Top Posts ~ 2022

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Good Morning Everyone,

I tried to get some rest this weekend. I was pretty much unsuccessful. I need to get back on a better sleep schedule this week. My body is not reacting well to not having enough rest. My body tends to get really “tight” when it is tired, and it shows on the scale. Not fun! Other than that, it was a very productive weekend. I got a lot of purging done! I am so excited! I am moving things and packing things up in my stepson’s room. I’ll be glad to have it completely maybe sometime this year! Now on to the top blog posts for 2022. 

Choosing the “top posts” of the year is always so hard. I do love going back and looking to see what inspired me. What new things did I try, purchases, places that I visited. In the end I always pull back and realize how blessed I really am! Thank you, Lord, for everything! 

Now let’s see what my favorites were in 2022!

 

In January…

January Favorites ~ 2022

So many great finds this month. I still love that teapot and teacups!

 

 

Thriving is Elegant

I loved learning about this quote from Maya Angelou. I still have it saved in my phone!

 

 

February ~ 2022

Lunch at a New Tea Room

I was so glad that I took a day to go and have lunch here. I may need to schedule this again. 

 

 

Would you Travel Alone?

I still think about this from time to time. Although I did just get to travel alone to San Diego without my daughter and husband. There is something that renews the spirit when you travel alone. It makes you focus on you and what you actually like. 

 

March ~ 2022

The Grandmilliennial Style of Ms. Rhimes

Still cannot get over this fabulous apartment of Shonda Rhimes!

 

photo credit: Michael Mundy

 

April ~ 2022

A Delightful Home Tour

This was the home tour that got me started with the Guild. This moment will always have a special place in my heart. 

 

 

I will be honest. Most of my blog posts in April I loved! Here they are!

 

May ~ 2022

Be Too Big to Care

This blog post came just in time. I needed to hear why I am on the course that I am on and not to get into the gutter with those who are not worth it. 

 

 

Joining the Guild

This was the same month where I joined the Guild and the Sarah Flint Family!

 

 

June ~ 2022

A Chicago Trip ~ Sarah Flint BA Meeting

I had not been to Chicago in over 10 years! It was a nice short trip, and I made more friends!

 

 

So many fun things happened in the month of June. I took a visit to the Cake Bake Shop, had a small backyard oasis, and went to my first peony festival! 

 

July ~ 2022

Touring the Magnificent Breakers

I simply LOVED Rhode Island. Mr. Shockley and I are hoping to visit again soon.

 

 

July was another great month of wonderful things. You may read all of the posts here. 

 

August ~ 2022

Lady of the House~ What is that for You?

 

 

In August I shared my trip to the Ralph Lauren Store in Manhattan and more mansion tours!

 

 

September ~ 2022

My First Spa Visit ~ Woodhouse Spa

I loved this! I actually go once a month now for a pedicure and will be getting my first facial next week! I will be sure to share the experience.

 

My First Guild Luncheon ~Woodstock Country Club

This was another fun event! I love all of these new experiences that I had in 2022. They made the year more fulfilling!

 

 

Plans for my 40th was another great post as well as my September Favorites. I always enjoy sharing those. 

 

October ~ 2022

During this month I went to my first concert! Going to see Diana Krall is an experience that I will never forget. It was wonderful. 

 

 

Of course, this month would not be complete without me sharing my 40th birthday celebration! I still can’t believe that I am 40. Honestly it sounds good saying it. 

 

 

November ~ 2022

This is the month where I shared my visit to Nashville, Tennessee. We did not get to stay long but seeing the Sarah Flint store and having dinner at Restoration Hardware were great introductions to the city!

 

 

And this year’s Thanksgiving celebration was simple and quiet. 

 

 

December ~ 2022

My Christmas Table setting was fun to create this year. My December favorites shared more of my adventures for this month and being in my first fashion show was a great experience! It turned out better than I thought it would. 

