Posts that inspiring an elegant life

A Canopy for My Bed

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Good Morning!

I am tried but I managed to get a lot done this weekend. I only have the produce items left on my Thanksgiving dinner list, we only have a few Christmas items left to buy, and my Christmas are up and the house is decorated! It’s a good feeling when those items are checked off my list. I have some beautiful new finds on my favorites page here on the website. 

I don’t really like to talk politics on my blog or on my social media platforms but all I have to say is I just pray. For whatever president is in office, I always pray. I don’t care what side that they are on. I just pray because I still believe in the Lord. The Lord has always taken care of me and my family regardless of who is in power. In the words of Charles Stanley, you fight your battles on your knees, and you’ll win every time.  Now let’s move on. 

I will be sending out a black Friday/Cyber Monday newsletter here soon. I will be offering a discount code for all items on the boutique’s website so stay tuned. 

Have I mentioned my desire to have a canopy above my bed? I think that I have especially during last year’s show house. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo credits: Mrs. Shockley 

 

Seeing this room last year, designed by Sassy Green Interiors, inspired me to actually take a leap of faith and attempt to accomplish this in any way that I could. I have been toying around with this idea for years and I mean years! But actually, seeing it in person, and speaking with MaryEllen and Christy gave me the confidence to just try it and if it didn’t work then it’s not the end of the world.

I searched on the web and managed to find this DIY canopy frame on Etsy. It comes in multiple sizes. It ended up ordering the 54 inches and it was a perfect fit for our California King. 

 

 

The installation was pretty simple, and the product is a simple product. I was a bit worried about it begin too big but once my husband got it secured to the wall, and we added the curtains I was a happy camper!

 

 

 

It took my husband about an hour to get it hung up and to add the curtains. I knew that I wanted green, or emerald-colored curtains. I don’t know why but that is what my heart wanted. I found these at HomeGoods as well as the chinoiserie inspired Martha Stewart curtains. If you are looking for similar curtains you may find some here, here, here, and here. 

 

 

I love how it turned out. I love all of the colors and different textures. Now of course this will change as the years go by but for right now, I am happy. If you are interested in my peacock pillow cover you will find it here. I also found this gorgeous one with green. I also purchased these white pillow covers for my three large pillows, and I love these! This bed skirt is on our bed as well. 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley 

 

Sometimes you just have to take a risk in your home. I had a co-worker recently ask me about some linens she is considering for her home and one linen she really loved and she said, “oh I can’t use that”, and I asked why. She said, “isn’t that linen just for bedrooms”. That comment really sadden me a little because I thought you should be free to try things in your home wherever you want and that is what I told her. If you want to use this linen in your living room, then use it! Life is short, take some risk! 

I hope you enjoyed today post and remember take some risk in your home. It’s your beauty, enjoy it! 

 

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A Garden and Autumn Dinner with the Girls

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Good Morning Friends,

I can NOT believe how warm it still is. Honestly, it’s driving me nuts! I hate this. It’s October. I know that at this moment I could not live in a warmer climate. I love the cooler temperatures. It’s still 80 degrees here. 

Sorry for my rant, let us move on. I recently printed out my Christmas list. I am trying to get started with that. Since it is almost the middle of October I feel like I need to get started on Christmas shopping.

I am still organizing my home and replacing items bit by bit.  I recently organized all of our family photos. It took me hours but I feel great that this is now done. I had brunch with my brother in law this past weekend and then went to HomeGoods afterwards. I believe I just found my curtains for my canopy project. I shared them on a reel recently. 

I have been trying to capture beauty in my life. With so many things coming up, I just want to try to enjoy life whenever I can. Which is why my “girl’s days and dinners have become some important to me. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

A few weeks ago I had a girls dinner planned with my Guild friends. We decided to tour the gardens at Newfields. Now I have been here several times but I have never toured the gardens. It was a real treat.

