April Favorites ~ 2024

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Good Morning Everyone!

Whew! Busy, busy! I have had no time to do anything related to AHFE. I hope that you all have been doing well. You all saw my post from last week. That collaboration meant everything to me and to be ASKED instead of asking was huge! I have made some new wonderful friends in the interior decorating world and hope that this will open more doors for my brand. 

The Showhouse has started, and the home looks wonderful! I do have my favorites and will be sharing those soon. Our candle is doing well and is selling! I wish you all could smell it. I am very proud to be included in this special project. Now onto my favorites for the month of April. 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley 

 

The first is this beautiful bouquet that I created from grocery store flowers! I love greenery and always love to have lots of it in my bouquets. This was colorful stock, scented baby’s breathe, and Queen Anne’s lace. Just marvelous!

 

 

Second are my new house slippers from Amazon. These memory foam, velvet house slippers are so fun to wear and look lovely. I will definitely be ordering more pairs. I really want a green pair, red, and black!

 

 

Third is a new book that I ordered. Jennifer L. Scott mentioned this book in one of her videos and I tell you I am so glad that she did! This book is wonderful! I just started and cannot wait to continue it. It’s so informative and will really shed light on your life!

 

 

The fourth is my new spring/summer pink nail polish color. Now this is a dip nail polish that I get at my local salon, so I have no idea what the name is. It has taken me 2 summers to find it! Once I like a nail color, I take a picture of the number and save it to my nail polish gallery. I now have my winter colors, spring colors, summer colors, and autumn colors! Yay!

 

photo credit: Williams Sonoma

 

The new season of Bridgerton is about to begin and everyone is taking part in it. I will say that I am loving some of the items that have launched. Especially, these new Bridgerton plate sets from Williams Sonoma. Aren’t they lovely? Perfect for a beautiful spring tablescape. 

 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Alice.com

 

Last on my list is an item that I recently added to my wish list. I want to add this beautiful chinoiserie tole tray to my tea-time in the mornings. I mean this is an absolute showstopper. It is a perfect soft green color, pops of orange and a gold border. Just stunning!

 

Oh wait a minute. There is one more discovery for this month….

 

 

I found another delightful YouTube channel! This video was suggested to me earlier this month and I have watched it 3 times already! I love her decor and I think you will too! 

I hope you all enjoy my April favorites. Sorry it is posted late but the showhouse calls! I am almost done with my docent shifts, and I cannot wait to share my favorite rooms. I also hope to post a video soon of the home. 

 

  • Affiliate links attached. 

 

Incorporating Timeless Design into Your Style ~ AHFE interviews Sassy Green Interiors

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Good Morning Everyone,

I hope you all have been well. I am excited to finally share my recent collaboration with Maryellen Hodapp and Christy Soldatis of Sassy Green Interiors! This interview was such a wonderful opportunity for me. It occurred in the primary bedroom that they designed for the upcoming Indianapolis Decorators’ Show House & Gardens. I have never had a collaboration like this before, and I enjoyed every minute of it. It was also a joy to feature some of my Sarah Flint accessories. It put a smile on my face to see Maryellen and Christy wearing the beautiful silk scarves. It was as if they all belonged in the room together. Now, without further ado, you can read the interview below. Enjoy!

 

photo credit via: Lindsay Martin of Southern Sky Photography

 

1. Could you please tell my readers what your inspiration was? What inspired the beautiful fabrics, colors, and antiques?

We started with the House of Hackney Babylon pattern. We repeated the use of the “willow” fabric and wallpaper in the room design in the alcove, on the lampshades, the nightstands, and the bolster pillow on the bed. We added more fabrics, rugs, and accessories for a complete layered look.

 

photo credit: Whitney Kinkel 

 

2. Do you think one’s interiors could inspire one’s personal style?

Absolutely, yes! We see both interior design and fashion design as an art form. We love and celebrate the arts and encourage our clients to invest in art. We want our clients to pay attention to art, though it is sometimes the last part of what we do in a room; we love for people to consider it essential and leave enough space in their budget for art. A room doesn’t look complete when art is missing, just like a beautiful outfit looks unfinished without the right accessories. You can create a personal style by developing an artistic aesthetic in your fashion selections. 

