My Black Friday Purchases ~ 2020

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Good Morning Everyone,

It’s been a busy week and I have a feeling it is just going to get worse for me. But that is okay. I have almost everything scheduled in my Day Designer and I am reading for December!

In today’s post, I wanted to share some of my Black Friday purchases. I shared this last year and most of my purchases were from Ann Taylor. I just love their clothes and accessories. Everything is so classic. So below are a few of my purchases. 

Most of you have already seen my gorgeous Kate Spade tote in dusty peony. It is still on sale if you are interested. In this photo, I am wearing this beautiful pearl cardigan and this pearl blanket scarf in gray. Both are timeless and I will be able to wear these for Christmases to come!

Here is the cardigan up close. 
Next up is another great pearl sweater in gray. This is so comfy and thick. This will surely keep me warm during these cold Indiana days. 

Having a little photo fun!

Here is another look at the sweater with my houndstooth tote from H&M. I am sorry but this is sold out. 

Now I am not a small purse kind of gal. I love my totes and large satchels so I don’t know what possessed me to order this but I did. And I am happy to report that I love this pearl purse clutch! It’s actually not that small. It’s a great size clutch. 
My next order was this lovely lace ruffle neck sweater in toasted taupe. It is very comfy and quite versatile you can dress it up or down. I loved it with my black skirt. 
Here is a full view of the sweater and pearl clutch purse. Super chic! This sweater would also be great with a pair of black slacks and a nude pump. 

Here is an up-close look at the pearl blanket scarf. I have been wearing it like crazy. It’s lovely. Some more of my Ann Taylor favorites are this beautiful shimmer poncho in rose, this great compact purse mirror, this incredibly chic midi dress in emerald green, and this jeweled sweater in blue.

I hope everyone enjoyed these items. I know I have been waiting a long time for them. Lord forgive me for my impatience. I was just so scared that everything was going to sell out and I was not going to be able to get my items. So glad that Ann Taylor made it through. Patience… still working on it. 
Have a great day!




(photos via Mrs. Shockley)



 

A Scent for Your Drawers

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Good Morning Everyone,

This weekend sure did fly by. I went to visit our local Ann Taylor store to find out what is going on with my orders. I have about 6 items that I ordered and they have not arrived yet. The other reason why I wanted to visit the store was to see some of the items in person and I am happy to say that they are beautiful pieces! I sure do hope we can get my order shipped soon. 

While at the mall I decided to visit Pottery Barn to see if I could spot any of the items that I fell in love with online. One item that I did get to see and smell was the Monique Lhuillier Scented Sachet Set.


Once I got a whiff of these I had to purchase them. Now I have had scented papers and other items in my drawers before but I really love these. The garden rose scent is light and beautiful. The rose scent is not too heavy. It is perfect. 

They were beautifully wrapped in this clear box and velvet bow. 

Beautifully scented, delicate, and feminine. These scented pillows would be perfect in your unmentionables drawer. I am also going to put them in my nightgown drawer. I look forward to the pleasant smell that I will encounter every time I open my drawers. 



















This pillow is placed in my nightgown drawer. I do love them already. These would be a great Christmas gift too. It’s something different and I am always trying to find different gift ideas. Another item that I ordered were these gorgeous pom-pom slippers. They were on sale for only $12! I ordered the gray ones. I can’t wait to see them.

I hope you all enjoyed this beautiful and feminine find. Have a great Monday!




(post not sponsored, photos via Mrs. Shockley)




Reminding Myself of Elegance

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Good Morning Everyone,

We have finished the first week of December. I have a lot on my to-do list this weekend. I have finally finished Christmas shopping and have to get ready to wrap presents and prepare my Christmas Eve dinner list. With that being said I wanted to talk about keeping a great attitude during the holidays. 









photo credit Tamara Bellis on Unsplash


I think we are all on the same page about this year. It has been a really rough year for EVERYONE and now we are going into the holidays and some of us may have to deal with family, friends, or co-workers who are not exactly our cup of tea. 

I have been going through my blog and cleaning it up. I am hoping to have this finished before the end of the month. Most of you know that the blog will be moving to my new website here soon and I am so excited! But as I was “cleaning it up” I was reading some of my past posts and finding great information and reminders in them. 