 

 

2022 was a wonderful year for me and my family! I am not sure what’s in store for us this year, but I am always praying that the Lord is with us and that everything we do, and plan is according to his will. Life has its ups and downs but trying to remain grateful is always at the center of my heart. Thank you for reading! 

 

 

Top Blog Posts from previous years

 

 

 

 

A Great Start to 2023…

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Happy Friday Friends!

I have a few things planned for this weekend. I really want to go through my closet and do my seasonal closet review. It helps me keep things organized and in perspective. I really get honest with myself about what I am wearing and what I am not. Then I am packing up and cleaning my stepson’s bedroom. He NEVER comes home. So, my husband and I recently told him that we are taking over his room. Well, it will be me taking it over. I am turning it into my workout room. That boy never comes home, and his room sits! 

I am so looking forward to this new season in life. Although I will miss him being around, I will certainly enjoy more space! I still can’t believe it is 2023. I have my word for the year, and it is “worship”. Last year my word was “trust”. I know that the Lord wants me to worship him in all that I do. Especially, in my daily life. I hope that I can honor him by doing that this year. He has already sent a blessing my way this year. 

In early December, an editor from a digital magazine called NashvilleVoyager Magazine reached out to me and asked if I wanted to be a part of their inspiring stories series. This series is for individuals who are influencers, business owners, creators, artists, etc. I was really shocked when they reached out to me. I asked how they found me, and she said that someone from their magazine did. I am still curious as to how and who. 

I agreed to her small interview and a few weeks later an article about me was published on their website!

 

 

This was a wonderful surprise and a great start to 2023. When you have a moment, you can read the article. I tried to keep it as simple as possible. I hope you all still enjoy reading the blog and love shopping the boutique. Having this blog has been such a wonderful blessing to me over the years and I find myself going back and reading my old blog posts. This website is like my “giant journal”. It has captured my life over the last 10 years, and I hope it has been a blessing to you as well. Have a great weekend! 

 

 

 

 

An Elegant Bookstore…

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Happy New Year Everyone!

Welcome to 2023! Honestly, I still cannot believe that I am still blogging! I am actually a little shocked! I do love it and trying to come up with new blog posts every week is a lot of work. It’s not easy that is for sure, but I do love it and I am glad that you all are still here. I hope your holidays were excellent. It went by rather quickly. Our holiday was great, but I am exhausted and still have another busy week. I was able to fit in some antiquing. I found a new store! OMG, I think it might be the best I have ever seen. I can’t wait to share it here on the blog very soon! 

Speaking of new stores, I did see an article recently about this new bookstore created out of an 1840s Greek Revival townhouse. I had to share this especially since many of you are readers.

 

photo credits: Sarah Winchester

 

Now how elegant is this? I would love to visit a bookstore that looked like this! It’s outstanding! I loved how the owner spoke about what her vision was. “I always envisioned that the store would be in a townhouse, and I could picture people wandering from floor to floor and exploring nooks and crannies,” says Melissa. “I wanted it to feel like you were in someone’s personal home.”

 

photo credit: Sarah Winchester

 

Now let’s talk about the decor. Melissa, the owner, reached out to her longtime interior designer Cathy Kincaid. Now how great is that? I love Cathy’s work! I am a huge fan and I am not surprised by how beautiful, sophisticated, and balance that each room has in this bookstore. I have watched Cathy’s recent video on Schumacher 1889’s channel more than I can count. 

Cathy decorated each room in her signature style. Lots of blue tones, with pops of red, different fabrics and textures. 

 

photo credit: Sarah Winchester

 

Now this was my favorite part of the bookstore. I love how Melissa added a special events component to the store. She said, “event planners have access to a variety of tablescapes, as well as the café’s curated specialty menus created by Chef Colleen Suhanosky. For those wanting a wine consultation, a sommelier from a nearby private club is available. In addition, the bookstore has engaged with floral designer Cailla Quinn of Ephemirus to create special arrangements tailored to each event.” 

