Posts that inspiring an elegant life

FrenChic ~ New Antique Store!

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Good Morning Everyone,

Happy Valentine’s Day! I know it is tomorrow but I just wanted to say it early. Yesterday Mr. Shockley and I went to a new restaurant. It was called Monterey Cuisine. I ordered the roasted chicken, mushroom risotto, and honey roasted brussel sprouts. My husband got the filet, with house purple mashed potatoes, and broccoli. It was so delicious! We are definitely looking forward to going again. 

If you read my blog post on Friday, then you know that I took the day off went and watched Funny Face at a vintage theater and visited a new antique store. It was such a wonderful day. I went and visited two antique stores. I went to FrenChic first and it was a really cute store. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

Walking into the store I spotted this beautiful bird cage and lots of beautiful porcelain surrounding it. 

 

 

It spent a lot of time on the first floor looking at all of the art, light fixtures, vintage rugs and jewelry. 

 

 

 

I walked around the corner and saw these huge tassels. I loved the colors! The black and gold looked so sophisticated. I knew that I had to find a place for it in home. 

 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley 

 

I then turned around another corner and saw this gorgeous tablecloth! It was only $20! I had to have it!

 

You can see my gold tassels in the distance hanging on the curtain rod. 

 

I purchased the tablecloth and tassels. Once I left there I went and visited Vintage Whimsy . I didn’t see anything there, so I left and headed to the vintage movie theater. I grabbed a small popcorn (no butter) and a small lemonade and went and got a seat. There only about 30 of us in the room and it was wonderful! I sung along and absorbed all of the vintage fashion and decor in the movie. I enjoy Funny Face. It reminds me of the movie called, “The Devil Wears Prada” but I love this so much more! I am thinking about buying it on dvd. I found it on Amazon recently. 

I don’t mind spending days by myself. Never be afraid to explore your city. Find all of the elegant things that you can! Have a great Monday!

 

 

 

 

Chicken Fetti & Spinach

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Good Morning,

I am taking today off! I have been looking forward to this day for a few weeks now! I have been so busy at work. Today I will be going to the vintage movie theater and watching Funny Face on the big screen! Yay! So excited! But before I go and see my show, I will be going to take a peek at the new antique that I found out about called FrenChic. After that I will stop by Vintage Whimsy as well. I am looking forward to having the down time today. It’s been really busy!

With being busy trying to find quick meals during the week has been a challenge as well. I came up with this dinner on the fly and it worked out!

 

 

So one day this past week I thought about making my normal chicken fettuccine dinner. I always have a box of shredded chicken and my fav seasonings. I always add some garlic powder, garlic salt, ranch seasoning, salt and pepper. 

 

 

I wanted to change it up a bit, so I added some spinach that I had in the refrigerator. I just sautéed everything together and added my seasonings. 

 

 

I added my favorite fetti sauce from Bertolli. It turned out so good and tasted good as well!

 

 

I love quiet dinners at home with my family. A fancy table setting is not always necessary. Just your favorite flowers, favorite dish and favorite people! Have a great weekend everyone! I will be sure to share my adventures next week!

 

 

It’s Friday, shop the boutique, my favorites page or Sarah Flint’s new arrivals. Don’t forget to use my code SARAHFLINT-BASMSSHOCKLEY for $50 off! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recent Wants from Amazon

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Good Morning,

Nothing like a well resting Sunday. I didn’t do much. Just spent time with family. I am looking at my home binder and trying to figure out what projects we can work on this year. We have a few but everything has just gotten so expensive. It’s get hard trying to figure out priorities. I have been on Amazon quite a bit lately. I am looking for things for Lauren and trying to find home organizational items. Below are a few of the items that caught my eye. 

 

 

First were these white and gold velvet hangers. I think these would really elevate the look of my closet. Right now, I have all black hangers and they all match but I believe these would change the look and make it uniform. 

 

 

Next is this wicker breakfast tray. I love using trays! I use one every weekend when I am making my breakfast brunch and having my teatime. The one I have is white with marble but I am loving this wicker one. I see my beautiful china and a small flower bud on it now!

 

 

 

Third is this beautiful dress! I love the color and the buttons in the middle. Trying to find conservative but elegant dresses has been getting harder and harder. I am seriously considering to ordering this. It comes in severally different colors and the price of $25 is not bad either. I also found this one and this one! 

 

 

Last are these magazine file boxes. I saw these during the pandemic and wanted to get them but then I completely forgot about them. I love how uniform they look, and I am loving the color. They come in different color options as well. 

There are a ton more items on my Amazon list but this post could get really long. I hope you enjoy my list of wants and have a wonderful Monday!

