Posts that inspiring an elegant life

Seeking the Arts ~ The Claude Monet Exhibit

/2 Comments/in , /by

 

 

Happy Friday!

It is Veterans Day and of course I want to thank everyone who has served this country. I have shared this before but my husband is one of them. Thank you! I don’t have to be in the office today so I booked a few things to get done. Last night my group the Guild had a Wine and Design Event. It was a lot of fun! We got to meet the new designers for the upcoming Decorator’s Showhouse!  We got to see their plans for the room that they are assigned. It’s really exciting! Our Christmas luncheon will be coming up soon as well as the fashion show! I’ll try to share photos if I can. Now on to my most recent “seek the arts” adventure. 

During fall break we went to Nashville and visited a few places. What we also did was take Lauren to the Monet Art Exhibit at Newfields. 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley

 

The exhibit transported you to 19th century Paris and displayed the works of Monet, Pissarro, Renoir, and Cezanne. The exhibit had music which was set to include Europe’s most renowned composers! 

 

 

 

 

I found a seat and just enjoyed the exhibit. I believe this was “Woman with a Parasol” from 1875. 

 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley 

 

I believe this is the “Water Lily Pond” from 1900. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I only took a few photos. I wanted to pay attention and enjoy the moment. It was a pretty long presentation, and it also displayed the works of the other artists. Lauren and I both love the water lily piece. There are a few more that I love from Monet and they are Camille (the Woman in the Green Dress), On the Bank of the Seine, Bennecourt, Houses on the Achterzaan, Bouquet of Sunflowers, and there are so many more. I am trying to find ways to enjoy the arts in my city. Please let me know below what you are doing to explore your town!

Don’t forget to check out the boutique! A few dresses are on sale! Have a great weekend! 

 

 

Dinner at Restoration Hardware Cafe

/2 Comments/in , /by

 

 

Happy Monday!

On Saturday I am happy to say that I did not do much! It was wonderful. I went grocery shopping and that was it. So nice. On Sunday same thing. I just puttered around the house, got a few chores done and tried to relax. 

On Friday I shared my visit to the Sarah Flint Store. I also talked about my husband taking me to dinner at the Restoration Hardware Cafe. It was truly magnificent and wonderfully chic. I shared my visit to Restoration Hardware here on the blog a few years ago. I was not surprised at how beautiful the cafe was and how it matched the elegance of the store. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

This was the view looking into the restaurant! Now how wonderful is that? It is a bit intimidating but if you are confident in living beautifully then embracing places such as this is nothing. 

All of the furniture is from Restoration Hardware of course as well as the chandeliers. I also just learned that there is one in Columbus, Ohio which is really close to me!

 

 

 

The staff was incredibly nice and you could not stop looking around. It was that beautiful! 

 

 

 

 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley 

 

There was a chandelier above each table….

 

 

 

My view from where I sat…

 

 

 

I ordered the roasted chicken of course. You guys know that I love a roasted chicken entree. This came with roasted garlic, olive oil potato puree and natural jus. It was so good! For dessert we stopped by Hatti B’s. I wanted to try their peach cobbler. I will be honest. It was okay. Nothing I would go and try again. After dinner we hit the road and headed back to Indy. I wanted to stay over but I felt like we were so close to home why spend a fortune at a hotel when I can be home in just a few hours. I am so glad that we did. Let me know in the comments section below if you have visited either one of these restaurants. I would love to know about your experience. Have a great Monday!

 

 

 

Diana Krall ~ My First Concert!

/2 Comments/in /by

 

 

Good Morning,

Goodness, I can’t believe it. October is pretty much over. Wow….. that went by quickly. I feel like I need to get my Christmas shopping done! The list isn’t long this year but I still would like to get things done. I am excited about the weekend. I don’t have much planned, but I am having my cousin over for dinner. We haven’t seen each other in a while so it will be so nice to catch up with her. I want to try to get back into having people over again but we will see. 

I am so excited to share with you all that I went to my very FIRST concert a few weeks ago! I know, I know. It sounds so weird especially since I am 40 and just now doing this but honestly there weren’t many people that I have wanted to go see.

I remember in my teen years how certain rappers came in town and some of the girls and boys that I went to school with would go and see them, but I remember never wanting to go. I mean I had no interest whatsoever. And back then I worked so if I did go I would be paying for my own ticket and it just felt like a waste of money to me.

I would ask my fellow peers the next day or following week how the concert was and they would say everything that went on and I just thought “why in the world would I want to be in a giant room with men constantly in my face and just crazy things going on? No thanks. There have been a few singers that have come to Indy that I thought I would like to see and one of them was Sade. I did want to see her in my twenties, but we just had Lauren and could not afford the extra expense. So here I am 20 years later going to my first concert, and I could not have been happier!

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley 

Shop my outfit? My purse is here, my scarf is the Pearl Scarf from my boutique, my skirt is from Amazon, my cardigan is here,  phone case is from Amazon, and my glitter pumps are from Poshmark.

 

I decided to keep my outfit simple. I was going to wear a satin dress but then I decided to wear something that I could be comfortable in and so did Mr. Shockley. He did not want to wear a tie. We wanted to keep things simple.

