Posts that inspiring an elegant life

My First Spa Visit~ Woodhouse Spa

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Happy Friday!

It’s finally a little chilly here. The colder air came in last night. I am ENJOYING IT that is for sure! This weekend I wanted to attend the Fall Festival in Franklin, Indiana. I have never gone before but it’s now on my radar. I hope that we can make it. It is still unbelievable to me that my 40th is next week. Wow… I feel like it came so quickly this year.  I am starting to get really nervous about my first birthday cake. Please keep me in prayer! I did receive one of my items on my birthday list already. I have been using it and will share it later. Now I want to share my very FIRST spa visit that I had this past week!

 

photo credit: Woodhouse.com

 

I forgot to take a photo of the outside of the spa but this is pretty much what it looks like on the outside. It’s called Woodhouse Spa. I found out about it from my boss. She has a monthly visit scheduled and I always wondered about it so I decided to look it up. Once I saw that they did pedicures I decided to give them a call and make an appointment. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

Relaxing room…

 

My last pedicure was a nightmare. I have been going to the Asian nail places for years and they have always been just fine. But my budget was not what it is today, so I just settled. I got a pedicure last month and it was dreadful. The girl was under 18 and did not want to do it nor was she trained. Plus, I have been asking them about gel polish and telling them that I want to try it, but they just kept putting that acrylic powder on because they don’t speak English well nor understand it. The nail place that I have been going to for the last five years was purchased by a new owner and I don’t like it. They are super young and play techno music the whole time! They rush you out and in and don’t take time to talk to you about your services. I am already spending just as much on my nail services there as I did at the spa! I am done! Time to move on! 

Once I walked into the spa I was greeted by a hostess, checked in and, taken to the “relaxing room”. The environment smelled of beautiful soothing scents and the relaxing room was sensational! The floors were a dark mahogany color and the furniture looked like it was from Restoration Hardware. They had water with fresh orange slices, hot herbal cinnamon tea, and granola! You sit in the relaxing room for a few minutes until your services gal arrives. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley

This faux fireplace makes the noises that a real burning fireplace would. I am sitting drinking my fresh citrus water and relaxing. I always bring my own flip flops. 

 

photo credit: Woodhouse Spa.com

 

After having my relaxing time, the nail technician comes and retrieves you from the room and takes you to the pedicure room. They only had a few chairs so I knew at that moment that it would not be crowded. 

It was the best pedicure I had ever had! She did the normal services. It was the products that she used that were very high quality. The Moroccan foot scrub… oh my gosh the smell was heavenly. Then the agave oils had a smell that I can’t ever describe. It was that marvelous! On top of the services, it included a food massage! I was in heaven! After my services, I was taken back to the relaxing room! So happy. You sit there and relax while your feet are drying. A slice of heaven! 

I have already booked my appointment for next month in addition to a manicure. I cannot wait! I am also going to be getting a facial. I am looking forward to that as well! Please let me know in the comments section below if you go to the spa or have gone. If so what services did you get? I am curious. Until then have a great weekend! 

 

 

 

My First Guild Luncheon ~Woodstock Country Club

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Good Morning All,

How was your weekend? I was pretty busy on Saturday with our subdivision’s HOA garage sale. I love setting up the boutique! A lot of inventory sold so the boutique does have slim pickings at this time! If there was something that you wanted you may want to go and take a peek. I have been doing some clean up and trying to find new items for the fall and winter! I will be sure to keep you all posted!

Last week I shared that I went to my first Guild luncheon! It was for new members and to honor those who served for the year. I am so glad to be a part of this group! Seeing all of the women there and talking about the mission of the group was a great feeling! This morning I am actually headed to a breakfast at LePeeps to meet with my sponsors! They want to make sure that I know what is expected and to discuss the Guild a little more. Our group had to come up with a group name and we decided to name ourselves “the Marvelous Mrs. Maggies”! Fun right? I am looking forward to this breakfast and I am so enjoying these meetings. It’s nice to meet with other women! Finally!

Now I could not wait to share with you all this country club where we plan to have meetings! I can’t believe that I never knew about this!

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley

 

Now driving in I was not sure what to expect but once I started to look around the property that the Woodstock Country Club sat on, I knew that it was something special. 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley 

 

And indeed, it was! After we took group photos, I tried to look around the property and look at every detail. It was a beautiful club! My goodness! I was certainly in heaven! This was the first room that we walked into. I am not sure what you would call it. Maybe a “welcoming room”. I am not sure, but I loved the vintage rugs, chandelier, and Juliet balcony!

What do I all think of the yellow paint color?

 

 

This was the second room. Again, I loved the chandelier and I wish I could have gotten the details about the clock on the wall. 

