Elegant Home Scents

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Everyone is familiar with Bath and Body Works. I have been a fan since high school. A lot of my favorite scents are gone and that’s okay. I have found that my choice of fragrances isn’t the same as it was 15 years ago. But what I do like are their fragrance bulbs. They have also changed the bulb warmers. They are much more decorative and what my daughter would call “fancy”.

My favorite scent this year has been “Spring”. I absolutely love it. It’s a light floral scent and it’s so feminine and the prices are so affordable. I purchased 6 bulbs for $24 and the decorative warmers start at $6. So for about $60 you can have a great scent in your home with decorative “art” plugged in your wall. It’s so nice to walk in a woman’s home and smell something feminine. I know I love smelling them when I walk in from a long work day. So check out your local Bath and Body Works for your signature home scent!

(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Fresh Hesperides Grapefruit Perfume- A Review

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I found this perfume last week on my mall trip. I was in Sephora just looking around with my daughter and stumbled on this line called Fresh. I had never heard of it before and decided to just spray a few bottles. Oh my! This scent is just spectacular! It smells so fresh and feminine! I just had to have it! The bottle is pretty small but it was worth the price. I spent $48 on it and I don’t regret it. If you want something that is different and citrus try Fresh Hersperides Grapefruit it is a wonderful scent. Just elegant….

Philosophy Facial Care- A Review

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Here is another great product from Philosophy and Clarisonic. After I purchased my body care from Philosophy and my friend (after doing) another “unboxing” for me; I went ahead and tried the Purity facial cleanser. I used it for about a month and saw drastic changes in my skin. I looked fresh and it felt clean! My color changed and it looked smoother. I just love it! So I also purchased the moisturizers and they are fantastic. The Hope in a Jar night and day cream were just what I needed. The coverage is great and my face doesn’t feel dry and it is smooth.
My Clarisonic is just heaven sent!! My face has just improved. It is the best!!! It was really expensive I paid $150 for it but it was worth every penny! I use the Purity cleanser with my Clarisonic twice a day and I really enjoy it. If you can’t afford the Clarisonic then try the Spa Sonic. I heard that it is a good product for the money. Below is a link to a YouTube video from the Daily Connoisseur.  She does an excellent review on both.




My products at home

Spa Sonic vs Clarisonic – YouTube
(photo via Mrs. Shockley)

Philosophy Body Care- A Review

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I learned about Philosophy while watching QVC one night and it just seemed a little on the expensive side to me and I just thought no! But then one of my co-workers order some of the Amazing Grace whipped body cream and I just fell in love! It’s a little hard to purchase body care off the T.V. shopping networks because you are just not sure about the smell. So I was happy when my friend shared her “unboxing” with me. Amazing Grace is just a light sophisticated scent. It has a little hint of floral to it and it just smells really clean. I absolutely love it!! I purchased the body whipped cream, body lotion, bubble bath and body spray. Another scent that I tried from the line is the Love, Sweet, Love. It is a very fun fragrance! It is great for spring and summer and its smells sweet. I also tried the Violet Blossom perfume. Oh it is a wonderful scent of lilac and lavender! Their lip gloss is also fantastic! It taste great and covers well.

What can I say I just love the line so far. You should check out QVC.com, Sephora or  your local Von Maur store to purchase some items for yourself!

Vanity Beauty

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Having an area to place your danity treasures is a wonderful thing. But having those items organized is quite another. I saw a photo in the Martha Stewart Weddings magazine for spring. Darcy Miller, of course, had this wonderful idea of using a decorative tray, small glass vases and teacups, and saucers to use to hold your favorite items. China is durable and of course, looks elegant. Below is my interpretation of Darcy’s idea. I will have to get some teacups and a tray to add to my vanity. Enjoy…


(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Floral Brooches

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I was absolutely amazed at this oversized corsage created by Amy Merrick for the Martha Stewart Weddings Spring 2014 edition. It is just stunning!! But I also realized that I did the same thing with a few of my flower brooches that I had in 2011. So it looks like I was already ahead of the game on this fantastic creation. Below is a photo of my creation it’s not as exquisite as Amy’s but pretty good for store-bought brooches.  Just elegant…



 
 


(photo by Mrs. Shockley)
 

100 Ways to Be Elegant

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I found this list last year on the Simply Luxurious Life blog by Shannon Ables and I just fell in love with the list. I also noticed that I did about 44 of the requirements already which was a nice surprise! I enjoyed this list so much that I printed it out and keep it in my library. I think it’s just a great reminder and a joy to read each time. You take a look at the list and see how elegant you already are!!

