Office Pretties

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This is a quick post about office items that I discovered. I found this pretty decorative box for my office. You can put anything inside. It is quite chic……

I tried to find similar ones on the T.J. Maxx website but it was quite hard but if you are still curious here they are. My box is by Max Studio just in case you wanted to search the web. 
The other item that I found was the gold letter holder. It was only $10! Great deal and looks wonderful with the office also from T.J. Maxx. 
The last item in the photo is my faux peony arrangement. Also a T.J. Maxx find. It was $16.99. 
Here is a photo of inside the box. It will be great for putting sticky notes in, reminders and anything I need. It was only $24.99. Sorry I could not find the links to these on their website but you can try to search for them. 
I love finding office pretties and using them everyday. Until next time, #live elegant everyday!

(photos by Mrs. Shockley)

Sunday Wine Tasting…

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After our big delicious dinner at the Kopper Kettle, my husband wanted to stop at this winery called Buck Creek Winery. It looked very simple so I did not know what to expect.


When we walked in and they had all these wines with the medals around them. I was impressed….

We then went to the counter and it was five tastings for $5! Great deal!


This was the list and you can see the five I tasted.


My husband and I ended up with two bottles. We loved the Rocio. It was a carbonated wine. Very good and we loved the Road House White. It was very tasty. Most of the wines I tried there were very good. 


After you make your selection, you can take your goodies home or you can go outside and relax and sip your wine with your loved one. 

The scenery was quite nice and it was a beautiful day. We will be going back again. We could not stay we had the kids with us and wanted to enjoy it alone. 


(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

A Sunday Lunch…

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My family and I try to visit new places when dining. It is always hard to get out of a rut. We can be very routine with restaurants because we get to know the staff and usually order the same dishes.

My friend Kim suggested this place. We were a little apprehensive but in the end it turned out very well…..

This restaurant is called the Kopper Kettle Inn. The waitress gave us a brief history of the place. She said that it was a tavern, then a bed and breakfast, then they turned it into a restaurant. It has been a restaurant for over 95 years! 
This place was also a part of the Underground Railroad. Very interesting….
I loved all the vintage rugs and antique furniture. 

The light fixtures and murals were beautiful.
After oooing and aweing at everything we sat down to order. 
We sat down to vintage plates! Wonderful!

We had homemade chicken noodle soup, salad and dinner rolls.
Of course the main dish was the fried chicken which was delish!!

There were lots of sides and everything was family style which forced you to pass dishes 
around and talk. No cell phones please! (I tried to hurry and take quick photos)
After the wonderful dinner we went and toured the upstairs that was full of antique furniture. 

Then outside to the gardens….

It was quite lovely and it was nice to dine somewhere different. It was about a 25 minute drive for us but we enjoyed seeing all the farms, land and yards and yards of peonies! It was quite enjoyable. 


(photos by Mrs. Shockley & Lauren Shockley) 

Traveling to Washington, D.C.

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Hello all! I just wanted everyone to know that I will be traveling to Washington, D.C. this week. I am excited and looking forward to the opportunity to see our nation’s capital.

Once again I am traveling for work purposes so I will be working while I am there but the good thing is my family will be going with me. I am hoping to get in some sight-seeing and delicious dining but we will see. I hope to post about some of my adventures when I return. Enjoy your week!


photo credit Mrs. Shockley 

















My Visit to Ann Taylor

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Now Ann Taylor is one of my fav stores! Especially when it is 40% off time! Great prices and wonderful chic pieces that you will have for a long time.

Their stores are always pretty!





Oh my so chic…..




I always love all the cream and white they have. 




My favorite part of the store. The clearance section! Ahhh home….




Okay, I could not help it. This bracelet was too chic to leave. I had to purchase it. 
This is called the tropical cuff bracelet.


It is outstanding and will be timeless. 
I hope you enjoyed this quick little tour and consider looking into Ann Taylor. Their collections never disappoint. 

(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Another Shoe Post….

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This is just another quick post about some great shoes that I discovered at DSW recently…

This is the Eleanore Pump and it is lovely….


And this is the Impo Tavin Pump. Now I got it for $19.99 at my location! Make sure you check your clearance section before buying it online. 




Both shoes are quite comfortable and very chic…. Enjoy!


(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Beauty Everyday….

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I try to spend every day of my life enjoying beauty everyday. Sometimes I get sly remarks from family, friends or co-workers but I try to press on.



My photo of peonies



I will never understand why beauty bothers some people. I wear dresses or skirts every day and it bothers some people. I don’t understand. I have had some women try to stop me from wearing them. They make remarks like, ” you know I know some stores that sell great pants, or ” doesn’t it bother you to wear skirts every day?” 


I chuckle on the inside because I can see right through it. So I tell them, “Thank you for the suggestion but no, I love skirts and dresses and will continue to wear them. Some women move right along but others well…. they still try. Yet I still continue to enjoy the beauty of skirts every day….

Me at my piano weekly piano lesson

I love pretty dishes and cups and use them every day. I have had some remarks about that too. I have china at work also. I use a pretty teacup for my hot water, lemon and honey every day and I use an antique blue and white plate for my breakfast pastry every day. 




I think some people are afraid of beauty because they have been in darkness for so long that the “light” of beauty frightens them. But not me I run toward it. Whenever I see beauty when I am out I take photos. This photo below is of a cupboard filled with blue and white ginger jars. It is at my favorite retail store called Von Maur. 

And this is near the lady’s bathroom. Great right?
My peonies at home

I have beauty in every corner of my home. Fresh flowers are everywhere if the budget allows it. 
My garden in front of my house.




I have beauty outside of my home. I love sitting on my porch with my family watching the hummingbirds eat from our feeders and smelling the flowers. 

Whatever “your beauty” is enjoy it. Don’t let people try to talk you out of what is not their own. If you enjoy wearing skirts or dresses every day continue if you use china at work continue, if you enjoy flowers continue if you love blue and white continue, if you worship God, continue. 

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
My obsession with french chateaus…




For those of us that love beauty and share it. Let us continue.




 

This is a wonderful video that I found recently about blogger Mimi Thorrison. This is a wonderful video of how to enjoy beauty every day. She has flowers around and her recipes look simple and delicious. The language is not in English but I do hope that you enjoy it. I know I did!