Posts that inspiring an elegant life

Host Gift Ideas

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Good Morning Everyone,

Thank you to everyone who has purchased from the boutique. It is such a joy for me to pack an order. I always smile when I get to process and pack an order. Thank you so much! 

I am a little sad right now. We are normally planning our vacations around this time but due to my recent promotion and my husband’s horribly busy schedule, we are finding it hard to plan a vacation this summer. Plus it is so hard being “married” to our daughter’s school schedule. She goes back at the end of July which gives us only 8 weeks to try to plan something! I tell you what I am getting really tired of it!

So after talking it over with my husband we are considering planning a getaway in October. Our daughter will be on fall break and we have two weeks to get away and hopefully, our schedules will calm down at that point. 

Because this is our normal vacation season that had me thinking about staying with friends and family during this time. I always have a hard time trying to figure out what to buy for a host gift. I always like to bring something when we arrive and it is so hard to figure out what to buy our host. 

 

 

photo credit: Aerin Lauder Instagram

 

This week during my lunch break I have been flipping through my new Emily Post Etiquette book and landed on the “Twelve House Gift Ideas”. On this page, she discussed that houseguests are expected to give a gift to their host. She said for an overnight stay a bottle of wine is sufficient. If it is longer something more substantial is required. 

If the host has children it is also nice if they can partake in it as well. She suggests a box of chocolates or a family game. You can take the gift with you and present it once you arrive or have the gift sent as soon as you leave. 

 

photo credit: Cathy Graham Instagram

 

Here are the twelve gift ideas that were suggested:

  • New best-selling book
  • Consumables, such as gift basket of gourmet treats, fruit, or chocolates
  • Hand towels or beach towels
  • Placemats, napkins, and napkin rings
  • Bottle of liqueur or cognac you know your host is fond of
  • Sturdy canvas tote bag (monogram optional)
  • Two or three unusual kitchen utensils, or a set of nice nesting bowls
  • For a golfer, a dozen golf balls
  • Set of nicely packages herbs and spices
  • Picture frame, with a picture taken during your visit sent later
  • Candles and informal candlesticks
  • Houseplant in a decorative pot

 

Great tips right? I will be keeping this list handy. I hope you all have found some ideas for your houseguests’ visits. It is always a wonderful thing to have friends that will allow you to stay but it is also a wonderful thing to be able to bless them with a beautiful gift.

Here are my other blog posts about being a houseguest, see here and here. 

Stay elegant my friends! 

 

 

 

Tips from Emily Posts Etiquette, page 268

 

 

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.

 

 

First Boutique Pop-Up & Antique Shopping

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Hello All,

I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend. I had a really good weekend. I took Friday off and hung out with my daughter and we set up the boutique for our subdivision’s community sale. We had fun and really enjoyed ourselves. On Saturday I set up again for the second day and I sold more than I expected! I was really happy. I hope to do it again soon.

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley

 

The boutique is having a 4th of July sale. Lots of items are under $10 so I hope that you find something that you love. There are a few dresses that are $10 as well. The Beverly tote is only $38! I received lots of compliments on this bag during the pop-up sale. So I hope everyone can find an item or two to order. Okay now on to my lovely finds from antique shopping. 

 

 

So my first stop on Friday was Solomon Paris Antiques. I mentioned them a little while ago in my blog post about the Indiana Decorator’s House. This place was everything that I imagined. It was chic, elegant, and really expensive. I circled the store three times to make sure that the prices were correct in my head. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

You could tell that everything has its place. The owner was very kind and knowledgeable. 

 

 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

Then I had to go to the bathroom and when I walked in I just stared. It was like walking into an art gallery. The textured wallpaper was so rich and so was the gold tilted ceiling. 

I didn’t want to take too many pictures because I wanted to enjoy the moment but I did need a few to share with you guys. So after looking around there I walked down two doors to another antique store called The Corner Bazaar. 