 

 

There were small ponds and water features everywhere. I did a Google search on lots of the flowers there. I am always looking for ideas to add to my garden or green house. 

 

 

It was such a beautiful day. We had the sun, just enough heat and lots of florals. We walked around and chatting about everything under the sun. 

 

 

My friend Kathy, the little one in the orange jacket, is so outgoing. She wanted to have a photo shoot and wanted to include us in it! I just laughed the whole time but she got me out of my comfort zone. The photo on the right is both of my friends Kathy and Judy. 

 

 

I could not pass up the Lily House. If you have read this blog long enough then you will know that this is my favorite home. I take inspiration from this every time I see it. 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley 

 

After touring the beautiful gardens we headed to dinner. We had dinner reservations at a restaurant called the Meridian. I have never been here before but was open to visiting a new place. 

I got the brussels sprout salad. It had toasted pecans, shallots, pears, and warm apple cider vinaigrette. It was delicious. For my main dish I ordered the Ora King Salmon with turnip and apple harsh, onion, celery, craisins, kale, soy-cashew, aioli. Again so good. We also had a glass of rose wine to toast our dinner! 

 

 

I can’t tell you how much I needed a girls dinner that day. Having these monthly get-togethers is such a needed luxury in my life. As I stated I never knew how priceless friendships were until recently. My supervisor at my office has been such a excellent example. I have watched her for 3 years go to dinners, host book clubs, and take girl’s trips. Once I saw that I thought, “oh that is what friendship are all about”. You can have fun!  I never saw good friendships until now and I want to make sure that I cultivate wonderful friendships with those I love. Nurture those friends! 

 

 

An Entryway Refresh

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Good Morning Friends,

The crisp mornings and cooler air feels so good right now! This past weekend was spent in the greenhouse. I threw out plants, cleaned out containers, swept, and re-arranged the space. I feel like it is ready for the autumn season. This weekend is our HOA sale and I am hoping that the rain will hold out. I have quite a few items to sell. 

The St. Margaret’s Guild season is about to begin. We had our fabulous luncheon on Tuesday to start the season and it is always a good time to see the ladies. We do have our next show house lined up for next year! Yay! 

Friends, I can’t seem to stay off of FBMP. I stumbled on a recent find and could not resist it. I have been wanting a vintage secretary for quite some time but they are so expensive! I have envisioned having one in my entryway. 

 

 

So when you walk into our house this is the entryway. I must admit I have always hated it. My husband purchased this shelf-hook combo at a garage sale about 15 years ago and I hated it then! I have always felt like this was not inviting and it appears to be cluttered. It has taken me years to get this shelf-hook removed and clear out the area. I desperately wanted a refresh! It has looked the same since we have moved in the house!

 

 

The first thing that I knew that I had to do was find a hoodie hanger replacement for my husband. He grabs these on his way out the door and it would nice to also have a location for guests to hang their coats so I found this coat rack on Amazon and it works perfectly. I also have my blue and white umbrella holder which looks so chic in this area along with my vintage garden stool. 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley 

 

This is my newest FBMP find! The gentleman originally wanted $80 but then said that I could take it for only $50! I was so HAPPY! Now it does need a glass shelf inside and there are some scratches but I don’t mind those little things. I think its a beautiful piece that I can enjoy for years to come. I placed my white arm chair there so that I could see what it would look like if I were to write there. 

I did end up using my desk to write some pen-pal letters and to journal. It was wonderful. The desk is right by the front door so I could look out and enjoy the sunshine. I am still on the hunt for a china buffet table for my bedroom. I will be using it as a t.v. stand so the hunt continues. 

I am loving this FBMP era that I am in. I do enjoy a good antique hunt and have been really blessed to find so many wonderful pieces for my home. Since the children are practically adults and we have no dogs, I feel like I am in a time in my life where I can bring in beauty and I will to the best of my ability. 