 

Speaking of pretty pink dresses don’t forget about the Vera Blush Maxi that I have in stock. I only have 3 left and it would be perfect for a Valentine’s Day date night!

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

Cameo Details

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Hello Everyone!

I did so much better these past two week with my bedtime. Getting rest is really important to my body and it lets me know when it’s not happy. Did any of you see the new book that Jennifer L. Scott shared on her Instagram? It’s called “Fast like a Girl” A Woman’s Guide to Using the Healing Power of Fasting to Burn Fat, etc”.  I am really curious about it. I have hit a wall with my weight loss, and I am trying to figure out where I am now. I know that I am having some hormonal changes and I am trying to learn about that as well. Let me know if you have done intermittent fasting. I am so curious about everyone’s results. 

I also wanted to know if any of you have watched the Wedding Veil Series on the Hallmark channel? I absolutely love this series and I am so happy with how it is written, the cast, and the story line. First off, they all have careers in the Arts! Now how great is that? They did such a great job with this series. This past weekend I watched the 5th installment called The Wedding Veil Inspiration. I loved this one as well. I also try to pay attention to the details after I watch it a first time. I pay attention to their homes, their offices, how the dress, etc. In this particular episode I fell in love with Lacey Chabert, “Avery”, cameo brooch on her beautiful pink coat!

 

 

So I tried to pause the movie and take a photo of it. Can you see it? How lovely is that? 

 

 

I tried to get a photo up close, but this is the best that I could get. Now you guys know that this inspired me and put me on the hunt to search for something similar. I did find a few on Etsy. I found this one, this one, and this one. 

I’ll be sure to share whatever I order. Let me know in the comments below if you have been watching the series. Do you enjoy it? Yes or no? Have a great weekend!

Oh I must tell you all! Sarah Flint is having a 40% off select styles sale! Oh my goodness, get over to the website! A pair that you love just might be included. If not then don’t forget to use my code SARAHFLINT-BASMSSHOCKLEY for $50 off your first order!

 

 

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.

Beauty Firsts ~ My First Facial

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Good Morning,

I hope you all had a great weekend! I got a lot of housework done and took a look at my home binder. There are so many things that I want to update in my home! It’s going to take a lot of time and money! We did receive some good news! Lauren got accepted into the college that she wanted! We are so excited for her! All weekend I just kept thinking about how fast 20 years went by. Rick and I met in 2003 and now it’s 2023. It’s incredible! Really it is. 

I am still unsure about 2023 but I know one thing getting my first facial this year has been a highlight that is for sure! It was one of the best beauty experiences that I have ever had. I went to Woodhouse Spa of course to get my first facial. 

 

 

The girl that did my facial her name was Allison, and it was phenomenal! We tied up my hair and she had me lie down on the bed that eventually got very warm. Once I did that, she turned on the steam and began to cleanse my face. I removed my eyelashes so that I was free to enjoy the experience.

She exfoliated my skin, got rid of some blackheads and massaged my face, neck, and shoulders! It was a dream for sure! It lasted for about an hour, and I tell you I could barely get up out of that bed to go get my pedicure! I was so relaxed and sleepy! 

I can’t wait to get another one this year. I may wait until the summer or maybe the fall. I am not sure yet but I will be planning another facial for sure. I am also interested in their waxing services. Please let me know in the comments section below if you have ever had a facial or waxing services. I would love to know your thoughts!

Don’t forget to shop the boutique! Most of the dresses are on sale and shop my favorites page as well! 

 

 

New Soundings… An Antique Store!

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Good Morning,

These Fridays are coming fast! This weekend I just have a few errands to run. On Wednesday I went to Woodhouse Spa to have my monthly pedi and also got my first facial! It was a dream! I have made a decision that when family or friends ask what I want for my birthday or any other celebration I will be saying a gift card toward services at Woodhouse! I loved it!

I may also consider having them give me gift cards to my favorite antique stores. I found a new one recently. It is called Surroundings.  My husband had suggested it to me a while ago, but it just didn’t look like it had anything. Boy was I wrong!

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

As soon as you walked in it was wonderful blue and white ginger jars everywhere! And they were not the cheap ones either! 

 

 

Then I turned around and saw this dreamy display! I wanted practically everything on it. Especially the one with the gold accents. 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley

 

A gentleman by the name of Gary owned the store. He said that he had been there for years and gets new shipments every other week. He had artwork, vintage chandeliers, porcelain lamps, beautiful rugs, and vintage furniture. Every nook and cranny was packed with vintage finds. 

 

 

I circled the store 3 times. Yes 3 times! I could not help it. Every time I came around I found something new to look at. 

 

 

There were so many things that I wanted. Including this beautiful green ginger jar. Isn’t it a lovely color?

