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A Checklist for Cozy

January 19, 2022/2 Comments/in Elegant Living, Inspiring Books /by mrs.sshockley

Good Morning,

Our temperatures here are beginning to drop. I still can’t believe the weather that some states are getting. So far here in Indy, we have been able to dodge the snowstorms. I can’t believe it! We are suppose to drop tomorrow down to the single digits and everyone is complaining. I keep telling people, “we are due”! With cold temperatures in mind that had me thinking about Paula Sutton’s “Checklist for Your Cozy Nesting Space”.

I read this in her book a few weeks ago and wanted to share her tips.

My cozy blanket

Her first tip is: A favorite warm blanket. Getting cozy is all about staying toasty and warm. You may not have an open fire, but a good-quality blanket reserved for this exact moment of the year will make it feel extra special. (I purchased this cozy blanket from Amazon. The link is here. )

My candles

Her second tip is:

A scented candle. Never underestimate the benefits of smell and calm-inducing aromas. Lavender reduces stress levels and helps you to sleep, ylang ylang is known for its relaxing properties and has been found to aid issues of anxiety, depression, and even high blood pressure (although always check with your doctor to treat serious medical issues); lemon and other citrus scents are good for calming stress- they are also said to improve memory! (I am loving these Tory Burch candles another favorite candle is fresh cut lilacs from Bath and Body Works.)

The third tip is:

Good-quality socks. Cashmere if you can, chunky wool if easier. Keeping your extremities covered and warm helps the rest of your body feel warmer too! (I found a pair of cashmere socks on Amazon as well as a pair of thick alpaca socks.

And her last tip is:

Your favorite hot drink. Warm milk is a great addition to your calming routine. Milk contains tryptophan, an amino acid that can make you feel calm, and hot drinks naturally provide comforting feelings. Chamomile and lemon balm are also known for their calming properties if you’d rather not drink milk. ( I drink chamomile tea every day. It’s my favorite! )

Just reading this list makes me want to stay home and “cozy up” in my bed with my blanket, soft socks, scented jasmine candle, and a cup of hot tea! Have a great Wednesday!

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.

Breakfast with the Madame…

January 17, 2022/3 Comments/in Fashion Posts /by mrs.sshockley

Good Morning Everyone!

Happy MLK Day! Dr. Martin Luther King was always a wonderful leader that I enjoyed studying in school. I hope that we continue to have wonderful leaders like him. Today I plan on taking a 2-mile walk around my neighborhood and finishing up some house chores. I also plan on vising my local Homegoods store to see what goodies they may have. It is always a hit or miss with that store.

This weekend I did some house cleaning, scheduled some more house chores that I need to get to. Like I really need to clean my chandeliers and wash my blue and white gingers jars that are in my kitchen on top of the cabinets. I am still in tax mode and hoping to get that finished in the next few weeks. Also, I don’t know if I mentioned this but this was going to be the month where I was going to go to my first concert! BUT… Diana Krall has postponed her tour for now and I am so devastated. I was so looking forward to it but we will wait and be hopeful that we will get some new dates here soon.

I did get a wonderful package this weekend….

I started following this company called MME.Mink on Instagram. And it’s pronounced, Madame Mink. I had to search some videos to figure out how you say it. I watched this interview on Instagram to get an understanding of what Jane the owner was like.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jenny Bohannon | Tallwood (@tallwoodcountryhouse)

It was a wonderful interview and I knew that I was going to love her products. I originally wanted this tote here but I decided to go smaller. That tote is super large but I do still love it. I don’t know you guys I may order it later.

I ended up ordering the LadyJane in Moss and I could not love it more!

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley

I love the fox and the gold details. The tag does have “Mrs. Shockley” on it! I grin every time I look at it.

“Having tea with the Madame”!

This is a super high-quality basket bag. I mean you can tell when you hold it. It is not some flimsy wicker bag. It is structurally sound and has weight to it. On the inside, there are two pockets for your cell, a side zipper pocket, and tons of space.

photo credit: L. Shockley

This bag is definitely going to be a classic for me and I am hoping to pass it down. Maybe a granddaughter will want it!

I did share this on my Youtube channel. You may watch it below.

This post is not sponsored.

Planning a Tea Party

January 14, 2022/6 Comments/in Inspiring Books /by mrs.sshockley

Good Friday Morning,

I am ready for the three-day weekend! I plan on getting a few house chores done, work on my taxes, and maybe go antiquing. I will try to record a video for my channel but we will see. I do plan on trying a new recipe this week. It’s called macaroni soup and I will share it if it is a success!

I have been getting back into reading The Art of Tea by Victoria Magazine during my lunch breaks. I haven’t gotten too far in the book. I have a tendency to try to rush through a book because I feel like I am on a timeframe to read it but I am trying to break myself of that. Do any of you do that?

photo credit: Tallwood Country House.com

I am still in the first part of the book and in this section, they are discussing the planning part of a tea party. I honestly love this part just as much as enjoying a cup of tea. One of the best tips is planning ahead. Some of the questions that the book mentions that you should ask yourself is:

How many guests are anticipated?
Will the party be casual or formal?
Will the tea but themed, or is it an occasional function?

Photo credit: Pinterest

The book also suggests looking for recipes from your favorite books. I know making these has been on my radar for a while now. Also having personal touches for each guest. I like the idea of having a tea basket for each guest. A tea basket would make a wonderful gift. You could include tea, of course, a vintage teacup and saucer, wrapped pastries, and other items.

I have been wanting to have a tea and lunch at The Tea Room of Rustic Root. It’s a new tea room that is near me! I can’t find anyone to go with me so I may have to just go alone. That is something that I do often. I will probably grab a small table in the Lilac room. That room is my favorite so far.