 

100 Ways To Be Elegant


by DeeAnne on 11/06/2010 (livethecharmedlife.com)

 

1. Send thank you notes
2. Practice good posture
3. Speak more softly
4. Listen without interrupting
5. Wear solid colours
6. Ignore fads, or use them sparingly
7. Have a signature wine that you serve at home
8. Wear only 2-3 accessories
9. Have impeccable manners
10. Read on a variety of topics
11. Maintain a budget
12. Study the arts
13. Have one signature perfume/cologne
14. Show restraint in expressing anger
15. Learn the art of conversation
16. Learn French
17. Wear a trench coat
18. Learn how to wear a scarf
19. Wear a tuxedo, when one is called for
20. Practice quality over quantity
21. Don’t yell or scream
22. Learn to dance the waltz
23. Have one fabulous signature meal you serve guests
24. Remember birthdays
25. Go on picnics
26. Wear dresses/suits more often, and on dates
27. Simplify your life, your home and your calendar
28. Wear pearls
29. Open the door for ladies
30. Let him open the door for you
31. Remember that it’s more important to be kind than it is to be right
32. Serve coffee or tea after meals
33. Arrive exactly on time
34. Don’t complain
35. Dress to travel
36. Be well travelled
37. If you’re a women, don’t wear black shoes between Memorial Day and Labor Day…wear spectator pumps instead
38. Keep your home clean and uncluttered
39. When guests stay over, put a small pitcher and glass for water on their nightstand, along with a book they might enjoy
40. Learn how to host a small dinner party
41. Have one subdued solid colour scheme throughout your home, use accessories to add colour
42. Learn how to make the perfect martini
43. Learn how to tie both a regular tie and a bow tie (whether you’re a man or a woman)
44. Be a lady or a gentleman at work, especially when delivering a difficult message or when tempers flare
45. Wear lovely/handsome hats
46. Don’t point out the mistakes of others
47. Wait your turn patiently
48. Don’t curse
49. Chew each bite 20 times
50. Sip your drink
51. Learn proper etiquette for all situations
52. Accept compliments graciously
53. Be quietly self confident
54. Don’t boast
55. Be respectful of others
56. Have fresh flowers in your home
57. Write a letter rather than send an email to those you love
58. Keep your nails well manicured
59. Maintain your shoes and clothing
60. Don’t ever lose your joie de vivre
61. Be well groomed
62. Remember that money does not equal elegance, nor is it necessary to be elegant
63. Wear less make-up
64. Wear well-fitting clothes
65. Spray lavender on your sheets
66. Be positive
67. Learn to politely say no
68. Be concerned with making others feel comfortable
69. Maintain good health
70. Don’t overindulge
71. Hold yourself to high standards
72. Turn your mobile off at dinner
73. Wear simple, classic hairstyles
74. Think before you speak or act. Ask yourself, can anything good come from this?
75. Apoligize sincerely
76. Have integrity
77. Don’t speak ill of others, or gossip
78. Always take a gift to your host or hostess
79. Tie a scarf on your handbag
80. Take a clutch in the evening
81. Wear well fitting jeans with either a long sleeve white shirt or solid sweater for more casual events
82. Only wear sneakers for exercise
83. Use white sheets, white towels, white dishes
84. Be sure your clothes are pressed
85. Your car’s horn should say “pardon me, but do you see me?”, rather than “get out of my way!”
86. Overdo empathy
87. Light candles in your home
88. Go for walks in the park on Sunday
89. Give others sincere compliments
90. Understand your own worth
91. Learn how to open a bottle of champagne
92. Dress appropriately for the occasion
93. Do small favours for others, without expecting anything in return
94. Say please and thank you
95. Take the time to stop and listen to others, especially children
96. Take responsibility for yourself and your own happiness
97. Keep a journal
98. Give thoughtful gifts, rather than expensive ones
99. Less is more
100. Savour the moment