 

 

The event was at the Center of Performing Arts, also known as the Carmel Palladium. It is a beautiful venue here in my city.

 

 

 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley 

 

Even the carpet has a “grandmilliennial” look to it. It was a really classy location and for the most part everyone dressed up! It made me so happy to see people put on their best!

 

 

 

 

 

My husband paid for box seats so this was our view! It was phenomenal! We had a private space and for the most part it was quiet where we sat. We had “good box” neighbors.

 

 

I took this photo before people started to arrive. It was such a beautiful space and was not crowded. That was a concern as well. The only thing that kept going wrong was the older attendees would snap photos with their flash on! It drove me nuts, but I figured they forgot to turn it off.

 

 

 

Diana was such a great performer. She cracked some jokes and played most of my favorites. She played for 2 and a half hours straight with no intermission and came back out for an encore! I am so happy that this was my first concert. I honestly have no regrets. This was a perfect first concert for me and I am happy that the Lord allowed me to have this experience.

Tell me below about your first concert and if you had any regrets. Have a great weekend!

 

 

 

 

David Austin Roses ~ My First Bouquet

/in , /by

 

 

Good Morning Everyone!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Today is a federal holiday and I don’t have to be in office. Lauren is on fall break for two weeks! I keep telling myself this is the last year for this. She will have shorter breaks this coming fall when she starts college. While she is on break we are going to attend a campus tour today and I have a few Zoom calls set up with some college counselors! Let the college journey begin! 

I will be taking the second week off. I do hope that I can drive down to Nashville to visit the Sarah Flint store! I will be taking that week off from the blog so I will be sure to share whatever I was able to do when I return. In today’s post I did want to share my first David Austin Roses bouquet!

 

 

It’s always exciting to receive a bouquet from Grace Rose Farms. It’s also nerve wrecking! I will not lie. You are not sure as to how these will bloom because they are grown organically so you are always at the mercy of the flower. 

 

 

 

 

This is what they looked like the day that I received them. Not too bad. My husband said that they were shipped from Columbia and got held up in customs. My birthday was on a Wednesday and these didn’t arrive until 3 days later. So I was glad to see that there was no damage. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

After about two days this is what they looked like. They were gorgeous and the smell…. goodness I wish I could bottle it. Many perfumes claim to have a rose scent but I have yet to smell a perfume with the scent of David Austin roses.

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

Now I have had Grace Roses before see here and here but my husband and I both agree that this was our favorite bouquet sent from them. Look at how spectacular this was! This was my fourth bouquet from them, and each bouquet has been a dream. I am looking forward to my next one. Have a wonderful Monday! 

Also check out the boutique! There are a few dresses on sale. Oh and don’t forget some of the dresses are on my Poshmark account which means that you can make an offer! Be sure to check that out! 

 

 

 

This is 40…

/6 Comments/in , /by

 

 

Good Morning,

The crisp mornings have stayed so far. I really do enjoy my walks in the mornings. It’s so nice. Well, I had a WONDERFUL send off to 40! My husband did a great job and pretty much got everything that I wanted! It was splendid. 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley

 

On Friday, I came home to see this. My husband was trying to get it done before I came home but I think it worked out. I gained a new friend in the process. 

 

 

It’s a mother and daughter team by the name of Balloon Ambience and they did a great job! I think they nailed it honestly!

 

 

I felt so special. Honestly, I felt like a little kid! The balloon arch is still up and will stay up a few more days. 

 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley 

 

Now let’s talk about this gorgeous cake of mine. I did not even want to cut it. It was so beautiful! I smiled from ear to ear and told my husband over and over how much I loved it so! It was cherry chip on the inside of the cake and tasted just as good as it looked. The cake was completed by Kim’s Kakery, Bakery & Cafe. They did a phenomenal job! I could not have been happier!

 

 

 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

After that I was presented with my gifts. I could not stop staring at this elegant Gucci Flora Compact. Even if you don’t wear eyeshadow the compact alone is worth having on your vanity. It’s one of those vanity pieces that will always remain timeless. I also received my new favorite fragrance. It’s Aerin Rose De Grasse. The scent is alluring and classic as well!

 

 

On Saturday morning I received another unexpected gift…..

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley 

 

This beautiful bouquet of David Austin Roses from Grace Rose Farms! I was not expecting this! It was such a wonderful surprise, and the smell is so amazing! My husband said that they got stuck in customs because they were being shipped from Columbia. Wow…

 

I also went to the Vintage Whimsy Fall Festival and did a bit of antiquing….

 

 

I saw this in the store and could not stop staring at her. It was the exact shape I wanted. I have been looking for an armchair like this for a few years now.

 

 

I tried to negotiate the price, but the seller would not go down. But I could not walk away from it. So I have her! Do you think that I should change the fabric and paint it? 

 

 

 

This photo and this photo are my inspirations. What do you think? Let me know in the comments section below!

 

 

Have a great Monday and thank you all again for the birthday wishes!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My First Spa Visit~ Woodhouse Spa

/in , /by

 

 

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

/in , /by

 

 

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!