Masculine Elegance

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This week I am continuing with my reading in A Guide to Elegance. Last week I read the chapter on men. Here is what I read and I just thought this was absolutely splendid:

The appearance of a man is just as important as the appearance of a woman. A man should be just as well-groomed as a woman, with his fingernails short; his beard shaved as many times a day as necessary, and he should smell good only at very close quarters.

His hair should not be too long; his shirt should be immaculate, his trousers well creased, his jacket unrumpled, and his shoes shined. He should never talk too loudly in public, even if he is highly successful….

I have really enjoyed this book and will be posting more chapter reviews. Below are some photos of men who are very well groomed. These photos are from my pinterest board The Gentlemen. Enjoy!

(My husband Rick Shockley)



(photo via Mrs. Shockley & Modern Man.tumblr.com)

My C Wonder Store Visit

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Last year I received an email that we (Indianapolis) was getting a C Wonder store! I was so excited. We hardly get anything here. It seems as though Indiana is the last to get anything or know anything so I was really surprised to see that we were getting a store.

We normally have to drive to Chicago to visit anything. So I took the weekend to go and see it with my daughter. It was only 30 minutes away so the drive was not that bad. It is located in our Keystone Crossing mall which is very upscale.

I was so pleased when we arrived. The store was beautiful and the staff was nice! I purchased the IKAT Tea for One Set. I love it and I use it. The price was not bad and the quality is great. So take a look at my tour of our C Wonder store!

9 Gestures a Woman Should Never Do

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Last week I posted a book review on “A Guide to Elegance”, by Genevieve A. Dariaux. I am still finishing this book but it is so fantastic to me! I just think it’s wonderful.

It’s rich with ideas and standards that you can began to incorporate into your own life. Being a woman is becoming a dying art. But this book can help you with bringing it back to life!

I read the chapter called “Gestures”. In this chapter she discusses gestures that you can do to immediately obliterate any image you may create of being well dressed. So below is the list of things that can demolish a woman’s elegance. Remember these are actions done in public:

1.   Diligently seeking some undesirable foreign matter by means of an exploratory finger in her mouth. (digging for food in your mouth)

2.  Scratching her head. (guilty!)

3.  Tugging at her underwear. (guilty!)

4.  Pulling up her bra straps. (guilty!)

5.  Carefully examining the condition of her complexion or teeth in her compact mirror.

6.  Biting her fingernails.

7.  Sitting with legs apart.

8.  Combing her hair at the table.

9.  Talking to loudly in a public place. (this drives me nuts)

Street Chic

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I heard this quote from Carolina Herrera, “Elegance is not about what a woman is wearing but it’s the way she is wearing it. “It’s not about money and it’s not about beauty. It’s about carrying yourself in a different way.



When walking downtown I see all kinds of different fashion. Some you enjoy and some you don’t. But how you carry yourself says a lot about you. I always like to look nice everywhere I go. I even had this mindset while I was in high school. When I was a junior in high school there was a teacher that stood by the door and always watched me walk by.


One day she stopped me and said, “I like the way you carry yourself”. “Follow me I have something for you”. Turns out the school had a business program and some job opportunities. I prepared a resume and she submitted it to the United States Attorney’s Office. I was then given an interview and then the job. 


So how you “keep” yourself is very important. You never know when someone could be watching you who may have job opportunities. Below are some photos from my Magnolia board on Pinterest. Let them inspire you for a new street-chic look! Also is Carolina Herrera’s interview with PopSugar below. She is one of my favorite fashion icons. Watch and see why. Enjoy! 
Me with my coral Totes coat (thrift store find) & my Coral Coach bag 
purchased from Von Maur, Spring 2013

Carolina Herrera on Music as Inspiration and What It Means to 

(photos via Pinterst & Mrs. Shockley)

Roasted Vegetables

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A few weeks ago I was on Youtube and stumbled upon a roasted vegetables recipe from Martha Stewart. It looked so simple so I decided to try it when I got home.

I went to the store and bought some grapes, tomatoes, brussel sprouts, and pears. I sprinkled some olive oil, salt, pepper, all spice and oregano on them and it turned out great. I have been trying to incorporate more recipes in my cooking agenda and it is going very well. Below is the video from Martha that inspired my curiosity. Enjoy!

 
Seasonal Roasted Vegetables – Martha Stewart – YouTube
 
 

Homekeeping with a Pet

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Homekeeping is very important in regards to being elegant because a clean home is an elegant home. I really like to clean and organize. It takes my mind off whatever issues I may have for the moment. It’s great exercise and you can listen to your favorite music.

I have a boxer named Bishop. I love my dog and enjoy having him. One thing I will not tolerate is my home smelling like “dog”. My visitors should see my dog not smell him. That is why I clean my house religiously. I keep my floors swept and vacuumed. We bath our dog and wash his blankies.

One product I decided to try last year was the Swiffer.  It is absolutely wonderful!!! I use it on all my floors and it gets all of the dog hair and human hair. Another product I use is Odor Control Solutions. My husband buys it at our local pet store. It is an all natural treatment for bacterial odors. I sprinkle a little on the floors and vacuum. It works great!! They have it in lavender and lemon scent.

The other products that we use are the Nature’s Miracle . They have helped when he had his little “accidents”. Of course I still have my Bath and Body Works bulbs in my walls and that keeps the house smelling wonderful. Below are some photos of what products I use. So I want to give those of you a little hope who have pets that having an elegant home is possible.

My dog “Bishop” in my sitting room

The carpet cleaner I use





My Swiffer

All the hair it picks up (sorry I know this is gross but I wanted to show everyone)

My beautiful Casablanca lilies, my dog does not bother them. 









(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic

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I first heard of shabby chic my senior year in high school. I was flipping through the channels one day and came across a show called “Rachel Ashwell’s Shabby Chic“. What caught my attention was the beautifully time-worn objects and the appeal of the simple and practical living.

Rachel’s company was founded in 1989 and is now recognized not only as a brand name, but as a decorating style. Many Americans love the allure of “shabbiness” because of its beauty and comfort. I adore the look of shabby chic rooms. I appreciate things that are useful, well loved and comfortable. I love the appearance of slip covered furniture, peeled and tattered tables and chairs. Oh gosh, and the colors!

The seaform, mint, celadon greens, dusty roses, pale blues, ivories, creams and grays. When I got my first book of Rachel’s I was hooked. Then I went to Ebay and purchased some of her dvd’s. I love seeing her go and visit the many flea markets for her gorgeous finds. So take a look at the lavish photos below and let Rachel invite you inside the unique world of Shabby Chic.

My “Sitting Room” at home.
( I need a bigger rug and the search continues)