I LOVE this don’t you? I think it is fabulous! It’s a very creative way to get customers into your bookstore and gives them another opportunity to use the space! I think it’s genius. You could have meetings here, host a book club, small bridal shower, anything! The parties are limitless. 

I do hope that you all enjoyed this beautiful new bookstore find and you can read the original article here. I will be sharing a recent article about myself here soon! I can’t believe it! Have a great Tuesday!

 

 

My Christmas Table Setting ~ 2022

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Good Friday Morning and Happy New Year!

Wow it’s time for another year. We have so many changes upon us! Lauren will be going to prom soon and graduating from high school! We are about to apply for a college soon and I am just as nervous as she is. Keep us in your prayers. 

I am excited about her beginning her new journey. I am also excited for my stepson. This will be his last year in college, and he will officially be out on his own. He honestly doesn’t come home now so I am already making plans for his bedroom. Yay me!

Speaking of decorating and making changes I was so lost about how to decorate my table for Christmas this year. I went to my table linen cabinet and pulled out everything. It took me a few hours to get some inspiration but once I did the ideas just came….

 

 

I found this vine silk table cover and this hunter green cover in my linen cabinet. I had completely forgot about them both! I remember purchasing them from the antique store this past summer. So glad that I did. I think I only paid $5 each! 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley

 

After that I added my candelabras. I found these at the antique store last year. Looking wonderful so far…

 

 

Next it was time to make a decision about vases and flower arrangements. I knew that I wanted to use smaller vases this year and I wanted to use more than one. These were in my vase cabinet, and I thought that they would be great using them as centerpieces. 

 

 

 

It was so fun putting these small arrangements together. I used astromelias and pine for my arrangements this year. I wanted different flowers to use but this turned out really good and these were under $20! I love it all grouped together in the center. 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley

 

I loved seeing all of the different colors and textures on my table. Once I finished the flower arrangements I decided to go and look for smaller items that I could add. I pulled this small ginger jar out of china cabinet. It seems as though it belonged on the table. 

 

 

Here it is up close. See all of the colors? Every color was at my table this year. It really belonged there. I paid under $10 for this at the antique store. 

 

 

 

Here is the finished product. I pulled out my Better Homes & Gardens Christmas plates. Now I know that these don’t belong, but I went ahead and added them anyway. I felt like my green tablecloth keep the red down it a minimum. 

The table looked so beautiful this year and I was so happy and proud of the work behind it. Shopping your home is the best thing that you can do. I am always amazed at what I find at home. You will see some new glasses here soon. Remember that video I shared about the anchor hocking goblets? Well I found some on eBay and made an offer and won! I only got 3 and will be on the hunt for 3 more! Wish me luck! If you are interested in buying some, I found a set here and here. 

 

 

Another great piece is this blue and white planter that my stepson and his girlfriend got me for Christmas! I do love it! I will be using it for flower arrangements of course. Let me know in the comments section below if you found any inspiration from my table setting. I do have fun creating this table and just find so much joy and creating beauty. I hope you all have a great weekend! Talk soon!

 

 

 

December Favorites ~ 2022

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Good Morning,

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! We spent it with family and friends. I quite enjoyed everyone’s company this year. Gifts were small but of great quality. I think that is the direction where everyone is headed in my family. Of course, we thanked the Lord for our health and for the many blessings that we received this year. The Lord has been quite gracious to us. 

This year has been full of so many new adventures for me. I am trying to have more experiences in my life instead of things. I feel like a lot of people are on that path. We will see what the Lord has planned for us this year. But let’s get into my favorites for the month of December. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley

 

First on my list was my trip to San Diego earlier this month. This was my first trip to the west coast, and it was different for me. First off, that time zone difference! Whoa, that hit me around day 2. I was so tired and hungry all the time! 

 

 

I stayed at the Kimpton Alma Hotel. The staff was incredibly nice, and they had “happy hour” every night. They served wine and hor d’oeuvres. Each night it was different. The weather was a little chilly in San Diego but quite comfortable. 

