My Floral Arrangements at Home & Work

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I love having fresh flowers in my home. I think having them around just bring warmth, beauty and elegance to any home. I simply love decorating with them also (see my blog entry here about that). Over the years I try to take pictures of my arrangements. Sometimes I will use them as my screen savers or the wallpaper on my phone.

I just think they are a joy to have and to receive them. I try to make sure I have an arrangement at home or at work. I always tell my co-workers, if we are here 8 hours a day your space should be lovely. So below are some of my bouquets from the last 3 years. I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I have had in receiving them.

My most recent arrangement from my husband. 
Hydrangeas & lilies… 



Gladiolus at home




Yellow gladiolus at work




I call this my wild flower arrangement




This was my favorite gladiolus arrangement so far this season. 




Pink roses & astromelias

This arrangement was from my husband & I had it at work





Stargazer lilies and gladiolus at home




Another favorite of mine; these are Casablanca lilies and they smelled fantastic!




Tulips on my nightstand beside my bed

Pink tulips at work

Gladiolus and astromelias (I think). I just remember it being terribly cold this day. 




Another winter arrangement. I remember it being around Christmas when I brought 
these to work. It was yellow roses and pine branches. 




Stargazer lilies at home. 




Me with my lavender roses from my husband (last year). 




Roses and lilies at work 




Another delivery from my husband. 

Pink roses and pine branches

Gerber daisies from my husband. This arrangement is from 2011. 




My beautiful lilies from the Floral District in New York

These were spectacular! Yellow roses and from my husband.

And last but certainly not least, my first peony arrangements.
 I was so happy I found these this past spring. I can’t wait for next year!


Dream Accessories I Adore

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I believe every girl has a list in her mind of a few accessories she would love to get her hands on if money were not an issue. I know I have a few. But Pinterest has been the way of “claiming” these dream items until they become a reality.

I am trying to remain positive and hope that someday I will own at least 8 of these items on my dream list. I have a board on Pinterest called Feminine Accessories. It’s where I keep all my dream treasures for now. Below are the items I would love to own someday. Lastly, I have included a link from Trina Leavers. She tells what items she believes should be apart of our wardrobe. I love the video! For every item she includes I scream “Yes” on the inside! Enjoy!




This is me with my Escada scarf I found at the consignment store.
I was so proud!!





Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash


Oh the Tiffany pearls are a foundation statement in any wardrobe. 

The Louis Vuitton bag. I have been after one for years!!! My grandmother actually had a few but they vanished after her funeral.



(photo via Mrs. Shockley)



classic pieces to collect – YouTube

(just click on the link to watch the video)

Easy Bundt~Pan Pizza

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I am always looking for simple delicious recipes for me and my family. I follow a woman named Nikki on Youtube and she is great at decorating, organizing, and cooking. This past week she posted this great recipe for pizza and I just had to try it.

It is called Bundt ~Pan Pizza. The ingredients are:

* 2 cans of Pizza crust
* 1 tsp of mince garlic
* 2 tsp of olive oil
* 2 tsp of Italian seasoning
* 1 bag of pepperoni
* 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese

And for the instructions please watch the Youtube video below. It is so much easier if you see it done. I made it and it was a big hit at my house! My stepson asked for it again the next night! So I hope you try it and let me know your thoughts. Enjoy!

My bundt~pan pizza at home. 

Easy Bundt Pan Pizza Bread Recipe – YouTube

(click on the link to watch the video)

Fresh Facial Spray

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I have been learning a lot about facial care recently. I am not a big make-up person but my skin care is very important to me. I recently saw a Youtube video of Martha Stewart and in that video she discussed her facial care routine.

She mentioned using a facial spray toner when she wants to hydrate her skin. I have never heard of a facial spray so I thought I would do some “looking around” and see what I could find. I made a visit to Sephora. They carry almost everything you need for your body.

While looking around I stumbled on a beauty line called “Fresh”. The first thing I picked up was their Hesperides Grapefruit Spray. Oh my gosh is it delicious! So I purchased that and I love it (see my entry here about it). The next was the facial spray. It is called Rose Water Toner. I have been using it for about 3 weeks and I tell you it is fantastic!

I spray it on after my morning cleaning with my Clarisonic (see my blog entry here about that) and I also spray it on at night. It is a bit expense but it is well worth it! If you are looking for a great facial spray then try the Fresh Rose Water Toner. It will hydrate your face and it smells just like roses! The next item on my list is the Rose Eye Cream. I can’t wait to try it!

Flea Market Silver

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Every Friday I pay a visit to my favorite flea market called the Beech Grove Emporium. A few weeks ago one of the booths had some silver pots, trays & cups. On the tag it said the Benedict Inn. The Benedict Inn Retreat and Conference Center  is a place where you can rent a room or space for your special occasion.

I was so excited about my silver teapot set. The price wasn’t that bad either. I don’t think there’s a lot of real silver in it but it’s very beautiful and I am quite pleased with it. I have been learning a lot about silver and it’s value. Trina Leavers a woman I follow on Youtube posted a video some time early this year about her silver tea set.

It is gorgeous! Below is what I purchased at the flea market and I have also provided the video for Trina. As always, enjoy!

My tea set! 

I love these mint julep cups. They were great for my flower arranging.

tea downton abbey style, sterling silver teaset – YouTube

(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Autumn Style Inspiration

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Oh, the season of cold is upon us. I hope we get a “fall” this year. Our autumns here have been cut short so I am hoping to get a good long one this year. Our summer hasn’t been all that good. It has rained a lot here in Indiana.

But since September is coming (my birthday month) I have been looking at photos on Pinterest and getting inspired. I have a fashion board called Magnolia on Pinterest. It’s where I keep all of my outfit inspiration photos. I pulled a few from my board that are just “singing” to me right now. So take a look and let the photos inspire you to get fashionable ready for fall. Also if you missed my blog entry about Street Chic here it is. Enjoy!

Photo by Roland Denes on Unsplash

Photo by Laura Chouette on Unsplash

Photo by Miriam Przybylo on Unsplash

My White Binders

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I love magazines and books! Sometimes when I am looking through a magazine and there is a page I want or an idea I will usually try to google it if I don’t want to buy the whole book. Pinterest has been a new thing for me. I have only been on it for about 2 years. I love keeping all my ideas on my boards but sometimes I want physical copies.

I started my “white binders” a few years ago (since 2005). I started collecting magazine clippings and printed sheets to catalog my inspiration. It is a lot like Pinterest only I have a book or binder. For me it’s like creating my very own magazine.

They are full of things I love. I keep my outfit inspirations and my decor ideas. I catalog ideas or items I have bought for the house. They have become my “brain” on review. I love it when my daughter pulls them out and starts looking at them. She begins to ask questions about my ideas or why I love something. It has been wonderful.

I would encourage anyone who loves beautiful things or decor to start a few Pinterest boards, scrapbook or start creating your own binders. It will tell you a lot about yourself and what you like.

My binders at home

My binders