 

photo credit: Whitney Kinkel 

 

3. Can anyone use one’s love for classic, timeless home interiors to inspire one’s style?

Yes! You can select traditional design styles with well-made, good-quality fabrics. A traditional style is timeless and easily updated. It will last a lifetime. 

 

photo credit: Whitney Kinkel

 

4. Who are your favorite fashion designers? 

Probably Ralph Lauren.…he blends the two, both interior design and personal fashion. He has an incredible eye for design. Whether you see one of his interiors or clothing designs, you immediately know it is Ralph Lauren. He’s a master of design, classic and timeless.

 

photo credit: Whitney Kinkel 

 

We wanted to leave your readers with this thought: good classic design, whether fashion or interior design, will start to build a story of you both in your home and closet. 

 

photo credit: Lindsay Martin of Southern Sky Designs

 

 

Announcements & Sarah Flint Secret Garden Collection!

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Hello Friends!

The weather here in Indy has been fantastic! We have had sunny skies and 80 degrees! It is so nice to be coat free. I have been working on some new things and I have some announcements.

The first is that I am a second ambassador for a new brand, and I will be sharing that soon. The second announcement is that I was asked by an interior design firm here in my city to do a collaboration with them this Friday!!! I am so excited for this new opportunity, and I can’t believe that they asked me to do a collab! This is my first collaboration in this format, and I am really nervous but looking forward to it. Sassy Green Interiors is a local design firm, and their work is so beautiful. They are one of designers in the St. Margaret’s Show House this year and I will be conducting a Q & A with them called “Timeless Classic Living & Quiet Luxury”. I do hope that you all enjoy the photos and the interview! Another tidbit is that I will be bringing some of my Sarah Flint scarfs and shoes to place in their room to take photos! So exciting!

Now speaking of shoes and beautiful things, I wanted to share some of the new Secret Garden Collection at Sarah Flint.

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

First off, I have to share that I finally got one of the pairs of Gracie’s that I wanted. Sarah sent out an archive sale link and I was able to get this for only $199! I know that is still a lot of money but compared to the original price of $595, I have to say that this was a good deal. They are still on sale for $299 and they only have a few sizes left. You can still use my code SARAHFLINT-CCMRSSHOCKLEY for %15 off of your first purchase. 

 

 

Just stunning…

 

 

Of course there is a new scarf in this collection. I shared this on my recent YouTube video, and I have seriously not stopped wearing it. I just love it. The Secret Garden Scarf 45 is a stunning piece to have in your wardrobe. It is made of silk and is utterly timeless. I have gotten lots of compliments already. You truly will be able to have this in your wardrobe forever. 

 

 

I normally don’t like flats, but these Mauve Lace Parkers are sensational! Aren’t they adorable? 

 

 

One more item that has just launched on the website are these silk ties. They are originally for the Grear Sandals but can be worn in different ways. I especially love this way. I can’t wait for mine to arrive. I will be using them as purse scarfs and scarfs for my neck. 

Don’t forget to use my code: SARAHFLINT-CCMRSSHOCKLEY for %15 off your first shoe purchase! Let me know in the comments section below if you order anything. I can’t wait to share my collaboration with you all next week as well as my first tag sale that I got to attend! 

 

*This post is sponsored; affiliate links attached. 

Keeping an Eye on my Posture

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Hello,

Did you all watch the eclipse? Okay, okay, I will admit we were in the path of totality, and I must say seeing the moon completely cover the sun was really cool! I felt like I was on a different planet for a moment. It was quite intriguing. Our whole neighborhood said wow at the same time. It was a moment for sure. 

I have so many health topics and things that I am working on and dealing with. I will be sharing my journey with perimenopause in a later post but today I wanted to share my battle with posture. 

photo via: L. Shockley 

 

I have been trying to pay attention to how I sit and stand. I noticed in a mirror a few weeks ago how my neck looked when I stood naturally, and I did not like it. I had it on my list to try to do some research on sitting and standing better then I (by miracle) received an email with an article from my doctor’s office about tips to help you fix your sitting and standing posture! Funny right!