 

 

Another room…. It think this was some sort of entertaining room. There was a hostess desk and this big wide space. Loved the floors and the couches in the distance. I had to get upclose…

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

Can we say that we love the fabric? I do!

 

 

After looking around as much as I could I headed into the luncheon. Lots of new faces and smiles! I also loved the tablescapes! 

 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley 

 

Now how beautiful is that? I loved walking in and seeing this! I smiled from ear to ear. 

 

 

 

You also could not miss the fabulous fabric on the chairs! No detail was lost! We sat down next to our sponsors and talked about everything! We had lobster bisque soup, a wonderful salad with candid pecans (yummy), and a key lime pie souffle. So good! After eating and getting to know each other, announcements and awards were given. After awards they called all of the new members to the front and introduced us! It was a wonderful time. 

 

 

 

I wanted to visit the ladies room to freshen up and walked into this tulip garden surprise. Now how wonderful is this wallpaper?

 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

I am a sucker for ladies room that look like actually boutiques! Now how great is this wallpaper with the mirrors and green cabinetry? Just lovely! I went back and finished my time with the group and headed out to finish my day. Overall, it was a sensational time, and I am so excited to meet new friends and start this new journey. I hope you all enjoyed this post. Hopefully, it inspired you to get out there and see what you can get involved in. The older I get the more I begin to understand how much lady friendships mean. 

Don’t forget to check out my shop my favorites page. I found some Wedgewood inspired pumpkins from Etsy! Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plans for my 40th!

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Good Morning Everyone!

Boy these weekends go by so fast. We had an office picnic scheduled for Sunday, but it poured most of the day, so it was cancelled. I did go by Target, and I picked up a skeleton to place in my hostess chair at my dining room table. He does look cute there! I will share a photo later. 

Today I wanted to share my plans for my 40th! I can’t believe that this birthday is finally here. I have been looking forward to this birthday for a very long time. Why you may ask? Because I knew that in this pocket of time a few chapters in my life would be closed. 

One of them being taking care of children. Now don’t get me wrong, I LOVED it when the kids were little but there was so much drama for my husband and I because of his ex-wife. So I knew that once I hit 40 that time would be done and it is. I don’t see her no hear from her. The boys are 22 and 25, her time is up. 

Now we know that the boys could get married and have children, as they should, but certain “petty actions” and things that she can do to us is over. Chapter closed. Another chapter is confidence. I knew that once I hit my 40’s a certain amount of confidence would be granted to me. Meaning the Lord would have put me through some things, testing of some sort, that would allow me to have confidence in him and me. I could go on and on but let me get into my birthday wishlist for 40….

My first birthday request was a birthday cake and this is my very FIRST birthday cake! I know, I know now how in the world is this your first birthday cake? It’s an easy answer. My mother never threw us birthday parties. Now in her mind she did but I challenged it one year and asked her to provide photos of these “alleged” birthday parties. She could not. Also I married young and never asked for a birthday cake in my twenties or thirties because I was a little embarrassed that I never had one. So here we are and me having my first birthday cake and I could not be more excited!

 

 

This is my cake inspiration! I sent this photo to a bakery that is nearby that has great reviews. I explained what I wanted and sent multiple photos! I am so excited and terrified at the same time. I just hope that my cake is beautiful. It’s my first one. Oh please make it gorgeous! 

 

 

Next are balloons, naturally. I sent this balloon arch inspiration to my husband and my fingers are crossed that the person that he sent it to can execute it. I don’t want the flowers but I want the blue color balloons and the rose gold 40 numbers! Wish him luck!

As far as gifts, these items have been on my wishlist.

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

This perfume has been on my mind. It’s Aerin Lauder’s Rose de Grasse Pour Filles. I tried this on last month and wore it around the mall. I could not stop “sniffing” myself! The notes are pear, fresh rose and soft musk. Once it “settled” on me it had a light powder smell to it. I must have it! 

 

photo credit: Saks.com

 

Next is this stunning and limited-edition Gucci Flora Eyeshadow Palette. I saw this on Instagram and have not stop thinking about it since. I have watched numerous YouTube videos. This one and this one have been my favorites so far. I love the colors and just look at the case! Gucci had one last season and it is just as beautiful. I will be calling my local Saks store to see if they have it in stock! 

 

photo credit: SweetSavings on Instagram

 

And the last item is this beautiful shawl from Amazon. I saw it on the LTK app and had to order it. It should be arriving today. This is an actual photo of someone wearing it. It comes in several different colors and is only $40! I can’t wait to see it!

I do have a dinner planned for the Cake Bake Shop of course. Family will be joining me for that. Other than that, I just want to soak in my age and enjoy the journey. I hope you all have a great Monday!

 

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.