 

 

Second was my travel outfit and gear. Since I will be traveling at least twice a year for my job I decided to buy better items for traveling. First off, I love my new carry-on tote from Mark and Graham. I think I may have already shared it but I love it! It looks so classy! Loving my new city sneakers as well and I did purchase some new organizational items for packing. 

Speaking of traveling I did order a second pair of travel sneakers.

 

 

This was my third favorite. I know they may not be for everyone, but I thought that they were so fun! I saw them in Von Maur and could not resist. I love seeing a classic beautiful coat with a fun pair of sneakers. 

 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley

 

Still on the travel items this pill holder was my fourth favorite. I ordered this from Etsy and it’s William Morris inspired. I plan on using this for my vitamins, aspirins, and anything else I will need while traveling. 

 

 

Fifth are my new but old vintage clip earrings! I found these gorgeous things on Poshmark and had to make an offer! I have been wearing them nonstop ever since!

 

 

The sixth was my recent visit to the Franklin Artcraft Theatre. My husband and I went to watch White Christmas! It was so nice! They come out and announce the movie and say the Pledge of Alliance every time. I want to come back and watch Funny Face with Audrey Hepburn and visit the new antique store called FrenChic. 

 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

Seventh on my list was this bundle of fresh pine that I found at the grocery store. I also found this faux silver champagne bucket at T.J. Maxx. It was a great find! I used some of this pine in my Christmas table setting which I will share later. 

 

 

Ninth is my Christmas gift. So I saw this beautiful ram bracelet on Ward Vintage’s Instagram account and had to message her about it. Turns out it is Kenneth Jay Lane and was up for purchasing. I showed it to my husband and said that I was going to message her and ask if it was still available. About an hour later, she responds and says that it is no longer available someone had purchased it! I was so mad and went on ranting in the house for a few days. What I did not know was it was my husband who had purchased it right from under me! He surprised me with it on Christmas day. I smiled and said, “very smooth”! 

 

And last is a new YouTube channel that I recently discovered. 

 

 

 

Now I don’t love everything but most of her vintage dishes and designs I do love! Especially her anchor hocking goblets in this video! I am now on the hunt for some! I do hope that you all enjoyed my December finds. Let me know in the comments section below how your Christmas was! I would love to hear from you all! Have a great Monday!

 

 

Please note: some links are affiliate links and if you make a purchase through this link, I will receive a small commission for referring you to the product. Thank you so much in advance if you decide to make a purchase through my link.

 

 

The Guild Christmas Luncheon & Fashion Show

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Good Morning,

It’s only 6 days before Christmas! That came so quickly. Christmas shopping this year was not fun. I didn’t have much to buy but it was not fun at all. The kids are getting older and only asked for a few things, but they were expensive items. Most of my husband’s family does not want to present swap anymore so the buying has gone down. I do miss buying gifts for everyone because I love the hunt! But most people don’t like to shop and don’t want the pressure. So I get it. 

I am done and will be wrapping what I do have in a few days. I have another busy work week but will be taking Friday off to get things done around the house, food prep and we are going to the Ayres Tea Room for lunch! I hope we enjoy it this year. Last week my group the Guild had its Annual Christmas Luncheon! This was my first year attending and it was a lot of fun. 

 

 

It was had at the Woodstock Country Club and a full agenda was planned. Those of us in the fashion show got to see where all of the accessories were and where we were to change. I wore my trusty burgundy dress from Target, my new embellished heels from Zara, my pink faux scarf from Ann Taylor and vintage Louis Vuitton. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

This was the table setting. Lots of rich colors for this holiday season! On the menu was chicken marsala, buttery mashed potatoes, asparagus, a salad, and for dessert this absolutely decadent chocolate lava cake with peppermint ice cream! I have never had chocolate lava cake but from here on out I want it with peppermint ice cream! It was so yummy and complete satiated my palate. So pleased! 

