving my L’Oréal Paris collagen cream paired with sweet almond cuticle oil.

And lastly is a new YouTube channel discovery of course. 

 

This channel is so good and I love their honesty. If you don’t know who Mrs. Alice is then you should get to know their website. It is where I purchased my chinoiserie vases. 

Well, that is all my friends for my May favorites. I do hope that you have found some inspiration and enjoyment as always. Take care and be elegant!

 

  • Affiliate links attached 

 

 

The Manor on Meridian ~ The Show House 2026 ~ part 2

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Hello Everyone,

Lots of things going on. Lauren is now home for the summer, and I have added new flowers to my raised bed garden. I will also be sharing some traveling favorites soon. I hope all of you are having a wonderful summer so far. Now it is time for part 2 of the show house tour! If you missed part 1, you can read it here. 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley 

 

Now last week I managed to take photos of the entryway. I had to do it quick, but I hope I captured the space. This area was designed by Matt Harris, and he wanted it to have a boutique hotel vibe. There was faux leather wallpaper on the ceiling, the walls had an ombre paint color, and the light fixture was from Ferguson. And just look at that custom rug! Fantastic!

 

Now let’s move upstairs. This is the primary retreat, and the designer was Mark Protenhauer from Kittle’s Design Studio. Mark wanted to design the space with clean lines, soft textures, and romance. I could not have agreed more. The space was so well done. 

 

 

The primary bathroom had recently gone through an update, so Mark added soft blue wall to connect the bedroom. He changed the faucets and accents while adding a bit of soft metal color. There is some original artwork in the room. The color in the bathroom is by Sherwin Williams and is called River’s Edge. Of course, I love the blue and white touches. 

 

 

Next up is the Sanctuary of Stillness. This was created by designer Chazzmin Jones of Jones Design Group, LLC. Chazzmin wanted to create a quiet space for you to relax and quite your mind. He layered it with natural textures and collected beauty. Chazzmin also had this gorgeous Hermes dupe. I ordered one and will be showing it on my Instagram page soon! 

 

 

Attached to the Sanctuary of Stillness was the Jack and Jill Bathroom decorated by one of our new designers Nan Girton from Figalily Le Design. Nan’s foundation of the design is a luxury, bespoke floral immersion that transforms the bathroom into a garden like retreat. This designer has a place in my heart because she came to the show house last year and asked me how she could get a room in the next show house! I then introduced her to our Decorator Chair and a conversation started! Now Nan was in this year’s show house, and I was so proud to be a part of that!

 

 

The room on the left is from a new designer as well. This room was designed by Megan Giles from Maed Designs. Her room was called the Woodland Grove Suite, and this space was a quiet retreat, inviting, moody and restorative. I loved the beautiful wallpaper behind the bed. 

Then there was the guest bedroom. This space was designed by Nested Spaces. They were envisioning a refined, European-inspired aesthetic anchored in a rich palette of plaids, tweeds, and layered hues of blue, green, and gray. Overall, the intention is to refresh the bedroom with an understated sense of luxury. 

 

 

 

 

Now welcome to Palm Beach Chic. This space was decorated by Catherine Marrano Interiors, and it had a Mahjong table! Yay! I kept wanting to call it the “ladies lounge”. Catherine wanted this space to be for slow mornings and unhurried evenings. I loved the pastel greens, airy blues, soft pinks, and sun-washed yellows. The Mahjong set was from my studio Meet at Mahj. 

 

 

 

 

 

And the Atelier is the last room for this post. The Atelier was designed by Jenni Eggers and served as a canvas for the custom for local art. The space drew inspiration from the homeowner’s personal collection of relics, while taking our signature approach of celebrating the old while enhancing the new. 

 

 

 

I was especially smitten with this vintage vase. There are so many other rooms that I did not share. Mostly because I was running around the entire time working so I am glad that I was able to capture some of the rooms. We have a virtual tour on our website available for you to view. I don’t think my photos could have done it justice. This was a wonderful show house with great designers and a great team. I am really proud of the work that we accomplished! I look forward to next year and look forward to my new role for St. Margaret’s! It will be a big one! Have a great week! 

 

  • This post is not sponsored. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Manor on Meridian ~ The Show House 2026

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Good Morning Friends,

I am trying to get back into the swing of things. I just got back from a work trip last Thursday and have my second one coming up really soon. I have ordered some new suitcases and will be discussing what I have learned about traveling that works for me on the blog. Let me know below if you would be interested in that kind of blog post. In the meantime, let me share what else has been keeping me busy and that is the show house!

Now some of you know that I am the social media director for the St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild. I joined in 2022 and love the work that we are doing. The show house is our number one fundraiser of the year. 

This year’s home is called the Manor on Meridian. 

