First and foremost I want to apologize for the bad formatting in my posts. When Doug (my web designer) transferred everything over it changed the settings and photos of every post. I thought about going in and correcting them but that would be a bit much for me. So for that, I am sorry for how some of the old posts may look. I hope you still enjoy them.
Okay, let’s get into the most read posts for 2020!
all photo credits Mrs. Shockley
For the month of January the most read posts were:
I still can’t believe that the last post on my old website was visited the most. I think everyone was a little sad just like me. Well, I hope you all enjoyed this recap of 2020. I know most of us want to forget 2020 but it has been full of lessons for me and for most of them I am grateful. Have a great day! Oh and comment below what your favorite post was for 2020!
https://ahomeforelegance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Biltmore2BTrip2B21.jpg625469mrs.sshockleyhttps://ahomeforelegance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Website-Logo-4-1030x579.pngmrs.sshockley2021-01-06 13:03:342021-01-06 14:38:06Top Posts of 2020
Well Hello Everyone and welcome to my new website!
This has been a long journey and I want to thank you all for continuing to read and shop the website. My website designer Doug did a great job working on this for me. First, he moved almost 900 blog posts over to my new website and I know I could have not done that without him.
photo credits: Mrs. Shockley
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. We spent time with family. My husband and I kept it very simple. I know that everyone enjoyed the meal. We didn’t have leftovers to eat for ourselves! I was perfectly okay with that but my husband was not a happy camper. He loves his leftover turkey and dressing but it’s okay. I got two wonderful gifts this year that I will be sharing here on the blog soon.
Okay, let’s get into my favorites for December.
I may have mentioned this already but we had a wonderful evening at the Winterlights at Newfields. It was such a beautiful place. The weather was just right. We went before it got dreadfully cold. We walked around looked at the lights, had some hot apple cider, and cookies. The hot apple cider was delicious and the walk was nice. We hope to do it again next year!
Second, on my list is my Kate Spade tote in the color peony. I love this tote so much you guys! It is so classic and it is the perfect pink! I get compliments constantly with this tote. It is still on sale if you are interested. Keep an eye on it. The price may drop more.
Third has been the greenery that I purchased from Joann Fabrics. My greenery is sold out but I found this and this. It is so festive and lush.
Fourth is my gorgeous Santa that I found at the At Home store. I love his pink fabric and details. He has pearls, rose gold wrapping paper, faux fur, and jewelry. He has everything a feminine woman would want in a Santa. I have enjoyed having him!
Fifth are my sachet pillows from Pottery Barn. They have a light garden rose scent and are the perfect small luxury for anyone to have. I have enjoyed having these in my drawers. I pulled out one of the nightgowns recently and could smell the roses all over it. The scent was heavenly while lying in bed.
Sixth was a surprise purchase. I never thought in a million years that I would love a purse clutch but I do love this one. I ordered this beautiful pearl clutch from Ann Taylor and I was pleasantly surprised! It looks wonderful and is super elegant! I am so glad that I ordered it!
Seventh is this fabulous video from Nicolas Fairford. He has impeccable taste!
And finally for my eighth favorite is my new website! I hope you guys enjoy the new website. It is going to take some adjustment time for me. The admin dashboard looks horrible intimidating! So PLEASE be patient with me as I am learning everything I can.
I hope you all enjoyed my favorites for this month. Please take a look around the new website. I also have a categories section and don’t forget about the “shop” tab. Those tabs will be updated weekly with my online favorites. You can now look up blog posts new and old according to section! I think this feature was great to add! Please let me know in the comments section below what your thoughts are.
Have a great Monday and see you all on Wednesday for my top posts of 2020!
fyi: This post is not sponsored. I use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links.
I am headed to the office today and it will most likely be a busy day but I have my list and the day planned. With that being said it got me thinking about planners. I think a lot of us are starting to think about the next year.
photo credits Mrs. Shockley
Most of you know that I have been using a Day Designerfor a few years now. I love this particular planner. The format works so well for me. It was funny to see Jennifer L. Scott post a video about this! I thought how funny. We are all gearing up for 2021.
I purchased this particular print from Target. It is sold out but I have found some similar ones here, here, and here. It also depends on your local Target. Some stores have them and some don’t.
I do use the stickers when putting dates or to-dos in my planner.
This is what the inside looks like. It’s so easy to use and I love having a weekly format. It works so well for me. I can move things around and plan easily. There are some smaller ones available. I found one here and here.
I hope you all have found a planner that you like. I know Jennifer linked different ones in her video if you are interested. Have a great weekend!
https://ahomeforelegance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Day2BDesigner2B2020.jpg480640mrs.sshockleyhttps://ahomeforelegance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Website-Logo-4-1030x579.pngmrs.sshockley2020-12-11 11:17:002020-12-15 18:04:12Planning for 2021
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.
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.
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)
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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 Barnto 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 gorgeouspom-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)
https://ahomeforelegance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Scent2BSachets.jpg640480mrs.sshockleyhttps://ahomeforelegance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Website-Logo-4-1030x579.pngmrs.sshockley2020-12-07 19:00:002020-12-15 18:04:13A Scent for Your Drawers
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.
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.
In 2018 I wrote a blog post calledRadiate 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.
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!!!
https://ahomeforelegance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/tamara-bellis-sCn7NDoTYII-unsplash.jpg426640mrs.sshockleyhttps://ahomeforelegance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Website-Logo-4-1030x579.pngmrs.sshockley2020-12-04 17:42:002020-12-15 18:01:50Reminding Myself of Elegance
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.
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.
