A Snow Day with Julia Child

/in , /by

It’s been about three weeks since we have been to D.C. and I still can not get over the fact that they shut the city down for 4 inches of snow! I could not believe it! But in all fairness I am from Indiana so I guess I would not understand seeing that. We have to have almost 15 inches before our city will shut down anything.

So the government shut down during my training and I had a snow day! Only it was not your normal snow day. Everything was CLOSED! The closure even included stores and restaurants! So what were we to do in our nations capital? I certainly did not want to stay in our hotel for the whole day so I called around and found out that only two museums were open. One was the National Museum of American History. So we decided to go and spend some time there. The only thing was so did everyone else in the city!!!!

It was so crowded but we made the best of it and walked around….

Well this was a journey back into my childhood. Mister Rogers!!! Who doesn’t love Mister Rogers? I remember the day he died. I was on my way to work the morning I heard it on the radio. Such a wonderful show. 

I was not expecting to see this exhibit. I had no idea that this was there. I am such a fan of Julia Child. I read her book “My Life in France”. It was such a wonderful story. I wrote about it here.

I took pictures of every nook and cranny of her kitchen. I tried to absorb as much of it as possible. 

I am shocked at how nice her ovens were!

All of her books. I tilted my head to the side to see what she was reading. 
I believe these were video cassettes of her shows. 

Her copper pan set is in immaculate shape!

She was awarded the Legion d’honneur medal in 2000.
Information about the show and her Emmy Award. 

Emerils
I went back to the kitchen to look some more. 

Her refrigerator…. so neat!

So fascinating….
Oh and I could not leave out this beauty. This is a 1950 Buick Sedan in my favorite car color, black. I just love the classic cars. I hope to own one of these some day too! I really enjoyed looking at Julia’s kitchen. It makes the book seem more real and it give more details to your imagination. I hope that you can get to the museum and see it for yourself. 
Bon Appetit!

(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Our Visit to the National Portrait Gallery

/2 Comments/in , /by

Now I was not sure if we would get this on our list but we made it to the National Portrait Gallery. This was our first visit here and like the National Gallery of Art it was a beautiful place to visit.

Just stunning…. the floors and details on the walls. 

So grand….
And of course I had to see Michelle Obama’s portrait painted by Amy Sherald. If you wish to learn more about this painting you may read about it here.

Me with Mrs. Obama.
Other paintings in the room were….
I don’t know who painted this but it is of rapper LL Cool J (2005). 

This is Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and he is the wonderful host of the show called “Finding Your Roots”. My husband and I love that show! It’s wonderful. If you would like to learn more about this portrait you may view it here.
This is the talented Katharine Hepburn. This was painted by Everett Raymond Kinstler in 1982. If you wish to learn more about this painting you may view it here.

These are all of Katharine Hepburn’s Best Actress Awards. Starting with the first one from 1933 and ending with On Golden Pond in 1981. I actually love that movie. It is on Netflix if you wish to watch it. 
I thought that this was a beautiful painting of a beautiful woman. This is Ann Landers and this was painted by Roger Robles in 1988. If you wish to learn more about this painting you may view it here.

This is M.K.F. Fisher and this was painted by Ginny Stanford. If you wish to learn more view it here.
Stunning isn’t she? This is mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves. This was painted by Nelson Shanks in 2000.

I am such a Marian Anderson fan. I read some of her journal at the African American History Smithsonian. They said that she liked to document everything. I think she is so beautiful. This was painted by Betsy Graves Reyneau in 1955. To read more about this view it here.
And last but certainly not least was….
Barack’s ….
I love all the floral work behind him. This was painted by Kehinde Wiley, 2018. It was truly breathtaking in person. If you wish to learn more about this painting you may view it here.
This was such a wonderful opportunity for my family and I to see more of the arts and to visit and learn more history. This will definitely be added to my list of museums to visit again. 

(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Our Second Visit to the National Gallery of Art

/4 Comments/in , /by

This is one of the most beautiful art museums that I have ever visited. I could come back again and again to this place. Especially when you walk in and see this…..

Oh my goodness!!! This was the Ames-Haskell Azalea Collection.
I mean honestly, do I need to say more!
I did do some walking around… not much because I wanted to see this the whole time. 
Ginevra de’ Benci 
by 
Leonardo Da Vinci 
The only painting by Leonardo in the entire United States.
I have no idea what this is but I loved it!
The Adoration of the Magi (1440/1460)
by 
Fra Angelico and Fra Filippo Lippi 
Madonna Enthroned with Saints and Angels
by 
Agnolo Gaddi
Daniel in the Lions’ Den (1614/1616)
by 
Sir Peter Paul Rubens
Place du Carrousel, Paris
by Camille Pissarro
I realized that I like french paintings. Surprise…..
Place du Carrousel, Paris (1900)
by Camille Pissarro 
In the Forest (1874)
by Narcisse Diaz De La Pena

Just beautiful….

If I lived in D.C. I would probably come here a few times a month. Just to walk around and enjoy the rooms. So pretty…. If you missed our first visit you may read it here.
Thanks for reading….
(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Our Visit to the African American History Smithsonian

/in , /by

While in D.C. we finally managed to get tickets to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. My husband got up early that day (before 6:30 a.m.) and managed to get 4 tickets. When he went back on the website to see if some were still available (literally a minute later) it was sold out!

We were astonished that we were able to get tickets! It was a complete blessing and we know it.

Heading to the entrance. The outside looks like a work of art too!
Sugar pot- iron pots like this were used to boil down sugar cane. 

