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)

Headed to Washington, D.C. ~ 2018

/4 Comments/in , /by


Next week I will be in Washington, D.C. for work. My family will be with me. We are so excited to go this time. The cherry blossom season has been predicted and it will be next week! Peak season is suppose to begin.


Aside from the work I will be doing we plan on visiting a few places that we missed last year. We want to visit the National Gallery of Art again (see my post here from last year). The National Museum of African American History and Culture is on our list as well as the National Archives. I absolutely adored the Library of Congress (see my post here if you missed it).  



I also want to see the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. We manage to miss this monument last year. So I am hoping that we can get this in this year. 


And of course the cherry blossoms. I have been dreaming of this moment for a very long time. I hope that the Lord can work this out for us. 



I will return to blogging after my trip. Have a good week!

(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Sage Kitten Heel

/in , /by

This is just a quick shoe post. I know some women don’t like kitten heels but I am such a fan of them. I found this just walking around Payless.

I love the color. You guys know that pink blush and dusty rose are just my absolute favorite colors. These are called the Sage Kitten Heels by Christian Siriano. They are really comfortable and very chic. There is a cute little black bow on the side of them. 

I hope that you can stop by and take a peek at them. Enjoy!!!!

(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Rug Runners in the Kitchen

/2 Comments/in , /by

Adding small details to my home gives me joy. Even if it is something small. A new vase, curtains, pillows and some blue and white ginger jars, whatever I find buying for my home always gives me such great happiness.

I was on Pinterest recently looking at kitchens and saw how some people had put rug runners in their space. I thought that was a great idea. It took me awhile to find one that I liked and one that my family would tolerate but I found this small runner at HomeGoods a few weeks ago.

This is my kitchen. Now this looks like a normal size rug but it isn’t.

It is a blue, white and gray runner that I found at HomeGoods. I paid about $40 for it. 

I do like the way it looks and my husband has not complained about it at all. 
Some inspiration that I found on Pinterest…..
Love the farmers sink and how the island is blue and the kitchen cabinets are white. 
I do like how some homeowners take risks. Sometimes it turns out great!

Now I must admit I do love the color of these cabinets with the gold hardware. It looks so chic to me!
Oh sorry forgot, the runner looks great too!
I do hope that you enjoyed this post and are inspired to take a second look at rug runners. One in your kitchen just might give it that extra pop of color or texture that you are seeking. 
Enjoy!
(photos via Mrs. Shockley & Pinterest)