Photo by Jean-Philippe Delberghe on Unsplash

In 2018 I wrote a blog post called Radiate Calm that reminded me of why I pursue elegance. Those four ways that Lea and Jeremy provided renewed a little more drive in me today. I totally forgot to stay compose, avoid drama, find common ground, and maintain perspective. 

And most importantly “rise calmly above”. This year has made it so hard to keep those four qualities. I will be honest I have had moments of “rudeness”. Just this week I wanted to yell at the customer service representative at Ann Taylor about my order. 

I wanted to scream at the car next to me for not letting me over. I wanted to give that classless co-worker (yes she’s still around) her hateful resume verbally to remind her of ALL of the horrible things that she has said about people. 




















Photo by Anastasia Lysiak on Unsplash


But then I read this post and it reminded me to calmly rise above it. So I want to remind you all of this as well. You will have moments when you want to join in on the drama but if we wish to remain beautiful then calmly rise above it. There will be times that you do have to address people. I just pray that the Lord will guide us as to when. Have a great weekend!!! 

 

Weekly Beauty Inspiration (LABL) ~ 8

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Good Morning Everyone,

I can’t believe that Christmas is coming and that Thanksgiving is over. 2020 is closing up shortly and I know most of us could not be happier. For me, I am just praying for a better 2021 for everyone.

In today’s post, I am wrapping up my Living a Beautiful Life inspiration posts. I have finished the book and wanted to share a few last tidbits that I have learned and loved. 

I will mention this quote that Alexandra had in the last chapter.

What is elegance? Soap and water! 

~ Cecil Beaton

My goodness, I could not agree more! It’s amazing what a bath can do for some people. It also surprises me that a number of people do not actually bathe nor wash their hands but that’s another story. 




photo credit Ronnie George

The second to last chapter in the book was about your bathroom and how to create your own private oasis. Alexandra discussed taking good care of yourself. Taking every opportunity to exercise, and pamper your overstressed, highly pressured body. 

My photo at home.

In the grace notes, she mentioned having a favorite picture or piece of art in your bathroom so that you can look at it while relaxing in your bath. In the photo above I have this picture hanging. I take a bubble bath every day and stare at this while listening to a podcast. 

In the very last chapter of the book, she discusses creating a life with others. I am sure a lot of us have been experiencing this because of the global quarantines that we have been in. It has been a very difficult time being with family for some of us. I know for me it has made me aware of some things. 



Photo by Євгенія Височина on Unsplash

I have become more aware of family needs and dreams. I have been able to get more involved in our daughter’s school work and help to navigate some decisions. 

My home has become more organized, less cluttered, and now I can sit and try to get a vision for what I want my home to look like. 

I have truly been inspired by this book and I hope you have too. It has been great reading it and has been a wonderful journey as well. I do anticipate ordering another book of hers but for right now I will be reading my Victoria: The Art of Tea book and hopefully trying some new recipes. 


Thanks for reading!




Elegant Bedroom Essentials

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Photo by Mitchell Luo on Unsplash


Good Morning Everyone!

I hope everyone had an excellent Thanksgiving. We really enjoyed ours. It was just me, my husband, the kids, and one of the boys has a girlfriend so she came. It was very nice! We had a nice quiet family dinner. 

It’s Cyber Monday! All of the sales have begun. I started my “sale hunt” on Friday. There were quite a few items that I wanted from Ann Taylor and I ordered this gorgeous belt from H&M. It arrived this weekend. It’s beautiful in person. I also ordered this houndstooth handbag from H&M. It has not arrived yet and this beautiful dusty peony Kate Spade tote for 40% off!  I also found this beautiful Kate Spade Satchel for $99! It comes in a beautiful pink mauve color. Don’t wait on it….

In today’s post, I wanted to talk about elegant items for the bedroom. I have been looking at certain accessories in the bedroom to update. I do want to change around our bedroom but my husband doesn’t like it when I move furniture around but I am getting so bored with the way our room looks. It has been this way since we build our home in 2013. I need a refresh!


photo credit Alex Papachristidis Instagram

I am trying to find inspiration. I really want to get rid of our television cabinet in our room. I want something different. 


photo credit Aerin Lauder Instagram


I was really inspired this week to make a list of beautiful things for my bedroom. I am still on the hunt for a nightstand table that is long. I have also been looking at bedside carafes. I found this gorgeous one on Amazon.

