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The Top Posts for 2015

January 8, 2016/in Monthly Favorites, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

Photo by Mariah Hewines on Unsplash

Well, another year has passed in the blogging world. I still can not believe this is my second year. As I said earlier this year, my blog is not as fancy as the others but I want it to be true to who I am. I am on a quest to learn how to “love my own life”. So many times we get caught in the “my horse is bigger than your horse race” with other people.

Sometimes we don’t stop to realize our own lives. I refuse to be one of those people. So, I will continue to blog according to the beauty that I believe in. Thank you to those of you who have read and who will continue this journey with me.

Now without further ado, the top posts for 2015 are…….

* Polish your Poise with Madame Chic

* My Studded BCBG Heels

* Motivational Tips to Help you Clean your Home

* The French Woman Inspires

* Living Well by Bunny Williams

* Tasteful Swimsuits 2015

* Dermatologist Tips

* At Home with Madame Chic ~Interview

* Receiving Guest Properly

* My Spectacular Visit to Restoration Hardware

* Top Posts for 2014

Simple Rigatoni

January 6, 2016/in Recipes, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

I keep a dinner rotation list so that there is none of the “what’s for dinner” questions when I get home from work.

I shop for the same items every week and it makes preparing meals very easy. On the list is my simple rigatoni meal.

I just boil a box of rigatoni noodles, warm up some Ragu spaghetti sauce (meat flavored). Most nights my husband and I have meat in ours so I will brown some ground beef in a skillet and pour the sauce over it. Add some garlic salt and basil for seasoning. My daughter doesn’t like much meat so with her’s we just add the sauce and basil.

Once the noodles are done I pour the sauce over the noodles, sprinkle some cheese, bake some french bread and Voila. Dinner is served! I still use my dishes and cloth napkins. It keeps dinner nice and simple. Enjoy!

(photo via AHFE)

Our First Ballet ~ The Nutcracker

January 4, 2016/in Elegant Living, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

I have been inspired by the arts recently. I told my husband that I would like to get into the habit of learning new things and seeing new things. A few months ago I heard about the “Nutcracker” performed by the Indianapolis Ballet here in our city.

I purchased some tickets and my daughter and I went. We sat down and had a wonderful lunch at our favorite restaurant Panera then headed to the ballet. It was at the Scottish Rite Cathedral which was absolutely beautiful.

When my daughter walked in she was in awe! She started talking pictures with her tablet! I was so glad that she enjoyed the ballet and asked if she would bring a friend next time. I was very pleased with the performance and the prices.

It was just splendid….

My daughter and I

From our seats….

This is how close we were to the stage

(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

An Indianapolis Kitchen

January 1, 2016/in Home Décor, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

It is always exciting to see your hometown in a decor book that you read on a monthly basis. It was a nice surprise seeing “Indianapolis” mentioned in House Beautiful magazine.

This kitchen designed by Angie Hranowsky is a fresh take on neutral hues.

photo credit: Nathan Kirkman

photo credit: Nathan Kirkman

To read the original article, see here.

My Thank~You Notecards

December 30, 2015/in Elegant Living, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

I have been hearing a lot about writing thank you notes to people. There is nothing like a hand-written note.

When I receive one I keep them because it says that this person took the time to write down their thoughts.

I keep a box of blank thank you notes at work and home. They are easy to find and are just lovely gifts. It also keeps you active in the cursive writing arena.

If you can pick up a box of blank thank you note cards today. In a world where technology is taking over this is a nice way to keep beautiful gestures in our world.

My thank you note cards at work

My thank you note cards at home

(photos via AHFE)

Travel Garment Bags

December 28, 2015/in Home Organization, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

We all love traveling but the only hard part about traveling is packing!!! I always try to make sure that I find items that will make packing fun and organized. I saw these beautiful travel bags at my local Talbots store.

They are great!! I ordered them online during the “Black Friday” sale and only paid $19 after shipping!!! What a steal!!! I love them. They are so chic and will make you feel like a million bucks when you open you suitcase and see your lovely garment bags keeping things organized and beautiful.