If you have been reading my blog for a while I would really appreciate it if you would share my blog posts with your friends! It helps me reach other beautiful, like-minded people such as yourself and spread the things that we love the most! Share it on FB, Instagram or Pinterest. Not on any of these platforms? Send an email with a link! 

The boutique’s Chinoiserie Silk Scarfs are still on sale! Order one for yourself and one as a gift! Enjoy your week. 

 

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A Girl’s Day ~ Antiques and Flowers

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Hello Friends, it’s September!

As I stated in my August newsletter, I love this month. It’s a sign of cooling down, a closet refresh, sweaters and lovely silk scarfs. I just love it! Lauren came home this past weekend and it was so nice to have her home. It was a first drive down from campus by herself! As you can imagine my mom-bear was so nervous but when I saw her pull up in the driveway I was able to take a deep breath, look up at the sky and say thank you! These beginning years of adulting are a new chapter for us all.

I shared a few weeks ago that I had a girls day with some of my friends from the Guild. We planned a day of lunch, antique shopping and visiting my friend’s cabin. It turned out to be a great day and a wonderful time to chat, catch up and explore.

We started off with a meetup. Everyone ended up at my home and everyone wanted to see my greenhouse! We then walked around to look at my David Austin roses and then loaded up in the cars to head to Starbucks.

It was an hour drive so we just talked about everything under the sun. Our health, family, goals, and dreams. It’s always good to chat with friends and to get a fresh perspective on life. Sometimes all you need is someone else’s point of view to guide you back to where you need to be. Our first stop was lunch at a restaurant called the Hard Truth which is also a distillery company. 

 

 

The views were magnificent. We had a wonderful lunch while seeing nature. 

 

 

Next we did some vintage jewelry shopping at Touch of Silver, Gold and Old. They had a vintage cameo that I wanted so bad but of course the one that I selected was $2,000! I did not purchase it but we had a wonderful time looking around and meeting the owner. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

We then walked to a lovely coffee shop called Olde Bartley House. I LOVED the decor! The vintage table, and chairs, chandeliers, and floors were so aesthetically pleasing. It had lots of beautiful artwork and was filled with history from the town.

 

 

And this door!?? Loved it!

 

 

Once we left the coffee shop we then went to my friend’s cabin and spent a few hours there. We sat in her sky chairs and just laughed and enjoyed each other’s company. She also had an outside tea room which was lovely. I didn’t take any photos of my friend’s cabin because some things just need to remain private. Once we left there we went and visited one of the properties that she is working on. It had an outside tree house which was one of the most beautiful tree houses that I have ever seen. I didn’t take pictures of it because I wanted to be in the moment. 

After that we then stopped by the sunflower garden. I posted a video of it on my Youtube channel. It was such a magical place. 

 

 

I had such a great time with my friends and on the inside I teared up a bit. For about 12 years I have been praying for good godly friendships. I have been saying almost daily, “the Lord will bless me with friends, that will pray for me and I will pray for them”. I have been wanting friendships for a long time. I believe that having friends as a woman is another form of self-care. Friendships are so meaningful in life and I never really understood that until recently. If you have some girlfriends, nurture those relationships. Work on keeping them in your life. They are so important. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

 

My First Plate Wall ~ Home Decor

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Good Morning Friends,

Goodness, it is still hot here but it is August. My David Austin roses are doing so well. They are blooming beautifully!

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley

 

Oh my goodness! I am so happy! My English Garden dreams are coming into fruition. I have always wanted an English inspired garden. I will be going to Costco to try to find another trellis here soon. 

Okay friends. I have finished my plate wall for now. I want to add more plates, and I am on the lookout for some smaller ones to add but for now the project is complete. If you recall the room below was the inspiration for this. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

If you want to read more about this room, you may visit my blog post here. 

 

 

Now it took me a few weeks of searching Poshmark, Ebay, and antique stores to find plates that I liked. Honestly it was harder than I thought! Everyone is keeping their “grandma” china and selling it. I hardly found anything in the Goodwill stores here in my city. Those locations were filled with junk! It blew me away! 