Now this particular display hurt my heart. These are shackles that the slaves wore and they even had a pair for infants. Words can’t describe how my heart grieved seeing this. 

This is Elizabeth Freeman and she was the first to successfully sue for her freedom in the nation. 
Earthenware Transfer-Print Teapot
Successful free black families, north and south, displayed refinement and respectability by hosting teas. 

The Church
Many African Americans defined freedom as the ability to choose their religious faith and practices. 

Madam C.J. Walker
America’s first self-made female millionaire, Madam C.J. Walker developed a line of beauty products for African American women. 

Some of her pressing oil. 
This is Oprah’s display. That dress is what she wore on the last episode and the couch was from her show along with the audience chairs. 

This was Michelle and Barack Obama’s display. This was Michelle’s dress that she wore on the day he won the election. It was filled with newspaper articles and everything historical about this moment.  

This was Jermaine Jackson’s outfit (1971) from the Jackson 5. 
Chuck Berry’s candy apple red Cadillac! 

The red dress is Whitney Houston’s. She wore it in 1997 to the 21st Annual American Music Awards.

I adore Ella Fitzgerald! I have several c.d.’s of hers and I even have an “Ella Fitzgerald” radio station on my Pandora. This dress was worn by Ella during many of her performances.

Another beauty that I adore, Lena Horne. This was Lena’s dresser set and jewelry. 

Grand Dame Queenie (2013) oil on canvas 
And last but certainly not least is this painting by Amy Sherald. I love the colors! It has been said that Amy’s painting quietly invites the viewer to contemplate a variety of subjects, including race, class, identity, and self-acceptance. 
There was so much at this museum that I could not take pictures of everything. I wanted to enjoy it with my family so I only took a few. I wanted to be able to absorb the moment. We also had lunch at the cafe/ restaurant that was at the bottom floor of the museum.  I must say I loved the buttermilk fried chicken! 
If you ever visit Washington, make sure to put it on your list. 
(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Estee Lauder ~ Pleasures

/2 Comments/in , /by

Before leaving to go to D.C. I went to the mall with my family. I am a huge fan of Estee Lauder products. I purchased my facial cream and night cream and decided to smell some of the perfumes. I ended up loving the Pleasures scent. It smells like fresh flowers.

Such an attractive box 

Here is a description of the perfume….
One of life’s simple pleasures. Fresh as flowers after a spring rain, this sheer, shimmering floral is a spirited blend of lilies, white peonies and jasmine, all tingling with the rare essence of exotic baie rose.







I ended up purchasing this set. It included the body lotion and shower gel which I will use as bubble bath. It smells wonderful. This scent has such an allure to it. I will savor it this summer. I hope that you can go and try it yourself. 
(photos via Mrs. Shockley)






The Thomas Jefferson Memorial

/in , /by

We arrived in D.C. on a Sunday. My husband wanted me to have at least two days that I could get some sight seeing in before I had to report on Tuesday.

On my list was the Thomas Jefferson Memorial and it turned out to be a beautiful day.

It was such a bright day and there were people everywhere. 

Beautiful architecture….

You could see the Washington Monument across the way. 
Walking in…

Beautiful details in the ceilings. 

Oh my…. “no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship or ministry or shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief”….


So grand….

Outside some of the cherry blossoms were trying to bloom.

The indicator tree….

Looking across the way….. so lovely.
We really enjoyed this memorial. It is just another piece of the wonderful history of this city. It is all very beautiful. 
(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Beautiful Trinkets at H & M

/2 Comments/in , /by

Well we are back home from my week long work-training trip in Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, I only got to see the indicator tree in full bloom. A snow storm hit D.C. on Wednesday that shut down the city and slowed down the process of the cherry blossom trees.

No need to worry, they were not damaged and apparently are on track to bloom the first week of April. My husband and I are seriously considering taking a 3-day weekend trip to seem them. Just me and him no kids. We have NEVER done this before but we are thinking about it.

So this week I will be sharing some beautiful finds, items that I purchased and places that I visited while in D.C. I hope that you enjoy this week’s posts.

Now today I wanted to share some beautiful home trinkets at H & M.

Shopper with Clutch bag
Now I love this tote! I saw it in person in D.C. but I saw it in the beige not pink and the H & M store there was closed because of the snow storm!
The next chic item that I adore is this porcelain cup.
Porcelain cup
Isn’t this a wonderful little cup? I would love to have this for my morning hot water, lemon and honey. 
Glass Soap Dispenser
Now isn’t this a wonderful item? So feminine and elegant. I am torn!!! I want both the pink and turquoise. I would use one for hand lotion on my desk and the other for soap. 

Glass container
Another great little trinket. Can’t you see this on your dresser next to a bouquet of lilies? Oh tres’ chic! I want this one in pink and turquoise also. 
Glass Pineapple Jar
Who doesn’t want a great pineapple? I have a few and this one is really cute. There is also a ceramic one that is only $3.99!
Textured Box
Now doesn’t this look like something you would find on your chic grandmother’s dresser with her vintage pearls and Hermes scarf? I adore it and think it adds great texture to your vignette. 
And finally this glass dome looks like a wonderful item to have for any home. It’s so versatile. You could use it for flowers, small decor items or just have it by itself in a room or on a table. It’s quite lovely. 

It looks so stunning with the orchid in it. All of these gold accessories are available on the website. 
I hope that this post provides you with beautiful inspiration for your home. All of the prices are great too which makes it really hard not to buy everything!!! Enjoy!!
(photos via H & M)