 

A New Chinoiserie Project

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Good Morning Everyone,

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! We went to the outlet mall in Cincinnati, and I really didn’t find much. I really wanted to wait until fall break, but my husband wanted to go early so we did. I did go into the Tory Burch outlet store, and I didn’t see any bags that I liked but I did purchase another scarf and some green clip emerald green earrings. I think that they are perfect for the upcoming season. We went and had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory there but while we waited on our table I went and visited Dillard’s. I don’t have one in my city so whenever I see one, I like to take a peek.

While I was looking around, I saw this gorgeous Wedgewood Hibiscus bone china cup! I think I may need to add this to my collection. The store is so pretty and is full of high-quality items for your home and for dressing up! I guess I should be happy that we don’t have one nearby. It could be a “bad thing” if it was here! 

Now on to my new furniture project! In July, I went antiquing and found the brown ruffle foot stool below. 

 

 

I think that I shared this photo in my July favorites. I found this at the antique store for only $35! It was a steal but trying to find an upholster has been a challenge for me.

 

 

Actually, I left it at the store and then went back to get it about an hour later. I just knew that I could not let that sit there. The bones were too good. I just needed a little patience in finding someone to work with me. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

I really thought that it was going to take me a while to find someone but something weird happened. I was searching Google for an upholster near me and the name Steve Burroughs popped up. Now I have been searching for an upholster for years and I have never seen that name before. So I gave him a call and his message said that you could text him photos of the piece that you wanted to have work done on. 

He responded right away! I was floored! I made arrangements to meet with him the following week after I texted him my photos. Once I arrived I was amazed at how beautiful his property was and that his little shop was just right behind his home! Isn’t it the cutest little workshop? It’s actually pretty cleaned and organized on the inside. Steve gave me a little tour. 

 

 

After he showed me the shop we began to discuss the “vision” that I had for my stool. He had a storage room full of left over materials from past projects. He said that if I found something that I liked I could use it and save money using his leftover fabrics. Well I did find this blue fabric in the storage room. I selected this and once I got home I just kept thinking about it. It did not make my “heart sing”. I knew that I had to go and find some fabric that I would love. That’s when Steve directed me to Calico Corners. 

Now this was a new discovery to me! I never knew that this store existed but I am so glad that I decided to go and look for my own fabrics. I had a version of blue and white for my stool. So while looking around I came across Vern Yip-blue and Vern Yip Exotic Garden. I went with exotic garden. I felt as if the splash of color from this fabric would go well with my home decor. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

It took about 2 months, but it was so worth the wait! Look at how beautiful it turned out! 

 

 

It’s stunning!

 

 

 

 

The fabric looks so good! It was like they were made for each other! 

 

 

Oh my goodness, I love my stool so much! It is a perfect home decor addition to my sitting room. I look forward to using my stool and to working with Steve again. I have more projects that I would love to work with him on! Steve was so nice and polite! He was a true gentleman. 

Let me know in the comments section below if you have ever used a upholster and if so what was the project? I found a similar one on Amazon, see here. Also a new archive button has been added to the website. It gives you the option to view all of my blog posts by year and month. 

Have a great Monday! 

 

 

Lady of the House ~What is that for you?

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Good Morning All,

I had a great evening yesterday. I attended my very first Guild Meeting! It was for the new members only, so we all got to meet each other. It was nice getting to meet all of the other new members and the women in leadership. I think that I am going to like this… 

Well, I am not sure but do any of you follow Inspired by Nikki’s Youtube channel? I believe most of us do and I have been loving her “Lady of the House” series for a while. That got me thinking about what does a “lady of the house” mean to me? 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

My front porch 

 

A lady of the house kind of day for me would be getting up early, giving my silent thanks to the Lord, starting my bubble bath, and getting ready. After that I check my planner or to-do list for the day. Since I plan out my weeks in advance, I have an idea of what house chores or personal business items need to be done. 

I may go ahead and get one of the house chores done (like go out and water my plants on the front porch), then it’s off to the grocery store to get fresh flowers and food for the week. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley

Our bedroom, love having fresh flowers in it. 

After I come home, groceries are put away and then I make self a beautiful brunch. I make my scrambled butter eggs, cinnamon bread toast, fresh grapes, orange juice, and a teapot of hot tea. I sit and enjoy my brunch, plan my week, then I start my chore list. It’s not as long anymore since I do one chore every day. I can’t stand cleaning a house all weekend now. I did it for over 15 years and will not do it again. It’s not worth it. 

 

Me playing my friend Marc’s piano

 

I think a lady of the house kind of day would include an “elegant activity”. Whatever your activity may be, whether antiquing, playing an instrument, dinner with a friend, reading or maybe going to a book club. I think we should include those in our days. 

 

My weekly salmon dinner with brown rice and sautéed spinach! I love it!

 

After everything is completed on my list, I usually love to end the day with a beautiful meal. I have shared this before. It’s one of my favorites. I love to enjoy my meals at home or out. 