Here are the tips:

  1. Be mindful of our posture: It might sound simplistic, but being more aware of your posture during your everyday activities can bring about noticeable improvements. Whether you’re carrying grocery bags, lifting boxes in the garage or scrolling on your phone, being mindful of how you are holding, supporting and moving your body can help you make small tweaks to improve your posture and prevent injury.
  2. Stay active: Regular physical activity will help keep your joints, muscles and ligaments moving and prevent stiffness, which can lead to poor posture. Exercises that emphasize body awareness, such as tai chi and yoga, can be especially beneficial in improving posture.
  3. Strengthen your core: can also help ensure the muscles support your back, pelvis, neck and stomach are strong. Exercises such as side planks, hip ups, twists can help build abdominal strength for improved posture support.
  4. Maintain a healthy weight: Carrying excess weight around your midsection can weaken or strain muscles that support your back, pelvis and spine.
  5. Tuck your chin: Want to feel a little bit taller? Stand straight and then slightly tuck your chin, pushing the top of your head to the sky. This decompresses and elongates the neck, helping alleviate neck tightness and ensuring you are reaching your full height potential.
  6. Select Posture-Friendly shoes: Your footwear can have an impact on your posture as well. While sky-high heels might be in vogue, they can wreak havoc on your posture. Shoes with a high heel cause your back to overarch and increase pressure on your knees and back. Save heels for special occasions and instead opt for flats or low-heeled shoes for our day-to-day look.
  7. Evaluate Your Desk Ergonomics: If you spend all day at a desk on a computer, the arrangement and height of your desk, computer, and chair can play a big role in your daily posture. Evaluate your work environment to ensure your computer is at eye level, your feet rest on the floor and your knees and elbows are bent roughly at 90 degrees.
  8. Switch it Up: Neither standing nor sitting for extended periods is ideal for the body, so if you sit for long periods during your day, break up the day by taking walks and changing positions to give your body variety. Then, each time you sit again, you’ll have a new opportunity to reset your posture.

Wow, I am loving these tips. I never thought about the shoe tip but now I can see how your shoes would affect your posture. I never thought about the weight in the midsection either but now I can see that. I hope these tips shed some light for some of you as well. I love a good health checklist and I am happy to add this to my blog.

tips by Kate Bayless from Well U

 

The boutique has a new plus-size arrival! The Garden Maxi Dress is a beautiful floral dress perfect for the upcoming spring and summer season!

 

 

 

A Few French Beauty Ideas…

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Hello!

I don’t know about you, but I am hoping to get to the grocery store quickly this weekend. With the 2024 Eclipse hitting my state entirely on Monday, I have a feeling that people are going to be EVERYWHERE! I know that I should be excited, but I am not. I hate extremely large crowds. I just want to get what I need and then get back home!

So…. let’s move on. How about a little Friday beauty? I hope you all enjoyed my recent post about my beauty favorites. I was excited to update that. It’s been a while since I shared my favorite products. 

While I was finishing up the book Joie, I saw that the author shared her favorite beauty products and what the French women use and wear in France. I wanted to share this list with all of you. You may find it quite interesting…

 

photo via: Madame de la Maison (Author Ajiri Aki) 

 

This is a fabulous list of goodies to try out. Most of these I have never heard of. The only product that I have heard of is Shailmar. Do any of you have this? I have always been curious about it since I heard Sigourney Weaver mention it in Working Girl. I shared other French Beauty secrets on the blog. 

Let me know in the comments section below if you have tried any of these products. Have a great weekend, enjoy the eclipse (if you choose), and we’ll chat soon! Oh a new plus size dress will be on the website soon!

 

 

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I Think of Beauty…

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Good Morning Everyone,

My husband and I had a very quiet Easter weekend. It was our first Easter without the kids home. It felt very different this year, but we rested. I made a pot roast with carrots, potatoes and mashed potatoes. I puttered around the house and got ready for the work week. 

