A Recent Purchase….

/2 Comments/in , /by

Well, I finally purchased a blue and white tea cup set. I found it on Ebay. It’s funny I didn’t realize it until a few days ago but the same cup that I purchased on Ebay was the same cup that I had on my inspiration grid at work.

This is my inspiration grid. It has things that I love. I have a room in the middle that is from a French hotel. I love the furniture! I have my dream Chanel bag. Peonies from my bouquet last year. A chateau that is for sale in Normandy and last but not least the blue and white tea cup that I found on Pinterest and that I just loved.

Here is the photo on Ebay. I seriously didn’t realize it was the same cup until the day before it shipped! Uncanny right?
So I made an offer and it was accepted! I received it on Friday and here it is below. 
Now it is exactly as she said in the description, I just didn’t realize that it would be so small. 
But I have to keep in mind that these cups are from the 40’s and everything was in smaller portion sizes back then. I still love it but the search continues for my blue and white cup. I do love my new set that I picked up last week. 
I do love these cups. They were such a wonderful find! I sort of wish I would have picked up those crystal vases too! Oh well all the more reason to continue to go antiquing!
(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

A Little Antique Shopping….

/2 Comments/in , /by

This past weekend I decided to take a quick trip to the antique store. It had been a few months since I had gone and my husband was working on a project so I knew it would be the perfect time to run for it!

My daughter and I went to the Olde Shadeland Antique Mall. I really like the staff they are very nice and there is a variety of items there. Like these vintage crystal vases for $35 each. 
Those would be gorgeous on a dresser at both ends with fresh tulips in them or lilies!  
I really loved this chinoiserie inspired panel. It was big and a little expensive. It was $135!
These are beautiful. Only $25 for a set of 8.
Here is a video of me shopping a little. I did end up purchasing this set.
It was too lovely to pass up. I paid $38 for a set of 6. 
Here is another video of me looking at vintage earrings and dishes.
I did end up buying these two pairs of earrings and this gold vintage bracelet. 
And here is one more video of another beautiful china set that I saw in the antique store. It was gorgeous!! 
I hope you all enjoyed this post. I was thinking about starting a Youtube channel just for shopping. Something like the videos that you are seeing on here. Let me know your thoughts. I don’t know if I will be doing it. Thanks so much for reading!!!!!

(photos and videos via Mrs. Shockley)

Jane Hodges Entertaining Ideas

/in , /by

Has anyone heard of Jane Hodges? She is the author of the lovely book called Linens: For Every Room and Occasion. It has been on my “book list” on Amazon for quite some time now. I recently saw this article in House Beautiful from Jane. It is a wonderful list of how she entertains in the Big Easy.

1) There’s no wrong time to dine…….
      “I wanted guests to come and go at their leisure……. people help themselves to small plates, then scattered to different rooms to enjoy.”

photo credit Paul Costello 
2) Maintain a sense of mystery
    “The dining room doors were closed when guests arrived, then opened midevening to reveal a beautiful bayou-inspired tableau of driftwood, flowers and food. I admire, composed arrangements of roses, larkspurs, scabiosas, parrot tulips, stock, and lisianthuses in shades of lavender and peach inspired by the iridescent tones in an oyster shell.”
photo credit Paul Costello 

3) Great Expectations 
    “Half the fun of a party is the anticipation! I enlisted an artist to create memorable hand-made invitations and had them hand-delivered, signaling to all that special evening was to come.”
photo credit Paul Costello 

4) A party in every room
    “We set up stations around the house and garden, like a bourbon bar on my writing desk and a Champagne bar on the console in the upstairs study, to encourage guests to move about and explore.” 
photo credit Paul Costello 

5) Strike up the band
    “Music is a key element in creating an experience. In New Orleans, we treasure our brass bands. To welcome my dear friend Ken Fulk, I invite a trio of jazz musicians to perform on the front balcony as guests arrived…..
photo credit Paul Costello 

To read the rest of her tips see the original article here or pick up the October 2017 issue of House Beautiful.
Here is a fun video from Quintessence. It is a home tour of Jane Scott Hodges. Enjoy! 

(photos and text via House Beautiful.com)

Blue and White Tea Cup Set

/3 Comments/in , /by

Goodness, I have been looking for a blue and white tea cup set for 2 years now! I don’t know what pattern I want but I do know that I want a mid-size cup. I have been on Ebay, Etsy, Google and I just can’t seem to find one that I like. When I do find one it costs a small fortune. So the quest continues. I did find one on Ebay but it’s two of them and I just want one so I don’t know. I may go ahead and buy the set so I can have one at home and one for the office.

I did however go to Pinterest to find inspiration of course….

These are the perfect size but no plate with it. Rats!!!!
This is lovely but how wide the mouth is I would be worried about my tea spilling….
Pretty pattern
Oh I wish I could find some thing like this. So elegant!
Honestly, this is the dream pattern. I wish the cup was a little bigger but this is what I am aiming for. 
Perfect size!!!

Oh well, the quest continues. I hope you all enjoyed this post and wish me luck!!!!

(photos via Pinterest)

H & M Home Decor

/in , /by

I am a dedicated shopper at H & M but what I did not know was that they have a home collection! I was totally surprised when I visited the website.

So I decided to share a few of my favorite home decor items from the site!

Large Braided Storage Basket
Tall Candlestick
Tall Metal Vase
Small Metal Tray
Satin Duvet Cover Set
Velvet Cushion Cover
Comes in 4 colors!
Porcelain Teapot
Lots of home decor accessories for really great prices! I hope that some of the items will show up in the stores soon! I would love to see them in person. Enjoy!!!!

(photos via H&M)

Pure Simplicity ~ Bath & Body Works

/in , /by

A new beauty line has surfaced at Bath and Body Works. I stumbled on it this past weekend. It is called Pure Simplicity and it is lovely. The packaging alone will entice you to buy it.

This is the rosewater scent. I purchased the body milk cream and the face & body refresher.

It is very nice. 


The product line is alcohol-free and non-drying, our face & body mist instantly refreshes and conditions to leave skin feeling beautifully revitalized and lightly scented. Formulated without parabens, sulfates, phthalates, petrolatum, artificial color & gluten, our promise is pure & simple: gentle and hypoallergenic products specially crafted for those who believe that less is more.




This fragrance is a light sweet scent. It is very nice.
Almond Milk 
The sample station

The oil roller-balls 
I believe this new line will be a big hit. It is free from chemicals. Great for people who are sensitive to scents and artificial color. The scents are light and fresh. You will enjoy them! 
(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

My Silk Scarf Collection

/7 Comments/in , /by

I wanted to do a fun post of all of my favorite silk scarves. I love scarves and think there is such an elegance to them. They add class to any outfit….

Love this scarf found it at H & M. It is really great and so is the price!

The next three scarves are from Ralph Lauren. They are called the Equestrian scarves and the only place to find them is on Ebay or the Ralph Lauren outlet mall. 

In cream

In green 







This is Ralph Lauren too.

Here is what it looks like when open. (Sorry it is backwards)



Ann Taylor dragonfly scarf

Escada
I found this at a consignment store. 


Banana Republic (very old)
A consignment store find also.




Aldo

Hermes
Found this on Ebay

Hermes
A consignment store find in Washington, D.C.

Ann Taylor
I hope this post inspires you to take another look at scarves or inspires you to pull out your satin or silk scarves. As autumn approaches nothing could make you look more dressed up or polished than a silk scarf. 
Enjoy the hunt!!!
Also here is a fabulous video from You-tuber Audrey Coyne. I love her channel and her style!

(photos via Mrs. Shockley)