Shopping for Faux Flowers
I love faux flowers! I know a lot of people don’t but I just think they are a great substitution for flowers when the weather is cold. Here in Indiana, it’s hard finding certain flowers. But Hobby Lobby has made it easy to have beautiful flowers until the weather gets warm!
I went a few weekends ago to get some new floral pieces to “refresh” my bouquets at home and work. The selection was so grand! I had such a hard time narrowing down which flowers I wanted. But I purchased a few and will be back for more. See below what I bought and how I placed them.
Gorgeous aren’t they!
So many to choose from.
The stargazer lilly. My absolute favorite!!
These would be great fillers.
Faux kale bushes… yes please!!
I loved these!! I will be going back for them!
I purchased these for my nightstand. I am not sure what they are.
I purchased a second bush for my reading area.
This is my big floral arrangement in my sitting room. I put some long green vines in it.
I think it makes the arrangement look lush!
Another bouquet in my sitting room.
This is a bouquet at work. I love it! It looks so grand on my desk!
As always thanks for reading!
(all photos via Mrs. Shockley)
My Aerin Lauder Perfume
This past summer my husband and I took a walk around Saks Fifth Avenue. I wanted to go and smell the new Aerin Lauder fragrances. All of them are just divine!! My absolute favorite is the Lilac Path. I ordered it online from Von Maur and they gave me lots of other goodies with my order for free!! I have really enjoyed my perfume. If you want to learn more about Aerin’s perfume see the video below or check out my blog entry about her home tour. As always enjoy!!!
My perfume
The free samples that they gave me!! The scents are Gardenia Rattan, Amber Musk,
Lilac Path, Ikat Jasmine and Evening Rose.
These are the free lip glosses that they gave me. The colors are Brazen Berry Shine,
Pink Innocence Shimmer, Extravagant Pink Shimmer. The brazen berry is my favorite!
Each one is $24 and I got all three for free with my purchase of the Lilac Path.
To watch this video on your mobile click here.
(photos via Mrs. Shockley)
My Blueberry Cake
I recently tried a new recipe. It’s called Blueberry cake and I found it in my At Home with Madame Chic book. I just had to try it and it was delicious! If you missed my entry for Apple Cinnamon Tea Cake see here. The ingredients are below. Enjoy!
Blueberry Cake
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 egg yolks
1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/3 cup milk
1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries
2 egg whites
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour an 8-inch baking pan. Cream the butter and 1/2 cup of sugar. Add vanilla and salt. Separate the eggs and reserve the whites. Add yolks to the sugar mixture and beat until creamy. Combine 1 1/2 cups of flour and baking powder and add it alternately with the milk to the egg-yolk mixture. Coat the berries with 1 tablespoon of flour (this prevents them from sinking to the bottom of the cake) and add them to the batter. Mix with a spoon to avoid breaking up the berries. In a different bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add 1/4 cup of sugar and keep beating until stiff peaks form. Fold the egg whites into the main batter. Pour into your prepared pan. Sprinkle the top with the last tablespoon of sugar. Bake for 50 minutes or until the cake is set.
My blueberry cake
I added white whipped frosting to mine.
So good….
(all photos via Mrs. Shockley)
Be Someone of Quality
I follow quite a few blogs and one of them is called The Simply Luxurious Life by Shannon Ables. Shannon is such an excellent writer and has a new book out called Choosing the Simply Luxurious Life.
I can’t wait to get a copy! In November, Shannon published an article about “Why Not…Be Unforgettable”. I just loved this article. I actually printed it out and kept it in my bag for a few weeks. The entire article is great but I will have to say number 4 stuck with me the most……
4. Be Someone of Quality
Refuse to be a follower playing it safe because you are afraid of being singled out or because you haven’t figured out your own path. Establish what you need in your life to function at your best. Whether it is the food you eat, how much sleep you need or the ethical standards you refuse to break.
Most importantly, come to understand why you do what you do. Have a purpose, a reason, for the direction you are taking in your life.
People don’t all have to approve of your own standards, but know why you live the way you do. Because no matter how hard you defend your decisions to someone who doesn’t accept them based on their own belief system, you’ll never get them to see eye to eye. But so long as you know why, and you are at peace with your reasons, you will leave many with an unforgettable impression that you are someone with thoughtful principles and resolute courage.
Refuse to be a follower playing it safe because you are afraid of being singled out or because you haven’t figured out your own path. Establish what you need in your life to function at your best. Whether it is the food you eat, how much sleep you need or the ethical standards you refuse to break.
Most importantly, come to understand why you do what you do. Have a purpose, a reason, for the direction you are taking in your life.
People don’t all have to approve of your own standards, but know why you live the way you do. Because no matter how hard you defend your decisions to someone who doesn’t accept them based on their own belief system, you’ll never get them to see eye to eye. But so long as you know why, and you are at peace with your reasons, you will leave many with an unforgettable impression that you are someone with thoughtful principles and resolute courage.
Photo by Micheile Henderson on Unsplash
Laura Mercier
I am not a make~up kind of person but lately I have been really “open” to trying some things. I was in Sephora this past summer and I was asking questions about how to use bronzer and highlighter powders. I love to have a little shimmer on my face so I thought this would be the way to go.
I have to say I love my new Laura Mercier Matte Highlighter. I am wearing “Highlight -01”. I put it in the creases of my eyes and below my eyebrow. I love the shimmer. It’s so pretty. I am still not wearing foundations yet but we will see.
(photo via Mrs. Shockley)
Blue and White at Pier 1 Imports
I recently made a trip to our local Pier 1 store. I must admit I have not been in years!!! It was a wonderful surprise when I walked in. All the beautiful dishes and decor. I loved the faux flowers. It was just stunning. They have now been added to my list of stores to visit for home decor.
What captured my eye were the beautiful blue and white ginger jars. They were on sale that day and I was able to purchase this one for about $23!! I was so excited!! I would encourage anyone to visit their local store. It will inspire you to create beauty….
My desk at work. If you wish to purchase this ginger jar click here.
The vase is from T.J. Maxx and the faux flowers are from Pier I.
(photo via Mrs. Shockley)