 

 

After talking with the store owner and walking around a few more times it was time to make a few purchases. I got the gold leaf frame, bubble bee, Hermes inspired card box and the Together at the Table book! I have not had a chance to look at the book but will be sure to share it soon. Oh I also purchased a Hermes inspired blanket.  I may share it in my January Favorites. 

Let me know what you think about the new store! I know that I will be returning again soon! I have some video footage of it as well and may share it on Instagram. 

Have a great weekend! 

 

 

Top Posts ~ 2022

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Good Morning Everyone,

I tried to get some rest this weekend. I was pretty much unsuccessful. I need to get back on a better sleep schedule this week. My body is not reacting well to not having enough rest. My body tends to get really “tight” when it is tired, and it shows on the scale. Not fun! Other than that, it was a very productive weekend. I got a lot of purging done! I am so excited! I am moving things and packing things up in my stepson’s room. I’ll be glad to have it completely maybe sometime this year! Now on to the top blog posts for 2022. 

Choosing the “top posts” of the year is always so hard. I do love going back and looking to see what inspired me. What new things did I try, purchases, places that I visited. In the end I always pull back and realize how blessed I really am! Thank you, Lord, for everything! 

Now let’s see what my favorites were in 2022!

 

In January…

January Favorites ~ 2022

So many great finds this month. I still love that teapot and teacups!

 

 

Thriving is Elegant

I loved learning about this quote from Maya Angelou. I still have it saved in my phone!

 

 

February ~ 2022

Lunch at a New Tea Room

I was so glad that I took a day to go and have lunch here. I may need to schedule this again. 

 

 

Would you Travel Alone?

I still think about this from time to time. Although I did just get to travel alone to San Diego without my daughter and husband. There is something that renews the spirit when you travel alone. It makes you focus on you and what you actually like. 

 

March ~ 2022

The Grandmilliennial Style of Ms. Rhimes

Still cannot get over this fabulous apartment of Shonda Rhimes!

 

photo credit: Michael Mundy

 

April ~ 2022

A Delightful Home Tour

This was the home tour that got me started with the Guild. This moment will always have a special place in my heart. 

 

 

I will be honest. Most of my blog posts in April I loved! Here they are!

 

May ~ 2022

Be Too Big to Care

This blog post came just in time. I needed to hear why I am on the course that I am on and not to get into the gutter with those who are not worth it. 

 

 

Joining the Guild

This was the same month where I joined the Guild and the Sarah Flint Family!

 

 

June ~ 2022

A Chicago Trip ~ Sarah Flint BA Meeting

I had not been to Chicago in over 10 years! It was a nice short trip, and I made more friends!

 

 

So many fun things happened in the month of June. I took a visit to the Cake Bake Shop, had a small backyard oasis, and went to my first peony festival! 

 

July ~ 2022

Touring the Magnificent Breakers

I simply LOVED Rhode Island. Mr. Shockley and I are hoping to visit again soon.

 

 

July was another great month of wonderful things. You may read all of the posts here. 

 

August ~ 2022

Lady of the House~ What is that for You?

 

 

In August I shared my trip to the Ralph Lauren Store in Manhattan and more mansion tours!

 

 

September ~ 2022

My First Spa Visit ~ Woodhouse Spa

I loved this! I actually go once a month now for a pedicure and will be getting my first facial next week! I will be sure to share the experience.

 

My First Guild Luncheon ~Woodstock Country Club

This was another fun event! I love all of these new experiences that I had in 2022. They made the year more fulfilling!

 

 

Plans for my 40th was another great post as well as my September Favorites. I always enjoy sharing those. 

 

October ~ 2022

During this month I went to my first concert! Going to see Diana Krall is an experience that I will never forget. It was wonderful. 

 

 

Of course, this month would not be complete without me sharing my 40th birthday celebration! I still can’t believe that I am 40. Honestly it sounds good saying it. 

 

 

November ~ 2022

This is the month where I shared my visit to Nashville, Tennessee. We did not get to stay long but seeing the Sarah Flint store and having dinner at Restoration Hardware were great introductions to the city!

 

 

And this year’s Thanksgiving celebration was simple and quiet. 

 

 

December ~ 2022

My Christmas Table setting was fun to create this year. My December favorites shared more of my adventures for this month and being in my first fashion show was a great experience! It turned out better than I thought it would. 

 

 

2022 was a wonderful year for me and my family! I am not sure what’s in store for us this year, but I am always praying that the Lord is with us and that everything we do, and plan is according to his will. Life has its ups and downs but trying to remain grateful is always at the center of my heart. Thank you for reading! 

 

 

Top Blog Posts from previous years