Only two of my plates were found at the antique stores the rest were from Poshmark!

 

 

If you recall the blue and white plate on the far left was a plate at the showhouse this year. I did the Google lens feature on my phone and found it online. There was a seller on Poshmark that had two. I purchased both of them. The bottom middle plate was plate on the wall in the room designed by Jenni Egger. I found that on Poshmark as well. It was called the Andrea by Sadek Japan Buckingham Porcelain Floral Paisley dinner plate. There were quite a few on Poshmark. 

 

 

This is the right side. Some of the small plates are on this side and they were found on Poshmark as well. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

I found this plate on Poshmark and I was not sure what it was going to look like in person. When it arrived and I saw this, I went on the hunt to find a second one! It’s stunning. It’s made by Asahi Japan. I have never heard of it but it’s stunning. 

 

 

This plate was another favorite. As I mentioned it was at the showhouse. It’s called the 222 Fifth Avenue Adelaide Dark Blue and White Dinner plate. It’s very affordable and should be easy to find. 

 

 

Despite the searching and looking this was so fun to do. I did find a new Instagram store called Tulip Home Design. I purchased one of my plates from there as well. Now I am thinking about adding about 8 desserts plates to the wall, but I want them to be a set. I think that would bring a cohesive look to the collection. The plate hangers that I used are from Amazon and came in a pack of 12 with different sizes. They were so easy to use. 

Let me know in the comments section below if you have a plate wall or you are considering creating one. I would love to know.

I was going to wait to share this news, but I am too excited! Sarah Flint has changed the brand ambassador program, and it is a good change! Now when you use my NEW code SF-SHOCKLEY-15 you get 15% off of your purchase and that means ANY purchase! You can use my discount code on all items including accessories! All you have to do is spend $230 or more and you can use my code and you can use it MORE THAN ONCE! Now how great is that! 

I am thrilled about this change! So I hope that you can order your dream shoes or scarf, or belt soon! 

 

 

 

Tips for a Balanced Life

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Well Good Morning Friends,

Thank you to everyone who reached out about my perimenopause blog post from last week. I feel like everyone is on this journey. We are all seeking information and looking for ways to naturally deal with the changes in our bodies. The good thing is this is getting more attention, and we are not just left at the mercy of our hormones. 

I was listening to this podcast (it was so good) and the author has a book called The Art of Chilling out for Women. I must admit I was quite curious, so it has been added to my Amazon book list. 

I am always getting emails about items or things and last month I received a newsletter about secrets to a balanced life from V.J. , the owner of Notiq. 

 

photo credit: L. Shockley 

 

In her newsletter she said, “There is a never-ending argument about the concept of work-life balance. Some say there is no such thing as work-life balance. Others say there can only be work-life integration. What are your thoughts on this? How do you define work-life balance in your own life?

As a writer and researcher, I do my best to avoid arguments. I share my research findings and personal observations, empowering you (my audience) to discern what is best and meaningful to you in your own life.

In my many years of research, here is what I have found:

  1. Balance isn’t doing everything.
  2. Balance isn’t knowing everything.
  3. Balance isn’t pleasing everyone.

YES! I could not agree with this beginning more! I certainly did not know this or didn’t believe it. 

She goes on to share her thoughts on “Life Seasons” which I found intriguing.

“This past weekend, I had the honor of speaking at a retreat designed to inspire women to recharge. During my sessions, I shared the three seasons of life many of us go through. These particular life seasons are based on the number of years we’ve had to experience life on earth. I call them Life Seasons. I want to share those three seasons with you today.

Seek Season (ages 1 – 24)

  • The season of searching and discovering
  • The season of learning and awareness
  • The season of “I want to see.”

Success Season (ages 25 – 49)

  • The season of being and becoming
  • The season of doing
  • The season of “I want to matter.”

Significance Season (ages 50 until….)