 

 

This year the show house is located at 5141 North Meridian Street in Indianapolis. It was built in 1930 and is about 5,700 square feet. The home has 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. It was an early example of a “spec” home, constructed not for a specific owner, but in anticipation of one. It did not sell initially but once the library was added the home finally secured its first owner. 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley

I will share the entryway in my part 2 of the show house. I kept trying to get photos, but someone was either there or the lighting was not right. Now this is the dining room. The interior designer for this space was Blake Richardson. Blake is one of my favorites and is a maximalist at heart. He decided to paint the walls the color Amaryllis pink by Sherwin Williams. I loved the silk chinoiserie wallpaper panels, the Asian china cabinet and all of the dreamy antiques in this room. There is Wedgwood china, Wedgwood crystal, and 1950s flatware from Thailand. It is truly elegant! 

 

 

I really want to buy the panels but goodness, I don’t think I could swing the price! So sad! Here is an up-close look at the dining room table setting. 

 

There are so many layers to this room. There is so much to look at and take in. 

 

 

Next up is the Curio Room by the beautiful Sallie Lord from Greyhunt Interiors. This was the library that was added to the home and Sallie decided to turn it into sitting room part gallery. It showcases collected objects that tell a story through design, artifacts, books and heirlooms. I love those leopard stools!

 

 

Now I loved designer Eric Scott. He is so sweet. He had the family room, and I thought he executed it so well. The teal couch was inspired by Sallie Lord’s room, and I loved how the designers were inspired by each other. Eric added a curated selection of furnishings, combined with an electric mix of fabrics and textures. The space had artwork from Anna Afashar and beautiful lighting from Ferguson. 

I hope that you have enjoyed the tour so far. I will be sharing a part 2 next week. I hope to take a few more photos, but we will see. The show house has been quite busy. Have a great weekend!

 

  • This post is not sponsored. Some text is from our program. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April Favorites ~ 2026

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Hello Everyone,

I have decided to share my April favorites a week early. I have a lot going on next week and will not be posting to the blog. Of course, I will share any elegant adventures or finds that may occur. My newsletter will arrive the last week of April and I am currently working on a survey. I want to get everyone’s opinion about the future of the boutique and blog. 

Photo via Helena Simon.com 

 

First on my list is this new website discovery. I don’t know how this website ended up in my feed, but I am glad that it did. Helena Simon is a designer who crafts beautiful brooches. This one is a dream! The cherry blossom branch brooch is handmade with silk organza and two 14-carat gold pins. It is on my dream list! 

 

 

Next is this lion tissue box that I purchased for my home office. I love the gold trim and lion head. Then I decided that I needed a little extra protein the mornings before my walk. So, I ordered these small glass bottles to put my favorite protein drink Owyn in. It helps me to not waste my drinks and gives me a little boost before my walk. 

 

 

Oh, this was an interesting purchase from Amazon. I saw another influencer using this and thought I would give it a try. It is a such a treat and helps with puffiness and inflammation. I think it will be my go-to self-care treat this hot summer!

 

 

 

Mother’s Day is fast approaching, and I am sharing some gift ideas on my page here. I think this peony candle would be a great gift idea. The scent is light and floral and just look at this adorable, fluted candle holder. During my recent HomeGoods spring shopping visit , I picked up these absolutely stunning faux roses with vines! I mean these are a dream. I am now trying to hunt them down at every HomeGoods in my city. I need more!!! 

 

 

And last is a new YouTube channel discovery. I found Chic Between the Lines earlier this month and have really enjoyed this channel. I hope that they record a second season and I would love to see more vlog style videos as well. I hope you all enjoyed this month’s favorites. I hope you have a great week, and I will see you all in May with blog posts about the show house! 

 

 

  • This post is not sponsored. Affiliate links attached. 

 

 

 

 

Evening with Designers ~ 2026

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Hello Dear Friends,

I am posting this a little late but that is okay. I am trying not to keep myself to such a strict schedule when it comes to posting on the blog when it is a busy week. We had our Influencer/ Press Day at the show house. We had lovely weather and great people. This is always an exciting time!

 

 

This was me on Influencer Day! We had a great turnout and the house looks WONDERFUL! It always surprises me how our designers pull it all together each year. It sort of magical!

 

photos via: Mrs. Shockley 

 

 

Here are a few snippets of the from our show house! We have some great new designers, lots of colors, and very supportive sponsors.  This particular home was built in 1930 as one of the first spec homes in Indianapolis. It is 5,700 square feet and has 5 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms. 

 

 

This is the dining room. Just look at the amaryllis paint color! There are lots of layers, Staffordshire Dogs, and Waterford Crystal. I will have more details in the next few weeks.

 

 

The weather turned out so great! It was nice to thank our sponsors and celebrate our designers. It’s a great start to our show house year and to catch up with members as well. 

 

 

Mr. Shockley, always joins in on the festivities. He serves with me as a docent each year and everyone is getting to know him. Oh brother! But it is nice having a very supportive husband and someone willing to serve this wonderful organization! If you are local, please stop by the show house. We have lots of events going on including a Mahjong event! The link is here if you are interested. Have a great week!