Posts that inspiring an elegant life

My Peacock Wallpaper

/3 Comments/in , /by

I have been wanting wallpaper for a very LONG time. My husband will not let me have any. I have been on the hunt for some chinoiserie inspired wallpaper for a while and found this beautiful pattern at Target.

It is called Opalhouse Peacock Peel and Stick Wallpaper. I tried to convince my husband that it would be fine applying it to the wall but he would just not hear of it. So I have been trying to come up with ways to enjoy this print without adding it to the wall. 

Isn’t it lovely?

I just love the colors. 
So I decided to add it to one of my gold frames as a photo. 

And it turned out great!
It’s now hanging in my office at work. I have gotten lots of compliments on it already. Even my husband liked it. I don’t know ladies I might be able to convince him to let me have one wall. Fingers crossed! 
If you want to take a look at more wallpaper options see here. I hope you enjoyed this post and may have found your dream wallpaper too!
(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Vintage Linen Napkin Shopping

/in , /by

On Wednesday I shared my vintage lamp find. Today I wanted to share my linen napkin find. I have a great fondness for vintage linen napkins. While looking for my lamp last week I also wanted to look for some new vintage napkins.

Digging through the pile. There were so many to choose from!

But then I saw these….. I do declare!

Pretty, pretty details and I adore the color.

Now there were only two but this was an excellent price!
Then I found this lovely tablecloth.

And for $6.50, how could I refuse?
I took one of the napkins to work and I USE it! It is so lovely with my vintage cups. It’s the little wonderful details in life that can make it beautiful. I do hope that you enjoyed this post today. Have a great weekend! 
(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Vintage Lamp Shopping

/in , /by

I recently had an office move. While moving between floors I managed to break my vintage white lamp! I tried everything to fix it but I just knew that it would not be the same.

I placed it in our trash can and our wonderful cleaning lady Ms. Brenda saw it. She came right to me and said, “I knew this was yours, no one else in the office would have something like this”. She asked me if she could have it to try to fix it. I told her sure as always. I always like to give her things out of my office if I buy something else.

I told her that I would be taking a trip to one of my favorite flea markets (entry) to find a new one. So on Friday night I took a walk through the Beech Grove Emporium and found this beauty below.

It was only $9! I had to get rid of that ugly lamp shade. It was 3 sizes to small and I did not like the color. So I went to Target and while looking for shades I kept thinking, “oh I hope I find a blue one” and I did!

I had to take this off in order to attach the shade to the lamp. No worries I kept it. 

At this point I was holding my breath and crossing my fingers hoping that it would fit. 

My pretty baby blue lamp shade 

I love all the details that it has and the gold bottom. 

Here it is the finished product! I do love it and I think that I will enjoy this lamp for years to come! To my office it goes! 
(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

My Daughter’s Paint Party

/4 Comments/in , /by

Time sure is flying by. My daughter was 9 when I started this blog and this weekend she turned 13! Incredible right? Well, I no longer have control of the themes of her parties.

Last year we had a party at a trampoline place called Sky Zone and the year before that we had a gymnastics party for her. I did love the flower arranging party that I had for her a few years ago. This year she said that she just wanted a paint party at home with friends.

It sounded good to me! I jumped on my favorite craft website called Oriental Trading. I purchased everything I needed from there and it turned out great!

DIY Canvases

Paint Palettes
Water brush Set


Craft Paint Set


Paint Splattered Backdrop
I used these paint buckets as favors for the guests. They were a big hit!!!
Paint Bucket Favor Container
And these artist lollipops were just to cute to pass up!
I filled the paint buckets with candy and toys. 

These artist party dessert plates were so creative and they looked great with the artist party beverage napkins.
My daughter had a good time with her friends. It turned out to be a great quiet birthday party!

(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Anniversary Lunch at the CakeBake Shop

/6 Comments/in , /by

It was our 14 year wedding anniversary last week. We have been together for 15 years total. It has been a long time. This year I wanted to have lunch at the Cake Bake Shop. My husband and I went there in 2016 for lunch (see here) and I have been wanting to go back ever since!

The owner Gwendolyn has redecorated for the spring and there are more flowers and fu-fu than ever before! It was my feminine mother-ship!

Faux flowers cascading down the sign. 
Walking up 
These faux cherry blossom trees were just gorgeous!

This is one of my favorite photos. Doesn’t this look so dreamy?

An up-close look at the counter
Wonderful aren’t they? Does everyone see those huge macaroons?
This is where you would have tea with friends. It is a charming room.

You can also buy some of the china! I seriously would like to buy a cup and saucer. 
The Gift Shop
So my husband and I sat down to order and this was the view from my seat.
So lovely….



The benches
I ordered the chicken salad sandwich on croissant with arugula salad.

My husband had the three cheese cavatappi with breadcrumbs and baguette. 

And for dessert we both ordered the caramel salt cake which is not on the spring menu at this time. 

We got it on the last day. 
We had a lovely lunch and got everything packed up and ready to go. 

I had a separate order for a co-worker also. She wanted to try some of the cake. 

Before leaving I had to visit the ladies room but saw this in there. I think this is brilliant and my have to use this idea in my bathroom. I love the tea cart idea!!!



A chandelier in the bathroom, how fitting. 
Coming back to my seat. I just could not get enough of this faux cherry blossom tree! Isn’t it exquisite?

This was in the window next to the dinning area. It was so sweet!
I had a wonderful time with my husband and cannot wait to visit her new location!!
That’s right she is opening a second location soon and it is suppose to be bigger. 
I am so looking forward to it!



(photos via Mrs. Shockley, all photos are my own)

My Inslee Calendar

/2 Comments/in , /by

Oh my goodness!!! I have been an Inslee fan for a few years now! I first saw her work on another blogger’s page. I just admire her artwork. It is truly beautiful.

I signed up for her emails so I get notices about sales. Well she recently had a sale on her 2018 calendars. I had to order one.

It arrived in this wonderful box. It is very sturdy and chic!
Opening up the package….
Beautiful illustrations and the easel comes with it!
I have to say this one is my favorite! I am headed to D.C. again next month for work. Fingers crossed that I get to see the cherry blossom trees! I certainly hope I do!
I noticed her little Chanel inspired pumps in the illustration and realized that I have the same pair! Well isn’t that chic? Please visit Inslee’s website and view her work. You can also Google some of her paintings and illustrations. They are truly exquisite! 
(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

The Nutcracker ~ 2017

/5 Comments/in , /by

This is our third year seeing the Nutcracker and it was just as wonderful as the first year. My mother-in-law joined my daughter and I this year. I believe my mother may join us next year. We will see.

This year I let my daughter talk me into getting balcony seats. I don’t think that I will be doing that next year but I did enjoy the view of the ceiling. 

This year we have a different Sugar Plum Fairy but she did a wonderful job!

They all did a magnificent job and I hope that we will continue to go each year!
I hope that you attend the ballet whenever you get a chance. To see my previous posts about the our Nutcracker visits see here and here.
Seek the arts!

(photos via Mrs. Shockley and IB.com)