 

 

The very first thing that caught my eye were these Waterford crystal wine glasses. They were in a cabinet and the price was marked “5 for $35”. I couldn’t believe it. I had to have them. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

The second item that caught my eye but that was in the same cabinet was this mid-size Waterford vase. It was only $35 and I had to have it as well!

 

 

The last item that caught my eye was this crystal bowl. Now I have no idea what brand this is but I thought it was stunning and wanted it for my dresser. It was only $20 which was a steal to me!

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley

 

Gotta love the crystals! I hope everyone enjoyed today’s post and found some inspiration today. I am still on the hunt for my upholstery cleaner for my new vintage chairs. Let me know in the comments section below what upholstery cleaner you have tried if any. I would love some tips or tricks! Thanks for reading and have a great Monday!

 

 

 

 

A Blue Bug & Boutique Hotel

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And a Happy Monday to everyone! I have quite a busy week this week. I have a new staff member starting today, a staff meeting on Tuesday, and a possible pop-up shop on Friday. So we will see how things pan out. 

We had a good weekend. We tried our best to spoil my husband but things always happen where we have to focus on the kids. On Friday we went and looked at our daughter’s dream car. She will be a junior in high school in a few months so we figured this was a good year for her to drive. Our daughter has always wanted a Volkswagon Beetle in sky blue and our good friend found the car! I couldn’t believe it! We are so excited for Lauren and are praying vigilantly for her to be safe. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

She is super excited and can’t stop smiling. It is a wonderful thing to be able to do things like this for your kids. I hope that all of you had a great weekend and celebrated your fathers, husbands, and whatever special guy you have in your life. 

Now on to this gorgeous hotel that I learned about on the Victoria magazine website. The hotel is called Hotel Paris Marais Caron de Beaumarchais. I have never seen a hotel like this but this hotel speaks to me in so many ways. 

 

Photo credit: Hotel Paris Marais Caron.com 

 

The very first thing that captured me about this hotel is that they do not have a traditional front desk area. The lobby features a living area completely decorated with 18th-century antiques! Oh my gosh!

 

 

 

I can’t believe how gorgeous this hotel is. When you walk in there is a fireplace, candles, and a crystal chandelier. 

 

photo credit: Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais.com

 

And you all have to check out the bedrooms! Oh my goodness, they are stunning! They are truly an elegant dream. Each room is decorated with 18th-century antiques, some have beautiful views and a wonderful breakfast option. 

 

 

Doesn’t this look wonderful? This is the breakfast that they offer. This would be a dream for me. To stay in such a beautiful hotel, wake up to this beautiful breakfast, and stare out my windows. Such a beautiful dream! I really hope that I can go to France one day and stay in a hotel like this. Wouldn’t you?

I really hope you all enjoyed this beautiful hotel. I would love to know if any of you have been to France and stayed in a hotel similar to this one. Please share your story below. 

Before I end today’s post I wanted to let everyone know that my new earring arrivals are available on the boutique’s page. I really hope that you all enjoy them. Have a great Monday!

 

 

Ivy Vine Earring

Camellia Pearl Earring

 

 

 

This post is not sponsored. 

 

 

New Home Decor Websites

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Hello Everyone,

The weather here has been so great! It has been sunny and the humidity has vanished for now. I am on the hunt for a new company that can reupholster my chairs. I have a vision in my mind. I just hope that I can find someone to help me make it a reality soon!

Now on to some beautiful new websites that I have recently discovered. The first is called French Garden House. I found this website on the Victoria magazine website. This website is filled with exceptionally beautiful french country home antiques. 

 

photo credit: French Manoir Instagram 

 

My favorite selection is their jewelry selection. I love a good brooch! The second website is called Mrs. Alice and it is a GORGEOUS website! 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Alice Instagram 

 

Mrs. Alice is a tablescape company that offers beautiful accessories for your dining pleasure. You could probably spend hours on this website staring at all of the items. They are just stunning. 

