Elegant Living Archives - Page 39 of 53

Anniversary Lunch at the CakeBake Shop

March 5, 2018/6 Comments/in Elegant Living, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

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

February 14, 2018/2 Comments/in Elegant Living, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

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

January 5, 2018/5 Comments/in Elegant Living, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

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)

Lunch at the Ayres Tea Room ~ 2017

January 3, 2018/6 Comments/in Elegant Living, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

Time for my Ayres Tea Room post! Yes, we went again for lunch and it is such a joy to go to! I love it but my family…. not so much. But they are good sports and go for me. I remind them that I only get to go once a year. If you missed my post from last year about it you may see it here.

Still love the wallpaper and the vintage photos.

My favorite hot tea to get while I am here.

Vintage silver for your hot tea.

Chicken velvet soup, always delicious! If you want to see the recipe you may view it here.

The Classic Tea Experience is what I always order.

This year was the first year we ordered dessert. This is the lemon berry marscarpone cake. It is a lemon sponge cake layered with mascarpone and mixed berries!

We had a lovely lunch as always and will be visiting again next Christmas!

(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Plans for the Holidays ~ 2017

November 27, 2017/2 Comments/in Elegant Living, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

My favorite time of the year is upon us and also my busy time. But it is always a joy scheduling my yearly holiday to-do’s on my calendar. I look forward to putting up all my Christmas trees, picking up my poinsettias from Costco, booking my lunch at the Ayres Tea Room, going to the ballet with my daughter to see the Nutcracker and buying beautiful Christmas sweaters and accessories for the season. It is always a good time of the year….

To see previous post about my trees, read it here.

My new blue and white ornaments on my white Christmas tree.

See here to read about those.

My poinsettia from Costco last year! Love!!!

See my post last year about it.

The Ayres Tea Room

See my blog post here about that.

My daughter and I at the ballet to see the Nutcracker.

Read my post here about that.

My glitter sweater and shoes from last year. I have found some new goodies for this season!

I will share those soon.

To read this blog post from last year click here.

If any of you have some yearly Christmas plans that you would like to share I would love to hear them. Just comment below.

(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Happy Thanksgiving

November 17, 2017/in Elegant Living, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

Well, another year has came and is passing. I can’t believe that Thanksgiving is next week and Christmas is next month! My goodness! I still have to get my last items on my Thanksgiving list and my Christmas shopping is almost done! Just a few more gift cards and that is all.

I will be taking next week off to get ready for Thanksgiving. I hope to be back the following week with some shopping goodies and to talk about a new book I am reading. I hope you all enjoy your holiday and enjoy our families!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

(photos via Pinterest)

Elegant Antiquing at Midland

November 13, 2017/4 Comments/in Elegant Living, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

This past Friday was Veterans Day and our office had the day off. Thank you to all the veterans who have served this country! I do appreciate your service! My husband served in the military for about 8 years so I do understand some of the hardships that come with it.

With the day off my daughter at school and my husband working, I decided to take the day and go antiquing and finish up my Christmas shopping. One of the ladies that I volunteer with at Dress for Success told me about this wonderful antique store. But what I did not know was how big it was!

It was massive and quite extraordinary. One of the best antique stores I have seen….