 

Me after a fun day of antiquing

 

And lastly a lady of the house kind of day would not be complete without my dress, cardigan, and ballet house slippers. My hair is fixed, earrings on, and my favorite perfume has been applied. What would your lady of the house kind of day be? Make sure you share it below! 

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

Book Clubs ~ Are you in one?

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Good Morning,

I went antiquing this weekend but that really isn’t a surprise. I get these urges at the middle of the month and always make sure that I take some time to go. I found some wonderful things. If you follow me on Instagram, then you would have seen my reel about it. I did save it to my “Elegant Living” highlight. You can visit that reel to see some of my adventures and items! I will most likely be sharing those in my August favorites. Overall, it was a very quiet weekend.

This post is inspired by my supervisor. She is the Civil Chief in my division, and I love working with her! It has been great so far! There are so many things that I love about her. Her calendar is one of them. She is a bit older than me, but her calendar so inspires me!

I am in charge of it, so I get to see everything she puts on it. One of the items is her monthly pedicure. She actually goes to a spa and gets it done! Okay check! I need to do that! I have a nail salon that I go to and yesterday I decided to get a pedicure. It was terrible because the young lady who did it was NOT TRAINED AT ALL. But I am taking that as a sign to look for a new location. I have been at this location for several years, and they have new management. 

 

photo credit: Pinterest

 

The other items are her monthly dinners with friends and her book club meetings! Ohhh I am so jealous! This past Friday she told me that she was hosting it. So that got me thinking. Are any of you in a book club? Or have you ever been in a book club? If so, please share your good and bad experiences. I would LOVE to know. As you all know I have been doing a lot of networking and hope to meet a friend or two in these groups. Let me know in the comments section below if you have any experiences with one. Have a great Monday!

 

 

 

Things to Master in my 40s

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Good Morning Everyone!

I have returned from Rhode Island, and I must say that I am really sad. I LOVED it so much!! If you follow me on Instagram, then you have already seen my photos. My goodness… the Victorian homes were everywhere, and everyone had blue hydrangeas.

I don’t know how or why they have blue hydrangeas, but they were everywhere and I mean everywhere! I wonder if the climate has something to do with it. Our hydrangeas here are white and pink only. It is rare to see blue hydrangeas here.

I can’t wait to share my photos and the mansion tours here on my blog. I also filmed a little while I was there. I will be putting together a video for Youtube. I hope to post it at the end of the month. It will take me that long to edit it.

In today’s post I wanted to share a list that I heard on a podcast recently. I listen to the John Maxwell Leadership podcasts every morning during my morning walks and a few weeks ago he gave a list of 10 things that one should do before 40. I wanted to share it….

 

photo credit: Pinterest

 

  1. Know Yourself! Know your strengths and weaknesses. Know what you do well and what you don’t do well. Hopefully by this time you are working in your strength zone and not your weaknesses. 
  2. Settle your family life. Know what the issues are in your family and know how to deal with those issues. Marriage is constant work. It’s sad when couples are still fighting over the same issues. (HELLO!) 
  3. Determine your priorities; know what you want to give your time to and what you need to give your life to. Add certain things to your life and subtract certain things from your life. Get centered. 
  4.  Develop your philosophy for life. I hope by 40 that you have a vision and attitude for your life. Settle who you are and what you believe in. Settle things that you would die for and things that are optional in your life. 
  5. Get physically fit. Exercise and get healthy. Early in life people give up their health for wealth and later they give up their wealth for health. 
  6. Learn your trade whatever it may be. Learn, earn, and return. Always learning and always earning but make sure that you return. Give back to people. 
  7. Pay the price. Pay it on the front end. There is no success without sacrifice. If you have succeeded without sacrifice, it’s because someone on the front end paid first. If you sacrifice without success then someone after you will reap the benefits. 
  8. Develop solid relationships. Life’s greatest experiences involve people. 
  9. Prepare for the future. Options are the most precious commodity. 
  10. Find purpose for your life. Knowing my purpose in life, maximize my potential, and sowing seeds in life. Growing, going, and sowing. 

 

I hope you all enjoyed this list. I think for the most part we all are aware of these tips. Keep these as reminders and set goals for yourself. I will be 40 in about 2 months, and I can’t believe it! I do have a few things that I want to “settle” in my life, and I hope that the Lord will allow me to do so this year. I do have a fun day planned today. I took the day off to give myself an extra day at home. I wanted a little more time to get things done. Today I am going to be meeting a potential new upholster! I will let you all know how things go. I found a tufted stool that I want to change the fabric on. I also found out about a new antique store. I plan on visiting it today! I will share how things went on Wednesday. 

 

 

I found this for $35 at the antique store! I see blue and white fabric. What do you think?