  • The season of reflection
  • The season of reaping and harvesting
  • The season of “I want to have something to show”

Identifying the season of life you are in can be valuable for several reasons. First, it can help you make better decisions and set appropriate goals based on where you are at in life. For example, if you are in a season of growth and learning, you may prioritize acquiring new skills or education. If you are in a season of doing so, you may focus on adopting systems and tools to help you maximize your time management and resources”. 

Understanding your current season can also help you appreciate and make the most of the present moment rather than constantly striving for something else or comparing yourself with others. It can also provide a sense of perspective and help you navigate life transitions more effectively. We go through many seasons in life.

 

 

Now how inspiring was this? I love the breakdown of the seasons. I seriously believe that I am in season 1 (Seek Season) because I didn’t get to experience it. I married so young and I am now in a season of searching, discovering, learning, and awareness. Now that I am aware that I am in the seek season I will try my best now to rush it but enjoy it. 

How about you? What season do you believe that you are in? Share your thoughts below. Also I wanted to let you all know that the Vintage Vanity Collection is on sale! Each piece is about $10! Order quickly. 

 

 

My Greenhouse ~ An Elegant Adventure

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Hello Friends!

There have been lots of things going on at my home. This past weekend, I made sure that I took some time to sit on my porch and read. I have been trying to pay more attention to my body and rest. I will share more of this journey in a later blog post. 

June is here already, and I am trying to “encourage” my husband to get some of those summer projects done that have been on my list. One of them was the greenhouse which honestly, I am shocked it got done. 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley 

 

I love it! I have the Meridian Greenhouse from Costco. It has an automatic roof vent opener to help with humidity and heat and is made with certified wood. There are similar ones on Amazon. You can view them here and here. 

 

 

I wanted a hummingbird for the front, but my husband found a bubble bee. What do you all think? Should I keep the bee or get continue the search for a hummingbird? 

 

 

I had to add some antiques, so I added some vintage plates and this blue and white head planter. I am not sure what to put in it. I could use it to store some gardening tools or to put some jasmine in. I ordered some of these box planters from Amazon as well. 

 

 

I had to add my vintage swan named Charlotte. She fits perfectly in the greenhouse. I have been buying seeds and plants and at this moment I am just trying things out. 

 

photos via: Mrs. Shockley 

 

I did a search on Amazon for greenhouse supplies and a few things did pop up. This large repotting mat for planting and mess control was a game changer in helping me work in the greenhouse. You guys know how much I hate Crocs, but I needed a pair of gardening shoes for the greenhouse, and these were comfortable and looked presentable enough for me to wear. I also ordered this indoor thermometer to get an eye out on the temperature in the greenhouse. 

 

 

Adding David Austin Roses to my garden has always been a dream so when a co-worker told me that a nursery nearby was selling them, I had to go and take a look. The goal was to only buy one container, but we ended up buying 3. We purchased the Poet’s Wife, the Carding Mill, and the Lady of Shalott climbing rose. 

 

 

Walking in my greenhouse each day is such a treat. Seeing my beautiful roses and smelling them, I feel like a little slice of heaven is in my back yard. This past weekend, I potted up my English Lavender seeds, Bunny Tails, and Orlaya Lace. My sweet peas are coming in slowly. I will share those soon. 

 

 

My husband come home with a big surprise. We just planted a Magnolia tree next to the greenhouse. I was shocked that my husband wanted a flowering tree. We have named her Belle and hope that she is very happy in her new home. I think it will be so exciting to have another tree in the backyard especially a magnolia tree. 

I have had a few people ask me if I am going to plant tomatoes, and other vegetables but at this moment I don’t want to. I just feel like every time someone says that they are starting a garden people immediately put pressure on them to plant vegetables. Well, I am not going to at this moment. I just want to plant a beautiful garden of flowers and see where that takes me. I hope you have enjoyed this tour of my long-waited greenhouse. It has truly made my days more joyous! 

 

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