I also love this porcelain cup from H&M. Beautiful pen holders have been added to my list such as this mint julep cup from Amazon. This would be such a beautiful piece to hold your pens or pencils in your bedroom. In my office right now I have my pens in a beautiful small crystal vase. Here is a similar one if you are interested. 




















photo credit French Manoir Instagram


A bedroom bench is always on the list. I still love the one I have from Walmart. There are so many options now. Like this one from Wayfair or this one from Walmart.

And the last item on my list is a beautiful throw. I love having a soft light pink throw in the room. Like this one from Wayfair or this one from Kelly Clarkson.


I hope you found some beautiful items that you could bring into your home. Our homes have become a place that we are spending more time at. Make it beautiful while you are there. 

Enjoy the day!



November Favorites

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Photo credit Aerin Lauder Instagram

Good Monday Morning!

Thanksgiving is in a few days and I am excited to celebrate. This weekend my family and I attended the Winterlights festival at Newfields. I shared a short video and some photos on my Instgram account if you are interested in seeing it. It was a nice event. 

Well, let’s get into my favorites for this month…

My first favorite is my new foundation. I am wearing the Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Soft Matte foundation and my color is 5N1 (rich ginger). I love it! I never thought that I would love foundation but I do. I really do. I love this foundation. It works so well for my skin. No regrets trying it. 

Second, are my Talbots green heritage mules. They are so chic and so holiday-inspired. They are 40% off right now if you are interested! 






Third, on my list is my tiered smock dress from Ann Taylor. It is so comfy you guys and chic! It is 50% off right now if you are interested. It’s neutral and versatile. I have worn it several times already!

If you missed my blog post about my other favorite dresses for this month click here.

Fourth are my metal reindeer from Target. I love these on my table they are great centerpieces and are very well made for only $15! I know these are selling out like crazy in my local Targets. Pick them up soon if you want some!

The fifth has been my flocked pre-lit Christmas tree from Walmart! There are only 3 left on the website so I found this one that may cost a little more and might be a little better quality. It has great reviews and there is a 7ft and 9ft available. There is also this one available at Home Depot for $99! 

It is covered in my Barbie ornaments this year and we love it. I found this gorgeous ornament on Poshmark last month. 

Sixth was my weekend with my very good friend. She and her family came down from South Carolina to visit us and see the Cake Bake shop! We had a great time at dinner and antiquing on Saturday. I wished she lived here! Having good friends in one’s life is a great treasure! 

Seventh on my list is my Victoria The Art of Tea book. I have not head a chance to read it yet but from what I can tell from the first few pages it is going to be marvelous! It is a beautiful book full of recipes, tips, and beautiful photography. You will learn essentials for differentiating tea and tools of the tray. I am also hoping to get Our Hearts are in France. This looks like another book to add to my treasures. 

And last but certainly not least is my free package from Zoe at Von Maur. I went in to purchase some facial cream and she sent me this package with free items. I am loving my new leopard and lily cosmetic bag from Estee Lauder. It is the perfect combination. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am going to try to get a Youtube video out this week. I will be taking the rest of the week off from the blog. Enjoy your families if you can and be safe everyone! Thanks for reading! 

(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

My Mary Poppins Tote

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Good Morning Everyone,

I hope everyone is ready for Thanksgiving. This weekend I am going to go out and get the produce that I need for my recipes. Those are the last things on my list. This holiday season will be a little sad. We are all so worried about COVID. It’s hard. 

Let us get into today’s post. I am sure that most of you saw on my Instagram account that I purchased the Mary Poppins weekender from Etsy.  You guys I could not be happier with my purchase! Now it is huge and has tons of room but I love it. 

I think it is a total classic! I have been carrying it every day since it arrived and I just adore it. Our daughter makes a comment about it every morning. She likes it herself which is surprising to me. There is a ton of room on the inside and it came with a shoulder strap. 

It has lots of room and is very spacious on the inside. 

There are “purse feet” at the bottom and the handles are completely solid and leather. 

You also have the option to personalize the bag with a leather hangtag. You can get your initials placed on it. I didn’t want to do that. I liked it the way it was. 

The seller also packaged it very well in this dust bag which I was really surprised to see after I opened it. The bags are made with such care and craftsmanship. 

I really do love my bag. I think I will have it for a very long time and who knows maybe Lauren will take it and carry it someday. I hope she does…. have a great weekend!

(photos via Mrs. Shockley)