 

 

Another beautiful item that was included were the party favors. The group decided to gift to all of us these wonderful silk scarves with a vintage crystal Cameo brooch! Now how great is that? What a gift! I may have to still this idea! 

Everyone kept looking to see who got what scarf and brooch. We also had raffle prizes and I won a gift to Monterey. It’s a local restaurant that I have never heard of. Mr. Shockley and I are looking forward to trying it out. 

After we ate and talked, we headed back to get changed for the fashion show. I think that I may have already shared that the clothes were from a local boutique called the Secret Ingredient. The owner was there and introduced us each and talked about our outfits. It was fun!

 

photo credit: Guild Member

 

They managed to get me into pants! I tried my hardest to find a dress, but they didn’t have any in my size. I ended up piecing this outfit together. My shoes I brought from home. They are from Ann Taylor but I found a cheaper version on Amazon.  The pants were not that bad. Everyone after the show asked me about them. I thought that they were still elegant yet comfy. It was a great experience. 

Let me know in the comments section below if you have ever been in a fashion show big or small. Also please keep in mind that the boutique is still having it’s $25 dress sale! Order a few for your wardrobe! I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas! I will be taking a break for the rest of the week but will still be around. Enjoy the holidays! 

 

 

Refreshing My Christmas Ornaments

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Good Morning Everyone,

My busy week has ended, and I can relax a little. Yesterday we had a retirement party for a dear co-worker of mine. It’s always bittersweet saying goodbye to someone that you have worked with for about 18 years! Time sure does fly! This weekend we are headed back to the Franklin Historical Theatre and this time we are going to watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. My family loves this movie! I am not a big fan. Cousin Eddie drives me nuts, but my family gets a kick out of it. Christmas is next week, and I finally done Christmas shopping. I can now enjoy the holidays a little more. 

I think I shared in a previous post about how I wanted a more “sophisticated” look for my trees this year. I have been getting rid of a lot of old Christmas decorations and ornaments. I realized that when I opened my tubs this year and looked at my decorations, I was not happy. I was not excited about decorating because I did not like what I had and at that moment I knew that it was time to “refresh” my ornaments. 

So I went on the hunt for inspiration and new ornaments. 

 

 

This tree started my quest. I follow The Decor Diet on Instagram and the LTK and I saw this tree along with this gorgeous Christmas tree urn from Ballard Designs. I knew that I had to have it and luckily it was on sale!

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

I was so excited when it arrived and felt a wave of new inspiration come over me. Most of my ornaments were from my mother-in-law. Nothing wrong with it but they were just not me and I wanted my trees to display my style. 

 

 

We decided to put my white Christmas tree in it and I was so surprised at how great it looked! I purchased this tree from Walmart and adding this Christmas tree urn just gave it a more expensive and classic look. I added my blue and white ornaments from the Enchanted Home and my peacock ornaments from the At Home Store.  I still felt like more was needed so I started my hunt on Etsy for ribbon. 

 

 

I ended up finding this stunning ribbon from Etsy! My face lit up when I saw it. I knew that it was perfect for my tree! I am so happy with how everything turned out. Now I just need to get some practice putting it into my tree. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

Then I turned my attention to our family tree. I got rid of a lot of the red. I just wanted more neutral colors for this tree. I went out and got more ornaments and found this beautiful ribbon from Katherine at Pender and Peony. I think it is a perfect fit!

 

 

Here is the top of the tree. I decided to add some poinsettias to the top. I loved the way that it turned out but I am still looking for inspiration. 

 

 

We still have our Barbie tree which I am not changing at this moment. I did get rid of some old ornaments from this tree, but Lauren decorated it. I thought she did a wonderful job! She loves having the poodle skirt under it. Sometimes it is a hassle but it really adds to the look. I did record a short video on my Youtube channel sharing my trees and some of Christmas decor. 

 

 

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! The boutique is still having a sale! Everything is under $30! Take advantage and order a dress or two!