 

 

Just look at these candlesticks! It is a grandmillennial’s dream!

 

 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Alice Instagram 

 

There are so many beautiful accessories on this site. I do hope that everyone enjoys scrolling through it and finding their favorite items. I have a few on my list that I would love to order! 

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

My Second FBMP Purchase ~ White Armchairs

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Oh goodness, you guys I am so excited. As you can tell by the title I had a wonderful weekend! On Friday I decided to work half a day and get some housework done. I think I shared on Friday that I was looking for some antique or vintage armchairs and that I had found some on Facebook Marketplace. 

Well, I am so happy to share that I was able to pick them up early Friday afternoon! This is my second Facebook Marketplace purchase. I shared my first purchase in March. I am still loving my china! 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley

 

I saw these beauties and had to make an offer! 

 

 

Aren’t they gorgeous? Very grandmillennial. She responded pretty quickly and we had made an arrangement for me to pick them up on Saturday around 7 in the evening. Well, 7 came and went and I was really frustrated! I thought, “oh no did she sell them”?

 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

But she responded (thankfully) and we rescheduled for this past Saturday. Then I reached out on Friday and asked if I could pick them up early and she said yes! Yay!!! I do love them and can not wait to start looking for new fabrics! I will be changing the color. I may go with white or cream again but I would love to add a different fabric, maybe toile or some chinoiserie print on the back. What do you all think? 

 

I decided to add my blue and white chinoiserie pillows to them. I purchased these pillows when I was 20. It is one of the last decor items from my first apartment.  These chairs have no damage. There are a few stains and spots but nothing that concerns me. I also think I paid a really good price. She wanted $200 and I asked if she would take $150 and she agreed! I’ve seen one chair like this go for $200 by itself in a store so I am really pleased with this price! 

 

photo credit: Lauren  (my daughter)

 

Okay, so that is Mrs. Shockley $200 spent total on two wonderful items on Facebook Marketplace. I pray that my luck continues. We will see. Oh, and I also wanted to remind everyone that the dress sale is still going on for the boutique. My new earrings are ready for purchase. I decided to name them Vivian. The Vivian pearl drop earrings are ready and I am hoping to get more in stock. We will see how these do. And lastly, the Beverly tote is 10% off this week! I hope you guys all enjoy the boutique. Have a great Monday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table Manners with French Girlfriends

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Good Morning,

Today I just wanted to post a short video that I watched last month from my favorite blogger Sharon Santoni. She shared this beautiful video from her friends Octavie and Cecile and their beautiful store called La Maison du Bac.  I do hope that you enjoy it!

 

photo credit: La Maison du Bac Instagram 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking for Beautiful Things…

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Hello and Happy Monday,

I hope everyone enjoyed that fast weekend. I didn’t do much. I ran my normal errands, got my nails done, and waited on some orders to come in. I also watched a bunch of romance 90’s movies on Tubi. They were all a part of the Harlequin romance series. They had a few movies on the Tubi app so I watched those. They were pretty good. Watching movies that are over 20 years old just reminds you of how far downhill we have gone. I hate a lot of t.v. shows today. I watch a lot of old stuff but let’s move on. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley

 

My roses are doing well. Thank you to my good friend and reader of the blog Mya, I was able to save my roses from some pesky slugs that kept eating them! I am happy to report that they are now slug-free and happy! 

I have recently been on Facebook Marketplace again! I have been looking for some blue and white armchairs. I was inspired by the photo below from Nicola Bathie. 

 

photo credit: Nicola Bathie Instagram 

 

I have found a few sets and will let you guys know if I purchase anything soon. I have also been on Madame de la Maison website. I love this woman. She is my hero. Being able to turn a passion into a career is the dream for everyone. 

She has so many beautiful pieces on her website. I am sure that I will be purchasing something in the future. What beautiful things are you searching for? Anything on your radar? Please share below we would all love to hear. 

 

Have a great Monday!