I don’t know about you, but I am a fan of James Clear. Have any of you read his book Atomic Habits? I haven’t but I have heard him on a few podcasts, and I enjoy listening to him. I get his newsletters every week and they are so good! I have shared them with my team. In one of his most recent newsletters, he shared a quote about beauty….

 

photo via Newfields.com

“I think of beauty as an absolute necessity. I don’t think it’s a privilege or an indulgence, it’s not even a quest. I think it’s almost like knowledge, which is to say, it’s what we were born for. I think finding, incorporating and then representing beauty is what humans do. With or without authorities, telling us what it is, I think it would exist in any case. 

That startle and the wonder of being in this place. This overwhelming beauty- some of it is natural, some of it is man-made, some of it is casual, some of it is a mere-glance is an absolute necessity. I don’t think we can do without it any more than we can do without dreams or oxygen.”  ~ Novelist Toni Morrison 

WELL SAID!

 

photo via: Mrs. Shockley 

 

I have always believed that beauty was a necessity for me. Beauty has never been an indulgence for me either. I have to have it just like water, and air. What about you? Do you need beauty?

 

 

March Favorites ~ 2024

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Good Morning,

Easter is this weekend! We thank you Lord for your sacrifice and your love. I still can’t believe how early it is. I am not sure if my kid is coming home this weekend. I hope she does.

I have lots of interesting favorites to share for this month and I hope that you find use in them.

 

 

First on my list is this iron holder. I needed somewhere to put my iron. Every time I used it, I would just place it on my shelf (while it was hot) and it made me very nervous. I always believe that everything should have it’s place. This has been so helpful to have. I can even place the iron on it HOT and push the cord in the hidden compartment. 

 

This is a photo of my cabinet under my sink. It was a hot mess. I kept trying to find organizational shelving that could help me. 

 

 

This is wonderful! I ordered this 3- tier shelving system from Amazon. The drawers slide in and out making the access of products so much easier. It’s been a win. 

 

photos via Mrs. Shockley 

 

I have been on the hunt for a cord organizer since Covid. I saw this on an influencer’s page and had to give it a try. You can literally store your cords inside to hide the horrible appearance. 

 

 

Looks much better!

 

 

My fourth favorite is my newest FMBP purchase. This cane chair was on FB for $50. Now the stripe fabric is a little faded and I may have to reupholster it but it’s quite beautiful. 

 

 

A purse hook? Yes PLEASE! I found myself putting my bags on the floor and various places when I was in restaurants. I have also had to squeeze it in between me and someone else when the floor was too dirty. So, when I saw this, I was desperate to give it a try and I must say I don’t leave home without it. Order one!!! 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley 

 

Sixth on the list are these simply chic and sweet house slippers. I have been on the hunt for a new pair, and I saw Jennifer L. Scott wearing these. I have had them in my Amazon cart for a while and I am so glad that I ordered them. They are quite enjoyable to wear. 

 

 

Next are vintage plates. I was recently inspired by a beautiful, decorated room at the Showhouse this year. Vintage plates have been at the top of my home decor list, and I have enjoyed adding them to my personal spaces. 

 

 

Aren’t these beautiful? I recently received them from Dillards and cannot get enough of the green roses. They are so gorgeous! You can watch my unboxing on my Instagram account. 

 

 

My ninth favorite of the month was a recent discovery. I saw this vintage birdcage at the antique and from the moment that I saw it I knew that I wanted it. Now I am not getting a bird, but I figured I could use this just for decor. I am waiting patiently to make an offer. 

 

 

Last favorite organizational item for the month is this dryer sheet box. I have been one of those people (nothing wrong with it) who kept their dryer sheets in the original box. I saw this on someone’s video and thought well I like that! So I ordered one from Amazon. It’s great!

I hope you all enjoyed this month’s favorites. The boutique is still having a dress sale. Order a few dresses for your wardrobe. Also don’t forget to watch my most recent YouTube video. 

 

 

  • Affiliate links attached.