I hope you all enjoyed these tips and pick up your copy soon! It’s a wonderful read and is full of recipes as well. Have a wonderful weekend!

This post is not sponsored.

Jewelry from the White House

January 12, 2022/2 Comments/in Fashion Posts /by mrs.sshockley

Good Morning,

I got a few new shipments arriving soon (not for the boutique). I am a little nervous about one of the decor items. I will share it once it arrives. In today’s post, I quickly wanted to share some jewelry that I recently found on the White House’s website!

The first pair are these gorgeous starburst earrings inspired by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy!

photo via Pinterest

This starburst collection was inspired by one of Jackie O’s brooches. She purchased a 19th-century brooch while she was in London and it was during her first few months as First Lady. Her three-stranded pearl necklace has always been an inspiring piece as well.

The website has lots of beautiful jewelry. You should definitely scroll through the website and look at all of the treasures that they have. Another blogger who shared the jewelry and home accessories from the White House was Jenny from Tallwood Country House. You should read her blog post as well. I would love to visit the White House someday or maybe work there! Who knows.

Have a great Wednesday!

The Beautiful Style of Jessica Fletcher

January 10, 2022/4 Comments/in Fashion Posts, Inspiring Posts /by mrs.sshockley

Good Morning Everyone,

I had a pretty good weekend. I watched a new action film called Infinite with Mark Wahlberg and it was not bad. We went and had dinner at Chic fil A on Friday and someone dumped a cup of ice in the parking lot near our car and I slipped and fell on it! I just laughed when I hit the ground. My purse somehow shifted behind me and I landed on it! It was perfect! I could not have planned it better myself. Once I recovered my family and I just laughed all the way home. I told Lauren, “well I guess I was due”. I had not slipped and fallen on ice in about 3 years. I was due”.

I am planning my year. I’ve got to get doctor’s appointments scheduled and I am trying to meet with a dietitian this year! That is one of my goals for 2022. I am also gearing up for my first tax year for A Home for Elegance. I can’t believe it! I am going to be a nervous wreck until this is done. Goodness…

I am also teleworking today, yay! I have not teleworked in months and I am so happy to be able to do this today. I know the rest of the week will be busy but I am going to enjoy this today. Alright now on to today’s post.

Have any of you ever watched Murder She Wrote? I started watching it a few years ago. It was on one of those nights that I could not sleep and needed something good to watch. One thing I noticed was her clothes. Did any of you ever pay attention to the outfits she wore during those episodes? Here are a few to jog your memory…

photos via Pinterest

She looks sensational right? I wish celebrities and T.V. stars still dressed this way but unfortunately being nude has become more popular.

I have to say I am a big fan of how she wears her scarves. I mean how chic is that? I read online that in a 1992 interview a costume designer by the name of Eilish Zebrasky was “careful” to fit Angela Lansbury in fashions that reflective her age. I would have to say that she did a wonderful job!

I spy a blue and white lamp…

I will surely be taking some tips from her fashion. In most of these photos, I would say that you can still wear these outfits today. I also love the mysteries. Murder She Wrote is just a classic television series that I am so glad to be able to still watch. It could be that I am getting older but I crave more shows like this. I always pray that the Lord can help me to find beautiful things to watch. Let me know what your favorite classic shows are.

Have a great Monday!

Thriving is Elegant…

January 3, 2022/4 Comments/in Elegant Living, Inspiring Posts /by mrs.sshockley

Good Morning and Happy 2022!

Do you remember my post in December called “Word of the Year”? Did you pick your word yet? My word is trust. I need to trust the Lord more. I am not good at it. I have several reasons why but that is another blog post. Have any of you picked up the January/February issue of Victoria magazine? Oh it is good but then again they always are.

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley

I picked up my issue a few weekends ago and have been savoring it ever since. Sometimes I read the “Reader to Reader” section and sometimes I don’t. For some reason, I read this month’s section and I am so glad that I did.

A lot of readers were giving their hopeful expressions for the new year. Two of the letters that were sent in captured me. One reader wrote:

“The other day, I was going through my stash of inspirational greeting cards when I ran across one that a close friend gave me years ago. The purple-and-gold note has a saying from Maya Angelou emblazoned on the front: “Surviving is important. Thriving is elegant”. This sentiment resonates with me, particularly now as I am looking to make some big changes in my life. I am setting “Be Elegant” as my theme for 2022. That phrase will remind me to move beyond mere survival thinking and, hopefully, will motivate me to become a woman of style, and grace, to flourish, to grow, to succeed, and to live life to the fullest”. ~ Jacquie Koewler (Redmond, Washington)

Now, how great was that? I marked this in the magazine and plan on absorbing this myself. I have never heard of this quote before from Maya Angelou but I can assure you it will remain in my mental rolodex from here on out! Maybe I should change my word of the year to this quote for the year.

I just loved this letter from Jacquie and will be keeping it close by. Another item that I wanted to share that I found in this month’s magazine was the Antiques and Garden Show in Nashville, Tennesee. I really want to attend this! I spoke to my husband about it and we are trying to see if it will work with our schedules and finances. Did you see who the speakers are?

Well for starters Martha Stewart is one! Oh my gosh! I have been wanting to meet her for years. Bunny Williams is also a speaker as well as Alexa Hampton and Christopher Spitzmiller. There will be antiques and gardens and it would just be a dream to me. It really would. Of course, I will keep you all updated if we make the trip.

Let me know in the comments below if you have ever heard of this quote for Maya? Have a great Monday!